REVIEW+INTERVIEW: Sempre:Redemption by J.M. Darhower

Sempre:Redemption by J.M. Darhower

(Forever Series #2)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Purchase: Kindle / B&N / iBook

Synopsis:

In this thrilling and sexy follow-up to Sempre, two young lovers struggle to keep their relationship intact after they become deeply enmeshed in the dangerous mafia-run crime ring they once tried to overthrow.

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco have been through a lot. Haven was taken in by Carmine’s father, and with his family’s help, she escaped a gruesome fate. However, saving Haven from the dark intentions of a mafia family cost Carmine a steep price: he was forced to swear loyalty to them.

Now, still passionately in love, Carmine and Haven must face the fall-out of Carmine’s forced service, as Haven discovers terrifying secrets about the family that enslaved both her and her mother—and why she matters so much in this intricate web of lies.

My Haven and Carmine:

* 5 STARS * Review:

The world of mafia and loyalty to La Famiglia does not mix well with the love and emotions. Will be Carmine and Haven be able to survive the roughness of La Cosa Nostra?

I cried, I swooned, I laughed, I mourned, I was moment from heart attack... This book is pure brilliance and more than worthy sequel to Sempre!

I thought that I couldn't love and admire characters from previous instalment more that I did and I was most certainly wrong. I was inspired by Haven's strenght and ability to go on no matter what. I was fascinated by Carmine's unconditional and selfless love for Haven. I was touched by Vincent's determination to do anything for his loved ones. And I was surprised by my affection towards Corrado and my vehement need to see this deeply flawed man happy and at peace. Without the doubt I can say that Corrado and Carmine are one of the most interesting and fascinating characters ever written!

Nothing is just black and white in this book. There is good in bad people, as well as there is some bad in good people. And some people are purely evil. So whom to trust?

This is not just a love story. This is a message to all readers. Message about redemption and conscience, about honour and determination to live the best under given circumstances.

J.M. Darhower is a master in storytelling. Her characters come alive while you read her story and it is impossible not to be immersed in the world she creates. I love this series and recommend it to EVERYONE from bottom of my heart!

  

Interview With J.M. Darhower:

I was honoured to have a quick chat with J.M. Darhower, here is result:

* It is well known that you are huge fan of Godfather movies. What else inspired you to write Forever series?

It was my fascination with the Mafia and my passion about the subject of human trafficking that inspired the plot of Sempre and Sempre: Redemption. The two subjects have the same sort of themes to them that went together well. I wanted to write a story about love, and sacrifice, and redemption, and freedom… and explore the concept of what it truly means to be free.

* Now a though one. Who and why is your favourite character in Forever series?

Hmmm. I love so many different characters for so many different reasons, but I have to admit the one who gets under my skin the most is Corrado Moretti. I enjoyed writing him and exploring the mind of a character that is darker than most, who does what he does with no apologies (again, it's probably due in part to my Mafia fascination).

* Beside amazing Forever series, I also adore your book Extinguish. Do you prefer writing paranormal or contemporary stories?

I enjoy both, honestly, but I lean toward the contemporary. It feels more natural to me when I'm dealing with humans and exploring their motivations instead of delving into the paranormal and creating the unknown.

* What helps you to concentrate and gets you into the right mood for writing?

Music, usually… the tone of the music tends to influence what I'm writing, so whenever I need to get in a certain mood I just put on a song (the louder, the better).

* What is in store for your fans in the future? What can your readers look forward to?

I have some other stories in the works that I hope to have news about soon, including a new series that I think my readers will enjoy. Can't say much else about it right now except that some awesome things are definitely coming in the new year.

About Author:

JM Darhower is the author of countless stories and poems, most of which only she has ever read. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn't writing (or fangirling about books) she's usually ranting about those things.

Chronic crimper with a vulgar mouth, she admits to having a Twitter addiction. You can usually always find her there. 

CONNECT WITH J.M. DARHOWER:

Twitter / Facebook / Website

REVIEW: WORLD AFTER BY SUSAN EE

World After by Susan Ee

(Penryn & the End of the Days #2)

Genre: Dystopia/ Urban Fantasy

SYNOPSIS:

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

* 5 STARS * REVIEW:

This was definitely a worthy sequel to Angelfall! Penryn was trapped between protecting her sister Paige, fighting for the humanity and her loyal feelings towards Raffe. Susan Ee took me on another exciting journey and I loved it.

I'm not sure if I have ever read about heroine with more out of ordinary life. Crazy schizofrenic mother, demonic and damaged sister, exiled angel as her saving grace - Penryn is very interesting character. And even though the picture I painted may seem odd to some people, it does work really well.

World After has calmer, less shocking feel than first book. It was not as mindblowing as Angelfall, probably because I knew to expect unexpected. But it did nothing to lower overall appeal of the story.

I really liked twists author introduced in this story. Add a lot of action, a little bit of gore here and there and you get this original dystopian novel.

*MINOR SPOILER, HIGHLIGHT TO READ*

I have to admit I didn't miss Raffe as much as I thought I would. I mean, it got even better once he was back in the picture. But even without him, story was thrilling and captivating enough. Flashbacks to his past probably helped with that, as did excellent supporting characters.

*END OF SPOILER*

REVIEW: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
(Starcrossed #2)
Genre: YA Paranormal

Synopsis:

StarHearts, as fans of Josephine Angelini call themselves, will stay up all night reading Dreamless, the second book in the bestselling Starcrossed series. The saga mixes mythology, romance, action, and intrigue in a completely original way.

Dreamless continues the story of Helen Hamilton, a shy girl living on Nantucket Island whose desire for an ordinary life was thwarted when she discovered she is a Scion, a descendant of a Greek god and a mortal. Each Scion has a power, and Helen’s is the ability to travel to Hades.

Helen is determined to use her talent to stop a war amongst the gods and change her destiny, which is to live a life patterned after that of the tragic Helen of Troy. But her quest may cost her Lucas Delios, the boy she loves.

My Lucas, Helen and Orion:

* 1 STARS * Review:

Everything I liked in first book was not present in this instalment. Moreover, author introduced new character and created love triangle. A big no-no for me!

This book is excellent example of how to ruin series which had plenty of potential. So what would I recommend not to do?

*Change heroine from lovable girl into whinning self-pittying girl.

*Take away banters and interactions between hero and heroine which were the most interesting part of book #1 and which made this series special.

*Create love triangle in which heroine is so pathetic that she leads on both guys.

*Add over-done Greek mythology which is forced and sometimes even does not make sence.

I was thinking of DNF-ing this book numerous times. I forced myself to finish but I did not enjoy it. And now I do not care what is going to happen or with whom heroine is going to end up with. I am very disappointed since I liked first book a lot and now I decided not to even be bothered to finish this series. 

REVIEW: Ashes to Ashes by Karina Halle

Book #8 in my all time favourite series Experiment in Terror will be released tomorrow!

Check out my review and enter awesome blog tour giveaway on the bottom of my post.

Ashes to Ashes by Karina Halle

(Experiment in Terror #8)

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Horror

Release date: December 11th

Synopsis:

It’s been two months since Perry Palomino and Dex Foray’s relationship reached a new turning point, two months since Perry started a new life in Seattle, and two months since their Experiment in Terror show took on a new partner, ex-Wine Babe Rebecca Sims, and found a new level of success. But whenever there is light in their lives, the madness still has a way of coming back in.

When the team is sent back to the stormy Oregon coast to investigate a haunted school, Perry wants to use the opportunity to reconnect with her family and reintroduce Dex into their lives. Only Perry’s not the only one who’s reaching out – her grandmother Pippa has started appearing to her with disturbing warnings and Perry’s presence at the school has ignited a chilling new wave of supernatural phenomenon. Once used a century ago as a sanatorium to house children dying of tuberculosis, the school’s past residents are slowly coming back to life and with one thing on their mind. They want someone to play with, someone to join them. Forever.

Even when dead, some children get whatever they want.

And they want Perry.

THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS AUDIENCES ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.

* 5 STARS * Review:

Ashes to Ashes was everything I was hoping for and some more! This next-to-last Experiment in Terror book is perfect mixture of funny banters, swooning moments, steamy scenes and extremely creepy situations! EIT fans most definitely won’t be disappointed.

Since I really missed Perry’s thoughts, I was eager to be back to her POV in this book. In Ashes to Ashes, everyone from Perry’s family is back in picture. Even Pippa and her creepy warnings that does not really make sense. Readers will witness plenty of personal confrontations as well as some serious discussions. But most of all, you are all going to be completely freaked out!

I admit, I was scared out of my mind reading this book. Dark haunted places with not so friendly ghosts can do that to you. I had goosebumps on various occasions and I will be avoiding dark vacated placed for a very long time after reading this book. Ashes to Ashes has without the doubt secured the title of the most scariest book of whole series to the date!

Once again, Karina Halle managed to hold my attention from the beginning to the end. Noone can bring up so many emotions the way Karina does with her writing. She kept the tension and excitement without creating forced drama - I have to applaud her for that. Moreover, her ability to include memorable and funny outliners in the most unexpected (yet fitting) situations is astonishing!

And the best thing about this book? Dex is still his charming-crude-sarcastic self. It’s amazing that even in the scariest situations, he is always able to make me laugh. I am so glad that author is keeping him the same. I just love him this way!

A lot of was resolved in this book, some things have been set into the motion and it is clear that series is slowly wrapping up. Believe me when I say that I am already psyched for final instalment of this superb series!

REVIEW: GABRIEL'S REDEMPTION BY SYLVAIN REYNARD

Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard

(Gabriel's Inferno #3)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

Synopsis:

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father. 

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets. 

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

My Julia and Gabriel:

* 4.5 STARS * REVIEW:

Burried deep in books and lectures, Julia is concentrating on her PhD. studies. When Gabriel's sudden urge to start family complicates things in their personal live, it seems like there may be troubles in the paradise. Will Gabriel, who is still facing demons from his past, be able to achieve long-seeked peace and find redemption from his sins?

(spoiler-free review)

It's no a secret that I admire SR's writing style. I was excited and curious to see where he would take Gabriel who is one of my most favourite bookish characters ever. And SR definitely didn't disappoint. His ability to express deepest feelings, fears and desires of his characters via words in this book was astonishing. He played with my emotions, he did it in very subtle way and I loved it.

However, most of all, I loved the fact that author kept characters flawed, showing their positive and negative sides. He didn't turn their lives into unbelievable fairytale and neither he created forced drama. Gabriel's temper and controlling nature showed its ugly head, as did Julia's weakness and tendency to turn into herself at the sight of confrontation. But readers will also witness Gabriel's loving and caring character as well as Julia's never-ending compassion. I hold these characters close to my heart and it was a pleasure to spend more time with them.

Gabriel's Rdemption is thoughtful and sensual story about love, sins, hopes and redemption. Once again, author managed to make me emotional as well as he made my heart race with anxiety while I was reading this book. Beside heart-warming romance, a lof of important and serious topics are discussed. A SMART ROMANCE I call it.

If you enjoyed previous books in this series, you will love this instalment as well. Gabriel's series is one of those stories that stay with you forever!