#EarlyReview: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Viper - Viper and Holly Chang

(Guild Hunter #10)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy gray underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman—it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head…

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself—because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening…

No one is safe.

Review:

This book was all of the things! I was amazing! I've actually already read it twice.. After the first read it spurred a re-read of the series which of course I had to re-read Viper once I got through the series. I had a feeling these two would end up together when they first started interacting in Dmitri's book and I am so glad that came to fruition.

Its several years after Holly/Sorrows attack and she is finally building a new life for herself. She has respect and for the most part the watch dogs are off of her. She's been able to fake it well enough that Dmitri isn't as cautious. She still has to meet with her arch nemesis Viper because of their similar abilities but at least he's in the refuge.. Until he's not any more.

Viper has seen a lot of things, he's done a lot of things, he has a good life, friends, respect, but always he's alone. He's so very other, no one else is like him. Except now Holly. While not the same, she is similar enough that he feels a kinship. When her life is in danger he now feels more than a kinship.. maybe an attraction?

Singh takes you through an action packed, emotional ride in another installment of the Guild Hunters. This series is one of my all time favorites and it never fails to disappoint. Look forward to a thrilling ride.

*Review copy provided through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Early review: Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Heart: Raphael and Elena

(Guild Hunter #9)

Expected publication: November 1st 2016

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

Review:

Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh is the ninth book in the Guild Hunters Series and we return to Elena and Raphael two years after the end of the last book. Some might be unhappy to return to this powerful couple but I for one have no issues revisiting Elena and Rafael as the seven all revolve around these two and come on, does Singh put out a bad Guild Hunter book regardless of the featured couple?? Nope, she sure does not.  In this book we dont see as much as the Seven as I’d like but we do get glimpses of them as well as a bit of Elena’s Guard. Aodhan does play a bigger part of this book since he goes with Elena and Rafael to Morocco.  I know a bunch of people want an Aodhan and Illium pairing but I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they are NOT going to end up together, but I can see why fans would want this to come to pass.

So anyway, the three of them head to Morocco to deal with the douches that are the Luminata. Ok to be fair not all of them are douchebags but there are more than a few that are. Near to the Luminata compound is a human settlement and when Elena arrives, the whispers start, people look at her as if in recognition. So a good part chunk of this book is the mystery that is Elena’s past. It’s quite intriguing. I had a lot of fun trying to guess the outcome but ended up being mostly wrong, but isn’t that the fun of it?

Overall, it was fun to look into Elena mysterious family tree. I also loved the glimpses into Aodhan past and present. Little by little Aodhan is overcoming his past and becoming someone with one does not mess with. I’m looking forward to more in the Guild Hunter world and I don't see an end anytime soon.

ARC was provided through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

*You can also see this review on Brazen Babe Reviews

Review: Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Legion: Elena Deveraux and Raphael

(Guild Hunter #6)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Nalini Singh, the New York Times bestselling “alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) returns to an immortal world of violent passion and lethal power…on the brink of a deadly archangelic war.

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Review:

Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh is the fifth book in one of my absolute favorite series, the Guild Hunters Series. In this installment we return to the leading couple of New York, scary ass Raphael and Elena who does his best to keep one of the most powerful beings on the planet sane. N. Singh is a master of her craft, within the first couple of pages you are pulled into the story with the imagery. Singh can create a scene so vivid you swear you can see and smell what the author is describing to you. She just has such an amazing way with words. The book starts in an intimate scene with Elena remembering one of her first meetings with Rafael… He then flies in and they have a moment together before the shit hits the fan. Or in this case birds and angels literally fall from the sky, like its Armageddon or something. This book is full of action and intrigue almost from the start and does not let up until the very end. This book kept me up until 6am turning pages to see what happens next! This series leans more towards the dark and violent but it has its moments of humor as well almost so unexpected that you’re like wait am I laughing?! For me in this book while I love an action packed let’s keep this story moving and there is plenty of that; at times it’s the quiet moments when it’s just Raphael and Elena bared to each other that are some of the best moments on the book.

Raphael and Elena are not a new couple in that this is their fourth book together but they are still learning each other and what makes each other tick. Despite that as separate beings, both very strong willed with abundant personalities that often clash they remain a solid unit. Their love for each other burns off of the pages and fills each other, together, always together. Whether its hosting a dinner party, battling an archangel or plummeting to their sure deaths, its always together. These two rank pretty damn high on my favorite couple scale. I like how that they are unfailingly a unit but they remain themselves. Raphael while more grounded with Elena he’s still a scary ass archangel, THE archangel, alpha supreme, I mean you really don’t get much more alpha then Raphael! Then there is Elena, who is kind of crazy! Not only was she a mortal who tangled with an Archangel in the first book but she remains this fearless, not not fearless, but courageous female that pretty much faces everything head on. She is usually the one running straight for danger. Sure, she is a bit crazy and always running towards what she should be running away from but she retains a bit of innocence even after everything she has seen in life. She refuses to give into the darkness and refuses to let Rafael give into it as well. Throughout this book, Elena proves herself as Raphael’s anchor.

