Flames of Auriel by Erin Bedford (Book Review)

 
 
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When living in a world where the prince isn’t always charming, the princess has a mean right hook, and angels are worshiped like gods, love isn’t always easy to find.

Zoe has never been the lady-like princess she’s read about in fairy-tales, even with her very own handsome prince to sweep her off her feet. She doesn’t know what she dislikes more, his arrogant smirk or the way his grey eyes darken when they fight. Angels help him if he doesn’t keep his hands off the help.

Asher won’t admit it, but he admires the fighting style of his warrior princess. She reminds him of an avenging angel the way her fiery hair whips around her as she takes out her challengers. Dark One help him, but she is as tough an opponent on the battlefield as she is off.

With unknown and unwanted feelings starting to emerge between the two royals, a single goodbye turns into a frantic search for a missing princess. Asher has to find the one woman he never thought he’d miss and keep his kingdom safe from an old enemy. If he fails, the angels may not forgive him this time.

Warning: For mature readers.

 
 
 
“Get out of my way, Asher.”
 
He placed his arms on either side of her, blocking any chance of an easy escape. She held back a shiver as he brushed his fingers over her cheek so he could tuck her hair behind her ear. Asher was not about to let her ruin their day with her temper.
 
“Not this time, Zoe.”
 
Before she could protest, his lips found hers in what she could only describe as the most searing kiss of her life. Unlike the kiss in the hallway, which had been curious and uncertain, not at all what she had expected from him, this one was everything she had expected his kiss would be – relentless and overpowering. She thought about biting him for a second, but instead found herself caught up
in it. She would feel ashamed later at how easy it had been for her to just slide her hands through the curly tendrils of his hair and kiss him in return.
 
While she had only been kissed by one other person – Garrett – who was always gentle and giving, this kiss was like a battle on its own. Their mouths clashed together as each of them fought for dominance. She found herself moaning into the kiss and forgot for a moment who she was kissing, but eventually they had to end the kiss to breathe. They gaped at the other at the magnitude of what just happened.
 
Asher recovered first and leaned his forehead against hers. He brushed his fingertips along the curve of her breast, causing a sharp intake from her. He held her gaze with his for a moment and tried to memorize the details of her face in that moment. He noted how her amber eyes had darkened and her face had flushed all the way down to her heaving chest. Asher could not think of a time when she was more beautiful than right then.
 
“If you want me to stop seeing them I will. Just say the word and I’m yours.”
 
Zoe’s entire body tensed up at his proposition and for a hot minute she was tempted to say it, but pride would not allow her to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it affected her.
 
She leaned her face into his, “What makes you think I care?” She shoved him away and ran as fast as her skirts would allow her back toward the palace.
 
 
PURCHASE LINKS:  
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Asher and Zoe argued more than any couple I have ever met but it was all foreplay. It took a while for me to see this because I had trouble warming up to him — much like her. He was kind of a dick for the first 1/2 of the book. He didn’t hide his indiscretions which made Zoe feel embarrassed, hurt, and rightfully pissed the hell off. 
 
His most douchebag move came about when Garrett entered the scene. Asher became jealous of her bodyguard/companion and rightfully so. Garrett is sweet, charming, a true champion and quite easy on the eyes. Plus, he is her childhood friend. I can see why the green eyed devil made an appearance but the actions Asher took for Zoe to claim him was a dick move — literally. He knew Zoe would come into a certain room so he had a chambermaid giving his “head”the royal treatment to get a reaction out of Zoe. Yeah folks, he actually said that after he claimed his intent wasn’t to hurt her.
 
Zoe reacted with claw towards the chambermaid but not with him…. Nope, she kissed the daylights out of him. Don’t think many would’ve reacted so kindly. Me included. 
 
It was actions like these that made me chanting for Garrett. Too bad TEAM GARRETT lost. But don’t fret, his future love interest was introduced. Of course, he will have to wait a few years before they can steam the sheets. 
 
Side note: the creation of a potion that can destroy male seed to avoid unwanted pregnancies was highly creative. 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 
PURCHASE LINKS:
 Paperback – Kindle – Goodreads
 
 
 

Erin Bedford is a new fantasy romance author, a computer programmer by day, and a hobby hoarder. She enjoys playing RPG games alongside her husband as well as inventing nonsensical games for her daughter’s amusement. Erin lives in the Omaha Nebraska Region and dreams of one day moving where the word snow is nonexistent. Creating fantastical worlds has always been a secret passion of hers and she couldn’t imagine writing any story without some kind of lovey-dovey or smexy goodness in it.

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2 Comments

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2 Responses to Flames of Auriel by Erin Bedford (Book Review)

  1. Mac

    Asher sounds like a tool but I'll check it out.

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