Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Missing Lily by Annette K. Larsen

Missing Lily Tour

missing lilyMissing Lily
by Annette K. Larsen
YA Fantasy
May 13th 2014 by Hidden Falls Publishing           

Summary

“You don’t know who I am,” I whispered. He didn’t move—either away from me, or closer—and after an interminable moment, I stepped back and hurried out of the house.

He didn’t follow me as I fled into the night.

Lylin was not used to being alone—much less alone, hurt, and lost. So when she is separated from her guard and forced to abandon her horse, she counts herself lucky to stumble upon a manor house. Still frightened by those who chased her into the night, she keeps her identity a secret, calling herself Lily as she accepts the help of kind servants, and the compassion of Lord Fallon. When they fall into an easy friendship, she wonders if her secrecy was too hasty. However, as she gets to know the manor and its residents, Lylin discovers that she’s not the only one hiding secrets, and it may be a very good thing that her host doesn’t know her true identity as a member of the royal family.
   

My Review

I am a succor for fairy tale type stories and I would definitely put Missing Lily into that category. From the first page I was transported into Lylin's, or "Lily's," world and remained there for most of the story. It was adventurous, sweet, with a sense of danger and plenty of romantic tension.

I really liked these characters! I liked how Lily was the baby of the family, but had a presence all her own. I liked how close she was with Ella (from Just Ella), that she was strong, intelligent, direct, and sweet. I also really liked Rhys. I liked how he handled himself, how willing he was to open his heart, but also do his duty if need be. He was first and foremost a gentleman. I enjoyed getting to know the queen and king and the other sisters more in this novel.

The plot was engaging and rather entertaining. Lily and Rhys definitely did not have it easy. I enjoyed how letters played a role in their relationship and how they expressed themselves. The villain in the story played a different role than I thought he would and that part of the story fell a little flat for me, especially in how all the characters reacted and for the setting being as it was. The aftermath also dragged a little for me. These would be the only issues I had with the story though. I couldn't put it down otherwise.

If you enjoy reading fairy tales with a sweet, but strong heroine, a dashing hero, with danger lurking and an almost impossible happily-ever-after than I would recommend picking up Missing Lily.


Content: Clean

Source: From the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.

Excerpt

Just as I started to relax, the sound of voices made my eyes pop open, and I sat up, forcing my breathing to quiet. The doors at the other end of the stables slid open and someone entered, carrying a lamp and shaking water from their clothes.
“I’m not seein’ things, Lord Fallon. Someone is in here,” a voice whispered. I sat still, unable to move. The lamp shifted, casting two men in ominous shadow.
“I believe you, Giles. That’s why we’re here.” His Lordship sounded not at all concerned, as though he were merely humoring his hired man. He sounded more tired than anything.
“The lamp, Giles.” The light transferred to His Lordship’s hands, illuminating his face and leaving me astonished by his youth. He looked to be in his twenties, and I wondered how such a young gentleman held the title of Lord. “You’re sure it wasn’t an animal of some sort?” he asked as he took his first steps down the long line of stalls. He would find me soon enough, and yet this prospect didn’t terrify me as it had moments ago. Lord Fallon looked not at all frightening. He wore trousers, a loose fitting shirt that hung untucked, and a full-length coat that fell in languid folds from his shoulders. Water dripped from his rumpled hair, sliding down his face and into his well-trimmed facial hair.
“T’weren’t no animal, sir.”
“The horses aren’t agitated. They would be if someone threatening were about.”
When the light fell on me, Lord Fallon’s eyes widened. I tried to push myself to my feet, but he drew a sword that I had not realized was hanging at his side and pointed it at my throat. I fell back against the wall, crouching, my chest aching from the heavy beating of my heart.
“I don’t take kindly to vagrants on my property.” His fatigue had vanished. Now he looked menacing—terrifying.
My voice was barely audible as I forced a reply. “I’m not a vagrant, sir.”
His eyes narrowed in question. “Remove your hood.”
I raised my hand slowly and pushed the fabric back. His eyebrows raised, even more surprised by my appearance than by my voice. The sword lowered. “Giles, take her inside and put her in front of a fire. She’s freezing.” And with that, he walked away and I slumped back to the ground, numb with relief.

Author Annette K. Larsen

AnnetteI was born in Utah, part of a crazy, fun family of nine. I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and St. Louis, MO before striking out on my own college adventure in Virginia. I decided to try my hand at writing novels after I was married and living in Idaho. I write clean romance because it’s my favorite genre, but often difficult to find.
I have Charlotte Brontë to thank for the courage to write novels. After being bombarded with assigned reading about women who justified abandoning either their families or their principles in the name of love, I had the great fortune of reading Jane Eyre. And that was it: finally, a heroine who understood that being moral and making the right choice was hard, and sometimes it hurt, but it was still worth it. After rereading it several years later, I realized that if I wanted more books to exist with the kinds of heroines I admired, then I might as well write a few myself. My books are about women who face hard choices, who face pain and rejection and often have to face the reality of sacrificing what they want for what is right. The consequences are often difficult or unpleasant, but in the end, doing what’s right will always be worth it.

I believe there is no substitute for good writing or good chocolate. Fortunately, one often leads to the other.


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Tour-Wide Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 6/15/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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6 comments

  1. Sounds like a great book- thanks for sharing your review!

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  2. YAY! I am so glad you liked it. I haven't read the first one but I am looking forward to this!

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  3. I'm still young at heart and I love good YA romance. Thanks for putting this author on my radar.

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  4. I don't think I'll every outgrow reading about new love. :)

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