Trial by Thrall

Trial #2

by Lizzy Ford

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B017TT5BJY

After the shock of her first trial, Leslie believes she can handle anything, including turning into a magic elf or whatever the fae really are. But the differences between alpha werewolf Ben and Tristan—the enigmatic leader of the fae, whose abs and sexual prowess are the stuff of dreams—soon have her wading into new supernatural waters. Guarded where Ben was assertive, Tristan is hard to understand and even harder to predict. The most unnerving part: he’s empathic. He can read every tiny little emotion she experiences.

Such as … betrayal. The Book of Secrets has revealed a truth that leaves her questioning everything—and everyone—she’s ever known. Something far worse than the Trials, and more frustrating than Tristan forbidding her from using her temporary fae magic to save an entire generation of his people.

The more she learns from Tristan and the Book, the less certain she becomes of her own world, and she begins to resent the Kingmaker magic that ensures she’s only fae for a week.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fae, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Vampires

135 pages, ebook

First published November 19, 2015

About the author

I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I'd eat them, too. (I'm pretty sure they'd taste like cotton candy.) I can't escape them - they're everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.

I'm also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!

I live in the desert of southern Arizona with a pack of spoiled dogs and Tubbs, the Godfather cat who rules them all.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010
Email: LizzyFord2010@gmail.com
Radish: LizzyFord
Wattpad: LizzyFord

Lizzy’s books include:

Lost Vegas – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf

Spell Realm Series (coming summer 2017) – young adult fantasy
Water Spell (2017)
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)

History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2017)
South (2018)

Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles

Omega Series
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Theta Beginnings Miniseries (novelettes)
Silent Queen
Mercenary
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion

Non-Series – 2014 - 2017
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
White Tree Sound (2017)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door
The Fall of Esme (2017)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)

Super Villainess
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good

Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
Starwalkers – complete (#1-6)

Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope

Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger

Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption

Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)

War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God

Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God

Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (TBD)
Speak No (TBD)

Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
Unmade (TBD)

Omega
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun

Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter

Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart

Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain

Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World

Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed

As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)

Reviews

[ash | · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This fae magic reminds me of dancing in moonbeams on a warm summer night, a combination of magic and euphoria, laced with brooding darkness, that turns the experience from peaceful to exhilarating. At any second, the night can swallow the moon, leaving the brave dancer at the mercy of the waiting shadows."

Ben's book, Trial by Moon started the series so next we have TRISTAN'S book, Trial by Thrall WHICH IS FAE FAE FAE!!!

The wolf has had his week but now it's FAE TIME BABY. Can you tell how EXCITED this book made me? OMGGGGG Tristan. What is there to say about Tristan's book? This was book two of four. He was a delicious dare, and broke the barriers between Leslie and the supernatural world-- until she was accepting the warm thrum of magic that was becoming apart of her. The level of steaminess went through the roof. Where Ben was an intense and assertive lover, Tristan is a playful, incredible and sensual lover and they connected on a deep soul level. Holy hell, this book was hot. Ben was hot and heated where Tristan is empathic, cool, and relaxed. His layers ran deep.

We begin to learn more about the history of the Kingmakers and the plot unravels a little bit more. The mystery with the Book of Secrets and the things we begin to learn about Leslie and her "role" in the trials were a BIG surprise. Whatever you *think* is going on, is probably wrong. We learn how far some people are willing to go and the sacrifices they are willing to make in order to survive.

“Do me a favor. Make me Community leader or exile me. I don’t want a mate,” Tristan adds.

Tristan ended up being my favorite for all of the reasons listed above!!

[S.J. Abbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS REVIEW OF ALL FOUR BOOKS!!!



„A vampire, werewolf and fae walked into a bar with my father.
The supernatural clan leaders walked out. My father did not.”






Now she is the Kingmaker, and she must go through trials to choose between those three, which of them is a potential mate, which poses a threat and must be exiled (read kill), and which is the best leader to Community.


"...four weeks to decide..."







The first week -- a mate to Werewolf!!!


