Book Review: A Touch of Crimson ARC

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: SIGNET (12 Aug 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0451234995
• ISBN-13: 978-0451234995
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Adrian Mitchell is a powerful angel leading an elite Special Ops unit of Seraphim. His task is to punish the Fallen - angels who have become vampires - and command a restless pack of indentured lycans. But Adrian has suffered his own punishment for becoming involved with mortals - losing the woman he loves again and again. Now, after nearly 200 years, he has found her, Shadoe, her soul once more inhabiting a new body, with no memory of him. And this time he won't let her go.

Angels and Vampires and Lycans, oh my!

A Touch of Crimson catapults you headfirst into the action from the very first page. The start of the book sees the male protagonist, Adrian Mitchell, on a very bad day. His best friend, and second in charge, has been killed. A foaming-at-the-mouth vamp tried to kill him. He has to fly commercial.

All is not lost for the leader of the Special Ops group of Seraphim angels. On the day his world began to crumble, his reason for existence stumbled back into it.

Lindsay Gibson has always felt different. Losing her mother at a very tender age, she was irrevocably changed from witnessing the horrific murder. Stronger, faster, a sixth sense attuned to the weather ensures she will never have a normal life. A normal relationship. And when she meets Adrian at a crowded airport, that is more apparent than ever. 

The connection she feels when she first lays eyes on Adrian is intense and all-consuming. The feeling only increases the more time she spends with him. But as Lindsay battles with her lustful feelings towards Adrian, she soon realises there are bigger things to worry about. Like Adrian’s true calling in life, the discontentment of the guards sworn to protect Adrian and his people. Lindsay’s true father, who swears to return her to his side, once and for all.

A Touch of Crimson had everything I could hope for in a book. Fantastic characters, a hunk of a leading man (and bodyguard – Elijah deserves a very big swooooon), a sympathetic and headstrong leading lady and an awesome story line. I was glued to the pages of this book. It haunted my thoughts whenever it wasn’t in my hands and the world fell away when it was.

It isn’t all mush and romance. A Touch of Crimson has so much more substance than most paranormal romance novels. It is packed with action, killer one-liners and gripping cliff-hangers.

I look forward to more in the Renegade Angels series, but for now, I’m happy basking in the after-glow of Adrian. 

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• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Books; Original edition (19 July 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0373775830
• ISBN-13: 978-0373775835

When the ton's most notorious heartbreaker…

Dangerously seductive and sinfully beautiful, Susanna Burney is society's most sought after matchbreaker. Paid by wealthy parents to part unsuitable couples, she's never yet failed to accomplish her mission of diverting a groom-to-be. Until her final assignment brings her face-to-face with the man who'd once taught her an intimate lesson in heartache….

Meets London's most disreputable rake…

James Devlin has everything he's always wanted: a title, a rich fiancée and a place in society. But the woman who's just met his eyes across a crowded ballroom threatens it all. Not because she'd once claimed his heart, or that every sinuous swirl of her ball gown takes his breath away. But because the secrets she carries could cost him everything. To put the past to rest once and for all, Dev just might have to play Susanna at her own wicked game….

Let the seduction begin!

Notorious is the fourth book in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series. I have not read any of the previous books and that did not spoil the read of Notorious. Each novel stands alone, though characters of the other books will crop up familiarly to fans of the series.

From the first page, the author transports you back in time to glittering ballrooms, handsome gentleman and elegant ladies. She paints the portrait of the time effortlessly, before ripping the rose-tinted glasses from out face and showing the world of seduction, greed and ambition the glammer cleverly disguises.

The story is told in multiple POV’s, which usually I find distracting. In the case of Notorious, I found it exhilarating. Jumping from Susanna’s perspective to Dev’s was intoxicating and only made me yearn for the book more in between my bouts of devouring this book.

I found myself bewitched by Susanna and Dev as they played out their bitter contempt for the other, which naturally progressed to deeper, more primal feelings. It was a pleasure to watch as the characters came undone, as they chipped away at the carefully erected exterior they had maintained so well in the past. Susanna and Dev grew as characters and evolved naturally as the story progressed.

I cannot praise this book enough. Notorious is one of those rare books that makes you itch when it is not in your hands – when a moment not reading is a wasted one. It will crawl beneath your skin (much in the way Dev does with Susanna) and stay there, unflinchingly.

Notorious has everything – intrigue, mystery, betrayal, sex, love, gambling, seduction, loyalty and honour. Grab it up as soon as you can. I guarantee after the first chapter you know exactly what I’m talking about.

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Review: Tris & Izzie ARC

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: EGMONT - US (24 Nov 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 1606841734
• ISBN-13: 978-1606841730

Tris & Izzie is the modern re-telling of the classic German tragedy, Tristan & Isolde. Fans of the classic will be able to spot moments in the new book that pertain to the original story , but for the most part, Tris & Izzie is very much a new story in its own right.

Izzie thinks she has the perfect life – popular at school, perfect, handsome and safe boyfriend and a loyal best friend.  Sure, her mother is a witch, but she doesn’t let that stand in the way of her dreams for the future – graduate high school, go to college, get a good job, marry and settle down in her home town. Safe. But then Tristan shows up. Beautiful, arrogant and amazing Tristan, who tempts her from Mark, the best boyfriend any girl could ask for.

Things get stranger for Izzie, as her best friend acts weird, a love potion goes awry and she realises her mother has been lying to her. And that is just the beginning…with Tristan in the middle of everything.

Tris & Izzie is definitely for the younger end of the YA spectrum.  It was refreshing to read about a sixteen year old protagonist and have her sound immature and unsure, rather than a worldly wise and sage twenty something trapped in a teen body, which seems to be the norm for many other YA novels.

The character of Izzie is incredibly flawed, with her herself having no idea. It was a pleasure to see her grow as a person and realise her mistakes and learn from them. The hidden messages in this book will be valuable for any teen, while the romance will melt them and the action keep them glued to the pages.

Magic, betrayal, true love, loss, bravery, warriors, danger, happiness. Tris & Izzie has it all. Let them take you into their world, and forget about yours.   

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