Welcome to my stop on the Mine to Spell blog tour!
Today I am excited to share my review, an excerpt from the book, and a giveaway with you all!
Mine to Spell (Mine #2)
by: Janeal Falor
Publication Date: May 5, 2014
Publisher: Chardonian Press
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 291 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N | Smashwords
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Cynthia has always hidden from her father’s hexes behind her older sister. When her family gains independence unheard of for women, she’s relieved that her days of harsh punishments are over. But as her seventeenth birthday approaches—the typical age to be sold to a new master—death threats endanger her sisters. She now faces two options: run or meet society’s expectations.
For once, Cynthia isn’t going to let her older sister shield her from the problem. She’s going to prove to herself, her sisters, and society that her family isn’t a threat to their traditions. She willingly chooses to be purchased by a new master. A bold step that takes her somewhere she never thought she would go and to a man she might possibly fall in love with. With his help, she may just find a way to save her sisters while discovering how to stand up for herself. If she lives long enough.
For once, Cynthia isn’t going to let her older sister shield her from the problem. She’s going to prove to herself, her sisters, and society that her family isn’t a threat to their traditions. She willingly chooses to be purchased by a new master. A bold step that takes her somewhere she never thought she would go and to a man she might possibly fall in love with. With his help, she may just find a way to save her sisters while discovering how to stand up for herself. If she lives long enough.
Janeal Falor has done it again guys! I absolutely loved this second book in the Mine series! Falor has created such an incredible, yet oppressive society of warlocks, magic, and women who must marry and serve a Master. The previous book really sets the stage for change in Chardonia and this book continues to break all the rules of society. While the first book followed Serena, the eldest sister of the warlock Stephen's family, this book follows her sister Cynthia, who has just reached the age to be married and sold to another master.
I do not want to spoil the previous book for those who have not read it, but Serena has really shaken up society's rules and expectations of women and now serves as the family's Master. She is not bound to any warlock, but has found her former Master to be Zade, a trust-worthy, loving companion who truly cares for her and her family's safety. With such a huge change always comes repercussions. Cynthia steps up to try and appease society's dismay of what her sister has done and show that Serena is as capable of being the head of the family as any other man. However, in doing so, Cynthia is willingly giving up her freedom, not truly understanding just what she's getting herself into. Even more than that though- Cynthia harbors a great secret- one that is unheard of and could potentially get her killed.
I really enjoyed the storyline for this one. I loved where Falor took it and how she showed that even though women may be oppressed in society, they are strong and determined and ready to fight back. Cynthia was a wonderful character to follow and she will do anything to keep her family safe from harm. We get to see plenty of Serena and Zade, which I loved, and while Zade was very stoic in the first book, we really get to see the depth of his feelings for Serena and the lengths he would go to protect her and her family. Waverly, Zade's sister, is also present and is a good friend and mentor to Cynthia.
However, the mentor really worth mentioning (because he stole my heart right away) is Lukas. Lukas hails from Chryos, and is in Chardonia for the tournament. He is a good, brave man and as a friend of Zade's he has been tasked to protect Cynthia, as she really stirs the pot and has a lot of angry warlocks after her. I am really glad Falor upped the romance in this novel. Watching Cynthia struggle to work out her feelings for him is quite wonderful.
I felt this book was very action packed and we get quite the surprise at the end, which left me with a heavy sense of dread in my heart. I am very nervous about the next installment and what it will mean for Cynthia, Serena, and their family.
If you are looking for a good fantasy series- this is the one to pick up!
The man who steps in is younger than I expect—mid-twenties perhaps—dark, thick hair, long nose, and a blank expression.
Serena recovers before I can decide what to feel about this first impression. “I’m Serena. Please have a seat.”
Without a word, he sits at the desk. A bit presumptuous, yet I suppose even if Serena has the status of a warlock, it would be hard to change a lifetime of habits. He still hasn’t looked my way. Not that I want him to, but does he even know I’m in the room? Does he care where his soon-to-be property is? What I look like? Who I am? Thomas didn’t want to see Serena before he signed the contract. Perhaps most warlocks are this way.
Yet the thought that I made the wrong choice nags at me.
“May I introduce you to Cynthia?” Serena must be wondering the same thing.
“No need. Just show me the paperwork.”
I press my lips together and try not to let his words upset me. What did I expect from a man who barely filled out his paperwork and offered an obscene amount of money? His bid for me was one of the highest: that must have been all he had to offer.
Perhaps it’s a good sign. If his conversations are always so short, I won’t be lectured as much. Father always did talk too much. Maybe I’ll be able to find a sort of freedom, not the type I have with Serena, but something in my own way.
Serena recovers before I can decide what to feel about this first impression. “I’m Serena. Please have a seat.”
Without a word, he sits at the desk. A bit presumptuous, yet I suppose even if Serena has the status of a warlock, it would be hard to change a lifetime of habits. He still hasn’t looked my way. Not that I want him to, but does he even know I’m in the room? Does he care where his soon-to-be property is? What I look like? Who I am? Thomas didn’t want to see Serena before he signed the contract. Perhaps most warlocks are this way.
Yet the thought that I made the wrong choice nags at me.
“May I introduce you to Cynthia?” Serena must be wondering the same thing.
“No need. Just show me the paperwork.”
I press my lips together and try not to let his words upset me. What did I expect from a man who barely filled out his paperwork and offered an obscene amount of money? His bid for me was one of the highest: that must have been all he had to offer.
Perhaps it’s a good sign. If his conversations are always so short, I won’t be lectured as much. Father always did talk too much. Maybe I’ll be able to find a sort of freedom, not the type I have with Serena, but something in my own way.
Amazon best-selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family, fencing, or drinking hot chocolate.
**May 5- May 10th YOU ARE MINE will be on sale for $.99 and MINE TO TARNISH will be FREE!**
Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.
Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.
Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.
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Katherine’s place is the same as any woman’s—on the shelf next to the dresses and bolts of cloth. When she’s sold to a warlock, life grows even bleaker. Her new owner is as old and rancid as he is cruel, driving her to do the unthinkable: run.
Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is death.
Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is death.
