The Outcast

Hayle Coven Destinies #1

by Patti Larsen

SYDLYNN HAYLE IS BACK in an all-new series!

Enters the Phoenix

A burst of fire blazed in the corner of my eye, jerking me around toward the back door. I barely remembered moving, feet flying over the hardwood, hands slamming against the glass and throwing it open, hurtling out into the dew-wet grass.

Fire climbed from a curled up ball of humanity, near the edge of the hedge row leading to the park on the other side of our property. I staggered to a halt, power reflexively tightening around me, ready to attack, when the figure unbent, half sitting, half lying on the ground, her face turned up toward me.

“RUN!” Her scream pierced me to my soul, froze my magic in place before it could harm her. Flames burned her, devoured her, dark hair and eyes on fire, but she managed to stagger to her feet, eyes pure gold as she gestured toward me. “Sydlynn Hayle, if you love your family, run and don’t look back!”

Things have never been better for Sydlynn Hayle and her family, living out their lives in Wilding Springs, Pennsylvania. Her battles and struggles have come to a halt, her two young children happy and well-adjusted, marriage to her beloved Quaid all she could ever ask for. But when a woman of flame appears to her and warns her of impending danger, Syd understands at last the quiet she’s enjoyed has all been a smoke screen, hiding the truth. Her old enemies have returned to destroy her and everything her family has fought for, with repercussions that could threaten the very Universe.

So much for happily ever after.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

I write a lot of paranormal books for someone who is afraid of the dark. And I wonder why I have to sleep with the lights on. Sometimes life is a teenaged B horror movie and I'm the one who investigates when the scary music is playing. But the voices are calling and resistance is… Yes. I am a Star Trek geek, too. And a fan of RPG’s. With a slight coolness factor since I've been told I'm allowed to join the pops.

Naw. I like being a nerdy girl :)

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a lucky ducky to receive an ARC of THE OUTCAST in exchange for my honest opinion.
The day Patti told us on Facebook that Syd was going to be no more was a seriously heart breaking day. As someone who had started from the beginning, with FAMILY MAGIC, and *patiently* waited each month for a new Hayle Coven Novel to be released (and let me tell you, Patti can push out books like nobody's business!) Syd felt like a loved family member. We had watched her go from the young teen swearing off not only her magic but all magic to embracing who she was, what she would become, all the while kicking butt and taking names.
When Patti finally let us know there was a new Syd book in the works it was like the heavens opened and all the angels sang Hallelujah!

I don't believe in spoilers, especially with reading goodness like this. So basically...
You will be picking up your chin off of the floor as you read each chapter of THE OUTCAST. Lots of long ago memories, lots of long ago names,and lots of kick buttness. And a couple of tears along the way.
Oh...and if I could slap just one person...JUST ONE PERSON... *grumble mumble Erica Plowers*
I can't wait to see what is coming next. I'm loving all the spin offs of our favorite characters and the addition of some new ones. Keep up the most awesome work Patti!

[Nereid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to devour these books and once I start I have to finish it, thank God Patti writes so quickly. We are on another action packed adventure where Syd is once again pitted again the Sorcerers. Liander is up to his old tricks again and this time the sneak attack catches them all unaware. Syd is struggling to find the people in her life that she cares about as the world has finally gone mad. Witches Council have turned their backs on Syd yet again and made a deal that they would live to regret. Friends will be come enemies and enemies will become allies in this everchanging battle of witches and paranormals. A lot of familiar faces show up to help Syd and she is once again in a battle to save her family and her friends and this time she is going to stop at nothing till Liander is dead. So many secrets have been kept from her that are now revealed and this time the enemy may be far greater than she ever imagined.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin? Blew. Me. Away. Just totally shocking, pulse-pounding, edge-of-your seat action nearly every heartbeat of the book. If you thought you'd seen Syd get into some convoluted messes before, hold on to your hat! The whole gang is back, with a new face or two, and the universe is in really BIG trouble. Don't, for a second, turn your back or think you may have this one figured out. I promise, you'll be wrong, but you're going to love every last word of it.

All you Syd fans out there - you thought the Hayle Coven Novels were awesome, right!? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet! If you aren't a Syd fan yet, what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy of Family Magic and see what we're all buzzing about!

[Diana Blick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raging success!

Syd's return as primary character is welcome and exciting. New threats from old enemies and new ones are dealt with in typical Hayle witch fashion. Shocks abound, and you will need that box of tissues. Welcome back, Sydlynn.