**REVIEW** Falling for Summer by Kailin Gow

Love hits you when you least expect it, grabs you, sucks you in whole, and twists you around until you could hardly breathe. Love hurts like a sucker punch, that’s both glorious and beautiful. Falling for Summer was like that for me, every time. – Nat Donovan
The Donovan Brothers
Two brothers as gorgeous as they are dangerous.
Nat Donovan, the older more responsible brother with the passion of a starving man. Knows what he wants, but knows he can’t have it without giving up everything.
Drew Donovan, the really bad boy, the black sheep, the one who has a devil-may-care attitude, wants what he wants, but knows he would have to go through the ones he loves to have it.
Nat and Drew Donovan has known Summer Jones since they were kids. She had always been the girl next door who was best friends with their little sister Rachel and was cool enough to play with the guys. Now Summer is all grown up, gorgeous, and scorchingly sexy without even knowing it. Responsible older brother Nat, who had always tried to keep their friendship platonic, now can’t stop thinking of her and wanting more. Carefree Drew, who had always had a crush on Summer, but knew Summer’s heart was already taken, can only fall further for her. But no one had anticipated what would happen between the time the Donovan brothers fell for her and now. No one knew how hard they would fall.

Release Date:  December 15, 2012
Published By:  The Edge Books

Review Copy: Kindle

(*copy provided by Author in turn for an honest review) 

**Note: This is a NA book and contains more mature scenes**

Review

I loved the first book in this series Loving Summer and though Falling for Summer is about the same characters it's more from the view of the Donovan brothers.  I liked getting more about the brothers and how they felt about everything.  I did enjoy this book but not nearly as much as Loving Summer.  The tension and heart break were all still there but some of what happened in this one drove me through the walls.  However maybe this book will set the stage for things to settle out a little bit.

  The loss of Aunt Sookie is still fresh though and now someone is attacking Summer and the acting school.  Nat and Drew have known Summer since they were children.  Both have cared for her in their own ways but now they are willing to show her and even fight for her.  It's more than a want for both it's a need and brother seems to be willing to hurt brother just to grab her heart, and with things so rocky with Astor things are more than a little complicated.  The question is will Summer see Drew for the boy that has always loved her, find safety in Nat or love the guy that respects her as much as he did he Aunt?

  I'm going to take this moment to say I am still #TeamDrew all the way!!  I love his guts.  His love for Summer seems so true and he is willing to do anything for her.  Though he has a reputation for being a player, Drew is determined to turn it all around.  His visit with Summer has made him want to be someone better.  Every part of me wants Summer to wake the heck up and see Drew for the good he could do for for her and the love he would wrap her in.  Sure there is a lot of sexual tension there as well and it's obvious all of the wild things he would do to her but I'm sure it wouldn't be a one night thing for those two.

  Nat did nothing to make me lik him anymore than I did before.  In fact by the end Nat had all but enraged me several times.  Summer has loved him like Drew loved her but he never once paid her the attention that she vied for.  Now she's grown up and has looks to die for, he's noticing her.  Not to mention that he claims he gave Drew all the time in he world to get her and now he's done waiting...  Well hold up a moment if you know your brother loves her and said you would give him the chance and now he's trying you have decided other wise?! I will end my rant here because he's not a bad guy but when it comes to Summer he now seems to be blinded ans selfish.

  If Summer does not stop the hopping from guy to guy soon I am going to scream.  I love her and her beautiful heart but my dog her indecisive behaviour will be the end of me.  The saving grace for her was that she at least made the decision to let go of Astor.  Though she only did this because of the distance and not really seeing each other.  Never mind the pshyco fans that are attacking her and her Aunts acting school.  Though Astor is a nice guy and if it came down to him or Nat I would choose Astor a million times over, I was happy to see him go as there was one less guy to fret over this way.

