The Offering by Kimberly Derting (The Pledge book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first two books in the series, The Pledge and the Essence, Stop! I don't want to ruin Charlie's story for you.

Charlie is trying to settle into her role as Queen Charlania of Ludania. She is desperately trying to pull her country back into the modern age after its former Queen, Sabara, cut off all ties with the neighboring queendoms and forced her citizens into a strict caste system. Charlie also continues her inner struggle with Sabara, whose essence resides with her. She is at almost constant war within herself to keep Sabara pushed down and allow her to make her own decisions. And Max, Sabara's grandson, continues to serve as Charlie's advisor but hopes that their relationship can soon lead to an engagement. He is worried that Charlie is spreading herself too thin. She just wishes that the sweeping changes she wants for her country could happen overnight.

In the midst of peace negotiations with Queen Elena of Astonia, she sends Charlie a brutal message that could lead to war, Xander's hand. He and Nico had gone to negotiate a treaty. What everyone else who saw the box doesn't know is that there was a false bottom in it that only Charlie found. A sealed letter from Elena contains a message for Charlie. In an effort to stop a brewing war, Charlie decides to go to Elena and attempt to work things out. Knowing that she needs help to get to Astonia, Charlie goes to Eden to take her there. Eden decides that it will be the only way to find out what happened to Xander. The two slip out of the palace undetected.

Can Charlie break free from Sabara's essence? Will she be able to lead Ludania into a more prosperous future? Is Xander dead or alive? What did Elena's letter to Charlie say? Can the impending war between Ludania and Astonia be stopped?

Ms. Derting has proved loyal readers with a thrilling and satisfying end to the trilogy.

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The Essence by Kimberly Derting (The Pledge book 2)

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read the first book in the series, The Pledge, Stop! I don't want to ruin a great series for you.

“Poor child. Poor, wretched child. You have no idea what you’re up against. No idea how to stop me, do you?”

Charlie is in the fight for her life. Sabara is dead and Charlie is now Queen Charlaina of Ludania. Upon her death, Sabara was able to fuse her essence to Charlie. She is now in a battle of wills, trying to banish Sabara’s thoughts from overtaking her own. The only thing that seems to help is the healing power of her little sister, Angelina. The side effect is that now Charlie’s skin glows. Charlie has kept Sabara’s presence a secret from everyone, including Max.

In an effort to forge a new Ludania, Charlie has made several sweeping changes for the better that hasn’t made everyone happy. When an attempt is made on her life while on a tour of a new school, Charlie’s advisors decide the best thing would be for her to leave immediately for a summit with the neighboring queens. Unfortunately, the only person with the knowledge and power to rule in her absence is Max. he and Xander are left behind in Ludania to deal with the rebellion. Charlie sets out with Brooklynn; commander of her troops, Aron and Zafir; her personal bodyguard. When a layover at a depot in the Scablands goes horribly wrong, Charlie and company are left behind while the train continues on.

What happened for Charlie and the others to be left behind in the Scablands? Who is behind the change in Charlie’s plans? Will she make iot to the summit And accomplish what she hopes to? Can Max squash the rebellion before Charlie returns? And will Charlie be able to quell Sabara’s essence from her body?

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The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Two hundred and twenty-three years after the Revolution of Sovereigns, Queen Sabara is eighty-one years into her reign. She is failing but there is no suitable female heir to take her place. The country of Ludania is in turmoil with rebel forces advancing on the capital daily. Refuges are straining the city’s resources and Queen Sabara is looking for The One, the survivor to the old throne before the Revolution, the lost heir to take her place.

The citizens of Ludania are strictly divided by class and the language they speak. If you look someone of a higher class in the eye while speaking their class language is an offense punishable by death. For seventeen-year-old Charlaina “Charlie” Hart, a member of the merchant class, she has spent her entire life hiding a secret that if known, will cause her death. She has the ability to understand all languages, even those she has never heard before. Working in her family’s restaurant one night, a political family comes in and sits at one of her tables. The daughter is the same girl who makes fun of Charlie on her way to school in the merchant’s language. She doesn’t realize Charlie can understand her until Charlie slips up while taking their order. A ruckus ensues in the restaurant as Charlie’s friend Brooklynn and the three gentlemen she is serving look on. The girl is calmed down and her parents apologize. Charlie goes to the kitchen to collect her wits and steel herself for her father’s disapproval.

Brooklynn talks Charlie into going to an underground club the three guys at her table tell her about. Charlie agrees to give her father some time. He ended up being more distraught than she had over the possible outcome. Once inside the club, Brook goes to do her thing, flirting with guys and soon she finds two of the three guys from her table. The one who wouldn’t pay Brook any attention is focusing all of his on Charlie. He tells her his name is Max. Charlie becomes unnerved when his two companions begin talking about Brook in a language she shouldn’t understand and their words are not nice. Charlie is desperate to keep Brook from learning her secret and the real reason she wants to leave, but Max seems to realize Charlie’s abilities. Charlie finally convinces Brook to leave much to her dismay.

Charlie soon finds her thoughts straying to Max even though she shouldn’t and he seems close to uncovering her secret. She is torn be her physical and emotional attraction to him but can’t seem to get past the mystery surrounding him. But when tensions rise and the threats of an invasion become imminent, Charlie is forced to put not only her life, but that of her mute younger sister into Max’s hands.

Why is Charlie blessed/cursed with the ability to understand not only languages but the inflections of voices as well? Why has her sister never spoken and what secret ability does she hide as well? What secret is Max hiding and why? And will Queen Sabara find a suitable heir before it’s too late?

Join Charlie on her harrowing adventure in Kimberly Derting’s new trilogy. I for one cannot wait to see what else she has in store for Charlie.

Visit Kimberly Derting's website.