ARC Book Review-The Winter King by C.L Wilson

The Winter King
Weathermages of Mystral (1)
C.L. Wilson
Avon Books
E Book
Published July 29 2014
Acquired: Edelweiss
594 Pages
Fantasy Romance
ISBN:  9780062018977
Authors Website 

Synopsis 
Wynter Atrialan, the Winter King, once lived in peace with his southern, Summerlander neighbors, but when the prince of Summerlea steals Wynter’s bride and murders his young brother, Wynter calls upon a dangerous Wintercraig magic called the Ice Heart and marches against Summerlea.

After three bitter years of battle, a victorious Wynter arrives at Summerlea’s royal palace to issue his terms of surrender. The prince of Summerlea stole Wynter’s bride and slew Wynter’s Heir. He wants the loss replaced. The Ice Heart is consuming him. Wynter hopes holding his own child in his arms will rekindle the warmth in his heart before he becomes the monster of Wintercraig legend, the Ice King.

The Summer King has three very precious daughters whom he loves dearly. Wynter will take one of them to wife. She will have one year to provide him with an Heir. If she fails, he will send her to face the mercy of the mountains and claim another princess for his wife. And so it will continue until Wynter has his Heir or the Summer King is out of daughters.

The plan is perfect—except for one small detail. The Summer King has a fourth daughter. One of whom he is not so fond. And she is a fiercely passionate creature, with a temper as volatile as the forces of her weathergift, the power of storms.

My Review 

Wynter, the king of Wintercraig, devoted his time and energy to building up his kingdom, and trying to work with their southern neighbors: Summerlea. But then the prince of Summerlea stole his bride and killed his brother, and for three years he has battled with his enemies and now he has won and will take a bride of one of the precious daughters of the summer king. What he doesn’t know is that there is a fourth daughter, one who can save him from the ice heart that is slowly consuming him. Khamsin, is blamed by her father for the death of her mother. Her father hates her and abuses her and she has grown up in the remote section of the palace. Then she is forced to disguise herself and marry the Winter King. She fears him more than any other, for his power matches her own, but she feels a burning for him she has never felt before. From the warm lands of Summerlea to the cold and bitter territory of Wintercraig, she will need to decide where her loyalties lie: to her family who never loved her as they should have, or her husband who loves her with a fierce passion? War is coming and only Khamsin and Wynter can defeat the greatest enemy of all and save all from destruction.

The Winter King is the first book in the most newest and latest series by C.L. Wilson. This is the one book I have been looking forward to read the most all year and now I finally got a chance to read it through Avon and Edelweiss. Even though this book is almost 600 pages, it really didn’t feel that long. The Winter King is a story that will magically sweep you off your feet, and I literally had to force myself to put this down when I needed to work, but I just wanted to read this all right at that moment, I was so intrigued and The Winter King swept me up from the very beginning. There was never a time while reading this I felt a urge to set it down at all. If anything I couldn’t help but read it as much as possible.

This story begins with the betrayal of Wynter and his vengeance. Wynter is one hell of a kind of hero….ALPHA all the way. Just thinking about him gives me the shivers (but in a good way!!) He definitely stirs the blood and seriously what woman wouldn’t want him at her side. Wynter has done some shameful things, he has taken the Ice heart, which has given him the power to defeat his enemy. But it is also slowly destroying him and freezing him from inside out….and only love will thaw him. He believes that will happen when he has his heir. Even though he is rough around the edges, he has a soft side to especially for the heroine of the story. He wants to despise her and he doesn’t trust her at first, but we see how feels a magnetic pull towards her. The heroine here….is one of my all time favorites….she is amazing and wonderful and you can’t help but find her endearing. Which is very rare, usually the focus is on the hero. But Wilson has succeeded in developing both of the main characters to a point that you fall in love with them and by the end of the story you feel as if you could be best friends with her. We see her strong spirit from the beginning of the story, and what a fighter she is. At first she seems a bit more submissive at times, but she has a tender heart and a fiery spirit…mix those two together and you get one fierce lass. There were so many times I wanted to cry for her and what her father does….it is painful to read through, but Wynter comes through and he is super protective of her even though he hates her family and even her at the beginning.

