As You Wish Reviews: Teaser | The Jewel of Nirel by Ann Snizek

Book Title: The Jewel of Nirel
Author: Ann Snizek
Release Date: July 27, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Length: Over 86,000 Words
Publisher: Snow Flower Enterprises

TEASER

The next day's shopping trip was a success. Krissa found a nicely balanced belt knife, with the help of Master Leyland, a guard of Lord Naren, Alcina's father, who accompanied them to the market for protection. When they returned that evening, she made a point of tracking down Khevin and telling him about Micah's message to her. He wrote some notes about it in a journal. Then he moved around to the other side of his desk and sat on the edge so that he could look straight into her eyes. His gaze always released a shockwave inside her, but she struggled to push past it as she focused on his words.

"He's right, you know," Khevin said, reaching out and cradling her hands. "War is nasty, and deaths are an unfortunate part of it. No matter how much I hate violence, I can't just sit back and allow people like Marc and Hume to kill without at least trying to stop them. They won't listen to reason." He tilted his head back as if the answer would appear written on the ceiling. "People look to me for protection."

"I know," Krissa said softly, not sure what else to say. She knew that no matter how strong he appeared, the pressures of ruling a country weighed heavily on him. Grown men struggled with less. "Do you know who Nadzia is?" she asked in an attempt to break the silence that had fallen.

"She is a water nymph," he said. A hint of annoyance colored his voice, but his expression returned to normal. "She has an unpleasant habit of appropriating men and turning them into slaves."

"That doesn't sound so different from some women I know," Krissa said, trying to lift the mood.

"When she tires of them she feeds them to her pet sharks," Khevin added with a grimace.

"Ouch."

Khevin chuckled -- tension released… at least for a while. "Yes, that would be an ‘ouch’." He looked at her with his deep, swirling eyes again. "Will you be alright?" He gently pushed hair back from her cheek and touched her face.

"I'm sure I will, but I don't have to like it," she complained.

"I'd worry if you did like it," he replied.

AUTHOR BIO
I grew up in Vermont mostly and now live in Virginia with my family (those still at home). My husband and I have a blended family of seven kids. My childhood was spent moving around a lot. (non-military) About five years ago, we started home-schooling our youngest children. Now there are only two remaining in home-school. I have tried to nurture the love of books in our children and now our grandchildren -- always nurturing their imaginations. Recently, I have become active in our community with literacy, starting a local (and online) creative writing club and volunteer tutoring at the Adult Learning Center.

I struggle with Fibromyalgia and PTSD. So, have to be careful not to overdo things... I don't always listen to my own advice. I have a dry, sarcastic and corny sense of humor and always try to look at things optimistically. (again not always successful) However, I feel that if I don't give up -- for long -- then things will work out for the best eventually.