Challenge Corner discussion

Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all.

This is a previously published edition of ISBN 9780062878021. An alternate cover edition can be found here.

Starting book 1 now!

The Bellerose - Consummation: (view spoiler)[Oh sweet baby Jesus! I am in love with Lou all freaking over again. I love her sass, stubbornness, and dirty freaking mouth. Then there's Reid who is just a little choir boy doing his church justice and shit.. but then a witch makes him a little happy in a certain area (and his heart - sort of) so now he has to marry.

Which.. uh.. makes sense? No, no it really doesn't but oh well.

I do like how they don't want to be married and didn't even do the deed. I also have a feeling that Reid is in for a roller coaster of a ride because Lou isn't one to follow rules. (hide spoiler)]

The Interrogation - Soul Ache: (view spoiler)[Raise your hand if you hate the archbishop!



I also feel bad for Lou because of everything that's happening and she still has to keep her secret. Then there's Reid who really needs to escape from the Church. Like please - LEAVE! (hide spoiler)]

A Time for Moving On - Secrets Revealed: (view spoiler)[Oh man, oh man! So many questions right now but I think I remember that Reid was given away due to being a male because everyone thinks males can't be witches or whatever.

Also finding out that Lou's dad is the Archbishop will forever give me nightmares. I can't unhear that people. (hide spoiler)]

Oblivion - Finish: (view spoiler)[HAHAHA Reid finding out he has powers and is a male witch has be dying. I knew I remembered something - go me! Also the Archbishop dying was most definitely the cherry on the freaking top of this chaotic ice cream sundae. Oh lord. So many secrets are coming out and now I need the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Starting book 2 since it's so much easier to listen while working on the next challenge lol

Tomorrow - Crosses to Bear: (view spoiler)[I'm still on the high of loving the first book but with them not really doing anything but hiding out and stealing alcohol.. kind of makes me bored. I'm also digging the white hair! (hide spoiler)]

Troupe De Fortune - An Unexpected Romance: (view spoiler)[I love Reid and Lou but I feel so bad for them at times. Or maybe it's just Reid after finding family and they basically don't acknowledge him as family.. ya know? I'm also not okay with Gabrielle's death. Just saying. (hide spoiler)]

She Loves Me Not - A Promise: (view spoiler)[Ugh, Lou why are you acting like your mom? Who we all don't like. UGH. (hide spoiler)]

Trial by Fire - Something New: (view spoiler)[Lou's magic being out of control and her and Reid fighting is just not making me happy. I get that all couples fight and everything but they are saying pretty hurtful things. Ugh. Come on guys. (hide spoiler)]

The Last Note - Something Dark and Ancient: (view spoiler)[UGH Why is Reid mourning the Archbishop? I wouldn't do that. I hated the guy. Even though he was Lou's father. (hide spoiler)]

Old Magic - Finish: (view spoiler)[fjkldafjdlfdjal I'm not okay with how this ended. Ansel is a sweet heart. Coco's aunt is crazy AF. Ugh. I have so many questions right now. (hide spoiler)]

Starting the third book now!

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Oh man Lou being controlled by the witch just breaks my heart. You can clearly see that she's still inside and trying to fight her way back out of this control. The struggle is real here people.

I also feel bad for Reid because he has to be cautious with Lou due to her not acting normal. Hopefully they can figure out a way to get unpossessed??! Maybe?!?! (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[AHHHHH DID THEY SAVE LOU? I'm freaking out! Also Ansel getting to say goodbye??! I'm not crying.. you're crying. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[GUYS I AM NOT OKAY. Reid losing his memory of Lou and he's back to his old meh self. At least he remembers killing the Archbishop asshole but ugh him wanting to kill her is slowly killing me. Remember buddy! PLEASE!

Also cursed doll? CURSED DOLL? Is that you Annabell?

Also this whole burning thing is so sad. I'm glad that he realized that the guy is not good but it kind of feels like too little too late. I'm still hopeful he will bounce back and become the Reid I love. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[I'm not crying.. you're crying. He remembered her. They reunited sexually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I'm so freaking happy. They also saved his mom AND said girls should join the guard. djflafjdlasdjflasjflk I'm freaking out guys. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR AN ANSEL EPILOGUE! Oh my heart. It's so full and happy right now. (hide spoiler)]

End of part 1 (view spoiler)[ I love that Lou is so bold, especially in a time when women were expected to be quiet and seen as property. She really scandalizes Reid and it makes me laugh (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "
End of part 1 [spoilers removed]"

Hahaha yes! I loved that about her too!

