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Forged in Fire
Steel is forged in fire.
Hardened by hatred,
Tempered by blood.
Seasoned by shame,
Sharpened by death.
Gin Draven is a soldier. THE soldier. Sworn to protect the nine planets in the galaxy humans made their home in ninety thousand years ago. He lives for winning the war. He loved a woman once, and she cost him his sanity, his eye, and his heart. He’d taken every moment of their time together and buried it deep. Until the day she strolled back into his life.
Maeve was a woman. THE woman. Back to make Gin Draven her husband. She wants the same thing he does. The end to the war that plagues them all. She knows secrets that can help him win the war, and secrets that could destroy them both.
War brought them together, and war tore them apart. The strongest loves are Forged in Fire.
Hardened by hatred,
Tempered by blood.
Seasoned by shame,
Sharpened by death.
Gin Draven is a soldier. THE soldier. Sworn to protect the nine planets in the galaxy humans made their home in ninety thousand years ago. He lives for winning the war. He loved a woman once, and she cost him his sanity, his eye, and his heart. He’d taken every moment of their time together and buried it deep. Until the day she strolled back into his life.
Maeve was a woman. THE woman. Back to make Gin Draven her husband. She wants the same thing he does. The end to the war that plagues them all. She knows secrets that can help him win the war, and secrets that could destroy them both.
War brought them together, and war tore them apart. The strongest loves are Forged in Fire.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2014
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
A.R. DeClerck
35 books47 followersAR DeClerck was born in Western NC, and currently resides in the Quad Cities, IL with her husband and two daughters. She is an author and avid lover of all things books. She spends her days as a dialysis technician, helping people with chronic kidney disease live productive lives. She blames her book obsession on her mother, who always had a book handy. Amy loves romance novels and writes what she loves, especially scifi romance!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 7, 2017
I had higher hopes than what I got. There was the obligatory I hate you for two pages before it dissolves into love. Then the obligatory twist but you see it coming. I found it disturbing that Raven is pretty solid about halfway to the end though, she steps up and does what's needed.
December 11, 2017
Good Story
Kept my interest till the end. Interesting characters; only complaint I have is that the author only gave small clues as to what happened to the H and h five years before the start of the story (maybe worth a prequel?). Found several of the secondary characters intriguing enough to rate follow-up stories (Tyr, Byn and his wife, Ben).
Kept my interest till the end. Interesting characters; only complaint I have is that the author only gave small clues as to what happened to the H and h five years before the start of the story (maybe worth a prequel?). Found several of the secondary characters intriguing enough to rate follow-up stories (Tyr, Byn and his wife, Ben).
June 27, 2016
Forged in Fire is the story of Gin Draven, the Sword Guardian of Dinara, and Maeve, who marries him very early in the book. Though they have previously loved one another, it is abundantly clear from the outset that there isn't much love lost. Not least as Gin believed Maeve betrayed him some years previously, that she was a traitor, and that she was dead.
The simple background is that Dinara, a world among nine in a system, is at war with Boderia - another world in the same system. The Dinarans receive support from Maeve's father, and he requests a marriage with the Sword Guardian for one of his daughters in return for continued support in the war. And when Gin Draven - who at first glance (for the reader) is impersonable, grumpy and disinclined to be nice to a new wife - discovers who his surprise new wife is to be, his world heads for a spin.
It isn't long before the Dinaran Swords are engaged in a battle with Boderians, except Maeve discovers where the Boderians are attacking, and reveals that the pair have a daughter. Gin may not be on best terms with Maeve, but he isn't letting a possible daughter of his get caught by the Boderians.
What I really enjoy about DeClerck's work is that it is generally unpredictable, and inventive to boot. There were several developments I did not see coming, and as usual I keep thinking I must be nearing the end of the book (despite NOT being anywhere near the end) and then a new twist arrives that takes the story further and deeper. While Gin Draven was initially NOT attractive, through the story he developed into a very protective person who would do everything within his power to protect those he loves. But Maeve holds her agency just as well, and is an equal partner with Gin in all they do. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, and these were well covered in the story - not laboriously, but acknowledged and displayed is what I mean.
With some polish, though, this book could be a real diamond. It was regrettable that there were some editorial issues here and there - but not so bad as to detract from the story itself.
The simple background is that Dinara, a world among nine in a system, is at war with Boderia - another world in the same system. The Dinarans receive support from Maeve's father, and he requests a marriage with the Sword Guardian for one of his daughters in return for continued support in the war. And when Gin Draven - who at first glance (for the reader) is impersonable, grumpy and disinclined to be nice to a new wife - discovers who his surprise new wife is to be, his world heads for a spin.
It isn't long before the Dinaran Swords are engaged in a battle with Boderians, except Maeve discovers where the Boderians are attacking, and reveals that the pair have a daughter. Gin may not be on best terms with Maeve, but he isn't letting a possible daughter of his get caught by the Boderians.
