Today I’m happy to host a stop for Reflected Tour, organized by Dark World Books!
(Click on the banner above to see the schedule.)
REFLECTED
(Vanguard Legacy #2)
An ugly family secret laid bare, a mortal wound inflicted by her twin sister, betrayed by the love of her life—her supposed “soul mate”. In the wake of the battle with her evil father and his Dark Seekers, Elora Walker fights to recover from them all.
Together with her Vanguard, Magicae, and Vampire friends, Elora races to gather ingredients for the spell of spells, bury the curse, and defeat the prophecy which has tainted her life since birth. To save the world, can she deny the yearnings of her heart? Or, will she succumb to the temptation of love, and plunge them all into Eternal Darkness.
(Vanguard Legacy #2)
An ugly family secret laid bare, a mortal wound inflicted by her twin sister, betrayed by the love of her life—her supposed “soul mate”. In the wake of the battle with her evil father and his Dark Seekers, Elora Walker fights to recover from them all.
Together with her Vanguard, Magicae, and Vampire friends, Elora races to gather ingredients for the spell of spells, bury the curse, and defeat the prophecy which has tainted her life since birth. To save the world, can she deny the yearnings of her heart? Or, will she succumb to the temptation of love, and plunge them all into Eternal Darkness.
REFLECTED EXCERPT
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT JOANNE KERSHAW
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT JOANNE KERSHAW
ONE
ELORA
Aaron’s iron fist
pounded against my rib cage. Tongues of pain flickered through my lungs and I
clenched my jaw—I would not give in to the wail of pain that struggled to be
heard. I jabbed hard, aiming for his left kidney whilst my dropped elbow shielded
my enraged ribs. Aaron spun fast, striking out again before I could make
contact. I dodged, turning lightly on my feet despite the tearing sensation in
my abdomen.
pounded against my rib cage. Tongues of pain flickered through my lungs and I
clenched my jaw—I would not give in to the wail of pain that struggled to be
heard. I jabbed hard, aiming for his left kidney whilst my dropped elbow shielded
my enraged ribs. Aaron spun fast, striking out again before I could make
contact. I dodged, turning lightly on my feet despite the tearing sensation in
my abdomen.
As I whirled
around him, I caught Aaron’s eyes. They were bright, alive—he revelled in the
fight, the battle. I cocked my arm back. I needed to make him less happy.
around him, I caught Aaron’s eyes. They were bright, alive—he revelled in the
fight, the battle. I cocked my arm back. I needed to make him less happy.
My elbow
connected with the base of his spine, and he doubled over, winded. I allowed
myself a small, satisfied smile, but it lasted only a moment before he spun
around, faster than I could respond, and thrust the heel of his hand into my
rib cage. I collapsed to the ground, praying for an adrenaline surge to drown
the searing heat that settled over my partially healed knife wound.
connected with the base of his spine, and he doubled over, winded. I allowed
myself a small, satisfied smile, but it lasted only a moment before he spun
around, faster than I could respond, and thrust the heel of his hand into my
rib cage. I collapsed to the ground, praying for an adrenaline surge to drown
the searing heat that settled over my partially healed knife wound.
“You know, I
can’t remember the last time I took you down,” he gloated, staring down at me.
More than a little irritated by his smugness, I let frustration overwhelm my
judgement. So, I cheated. I slipped into his mind and read his next move.
Before he could lunge for me again, I rolled and twisted, sweeping his legs out
from underneath him with my shins. He landed on his back—hard. I hastily
struggled to my feet and stepped back, putting more distance between the pair
of us.
can’t remember the last time I took you down,” he gloated, staring down at me.
More than a little irritated by his smugness, I let frustration overwhelm my
judgement. So, I cheated. I slipped into his mind and read his next move.
Before he could lunge for me again, I rolled and twisted, sweeping his legs out
from underneath him with my shins. He landed on his back—hard. I hastily
struggled to my feet and stepped back, putting more distance between the pair
of us.
“Was there
ever a first time?” I asked, tenderly
prodding my stomach and left side whilst maintaining my footwork. Aaron shook
his head, smiling again as he flipped himself onto his feet. Considering his
size, he moved quickly and there was no opportunity for me to find a defensive
position before he was there—his fists and feet within easy striking distance. He
swung from the left. I shifted my weight to my other foot, desperate to avoid
the blow.
ever a first time?” I asked, tenderly
prodding my stomach and left side whilst maintaining my footwork. Aaron shook
his head, smiling again as he flipped himself onto his feet. Considering his
size, he moved quickly and there was no opportunity for me to find a defensive
position before he was there—his fists and feet within easy striking distance. He
swung from the left. I shifted my weight to my other foot, desperate to avoid
the blow.
I was
woefully slow.
woefully slow.
His fist
connected with the side of my head, and I stumbled. Black stars glittered in my
peripheral vision; my stomach roiled as I struggled to find my balance. I tried
to shake it off, to find a safe space, but Aaron grabbed me. Hands tight on my
upper arms, he lifted me, and slammed me hard into the ground. The air in my
lungs escaped with a groan.
connected with the side of my head, and I stumbled. Black stars glittered in my
peripheral vision; my stomach roiled as I struggled to find my balance. I tried
to shake it off, to find a safe space, but Aaron grabbed me. Hands tight on my
upper arms, he lifted me, and slammed me hard into the ground. The air in my
lungs escaped with a groan.
Glancing up
at Aaron, I saw concern wash over his features, his arrogance and teasing gone.
He extended a hand to help me to my feet, and I sucked in a shallow breath. I
reached again for the bandaged wound that crossed my stomach and left side. Gingerly
peeling back my shirt for a quick examination, I shook my head. “Ugh. What a
mess.”
at Aaron, I saw concern wash over his features, his arrogance and teasing gone.
He extended a hand to help me to my feet, and I sucked in a shallow breath. I
reached again for the bandaged wound that crossed my stomach and left side. Gingerly
peeling back my shirt for a quick examination, I shook my head. “Ugh. What a
mess.”
“On the
Spirits, Elora, why are you even here?” Aaron’s voice was calm, but his eyes conveyed
a storm of emotions. “It’s too soon. Surely they could have given you more time
to recover.”
Spirits, Elora, why are you even here?” Aaron’s voice was calm, but his eyes conveyed
a storm of emotions. “It’s too soon. Surely they could have given you more time
to recover.”
“I didn’t
want it,” I muttered, trying to resituate the reddened gauze and tape.
want it,” I muttered, trying to resituate the reddened gauze and tape.
I looked up
and caught his glare. I had to be here; I had to train. I couldn’t let up for a
moment. Somewhere out in the world, my father and sister hunted me. Maybe even
Zak—probably Zak.
and caught his glare. I had to be here; I had to train. I couldn’t let up for a
moment. Somewhere out in the world, my father and sister hunted me. Maybe even
Zak—probably Zak.
Aaron nodded
his understanding.
his understanding.
Frustrated, I
dragged my hands over my face and rubbed my eyes. I had allowed him to distract me from my mission once
before, gave him my heart and my head. Never again would I allow anyone to fool
me like that. I peered down as the tape lifted up once again, exposing the
stitches, and I let out a resigned sigh.
dragged my hands over my face and rubbed my eyes. I had allowed him to distract me from my mission once
before, gave him my heart and my head. Never again would I allow anyone to fool
me like that. I peered down as the tape lifted up once again, exposing the
stitches, and I let out a resigned sigh.
“I suppose
I’d better get a medical pass.”
I’d better get a medical pass.”
“I’ll come
with you,” Aaron said, hefting his gear and mine. I shook my head and grabbed
my own bag.
with you,” Aaron said, hefting his gear and mine. I shook my head and grabbed
my own bag.
“I’ll be
fine,” I told him. “I don’t need a babysitter or a nursemaid. A few new
stitches and I’ll be ready to go.” For a brief moment, Aaron looked like he
might argue with me but then thought better of it.
fine,” I told him. “I don’t need a babysitter or a nursemaid. A few new
stitches and I’ll be ready to go.” For a brief moment, Aaron looked like he
might argue with me but then thought better of it.
