Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch
By Jennifer Armentrout
Dark Elements Series 2
Hardcover: 446 pages
Publication Date: October 21, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rated:
4.5 out of 5 Stars
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Related Reviews: White Hot Kiss - Dark Elements 1
Category: YA, Paranormal, Demons

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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…

Oh JLA, the heartbreak that you put me through.. Sigh.

This next installment in the Dark Elements Series picks up a couple weeks after White Hot Kiss leaves off. The battle between Paimon and the Wardens where Roth sacrificed his life is still fresh in Layla's mind. She misses him more than she cares to admit, yet Zayne is always there for her. He's helping her to forget about Roth, the demon that she had her first kiss with, the one that understood and accepted her for who she is. She thinks that she is starting to move on.. until Roth shows up at her home. The home of the Wardens, his enemy. She is so excited to see him, but something about him has changed. Everything that they shared together is pointless, because he tells her it meant nothing to him. She was only a way to ease his boredom. Ugh JLA, are you serious?! I didn't like Zayne from the first book, and now I have to read about this douche canoe and Layla trying to have a relationship with each other, while Roth is obviously in love with her. It's traumatizing, seriously. Roth returns to school as if nothing happened. But now there is another problem, something that is changing her classmates and teachers. A Lilin was born the night of the ritual with Paimon, and it has returned to the school to steal souls. Can Roth, Layla, and Zayne come together to find this creature before her entire school are turned into wraiths? Or is it Layla herself, with her changing powers, the one stealing the souls? Dammit, thankfully JLA is allowing her readers to choose who Layla will end up with, because if it turns out to be Zayne, I cannot promise to control myself in the final review of this wonderful series. Just saying. The plot line was wonderful as always, the characters are well written- complex and real, and the world is phenomenal. Modern day D.C. with a supernatural twist. I fully recommend this series to everyone- read it! It will not disappoint. JLA has made herself my favorite author- hands down! <3

"The other guy shot up like an arrow, hands clenching into meaty fists at his sides. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He rounded the table, shrugging out of his zipped hoodie. "You want some of this?" Stuff always got real when the clothes started to come off."

"This just got real awkward," Stacey murmured, but her dark eyes glimmered with interest. Not as awkward, surprisingly, as when I'd licked Zayne's thumb like.. I didn't even know what. But dinner was painful. Roth and Zayne spent the whole time trading snide remarks, Sam and Stacey were too busy watching them as if each word they slung at one another was a tennis ball, and by the time I asked for a check, I was ready to throat punch someone. Mainly myself.

"You need to make this quick," Zayne said. "Because I'm not sure how much more of your presence I can stomach." Roth faked a pout. "You're so mean, Stony. Perhaps you have something shoved up your ass that you need to remove?" "Roth," I said, gripping the edge of the table. "Knock it off." "He started it." I gaped. "What? Are you guys two years old?" He glanced at a stewing Zayne and that faint twinkle in his eyes was back. "Well, he does look like he shit himself and needs his diaper changed."

Whatever control I had was stretched too taut and snapped like a rubber band pulled to its limits. I moved faster than I probably ever had. Shooting forward, I snatched the thick bible out of the man's hands. Whipping my arm back, I swung it around and the sound of what had to be the most epic biblical bitch snack on Earth echoed through the garage. Roth's surprised laugh shook me to the core. "Damn. That's getting served. In the biblical sense."

Related Reviews:
White Hot Kiss - Dark Elements 1

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*Voting for who Layla ends up with here
DarkElementsSeries.com

Restraint - The Revelation Series 2 by Randi Cooley Wilson

Restraint
By Randi Cooley Wilson
The Revelation Series book #2
Ebook: 224 pages
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Published By: Smashwords
Rated:
4.4 out of 5 Stars
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Related Reviews: The Revelation Series 1

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A forbidden love will become deeper.
A loyalty will be tested.
And only darkness will remain.

One revelation changed everything, turning Eve Collin’s world upside down. Now, she’s left to struggle with her identity and allegiance. Haunted by grief and tempted by her increasing attraction to her protector, will she ever truly be safe from enemies that refuse to give up?

Restraint is an addictively spellbinding continuation of Eve’s journey of self-discovery, love and sacrifice that will change everything.

I fell in love with the first book in this series, and this one was no different. As soon as I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! Eve is the 'Daughter of Heaven', created by the archangel, Michael for the purpose of redeeming the human race. She is beginning to accept this fact, and what her future holds for her. But Eve is not safe. There are creatures from both sides of the spectrum after her. From gargoyle clans that are supposed to be protectors of the human race, to high level demons, including Lucifer himself. They all want Eve for their own purposes. Thankfully, she has her own clan of gargoyles to protect her. The London clan, consisting of McKenna and her mate Keegan, Callan and his mate Abby, and Asher. Asher St. Michael. The sexiest man.. gargoyle to walk the planet. He is a brooding, cocky pain in the ass. But Eve and Asher share a blood bond- he is her protector and she is completely in love with him. Forbidden love. Gargoyle protectors are not permitted to have romantic relationships with their charges. The punishment is stone petrification- which is a fate worse than death. If the Royal Protector Council were to find out of their relationship, it would become Asher's fate. But they have no intentions of telling anyone outside of the family- it must be kept quiet. Until someone tells. There is a traitor living closely, and no one knows who it is. But is this traitor willing to sacrifice Asher and Eve's lives? And can the family pinpoint the snitch before time runs out for Eve and Asher?

Gah! I can't believe it ended the way that it did. I am heartbroken Miss Wilson. This story is addicting, to say the least. I felt immediate connections to all of the characters- not just Asher and Eve. Asher is the perfect male in my opinion. He is a cocky, arrogant, sarcastic asshole. Sigh. He's my new book boyfriend! His sensitive side only shows with Eve; he is completely in love with her and will sacrifice his own health and happiness to ensure that she is safe. Although he fails a few times in this book, he doesn't let his guilt ruin their relationship. Eve is a strong protagonist. Although she has recently found out that she has no real family, and she was created by Heaven for their own purposes- she handles it well. She is not falling apart, whining or complaining about her hand in life. She deals with everything thrown at her without losing herself- and for that, I have so much respect for her. The other characters all play a huge role in this book, and I felt connected to each of them in some way or another. The world building is good, although most of it was accomplished in Revelations. This story just builds on the world a bit more. The plot line was thick and twisted, deep and dark- I enjoyed the way Miss Wilson took the plot- all except for the END! Ugh! I cannot wait for the third book in this series to be released, as this one ended with the worst cliffhanger possible. This story is well written, thought out thoroughly, and a must read for any urban fantasy or paranormal fan! I highly recommend this one!

Revelations - Book 1 Review
Redemption - Book 3 - Release Date: December 15, 2014

"'I've got you, siren.' His voice has the seal of a promise to it. My chest swells at his declaration and physical presence. Asher brushes the hair back from my face, entangling his hands in the long, light brown strands while searching my eyes. I close them, afraid of what he might find. No one should endure living with death hanging over their head everyday...but this is our reality." -Asher & Eve

"'Eve.' My name softly rolls off his tongue, like a prayer, causing my entire body to flood with need. Gentle hands cup my face as his lips brush across mine in a tease. Once. Twice. On the third touch, they firmly press into mine, devouring me. With every stroke, I cling tighter to Asher's shirt for support. Each caress of his lips causes my blood to rush, filling me with a burning desire, making me feel whole. God, I've never wanted anyone more than him. It's like my soul already knows it's his."

"Asher just inhales and watches me. Then, with great self-control, he says,'So, now, you're with Gage?' 'Yes. In Paris, at his loft.' I study him, watching me. Why is he so composed? Asher's still for a moment longer while he contemplates what I've told him. His eyes roam down me and stop on the blanket before his face morphs into fuming anger. 'WHAT. THE. FUCK. EVE. Where are your fucking clothes?' he shouts in a controlled whisper. Seriously, I've been standing here for like fifteen minutes and he's just now noticing the blanket. I forgot when I project, it's in the items I'm wearing."

Related Reviews:
✯Revelations Series book 1
✯Revelations Series book 3 Release Date: December 15, 2014
Connect with Randi Cooley Wilson:
| Official Site | Twitter | Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Book Review, Angels, Demons