Bittersweet (Faerie Song Trilogy #2) by Michele Barrow-Belisle
Publication Date: March 24th, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
~Summary~
To save the Faery world and her mother’s life, seventeen year old Lorelei sacrificed everything, and the dangerous bargains she made in Nevermore had lasting repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same to her high school friends and her supernatural boyfriend, despite the dark magic growing within her. Love across dimensions is complicated, especially when an invisible veil between the two worlds is sealing, threatening to separate Lorelei and Adrius forever.
Determined to find a solution, Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her friends fall ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t help but wonder if she's responsible.
Nightmares from the Nevermore tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy Lorelei’s world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to choose between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the start.
Determined to find a solution, Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her friends fall ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t help but wonder if she's responsible.
Nightmares from the Nevermore tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy Lorelei’s world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to choose between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the start.
~Sequel To~
~Excerpt~
“Stay. Just…. Stay.” The second I said it I felt awful. What was I
asking? I knew he couldn’t stay, that he needed to return to his world to stay
alive in mind.
Since
the night of the dance we’d carefully stayed away from discussing our little
predicament. We were still at a standoff. He couldn’t live in my world without
magical aids to keep him alive, because of the toxic nature of our polluted
air, and I couldn’t go back to his world, because of a bunch of angry beings
trying to kill me. That left us here. He would have to return to his world and
refuel, to come back to mine. How long the potions lasted depended upon how
much stress he was under. Physical exertion, extreme emotions all used up the
reserve more quickly. Then there was the issue of his still being tied to
Venus, the daughter of the ice witch I killed. A curse had caused his forced
fealty to her. Killing the witch was not only supposed to save Mythlandria from
her destructive wrath, it was also supposed to free Adrius of the curse that
bound him to the ice witch’s commands. Who knew there was a daughter who would
take over the bonds, and that she was also his ex-girlfriend.
Now she wants me dead in payment for killing her mother, and as a
bonus, I’d be out of the way so she could get Adrius back in her life. That he
could come here at all means the curse is weakening. I want his freedom, but at
which price? Was I willing to kill for it? I’d have to end her life as well if
I was going to destroy the bonds. And I wasn’t a killer. Even Octăhvia’s death
was more of an accident than intended. I had no idea what awakening the magic
would do, or how to wield it. This arrangement seemed like our only option, for
now. And while I hated to see him leave, there was something comforting in
being able to pretend that my life was normal again. As normal as it ever was.
I could enjoy being back home with friends and back at school which
surprisingly enough, I’d missed. It’s amazing how coming to the edge of your
life multiple times will make even the most mundane routines a welcomed change.
“Think about what you’re asking me,” he said. “You know why I have
to leave.”
He watched me suck in a breath of regret, as I wished I could take
back my self-serving plea.
Pain creased his eyes. “Sleep soundly, Lorelei,” was all he said.
He kissed the top of my head and turned to go.
The tense set of his jaw revealed the effort it took to leave. I
watched him walk away, biting down on my lower lip until he reached the
driveway.
“How am I supposed to sleep?” My voice was almost too quiet to be
heard over the howling wind. But his hearing surpassed most mortal’s.
“Warm milk with honey works well,” he answered my whisper, his
back still facing me. “It helps with the night terrors too,” he added.
“You know that’s not what I meant.” I moved closer, descending one
step at a time until my bare feet hit the cold of the pavement.
Adrius froze. Electric pulses crackled between us.
“I was talking about sleeping without you. Here.”
“You’ve managed to do it before,” he said cautiously, the strain
of his resolve vibrating in his voice.
“I know. But—“
This was wrong. It was selfish. How could I ask him to stay, when
I know that leaving is what would keep him alive to return to me?
“I’m sorry. I’m being silly. It’s just I can’t—“
With whipcrack intensity, his resolve burned away and he rushed
toward me and pulled me into his arms. His touch burned though my shirt as his
hands splayed against my back, pressing us closer. He kissed me, hungrily at
first, then it quickly deepened to ravenous. Matching his fervor, I tangled my
fingers in his hair. Every inch of me was on fire. He gasped, his lips slowing
against mine. By the time we separated, we were both breathless. He leaned his
forehead against mine for a few rapid heartbeats, then pulled back. Our eyes
remained locked in a palpitating stretch of silence that spoke volumes. My head
swirled, and all I wanted was more of where we’d left off.
But he read my
intentions. The corners of his lips quirked and he shook his head. Warm hands
slid down my arms with one last caress, before he disappeared. Gone so quickly
I didn’t actually see him leave. Swallowed by the darkness of the night and the
forest that held the secret doorway into Mythlandria.
~About the Author~
A dreamer at heart, Michele Barrow-Belisle has always lived with one foot in this reality and one foot in another, one of her own imagining. So it follows that she would grow up to write about the characters from those enchanting worlds she knows and loves so well. A fan of all things romantic, her young adult novels are populated with scintillating witches, vampires and fey. Her bestselling debut book series Fire and Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy) was optioned for a major motion picture this year. Michele resides in southern Canada with her hubby and son who indulge her never-ending obsession with reading, writing and most importantly… chocolate.
She also loves shoes.
Did we mention the chocolate?
She also loves shoes.
Did we mention the chocolate?
~Guest Post~
13 Little Known facts About Me:
By Michele
Barrow-Belisle
1.
My debut novel series Fire & Ice was
optioned for a movie. We sold the film right, audio right and foreign langue
rights all in the same month. Soon, I’ll be reading a copy of Fire & Ice in
Turkish. How cool is that!??
2.
I’m a polymer clay sculptor. My favourite
things to sculpt are faeries and miniature clay food.
3.
I secretly have a fascination with pirates.
And mermaids. And vampires. True story.
4.
I’m a Libra. And as balanced as they come ;)
5.
I really love chocolate. Ok, so that’s not
exactly top secret. But it’s a fact none the less.
6.
I live with my amazing husband who rides a
motorcycle, my incredible son who’s also an incredible writer and artist, and a cat with a princess complex… she truly believes
our entire reason for being is to see to her every whim.
7.
A few years ago, I got a call from a producer
of the Dr. Phil Show who wanted to feature my lifelike babydolls.
8.
When I went to John Taylor from Duran Duran’s
book signing event, I signed a copy of my book and gave it to him. Pretty
cheeky, I know.
9.
My sister in law Tami was the first person to
read FIRE & ICE after I wrote it. She loved it and that gave me the
encouragement to move forward.
10. I once modelled for a
clothing company called President Stone. For a while there were larger-than-life
posters of me plastered all over Montreal, on buses, subway stations and in
movie theatres. The company went out of business. Totally not my fault.
11. I used to sculpt
collectible dolls for a company called Paradise Galleries. They also went out
of business. Again, not my fault.
12. I adore my life and
feel incredibly grateful to be able to spend my days doing what I love to do
surrounded by such amazing family, friends and collaborators!
13. Umm, let’s see, what
else… did I mention the chocolate?
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for featuring me and my new release on your fabulous blog Ashley!!
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