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12.31.2012

Reading Challenge 2012: FAIL



The goal for this year was a lost cause. I came to said conclusion fairly early since the first symptom of my pregnancy was the severe lack of desire to read. Blame it on an inability to focus or whatever but being the worst symptom by far-morning sickness included-I can't complain too much. So after my son was born in July and I was able to catch up on sleep two months later, I picked up my goal again in September where I began to aim for quality, not quantity. I picked up recommendations I may have previously skipped over and even dabbled in alien erotica and *attempted* urban fantasy. Is it my fault these books get labeled incorrectly?

No, I didn't go completely over the deep end. I stayed near the vicinity of my comfort zone. And despite my failure this year to complete a measly 76 reads (in honor of my sons due date and birth on July 6) I did come away with a few more favorites and new literary experiences.


12.30.2012

For Love of an Angel: Fallen Warriors #1



For Love of an Angel

Rosalie Lario
The Fallen Warriors, book one
ebook
Published May 8th 2011 by Rosalie Lario
ISBN 2940012464378
Amazon Free Read

In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.

They are The Fallen.

Michael is one of twelve angels who have been outcast due to their determination to protect humankind. In order to preserve his immortality and strength, he must find a mate with angel blood. Eva Smyth has never believed the propaganda spouted by the Consortium—the elite system of guards put into place once angels took over reign of Earth—but she never expected to learn the angels plan to eradicate all of humankind, or that she herself is part angel. Joining Michael means living a life on the run, at war against the angels and hunted by the Consortium. Eva must decide whether to risk it all…for love of an angel.


So I find myself on an angel kick as the year ends. Hungry for some demons though, so hopefully I can grab up a good demonic tale once 2013 is here.

Eva lives in a time where the veil between the worlds has fallen and angels guard over mankind in a much more hands on, in your face manner than many believe they do in the here and now. They control people's very careers through personality exams and even impose a super strict curfew. What they haven't managed to control so far is their personal relationships, leaving Eva with an egotistical ass of an ex living right across the hall.

  • "I'm here, beloved, because you called to me."

Our dear angel is not so likeable when we first meet him. Has the I-know-all attitude that bastards seem to be bred with. No respect for personal space with this one either. Michael played a better alien than angel. (And don't go getting technical with me on that!) XD

Eva doesn't freak *too* much when she finds Michael standing in her living room in the middle of the night. That is, until she sees his wings. His black wings. Turns out, he's Fallen and he's got quite story to tell about that. But don't ask him any questions. You'll only get the "you're not ready to know" answer. Infuriating jerk.

Michael never won me over. He did pretty much everything wrong. The rest of the Fallen, not that we spent a whole lot of time with them, weren't so bad. Curiosity got me with Seth and Ethan had me intrigued with the 'my mate hates me' stuff. And being that Ethan's book is next, I'm planning on giving it a looksee. AFTER my next pick of course. EA, here we come.

2 out of 5 stars.

12.29.2012

All For You: Nephilim #1


All For You
Dana Marie Bell
The Nephilim, book one
ebook, 226 pages
Published December 24th 2012 by Carina Press
ISBN 9781426894848


He will keep her safe, no matter what it takes.

Someone—or something—is stalking Abby Marcheson. Luckily, she as her brother’s hunky friend Seth to keep her safe. Abby falls easily into her protected life, with Seth constantly by her side, and when he asks her out on a date, she’s eager to accept.

But Seth is much more than he seems. A Nephilim, a son of Angels with wings of his own, Seth is bound to spend his life hunting the Shemyaza, evil descendants of Angels. He’s kept his wings hidden from Abby in order not to frighten her, but as her stalker becomes bolder, Seth begins to suspect that a Shem has Abby in its sights…

As their flirtation escalates into full-blown passion, Seth is torn. Should he reveal his true nature to the beautiful, trusting Abby? Will she accept him, wings and all, or will Abby flee her guardian angel and fall prey to the sinister force that wishes her harm?

Warning: This book contains explicit sex and graphic language


A Nephilim with the hots for a human, and a woman completely head over heels in return. Both blind as newborn pups, broken by past loves, and too damn skittish to make a move on one another. What does it take to get them together? A menacing sister-in-law. Oh, and the threat of a demon's secret plot certainly adds to the weight of 'hurry the fuck up already'!

Neither have any clue of the other's desires and yeah, even from the outside looking in, I would have subscribed to that ignorance.

Seth's best friend is Piotr, the son of the Shemyaza's leader. Despite his love and utter trust for the guy, not all of his brothers share such a tight bond to Piotr. There's a full cast of your typical rough housing alpha males, a protective-yet understanding-older brother for Abby, and the some over the top/way too much attention to detail when it comes to food that I've come to expect from Bell.

Note: Mexican food and romance do *not* make an appetizing combo for this reader.

The mystery of Piotr is played off very well. And his assistant Andi delivered just enough info to keep me drooling for more of a taste of his story.

So "broken by past love" doesn't exactly cover it for Abby. Seth lost his first wife to cancer five years ago. About the same time that Abby was dating a true psycho named Doug. The guy murdered her younger brother, nearly succeeded doing the same to her parents, raped her sister, and attempted to burn Abby alive. Oh yeah, PSYCHO.

When trust becomes absolute, Seth reveals true identity and Abby couldn't have taken it any better. Finally, a woman with an open mind. Though, admittedly, I would have freaked at the angel part. Probably more so than learning my long time crush had wings. Go figure that one out.

After I finished this little read, I checked out some fellow reviewers' comments on Goodreads. One particular was a DNF. She gagged over it all. LoL. And yes, this book is totally everything you can expect from an angel/human love story. Big strong protector meets too stupid to live female who can't manage to follow the simplest of instruction. I myself have gagged over similar stories, but seriously, this wasn't that bad. Not at all. Cliche? Definitely. But romantics will survive.

And I will be continuing on in this series. 4 out of 5 stars.