Frost Kay's Blog, page 5

First Chapter of Crown's Shield.

I am so excited about this book that I wanted to share the first chapter with y'all! (Unedited)Pre-Order Crown's ShieldChapter 1SageSage squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them, though it did nothing to change the scene before. Her mind was reeling, this couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t be seeing who she thought she was...She blinked a couple more times.Damn. Still there.Two royal figures stood before her, blue eyes staring, one in anger, and one in calculation. Her fingers went numb and a high-pitched ringing filled her ears.They were here.The princes of Aermia were actually here. In her family’s forge.Sweat dripped down her spine.How did they find her? No one had followed them as they made their way home from the festival last night, she had been sure of it. So how had they done it?She jumped as she felt a touch on her arm. Anxious, her eyes jumped to the one touching her but she relaxed as she met the eyes of her father. It was only her papa.His eyes narrowed at her. “Sage? Are you alright?”She nodded slowly and gave him a weak smile, deliberately ignoring the two men boring holes into her head with their eyeballs. “What can I help you with papa?”Her papa grinned. “Actually, I have someone I want you to meet.” He wrapped an arm around her and looked toward Sam. “Sage, I would like to introduce you to Samuel.”For a beat, Sage simply stared at the spymaster before her father began again, “This is the Sam your brothers got into so much mischief with over the years.”She jerked at his words. Him? Stars above, it couldn’t be true. Life wouldn’t be that cruel, would it?“It was he who commissioned the dragon sword.”Her gaze dropped to the sword in question. The great dragon broadsword she now held in her hands. Apparently, it could. Sage then glared at the sword, feeling oddly betrayed, as every foul word she’d ever learned ran through her mind. Of all the bad luck in the world. Why did nothing ever go as it was supposed to?The spymaster cleared his throat, pulling her from thoughts. As she raised her eyes to his he arched a brow. “I’m happy to meet you at last. Zeke and Zeb have spoken of you so much that I almost feel like I know you already.”Sage pulled in a breath and sent him a brittle smile. “I feel exactly the same way.”Sam leaned forward, not breaking her gaze. “The sword’s perfect. I’ve never seen its equal. It’s truly a stunning weapon. How long was your apprenticeship?”Sage hesitated. Sam knew her family, but she didn’t know what her brothers had divulged to the spymaster all these years and she had no desire to give him any more information.Before she had a chance to reply her father spoke up.“Actually, she never left my side, even as a little one.” Her papa squeezed her. “I used to call her my little shadow. Every time I stepped back, it seemed like it was onto littles toes. Her brothers had no interest in it, so much to the chagrin of her mother, I trained her instead. Now, here she is: the most talented swordsmith in all of Aermia.” Her father’s face beamed with pride.“Indeed,” Sam remarked.“Indeed,” Sage mumbled. More like unfortunate.Sam smiled. “How fortunate it is to meet you in person.” His smiled widened. “Beauty and talent. I believe Colm and your brothers have been hiding you from me.”“Damn straight,” her papa added.Her eyes flickered to the crown prince’s and she registered the barely masked hostility there. It was time to go.“Well, it was lovely meeting you.” She smiled at Sam. “And thank you for your compliments. I hope the sword serves you well, however, the forge doesn’t run itself so if you will excuse me.” As Sage turned away she tried to decide her next move. Should she run to the meadow? Or perhaps go find Rafe?“I would like to commission a few pieces.” Sage spun around when the voice cracked through the air like whip. “I’ll be honest. Seeing my brother with such a beautiful blade has me a bit envious.”The dark tone sent a shiver down her spine.Despite her warning the princes of the plot to kill the king,  they were still enemies. Their games weren’t over, it was just the beginning.Sage cringed and turned toward him, clenching her hands in her skirt to keep them from trembling. Looking at him again she realized that, unfortunately, he was still one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen. Wavy blue-black hair,sapphire eyes framed with long dark lashes. The full mouth highlighted by strong cheekbones and a defined jaw. She couldn’t believe she had kissed that mouth just last night and, though it hadn’t been the worst thing to ever happen to her, it wasn’t really something she’d like to repeat.He shifted and her eyes bounced up from his lips to his eyes. His eyes held no warmth. Sam smirked at his side and her impassive mask began to crack. Her emotions were all over the place. She needed to rein herself in. When her father clapped his hands together she about jumped out of her skin. She’d almost forgotten he was there.“Well, I still have a little work to do, so I will let you two work out the details. But it was great seeing you, Sam. Stay for dinner?”“I would love to but I’m afraid I’ve got to get back to work.”