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Beyond the Merillian #4
Hard as Steel
There’s a wall between the Merillian and the Wilds, dividing two societies that nearly wiped each other out in the biggest race war of all time. Beyond the wall, there’s only the wilderness and the elves that almost destroyed mankind. Should I care? No. Because my sister is out there and I'm going to find her.
Sage is small and frail and too beautiful for her own good. Me? Things didn't come easy to me and I learned to get by. Which is why I'll do anything to get Sage back from the elves that took her. To do that, I need an elf of my own to get me where I want to go and what better way to get one than in the illegal fighting pits?
Tanyth is a beast. That much is certain. Dark gray skin. Hair like ash. Eyes like ice. And the first time I saw him, he was slaying a dozen men. In breaking his chains, I might have put myself in more danger than I expected.
But when have I ever shied away from danger?
Sage is small and frail and too beautiful for her own good. Me? Things didn't come easy to me and I learned to get by. Which is why I'll do anything to get Sage back from the elves that took her. To do that, I need an elf of my own to get me where I want to go and what better way to get one than in the illegal fighting pits?
Tanyth is a beast. That much is certain. Dark gray skin. Hair like ash. Eyes like ice. And the first time I saw him, he was slaying a dozen men. In breaking his chains, I might have put myself in more danger than I expected.
But when have I ever shied away from danger?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2022
10 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Leigh
29 books77 followersI was born on a teeny tiny island in the middle of the ocean to two amazing and adventurous parents. When we moved to the mainland, I was raised on an ostrich ranch in rural Arizona where learned about hard work and responsibility. I attribute my determination to my upbringing and loved the adventures of my younger years. Myself and my siblings schooled in the city, a one hour commute each way.
I majored in theatre then immediately moved on to college when I was 17 pursuing fashion and costume design. I graduated during the recession and couldn't find work, so depression got me until I found the cosplay community and opened up again with both a social life and a creative drive.
Through ALL of this, I was writing in my spare time. From the moment I could draw really sloppy letters on a page, I was creating stories and it became something I did to relieve stress and cope with life changes. At 17, I finished my first novel at 160,000 words (it since got lost in many crashed computers and moves) But since then I have been writing like a mad woman and finally published in 2019. I have no plans of stopping.
I majored in theatre then immediately moved on to college when I was 17 pursuing fashion and costume design. I graduated during the recession and couldn't find work, so depression got me until I found the cosplay community and opened up again with both a social life and a creative drive.
Through ALL of this, I was writing in my spare time. From the moment I could draw really sloppy letters on a page, I was creating stories and it became something I did to relieve stress and cope with life changes. At 17, I finished my first novel at 160,000 words (it since got lost in many crashed computers and moves) But since then I have been writing like a mad woman and finally published in 2019. I have no plans of stopping.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 18, 2022
i think i found my new favorite book from this series. Originally, I was in love with Roan from book 2 and now i think I've found a new love for Tanyth. I also really enjoyed Syndra. The two characters were so rough around the edges and they just worked! I can't wait for book 5! I also am curious if Syndra's sister will get a book?
May 18, 2022
Pretty Damn Awesome
My first love with always be Theoden from the first book of this series, BUT UGHHHHHHHH this books makes it almost a tie.
Now, the love story did develop a little fast for me, but honestly I didn’t care LOL. And The sexy scenes/language were a little intense (ie:rough) at times (like a jalapeño on the chili scale) but I do appreciate so much that she changed things up from the first few books.
I remember with the first three feeling like the sexy scenes were very identical so I can say they were definitely different this time around and I appreciate that she changed it up.
You will occasionally be surprised with a bold word or two but if you go into it knowing that’s just the authors style it won’t be as jarring. And given the characters backgrounds it kind of makes sense.
Also, this love story has the best HEA ever and I highly recommend it. Like the more I write the more I realize Theoden might be bumped into second place after this book LOL. I have two eleven loves now... sigh.... it’s worth it.
Overall, I really loved this book and recommend it to those who love a strong charming Elf. Can’t wait for the next one.
My first love with always be Theoden from the first book of this series, BUT UGHHHHHHHH this books makes it almost a tie.
Now, the love story did develop a little fast for me, but honestly I didn’t care LOL. And The sexy scenes/language were a little intense (ie:rough) at times (like a jalapeño on the chili scale) but I do appreciate so much that she changed things up from the first few books.
I remember with the first three feeling like the sexy scenes were very identical so I can say they were definitely different this time around and I appreciate that she changed it up.
You will occasionally be surprised with a bold word or two but if you go into it knowing that’s just the authors style it won’t be as jarring. And given the characters backgrounds it kind of makes sense.
