Once, the people of the goddess lived in quiet harmony with magic throughout the continent. Then invaders crossed the mountains and seas to lay claim to their lands. A few archaic ruins are all that remains of their once thriving culture.But the Order of the Temple of the Moon Goddess has kept a precious secret hidden for millennia… An assassin’s knife changes everything. Mother Orra is dead. … changes everything.
Mother Orra is dead.
And, instead of the expected successor, her magic has chosen Yve to take her place. A novitiate still struggling to find her way within the Order, Yve is completely unprepared to assume the mantle of High Priestess.
Nor is she ready to deal with Maddyn. One of the infamous shapeshifting Hounds of Alwyn, Mad is on a quest to avenge his murdered parents. And his search leads him to the very secrets Yve has vowed to protect. His unsettling presence is the last thing she needs in her upended world.
With the assassin once again closing in, Yve has no idea who to trust. But Mad is always there with a shoulder to lean on.
And asking questions about things she can never reveal.
When the moment of truth arrives, will love be Yve’s destiny? Or her downfall?
Looking for a slow burn, sweet fantasy romance with strong women, magic,and adventure? Dive in to the Lost Shrines series today!
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THis book continues a series set in a well-realized fantasy universe that is reminiscent of ancient Eire. Each storyline follows a ‘power couple’ brought together by the Goddess to counter forces of evil let loose by blood magick. Holland has imbued each meeting tale with gripping adventure and relatable personalities who have successfully blended their special abilities with a matrix of loving humanity and greater service to their world.
Those who prefer a veil of sacred euphemism to remain between them and the physical aspects of romance will be pleased by this series, which makes it safe for young adults. Descriptions never stray beyond kissing and cuddling in this second installment, where the bonding appears accidental.
The three shape-shifting Hound brothers have divided the hunt for dark sorcery between them, with the eldest, Maddyn, assigned to the city-state of Galwei. The magical source endangered has been so well hidden by the holy order of Kelan for centuries that locating it seems the hardest problem to solve. But when he encounters a certain unconventional novice called Yve, secrets fall into view in the nick of time as the head of the Order is ambushed by a murderous blood mage.
Yve joined the Kelan Order hoping for a life more in line with heroic legend than her present contemplative existence has been until now. The other novices and courtiers react to the Hound Harbinger of Death with fear; she can’t overcome her magnetic draw to him and must resign the outcome to the will of the Goddess. It lands her in a role of influence she could barely imagine but must master swiftly, for the good of her land.
Neither of them expected this; neither of them want it to end, though they think it must. This book stands alone quite well, but you will be wanting more happy endings for our other heroes.
ONE WICKED ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!!!
Pesky pixies! Amberlyn hit the motherload with this hot little number, presenting one incredibly composed approach, spinning this enthralling storyline and gripping plot, wrapping this baby up, binding it together flawlessly. A tumultuous whirlwind of startling mishaps and unpredictable circumstances, thrusts this baby into overdrive, revving it up full throttle, propelling those churning emotions into play front and center. Rousting the drama, turmoil, intrigue, underlying threats, secrets, danger, mounting suspense and nerve racking situations along with a boatload of trouble while dodging bedlem, you have one mind-blowing masterpiece. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a raging tempest, blasting it into a tailspin with a eye-opening culmination. Braided, coiled and interwoven, displaying the explosive ups and agonizing downs, grounding in it’s strength and awe inspiring in it’s depth. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions, charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are written with such realism, impressive talent and unique insight, blasts this sparkling jewel to life, making the storyline pop. Awesome job Amberlyn, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Maddyn is powerful in this story. Yve more so. Plenty of death-defying action interspersed with emotional upheavals. The tension in this story was well within my ability to enjoy throughout. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
Book 2 of The Lost Shrines series is amazing! The storyline and characters are fantastic. Another adventure with Maddyn and Yve full of drama, suspense, magic and romance. I really enjoyed this excellent story and I highly recommend this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book two in The Lost Shrines series, this is the first book I have read in this series and I want to read the next book, I bought the first book so I can see how this series starts. This is mainly shapeshifter Maddyn and Yve a novitiate with the Order’s story, there is suspense, drama, danger, evil, villains, and romance. Once I started reading I was not putting the book down. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
By Destiny Bound is the second book in the series. The author once again brings a cast of strong characters centering on Maddyn and Yve,gives them a strong chemistry and takes them on an adventure filled with drama,danger and suspense as well as all the magic and romance. She brings the story to life with her detailed and descriptive writing. I loved and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Find the Labyrinth and keep it safe. Yve came to the order as an older novitiate and has only been there a year, so she doesn’t know a lot yet. But she is a free spirit and has a hard time conforming. When Maddyn comes to talk to Prince Daen about finding a sacred artifact or place in Prince Daen’s land that needs to be safeguarded against Hafgan, so that he can’t steal the magic, the current Kalen dies and passes her power to Yve, who is unprepared. She is young and the other women of the Order won’t follow her, but she has a mission to complete with Maddyn’s help. Find the mythical Labyrinth. And if they are successful what then? She and Maddyn have been moon bonded. But her life is with the Order and his is far away. If they don’t consummate their bond at the next full moon they can each go their separate ways. But for the next month the bond will get stronger until it will be hard to resist. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I truly enjoyed Amberlyn Holland’s Dragon Ever After books (separately reviewed), so it’s no surprise that I glommed on to By Vengeance Guided, the first book in her The Lost Shrines series. It was so good that I found myself addictively turning to By Destiny Bound (Book 2) almost immediately after finishing Book 1. It’s 6am and my husband, who just woke up, is looking at me like I’m a crazy person as he realizes I’ve been reading through the night (and then some). I don’t care though as it was worth it. Whether it’s Lia and Caer (Book 1) or Maddyn and Yve (Book 2) taking the lead, these stories with their romance, magic, shifters, thrills and adventure (and superbly determined heroines, of course) are a total pleasure ride. One that I’m happy to highly recommend.