Trial by Heart

Trial #4

by Lizzy Ford

The secrets behind the Kingmaker Curse are starting to unravel. Leslie’s initial excitement about formulating a plan to break the curse plunges into devastation when she realizes the personal cost. Each candidate has had to sacrifice what he wants most in the world, and one of them will pay with his life.

Nothing can prepare her to learn one of the candidates is not who he claims to be. There’s a fourth player in the trials, whose presence has been felt but not seen, until now. The mastermind’s sole purpose in life is to save the Community – and her.

The curse begins its final phase of trying to possess her mind. Aided by the mastermind, Leslie fights for her life and those of the Community. No matter what, she’s only a Kingmaker for one more week.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Vampires, Fae

220 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2015

About the author

I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I'd eat them, too. (I'm pretty sure they'd taste like cotton candy.) I can't escape them - they're everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.

I'm also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!

I live in the desert of southern Arizona with a pack of spoiled dogs and Tubbs, the Godfather cat who rules them all.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010
Email: LizzyFord2010@gmail.com
Radish: LizzyFord
Wattpad: LizzyFord

Lizzy’s books include:

Lost Vegas – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf

Spell Realm Series (coming summer 2017) – young adult fantasy
Water Spell (2017)
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)

History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2017)
South (2018)

Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles

Omega Series
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Theta Beginnings Miniseries (novelettes)
Silent Queen
Mercenary
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion

Non-Series – 2014 - 2017
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
White Tree Sound (2017)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door
The Fall of Esme (2017)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)

Super Villainess
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good

Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
Starwalkers – complete (#1-6)

Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope

Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger

Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption

Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)

War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God

Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God

Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (TBD)
Speak No (TBD)

Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
Unmade (TBD)

Omega
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun

Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter

Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart

Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain

Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World

Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed

As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)

Reviews

[S.J. Abbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS REVIEW OF ALL FOUR BOOKS!!!



„A vampire, werewolf and fae walked into a bar with my father.
The supernatural clan leaders walked out. My father did not.”






Now she is the Kingmaker, and she must go through trials to choose between those three, which of them is a potential mate, which poses a threat and must be exiled (read kill), and which is the best leader to Community.


"...four weeks to decide..."







The first week -- a mate to Werewolf!!!


„...a sexy, brawny alpha with whiskey-colored eyes glowing with cunning“


BEN (Benjamin)



„Muscular, tall and rugged, he's the epitome of the raw male beauty of cavemen proportions.“





They have lots of rough sex, some talking, running in the wolf form, some bad stuff some more sex and then the week come to end.

I love Ben through the whole week. He is wild, passionate, loyal, intense, and dominant.

Leslie, not so much!





The second week -- a mate to Fae!!!


„...a man with sparkling green eyes and dirty blond hair that falls over one eye.“


TRISTAN



„Tall, lean and handsome,...his air is cool where Ben's was hot, and he's relaxed, far more laid back than I ever saw the wolf leader.






They have some very long (nobody complaining) passionate sex scenes and very little talking.

Tristan is playful, sensual, patient, in control, calm and empathy.

I still didn't really love Lesli but she is improving.






The third week -- a mate to Vampire!!!


“…a man with dark hair and sky blue eyes. Virtually immortal, he's the oldest of the three but looks the youngest”


MYCA



“…tall, wide shoulders, thick biceps, athletic, with an air of confidence and awareness. He doesn’t have Ben's edge or Tristan's aloofness“





Well, let me tell you there is sex and there is sex with vampire!!! Pleasure and pain, passion, blood, letting loose every fantasy and desire.

I like Myca very much. He is laid back and lethal, calm and easygoing, but also dangerous, addictive and ancient.

I also like Lesli in this one. Actually, I feel sorry for her. It seems that everybody knows almost everything about her but nobody wants to tell her anything.

She is frustrated and I am too.

We did find out what she is and what that shadow is.


Kingmaster origin (fallen angel)

Shadow (dead relative)




The fourth week is for her. To think and to decide…Or so she thinks?!


There are some Really Unexpected Things, some very Crazy, some very Sad and some Happy stuff and then we come to THE END and I only can say…



and...