  Despite all of my grumbling I finished this book much quicker than the first.  This isn't to say I had my issues and that the flashing back and forth between guys didn't drive me nuts.  It did.  My hopes are now that Ms. Gow has set the stage for things to work out and settle down.  I love the characters that she has created and the conflict that they have to deal with.  Each character has their own issues but they each have such strengths and big hearts under it all.

Quotes

She made things better by being there for me, like always, selfless and giving, very loving.  Like her Aunt Sookie, she is the most giving person I know, emotionally and demonstrably.

With every movement of her arms, it loos like her bikini top can come undone at any given time.  And like any red-blooded male, I wouldn't want to miss the show.

"Sounds like you're doing great," I say, a bit disappointed she didn't mention how much she missed me.  I have a bit of an ego, I know,...

"Becoming a grown up is complicated, Nat.  It's not just about becoming of age.  It's about how you deal with responsibilities too.  Some of us, me especially, never grow up, though, and I'm sorry it has hurt your mother so much."

**REVIEW** Persephone (Daughters of Zeus) by Kaitlin Bevis

There are worse things than death, worse people too
The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

 Release Date:  July 6, 2012

Published by:  Musa Publishing

Review Copy: ebook

(copy was provided to me for reviewing)

Review

  This was a cold and hot read for me.  For me this was one of the few books that didn't want to make me smack Persephone.  I have always understood why she did what she did and why things were the way they were between her and Hades but the attitude she normally has tortures me.  She is normally a girl that comes off more than a bit bitchy and above those around her.  Here however there is another feel.  Though everything isn't exactly her choice and the circumstances are different, she kind of accepts her surroundings.  Now this could change I get that this is only the first book in a series but I think that the different story and edge kind of captured me.

  Things aren't always as they seem and Persephone has gone a long time without seeing.  When Persephone learns that she isn't just another girl, to say she freaked out would be an understatement.  She thought she may be dreaming but figured she's not creative enough to make up something this fantastical.  So to try and prove everyone wrong she gives her gift a go and things kind of go south from there.  Turns out that some Gods want more (isn't it always the way) and Persephone's little show caught someones attention.  In order to save her Hades whisks her into the underworld.  Not quite the winter vacation she expected but she makes due.  Problem is she has to really find out who she is and become what she is meant to if she wants to be able to walk free.  Lucky for her the underworld has just the people to help her.

  Persephone was a lot easier to like for me in this book.  Despite this fact I still didn't connect with her.  I wish I could have though.  She was a much more accepting person than I expected but retained the stubborn quality that you would expect.  Her reaction to finding out that she was actually a Goddess was amazing.  I hate when people just automatically accept something.  Persephone did well once she adjusted but the initial reaction wasn't calm. Basically she was a good person and her attitude was much more easy to enjoy.  She also wasn't much into needing to be rescued, she was more of an action girl but did accept the offer of help when it was needed.   

  Though Persephone is the main character I think I ended up loving Cassandra.  She is the first person that Persephone really meets and she also has no problem telling Hades what she thinks.  Not an edited version either, she just tells him and anyone else actually just what she thinks.  She is the cause of many smiles and a few laugh out loud moments.  Though not as often seen I enjoyed Helen as well.  Her and Cassandra do spend time with Persephone together and kind of become her Underworld best friends.

  The romance in this one is kind of difficult.  I loved that there was a twist/change in story for this version of the story.  Instead of Hades being the big evil and kidnapping Persephone he actually took her to save her.  Though it didn't make her happy and she basically hated the thought, Persephone learned to be okay with it.  She also learned to like/love Hades.  It wasn't a case of instant love but a feeling that grew over her time with him.  There was also complications that were brought up.  One being the fact he had lived for a very long time and she was currently 17.  This is however the long dilemma of the Gods and being immortal.  Who's to say age matters when you live forever and it's not like they were doing the nasty anyways.

  This was a good read.  It was well written and paced.  Kind of helped that it was a new and fresh twist that kept all the basics of the story for the most part.  I also seriously enjoyed the Underworld that Kaitlin painted throughout the novel.  The way that Hades intereacted with the souls and how everything was run was well done and easily pictured.  I am really looking forward to the next book in this series and hope to form a bit more of a connection!!

Quotes

"Bricks," Melissa muttered.  I gave her a tight smile.  Melissa always joked that she was going to keep a pile of bricks in the car to chuck at bad drivers.  Not a bad idea, but with our luck they would just blow back into my windshield.

I didn't know a lot about crazy people.  Was this the first step before my mom went on some kind of murderous rampage?  Oh my God, would she take my suggestion to smite people seriously?

I studied the two of them.  The psychotic serial rapist was afraid of pissing off Hades?  What kind of a world had I stumbled into?

What could I possibly say to a bunch of dead people?  Sorry you're dead?  Abandon all hope?  Welcome to hell?  Good news, we've got cable?

His eyebrows rose in surprise, but I was used to that reaction.  I was admittedly not the brightest crayon in the box, so people seldom thought I was the type of person who would sit around on rainy days and read books.

WEEKLY REPORT: Before Christmas

Weekly Report is my way of showing you from week to week (most of the time) what new books I received and what has gone on in the past week.  

So basically it's a report for all the awesome that I got and shared!

(Originally I posted IMM by Story Siren this is just my version)

*note * all book name lead to GR page

Sorry for not posting last week but December is a CRAZY month for everyone

but I have Christmas AND several birthdays to go with it...  Basically

the point of this story is that I am still on my buying ban :(  Now I have

still bought a couple but to be honest it was over a week ago and I am just 

getting to talk about them now (one is already read and the review went

up on Friday).  So here is my very small but awesome stuff I got over the

past couple of weeks.

 Bought 

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

Sirens by Janet Fox

For Review

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown 

Above World by Jenn Reese

Thank you to Random House for these!!  They are for 

Mermaid and Myth Month in February!!! 

     Received

                 

 Are they not super cute?!  Emily from Doodle's Book Blog asked a 

couple weeks back if I liked Zebra print and colours I liked.  Of course 

who doesn't love zebra print and I answered with colours but never got 

what was going on.  Then I got home and found these waiting!!! LOVE 

them!!!  You should totally check this girl out!!  Beside her crafting talent 

she is an AMAZING blogger.

FIND HER HERE

What When On!

Reviews

Sirens by Janet Fox- HERE

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington- HERE

Release by M.R. Merrick {Blog Tour}- HERE

Through Indigo's Eyes by Tara Taylor- HERE

Stones to Ashes (Alchemist Academy #1) by Kailin Gow- HERE

Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak- HERE

Elemental Explosions (Alchemist Academy #2)- HERE

Giveaways

$25 Amazon GC {Alchemist Academy Tour}- HERE

ARC Giveaway (INT x3 Winners)- HERE

Other

Waiting on Wednesday (Taken by Erin Bowman)- HERE

Cover Reveal- Free Souls by Susan Kay Quinn- HERE

Waiting on Wednesday (If I Should Die by Amy Plum)- HERE

Excert & Giveaway Exhale by Jennifer Snyder- HERE

Alchemist Academy Book Blast- HERE

Cover Reveal: Dominus by Christine Fonseca- HERE

Well that is EVERYTHING!  2 Weeks once again but I hope that 

the end of the holiday will bring an end to my dry spell!! 

What did you get?  Leave a link so I can visit you!

ONE DAY GIVEAWAY!!! Return to Arethane by Kelly Raid

Guys this is a one day deal so enter while you can!! I have read

and enjoyed this book and you can see my review HERE.

Good Luck!!!

16-year old Emily has accepted her fate with each weakening beat of her heart,but after her best friend's brother and sister arrive in town and turn out to be more than what they appear, Emily's life is turned upside-down. When their friendship includes confronting wizards who harbor dark secrets and dancing with an elf prince, Emily discovers there are some things still worth living for.

Author Bio:

Kelly Riad is from Texas where she lived with her husband and a house overrun by pets. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay area and is determined to bring the y'all to the West Coast. While she published her first book - a handmade pop-up titled "The Lost Puppy" - in the fifth grade to much acclaim by the first graders, she only recently picked the craft back up. "Return to Arèthane" is her second published novel.

Find Her:

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

GIVEAWAY

As mentioned above this is a ONE DAY event!!  SO tell everyone 

you can because you don't want anyone to miss out!! 

Also this IS INTERNATIONAL so EVERYONE can enter!!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Tour Stop} Alchemist Academy: Elemental Explosions by Kailin Gow

Thanks for stopping by the second stop on this tour that I have 

had the luck of holding!  I hope you enjoy!!!

A new student has entered The Alchemists Academy, and he brings with him an explosive power that threatens the Academy and the legend of Merlin. Wirt thought he was the only bad boy at the Academy, but he was wrong. Not only is Roland Black worse than Wirt, but a new teacher had replaced one of their beloved teachers, and she has more planned for Wirt and his friends than just lesson plans. Alana, his crush has grown prettier, and now he is rivals for her attention with not only his best friend Spencer, but newcomer Roland, as well. On top of that, it is their second year, and the year where all the students must pass a test to move on to the Elite Class at the Academy. The Elite Class is the only class in the third year at the Academy, and the students who fail will be sent home, others will face something even deadlier.

Release Date: January 7, 2011

Published by: The Edge Books

Review Copy: Kindle

(copy was provided by author for the tour)

Review

  This series is probably one of my favourites besides The Fire Wars of course. It has great characters and focuses on more than a complicated romance.  This being the second book in the series made me realize that more that Kailin has put her focus on the characters and making sure they are developed.  This is new for me in Kailin's books.  I am used to the action, the romance and the kick butt characters but they normally develop through a few books.  Sometimes people have issues with this but honestly I love it as her books are always quick to read and fun!  With this one the romance is kind of taken away and the main character Wirt is developed more.  Different but as always I enjoyed it.

  Wirt is now in his second year at the Alchemists Academy but things are changing.  His roommate and best friend has moved for a private room and he now has a new roommate.  One that he doesn't trust, even though he would like to.  Alana and Spencer are on the outs but Wirt still wont make a move but that leaves her wide open for the new guy.  Oh and there is the little thing that he keeps dreaming that he is Merlin and speaking to King Arthur.  With everything that is going on and the fact that he may not be around next year if he doesn't make the final cut for the fourteen students that are hand picked for third year, Wirt has a lot to think about.

  I have to admit that Wirt is developing nicely.  He is still learning the extent of his power and I am happy to say it's not like he is a natural at everything and anything.  He has to work to figure everything out and find out exactly what he is capable of.  The only thing that really picks at me with him is that he isn't open.  There are some things that he just keeps to himself because he doesn't want to upset someone else, where he should be letting the others know before it becomes a problem.  Rather than that I can't complain much because his character is determined and didn't gain too much too fast.

  The secondary characters were kind of thrown around in my feelings toward them this time.  Alana pissed me off.  She is still strong and determined but she is blind to almost everything outside of her lessons.  Her and Spencer and the drama that they created was tolerable but I just couldn't believe how much she changed from one book to another.  I continue to feel for Spencer and his life that seems driven by his father and just hope that he begins to stand up for what he wants.  The Princess is still a laugh.  Not like a joke but the girl is so flighty that she reminds me of me on certain days.  The poor girl just doesn't get it but I think there are certain things that she sees that the others don't.  The mixed cast in this book creates a mixed feeling, which I think is good.  I mean it makes me feel something different for everyone isn't that what's important.

  The world that this is set in still blows me away.  It kind of reminds me of a Harry Potter type thing but different in many ways.  I love that there are so many types of magic and people brought together for the sole reason of learning what their magical talent is.  Sure they can do more than one kind but everyone seems to excel at one thing or another.  Totally helps that Wirt isn't one of those characters that is good at everything but only at somethings.

