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For Whom the Heart Stone Burns #2
Act Two: New Beginnings
Who is seducer and who the seduced? Kellan Fik raced to Nitcha when a master seer scried his rival’s fosterling as his destiny and his mate. Becket was a bibelot—devoid of magic. But the man wasn’t the shy, submissive virgin Kellan expected. Ponderously tall, outspoken, and a shockingly skillful lover, Becket intrigued Kellan and inflamed his desires. Becket was also the key to unraveling the puzzle of Becket’s guardian and Kellan’s chief competitor, Theodore Douglas. Kellan courts Becket with powerful charms and the dizzy wonder of their every caress. His hope? Convincing his wily lover to share his secrets and cement their bond. Becket isn’t what he seems, but neither is Kellan. Together, they must learn to trust despite the lies and intrigues… before it’s too late. 31,004 digital words
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2016
6 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Kari Gregg
30 books677 followersKari Gregg lives in the mountains of Wild and Wonderful West Virginia with her Wonderful husband and three very Wild children. When Kari’s not writing, she enjoys reading, coffee, zombie flicks, coffee, naked mud-wrestling (not really), and . . . coffee!
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to http://www.KariGregg.com
If you would like to catch up with Kari, caffeinate yourself and head to http://www.KariGregg.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 18, 2016
3.75 HEARTS--Once again, I finished a story by the Gregg a little confuzzled, slightly aroused and wanting more.
Act Two: New Beginnings starts directly after that steamy ending in Act One: Safe Travels. You will be lost not reading in order.
Becket, the bibleot, is fully ensconced in the world of Ket. The giant ginger from Earth is to be trothed (arranged married) due to a sentinel scrying for him. His sentinel is Becket's uncle Theo's rival, Kellan is immediately attracted to Becket. And Becket can't deny immediate attraction as well.
So maybe this magic stuff might not be all that bad for the man devoid of magic?
The two have to be guarded until Becket makes a decision. Bibelots are to be protected since they're suppose to be unworldly. Becket doesn't fit the mold. And Kellan wants his man, his bibleot...now. He schemes to get his ginger right where he wants him.
Told from Kellan's POV, Act Two continues the heavy high fantasy world building. It starts in the constrictive, stone dwelling aerie Nitcha and ends in the tree dwelling aerie of Melaeum (think massive Redwoods with elevators!) Besides the hot attraction between Kellan and Becket, there is the mystery of both men. Kellan is a master magic practitioner who knows Becket is lying about where he's from and can't figure out why he is or who he is. The reader already knows Becket's background from Act One, don't expect a rehash in Act Two.
Kellan can't put his finger on where the lies start with his bibleot, but Becket is his. And he'll take him, lies and all. I enjoyed being in Kellan's head. I want to know more of these "secrets" that he kept alluding to. Melaeum definitely is a more interesting world. Kellan and Co. had to fly to get there on mythical creatures!
My fantasy loving heart squeed when Pegasus, griffins and phoenixes were mentioned. I hope for more of that in future Acts. The story is the beginning of Kellan and Becket's bonding. Becket's uncle and his magical crusade is secondary to Kellan's rush to troth, There is a presence of imminent danger, but no one knows where it's coming from.
Becket and Kellan succumb to their lust but surprisingly it doesn't take up the entire book. What does is more of the world building. We get to read about stones and their magic or gardening and its yield. It doesn't overtake the book, but it is heavy throughout.
Immediate gratification lovers, this is still not one for you.
The story is still slowly unfurling, along with the world.
But this was the start of the foundation of Kellan and Becket. I like them together. I can't wait to read how they grow together s a couple and how they face this magical world of Ket with its intrigues.
A copy provided for an honest review.
Act Two: New Beginnings starts directly after that steamy ending in Act One: Safe Travels. You will be lost not reading in order.
Becket, the bibleot, is fully ensconced in the world of Ket. The giant ginger from Earth is to be trothed (arranged married) due to a sentinel scrying for him. His sentinel is Becket's uncle Theo's rival, Kellan is immediately attracted to Becket. And Becket can't deny immediate attraction as well.
So maybe this magic stuff might not be all that bad for the man devoid of magic?
The two have to be guarded until Becket makes a decision. Bibelots are to be protected since they're suppose to be unworldly. Becket doesn't fit the mold. And Kellan wants his man, his bibleot...now. He schemes to get his ginger right where he wants him.
The kittery buzz of arousal arcing between him and Becket wasn't a magic Kellan could scry in a pool of water or mix inside a witch's bottle. It couldn't be conjured with herbs or focused with stones, candles, or heartfelt pleas to the four powers. The attraction that drew Becket a stumbling step closer was more primal. Elemental.
Told from Kellan's POV, Act Two continues the heavy high fantasy world building. It starts in the constrictive, stone dwelling aerie Nitcha and ends in the tree dwelling aerie of Melaeum (think massive Redwoods with elevators!) Besides the hot attraction between Kellan and Becket, there is the mystery of both men. Kellan is a master magic practitioner who knows Becket is lying about where he's from and can't figure out why he is or who he is. The reader already knows Becket's background from Act One, don't expect a rehash in Act Two.
Kellan can't put his finger on where the lies start with his bibleot, but Becket is his. And he'll take him, lies and all. I enjoyed being in Kellan's head. I want to know more of these "secrets" that he kept alluding to. Melaeum definitely is a more interesting world. Kellan and Co. had to fly to get there on mythical creatures!
My fantasy loving heart squeed when Pegasus, griffins and phoenixes were mentioned. I hope for more of that in future Acts. The story is the beginning of Kellan and Becket's bonding. Becket's uncle and his magical crusade is secondary to Kellan's rush to troth, There is a presence of imminent danger, but no one knows where it's coming from.
Becket and Kellan succumb to their lust but surprisingly it doesn't take up the entire book. What does is more of the world building. We get to read about stones and their magic or gardening and its yield. It doesn't overtake the book, but it is heavy throughout.
Immediate gratification lovers, this is still not one for you.
The story is still slowly unfurling, along with the world.
But this was the start of the foundation of Kellan and Becket. I like them together. I can't wait to read how they grow together s a couple and how they face this magical world of Ket with its intrigues.
A copy provided for an honest review.
October 14, 2016
Better than the first one
This installment is better than the first. I didn't notice as many proofing errors but it is still confusing. I still feel like there is a book I'm missing.
I don't like the abrupt ending either. This is more a serial than a series.
I gave it 3 stars which is VERY generous because I like the characters. I might read the next one. More than likely, since it's a serial, if I continue it will be after the author has completed it.
This installment is better than the first. I didn't notice as many proofing errors but it is still confusing. I still feel like there is a book I'm missing.
I don't like the abrupt ending either. This is more a serial than a series.
I gave it 3 stars which is VERY generous because I like the characters. I might read the next one. More than likely, since it's a serial, if I continue it will be after the author has completed it.
March 10, 2018
Love this story and the world it's set in, but the shorter installments and having to wait for the next one is frustrating!
October 10, 2018
second half of a short story in an epic setup
September 10, 2019
Rating: 2.5 stars.
March 12, 2017
4.5* Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
Continuing directly from the previous book, Becket is now preparing to go through an engagement to a man from a rival aerie in order to help secure a way back home. Things are more dangerous than ever, however, as Becket’s future fiancé is already suspicious of his uncle Theo and if anyone finds out where they’re really from, neither Becket or his uncle will be making it home at all. Surprised by the instant attraction, Becket is wary but not unwelcoming of his new beau and the feeling is mutual. Though the men man be from different places, their connection can’t be denied and when startling news about Becket’s uncle is brought forth, Becket will need to rely on that connection even more if he doesn’t want to end up as a political pawn or worse, a prisoner.
This was every bit as satisfying as the previous book; Becket is slowly learning more about the world he now finds himself in and while floundering, he is at least willing to try. Kellen finds that Becket is everything he ever wanted in a mate even though he didn’t know it; he embraces that which makes him different and makes plans upon plans to keep his new lover safe. I liked the two men together; they each managed to teach the other something unexpected and while slow, the trust is steadily growing between them. The end of the story was totally unexpected yet makes for a great lead in to the next book, whenever that gets released. All in all this was really enjoyable and just made me want to read more; I’m looking forward to getting that chance! I rated this as a 4.3* but rounded up to work with our rating system.
Continuing directly from the previous book, Becket is now preparing to go through an engagement to a man from a rival aerie in order to help secure a way back home. Things are more dangerous than ever, however, as Becket’s future fiancé is already suspicious of his uncle Theo and if anyone finds out where they’re really from, neither Becket or his uncle will be making it home at all. Surprised by the instant attraction, Becket is wary but not unwelcoming of his new beau and the feeling is mutual. Though the men man be from different places, their connection can’t be denied and when startling news about Becket’s uncle is brought forth, Becket will need to rely on that connection even more if he doesn’t want to end up as a political pawn or worse, a prisoner.
This was every bit as satisfying as the previous book; Becket is slowly learning more about the world he now finds himself in and while floundering, he is at least willing to try. Kellen finds that Becket is everything he ever wanted in a mate even though he didn’t know it; he embraces that which makes him different and makes plans upon plans to keep his new lover safe. I liked the two men together; they each managed to teach the other something unexpected and while slow, the trust is steadily growing between them. The end of the story was totally unexpected yet makes for a great lead in to the next book, whenever that gets released. All in all this was really enjoyable and just made me want to read more; I’m looking forward to getting that chance! I rated this as a 4.3* but rounded up to work with our rating system.
September 18, 2016
Oooh, Yes! Exactly what I'd hoped for, and even better!
This time round we get Kellan's POV, and let me tell you - he's not stupid. He knows that something's not right,
The most amazing change is in Becket though,
The world is simply put terrifiying but also aweinspiring. Through Kellan, along Becket, we learn so much about this strange world. Not all questions from part one are answered, in fact we get so many new ones, I can't help but bite my nails in excitement on what is yet to come. I have faith, but the ancipitation is killing me. I want to read part three now! Or at the very least, tomorrow? Pretty please?
Needless to say that this installment rocked!
This time round we get Kellan's POV, and let me tell you - he's not stupid. He knows that something's not right,
The most amazing change is in Becket though,
The world is simply put terrifiying but also aweinspiring. Through Kellan, along Becket, we learn so much about this strange world. Not all questions from part one are answered, in fact we get so many new ones, I can't help but bite my nails in excitement on what is yet to come. I have faith, but the ancipitation is killing me. I want to read part three now! Or at the very least, tomorrow? Pretty please?
Needless to say that this installment rocked!
September 23, 2016
4.5 stars
It is highly unusual that a sequel is better than book one, but that is the case with Gregg's New Beginnings. The fantasy world building in this novella is top-notch and the chemistry between the two protagonists is finally consummated after their arranged marriage happens. I'm normally not a fantasy genre reader, but I am really enjoying this original M/M series that is outside my usual paranormal loving zone.
It is highly unusual that a sequel is better than book one, but that is the case with Gregg's New Beginnings. The fantasy world building in this novella is top-notch and the chemistry between the two protagonists is finally consummated after their arranged marriage happens. I'm normally not a fantasy genre reader, but I am really enjoying this original M/M series that is outside my usual paranormal loving zone.
September 21, 2016
4 stars. They are married, but I'm afraid that those lies will break Kellan's heart eventually...
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April 26, 2019Nicht so gut wie ihre Werwolf Titel, aber nicht schlecht
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews