Broken Soul: A Jane Yellowrock Novel

Read Broken Soul: A Jane Yellowrock Novel Online

Authors: Faith Hunter

Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy, #Paranormal & Urban

Praise for the Jane Yellowrock Novels

Black Arts

“[A] perfect balance of action, relationships, magic, and healing, fans will love it, and new readers will get sucked in.”

—All Things Urban Fantasy

“An action packed thriller. . . . Betrayal, deception, and heartbreak all lead the way in this roller-coaster ride of infinite proportions that will keep readers twisting and turning until the very last page.”

—Smexy Books

“Hunter’s mastery for writing suspense-filled chapters that keep the reader on pins and needles turning pages shines through. She manages to juggle multiple story lines, letting them touch just enough to give hints of what’s to follow until the story reaches its breathtaking conclusion.”

—SF Site

Blood Trade

“Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series is a high-octane urban fantasy that follows its own rules and keeps you guessing until the very end.”

—Smexy Books

“There is nothing as satisfying as the first time reading a Jane Yellowrock novel.”

—Fresh Fiction

“With a new twist on vampires and action-packed suspense,
Blood Trade
takes readers on an exciting ride!”


RT Book Reviews

Death’s Rival

“Hunter has done it again, delivering a thrilling combination of mystery and romance that will delight her fans.”

—SF Site

“A thrilling mystery with epic action scenes and a kick-ass heroine with claws and fangs.”

—All Things Urban Fantasy

“Holy moly, this was an amazing read! Jane is the best urban fantasy heroine around.
Death’s Rival
catapulted this series to the top of my must-buy list.”

—Night Owl Reviews

“A wild, danger-filled adventure. The world building includes a perfect blend of seductive romance, nail-biting action, intriguing characters, and betrayal from all sides.”

—RT Book Reviews

Raven Cursed

“A lot of series seek to emulate Hunter’s work, but few come close to capturing the essence of urban fantasy: the perfect blend of intriguing heroine, suspense, [and] fantasy with just enough romance.”

—SF Site

“Hunter doesn’t disappoint. . . . I say you can’t get enough of one of my favorite kick-ass heroines, so if you are new to the series, give yourself the gift of books one through three. You won’t regret it.”

—Fresh Fiction

Mercy Blade

“Has all the complexity, twists, and surprises readers have come to expect . . . a thrill ride from start to finish. . . . Hunter has an amazing talent for capturing mood.”

—SF Site

“There was something about the Jane Yellowrock series that drew me in from the very beginning. . . .
Mercy Blade
is top-notch, a five-star book!”

—Night Owl Reviews

“Faith Hunter has created one of my favorite characters, ever. Jane Yellowrock is full of contradictions . . . highly recommended.”

—Fresh Fiction

Blood Cross

“Readers eager for the next book in Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series may want to give Faith Hunter a try.”

—Library Journal

“In a genre flooded with strong, sexy females, Jane Yellowrock is unique. . . . Her bold first-person narrative shows that she’s one tough cookie but with a likable vulnerability . . . a pulse-pounding, page-turning adventure.”

—RT Book Reviews

Skinwalker

“Seriously. Best urban fantasy I’ve read in years, possibly ever.”

—C. E. Murphy, author of
Truthseeker

“A fantastic start to the Jane Yellowrock series. Mixing fantasy with a strong mystery story line and a touch of romance, it ticks all the right urban fantasy boxes.”

—LoveVampires

“Stunning. . . . Plot and descriptions so vivid, they might as well be pictures or videos. Hunter captures the reader’s attention from the first page and doesn’t let go.”

—SF Site

“A fabulous tale with a heroine who clearly has the strength to stand on her own . . . a wonderfully detailed and fast-moving adventure that fills the pages with murder, mystery, and fascinating characters.”

—Darque Reviews

More Praise for the Novels of Faith Hunter

“With fast-paced action and the possibility of more romance, this is an enjoyable read with an alluring magical touch.”

—Darque Reviews

“The world [Hunter] has created is unique and bleak . . . [an] exciting science-fiction thriller.”

—Midwest Book Review

“Entertaining . . . outstanding supporting characters. . . . The strong cliff-hanger of an ending bodes well for future adventures.”


