{Review} of Immortal Surrender by Claire Ashgrove

Immortal Surrender by Claire Ashgrove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Romance
THEME: Fantasy/Mythology
RECEIVED: TOR/FORGE
AUTHORS BLOG: Claire Ashgrove's Site

BLURB:

Farran de Clare, loyal member of the cursed Knights Templar, wants nothing to do with predestined mates. Even the Almighty won’t turn him into a fool again—he’d rather sacrifice his soul. Yet in the scientist Noelle Keane, a devout atheist, Farran meets the seraph designed for him.

Ordered by the archangel Gabriel to protect Noelle, the possessor of a sacred relic that could give Azazel incredible power, Farran swears to do his duty—but in name only. Fighting an attraction that grows with each day, he’s determined that he’ll never pledge himself to her.

As they war over her future, their mutual passion ignites a conflict far more damning. But before Noelle will agree to eternity with him, she demands the ultimate sacrifice – his heart.

REVIEW:
I love being able to jump into a series, even if I haven’t read the previous and understand what’s going on. Immortal Surrender may be the second novel in The Curse of the Templars series, but it’s perfect as a stand-alone. I immediately knew who the characters were from the first book, but all together each character introduced was memorable and had such vast personalities.

Immortal Surrender follows Noelle Keane who is the head scientist that tests artifacts for their authenticity. She has been ask to look over a rare piece known as the Sudarium of Oviedo for an elderly archeologist named Gabriel. But Gabriel is keeping much from her; she is connected to a group of men whom he leads to fight against Azazel. These men have been cursed and are known as the Templar Knights who battle demons for Gabriel. As a non-believer Noelle has been brought face to face with not only these Knights but also one that she can’t resist.

Noelle is a woman who is buried in her work; she also doesn’t really believe in anything “holy” and is blinded by a lot. As she become acquainted with the Templar Knights, it takes her quite a long time and I mean really long time to come to terms with what has been brought in her life. She is a Seraph (A women who is a descendent of angels and she brings the light back to a Templar Knight that was damaged by Azazel). Her destined soul mate is stubborn, moody and damaged and both make it difficult to connect to each other. But nonetheless the spark between them can’t be put out.

Farran is one heck of a man and a very manly man at that. He’s a warrior and wants to serve his duty, not be distracted by a woman. He holds a big grudge against a past lover and well…his heart has grown pretty cold over the many years. But as stubborn as Noelle might be, be prepared for an even more stubborn character, almost drove me crazy. He gives out more demands than just asking for Noelle to help him and that puts a strain in the growing relationship. The chemistry is always there though, hot and heavy, lighting the pages on fire. My only issue with Farran was his change of attitude every few chapter, the mood swings were a little over the top sometimes.

Overall I was really sucked into this world of the Templar Knights, the story was exciting and there was lots of action and character building outside of the romance. Of course this book has some great romance, this couple is a fiery one and Ashgrove knows how to write romance! It was hot! Even though this type of romance has been done, the angry guy with a broken heart and the stubborn girl, I felt the plot of the Templar Knights gave the story a big boost. I also can’t wait to learn more about Iain, whom we get a little peek at in the beginning.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult series that contains a bit of violence and sexual content for mature readers. Fans of Lara Adrian’s Midnight Breed series and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series will love Immortal Surrender by Claire Ashgrove.

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{Review} Atlantean by E.N. Watkins

Atlantean by E.N. Watkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Mythology
RECEIVED: Received for Review from Author
AUTHORS BLOG: E.N. Watkins Site


BLURB:

Amadeus Angel knows there must be more to life than suffering at the hands of his so-called parents. He also knows there must be some explanation for the lines on his hands forming knots, his crystalline tears, and his lavender eyes. But he never expects that an invitation to attend Eden Prep will unravel these mysteries, providing the catalyst for a plan thousands of years in the making.

REVIEW:
I was really excited when I won Atlantean by E.N Watkins on Goodreads and even more so because it was based around the myth of Atlantis. Watkins gets very detailed and pulls of an interesting twist about Atlantis that I found very original.

Amadeus Angel has gone through life suffering by the hands of his “parents.” You see he special, though he doesn’t know it yet until the day he is requested to attend Eden Prep. He discovers that he is an Atlantean and someone very important. He meets other like him who help put together the pieces that he’s been hidden from his whole life.

Amadeus was a great character, growing up he was practically tortured by his “parents.” When he cries in pain, his tears form crystals in which they take from him. I found this rather interesting and was so glad that those people get what they deserved after what they did to him. The whole story focuses around him discovering his origins and how Atlantis is connected to events in the Bible.

There are many characters introduced, but the four connected to Amadeus are Nyssa, Diana, Eli and Victoria. These girls become bonded with him, using their abilities to communicate and learn from each other. I found this rather unique and not sure how I felt with all the bonding because everyone else had one soul mate and he seems to be connected with many. Nyssa is different from the rest and she has another unique ability and Eli has one heck of a story behind who she is.

My main issue was the information; I felt so overwhelmed at points and even got lost at others. Don’t get me wrong the history behind this that was created for this story is very detailed and really interesting. But I felt I was being taught in class about the mythology instead of following the characters on their adventures.

Overall I really enjoyed learning about Amadeus, where he comes from and how each character is connected. My favorite part was learning about the different abilities the Atlantean’s could do, communications, talking under water, Atlantis itself, etc. It brought the story to life. I would definitely read the next book, I’m so curious on where the characters will go and how they will teach the students in the end.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that has a creative twist to the tale of Atlantis. Fans who love myth novels such as Mythos Academy and Covenant Series will enjoy Atlantean by E.N. Watkins.

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{Review} of Aquainted with the Night by Piper Maitland

Acquainted with the Night by Piper Maitland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Urban Fantasy
THEME: Vampire, Romance
RECEIVED: Review Request for Book Tour (Berkley)
AUTHORS BLOG: Piper Maitlands Site


BLURB:

The pages of history are written in the blood of the undead… 
A woman’s quest for the truth… 
A medieval icon that holds the clues… 
An ancient book with the power to shake Christianity—and humanity itself… 

Caroline Clifford’s bland life as a London tour guide flips upside down when her beloved uncle is brutally murdered at a Bulgarian archeological site. While traveling to recover his remains, she meets a man who corresponded with her uncle. Jude Barrett is a biochemist on a mission—to eradicate the world of vampires… 
At first, Caro is dismissive of Jude’s beliefs, but she can’t ignore the signs around her—the human bites on her uncle, the strange men following her, the anguished cries after sundown. Strange anagrams on her uncle’s passport lead her and Jude to a cliff-top monastery in Greece, where a shattering revelation connects a relic Caro inherited from her parents to an age-old text on immortality—and an enigmatic prophecy that pits the forces of darkness and light in a showdown that could destroy them all… 

Acquainted with evil…

REVIEW:
Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland is a story the mixed adventure, mystery, paranormal and romance all into one suspenseful story. Maitland’s novel reminded me a lot of the Da Vinci Code; the story takes the reader to many different locations trying to solve the murder of the lead character uncle. It was a lot of information but it kept me guessing all the way through.

Caroline Clifford was shocked by the news of her Uncle’s death, but she never expected to be on the run and find out that her past is connected to an even larger mystery with creatures she thought never existed. Along with Jude, a biochemist who research vampirism, they try to unlock the mystery of who murdered her uncle and follow the clue’s he left behind.

Caroline aka Caro is about to have her life turned upside down, she goes through a ton of changes through out the novel and she took a bit to grow on me. I did enjoy the moments between Caro and Jude, their relationship was interesting from beginning to end and their chemistry had some pretty steamy moments. Though I did have mixed feelings with the slight immaturity that both characters seemed to have with trying to make up their minds and it frustrated me at some points.

Overall the story was loaded with adventure and massive twist and turns that were very entertaining. This was definitely a long read and there are many plots that Maitland had going on at some points I got lost trying to keep up with them all. But even so Acquainted with the Night by Piper Maitland is an entertaining paranormal story that is packed with action and romance that many readers will enjoy. I’m interested to see where Maitland takes her characters and what more mysteries need to be solved.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult Urban Fantasy novel with some sexual content for mature readers. Fans of Dan Brown for the religious/science and Paranormal Romance will definitely enjoy Acquainted with the Night.

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{Review} Between by Cyndi Tefft

Between by Cyndi Tefft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Paranormal/Religion
THEME: Heaven/Between/ Romance/Angel
RECEIVED: Received from Author
AUTHOR: Cyndi Tefft Site

BLURB:

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

REVIEW:
I was happy to back asked to review Between by Cyndi Tefft, her book was a different read for me since religion is a key factor in the story and I haven’t read many that focus on it, this was nice challenge for me that was enjoyable.

Lindsey is a young college girl that is finally starting life on her own. But her boyfriend says the “L” word and she can’t seem to say it back. It makes for an awkward situation for them both, but as their discussing it they are both in a horrible car accident.

The story begins with Lindsey as her spirit self-watching the paramedics try to save her, but a handsome man comes to her and is ready to guide her to heaven. Aiden is a Transporter and very Scottish, one who guides spirits to the next life in heaven. The two go on a beautiful journey where Lindsey falls head over heels for Aiden.

Lindsey’s character I felt was done perfectly, someone who is curious about what comes next after death and what she will miss that she left behind. Her journey is both emotional and sad. The readers also get to know Aiden’s history, which I felt, left me a little too sad and depressed at times. I felt Tefft was trying to get the readers to really understand his struggles as well and really connect with him. I enjoyed seeing the past of both character, it made me understand who they are and where they came from.

The major factor was of love and loss, what life means when you are separated from the one you love the most.  God is mention frequently, where the characters are asking questions of faith and heaven. I felt this book was more aimed at older teens, the plot was more mature and I think adults will love the Scottish/highlander touch that Aiden adds to the story. Overall it was a beautiful and emotion journey the will definitely pull at the readers heart, make you fall and connect with the characters to the end.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a Young Adult novel suited for any age. Fans of Rachel Hawkins A Hex Hall Series and Lauren Kate’s Fallen Series will enjoy this!

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