The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen

Calen had no choice; he had to leave with the mage.  He hoped the others understood that but he knew they didn't.  They thought he had betrayed them.  He had to get back so he could show them he hadn't...

Candlewick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and is available now.

The problem Calen has is that while he wants to get away from the mage who is controlling, he's also learning about magic and how much power he has.  He wants to learn more but he'd like to get away from the mage who hurts him if he's displeased.  Then he finds out there is a plot by this superior mage to take over the world.  That's even more devastating.  All his friends will be dead!

Back home, Princess Meg is in training for war duties with her dragon.  She loves her dragon and he would do anything for her.  She's practicing picking up "wounded" soldiers and transporting them and various war techniques.  It's a good thing because war is upon them.

This is a time of sacrifices on all sides.  Anybody who doesn't do what the mage wants gets killed.  The soldiers defending the castle are dying.  And Calen finally manages to get away.  But how do you defeat a mage who has already returned from death once?

There's lots of action, new friends made, old friends found again and an epic battle at the end.  With magic, dragons and lost love, this makes for a very good read.

Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen

Here's another great book for Halloween.  This librarian has a present for his girlfriend.  It's one she doesn't want, but she doesn't realize that...

Candlewick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It was published in September and you can grab a copy at your local bookstore now.

He's a very attractive young librarian.  Annie is soon spending all her extra time in the library working with him.  She's not interested in spending time with Cynthia any more.  Since Cynthia is not under his spell, she sees him differently.  He's changing Annie's personality, seems to control her, and he's not just influencing her.  It seems others are feeling his effect on them, too.  Only Cynthia seems to be able to withstand him.  This is both a blessing and a curse.

Life gets more eventful for Cynthia when she discovers he's actually a demon.  And there's not just one there.  There's to be a battle for the throne below and everybody is trying to draw more essence into their bodies so they can win the fight.

The story is fantasy with some romance thrown in.  I'm not talking about the librarian.  Cynthia has a boy she's had a crush on forever and he helps her fight the demons.  The story is busy, the action fearsome, and it's a battle to the end.  If you read this one before Halloween, you'll look at those costumes at the door a little more carefully, I bet.