BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Sweet Temptation (The Sweet Trilogy #4)

I am so excited to help celebrate the release of the final book in Wendy Higgins' Sweet Triology, SWEET TEMPTATION. This book is a tall drink of water - oh wait. That's Kaiden Rowe. The star of this show, and the object of my affection. Just... keep reading. You'll see why.

Sweet Temptation (The Sweet Trilogy #4), by Wendy Higgins
Publish Date: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: paperback, provided by the publisher
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.

Sweet Temptation takes the three stories we're already familiar with, told from Anna's POV in Sweet Evil, Sweet Peril and Sweet Redemption, and turns them around to give us a chance to get inside Kaiden's head for a change. Sweet Temptation is not just a retelling. If you'll recall, there are a lot of times in the series - especially in the first two books - where Anna and Kai are apart. We finally find out what Kai was doing, how he was feeling and what he was thinking. And, I have to say - I was surprised. 

The Kai that he showed Anna and the other Nephs is not the same Kai we got to see as we took a trip inside his beautiful head. We got to hear his internal monologue the very first time he saw Anna, when he realized she was a Neph, and just couldn't believe she didn't know it. Even then, he was absolutely fascinated by her. 

I remember when Wendy put out the call on social media for fans' favorite scenes from the series that we would want to see flip flopped. I saw tons of responses, and even submitted my own. Most of them were requests to see the scenes you would expect - the road trip hotel room from Sweet Evil, the angel infiltration at the summit in Sweet Evil, the night of reconnection in Sweet Peril, the wedding and wedding night from Sweet Reckoning. I had requested seeing the New Years Eve party from Sweet Evil when Anna first "worked" and had to put up with watching Kai do the same. 

All those scenes and so many more were there. And, seeing these scenes unfold from Kai's POV was incredibly satisfying. I was especially surprised by what was going on with him during the road trip he took with Anna. He was so tortured the entire way. He wanted her so badly, and at this point, Kai was not used to denying his baser urges. 

Kai was gone for most of Sweet Peril while Anna and Kope started building their army of Neph. While Anna was pining for him and admiring Kope's muscles, Kaiden was doing his best to forget the woman he suspects he loves, all while avoiding his dad and trying really hard to not work. Kai was absolutely miserable. But, then, we know that Anna was also equally miserable, so it all evens out. 

And then in Sweet Reckoning is when all the "big" stuff happens - the wedding, the showdown, the epilogue. For some reason, it seemed like all these scenes were even bigger and more colorful when seen through Kai's eyes. 

I think the best part about Sweet Temptation was that it really did feel like I was reading a new book. Sometimes retellings feel like the same book just slightly repackaged. I don't think I need to tell you that Kai's head is a very different place to be than Anna's. Wendy warns you about it in the forward of the book. His head is darker, lustier, naughtier - all good things in my book. There is more language and slightly more sex, which pushes this into the upper YA category. 

Sweet Temptation is a big book at 475 pages, but it still went so fast. Kai was more endearing, more amazing and more... sweet... than I ever thought before.  

Read The Rest of the Sweet Trilogy:

Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1):  Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2): Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3): Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Check out the rest of the tour stops:

Week 1:
9/7 - Stuck In Books
9/8 - Reads All the Books
9/9 - Curling Up With A Good Book
9/10 - Reading W/ABC
9/11 - Jenuine Cupcakes


Week 2
9/14 - Little Red's Reviews
9/15 - Supernatural Snark
9/16 - A Reader Under the Sea
9/17 - Krista's Dust Jacket
9/18 - The Irish Banana Review

 

After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, I taught high school English until becoming a mommy. I've always had a heart for teens, and writing YA stories gives me the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal years before adulthood.

I live in Virginia with my husband, daughter, son and doggie Rue.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE DAY EXCERPT: Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2)

It's finally here! STONE COLD TOUCH, the sequel to Jennifer L. Armentrout's White Hot Kiss, releases today, and you need to get it NOW. Why? Because you have the power to shape Layla's fate in the final book in the Dark Elements series, but only if you act quickly. Read on for an excerpt from Stone Cold Touch, enter the giveaway, and then go vote!

Stone Cold Touch (Dark Elements #2), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published October 21, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Excerpt

I’d remained in bed after that, trying to sort through the odd tingling in my chest. There was a slight smile on my lips, because Zayne…well, he’d made my day, but then I’d remember what Roth had said to me the night before and the smile would wash away as if it had never been there.

I probably needed to get used to the whiplash mood swings.

It wasn’t until after dinner that I decided to scrub a day’s worth of gunk off myself.Gingerly, I peeled the bandage off, happy to find that the cut in my arm was healing as expected. I didn’t need to cover it anymore. The arm was still tender, but the Warden blood in me was quickly undoing the damage from the iron.