“I’ll call by
on my way back to my dorm room, just to say hi,” I reassured him. I looked into
his eyes and was reminded of the boy I once knew, the boy who was now a man
standing in front of me. I squeezed his hand firmly—a silent gesture of
thanks—and made my way to the door of the gymnasium. Vanguard Allen, who was
leading tonight’s hand-to-hand combat, acknowledged me as I approached.
on my way back to my dorm room, just to say hi,” I reassured him. I looked into
his eyes and was reminded of the boy I once knew, the boy who was now a man
standing in front of me. I squeezed his hand firmly—a silent gesture of
thanks—and made my way to the door of the gymnasium. Vanguard Allen, who was
leading tonight’s hand-to-hand combat, acknowledged me as I approached.
“Ma’am, I
need a medical pass, please.” I gestured to the blood and went to move past
her.
need a medical pass, please.” I gestured to the blood and went to move past
her.
“Wait there,
recruit. I just need to arrange an escort for you.”
recruit. I just need to arrange an escort for you.”
I managed not
to roll my eyes, or punch her, and drew a calming breath. “I’ll be okay, ma’am.
No need to waste anyone else’s time.”
to roll my eyes, or punch her, and drew a calming breath. “I’ll be okay, ma’am.
No need to waste anyone else’s time.”
“I have my
orders, recruit.”
orders, recruit.”
The
discussion was closed. Who had placed those orders? Vanguard Superior McCann?
My mother, Nina? Perhaps Principal Hashkin? I didn’t see the point to it,
really. After all, I had only left the compound, without much qualified back
up, saved a village from destruction, and fought off the bad guys—who just
happened to be my father and sister. So, it really
made sense that I would need a bodyguard to cross the courtyard of our
protected, heavily defended training camp.
discussion was closed. Who had placed those orders? Vanguard Superior McCann?
My mother, Nina? Perhaps Principal Hashkin? I didn’t see the point to it,
really. After all, I had only left the compound, without much qualified back
up, saved a village from destruction, and fought off the bad guys—who just
happened to be my father and sister. So, it really
made sense that I would need a bodyguard to cross the courtyard of our
protected, heavily defended training camp.
“Ma’am? I can
escort Recruit Walker, if you’d allow me?” Aaron stepped up behind me. Always
my knight in shining armour, ready and willing to rescue me even when I didn’t
need it. He must have watched the conversation, maybe even overheard it from
his position at the back of the gym. Vanguard hearing—nothing was private.
escort Recruit Walker, if you’d allow me?” Aaron stepped up behind me. Always
my knight in shining armour, ready and willing to rescue me even when I didn’t
need it. He must have watched the conversation, maybe even overheard it from
his position at the back of the gym. Vanguard hearing—nothing was private.
“That will
have to do as it appears her condition is worsening,” answered Vanguard Allen,
her eyes glancing over me worriedly. “Send word when you arrive safely.
Dismissed.” She returned her attention to the rest of the recruits, and Aaron
swung my bag and his up onto his shoulder. He slipped his other arm around my
waist.
have to do as it appears her condition is worsening,” answered Vanguard Allen,
her eyes glancing over me worriedly. “Send word when you arrive safely.
Dismissed.” She returned her attention to the rest of the recruits, and Aaron
swung my bag and his up onto his shoulder. He slipped his other arm around my
waist.
“You really
do look dreadful,” he muttered in my ear. I bit back a tart reply and allowed
him to guide me through the doorway. Whether it was from the training, the
blood loss, or the fact that I had barely slept in the week since we had
returned from Havenswell, I truly didn’t feel well at all.
do look dreadful,” he muttered in my ear. I bit back a tart reply and allowed
him to guide me through the doorway. Whether it was from the training, the
blood loss, or the fact that I had barely slept in the week since we had
returned from Havenswell, I truly didn’t feel well at all.
Outside, I
gazed up into the dark sky and allowed myself a moment of peace, just a moment.
The air was cool, the stars bright, and the night deathly quiet. I wanted to
remember what life was like a year ago, when things had been simpler. When I
was still a child. When I still hated my mother and she still tolerated me.
When the lies were still hidden and the truth didn’t hurt every day. My eyes began
to tear up, and I blinked furiously. Aaron’s voice cut through my reverie.
gazed up into the dark sky and allowed myself a moment of peace, just a moment.
The air was cool, the stars bright, and the night deathly quiet. I wanted to
remember what life was like a year ago, when things had been simpler. When I
was still a child. When I still hated my mother and she still tolerated me.
