Book Title: Within The Shadows
Author: J.A. Lynch
Published: July 18th 2012
Publisher: Vamptasy
ASIN: B008MZJB3W
WITHIN THE SHADOWS
“Living on the razors edge, Giselle Burgman's life is torn apart by her cheating boyfriend. Little does she realise that he is the least of her worries when her long term friend Alex introduces her to his family and a new, darker world. A world of lies, deceit and corruption. Thrown from one problem straight into another, the razors edge gets thinner and sharper, testing Giselle's sanity and vitality. Not even she can hide when living within the shadows.”
WITHIN THE SHADOWS
“The story is a page turner. I had to keep finding out what happened next and normally, I don't like vampire novels. Ms. Lynch has given me a new love for vampire stories with this gem.” Erin Miller
“It is not your average vampire story and brings a refreshing new take to the world of vampires. The characters are well developed and intrigue from the word go and the story doesn't stop for you to catch your breath. It will astound, amaze and bewitch you.” Stacem
“I would recommend this book to everyone that enjoys a great book with the ability to keep you guessing. I will have to say this is one of my favorites!” Gale Nelson
WITHIN THE SHADOWS
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WITHIN THE SHADOWS
Alarming as it might have been, I was quite excited. Sounds pretty crazy, but I think I got caught up in the moment, and being made a fuss of was definitely something I could get used to.
But, as always, reality has a nasty way of hitting you hard in the face.
I walked behind Atarah and Angelika as they led me through corridors that looked like something out of a gothic fairy tale. The walls were a strange shade of pomegranate, its boldness illuminated by softly lit candles. The wooden floors were temporarily covered with a bluish red runner that ran the whole length of the hall. Amaranthine drapes hung over the grand bay windows. The air had a distinct aroma, and although I could not quite place the smell I was sure it was incense. Its strong, fragrant smoke brushed the back of my nostrils, resulting in a few disapproving sneezes.
I sniffled, “Excuse me!” as we entered the hall through a large set of oak doors.
It was a very dramatic entrance. Standing below me were hundreds of unknown faces. A few stood out, but they were strangers all the same. They wore a mixture of black and purple clothes.
The women were dressed in floor-length gowns, their hair pulled back tight and their hands covered by long lace gloves. The men’s attire consisted of black herringbone frockcoats with matching black trousers. All wore purple shirts with black cravats.
I looked around, trying to find Alex, and there he stood with Leonid, in front of an altar.
It was the most spectacular scene I had ever seen. Lighted candles and floral arrangements of violets, orchids, red roses, lilies and irises filled the entire room. The scent was overwhelming.
Silence fell, and all eyes were on me. My stomach churned and panic set in. I wanted to run through the doors and as far from there as I could, but behind me were two large men, standing in front of the doors. They were not going to move for me.
I stood alone and watched the smile spread across Alex’s face as he ushered me to him.
I must have floated down the stairs, as I cannot remember walking down. The crowd moved as I walked down an aisle strewn with rose petals.
Alex looked amazing. I had never seen him look so handsome. He wore identical clothes to the rest of the men, except that his cravat matched the grey marl in the sash I wore around my waist. His smile illuminated the whole room and in normal circumstances would have melted my heart, but there was something sinister in his eyes. A deep redness flickered in the light of the candles.
I was so out of my depth.
Taking my hand, he led me to a stone slab in front of the altar. Shaking, my voice quivered as I whispered to him.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s your consecration. Remember, you will be blessed tonight. Just follow my lead.”
He was so calm, and it seemed that he expected me to mirror his demure behaviour. I was anything but calm. Sweat began to seep in the palms of my hands. So many eyes were upon me.
Breathe Giselle, just breathe!
Alex, directed me to lie down on the stone slab. I obliged, and rested my body on the coldness of the rock beneath me. Incense filled the space around me; no air just smoky fumes. There were four men, one standing at each corner of the slab and each holding a staff. Their eyes filled with the crimson tide that was visible in both Alex and Leonid. Alex stood back and disappeared behind his father. I was alone with the strange men, each mumbling to himself.
From the altar came the voice of someone I knew.
Atarah.
WITHIN THE SHADOWS
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received a copy of Within The Shadows from the author via Making Connections Blog Tours for review.
Eighteen year Giselle is dating the most popular boy in her school. Then one day she finds out that her boyfriend Marc is cheating on her with the most popular girl in her school. How does she know this? Does she have proof that he is cheating on her? Yes. What is the proof? A DVD from an anonymous person with her boyfriend Marc and Evie, the most popular girl in Giselle's school.
After watching the DVD Giselle calls her best friend Alex to come over to her house to talk. Alex has a plan to help Giselle get back at both Marc and Evie on prom night. After Alex helps Giselle get her revenge on Marc and Evie she walks out.
Giselle finds out that Alex is not the friend that she thought he was. He forces her to leave with him. He takes her to his home and family. Giselle discovers that Alex and his family are vampires. He tells her that she is to be wife and have his child to start a new breed of vampires. Alex keeps Giselle a prisoner in his home.
Within The Shadows is one fantastic read. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I loved all the twist and turns in the story. Just when you thought you knew how everything was going to turn out, bam you are hit with something entirely new. Julieanne Lynch is an amazing writer. She knows how to slam you in the face with an unexpected event around every corner.
Fiery Librian Julieanne Lynch is an author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Julieanne lives in Northern Ireland, where she works on her Shadows Trilogy and other series full-time. Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths, a rock star being one of them. She studied English Literature and Creative Writing at The Open University, and considered journalism as a career path. However, she decided writing was the way for her and believes all of her education and reading prepared her for it.
An avid reader, Julieanne has always had an encompassing fascination with folklore. When not writing, she enjoys crime series such as Criminal Minds, CSI, NCIS and Cold Case, and loves anything with Vampires, listening to metal, meeting new people, drinking lots of green tea, and sharing her dreams with her children. She is a self-professed goth wanna-be, and is happy when left to write into the early hours of the morning.
Julieanne's YA series, The Shadows Trilogy, is published by Vamptasy Publishing and thus far contains In the Shadows. It follows the war between vampires and shadow creatures. Giselle Bergman, an 18-year old human girl, falls victim to a scheme by one of her closest childhood friends, and embarks on a journey that sees her become the centre of a battle between good and evil.
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