Review: Temptation's Kiss - Michelle Zink

Lily Montgomery is perfectly happy taking care of everyone else. That is, until her friendship with Shadowguard warrior, Kane Dawson, begins to blossom into something more.

But Lily has a secret. One that will keep her from ever making her feelings known to Kane.

One of the Shadowguard’s fiercest warriors, Kane has a soft spot for Lily. A long-standing member of the Shadowguard, he can’t figure out when his feelings for Ambrose Montgomery’s youngest daughter morphed from brotherly affection into desire and an unfamiliar longing that feels a lot like love.

Kane holds himself in check knowing that Lily deserves better. A man in a suit, dinner at six every night, rosy-cheeked children who won’t have to worry that their father might be killed by one of the Legion’s wraiths.

But when the pair are thrown together by a set of circumstances beyond their control, they are forced to confront their growing passion and decide if love is worth the risk of baring it all.

Shadowguard Series:
Temptation's Heat (Novella)
Temptation's Kiss (Novella)
Temptation's Fire (Novella)

Visit Michelle Zink's website for more information

Review:
Lily might be the daughter of the Shadowguard boss but she has never wanted to follow in his footsteps like her older siblings. She would much rather spend her time baking than fighting and loves to take care of everyone around her by running the home where the Shadowguards live together. She has been friends with Kane for years but her feelings for him are so much more than that, if only she didn't have a secret that would stop them ever being together she might be brave enough to tell him how she feels. Kane is one of the strongest warriors in the Shadowguard, he loves what he does and never wanted to be anything other than a fighter but thinks that Lily deserves so much more than that. In spite of their differences Kane is crazy about her and how can he resist temptation when the attraction between them is so fierce? What is Lily's secret and will it really keep them apart?

I really enjoyed the first instalment to the Shadowguard series so was looking forward to reading Temptation's Kiss. The story picks up not long after Temptation's Heat ended and I think this is a series that you really need to read in order so that you get the most out of the world building and character development. We saw both Kane and Lily in the previous story so were already aware of how they felt about each other and that helped Michelle Zink to create a believable romance between the two of them in just over 40 pages. I love the fact that Lily is so different to her sister, she isn't a fighter and is much softer than Scarlet but there is nothing wrong with that and Kane is drawn to her because of the way she cares for everyone. Lily is the kind of woman that it is easy to imagine being friends with, she puts others first and is happy with the life she has. It is only her secret that stops her from approaching Kane but I don't want to say more about that because of spoilers.

Kane is a great guy, he is protective of Lily and his fellow warriors and respected by everyone he works with. He genuinely cares for Lily but it is obvious he wants more than friendship. The relationship between them is sweet but they still have an incredibly intense attraction and I enjoyed seeing them work through their issues and fears. It was also nice to see how Scarlet and Rowen are getting along and get to see a nicer side to the girl's brother Ivan. I have to admit that I didn't think I was going to like Ivan after what we saw of him in the first novella but I now have a bit more hope for his story which is the last instalment of the trilogy. If you enjoyed Temptation's Heat then I'm sure you'll love Temptation's Kiss. If you haven't started the series yet then I'd recommend reading the stories in order but these novellas are perfect for when you're looking for a quick, sexy read.

Source: Received from Swoon Romance in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Temptation's Heat - Michelle Zink

When Rowen Black is assigned to the elite unit of angelic assassins known as the Shadowguard, he thinks his biggest challenge will be overcoming his less-than-stellar reputation. But that’s before he meets his match in Scarlet Montgomery.

Beautiful, strong, and with a temper to match Rowen’s own, Scarlet is focused on the Shadowguard and her possible future as its leader. She’s become an expert at keeping her personal life separate from the Guard, all too aware that as the boss’s daughter, fellow warriors see her not as someone to be respected, but as someone to be protected.

Avoiding entanglements gets a lot harder when Rowen saunters into the room. Rowen puts the bad in "bad boy." Their connection is hot, visceral, and instantaneous.

When the pair are assigned to a joint investigation, they come face-to-face with their undeniable attraction, forcing Scarlet to consider that the connection is not only physical, but a destiny written in the halls of time.