After changing into fresh pj’s, like a total hermit, I padded over to my desk, where I’d left my cell phone. It had been on silent all day and when I tapped the screen, I wasn’t surprised to see a slew of texts from Stacey.
Where r u?

R u skipping, u ho?

A minute later: Your locker misses u. Guess u sick with the herp?

Oh my God. I laughed out loud, grinning as I thumbed through her texts. Our bio sub is still hot. U r missing this.

Bio is lonely.

My boobs miss u. How weird is that?

That was notably weird and yet not surprising.

If I get my cell taken from me, it’s ur fault.

Holy shit, Layla, where r u?!?

Air punched out of my lungs as I read the next text and the several following them.
U have no idea who just walked into bio!!!

Roth is here!

Holy Canola oil, why aren’t u here to witness this?

Ok. He says he had mono. Srlsy? Do people still get mono? And who in the duck was he kissing? A second later—Duck? I didn’t mean duck. That’s SO not what I meant, autocorrect.
Another text had come in about fifteen minutes after the last one. He asked where u were. I told him u joined a cult. I laughed. He didn’t.

Finally, the last text was to call her if I wasn’t dead.

“What in the Hell?” I tossed my cell onto the bed, mouth hanging open.

Make Your Choice

Roth vs. Zayne:

And don't forget! The choice is yours...

Beginning today you’ll have 3 weeks to visit the series website, www.thedarkelementsseries.com, to take a poll and decide which guy Layla should ultimately choose in the final book in the trilogy, Every Last Breath.

At the end of 3 weeks, we will tally all the votes, and that’s when Jennifer L. Armentrout will start writing Every Last Breath. The guy who gets the most votes is the one Layla will pick.

To prevent early spoilers, we're not going to reveal who won the poll in advance…you’ll have to wait until Every Last Breath goes on sale on July 28th, 2015 to find out whether Zayne or Roth wins Layla in the end. We promise the book will be epic and definitely worth the wait!

Who do you want Layla to end up with? Go to www.thedarkelementsseries.com and vote for your choice! 

About the Author

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

REVIEW: The Queen of Zombie Hearts (The White Rabbit Chronicles #3)

Queen of Zombie Hearts (The White Rabbit Chronicles #3), by Gena Showalter
To Be Published September 30, 2014
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Format: ARC, obtained from the publisher
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

"Gavin has started calling you the queen of zombie hearts," Cole said. "And you know what, he's right. It fits. Before you, I wasn't really living. I was existing. Moving from girl to girl. Killing zombies. I was as good as dead, but you brought me back to life. And you are most definitely the queen of my heart."

Things have finally come to a head with Anima, and Cole, Ali and the rest of the slayers and their friends are ready to start kicking ass and taking names. But, Anima doesn't seem to be playing by the unwritten rules of evildom. They're doing unexpected things, and that's making the gang nervous. To make matters even more nuts, Ali has started seeing a new Witness - one she never has before. And when she finds out who she is, it's even more clear that the game is changing in a big way.  

I had to sit on this book for a bit before I could wrap my head around what to say about it. It's one of those books that puts you into a coma for awhile because of its sheer epicness. So much happens in The Queen of Zombie Hearts - both good, bad and awesome. It starts immediately and doesn't die down until the very last page. It's exactly what you want when you're reading the last book in a series, especially one about zombie slayers. 

Gena Showalter gives readers everything we want and tempers it with some of what we need. She gives us a happy ending. But, in Cole's words, 

"Did everyone get a happily ever after? Sorry, but no. Welcome to life."

You know those books where it just seemed like the author was trying too hard to please everyone? So, all the characters get this sweet ending tied up with a nice bow at the end, and all ride off into the sunset, tra-la-la. BLECH. It might be painful, and it might suck at times, but it's better if the road to the end is full of potholes. It's definitely more interesting, and it absolutely makes the story seem more believable - even one about zombies. 

The White Rabbit Chronicles has always been about Ali Bell and her search for self. Who is Ali Bell? What makes her tick? Admittedly, Cole Holland became a large part of who Ali is as we moved through her story. And, that's okay. Because, Cole makes her better. Together, they're amazing. They're dynamic and sexy, and completely dysfunctional at times. In a word - they're PERFECT. They've been through a lot together, and it really seems like they are finally rock solid. 

"You're my girl, Ali. That's never going to change. There's no one else I've ever wanted more, no one else I ever will. You're it for me, and if it takes the rest of my life, I'm going to prove it to you."

I believed him. "I'm looking forward to that."

Because I wasn't constantly worrying about their relationship this time around, my brain and fragile emotions were better able to focus on the evil empire, Anima, and what their dastardly end game was. And, we finally find out. And, it all has everything to do with who Ali Bell REALLY is and what she can do. Seriously, the twists and turns in The Queen of Zombie Hearts surprised me. I loved all the new stuff that came up. Usually, final books are all about tying up the loose ends. It was awesome that Gena Showalter decided to not only introduce some crazy awesome plot twists, but tons of brand new characters too. It gave the book a completely fresh feeling, which was great. And, yet, all the loose ends are still taken care of. See - we can have our cake and eat it too. 

After all the explosions and fight scenes and zombie ashing and after all the kisses and tears and snarky comments we've finally reached the end. I'm kinda holding out for a spin-off series. There's several potential characters that would be perfect for that. (*raising eyebrows* Gena?) Until then, I'm content to re-read some of my favorite moments. And, pretty much all of them involve Cole. 

"You know I think you hung the moon, right?"

"Right. Just like I know you held the ladder and looked up my skirt."

REVIEW: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5)

Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5), by Richelle Mead
Published July 29, 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: e-book, purchased
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

I'm in danger of saying something I never thought I would say. It almost pains me. But, I have to say it because it's true. Ready?...

I like Bloodlines better than Vampire Academy.  

That is truly a surprise to me, because VA is one of my most favorite YA paranormal series of all time. But, each book in the Bloodlines series is better than the one before it. These characters - they feel like my best friends. And, when someone hurts my besties, I start to feel murderous. Needless to say, I spent much of this book internally (and sometimes externally) seething. 

After her relationship with Adrian was discovered by the Alchemists, they sent Sydney to reeducation. None of her friends knows where she is or how she's doing. Adrian feels helpless, and his way of dealing with that is to drink himself into oblivion every day. Meanwhile, Sydney is having a rough go of it, until after three months of torture, she catches a break and starts to work her way back to Adrian. But, if they thought once she got out, that things would be fine, they were so wrong. 

I. Love. Sydney. Wow - another thing I never thought I would say when I finished the VA series. Honestly, she wasn't my favorite side character then. Far from it. She was rigid and judgmental and rude. I didn't think she was worthy of Adrian, who was one of my favorite side characters from VA. It's amazing how completely different my opinion is now. 

Sydney's experience in reeducation was horrible and traumatic, but she weathered it like a hero. She used her intelligence and common sense that she has always possessed to figure out a solution to her problem. She took chances and was willing to use her magic abilities to do what needed to be done. And, the best thing is, through it all, she never once wavered in her feelings for Adrian. 

Adrian - oh my poor Adrian. He went through the ringer in Silver Shadows. Adrian has never dealt with difficult situations well, so having the love of his life kidnapped from under his nose and probably harmed in an undisclosed location was more than he could take on his own. He turns to the bottle for awhile to deal with his guilt and feelings of uselessness. What broke my heart the most is that Adrian is most definitely not useless. He's just as brave as Sydney is, but you can only do what you can with the information you're given. 

Once Adrian and their friends from Palm Springs finally get a bead on Sydney's location, the pace of the book goes from good to lightning speed. The last 30% or so of the book was completely action-packed. There are explosions and fights and magical shenanigans - I was absolutely glued to the pages. And, then there was the one shocking event that had me dropping my jaw. I loved that I didn't see it coming, and I loved that it even happened. 

As usual, the last paragraph hits you hard and sets up the drama and excitement for the next book. In this case, it will be the final book in the Bloodlines series, but I feel like there might be another spin-off in the future. I'd love to see a series about Jill. In any case, the wait for the final book will be SO LONG, but that only gives me time to re-read Silver Shadows. Which I will definitely do.

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Opposition (Lux #5)

After nearly a year of waiting (not so patiently - in fact, as you read this, I'm probably resisting the urge to obsessively track my Amazon package by the minute), I am so excited that the release day for the final Lux book, OPPOSITION, is finally here! A huge thank you goes to Inkslinger PR for organizing this launch event and Jennifer L. Armentrout for hooking us up - they've provided a deliciously angsty excerpt and a crazy awesome giveaway in honor of Opposition's release.

Opposition (Lux #5), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published August 5, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: young adult paranormal
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(From Goodreads) Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Excerpt

Katy

I still stared at Daemon, completely aware that everyone else except him was watching me. Closely. But why wouldn’t he look at me? A razor-sharp panic clawed at my insides. No. This couldn’t be happening. No way.
 My body was moving before I even knew what I was doing.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Dee shake her head and one of the Luxen males step forward, but I was propelled by an inherent need to prove that my worst fears were not coming true.

After all, he’d healed me, but then I thought of what Dee had said, of how Dee had behaved with me. What if Daemon was like her? Turned into something so foreign and cold? He would’ve healed me just to make sure he was okay.

I still didn’t stop.
 Please, I thought over and over again. Please. Please. Please. On shaky legs, I crossed the long room, and even though Daemon hadn’t seemed to even acknowledge my existence, I walked right up to him, my hands trembling as I placed them on his chest.

 “Daemon?” I whispered, voice thick.

His head whipped around, and he was suddenly staring down at me. Our gazes collided once more, and for a second I saw something so raw, so painful in those beautiful eyes. And then his large hands wrapped around my upper arms. The contact seared through the shirt I wore, branding my skin, and I thought—I expected—that he would pull me against him, that he would embrace me, and even though nothing would be all right, it would be better.

Daemon’s hands spasmed around my arms, and I sucked in an unsteady breath.

His eyes flashed an intense green as he physically lifted me away from him, setting me back down a good foot back.

I stared at him, something deep in my chest cracking. “Daemon?”

He said nothing as he let go, one finger at a time, it seemed, and his hands slid off my arms. He stepped back, returning his attention to the man behind the desk.

“So . . . awkward,” murmured the redhead, smirking.

I was rooted to the spot in which I stood, the sting of rejection burning through my skin, shredding my insides like I was nothing more than papier-mâché.

“I think someone was expecting more of a reunion,” the Luxen male behind the desk said, his voice ringing with amusement. “What do you think, Daemon?”

One shoulder rose in a negligent shrug. “I don’t think anything.”

My mouth opened, but there were no words. His voice, his tone, wasn’t like his sister’s, but like it had been when we first met. He used to speak to me with barely leashed annoyance, where a thin veil of tolerance dripped from every word. The rift in my chest deepened.
 For the hundredth time since the Luxen arrived, Sergeant Dasher’s warning came back to me. What side would Daemon and his family stand on? A shudder worked its way down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself, unable to truly process what had just happened.

“And you?” the man asked. When no one answered, he tried again. “Katy?”

I was forced to look at him, and I wanted to shrink back from his stare. “What?” I was beyond caring that my voice broke on that one word.

The man smiled as he walked around the desk. My gaze flickered over to Daemon as he shifted, drawing the attention of the beautiful redhead. “Were you expecting a more personal greeting?” he asked. “Perhaps something more intimate?”

I had no idea how to answer. I felt like I’d fallen into the rabbit hole, and warnings were firing off left and right. Something primal inside me recognized that I was surrounded by predators.

Completely.

Giveaway

InkslingerPR and Jennifer L. Armentrout are giving away a Lux Series Basket with Lux themed jewelry, a signed set of the Lux Series and a $50 gift card to a retailer of the winner’s choice (Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or Indiebound).

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author 

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins. 

REVIEW: The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3)

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3), by Julie Kagawa
Published April 15, 2014
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Format: e-book, borrowed
Genre: young adult paranormal
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

Wow. Just... WOW. I mean, this book was... wow. As you can see, I'm still having a bit of trouble finding accurate words to describe how much I loved the final book in the Blood of Eden series. It had absolutely everything I needed, including some things I didn't even know I needed, to make for the most stunning conclusion to a series that I've read in a long time. 

Ali is struggling with maintaining her humanity after the events of the first two books. I mean, hey - who wouldn't? Sarren has tormented her in the absolute worst way - or so she thought. In actuality, the worst is still to come, and when his master plan comes to light, it leaves Ali and those she cares about racing to beat the clock in order to save everyone on the Earth. 

Ali is the most amazing heroine ever. She is incredibly strong - and I'm not just talking about physically. She has been through some truly awful stuff, and despite struggling, she never, ever gives up. She sets a goal, and she goes after it until she's done. Ali is a vampire, so she's pretty rough around the edges. She's hardened and jaded and, especially in the beginning of The Forever Song, downright scary. 

It was hard to read those beginning few chapters. We've seen Ali struggle to keep a firm grasp on her humanity despite Jackal's constant poking at her to embrace her inner monster, and the Hunger that is always, always there, reminding her that she's not the human she used to be. When she believes she's lost the one person who loved her anyway - and that she loved back - she doesn't think there's any reason to try so hard anymore. To read about Ali giving up and becoming the monster absolutely broke my heart. 

The event to finally bring her back to her former self was so poignant, it brought tears to my eyes. It also brought home the fact that Kanin is there when she needs him the most, like a father-figure. And, his council is needed so many times over the course of the book. The differences between Kanin and Jackal are stark. Where Kanin is supportive, Jackal is combative. Kanin builds up and Jackal delights in wearing down. Kanin is nice. Jackal is... not. 

