Craves The Angst: BOOK BLITZ with EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY - SYMBOL OF REDEMPTION (Symbols Duet #2) by Natalya Orekhov:

TITLE: Symbol of Redemption
SERIES: Symbols Duet
SERIES PLACEMENT: #2
AUTHOR: Natalya Orekhov
AGE GROUP: Adult
GENRE: Romance, Suspense
RELEASE DATE: September 16, 2016
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
PAGES: Approx. 227
BLITZ COORDINATED BY:
Xpresso Book Tours

BOOK BLURB:
Symbol of Redemption is the highly anticipated conclusion to Symbol of Treason. Don’t miss the finale that will have you screaming. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, well…, that’s debatable.

As The Brotherhood closes in, the stakes are as high as they come. Everyone is on edge, and Alice finds herself more lost than ever as her heart is torn to shreds. She’s desperate to discover all that was Logan Snow before he became the monster she married. But Logan refuses to give her any insights into his former life, knowing full well that once everything is revealed, Alice will be gone.

Will Alice find the strength to fight to the end, or will the truths of the past prove too much to bear?

Will Logan find a way to save them from a war determined to destroy them, or was the battlefield rigged from the beginning?

And when you’re faced with your own mortality, will forgiveness wash over you, or will you take vengeance to your very grave?

—
Author’s Note: This story deals with heavy subject matter such as rape, murder, and slavery, and requires the reader to accept the fact that despite this fictional set, real life is fare graver than the words written on these pages. The relationships of these characters are built on sacrifice, forgiveness, and vulnerability to the very core. This is not a work of erotica, but it is also not intended for an audience under the age of 18. This is the conclusion to Alice and Logan’s story. For your interest I am deeply grateful. Wishing you a meaningful journey of discovery and an abundance of joy.

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TEASER IMAGES

EXCERPT

As I reached the summit of the mountain my last thought lingered, the thought I could never find resolution to. Why did she die and I…spared? Was life really a series of moves? Or was it simply a gamble disguised as choice?

Neither option provided relief. Neither road led to an outcome that offered peace for the guilt of failing the only angel I had known in this land of carnage.

I stepped closer to the edge of the cliff, and knew if Logan was here, he would’ve pulled me back. But he wasn’t, and I didn’t want him to be.

My heart was racing, the gusts of wind aimed upward from my feet—whispered how easy it would be to soar. Soar until the pain of memory was no longer piercing my wounded heart like a burning dagger. The adrenaline was strong, the pull stronger, and I wouldn’t step back. The bouquet tucked within one hand found its way into my line of sight and I wept.

I sank to the cold ground, unbothered by the ice pressed against my backside as my feet dangled over the edge of the perched rock, daring to crumble beneath my weight and plummet; me along with it.

“I don’t believe I’m strong enough anymore, Mama. I thought that Logan’s love would pull me out forever and do away with the fear but instead…my hatred grows. The more I allow the dream of a future to linger, the hotter my fire burns.”

With shaky fingers I untied the ribbon holding together the stems of delicate flowers. Taking one, I threw it over my knees, watching as it gracefully descended to inescapable demise.

“I’m sorry I didn’t understand you more while you were still with me.”

Another stem.

“I’m sorry for not being stronger for you.”

Another.

“I’m sorry your kind spirit was punished by those meant to protect you.”

Three stems more.

“I’m sorry…I was a coward…I’m sorry I didn’t fight for you…I didn’t try harder, I didn’t scream louder or find something to help us escape, or rip Boris apart with my bare hands for hurting you the way he did. I’m sorry, so damn sorry for it all. I hate it all and I can’t move on. It suffocates me and I have to shut you out just to catch my breath because you deserved better! This world screwed you. It betrayed a Father I never knew, it abandoned me, and I can’t understand it! I cannot…I just…I miss you, Mama. I miss you so damn much. I want you back, please…”

The remainder of the stems followed the others to a grave hundreds of feet below that no one would ever find.

It was the fifteenth of December.

Eight years.

People say it gets easier with time, I haven’t found that to be true. Not in my case. My body shook with grief I couldn’t let go of. I didn’t own anything of my mothers. Not a single photograph or trinket. All I had were memories, and even those I didn’t truly own. Fear reigned over it all.

Logan set out on a journey to avenge those who’d wronged his parents, but me…I was too afraid when it came down to it. Too weak to give my mama the justice this world would not. I’d failed her.

The sound behind me was too heavy for a stray animal and too steady to be a random sound of wilderness.

“You shouldn’t have come.” I yelled, but heard nothing more than the advancement of his approach.

My body was shivering severely now. Shaking with a force I couldn’t control. My blatant disregard for safety was reckless. I lacked reason and was being stupid, that’s all there was to it.

His steps were steady and encroaching until his arms snaked around my body and pulled me back from the ledge. Logan fell to the ground, and his grip around me tightened just the way I liked. I was shaking too hard to reciprocate his embrace. My teeth chattering and my spirit drifting to sleep.
Unzipping his coat Logan tucked me closer to his warm body, the scent of home assaulted me beautifully as the scent of Lily of the valley faded over the cliff side.

To be dead.

With the dead.

I pushed deeper into his chest, reaching for a place I couldn’t get close enough to. A place where everything was as beautiful as his embrace. Logan wrapped his coat as far around my body as it would go, infusing his warmth into my numb limbs. He tucked his head over mine and for a while we rocked back and forth as he kept my head secured sweetly beneath his.
“You cannot leave me, Alice. Please don’t ever leave me.”

His plea danced its way into my heart. A sad dance, as though it knew what was coming.

I couldn’t respond, for I could not find my voice. I wept. For a long, long time, I wept.

Purchase book one, SYMBOL OF TREASON on Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR...

As a Russian refugee, Nataly Orekhov at a very young age learned that life is anything but fair. If her toys and clothing were not donations from a charity or a kind soul, then they were acquired by a technique called Dumpster Diving. As the fourth of five children, Natalya was well versed in the dynamics of big families. Yet despite the bickering and slamming of doors, everyone knew that with this family, blood would always be thicker than water; the screams always took second place to their cheers for one another.

Today Natalya lives in a cozy home in Southwest Littleton, Colorado, with her husband and two young children. She’s known in her neighborhood as an exceptional baker and enjoys surprising friends with mouthwatering desserts. Though, moderately young, Natalya has earned several degrees in various disciplines of life—in hardship, heartache, and forgiveness when it’s the last thing you want to give. Yet in the midst of such a grueling education, Natalya has also had the great privilege of meeting countless individuals with hearts larger than life, and spirits that rival the best of them. To such individuals she is eternally grateful.

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