Hey there!

Declan and Alwin's story in Book 7 of the Smoke & Mirrors Tavern series is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Check it out below.

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1V69J25/

DECLAN:

Look, I didn't come to Eastbend just to cause problems and play the bad guy — but I do it so well, why stop now? I crashed this town's little friendship circle for one selfish reason. Problem is, the payout isn't quite what I expected. How was I supposed to know my escape plan would get me sucked into the town's troubles and a mission that would bring me right back within the reach of my dear old dad?

This town's woes aren't my problem and I'm not some sentimental do-gooder who has the capacity to help other people. Save that crap for Alwin, the proper elf and upstanding citizen of Eastbend, always stepping in to help save the day. Stoic and unyielding, noble and strong, transcendently beautiful. If the man knew how to smile, he could bring the world to its knees. It's not that I'm unaffected by the piercing looks in those crystal blue eyes, but alas, he's immune to my charms — rudely going right for the truth behind my distractions instead of just taking the bait. Such a shame.

The clock is ticking, and my time in Eastbend is quickly coming to an end. No matter how much the beautiful elf tries to butt in, some things are just too big, even for him. I'm already cornered, and it's too late to change the decisions I made that led me to this point. But like a knight in a fairytale, that's Alwin's cue to come to my rescue. It can't last. It'll never be over. So why do I keep taking his hand and letting him pull me out of the dark just for a glimpse of his light, especially when I know it'll only make everything harder in the end?

It's more than obvious Eastbend wants to use me, but I can't bring myself to let Alwin face my family alone. My fate is already sealed, but people like him are meant for great things and I can't let him throw it all away. Might as well go out with a bang, right? Or maybe I'll just make things worse for all of us. Apparently, that's a little more my style.

ALWIN

My first two centuries in Faerie forged me into a model elf. An upright soldier with a noble bearing, earning much respect among my people. Then my brother came into my life. A half-human baby my mother ordered me to get rid of, and in defying her, everything changed.

More than fifty years later, Aiden has found his way and will soon have a child of his own. My brother pulled me into his life in the human world and influenced my life in Faerie in ways I would never have considered. I would do anything to protect the family he's built here in Eastbend.

So when a Prescott sorcerer showed up in town with a lot of excuses that didn't add up, I considered it my duty to ensure he wasn't a threat. Declan isn't the first Prescott sorcerer I've met and they certainly left an impression, yet this strange man who's rejected both his magic and his powerful family has grabbed my attention in ways I never expected.

Elves are not an expressive people by nature. We are not easily moved by the whims of others, but the closer I get to Declan, the more I find myself on uneven footing. Never have I been so frustrated and unnerved by another. And yet, despite the way he makes me feel, I find myself drawn to him again and again. He tests my control at every opportunity, and I can't help but want more.

One by one I've unraveled all of this man's secrets. So why do I still feel like I don't understand anything at all? 

If you haven't caught up on the rest of the books in the series you can find those below.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BHRBJNPD

Thanks for reading!

~Ember