Dreams of Lilacs by Lynn Kurland – Review and Giveaway

Dreams of Lilacs by Lynn Kurland – Review and Giveaway

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Dreams of LIlacs
De Piaget series – Book #16
by Lynn Kurland
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Dream of LilacsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Isabelle de Piaget is determined to elude her overprotective family by means of a hasty escape to France. But instead of making a surprise visit to her brother there, she winds up shipwrecked on the French coast with no memory of who she is or how she came to awaken in the dark and forbidding castle of an equally brooding lord.

Gervase de Seger rescues—very reluctantly—the bedraggled urchin he finds on the road and puts her to work where he can ignore her. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that her brother is an intimidating lord who is going to be absolutely furious when he learns that his beloved sister has been laboring as a scullery maid. Yet Isabelle may be the one who holds the key to solving Gervase’s most pressing problem: that someone has been trying to finish the task of separating him from his title and his lands.

Finding the truth propels Gervase and Isabelle from the buried secrets of half-ruined keeps to the glittering French court, and to the realization that love can blossom in the most perilous circumstances—and in the most unexpected places of the heart .

 

Review:
Dreams of Lilacs, written by Lynn Kurland, is the 16th installment into the De Piaget series.  Although this author–having produced one of my top 5 favorite series in literature (The Nine Kingdoms series)–is very well known to me, this book itself was a new experience.  Upon discovering Kurland’s wonderful, and lyrical writing style over a year ago, I have planned on branching out and looking into her other works.  An ARC from the Reading Cafe, was just the excuse I needed to find out if her romantic fantasy series is where I will strictly stay, as a reader. Happily I report that Kurland has a true gift of storytelling, one of which beckons me out of my literary bubble. 🙂

Researching this series could be a little confusing to a reader at first.  To my knowledge there are two other series’ written by this author aside from the Nine Kingdoms series.  These are the MacLeod’s, and the De Piaget’s.  My understanding is that at some point, the two have intertwined.  Despite entering this world at book 16–and after the story arc has woven into the MacLeod’s–I found that this author does a fine job of creating a stand alone flow for this novel.  I only experienced a passing moment of uncertainty, and no more than one would feel upon getting to know the details, and characters, of a new book. 

Our journey begins with the female lead, Isabelle De Piaget; who is the youngest of her family.  She receives a threatening missive from an unknown source.  It holds mysterious, and vague instructions for Isabelle to arrive in France alone, or her entire family will be killed.  She hatches a very extensive, and creative plan in which to travel there, unawares of the over bearing; protective men in her family.  This “plan” entails cutting off her long hair, and dressing up like a lad…and may have been more successful, if our heroine had not ended up shipwrecked, and concussed on De Seger shores.  To make matters worse, Isabelle awakens with no memory of who she is, or where she came from.

Enter Gervase De Seger, our moody, and injured hero, who mistakes Isabelle as an unusually comely lad.  (Although he discovers his error in regards to her gender relatively quick.)  When the woman awakens with amnesia, and is nearly attacked, Gervase puts her to work in his kitchens where a better eye can be kept upon her.  Unsure of how to process his curiosity, and fascination towards the strange woman, and unaware that he is bestowing back breaking work upon a noble woman, with a very well known father.

Isabelle quickly remembers whose family of which she belongs, and yet the reason for being alone in France eludes her.  She continues with the farce, in hopes of remembering the cause, something she feels must be dire…knowing the moment her unwitting kidnapper discovers who she is in truth, would mean a speedy trip home.  The hilarity of the relationship, and attraction forming between Gervase and Isabelle is quite enjoyable, and presented in a memorable format.  The story takes a darker turn, when newly written, mysterious threats, begin to find themselves on Gervase’s doorstep.

Like I have come to expect with the Nine Kingdoms series, Dreams of Lilacs showcases a whole cast of enjoyable main and secondary characters, as well as appearances from those of previous books.  This is one of the many elements I have always enjoyed from this author, as it creates a familial atmosphere, and humorous banter.   I may have fashioned a smile throughout this entire novel, mostly stemming from the interactions between the hero, and heroine themselves.

Something I find unique unto the romance genre, and something I deeply appreciate about this author, is Kurland’s ability to build a palpable love connection between the hero and heroine, without a single intimate scene.  I am the type of reader who looks for the emotional side of romance first, and the physical side, second.  There are many romance authors, (a few who are also on my top favorite author list) with the ability to create literary poetry by blending the emotional, and physical sides of romance seamlessly.  Yet to create a bond which is equally felt by the reader, using only one side of the coin; is rare, and something this author excels at.  I am compelled to give credit to an author that brings something new, in a genre that oft times repeats itself.

In closing, Dreams of Lilacs is a fast paced, fun read, that can easily be loved by long time fans of this series, or by newbie’s such as myself.  Upon completion, I look forward to reading all the previous installments of the De Piaget’s, and MacLeods.  There are no words I can find, in which to recommend this author highly enough.  I will simply say, buy her books, and love them with me. 🙂  

Reviewed by Miranda

Copy provided by Publisher


Giveaway silverLynn and her publisher are offering a paper copy of Dreams of Lilacs to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open to USA only

6. Giveaway runs from May 1 to May 4, 2014

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River of Dreams by Lynn Kurland

River of Dreams by Lynn Kurland

 

River of Dreams
Nine Kingdoms – Book #8

By Lynn Kurland
Release Date: January 7, 2014

River of Dreams
Links to order River of Dreams:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Aisling of Bruadair is frantic to find both the truth about her future and a mercenary to save her country. When an offer of aid comes from an unexpected direction, she is relieved her quest is almost complete. But she soon realizes her task is far from over . . . and will include perils she never dreamed she would ever face.