So throughout this book we learn more of Raphael and Elena as a couple but as promised there is tons of action and so much happens in this book. We are entering into a Cascade which happens throughout history where basically the Archangels get a surge in power and typically war breaks out. So for the entire book we are building up to something big, a showdown of epic proportions. As with the previous books Singh will weave several occurrences going on at once to keep you guess on what is really going on. So while one catastrophic event is occurring there is another lingering right around the corner. So the whole book we are building… building… building… towards something huge. So often in a book when we build up to a big show down we are often let down, the author spent so much time building up to it, that the most important part gets the shaft and is over before it ever really began and you are like that’s it?! That’s the big show down? I thought there would be more… In this book, this is not the case, there is an epic battle that lasts longer than I thought it would. You are really pulled into the fight and of course you have to root for the home team! So the epic battle and the ending get an A++++ from me!

So, yes the bulk of this book is Raphael and Elena, but worry not my friends the Seven are still included, there is a battle after all, and what would Raphael do without his Seven by his side? We see less of Dmitri in this book then we have in previous book as well as Jason, maybe because they already got their moment to shine and for a while it looked like many people’s favorite our Bluebell wasn’t going to be in it much as well but he’s Elena’s best friend so worry not ladies he’s still around and he reveals some of his past to Elena that may break your heart a little. Now the big surprise in this book is Naasir, in previous books he is mentioned but rarely seen. In this book he is much more prevalent and man is he intriguing. I like all of Raphael’s Seven but I never knew what to make of the enigma that is Naasir, in this book he makes quite the impact. I am more now more intrigued than ever. Raphaels Seven are quite possibly the most intriguing Guard I have ever read about. Aodhan also plays a bigger role in this book and finds some of his lost humanity in the middle of war. Aodhan makes his own impact although much different from Naasir’s. So I know I just wrote a damn book about this one, but I freak’n loved it! LOL so I’ll leave you now to go forth and read or something.

Review: Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Shadows: Janvier and Ashwini  

(Guild Hunter #7)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

In the wake of a brutal war, the archangel Raphael and his hunter consort, Elena, are dealing with the treacherously shifting tides of archangelic politics and the people of a battered but not broken city. The last thing their city needs is more death, especially a death that bears the eerie signature of an insane enemy archangel who cannot— should not—be walking the streets.

This hunt must be undertaken with stealth and without alerting their people. It must be handled by those who can become shadows themselves…

Ash is a gifted tracker and a woman cursed with the ability to sense the secrets of anyone she touches. But there’s one man she knows all too well without a single instant of skin contact: Janvier, the dangerously sexy Cajun vampire who has fascinated and infuriated her for years. Now, as they track down a merciless killer, their cat-and-mouse game of flirtation and provocation has turned into a profound one of the heart. And this time, it is Ash’s secret, dark and terrible, that threatens to destroy them both.

Review:

First of I have to go a bit fangirl on how much I love this series. After I had the read the 1^st book, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like it but something compelled me to continue reading and I’m so glad I did because the series just keeps getting better!

So I recently re-read this book and realized I never reviewed it.. Shame on me! Ashwini and Janvier have been two of my favorites since the beginning. I loved watching them circle around each other for all these books building towards their happily ever after!  What I liked is that that Janvier never gave up on his Ashblade, even when she didn’t believe in herself, he believed enough for the both of them.  He’s been waiting patiently for Ash since they meet and centuries to even meet her so there is no way he is giving her up regardless of any mysteries she is holding back on. He knows there is nothing they can’t concur together.  Ashwini’s fears are real and they are founded. She gave her heart to Janvier long ago but she has been holding back her body and telling him that he has all of her. She knows there is no future for them and knowing that she hasn’t been able to give the rest of herself to him. Not trusting that the obstacles could be overcome; after all biology is biology, and history is history and it definitely repeating itself.  Janvier wants centuries with her, but she’s not sure she even has years left.  Watching Ash struggle with this is a bit heartbreaking and you want them to find some sort of solution but it is not looking good.

As for the plotline it takes place following the war, I was really hoping that we would have gotten some behind the scenes to the war and what Janvier, Ashwini and Nassar did behind enemy lines but alas there is really only one scene and it is not nearly enough.  That aside with a lot of the books in the series there are it starts with multiple mysteries that need to be solved and Janvier and Ash team up once again to find out what is threatening their city. They find that their multiple cases are in fact linked and whatever is terrorizing the city is worse than they first imagined. The story is quick moving and highly enjoyable.  I don’t know that this is one of my favorite books in the series but it is definitely a good one and even warranted a re-read.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Ash and Janvier’s story. 

Review: Nalini Singh - Archangel’s Storm

Guild Hunters Series:

Book 5:

Archangel’s Storm – Jason and Mahiya



Purchase on Amazon: Nalini Singh - Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunters)
Summary:
From Goodreads.com
Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s darkly beautiful world of archangels and immortal power, as a pact is sealed between two souls bound by blood, stirred by desire, and driven by vengeance…

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price - Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

Review:
Nalini Singh does not disappointment with this title, it lives up to what I have come to expect from a Singh novel. The characters are extremely well fleshed out, you feel like you actually know them. Even the minor characters take on a life of their own. What I have noticed with this series is it kind of sneaks up on you. You read the books and you think, it was pretty good. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think of them as 5 star books. But what happens is they linger in the back of your mind, something keeps on calling to me until I pick the book up again for a re-read. In the re-read, I get drawn in even more until I’m rethinking the book and what I initially thought of it and I’m loving it more then I had initially. Archangel’s Blade was a prime example, I initially gave it a 4 star but it kept lingering so I re-read it, and re-read it again, and now I’ve probably read it 5 times and it’s one of my favorite books. I expect Archangel’s Storm to be he same way. It just that Singh writes so beautifully, her descriptions come come alive you are immersed in this world that Singh built. It just seeps into you and you can’t and don’t want to get out. The Guild Hunter world is so unique, dark and sexy! This series is fast becoming one of my favorite.

I have maintained through this whole series that Jason is my favorite of the Seven and he remains so. He’s the strong, silent, powerful type, with a mysterious very dark background. Nalini dishes out the details of Jason’s past sparingly, we are finding out details all the way until the last few pages. I honestly thought Jason’s past was going to be way worse than it actually is. He by no means a great past but I was expecting worse. LOL  There were some details that I wish we had more of. We got the details on what happened (Which is heartbreaking and I’m not ashamed to admit I was tearing up during the telling) but I wanted more of what happened after. Those details are thin and I felt like would have contributed to us knowing more as to why Jason is the way he is. The emotional hang ups that Jason has to overcome are significant and as the strong silent type he keeps us guessing if he can overcome them. We get to see more of Jason’s powers, but it was not enough for me. I wanted more, I know there are more that Singh is keeping from us! I want to know, I know Singh does everything for a reason but I’m selfish like that, Jason has intrigued me from the beginning so I want to know everything. When I pictured Jason’s HEA I always pictured a warrior type woman, not unlike our women of the Guild. What I found was the Nalini Singh knows her men better than I do, because as it turns out Mahiya is a gentle, loving soul and EXCATLY what Jason needs.

Mahiya, has a horrific past of her own. As the daughter of the Archangel Neha’s consort and Neha’s twin sister (Whom Neha brutally excuted upon Mahiya’s birth), Mahiya basically grew up as Neha’s whipping post. Her favorite “toy” to torment.  And for 200+ years, Mahiya has lived under Neha’s rule. What I loved about Mahiya was that se made a conscious decision to not let Neha break her.  She knew with everything in her that she would not let herself become like Neha, a bitter bitter person who lets anger eat at their very soul. Somehow after 200 years of torment Mahiya has managed to keep her soul intact and had such a capacity to love and care for others.  However, she knows that she has to get out and soon if she is going to remain intact. She’s been starving emotionally and when Jason comes to Neha’s court and he intrigues her like no one has before she can’t help but to let that caring and love spill onto him.  She knows the dangers in falling for a man like him, but accepts them and loves him anyway. If anyone could heal the scars on Jason’s soul it is Mahiya.

I was kind of sad that this book takes place in Neha’s court, this means we see less of the Seven and Raphael.  We do get a tantalizing visit from Vemon, who is another one of my favorites as he stops by Neha’s court to help out a little. We get glimpses at Honor and Dmitri post wedding. I loved this brief glimpses because I wasn’t quite ready to let these two go yet. I loved Dmitri and Honor! I think their book is still my favorite of the series. We don’t get much Raphael and Elena until the very end, but Singh will make that up to us in the next book. Which she has already announced is going to go back to Raphael and Elena.

Singh left a lot unresolved in this book. There was no real conclusion, more is in flux than ever. There are more unanswered questions, but I still feel like the book left off in a good spot. It wasn’t like an abrupt ending or even a cliffhanger, it was more like a “Stay Tuned, More to Come” I am really intrigued as to where Singh is taking us with this series.