When the lies were still hidden and the truth didn’t hurt every day. My eyes began
to tear up, and I blinked furiously. Aaron’s voice cut through my reverie.
“It’s too
much too soon, Elora.”
much too soon, Elora.”
“I can’t stay
in my room and stare at the walls. I’ll go crazy.”
in my room and stare at the walls. I’ll go crazy.”
“But after
everything that happened, with Diana and . . .” His voice trailed off, but I
knew who he meant. And Zak. My ex-boyfriend, my enemy.
everything that happened, with Diana and . . .” His voice trailed off, but I
knew who he meant. And Zak. My ex-boyfriend, my enemy.
“It’s
happened, and I can’t change the past. I can
do something about the future, though.” Silence surrounded us again as we made
our way towards the medical ward. Nothing much had changed at Nikolai since our
return. Sure we had won the battle, but we had also suffered great losses. The
compound was in mourning. And yet, training and classes continued as rigorously
as before, and I refused to be left behind.
happened, and I can’t change the past. I can
do something about the future, though.” Silence surrounded us again as we made
our way towards the medical ward. Nothing much had changed at Nikolai since our
return. Sure we had won the battle, but we had also suffered great losses. The
compound was in mourning. And yet, training and classes continued as rigorously
as before, and I refused to be left behind.
We entered
the medical wing of the compound to find Matthew already there, wringing his
hands and wearing a pathway across the small waiting area.
the medical wing of the compound to find Matthew already there, wringing his
hands and wearing a pathway across the small waiting area.
“You’re all
right!” he exclaimed and wrapped me in a light hug.
right!” he exclaimed and wrapped me in a light hug.
“Why wouldn’t
I be?” I winced, and he drew back as though he could feel my pain. How did he
know we were coming?
I be?” I winced, and he drew back as though he could feel my pain. How did he
know we were coming?
“You cried
out; I heard it.” Matthew tapped his temple, and I closed my eyes for a moment.
out; I heard it.” Matthew tapped his temple, and I closed my eyes for a moment.
“I’m sorry. I
have no idea why that happened. I wasn’t linked to anyone. I’ve been trying to
keep all that switched off.”
have no idea why that happened. I wasn’t linked to anyone. I’ve been trying to
keep all that switched off.”
Matthew watched
me for a moment, his white hair flickering and twisting impatiently. “Well, you
shouldn’t,” he continued, frustration seeping into his tone. “And I don’t know
if anyone else heard it, or whether it was just me. Sometimes I think there’s
this connection between us now that doesn’t break. Maybe it’s because of the
magic from when you were born, or maybe from Havenswell. All that matters is
that you’re going to be okay.” He greeted Aaron, who had placed our kit bags on
the floor.
me for a moment, his white hair flickering and twisting impatiently. “Well, you
shouldn’t,” he continued, frustration seeping into his tone. “And I don’t know
if anyone else heard it, or whether it was just me. Sometimes I think there’s
this connection between us now that doesn’t break. Maybe it’s because of the
magic from when you were born, or maybe from Havenswell. All that matters is
that you’re going to be okay.” He greeted Aaron, who had placed our kit bags on
the floor.
“I’ll go get
some help,” Aaron said quietly.
some help,” Aaron said quietly.
“Thank you,”
I said, slumping into the nearest chair as he left.
I said, slumping into the nearest chair as he left.
“Is he okay?”
Matthew asked, nodding in the direction Aaron had taken.
Matthew asked, nodding in the direction Aaron had taken.
“I think so.
We were sparring when this happened.” I gestured to the weeping wound.
“Probably blames himself. You know what he’s like.”
We were sparring when this happened.” I gestured to the weeping wound.
“Probably blames himself. You know what he’s like.”
Matthew
laughed a little and plopped down into the plastic chair next to mine. “We both
know that there are probably other reasons for his worry.”
laughed a little and plopped down into the plastic chair next to mine. “We both
know that there are probably other reasons for his worry.”
I shook my
head. “No, it’s just brotherly guilt. He beat up on his little sister.”
head. “No, it’s just brotherly guilt. He beat up on his little sister.”
“Are you
sure? Seems to me he’s never going to be truly over you. You don’t think that
he might still be in love with you? Not even just a little?”
sure? Seems to me he’s never going to be truly over you. You don’t think that
he might still be in love with you? Not even just a little?”
“No!” I
exclaimed, shocked. “Of course not. Aaron’s in love with Teya now, I’m sure he
sees me just as I do him. We’re family, always will be.”
exclaimed, shocked. “Of course not. Aaron’s in love with Teya now, I’m sure he
sees me just as I do him. We’re family, always will be.”
Matthew was
quite for a moment, his brow creased in thought.
quite for a moment, his brow creased in thought.
“We’ll get
through this, you know,” he said eventually, “All of us. Together.”
through this, you know,” he said eventually, “All of us. Together.”
I nodded in agreement, but inside had no idea
how that could happen. Nothing had changed. We were still in trouble.
Everything was just on hold.
how that could happen. Nothing had changed. We were still in trouble.
Everything was just on hold.
*Check also “Foretold”, the first instalment in the series*
FORETOLD
(Vanguard Legacy #1)
Vanguard Recruit Elora Walker doesn’t know who demands more of her: her mother, or herself. But more than she wants to make Nina proud of her, she wants to know the truths buried deep in their mutual past. Haunted by the memory of her long-dead father, tormented by a psychic link to a faceless stranger, Elora learns to rely upon her friends and her newfound warrior skills to protect not only the Ignari from Dark Seekers, but the world from an ancient family secret that can destroy it.
(Vanguard Legacy #1)
Vanguard Recruit Elora Walker doesn’t know who demands more of her: her mother, or herself. But more than she wants to make Nina proud of her, she wants to know the truths buried deep in their mutual past. Haunted by the memory of her long-dead father, tormented by a psychic link to a faceless stranger, Elora learns to rely upon her friends and her newfound warrior skills to protect not only the Ignari from Dark Seekers, but the world from an ancient family secret that can destroy it.
Amazon UK – Amazon US – Barnes & Noble – Kobo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanne Kershaw lives in Wakefield, England, with her husband, four young children, and an uppity cat named Dipstick. As a teacher of five- to eleven-year-olds, she spends her days playing at being a grownup, then goes home to delve into Young Adult dark romance and being sixteen again. Joanne lives and breathes books, whether reading, writing, or marking them. She wrote her first novel in six weeks. Encouraged to submit her work by a friend and fellow YA novel addict, Joanne now finds herself a signed author at Xchyler Publishing. Joanne’s Kershaw’s first book with Xchyler Publishing is Vanguard Legacy: Foretold.
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About Silvia
Silvia is a dreamer at heart, drifting through ink and imagination, reading and playing stories alike, forever drawn to East Asian wonders ♡ Anything that sparks her creativity fills her with joy and makes her want to explore, play, and create even more!
Peek into all the corners of her world ⟡˙⋆
This sounds like an interesting fantasy. I love the mix of supernatural creatures, spells and prophecy.
Love the sound of these, will have to read Foretold 🙂
Hmm, these are new to me. I hadn't heard of book one until now. Thank you for sharing!
This sounds like an intriguing series, Silvia. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I love that, too, Kimberly!
YAY! Hope you enjoy it, Lily 🙂
Always happy to bring some exciting titles to the attention of readers 😉
My pleasure, Brandee! 🙂
It IS an intriguing series and you should soooo go read it now! (said the not at all biased author!) Seriously though, if you do get a chance to read it, I would love to hear what you think!
Really hope you get a chance to read and share. I am passionate about the series and the characters and am soon to start work on book three – so it would be great to have a few more fans to write it for!
If you do read it, Lily, then please drop by my facebook page to tell me what you thought. Better still, a review on Goodreads or Amazon lol! Seriously, hope you enjoy it 🙂
I like to mix things up – I get bored easily so like a diverse range of things to keep me engaged. Hope you get a chance to read the series!
Hey! Thanks for having me, hope people enjoy the excerpt – but don't forget to read the first book, well, first!
So far they did enjoy it and I can't blame them at all! 😉 Trust me, your series sounds too exciting to forget—or not want—to read it from the very beginning!
Thanks for stopping by, Joanne, it has been a pleasure hosting you 🙂