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Valamine
Valamine is a gifted healer, and her life studying with the herb witch, Elder-Sha Ameena, is peaceful. When her home is attacked and her elders slain, the fate of the land is thrust upon her with the dying breath of her mentor. Now she must leave everything she knows and journey to a far-off city to stop the forces of hell from overwhelming her world. But it isn't the daemons, hungry for her blood, making her nerves shatter and her heart pound like a tribesman’s drum, it's the two hundred and fifty pounds of lean, toned warrior sworn to keep her from harm.
Fighting is what Nyle lives for. He relishes the rush of battle, even with the odds against him and a horde of daemons bearing down on him. When he’s tasked with the latest mission, it is a seemingly simple one—protect the girl, save the world. Easy enough for a skilled warrior who prides himself on coolness under pressure. Something about the bold healer though is testing his restraint to beyond breaking, and he can’t keep his mind on the game. But if he fails and the daemons come, how can he face losing his bewitching Valamine
www.bottomdrawerpublications.net
Fighting is what Nyle lives for. He relishes the rush of battle, even with the odds against him and a horde of daemons bearing down on him. When he’s tasked with the latest mission, it is a seemingly simple one—protect the girl, save the world. Easy enough for a skilled warrior who prides himself on coolness under pressure. Something about the bold healer though is testing his restraint to beyond breaking, and he can’t keep his mind on the game. But if he fails and the daemons come, how can he face losing his bewitching Valamine
www.bottomdrawerpublications.net
- GenresHistoricalNovelsFantasy
ebook
First published April 18, 2015
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 3, 2015
Can love find a way to bring two individuals from two completely different worlds together to fight against the horrors of Gehenna and into each other’s arms forever? That is the peril that Valamine, a Shaman healer, and Nyle, a warrior Elite, face in this wonderful story. Valamine started her life at the University as a rambunctious prepubescent but under the watchful care and skilful training of Elder Sha Ameena she learned to hone her skills and found herself at home. Throughout the story we watch her grow from a young lady anxiously awaiting final exams to a woman determined to face all odds in order to save and protect those she loves. Nyle started his life in the mountains training and fighting to become a leader of the Elite warriors who protect the lands from the treacherous creatures that lurk in the shadows. Throughout the story we watch his journey unfold; one of passion, fear, love, and strength.
This is an amazing must read that will keep you reading into the wee hours and not even realizing how much time has passed as you become enraptured with the characters as their lives unfold before your eyes and in your minds. This is one that I am hoping becomes a series so I can enjoy the wonderful words of this author longer.
"Fighting was what he lived for."
"University women? They'd probably think themselves way above your rank my friend."
"Hoping fervently that the Shaman were, indeed, able to hold out a short while longer, he crouched farther down into the saddle and quickened his pace as dawn tinged the indigo sky."
"The creature's screeches were quickly silenced as the warriors sliced through oily red skin and sinewy flesh, coating the floor in a grisly black tar."
"For a moment the friends just held each other, drawing strength from the other's presence."
"Dear goddess, queen of nature and ruler of the gift of healing, please hear your daughter's prayer."
"It was changing, the air around it shimmering like tiny crystal sand in sunlight. It settled into the stunning visage of a woman with white-blonde hair and a youthful complexion so breathtakingly beautiful it was difficult to look away."
"The warrior growled deep in his chest, a deep, low rumble as her magic flowed from her into him, and her breath caressed his skin."
"As her power continued to flow, he closed his eyes, his head flopped back, and he murmured what sounded like a short prayer."
"Valamine sat quietly, her and wrapped sons her knees, gazing into the flames. The firelight highlighted her spiky red hair and framed her delicate features. She looked like a small bird, thought Nyle, like a robin or a wren."
"Every boy, in his twelfth year, survived for a month in the mountain forests with little more than the clothes on his back and the fellowship of other boys from across the clans. Sabre was in my group. We hunted together, built fires, kept each other warm. At the end of the month, the tires you have with your trial-mates are forged in iron, you are brothers, kindra."
"He was right-goddess, she was so sweet! He explored her with his kids, the tip of his tongue smoothly tracing a rhythm over the most sensitive parts of her mouth."
"She felt her inner muscles clench around his thumb, still running her gently, as he softly kissed her between her legs, and she drifted on a draft of ecstasy where time held no sway."
"He was doing the right thing, he thought to himself, by placing his mission above his feelings for Valamine, so why did it feel so . . . wrong?"
"Some things we cannot control, Valamine. We fight and we try harder, but if we fail despite our best efforts, we fail with honour."
"I've seen you fight, lass. I doubt my virtue would stand a chance."
"Of all the beautiful buildings in Shallaha, the Glamorian embassy was by far the most impressive. A smooth white stone wall encircled four spiralling towers each capped with a silver dome. Morning sunlight reflected off the domes in a blazing display of dancing colours, so bright that Valamine had to hold her hands up to shield her eyes from the reflected glare."
"A Glamorian doesn't get migraines. What else would she need my help for?"
"'They come and there is nought but death.' Her voice was a whisper. 'The blood runs in rivers in the streets and down the chins of his children.'"
"The silks of my feet burn. They roast in a slow fire as everything burns around me. I can smell the cooking flesh. I feel it blister and crack."
"Always rescuing lost causes and risking herself for others-she needed protecting from herself."
"A warm glow began in her mouth and flowed into her chest as she swallowed. Hot spices and a gently sweet taste remained on her tongue, bringing to mind summer afternoons spent basking in sunshine."
"She came to the last knot, a bunch of copper red, amber, and ivory stands, twisted and kinked. She could do this. Just one more, come on, Valamine. Dig in, girl. Stay sharp."
"Whenever he tried to look too closely at his recent memories they drifted from him, like the details of dreams on waking. And then there was the sleeping girl. She'd been with them on the journey, apparently. A sharp stabbing pain shot through his mind when he tried to recall anything about the young woman, a flash of amber and red behind his eyes rendering him unable to think."
"As she drifted off she spoke in a soft drowsy voice laced with sadness. 'I see you, Nyle, standing burned to a pile of ashes; the remains of everything you believed in.' And with that the pale girl drifted into sleep, her tiny frame huddled into the tightest smallest ball she could manage."
"You will face your greatest challenge warrior!"
"The mood here was all . . . wrong."
"The lanvi! The ancient gift of the clans. Proof that he loved the healer."
"She paused a moment and beheld her warrior as he stood before her, his face reflecting love and just a hint of uncertainty."
This is an amazing must read that will keep you reading into the wee hours and not even realizing how much time has passed as you become enraptured with the characters as their lives unfold before your eyes and in your minds. This is one that I am hoping becomes a series so I can enjoy the wonderful words of this author longer.
"Fighting was what he lived for."
"University women? They'd probably think themselves way above your rank my friend."
"Hoping fervently that the Shaman were, indeed, able to hold out a short while longer, he crouched farther down into the saddle and quickened his pace as dawn tinged the indigo sky."
"The creature's screeches were quickly silenced as the warriors sliced through oily red skin and sinewy flesh, coating the floor in a grisly black tar."
"For a moment the friends just held each other, drawing strength from the other's presence."
"Dear goddess, queen of nature and ruler of the gift of healing, please hear your daughter's prayer."
"It was changing, the air around it shimmering like tiny crystal sand in sunlight. It settled into the stunning visage of a woman with white-blonde hair and a youthful complexion so breathtakingly beautiful it was difficult to look away."
"The warrior growled deep in his chest, a deep, low rumble as her magic flowed from her into him, and her breath caressed his skin."
"As her power continued to flow, he closed his eyes, his head flopped back, and he murmured what sounded like a short prayer."
"Valamine sat quietly, her and wrapped sons her knees, gazing into the flames. The firelight highlighted her spiky red hair and framed her delicate features. She looked like a small bird, thought Nyle, like a robin or a wren."
"Every boy, in his twelfth year, survived for a month in the mountain forests with little more than the clothes on his back and the fellowship of other boys from across the clans. Sabre was in my group. We hunted together, built fires, kept each other warm. At the end of the month, the tires you have with your trial-mates are forged in iron, you are brothers, kindra."
"He was right-goddess, she was so sweet! He explored her with his kids, the tip of his tongue smoothly tracing a rhythm over the most sensitive parts of her mouth."
"She felt her inner muscles clench around his thumb, still running her gently, as he softly kissed her between her legs, and she drifted on a draft of ecstasy where time held no sway."
"He was doing the right thing, he thought to himself, by placing his mission above his feelings for Valamine, so why did it feel so . . . wrong?"
"Some things we cannot control, Valamine. We fight and we try harder, but if we fail despite our best efforts, we fail with honour."
"I've seen you fight, lass. I doubt my virtue would stand a chance."
"Of all the beautiful buildings in Shallaha, the Glamorian embassy was by far the most impressive. A smooth white stone wall encircled four spiralling towers each capped with a silver dome. Morning sunlight reflected off the domes in a blazing display of dancing colours, so bright that Valamine had to hold her hands up to shield her eyes from the reflected glare."
"A Glamorian doesn't get migraines. What else would she need my help for?"
"'They come and there is nought but death.' Her voice was a whisper. 'The blood runs in rivers in the streets and down the chins of his children.'"
"The silks of my feet burn. They roast in a slow fire as everything burns around me. I can smell the cooking flesh. I feel it blister and crack."
"Always rescuing lost causes and risking herself for others-she needed protecting from herself."
"A warm glow began in her mouth and flowed into her chest as she swallowed. Hot spices and a gently sweet taste remained on her tongue, bringing to mind summer afternoons spent basking in sunshine."
"She came to the last knot, a bunch of copper red, amber, and ivory stands, twisted and kinked. She could do this. Just one more, come on, Valamine. Dig in, girl. Stay sharp."
"Whenever he tried to look too closely at his recent memories they drifted from him, like the details of dreams on waking. And then there was the sleeping girl. She'd been with them on the journey, apparently. A sharp stabbing pain shot through his mind when he tried to recall anything about the young woman, a flash of amber and red behind his eyes rendering him unable to think."
"As she drifted off she spoke in a soft drowsy voice laced with sadness. 'I see you, Nyle, standing burned to a pile of ashes; the remains of everything you believed in.' And with that the pale girl drifted into sleep, her tiny frame huddled into the tightest smallest ball she could manage."
"You will face your greatest challenge warrior!"
"The mood here was all . . . wrong."
"The lanvi! The ancient gift of the clans. Proof that he loved the healer."
"She paused a moment and beheld her warrior as he stood before her, his face reflecting love and just a hint of uncertainty."
April 19, 2015
I loved this book. The world and character creation is just spot on. Despite the medieval setting, and the tendancy for women in those sort of books to be a little more shy and retreating, Valamine is a kick-ass heroine. A skilled warrior trained to fight the daemons leeching into world, the hero, Nyle, is well matched to Valamine. The journey these two travel on is compelling and kept me glued to the page. I can't wait to see what Ms Stoker delivers in book two.
May 26, 2015
The minute I started reading 'Valamine', I was sucked into the story with no hope of getting out! So much so, that I finished it at 3am this morning & felt extrememly tired all day. Jane has created a world full of diverse people, characters with so much depth, you feel as if you know them in person. The story line was amazing, keeping my attention till the very end.
We meet Nyle first, he's in the middle of a battle with the daemons from Gehenna, all of a sudden the daemon's stop & start flying towards the University... Which is where we first meet Valamine, having spent the day learning, she's inside the library when the deamons attack. Scared but staying strong for Micah, a young boy also at the University, Valamine learns something extraordinary about her healing powers.... I hate reading reviews with spoilers, so I'll stop there. But you definitely want to read the book, so you can find out what happens next.
With a debut novel like this, I can't wait to read what comes next.... I can't wait for the next book of this series, I'll be keeping my eye's peeled.
We meet Nyle first, he's in the middle of a battle with the daemons from Gehenna, all of a sudden the daemon's stop & start flying towards the University... Which is where we first meet Valamine, having spent the day learning, she's inside the library when the deamons attack. Scared but staying strong for Micah, a young boy also at the University, Valamine learns something extraordinary about her healing powers.... I hate reading reviews with spoilers, so I'll stop there. But you definitely want to read the book, so you can find out what happens next.
With a debut novel like this, I can't wait to read what comes next.... I can't wait for the next book of this series, I'll be keeping my eye's peeled.
May 1, 2015
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. I absolutely loved the story. I think it had a great quest plot. I would recommend this to anyone who like to read about an epic journey. It may be a short read, but the story made it worth the read.
August 15, 2015
Pros: Excellent characters, great storyline
Cons: Felt like some pieces were missing
Overall rating: Very Recommended
Impressions: My first impressions of this book were that it was slow starting out for me. There was something missing.
Review:
When I started this book I felt a little lost. We started out in a battle. I love when we get action right away, but I felt like we didn't get enough back story to really understand what was going on. The bad guys were there and there were a lot of them. Yet later in the book, they are talking about a portal or rift being in the school.
You don't get any idea on how they are getting out if the rift is still sealed. I would think that they would have noticed Daemons coming through at the school so I really want to know where they were coming from. I feel like this is a hole in the story that was not explained.
I loved the book as whole though. Once I let the whole not knowing where the Daemons were coming from I found that I really enjoyed the book. The characters were well thought out. I wish we could have had more back story to help us understand why they were the way they were. I find that I can connect and relate better to characters when I know more about them.
I can't wait until the next book in this series. I want to see what happens next. I did find that once I got into the book I was hooked and couldn't get out. I read it all in one sitting. It just took me a bit to get myself all engrossed in the book.
Cons: Felt like some pieces were missing
Overall rating: Very Recommended
Impressions: My first impressions of this book were that it was slow starting out for me. There was something missing.
Review:
When I started this book I felt a little lost. We started out in a battle. I love when we get action right away, but I felt like we didn't get enough back story to really understand what was going on. The bad guys were there and there were a lot of them. Yet later in the book, they are talking about a portal or rift being in the school.
You don't get any idea on how they are getting out if the rift is still sealed. I would think that they would have noticed Daemons coming through at the school so I really want to know where they were coming from. I feel like this is a hole in the story that was not explained.
I loved the book as whole though. Once I let the whole not knowing where the Daemons were coming from I found that I really enjoyed the book. The characters were well thought out. I wish we could have had more back story to help us understand why they were the way they were. I find that I can connect and relate better to characters when I know more about them.
I can't wait until the next book in this series. I want to see what happens next. I did find that once I got into the book I was hooked and couldn't get out. I read it all in one sitting. It just took me a bit to get myself all engrossed in the book.
October 9, 2016
SnS Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lillian's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Really enjoyable book really surprised me. Can one young healer save the realm from been destroyed? Valamine has no magic but she has healing powers, she has found her home at the university with all the other gifted children. Her world is just about to be ripped apart and she is going to lose the one person that she loves, can she go through with the quest?
Nyle is the leader of the Elite, the best and most powerful fighters in the realm, him & his team will need to find Valamine and help her save the realm. Their journey will take them to the other side of the realm where they will meet many that will do anything to stop them for good.
Will Nyle get distracted by his feeling for her or can he remain focused?
They will learn that evil will stop at nothing to win.
A great read that had me turning the pages as I needed to know what was coming.
~~~~~~~~~~Lillian's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Really enjoyable book really surprised me. Can one young healer save the realm from been destroyed? Valamine has no magic but she has healing powers, she has found her home at the university with all the other gifted children. Her world is just about to be ripped apart and she is going to lose the one person that she loves, can she go through with the quest?
Nyle is the leader of the Elite, the best and most powerful fighters in the realm, him & his team will need to find Valamine and help her save the realm. Their journey will take them to the other side of the realm where they will meet many that will do anything to stop them for good.
Will Nyle get distracted by his feeling for her or can he remain focused?
They will learn that evil will stop at nothing to win.
A great read that had me turning the pages as I needed to know what was coming.
February 25, 2017
4.5/5.0
“Valamine” begins with extraordinary action that leaps right off of the page!
Read full review in the 2015 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Valamine” begins with extraordinary action that leaps right off of the page!
Read full review in the 2015 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 21, 2016
A great read who doesn't love a strong fierce warrior and a young woman that will do almost anything to save the ones that she cares for. I received a copy via my reading group.
April 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this story, set in a medieval time we meet Valamine who should be a soft gifted healer but as the story evolves and much to the annoyance of the other main character Nyle she proves herself to be a totally kickass heroine. This story is well paced with just the right amount of action and romance.
Valamine is a gifted healer, and her life studying with the herb witch, Elder-Sha Ameena, is peaceful. When her home is attacked and her elders slain, the fate of the land is thrust upon her with the dying breath of her mentor. Now she must leave everything she knows and journey to a far-off city to stop the forces of hell from overwhelming her world. But it isn't the daemons, hungry for her blood, making her nerves shatter and her heart pound like a tribesman’s drum, it's the two hundred and fifty pounds of lean, toned warrior sworn to keep her from harm.
Fighting is what Nyle lives for. He relishes the rush of battle, even with the odds against him and a horde of daemons bearing down on him. When he’s tasked with the latest mission, it is a seemingly simple one—protect the girl, save the world. Easy enough for a skilled warrior who prides himself on coolness under pressure. Something about the bold healer though is testing his restraint to beyond breaking, and he can’t keep his mind on the game. But if he fails and the daemons come, how can he face losing his bewitching Valamine
Valamine is a gifted healer, and her life studying with the herb witch, Elder-Sha Ameena, is peaceful. When her home is attacked and her elders slain, the fate of the land is thrust upon her with the dying breath of her mentor. Now she must leave everything she knows and journey to a far-off city to stop the forces of hell from overwhelming her world. But it isn't the daemons, hungry for her blood, making her nerves shatter and her heart pound like a tribesman’s drum, it's the two hundred and fifty pounds of lean, toned warrior sworn to keep her from harm.
Fighting is what Nyle lives for. He relishes the rush of battle, even with the odds against him and a horde of daemons bearing down on him. When he’s tasked with the latest mission, it is a seemingly simple one—protect the girl, save the world. Easy enough for a skilled warrior who prides himself on coolness under pressure. Something about the bold healer though is testing his restraint to beyond breaking, and he can’t keep his mind on the game. But if he fails and the daemons come, how can he face losing his bewitching Valamine
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews