Release Day Review: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Forevermore by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #7 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 28th 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Isolated and alone, Sin Evernight is one of the most powerful supernatural creatures in heaven and on earth. As an angel of vengeance, he hunts down the darkest evil, but when his long-lost friend, Layla Starling, needs him, he vows to become her protector. Even though she will be horrified by the man he has become.

Now a famous singer and the toast of London, Layla believes that Sin is only here to guard her from rabid fans and ardent suitors. However, the truth is far more sinister. Desperate to avoid losing Layla a second time, Sin will face a test of all his powers to defeat an unstoppable foe – and win an eternity with the woman he loves.

Forevermore is the seventh and final book of the Darkest London series! I’m sad to see the series end, because I’ve really enjoyed reading it. This mystical, fascinating, paranormal world Kristen Callihan has created is well-written and highly addicted to read. While I didn’t love Forevermore as much as I would’ve like to, I still loved being back in this world and seeing all the previous characters again. If you’re a fan of the series, you probably won’t want to miss this finale!

Sin Evernight is a character whose book I’ve been dying for ever since he was first introduced. He’s a complex hero, and I was ready to know everything about his story. And I absolutely loved that is romance is a friends-to-lovers one. His childhood friend Layla Starling was everything to him until she moved away, though he never forgot her. Now, as a powerful Judgment angel in charge of people’s souls, he’s tasked with protecting Layla as she comes into her newfound powers and paranormal abilities.

Layla thought she was just a normal girl raised by Augustus, her immortal guardian, until sinister things started to happen to her. Turns out she’s so much more than she thought, and as she navigates through this new paranormal world, she’s also reunited by her first friend and love Sin. We get to know her and Sin as childhood friends (which was adorable) and now we also get to know them as they fall in love all over again.

I didn’t particularly connect with Sin or Layla, but I adored their romance. It’s sweet and heartwarming, despite all the craziness that’s happening around them. The main thing that really prevented me from loving Forevermore (which I’m so bummed about, because I loved all the previous books) is that I felt a little lost as I was reading. I think it might’ve been a little too long since the last time I read a Darkest London book, because the plot kind of went over my head, and I couldn’t really catch up to the hows and whys of things going on.

There’s one thing I really did love about Forevermore, however, which was the love story between Augustus, Layla’s guardian and Sin’s mentor, and Lena, Layla’s mother. I found myself utterly hooked onto their star-crossed love – they’re soulmates who are on opposite sides of a war and haven’t been together for centuries. I thought it was a nice touch including their romance, and it definitely made this book more enjoyable.

It’s a bittersweet end for Forevermore, but for fans of the series, it’s an end you don’t want to miss. There are a ton of cameos from previous characters and a pretty epic battle near the end. All in all, it was a good ending to the series, despite my disappointment with not loving it more. And looking at other reviews, this is totally my fault, so if you’re wondering whether to read Forevermore, I say go for it!

Reading Order: Darkest London series

#0.5 ~ Ember: Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ Firelight: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Moonglow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Winterblaze: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Entwined: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Shadowdance: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Evernight: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Soulbound: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Forevermore: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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21Jun2016

ARC Review: Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #15 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: June 14th 2016
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The “unparalleled romantic adventure”* of Nalini Singh’s New York Times bestselling series continues as a new dawn begins for the Psy-Changeling world…

A staggering transformation has put the Psy, humans, and changelings at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: old enemies, new allies, wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten, and it threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: a child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost and protect the vulnerable – and to save Trinity – no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

The Psy-Changeling series is one of my all-time favorite PNR series ever. I’ve loved the series from the very first book, but now at book fifteen, we’ve come a looong way. I was excited for Allegiance of Honor because, well, it’s a Psy-Changeling book, and also because I was curious how Nalini Singh would pull off an ensemble book, with no main couple whose romance we’d focus on. While I can’t say I loved this book, I did love seeing the different couples from past books and how they’re living now in the new Psy-Changeling world. I do wish that we got a new main couple to read about, because I missed that romance aspect in this novel. Still, if you’re a fan of the series, which I’m sure you are if you’re still reading at book fifteen, then you don’t want to miss AoH. Many, many things happen (including the pupcubs!) that lead to some changes in the Psy-Changeling world.

Heroes, I’ve learned, don’t always wear white.
Sometimes they come from the darkness, shadows among shadows.

The Trinity Accord, lead by the most powerful and influential individuals – like Lucas, the DarkRiver alpha, and Aden, leader of the Arrows – strives for peace between the three races. Humans, Psy, and Changelings must all work together if they want to keep surviving. But with those who are against any intermixing of races, those who think a newborn who is half Psy and half Changeling is an abomination, this fragile peace is threatened. What is to come of the Psy-Changeling world?

“So many bonds,” he murmured as the two of them stood under a night sky that reminded him of Kaleb’s cardinal eyes. “So many connections. Our world is becoming the interlinked entity it was always meant to be.”

There are so many plotlines going on in AoH, a little too many for me to fully enjoy each one. Yes, I adored seeing Lucas and Sascha (with Naya!), Kaleb and Sahara, Hawke and Sienna, and every one of the past couples, but there were so many changing POVs that it was hard for me to focus on anything. It took me a long, long time to finish this book because of how drawn out everything is. Every single character seems to play a major part in creating this new peaceful world, so each and every one needs screen time, which made for a slow-moving book.

That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy AoH, because I did. Just not as much as previous books that had a lot more romance. The small doses we do get from the different couples are sweet and heartwarming, but I really did wish we had a main couple to focus on. I did love that we finally(!) find out how many pupcubs Mercy and Riley are having, and what changelings they are!

Nalini Singh has created an incredible world that I get sucked into every time I pick up a Psy-Changeling book. Just because I didn’t love AoH doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate the wonderful writing and storytelling that the author is so talented at. It takes skill to continue building onto a world even fifteen books into a series. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next – though I’m hoping we’ll get back to having a main couple’s romance to read!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Psy-Changeling series

#1 ~ Slave to Sensation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Visions of Heat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Caressed by Ice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Mine to Possess: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Hostage to Pleasure: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Branded by Fire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Blaze of Memory: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Bonds of Justice: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Play of Passion: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#10 ~ Kiss of Snow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Collection #1 ~ Wild Invitation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#11 ~ Tangle of Need: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#12 ~ Heart of Obsidian: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#13 ~ Shield of Winter: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#14 ~ Shards of Hope: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#15 ~ Allegiance of Honor: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Collection #2 ~ Wild Embrace: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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8Mar2016

Release Day Review: Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #9 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 8th 2016
Links: Ebook • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Mercy Thompson has been hailed as “a heroine who continues to grow and yet always remains true to herself.”* Now she’s back, and she’ll soon discover that when the fae stalk the human world, it’s the children who suffer…

Tensions between the fae and humans are coming to a head. And when coyote shapeshifter Mercy and her Alpha werewolf mate, Adam, are called upon to stop a rampaging troll, they find themselves with something that could be used to make the fae back down and forestall out-and-out war: a human child stolen long ago by the fae.

Defying the most powerful werewolf in the country, the humans, and the fae, Mercy, Adam, and their pack choose to protect the boy no matter what the cost. But who will protect them from a boy who is fire touched?

*Library Journal

It’s been a while since I’ve really delved back into urban fantasy, but reading Fire Touched reminded me of all the reasons why I love reading that genre. The Mercy Thompson series is one of my all-time favorites, so being back with Mercy and the gang was pure bliss. What I love most about Patricia Briggs books is that even though we’re this far into the series, all of the characters still grow, still go through their ups and downs, and experiencing all that along with them is one of the best feelings ever.

“You and I,” he said, “will always be okay. I can’t promise anything more.”

Mercy and Adam are back on track after the mess that was his ex-wife in the previous book, but of course, things are never easy for this couple. Tensions are rising between the fae, humans, and werewolves, and Mercy has become somewhat of a leader in keeping the peace. Adam is dealing with dangers that threaten his pack, his territory, and his mate. Beloved old characters return while new ones are introduced – one fire touched boy from “Underhill” needs protection from the Gray Lords who want to use him, and of course Mercy and the pack will do everything they can to help him. Fire Touched is definitely a game changer in the Mercy Thompson series and it’s an installment fans should not miss.

I really loved the way everyone was working together to try to keep a war from breaking out, be they shifters, fae, or humans. Mercy is at the center of it all, the one everyone knows they can turn to because she’s someone they can trust to have their backs and keep her promises. I’ve seriously missed Mercy, who’s one of my favorite heroines ever. It was great to see her so strong and badass, funny and humble. And her relationship with Adam is as strong and steady as ever. Sometimes I get tired of a couple when their relationship lasts through many books, but I don’t think I’ll ever feel this way about Mercy and Adam.

Despite the long time in between books I had to wait, I was easily able to immerse myself into Mercy’s world from the very first page of this book. Patricia Briggs’ writing is as fantastic, action-packed, and thrilling as ever. There was honestly never a dull moment in Fire Touched. If you’re a fan of the series, you already know how amazing these characters are so why wouldn’t you read this book!? If you’ve yet to experience the Mercy Thompson series, I highly recommend it if you love action, incredible and lovable characters, and a brilliantly-written paranormal world to get yourself sucked into. I can’t wait to see what Patricia Briggs has in store for us next!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Mercy Thompson series

#1 ~ Moon Called: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Blood Bound: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Iron Kissed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Bone Crossed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Silver Borne: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ River Marked: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Frost Burned: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Night Broken: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#9 ~ Fire Touched: Ebook • Hardcover • Audible • Goodreads

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1Mar2016

Release Day Review: Rocked by Love by Christine Warren

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Rocked by Love by Christine Warren
Series: Gargoyles #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 1st 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Bestselling author Christine Warren returns to the secret world of gargoyles-where legends come alive, and lovers are caught between a rock and a hard place…

Kylie Kramer knows that she’s putting her life in danger when she decides to investigate her friend’s mysterious death. What she doesn’t know is that she’s being watched over by a powerful protector. A legend in stone who has defended humanity throughout the ages. A rock-hard savior who swoops down from the sky, scoops Kylie into his impossibly strong arms, and draws her into a world that no mortal woman can imagine…or resist.

ROCKED BY LOVE

As the strongest of the gargoyles, Dag is sworn to destroy the demons that threaten Kylie’s world before returning to his stony slumber. But the burning desire she ignites in him is even harder to fight-an all-consuming force that, once unleashed, can never be tamed. As their passion grows, so do the ranks of a demonic army plotting to take over the earth. When the ultimate battle begins, Dag and Kylie must face some demons of their own-to carve out a love that’s stronger than time…

This is actually the first book I’ve read in the series, though it can be read completely as a standalone. I had no problems going into Rocked by Love without having read the previous books in the series, so if you’re planning to jump right into this at book 4 like I did, you can!

I’ve had Christine Warren’s Gargoyles series on my radar because, well, it’s about gargoyles! It’s something different and not what I’m used to, so I decided to give it a go. While I didn’t completely love this book, I still really enjoyed it and would definitely go back and read the rest of the series. The gargoyles in this world are fascinating – and the women they fall in love with are top-notch heroines I admire.

Kylie Kramer is a computer geek genius and has been using her skills to find out the reason why her best friend was mysteriously killed. But while walking one day she’s attacked, only to be saved by what she thought was a statue. Dag is the gargoyle statue brought to life, and he’s the fourth out of seven to awaken in order to defeat the seven demons and save mankind. Dag and Kylie may be meant for each other as Guardian and Warden, but they don’t exactly get along.

He wondered if he would ever get used to a human who questioned his every word or action simply on general principle. In the past, most of them cowered when they saw him, if they didn’t run screaming in terror. But not this female. She made him want to scream.

Kylie is probably my favorite part of this book – she’s so quirky and hilarious. She says the funniest things, and I couldn’t help myself cracking up every time she opened her mouth. Especially when she’s thrust into this new paranormal world and she can’t help herself but annoy her new gargoyle buddy. Dag and Kylie have some great banter together, and underlying chemistry between them is also a plus. I enjoyed their slowly growing feelings for each other and how the romance played out between them.

“You are precious to anyone who takes as much as a moment to get to know you, little one, because to know you is to see your true beauty.” His arms tightened around her and he nuzzled the soft, fragile skin at her temple. “You are very, very precious to me.”

The action in this book, however, wasn’t anything special. Not much happens actually for the majority of the book, so I kept waiting for something exciting to occur. The story lagged a bit during the middle and I found myself a little bored at times. The romance did keep me interested, but I really would’ve liked to see more action in this book.

Overall, I did still like Rocked by Love. The characters were fun and hilarious, and I enjoyed getting to know the other couples from the previous books. I liked that Kylie and Dag’s romance wrapped up, but the over-arcing storyline will continue on. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Gargoyles series

#1 ~ Heart of Stone: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Stone Cold Lover: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Hard as a Rock: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Rocked by Love: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

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2Feb2016

Release Day Review: The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Shadow by Sylvain Reynard
Series: The Florentine #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel trilogy comes the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Raven, a sensual novel set in Florence featuring the dangerously intoxicating coupling of Raven and William…

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret, or risk exposing his greatest weakness…

I highly enjoyed the first book in The Florentine series, so I couldn’t wait to jump into my early copy of the sequel. The Shadow picks up right where The Raven left off, continuing with Raven and William’s passionate love story and the dark underworld they live in. Sylvain Reynard’s writing is as lyrical and lush as ever, and though I didn’t love this book as much as I loved The Raven, it’s still a great installment to the series.

“You’re a dream.” She sighed. “A dream of love I never thought I’d have.”

William has now accepted that his heart belongs to Raven, and he’ll do anything and everything to protect her. There are dark forces that threaten his reign over Florence, and the best way to hurt him is to hurt Raven. The Shadow focuses a lot more on William and Raven’s beautiful romance, which is certainly the highlight of the book. We also get to know William so much better and he’s no longer such a mystery. Their relationship has now developed into something deeper, more intense and passionate. The depth of love these two have for one another is above and beyond, and I really loved seeing how they interact together.

He touched her cheek. “You are the light that shines in my darkness.”

I really liked this book. That being said, the first half of the book felt too slow and there wasn’t much going on besides Raven and William reaffirming their love. However, once the plot involving the underworld developed more, the suspense and action went up a notch. This is when I became fully immersed in the story and couldn’t stop flipping the pages. The action and intensity near the end of the book reminded me of why I fell so in love with the paranormal romance genre years ago, and continue to love it to this day.

The Shadow is a must-read for fans of the series. The romance is captivating and sexy, the writing is detailed and sensual – everything about this book is so very SR, even though it’s PNR and not contemporary. I’m already eager to get my hands on the next book in the series – I can’t wait to see what SR has in store for William and Raven, because I really need them to get their HEA!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: The Florentine series

#0.5 ~ The Prince: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ The Raven: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Shadow: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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