Fallen Embers

by Lauri J Owen

Overview

Was it the unnatural flame that transported Kiera and her nephew to an alternate feudal Alaska one snowy afternoon, or did the strange dog's attack have something to do with it? All she knows is that now she and Alex are in an icy land ruled by a class of decadent mages who have enslaved the shapechanging, indigenous peoples.

Kiera soon finds herself fighting to save three children from an army—and does so by summoning fire.

Before she can find her way home she must learn more about the local systems of magic and her own powers. On whose side should she fight? Whom can she trust—Marco, the young mage she saves, or fierce and handsome Laszlo, the slave captain of ruling Lord Vayu's army?

Kiera's path leads her deeper into Alaska, to joy and to heartbreak. Choosing to follow her heart may cost her everything.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940150510029
Publisher:	Pearlsong Press
Publication date:	09/01/2010
Series:	The Embers Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	412 KB

About the Author

Lauri J Owen is a civil rights lawyer who grew up in Idaho's Treasure Valley. She started reading fantasy novels in the third grade, and other than taking time out to sleep, never really stopped. The oldest child of a homemaker and police officer, Lauri worked for more than a decade in law enforcement. But Lauri's not-so-secret passion is social justice, and so in 2002 she decided to become a lawyer.

After completing U.C. Berkeley's law school Lauri moved to the Alaska Bush, where she fell in love with the magic and majesty that exemplifies that state. After living in Alaska for several years she relocated to Arizona, where she currently lives with her son and her many rescued cat companions.

Lauri donates the royalties from sales of Fallen Embers & its sequel, Blowing Embers, to no-kill animal shelters.

Editorial Reviews

The undeniable skill, charm, and sass of Owen's writing has a power rarely encountered. To trudge through the dangers of an unknown Alaska at the side of a thoughtful, compassionate, and stubborn heroine like Kiera reminds us of the issues we face in our own present and shows us how we can navigate them with wit, loyalty and courage.

FatGrrl.com - FatGrrl .com

With wit and passion, Lauri Owen constructs a world both fantastic and familiar—a world of strong women and the occasional valiant and ethical man in a world of patriarchal poseurs and obedient drones. Like Dorothy in Oz, Kiera struggles heroically to be taken seriously by men—and to finally get home; unlike Dorothy, though, her adventures are morally complex,
cleverly witty, and deliciously sexy.

pre-publication review - Michael Kimmel

...a flawed but agreeable fish-out-of-water romantic fantasy....Kiera is romanced by shape-shifter Captain Laszlo; he's the first of many men who admire Kiera's plus-size body, which she learns is considered the pinnacle of beauty in this new world....Owen's heroine is strong and self-sufficient, but feels too perfect to fail...the overall result is a pleasant summer read.

Publishers Weekly

Flawlessly written and deeply compelling. Owen takes you on a journey through the wilds of an alternate Alaska full of strange, new magic. Snared in the complex politics that suppress the weak and betrayed by the love she finds, Kiera must battle against more than a corrupted nobility in her search for justice and the way back home. We are drawn with her relentlessly as she follows her heart regardless of the price, to emerge from this dark and enthralling fantasy with hope for the future.

pre-publication review - Pippa Jay

Yesterday, I sat down to read a book. I expected to love it. I didn't expect to want to wrap myself up inside of it and never leave again....Kiera is an extraordinary heroine who manages to be tough and funny without falling into the trap of being so snarky the reader can't relate to her. The men in this book take the term Alpha male and throw it away to create their own definition of sexy.

pre-publication review - Rebecca Royce