The Language of Souls

"...fantasy with a side of sigh-worthy romance." -The Fiction EnthusiastSolena, a young healer with a generous heart, is desperate to heal her dying grandfather. When she ventures into hostile territory to find a rare herb, she finds out just how much she's risked when she's captured by the enemy and accused of being a spy.As a soldier, Rundan has struggled all his life to please his father, a ruthless army commander, but when he's ordered to take the beautiful trespasser to the royal courts, where she'll be summarily tried and executed, he's plagued by the most inconvenient desire to protect her.Though terrified and anxious to escape, Solena is confused by the handsome young soldier who cruelly captures her and then displays uncommon kindness. When he risks his own life to save hers, she discovers she may have risked more than her life... she may have lost her heart.First published by The Wild Rose Press, 2010"A thoughtful artistically woven tale that delves into the complexities of the human heart. Goldfinch understands the frailties of the soul and draws readers in with her subtle romantic touch. Readers will be enchanted and wanting more!" -Jennifer Cervantes, award-winning YA author of Tortilla Sun"The Language of Souls is a wonderful romance/fantasy novella, which is both sweet and sensual at the same time. The lush and wondrous setting springs to life off the pages. I loved Solena. She is smart and spunky, but it is her kindness and empathy that make her such a wonderful character." -Erin Cashman, author of YA supernatural fantasy, The ExceptionalsPRAISE FOR FIRST EDITION"...a tender, sweet, heartfelt tale that reads like an old-fashioned fairy tale. The writing is gentle, effortless, and eloquent...the perfect tiny romantic escape." -Tales of Whimsy"...short, sweet, romantic and completely and utterly satisfying" -Penelope's Romance Reviews"A little romance, a little adventure, a little fantasy, a little historical fiction all mixed together to make a heartwarming story...." -I am a Reader, Not a Writer"Solena and Rundan's story is heart-warming, sensual and soul-searching.... Their world is expressed in a beautiful language that is breathtaking and sweet." -The Minding SpotExcerpt:Rundan continued watching her as he ate. When the food was gone, he took a votif stand from among his things and set it carefully by the fire. Then he untied his votif from his belt and, after removing its cork, he began breathing prayers over it. Solena watched his every inhalation and exhalation in rapt attention. She couldn't have moved or looked away if she'd wanted to.After placing his votif in the stand, he glanced at her from under the sweep of unexpectedly dark lashes. After some hesitation, he removed the cork from her votif as well and breathed a quick prayer over it. Solena stared at him, not daring to blink. He reached to place it in the votif stand, stopped mid-reach, as if noticing her fixed gaze, and then he replaced both corks and tied the votifs to his belt. With this done, he rubbed the back of his neck for some time and avoided her eyes.Solena opened and closed her mouth with a snap.He'd prayed over her votif?The action was so unexpected, so shocking, she could barely connect her thoughts. What he'd done was the most intimate of acts. What a father might do for his child. Or a husband for his new bride. She and Theta had whispered about it often, wondering what it would be like, and here he was praying for her.Rundan's unusually pale eyes met hers briefly and the flash of vulnerability in them disconcerted her. The expression fled as quickly as it had come and the cool mask he always seemed to wear slid into place. He was again Rundan: captor, soldier, enemy.Solena moistened her suddenly dry lips and stared into the fire, desperately trying to make sense of her thoughts-and of the strange tightness in her chest.TEEN FICTION, ages 12 and up