  This is yet another fast paced and quick read from Kailin Gow.  I know you guys hear that a lot from me as I am a huge fan and read basically anything of hers that I can get my hands on but it's true.  I love her novels for the fact that they are good and you can read them in one sitting.  Most of the time I don't want to put them down.  This series has shaped up and surprised me many times.  Honestly I didn't expect to like it as much as I do and when it comes to Kailin Gow that is saying a lot but I honestly believe that there are many people out there that would enjoy this series more than some of her others.  Big thing is that there is no love triangle to be seen and the magical elements are fun.  NOw all I have to do is try and get these in print and the third book!!

Quotes

"Bother me?  You almost killed us both!" "Almost doesn't count." Ms. Burns pulled herself from the large pool, her clothes drying instantly as she did it.  "Besides, I knew you'd save us, so it wasn't a particular worry."

"Elite class?"  Spencer looked at Wirt like Wirt had just admitted that no, he didn't know that the world was round.

Not that Wirt imagined the little creature would want to hurt him deliberately, but the small dragons seemed not to understand that humans weren't as durable as they were.

Wirt had subconsciously put Ms. Burns into the tiny category of the schools "good" teachers, where "good" mostly meant that they weren't inclined to try killing their student, and didn't actively promote the virtues of being a power hungry evil wizard the way the headmaster did. 

Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**REVIEW** Sirens by Janet Fox

When Jo Winter’s parents send her off to live with her rich cousin on the glittering island of Manhattan, it’s to find a husband and forget about her brother Teddy’s death. But all that glitters is not gold.. 
Caught up in the swirl of her cousin’s bobbed-hair set—and the men that court them— Jo soon realizes that the talk of marriage never stops, and behind the seemingly boundless gains are illicit business endeavors, gangsters, and their molls. Jo would much rather spend time the handsome but quiet Charles, a waiter at the Algonquin Hotel, than drape herself over a bootlegger. But when she befriends a moll to one of the most powerful men in town, Jo begins to uncover secrets—secrets that threaten an empire and could secure Jo’s freedom from her family. 
Can her newfound power buy her love? Or will it to ruin Jo, and everyone around her?

  I will freely admit that I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one.  Not a single clue and I was okay with that.  Truth be told I bought it because I pulled it off the book store shelf and realized I had seen it on a fellow bloggers Hoarders post(Joy from Joyous Reads). Just let me say that sometimes these impulses blow up on me.  This time however it didn't and I was pulled into a world of flappers, gangsters and one hell of a mystery.  Maybe I enjoyed it because I needed to know what was going to happen or maybe it was because I could never quite put my finger on if I was on the right track or not.  There's also the little thing that I totally believe I could have been a flapper in a previous life...  Who knows?

Josephine aka Jo has lived a quiet life for the most part with her Ma and Pa.  The thought of flappers may not appeal to her but the short hair and the freedom does.  When she is sent to Manhatten to live with family she has no real idea why but has her suspicions.  When Jo realizes that the secrets she holds may mean more to some than her life and the ones that she loves, she has a huge decision to make.  Who to trust and where do you go when the one hunting you runs everything?

  Jo was an intersting character.  To start I was a little detached when it came to her but as I read on she showed just how determined she was.  This is a time where woman's rights were developing but in a way things were the same.  Jo had dreams and ambition, both trait that I admire in a character and in people I meet.  As I read more about her I realized that she was going to to stick to who she was and not fold into what everyone seen her as.  Yes she did cut her hair and wear the dresses but that didn't mean she would change who and what she was.  There was a certain amount of agitation when it came to her blind spots.  For example because of her situation and trying to protect her brother and family she couldn't see who was trying to help her and who was against her.  This however can be forgiven because in the thick of her situation I may or may not have made the same mistakes.