Shadowguard Series:
Temptation's Heat (Novella)
Temptation's Kiss (Novella)
Temptation's Fire (Novella)

Visit Michelle Zink's website for more information

Review:
Scarlet works hard to prove herself to the other warriors in the Shadowguard, she wants to be respected for her abilities and doesn't want anyone to give her an easy ride because she is the boss's daughter. This is particularly important when she could potentially become their leader in the future so she has a rule never to get involved with her colleagues. Rowen has just been assigned to the same Shadowguard unit as Scarlet, he has a bit of a reputation as a trouble maker and wants to use this fresh start to prove himself. He needs to keep his head down and stay out of trouble but that isn't going to be easy when Scarlet brings out all of his protective instincts. When they have to work closely together on a secret investigation the sparks fly but is the attraction between them strong enough to risk everything they've worked so hard for?

I have to admit that I've never read anything by Michelle Zink before, I've heard great things about her books though and have her YA Prophecy of the Sisters series on my to read pile. When I was offered a review copy of her first adult novella Temptation's Heat I couldn't resist, I jumped at the chance of reading it and I'm very glad I did. This is a great start to the Shadowguard series and has left me excited to read more of her work in the future. Before I start this review I have to say that I tend to look at novellas slightly differently to full length books, when I'm picking up a story with around 60 pages then I expect that the romance will happen a lot faster than usual and it doesn't bother me so much as insta love does in a novel. If you go into Temptation's Heat expecting a long drawn out romance between Scarlet and Rowen then you'll be disappointed but if you're looking for a quick but satisfying read full of sexual tension and great chemistry then this will hit the spot perfectly.

Not only do you have some great interactions between Scarlet and Rowen you also have some really interesting world building and we get to meet both of Scarlet's siblings (Lily and Ivan) who will each get their story told in this trilogy. I'm very curious to find out more about the members of the Shadowguard, they are descended from angels and the organisation exists to protect humanity from demons. On the other side you have the Legion who are descended from demons and are there to keep the balance between good and evil. I do have some questions about the treaty between the Shadowguard and the Legion but I think these will be answered as the series continues. I won't know for sure until I've read the second story Temptation's Kiss (which I'm planning on doing as soon as I finish this review) but I have a feeling that this is a series that needs to be read in order, there are too many open ends at the end of this story that I'm sure will be picked up in the next instalment.

If you're looking for a hot story that can be read in less than an hour then I'd recommend picking up Temptation's Heat. I'm looking forward to continuing the series and I will definitely be reading more by Michelle Zink in the future.

Source: Received from Swoon Romance in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Until I Die - Amy Plum

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Kate has chosen to leave the comfort and safety of her human life in order to join Vincent in the dangerous supernatural world he inhabits. For his part, he has sworn to go against his very nature and resist the repeated deaths that are his fate as a revenant - even though it will bring him immeasurable suffering.

Desperate to help him, Kate's search for answers takes her from the glamorous streets of Paris to the city's squalid underbelly. But when she stumbles across a secret that could help to overthrow their enemies for ever, Kate unwittingly puts everyone she loves at risk. And puts herself in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, not as a bystander . . . but as a target.

Revenants Series:
Die For Me
Until I Die
If I Should (2013)

Visit Amy Plum's website for more information

Review:
Until I Die is the second book in Amy Plum's Revenants series and I'm going to assume that if you're reading this review you've already read the first book. If you haven't read Die For Me look away now or you will end up picking up spoilers!

Kate and her sister Georgia have settled into life in Paris living with their grandparents. Georgia is still a social butterfly who loves nothing more than partying with her friends but Kate is happy to spend most of her time with her boyfriend Vincent or with her head stuck inside a book. But it isn't easy having a supernatural boyfriend, especially one who feels compelled to put himself at risk to save innocent strangers. Kate knows how important it is for Vincent to save lives but she doesn't feel she can face watching him repeatedly die and come back to life again. It is also starting to come home to her that one day she'll be an old woman on her death bed and Vincent will be much younger with the whole of eternity ahead of him. Vincent thinks he has found a solution but Kate hates watching him suffer and he looks more ill with every day that passes. When she uncovers a legend in an old book she becomes convinced that there is a solution out there and decides to investigate.

I loved Die For Me so was looking forward to picking up Until I Die, I'm happy to say that Amy Plum didn't disappoint and I enjoyed it just as much. One of the things I like most about this series is the Parisian setting, you can practically smell the coffee and taste the croissants while you're reading. I can't read these books without wanting to buy a Eurostar ticket and hop on the next train to Paris! Sadly finances don't allow for that so I'll have to settle for Amy's wonderfully descriptive writing - it's not quite the same but close enough. I love getting to see bits of Kate's daily life in France alongside her fabulous relationship with Vincent. Things aren't easy for them at the moment but you can see how deeply they care for each other and I love how tender and romantic he is. It's easy to develop a bit of a crush on Vincent and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has.

