A Feast of Souls by Hailey Edwards

Book 2 in the Araneae Nation Series

About the book: Release Date December 18, 2012

The only way to save her is to bind their souls as one.

Born with the ability to communicate with the dead, few things take Mana by surprise. But when a canis lopes into her life, announcing himself as the long-dead father of a childhood friend, she’s shocked. To make matters worse, he has a dire message that she alone can deliver.
Now Mana must face Vaughn, the male who inspired one too many girlish fantasies, and impart the spirit’s message—without acknowledging her source—so the soul can be laid to rest.

With rumors of a burgeoning clan war setting his nerves on edge, the last thing Vaughn needs is for an innocent to get caught in the crosshairs. But the woman he remembers as an awkward girl refuses to leave his side until he’s heard her out. That’s not the only change in her that calls to him. Her kindness soothes his battle-scarred soul—and he craves her in ways a warrior shouldn’t.

When they are both captured, they learn of an even greater threat. The plague devastating the southlands has come to his clan home. And his best—and only—chance to keep his people alive is the female who walks among the dead.

Review:

A Feast of Souls begins not long after the end of A Hint of Frost. Once Rhys and Lourdes have settled, Mana encounters a spirit who is more powerful than any she’s encountered before. She’s a walker who has always been able to help a spirit move on, but this one seems………..reluctant. Once she communicates with it and discovers that the plague of yellow death is ravaging the southlands, she knows she must venture home in order to see if she can aid the Mimetidae clan who are Vaughn’s people. Vaughn and two of his men begin their journey escorting Mana to her homeland. Unfortunately, they are attacked along the way and taken captive, which infuriates Vaughn. He had vowed to keep Mana safe. And his feelings for her are growing stronger. He also wonders about the wild canis that has befriended Mana and become protective of her as well.

Once they finally reach Mana’s home, politics come into play. Seems her maven, and aunt, is not keen on letting her leave the relative safety of their home. But when Old Father gives Mana his blessing, they begin last leg of their trip to Cathis, Vaughn’s home, and where he will one day rule as he is their maven’s first born.

Upon reaching Cathis, the gates are closed. Once they gain entrance, it is discovered that his mother and maven, Isolde, is gravely ill with the plague. Mana, being a spirit walker and healer, can also heal on a spiritual level and agrees to try to heal Isolde. They also discover that the yellow death has claimed many of Vaughn’s clan, and many more have taken ill. Mana wants to help Vaughn’s clan, but politics play into whether or not she’ll be accepted. Her feelings for Vaughn are growing as well, and the clan knows it. Will they accept a union between Mana and Vaughn? Or will the threat of yellow death be the end of them all?

I really liked this book as well. Mana has pined away for Vaughn most of her life. And she thought it was purely a one-sided thing…..dumb girl!! I really liked Mana’s character. Love her sense of duty and the way her feelings for Vaughn unfold. And, what to say about Vaughn? A good bad boy! LOL!! His sense of duty and honor are an integral part of the storyline, and he’s fierce in both. This book has a little of everything: intrigue, a little mystery, betrayal, touching moments and such a sweet romance. Definitely worth the read and I look forward to reading the next installment.

ORDER LINKS: Barnes and Noble / Amazon

Reviewed by Vickie M.

Copy Supplied by author.

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A Cast of Shadows – Araneae Nation, Book 2.5

Coming February 2013

The strongest net is no match for destiny.

Daraja has grown up watching her brothers journey down the river on the traditional Deinopidae rite of passage. Each returned with riches from their travels, and lovers with whom to share their lives.

Now she has reached the age where she would strike out on her own to seek her fortune—if she were male. Instead, she is expected to sit patiently, weave her nets and wait for the river to bring a husband to her.

Patience, however, has never been her strong suit.

Brynmor haunts the forest surrounding the city of Cathis, his disembodied spirit inextricably bound to the wild canis roaming his lands. Until the day he stumbles across a brazen trespasser in his woods.

Compelled to step in when the canis suspect her of poaching one of their own, Brynmor fears he has lost a piece of his ragged soul to the feisty, adventure-seeking female. And when the canis confront the real poachers, he is forced to choose which life to sacrifice. Hers…or his own.

Warning: This book contains one heroine with a knack for weaving nets and one hero who relishes getting caught. Expect singing, some howling, ghostly shenanigans, and the start of a love that transcends death.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hailey Edwards

Born in the Deep South, Hailey is a lifelong resident of Alabama. Her husband works for the local sheriff’s department and her daughter is counting down the days until she’s old enough to audition for American Idol. Her doxie, Black Ilex, helps Hailey write by snoozing in his recliner in her office.

Her desire to explore without leaving the comforts of home fueled her love of reading and writing. Whenever the itch for adventure strikes, Hailey can be found with her nose glued to her Kindle’s screen or squinting at her monitor as she writes her next happily-ever-after.

She loves to hear from readers. Drop her a line here.

You can also swing by her blog or subscribe to her newsletter for all her latest news.

Hailey is published with Samhain Publishing and by Grand Central Publishing‘s Forever Yours line.

Click HERE for Hailey’s WEBSITE