Rùnach of Ceangail has offered to help Aisling with her quest, then he fully intends to take up his life as a simple swordsman far from magic and evil mages. Unfortunately, a chance finding of a book of indecipherable spells tells him that an ordinary life is never going to be his–especially when he realizes that the book he has in his hands belongs to a black mage who will stop at nothing to have it back.

With time running out, Rùnach and Aisling must solve what seem to be unrelated mysteries before others find those answers first and plunge the Nine Kingdoms into a darkness it will never recover from . .

 

Review:

River of Dreams, written by Lynn Kurland, is the highly anticipated 8th installment into the fantastic Nine Kingdom’s series.  It is Book # 2 of the third trilogy; following the quest of Runach of Ceingail and Aisling of Bruadair.  If I could describe this caliber of writing in only one sentence, I would state that these books are like music…a rhapsody not for the ears, but for the eyes.  Lynn Kurland is perhaps the only author I have ever contemplated buying the audio version, over the written–simply so I can listen to her phonetic style of pen being read aloud.  I have never come across such lyricism before, and therefore cannot accurately describe.   It is a signature stamp of authenticity, if you will, for the old world feeling one receives upon visiting a series such as this, and something a reader must personally experience, in order to fully understand.

For anyone who has ever wondered at what the “romantic” side of the Fantasy genre has to offer, I urge you to pick up these books.  And furthermore, I dare you not to love every second you spend reading them.  As a long time patron of Fantasy…I cannot get enough of this series, and would recommend them to any, and all types of readers.   Although it could be said, that this novel differed from the non-stop action level found in some of the other work of this series, Ms. Kurland maintains a superb balance with intriguing mystery, heart rending emotion, and tenderness.  While I found myself laughing more so with the previous installment Dreamspinner, than with any other novel of the series…in contrast, this book took me in the complete opposite direction.

While River of Dreams held an abundance of humor filled banter between main, and secondary characters–it wouldn’t be a novel of the Nine Kingdoms without such moments after all–this newest addition tugged continuously, and mercilessly at my heartstrings.  It showcases what I find to be the most profoundly emotional scene since the second installment; Mage’s Daughter.  And may I just say, if books were to be nominated for categories like we see on the big screen…the award for first kiss, goes to Runach and Aisling–hands down.  Such a raw, endearing, beautifully romantic moment.  My toes curled a little, not gonna lie.  I have always been a reader that feels drawn to the emotion contained within a story, more so than with any other element.  The Nine Kingdom’s series is teeming with sentiment…one of the many, many reasons this particular series is amongst my most treasured. 

With each release, there is something new brought to the table, and River of Dreams was no exception.  It can best be defined as a journey to self awareness.  Our hero Runach–is a character readers have come to know since the first trilogy of this series.  Yet in this installment, we see a transformation, that not even he, himself thought was possible.  I must say…I suspected way back upon our first meeting with Runach, and yet this author cleverly derailed my theories at every turn.  How ironic to find my suspicions were correct all these books later…and yet the delivery of such, was done in a way I NEVER saw coming.   Like our Runach, there is nothing I love more than a good mystery.  Kudos for keeping me guessing Ms. Kurland–when I consider myself a veteran at following clues. *laughing* 

Which leads me to our female lead, Aisling–who is fast becoming my most favorite heroine of the series.  Admittedly, Morgan (from the first trilogy) is a tough character to overthrow.  However, Aisling is unique in a way I have come across very rarely in literature.  Our first impression of Aisling can be compared to the location with which we first meet her.  Like Buel, our heroine is bereft of color, light, and emotion…bereft of life.  She is essentially a blank canvas, with which Ms. Kurland gradually adds lines, shading, and contours.  Once her character begins to take shape, we glimpse subtle changes here, and there.  At first, seeing only minute sprinkles of color, until it morphs into bold, glittering splashes of paint.  With each page we turn, Aisling simply….comes to life before our very eyes. 

In closing, River of Dreams finally provides a culmination of answers, to many long running questions.  How will our hero protect himself, and the woman he has come to love, now that he lacks the magic that once ran within his veins?   Who was responsible for our heroine’s dire escape from a life of slavery…and why she was enslaved in the first place? What profound knowledge do Runach’s villainous half-brother’s believe they can filch from within his mind? Many more questions come upon the wake of these answers.  What roll could a simple weaver from Bruadair, and a self exiled, elven Prince–possibly play within the nefarious game of darkness that has begun in the Nine Kingdoms?  Perhaps most importantly, who…or what is Aisling herself?  Together, our hero’s will work towards unearthing the secrets of who they once were, and will define who they have presently become.  Both struggle to come to terms with what their places will be in the future.  And readers will bear witness…as the fresh bloom of their love is tested against such a cacophony.