„...a sexy, brawny alpha with whiskey-colored eyes glowing with cunning“


BEN (Benjamin)



„Muscular, tall and rugged, he's the epitome of the raw male beauty of cavemen proportions.“





They have lots of rough sex, some talking, running in the wolf form, some bad stuff some more sex and then the week come to end.

I love Ben through the whole week. He is wild, passionate, loyal, intense, and dominant.

Leslie, not so much!





The second week -- a mate to Fae!!!


„...a man with sparkling green eyes and dirty blond hair that falls over one eye.“


TRISTAN



„Tall, lean and handsome,...his air is cool where Ben's was hot, and he's relaxed, far more laid back than I ever saw the wolf leader.






They have some very long (nobody complaining) passionate sex scenes and very little talking.

Tristan is playful, sensual, patient, in control, calm and empathy.

I still didn't really love Lesli but she is improving.






The third week -- a mate to Vampire!!!


“…a man with dark hair and sky blue eyes. Virtually immortal, he's the oldest of the three but looks the youngest”


MYCA



“…tall, wide shoulders, thick biceps, athletic, with an air of confidence and awareness. He doesn’t have Ben's edge or Tristan's aloofness“





Well, let me tell you there is sex and there is sex with vampire!!! Pleasure and pain, passion, blood, letting loose every fantasy and desire.

I like Myca very much. He is laid back and lethal, calm and easygoing, but also dangerous, addictive and ancient.

I also like Lesli in this one. Actually, I feel sorry for her. It seems that everybody knows almost everything about her but nobody wants to tell her anything.

She is frustrated and I am too.

We did find out what she is and what that shadow is.


Kingmaster origin (fallen angel)

Shadow (dead relative)




The fourth week is for her. To think and to decide…Or so she thinks?!


There are some Really Unexpected Things, some very Crazy, some very Sad and some Happy stuff and then we come to THE END and I only can say…



and...





I didn’t know how to rate this book because sometimes I felt little confusing and annoying and sometimes frustrating, but because of the four great men, and all sort of emotion I went through reading it, complete series deserve...





I must warn you, some parts deserve less than 3 stars, but I go through them and I'm not sorry... (I am sorry for my possible mistakes in spelling and grammar)



***I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley, in exchange for this honest review***

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trail by Thrall is just as amazing as the first novella in the series. They must be read in order! Leslie is stilly going through her trails as a Kingsmaker and still trying to find out who killed her father. She has to spend the week with the fae Tristan as she tries to see what part he plays in everything. Tristan is as sweet, charming and as devastatingly handsome as Ben but they are very different. Leslie always ends up with her life in danger, even when she’s trying to do what right. The “Kingsmaker” is not known for their kindness and the curse that has fallen to her is a hard one to break; if it’s even breakable. An old friend comes to visit in a time of need and a new one gives her the answer she wants but with her trails still in process can she really avoid everything that has hit her at once. Will the kindness she has shown others destroy her in the process? I cannot wait to read Trial by Blood to see what happens between Leslie and Myca, based off this ending I know the next novella will be an equally exciting and steamy read with a lot of action.

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the heroine in this book, and also the increased angst and surprises. She's introspective, and slower at first, then shocked when she realises she can help at least this clan. The H is gorgeous at first, very calm and seems so considerate of her. The he allows her to be put at risk, and he may not have sanctioned it but it's pure evil. I loved this book, and the series is awesome.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a nice, easy and quick read by one of my favourite authors, it was also an excellent addition to this short series of books. Although I didn’t find myself falling for the male in the book as much as in the previous book in the series ‘trial by moon’ I feel that was simply a matter of preference.

The main character was again Leslie and this time her trial was to do with Tristan, a leader of a fae clan. Leslie struggles again with getting her mind around what the trial is expecting of her as a king maker, but in this book I feel that she falls in love with the society of the fae that Tristan offers her more than Tristan just himself. While I liked Trsitan I didn’t find myself as ‘head over heels’ as I was with Ben and the trial Leslie goes through with the fae seems infinatley more difficult that in ‘trial by moon’.

There were a lot of secondary characters but none were particularly noteworthy for me as they didn’t have a huge impact on the main characters or the book.

