Gilded Wings: The Angel Chronicles, Part 2 Sneak Peeks

I am so excited to read Gilded Wings, the sequel to Amy Lignor's Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles.

The book will be available November 1, 2012, but today is the exciting cover reveal. To take a look, please click here.

UPDATE: Since the cover has now been officially revealed, I'm thrilled to share it here (you can also still visit the link above -- it's a lovely blog!)

The Gilded Wings Summary

The Beloved Angel/Warrior Team from Until Next Time Returns!

When Matt and Emily are sent on their second mission they have no idea how truly dark human nature can become…

Emily never wanted to face humans again. With the heartache that went on down below, she’s still trying to figure out how to save souls that don’t deserve saving. The only one she wants to see again is Jason - the young man she fell in love with who became the soulmate she simply can’t forget…

Matt was trained to protect and defend the souls down below. Longing to feel the heartfelt emotions that come from being human, Matt wants nothing more than to have just one life - one chance - to live and love the girl of his dreams…

The powerful team find themselves in a brand new century, living in the Gilded Age of New York City. Emily takes over the body of Anya, a young Russian girl who arrives on Ellis Island after a hideous tragedy. There she meets up with a strangely familiar young man by the name of Drew Parrish, who helps Anya survive in an unknown world of luxury, snobbery and…obsession.

What Anya’s inner angel doesn’t know is that the soul she loves is also back. This time around Jason goes by the name of Max Carrow. Once a quiet and kind boy, he’s now part of the ‘Four Hundred Club,’ and wants nothing more than to be among the most admired as he climbs the shaky ladder of society’s elite.

As two worlds merge, Emily and Matt struggle under the weight of their “Gilded Wings.” Not only will they have to figure out who they should fight to save, but they must also face a romantic choice that could destroy them both.

For more information, please visit The Angel Chronicles website.

*****

An excerpt from my review of Until Next Time:

I am drawn to strong female characters, and this story gives you two for the price of one. Emily becomes a better version of herself by having been Liz. She loves two men, and knows she always will. Throw out any preconceived notions you have about white-as-snow angels, because there's an interesting complexity to both Emily and Matt as angels. Making them human only adds to the depth of the characters and the story.

RATING: 4.5 stars

*****
 

Add Gilded Wings to your GoodReads to-read list here.

Damian's Oracle, Lizzy Ford (4.5 stars)

From Amazon: Caught in the war between the White and Black Gods, Sofia and her rare gift bring victory to he who grabs her first. Her difficult transition from human to oracle forces her into a new world, where she struggles in her role as Damian’s mate and to help a mysterious man who’s supposed to be dead

From GoodReads: Inspired by Slavic mythology, Damian’s Oracle is the entree into the ongoing battle between good and evil over the fate of humanity. The White God, Damian, and his Guardians protect the world from the Black God and his monsters while rescuing Naturals – humans with extraordinary paranormal gifts - from the Black God, who would kill or convert them.

Finally, a heroine with a special gift who shows strength and perseverance before coming into her own. Although I enjoyed the Twilight series, my biggest complaint was with Bella’s transformation in Breaking Dawn. It was too easy. Not so for Sofia, the main character in Lizzy Ford’s Damian’s Oracle, the first in the War of Gods series.

Sofia has to overcome a grueling physical transformation to embrace her destiny as the Oracle to the gods. We see her struggle and dig in her heels, determined to make it. Later when she has to face huge obstacles, we believe she has what it takes. The last Oracle to survive the transformation was weak and prone to the lures of the dark side.

Sofia enters a world with good and evil represented by original beings knows as the Black and White gods. She is immediately drawn to Damian, the clear leader of the White gods. But don’t expect an overly sweet and simple romance. Sofia and Damian need each other, but humanity needs them. A war is brewing between Damian and the Black god, Czerno, and Sofia’s powers as the Oracle are necessary for victory.

The last war between the gods almost destroyed mankind, so Damian and his brothers are prepared to go to whatever lengths necessary to avoid this. The author makes an interesting commentary on weakness and power, with gods no less susceptible than humans. The gods know that sometimes it takes extreme violence to protect humanity, and power isn’t achieved through unicorns and rainbows.

I was left with several questions, but I knew this was the first in a series. No gap felt too big, because the story moved forward at a thrilling pace and was far from predictable. The book can stand alone, but there are enough unanswered questions to create interest in reading future installments.

However, I did want more insight into Sofia’s relationship with Damian. Their more intimate moments together were the best parts of the story, yet the bond between the brothers was more clearly defined.

I’m looking forward to reading more in this series and to trying more novels written by Lizzy Ford. Her characters and story have depth, a bit of grit if you will. I hope future installments showcase Damian and Sofia’s relationship and explain more about the Grey God.

Rating: 4.5 stars

For more information on Lizzy Ford, please visit her Amazon Author page.

Note: I received this book free of charge as part of the WoMen's Literary Cafe Review team, but I was never asked to guarantee a positive review. My opinion is my own.

Happy New Year: Welcome 2012

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to 2012, a year that will include my 40th birthday. I am recommitting to reading thanks to Stephen King. I just finished his novel, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. In it, Stephen King reiterates a concept I've always believed: good writers read, and they read a lot.


My biggest 2012 goal... I plan to publish my second novel, our follow up to Depression Cookies. To focus on writing, I believe I have to also focus on reading. I have already joined the 2012 To Be Read (TBR) Pile Challenge, and I plan to join a few more reading challenges this year. Stay tuned for announcements.

I will also continue to review for Rebecca's Reads. This allows me exposure to books I might never hear about otherwise. In January, I will review Stephen King's On Writing, Elizabeth Ann West's Cancelled (scheduled for tomorrow!), Cindy Sample's Dying for a Dance, and many more. Plus, I'll keep answering Should be Reading prompts and questions from my 30 Day Book Meme.

I look forward to sharing good books with all of you. Please do the same. If you've read a book you love, share it with me either in the comments below or on GoodReads, Facebook, or Twitter.

Come Back to Me Launch and Blog Event

What's better than a great book recommendation? How about the book launch for a great book with many other books at just 99 cents. Not simply a launch, more like a book party!

I was fortunate enough to receive Melissa Foster's Come Back to Me in advance. My complete review is on GoodReads, but here's a sneak peek:

The ending is exhilarating and heartbreaking. We journey through Beau’s trek home and Tess coming to grips with reality to then be thrust into them finding their way back together. The results are not cookie cutter or expected. No simple running into his arms.

I thought that’s what I wanted, but Melissa Foster crafts such a fine story woven around people we can relate to and care about, that you trust where she takes you.

Come Back to Me officially launches Tuesday, November 1st. To celebrate, Melissa Foster has organized a great launch party. Please click on this icon for more information:

I know what I'll be doing November 1-3. There's nothing to lose. Trust me, Melissa Foster put this together with care, so the featured books will be worthwhile. Plus, did I mention all the books are 99 cents?!

A happy Saturday to all!