Chapter 42 came out today for my novel, Embers of Hope! It's quite the doozy, and I won't spoil it, but let's just say I'm not afraid to put my leads through the emotional ringer 
Anyway, here's the link and synopsis to boot! Enjoy, and do let me know what you think of it!
Synopsis
In a realm where magic intertwines with nature, Mira Starglade, a princess of the Forest Fairies, witnesses her idyllic life shattered as her home is invaded by humans under the spell of Malakor the Annihilator, an evil god and twin brother to the god of life, Raneux. With her parents slain and her people decimated, Mira's brother, Alastair, makes a desperate choice, encasing her in an ice prison using forbidden blood magic to protect her from the slaughter.
Two hundred years later, Mira awakens to a world unrecognizable. Her forest home lies in ruins, her family gone, and life as she knew it doomed to be nothing but a memory. Amid the sorrow of loss, she finds an unlikely ally in Zephyr, a princely fire dragon carrying the weight of his own tragic past.
Together, they discover that Malakor's sinister influence has resurfaced, threatening to plunge the land into darkness once more. Mira, wielding her magic staff, and Zephyr, with his fiery might, must unite against the encroaching evil. As they forge new bonds and face old fears, Mira learns to look to the future with renewed hope and determination.
"Embers of Hope" is a tale of resilience, rediscovery, and the enduring power of courage and friendship in the face of overwhelming adversity.