I have a policy, if you make me cry, you get a five!

Review: Nalini Singh - Angel's Flight

Angel's Flight:

Guild Hunters Series:

Collection of Guild Hunter Novellas:

For me Nalini Singh is the queen of novellas, I don’t particularly like reading novellas a lot of times you don’t feel connected to the characters and it feels rushed. With a Nalini Singh novella that is rarely the case, I never really feel like I missed anything with a N. Singh novella.

Novella 1: Angels Pawn – Ashwinni and Janvier

This is the first book in the series, but really it can be read at any time within the Guild hunters time frame. I’ve actually read this book before this anthology but I didn’t own it, so I was so excited that it was included. It’s almost more fun to have read after reading some of the other books because you have heard about Ashwinni tracking down Janvier, so this bit of a back story for me was more amusing.

The basic story is that one of Rafael’s Angels is having problems with two different vampire factions in his territory over a power struggle. Instead of solving it on his own he sends for Ashwinni. Ashwinni having heard of this angel’s particularly cruel disposition refuses to go it alone and calls on Janvier a powerful vampire whom she is often hunting, and together they are the pawns in a game between two powerful vampire fractions and an even more powerful angel.

This is quite possibly my favorite novella of all time, its hecka short but it packs a lot of action into a few pages. This is my go too novella if I don’t have a lot of time but want to read something. I adore Ashwinni and Janvier and I swear I may cry if they don’t get their own full length book! Some may feel like the ending isn’t enough, but I think of it as a… To Be Continued… Because this is not the last time you see these two.

Novella 2: Angel’s Judgment – Sara and Declan

This novella is originally printed in “Must Love Hellhounds” and is a short story on Sara right before she accepts the directorship for the Guild. Declan is the Guilds “Slayer” he tracks and kills rogue hunters and now he is sent to protect the luscious future director from the Cadre who will likely test Sara before she becomes the Guild director. What Sara and Declan don’t count on is the instant attraction and the fact that Sara will likely become Declan’s boss. On top of the Cadre, Sara and Declan really do have a potential rogue hunter issue they must solve.

This novella is action packed from beginning to end and Declan is simply a very tasty morsel that I wouldn’t mind eating up. I would suggest reading this novella before you start the series if you have not already. I did not read this novella first and when I was reading the first book I felt like I had missed something with Sara and Declan and I later found out why, because I had. My only issue with this novella… Was that I wanted more! It was too short I wasn’t ready for it to end.

Novella 3: Angel’s Wolf – Noel and Nimra

After being severally tortured Noel is sent to Louisiana to the seductive angel Nimra’s court. Thinking it to be a demotion for a scarred vampire, Noel is surprised that Rafael had more faith in him after all. Someone is trying to kill Nimra and it is someone close to her. Nimra needs someone from the outside, someone that she can trust. Noel is damaged his torture affected him in ways that cannot be seen from the outside, but in Nimra’s court and in her arms he starts finding his self-worth once more.

This story was my least favorite of the four, I really didn’t remember Noel from Archangel’s Kiss, it had been so long since I had read that book, I couldn’t place him and it kind of drove me to distraction the whole novella. I’m kind of obsessive like that. I liked Noel, but I didn’t feel much for Nimera. She guess just was not really my cup of tea. It wasn’t a bad story by any means, and still a lot better than most novellas’ but it wasn’t one of my favorites.

Novella 4: Angel’s Dance - Jessemy and Galen

This is Jessemy’s and Galen’s story! Yay! Who doesn’t love Jessemy the few times we saw her at the refuge. She is the teacher of the little angels and is so warm hearted. This story takes place 400 years in the past. Rafael is a new Archangel and his territory is being threatened. Galen has just come to the Refuge to become Rafael’s weapons Master. You see a very young Illium (Sans silver tipped wings, if you’ve read the series you know what that means), Dmitri is the same old Dmitri, if I didn’t love him, I’d hate him. LOL. But the real story is between Galen and Jess, and it is a good story. The Warlord and the Teacher, a pairing that you would never expect but somehow works so well. Galen is the strength that Jess needs and Jess is the love and compassion that Galen needs.

This story is in some stiff competition with Angel’s Pawn for favorite. This is a new novella, the other three you could find in other anthologies but this one is all for Angel’s Flight. I would recommend buying this book for this novella alone. I truly loved it and it was longer than the other stories. You really get to see the beginnings of the Seven and Rafael’s reign as an archangel. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I was up late finishing it last night.


Order on Amazon:

Nalini Singh: Angels' Flight (Guild Hunters)

Rating:

Cover Reveal: Nalini Singh - Archangel's Storm

There are not words for how excited I am for Nalini Singh's next Guild Hunter's novel Archangel's Storm. This book is Jason's tale and he is my favorite of the Seven! I know Nalini Singh will do him justice. Hell she took the unlikable Dmitri and totally redeemed him! 

Nalini Singh revealed this cover on Facebook today and if you don't have Facebook, here it is! 

Due out September 2012

Is it September yet??

 

How gorgeous is this cover? I'm in LOVE!

Pre-Order:

Archangel's Storm (Guild Hunter)

Review: Nalini Singh - Archangels Consort

Guild Hunters Series:

Book 3:

Archangels Consort: Elena Deveraux and Archangel Raphael

Summary:

Raphael, Elena, members of Raphael’s Seven and the other members of the Cadre have just faced off with the powerful yet crazy Lijuan, in her territory of the Far East.  Her entire territory is ravaged from the fight and it may be centuries before it can recover fully from what occurred. Raphael and Elena are really hoping for some down time. This is the first that Elena is returning to New York with wings and Raphael and crew are still doing some rebuilding from the fight with Urem, so some down time would be welcome. However, that does not look like it’s going to come to pass. Just as they arrive home, storms start breaking out all around the world; young vampires are breaking contracts and attacking humans. Even the archangels are starting to act erratic. These are all signs that an old one, a truly Ancient archangel is Waking. Raphael has enough on his hands without an Ancient waking and ravaging the world.

Review:

This book continues to where the second book left off. Chronologically it is almost immediately after the fight with Lijuan. Raphael returns to his territory which Dmitri and his Seven held for him while Elena was sleeping and recovering. There are high hopes that things would return to normal and they can get some piece. That does not appear to be in the cards that this time…

Elena in this book is still struggling with her nightmares, she just wishes the torment would end, but each night the dreams come but now she has Raphael to hold onto. Raphael has been great as her rock, she knows she can always turn to him. However, at their return Elena realizes that nothing is the same anymore. Her fellow hunters have been great, Sara will always be there for her, but the rest of the city stares with fascination ay her new wings. N. Singh, did a fantastic job of portraying Elena and her new found immortality realistically. You rarely see how the person that is suddenly immortal handles the transition with Elena you see the struggles she goes through. Your hear wrenches with Elena when she realizes that eventually she is going to have to watch her friends and family pass on. For someone that is as close with her chosen family as Elena is, you know that this hurts her terribly. You also watch Elena continue to struggle with her father, several of their issues come to head in this novel and you watch as two very stubborn people try to deal with each other. Elena has grown quite a bit since the first book. Her determination and grit is very admirable and I have come to truly enjoy Elena.

In this book we are facing Raphael’s demons. All signs point to Raphael’s mother as being the Ancient One that is arising; when she went into rest she was truly mad. Raphael as a young baby immortal tried to stop his mother and she left him broken in a field.  In this book we see Raphael as venerable as we will probably ever see him. On one hand we see Raphael’s hope that maybe his mother will wake sane, but you see him battle with the knowledge that she may just be as insane as she was when she when into Rest and if that is the case he will have to finish what he started in the field where she left him bloody and broken. You also see Raphael struggle with allowing Elena to see him in such a venerable position, but in the end she ends up breaking through his icy façade. It was good to see Raphael brought down to an almost human level, well as human as Raphael can get. For most the series so far, there has been a worry regarding Elena making Raphael more mortal but in the end of this book you may have a slight surprise regarding this.

Rating:

Review: Nalini Singh - Archangels Kiss

Guild Hunters Series:

Book 2:

Archangels Kiss: Elena Deveraux and Archangel Raphael

Summary:

Elena has just woken up in the Refuge from a year long coma, only to find out that she is now sporting wings. An ambrosia laced kiss from Raphael has Made her an angel. This is the first instance of a Made angel in so many millennia, that no one can even remember an instance of a Made angels, it has become a myth among angels. Almost immediately after Elena’s waking she is again thrown into the vicious world of angels. She has two months to get ready to attend a “ball” in her honor hosted by the exceedingly creepy Archangel of the Far East, Lijuan. The rumor is that Lijuan has created an army of animated dead. If that is not enough there is a killer running around the Refuge, killing and attempting to implicate the other Archangels in a mislead attempt to become the next Archangel of the Cadre. So now Elena’s hunter skills are being utilized in between grueling training sessions with Raphael’s Seven.

