Sunday, February 5, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour



Title: Firelight
Series: Darkest London #1
Author: Kristen Callihan | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Romance
Reading Level: Adult

Synopsis via Goodreads:

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Quotable Quotes:

“He took a quick breath, and his voice dropped. "You've no notion of the effect you have on me" 

The words gave a hard tug to her belly. She closed her eyes and swallowed. "If by effect, you mean finding yourself in unchartered waters, wondering whether you are coming or going...." She stared at his shirt, watching his breath hitch. "Then I fear you have the same effect on me, my lord.”

My thoughts:

Wow, wow, wow! What a stunning debut! Historical paired with paranormal is not something we see very often. I was utterly impressed with the tale Kristen Callihan wove. Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, Callihan takes us on a fascinating adventure through London in the late 1800's. The mystery of what Lord Benjamin Archer keeps hidden behind his mask makes this book wholly unputdownable.

I was just as impressed with the characters as I was the premise of Firelight. Archer and Miranda are both well developed and easy to fall in love with. Archer is a man with so many secrets. I really thought I had it all figured out. Imagine my surprise when the conclusion was not at all what I had expected. I truly appreciated the unpredictable plot. 

Miranda is an amazing heroine. I admired her free spirited nature and inability to shy away from adventure. You'll be hard pressed to find a match quite as perfect as Archer and Miranda. I loved watching the development of their romance from start to finish. Callihan's ability to build sexual tension on paper is truly an art form. Just stunning!  
  
While I loved the premise and characters, I was most impressed with the writing. Callihan's writing creates such vivid pictures and summons so many emotions. I was sucked in from page one and almost didn't want to see this story end. Had it not been for my strong desire to find out Archer's secret and the identity of the villain, I would have been content to soak up the beautiful prose indefinitely. 

Firelight also offers several very interesting secondary characters. I'm eager to see how they factor into this fascinating world as the series continues. 

Firelight is an amazing debut novel packed with skilled writing, keep you guessing mystery, heartwarming romance, and charming characters. I'm looking forward to seeing where Callihan takes us next! 





Title: Midnight Reckoning
Series: Dark Dynasties #2
Author: Kendra Leigh Castle | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reading Level: Adult

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Two separate worlds ... One passion that binds them

Wild and passionate by nature, Lyra Black is not just any werewolf. She's the future leader of the powerful pack of the Thorn - if she can stay alive long enough to inherit the title.

One of the Cait Sith bloodline of vampire cat-shifters, Jaden Harrison has no interest in the wars plaguing the world of night. But when he rescues Lyra from a violent attack, they're both captured by an insatiable desire that threatens to overwhelm them and bind them together for eternity... just as ancient enemies prepare to strike. And when they do, the Thorn and the Cait Sith - and Lyra and Jaden's love - may never recover from the deadly blow...

Quotable Quotes:

"Don't eat the cat. Be back soon.
                                                           --Dad"

My thoughts:

If you asked me when I first started blogging what my favorite genre was, I would have immediately replied paranormal romance. If you had asked me the same question a year into blogging, my answer would not have been the same. The similarities of characters and plots in this genre had caused me to stop reading it. Kendra Leigh Castle's, Midnight Reckoning, summoned a sweet sense of nostalgia and reminded me why I fell madly in love with Paranormal Romance a few years ago. She has paired multi-layered characters with a complex and beautifully built world. Midnight Reckoning is PNR done right. I'm so glad I gave this book a try.

The characters in Midnight Reckoning break from the cliches I've come to expect from PNR. Lyra is a female werewolf longing to become Alpha of her pack in a society that doesn't view females as their equal. She manages to maintain her strong-willed nature without carrying a chip on her shoulder. I'm so over angry characters and admired Lyra's desire for change and understanding of how much work it would be. She was opinionated without being argumentative. She wasn't afraid to accept the help of others. She was absolutely refreshing! 

Jaden is another wonderful character. He is a man with so many layers. I felt like I learned a little more about Jaden with each page I turned. It was like Christmas! I was completely in love by the time I reached the final page and had unwrapped each of his complex layers. I was impressed with his ability to feel possessiveness towards Lyra without acting like a caveman. He respected her desire to be viewed as an equal and gave her room to make her own choices. Their romance was so sweet, and I adored watching it develop over the course of the novel.

Midnight Reckoning is the second book in the Dark Dynasties series. I feel this is a series that would benefit from being read in order. I haven't read the first and felt like it may have offered needed insight into the world where the characters live. It is very complex, but in a good way :) I definitely recommend this talented author to all fans of paranormal romance!

Giveaway Details:


3 sets of both Firelight & Midnight Reckoning are up for grabs
U.S & Canada Only
No P.O Boxes
Books will ship directly from publisher
Winners are subject to Hachette's 1 copy per household rule
Fill out the Rafflecopter from to enter






a Rafflecopter giveaway

11 comments:

  1. Oh, I've been wanting to read Firelight for a few weeks now. It sounds like so much fun! This is my first time hearing about Midnight Reckoning, but hey! It's a giveaway, right? And it sounds like you enjoyed it!

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  2. I want to read both books. They sound very good. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

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  3. I thought everything about Firelight was stunning as well - it blew me away!

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  4. Awesome giveaway! I just started reading FIRELIGHT last night and I really think I'm going to like these two ;)
    ♥Isalys / Book Soulmates

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  5. Both books are on my must have list; they sond great.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  6. OMG that cat quote cracked me up. FAB reviews!
    (not an entry)

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  7. I have both of these books on my wish list and I'm looking forward to reading them.

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  8. I've been following this tour and it's been fabulous. Both books sound terrific. Thanks for sharing.
    I'm following by gfc: Julianne and by email: luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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  9. Awesome! Thanks so much for the giveaway, they look awesome!

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  10. The books both sound interesting and I love the covers. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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