  You will also meet the other girl, Louie. She's a moll.  Don't know the word?  Well you can pick this book up and find out or look it up.  Cruel I know but it's part of the fun right.  Louie was kind of th other side of the story.  The one behind the curtain sharing little bits that you wouldn't see without her.  To start I thought her weak and even in the end I'm not sure how I felt about her.  What I did enjoy with her was her strong emotions.  Be it love, hate, jealousy that girl did it good.  Even when she couldn't decide exactly where she stood and what to do.  Swinging emotions may seem a little irritating but when you're in a situation like hers, I don't find it that unreasonable.

  The relationships in his book are mixed and all over.  This is 1925 and a time where being free meant something to everyone, even if it was something different to everyone.  To Louie it was her relationship with Danny and all the lavish things that came with it.  Though she was no more than another thing to collect to him.  She was still to be seen and not heard, well unless she had something intelligent to say.  From there you have Jo and Charlie.  They weren't all over each other because well it's the 20's freedom is in and being a floozie comes as a label with the life style but some girls still want to hold on to their olde values.  Even more than that Charlie believes that Jo is above him and it broke my heart to know.  These two couples couldn't be no different but they created such a contrast with each other, they complimented each other.

  Sirens was such a fantastically and artfully written novel.  My mind was a million miles away from me as I read.  My heart believes afte reading this that if I could have I would be a part of this world, though what part I would play is still untold.  This one will take you away to another time, another place and pull you through with its mystery.  I will admit that I was wrong most of th book.  I believed things that I thought I had figured out frequently, only to hav it thrown out the window within the next few chapters.  Not realizing this was the third in a series has me left in wanting for the first two books.  However do not let this detour you from pickin it up as they don't seem to be connected and I had no problem reading this one without having read the others.  Though this is a first for me when it comes to the roaring 20's but let me tell you it won't be the last!

Quotes

A simple haircut wasn't enough to turn a girl into a flapper, right?  Modern and smart, sure.  But not a flapper.  The last thing I wanted was to be taken for a fool.

My voice trembled."I'm not ready to get married.  I wan to finish out the school year.  I have plans.  And my plans don't include becoming a floozy."

She had this funny thing going on, Jo Winters.  She was innocent but savvy.  She thought she knew what she wanted, but it was stuff right out of a fairy tale.  I wanted to shake her and say, "Wake up, baby."

Cigarette girls in skimpy outfits and jaunty caps paced the floor between the tables, and couples leaned toward each other over their iced drinks.  Smoke rose in spirals; the ceiling was adrift in clouds of smoke.

I bet he had no idea why Connor wanted me followed.  I wished, in that instant, I could jump into Charlie's arms, safe and secure from this menacing man sitting opposite me, one arm trailing over Lou's shoulder, but whose eyes were fixed on me.

**REVIEW** Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

It starts with a whisper: "It's time for you to know who you are..."
On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice. Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, EMBRACE is a compelling novel of good and evil, seductive desires and impossible choices. A centuries old war between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity chooses a new fighter. It's a battle Violet doesn't want, but she lives her life by two rules: don't run and don't quit. If angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden. LINCOLN: He's been Violet's one anchor, her running partner and kickboxing trainer. Only he never told her he's Grigori--part human, part angel--and that he was training her for an ancient battle between Angels and Exiles. PHOENIX: No one knows where his loyalties lie, yet he's the only one there to pick up the pieces and protect her after Lincoln's lies. In a world of dark and light, he is all shades of gray. Two sides: Angel or Exile.Two guys: Lincoln or Phoenix.The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity... 

Release Date: March 6, 2012

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire

Review Copy:  ARC, 374 pages 

Trailer

REVIEW

  This is one of those big hype books for me.  I have put off reading it because I was afraid of being let down.  So many times I picked it up looked at it and then put it down.  When I got Entice for review I knew I had to suck it up and jump.   Needless to say I was presently surprised.  I have this hard spot when it comes to angels.  I used to love them but then it was like everyone was doing it and not in a great way.  I had one series that was the exception but this book may have just rekindled my love.   It was an interesting and fast read that I honest,y read in a day because I really wanted o know what was going to happen, who was going to do what and more.