It was also really good to learn more about the history of the revenants and their enemies the numa. Amy really is building an interesting world and the mythology is different to anything else I've come across which makes a nice change. I did miss having Charlotte and Charles around, although we see them briefly it wasn't quite the same as the last book. I'm glad we still see plenty of Jules, Ambrose and the others but I never really took to the newcomers Violette and Arthur. I'm glad that Kate is still close with Georgia and that she confides in her, it's nice to see sisters that don't fight like cat and dog and are supportive of each other instead.

There were a few times when I had predicted the outcome of certain events but I still enjoyed the journey and there were other things that took me by surprise. I'm glad to see that Kate is learning to protect herself and that she stands up for what she wants when she is talking to Vincent and the others. She is turning into quite a brave and kick ass young woman. Be warned that there is a killer cliffhanger at the end - I can't wait to get my hands on If I Should but it's going to feel like a very long wait between now and next year when I can read it!

Source: Received from Atom in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Die For Me - Amy Plum

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal.  But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister Georgia and I were orphans.  We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents.  And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again.  Then I met Vincent.  Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy.  Because Vincent is no normal human.  He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day.  He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

Can I risk putting my heart - as well as my life and my family's - in jeopardy for a chance at love?

Revenants Series:
Die For Me
Until I Die
If I Should (2013)

Visit Amy Plum's website for more information

Review:
Kate and Georgia's parents recently died in a car accident, their life has been turned upside down and they have moved from America to live with their grandparents in Paris.  When Kate meets Vincent in a cafe she is attracted to him but she soon realises that he has a secret that could put her life in danger.  Is she brave enough to stay with him despite the risks?

I've had Die For Me on my shelves for quite a while now and I'm annoyed with myself that it took me so long to get around to reading it.  Although perhaps that really is a good thing as it means I have less time to wait for the next installment.  This was a great addition to the YA paranormal romance genre, it is a quick and easy read and one I really enjoyed.

Kate and Georgia are both great characters and I loved the relationship between the two of them and their grandparents.  The sisters deal with their grief in very different ways with Kate becoming more and more isolated and preferring to lose herself in a good book while Georgia is a social whirlwind who is constantly out making new friends and partying.  I felt both ways were very realistic but I could definitely identify more with Kate as I have a similar tendency to hide away from the world when something is bothering me.  I liked the fact that although Kate is instantly attracted to Vincent they take time to get to know each other, yes their relationship progresses fairly quickly but it does so in a believable way and I was routing for them to find a way to be together.

I loved the setting of the book, I've not read many stories set in Paris and Amy Plum did a great job of describing the cafes and museums that Kate spent so much time in.  I really want to go back to Paris now and spend time exploring!  I also loved the mythology of the revenants, I don't want to go into detail about that as I think it's best to discover them for yourself by reading the book but it made a nice change to read about something different from vampires and shape shifters.  I really liked Vincent and his group of friends, Charlotte, Ambrose and Jules were particular favourites of mine but I'm keen to find out more about all of the others too and it will be interesting to see what direction things head in next.

Die For Me is a fantastic start to a new series and one that I'm keen to continue reading.  I'm sure it will be a big hit with YA paranormal romance fans and I would highly recommend picking up a copy.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what Amy Plum comes up with next.

Source: Received for review via Netgalley but I was also given a print copy from my friend Kirsty (The Overflowing Library)

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Review: Dead Beautiful - Yvonne Woon

Desire.  Danger.  Destiny.
Little did I know that this is what I would find at Gottfried Academy.

Coming from sunny California, the mist-shrouded Academy was a shock, with it's strange customs, ancient curriculum and study of Latin - the language of the dead.  Then I discovered that the school has more than one dark secret...

I also discovered Dante.  Intelligent, elusive and devastatingly gorgeous, most people can't decide whether they love, hate or fear him.  All I know is that when we're together, I've never felt more alive - or more afraid.

Does finding your soulmate mean losing yourself?

