Book Review ~ Reaver by Larissa Ione

Title: Reaver (Lords of Deliverance #5)
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: December 17th 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

My Thoughts

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was expecting a little more from Reaver by Larissa Ione. Because with such a long history to their love/hate relationship, I was anticipating a whole lot of fireworks and tension to be present between Reaver and Harvester. However, I found the first half of the book – while nearly all based in Sheol (Hell) – rather tame and restrained.

I just wanted so much more pain, torture and pure evil that is associated with Satan, Lucifer and Hell, to be rained down on Harvester and Reaver! I also felt that Harvester lost what little bitchiness she had in this book all too quickly and easily and Reaver… Reaver didn’t feel like the Reaver I’ve come to know. He felt like a shadow of his former awesomeness!

However, the second half of the book picked up quite a bit (thank God!)
I loved re-visiting characters from the Demonica series; I loved the interactions and excitement I always feel with the Horsemen and when it was all said and done, I ended up loving Reaver!

Larissa Ione made it work; she came through at the end. Reaver and Harvester got their HEA (of sorts) and Heaven and Earth were saved (for now)

And with so many secrets revealed, little hints at things to come, I can happily sweat it out and speculate about the next book in this great series (roll on May 2014!) 4 stars

Book Review: Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed by Anna Campbell

Title: Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (Sons of Sin #1)

Author: Anna Campbell
Release Date: September 25th 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Will a week of seduction...

Desperate to save her sister's life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic—even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.

...Spark a lifetime of passionate surrender?

Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?

My Thoughts

I love a good historical romance and Anna Campbell writes the best bodice rippers out there. Filled with incredible amounts of emotion, her books are always a joy to read - well written and extremely addictive, this 'Beauty and The Beast' themed romance is no exception.

  
With equal amounts of pure sex and self loathing, Jonas Merrick is the quintessential tortured hero. 
Within his self imposed prison at Castle Craven he hides his scarred face and bastard status from view which only fuels the fires of gossip. His reputation for vile hatred and revenge is well known and although terrified at the thought of giving herself in exchange for her sister, Sidonie approaches this lonesome beast with a kind heart and open mind.

What follows is an extremely sweet romance filled with hot and heavy sex!

Not only does Sidonie tame the beast but she finds the strength to stand up for both Jonas and herself too.

Well written characters set against a dark and gothic background of hatred and despair, Seven Night's in a Rogue's Bed will leave you thoroughly enchanted. 
This emotional and turbulent love story will both set your pulse racing and break your heart with its intensity and heat. 

A truly engrossing story of love, trust, and redemption; and a definite sexy 5 Star read ~<;]

Book Review: Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards

Title: Soul Weaver

Author: Hailey Edwards
Release Date: August 7th 2012
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever Yours
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family's bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe's life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.


My Thoughts

This book sounds great and has all the elements that I look for in a great paranormal romance, but (IMO) failed in its execution.

The beginning was great and I was immediately interested in the story, and the last third kept me entertained but the large chunk in between was clunky and hard to read.

Filled with too many people to keep track of, jumping back and forth between story arcs, it just became a bit of a chore to read. And with so much going on I got bored of trying to remember who was who, and where.

The writing itself was good, it flowed well, but the storytelling could have done with a bit of a pep up. I found it melodic and stale and I just didn't care about the characters.

Only 2.5 Stars I'm afraid :|