But, the one thing that Jackal IS is hysterical. Thank goodness for his presence in The Forever Song, because this was a dark and heavy book. His snark and antagonistic personality added some much needed lightness. And, as it turns out, Jackal also added some good insight and a bitch slap to the head when it was needed. He's surprisingly insightful when he wants to be. 

The biggest question when I started the book was, what happened to Zeke? His fate was somewhat ambiguous at the end of The Eternity Cure, and we do have to wait a few chapters to find out what he's doing now. And, although I had guessed it to some degree, there was still SO MUCH that I didn't see coming. Zeke's situation was so far beyond frustrating and it had me torn up in knots for a long while. 

The four of them chase Sarren across the terrain as he heads toward Eden with a crazy deadly virus. He is constantly one step ahead of them with barricades and psychological mind screws. I have never wanted to see a bad guy bite it more. The final showdown is suspenseful and impressive and scary and completely awesome. I loved every second. 

The ending - of both the series and the book - was absolutely perfect. There was heartbreak and destruction and death and hope - it was epic. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is in the mood for a darker vampire tale with a romance that you can write home about. And, for a change, the ending of this series was satisfying to the enth degree.

REVIEW: Through the Zombie Glass (The White Rabbit Chronicles #2)

Through the Zombie Glass (The White Rabbit Chronicles #3), by Gena Showalter
Published September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre: young adult paranormal/romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Zombies stalk the night. Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls. Sadly, they've got mine...

Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.

After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.

She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her...from everyone. Now, with her best friend Kat at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.

But the clock is ticking...and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.

I have no words.

Well... yeah. That's not true. I ALWAYS have words when it comes to good books. But, seriously, as I was reading Through the Zombie Glass, there were many moments when I just sat in my car (because, this was an audiobook for me), mouth agape like a fish trying to get a handle on myself so that I could function normally when I walked into my office. There was some of this:

A lot of this:

This too:

To sum up... it was a feels-free-for-all. But, it wasn't all feels and no substance. Through the Zombie Glass was an incredible story about sacrifice and salvation. There is absolutely no sophomore slump here - it built upon the groundwork laid in Alice in Zombieland, had its own ridiculously awesome storyline and laid the frame for what I'm sure will be an epic finale, come September. 

Ali survived a near-death encounter with Anima, and is now healing at the Ankh's house and enjoying some snuggle time with Cole. After two new slayers join the group, including pretty Veronica, Cole starts distancing himself from Ali, until he delivers the final blow and breaks up with her. On top of that, Ali is dealing with another voice in her head that is telling her to do awful things. None of it makes sense at all, and Ali is feeling alone, lost, adrift, and not just a little hopeless. 

My heart absolutely broke into itty bitty pieces for Ali in this book. Gena Showalter was masterful at creating the perfect mood for Ali's eventual crash. Everything was perfect. Cole was finally hers, she was a lean, mean fighting machine, and they had won the initial battle with Anima. The beginning of the book dawned with hope and positivity, and I was buying everything that she was selling. 

Then, Cole happened and everything went to hell in a hand basket. 

UGH! He acted like such a colossal douche purse (LOVE Nana), I found myself wishing he was a real person, just so I could walk up to him and smack him a few times. It was clear from the beginning that there was more going on under the surface, but you just didn't know what that was. So, like Ali, I had to take things at face value for awhile, and that drove me crazy! I refused to believe that my Cole was really that cold and callous to dump Ali while she was still getting better from her wounds for no real good reason.

Thing is, Cole wasn't the only crazy person in Through the Zombie Glass. Everyone was doing their absolute best to make me nuts. Kat kept pushing away Frosty. Reeve was dating a new boy of questionable background. Ankh was extra frigid toward Ali. And don't even get me started on newbie Veronica, who - oh yeah - is another one of Cole's exes. 

And then there was Ali and her alter ego, Z.A. (short for Zombie Alice). Z.A. would show up in a mirror or start talking in Ali's head, making her want to do things, like bite her friends. Ali's fighting skills were compromised and she proved to be more of a danger to her team than a help. It was here when I started yelling at my car's stereo almost daily. "Talk to someone, dammit! Tell Cole! Tell Gavin! Tell SOMEONE!!" Ugh - communication is never a strong suit among teens. 

Ali's fight to kill Z.A. and survive the break up from the love of her life was absolutely what I live for when I read. She was inspiring and strong and kicked some major ass. But, Ali had her moments when everything just was too much, and she allowed herself some time to break down. I think those moments are so important. Without them, there's no humanization of your character. They're either too hard and you have a difficult time connecting with them, or they're too soft and they drive you drink. Gena Showalter wrote Ali so perfectly - she's the perfect blend of hard and soft; strong and weak. I believed her, I rooted for her, I cried with her, and I rejoiced at her triumphs. THIS is what reading is all about. 

Just a word about the audio version - it was SPECTACULAR.

Through the Zombie Glass was told entirely from Ali's POV. It's YA, and Ali and Cole spend much of the book emotionally apart, so there wasn't much sexy stuff to be had. But, that's okay. The story about Ali's search for a way to defeat Z.A. AND Anima had me captivated from the very first word all the way to the exciting conclusion. This series has very quickly become one of my favorites, and I will be chomping at the bit (pun intended) for Queen of Zombie Hearts, due out late this September.

REVIEW: Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3), by Wendy Higgins
To Be Published April 29, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: e-book, received from Edelweiss
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) It's Time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

There must be a lot of pressure on authors to create "the perfect ending," both for themselves as artists and for the fans who support them. As an avid reader and blogger, I know I set my standards extremely high when it comes to the last books in the series that I count among my favorites. Unfortunately, all too often it seems this combination of expectations and desires causes series finales to fall short in the eyes of the fans.

Well, readers need not worry about Wendy Higgins' Sweet Trilogy finale, SWEET RECKONING. She has done a masterful job of bringing Anna's and Kai's story full circle. Better yet, she manages to do so without sacrificing pacing, plot or purpose. It's all there and then some.

The clock has finally wound down, and the Dukes' judgement day has arrived. Anna and her friends continue to try and rally allies and plan their final moves, which is difficult when they are being watched constantly. It's equally difficult for Anna to get any alone time with her boyfriend, Kai. But, before they know it, the Dukes and the Neph are right back where this journey started - in Las Vegas, fighting for their lives. And their souls.

When I look back at the character Anna was in the beginning of Sweet Evil, it's evident how far she has come and developed as events have unfolded. The change happened over time - more than two years pass over the course of these three books - and came as a result of experience and maturity. There was no insta-growth here. Anna went from a meek and proper girl who was completely ignorant about her past or her purpose to a leader and a warrior who was determined to get the job done, no matter the cost. The road to get there was hard. I absolutely LOVE that Wendy made it so challenging for her, too. It's impossible to not respect Anna and get behind her.

Speaking of character development - helloooooo Kai. He started off fairly flat and predictable. He's the son of the Duke of Lust. Of course he's a womanizer, he's gorgeous, he's charismatic. You don't expect there to be much underneath all that. If you thought you saw another side of Kai in Sweet Peril, hold on to your hats, because you haven't seen anything yet. The Kai in Sweet Reckoning is still gorgeous and charismatic, but he's also sweet, romantic, and, believe it or not, insecure. We also see a volatility in him, especially when it comes to Anna, that we've never seen before. Those qualities ramp up his swoon quotient to atomic levels.

It's impossible to have a book about angels and demons and not invoke some judeo-Christian elements in the story. In fact, I think this book would be lacking without those elements. Heaven, Hell, God, Lucifer, the Bible... they're all there in the appropriate places at the appropriate times. The addition of them make the story so much more believable.

All of the side characters from the first two books play a role in Sweet Reckoning. Marna, Ginger, Blake, Kopano, Zania, Jay, Veronica, Patty - they all make appearances. Things do not go as planned for all of them. I promise you, tears will be shed. But, in the end, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that nothing was gratuitous or unnecessary about any of the parts these characters played in the final book.

Keep your tissues nearby for the epilogue. TRUST ME on this one.

I finished the final word of Sweet Reckoning and felt nothing but completely satisfied and maybe a little bit giddy. It was joyful and funny and tragic and exciting. There's really nothing more you could ask for in the finale of an amazing series. 

SWEET RECKONING BLOG TOUR - Author Interview & Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the SWEET RECKONING (Sweet Evil #3) blog tour, organized by Kismet Book Touring. This book... wow. It was completely amazing and a fantastic ending to an exciting and romantic series. I had the especially awesome privilege to ask Sweet Evil Trilogy author, Wendy Higgins, a few burning questions about the series, what comes next, and her BFF. Check out the book info (don't forget to add it to your TBR on Goodreads!), then read on for a conversation with Wendy!

Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3), by Wendy Higgins
Published April 29, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(From Goodreads) It's Time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Author Interview - Wendy Higgins

Thank you so much for talking with me about SWEET RECKONING, Wendy. This must be a bittersweet experience for you, seeing your first series come to completion. If you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice as you were beginning the writing process on Sweet Evil, what would it be?