I didn’t know how to rate this book because sometimes I felt little confusing and annoying and sometimes frustrating, but because of the four great men, and all sort of emotion I went through reading it, complete series deserve...





I must warn you, some parts deserve less than 3 stars, but I go through them and I'm not sorry... (I am sorry for my possible mistakes in spelling and grammar)



***I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley, in exchange for this honest review***

[ash | · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow.
I'm naming my next child after Myca.

[Bonnie Rediske- · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a series that I have not been able to stop reading and I am so sad to see it end. I just want to be in this book as Leslie, even though the Trials have been hard so that I can feel an ounce of the love that each of these men have shown her. When she thought she was all alone and being manipulated against, she learns so much truth that she may explode with shock. The best laid plans are usually the first to crumble and for Leslie, her life is going to be turned upside down in ways she never imagined possible.
We meet a couple of new characters in this book that have the potential to break Leslie. Is she strong enough to withstand the pressures of the curse?
I love Ben and his determined heart. Determined to love, determined to protect, superior alpha all the way.
I love Tristan in a different way, he is sweet, protective and honest to a fault. He has nothing and everything to lose all at the same time.
Mycah is an odd one, as much as you want to hate him, you see his emotion towards Leslie and it breaks your exterior down.
The intricate sacrifices each of these men make in this book cannot be challenged. This is such an amazing series. Lizzy has done it again. She reminds me with every series why I am addicted to her.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final installment became weird, as final 'twists' were obvious. The H talks Alpha, acts beta and the h cried way too much. I could see the ending from the first, but expected more action, less planning and didn't enjoy the endless talking about it all. I loved the series, but not this book. I would have liked more of her mother's story, only a token moment with a family representative seemed a missed opportunity.

[Tina Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of surprises. First of all Leslie found out what she exactly was which was a mix of Angels and Demons. She found out that she had an extra shadow, which was the demon part of her that came out and was taunting her. I was very surprised to find out that Ben was not really Ben that he was actually Nathan Ben's Identical twin. They did the switcheroo at Ben request so that they could fins a way to break the curse. After Leslie finding out this she was somewhat angry but quickly got over it when they revealed that it was necessary to break the curse. By the end of the book Leslie was completely in love with the real Ben and the curse was broken. I am really sad that Myca died but he willingly gave up his own life to help break the curse. Myca did it bravely and by the time the Shadow Eshrih was gone so was Myca. I am also sad that this was the last book in the series.

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic. I can’t believe how much emotion Lizzy has captured. I am absolutely sobbing. I loved how this storyline has unraveled. Lillian and Vincent have done this series proud with their performance. Absolutely perfect.

[A.R. Von · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a story that keeps you on your toes and doesn't mind losing themselves in its pages.
I lost quite a bit of sleep because of this series.
And no, I don't miss the lost hours. I plan to look into ALL of this authors works...

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this series in about 4 days and it was just what I needed to pull me out of my reading slump.
I’ve had this series on my wtr for ages but never read them as I didn’t like the idea of 3 potential love interests because that just messes with my mind lol. So glad I did, you just fell in love with each character and in the end it all fell together pretty well lol

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Trial by Heart" is the final installment into the Trial Series. While I immensely enjoyed the previous books this read fell short for me. There were plenty of t and turns but what bothered me most was that the main character, Leslie, doesn't seem to have a filter as to who she sleeps with. she continually seems to make her decisions with her vajayjay. I known this was Delia written this way because the author has one of the characters comment on this. However, to me it felt like the author was looking for a way to provide another sexually charged scene.

Leslie has completed the first three trials and is now aware there is a fourth character no one realized was involved: the shadow or Erish. Additionally, the lies that each of the candidates had to tell her are now being revealed and she sees that they have been working together to finally put an end to the curse. Leslie also learns a painful truth that one of the three will die at the end of the Trial and she is racked by guilt once again.

She goes to stay with the werewolves while she goes through the fourth trial. Erish is interfering with her ability to think clearly and she is often left wondering who can she truly trust. She even contemplates suicide. One thing for sure,Leslie is in for the fight of her life and those she cares about most. In the end will she be just one more kingmaker who falls victim to the curse or will she be the one who finally breaks it?