  Violet grew up without a mother and basically no father.  His absence is filled with her BFF Steph and Lincon her self defense partner/friend.  Though life isn't great or exciting she is content enough with how things are.  Well except for maybe wanting her feelings for Lincon to be reciprocated.  Jut when sh thinks that might happen things blow up.  She finds it that Lincon isn't who she thought, what she thought and sh kind of isn't either.  Betrayal is a powerful thing and this leads to new things.  Like Pheonix.  Pheonix is something new, something else.  Violet has to not only fight her feelings but decide what she wants to become and who she will be.

  I liked Violet.  There were times that her indecisiveness made me want to stream out loud and smack her.  Her huge redeeming quality is that she is strong and unwilling to give up.  I mean this in basically the most extreme way.  After a huge event when she was younger, she vowed never to run away so she faces things head on.  This means that she retains being who she is even when she finds out that might not be who she really is, being torn between two guys and basically having her entire world turned upside down on her birthday.  Basically she took each situation and learned, grew, became more and smarter than she was before.  To finish this bit up I just want to make it clear that yes she could be indecisive and whiny but to balance it she was strong and determined.  Violet was everything I loved in a character but was made more realistic with the things that drive me in a character.

  The romance was such a touchy thing.  I was torn on how I would feel when the love triangle touched down.  It was one of those brace yourself moments.  At first glance I thought it was going to be one of the ones that made me want to give up, stop the reading and the madness but it changed.  I would be lying if I said it didn't feel torturous at times still but for the most part it was okay.  Violet felt for one with her entire heart and the other sh seemed to want to feel more than she did for.  It broke my heart at times but the guys made it worth it.

  Pheonix and Lincon.  Really I'm not sure who I fell for.  I want to say Pheonix but if I'm honest I think it's his bad boy/want to change but only for her thing that really caught me with him.  Also his honesty...  Well mostly honest ways.  When Violet needed answers he tried to do the best he could to give hem to her.  Even his looks screamed pick me and there were times I found myself wishing it were my lips on his.  But first there was Lincon and he made me smile.  His biggest downfall with me was the secrets and hot to cold attitude.  There is a "reason" behind it but come on make a choice.  Follow your heart or follow the rules.  Jessica did a wonderful job of creating two guys that could both leave you hot or cold an I'm not sure I have chosen a team yet.

  Rather than the boys there wasn't much depth in the characters throughout this one.  Violets best friend Steph was fun and loyal but not someone you really get to know.  Though the moments that she spills onto the pages I did love her.  She is fiercely loyal and seemed to love Violet and be on her side no matter what.  My favourite was probably when she went on the best friend back up when she realized Lincon had kind of broken Violet.  Other quickly notable characters were Griffen and Magda.  Though neither of them really called to me more than the other.

  I will be picking up book two very soon.  In fact there is only one book separating it from my hands and being read.  The twist on the angels was a breath of fresh air and I enjoyed that religion wasn't pulled into it very much.  Not that I have a problem with religion but when it is left out it kind of creates a bit of a comfort zone, neutral we shall say. Despite the angels and romance the novel is really all about the romance, action and the power of choice.  Jessica Shirvington did an amazing job of captivating me and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Quotes

"Maybe.  But with all things there has to be balance.  You know, light and dark, sun and moon, yin and yang... So where there are entities that produce good, there must also be those that don't."

It was a sign of how bad things had become that I was relieved - at least death was still a certainty.

"Clearly I am out of the loop, but here's the thing.  There are two of you and only one of Violet and, bless her, she just wasn't built to handle two guys at once."

"Great.  So he gets super strength and powers of Sight, you can be some kind of human lie detector, and I get my own float at Mardi Gras."

The logical part of my brain demanded, Run, run, run.  Of course, I just stood, a poster child for all things dazed and confused.