Time after time, book after book, Lynn Kurland crafts a tale vividly alive with imagination.  Like the power with which her character’s wield, she weaves stories with a magic that could only be conjured from dreams.  I look forward to learning where the third and final installment of Aisling, and Runach’s harrowing journey will take us.  Thank you Ms. Kurland for sharing your phenomenal gift of story telling with the world, and I am emphatically grateful to the Reading Cafe, for allowing me to read, and review an ARC from one of my most favorite series in literature…twice now. 🙂

Reviewed by Miranda

Copy provided by Publisher

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Cover Reveals July 6, 2013

Cover Reveals July 6, 2013

The Winter King.Nov 13jpeg

 

TITLE: The Winter King

AUTHOR: C.L. Wilson

SERIES:

RELEASE DATE: August 2014

 

 

 

First Rapture Aug 19

 

TITLE: First Rapture

AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: August 19, 2013

 

 

 

 

Dragos Takes a Holiday nov 13

 

TITLE: Dragos Takes a Holiday

AUTHOR: Thea Harrison

SERIES: Elder Race Novellas

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

First Ink

 

TITLE: First Ink (3rd Cover !)

AUTHOR: Laura Wright

SERIES: Wicked Ink Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

 

othersphere Dec 13

 

TITLE:  Othersphere

AUTHOR:  Nina Berry

SERIES:  OtherKin

RELEASE DATE:  December 2013

 

 

 

Eternal Hunter Jan 14

 

TITLE:  Eternal Hunter (re-release)

AUTHOR:  Cynthia Eden

SERIES:  Nightwatch

RELEASE DATE:  January 2014

 

 

 

Tale of Two Dragons Nov 13

 

 

TITLE: Tale of Two Dragons

AUTHOR: G.A.Aiken

SERIES: Dragonkin 6.5 (novella)

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

Finding it Oct 13

 

TITLE: Finding It

AUTHOR: Cora Carmack

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Cipher July 13

 

TITLE:  Cipher

AUTHOR:  Cindi Madsen

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Origin Aug 13

 

TITLE: Origin

AUTHOR: Jennifer Armentrout

SERIES: Lux

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

17999681

 

 

TITLE: River of Dreams

AUTHOR: Lynn Kurland

SERIES: Nine Kingdoms

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

Crash Into Me Sept 13

 

 

TITLE: Crash Into Me

AUTHOR: K.M. SCOTT

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

Face of Death Jan 14

 

TITLE: Face of Death (YA)

AUTHOR: Kelly Hashway

SERIES: Touch of Death #3

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

 

Simple Perfection Sept 13

 

 

TITLE: Simple Perfection

AUTHOR: Abbi Glines

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

Forever Us by Sandi Lynn

 

 

TITLE: Forever Us

AUTHOR: Sandi Lynn

SERIES: Forever #3

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

Sea of Shadows .April 14jpeg

 

 

TITLE: Sea of Shadows

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: April 2014

 

 

Prince of Shadows Feb 14

 

TITLE: Prince of Shadows

AUTHOR: Rachel Caine

SERIES: A Novel of Romeo and Juliet

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Compelled Feb 14

 

TITLE: Compelled

AUTHOR: Shawntelle Madison

SERIES: Coveted

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

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TITLE: Angel Seduced

AUTHOR: Jaime Rush

SERIES: Hidden

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

The Shadow of Mist Sept 13

 

TITLE: The Shadow of Mist

AUTHOR: Yasmine Galenorn

SERIES: Otherworld Novella

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

Fatalism Aug 13

 

TITLE: Fatalism

AUTHOR: L.K.Collins

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Revealing Us

 

TITLE:  Revealing Us

AUTHOR:  Lisa Renee Jones

SERIES:  Inside Out #3

RELEASE DATE:  September 2013

 

 

 

My Unexpected Forever Sept 13

 

TITLE:  My Unexpected Forever

AUTHOR:  Heidi McLaughlin

SERIES:

RELEASE DATE:  September 2013

 

 

 

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An Interview with Lynn Kurland

An Interview with Lynn Kurland

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome the wonderful Lynn Kurland as our guest today.

Lynn just released Dreamspinner, her newest book in her The Nine Kingdoms series. We posted our review of Dreamspinner below this Interview.

Let’s begin our interview with Lynn.

 

 

Hi Lynn.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

Lynn: Thanks so much for asking me to stop by!

TRC: Would you please tell us about yourself?

Lynn:I’m just an average gal, living the dream, getting to work at home in my pajamas and take copious notes about the antics of the people taking up space on my mental stage. Life is good!

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing?  Have you always liked to write?

Lynn: I think I was probably just like many big fantasy-reading teenagers of my generation in wanting to be the next Tolkien. I never really considered it on any level until after college and even then it seemed like something too impossible to take seriously. But I started with an idea, rewrote it a gazillion times, put it away and started on something else. I kept at it until I had a dozen things in various stages of completion and I started shopping a couple of them around. Even when I sold, it felt a little surreal. I’m still not sure it’s sunk in completely!

TRC: Many writers bounce ideas and information with either a family member, a Friend, or another writer.  Who inspires you?  Do you have a muse?

Lynn: I’m a pretty private person in general and a very private writer. There’s something about discussing either a work in progress or future plans for other books that ruins the magic for me. It’s almost as if the story needs to stay in my head all by itself so it can take on a life of its own. So I try never to talk about the specifics of what I’m doing until it’s out there on the page and into my editor’s hands.

As far as inspiration goes, I unfortunately don’t let myself read either fantasy or romance anymore simply because I don’t want anyone else’s ideas or thoughts somehow finding their way into my work. I went through a PG Wodehouse phase recently until I realized I was starting to write dialogue that sounded far too much like something Jeeves would say. 🙂 Rachmaninoff inspires me, which seems pretty safe!

About muses: I once--very arrogantly, it has to be said--told someone “I don’t have a muse; I have deadlines,” and subsequently found myself with about six months’ worth of writer’s block as a result, so I think I’d be wise to step gingerly here. 🙂 For me, while the idea of a muse is very romantic, it makes me nervous to rely on anything but my own heart and mind for inspiration.

TRC: You have three major series, which involves Time Travel, Fantasy, Romance.  Each of your series are different, though you have intermingled two series. For our readers who may be new to you, can you give us a brief description of each series.

Lynn

               Nine Kingdoms
This is a fantasy series set in a fantasy world with a definite medieval feel. Magic and mythical characters abound!

              De Piagets
The de Piagets stories stretch from the 13th  century to the present day. It is a family-saga type series, though there are other books associated with this English family that have only a passing reference to them. The books can be read independently.

               The MacLeods 
The MacLeods are Scots. Their story really begins with James MacLeod, medieval laird, who left his own time and came to the future with an American writer, Elizabeth, who had accidently traveled back to the past. Jamie is an inveterate time traveler, attracting all kinds of friends, family, and extended-family who seem to find themselves caught up in similar time-traveling adventures.

TRC: What are the challenges that you find switching back and forth between each series? Do you have a preference when it comes to one of these series?

Lynn: The romances definitely have a lighter tone, which is deliberate. Life is hard and laughter is good! The fantasies are a bit darker and the prose (hopefully) a bit denser, and that’s deliberate as well. I just wanted it all to still sound like me, but have a different flavor.

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of the Nine Kingdoms series.  Also, why did you do this series in a set of trilogies?  Do you have an end in sight for this series?  Hopefully not.  🙂

Lynn:(You’re so kind!) In reverse order: I’m in the middle of the third trilogy and already wondering where #4 will go and who’ll need to star and will people howl if I jump back in time and leave certain people in a pickle in the present? So, no end in sight so far.

I really wanted the books to be longer so putting them out as trilogies was just how my editor thought that could best be accomplished. I wish I could do them every six months instead of every year, but with kids still at home, this is as fast as I can write.

As far as coming up with the whole idea, well, I knew I wanted to write fantasy and I knew I wanted it to have a medieval sort of feel and I definitely didn’t want it to be a rehash of LOTR. It definitely had to have enough romance in it to suit me. (Tolkien and I will someday have a conversation about his appalling lack of the same, believe me!) In the first incarnation, I actually had Adhémar from Star of the Morning as the hero, but I got about five chapters into that and decided he just wasn’t going to cut it. Things sort of got away from me after that. 🙂

TRC: Dreamspinner is your next novel of your Nine Kingdoms series. Can you please tell us a little about this book?

Lynn: It is the story of Rùnach of Ceangail, brother to both Morgan and Ruith from trilogies #1 and #2 respectively. He’s been hiding out in the schools of wizardry for several years, trying to keep a low profile and stay alive because he has no magic with which to protect himself. He goes to his siblings’ weddings, then takes the opportunity to strike out on his own. His goal, despite being who he is, is to find a spot in as a very unmagical swordsman in a very ordinary garrison.

Despite his best intentions, Rùnach becomes caught up in the life of Aisling of a place she won’t reveal. She fully believes she’s under a curse that states if she doesn’t find within a predetermined amount of a time a powerful mercenary to free her country from a cruel despot, she will die.

Only as they start out on a quest together, they both begin to realize that things just aren’t quite as they’ve been led to believe. ..

Links to order Dreamspinner:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / BooksaMillion

TRC: Some of our members are big fans of yours, and they wanted to ask you some questions about the Nine Kingdoms.

1.      "Your upcoming release Dreamspinner shows us that Runach is our next hero.  In the first trilogy of the Nine Kingdoms we learn that his father Gair, took his magic during that terrifying day at the well.  In the second trilogy we see Runach as the magicless character he is supposed to be, and yet in a previous book, Miach could sense the echo of something emanating from within him.  The same with a previous book within the second trilogy...a hint that something could be there, and that Runach has secrets.  What can readers expect from our next hero?"

Lynn: Hmmm, I wonder! 🙂 Those are all excellent points. Let’s just say that Gair definitely did take Rùnach’s magic, which Rùnach had resigned himself to. He’d never thought he would need it, but soon finds that the lack of it is a big problem. He’s a clever guy, though, so I have the feeling he’ll find a workaround.

2.      "You have so many well developed, fleshed out secondary characters, Soellier (sp?) for example. It was so sad that he was in love with Sarait, knowing that she would meet her doom, and yet unable to stop her demise.  Is there happiness to be found for this fantasic, and intriguing character in the future?"

Lynn: You know, I really like him too. I would really like to see just what kind of woman can get involved with a man who could unravel the fabric of the world, yet find herself absolutely untimidated by him. I don’t know when or if that will ever happen, but it would be interesting!

3.      "After this last trilogy wraps up, will we possibly see more books set within the world of the Nine Kingdoms, showcasing any previously introduced characters?  Will you continue to write romantic Fantasy?"

Lynn: Yes to all!

TRC: While writing your time travel stories, do you envision a place in time that you yourself would like to go?

Lynn: I used to, yes. Though I’m not sure I would really want to visit it, the Middle Ages has always held an unwholesome sway over my imagination. It’s been a blast to take modern characters back and see how things look through their eyes. I almost think it’s more fun watching medieval characters deal with modern-day life, but that’s just me. These days, though, it’s less about what I want than it is what the character seems to need.

TRC: What are you currently working on? Is there any new projects in the works that you would like to share?

Lynn: I’m in the middle of the second book of the fantasy trilogy that begins at the end of December this year. I have lots of ideas for lots of other things (little ebooks, maybe a YA series, actually updating my website more than twice a year), but it’s just finding the time to make any of it a reality that’s tough.

TRC: Who is your favorite Female & Male Character in your books?

Lynn: For the romances, I think I would have to say probably Madelyn Phillips and Patrick MacLeod. I relate to her probably more than anyone else, and, well, in my opinion he’s dreamy.

In fantasyland, it’s Morgan and Miach, definitely, probably because I lived with them both for so long before they saw print. Well, that and what’s not to like about a gal who wields a sword and a guy who’s unthreatened enough by it to admire her for it?

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Lynn: Just a huge thank you to you and your members for the great questions, and an additional thank you to everyone who has parted with hard-earned money for my books. I hope the trade-off of a book in your hands (or on your Nook/Kindle/ereader-of-choice) is worth it. Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to bring these characters to life!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Chocolate

Favorite Author: Tolkien

Favorite Movie: While You Were Sleeping

Favorite TV Show: Get Smart (the 60s version)

Last Movie that you saw: Narnia 3

Last book that you read: Atlas Shrugged – while being very grateful it was on my Nook and not the print copy!

Favorite character (male & female) not written by you: That’s tough. At the moment, Pongo Twistleton or Shakespeare’s incarnation of Henry V (does he count?) and Elizabeth Bennett.

Thank you, Lynn for answering our questions. We look forward to continuing to read your books, and to work with you in the future. Good luck with Dreamspinner.

Link to Dreamspinner Review:

If you want to learn more about Lynn, you can find her at the following link:

Website: http://www.lynnkurland.com/
Facebook:
Goodreads:

 

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Dreamspinner by Lynn Kurland – a Review

Dreamspinner by Lynn Kurland – a Review

 

dream spinner

DreamSpinner, written by Lynn Kurland; is the first installment of the third trilogy of the Nine Kingdoms series. It is the long awaited beginning of Runach of Ceingail’s story. The oldest of only three survivors of a long ago tragedy, that had been thought to wipe out an entire family. Runach is the only one who crawled away from this terrifying day, with more than emotional scars….

Horribly crippled with the use of his hands, and rendered ungifted due to the thievery of his very own father, Runach has spent the years of his adult life; walking the library of the most prestigeous magic academy in all of the Nine Kingdoms. He spent his time sticking to the shadows, hidden within the hood of his cloak, avoiding those that would do him harm if they learned he was alive–and soaking up all the information he could read. Until one day, a chance meeting with the archmage of Tor Neroche, and a Shieldmaiden from Melksham turned Runach’s entire world upside down…for the second time in his life.

Miraculously, his beloved little sister, the youngest of 6 original children, was not killed at the Dark well with his mother, father and the rest of his siblings as he had feared. It was this unexpected happenstance that also led Runach to the discovery of the survival of his youngest brother. After much mystery surrounding Runach in the first trilogy, he truly comes to life in the second trilogy of the Nine Kingdoms. Since he first stepped onto the page; readers have waited, and wondered if this solitary soul would discover a purpose to his altered life, as well as happiness.

DreamSpinner opens just after Runach has spent weeks with his newly rediscovered siblings, and witnessed the weddings of his sister and brother. He feels an unsettledness stirring within his soul, being surrounded by loving, well meaning family who has repeatedly taxed themselves and their magical gifts by healing his hands. He lacks the vanity to allow them to attempt to heal his face. Runach may have been born an eleven prince of one of the most polished, and well known bloodlines–but that part of himself died forever; on the day he witnessed the true power of his father’s evil as a youth.

Now a man lacking the magic of his birthright, the civility, and polish expected of a Prince of his status…Runach feels the only choices left to him upon the restoration of his hands (although they still pain him greatly) is either to remain with his family, living off from their hard work, and hospitality–or once again taking up the swordsplay of which he was once so skilled. Feeling as if the first in no choice at all, he makes preperations to travel to a place few would ever venture, for there is no better to help him relearn this skill; than the most notorious Sword Master in the Nine Kingdoms. Scrimgeyour Weger. Runach is at peace with the simple life of obscurity he will lead with this choice. After all, there are worst fates than living the life of a soldier…and surely destiny would have nothing more grand in store for a library hermit…right?

It is at this point the book shifts POV, and we meet our heroine, Aisling. A woman of no consequence, from a place as insignificant as nowhere…or so is the readers first perception. Aisling has lived out her life in a village quite unknown to outsiders, and of which is believed by its citizens; to cast a horrible curse upon its inhabitants. Keep your mouth shut, and stay–you live, cross the border, or speak of this place to anyone–and you die by this curse. Life is not grand at Brudair, and Aisling knows this better than some. Having been sold into slavery by her very own parents, in exchange for money for they, and her siblings to live an expensive lifestyle.

Since the age of 8; Aisling has spent her life at the Guild; weaving fabric, day after day. During one of her rare moments she gets to herself, she receives the shock of seeing her parents across a crowded travel way. Have they come to pay off their debt? Will she finally receive her freedom? Her heart sinks however, when they disappear once more into the carriage…and she knows that they must have negotiated a renewal of her contract. Desperation and hopelessness sets in, knowing she does not reach the age of 28–when her parents can no longer “rent” her labor–for several more months.

This is the point in the story where we see a previous character known for his visions of the future, break all rules and interfere in the destiny of another. A man so rigidly bound by the duty his gift demands–he would not even allow himself to try and prevent the death of the woman he loved. Readers are left wondering what importance this man could have seen, that he would tweak the strands of fate. It is here the adventure begins. With our hero and heroine both traveling towards a place rarely saught. One driven by choice…one driven by desperation…both driven by destiny. Upon this unlikely meeting of souls, our hero and heroine begin a fight for physical, and emotional survival. Locked in an inner and outter struggle to keep their secrets from coming to light. All while feeling the fragile bloom of friendship and trust; morphing into the bombardment of an attraction neither can afford.

For me, DreamSpinner was the most enjoyable novel of the Nine Kingdoms to date. Although I have adored every single novel in this series, book 7 offers long time fans, and newly arriving readers so much. Around every corner, there are unexpected dangers threatening the world, and people of the Nine Kingdom’s. There are many reunion’s between a whole cast of previous main, and side characters. Some heartwarming, and humorous–while others are shocking, and intense. I found myself laughing out loud with DreamSpinner more than with any other previous installment. And yet, in the next instant, I could feel the palpable tension building for the action to come.

As always, I felt completely transported by Lynn Kurland‘s lyrical writing, brilliant mental imagery, richly descriptive magic, and larger than life characterization. Although DreamSpinner did not end with as large of a cliff hanger as some of the other novels, this coming year will be no less painful of a wait. Runach grabbed ahold of my heart within the first ten pages, and I anxiously anticipate the next chapter of he and Aisling’s journey. Well done Ms. Kurland, and may you write within the world of the Nine Kingdom’s for many years to come.
Please. 🙂

Reviewed by Miranda

Copy provided by Author

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Lynn Kurland – Biography – Bibliography

Lynn Kurland – Biography – Bibliography

Biography
Lynn began her writing career at the tender age of five with a series of illustrated novellas entitled Clinton’s Troubles in which the compelling hero found himself in all sorts of . . . well, trouble. She was living in Hawaii at the time and the scope for her imagination (poisoned fish, tropical cliffs, large spiders) was great and poor Clinton bore the brunt of it. After returning to the mainland, her writing gave way to training in classical music and Clinton, who had been felled with arrows, eaten by fish and sent tumbling off cars, was put aside for operatic heroes in tights.
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!

Bibliography

9 Kingdom Series

  • THE QUEEN IN WINTER- Release Date:  February 2006
  • TO WEAVE A WEB OF MAGIC – Release Date: July 2004
  • STAR OF THE MORNING  – Release Date: December 2006
  • THE MAGE’S DAUGHTER – Release Date: January 2008
  • PRINCESS OF THE SWORD – Release Date:  January 2009
  • A TAPESTRY OF SPELLS – Release Date:  January 2010
  • SPELLWEAVER – Release Date: January 2011
  • GIFT OF MAGIC – Release Date: January 2012
  • DREAMSPINNER – Release Date: December 2012

The MacLeods

  • A DANCE THROUGH TIME – Release Date: December 1996
  • THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU – Release Date:  April 1998
  • VEILS OF TIME – (see also LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME) – Release Date: July 1999
  • A KNIGHT’S VOW – Release Date: September 2001
  • OPPOSITES ATTRACT- ( see also LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME) – Release Date: July 2000
  • CHRISTMAS SPIRITS (see also LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME) – Release Date: November 1997
  • MY HEART STOOD STILL – Release Date:  October 2001
  • A GARDEN IN THE RAIN – Release Date: September 2003
  • MUCH ADO IN THE MOONLIGHT – Release Date: April 2006
  • WHEN I FALL IN LOVE – Release Date: April 2007
  • WITH EVERY BREATH – Release Date: May 2008
  • TILL THERE WAS YOU – Release Date: April 2009

De Piagets

  • STARDUST OF YESTERDAY – Release Date: April 1996
  • THIS IS ALL I ASK – Release Date: August 1997
  • ANOTHER CHANCE TO DREAM – Release Date: December 1998
  • IF I HAD YOU – Release Date: October 2000
  • DREAMS OF STARDUST – Release Date: April 2005
  • WHEN I FALL IN LOVE – Release Date: May 2007
  • THE MORE I SEE YOU – Release Date:  October 1999
  • FROM THIS MOMENT ON – Release Date: October 2002
  • THE CHRISTMAS CAT – (see also LOVE CAME JUST IN TIME)
     Release Date: November 1996
  • TAPESTRY – Release Date: September 2002
  • TO KISS IN THE SHADOWS – Release Date: August, 2006 (ebook novella-1/2010)
  • TILL THERE WAS YOU – Release Date: April 2009
  • ONE ENCHANTED EVENING – Release Date: April 2010
  • ONE MAGIC MOMENT – Release Date: May 2011
  • ALL FOR YOU – Release date: April 2012
  • ROSE IN MOONLIGHT – Release Date: April, 2013
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The Nine Kingdoms by Lynn Kurland- a Synopsis

The Nine Kingdoms by Lynn Kurland- a Synopsis

Since we are  big fans of Lynn Kurland, we thought we would introduce you to this wonderful series, if you have not read it.  The synopsis below is based on the 7 novels of The Nine Kingdoms.  The first two books above are novellas, within anthologies.

Star of the Morning: Nine Kingdoms # 1.

GoodReads description:
From the USA Today bestselling author comes the first in a magical romantic fantasy trilogy.

Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche’s king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades…

In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined.

Description from Amazon.com:
Neroche’s kingdom is threatened by the darkness of an evil Black Mage- and all hope lies in the legend of two magical swords. Miach, the arch mage of Neroche, carries one. And he’s found a Wielder for the other in Morgan, a young woman and feared mercenary herself. Now, Miach must choose between endangering the woman who has captured his heart, and defending the kingdom he’s sworn to protect.

The Mage’s Daughter: Nine Kingdoms # 2.

 GoodReads description:
In the kingdom of Neroche, nightmarish creatures have been unleashed as weapons in a war of evil. Morgan the mercenary, daughter of a treacherous black mage, must fight against them-as well as for her very life. Miach of Neroche would risk his own life to save Morgan’s, but he must do so at the peril of the realm, forcing dangerous choices in the deadliest of quests.

Description from Amazon.com:
Lynn Kurland’s trilogy of love, intrigue, and fantastic destiny continues as a female mercenary fights for her life, her future, and the one man who can save her…

Darkness in the kingdom…

Neroche is under assault by a magic that has stripped its king of his powers and unleashed nightmarish creatures in a war of evil in which Morgan of Melksham is fighting for her life. Recovering from a near-fatal attack, Morgan realizes that she must decide between two fates: that of being a simple shield maiden or accepting her heritage as an elven princess. If only she could ignore that she was the daughter of the perilous black mage of Ceangail…

Magic in the blood…

Duty bound to aid his king, Miach of Neroche is torn between what his responsibilities demand and what his heart desires. He is willing to risk his life to rescue Morgan from the darkness that haunts her, but he must do so at the peril of his realm. Forced to choose between love and the burden of his mantle, Miach sets out on his most deadly quest ever.

Princess of the Sword: Nine Kingdoms # 3

Description from GoodReads:
The stirring conclusion to the “superb romantic fantasy trilogy”(Midwest Book Review) from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mage’s Daughter

Born out of “a fantasy world…too wonderful to miss” (Paranormal Romance) the Nine Kingdoms Trilogy now explodes in the fiercest battle yet as the fate of a kingdom lies with a man and woman bound by love, magic, and a legendary-and perilous-sword.

A Tapestry of Spells: Nine Kingdoms # 4.

Description from GoodReads

The compelling start of a new fantasy romance trilogy set in the world of the Nine Kingdoms, from New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland

Return to the world of the Nine Kingdoms with New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland as a new evil, and a new passion, emerges:

Sarah’s brother has embraced the dark arts, vowing to destroy the Nine Kingdoms, and she doesn’t have the power to stop him. Now she must risk everything to thwart his plans, even though she fears the quest will reveal the secret she’s kept all her life.

After seeing his entire family slain by magic, Ruithneadh swore never to use his power again. But when Sarah pleads for his help, he’s thrust back into a life of enchantments and peril, and a quest capable of unraveling the entire fabric of the Nine Kingdoms.

Spellweaver: Nine Kingdoms # 5

Description from GoodReads:
The New York Times bestselling author returns to the Nine Kingdoms for another spellbinding story of magical romance.

Ruith had long managed to ignore the magic in his veins, until aiding Sarah with her ill-fated quest forced him into places where his heritage was impossible to deny. Faced with an ever-increasing number of enemies who covet his power, Ruith must accept his birthright and gather his father’s spells together so he can destroy them-or turn away and allow his father’s evil to overcome the Nine Kingdoms.

Now, Ruith and Sarah must rely on each other more than ever-for everything they value is at risk: the Nine Kingdoms, their lives…and their hearts.

Gift of Magic: Nine Kingdoms # 6.

Description from GoodReads:
The latest installment in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Kurland’s breathtaking Nine Kingdoms saga, which follows the daughter of a dreamweaver and the son of a mage as they struggle to save the realm from a magic as dark as it is powerful.

Sarah of Doìre knows the pattern of spells is no accident. With each page, each powerful rune, she and Ruith are being led somewhere, to someone-but by whom, she cannot tell. Sarah’s gift of sight only allows her to see the spells themselves, not the person behind them.

A reluctant sorcerer still learning to trust his own magic, Ruithneadh of Ceangail knows he’s woefully unprepared for the adversaries they’ll face. But he and Sarah must collect and destroy his father Gair’s spells soon. Many mages seek their power, and in the wrong hands, Gair’s magic would plunge the Nine Kingdoms into an eternity of darkness.

But as they pursue the final spells-acquiring strange companions, welcome allies, and unexpected foes along the way-Sarah and Ruith realize that their true quest has only just begun. The real enemy is closer, darker, and more power hungry than they ever imagined; and until he is defeated, the fate of the Nine Kingdoms hangs in dire peril.

Dreamspinner: Nine Kingdoms # 7

Description from GoodReads:
New York Times
bestselling author Lynn Kurland’s enthralling Nine Kingdoms saga brings together a weaver’s apprentice and the son of a mage, both fighting to save the Nine Kingdoms from peril.

