Cover art by
Bonni Elizabeth Hall |
Princess Talea of Mariess, has lived in seclusion for the past ten years, hiding a secret that if known, could be her death warrant. Forced to return to court life after her dissolute father's demise, she is ill-prepared to face possible exposure of her secret and to see her childhood crush, Prince Loran, when he arrives to search for the Book of Tocson.
Prince Loran of Tarnwite, the youngest of three brothers, has resigned himself to a life of study and loneliness. He has no mage powers and no kingdom to inherit. When asked to go to Mariess and search for the final portion of the Book of Tocson, he reluctantly agrees. His memories of Tally as a little tag-along tomboy are shattered when he meets the exquisite, mysterious beauty she has become. He enlists her aid in the search for the Book and tries to tamp down his feelings for her.
When Loran learns of Tally's secret, he vows to keep her safe from harm, even as they race to gain possession of the Book.
But can he keep her safe from his own desires?
She stepped closer, peering at her reflection. She wore one of her oldest dresses, an unflattering shade of green. Her fingers had smeared dust on the dress, and a smudge streaked her cheek. Her curls were in disarray and her spectacles had slipped down her nose. She pushed them back into place and shook her head.
"Some seductress. I could certainly challenge Fardretha for sexiest Princess in Mariess."
As she uttered Fardretha's name, the mirror grew smoky, and suddenly it reflected not her father's study but another, more opulent, room.
A bedroom. It was as though she looked through a window into the other chamber. As she peered toward either side of the mirror, her viewpoint shifted as though the window were open and she'd poked her head inside.
A door on the right side of the bedchamber opened and a woman in her prime entered. Her full-busted figure inspired awe in Tally. A scarlet gown of scylla cloth clung to every curve as though poured upon her body. Its translucent material revealed the fact that she was completely nude beneath it. Her skin was as white as the starblossom flower with just a faint blush upon her cheeks. Her long, ebon hair was piled upon her head in an intricate arrangement of curls and braids. But it was her eyes that impacted Tally the most. An icy silver, so calculating and chilling they could impale a person with a look.
Fardretha seta Fola, Princess of Helar and her father's former mistress. Who better to show her how to seduce a man than her father's lover? She dragged over a high, armchair and perched upon it, holding her breath, not knowing what she'd see next.
Fardretha glided further into the room, her hips undulating as she approached a low armchair facing the mirrored opening. Her breasts thrust forward as she moved, swaying with every step. She pulled down the top of her gown, shimmied out of it, and let it fall, unheeded, to the floor. She lowered her rounded ass onto the seat, hitching her legs over the chair arms, exposing herself to Tally's view. Staring straight ahead, Fardretha placed her right hand between her thighs and pressed first one, then two fingers in her slit, slowly at first, and then faster, moving them rhythmically. Her left hand kneaded her breasts, shifting from one to the other, her fingers plying her nipples.
Moisture pooled between Tally's thighs as she watched Fardretha. Her breasts grew heavy and her nipples tightened. Her breath caught and her skin felt on fire. She dragged her bodice down, baring her breasts to the cooler air in the room. Some part of her wanted to leave, but her greater urge was to stay and watch what happened next.
Fardretha looked at the observation room from beneath lowered lashes. Princess Talea sat before Belar's mirror. The girl had no idea that her every move was visible to Fardretha's avid gaze. As Belar had aged and his years of dissolute life taken their toll on him, he'd often resorted to the magic mirror to awaken his feeble erection. For him, watching Fardretha with other lovers, both male and female, excited him. His innocent little daughter felt safe behind the silvered glass.
Fardretha almost drowned in her saliva as Tally pulled down her bodice, displaying full, ripe young breasts. She worked her fingers feverishly and saw Tally copy her movements. At this rate she would cum before Tokar could service her. She rocked back and forth, moaning as she felt her climax grow. Her eyes closed and her head fell back against the back of the chair.
Suddenly, her fingers were ruthlessly pulled away from their task, and a long, dexterous tongue replaced them. Tokar. She grabbed the hair on his head with both hands and bucked wildly. Unhitching her legs, she clamped her knees on either side of his head and squeezed as her climax struck in wave after wave. Her arms fell limply to her sides and her knees loosened their grip.
