The Ascended by Tiffany King (Meant to Be 3)

I was so glad I could move onto The Ascended as I finished Forgotten Souls.  I was a little disappointed that it didn't start right off where Souls left off.  Instead, Ascended starts almost 6 months later after Mark has left Krista.  I was totally bereft at the thought of them not getting back together.  I laughed and cried right along with Krista.  I enjoyed seeing all the guides and protectors interacting in this sequel.  It is a quick read and a great ending to the series.  I also enjoyed that a prequel to the series is included at the end of the ebook.  The prequel tells the story of what happened to Victor's band through the eyes of Mark's mother.  It was adorable to see all the characters as babies and already aware of their bonds.  I highly recommend this series as a wonderful inventive paranormal romance.

Forgotten Souls by Tiffany King (Meant to Be 2)

Forgotten Souls continues the story of Soul Mates Krista and Mark who together with their best friends, Sam and Shawn, and Lyn and Robert continue to uncover their unusual birthright.  Not only are they celestrial beings sent to earth to help save souls but they begin to train and understand their mission better.  Brought together by Haniel, an archangel overseeing their training, the band of guides and protectors get to meet up with other bands of different ages.  As they train, they all know that ultimately Victor, Mark's father who has turned evil is still out in the world waiting to plot his next move to use the bands for the Dark One. 
I loved the first book in this series and Forgotten Souls continues the story I love.  Krista is such a fun character and I enjoyed getting to see her grow more secure in herself and her bond.  Again, Ms. King gives a cliffhanger that will lead you to scooping up the sequel, Ascended. 

After Eden by Katherine Pine

After Eden was easy to read and I liked the story about an outcast Devi, who meets a mysterious guy at her favorite used book store.  Devi's twin brother Kai was taken by an Angel when she was 10.  She has always felt she was missing something ever since that day.  She has been plagued by migraines since his disappearance.  Her father commited suicide on their couch because he couldn't stand the loss of his son.  Davi's Mom is an alcoholic and more absent than present in her life.  When Devi meets Oz, the bookstore guy, he seems to know all about her headaches.  She is attracted to him but has been a loner for so long that she keeps him at a distance.  It turns out Devi was born without a spirit and therefore when she dies she will cease to be.  Apparently this makes her a Demon magnet.  Oz protects her and she seems to have an Angel.  She wants to make her Angel appear so he can take her to her brother.  Oz helps her because he loves her.  She doesn't realize his feelings and I often wanted to shake her.  I loved Oz even though he was a demon.  I wanted her to be with him but it just never really happened.  Oz is sexy and saves her more than once.
The book deals with some interesting mythology  regarding Angels and Demons.  Demons are the Angels that were sent to gaurd and watch over Eden but fell in love with God's creation and therefore were banished from Heaven to life immortally in the creation they loved so much.  Oz is one of these Demons.  Oz makes being a Demon not seem bad.  It is almost as if it wasn't their fault they loved creation so much.  Then there are Devils who are the Angels whom were thrown out of Heaven for wanting to become better than God.  Lucifer is the Prince of all.  Lucifer has sent his Devils to collect Devi as she is the only person who has been born without the spirit in centuries.  Then there is Devi's brother Kai who was pure spirit and therefore belonged to Heaven.  It was a little like they shouldn't have been 2 people but one.  This was a good story and I will definitely read the next one but I do wish Devi would get more together with Oz. 

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

A Beautiful Dark drew me in with it's storyline right from the start.  The beginning was similar to other paranormal reads:  mysterious new guys, girl with tragedy.  Part of the fun was trying to piece together the way Skye, Devin, and Asher fit together.  About half way through the book, you begin to understand who and what Asher and Devin stand for.  I found this a really interesting take on this mythology.  The dilema Skye finds herself struggling with is what really what attracted me to the story.  "On one level, that was totally true.  I was torn, trying to choose between two things: Asher or Devin, The Order or the Rebellion, Self-preservation or heartbreak.  Control--or finally letting go"  This quote perfectly describes the conflict that Skye feels.  Most of time is trying to piece together who is good for Skye.  I found myself questioning things I always thought about light and dark.  In other words, this book made me think. 
The second half of the book is faster paced with more action and twists coming that I really didn't forsee.  The only reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars was because of the abrupt cliffhanger!  It is really a good one which can be frustrating for someone impatient for a nice ending like me.

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

I picked up this book because I keep seeing quotes of the new book on FB and was very intriqued.  I haven't read a lot of angels and demons books but this was a very interesting and unique story.  The story switches between Luc and Frannie's point of view.  As good church kid, I always though I would pick the angel and though Gabriel is beautiful and described as summer snow, I honestly didn't feel the connection with him.  Luc, however had me at hello!  Luc is a demon sent to 'tag' Frannie's soul for Hell.  He isn't sure why or who at first but knows that two previous lesser demons failed on this mission.  As soon as he enrolls in Haden high, he runs into Frannie and lust begins. Frannie is a strong heroine who is a part of such a religious family that her and 4 sisters are all named "Mary ..." like she is Mary Francis, Mary Margaret, Mary Grace, and Mary Katherine.  She however has deep seated issues with religion which stem from the death of her twin brother.  She was kicked out of Catholic School for questioning the exsistence of God.  Just as Luc begins to get to know her, Gabrial her Gaurdian Angel also shows up to try and 'tag' her for heaven.  Luc must get Frannie to commit a series of sins such as lust and starts with different approaches.  The interesting thing is that Luc begins to change.  He falls in love with Frannie which should be impossible for a Demon who cannot feel real feeling let alone Love.  Frannie is also gifted with "sight" and "sway" which make her invaluable to both sides.  The story is one that you must suspend your ability to rationalize these real events--I mean if you are already reading about real demons and angels struggling over a soul then why can't Frannie have these abilities.  The story seems to be an impossible:  A Demon who will draw the legions of Hell to him who is love with his mark.  If he acts on his love, he pretty much will succeed but now doesn't want to.  But if Luc doesn't he will be thrown into the fiery pit.  Frannie must choose between Luc and Gabriel.  If she goes with her heart she will cause other one to be suffer the consequences.  Gabriel also feels for Frannie but cannot act on it or her fails because that wouldn't keep her soul pure.  I loved the ending and will definitely be reading the sequel.

Review: Virtue by Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking weaves a unique fairy tale that has elements of Snow White and the Princess Bride with Angels and Demons sewn into the story. The story drew me in and developed a fantasical world were imaginative creatures leap off the page. The story opens following Lux who is a mysterious man on a mission for an unknown creepy boss. Lilly is the Lord's daughter who stumbles upon Lux in the garden and is immediately drawn to him. They share a moment until Lily runs off and Lux is taken into the stepmother's secret room where she practices witchcraft. The stepmother wants Lux to take Lily to his boss. Lux immediately recoils at the idea of taking the breathtaking Lily to his evil boss but knows if he refuses someone else worse will be sent to do the task. So Lux persuades Lily to run off with him and then leaves her in the necrosilvam which is a dead magical wood that dark creatures live in. However, the magic of the place will mask Lily's location if the witch or Lux's boss Valefor try to find her. There is so much to this story I could write forever. Lux essentially has to try and save Lily from his boss who manages to steal her away at a certain point. There is a certain battle between good and evil. Peccati are minions of demons that represent the seven deadly sins. Irin are their good counterparts which represnt the seven virtues. Irin are born and peccati are basically made. Lux and Lily are on different sides of this equation. The world depends on this balance which Valefor is trying to destroy. This is different from Hocking other books but still an awesome tale. I recommend for fans of the Iron fey series, Princess bride and Fantasy worlds.

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