Cornerstone by Kelly Walker (Souls of the Stones #1)
Publication date: November 30th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Epic Fantasy combines with Young Adult romance in this stunning new adventure set in a richly developed medieval world. Second Stone and Broken Stone are now available! Also be sure to look for Jaded Stone, the thrilling prequel to the
Souls of the Stones series.
When Emariya Warren learns enemy forces have captured her father, she’ll do anything to save him. Anything. Even marry a mysterious prince she knows nothing about in order to rally the strength to arrange a rescue. During her journey to Torian’s foreign castle, Emariya comes face to face with her mother’s killers–and a deadly secret.
Not only does Emariya possess a powerful but unexpected magical gift passed down through each of her families, the prince she’s promised to marry possesses a third, and an ominous prophecy has warned the three gifts must never be combined.
If she breaks her promise to marry Torian, she won’t be able to save her father and if she keeps it, she may bring a curse upon everything she holds dear. Determining which choice is best won’t be easy, but when she meets the gorgeous prince who may desire more than just her heart, she realizes she will have to fight just to have a choice at all.
Her heart wants him desperately. Her head begs her to run. If she doesn’t want to share her mother’s fate, she’ll have to find a way to untangle the truth from the lies in time to save herself.
Discover the heartbreaking betrayals, fascinating magic and fated love of Cornerstone.
Souls of the Stones series.
When Emariya Warren learns enemy forces have captured her father, she’ll do anything to save him. Anything. Even marry a mysterious prince she knows nothing about in order to rally the strength to arrange a rescue. During her journey to Torian’s foreign castle, Emariya comes face to face with her mother’s killers–and a deadly secret.
Not only does Emariya possess a powerful but unexpected magical gift passed down through each of her families, the prince she’s promised to marry possesses a third, and an ominous prophecy has warned the three gifts must never be combined.
If she breaks her promise to marry Torian, she won’t be able to save her father and if she keeps it, she may bring a curse upon everything she holds dear. Determining which choice is best won’t be easy, but when she meets the gorgeous prince who may desire more than just her heart, she realizes she will have to fight just to have a choice at all.
Her heart wants him desperately. Her head begs her to run. If she doesn’t want to share her mother’s fate, she’ll have to find a way to untangle the truth from the lies in time to save herself.
Discover the heartbreaking betrayals, fascinating magic and fated love of Cornerstone.
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AUTHOR BIO
Kelly Walker is a YA and NA author of several romantic titles, including the Souls of the Stones series. She has an unhealthy appreciation for chocolate, and a soft spot for rescued animals. Her best lessons on writing came from a lifetime of reading. She loves the fantastical, and the magical, and believes a captivating romance can be the most realistic magic of all. Kelly, her husband and her two children share their Virginia home with three dogs who walk her, and two cats who permit her to occasionally share their couch.
Author links:
Interview with Kelly:
Q: Why did you choose to write a
YA Fantasy book instead of other young adult sub-genres such as contemporary,
paranormal, dystopian, etc.?
I don’t think I really had a choice. I had to tell this
story. Sure, I filled in some details, but mostly Riya wrote her own story and
I just had to try and keep up. Once it took shape, I had to find a good genre
to put it in. The only genre I intentionally stuck to was YA. I like to read YA
books, and also because of the age range, I was pretty sure most would want to
classify it as YA, so I tried to keep it appropriate.
Q: What distracts you the most
while you’re writing?
Everything! The kids, the dogs, facebook, email, you name it.
I've had to learn to go into my home office, shut the door and block the
internet when I really want to get a good chunk of writing done. Otherwise I
get sidetracked.
Q: What is your all time favorite
fantasy book?
That’s like asking me to pick a favorite type of chocolate!
Hmm, let’s see. Well, I consider fantasy a pretty broad category. I mean, you
are asking me to chose between all the Harry Potter books and Twilight books
and Outlander and A Song of Ice and Fire. And let's not forget Throne of Glass
and Crown of Midnight. There is so much awesome fantasy out there, I can't
simply pick a favorite.
Q: What comes first, character or
plot?
Definitely character! For me,
characters and maybe a small tidbit about their situation wheedle their way
into my head, and then I have to work to figure out exactly who they are, and
what their story is. That's not to say I've never intentionally created a
character to fill a plot need, but for the most part, especially for my main
characters, they are what drive the story.
Q: What advice(s) would you give to writers whose dream is
to publish a book?
Do it! Do it right, and do it professionally, but do it. In
today’s volcanic publishing landscape, fulfilling those dreams is entirely
possible and plausible. Do your research because there are a lot of less than
scrupulous people who prey on the uneducated, but if you want to publish a book
and you are willing to put in the time and energy and effort, the sky is the
limit.
Excerpt:
Jessa couldn't even begin to keep
track of all the different emotions that were fighting to the surface at the
thought of her mother. She was honored that Emariya wanted her to accompany
her, but at the same time, she wasn't thrilled about leaving home. Even more,
her mother's words before she departed were weighing heavily on her mind.
“Jessa, your job will not be an easy one. Looking after your mistress
on this journey will be like nothing you've ever done.”
“Has looking after Emariya ever been easy, Mama?” Jessa had teased. It
was no secret that her mother often complained of how headstrong Emariya tended
to be.
They'd been in the kitchen
packing up the last of the food they would be taking with them. “This will be
different, Jessa. She will be in danger from much more than a few ruffled
feathers over not observing proper formalities. Though you will need to see
that she makes a good impression when you present her to the prince—may the
Three give you the strength.” The heavily dimpled woman had looked to the
heavens. “That won't be an easy task, either. But Jessa, listen up now. There
are those who would happily see her not reach Thalmas, and they will look to
stand in her way. What she is doing with this journey…well, there are those who
have spoken of its possibility, and are determined to prevent it at all costs.”
Her mother had looked her hard in the eye, stressing the importance of what she
was saying.
“Spoken of it how?” Jessa was confused. Emariya had only decided to go
to Thalmas a few days before. While she talked, she carefully wrapped slices of
turkey before tucking them into the canvas pack lying on the table.
Ignoring her question, her mother
continued, “She may well be able to finish what her mother started, but only if
you can keep her safe.” Mairi had absentmindedly wiped her hands on her apron
as she turned away from her daughter.
“What her mother started? I don't understand, Mama, what are you going
on about?” Jessa was starting to worry. Would her mother be all right here
without her? Jessa gently touched her mother's arm, turning her to face her
again.
Mairi had sighed. “Lady Valencia
came to Eltar because she had dreamt of a day when we might all prosper in
peace. Emariya has the ability to bring that peace.”
“Mother, why haven't you ever mentioned this before? You've always been
reluctant to speak of Lady Valencia,” Jessa asked, confused. She could tell
that her mother felt that what she was saying was gravely important, so why
didn't she just come out with it? Nothing she was saying made sense.
“Because she must find her own path, instead of walking the one she
believes she was born to. Do not tell her what I have said, Jessa. Promise me.”
Mairi's expression was serious.
“I promise, Mama.” Jessa patted her mother's arm, still concerned.
“She'll have Khane to keep her safe from physical harms—we can hope, at
least. But she needs you as well. Her heart tends to run away with her wits.
Not everyone you meet will be able to be trusted. It’s up to you to keep her
eyes open, but more importantly, you must make sure she keeps her ears open. Jessa,
listen to me now: you have got to keep her safe. I tried to keep her mother
from harm, but I couldn't. I pray you have better luck than I did.” Her mother
pulled her close in a tender embrace. “But oh, how I shall miss you, my girl.”
“I'll miss you too, Mama,” Jessa whispered, her heart catching in her
throat.
Her mother had an uncanny way of
being right, but Jessa couldn’t help hoping her mother had been overestimating
the trials that lay ahead.
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