Usually the final book in a series is epic; yet, I just didn't feel that way about this read. It just felt like more of the same (whining, fighting and a lot of sex) but on a grander scale. With that being said, I do not believe that this book spoiled the series for me and I would still strongly recommend it to others.

[Anne Frisbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This four book series has an interesting premise: supernatural clans, a curse that has been passed down generationally for thousands of years, a young girl who might be able to save the clans and break the curse, and the final trial. The first three books are ok, and I particularly liked Trial by Blood (#3) the most. Unfortunately, this fourth and final book in the series is by far the weakest, and leaves the overall series lacking. In general, the writing is too plot driven with too much repetition and whining by the lead female protagonist for me to recommend it.

There are better paranormal series with lead femal characters out there ---The Fever Series (Darkfever) which I highly recommend or even Vampire Academy and Twilight, or the less well known but more enjoyable Bitten or even Written in Red.

[Llaph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to end the series. I wasn't entirely sure how she was going to pull off the three different mates and I am sooooo glad there wasn't any awkward love triangle crap that went on.
Ben was just ... so very cool. It was a bit mind boggling how much thought that went into dealing with the curse and what things to do when etc.
I will say that the ending wasn't what I expected and was freaking bittersweet as heck.

[Princess J. Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man did she ever give this story a wowed ending... I really enjoyed this series, however there were a few moments the heroine drove me crazy with neurotic attitude and her endless monologue (which can be kinda annoying at times) and lack luster of making rational discussion. Overall, I did cry because somebody had to died and somebody had to lose but the author did bring this series to HEA!


4.5*-Very Good

[KathyFalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final trail was the best book of them all. We get the answers to all of the questions that we have been waiting on since book one. The mystery of it all gets revealed. Leslie is faced with the challenge of breaking the curse and saving the community. I was so engrossed and could not stop reading and devoured this is one sitting. Loved it!

[Coco.V]

🎁 The complete Series is free on iBooks today (4/14/2020)! 🎁 Book 1 is free on Amazon too.

[Leigh Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! This book was nothing like the others.

Everything was revealed, Leslies role she had to play and the roles of each of the candidates. Their stories were so sad and I feel like I'm in a state of Love/Hate for this book. All the candidates were truly okay with their roles they had to play and I couldn't help but feel sorry for each of them. Nate (Fo-Ben), because he lost his mate and could never have another one, Tristan, because he also sacrificed having another mate to ensure Leslie had his full protection against the curse, and Myca, who sacrificed his life and his magic so Leslie could choose to become what she needed to become.

I feel as though the first 3 books were useless compared to this one, but at the same time, you needed those 3 books to get to this point. And the fact that there were actually 6 players to this game of curse breaking, and you were only aware of the first 4 in the first 3 books (including Leslie). I just feel so bad that the 3 candidates lost where Leslie and Ben won.

Some parts of the book felt as though the author rushed through it a bit, like how the 3rd book felt. And I didn't enjoy Leslie only focusing on her sadness for Myca when Nate and Tristan had also given up so much too. Especially Tristan! Leslie, literally only worried about him for a second, but Myca was the main source of her anguish (even though his book contained the least of them getting to know each other - particularly because she spent the first 30 hours of her trial avoiding him, then 2 days with him, then the remainder underground while she was kidnapped). I don't understand how she could have such a connection with him in such a short time. But, I guess that could be attributed to the curse and the power of the magic that binds the mates for a week. I just feel as though Tristan suffered a great deal too, because he had an ability to heal his mind after feeling everyones suffering and now that he doesn't have that - where does that leave him?

I also felt like the dissolving of the curse was a little too easy. I felt as though Erish, the protector of the curse, should have fought harder to stop it from happening due to the magic that bound him to the curse. I just feel as though, while it was emotional, it lacked something. And Myca's death was emmensely skipped over. How on earth did he die? Why didn't anybody see it? Why was he there one minute and gone the next? Why was he so keen to die, when the way he was written, portrayed him as a fighter? Why was he so happy to die for this cause - especially when he kept mentioning how he wasn't a good person?

