Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Mortal Enchantments

Hey,

Today I am here to reveal the gorgeous cover for MORTAL ENCHANTMENT, releasing on May 20, 2014 from Phoenix Reign Publishing!

Are you ready..............................................

Mortal Enchantment (Mortal Enchantment #1) by Stacey O'Neale

Release Date: May 20, 2014

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past. 

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more...

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Gah, I absolutely love the sound of it and the cover is electrifying. I cannot wait for the release as I have already downloaded the prequel: THE SHADOW PRINCE, you can download if NOW for FREE from Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

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Available for FREE on Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Also available in PRINT from Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

There is also a contest running for you to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card! Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway ---------------------------------------------------------

About the Author: 
Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Have a great week and good luck,
Sam :D

My review of Cress

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

**May contain spoilers for Cinder and Scarlet**
How can I honestly sum up how I'm feeling right now? This book.... IT ENSLAVED ME FOR SIX WHOLE HOURS AND WOULDN'T LET ME PUT IT DOWN BECAUSE OF ALL THE PLOT BOMBS THAT WERE DROPPED. My body and brain can't cope with the scales of epic proportion that this book is breaking. 

Cress is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles after Cinder and Scarlet. This series is the height of YA sci-fi perfection. It involves Cyborgs and Lunar (those that live on the moon) and the ordinary people of the world. So, in the previous books we have established that Queen Levana, who is from Luna, is trying to marry Prince Kai in order to get to the throne and take over the world, yes? 

Well, this book is about Cress. She is a computer hacker and the equivalent of Rapunzel in our world. She has been trapped in a satellite by the Queen to hack and spy on the earth below. All Cress has ever wished for is to be free and find true love. Therefore, when Cinder and her gang, including Scarlet, Wolf, her cyborg, and the irresistibly dreamy Captain Carswell Thorne, make a move to save Cress; she could not be more ecstatic. But with an unlikely twist of events, their rescue mission fails and Cress ends up not leaving her satellite, as it is plummeting towards earth right into the middle of a desert; and she only has Captain as company. 

Hacker. Satellite in the sky. Desert desertion. Oh. My. Gosh. I knew that it could only get better. PLEASE GATHER WE MUST ALL BOW FOR MARISSA MEYER; OUR ROYAL GENIUS. I mean, I thought that Cinder and Scarlet were fantastic and perfect, but Cress has set a whole new level to live up to. The addition of being able to see all the characters from the previous books that we loved, and the new ones just gives it that edge and more lovable feel.

Cress is not like our previous Heroines. Nah, she's not really feisty or particularly badass or ready for a fight. She's more shy and naive and sweet. She's grown up in the confines of a satellite with no one to interact with accept a computer, what can you expect? However, she manages to bring something so pure and beautiful to the book. I felt a connection to her character very fast as she likes to make up little fantasies about what could happen and she's a hopeless romantic. 

“I promise, I will not let you die without being kissed.” 

CAPTAIN CARSWELL THORNE. 

He is confident and sassy and charismatic and lovely and protective. I obviously fell for him very quickly. I know, I can't help but love all the boys in this book they are too dreamy and... I want them. But Thorne was so easy to love. He didn't have a hard and brooding exterior, and was more entertaining and warm which simply accelerated the whole fangirl progress. 

As previously mentioned, we get to see our favourite characters! Cinder, Kai, Scarlet and Wolf are all here. The gang. My heart was racing for these characters from the beginning, and I fear of what is to come for them in Winter, but it's really so easy to form attachments to the characters and that's something that not all books can do. That is the beauty of this series, it's so easy to fall into.

There were probably over 101 moments that I swooned over, and probably ten times that figure when we're talking about the number of bombshells dropped. I didn't think a book could hit me so hard or give me so many "OH MA HOLY GOODNESS I NEVER SAW THAT COMING WHATTTTT" moments. Maybe I'm just really naive and don't catch on to foreshadowing too well, BUT THAT MAKES THE "SURPRISES" SO MUCH MORE SURPRISING! I can't tell you how much I cried and laughed through the book. Oh, Marissa, you kill me so.

I wish I could simply gush out all of my emotions at once. However, I fear that you will all be swept by a tsunami full of: "I need Winter", "Why is Captain so perfect?", "Why do I have to wait until 2015?", "Why is this series so addictive?", "Why is this taking over my life?", "Oh my, I love Marissa Meyer so much" and finally: "Shall I fly to America and hunt Meyer down and steal her laptop to read Winter?" But, of course, I shall not be doing that. *Ahem* As the wait is torturous, yet is a way of building up excitement for the book! I cannot wait for the final story. I want to cry. And sob. But I shall wait. (WE SHALL BE REUNITED SOON MY DEAR BOYS: Kai, Wolf, and Captain.)

Cress was simply the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump and back loving the printed word again. For all those out there who are not sure on sci-fi, this series will completely change your view of what sci-fi can be about. No, it does not always have to be about aliens. What else can I say apart from the fact that the Lunar Chronicles has now officially become one of my favourite series of all time. So if you love a gripping plot, which is perfectly executed and intricately planned in a futuristic-type world filled with sci-fi and paranormal elements, with fierce and charming characters to lead the way; then honestly, I could not think of a better series to recommend to you.