Publishers Weekly

“Hunter’s distinctive future vision offers a fresh though dark glimpse into a newly made postapocalyptic world. Bold and imaginative in approach, with appealing characters and a suspense-filled story, this belongs in most fantasy collections.”

—Library Journal

“It’s a pleasure to read this engaging tale about characters connected by strong bonds of friendship and family. Mixes romance, high fantasy, apocalyptic and postapocalyptic adventure to good effect.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Hunter’s very professionally executed, tasty blend of dark fantasy, mystery, and romance should please fans of all three genres.”

—Booklist

A
LSO
BY
F
AITH
H
UNTER

The Jane Yellowrock Novels

Skinwalker

Blood Cross

Mercy Blade

Cat Tales
(a short-story compilation)

Raven Cursed

Have Stakes Will Travel
(a short-story compilation)

Death’s Rival

Blood Trade

Black Arts

Black Water
(a short story compilation)

The Rogue Mage Novels

Bloodring

Seraphs

Host

ROC

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 375 Hudson Street,

New York, New York 10014, USA

USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

penguin.com

A Penguin Random House Company

First published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC

Copyright © Faith Hunter, 2014

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

REGISTERED TRADEMARK—
MARCA REGISTRADA

ISBN
978-1-101-63619-0

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Version_1

Contents

Praise

Also by FAITH HUNTER

Title page

Copyright page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

 

CHAPTER 1: Half-Dressed Vamp Gave a Come-Hither, Toothy Smile

CHAPTER 2: It Is Done . . . Factum Est. Consummatum.

CHAPTER 3: Boo Stuff

CHAPTER 4: An Offer to Dish

CHAPTER 5: I Needed That Head Slap

CHAPTER 6: Carrying a Vamp Head

CHAPTER 7: LSD . . . Psilocybin Mushrooms and . . . Tequila

CHAPTER 8: You Want Me to . . . Wash Your Back?

CHAPTER 9: It Was a Girly Scream

CHAPTER 10: HOT Spelled Out Across His Rump

CHAPTER 11: Testicle Stretchers

CHAPTER 12: I Haven’t Slept with You Yet

CHAPTER 13: Who Was That Masked Man?

CHAPTER 14: Talk to Big Bird

CHAPTER 15: If Vamps Could Wet Their Pants

CHAPTER 16: The Plink of Blood Slowed and Stopped

CHAPTER 17: Deadish Leo on My Floor

CHAPTER 18: Werewolf Laughter

CHAPTER 19: Someone Fired. They Fought Back.

CHAPTER 20: Dance with the Devil

CHAPTER 21: A Bucket Full of Snakes

CHAPTER 22: I Am a Far Worse Devil

CHAPTER 23: The Keeper of the Iron Spike

CHAPTER 24: I Probably Shouldn’t Trust Me Either

EPILOGUE: Bound by Oaths of Loyalty

 

About the Author

Excerpt from
Bloodring

 

 

 

 

To the Hubs, my Renaissance Man,

for everything you do and are, that makes my life a
joy.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mindy Mymudes for beta reading. For being a font of knowledge. For being a great friend.

Lee Williams Watts for being the best travel companion and assistant a girl can have!

Beast Claws! Street Team extraordinaire!

Jason Gilbert for introducing me to Michael Edgecomb with Summerwood Fencing Academy of Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Michael Edgecomb for the fencing lesson and introduction to the garb of fencing. (Which I changed some . . . But, hey, it’s for vamps.)

Mike Prater for all the little questions you answered.

My mom, Joyce H. Wright, and Lynn Hornsby for being my own personal fan club.

Let’s Talk Promotions at www.ltpromos.com, for getting me where I am today.

Lucienne Diver of the Knight Agency. There are not words enough to say in thanks for guiding my career, being an ear when I need advice, and working your fingers to the bone. Thank you so much for everything!

Isabel Farhi of Ace/Roc for keeping me on time through the copy edits.

Valle Hansen for wonderful help (and polite queries) on the CE of
Broken Soul
.

Cliff Nielsen for all the work and talent that goes into the covers. I have to say—this is the BEST one yet.

Jessica Wade of Penguin/Roc. The best editor I could have. You make me into a much better writer than I ever would have been alone. I don’t know how you keep the high quality up, book after book, especially now, with the Kicker kicking things around. Thank
you.

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