Review: The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Titan #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: February 16th 2015
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off…

It’s been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they’ve given him have been violent and bloody–which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He’s got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy’s deal might be, but it’s a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

First off, I have to say that I am SO happy Seth gets his own series. Not only because I love Seth, but also because the Covenant world is one of my favorites. I adored the Covenant series, so the fact that I don’t really have to say goodbye to it is just the best. The Return kicks off the Titan series, beginning a year after the ending of the Covenant series. You don’t necessarily need to read that series before starting The Return, but I highly recommend it. Alex and Aiden’s story is incredible, Seth is first introduced there, and you won’t be as lost in the world in The Return if you’re familiar with the Covenant series.

Seth, the Apollyon, is pretty much owned by the gods. He made a deal with them for someone he cared about, and in return, he’d be at the gods’ bidding. He has a new mission now, when Apollo sends him to protect the life of a demigod – the child of a god and mortal. But Josie’s innocence, strength, and beauty surprises him and he finds himself drawn to her in a way he’s never truly felt for anyone.

Josie Bethel’s life is turned completely inside-out and upside-down when she finds out she’s not exactly human. As a demigod, she has incredible power, but it’s bound until the moment it’s needed the most. I loved Josie. She’s thrust into a dangerous world where she has no ability to protect herself other than Seth, but she learns to fight. She has an inner strength I found admirable, but honestly, I just loved her heart and her little quirks. She’s also funny too, and not immune to Seth’s charms. The chemistry between them is HOT, and I freaking love that this series is New Adult, because we get plenty of sexy times between Josie and Seth.

“I cannot even begin to count how many lives I’ve ended with these hands. These hands, Josie.” Lifting them, I curved them over her knees. “The ones you want touching you.”

Seth has changed considerably in the year since the war. He’s guilty and remorseful about what he did in the past and has been trying to right his wrongs, trying to take responsibility, all the while feeling like he deserves every punishment he gets and doesn’t deserve anything good in his life anymore. I felt for Seth so much. I LOVED that we get his POV in addition to Josie’s in The Return – I connected with him so much better this way, and plus, he has some fantastically naughty thoughts that I found hilarious. His perspective gives a lot of insight to who he is and how he feels, and the fact that he’s been trying to do some good makes him, well, good in my eyes. And his growing feelings for Josie only makes him all the more lovable.

“Say it again. … Say that I’m not just the Apollyon,” he whispered, his voice harsh.
Tears built in my throat. “You’re not just the Apollyon, Seth.”
His eyes drifted shut, his face tensed as his fingers splayed across my cheeks. “I don’t even know who I am anymore. Or what I ever was.”
Oh goodness, that ripped right through my chest. “You’re just… you’re just Seth.”
A tremor moved through his arms. “And you… you’re just my salvation.”

There’s not too much action going on in The Return, but for a first book in a series, it’s an incredible start with lots of potential to become even better. There are some similarities between Alex and Aiden and Josie and Seth – Seth even mentions how it’s almost like history repeating itself. Nonetheless, I absolutely adored this new couple. It’s possible I might even grow to love them and the Titan series even more than the Covenant series, but who knows. I can’t wait to see what JLA has in store for Seth and Josie!

Reading Order: Titan series

#1 ~ The Return: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Power: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Struggle: Goodreads (2017)

The Titan series is a spinoff of the Covenant series, and though it’s not necessary to read the Covenant series beforehand, I highly recommend it to become familiar with the world and get to know Seth prior to how he is in the Titan series.

Reading Order: Covenant series

#0.5 ~ Daimon: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#1 ~ Half-Blood: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Pure: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Deity: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Elixir: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Apollyon: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Sentinel: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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22Feb2016

Review: Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Covenant #5 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: November 2nd 2013
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

It’s a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

I’ve finally, FINALLY finished the Covenant series!!! I honestly don’t know why it took me this long to get to this final book – I read Apollyon over two years ago and I guess I just never kept going even with that awful cliffhanger. But I guess one good thing about waiting is that I have Seth’s series ready for me to read! Anyway, now that I have finished the Covenant series, I’m feeling so bittersweet. Jennifer L. Armentrout did an amazing job ending this brilliant series, but I’m still so sad to say goodbye to Alex and Aiden, who make up one of my favorite couples ever. Sentinel is fast-paced, action-packed, and never has a dull moment, but the highlight of the book is definitely Alex and Aiden’s relationship. They’ve been through so much, so it’s amazing to see how everything wraps up between them.

Our love had never been easy.
… He was my strength when I needed him to be, my friend when I needed someone to talk me down, my equal in a world where by law I would always be less than him, and honest to gods, he was the love of my life.
And he would wait forever for me, just as I would wait forever and a day for him.

I skimmed through the first four books before starting Sentinel, because I knew if I picked this final book up, I’d be just a teensy bit lost. Luckily, JLA is a fantastic writer, able to suck me into her Covenant world even after leaving it for over two years. Sentinel picks up right where Apollyon left off, after Alex’s terrible fight with Ares, which left her completely broken and near death’s door. But once she’s healed thanks to Apollo, she’s still not quite up to par, which isn’t good since the world is being torn apart by Ares, Lucian, and… Seth. It’s a race to the finish to see who will reach whom first – whether Ares will find a way to enslave mankind, or if Alex and the gang can manage to stop him and pretty much save the world.

What I love about this series (besides the amazing romance) is how humorous it is. No matter how dire things are, Alex and her friends manage to find a levity that lightens everyone up. As serious as the whole end-of-the-world thing going on is, Alex and the gang always make quips and jokes that have me laughing so hard. I love this balance in emotions that JLA handles so effortlessly.

Of course, now I get to talk about the romance! Alex and Aiden are just… perfect. They complement each other so well, even after the both of them have grown so much throughout the series. Alex has matured greatly, no longer that impulsive girl who seems to always get herself in trouble. Aiden is as swoon-worthy as ever, always believing in Alex and never being too overly alpha-male. These two just GET each other, support each other, love each other, and my heart easily fell for these two all over again in Sentinel.

“I love you.”
“Agapi mou, you are my everything.”

And oh gods, SETH!! I have to admit, I was Team Seth once upon a time back in Pure, so he’ll always have a piece of my heart, even though he’s turned a little power-hungry and is on the bad guys’ side. But if you’re a Seth fan (or even if you’re not), he’ll surprise you in this book. He’s made bad decisions, but he’s inherently a good guy, and I’m definitely excited to see how his story continues in his series!

The ending was something I… didn’t expect. I’m honestly still not quite sure how to feel about it, but the book overall was an epic ending to a series I adore. Sentinel isn’t my favorite of the series (I think it still might be Deity), but I’m so glad to have finally read it. I know I’d feel a lot worse leaving the Covenant world if there wasn’t the spinoff series, so I’m thanking the gods that JLA is giving us that!

Reading Order: Covenant series

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6Mar2015

ARC Review: Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 3rd 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way…

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae’s cold war with humanity is about to heat up—and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

First off, I’m a huge fan of Patricia Briggs! Her paranormal world of the Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha & Omega series (Charles and Anna’s series) is unlike any other. And though I adore Mercy’s series, I have to say I love Charles and Anna’s books more. Every single book of theirs, I’ve wholeheartedly loved – I highly recommend reading this series (and the Mercy books too) if you’re a fan of paranormal and/or urban fantasy.

Anna and Charles make up one of my all-time favorite fictional couples in the history of fictional couples. I love them as a couple, but I also love them as individuals. From their very first book (or more like, from their first novella), I was hooked onto them and their story. They’re not the typical badass hero/heroine of urban fantasy books. I mean, they definitely are badass, but they’re way more subtle about it. As an Omega, Anna has a calming effect on werewolves, and she doesn’t feel the need to obey werewolves who have a higher rank in the pack. Charles is pure alpha – as the Marrok’s son and enforcer, he is one of the most dominant werewolves and he delivers justice to those who deserve it. Despite their differences, I honestly can’t think of anyone better suited for Charles than Anna, and vice versa. The mutual respect and love they have for each other is palpable in each book – they’re the refreshing sort of couple that I could never get tired of reading about.

“The day I met you was the first day I ever felt joy.”

As a birthday present for Anna, Charles wants to buy her a horse. He takes them to see an old friend of his who has a horse ranch, but there’s trouble stirring in town when they get there. I don’t want to say much about the plot because it’s so much better to just experience it in its entirety, but I want to say that Patricia Briggs never fails to make me hooked onto her stories. The plot is perfectly paced with just the right amount of action, and the mystery is well-written and intriguing. I also loved seeing a new side of Charles and learning more about his past – Joseph is one of the few people Charles loves and can truly call a friend, and it was great seeing him happy around someone who wasn’t Anna, Bran, or Samuel.

The writing is impeccable as always. I don’t know how Patricia Briggs does it, but the way she writes the Alpha & Omega series is simply beautiful, this book especially. As someone who knows almost nothing about horses, I can say that that aspect of the story was flawlessly incorporated. I fell in love once again with Anna and Charles – they are truly one of the few couples who are near and dear to my heart. Their subtle humor, their sweet, tender moments, everything was perfectly written. I honestly wish their series would never end, because I could read about them forever!

Dead Heat is another fantastic, gripping, gorgeously-written installment in one of my favorite series ever. I loved every single word of this book!

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

Series Order: Alpha & Omega series

#1 ~ Cry Wolf: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hunting Ground: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Fair Game: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#4 ~ Dead Heat: Ebook • Hardcover • Goodreads

23Feb2015

Early Review: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #6 (full reading order below)
Release Date: February 24th 2015
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Once two souls are joined . . .
When Adam’s soul mate rejected him, there was more at stake than his heart. After seven hundred years of searching, his true match would have ended the curse that keeps his spirit in chains. But beautiful, stubborn Eliza May fled-and now Adam is doomed to an eternity of anguish, his only hope for salvation gone . . .

Their hearts will beat together forever
No matter how devilishly irresistible Adam was, Eliza couldn’t stand the thought of relinquishing her freedom forever. So she escaped. But she soon discovers she is being hunted-by someone far more dangerous. The only man who can help is the one man she vowed never to see again. Now Adam’s kindness is an unexpected refuge, and Eliza finds that some vows are made to be broken . . .

Oh how I adored Adam and Eliza. I was highly anticipating their story after having read Evernight –everything about these two characters was just so intriguing! Adam, the seven-hundred-year-old “father” of the GIMs, has found his soul mate, the one person in the world who can end his curse. But Eliza, this fierce, stubborn woman, is not about to be chained to him or anyone else, so she rejects and escapes from Adam, essentially dooming him to his curse.

I love the Darkest London series – it’s well-written and fleshed-out, and it’s so easy to get sucked into the world and the characters. Soulbound is the sixth book in the series, and Kristen Callihan has yet to let me down. Soulbound is a fast-paced, intense, sensual book that fans of the series do not want to miss! This book will make you laugh, fall in love with the characters, and tug at your heartstrings. I enjoyed it so much!

Though Eliza and Adam are soul mates, they don’t exactly LIKE each other (not at first, anyway). But they do NEED each other. Adam needs Eliza to end his curse, and Eliza needs Adam to protect her from her dangerous fae relatives. So together they manage a deal – Adam will help protect Eliza in exchange for three weeks in which Adam has the opportunity to make Eliza fall in love with him and therefore end his curse.

I LOVE witty, tough heroines, and Eliza is definitely one. I adored her sarcasm, but what I really admired was the strength within her. Her freedom is the most important thing to her and she’ll do anything to keep it. She doesn’t believe she and Adam are soul mates and doesn’t want to be chained to him again, but what if falling for him isn’t being chained at all?

Adam stole my heart in this book. He’s all male and sensuality, but he has vulnerabilities that made him all the more endearing. He’ll do anything to make Eliza fall for him, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s an intense chemistry already between them.

“Trust, Eliza?”
She nodded, and he took a step closer. Beneath thick, straight brows his gaze burned. “In truth, I want you so badly, the mere thought of you is a hand around my cock.”

Hot!!!

“Whether you believe in soul mates or not, I think of you as my other half. The better half. And I am not whole unless I am with you.”

And sweet!!! Adam says the sweetest, most romantic things. Be still, my heart!

I’m such a fan of the way Kristen Callihan writes, because she balances the romance and action in Soulbound so well (though I wish there was a bit more romance at the end, because I’m a romantic sap). It’s not my favorite of the series (that’s a toss-up between Shadowdance and Evernight), but it’s still a highly entertaining read that had me hooked from start to finish. If you’ve been looking forward to Adam and Eliza’s book, you won’t be disappointed.

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

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: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Forevermore: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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24Nov2014

Review: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #1
Publication Date: October 28th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand-new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire . . .

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile situation. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run and wanting to surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

So this is Ilona Andrews’ long-awaited Avon story and holy smokes, I loved it.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH.

I honestly had no idea I would love Burn for Me this much. But I shouldn’t have expected anything less from Ilona Andrews. Ilona Andrews is one of my all-time favorite authors ever – their Kate Daniels series is like no other. And let me tell you, I didn’t even love Magic Bites (Kate Daniels book 1) as much as I loved Burn for Me! This just goes to show how freaking awesome author duo Ilona Andrews is, and that I will pretty much read anything and everything they write.

This new series had everything I could have wanted – fantastic world building, addicting characters, badass fight scenes – but there’s also that extra something in this book that makes Burn for Me exceptional and one of the best books I’ve read all year. I was utterly ABSORBED in this book. I couldn’t get enough of this world and these characters. I honestly never wanted this book to end – it’s unique and incredibly well-written. It’s Ilona Andrews at their finest.

Nevada Baylor is a heroine I absolutely loved and adored. She’s hilarious, down-to-earth, and so relatable. I connected with her from the start. I loved the goodness and loyalty in her, as well as her inner badass. So who and what exactly is Nevada? Well, she’s an investigator and she’s in charge of her family’s investigation firm. And in this world where certain people have magic powers, and the higher level power you have, the more respected and rich you are, Nevada has the power to detect lies. Her job and power are perfect complements, but that doesn’t make the investigations she gets involved in easy. In fact, her latest case, which is to find a rogue Prime (which is the highest level of magic a magic user can have), lands her deep into danger and trouble.

Connor “Mad” Rogan. This man. I am utterly in love with him. His character is the thing that MADE this book for me. Mad Rogan is one of the most powerful, if not THE most powerful, magic user in their world, and he’s looking for the same rogue Prime as Nevada. He is the embodiment of raw power – he is intense and dangerous and Nevada is ridiculously attracted to him.

The two women saw him and stopped talking. He cut right through the layers of civilization, politeness, and social snobbery to some preternatural female sense that said, “Dominant male. Danger. Power. Sex.“

Nevada likens Mad Rogan to a dragon, which is accurate. Their roads inevitably cross and they reluctantly form an alliance to find Adam Pierce. I L.O.V.E.D. the dynamics between Nevada and Mad Rogan. They are hilarious together and the sexual tension between them is off the charts.

The way my body came to attention when he was near scared me too. He turned me on by just looking at me. Having sex with him would be an experience I would never forget, and some insane part of me wanted that experience. I wanted to see him naked. I wanted to have all of that overwhelming masculine intensity focused on me. I’d never before had a reaction like that to a man.

I loved Burn for Me. I’ve already reread it countless times, and I highlighted so much of this book. I loved Mad Rogan, the insanely powerful man that he is, and I have no doubt that he’ll get even better as the series goes on. I absolutely can’t wait for more from this new, fantastic series from Ilona Andrews.

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