Hello and welcome!

Another… UHM … surprise visit from the Elves, I LOVE IT! Read on to find out the shenanigans they cooked up again.

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I can’t believe my eyes. I am standing in the middle of my living room, wearing Christmas PJ’s, eating a sandwich, and generally looking frumpy when the door bursts open and Ilénè walks, or should I say struts, through the doorway and strikes a pose. I have arrived.

Suddenly I feel like Phyllis Diller in comparison. Ilénè should be outlawed, especially dressed in a red gown that looks like half of it was forgotten on the cutting table. She is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous in it anyway. ‘Yup,’ I think to myself, ‘She has definitely arrived.’ Sigh.

Without losing a beat, Ilénè continues. I have brought you something to make your day. Wait until you see them.

I could have groaned as I think, ‘Not another Elite Guard costume. I still have barely gotten the nerve collected to pull the other one back out of the closet from the last time Ilénè visited.’ I am not about to tell her that though.

As I bend to put my sandwich down, Ilénè waves my awkwardness away and continues. Please, continue with your lunch. She then looks at my slippers and smiles. When I look down at my feet she giggles and admits, I was looking for the pink bunnies with the beady eyes, but you don’t have them. Would you like a pair?

I must look horrified by the idea and Ilénè gives a sigh. I guess not. You are no fun at all.

I can’t help but look like I have been struck by lightning. Whatever Ilénè has been eating must be causing her euphoric mood, I wonder if she has more. I could use some of that for myself. I also wonder if it would help me look more like her.

Anyway, Ilénè continues. I thought I would bring the Eagle Claw twins to help make your day. Have you met Cambria and Gabriella yet?

My eyes grow large as I ask, You mean THE Cambria and Gabriella Eagle Claw from ‘The Legacy’?

Ilénè looks suddenly abashed. I guess I should have brought them here sooner, they are adults now and ready to meet their own Life Mates. Anders and T’Harris are so dreamy, not as much as Kestriel, but still nice. I might bring those two here at a later date if I can pry them away from their Life Mates. You are the type to really go for T’Harris. He is pure gentleman with a touch of drop-dead male thrown in. Well, more than just a touch, but don’t tell Kestriel or Gabriella say I said so. Anyway, here they are, Gabriella and Cambria.
If you only knew how much T’Harris IS my type.

As Ilénè introduces them, two nearly identical Elven females walk through the door. I can tell which one is which though. Cambria is dressed in green and Gabriella in red. They are both absolutely beautiful, and I can tell they are equally deadly in their own way.

With a slight bow, I welcome them to my home. Please come in.

Cambria looks devilish as she replies, As it is so close to Christmas, we have brought you gifts. This is from an Elf who goes by the name Athïan, he says you will get to meet him in the future and he is looking forward to it. He says I am to tell you he picked each bloom personally, and they are the best of the lot. Cambria hands me a huge bouquet of Star Flowers, and they look as well as smell heavenly. I move quickly to find something to put them in and Cambria conjures a cut glass vase for me. It only takes a moment for me to put them in water, which Cambria insists on purifying.

Gabriella watches the proceedings with collected amusement. When things settle again, she holds out a package that is about as long as my hand and forearm together. I think you may need this, but watch how you use it.

I rip open the wrapping and find an Elven knife and it is exquisite. How did she knows I love knives? As I am about to touch the blade in pure wonder, Gabriella warns, Be careful, the edge is extremely sharp.

I give a fixated nod of understanding, even as I watch blood pool in the palm of my hand from a tiny cut on a finger.

Gabriella looks embarrassed, while Cambria touches the cut to heal it. I told you not to make it that sharp. I doubt if she did much more than barely touch the edge.

Gabriella defends herself. I didn’t think it was THAT sharp. I have much sharper ones in my arsenal at home. I am sorry Enikő. She then turns to Cambria and Ilénè and warns, You better not breathe a word of this to Athïan, I have enough problems with that Elf. He is so full of himself.

You have bigger worries than Athïan coming up, Gabriella, Ilénè reminds her. Your story is about to come up, but first we deal with Cambria’s. A thoroughly Elven look enters Ilénè’s eyes and she smiles at her friends as she quietly confides in me. You will feel much better about how you look right now in a year from now if you see them again. She then runs her hands down her svelte body and purrs, Of course I will be the one with the curves all in the right places.

My eyes grow large as I look at Ilénè, and she gives a smug grin as she whispers, You already know that Eagle Claws breed like rabbits, but you will learn more about these two at a later date.

Gabriella looks daggers at Ilénè, as does Cambria, and Ilénè heads for the door. It is time for me to leave. Enjoy the rest of your visit. Ta-ta.

There is no rest of the visit as Cambria and Gabriella tear off after Ilénè, only the sound of threats coming from the twins, and the sound of Ilénè’s laughter. Before it goes quiet, I hear Ilénè’s voice in my mind, They are so much fun when they are like this.

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As you can see, the Elves did their usual whirlwind entry and exit, leaving me bewildered and amused at the same time. I should be used to them by now, but nope… and I love every minute of it. Ilene visited me before when this book was part of the KaLiCon 2019 bundle, a present from few of the authors participating in the event. If you missed that chat, check it out here. You can also read an excerpt there too 

You will get to see more of their escapades in a new novella in the Guardians of the Empire series by M. A. Abraham , The Legend, releasing December 20, 2020.

A short story from the Elven Empire where I would love to move once M.A. convinces one of the Elven Mages to open a portal for me 

Born with the same talents as her illustrious ancestor, the High Lord General Gabriel Eagle Claw, Gabriella grows into her powers. It is not an easy road for the young Elven girl to walk, for as Gabriel’s father had expected great things from his well endowed son, so does her father expect the same things from her.

Cambria is Gabriella’s twin and partner in crime. She is a Tratchar with as much talent as her ancestress, Eden. With her best friend at her side, Ilénè, the Dark Elven Princess, they seek to ease the path that has been set out for them.

This is a coming of age story of how the Legacy of the Eagle Claw family that was missing from the Eagle Claw lineage returns. It is a symbol of power and might no one in the Empire has seen since Gabriel commanded the Combined Armed Forces.

Buy Links
Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon UK • Amazon AU • B&N • Kobo • iBooks • Smashwords

My review: 5 stars
It was a great peek into Gabriella’s childhood and have a better understanding on why she is the way she is as an adult. The three friends are a hoot. I recommend it with 5 stars and not just for the ones following the GOTE series, as it can be read as a standalone too. A new reader would get a taste of the amazing stories the author can spin.

Make sure you sign up to Ms. Abraham’s blog and follow on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.

To celebrate the release, Ms. Abraham will gift one of you with the ebook copy of The Legacy. Tell me which cover of the series is your fave. Sexy Mr. Random will pick a winner from the comments after 3pm EST on release day, December 20, 2020. Good luck!

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Until next time, happy book reading / listening and don’t forget to show your love by leaving a review!