The connection that these two have is so precious and tender. The chemistry in this story is SIZZLING and you will need a fire hose to keep the smoke from consuming you. These two definitely know the meaning of fireworks and explosions especially when it comes to passion. There is a power ridden sensuality with each chapter. The plot is well laid out and has quite a few twists that you don’t ever expect, and it will keep you guessing and enthrall you even more in the story.

Overall a stunning romantic tale of the power of true love, devotion and magic. With a sensual passion, endearing characters, and a story line to captivate you body and soul!! Get ready for a adventure of a lifetime. One that will take you to new heights, in a world of the magic of winter, where ice and snow are a constant….and a love story to bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your heart.  TRULY MAGNIFICENT.

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Book Review-Queen of Song and Souls

Queen of Song and Souls
Tairen Soul (4)
C.L. Wilson
Avon
Paperback
Published October 2010
400 Pages
Fantasy Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-202299-8
Authors Website

Synopsis
Only together could their souls be complete. Only together could they survive. Only together could they unlock the secrets of the past and unleash their greatest magic.

The first deadly battles of the new Mage Wars have been fought, and victory has been won at a terrible price. As the toll of an unfulfilled matebond and the torment of war begins tips Rain towards madness, Ellysetta knows if she cannot find a way to defeat the darkness growing inside her and complete the truemate bond, Rain will die and she will become the prophesied monster Vadim Maur uses to destroy the Fey and enslave the World.

My Review
Queen of Song and Souls is the fourth installment in the Tairen soul series. For years I have heard so many amazing things about this series, and its not easy to find a stirring fantasy romance series that captures your heart from the very beginning. This review will be shorter than others, so that I don’t give too much away.

Rain and Ellysetta’s story has been magical from the moment they first met. They have suffered and have made great strides. In this installment,  there is much that we learn about the past of Ellysetta and the future of Rain and Ellysetta. Rain and Ellysetta are coming closer to completing their bond, but time is slowly running out. There is a high level of intensity and emotion that is displayed in this story. In Queen of Song and Souls the danger level of the Eld and Mage have escalated, and Rain and Ellysetta are racing against time to try to gain assistance from their allies. The story is mostly centered around Rain and Ellysetta, and learning about her past and about their destiny. There is quite a bit we learn in this installment.

Overall I couldn’t help but admire once again the talent of Wilson. I am still astonished by how much I have enjoyed her. I always love a fantasy romance, and the theme that is present in this series is sensual and epic. The romance between Rain and Ellysetta is intense yet tender too. We see a deeper development in their bond to each other, and there quite a lot of suspense and adventure involved. I loved the aspect of the different combination of danger, romance, and this world that has been created that captures your attention. There is quite a bit of a intensity level here, and it definitely near impossible to put it down. It did leave a bit of a cliff hanger and I will warn you that you will need some tissues to get through this story. But what a great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the last and final installment and find out if Rain and Ellysetta achieve their HEA.

First Line 
She was only nine years old, and she was going to die. 

Favorite Quote 
I love you… I want you… I need you. The words chanted in her head with the beat of her pulse, repeating over and over. His voice – or was it hers? – grew more insistent with each utterance.  Come to me. Give yourself to me.

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
Lord of Fading Lands
Lady of Light and Shadows
King of Sword and Sky
Crown of Crystal Flame

Book Review-King of Sword and Sky

King of Sword and Sky
Tairen Soul (3)
C.L. Wilson
Avon Books
Paperback
Published September 2008
467 Pages
Fantasy Romance
ISBN:978-0-06-202300-1
Authors Website

Synopsis
Only one enemy could destroy them.

Only one love could unite them.

Only together could they lead their people to victory.

Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.

My Review
Rain and Ellysetta have left Celieria, knowing that their enemy is going to attack soon. Ellie is sad to be leaving her family and the only life she has ever known. Ellie knows her destiny is to save the Fey, even though she has no idea how she will be able to do it. Rain, as the Fey King, knows that he must do everything to save his people. When they arrive to the Fading Lands, Rain is determined to show Ellie how to access her magic. Rain begins to show Ellysetta the Fading Lands, the Tairen who accept her, in more ways than they ever excepted his first wife. At first the trust between the Fey and Ellie are shady at best, they don’t know what to make of her. They respect her because of her bond to Rain, but they don’t trust the dark magic that is stamped on Ellyetta, though she is innocent. When it becomes clear that the kits of the Tairen are dying, Ellie and Rain start working on discovering the reason why. Ellysetta’s power starts to become even more pronounced before, and Ellie starts to discover more about herself and her abilities. She desires to refine them, so she will be able to help the Tairen and the Fey. To prove that she only wants to save them from the dark magic that threatens everything they hold dear.