Review:

What is unique about this situation is usually with a tale of paranormal romance once the author has figured out how to make the mortal immortal the tale ends and we move onto a new couple. With this series the first three books focus on Elena and Raphael, so we get to see the struggle that Elena goes through when it comes to her newly found immortality. As Raphael’s mate she has become the focus of many and instantly gained may adversaries that would love to see her dead. She does not have the luxury of getting used to her new body, she has to get in fighting shape like yesterday, and it’s not young vampires she would have to defend herself against but powerful vampires and angels as well as archangels. Then there is Raphael himself who is still autocratic and has never really been in any sort of relationship as is the same as Elena so the two struggle to figure out how two such strong personalities can find a comfortable middle ground where Elena can feel like an equal member of the relationship when the power base between the two are so disparate.

Elena more than ever is facing her personal demons in this book. She has awaken from her healing with her horrific childhood memories close to the surface. Her nightmares have surfaced so that they are even invading her waking moments as well. In this book she is literally going to have to face her demons. This is not the time that Elena can deal with this, right now she needs to get into fighting shape and flying ASAP. With the threat of Lijuan looming over her head, she is also being stalked by Michaela, the Archangel of Europe and vampires keep turning up either dead or brutalized with a Guild Hunters knife. Everywhere she turns there is a threat. She is just trying to keep her head above water yet retain her humanity as well as keep Rafael from crossing that very thin line he is straddling.

Raphael is straddling that thin line between truly losing himself, he knows that both of his parents went mad and that is never far from him mind. He greatly fears that one day he will finally lose himself, but now he has Elena who is determined that he will never go that far. Raphael is used to blind obedience from most people in his life, only his Seven have earned the right to question him. Now he has Elena questioning him at every turn, wanting to be his equal in the relationship, as if a baby immortal could be his equal. He definitely has to get used to this relationship thing. At one point when Elena asked him what she was to him and he says you can call me “Master” I about died laughing. I could almost visualize Elena reaction and it was not good. But his worry over Elena’s well being and her survival is really endearing. It is good to see such a powerful immortal care so tenderly about someone other than himself.  I continue to love Raphael.

Since this book primarily takes place in the Refuge we see a lot more of Raphael’s Seven. They are a a seriously intriguing bunch of males. They are seriously bad ass and kind of scary. They have little humanity left if they ever had any to begin with at all. Blue Bell is the only one that seems to embrace his humanity and even he has some serious fighting skills, he can behead with the best of them. Dmitri continues to torment Elena with his scent and is a brutal trainer. Venom is often present, and I can’t wait for his back story and we get glimpses of the other Seven as well. Aodhain will be really interesting but it is Jason that continues to intrigue me the most.

As with other Nalini Singh novels she knows how to keep a story moving so that you will never be bored. I enthusiastically recommend a N. Singh novel to anyone and this one is no exception.

Rating:

Review: Nalini Singh - Angel's Kiss

Guild Hunters Series:

Book 1:

Angels Blood: Elena Deveraux and Archangel Raphael

Summary:

In a world where angels are at the top of the food chain and vampires are tied to angels for 100 years of servitude for being Made. In a world where the powerful rule there are none more powerful than the Cadre of the Ten, the 10 most powerful angels, the Archangels. Raphael is the ruler of New York, and he rules with an iron fist. When one of the 10 goes into blood sickness and starts a terrifying reign of blood and death Raphael knows he needs to bring in a hunter to track Uram. Elena is the best hunter in the guild, she is hunter born and can track any vampire into the ground. But this time she is tracking an angel, an archangel one of the 10.

This is the hardest hunt of Elena’s life, not only does she have to track an archangel that has wings but she has to deal with Raphael. Raphael is used to being obeyed at all times and never having his decisions questioned by anyone other than from his trusted 7.  Elena questions him and disobeys him at every turn, this warrior woman who is a hunter by birth. Elena is getting under his skin, each time she disobeys him, the more she creeps under his skin and the results may be disastrous for him. Raphael is the most intriguing, fascinating, most inhuman person Elena has ever met. The more time she spends with him the more she realizes this man is not human and never has been, but she wants him even though he sometimes he scares the hell out of her. The longer Uram’s reign of terror goes the more Elena realizes that she may not make it out of this hunt alive.

Review:

Nalini Singh has an amazing ability to build new worlds she immerses you in this world that is so rich in detail you almost feel like you are living in this world of hunters, vampires and angels. Where the angels are not so much biblical but very much scary and the archangels can be ruthless cruel beings who don’t hesitate in torture. I have to say I like this new take on angels, it is definitely different and like nothing else I have read before. I love when authors take a concept that is not new and makes it their own and N. Singh managed to do that with this series ad it has tons of potential.

Elena, I am a bit conflicted with Elena. On one hand I love that she is such a kick ass female, she tangles with an archangel and holds her own. She is incredibly strong and loyal and yet haunted by demons from her past. There is a lot of good with Elena, and I found myself routing for her. What I had a problem with was at one part of the book she was willing to trade her life and that of her family and friends to save her pride. In my opinion pride is definitely not worth my life or any of my loved ones. But that is just me, although this part of the book does bring us to a pretty big break through so I guess I can forgive this one part of the book.

Raphael is the scariest yet sexy male, there is not a speck of human in him. He has grown up knowing he is at the top of the food chain. He knows that to hold his power he can never be seen as weak. There is nothing that scares Raphael except following in his archangel parents footsteps. Only madness scares him. Raphael has to make hard decisions all the time but he never shirks his duty. He is completely loyal to his seven as they are loyal to him. He is a man that inspires loyalty, confidence and obedience. I truly enjoy his character. Elena and Raphael have a rough start but as the danger increases so does the heat between Raphael and Elena.

This novel is full of action and takes you through a hunt all through New York. You meet a wide variety of new characters that over the series you come to love. Raphael and Elena take you through an emotional ringer. This series has lots of potential and there are so many places this series can go. I love Nalini Singh and this book is no exception.

Rating:

2011 A look back list. The Best and the Not So Great:

The Best Books of 2011:

I can’t pick a best so I’m going to list some of my favorite releases of 2011 they are all about equal in my eyes and have different qualities that make them awesomeness all around. These are in no particular order since I love them all equally. 

*To make any of these lists the book had to be published in 2011

Kiss of Snow – Nalini Singh: Click here for review

Dreams of a Dark Warrior – Kresley Cole: Click here for review

Dark Taste of Rapture – Gena Showalter: Click here for review

Archangels Blade – Nalini Singh: Click here for review

Dragonbound – Thea Harrison: Click here for review

Eternal Rider – Larissa Ione: Click here for review

The Darket Surrender - Gena Showalter: Click here for review 

Touch if You Dare – Stephanie Rowe: Click here for review

Great Hexpectations – H.P. Mallory: Click here for review

Real Men Will – Victoria Dahl (CR) Click here for review

Funniest of 2011:

Dark Taste of Rapture – Gena Showalter

Is this even a surprise? Gena Showalter is seriously one of the funniest authors out right now. She can effortlessly integrate laughes into all of her books. And this one is no exception.

The Darkest Surrender - Gena Showalter

Would be a very close second. Strider turned out to be pretty damn funny and its not surprising that Kaia was a bunch of laughs as well.

Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole

Dreams of a Dark Warrior had a slightly more serious tone then some of Kresley Coles other books, although with Regin leading the way there were laughs to be had in this book as well.

Eternal Rider – Larissa Ione

I laughed so hard in this book in places I literally cried. Larissa Ione with her sarcastic wit never fails to make me laugh, even though her works tend to the darker side. She knows just where to place something to make you burst out laughing. Love it. 

Favorite Heroine:

*This does not include the lead character for entire series. Ex: Cat – Night Huntress Series

Regin: Dreams of a Dark Warrior – Kresley Cole

For those who read the Immortals After Dark series how could you not love Regin. She is the prankster of the Valkerie and makes Demons eat hubcaps and radios. She is always has a smart ass comment to make and is a renowned swordswoman. She is my type of chica! She gets my vote.

Favorite Hero:

*This does not include the lead character for entire series. Ex: Bones – Night Huntress Series

Hector: Dark Taste of Rapture – Gena Showalter

Oh Hector how I love you. All muscled, aggressive, tattooed, tortured soul type and a virgin to boot. The number of ways I could have helped you rid of that particular problem. You are hotness personified, literally, since you have difficulties controlling your fire. Lol

There were so many great heros this year it was really hard to pick one but Hector won out. It was probably the combo of tattoos and the virginity that pushed him into the winner circle. LOL

Most Alpha Male:

Dragos: Dragonbound – Thea Harrison

Is there a bigger alpha male then Dragos? He is the head of all the Wyers and is the most powerful person in this world that Thea Harrison wrote. Also he is possibly as old as time itself, which creates a whole lot of arrogance.

Ares/War: Eternal Rider - Larissa Ione:

He's War for heavens sake and one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. Need I say more?

Unexpected Greatness:

Archangels Blade – Nalini Singh

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I enjoy the Guild Hunters series but it is not yet a favorite series. And let’s face it in previous books Dmitri was a total dick. But we saw a new side to our reluctant hero Dmitri in this book. I came to love him and Honor and now I’m loving this series more, it’s got great potential with the Seven.

Favorite Contemporary Romance:

Real Men Will – Victoria Dahl

I know I write a Paranormal blog, but I loved this book so much I’m sharing it on this list. It’s a part of the Donovan Brewery series and I so didn’t expect to like Eric’s book so much as he was the quietest and most serious of the Donovan family. But like they say, “It’s the quiet ones you have to worry about…” This book was seriously HOT! I highly recommend this book as well as the series. It’s the last of three and I recommend reading the first two before this one.

Biggest Disappointment:

Lover Unleashed – J.R. Ward:

It’s been since March and I am still mad about this book. Mad that I spent 17 bucks on it, mad that I wasted hours of my time on it, mad that I can only remember um like 1 scene from the entire what 700+ pages (I have a Kindle we don’t have page numbers, so that’s a guess). J.R. Ward has made a name for herself with the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the brotherhood is much beloved by the PNR community. I myself have enjoyed most of the books and was really looking forward to Payne’s story. But this wasn’t Payne’s book it was V’s book and he was my favorite brother until J.R. Ward again made him look like a pansy a$$ nut case. This is the 2^nd time she has ruin V’s story for me. And poor Payne was basically neglected. Then she introduced us to the bank of Bastards as the new villains, and really I didn’t get the point of them. Their bastards and they hate the brotherhood, who cares! And Qhuay! Don’t get me started on Qhuay, is she dragging this out long enough for you. ERG!!!

Biggest SnoozeFest:

Where Demons Fear to Tread – Stephanie Chong

I didn’t even finish it. It was boring and predictable. The heroine was so perfect she was seriously boring. Even the bad boy demon couldn’t save this book.

Least Likeable Character Male or Female:

Serena St. Clair: Where Demons Fear to Tread – Stephanie Chong

Oh little miss perfect, you were so perfect and such a worrywart that I just could not like you at all. In fact, I stopped reading this book because I couldn’t relate to you in the slightest bit. You are a yoga instructor with no vices who is all about purity of mind and body. You had no life even when you were human; definitely boring in your predictability. 

Author Announcement: Nalini Signh - Guild Hunter

Nalini Singh - Guild Hunters

Nalini Singh announced on Facebook the title, hero and release date of her next installment of the Guild Hunters Series! I for one am so super excited about the hero! Loved him in all of the other books.

From Nalini’s FB page:
Nalini Singh:
News! ARCHANGEL'S STORM is the title of the next Guild Hunter book, featuring..............Jason! Release date: September 2012

Oh how I can't wait for your book Jason, how I love my brooding, dark tortured heros. All I can say is I hope your leading lady is worthy of you.

Review: Nalini Singh - Archangel’s Blade

Guild Hunters Series:

Book 4:

Archangel’s Blade: Dmitri and Honor

Summary:

Dmitri has lived close to 1000 years, enough time to ensure he has plenty of enemies. You don’t get to his position of power as one of the most powerful Archangels Second without collecting a few. Now one of those enemies is closing in on Dmitri and he needs the skill of a Guild Hunter. The last thing Honor wants to do is consult for a vampire, she is barely holding onto her sanity as it is after being brutally tortured by several vampires for months. She was lucky to come out of the torture alive, let alone with her mind fully intact. She knows she is not ready to face the most brutal vampire in the United States but when she arrives at the tower she finds herself as intrigued by the man she has seen from afar over the years as she is frightened by him. Dmitri finds himself drawn to this scared, but strong woman more than any other woman in the past 1000 years. She stirs emotions in him that he thought long dead, but he knows this woman will end up in his bed one way or another. Once Honor meets holds her own with this sinfully sensual but deadly vampire she realizes she is stronger than she thought, and is now determined to reclaim her life. Dmitri knows exactly what Honor is feeling and knows exactly what she needs, Vengeance, and he decides he is just the man to help her claim it, but in the process with Honor claim more than her Vengeance and claim  Dmitri’s heart?

Review:

I am so glad that N. Singh decided to branch off and start tackling some of Raphael’s Seven! Although, I like Elena and Raphael I was ready to move on. His Seven have intrigued me from the beginning. Although, Jason and Venom are my two favorites so far, I have always liked Dmitri. After this book I went from liking Dmitri to loving Dmitri. I loved the way he handles Honor and helps to give her, her life back and just sticks with her through it all, even after her several stabbings. I mean come on, what man sticks with a chick after she stabs him a couple of times? Not man, so you got to love Dmitri for that alone. I loved Honor from the beginning, following her from being clearly scared out of her mind to finding a deep strength she didn’t even know she had. She has been brutalized in the worst sort of way, but finds her strength and even has the presence of mind to help soothe Dmitri. Together these two come a long way emotionally. You also get more glimpses of supporting characters. Ashwini is featured more and she is my favorite Guild Hunter, I so cannot wait for her and Janvier’s book! I hope it’s not a novella but a full length. And I have a feeling about a Venom/Sorrow pairing. There are lots going on in this book so you won’t get bored! I think this is my favorite of the Guild Hunter books so far.

Rating:

4.5