Alaina wrote: "
The Bellerose - Consummation: Oh sweet baby Jesus! I am in love with Lou all freaking over again. I love her sass, stubbornness, and dirty freaking mouth. Then t..."

Lou is so great!

Alaina wrote: "The Interrogation - Soul Ache: Raise your hand if you hate the archbishop!



I also feel bad for Lou because of everything that's happening and she still has to keep her secret. Then there's Reid ..."

Yeah, screw that guy

Soulache (view spoiler)[ Watching that girl burn at the stake was awful! No one should die like that.

I'm glad Ansel is on her side and isn't telling on her for being a witch (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "
The Bellerose - Consummation: Oh sweet baby Jesus! I am in love with Lou all freaking over again. I love her sass, stubbornness, and dirty freakin..."

I love Lou! She's the best.

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "The Interrogation - Soul Ache: Raise your hand if you hate the archbishop!



I also feel bad for Lou because of everything that's happening and she still has to keep her secret. The..."

YES SCREW HIM!

Aly wrote: "Soulache "

Yes, that was so sad to see.

Alaina wrote: "A Time for Moving On - Secrets Revealed: Oh man, oh man! So many questions right now but I think I remember that Reid was given away due to being a male because everyone thinks males can't be witch..."

Ew I know! That would suck to have him for a dad

Part 2 (view spoiler)[ Ooh the Archbishop had a daughter with a witch! I love him being revealed for a hypocrite lol

I was so happy to see Lou and Reid fall for each other and hook up! But I don't want that ruined because he finds out she's a witch (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Oblivion - Finish: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm so glad he died, he's awful. And it's great karma that Reid hunted witches and now he is one (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I love that the men can have powers too. The witches were pretty sexist for getting rid of their sons.

So happy they're all okay and we have Beau as a new ally! (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "A Time for Moving On - Secrets Revealed: Oh man, oh man! So many questions right now but I think I remember that Reid was given away due to being a male because everyone thinks males..."

Most definitely

Aly wrote: "Part 2 .."

heheh yes, that was awesome

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Oblivion - Finish: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I KNOW! I was clapping with joy

Aly wrote: "Finished "

I never thought of that being a sexist thing.. I just thought it was something that was passed down to each generation. Maybe? Not sure.

Alaina wrote: "
Tomorrow - Crosses to Bear: [spoilers removed]"

Same! It was a crazy ending but now kind of slow

Beginning - Crosses to Bear (view spoiler)[ I like seeing Reid and Lou all loved up, but the plot is pretty slow. I'd like some fighting now please (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Troupe De Fortune - An Unexpected Romance: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah it is sad. Poor guy

Troupe De Fortune - Red Death and His Bride (I don't see a chapter called An Unexpected Romance?) (view spoiler)[ I understand Reid's mom being a bit concerned about him but Lou was the first person to love him.
I like this troupe they're in, it sound like a fun show (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "
Tomorrow - Crosses to Bear: [spoilers removed]"

Same! It was a crazy ending but now kind of slow"

Definitely a slow start.

Aly wrote: "
Beginning - Crosses to Bear [spoilers removed]"

Kung Fu fighting please!

Aly wrote: "Troupe De Fortune - Red Death and His Bride (I don't see a chapter called An Unexpected Romance?) . ..."

WAIT WHAT? Oh lol it's reunion! hahahaha

I'm dying. Just making up my own chapter titles.

Alaina wrote: "She Loves Me Not - A Promise: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, stop it Lou!

She Loves Me Not - A Promise (view spoiler)[ I hate seeing Lou out of control and cruel. She needs to get a hold on her magic before she murders an innocent person. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Troupe De Fortune - Red Death and His Bride (I don't see a chapter called An Unexpected Romance?) . ..."

WAIT WHAT? Oh lol it's reunion! hahahaha"

lol pretty close

Alaina wrote: "Trial by Fire - Something New: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, not happy with how it's going

Trial by Fire - Something New (view spoiler)[ I hate when couples are happy and in love and then start fighting and break up. No! Don't do that. Lou really messed up and needs to apologize (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "The Last Note - Something Dark and Ancient: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I guess because he was the only father figure Reid knew. Doesn't excuse him from being an asshole though (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Old Magic - Finish: [spoilers removed]"

Wait, (view spoiler)[ Did they save Ansel? I think he's dead right? My baby! (hide spoiler)]