Also, this love story has the best HEA ever and I highly recommend it. Like the more I write the more I realize Theoden might be bumped into second place after this book LOL. I have two eleven loves now... sigh.... it’s worth it.
Overall, I really loved this book and recommend it to those who love a strong charming Elf. Can’t wait for the next one.
August 12, 2025
4 stars! Really enjoyed this novella. This is the first in the series I’ve read and the author did a nice job packing a lot of story into under 200 pages. The world was easy to understand and the characters were well developed. Their chemistry was good and the spice was 🤌🏼
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is the FMC Syn’s stubbornness and unwillingness to get out of her own way was taxing by the end. She was very combative and while I liked her personality and didn’t find her annoying, the miscommunication and refusal to say/hear what you need gets old. In fact it was almost 3 stars until the very end when we get Syn’s true history and I got so emotional and understood her better that it saved that part for me. I also loved how the last chapter was handled and their HEA was so so good. MMC was a good combo of grumpy and sweet, mostly grumpy but in the good way 😏. Their grumpy/grumpy dynamic worked here. I’ll definitely be looking into the others in the series!
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is the FMC Syn’s stubbornness and unwillingness to get out of her own way was taxing by the end. She was very combative and while I liked her personality and didn’t find her annoying, the miscommunication and refusal to say/hear what you need gets old. In fact it was almost 3 stars until the very end when we get Syn’s true history and I got so emotional and understood her better that it saved that part for me. I also loved how the last chapter was handled and their HEA was so so good. MMC was a good combo of grumpy and sweet, mostly grumpy but in the good way 😏. Their grumpy/grumpy dynamic worked here. I’ll definitely be looking into the others in the series!
August 12, 2024
Beautiful story!!
I absolutely loved Syndra’s and Tanyth’s HAE love story!!💘 Syndra is such a badass! Can’t wait to read more of Courtney Leigh’s masterpieces!
“Tell me, because I am a coward and I cannot speak first. You are right. I need you to say something.”
“It means I bled for you, Syndra,” he said, his tone deep and oddly calm compared to his rigid posture. “It means I want you. It means I love you. And I gave myself to you to save your life. To make your life mine to protect.” He gave my hair another little jerk. “Do you want the truth? If you went back, I’d go back, too. I’d be killed for it. Perhaps you would, too, but that’s the burden I bear now because of what this is. You are mine,” he said possessively.”
I absolutely loved Syndra’s and Tanyth’s HAE love story!!💘 Syndra is such a badass! Can’t wait to read more of Courtney Leigh’s masterpieces!
“Tell me, because I am a coward and I cannot speak first. You are right. I need you to say something.”
“It means I bled for you, Syndra,” he said, his tone deep and oddly calm compared to his rigid posture. “It means I want you. It means I love you. And I gave myself to you to save your life. To make your life mine to protect.” He gave my hair another little jerk. “Do you want the truth? If you went back, I’d go back, too. I’d be killed for it. Perhaps you would, too, but that’s the burden I bear now because of what this is. You are mine,” he said possessively.”
June 8, 2023
Ok, this book gives such strong, big sister energy. Syndra is strong, competent and a downright badass who will stop at nothing to save her sister Sage (who I really wanted to know what happened to at the end of the last book.)
Tanyth is the perfect match for her. Enslaved and forced to fight in underground gladiator matches for over a decade, he is distrustful of Syndra at first.
One of the major things I like about Courtney Leigh is that her characters don't just walk away from traumatic events with no mental wounds. Her depictions of her characters tackling their past is very relatable.
I strongly encourage you to go read this book!
Tanyth is the perfect match for her. Enslaved and forced to fight in underground gladiator matches for over a decade, he is distrustful of Syndra at first.
One of the major things I like about Courtney Leigh is that her characters don't just walk away from traumatic events with no mental wounds. Her depictions of her characters tackling their past is very relatable.
I strongly encourage you to go read this book!
April 11, 2022
I greatly enjoyed writing these two fiery characters and I hope readers love them <3 I want to say this is my favorite couple, but I think that if I didn't say that at least once about all of my books, I'm not doing it right. Authors should adore their characters and I absolutely adore Tanyth and Syndra and I'm just so happy to give them their happy ending.
May 4, 2023
The story starts out with Syndra going off into the Wild in search of her sister. As I have found with Courtney's past books, there are many twists and turns along the way. The surprise ending was fabulous!
April 30, 2024
How do two grumpy people fall in love? Lots and lots of spice in the wilds.
June 13, 2024
pleasant novella
I did actually enjoy the story although a bit short it still left me feeling fulfilled. Overall a very good read will probably read the rest of the books
I did actually enjoy the story although a bit short it still left me feeling fulfilled. Overall a very good read will probably read the rest of the books
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews