{Review} The Darkest Day by Britt Bury

The Darkest Day by Britt Bury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Magic/Immortals
RECEIVED: Bought
AUTHORS BLOG: Britt Bury's Site

BLURB:

ALL-CONSUMING DESIRE . . .

Izel Campbell was raised to believe she is an immortal Fionn with the magical skills of persuasion. But when she travels to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Izel discovers that she is actually the world's last living human. Forced to run for her life, Izel crosses paths with Kelvin Kerr, the Campbells' greatest foe-and the most magnificent warrior she has ever seen.

BURNS BRIGHTEST . . .

A thousand-year-old battle chief of the Kerr clan, Kelvin lives only to avenge his father, who died at the hands of the bloody Campbells. Honor demands he kill the Campbell heir, but when he learns that the lovely Izel is both Campbell and human, Kelvin is torn between duty and desire . . .

THE DARKEST DAY

REVIEW:
Debut author Britt Bury has been a guest on my blog twice and I was thrilled to review her debut novel The Darkest Day. I was excited to dig into this exiting new world of immortals, magic and romance and definitely was not disappointed.

The Darkest Day follows Izel Campbell who was raised to believe she was an immortal and from a long line of warriors known as the Fionn. She sets off to visit her grandfather in Scotland only to discover that she not only human but also comes face to face with her families enemy, a man who stirs up something from within her. But this man finds that not only can’t he harm her but also he can’t resist her either.

Izel was a bit different in the female genre for me, usually the woman are tough and ready to kick some butt. But Izel was a little too hot and cold for my liking and sometimes got on my nerves. After thinking she was immortal for so long I though she would have more backbone, but she was fragile and very innocent. I did like that as the story progressed she began to learn her strengths and she matured as a person to someone I liked. I enjoyed the history behind her clan as well, also discovering who her grandfather is and the secret behind who she is.

Kelvin Kerr, is the man who not only goes against his instinct of killing a Campbell, aka who Izel is, but this warrior finds he has a soft side that he only shows to Izel. His character is the one I felt changes the most, he falls for a woman that’s suppose to be his enemy but in the end and after much banter goes against what he believed. I love the chemistry and the scenes with Izel and Kelvin were hot and emotional. His family is known as Pookah’s that have an animal instinct within them, Kelvins being a razorback. I liked this concept, even though I found the name Pookah to be strange for such tough warriors.

There is also a side story, to introduce the characters for future books. Ryo who is a witch with a snarky and fun attitude and someone I hope to read more about. There is also Ian, Kelvins brother who is having a hard time dealing with a demon princess. I’m dying to know what happens between these two because you can really feel the connection.

Overall the story may be focused on the romance of the lead characters its still about a long and deadly feud between the Pookahs and the Fionns, animal against magical. Bury’s writing was fast paced and exciting, her character developments were fantastic. I try to read paranormal romances that have a strong plots and I felt this one hit the spot right on. This is a paranormal romance that has humor, action, steamy scenes and a unique world that will hook the reader right at the beginning. I recommend this for PNR lovers and cant wait for more from debut author Britt Bury.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a paranormal romance with sexual content that is suitable for adults. Fans of Gena Showalters Lords of the Underworld series and Lynsay Sands Argeneau series will love Britt Burys Immortal Heat series.

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{Review + Trailer} of The Taker by Alma Katsu

The Taker by Alma Katsu
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal
THEME: Immortal, Historical
RECEIVED: Received for review from Wunderkind
AUTHORS BLOG: Alma Katsus Site

BLURB:

True love can last an eternity... but immortality comes at a price... 
On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her, despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.

Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.

Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption.

REVIEW:
I’ve wanted to read The Take for some time, I wasn’t sure what to expect and knew it was going to be one intense and quite interested story. I was surprised on the extremely dark tone that this book took but was drawn into figuring out what happened to this woman who shows up mysterious in the small town hospital.

One cold night a mysterious young woman is brought into the ER, the police found her wondering with blood on her and think she might have murdered someone. Her name is Lanore and meets Dr. Luke Findley who is drawn to her. She even asks for his help to escape. Thus Lanore begins to tell her story about what truly happened to her and the main she supposedly murdered to Luke. But she must start from the beginning in the ninetieth century.

The Taker jumps back from the present to Lanore aka Lanny’s past. Lanny begins her terribly sad story about love and the many mistakes she’s made through her long life. Lanny I felt in the past was too obsessive and blind about the love she has for her friend Jonathan. Everyone was drawn to him but Lanny was almost scary obsessed. I felt bad for her in a way because she was so innocent and her mistakes with him got her sent away from her family and friends who brought her to a life that changed her in many ways.

The men in Lanny’s life are Jonathan and the mysteriously cruel and powerful Adair. Jonathan is her friend and someone she’s loved for many years, but he has never truly shown the affection to her that she deserves from a man. Adair is a man who truly changes Lanny and introduces her to a very dark and dangerous world that he has created for himself. Both men are not good for her and I just wanted her to leave both of them behind and start over.

This book has paranormal elements, but they are not as major of a focus as some may think. I thought as many other probably did that this was going to be about vampires, but thankfully its original story and unique story telling is refreshing.

The Taker is a heavy read, not in length but the information that the reader is given by telling an entire person life story. It’s full of character development that really connects you with how tough the lead characters life has been. I enjoyed how the author jumped back in the present and how you rooted for Lanny and Luke to help each other. Overall this was probably one my top list for most intense reads, but a gothic story that I’m really interested to see what happens next for Lanny.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel that contains violence and mature content meant for over eighteen readers.

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{Review} of Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Mythology Romance
THEME: Immortals
RECEIVED: For Review from Harper Collins
AUTHORS BLOG: Brodi Ashton's Site


BLURB:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

REVIEW:
Everneath by Brodi Ashton really did a number on me with pulling on my emotional side. This was a first for me where in the end no one really wins, it’s only the beginning of the next test in a way. Everneath follows closely to the mythology of the goddess Persephone and Hades, it’s a take on what really is true about the myth and the darkness that lies ahead for the lead characters. The re-telling of this myth has been done many times before and I’ve enjoyed them all in their own way, but Everneath was definitely a step up.

Everlings are known for taking innocent women down to the Everneath, where they feed of the life source for over a 100 years or six months above in the real world. All Everlings are male because if a female were ever to survive the Queen would feel threatened that the girl would try and steal the thrown. Thus begins the journey for Nikki a young girl who disappears for six months in the Everneath and actually survives the Feed, she’s the first one every to live. Nikki left behind her family, but it was her boyfriend who suffered the most. Now she wants to redeem herself and make amends before she has to leave her world again and this time for forever.

Nikki has only six months to say good-bye again to everyone she loves abut along for the ride is the Everling that feed off her. Cole is a sharp stick in Nikki’s side; he refuses to let her be taken away from him. Their relationship really intrigued me because usually the tall dark and handsome guy is what the girl wants but this time around the girl wants her past love and past life. I really enjoy a book that takes a new twist to the romance.

Overall I enjoyed this book not only for the mythology, but for the determination Nikki has to find a way to make amends and even if she looses she was able to see everyone one last time. The first half of the book runs a slower route but once you hit the second half its all pretty much like holding your breath. Ashton really pulled a fast one on me at the end, but it created a new beginning that leads into the second book. I highly recommend this novel to paranormal, mythology, and romance lovers.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that carries a darker tone that most mythology retellings. Fans of the Goddess Test by Aimee Carter and A Mythos Academy Series by Jennifer Estep will be sucked into the world created by Brodi Ashton.

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{Review} Eden by Michelle Haley

Eden by Michelle Haley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Ya Paranormal Romance
THEME: Immortals
RECEIVED: From Author
AUTHOR: Michelle Haley Blog
PURCHASE: Amazon - on Kindle/Print
BLURB:

When Arianna meets a mysterious stranger, she is taken to a mystical place called Eden. The secrets she finds there will have the ability to alter and extend her life forvever. She will have to choose between the icy-eyed boy she dreams of and her best friend and protector while having the adventure of a lifetime. Eden is an edgy twist on a timeless legend

REVIEW:
I was contact by Michelle about her novel Eden and was very excited to get a copy of it after reading the synopsis.  I love books that have a kick of mystery and paranormal elements, plus being a romance I couldn’t resist.

The book starts out introducing you to Arianna, the lead female who at a young age had to cope with a family tragedy. Growing up with her best and only friend by her side Gabriel she lives a semi normal life with her uncle and grandmother. Gabriel is everything a girl would want, protective, funny and all around great guy. Arianna and him are inseparable…until a long lost relative comes to visit.

Arianna’s life take a whole new turn when her Aunt Ava comes to have her stay with her over the summer. The story goes through the mysterious background of their family, how they are connected to a man whom Arianna seems to remember from her dreams. It’s a whirlwind adventure with wonderful characters and romance.

The romance in this is a major love triangle that has you biting your nails. You want her to choose but then you don’t because your heart just keeps going back and forth. I found myself screaming team Gabriel… now it’s your turn to read and see whom you will choose.

The mystery and paranormal element to this story is a nice refreshing change and actually something I have never read before. I really enjoyed it and all the challenges it gave the characters. But I do say this is a hugely based character story and there are so many that you’ll love. Unfortunately I was a little bothered by the lead Arianna, she just irritated me with her indecisiveness, and she almost contradicted herself most of the time.  This was the hardest part for me with the book; I just couldn’t get myself to agree with her decisions. But this is only my opinion and I loved all the other leads. I read this all in one sitting even though Eden is a good size read, I just really needed to know what happened, this is definitely a book to check out.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that fans of C.C. Hunter and Kristie Cook books with definitely enjoy this YA paranormal romance.

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Review of Die for Me by Amy Plum and Blog Tour

Die for Me by Amy Plum

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

BOOK THEME: Immortals

PRE-ORDER: Amazon.com

AUTHOR: Website

SERIES : Revenants #1

RECEIVED: Arc copy from Harper Collins

QUICK THOUGHTS:

After the death of their parents Kate and Georgia move to Paris to stay with their grandparents. Both sisters are grieving in their own ways; Georgia the more outgoing and social one goes out every night. Katie stays home and reads or goes to the locate café to just get away. But one day at the café Kate sees a boy that will forever change her life. Vincent’s attraction for Kate is undeniable; the two embark on a dangerous path together, because Vincent isn’t the normal boy next-door.

REVIEW:

Kate and her sister Georgia move to Paris after their parent’s death. Both still trying to come to terms with their lose and trying to move on in their lives, which is not easy. Kate is the lead character, a strong girl who has an old soul; she’s very much into literature, which I enjoyed, about her character. Also the relationship with her sister is wonderful because they are always there for each other, best friends, and have a way of helping each other through their hard time.

The story moves along nicely with introducing us to the other lead character Vincent. The way the author introduces both Kate and Vincent to each other is funny and grabs your attention to how Vincent acts awkward and a bit arrogant with out being annoying. Kate even though she finds him attractive just blows him off and tries to ungracefully get away from him each time she sees him.

As for the supernatural aspect of the story, its very interesting and something I haven’t heard of before. I don’t want to give away much of the plot, but the characters known as Revenants are immortal beings that protect people, in an unusual way. Kate and her sister witness Vincent and his friends in the act and Kate get even more intrigue with him. She gets drawn into this unusual world, all the dangers, and villains that come with it.

The romance in the book reminds me a lot of Twilight, but I like Kate better as a female character. She has a personality that is not weak; she’s a fighter and is fascinated by the life that the Revenants live. Her attraction to Vincent is almost instant, and he goes full throttle into letting her know he feels the same. He’s defiantly a romantic character, very loving and passionate in how he feels. The couple has their ups and downs making them real and easy to connect with.

I enjoyed this story and it was very well written, the author really brought her world to life and made it intriguing in every way. I recommend this book to any and all readers, even though the title is a bit odd, you read, “Die for Me” and are a bit taken back. But it’s very clear why the author chose this title, as you read further into the story.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel, suiting for any age. It has some violence, but none that would be too scary for any reader. I would recommend to fans that like Stephanie Meyers, Richelle Mead, or PC Cast.

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I'm apart of the Enchanted Blog Tour starting in April. One of the tours that I will be hosting here for Seeing Night Reviews is for The Bird Flew Away by Lynda Martin. Ill be hosting for this book on Friday the 15th of April.

Genre: women’s fiction, literary fiction. The book isn’t exactly an adult novel, and it can be read by mature young adults as well.

Synopsis: What is real love? The whole world wants to know. They should ask Bria Jean, because she has it all figured out. Opinionated, stubborn and full of woe, Bria would tell you real love is having one person you can always count on through thick and thin. For her, that’s Jack. And it doesn’t matter to her that she’s nine and he’s twenty-three-not one bit. When, at the age of twelve, Bria disappears, he and his Aunt Mary search for her, and when she surfaces, injured, abused and traumatized, Jack fights to become her guardian with no idea of the trials ahead of him. By then, Bria is thirteen going on thirty, full of her own ideas on how her life should run and with some very fixed notions about who is in charge.