Believe in Me (Croyants Des Trois) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jessica Inclan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009 | Series: Croyants Des Trois

The Croyants des Trois are a powerful clan of telepaths and healers, and Felix Valasay, as gifted in magic as he is in seduction, is the black sheep of the family...For a Croyant, Felix Valasay lives a charmed life of sensual excess, so he's less than thrilled to be interrupted mid-hookup by notorious Croyant straight arrow, Sayblee Safipour. She'd been the smart one in their magic classes, the one he couldn't win over with a smile or a compliment or twelve, the one he'd wanted so desperately. Now he has the chance to wake up to her beautiful, calm face, to smell the sweetness of her skin, to be this close to those maddening curves...Figures Sayblee would find Felix 'entertaining' when they have important Council business to attend to - setting a trap in Paris for the most dangerous, powerful sorcier their world has ever known. To do that they will need to hide in plain sight, living together like an ordinary Moyenne couple, using no magic at all. Keeping her mind shut against the dark forces trying to find them is tough. But keeping Felix's hot body out of her thoughts is nearly impossible. Sometimes the only way to avoid temptation is to yield to it...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inclan's beautiful tale combines elements of fantasy, romance, adventure and self-discovery...leaves the readers feeling like they are in a dream."

About the Author

Jessica Barksdale Inclán teaches writing, mythology, and women's literature at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821780859
• ISBN-13: 978-0821780855
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jessica Barksdale Inclan's debut novel Her Daughter's Eyes, published in 2001, was the premier novel published under New American Library's new imprint Accent. Her Daughter's Eyes was a final nominee for the YALSA Award for the best books of 2001 and best paperbacks for 2001 and has been published in Dutch and Spanish. Her next novel The Matter of Grace was published in May 2002 and was re-released in a mass market version in May 2004. Her third, When You Go Away, came out April 1, 2003. Her fourth, One Small Thing, was published April 2004, and has been published in Dutch and Spanish. Her fifth, Walking With Her Daughter, was published in April 2005. The Instant When Everything is Perfect was published in February 2006. In June 2006, she published the first in a trilogy from Kensington Books. When You Believe was followed by Reason to Believe and Believe in Me. Being with Him, Intimate Beings, and The Beautiful Being (October 2009) are the novels in her second trilogy. She is a 2002 recipient of the CAC Artist's Fellowship in Literature. Incl'n teaches composition, creative writing, mythology, and women's literature at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, and on-line creative writing courses for UCLA extension. She has studied with Sharon Olds, Anne Lamott, Kate Braverman, Grace Paley, Marjorie Sandor, and Cristina Garcia. Her short stories and poems have appeared in Rockhurst Review, Hotwired, The Salt Hill Journal, Free Lunch, The West Wind Review, The Prairie Star, Gargoyle and many other journals and newspapers. Her short story Open Eyes was given first prize by Sandra Cisneros for El Andar magazine's 2000 writing contest. She co-edited a women's literature/studies textbook Diverse Voices of Women (Mayfield Publishing, 1995). Ms. Inclan has degrees in sociology and English literature from CSU Stanislaus and a Master's degree in English literature from SFSU. Ms. Inclan lives in Oakland, California and is currently at work on her next novel. Find her Kindle books on Amazon, starting with The Wolf at the Window.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Enchanting!, July 9, 2007

By 

Robin E. Snodgrass "recs5664" (Jefferson City, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Believe in Me (The Believe Trilogy, Book 3) (Paperback)

This review is posted at ROMANCEJUNKIES.com in its entirety.

Felix Valasay is the youngest brother in a prominent family of magical Croyant sorcerers. He is also the most notorious ladies man in the Croyant society. Handsome, charismatic and a true lover of women, Felix has always been the "love `em and leave `em" type, until he realizes that his future may be held firmly in Sayblee Safipour's hands. For years, Sayblee has watched Felix work his way through the female population, both magical Croyant and non-magical Moyenne. She refuses to allow herself to think of him in any way other than as the lothario she knows him to be.