Tokar stood, drawing her up with him and held her against his body. Bending his mouth to kiss her neck, he murmured in her ear, "The Princess watches?"
"Yes. I don't know why the mirror is working and I don't think she knows she can be seen."
He chuckled. "Let's give her a show she'll never forget."
"Oh, you are wicked, my dear. Perhaps that is why you please me so much."
He sucked the tender skin of her neck and bit down hard. She'd have a mark but her servants were inured to seeing them. Indeed, the servants fought to brand her, vying for the privilege.
He traveled down her body now, taking nips of her stark white skin, leaving tiny bruises behind. Fardretha panted and gasped as the bites turned harder and deeper. He reached her inner thigh and took her flesh between his teeth and bit once more. This time beads of blood welled up and Fardretha shoved him off. He fell back, his immense prick still hard.
"Did I hurt you, my princess?"
"You overstepped your boundary, Tokar."
"How can I make it up to you?"
Her eyes gleamed. "You know what I want. Get it."
Tokar moved to the cabinet and threw the doors open. Taking a domed ceramic pot, he set it on the table and opened a hinged flap. He reached in and drew back his hand, concealing what he held in his fingers. He turned a small knob and the bottom of the pot started to glow as the ceramic heated.
"Leave the opening unlatched and come here."
Fardretha moved to the bed, sitting back against the headboard, her knees bent in uninhibited display. Her slit glistened with her cum. "Crawl to me."
Tally watched, mesmerized. It was like attending a play. A very erotic play. What would happen next? Tally's mouth grew as dry as the Devil's Desert as Tokar turned, the muscles in his taut butt tightening as he strutted to the foot of the bed. Though he crawled onto the mattress, he managed to appear as though he stalked the woman waiting for him.
"Give me the bethlan."
"Take it, my lady."
He lay back, his head at the foot of the bed, his enormous erection straight as a tent pole. Opening his hand, he placed a large crimson petal on the tip of his prick. Fardretha glided toward Tokar, her breasts bobbing. Reaching her goal, she paused for a moment, looking straight at Tally. Then her mouth opened wide and she took in Tokar's shaft and the blossom clinging to it. Tokar's hands fisted in her hair, anchoring her.
As Tally watched, Fardretha's talented mouth enveloped the entire length of Tokar's penis. Soon, he was bucking off the bed. With a roar, he flung her away as he climaxed, his seed spurting like a geyser, drenching his thighs. Fardretha slid forward, licking his sperm from his skin, lapping it up like a bitna laps up cream.
Tally's heart raced. Her skin grew hot and her thin dress weighed heavily. She clenched the chair arms, squirming.
Tokar's desperate voice caught her attention.
"Please, my lady, give me my reward. Please, one petal."
Fardretha smiled. She lay once more against the pillows. Her fingers played with her nipples.
"Since you asked so prettily, you may. Put it between my lips and feast upon me."
Tally gasped as Tokar took one last petal and placed it on the tip of his tongue and then put it not in Fardretha's mouth, but between her nether lips. He worked his tongue feverishly bringing Fardretha to a screaming orgasm. Scarcely had the last sounds died away when he flipped her over, drew up her rump and rammed his shaft into her. He thrust into her, his balls slapping against her.
Tally couldn't bear it. She drew up the hem of her gown and shifted her undergarment. Her fingers played with her swollen nub until she clenched her thighs around her hand as a torrent of emotion washed over her.
Her hand fell to her side and she slumped in the chair. Her breathing still ragged, she sighed. Her eyes drifted shut as she took a deep, trembling breath.
Suddenly, she felt as though she were being watched. Her eyes opened and she saw Tokar standing before the mirror. His shaft had swelled once more as the bethlan took effect. He stood before the mirror and cupped his balls, staring straight at her, almost as though he could see her.
With a firm, deliberate motion, he stroked the length of his shaft. Faster and faster until with a great shout, he came. His seed spattered the mirror and as the last drops dripped on his fingers, he winked.
Reviewer: Klarissa
Ms. Barrack has penned excellent characters that had me laughing with them and cheering them on during their quest. I found that I hated Narik and hoped to see him defeated. Loran easily slipped into roll of Tally’s Soulmate and their passion built with a heat to rival a bonfire. The hunt for the Book of Tocson is an intriguing ride, especially when the help of Loran’s family came into the picture. . .I’ll most definitely be picking up the first book of this series. Sapphire Flames is a refreshing and unique story from Ms. Barrack!