King of Sword and Sky is the third installment in the Tairen Soul series. I have heard of this author for years, but not until recently did I decide to try it out. The first two books I just fell in love with instantly. King of Sword and Sky goes alot more into depth, and there is quite a bit that happens in the story. As it begins you see how the difficulty that Ellie has even from first entering the Fading Lands. Even though she has a Dark Mage marker stamped on her, Ellie has more power than anyone knows. With the protection of the Fading Lands, Ellie and Rain start to train and search for a way to save both the Tairen and the Fey. The story is pretty complex in this one, and I don’t want to reveal too much for those that haven’t had a chance to read this one yet. The plot has many twists and turns that only hold the reader enthralled through the whole story. As you go through the story, you see that the focus is on Ellie, and how she works on refining her abilities so she can save the Kitlings of the Tairen who keep dying. The relationship between Rain and Ellie becomes ever more stronger than ever before. The faith that Rain has in Ellie is precious, and how protective he is of her, despite how his people distrust her. Certain truths are revealed from the eye of Truth, that makes the relationship between Rain and his people even less trustworthy than before. But with a battle up ahead soon, Rain and his people will need to work together to defeat a enemy that only desires to destroy everything.

Rain and Ellysetta are charming characters, and I couldn’t help but love them even more. The bond they have is strengthened even more in this story than the first two books. There is quite a bit that goes on, that the challenges and the multiple conflicts that Rain and Ellie are faced with only bring them even closer.  Rain becomes more Alpha Male pronounced in this book. Way more protective and possessive than you see in previous books. I enjoyed how he handles the situations they are put in. There is quite a bit of intensity at times, and Ellie for the most part, just accepts it. Ellysetta, I enjoyed seeing this heroine face the conflict even more than Rain. She has much more against her at times, and she has this inner strength that I admired from the beginning. She tends to handle everything with grace and patience.

Overall I really enjoyed how well everything is put together, and the way the plot proceeds. A exciting and enticing story of a world where good and evil battle. A dazzling and emotionally woven tale of love, destiny, and passion. POWERFUL!!!

First Line 
Two primages and sixty of my Black Guard slaughtered and yet somehow the pair of you survived. While my prize escaped.”

Favorite Quote
“Ve sha kem’tani. Kem’san. Kem’reisa” You are my mate. My Heart. My soul. With hands and words and lips and teeth, he claimed her, declaring possession, marking her with his touch, his kiss, his breath, the scent of his skin rubbing her with hot friction, singing to her soul. 

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
Lord of the Fading Lands
Lady of Light and Shadows
Queen of Song and Souls
Crown of Crystal Flame

Book Review-Lady of Light and Shadows

Lady of Light and Shadows
Tairen Soul (2)
C.L. Wilson
Leisure
Paperback
Published November 2007
386 Pages
Fantasy Romance
ISBN: 978-0-8439-5978-9
Authors Website 

Synopsis
He had stepped from the sky to claim her like an enchanted prince from the pages of a fairy tale, but behind the mesmerizing beauty of his violet eyes she saw the driving hunger of the beast and an endless sorrow only she could heal.

Only for him would she embrace her frightening magic. Only for him would she find the courage to confront the shadows that haunted her soul. Only with him could she hope to defeat the terrifying evil that had pursued her all her life.

No barrier could stand between true-mates, not of the body, mind or soul. For ahead an epic battle was fast approaching, and only united could they hope to turn back the armies of darkness.

My Review
As the wedding date draws closer, and the relationship between Rain and Ellie is becoming more stronger by the day. Deep within Ellie is a powerful magic that is about to burst free, and even though Rain doesn’t fully understand, he knows he must show her control so that accidents don’t happen. Ellie is frightened of what is happening to her, and she doesn’t have any idea on what she is fully capable of. In her mind she can hardly believe the this is real, she is just a humble woodcarvers daughter. But as her nightmares become stronger and more frightening, and certain truths are revealed of secrets of Rain, she becomes even more overwhelmed. She learns that there is a reason Rain was guided to her, and that she will help save the fey race. With the Mage becoming more deadly and stronger and threatening the borders of the Celerians, Rain knows that their time is running out, especially with the nobles of Celieran desiring to open the borders to a enemy, whose only desire is to destroy them all. There is a deeper darker secret of Ellie’s parentage, and who she truly is and the power that she yields but lays undiscovered, a secret that could tear their connection apart.  Only having faith and trust in each other will they have hope to defeat the enemy that is on their doorstep.