Hi Krista! Thanks so much for having me!  Okay, if I could go back I would tell myself to calm down because it’s not a race or a competition. I’d say to just have fun and enjoy the process.

What was the most difficult part about writing SWEET RECKONING?

I have some author guilt because I know I have to stick to the rules of my story world, and I know things need to be realistic even though it’s a fantasy, but I feel guilty about one particular thing. I almost changed it so many times.
 
It’s sad to see it end, but I keep telling myself I can always write more scenes with these characters and revisit them in other ways. It doesn’t have to be completely over.

Which character from the Sweet Trilogy will you miss the most?

There are things I will miss about all of them, but come on. Kai will forever be my favorite fictional boy in the world. His entire story and journey gutted me and challenged me as a writer. He is the epitome of all the things I think are sexy, but it’s his heart I loved the most.

Tell us an interesting fact about SWEET RECKONING that we might not know.

When I finished the first draft I really felt like something was missing. Then I realized…I had no big scenes with Kope. And one of my beta readers mentioned missing him, too.  So I got the idea for a scene to add him, and it turned out to be a major scene.  It’s just funny how these things happen.

There were a lot of references to actual Biblical scripture in SWEET RECKONING. Was writing about this aspect of angels and demons a stretch for you, or is the Christian faith something you were already familiar with?

I’m familiar with the Bible, and even though the entire trilogy is based in Biblical lore, it still scares me each time I reference it. People’s beliefs are very personal and very special. I worry about making people uncomfortable or making anyone think I have ulterior motives. I think most readers understand that my book is a work of fiction, and appreciate the use of the ancient scriptures in building the story world. I’ve taken a lot of liberties in this novel, but ultimately it’s a romance story with elements of spirituality, not the other way around.

If you were ruled by a “Duke,” who would it be? (Mine would be Javar, the Duke of caffeine consumption, LOL.)

Hahaha, Javar. You so crazy! Seriously, though, one of the reasons I could write Anna is because I’ve had a taste of that lifestyle. From 17-23 I was a mess of a young woman—woo boy. Not even kidding. I’ve seen the fine line of entertainment and recreation veering into abuse and scary stuff. So I was able to chanel some of that with both Anna and Kaidan.

So, what is next? Is there a new series on the horizon? Is there any chance that this is not the last we’ve seen from Anna, Kai and the rest of the Neph?

I am truly open to writing whatever comes to me. If the inspiration hits, I’m there!  Things are crazy in my personal life right now because we’re planning a big move and my husband is starting his own business, but I’m really hoping to get back to writing soon.  I am 16 chapters in to a fantasy based on a Grimm’s tale, but I haven’t written in months and I miss it. I have no idea what the future holds. I just go where the tides of imagination take me, and hope for the best.

You and Jennifer Amentrout have traded obscure (and not so obscure) references to each other’s books a few times now. Any chance you two will get together on a joint venture sometime in the future?

We have no plans for a co-written book, but this is a future possiblity. ;)

Thank you so much for talking to me about SWEET RECKONING and the Sweet Trilogy, Wendy. I think I'm already going through Kai withdraw!

Make sure to check out the other stops on the SWEET RECKONING tour to learn more about the Sweet Trilogy.

Monday, April 28th - Supernatural Snark  

Tuesday, April 29th - Bewitched Bookworms 

Wednesday, April 30th - Jenuine Cupcakes 

Thursday, May 1st - Krista's Dust Jacket 

Friday, May 2nd - Two Chicks on Books  

Monday, May 5th - Curling Up with a Good Book 

Tuesday, May 6th - Parajunkee 

Wednesday, May 7th - fiktshun 

Thursday, May 8th - Bookcrush.in 

Friday, May 9th - Alice Marvels 

About the Author

After earning a bachelors in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until becoming a mommy. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Evil is her debut novel.

Learn more about Wendy --> Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

 

Giveaway

We have a really exciting giveaway for this tour! Lucky winners will receive either:

• A Kai Prize Pack (3) - leather bracelet, drumstick pencils, Lascivious Tour pass, Kai button, and signed bookmark/bookplate

OR

• A Bookmark Bundle (10)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

REVIEW: Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles #1)

Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles #1), by Gena Showalter
Published September 25, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Format: hardback, borrowed from a friend
Genre:  young adult paranormal
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I've made no bones about the fact that zombies and horror are not really my bag. Hence, my reticence with starting Alice in Zombieland, despite all the wonderful things I had heard about it. I mean, it's about zombies, and zombies = bad. Right?

Wrong.

Alice's dad is nuts. He sees monsters. As a result, he has sheltered Alice and her younger sister in order to protect them. And then, after an awful car accident that kills everyone in her family but Alice, she finally sees the monsters too. She moves in with her grandparents, switches school, and finds out that there are others out there who see them too. Including the dashing and dangerous Cole. Soon, Alice is recruited into Cole's band of zombie slayers. And, there's got to be a reason that the zombies seem to be going after Alice, right?

What an amazing and creative take on zombies! This book took me completely by surprise. Who knew I'd be giving 5 stars to a "zombie book?!" 

In Alice in Zombieland, not everyone can see the zombies. Only those with a special ability to separate their spirit from their body can see them. And, the zombies only exist on the spiritual plane. But, they can still kill people. They don't eat brains, or even flesh, really. They're after your spirit. Those that can fight the zombies can split their spirits from their bodies in order to take them on. They can ash them with their hands. 

Alice is such an amazing heroine. She's only 16, but acts so much older than that. Her family is dead, she has this new, scary ability, she sees monsters on a nearly daily basis - if it were me, I'd be sitting in a corner rocking and crying like a baby. Alice sets out to get answers. And, when she discovers a powerful connection with her new school's resident bad boy, she knows where to get them. 

Speaking of the bad boy, Cole is perfection. He's misunderstood, scary, and an all-around good guy shielded by tats and piercings. And, he has many of the answers to Alice's questions. It turns out they work well together - in more ways than one. Their connection is intriguing and sexy and exciting. When they look at each other for the first time each day, they get a glimpse of the future. Sometimes that vision is good. Sometimes, not so much. Cole and his violet eyes are absolutely captivating. 

I love Gena Showalter's writing. It's sharp and witty. Alice and Cole's banter and snark back and forth was brilliant. And, the things that have sprouted from her imagination amaze me. 

There is, of course, a larger story - a bigger plot that will carry through the series. A corporation set on experimenting on the zombies and trying to use them as weapons is trying to thwart the slayers' efforts. And, there's also a reason why the zombies are hunting Alice and why her powers are so much stronger than everyone else's. I can't wait to find out what those reasons are. I can't wait to read more about Alice kicking serious zombie ass. And I definitely can't wait for more Cole.

REVIEW: The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4)

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4), by Richelle Mead 
Published November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: e-book, purchased
Genre:  young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

It's been a week since I finished The Fiery Heart, and I'm still nursing the remnants of a massive book hangover. I loved it so. much. Each new Bloodlines book is better than the one before it, and I think I love that fact the most of all. 

Sydney and Adrian are finally together, but hanging out has been made infinitely more difficult since Sydney's little sister Zoe joined up with the Scoobies in Palm Springs. Every move Sydney makes is scrutinized, and if it got back to their dad or the other alchemists that not only was Sydney an honest-to-goodness witch now, but one that's in love with a vampire, Sydney would be sent to reeducation. 

Once again, there's more than one main story happening in The Fiery Heart. First on my list was the romance between Syd and Adrian. At the end of The Indigo Spell, she finally gave in to her feelings for Adrian and I can't even tell you what a relief that was. Syd is so strict and uptight and stuck on the rules she was brought up to believe blindly that it was a hard fought win. And now that she has her prize in Adrian, finding time to spend with him is nearly impossible thanks to her sister. Yet Adrian and Sydney are determined to make it work - to "hold the center." 

The second main story is the one centering around Sydney trying to find the right recipe to replicate Marcus' anti-alchemist tattoo in quantity so that he can help more alchemists escape from their oppression. This process was awesome to read about as Sydney uses her smarts to figure out all the missing pieces to find the right mixture for the ink. I loved that part and the possibilities it creates. 

The third main story was about Adrian's battle with spirit. It's starting to bring the crazy on, and his mood swings have reached epic levels. He could take drugs to lessen the effects, but then what if someone he cares about needs his help? 

One of the best parts of this book is the dual POV. For the first time ever, we get to see inside the wonderfully complicated mess that is Adrian's head. Sometimes his mind is a little batty. But, when he thinks about Sydney, he is unbelievably sweet. 

The way that Richelle Mead has developed Sydney's character over not only the four Bloodlines books, but really a total of seven books now, if you look back to when she was first introduced in the fourth Vampire Academy book, it's so remarkable. Over the course of those seven books, Syd has gone from a completely close-minded, obnoxious character that I honestly hated, to a brave fighter that I love so much. It's been such a gradual process, which is so much more believable than if she were to change on a dime. 

The magic, the action, the politics - it's all so, so well done. Yes, there is a cliffhanger. But it's been done well. The loose ends, except for one big one, are starting to tie up, and the ending is done in such a way that Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) is one of the most anticipated books of 2014 for me.