Aisling of Bruadair has lived a provincial life, heedless of the evil creeping over her land. That ordinary existence changes forever, though, when she is sent to the opposite end of the world to find a master swordsman. If she fails, her life–and her country’s safety–will be forfeit. She just never expected that swordsman to be a wounded elven prince masquerading as a simple soldier.

Powerless and scarred from a long-ago conflict, Rùnach of Ceangail has spent years in obscurity, ignoing battles he can no longer fight. And although he has been drawn back into the world, he fully intends to live an unremarkable life far away from events he knows he cannot change… Until Rùnach meets Aisling and realizes that she is far more than what she seems, that their alliance has attracted unwelcome notice, and that some battles must be fought.

Synopsis compiled by Miranda

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Gift of Magic by Lynn Kurland – a Review

Gift of Magic by Lynn Kurland – a Review

 


Just to get myself, and other’s who are interested in reading this series up to speed with Ms. Kurland’s phenomenal writing, world building, magic, and characters–I am mixing in content from a review I wrote for a previous installment for this review of Gift of Magic by Lynn Kurland

To begin, I must reiterate that Lynn Kurland has a phonetic style of pen that I have seen very rarely in literature, if ever. As a reader coming strictly from the Epic Fantasy genre, having never read romance until about 11 years ago, I can appreciate the beautiful love story woven within Kurland’s fantasy novels. Not sex, but the soul deep connection forming between a couple. Consisting of tangible emotion, and a blazing bond of two hearts. It is both endearing and sweet in its chasteness, but with no less strength, or intensity. Within this world of the Nine Kingdoms, born of Ms. Kurland’s very own, vividly bright imagination, this signature mix of lyrical ebb and flow, to that of the old world, “clean” romance—adds complete authenticity to the experience.

There is nothing I enjoy reading more, than a wholly original, character driven work of fantasy. These novels certainly are such, as well as being emotionally charged, brimming with the key elements of pulse pounding action, heartwarming romance, and laughing out loud humor. Rich with twisting threads of plot, that will keep you guessing with each page you turn, and incredible chemistry charging between main and secondary characters. In addition, the many different natures of magic that exists within this realm, is vastly intriguing, and a different spin to the other depictions I have read in this genre. Every nuance clicks into place perfectly, making the Nine Kingdom’s series one of those rare works in literature, that truly has something for any type of reader to enjoy.

In the previous installments, we learn that our hero Ruith has suffered terrible gut wrenching loss. Because of this, he buried the vast well of magic within him as deeply as he could, and created a new home, and identity for himself. This shift in destiny was all realized at the tender age of ten. We readers are shown the horrors this man has suffered through the platform of his nightmares. We are made aware of the shadows lurking within his blood line, and it is apparent that at some point in his brutal life, Ruith could have gone either direction, good or evil.

This fact is learned upon discovery that Ruith is not a simple swordsman masquerading as an ancient hermit sorcerer; living amongst the mountains. He is actually Prince Ruithneadh of Ceangail, the youngest son of Gair–who’s reign of terror labels, as the most notorious and evil black mage in the history of the Nine Kingdoms. Despite the darkness he believes lies within him, Ruith is unquestionably honorable, and has an immense sense of duty. He takes the task upon himself; of collecting his father’s scattered spells, and destroying them. An effort to prevent these dark entities from falling into the wrong hands, and casting the Nine Kingdoms into eternal darkness. 

Since the journey began in Tapestry of Spells, Ruith has aided Sarah of Doire, in her quest to stop her brother’s nefarious ploy. Despite having never been shown kindness, warmth, or tenderness—our heroine has a compassionate, fiercely honorable, and selflessly giving nature. It is through Sarah’s point of view that the unique magic system of the Nine Kingdoms series comes to life. I was blown away by Kurland’s detailed descriptions of what spells “look like.” In example; readers can discern the beauty of Ruith’s magic, in contrast to the repugnant glimpses of some others–and this added a rare level of intrigue to the journey that was absent in the first trilogy. It is upon this discovery that Sarah can “see” spells, that she decides to return the favor granted to her. Helping Ruith find these terrible magic’s derived from a truly evil mind, so that they may be lain to rest forever. Both characters start out with their own sense of duty as the force which drives them….both characters continue on with the ulterior motive of simply wanting to remain close to the other.

As much as I utterly adored every novel of this fantastic series…Gift of Magic stood apart. Unlike the brilliant crescendo of Morgan and Miach’s journey, Ruith and Sarah’s journey began more slowly, gradually adding notes, until it was apparent something largely unexpected and profound was about to happen. Because of this slower build of action, the beginning of Gift of Magic had my heart pounding unlike any of the others. The highly anticipated meeting between Ruith and someone dear from his past (of whom had no inkling he was alive) was not how I imagined it would happen, but profound all the same. Likewise, where a reader could nearly predict how Princess of Swords would end, the ending of Gift of Magic had me reeling in surprise. It was this ending specifically, more than any others; that Ms. Kurland’s imagination blew me away.

Both completed trilogies of the Nine Kingdoms series end on a high note, and leave readers completely satisfied with the outcome…but it is the third trilogy that we see a beloved secondary character step into the spotlight. I cannot wait to see where Lynn Kurland transports us next within her newest release DreamSpinner.

ORDER LINKS: The Book Depository KOBO/ Barnes and Noble / Amazon

Reviewed by Miranda

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