J.D. Evans > Quotes

“Someone starved of something will take whatever they can get and make it into what they need, because they do not know there is more to be had in the world.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“A cruel irony that she missed him more when she was with him than when she was away.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Tell me to stay,” he said. She took a slow, audible breath. “I did. You’re here.” His gaze hardened on hers. “No, not the night. Ask me to stay with you. Ask me to stay forever.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I like you at my side, Naime.”
“I am the firstborn, so I believe you’re at my side, by rank,” she teased. Makram opened his eyes and ducked his chin, a slow smile spreading over his mouth.
“All right, Sultana. I am at your side. Command me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Tareck’s breath rushed out in a soundless laugh. “Your wounded pride is showing. That probably isn’t allowed in Tamar either.”
“Have I ever mentioned how much I hate you?” Makram said under his breath.
“Frequently. Shall we?”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I could never fear you,” she said against his mouth. “You are etched in my heart.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“She had also taught her it would be fleeting; that she must have other assets and tools at her disposal when the beauty inevitably faded, or risk losing her belief in herself, which was the only gift she truly had. He had recognized something other than her appearance, and that, in her experience, was rare.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“All right, Sultana. I am at your side. Command me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“When they were apart she was not confronted with the reality of someone who no longer shared her memories.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I”—he drew back, his fingers tightening then relaxing against her cheek—“will love you until the day I die. Even if I do not remember myself, I will remember you. Always.”
― J.D. Evans, Wind & Wildfire

“Aysel wiped the moisture from her eyes and nose. She wasn’t going to call them tears.”
― J.D. Evans, Storm & Shield

“But wouldn’t she always wonder? She did not want to live a lifetime never knowing what it felt like to be kissed by someone who she actually wanted to kiss. Naime rose up on her knees and pressed her mouth softly to his, her breath held, slipping her hands to rest on his shoulders. She pulled immediately away, unsure. “I don’t know how.” Makram slid off the trunk, landing on his knees in front of her, wrapping his arm around her waist to draw her against him. “I know you don’t.” He brushed his mouth over the bridge of her nose, then her cheek, then her brow, burning her with the tenderness of it. “I know I shouldn’t touch you or let you touch me. I shouldn’t speak to you, I shouldn’t look at you.” “But I like all of those things,” she protested breathlessly, her mind fogged. “I can’t stop,” he said. “I am trying and failing.” “Then,” she began, tingles of anticipation and shyness arcing across her lips and down her throat, “teach me.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Action is better than the little lies we tell with apology, isn’t it?”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Too many think it is compliment to elevate one at the expense of others. I find it repugnant. If you cannot compliment me for something that is mine, instead of taking away from other women, then do not bother at all.”
― J.D. Evans, Siren & Scion

“Amara had now spent time in three very different nations and had decided that a Seventh spoke on the Wheel was more plausible than a government that was fair to all. But oh how the citizens, at least those who lived in comfort, lauded the ingenuity of it.”
― J.D. Evans, Siren & Scion

“RANCOR like”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“My mother says each snowflake is a different Wheel, and that they represent all the ways it can turn, all the choices we could make, and how the world can be remade by them.” Samira stepped beside Naime, catching more snow to examine as she spoke.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“like he was about to sweep the board in chess.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“Thank you for coming, San,”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“How could any man be expected to not be drawn to you like moth to flame, Dilay? You burn so brightly.”
― J.D. Evans, Wind & Wildfire

“Sometimes,” she said, as he pushed one of the kibbeh patties around on the plate with his spoon, “we think we have finally reached the top of the hill we’ve been climbing, and we get comfortable, and we think we are done struggling.” She tapped a nail against the tabletop. “It’s never true.” What special magic did mothers hold that made them able to understand a problem without a word of explanation? “I think I’m failing.” “You always think you are failing.” She smiled and shook her head. “Especially when you are excelling.”
― J.D. Evans, Storm & Shield

“He selected a fried patty of falafel”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“But wouldn’t she always wonder? She did not want to live a lifetime never knowing what it felt like to be kissed by someone who she actually wanted to kiss. Naime rose up on her knees and pressed her mouth softly to his, her breath held, slipping her hands to rest on his shoulders. She pulled immediately away, unsure. “I don’t know how.” Makram slid off the trunk, landing on his knees in front of her, wrapping his arm around her waist to draw her against him. “I know you don’t.” He brushed his mouth over the bridge of her nose, then her cheek, then her brow, burning her with the tenderness of it. “I know I shouldn’t touch you or let you touch me. I shouldn’t speak to you, I shouldn’t look at you.” “But I like all of those things,” she protested breathlessly, her mind fogged. “I can’t stop,” he said. “I am trying and failing.” “Then,” she began, tingles of anticipation and shyness arcing across her lips and down her throat, “teach me.” “Yes, Sultana.” The pupils of his eyes broke open, spilling black night across the irises.”
― J.D. Evans, Reign & Ruin

“I did not realize crossing an imaginary line in the rock would turn my entire family into dangerous villains.”
― J.D. Evans, Storm & Shield