Love Romances
Reviewer: Dawn
Rating: 4 1/2 Hearts
Wow is all this reviewer can say after reading the final chapter in this exhilarating trilogy. Sapphire Flames is full of twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the edge of their seat! The characters are multidimensional and will captivate the reader from the beginning....Sapphire Flames is a wonderful blend of fantasy, captivating characters and an edge of the seat ride that will keep the reader entertained for hours. Ms. Barrack writes with much passion and prose as she finishes this trilogy and ups her action factor to draw the reader in and doesn’t let them go until the very last page. An excellent way to end this trilogy but this reviewer wanted more from Hearthome and the characters that she grew to love! Run to read this entire series, from Silver Fire to Amber Inferno and finally, Sapphire Flames to get a wonderful fantasy series that will keep the reader guessing what happens next! Kudos to Ms. Barrack for masterfully storytelling and exquisite writing. This reviewer is highly recommending Sapphire Flames for sheer fantasy enjoyment!
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Fallen Angels Reviews gives "Sapphire Flames" 5 Angels!
Reviewer: Jean
...the author develops the plot in several separate threads, bringing them all together skillfully at the end.
The characters of Talea and Loran are very congenial and we get to meet Jareth and Mirelle, and Pendar and Rayne again, which I enjoyed. If you've read the other books in the series, you know that Hearthome is powered by lanbeth, the magical substance created when two soulmates make love. And as in the other books in the series, the soulmates really give it their all so that as much lanbeth as possible is created! The love scenes are frequent, and very graphic, but are, with a few exceptions, between loving couples. I will warn the reader that there is one violent rape scene, which demonstrates the evil nature and corruption of the villains.
I think that readers of fantasy will really enjoy this book. If you haven’t read the other two books in the series, I recommend them as well.
EcataRomance - 5 Stars!
Reviewer: Keely Skillman
Sapphire Flames by Jeanne Barrack is a flawless sparkling diamond among pearls. Ms. Barrack's talent for mingling romance and fantasy into a single coherent story without distracting tangents or loose ends is most praise worthy. She has balanced both aspects of the story so that neither detracts from the other and both give the reader great pleasure. All the elements of a fine epic saga and of a true romance blend together to create a breath-taking story.
Loran and Talea are the perfect couple. They compliment each other and draw the reader deep into their tale simply by being the type of person one longs to know and adore. The love scenes between these two are tender and lava hot. The villains are self-centered, arrogant, cruel and power-hungry; perfect for loving to loath them. The secondary characters sweeten the deal by giving the reader glimpses of favorites from the preceding books and introducing new people to flesh out the story and add spice.
All in all, Ms. Barrack has brought her trilogy to a strong and fulfilling end and left plenty of room to revisit this world in future works if her muse takes her that direction. Though Sapphire Flames gives enough background that it can stand alone; I highly recommend purchasing all three books. You will not regret the investment.
TCM Review
Reviewer: Sandra Barkevich
Sapphire Flames is an adventurous story, filled with magic and love. The world created by Ms. Barrack is detailed and full of splendor. The tale of good vs. evil is an old one and Jeanne Barrack spins it well. Readers will be pleased to see beloved characters from previous books as well as a new guy in town. Ms. Barrack's writing is humorous and entertaining. The banter between the characters had me chuckling on more than one occasion. I look forward to seeing more from Ms. Barrack.
JERR Review
Reviewer: Joy Harrington
Rating: 4 Stars - Heat level: O
This story is a very complex and ambitious one. It has many of the elements in sci-fi/fantasy epics—hidden abilities, a quest for sacred objects, multiple story arcs happening simultaneously and truly evil villains. At well over 200 pages, this third installment in the Hearthome series brings the previous heroes and heroines from the first two books back for encore performances. The interaction and dialogue between all the couples was great. ... If you like lots of hot sex scenes, this is the right book for you. ... In the end, there were still a couple of loose strings in this romantic epic, including Talea's big secret. I can’t help but wonder if there might not be a fourth installment. If so, count me in!
Enchanted Ramblings - 5.5. Magical Wands