“That’s too bad, son. Perhaps next time.”She caught her father’s sleeve as he turned with a pleading look. “Papa do you think it wise to leave me here unchaperoned?” She kept her voice low.He eyed her and then the two royals, patting her hand absently. “I will only be in the forge and can see you the whole time.” He turned his eyes on her. “So have no fear love.” Colm Blackwell raised his voice so that Sam could hear him. “I have known Samuel for many years. He would never do anything improper in my forge or make my daughter uncomfortable.” The words were friendly but also held a clear warning.Sam dipped his head, smiling boyishly. “As you say, Master Blackwell. You know, I feel as if Sage is my sister already.”Her papa acknowledged Sam with a quirk of his lips before moving back to his work bench. Sage stared after him, feeling like he’d just left her to drown in a river. He simply smiled encouragingly before turning away, whistling a lyrical tune as he departed.Sage swallowed hard, locking her knees to stop their shaking. She wouldn’t let them detect the fear in her, so she gathered her courage. Grabbing paper and quill, she placed them on the counter before the two princes. The salty smell of sweat caught her nose. Her’s or theirs? She had no clue. Steeling herself she asked, “So what would you like?”Silence followed her question though she refused to look up at them. She waited them out a bit but still they said nothing.“My lords?” she prompted.When each remained silent she forced her eyes from her paper eyebrows raised in a mute prompt. Sage found herself under intense scrutiny by both sets of calculating blue eyes. Her stomach clenched.Suddenly the crown prince smiled fiercely, teeth gleaming. “I think I would like something similar to my brothers. The dragon seems brought to life, which I approve of, but I’d rather you leave off all those pearls and sapphires. Maybe substitute obsidian and black diamonds.”Of course, he wants a black sword, she thought, it’ll match his black heart.Sage mulled it over. It would be harder to get the obsidian and black diamonds but it was definitely doable. She grinned evilly as she thought of how much she could charge him. Her father may not have understood who he’d been dealing with but she most certainly did.“It will take time to track down the stones you desire but we can do it. Of course, you will need to pay upfront; twelve gold marks.” Sage smirked when the crown prince’s eyes widened just a fraction.His brother spoke up first. “Come now. I only paid three for mine. His stones can’t be that costly,” Sam gave her a lazy smile as he tried to bargain. “Surely you can give us a deal, I mean we’re practically family.”“You are,” Sage pointed her pen at Sam, before stabbing it toward his brother. “He’s not. That’s my price so take it or leave it.”Sam sniggered when the crown prince glowered at her before speaking. “I guess I’ll need to borrow some gold Brother.”Pulling a bag from his waist Sam set the coins on the counter.Sage merely smiled, attempting innocence. “Is there anything else you need?” She kept her tone sweet even as she felt giddy inside. Were she to be locked up today, her family would still be taken care of for a long time.“As a matter of fact, I would.” Sam placed a dagger in front of her. “Something like this would suffice.”As she caught sight of it the blood drained from her face. A rebellion blade. More specifically her rebellion blade. As her gaze snapped to Sam she caught him taking in her reaction with interest.So then what now? Would he punish her family? The spymaster seemed to know she had created the dagger and had no doubt seen others like it on the other rebel’s. He now had proof she wasn’t only a spy but the rebellion’s weapon supplier to a point. She wouldn’t be going back to the dungeon. She would hang.Her eyes darted to her papa, whistling away and working, oblivious to the danger she’d put them in, before returning to the two royals.Carefully, she pushed the dagger back toward them. “I’m afraid that is an outdated design. Can I interest you in something else instead?”She hoped they understood the translation: She didn’t work for the rebellion anymore.Sam’s brow furrowed at her words before he cleared his expression. He plucked her dagger from the counter and slipped it back into the sheath at his waist. “Nope, I believe I have everything I need then. How about you, brother?”She couldn’t help darting a glance toward the Crown Prince but her breath stuttered to a halt when she met his angry eyes. He leaned closer, feigning interest in a dagger on display, but Sage held her ground, refusing to be intimidated. She froze, however, when she felt his breath caress her temple.“There is only one thing I require here and none of it was forged with metal. So far it has eluded me but I believe very soon it will be within my grasp.” He paused before continuing, “There is nowhere to run, Sage.”Her eyes flew back to his. Seeing the determination on his face she knew she needed to leave. Now. She had planned on never seeing Rafe again but at this point she had no choice. This wasn’t just about her own safety anymore.By then he’d withdrawn from her space, though he continued watching her intently. She smiled grimly and placed each hand on a displayed dagger. “Only over your dead body,” she hissed. He would never find her again and he would never hurt her family. Of that she would be certain.Both men tensed at her threat and her smile turned deadly. At least they understood that danger was imminent.“Papa,” she called, never taking her eyes from them. Sage heard as he hoisted himself up to stroll over to her. When he reached her she continued, “I find myself quite fatigued.” She then handed him the sheaf of paper with the crown prince’s specifications. “Would you mind finishing up?” Sage broke the staring contest she’d been entertaining with the two men so she could meet her papa’s worried green eyes.“Oh love, I’m sorry. Do you need anything?”A warm smile split her face as she felt the concern in her papa’s voice. “No, no. I’m sure it’s just too much dancing last night.” Kissing her papa’s whiskered cheek she spared the royals a last glance. “It was lovely meeting you, Sam.” She hoped to never see him again.Sam smiled like he knew exactly what she was thinking, which ratcheted her anxiety up a notch. “We’ll be seeing you soon then.”I hope y'all enjoyed that! Pre-order Crown's Shield. Lots of love,Frost Kay

