Kiss of Fire Book 1 of the Imdalind Series by Rebecca Ethington

As most of you are stuck in doors with nearly a foot of snow, I got to thinking of a book that could warm you up! I stumbled across Kiss of Fire in January and it quickly became one of my favorite books! (Though if I’m completely honest, book 3 of this series is my absolute favorite!!) This epic story starts in sunny California summer and is told in first person POV from the main character Joclyn Despain. It is a lovely mix of Young Adult and Paranormal Romance, and the author does a good job of keeping it a clean read as well. If you liked the Beautiful Creatures series, I believe you’ll enjoy this. (Personally I think it’s better than Beautiful Creatures. Read it and tell me what you think!)

Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington
Series: The Imdalind Series #1
Published by Imdalind Press on October 30, 2012
Length: 354 pages
Reviewing eBook from Amazon
Rating:

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

Kiss of Fire is the story of sixteen year old Joclyn Despain and how she discovers that not all is what it seems in her world. At the age of five, she received a mark and was in a coma for months. Upon awaking, her father leaves in search of what he thinks is wrong with her. Her mother stays and finds work at the LaRue mansion as a cook. This is where Joclyn meets her one and only friend, Ryland LaRue. Now teens, hormones have kicked in and Joclyn feels more than friendly towards him. However she reminds herself Only friends multiple times throughout the book. But when Ryland sees the mark for the first time, things spiral quickly. What is this mark? Why does it always ruin her life?

I loved the characters in this book! Joclyn isn’t the drama-type that is typical of YA/PNR books of today. She holds her own. She’s quick witted, well educated and quite frankly a strong character. She loves her best friend, who is her only friend. She is fiercely loyal to her mother, who stuck by her after her dad left. Her flaw is the mark. This mark has controlled her life, she does everything in her power to make sure no one sees it, so no one else will leave her because of it. Ryland, who is her best friend and love interest, is handsome and just his touch seems to calm her. He also seems very in tune with her thoughts and feelings. Almost as if he can sense them. Wyn is the new girl at Joclyn’s school. She’s spunky and fierce, and to her credit really likes Joclyn despite the mark. Ilyan is Wyn’s older brother and guardian and he gives Joclyn the creeps. Something about him is familiar but she can’t place it.

As the story progresses Joclyn’s life is turned upside down. I can’t talk about why without giving away a big spoiler so just trust me when I say it is the basis for this series! The mark isn’t what she thought it to be.  Joclyn doesn’t know whether to trust Ilyan and Wyn and all she wants is Ryland back. But can she do it?

The world building in this book lays the groundwork for the rest of the series. I love Ethington’s take of witches! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. I also loved that she kept it a clean read. Little to no foul language and mild romantic themes. Perfect for the young adult audience!

If you like witches and PNR, and if you enjoyed the Beautiful Creatures series I think you will enjoy this book! Be warned though, it is a cliff hanger and I couldn’t wait to start in on book two!

 

 

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