After I read the first book, I could barely contain my excitement to read the next book, so I went to the library and got the rest of the books in the series. The second book was a continuation of the first book. It starts off from the point that Lord of Fading Lands left off. I had heard before I started this series that the first two books kind of go hand in hand, and I definitely agree with that assessment. It almost felt like I hadn’t started a new book. I found myself easily getting lost into the story just as I was able to with the first installment. We start to see more development into the relationship between Rain and Ellie. Rain begins to help Ellie reach out to the magic within in and teach her to slowly control it. It was interesting seeing another sub plot involving the fate of Ellie’s parents (or I am assuming its her parents, and not wanting to reveal too much). There is also a sense of danger and peril that is easy to sense as you progress further into the story. We see the power of prejudices the people have toward magic, and how that makes Ellie doubt herself and her powers, and that she fears herself. I liked the take this author takes, and how Rain shows Ellie the beauty of the magic within her and surrounding her.

I had such a fun time seeing the bond between Rain and Ellie get stronger, gain a deeper understanding of both characters. The author digs a little deeper in the backgrounds of both, and you start to fall in love even more so with Rain and Ellie than the first book. Rain is having a harder time controlling the beat within him, wanting to claim his mate. Rain made a promise to Ellie and her father that he would wait until they were married, but it is starting to drive him crazy. You also see his devotion toward Ellie in the ways he tries to show her who she truly is and not what other would make her think of herself. Ellie is still the woodcarvers daughter, but with her powers getting stronger and  she also gets stronger emotionally and you begin to see her inner strength become more bolder and I loved seeing her transformation and the beautiful relationship that is developing between Rain and Ellie. Overall I could help but find a emotionally driven epic of a love story that is exotic and enthralling! MAGNIFICENT!!!

First Line
 Ellysetta Baristani stood in the dark, fire lit cavern of Fey Bahren, the fabled nesting lair of the tairen. 

Favorite Quote 
My heart has followed where my soul has led. Ke vo san, Ellysetta. I love you.

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In Series 
Lord of the Fading Lands
King of Sword and Sky
Queen of Song and Souls
Crown of Crystal Flame

Book Review-Lord of the Fading Lands

Lord Of The Fading Lands
Tairen Soul (1)
C.L. Wilson
Leisure
Paperback
Published October 2007
402 Pages
Fantasy Romance
ISBN: 978-0-8439-5977-2
Authors Website 

Synopsis 
Once he had scorched the world.
Once he had driven back overwhelming darkness.
Once he had loved with such passion, his name was legend…
TAIREN SOUL
Long ago, in the magical holocaust known as the Mage Wars, the immortal Fey and their allies fought to defeat the grasping evil of the Elden Mages and their dark-gifted supporters. During those wars, in a fit of grief-induced madness caused by the death of his mate, Fey shapeshifter Rain Tairen Soul nearly destroyed the world in a blaze of tairen fire.
Now a thousand years later, a new threat calls him from the Fading Lands, back into the world that had cost him so dearly. Now an ancient, familiar evil is regaining its strength, and a new voice beckons him–more compelling, more seductive, more maddening than any before.
As the power of his most bitter enemy grows and ancient alliances crumble, the wildness in his blood will not be denied. The tairen must claim his truemate and embrace the destiny woven for him in the mists of time.

My Review
Rain Tairen Soul is the King of the Fading Lands, and has survived for centuries, and after losing the woman he once loved, spent countless years bent on revenge against those who killed the woman who was gentle and kind and gracious. Now determined to find out the truth and the evil that threatens his people, he finds out that he has a truemate, the woman that is the other half of his soul. He never thought it possible he would ever have a truemate, but now that he has found her, he will never let her go. Ellysetta or also known as Ellie, lives in a mortal city known as Celiera, a place where she grew up. Her father being a woodcarver, she grew up in a simple yet loving atmosphere. her family is everything to her. Ellie knows that soon she will have to marry soon, and the man her parents would have her wed, leaves a bad taste in her mouth, she wishes more than anything to marry anyone but him. Ellie is not a normal mortal, she has suffered nightmares and convulsions all of her life. When Tairen Soul, king and the most powerful Tairen alive comes to their city, she is intrigued. All of Ellie’s life, she has been fascinated with Tairen Soul and anything connection to the myths and legends he has left behind. The last thing she expects is for Tairen Soul to come swooping down and claiming her as his truemate. She wonders if his vision is impaired or is drunk. Ellie has always believed herself to be awkward, unattractive and not built in the way most men desire a women to be shaped. There is a part of her that can’t resist Tairen, or his gentle ways with her. Even though the passion they share can be fierce, she finds her heart opening up to Rain and his protectiveness and fierce devotion.

I have heard about this series for a very long time and have always wanted to read these books, which I have heard stellar reviews on. So I decided it was time to try them out, especially since I do love fantasy romance. From the first few pages, I was instantly hooked, and I couldn’t put this epic story down. I was blown away by the author’s voice and the world building she does with the Tairen Soul series. Even though this is the only book I have read from this author, I am hooked, I can barely sit still with excitement to read what happens between Tairen and Elllie. In the beginning I was a bit confused with what was happening, but that usually happens with this type of story, with a huge aspect of world building. It tends to take a little while to get adjusted and settled into the story. I am not saying I had a hard time getting into the story, (the very opposite as a matter of fact). However I do wish there was a bit more background to the story in the prologue. It did have some background information, but I felt like there may have been a bit more. However once the story picked up, I started to feel comfortable and everything seemed to come together pretty nicely only after a few chapters. It was amazing how well the author put the story together in such a way, that there was no confusion at all and the ease that came with reading Lord of the Fading Lands. So it starts off with Tairen Soul seeking the truth to saving his people, but instead finds out about his truemate, which is the last thing he would expect. It then jumps to Ellie, who along with her two younger sisters, is getting prepared for a visit from fey warriors. Then the first meeting between Tairen and Ellie occurs, and it definitely satisfied every romantic bone in my body. I just sighed at that point, definitely full of desire and intensity, and I could barely contain my excitement. We then see the King and strongest of his people, humble himself beyond reason in order to court Ellie, who is young and inexperienced but beautiful in spirit and soul.

Both of these characters I absolutely adored. Ellie is sweet and charming and very innocent, and has no clue of the power that resides within her. She is very protective and fierce when she needs to be, but is simple and has been raised in a home of love and wants that for herself. She doesn’t just give in to Tairen and accept his claim hands down, she tests him, even though it was subtle, I had fun seeing Ellie warm up to Tairen. She does have self doubt about herself, but I think that con’s to Ellie made her seem more real to me, and I felt it easy to relate with her.  Tairen was beyond amazing, and he is going to the top of my list of hero’s. Tairen is your typical Alpha Male, however there is much more to him than that. He does have a dominant and beyond possessive side. He also has a gentle and patient nature toward Ellie, that is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings. The side characters were fun and exciting and charming. The relationship between Tairen and Ellie starts out like any relationship does, with stumbling blocks but I did enjoy the way they compromised with each other, and start to develop a deeper bond to each other as the story progressed. I definitely didn’t want this story to ever end, and it ended way sooner than I would have liked. I did expect a cliffhanger of some sort, since this series is just about this couple (At least I think it is), but it ended on a good note, but just enough cliffhanger, to keep you thirsty for me, yet not frustrated, just hungry for the next installment.

Overall I would say this is one of the best books I have read ALL year!!! There was so many things I loved about the first in the Tairen series. Such a beautiful world C. L. Wilson creates for us. An exciting and enthralling tale of a epic love and a world with magic, paranormal creatures, and characters to bewitch you.  BRILLIANTLY DONE!!!

First Line 
The Tairen were dying. Rain Tairen Soul, King of the Fey, could no longer deny the truth. 

Favorite Quote 
Ver reisa ku’chae. Kem surah, shei’tani. Your soul calls out. Mine answers, beloved.

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In Series 
Lady of Light and Shadows
King of Sword and Sky
Queen of Song and Souls
Crown of Crystal Flame