Another thing that bugged me - okay, so they needed to burn everything relating to the curse, but Leslie just seemed so gung-ho about having to burn her house. Like, if it were me, I would be sad for the loss of all its contents and sad that I would have lost everything relating to my history. Leslie just seemed to be sad about losing her Dads stuff, but didn't care about anything else. I don't know, maybe that's how the character was. But, she didn't mention anything about losing that stuff. It was just like "Oh well, curse is over, guess I have to live at yours now".

While the story did lack a little bit, I did still enjoy it to the fullest. Considering it was super addicting and the Kingmakers curse was so intriguing. So I still give it 5 stars because if a book keeps me hooked, then it definitely gets 5 stars. And, it did end somewhat happily for only Ben and Leslie, while everyone else suffered.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ - Overall a decent conclusion. Liked the addition of a new character, and Loved this new character the most. Even if this was all a bit predictable.

Although I felt the overall plot to save Leslie didn’t entirely make sense to me, and am surprised that it “worked” so easily with the curse as described, all in all I did enjoy the overall story. Even if the ending felt a bit anti-climatic.

Another thing I found slightly annoying was that we saw a slight deviation from Leslies character development (IMO). In the previously 3 books we are shown Leslie to be very independent and alone, no friends (human or supernatural), no family, no support system, or social life hardly at all. And these points are repeated driven home. In this book we are introduced to a new character who is supposedly an introvert. And as part of the development of this new character, Leslie starts having inner monologues about how she herself is an extrovert and has no issues socializing, talking, etc. And I suppose... that just because she has ZERO relationships in her life up until these trials, doesn’t mean that she HAS to be an introvert, but it’s just a very odd moment in the book where the author breaks from her character a bit and it was just strange. It felt unnecessary and counter intuitive to how Leslie is previously portrayed to us. So ya, I just hate when I come across stuff like this in books, it’s a bit of a pet peeve of mine.

[✨✨ Claire✨✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the end is here!!

I only rated 4 as to be honest for a lot of the book I skim read it. A lot felt like filler rather than being a part of the story that needed to be in there.

But that's not to say the ending of this series wasn't good!

The twists and turns surprised me right to the very end!
Loved it!

This is pretty much where I don't want to write too much as I don't want to give too much away!!!

But Leslie still has to decide. She can't get out of that sadly. The curse shadow Erish is constantly in her ear trying to cause her to question her choices. Does she believe it?? It says it has the answer to save the one she chooses to exile.....hiw can she NOT be tempted???

She finds out what each sacrificed. And as you read you sit and hope that these things can change or be reversed or SOMETHING. They are HUGE sacrifices!

If they fail to pull this plan off there's only one thing that can then be done. That MUST be done...to stop the curse. To make it so that weres can be fertile again....so fae babies survive....and so vampires can be made.

The last kingmaker must be killed.

Leslie.

A great end to the series.
I do enjoy finding series by accident and this was great to find! The first I've read of Ms Ford but I'll look at others for sure and hope they'll be as good!!

Enjoy!!

[MummysVampire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic end to this series by Lizzy Ford. In order to fully understand the journey, you need to read the first 3 books and in order.

I listened to all of them on audible and can’t recommend that version enough due to the narrators both doing a wonderful job bringing these characters to life.

As with all the previous books, we pick up where the last left of. Leslie has completed the 3 trials! She has spent time with the wolves, Fae and vampires. Now she must decide who will lead, who will be her mate and who will die. It’s time to break the kingmaker curse and I’m telling you absolutely nothing! It’s not as simple as those 3 options and if you want to know, you need to check this out. You won’t be disappointed. Great end with lots more twists and turns that keep you guessing to the very final moments.

4.5/5 PNR stars

[Cassie]

This is a tough series to rate. I really, really liked the story line. It was funny, sweet, sad, and super hot. BUT I felt like there should have been so much more. All four stories were pretty short (roughly 200 pages each), and I felt like had the plot been developed more, the series could have gone from a good one to a GREAT one.

I'm also conflicted about the ending. For three and a half books, Leslie (random thought, but I didn't feel like that name fit her for some reason) obsesses over what is going to happen. Like, if she isn't having sex or eating, she's thinking about what's going to happen. And then it all wraps up so quickly and easily. And yes, I know that with someone dying it isn't a complete HAE, but it just felt too easy to me.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Just wow!!

