Tag Archives: Ashley Lockwood

A Kiss of Flame (Shadows Eternal 3) by Ashley Lockwood-review

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A Kiss of Flame (Shadows Eternal 3) by Ashley Lockwood-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 30, 2024

One last adventure. A dragon bound by duty. A simmering passion that could change everything.

A Kiss of Flame will be the third book in the Shadows Eternal Series.

Barith thought he’d find his true mate long before his mother, Queen Eithne of the Sun Dragon horde, chose one for him. But time has run out. As the eldest of her five children, the queen is ready for her son to make a match and return to the horde to fulfill his duty. Fate intervenes when Barith learns his oldest friend, the half-fae mage Levian, has vanished while tracking a group of dangerous thieves. Seizing the chance to delay his impending fate, Barith embarks on a rescue mission that could be his last taste of freedom.

Levian agrees to let Barith join her investigation into the mysterious dark thieves she calls the Black Masks, knowing their friendship will change forever once he’s mated. When their efforts lead them to an exclusive club catering to magickal creatures’ darkest desires, their act to blend in ignites a firestorm of temptation and long-suppressed feelings that threatens to consume them both.

As duty and desire collide, Barith and Levian must confront the true nature of their bond before it’s too late. Will they risk everything for a chance at love, or will ancient traditions and old wounds tear them apart?

•••

REVIEW:A KISS OF FLAME is the third instalment in Ashley Lockwood’s contemporary, adult SHADOWS ETERNAL paranormal, fantasy romance series. This is dragon prince Barith McCroy, and mage/Fae Levian Myrddin’s story line. A KISS OF FLAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Barith and Levian) A KISS OF FLAME follows the best friends to lovers / forbidden relationship between dragon prince Barith McCroy and half Fae/mage Levian Myrddin. Prince Barith is betrothed to a female dragon in the hopes of making a stronger horde for the Queen but Barith has been in love with his best friend Levian for as long as he can remember, and struggles with his mother’s choice. Levian, the Wizen Council of Mage’s official Ambassador to the Zephyr High Court, finds herself on the hunt for stolen artifacts, artifacts imbued with magical power. The Black Masks, shadow thieves, are working alongside a power mage, a mage who has mastered the dark arts but with the help from a prisoner with inside knowledge, Levian journeys towards the darkness, in an effort to reclaim what doesn’t belong.

The world building follows several paths including the introduction of Prince Barith’s siblings, and their Queen mother, a woman who is determined to control her only son. On her own, Levian searches for the stolen relics, wherein she will be come face to face with the darkness.

The relationship between Levian and Barith is a best friends to lovers; a forbidden relationship in which neither one is willing to admit their love, a love that is prohibited by the dragon Queen. Betrothed to someone he doesn’t love, Barith struggles between duty and honor, and the love of a woman he cannot have. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of coloful, magical and powerful secondary and supporting supernatural characters including the introduction of Barith’s sisters Catriona, Judith, Flora and Gwen, and their mother Queen Eithne; half-faes Lucian Vane and his co-conspirator Tsuki; as well as Levian’s father Merlin McCroy; and High Daemon Lord Carvatticus; The requisite evil has many faces.

A KISS OF FLAME is a story of power and control, magic and mayhem, secrets and lies, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The slow building premise is detailed and dramatic; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Shadow of Dark Desire
A Heart of Ice and Shadow

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

__________

Haven’t started the series? Book 1-SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE is FREE

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Book 2-A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW is only 99¢

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A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW (Shadows Eternal 2) by Ashley Lockwood

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A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW (Shadows Eternal 2) by Ashley Lockwood-review

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Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, 2024

Gwen’s indoctrination to the world of magick was swift and bloody but after surviving the horrors of the magick mirror she’s determined to adapt to her new life. Sirus vows to keep her safe within his clan’s hidden ancient castle and Gwen vows to get over her irritating crush on her vampire protector. But the deeper she’s drawn into the mysteries of Volkov and her untapped powers, the harder it becomes to resist the primal connection pulling her toward Sirus. But the deeper she’s drawn into the mysteries of Volkov Castle and her untapped powers, the harder it becomes to resist the connection pulling her toward Sirus.

Sirus survived the magick mirrors because of Gwendolyn’s gift of blood but he is determined to keep his distance and keep her safe. As she recovers within the bounds of Volkov, Sirus finds himself captivated by Gwendolyn’s courage, strength, and vibrant spirit. She is a sweet temptation who threatens to bring a monster to his knees.

