The Shattered Stair

Rowan is on her final quest to try and discover the legend of Greek Fire. While at the ancient runes, Rowan hears a tearing sound and looks up to see what appears to be a man coming out of a hole above the ground. Soon after the man, another tearing sound is heard and this time vile, nasty creatures appear. Rowan uses her knowledge of chemistry to buy them some time to make their escape. What she hasn’t counted on is that the man that has appeared seemingly from nowhere will be taking her back with him.

Jalhar is no stranger to pain and heartache. He is part of an elite brotherhood. All those that wear the ruby rings have vowed to avenge the deaths of families and friends from the invasion of the “Unclean Ones”. When Rowan so selflessly and courageously helped him fight the “Unclean Ones”, he knew he could not leave her on her world unprotected; he has to bring her with him. Jalhar is dangerously exhausted. When he’s so exhausted, he can’t keep the nightmares away and the hellish memories of his past torment him. He knows that he has to see to Rowan’s comfort as much as he can. He’s taken her entire life from her, even if he was only trying to protect her, the least he can do is see that she sleeps comfortably before he has to tell her.

When Rowan is told that it’s a matter of if they can send her home, not when, despair engulfs her. It’s not as if her parents will miss her, they unloaded her as soon as they could, but the man she calls her brother and her work are all that she has. As Rowan and Jalhar wait to see if Rowan can be sent home, they grow closer. Jalhar is completely charmed by Rowan but he knows that there is nothing left of his heart to give. His allegiance is to the brotherhood as are his loyalties. Jalhar desperately tries to keep his distance from Rowan and inadvertently places his own life in danger. Can Rowan ever be sent home, will Jalhar survive this latest attack and if he does will he ever realize how much Rowan has come to love him?

I don’t have the words to explain how much I loved this book. The Shattered Stair is amazing from beginning to end. Marty Heinshas created a fictional world that blends with our reality. This book holds that much more depth because of it. Our worlds are remarkably similar, yet so different. The pain that Jalhar and his companions have suffered will be felt with each passage they are in. All that they have suffered will break readers’ hearts; readers will also rejoice at their triumphs. Ms. Heins grabs her reader’s attention with her vivid descriptions and explanations. The clarity in which she describes every encounter will leave you feeling as if you are actually there in the story. It quickly becomes obvious that the love between Rowan and Jalhar is all encompassing and overpowering. One could only hope to find their soul mate as Rowan and Jalhar have done, yet the pain is that much more pronounced to almost lose them, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

The story behind The Shattered Stairis just awesome. Rowan is a woman trapped in a world not her own. What does she wish for? Does she wish to go back home where there isn’t much waiting for her or does she wish to stay with a man she is losing her heart to and stay in a world that could benefit from her knowledge? Jalhar choices are just as emotionally gripping. Jalhar knows that if he touches Rowan he’ll never be able to let her go. How can he keep her when he’s promised to see her home? How can he let himself fall in love with her when every single person in his life has been painfully taken from him? Awesome I tell you, The Shattered Stairis an excellent book! Marty Heins, without a doubt deserves the 5 Angels and a Recommend Read!!!

Reviewed by: Jaymi