Eight FREE Fantasy reads for the summer!

So you all know I have a love for Beauty and the Beast. One of my friends, Lindsay Mead, wrote a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a Norse mythology twist. To help celebrate her 3,000th read we decided to get together and giveaway some book loot!So what's up for grabs? Eight FREE epic adventures AND signed paperbacks!Click on the picture to claim your free books and to enter our giveaway!Enjoy your new reads and good luck!Lots of love,Frost Kay

Crown's Shield Cover Reveal!

I am so excited to share this with you! This book pretty has been burning a hole in my pocket! Isn't it gorgeous?Crown's Shield is now available forpre-order!Trickery. War. Betrayal.Despite her resolve to cut ties with the rebellion, Sage Blackwell is forced to turn to her old allies...But when the ultimate betrayal puts her in an impossible position, she has to make a life changing decision:FREEDOM OR PEACE?From the moment he meets Sage, Crown Prince Tehl Ramses finds himself confronted with one surprise after another- and he hates being the fool. Ensnared in the rebellion's intricate web of trickery and blackmail, Tehl is forced to take desperate measures: WAR OR COMPROMISE?Both Tehl and Sage will do whatever's necessary to avoid the pending war, even if it means becoming reluctant allies. Tempers rise, myths are unveiled, and assassins abound. Can they put aside their prejudices to protect their people? Or will they tear Aermia and each other apart?One story. Two sides. One goal: Save Aermia.Click the cover to pre-order Crown's Shield!Lots of love,Frost Kay

Book review of The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

Who out there loves time travel books? This girl does, and this is one of my all time favorite time-travel series. The Hourglass Door Trilogy has everything; heart pounding action, swoon worthy guys, and timeless romance!The Hourglass Door:Genre:Urban Fantasy/Time-travel RomanceSwearing:MinimalHeat:Slow burning romanceAwesomeness:Out of this time! Lol.Synopsis:His past.Her future.Can love bring them together in time?Abby’s senior year of high school is going according to plan: good friends, cute boyfriend, and college applications in the mail. But when Dante Alexander, foreign-exchange student from Italy, steps into her life, he turns it upside down. He’s mysterious, and interesting, and unlike anyone she’s ever met before. Abby can’t deny the growing attraction she feels for him. Nor can she deny the unusual things that seem to happen when Dante is around. Soon Abby finds herself drawn into a mystery whose roots reach into sixteenth-century Florence, and she uncovers a dangerous truth that threatens not only her future but the lives of those she loves.Click on the cover to get your copy of The Hourglass Door!Enjoy,Lots of love,Frost Kay