While Gwen, Sirus, and their friends try to unravel the depths of her magick and mysterious history, the evil High Priestess and her loyal servant, Aldor, continue their unyielding hunt. Gwen and Sirus’s bond transforms into something beyond anything they thought possible, except old insecurities are not always easy to overcome, pushing Gwen to wonder if a vampire with a heart of pure ice could ever truly fall in love.

••••

REVIEW: A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW is the second instalment in Ashley Lockwood’s adult SHADOWS ETERNAL paranormal/fantasy romance series. This is the continuing story of ancient vampire Sirus, and Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Moore. A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE.

SOME BACKGROUND: Sirus is an ancient vampire who has been contracted and tasked to find and protect our story line heroine. Gwen Moore is a human; without powers or parents, and in this she believes Sirus has mistaken our heroine for someone else but Sirus has been hired to protect Gwen Moore, a woman who is much more than she appears to be.

Told from omniscient third person perspectives A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW follows in the aftermath of an attack against our story line couple. With the help of emerging powers, Gwen will save the man with whom she is falling in love but Sirus believes his existence is a threat to our story line heroine, and in this, Sirus is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to protect the woman that calls to his heart. As Sirus’ coven and family continue to search for the truth, Gwendolyn Moore is quickly falling for a man who is willing to die to protect her life.

The world building continues to focus on protecting our story line heroine. Gwen’s power and magick are believed to be blocked by a powerful force, and someone else is determined to claim the power for themselves.

The relationship between Gwen and Sirus building towards something more. Sirus has fallen in love with a woman he believes belongs to someone else, and Gwen is determined to prove Sirus is worthy of his own happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

WE are reintroduced to Barith (dragon), Levian (mage), Abigail (witch), and Sirus’ sister Niah. The requisite evil has many faces. Gwendolyn’s true identity will not be revealed until the end of the story.

A HEART OF ICE AND SHADOW is a story of secrets and lies, magic and obsession, acceptance and love. The slow building premise is enchanting and entertaining; the characters are magical ; the romance is subtle but impassioned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

If you haven’t read book one SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE it is currently FREE:

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SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE (Shadows Eternal 1) by Ashley Lockwood

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SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE (Shadows Eternal 1) by Ashley Lockwood

FREE ebook Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 9, 2024

In this world, not all who roam the darkness are monsters. Sometimes the dark creature lurking in the shadows is exactly who you’ve always been waiting for.

In a realm where the lines between the magickal and the mortal blur, a young woman finds herself at the heart of a tumultuous power struggle. With her unusual newfound abilities shrouded in mystery, she navigates the shadowy paths of magic, seeking to uncover the truth of her past origins and the extent of her powers.

Allied with a brooding, sexy vampire whose loyalty is as enigmatic as his past, they face dangers both external and within on a journey that challenges their boundaries of trust and temptation.

She discovers a world of mages, dragons, witches, and other creatures known as the Folk. Forced to navigate this new world and the truths of her past, the last thing she needs is a crush on her vampire protector.

This story weaves a tapestry of magick, danger, and temptation, inviting readers into a richly imagined realm where destiny is not always written in the stars, but in the choices we make.

•••••

REVIEW: SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE is the first instalment in Ashley Lockwood’s contemporary, adult SHADOWS ETERNAL paranormal/fantasy series focusing on ancient vampire Sirus, and Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Moore.

Told from omniscient third person perspectives (Sirus and Gwen) SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE introduces the premise and players in the new author’s Shadows Eternal series. Sirus is an ancient vampire who has been contracted and tasked to find and protect our story line heroine. Gwen Moore is a nobody; without powers or parents, and in this she believes Sirus has mistaken our heroine for someone else but Sirus has been hired to protect Gwen Moore, a woman who is much more than she appears to be. Someone has targeted our story line heroine, she is a prize worthy of chaos and death.

The world building follows several paths including the introduction of numerous characters: Barith (dragon), Levian (mage), Abigail (witch), Bridgette (witch), and Sirus’ sister Niah. The requisite evil has many faces. No one knows for sure who or, what is Gwendolyn Moore, and in this, the reader has been left in the dark, like the story line characters.

The relationship between Gwen and Sirus begins as an assignment to find and protect. Our couple find themselves attracted to one another but any attempts to act on their feelings, is brushed off, or broken by our story line hero. There are no $ex scenes, limited romance, and no seduction. The attraction is acknowledged but mostly through internal dialogue and reflection.

SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE is a slow building story line of secrets and lies, power and control, magic and mayhem but in this we learn very little. We have yet to discover the how or the why, or the powers, heritage and probabilities of our story line heroine. The premise is intriguing; the romance is virtually non-existent; the characters are determined and desperate. SHADOW OF DARK DESIRE ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

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Reviewed by Sandy

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