Wicked Nights, by Gena Showalter {Giveaway!!}

I'm holding a week-long giveaway for a chance to win a copy of this book. If you'd like to enter, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to find out about the rules!

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless--and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before.

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation--or her ultimate damnation?

 I don't think that it's a secret I love Gena Showalter's books, especially her Lords of the Underworld series. When I found out there was a spin-off series, I was excited. When I found out the first book was about Zacharel.. I almost hesitated. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bias - I love the angels, demons and other supernaturals that pop up in Showalter's books just as much as the Lords. But, Zacharel? He's so serious! Could there really be a girl out there that would turn him around like the heroines in my LoTU books? Not too be too spoiler-ific but, after reading Wicked Nights, I can definitely answer this with a resounding YES!

At the beginning, there is no mistaking that the Zacharel we encountered briefly in the Lords of the Underworld books is exactly the same Zacharel that we are introduced to here.. just as serious as ever. Then there's Annabelle, who is a bit on the vulnerable side but still has a hard, kick-ass side to her. Honestly, I think she has to have that hard side to live through all of the things that she has in order to live to see another day. The chemistry between the two is pretty explosive from the very beginning, though not necessarily the way that you would think. It's fun to see these characters evolve into what I would consider almost better, stronger versions of themselves throughout the story - as well as seeing the attraction between the two build up and explode. 

Like all of Showalter's books, the story doesn't just revolve around the romance between the two main characters. There is an amazing plot to this book that doesn't just center around these two, though it does definitely involve them. This plot just scratches on the surface of what is the beginning of a major storyline in the Angels of the Dark series. After reading this story, I don't think this new spin-off could have started with a better main character than what it did. There are also a ton of supporting characters that you will fall in love with, some you have met before if you've read the Lords of the Underworld series - including some of the Lords themselves! 

I know that I have mentioned the Lords of the Underworld a lot in this review because I'm a little obsessed with that series. Make no mistake though, you will NOT get lost in this book if you've never read that series before. While there are references, the Angels of the Dark series is an entirely different brand with it's own story that may run parallel to the other story but definitely does not run on the same story. 

If you're a huge Gena Showalter fan like me, make no mistake that you WILL love this book. If you've never read her books before but you like paranormal romance, you will definitely fall in love with her stories after reading this. Showalter delivers and definitely does not disappoint with her new series. 

Rating: ★★★★★ Avg 4.33
Source: Little Bird Publicity

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Title: Wicked Nights
Author: Gena Showalter
Series: Angels of the Dark
Publisher: HQN Books
Format: Paperback, 411 pages
Release Date: June 26, 2012

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★ Giveaway! ★

Thanks to Little Bird Publicity, Harlequin and Gena Showalter, I am to give away a copy of Wicked Nights to one lucky reader!! The rules are simple:

★ You must live in the US.

★ You must comment on this post with a VALID e-mail address.

★ You must get your entry in before Wednesday, July 4th. 

Good luck!!

My One And Only, by Kristan Higgins

My One and Only
Kristan Higgins

Publisher: HQN Books
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5 (Avg 4/5)

Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic. Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting -- just around the bend.

I think it's starting to become clear that I have a soft spot for Contemporary Romance novels. Though the reviews for such books on here are usually Young Adult, I absolutely had to take the plunge to read this and review it. Kristan Higgins is an incredible writer and I have been a fan of her writing for a little while now. The way she writes makes it entirely too easy to get lost in her stories, making you not want to come out of the story world until you're completely done with the book.

The first thing that pops out about this book is the fact that it's about second chances. We're dealing with an ex-wife and an ex-husband who, after marrying very early, separate and then find themselves in a situation where they not only have to deal with each other - but also their feelings for one another. I absolutely loved it. It's not often we read happily-ever-afters about those that didn't quite get it right the first time around.

For me, this was most definitely a character-driven story. The characters kept me reading, anxiously wanting to know more and more. Although it seems that Harper is a bit... abrasive at the beginning, once you learn her story then she seems justified and completely in character. Nick isn't some knight in shining armor. He comes with his own issues. Yet, he admits right up that Harper was The One for him. He was never impatient with Harper, he's always there for her and it gave me a tooth ache just seeing how utterly sweet he was. Like all good characters, these two (and the others) don't go without their flaws... but it works for them and makes them each unique with their own voices, never once deviating from themselves.

I can't say anything bad about this book. It has everything that you want in contemporary/chick lit novels without the headaches of bad characters or plots that go nowhere. The story is as equally amazing as the characters themselves and, after finishing, I couldn't help but to want to read more about all of these fascinating characters. This is one of my highly recommended contemp reads of 2011 so far.

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