Colour Wielders
Heirs of the Magykal Realm Series Book One
Heirs of the Magykal Realm Series Book One
By Dawna Raver
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Word Count: 133k
Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan
Book Description:
Behind the Mysts, hidden from Mortal eyes, is a land where Gods and creatures of myth and legend dwell. And in the Mortal Realm, their Princess lives.
Quinn Sinclair is clueless to who she is. She thinks she's an ordinary young woman—well, mostly ordinary—living an ordinary life with her less than loving mother in Conifer, Colorado. On the night of her birthday, Quinn finds herself betrayed by a man who sends her life spinning out-of-control.
As she struggles to pick up the pieces, a vision of a man with haunting tourmaline-blue eyes begs her for help, and she finds herself transported into a Magykal battle forever changing her life.
Arik Morgaine—demi-god bad boy and outcast of the Magykal Realm—tried to avoid contact with Princess Quinn Sinclair for eighteen years, not wanting to make good on an old threat. But the fates have other plans. Arik can no longer deny his growing desire for Quinn, or the need to protect her from those wanting to control her burgeoning powers. Can the two of them come together and save the Magykal Realm from being destroyed by the Darkest of Magyks, or will powers beyond their control destroy them and their world forever?
About the Author:
Dawna Raver is an the author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Colour Wielders, book one of the Heirs of the Magykal Realm series, is her first novel. When she's not spending time in her fantasy world, Dawna loves football, reading, and pretending she's a top chef in the kitchen. Oh, and worshiping her dogs and husband.
Authors Links
My Review
I really enjoyed this Urban Fantasy book! It has a great mix of the Magickals world crossing into our world, and the changes that can happen. I will admit I had my confused areas, but that does happen with me and fantasy books.
We have a mix of the Fae and Mythology and even some from the Aruthian Legends, so it was interesting for sure. We have some witty comments that relate to many things today that I liked and found funny at times. Overall the book is very interesting.
It does start off with a shocker; I mean the first few paragraphs is Quinn losing her virginity, and being betrayed. I am not really spoiling anything, as it happens right away. Then everything spirals out of control.
I found I didn’t really like Quinn a lot in the beginning. She did grow on me as the story went on. At first it just seemed she got over the trauma of her first time in the first chapter, and was ready to lust and move on to another guy, then from him to Arik, (first the traumatic one, then Devlin, then Arik) Though we don’t get sex again right away but she sure is ready to go there. Just that part bugged me a bit, there is no way a girl will get over something like that within days and lust after 2 other virtual strangers (I understand we have a magical connections on those, but still just didn’t go over well for me on that part)
But overall this is a great book, the relationship Quinn has with her brother Ian is special, and I really liked that. I found the relationship that develops with Quinn and Arik sweet and it sat well with me, if a bit fast I still liked the idea of them together.
Wow, that cliffhanger and shocker at the end was something. Now I am anxious for book two, but see nowhere when it will be out, so it’s a bummer it may be a big wait. I sure hope not! I need to see what happens, I will say it again, I absolutely Hate cliffhangers that leave us hanging in the middle of some major development or scenes. Just hate it.
Anyway, even though there is that hated cliffhanger, I still highly recommend this book. If you like fantasy books, or paranormal romances, then you will like this for sure.
5 out of 5 stars for me.
I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
Excerpt ~ Part of Chapter One
Chapter One
Virgin Territory
Gentle fingertips grazed the edge of her jaw, trailing down her neck to her collarbone. His citrine gaze stared deeply into her eyes, and her body heated at his tender touch.
"You're okay, yeah?" Thaene asked, his voice hoarse from their lovemaking.
Am I okay? She hardly knew. Though she had nothing to compare it to, this feeling was more than giving her virginity to him. Quinn felt like something bigger inside stirred to life, wanting to escape.
"You know I love you. I'm sorry if it hurt." He kissed her again, his lips caressing hers as if he could take the ache away. "Say something, Quinn. Please."
Am I okay? She hardly knew. Though she had nothing to compare it to, this feeling was more than giving her virginity to him. Quinn felt like something bigger inside stirred to life, wanting to escape.
"You know I love you. I'm sorry if it hurt." He kissed her again, his lips caressing hers as if he could take the ache away. "Say something, Quinn. Please."
"I love you, Thaene." She pressed herself into him, passionately returning his affection. As their kiss continued, Quinn wondered if he wanted more. She also wondered if she had more to give.
"I want us together always. Do you want that, Quinn?" Thaene's eyes danced with a mixture of emotions—love, passion, possessiveness, and something else she couldn't name.
"We can have forever. You want that, don't you?" Thaene asked.
"Yes," Quinn answered breathlessly before realizing what she'd agreed to. She smiled, finding his need for her exciting. "Forever is a long time. But I could do it with you."
Thaene smiled back. Happiness lit his face. He looked like he'd just won a major prize—he looked triumphant.
"Being with you on your birthday was very special to me. You've given me such a precious gift."
"I love you. I can't imagine my first time with anyone else."
Besides, my gift of Sight showed you to me, over and over. How could I not give myself to you?
"I want us together always. Do you want that, Quinn?" Thaene's eyes danced with a mixture of emotions—love, passion, possessiveness, and something else she couldn't name.
"We can have forever. You want that, don't you?" Thaene asked.
"Yes," Quinn answered breathlessly before realizing what she'd agreed to. She smiled, finding his need for her exciting. "Forever is a long time. But I could do it with you."
Thaene smiled back. Happiness lit his face. He looked like he'd just won a major prize—he looked triumphant.
"Being with you on your birthday was very special to me. You've given me such a precious gift."
"I love you. I can't imagine my first time with anyone else."
Besides, my gift of Sight showed you to me, over and over. How could I not give myself to you?
Her gift had shown her something else as well. Since she didn't understand it, Quinn ignored it. She'd followed her heart where Thaene was concerned. Not even her mother's dislike—or in spite of it— changed her mind. Following your heart always led you down the right path.
Thaene lightly brushed her hair from her face, then he rested his forehead on hers.
Thaene lightly brushed her hair from her face, then he rested his forehead on hers.
"There's something else I'd like you to give me. Will you do that? Give me what I desire the most?"
The longing in his voice made Quinn squirm underneath him. Right now, she'd give him anything.
"It's the most precious gift of all. One I'll cherish forever."
Oh my God. He wants to marry me.
"Yes," Quinn said, drawing in a breath. "I'll give you anything."
"Good." Thaene nuzzled her neck. "I want you to show me your Magyk."
"What?" Quinn blinked at him, wondering if she'd heard him right.
"If you want us to have forever, you must show me your Magyk."
The dead seriousness of his voice, and the unflinching look in his eyes, told Quinn Thaene wasn't joking.
"Magic? I don't understand. I have no magic." She had the Sight, of course, but she'd never told him about that. Ever.
"This isn't a joke, Princess. Forever can be ours if you show it to me."
"Thaene. Please. Stop this."
Dread crawled up her spine, and she shivered. Something terrible had just happened between them—a shift of horrific proportions. Suddenly, in his house, and in his bed, she felt like a cruel trick had been perpetrated on her.
Rays of moonlight flooded in through the window, highlighting his now vicious, black eyes. Quinn gasped and tried to move away from him, but he'd trapped her underneath him. The candles flickered, then flared in the bedroom as Thaene's seductively sweet voice—the same one that had professed his love for her—turn cold-blooded and sadistic.
Rays of moonlight flooded in through the window, highlighting his now vicious, black eyes. Quinn gasped and tried to move away from him, but he'd trapped her underneath him. The candles flickered, then flared in the bedroom as Thaene's seductively sweet voice—the same one that had professed his love for her—turn cold-blooded and sadistic.
"Taking your virginity on your birthday was the only way. We're running out of time. Show. It. To. Me!"
"Show you what?" Quinn croaked.
Quaking from fear, she blinked back her tears. Caught in a tangle of his red satin sheets, with the weight of her first lover bearing down on her, she felt a thousand times the fool for believing in this cold, calculating man. She felt even more stupid for ignoring what the Sight had shown her.
How can a tourmaline-blue gem morphing into a sapphire possibly foreshadow what Thaene’s doing?
