The Forbidden Flame

The Lunaterra Chronicles

by Grace Goodwin

An immortal warrior cursed with protecting all life in the magical realms.
A human woman unaware that she holds the key to saving his soul from darkness.
A ruthless enemy determined to invade all of Lunaterra and fulfill a centuries old curse.

All she wanted was a weekend of fun and excitement, two days away from the brutal orphanage where she is forced to work sunrise through moonset. Abandoned on the steps of the Capital when she was a baby, Cleo Rathmore has no idea where she came from or why her parents left an infant in a basket without even leaving a note. The capital's royal wedding and tournament seems like the perfect opportunity to spread her wings and, perhaps, escape the maniacal control of her elders--and an arranged marriage to a Death Mage, a horrid, terrifying Revenant. As far as she's concerned, kissing an Orc would be better. Accepting the match to a mage from The Spire would be a fate worst then death.

Death Mage Devin Grimm traveled to the capital in search of a miracle. He has fought evil for centuries and his soul is paying the ultimate price. A powerful necromancer in the capital is his only hope until he sees her, a human female who is more than she seems, but is promised to another of his kind. Worse, she vows she will have an Orc, a bloodsucking vampire, or even a stinky, hairy werewolf shifter before she accepts one of his kind.

She's adamant. She doesn't even like him. Sure, he's sexy, in that blue haired, scary, death mage kind of way. But he freaking kidnapped her and insists she's a liar. So why can't she resist his touch? Why does every kiss make her burn with a forbidden flame? She's a nobody, an orphaned human. He's a cursed, merciless warrior on the brink of death. So why does evil stalk them as if together, they are a powerful threat? And why does her foolish heart insist she sacrifice absolutely anything, even her life, to save him?

Genres: Fantasy

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Visit Grace's Goodwin's website:
http://GraceGoodwin.com

Take the Brides' Test!
http://InterstellarBridesProgram.com

Printable reading list:
https://bit.ly/2Am6rJx

All Series Books-Chronological Reading Order:
https://bit.ly/3bEQfAl

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this author’s Interstellar Brides series so I thought I’d try her new dark fantasy story. What I enjoyed about this book was the world building, a strong female protagonist, and the connection between the two main characters Cleo and Devin. There was a good build up to each of the action scenes and a strong finish. I felt the epilogue was a little rushed and something felt missing or this would have been 5 stars. Grace Goodwin is still one of my favorite authors and the only reason I decided to read a book from the Lunaterra Chronicles, and now I’m curious enough to read more.

[Christal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleo finds that the mother of the orphanage promised her to a dark mage who she fears is evil and she doesn't want anything to do with him. Then she meets another Mage named Devin who knows Cleo is not human. Between the two, they can stop the rift from opening any more than it already has. There's lots of adventure, action and especially excitement towards the end of the story. Also romance between Cleo and Devin ends happily.

[Tami Alexsis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast and fulfilling

Devin and Cleo’s story is forged in magic and fate, shaped by shadow and fire. What begins as enemy territory becomes an intense partnership as they battle a darkness threatening their world. The novella moves quickly, painting beautiful imagery, spicy scenes and meaningful growth, and even with a lightly cheesy epilogue, the ending feels complete and satisfying.

[Diane Hermann · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5.

Very confusing. The story moved quickly, probably because it was so short. But a lot was thrown at u. Don't know if I picked up in the middle of a story line or not with these Lunaterra chronicles. I like author's previous books so wanted to read this. Don't know if I'll. continue to read more of these chronicles tho.

[Betty Minchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

light meets dark

Fantasy at its best! Devin and Cleo are destined to join and save the world but have to fight against all the forces that threaten their lives and their love. Ms Goodwin is definitely a story teller,above all others!

[Avril Haughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story. Great collection of stories from some fantastic authors.

[Tein · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[DemetraP · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I felt no connection between them. They were fated mates. The story moved quickly. There was steam. I think the death magic and binding your soul to magic was creepy.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale from the Lunaterra Chronicles contained one of my favorite tropes: touch her and you die! But even better was the touch him and you die from the FMC.

[Avidreadersbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Grace never disappoints. I have been hooked into each and everyone of her books since the beginning and this was no exception.