Book review of Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

It's that time again!This week I wanted to share with you something a little different from my typical read. One of my favorite genre's is fairy tale retellings but I usually stick with more whimsical books over contemporary. I stumbled upon Cinder and Ella when I was trolling Amazon for new books, and I am so glad I found it! It was stinking fantastic!Cinder & EllaGenre:Young Adult Contemporary Fairy tale.Swearing: MinimalHeat:Spicy kissingAwesomeness:Jaw droppingCinder and Ella is currentlyFREEonKindleunlimited!Synopsis:What would you do if your anonymous Internet best friend turned out to be Hollywood’s hottest celebrity?Cinder458: Your blogaversary is coming up, right?EllaTheRealHero: Do all those Hollywood friends of yours know you use words like blogaversary?Cinder458: Of course not. I need your address. Got you a blogaversary present.Cinder got me a gift? My heart flipped. Not that I was in love with my Internet best friend or anything. That would be utterly ridiculous. The boy was cocky and stubborn and argued with everything I said just to be infuriating. He also had lots of money, dated models—which meant he had to be hot—and was a closet book nerd. Funny, rich, hot, confident, book lover. Definitely not my type. Nope. Not at all...Click on the cover above to get your copy of Cinder & Ella!Also, I LOVE book pictures so I thought I would throw in a sweet bookish pic of the sequel to Cinder & Ella!Photo Cred: Ana SalazarEnjoy,Lots of love,~Frost Kay~

The YA Summer Scavenger Hunt

So y'all know how much I love scavenger hunts. I totally did that to win the last scavenger hunt I was part of. I may be a little competitive... or just a goof.  Enough said, let's move on.In June, the Alliance of Young Adult Authors is sponsoring a massive young adult scavenger hunt. This is a chance to meet some new authors, grab a bunch of free books, and sign up to win a whole bunch of epic prizes!RULESEach author will be given a special keyword, which will be bolded and all caps like this: BUTTERFLIES. (BTW, not my key word. I'll update my blog when I receive it!)All you have to do is visit all the author’s sites in this order, write down the special keywords to discover the short story, then enter the giveaway with the completed short storyHERE. There will be one main giveaway for the main prize, but most of the participating authors will also have smaller giveaways for free books, amazon credit and author swag, so make sure you read their post carefully to see what else they’re offering while you’re on their site for the keyword.THE MAP (The Awesome Authors)Cindy Ray HaleKatherine BogleMelle AmadeDavid KudlerA.M. YatesAlethea KontisStevie Rae CauseyKatlyn DuncanDebbie Manber KupferMeredith EfkenMeredith RoseLara AnnK.M. RobinsonJ.A. CulicanHeather KarnRob L. SlaterDylan KeeferSarah K. WilsonL.J. HigginsGina Marie LongEm KazmierskiTravis HallHeather Young-NicholsAnna SantosJ.L. WeilJo SchneiderRebecca FernfieldKristin D. Van RisseghemMartine LewisTara BenhamStacy ClaflinBeth HammondErica Monroe CopeNicole ZoltackChar WebsterSabrina RamothT.J. MuirRaquel LyonBeth RodgersS.L. BeaumontEva PohlerMelanie McFarlaneCheryllynn DyessAudrey RichAmanda ZiebaSandie WillElle ScottAngie GrigaliunasAshley MakerMandy PetersonAudrey GreyElisa DaneAmy McNultyMelinda CordellMonica LeonelleClaire LuanaFrost KayPreeti C. SharmaBentz DeyoApril WoodLena Mae HillAngel LeyaWendi WilsonWendy KnightChogan SwanTamara Hart HeinerNorma HinkensPatti LarsenMegan CreweJamie ThorntonJessie RenéeT.A. MaclaganLydia SherrerPhyllis MooreP.D. WorkmanJ.A. ArmitageK.N. LeeAngela FristoeRhonda SermonG.K. DeRosaErin RichardsAli WintersLarissa C. HardestyKristine TateDebra KristiBella RoseCortney PearsonJeff KohanekKristal ShaffRachel MorganEmma RightC.L. CannonJoanne MacgregorLindsey LoucksFarah KuckErin HayesJesikah SundinDorothy DreyerDanielle AnnettC.J. EthingtonL.C. HibbettMadeline DyerKatie JohnNicole SchubertRachel MedhurstTee G AyerMay FreighterHeather DyerJen MinkmanJ.L. GillhamKaren TomlinsonKate HayeTom ShuttMartina BillingsJo HoBrian KingInna HardisonRachel BatemanSally HensonJ.L. HendricksA.L. KnorrT.M. FranklinKonstanz Silverbowfelisha AntonetteJake DevlinS.F. BensonLaurie TreacyEmily Martha SorensenLeia StoneT. Rae MitchellJ. Keller FordKat StilesJessica HawkeElyse ReyesSophie DavisBianca ScardoniJenetta PennerDavid R. BernsteinOlivia WildensteinDerek MurphyHoly bananas that's a long list of epicness!For rules, updates or trouble-shooting, make sure to check out this main post which will stay updated.TIMELINEAuthors will post the rules and the full list of participating authors sometime in June, and have their post up and visible on their site/blog, with their keyword, by June 1st. Readers just need to go through the list, find the words, and use the story to enter for the grand prize.Happy hunting bookish peeps!Lots of love,Frost Kay

