Alayne's pulse thudded loudly in her ears, but the lump in her throat was too large for her to make a sound. She nodded as the tears spilled over once again.
Daymon slid the ring onto her finger. It was a little too large—she would have to find an Earth-Mover to tighten the metal—but thankfulness exploded inside of her as she remembered once again that she was free of the Vale ... forever!
No longer did she and Daymon bear the responsibility for the Vale. They shared genuine, heart-pounding, breath-stopping passion, a steady, all-encompassing love that did not come from the Vale.
This was what it was like to have the freedom to choose without respect to the Vale that had so long affected her feelings and emotions.
“I—uh—thanks, Layne. It—well, I wasn't sure if—the timing was—I mean—” Daymon's face reddened again. “If you think that you'll be—happy—”
Alayne slid her arms around Daymon's neck, toying with his hair. “Hey, I have an idea.”
He stuttered to a stop, lifting his eyebrows in surprise. “What's that?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He gladly complied.
A Message from the Author
Thank you for reading
What did you think of Guardian of the Vale?
I would so appreciate it if you would leave a review for this book at Amazon or Goodreads. Word-of-mouth is still the best way for indie authors to gain readers, and the online version of word-of-mouth is reviews.
Thanks so much!
Acknowledgments
I've never thought it fair to put only one name on the cover of a book. Tamara Shoemaker wasn't the only writer of Guardian of the Vale.
If the Shenandoah Valley Writers had not critiqued this book, Tamara's story would have fallen flat and stale, so Margaret Locke, Annika Keswick, Christy Gill, Regina Rushing, Deborah Foy, Rebekah Postupak, Allison Garcia, and others should also appear on the cover.
If beta readers had not taken valuable time from their schedules to read the story in its entirety and give detailed feedback, Tamara's book would have deflated like a balloon with a slow leak, so Taryn Noelle Kloeden, Christy Gill, Laurel Lewman, and Charlene Duncan can also be added.
If Tamara had tossed the book onto the market without the stunning expertise and encouragement of her editor, her story would have been full of holes and categorically fantasy literature-trash. Emily June Street has earned big, bold fonts on the cover.
If Tamara's husband and family had not lent their consistent support, she would have given up before many days had passed, so Tim, Jordyn, Joel, and Elena Shoemaker must be crowded onto the already full cover.
If Tamara woke up or went to sleep without once thanking the One who gives her air to breathe, family to love, and stories to write, she would be less than nothing. All my gratitude and love, always, forever.
About the Author
Tamara Shoemaker lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three children, a few jars of Nutella, and a never-empty carafe of coffee. She authored the best-selling Shadows in the Nursery Christian mystery series and Soul Survivor, another Christian mystery. Her fantasy books include the first two books of the Heart of the Dragon trilogy: Kindle the Flame and Embrace the Fire, as well as the Guardian of the Vale trilogy.
@TamaraShoemaker
tshoebooks
www.tamarashoemaker.org
Also by Tamara Shoemaker
Guardian of the Vale Series:
Mark of Four
In a post-apocalyptic world where Elemental abilities can save or squander all human life, a teenage girl with unique skills seeks to protect her family, her friends, and the source of elemental power from an escaped criminal and his followers.
Shadows of Uprising
Alayne Worth possesses the Vale, an object of mysterious power coveted by other Elementals. Danger shadows her every step when this secret spreads. As she grieves the sudden death of her boyfriend at the hands of the notorious Shadow-Caster, Simeon Malachi, Alayne unravels the mysteries of the Vale and her past.
Heart of a Dragon Series:
Kindle the Flame
Three young people are tangled in a web of political intrigue and corruption: Kinna, a teenage girl, struggles to find her place in a Clan that doesn't want her; Ayden, a lonely man, faces a bitter, loveless life enforced by a dark curse; and Cedric, an innocent youth, seeks answers about his mysterious past. Sebastian, their conniving king, manipulates their destinies with wicked intent. Will the three survive Sebastian's plots when their fiery heritage is revealed?
Embrace the Fire
The battle for the thrones of West Ashwynd and Lismaria intensifies as usurping King Sebastian faces off with a foe from his past. Meanwhile, the true heirs to the throne are trapped inside impossible circumstances: an unwanted betrothal and a desperate captivity. Only Ayden, an erstwhile Dragon trainer, can help them, but a old curse reignites and waylays him. As war looms on the horizon and the lives of creatures and commoners grow ever cheaper, rebellion rises in the hearts of the rightful heirs to the blood of the Dragons.
Shadows in the Nursery Series:
Broken Crowns
Pretty Little Maids
Ashes, Ashes
Soul Survivor
Guardian of the Vale
Copyright © 2016 Tamara Shoemaker
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.
This is a work of fiction.
Cover design, book design, glyph illustration, and production by Emily June Street at Luminous Creatures Press.
For more information contact:
[email protected]
Cover image credits:
Romantic Woman © George Mayer
Silhouette Pagoda © ImpakPro
Handsome rebel © romance photos
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