The storyline was brilliantly original and for me this author keeps going from strength to strength in her supreme storytelling and writing ability. The pacing was great and I loved the ending but feel that it will only make me fall in love with Myca more.

5 stars, I am loving this series

[Antie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and this series. Just when you think no one could top Ben, in comes Tristan. I love him! Tristan is part of nature as a Fae. He has empathy for everyone in his clan. Leslie becomes part of his world right away and a healer at that. Tristan's clan, like Ben's is dying. However, Leslie can do something about it for the week she is there, and for once Leslie is thinking about someone other than herself. I love how Leslie is evolving with each trial. The Book of Secrets is still messing with her mind, and Tristan is unable to help her even if he wanted to; just like Ben. The rules that everyone knows about but Leslie keep getting in her way. The romance/sex is steamy of course; Lizzy does not disappoint. This book/ series draws you in right away. I did not want to put it down! I cannot wait for the last two books. This book leaves you guessing at the end. A bomb has been dropped and as the reader you have no idea what is going to happen. I cannot wait for Trial by Blood. Great book and great series. I cannot wait for more!

[Bonnie Rediske- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trial by Thrall is book two in a four book series. In this segment we are introduced to our Fae lover. Leslie has learned some new things in the book of secrets that has left her spinning out of control. A new level of mistrust exists that puts some distance between her and Tristan. Tristan is romantic and secretive. He is in charge of his clan and ensuring that a cure is found for the infants in his population that are dying at a steady rate.
This book introduces some new secrets and barriers to Leslie learning the truth, but more importantly makes her wonder how on earth she is going to choose between Ben and Tristan. Then she also has to think about the vampire that is waiting in the wings. Can she survive another lover?

Lizzy wrote this book in such a fluid way that I just could not put it down. You get a lot of information, but then you are left questioning everything at the same time Leslie is. I did not love Tristan as much as Ben, but I have always been a shifter whore so I am not surprised. Off to book three. Thank goodness I don't have to wait for it to publish.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Trial series placed Leslie with Tristan, leader of the fae. A gorgeous man with who she will actually share her soul with for the week. The fae have the gift of empathy and are gentle, loving creatures, but are a desperate dying race. As with the first book, this is full of twist and turns, allowing us to get deeper into the world of magical creatures and the impact of the Kingmaker curse on them all.

Once again Leslie's life is at risk. Once again she learns things about her family that she doesn't want to know. Once again she falls completely for her mate and is overwhelmed. In this book however, she begins to connect more to the magical world. She no longer holds judgement against them. She is able to see through their eyes and shares their pain. At the end of the week she is again shattered, but no closer to making an intelligent decision about the future leader and her future mate. Maybe the vampire in book 3 will help!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leslie is much less annoying in this book. You have no idea what a relief this was!
I got some answers but a boat load more questions that again must be answered post haste! Which is why I'm considering forgoing sleep for a bit longer even though I've been awake for a little over 20 hours and its getting a bit hard to keep my eyes open. I doubt I'll last long but the pursuit of answers may be enough to stave off the inevitable for a bit. With all that said I really need the Vampire to a be a dick because I'm already having a hard enough time choosing between the Werewolf and the Fea. And for real I do not envy Leslie.

Also honorable mention: FEA-BIES! I fear I may now refer to small babies as fea-bies form now on.

[Victoria Stolte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap! This second trial has thrown me through a loop. Tristan has so many layers and I rather enjoyed all of them. This of course has me wondering what Leslie's decisions will be and when she is given more info from the book of secrets, info that is unbelieveAble by the way it has me wondering where the course of these trials will lead us. I was left hanging with a big cliffie at the end of this one - I expected a cliff hangar but did not expect the one I was left with! Can't go into more right now as I have to move on to the next trial but OMG, if you are looking for an adventure this series is for you!

[Td · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I am SO hooked on this story! Leslie's journey has me turning page after page as quickly as my eyes can read, and my brain can process each word. This book, her journey with Tristan, with the fae, is surprising, exciting, scary, and emotional. Her time with Tristan, holy freaking WOW, hot!!! The things that happened to her blew my mind a bit. The new discoveries from The Book of Secrets only made me question more exactly what would happen next, and how this series could possibly end. I am so anxious to read the next book, I HAVE to know what happens next!

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yawn

The ending was the best part. I didn't really care for Tristan. This book was hella boring. Leslie felt like Ford's usual heroines: annoying as fuck. Hopefully she switches back in the next book.

[Coco.V]

🎁 The complete Series is free on iBooks today (4/14/2020)! 🎁 Book 1 is free on Amazon too.

[MummysVampire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in Lizzy Fords, Trial series.

In book one, we found out Lesley’s dad had been murdered. and she was determined to find out who killed him. The police supplied her with video footage of his last moments, showing him going into a bar with 3 dangerous looking men, and she’s certain one of them is the killer.

She is thrust into a supernatural world and finds out the 3 men are not human. There is a Wolf Shifter, a Fae and a Vampire. What makes it worse is, she is the new Kingmaker following her fathers death.

The Kingmakers are hated by all in the supernatural world, and she alone must decide the fate of each race. She must spend a week with each clan, temporarily mated to the leader, to help her determine which leader should be king, which leader ‘and’ his clan will be exiled and finally which leader should be her mate.

She has just completed her week with Ben and the Wolf clan, now she must spend a week with Tristan and the Fae clan. From her time with Ben and the wolfs, she discovered each of these leaders must deceive her in some way, so how can she possibly trust anyone.

To help her, she has the aid of a magical Kingmakers book, that only she can decipher, but it chooses when to reveal certain information.

She has a huge decision to make, and hopes she will find out who is a killer.

Loads of twists and turns and secrets and lies and I can’t wait for the next trial.

I was gifted the audiobook version in return for a non biased review and this gets top marks. Great duel narration brining to life a great story. 5/5 stars

[Leigh Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me sooo long to read this book!

At first, I was avoiding reading it, because I felt like it was too weird for the main character to go from Ben in the first book as her mate, to Tristan in the second book as her mate, in the space of a week or two (book time). It was just weird!

But, I understand the reason why - she is a Kingmaker and it's her job is to judge each of these men. It's just a little weird that she's bonded to them so intensely.

Ben was more aggressive, but Tristan, Leslies mate in this book was a real sweet, kind and caring male. The story I felt started off a bit slow, but quickly sped up in pace once it got into it. We learn alot about the Kingmakers curse, but there is still so much left out and I'm hoping its revealed when Leslie gets to be with the Vampire in the 3rd book.

I'm not a huge Fae supernatural fan, however, I have to say Tristan had me sold. While he had his secrets and while he was tasked to kill Leslie, it was sweet that he went out of his way to make sure she enjoyed her time with him and that he couldn't go through with it, even though she couldn't die in the first place because of her Kingmaker magic.

This has got to be one of the weirdest series I've ever read, but it is kind of addicting at the same time. Looking forward to reading book 3.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm ok I am not liking Tristan as much as Ben. He seems too sweet and nice. Interesting about the curse and her father. The addiction is still slightly there but I like how it is portrayed. What will Myca be like? Oh boy is she going to have a tough choice. I really like how she thinks of each one despite being in tryst with another. They are not throw away relationships or flings she genuinely likes them both despite how it started out with distrust.

I really think the book is some how involved with the curse I don't trust it and that she blindly does is interesting but stupid. The twist that they can't read it or the other books and she can only read some at a time is frustrating to me so I know it is to her. That her father would have her go in blind is disappointing but maybe there is a reason.

[✨✨ Claire✨✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picks up right after the end of the first book.

I have to admit to thinking and feeling that there's no way I could like Tristan as much as Ben. How could you!

However, Tristan is completely different than Ben. In a way that's exactly the same feeling but for different reasons.

I did honestly think how can Tristan be as good as Ben but this book kept you just as hooked as the first. The bond that is created for the week is just as strong giving Leslie a completely different outlook on life and how she can affect things.

Once again twists and turns are everywhere. What you think you know you may not and what you thought you were so certain of.....may not have been the answer after all....

And onto the last....
And again you're left feeling...how on earth can I feel the same for the vampire.......

[Cassie]

This is a tough series to rate. I really, really liked the story line. It was funny, sweet, sad, and super hot. BUT I felt like there should have been so much more. All four stories were pretty short (roughly 200 pages each), and I felt like had the plot been developed more, the series could have gone from a good one to a GREAT one.

I'm also conflicted about the ending. For three and a half books, Leslie (random thought, but I didn't feel like that name fit her for some reason) obsesses over what is going to happen. Like, if she isn't having sex or eating, she's thinking about what's going to happen. And then it all wraps up so quickly and easily. And yes, I know that with someone dying it isn't a complete HAE, but it just felt too easy to me.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Tristan the mischievous Fae leader. He’s so sweet!

When Leslie starts this trial is tries so hard. It to fall for him, but when you have to share your literal soul with someone that’s not really an option.

The sacrifices that each leader makes for their clan is a revelation to Leslie and she falls headfirst into Tristan.

I loved every single moment of this book and Tristan is such a beautiful and soulful character that is so hard not to fall for him too.

This series is so amazing so far and I can’t wait to find out how all of this ends!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trail by Thrall is the second book in the Trail series and the twists just keep coming. Now Leslie is mated to Tristin who is Fae. Not trusting herself to fall for another supernatural and still feeling something for Ben, Leslie is in deeper than she thought. Each trail opens her eyes to new information her father kept secret. The Book of Secrets reveals more and more with each experience and trial. Not knowing who or what to trust anymore, maybe she isn't as tuff as she thought.

[Megan Hubble-Roney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sexy and interesting 2nd installment to the Trial series.

Leslie is an Elf this time, during this trial. Mated to Tristan. And she has some serious questions just like she did when she was a wolf and mated to Ben. The book is not helping at all and she is getting increasingly frustrated and depressed and she knows it. Again she runs into the problem of whom to trust and whom to run from...

I was engaged and trying to figure out who was lying. A solid 4 1/2 star read for me.

[Jennifer Macleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to a fantastic series

I am really enjoying this series. I was worried going into this book as I really liked Ben and wasn't sure Tristen could compair, but I loved him as well. Tristen is a very different character from Ben and brings out a diffentent side to Leslie.

I still can't work out quite how this series is going to end but I am defimatly looking forward to finding out. I would definatly recomend these books.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading book 2 I have decided that I like Ben better than Tristan. I am not sure why though as it seems that Tristan is probably the better person. Anyways....lets see what Myca the Vampire is like. I can already tell you that he has a bad mark against him from the beginning. This series is like crack (not that I've ever tried crack), it's not good for me but I am addicted to it none the less. And I already know I will have to buy book 4 to see how this series ends.

[Rossana · Rating 5 out of 5]

not as good as book 1, but definitely a very good book 2. loved the characters and her feelings are described really well. maybe because I loved the relationship with Ben, I had a harder time bonding with the second candidate. looking forward to seeing what happens with the vampire! great narration!

[Swalsk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reeeaaaally liking this series! The over arching mystery is still a mystery, the complicated emotions and decisions are only expanding. I like both Tristan and Ben equally, their darkness and secrets make me anticipate the next book even more!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic next book in the series. Leslie spends the week with Tristan, king of the fae.

More is revealed about the Kingmaker curse and Leslie continues her growth. More questions remain.

Off to book 3

[Mayumi Shimose Poe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I seem to be hooked.

Another steamy Trial, more mysteries slowly unfolding, more sex (& more thoughtful, mind-bending, and consensual at that). Still Team Wolf, though… it seems when it comes to paranormal romance, my feminism is content to take the back seat. Lol

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my….these books are brilliant. I wasn’t sure if I would like how this leading lady has to spend time with different Alphas, but it really does work. Lizzie has written this series so very well. I love how both Lillian and Vincent bring these characters alive.

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 awesome stars

[Erato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really expected to hate Tristan but I really enjoyed this chapter of the saga