Commanding Flame and Shield

Grayshell Rising, Book One

A reluctant, prophesied leader. A legendary warrior. An evasive enemy threatening everything they hold dear, and a star-crossed love they’d burn the world to save.

August Porter is a lucrative investor, admired for his ethics and respected for his success. Engaged to a beautiful businesswoman, his life looks like the American dream. But August has a secret. His nights are spent fighting for his life—trying to escape talons that drag him into darkness, fleeing monsters promising an end to his future. But they're just nightmares. At least, that's what he convinces himself...until he comes face to face with a fierce stranger promising salvation...if he leaves everything he's ever known behind.

The legendary Alvara of Grayshell has two missions in life: guard humanity from the demons freed from Hell, and steward half-Angel souls into their own dimension when their celestial powers arrive. For months, she’s been haunted daily by August’s face. By the constant pull to him. The mysterious man evades her power…when no mark ever has.

Grayshell, Chicago...even Hell itself—she won't stop fighting until his soul is safe with her. When an ancient prophecy brings forth an enemy threatening to sever everything he loves, August must confront his destiny. Will he trust the light or succumb to the darkness?

Filled with deep world building, a tension-filled slow burn romance, and epic battles, this first book in the Grayshell Rising series is perfect for fans of Throne of Glass and The Bridge Kingdom.

©2022 Flame & Fiction LLC (P)2023 Flame & Fiction LLC

Debut fantasy novel

This a great debut novel. The story is compelling and feels like it comes so far thru the course of the book. Only reason for 4 and not 5 is that I would have preferred more character building instead of hopping from trope to trope.

AMAZING! CAPTIVATING! Fast paced!

I received an ARC and I will continue recommending this book to everyone! I couldn’t wait to share!

The audiobook at x1.2 speed was so well done! I loved it. I read the physical book, ebook, and audio book, depending on what I was doing. The recording quality of the voice actors was clear and the Connor (the male narrator) had so many great unique character voices.

Sydne captured my attention from the first page, I am not even exaggerating. Her writing style is effortless to read. The imagery so detailed and vivid that I can picture everything in my head. I love the “family” unit, and their banter. I also love that there are high stakes and action in the first few chapters. It starts off strong and just keeps on going.

The action and plot start developing strongly at the beginning, and they just do not stop! The slow burn is immaculate. There’s tension, and I loved it. I understood the characters reasoning behind the decision to take it slow, and enjoyed the ride.

I absolutely love when I can pick up on the subtle hints and clues authors leave along the way before a grand reveal. I was very excited to have gotten this one right. The cherry on top was that while I got one right, I was also surprised by something else I didn’t see coming at all.

Alvara is a character I resonate with, and look up to. She’s relatable but also way more badass than I could ever be.

The book moved along, and didn’t spend an unnecessary amount of time on frivolous details. I’ll repeat that it was still very detailed. Especially the imagery. But it wasn’t drawn out. This one book had a compete plot, beginning, middle, and an end. There are hints at the next story and some unknowns are teased, but it didn’t end on a cliffhanger.

I am So Very excited for book two and I can’t begin to explain how amazing Sydne is as a human being. I’m grateful to have received an arc, and will wait patiently for book two because I know the wait will be worth it!

⭐️ found/fated family
⭐️ fated mates
⭐️ angels and demons
⭐️ action action and more action
⭐️ magic and spells
⭐️ high stakes
⭐️ fast paced
⭐️ reincarnation
⭐️ strong badass fmc

Check it out!

The action, passion, charismatic friendships, and detail throughout the whole book gave a great insight to the fantasy world. The character development made it feel like you were friends with every single character. The slow burn left you itching for more and more. I highly recommend this book to all the fantasy lovers and it is well worth the read!

So well done!

I love a fantasy romance with multiple POV. These two voice actors did such a good job bringing the characters to life. I really feel like the author was able to take a genre that is well known and loved and add interesting differences to set herself apart from the rest of the mix. I like that audio book so much that I ended up buying a physical copy that I'm planning to add to my TBR. if you're thinking about trying this book I highly recommend doing so.

Holy Crap! Hehe pub not intended

Connor and Nikki did such an amazing job narrating this beautiful story written by S.J. Barnett! I cannot wait for book 2!