Cover Reveal and Reflections behind Haven of Smoke and Shadows

Hi friends! How are you doing?

Our family of four is slowly getting used to the new normal of online life and social distancing. My two boys have really great attitudes. They see this as a fun new adventure. My husband also seems resigned to it all, although he really dislikes Zoom. Unfortunately, it takes me much longer to adapt to new changes. (I know, it's been over 4 weeks... so it's not even new anymore... oy!)

Honestly, it's hard for me to feel hopeful when there is so much suffering and the end isn't quite in sight.

So today I thought I'd pop on the blog and share about something that makes me happy. And that's the cover of Haven of Smoke and Shadows, the 3rd book in my Light and Fire Series.

Here she is- isn't she gorgeous?

Once again, all props go to KD Ritchie from Story Wrappers for designing such a beautiful cover.

Here's a blurb for the book:

Sometimes first loves were never meant to be...

Lia reveals her true feelings to Kieren-- only to have him break her heart. Now worlds away, high school and homecoming loom ahead. And somebody new is making a play for her heart.

Kieren almost lost Lia once. Struggling to maintain control over his inner dragon, he believes he's done the right thing in pushing her away. But when he tries to bring Lia back to Solair, Kieren comes to realize he might have made the worst mistake of his life in letting her go.

With the threat of the World Eater growing daily, the distinction between friend and foe blurs. Will Lia and Kieren face the destroyer of worlds together? Or will misunderstanding and betrayal tear them and their worlds apart?

Don't miss this enchanting third installment in the Light and Fire Series.

WARNING: SPOILERS UP AHEAD!

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Now, if you haven't read book 1 or 2 yet, don't read the rest of this post. Because there will definitely be some spoilers revealed...

Why are Lia and Kieren apart... again?

And why does this book seem so different from the others?

(Some Brief Rambly Reflections on Haven of Smoke and Shadows)

I know what you're thinking. "Girl, haven't you ever read a romance novel? Readers want happily-ever-afters! They want their couples to stay couples!" 

And hey- I get it. I hear you. But it's just not in the cards for Lia and Kieren. At least not yet... *wink wink*

I've been married now for almost 15 years. Before that, I dated a small handful of guys because I was an awkward-shy-introvert-nerd who wasn't great at talking to members of the opposite sex... but that's another story for another day....

Anyway, during my dating years, I went through two really serious heartbreaks. Once at the end of high school and the other during my junior year of college.

They were both extremely difficult times in my life. I cried a lot. I slept even more. I doubted myself. I stopped paying attention in classes. I barely made it through the day. And I ate my weight in cheese. 

Basically, I shut down and became an un-washed and cheesy shell of myself. But eventually, my heart healed. And I learned to smile and love again. 

What does this have to do with Haven of Smoke and Shadows? Well, that was just a long way of saying that I wrote the beginning part of this book drawing from my vast wells of suffering.

In the beginning, we learn what happens after Kieren purposely breaks Lia's heart and convinces her to go back home. Kieren remains with the Verdurans learning how to control his dragon. Meanwhile, Lia figures out how to survive her senior year.

Yup. It's sad times for both.

Look, I love my main characters and I genuinely feel sad when they're going through difficult times. But both Lia and Kieren needed this rocky patch. In books 1 and 2, Lia was tossed into a new world and given a new role. She needed this break in book 3 to decide whether or not she wanted to continue on the path to becoming the Light. To do that, she has to see what her life could be like if she lived a normal teenage life. 

And Kieren needed this time apart from Lia to grow. His memories are back. And he has to fully adapt and accept his tainted past and his dragon half.

(And in case you're wondering about Griffith, oh boy! You'll be seeing a lot of him. He is such a fun and surprising character. After writing the first book, I never thought he would wheedle his way into my heart and into this series. But he has. Griffith is funny, highly observant, and loyal. He's not only a wonderful friend to Kieren, but he also becomes Lia's close confidant too. I love Griffith. And I'm so glad that he gets his own romantic happy ending in this novel.... *hint hint* )

Also, I  debated whether or not to label this book as "3" or "2.5."  It's got a completely different vibe from books 1, 2, and 4. It doesn't take place in a fantasy world. There isn't a pressing issue or enemy that the characters have to face. And parts of it are written like a YA contemporary novel. (Hint: Get ready for hashtags and texting!)

I ended up labeling it as Book 3 because I think the story stands by itself. 

I love this odd middle novel. It's my homage to high school. It includes all the things that I really hated about that time of life (break-ups, magnified feelings of social-awkwardness, tests, and emotional angst) and it embraces all the things that I really loved about that time of life (close-knit friendships, endless optimism about the future, and... dances!)

So, dear reader, I really hope you enjoy this third novel too. And get ready for book 4... because Lia, Kieren, and (surprise!) Griffith are finally going to Verdura to kick some World Eater butt.

Thanks for joining me on this creative journey!

~ Ginger Li