Two strangers running from their dark pasts find redemption in each other.
Harry, a former army doctor, lives in isolation after the devastating war between Rasacara and the Empire came to a bloody and violent conclusion. His lonely life is disrupted by a young, beautiful man surrounded by secrets and suspicion, who would likely destroy Harry if he knew who he was.
Kit, former member of the witch army’s Blue Crows, now on the run from his former master, must keep his identity a secret as his enemy is closing in and Harry, the gruff, mysterious woodsman, is all that stands between him and the man who wants him dead.
Forced together by Kit’s injuries, the two lonely men find comfort in each other, both scarred by the darkness of their pasts, but when Kit’s enemy catches up with him, they are forced to fight, revealing to each other the evils both of them have committed, and testing the strength of their new, fledgling love.
Amazon
Pride Publishing
The background to Holding Onto Light is an aftermath of a terrible war that happened some years previously. In this world magic users were harnessed by the leaders and used to war against their enemies. They are hunted out now by a magic-wielding secret police type group now and most live hidden in fear. This group has the power to “bind” magic users so they cannot use their powers or are forced to use it against their will.
An embittered ex soldier–Harry–is living his life in solitude because of his actions that brought about the end of the war. (I have to remain vague and unspoilery.) He worked as a medic during the war, but he has a large dark force of magic inside him that he struggles to contain for fear he will hurt someone.
Our second MC–Kit–has a different and quite unique use for magic, but he is on the run from the same group.
The group captures them both and tries to use one to force the other into welding magic.
I loved the unique twist on the magic, the story setting and the characters had so much potential.
My only niggle is that the whole story was based on mistakes that were made in this war many years ago, and its aftermath, and sense of punishment or retribution carried on through the whole book. The story kept me engaged to read it in one sitting, but I was still left with the feeling that neither Harry or Kit ever really forgave themselves or each other.
3.5 pieces of eye candy