Dead Beautiful Series:
Dead Beautiful
Life Eternal (release date to be confirmed)

Visit Yvonne Woon's website or the Dead Beautiful website for more information

Review:
On her 16th birthday Renee discovers her parent's bodies in the woods and her life is turned upside down.  She is convinced that their deaths are suspicious but everyone else is telling her that it was natural causes and she doesn't know what to believe anymore.  With her estranged grandfather now her guardian she is uprooted from everything familiar to her when he insists on sending her to Gottfried Academy a boarding school on the other side of the country.  When she finds out about a mysterious death at the academy that appears to have happened in similar circimstances to the way her parents died she is determined to find out more but to do that she needs to get to know the mysterious Dante - a boy who obviously has secrets to keep.

As a massive paranormal fan I've been wanting to read Dead Beautiful for a while now and I'm so glad I did.  I was captivated by the story from the moment I picked it up and although it is a big book I had finished it within 2 days.  Dead Beautiful does have some similarities to Twilight but these are relatively minor and the main story was very different to anything else I've read.  Yvonne Woon has created a detailed and interesting mythology that is slowly revealed as you are reading.  I don't want to give any spoilers by saying too much but I loved the way the mystery is revealed in small pieces so that just when you think you have everything figured out the plot would twist again and you'd realise how wrong you were.

The main character Renee was great, she had so much to cope with in such a short time but she wasn't someone who was going to sit around whining about everything.  She was a lot stronger than I would have been in her situation and I loved the way she tackled things head on and didn't let herself be intimidated by her creepy new school or it's students.  Gottfried Academy had a fantastically creepy location for a paranormal story and I was fascinated by the old fashioned subjects that Renee was forced to take.  Love interest Dante is a perfect brooding, mysterious stranger that a lot of us girls can't resist!  It takes a while before we find out much about him and I'm sure there is still more to discover as the series progresses.

Dead Beautiful ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you desperate to get hold of the next installment.  I know I'll be picking up a copy of Life Eternal as soon as it is available and I would recommend this series to any paranormal fan - especially lovers of Twilight!

Source: Received from Usborne in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Beautiful Dead book 3 - Summer - Eden Maguire

Not alive.  Not dead.  Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

Six months have passed since the last mysterious teenage death, but Darina is still traumatized by the murders of Summer Madison and her own beloved Phoenix.  She searches constantly for the Beautiful Dead, longing for their return.

Springtime sees Darina once more in Phoenix's arms.  But spring is also a reminder of the hail of bullets that killed Summer in a random shopping mall shooting almost a year ago.

Can Darina and the Beautiful Dead catch Summer's crazed killer?  Will Darina's love for Phoenix survive the task?  One thing is clear - it's not finished yet, not by a long shot ...

Beautiful Dead Series:
Jonas
Arizona
Summer
Phoenix

Visit the Beautiful Dead website for more information

Review:
It's been nearly a year since Darina's friend Summer was killed in a random shooting at a shopping mall.  Darina was a witness to the shooting and now it is up to her to try and find the killer so that Summer can finally rest in peace.  Was the shooting really as random as it seemed and if it was how on earth is Darina supposed to track down the killer?  At the same time she must cope with her grief over the death of her boyfriend Phoenix and prepare herself for when he must leave her forever.

This is the 3rd book in the Beautiful Dead series and although you can probably read it as a stand alone story I think you'll find it easier to follow the background story if you read the books in order.  I don't think there was much information about what the Beautiful Dead actually are in this installment so you may find it confusing if you're new to the series.

Darina is still struggling to deal with both her grief at the deaths of her boyfriend and her friends but also with the existence of the Beautiful Dead.  It's been about 4 months since she helped Arizona solve the mystery of her death and since that time she has had no contact with Phoenix or any of the other Beautiful Dead.  She is plagued with doubts about whether they really exist or if they were a product of her grief fueled imagination.  I understand that she is desperately missing Phoenix and would do anything to spend time with him again but I have to confess I was hoping she would have started to deal with things better by now.  I'm beginning to get a little bored with her attitude and the way she is acting and it's putting me off picking up the final book in the series.

One of the things that annoys me most is the way that the Beautiful Dead (Hunter in particular) treat her.  They need her help in order to investigate the deaths but Hunter is completely unwilling to allow her access to the Beautiful Dead and doesn't want her spending time with Phoenix.  The way he is constantly threatening her and being so nasty grates on my nerves and if I was in Darina's position I think I would have walked away from the whole mess and told them to sort out their own problems.  I'd really like to see Darina stand up for herself a bit more but it's hard when Hunter is holding all the cards and she misses Phoenix so much.

