Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Amazon World of Melissa Starr Category:  Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Fire & Ice; Imprint of Melange Books ISBN-10:  1612355560 Type: Fiction Pages: 190 Copyright: Jan 27, 2013 ISBN-13: 9781612355566 Turn you on your head young adult paranormal/romance. Elora's days at Marlind Prep are anything but safe or boring. She receives news of her BFF's death not long after she disappears and is certain the Phoenix Elite are responsible. While searching for stability, Elora is stripped of her strength and sanity by the ancient Ruhk, Isaac, who continues to infilterate her mind. Adding icing to the cake, she finds herself at odds with mate/adviser, Ezra, leaving her vulnerable to the new guy, who just happens to find her on the verge of a nervous breakdown. What dangers await Elora among her own in Ruhk's Rising? Excerpt Ruhk’s Rising; Phoenix Elite Book 2~ Excerpt from Chapter 11 “She bled to death. Or so I was told.” His voice was shaky and distant. He became silent for a few seconds, then- “But when I found her, there wasn’t really enough blood on the scene to justify that prognosis. She was a ghastly shade of white and they did verify later that she had less than half a liter of blood in her whole body upon autopsy.” He sniffed and pushed on. “I remember finding her on the floor; her face was like snow, her body like ice. The contrast of that mahogany hair of hers against her cheek was the most morbidly beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. Snow White was the first image that came to mind except that my Snow White no longer had a heartbeat.” I shivered as my father narrated his memories to me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear what he had to say. I braced myself. “I sank to the floor unsure of what to do and cried like a baby. But I quickly realized I was running out of time. If I hadn’t found her when I did, you’d be dead too…” He trailed off. I mentally reached out to my father and pain ripped through me like a dagger. I could see my mother’s lifeless form through my father’s eyes lying on the same wood-patterned linoleum that still covered our kitchen floor today. There he was, her head still cradled in his lap weeping. But he didn’t take time to mourn her loss long. I watched as realization set in, he was going to lose two lives if he didn’t act fast. He had a mission. A feeling of determination, both mine and his, washed over me as I delved deeper into his thoughts and feelings. He run his hand along my dead mothers distended abdomen. It was still warm. His heart leaped with hope. He ripped her button down maternity top open exposing her naked skin and exhaled with anger and frustration at what he was being forced to do. He then drew a kitchen knife from a drawer above his head. I backed out of his thoughts. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t watch him mutilate my mother’s body to retrieve me from her womb. I sobbed. The line was silent. “Daddy?” I croaked. “Princess?” I could tell he was crying too. “I’m sorry I asked about mom. I won’t bring her up again.” Trembles danced over me. I knew what had happened with my mother was bad enough to make my father file it away but I hadn’t known how bad.

She did it again!
I loved book 1 and wasn't disappointed with Ruhk's Rising! I was floored when Elora ended up where she did and a little angry. She seemed like her character weakened but then I realized that if she was going to rise and be triumphant, she would first be needed to fall. And did she. Confused and alone she battles to find herself while mourning the loss of friends and boyfriend. I really felt for her even though I was agitated about her state. I totally understood though, that a teen thrust into this harsh world with so many strikes against her and so many guys vying for her attention, might become confused and uncertain of who she is or what she wants to do with the horrid life she's been dealt. And it didn't help that a suitor from ancient Egypt was getting into her head. Anticipating Elora's next move in book 3 for sure. Can't wait. *****