Her perfect evening had devolved into a night of stark terror.
How can a tourmaline-blue gem morphing into a sapphire possibly foreshadow what Thaene’s doing?
Her perfect evening had devolved into a night of stark terror.
"From tonight, Quinn Sinclair, every time you close your eyes, every time a breeze caresses your skin, you will think about me, about us. You will crave my touch." Thaene's voice came out slowly and matter-of fact. Through hooded eyes, he stared down at her. Painfully, he squeezed her temples with his thumbs. "I will always be in here, inside your mind. You belong to me."
"Thaene. You're hurting me. Why are you doing this?"
"Thaene. You're hurting me. Why are you doing this?"
Emotionally and mentally flayed, her old reality lay in shredded scraps around her as Quinn stared at the monster looming over her. Hot, stinging tears poured from her eyes at the loss of her Thaene, her fun-loving boy with Zac Efron good looks.
"Why?" she whimpered again. "I waited for you. I loved you."
"Where is it, Princess?" Thaene snarled, ignoring her questions and protestations. Cruel fingers grabbed her face, digging into the hollows of both cheeks. Sharp fingernails scored her skin, drawing blood.
"You're so lovely, Quinn. Every night I dreamed about being with you. Do you think I like hurting you? Do you think I want to cause you pain? Give me what I want. Don't make me be this way with you."
A curtain of brown hair fell over Thaene's face, hiding it. Quinn sighed, happy for any reprieve. She couldn’t take seeing his evilness reflected in his eyes.
"Where is it, Princess?" Thaene snarled, ignoring her questions and protestations. Cruel fingers grabbed her face, digging into the hollows of both cheeks. Sharp fingernails scored her skin, drawing blood.
"You're so lovely, Quinn. Every night I dreamed about being with you. Do you think I like hurting you? Do you think I want to cause you pain? Give me what I want. Don't make me be this way with you."
A curtain of brown hair fell over Thaene's face, hiding it. Quinn sighed, happy for any reprieve. She couldn’t take seeing his evilness reflected in his eyes.
"Please, Thaene. I don't understand," Quinn cried, struggling against his grip as his muscular body pressed her deeper into his mattress.
Stupid self-defense. It's useless.
All those hours her brother Iain spent drilling her on moves designed to keep her safe meant nothing in the face of Thaene's imposing energy.
Stupid self-defense. It's useless.
All those hours her brother Iain spent drilling her on moves designed to keep her safe meant nothing in the face of Thaene's imposing energy.
"Show me now, you stupid bitch!" he commanded, his eyes large with rage. "You have no idea what's at stake. My survival and the future of my world depend on this."
"S-show y-you? What world?" Quinn stuttered.
"S-show y-you? What world?" Quinn stuttered.
The oppressive stench of burnt sugar and blood wafted off Thaene. It filled her nostrils, making her choke back the bile rising in her throat. In all the months they'd dated, he'd never smelled repulsive.
Though Thaene’s surfer-boy build appeared thin and tall, somehow he weighed a ton. The more he pressed into her, the more her legs numbed. Even if she freed herself, Quinn would fall flat on her face as soon as she stood.
Though Thaene’s surfer-boy build appeared thin and tall, somehow he weighed a ton. The more he pressed into her, the more her legs numbed. Even if she freed herself, Quinn would fall flat on her face as soon as she stood.
Strong hands moved to her neck and squeezed, making breathing and speech nearly impossible. Finding what little voice remained, she choked out, "Thaene, I… I thought you cared about me. We made love."
They hadn't made love at all. Just the opposite.
"No, Princess. We fucked." Thaene voiced her thought as though he’d read her mind. "You should learn the difference." Then his intonation softened. "Of course I love you. I love everything that is mine."
They hadn't made love at all. Just the opposite.
"No, Princess. We fucked." Thaene voiced her thought as though he’d read her mind. "You should learn the difference." Then his intonation softened. "Of course I love you. I love everything that is mine."
He kissed her roughly, biting her lip. "Play nice, Princess. Show me your Magyk and this can all be over. We'll go to Moincata, free him, then be on our way. Forever, Princess. We will have eternity together."