While this is a series I like I'd have to say it isn't one that I love.  The plot was a little slow to get going but was interesting once it built up momentum.  I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Summer's death but had guessed fairly early on who was behind it.  There was one particular plot line about Logan that really annoyed me - how could that have been allowed to happen? - but it was definitely a twist that I hadn't expected.  While I am starting to get a little bored with the series the books are quick and easy reads that I get through in 1 or 2 sessions and I will definitely read the final book at some point because I want to know how the overall story arc plays out.

Source: Library

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Review: Beautiful Dead Book 2 - Arizona - Eden Maguire

Not alive.  Not dead.  Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

There's been no sign of the Beautiful Dead for weeks.  Darina achingly misses Phoenix all over again.  Surely he will return to help solve the remaining mysteries.

It's been almost a year since Arizona drowned in Hartmann Lake.  Suicide, it would seem.  But something doesn't add up...  Drowning herself in a lake does not sound like strong, confident Arizona: Ellerton High School's high-maintenance drama queen.

Darina must help Arizona the way she helped Jonas.  But invisible wings are beating, the Beautiful Dead are in danger and time is running out...

Beautiful Dead Series:
Jonas
Arizona
Summer
Phoenix

Visit the Beautiful Dead website for more information

Review:
I really enjoyed the second installment in the Beautiful Dead series.  It took a while for the action to get started in book 1 as the author had to explain the world & introduce the characters.  As that has already been done this story was able to jump straight into the thick of things.  I would recommend reading this series in order although as each book concentrates mainly on solving the mystery surrounding one of the Beautiful Dead I suppose you could read them as stand alone books.

This book concentrates on finding out what happened to Arizona.  This is going to be easier said than done though because Arizona doesn't seem to want to help Darina find the answers.  In life she didn't have any close friends & Darina knew practically nothing about her so she has no idea where to start investigating her death.  Even now Arizona is keeping her secrets close to her chest and she uses sarcasm & snappy comments to push Darina away.

As the book develops & we get to learn more about Arizona we find out why she acts the way she does.  It is easy to understand her behavior and Darina's opinion of her is turned around.  The mystery element of the story is good and it keeps you guessing about how Arizona died right until the end.  I also love the way the bad guys in this series really get their comeuppance by the end of each book.

If you liked the first book in this series I'm sure you'll like this one even more & I'm looking forward to reading Summer's story when it comes out. 

Source: Library

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Review: Beautiful Dead Book 1 - Jonas - Eden Maguire

Not alive.  Not dead.  Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

Something strange is happening in Ellerton High.  Jonas, Arizona, Summer, Phoenix.  All dead within a year.

Jonas Jonson is the first to die, in a motorcycle accident.  But there are many unanswered questions, and the three deaths that follow are equally mysterious.

Grief-stricken Darina can't escape her heartache or visions of her dead boyfriend, Phoenix, and the others who died.  And all the while, the sound of beating wings echoes inside her head...

Are the visions real?  Or do the Beautiful Dead only exist in Darina's traumatized imagination?

Beautiful Dead Series:
Jonas
Arizona
Summer
Phoenix

Visit the Beautiful Dead website for more information

Review:
This book surprised me - from the cover & reading the description I found myself expecting Angels or something similar - I wasn't expecting zombies!!  However, these zombies were so far from the typical kind you see in horror movies that I don't think the name really suits them (even though that is what they call themselves in the book).  I think I'd have prefered it if they'd stuck to calling themselves the living-dead but don't let the whole zombie thing put you off reading the book as I ended up really enjoying it.

4 high school students have died in mysterious circumstances in the last year - Jonas, Arizona, Summer & Phoenix.  When Phoenix's girlfriend Darina first sees them she thinks that she must be loosing her mind - they can't possibly be alive can they?  It turns out that they are the Beautiful Dead - they have come back from limbo to try and uncover the mysteries surrounding their deaths.  They need to find out what happened or they'll be never be able to move on to the afterlife & they need Darina's help to do this.

The first book concentrates on discovering what happened to Jonas.  Darina is also trying to come to terms with the fact that her boyfriend has come back from the dead.  In order to see him she has to agree to help find out what happened to the others.   I don't want to give away any more of the story but I will say that I wasn't expecting what happened at the end & I liked it.

If you're looking for a typical zombie story this isn't the book for you but if you want a paranormal story with romance and mystery then give this a try - I'm sure you won't regret it.  Now I'm off to read book 2 - Arizona's story.

Source: Library

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One Person's Journey Through A World Of Books
Dark Faerie Tales
Bloody Bookaholic
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