Book review of The Tainted Accords by Kelly St.Clare

I am trying something new with my blog.Every Sunday I am going to video review one of my favorite series or books.Kelly St. Clare's Tainted Accords series is one of my all time favorites. I have reread all the books numerous times and they never gotten old. So without further ado, here we go!The Tainted Accords:Genre:Young Adult FantasySwearing: Colorful. Lol.Heat:ModerateAwesomeness: Off the chartSo are you intrigued?The first book of the series, Fantasy of Frost,  is currently99 centsand onkindleunlimited.Synopsis:I know many things. What I am capable of, what I will change, what I will become. But there is one thing I will never know…The veil I’ve worn from birth carries with it a terrible loneliness; a suppression I cannot imagine ever being free of.Some things never change…My mother will always hate me. Her court will always shun me.…Until they do.When the peace delegation arrives from the savage world of Glacium, my life is shoved wildly out of control by the handsome Prince Kedrick who, for unfathomable reasons, shows me kindness.And the harshest lessons are learned.Sometimes it takes the world bringing you to your knees to find that spark you thought forever lost.Sometimes it takes death to show you how to live.Click on the picture above to get your copy of Fantasy of Frost!Enjoy,Lots of Love,~Frost Kay~

1 Year Bookstagram Giveaway!

Is everyone excited for a Court of Wings and Ruin? Cuz this girl is!*rubs hands together* In celebration, let's have a giveaway!!!First the RULES:1. Like the original post on Instagram via @fairestskyebooks2.You must follow myself @frost.kay.authorthe fabulous bookstagrammer @fairestskyebooksSwag creator Jami @rich_love_shoppeand candle maker extraordinaire Jess @wickandfable3. Repost this main photo on your IG account using tag #rebelsfairestcourtga4. Tag three friends in the comments on the original post!DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES OR YOUR ENTRY WON'T COUNT!NO Giveaway, Spam, or Private accounts, please.PRIZE TIME!!!Signed copy of Rebel's BladeCustom Rebel's Blade Metal Quote BookmarkHardback copy of A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. MaasFeyre and Rhysand CandlesNight Court MugThis giveaway is international

46 FREE Books!

Woot! It's here! *rubs hands together*I always get excited for the beginning of the month because it means FREE books!Did I just say 46 FREE Books? Why yes, yes I did!The best things in life are free, and if you're anything like me, free books make your world go round. Every little bit helps, right? We need to support our bookish habits!So what genre's do you like to read? Personally, I am a hardcore fantasy and sci-fi nerd. Both are part of April's genres:~Romance~Urban Fantasy~Paranormal~Sci-Fi~FantasyA little something for everyone!FREE BOOKS>>Lots of love,Frost Kay

Portrait of Pain Review

I was a little hesitant to pick up the last book to Jane Washington's Seraph Black series, not because the other books were bad, they were wonderful, just because I had no clue how she was going to end the series. I stared at my iPad eyeing the cover like it was a snake. Would it compare to the other ones? Would Jane break my heart? Would she give Seraph and her pairs the end they deserved?Well..Jane surpassed every expectation I had.I was blown away at the complexity and simplicity of the relationships. I have to say, I have been routing for Miro since the beginning. I loved how he came out of his shell and really blossomed in this last book, and boy was he sexy. Who knew he had all that hidden under his suits?This girl did!Then there is Silas...two words: twice over. Enough said.The ending made me cry happy tears. I love the little glimpse of the future we got to experience. All in all, the series is incredible, the ending is impeccable, and men are delicious. Congrats on finishing your second series! I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us!Lots of Love,Frost KayIf you haven't started it, get your copy here: http://amzn.to/2nH8X4mJane's also running some sweet giveaways, go check it out: http://www.janewashington.com/2017/03...