The Tears of Elios (The Elgean Chronicles) [Kindle Edition]

Crista McHugh (Author)

Book Description

Shape-shifters' Rule #1: Don't let the humans know you still exist.

Rule #2: If a human finds out about you, silence them.

Some rules were meant to be broken...

Ranealya ruthlessly plays by the rules and has outlived most of her race because of it. If she wants to survive, she'll have to stick to them, especially with a genocidal tyrant hell-bent on destroying all the non-humans in the realm. But everything falls apart when a human saves her life.

Gregor knows he's inviting trouble when he helps a wounded shape-shifter, but he can't pass up the opportunity to study one before they become extinct. She disturbs the quiet order of his scholarly existence, vexes him in more ways than he can count, and encourages him to break enough of the kingdom's laws so that not even being the king's cousin will save his head. The problem is, he's already lost his heart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first thing that came to mind upon finishing this book is " Holy Crap! Is that it?!"  I did not want this book to end...simply put it grabs you by the boot straps so to speak and hauls you into the story until you are helpless but to keep turning the page until you find out what happens." -- 5/5 stars, Starcrossed Reviews

About the Author

Growing up in small town Alabama, Crista relied on story-telling as a natural way for her to pass the time and keep her two younger sisters entertained. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and daughter, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends. Her writing has won over twenty awards. Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant. And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days) For the latest updates and answers to any burning questions you have, please check out her webpage, www.cristamchugh.com, or subscribe to her newsletter.

Product Details

• File Size: 608 KB
• Print Length: 311 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1466349581
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Crista McHugh (October 6, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005TDJ18U
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,854 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tears of Elois by Crista McHugh March 25, 2012

By D. L. Graham

Format:Paperback

The Tears of Elois by award winning Fantasy and Paranormal author, Crista McHugh.

Before I begin this review, I want to state clearly in accordance with the FTC's new rules that I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation or consideration has been given.

Shape Shifters have two rules: Rule #1 is Don't let the humans know you exist. Rule #2 is If a human finds out about you, silence them.

Ranealya is a shape-shifter who follows the rules, and has outlived the rest of her race because of it. The ruler of the lands where she lives is bent on destroying all non-humans, and that includes Ranealya. Then, the unthinkable happens. A human saves her life.

Gregor finds a wounded shape-shifter and takes her home to heal her wounds and allow her safety. It's also a chance to study a shape-shifter up close. Ranealya causes him discomfort in many ways, not the least of which is the attraction he feels for her. Though he is the King's cousin, is he willing to risk it all to save the shape-shifters life?

The Tears of Elois is a wonderfully complex story of not one but two couples.

Kira is the magician assistant to Master Tyrrus, who has been training her to use her magic wisely. They find themselves hurled into Gregor and Raneayla's world when the Azekborn, the King's assassins nearly capture them as they flee. Master Tyrrus has been a spy for the Resistance and helping other races to go to safety through a portal created by Kira. Is it infatuation she feels for Galean, the elf leader of the Resistance or is it something more?

Galean is an elf, who loves his sister Ranealya, but sometimes, it can be hard having a sister who is a shape-shifter, leading a mismatched band of refugees, and trying to keep everyone fed and alive. Kira brings out new feelings in him. Is she his Ruhisha, his soul mate, or is she only a passing fling?

How Ms. McHugh managed to weave together a story of not one but two couples and give them all more than enough length and breadth is beyond me. That's why she is the award winning writer, and I am not. A master story-teller, Crista McHugh takes you into both couples worlds, lives, and thoughts and you enjoy every moment of it. More action, magic, elves, dwarves and a few surprises along the way as they seek to reclaim the seven Tears of Elois in order to save the Kingdom from the tyrannical ruler will leave you breathless yet again.

We learn enough of each person and each couple to feel a definite pull for them as individuals and as couples. We share their anger, sorrow, and joy in each mind racing, page turning event crafted by the author.

I highly recommend this read and yes, again, another of Ms. McHugh's books gains the elusive KEEPER shelf from me. Along with receiving a 5-star rating on the oft asked for 1 to 5-star rating that I prefer not to use as a normal occurrence. Ms. McHugh's writing again shows us that independently published books can and many are of high quality and carefully edited. (Again, I found only one editing mistake, a misused word, where a was used, but of was the word that would have made the sentence understandable without a second and third read of it. I have found literally dozens in N.Y. Published books, so this is a huge plus to Ms. McHugh and her editor.)

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Riveting Romances! Awesome Fantasy World! January 25, 2012

By Nicolette Reed

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Tears of Elios had a well-defined fantasy world and a double-punch of two romances in one that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

At first I was not sure how I would feel following the two romances, but both were very compelling and wove together brilliantly. Every step through the story I was able to see my surroundings and I felt strongly about the four main characters and cared about what happened to them.

The roughness of Ranealya's personality was softened by the reading of the passages involving Kira. Both very different women but both strong in their love for their men.

I would definitely recommend picking up Tears of Elios.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! February 15, 2012

By Bart Palamaro

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Tough, tender, no false posturing among or between the characters, just damn good storytelling. Realistic responses and relationships that develop along unconventional lines. I loved these characters with all their flaws and faults and they do dumb stuff that people do, but rise above it anyway. Some pretty hot scenes too.

Highly recommended.

More About the Author

Crista McHugh is a multiple award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.

Growing up in small town Alabama, Crista relied on story-telling as a natural way for her to pass the time and keep her two younger sisters entertained.

She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she's had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she's also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

To be the first to know about her latest releases or to be entered into exclusive contests, please sign up for her newsletter using the contact form on her webpage, www.cristamchugh.com.

Find Crista online at:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/crista_mchugh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CristaMcHugh