I didn’t see any of this coming!! That reveal of the twin switch?! Holy shit!! I was speechless!!

This book was everything I was hoping for and so much more!!!!

I cannot describe how much I love this entire series. This last book brought it all together and wrapped it up in a neat bow.

I was so heartbroken by Myca, but he gave up his life to save Leslie and give her the HEA that she deserved. I cried so hard during the reveal of all the things they the candidates sacrificed and again the moment that Myca disappeared (aka died). Ugh!! I get why he did it, but damn that one hurt!!

This book is everything!! I loved every single second that I spent reading it and honestly I cannot wait to read the series again!!!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

OMG I hated parts of this book! It had the potential to be another 5 but the Ben/Nathan thing and what happens to Myca and Tristan is sweet/honorable but horrible!

The Nathan story part in this book ruined the first book for me! I loved Ben but he is soooo flat in this book! Being more developed would have made up for Nathan, Myca, and Tristan. We don't even get to see any sexy time like in the first books until the epilogue! I almost feel this part was tacked on to the story. I think it works on one hand but more development would have knocked it out of the park.

The curse and Eiris was a good part and it was twisty. The ending kind of was a let down from the other stories...so sad!

[Megan Hubble-Roney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly thought that this was a three book series. I was a bit panicky at the time because I was more than half way through with Trial by Blood and there were too many things left without answers.

So here we are. The three trials have ended.
Wow. I'm one part jealous and one part grateful. I don't know how Leslie makes it through each trial without becoming attached.

This was an adrenaline filled finale. All the questions that I had swarming through my head were answered and we get a HEA!

Bravo. Now...what Lizzy book should I read next?

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 4-Star series for me until this final installment

These books are all only in the 200 page range. This one was far from that...since it ended at 66%. The rest was an unrelated story that I read....until it ended without an ending. Each book prior to this one was devoted to one main love/trial. This book had a surprise romantic interest, plus had to wrap up the trials and the mystery. All of that deserved more than the skimpy number of pages in this book.

At least it had a decent ending and epilogue. But for me, this finale needed more.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good until the resolution

The ending of the series did bring everything into the open. It explained a few things. And I know authors hate it when people complain about killing characters off but I did not like the ending. It’s not a spoiler since we’ve known from the beginning “One to love. One to lead. One to exile.” And it was clear exile meant death. The ending just falls flat. It made me not want to read the novella at the end of the book. But because the storyline was engaging, I gave the book 4 stars. Not five because of the ending.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great emotional end to the series

This last book is bittersweet. Many good things but sad too. My heart hurt for My a but he was selfless and brave. I really wanted to hurt Erish. Ben and Leslie are clearly drawn to each other time after time.
He's where he's needed most by her side and saving her to his detriment and jubilation. Ben's belief in himself and Leslie was everything . Tears happy and sad.

[Skylar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is hot, it's amazing, but it can be a little scary too. Unfortunately for me, I chose to download it for a camping trip. I was in my dark tent by myself late at night surrounded by animal noises. It scared the fuck out of me. Thank God for meletonin. Anywhoo, I loved this series! I wanted a bit more detail at the end but I really can't recommend it enough!

[Stormy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this Series!!

I really like this series. I've read it twice now and I've never read one book more then once. It has a great story line and is very sexy. It reads as if you can imagine you as the main character.
I found this series of books thru my cousin and have recommended it to several myself. Everyone that reads it loves it!

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the series brings everything together and a mystery 5th person at the initial meeting with Leslie’s father is revealed and becomes fairly central to everything. I wasn’t keen on the Ben/Nathan switch but I get why it was needed for the story. Some good times and a few very sad ones mix to bring the series to a satisfying conclusion.

A highly recommended series, enjoyable and involving from the start.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

[Swalsk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series as a whole was definitely 4 stars for me. I was left with a really warm feeling afterwards. I was sort of hoping she would turn into an angel ever since book 3. I won't spoil anything, I'll just say I'm happy with how things turned out.

[Toya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I loved this series! I couldn't put it down! The more you read the more you can't wait to find out how it ends. Believe me there are things that happen that you never seen coming. There is love, heartbreak, excitement, and suspense!