What I really enjoy about DeClerck's work is that it is generally unpredictable, and inventive to boot. There were several developments I did not see coming, and as usual I keep thinking I must be nearing the end of the book (despite NOT being anywhere near the end) and then a new twist arrives that takes the story further and deeper. While Gin Draven was initially NOT attractive, through the story he developed into a very protective person who would do everything within his power to protect those he loves. But Maeve holds her agency just as well, and is an equal partner with Gin in all they do. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, and these were well covered in the story - not laboriously, but acknowledged and displayed is what I mean.
With some polish, though, this book could be a real diamond. It was regrettable that there were some editorial issues here and there - but not so bad as to detract from the story itself.
December 23, 2014
I was given an ARC of the book, Forged in Fire to read and to give my honest review. I personally don’t read in the genre of science fiction, with that being said, I will admit that I was drawn in by the title, cover art and story line. I am happy that I took a chance and stepped outside my personal reading box. Taking place in a futuristic world, I found Ms. Riddle-DeClerck characters believable as they fight a war between good versus evil. The author spins a tale that keeps the reader eagerly following Gin and Maeve, two star-crossed lovers, as the people of Dinara battle against the control seeking Boderians, led by their cruel, evil Prince who covets the lovely Maeve; doing everything in his power to claim her for his own. Luna, the adorable daughter of Gin and Maeve, lends an innocence and a child’s faith to the darker moments of the book. The little girl, happy to be with her father, is the key in bringing her parents back together after a past misunderstanding and betrayal. The love shining from his child brings the Sword Guardian of Dinara, back to the only woman who can complete his soul.
I fell in love with the grey-bearded space pirate, Tyr. Appearing to be a money hungry scavenger, you soon discover the man’s character of honor hiding beneath the cocky, smiling demeanor. I do hope to hear more of Tyr’s history; his secondary character, along with his Boderian outlaw sidekick intrigued me throughout the book’s pages. Both men add to the plot. Well written and beautifully edited, Forged in Fire does end with a small cliff hanger, leaving the reader patiently waiting for the next installment. I look forward to it. Five stars for a job well done.
I fell in love with the grey-bearded space pirate, Tyr. Appearing to be a money hungry scavenger, you soon discover the man’s character of honor hiding beneath the cocky, smiling demeanor. I do hope to hear more of Tyr’s history; his secondary character, along with his Boderian outlaw sidekick intrigued me throughout the book’s pages. Both men add to the plot. Well written and beautifully edited, Forged in Fire does end with a small cliff hanger, leaving the reader patiently waiting for the next installment. I look forward to it. Five stars for a job well done.
July 29, 2015
It’s not often you start a science fiction romance book with a wedding. Typically, if the two main characters are going to get married, it happens at the end. Then again, this isn’t your typical wedding. It’s just part of the first big twist in a book full of more sharp turns than an IndyCar race.
I admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of the main characters or the overall storyline. It felt like there was a chunk of past left unsaid, like a prequel book that needed to be written. It might have helped me like the main guy, Gin, a bit more and understand his reasoning for abandoning a woman he swore he loved more than anything. Maeve was a solid character, but something about her left me wanting as well.
It was the twists, turns and general unpredictability of the book which elevated it to a higher rating for me. I’m generally good at predicting how a story is going to turn out, the hidden motives behind character actions, or the big mystery secret authors hold off to reveal until the end. There was no predicting Forged In Fire. From the start, it kept me on my toes without confusing me, added surprises without being cliche or crazy in left field, and kept me wanting to read the book to the very last page.
It has good action, adventure, politics, war, military ops, space rebels and romance. It was a good read and is recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher with request for honest feedback
I admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of the main characters or the overall storyline. It felt like there was a chunk of past left unsaid, like a prequel book that needed to be written. It might have helped me like the main guy, Gin, a bit more and understand his reasoning for abandoning a woman he swore he loved more than anything. Maeve was a solid character, but something about her left me wanting as well.
It was the twists, turns and general unpredictability of the book which elevated it to a higher rating for me. I’m generally good at predicting how a story is going to turn out, the hidden motives behind character actions, or the big mystery secret authors hold off to reveal until the end. There was no predicting Forged In Fire. From the start, it kept me on my toes without confusing me, added surprises without being cliche or crazy in left field, and kept me wanting to read the book to the very last page.
It has good action, adventure, politics, war, military ops, space rebels and romance. It was a good read and is recommended.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher with request for honest feedback
May 22, 2015
I loved this book from the beginning to the end. I'm not traditionally much into sci-fi, but the action and humor drew me in and kept me reading until the late (early) hours! I especially like that this isn't a 'hero rescuing the damsel in distress' story. Both lead characters are very strong and independent. The journey they take to trust each other again after a less than ideal past, shows the growth in them both.
December 17, 2015
Riveting. A soldier between a rock and a hard place. Excellent adventure.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews