Lynchpin

The Rylee Adamson Epilogues #4

by Shannon Mayer

My name is Alex, and I am a werewolf.

As a boy, I was trapped halfway between human and wolf. Rylee rescued me and I became the first outcast to join her pack.

In the Battle Against Orion, I sacrificed my life for hers and became the pillar which holds the Veil separating the human world and the supernatural world, closed. I kept the demons from spilling into the human world and left Rylee and our pack behind to live on.

But something is calling me back to the land of the living and the journey to get there terrifies me. I must pass through the darkest levels of the Veil to prove my worth, and will come face to face with my past and all of those I've lost along the way. My deepest fear is that I'm not strong enough and I will prove unworthy.

If I don't at least try though, I'll remain forever with the dead and separated from my pack.

Eternity is a long time, but this decision and journey may very well tear me apart before I reach either destination. May the gods have mercy on my soul.


Be sure to grab the first three epilogues all of which are FULL LENGTH NOVELS

RYLEE (Rylee Adamson Epilogues, #1)
LIAM (Rylee Adamson Epilogues, #2)
PAMELA (Rylee Adamson Epilogues, #3)

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires, Witches, Supernatural

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2017

About the author

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I was born into a family of Star Wars nuts. I have a lot of siblings (somewhere I lost count but I think there was more than could be numbered on one hand) and being one of the young padawans I was subjected to Star Wars marathons, on a regular basis. If you've read any of my books you'll see there is often a reference to said movies as a small homage to my upbringing. May the force be with you and all that jazz.

I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)

Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.

I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)

As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.

Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.

Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.

Reviews

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE RYLEE ADAMS series has been an absolute favourite of mine from start to finish, so much so I instantly started reading the Epilogues.

I adore all of the characters, they are ingrained on my book heart, I have laughed, cried and lost sleep with each and every one of them... We all have a favourite in most books and for me Alex was the one that stole my heart!

So, reading the Epilogue books had me excited as hell! Without giving anything away, I was absolutely craving this last book and readers of this series will undoubtedly know why...

So this book on Alex unexpectedly disappointed me, and believe me I'm more disappointed in being disappointed than I've ever been in my life 🙄! It wasn't so much of an epilogue, it seemed more of the 'inbetween' book getting us ready for another storyline and on reading the Author Note, it was just that!

I feel this book dragged for me and admittedly, if it had been any other character I would have skipped it but I still love Alex!

There has to be a couple of disappointments here and there in series and this storyline was mine...

Shannon Mayer is an amazing author, definitely one of my all time favourites and I'm definitely not finished with the spin-offs for this series ❤

[Carmel (Rabid Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.

*** CONTAINS SPOILERS ***

If you're going to bring a character back from the dead, this is how you do it! I approached LYNCHPIN with a certain amount of trepidation because this isn't the first time that Shannon Mayer has played God (different series), and the previous occurrence didn't exactly sit well with me. But, there's no loop hole here, Alex must claw his way through the seven layers of the Veil to rejoin the living, and it was one hell of a climb.

This book takes place six months after BLOOD OF THE LOST, so I really can't stress enough that you need to read the ten RYLEE ADAMSON novels and three epilogues before attempting this volume. This installment was an eye opener in a lot of ways which was great. We discover how Alex & Rylee met, get the 411 on his family, and learn about the anatomy of the Veil. All things that I've been pondering for far too long, so it was a relief to finally get answers.

The seven layers are as follows: 7. Demons 6. Heroes 5. Prison 4. Library 3. Ghosts 2. Past / Present / Future 1. Castle. Naming them off isn't overly spoiler-y, but will give you a general idea of the obstacles that the protagonist will face. The blurb also does a fair job of surmising the story, so put those two together, and you should be able to get a clear picture of what's in store.

Here's the rub, I found that a lot of the secondary impediments were too easily overcome. Alex's twisted state? Magicked away. His father's past transgressions? Forgiven. Luca's stubborn opposition? Frenemy. Given the magnitude of the task at hand I felt like these tangents were overkill. It's as though the author wanted everything to work out perfectly for the hero, but didn't want the book to be too long, so cue cop-outs.

LYNCHPIN marks the end of the RYLEE ADAMSON EPILOGUES, however the real conclusion is still to come. ~ 3.5 Stars

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Alex throughout the Rylee books and his sacrifice during the battle with Orion was heartbreaking. However, through the entire Rylee Adamson series, he was Rylee’s sidekick, her comic relief, her faithful and lovable companion. He was also that character who you couldn’t help but love but he always felt like a secondary character to me never a main character. I am obviously wrong on that, but it’s how I feel. Much like R2D2, Star Wars wouldn’t be the same without him. Would I want to watch an entire movie about him, not so much. Alex getting his own book, not just a novella, left me a bit disappointed. I wanted the kickass chicks, Liam, something. Don’t get me wrong the story was loaded with action like all of Shannon’s stories. It just didn’t have a character who I was expecting. Or maybe in my mind I already mourned Alex and it is hard for me to wrap it around the “new” Alex. IDK.

I felt the desperation to get home and the struggle Alex was going through with questioning if he was doing the right thing. Lynchpin is the perfect tie-in to the final Elemental book Destroyer and explains a lot of what is going on, or at least I think it does. Once again these two series are so closely tied you almost have to read them together. I would love Shannon to come out with a timeline of the two series reading order.

Overall Lynchpin is getting Three Boundless Stars, it was fast paced action packed read that leaves things open for future stories that I can’t wait to read.

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[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really not Epilogue 's

Basically Pamela rises Alex back up and the whole book is him traveling through the veils. He sees Riley and Liam than takes off for his own journey the end. We don't see the journey nothing to me that isn't closure.

[Sara]

3 Boundless Stars, review to follow on Boundless Book Reviews

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

JFC how many of these books do I have to wade through to get a happy ending? I feel like each one of these epilogues was just a cliff hanger for the next one, and now there is no next one, but we still end on a cliffhanger? Why couldn't she have Alex and Pamela's story resolved at least? I feel like I spent 177 pages on a really tiresome journey through hell with no payoff. And Alex won't get back to Pamela until some new series starts. So what happens in Destroyer? More apocalyptic stuff, apparently. I hate apocalypses and post-apocalypses, and dystopias. Seriously disappointed in the direction these stories have been going lately.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite characters in the "Rylee Adamson" series is Alex... In the finale of that series, my heart broke for Alex and his sacrifice made for his pack... He is a character built on loyalty, compassion, genuine love, and a sweet level of naivety that endears him to the readers... In this epilogue, we see a different side to Alex as he battles his way back to his "family" and ultimately transforms into his true self... We see the alpha side of Alex emerge as he learns to trust his instincts and follow his heart leading him in the direction he views as ultimately right... This epilogue is jam packed with adventure, danger, and even a dash of potential romance... It also opens the doors for future series as a spinoff from the "Rylee Adamson" series, and I know I will be devouring Pamela and Alex's story as it unfolds... a strong and satisfying ending to this captivating character's story... 4.5 "Yuppy Doody" Stars:)

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading the other books in the Rylee Adamson Epilogues, but LYNCHPIN just didn't fully do it for me. Don't get me wrong I REALLY love Alex and I was REALLY sad when he died, but I have a HUGE issue with people coming back from the dead. Especially when that person died in such a way that Alex did, saving the world and all.

The only thing that made Alex coming back from the dead a little easier to stomach was that Alex had to work really hard to get out of veil. He had a lot of obstacles that he had to overcome and a lot of levels to fight through. Having said that, there were still a lot of issues for me. The dialogue and situations in LYNCHPIN felt artificial and too easy which made it really hard for me to connect with the story.

One of the great things about LYNCHPIN is that we get a lot of answers to some questions we have had since close to the beginning the storyline in the Rylee series. LYNCHPIN also sets up some things for the showdown that happens in the 7th installment of the Elemental series, DESTROYER.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Mella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Rylee Adamson series so I was very excited to see more of the gang. I adored these books but I will say that this series has become draining in some ways. Not because it's not great, it is, - but because there's a bloody lot happening and a lot to keep straight. And frankly, I don't think you can read these books without having read the Rylee Adamson series and the Elementals. There's too much crossover to avoid it and a lot you'll be confused about without it.

Obviously the fallout from the Blood of the Lost has left the gang changed and the epilogues follow each of the four characters as they adapt to the change that has been wrought and their own insecurities. But it also builds up to the next chapter in the world and the final book in the Elemental series, Destroyer.

I LOVE Alex. So of course, I LOVED this novel. A whole book from Alex's view? Who could ask for more? Like the other epilogues, there are a few features of old characters but mostly it's Alex and new people he meets. In this one, Alex is on a time crunch to get through the levels of the Veil before the opening closes. Each level has a different test of character for Alex to undergo. We also get to see a little more of Alex's past life as a human and his family. Like the Alex novella, this was fantastic. Although it does mostly leave things wrapped up it also kind of doesn't and as such it's necessary to read the final book in the Elemental series, Destroyer.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex is one of my favorite characters, so i was looking forward to this one. The rise through the veil was interesting when it dealt with his meeting his dad and learning different aspects of his parents. I liked the dichotomy of his vs levi's dad. At a glance they seem the same, but Alex's father was trying to help his children in the weird way he could. Where levi's was definitely exploiting and abusing his. I thought the expanding on the lore and learning about the veil was interesting.

-begins rant-
What i didn't like was that there was a lot of filler of just him hemming and hawing over whether or not he should leave the veil. Lots about the end of the world... again. It points out how lame it is that it's only 6 months after everyone died for the last end of the world party. That doesn't make it less lame that the characters and the author acknowledge that it feels pretty dumb in the book. Then worst of all it ends very abruptly with no wrapping anything up and leaving more open questions than the end of the series that the epilogues were supposed to be wrapping up in the first place. Just a note that hey gonna be another series, he's not gonna be the main but hey he'll be in it so see ya later. It was very disappointing way to end his epilogue and the Ryley stories in general. I guess i now need to read the elemental series to see how Lark is going to save the world.... again.... probably sacrifice herself... just like Ryley..
-End rant-

[keikii Eats Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!

If you haven't read Rylee Adamson by Shannon Mayer first, you'll get absolutely nothing out of reading this epilogue. There is nothing going on in this that would appeal to anyone who hasn't read the main series.

If you're caught up to date or reading in order, go ahead and read this. If not, skip it.

Lynchpin:
37 points/100 (2 stars/5)
Warning: Cliffhanger (status: How the fuck is there a goddamn cliffhanger on the last book in a sequel batch of epilogues? How? Tell me!)

So in the last book, Pamela was talking about resurrecting Frank. Surprise, it was about Alex instead! This entire damn thing was about Alex finding his way out of being dead. That was it. He gets out of death, and end story. It takes the entire book.

What?

That's right, Lynchpin isn't the end of the story. It is basically an advertisement for the final book of the Elemental. Unfortunate.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex is one of my favorite characters but I think it has been because of his love of his pack members and there is very little interaction with them in this book. This chapter of his life deals with how he escapes from the Veil by traversing the various levels and surmounting the obstacles in front of him. Luca, one of the werewolves he had recruited for the final battle, chases him down in an attempt to return him as lynchpin. Alex encounters both his father and mother at different veil levels which helps him to accept their deaths. He is both helped and hindered by various entities along the way. He spends hardly any time with Rylee and Liam but takes off to seek out Pamela and Lark and aid them in their mission to save the world.

Does the katana that Pamela had been holding onto so he could escape remain stuck in the ground? He sees that she has been dragged away from it before escaping the veil but no mention is made of its whereabouts once he is back on earth. Did she and Lark take it or is it left for Rylee? What about Raven? Lots of unanswered questions.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaking LOVED this book!

This series has quickly become one of my absolute favorites. The elemental series, the stories of Rylee, Pam, Liam and Alex, every single one is written so well. This series draws you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, feeling for them, relating to them easily, and wanting more when you finish each book. I can't say enough about how much I loved reading this series and cannot wait for the next books to come out about Ajax and Pam. I am grateful Shannon will continue to expand on the characters and the story, because I just don't want the series to end! I highly recommend this to anyone, special if you have a love of the world of magic and an open mind! Read the series and all of the epilogues, you will not be disappointed!!!!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this, but not as much as a couple of the other epilogues. I love Alex (he’s one of my favorite characters from the series), but I kind of miss the old Alex. It’s probably just going to take time for me to get used to this version of him. I was so glad to see his familiar face, though! Lots of action, but I wish the ending hadn’t left everything up in the air still. It’s weird to have a mostly-happy ending with an actual conclusion at the end of the original series, but then have a huge cliffhanger at the end of the epilogues. Sure I’ll read the next spinoff with these characters in them, but I hate feeling as if I have to read it in order to get a true conclusion. The book would be a solid 4 stars if not for that.

[greeneyes9999 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yuppy Doodle, he’s back.

Rereading the whole series, then rereading the epilogues has been awesome to pick up the bits I missed before. Now to figure out where Ajax story is....worse thing is once you start you just can’t stop and you get drawn back in to this awesomeness. Besides that’s what take out is for. You can read till you fall asleep and pick back up the minute your eyes open. Real life is on hold till I complete my incredible return down memory lane once again. Thank you for such dynamic characters that have shown it doesn’t matter what you look like, it’s your heart and love that make you a pack aka family. I hope you come back as often as I do with rereading such amazing characters that you just can’t let go!

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynchpin by Shannon Mayer comes from a epilogue series after the Rylee Adamson series and is the 4th installment. This also gives us a unique perspective from Rylee's first "pack member" Alex. If you have read Rylee Adamson main series you will know that Alex is a unique being stuck between werewolf and human form. To tell you his journey from this point would be spoiling the main series and this book. This book tells us Alex's personal journal through the veil and the reasoning he is called the lynchpin. Some folks were disappointed in this book, but I think it gives depth to not only Alex but the whole story as in the main picture. When you combine Rylee and Larkspur and even Pamela's stories in their own series.

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers

Well, it started off very good. I loved how Pamela's story continued at the beginning of this book, when she trusted herself and Raven enough to bust Alex out of the 6th level of the Veil. Even at the risk of setting the demons free. The bulk of the book was about Alex and the trials he had to go through to get out of the veil. It was non-stop action, suspenseful, and kept me reading quickly to get Alex through it as fast as possible. But I disliked the ending. It was flat, unemotional, and left lots of unanswered questions and open issues. It was also very unclear as to which is the next book to read to pick up the story. In a note from the author she mentions a book that was supposed to be out in 2017, but I don't know which book she is referring to. Maybe book 7, the last book in the Elementals series? I came away disappointed.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It comes to an end....

The Rylee Adamson Epilogue series comes to an end and I have still have a ton of questions. Now, I can't wait for Destroyer to come out along with the other series you've talked about. I'm happy to know it is not a totally end to characters I've come to love. In this book Alex is so changed it was hard to let the old goofy Alex go, but I'm happy for him even as I cry. So far, every book written by Ms. Mayer is worth every penny. I have not been disappointed once. Definitely pick up one of her books and start reading today. Now I just have to be patient until Destroyer comes out. I've missed Lark.

[Jeff Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Amazing

I rarely venture out of my normal group of authors and/or genre of books that have a foundation in some form of fantasy, whether it is fundamental or traditional fantasy, modern urban fantasy or somewhere in between the two. I can honestly say I would easily put Shannon Mayer in the same league as Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind or Raymond Feist. No matter how you look at it again is in good company. The only thing I can add to this is to say I wish I wasn't finished with the stories yet. That's the mark of an excellent writer, when you never want to reach the end.

[Tracy Books_Beers_Brews · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Urban Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Vampires, Magic, Witches, Shifters, Extended Epilogue
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 🌶️ 
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 💜💜💜💜 
𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁: 💧
𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️
𝗣𝗢𝗩: FMC
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁: Ebook

We are back with Rylee and the gang, for a set of extended epilogues. Each one will focus in on one of the main characters from the main series to see how they are doing post battle.

We now get the story of the Lynchpin and his escape from beyond the veil. This sends him on an epic journey to move through the leveled of the veil that will bring about so much information and continue to set up the events of Destroyer.

[Rose Mclaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Done

Read all her books the epilogue series with Kindle unlimited, and the last book we have to buy????? Tired of being screwed over by authors who make it too paperback and screw over the readers who helped them get there with our great reviews of there books!!!!! If it wasn't for us ,and paying for my kindle unlimited how far would she get in being published? I think Amazon needs to figure out a way that when a author makes it to paperback we digital readers don't get left out!!!!!!

Rosemary McLaughlin

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember Alex gave his life to close the seventh veil so the demons could not get through. Well in this book you will read of his path through the different levels of the veil because Pamela is calling him back to take part in saving the world and mankind.
During Alex’s travels through the different levels of the veils he will run into both parents and make new friends. He will have people who will help him and he will be tested but you will be meeting a brand new whole Alex!
Read and enjoy this awesome book which I highly recommend!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining read.

I read the Rylee Adamson series in a week, i barely slept, i barely ate, I was caught up in the action. I danced for joy at seeing the epilogue books and loved every one but Lynchpin was my favourite. Alex coming back was the best thing that could have happened and catching a glimpse of other heroes was awesome. It was an action packed read, that made me laugh, cry at times and had my heart beating a fast tattoo throughout. Bravo Shannon Mayer, she never disappoints.

[Irene Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

This is a fantastic final book in the Epilogues series Alex is called back to the world by Pamela he has to travel through all the veils and pass so many tests on the way he is a necessary part of the plan to save the world along side his love Pamela and Lark and the rest of his family. He passes all the tests with flying colours and becomes a fearless Alpha on the way. This is an exceptional piece of writing that leaves you desperate for more unfortunately we are left without an ending and can only hope there is more to come.

[C. Erani Kole · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright now

I adore Alex. But if I’d known this book was going to be about him getting back to the living, I would’ve prepared myself. I thought I’d see a reunion or something.

Most of the people were from the short stories and I never read them so I had a hard time caring. The Veil idea is cool but this was a reminder that the characters were calmed down (I just can’t believe she’d chill out in six months) but I did like the author’s note about it being the new generations’ turn.

[Noxwitchbooklife · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get a book all about Alex! I recommend reading all the Rylee Adamson series and the Elemental series before it to really understand where this book is set and how it happened in the first place.
I absolutely adore these series and this was a great growing of character story for Alex. I was somewhat tearful admittedly at a grand reunion in it though we won't get to find out what comes of it till the next book! I shall have to wait eagerly in suspense!

[Chris Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novel, The Journey Continues!!!!!!

I LOVED this latest addition to Rylee's series and we finally get to understand more about the Veil and what the levels are. I don't want to give away the story, but I strongly encourage you to take the time and read the entire series. It is a fast, page turning novel that has many unexpected twists and turns. Another brilliant piece of work from Shannon Mayer, yuppy doody!!!!!!!!! ;)

[Tina Bartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I love this book? Yuppy doody! This book starts where Pamela ended. Will Alex answer Pamela's call to return to the living? Will he be emotionally, mentally and physically strong enough to break through all the layers of the veil?
What will he learn on his journey about himself, his parents and the (possible) future? I urge fans of the Rylee Adamson series and epilogue, especially Alex fans, to read this book to discover the answers. Death has changed Alex in many ways, but not his heart.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My All-Time Favorite Author: Shannon Mayer

The Rylee Adamson Series and Epilogue stories are among the most exciting, stimulating, spellbinding, and unforgettable series of books I have ever read!!!! The characters are beyond memorable!! Their adventures are amazing!! Shannon Mayer is my favorite author, and the Rylee Adamson books are my definite favorites!!!
Linda Loves Reading

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squeee wow I so love this series ... Please don't let it end .OK my phone don't like reviews so this is short but sweet. I adore Alex he kinda made the books great for me you know everyone needs that one friend that they can count on no matter what and that one was Alex he was everything comic relief ,friend, warrior shoulder to lean on everything yes he was the HEART and he will always be that for me and maybe for a lot of us who read and love this series .