Thane's words floored Quinn. More tears, this time sparked by her surprise, poured from her eyes. He'd lost his mind if he thought for one minute she'd stay with him. And why did he keep calling her princess? Magic? Besides her now borked gift, she didn't have any supernatural abilities. Thaene had seen every inch of her. How could she hide something from him? As terrifying and ironically laughable as this all was, nothing funny could come from a man who believed in magic and was willing to do her bodily harm in its pursuit.
Thaene began chanting in what Quinn recognized as Gaelic. All her life, her mother often spoke the ancient language, and Quinn understood a good amount. Tonight, for whatever reason, not one word registered in her brain as the melodic words poured from his mouth in fast succession. They flowed in and around Quinn. Never had she experienced such a strange sensation—a pulling and coaxing of something inside her.
Thaene began chanting in what Quinn recognized as Gaelic. All her life, her mother often spoke the ancient language, and Quinn understood a good amount. Tonight, for whatever reason, not one word registered in her brain as the melodic words poured from his mouth in fast succession. They flowed in and around Quinn. Never had she experienced such a strange sensation—a pulling and coaxing of something inside her.
The phrase the power of words now had a literal meaning to Quinn.
As Thaene continued, the sensation intensified, growing stronger. A buzzing of unknown energy pulsed within every cell, making her muscles twitch.
As Thaene continued, the sensation intensified, growing stronger. A buzzing of unknown energy pulsed within every cell, making her muscles twitch.
Just when Quinn thought she couldn't stand anything more, an explosive crash in the other room brought their attention to the doorway. Loud footsteps stomped down the hall, moving closer at a rapid rate.
haene abandoned his chant, and his body tensed for action. For an instant, her surroundings shimmered. Things that had appeared one way, briefly changed into something else.
Quinn squinted to stop the tricks her eyes played, as the truth of the room came into focus. The romantic and inviting room turned into a space littered with trash. The exquisite, down mattress turned soiled and threadbare.
"Fuck!" Thaene cursed, glaring at the doorway.
Whomever or whatever approached had immense power; it announced itself with waves of energy before the person came into view. A moment later, a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark auburn hair and purple-tanzanite eyes filled the threshold.
The mysterious newcomer held a large sword in his right hand—at least five feet long—which glowed with the brightest colors she'd ever seen. The hues danced around the blade, making the sword seem alive with power. Its unearthly light cast a strange glow on his features, equally as malevolent as Thaene’s. Why he’d dressed in clothes fit for a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Quinn couldn’t fathom.
Quinn squinted to stop the tricks her eyes played, as the truth of the room came into focus. The romantic and inviting room turned into a space littered with trash. The exquisite, down mattress turned soiled and threadbare.
"Fuck!" Thaene cursed, glaring at the doorway.
Whomever or whatever approached had immense power; it announced itself with waves of energy before the person came into view. A moment later, a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark auburn hair and purple-tanzanite eyes filled the threshold.
The mysterious newcomer held a large sword in his right hand—at least five feet long—which glowed with the brightest colors she'd ever seen. The hues danced around the blade, making the sword seem alive with power. Its unearthly light cast a strange glow on his features, equally as malevolent as Thaene’s. Why he’d dressed in clothes fit for a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Quinn couldn’t fathom.
"Get off her!" the man said in a rich, baritone voice. "My daughter is not part of this."
"Daughter?" Quinn asked, her mouth agape. "You’re not my father. My father is dead. Paul's my father." As she stared at the man, something about him did seem familiar. But, father? No way; not possible.
"Big picture still muddy, isn't it? Yes, Quinn. This is your father, High King Finn Bheara of Flaitheas DraĆochta, the Magykal Realm." Thaene turned to the man and growled. "And she is very much a part of this. She is mine."
"Daughter?" Quinn asked, her mouth agape. "You’re not my father. My father is dead. Paul's my father." As she stared at the man, something about him did seem familiar. But, father? No way; not possible.
"Big picture still muddy, isn't it? Yes, Quinn. This is your father, High King Finn Bheara of Flaitheas DraĆochta, the Magykal Realm." Thaene turned to the man and growled. "And she is very much a part of this. She is mine."
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