The Croyant Council has learned that Quain, one of the most powerful Croyant sorcerers in history, is gathering his followers in Paris in preparation for his newest attempt at world domination. Quain believes that he should be in charge of the world, with him in control of all Croyant and with the Moyenne being nothing more than slaves. The Council disagrees and orders Sayblee and Felix to live in Paris among the Moyenne without the benefit of their magical abilities in an effort to thwart Quain's plan. Both Felix and Sayblee have personal reasons for wanting to find Quain and to stop him from accomplishing his bid to rule the world. What horrible things did Quain do to cause Felix and Sayblee to be so determined to thwart his evil plan of conquest?

BELIEVE IN ME is a splendid romantic fantasy with characters impossible to resist. Although Felix may at first seem like the "pig" that Sayblee thinks him to be, he reveals such depth of character as to redeem himself and prove that he is true hero material. The characters created by Jessica Inclán are realistic enough for you to imagine them as your next-door neighbors. Their magical abilities just add to their mystique. The whole idea of this secret society living hidden within our own is intriguing and is an engaging background for the budding romance. I found myself laughing along with Sayblee when Felix said or did something funny and crying when things looked bleak. This romance touched my heart with the simple fact that underneath all the intrigue it still remained a true love story.

Jessica Inclán created the imaginative and amazing world of the Croyant de Trois in the first book of this trilogy, WHEN YOU BELIEVE. Inclán continued the magical odyssey in REASON TO BELIEVE, and concludes the tale with BELIEVE IN ME. I would encourage the reader to start with the first book in the series titled WHEN YOU BELIEVE. The vivid history and detailed character development in the first book serve to enrich, add insight and understanding to this already remarkable story.

I love the last book in the Croyant de Trois trilogy, BELIEVE IN ME. I was extremely sorry to reach the final page. Jessica Inclán has created a treasure with the magical Croyant world. I just hope that there will be more Croyant stories in the future. This wonderful book has earned a place on my keeper shelf along side the first two in the series. Do not miss this enchanting tale!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb romantic fantasy, March 3, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Believe in Me (The Believe Trilogy, Book 3) (Paperback)

They live among us and look like ordinary people but the Croyant are powerful sorcerers who can walk through matter (teleport) and they are strong telepaths. They are able to weave spells and use their powers as weapons although they don't because the leadership's dearest wish is to come out of the closet to the Moyenne (non magical people) who have killed them throughout the ages. The leadership thinks the time is right to work with the Moyenne however Quain, the most powerful sorcerer of them all doesn't agree with the plan.

He sees a world where he is the leader, the Croyant are in control or enchanted into obeying him and the Moyenne their extendible slaves Sayblee Safipour and Felix Valasay go to France where Quain is gathering new members in his power in another attempt to take control of the Croyant leadership. Sayblee and Felix believe they have found him and walk into a trap. They both get separated for a while. Sayblee is under Quain's control and Felix will do whatever it takes to get her back but he doesn't know where she is or how to find her.

This is the third and final tale in Jessica Inclan's superb romantic fantasy. Felix was a lothario until he saw Sayblee with a lover's eye and knows that his roaming days are over. Sayblee fears she is just another notch in his belt when they realize that they love each other. They both are powerful sorcerers and have the power to do what must be done in the leadership's overall plan. The author has created great characters and a world so much like ours except that it has magic. An excellent worldbuilder, Ms Inclan has created a believable society hidden within a larger society.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romance and fantasy, October 27, 2010

By 

Readsa Lot "Cee" (PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Believe in Me (Croyants Des Trois) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sayblee and Felizx are both Croyant. They look like humans but they have magical powers and are sworn to protect humans. Though both are Croyant, they are as different as night and day. Sayblee is a straight arrow, smart, and a courageous fighter. Felix, also a fighter, is a playboy. Together they are part of a mission to take down Quain, a Croyant gone bad, interested only in consolidating Croyant powers to himself. Because at first they cannot use their magic, they are vulnerable to Quain and therein lies the first disaster of the mission.

Believe in Me is the third book in Jessica Inclan's Croyant trilogy but can be read without having read the first two. The romance neatly intertwines with the mission. While they are linked by their passionate dreams, Sayblee and Felix work together seeking Quain's followers and fighting against Quain himself.

I liked these characters and the way their understanding of each other and their love developed. Their connections with their families added to the emotional drama of the story. The battle with Quain was creatively resolved (but no spoilers from me!) I'm looking forward to reading the first two books in this series too.

Disclaimer: I received this book through the Member Giveaway program at LibraryThing.com