Rating

Weekly Favourites (5)

Hey,

For some of you who have been following my blog for a while may know that I was doing a weekly post called "Weekly Favourites" throughout August and the start of September. I'm not going to lie... I completely forgot about it! But I found it through scrolling through some of my old posts and I was like... "OMG WHATTTT IS THISSS?!?!?" Mmmhmm.... So, I am very sorry for my forgetfulness... and hopefully I'll be trying to keep it going and make time for it. I'm stupid. I'm sorry.

This post is all about showing, you know, your favourite things... that week. Favourite cover, favourite book, favourite series, favourite author, anything book-ish I guess. :D

Feel free to join in and leave a link to your post in the comments!

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Favourite Cover:

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo - June 17, 2014
I love the way it's simplistic, but at the same times it's not. Absolutely love that this is a brilliant and fierce ruby colour it will sit beautifully next to Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm. Also, I cannon wait to see how it all ends. The ending to S&S left me dead, I swear.

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Favourite Book that I've Read:

Cress ( The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer - February 4, 2014

I can't put into actual words how much I am addicted to this book after reading it for six hours straight on Monday. It was simply an amazing installment and the best book yet in the series as we get to meet Cress and see her breakthrough the charismatic exterior of Thorne, but also Cinder, Kai, Wolf and Scarlet. Dayum, can I have Winter? My review will be out tomorrow so check back then!

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Favourit Romance:

Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand - January 2, 2013
I finished this book on Tuesday and.. I just can't believe it's over. I read Unearthly in 2011 and it was my first YA book, and it was the book that got me into the genre. And then I waited two years after reading Hallowed to finally read this. OMG. I was not sure at all about Team Christian or Team Tucker... I was so torn. I think I still am. But I'm glad that Cynthia found a way to make it work. I adore the characters and I wish there could be an epilogue epilogue (an epilogue after the epilogue) because I don't want to leave this amazing world of angels. :( My review should be up in the next few weeks.

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Favourite Title:

Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano - October 3, 2013
Perfect. Ruin. It's a great contradiction. I love it!

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Favourite Movie:

Divergent - Shailene Woodley | Theo James - April, 2014
I went to see this movie on Wednesday and I really liked it! The actors portrayed the characters very well. I cannot wait to see what they do with the sequel as I didn't actually like the book as much as the first.

Enjoy your books,
Sam :)

Book Haul (#80)

Hey,

I hope you're all feeling fresh. CAUSE I AM! I am on fire. I've read so much. BA-BYE YOU STUPID READING FLUNKKKK!

On Wednesday, I also went to see Divergent as it was released in the UK on April 4th, so I'm not too late, am I? In my opinion, I thought it was pretty good. I was extremely disappointed with the romance though; there was not enough development like there was in the book. BUT, Shailene Woodley and Theo James were HELLA CUTE!!

I thought that Theo James was going to be terrible as Four; but he did a good job. Thank God there is going to be a sequel and a third film! If you haven't watched it yet, GO GET YO ASS TO DAH CINEMA NOW!

Anyway, this week I borrowed:

Defy the Stars (Flynn #4) by Sophie McKenzie - Borrowed -

This is the final book in the series. I am not obsessed but the story is interesting enough to make me want to see how it all ends. I reviewed the first book Falling Fast a few years ago.

The Elites by Natasha Ngan - Borrowed -

Natural Born Angel (Immortal City #2) by Scott Speer - Borrowed -
I read Immortal City just over a year ago and I liked it but didn't drive me crazy, but you know me.. I can't stay away from an angel book.

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2) by Gena Showalter - Borrowed -
THIS. OH. MY. I have no idea why I didn't try and get my hands on this sooner! I read Alice in Zombieland in 2012 and it's one of my favourite books so... AHHHHHHHHHH. No spoils please, I have a date with Cole.

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/Showcase Sunday/In My Mailbox in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy your books,

Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (98)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Ruin and Rising (Grisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo

Release Date: June 17, 2014

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

I. Need. This. NOOOWWWW!

Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm were absolutely stunning and faultless in every single way! One of the best fantasy, possibly even the best, YA novels out there. Please give me this conclusion now.

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Louise Rozett
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year—everything is going to be different. This year, she’s going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...

...but if she’s not careful, she’s also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the “good girl” who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.


When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend is not a lighthearted contemporary like you may be expecting. Instead, it's filled with plenty of mature and completely real issues that some teenagers have to go through. If you enjoyed the first book, Confessions of an Angry Girl, you will love this book even more.

For me, I didn't really like the first book, to be completely honest. I just didn't find the characters or storyline appealing. However, in this sequel, the characters have slightly matured and there is a better plot that I found much more interesting.

Rose's father died over a year ago and she's still learning to cope in his absence. Her brother has gone off to do who knows what, and Jamie, the boy who drove her crazy last year is back on the scene. With his mixed signals, Rose is not sure where she stands in his books. His friend? His girlfriend? No one really knows. But Rose has to become a stronger and wiser version of herself if she wants to get through the year without getting hurt.

One thing that did really annoy me though was Jamie Forta. Now, he is meant to be this incredible guy, but all he did was get on my nerves. Well, at points he was actually sweet and swoon worthy, but his mixed signals towards Rose made me want to punch him in the face. One minute it's: "Rose, I want to be with you!" and the next it's: "Er, sorry babes, I'm not ready for this." 

And after the ending that Rozett left us with, I really want to know what happens between Jamie and Rose because I can tell that, if there is going to be another book, things are gonna get pretty intense! Adding on to that: I hope there WILL be another book because despite the few points that really annoy me, I actually want to know how it all ends. I want to see how Rose deals with different situations.

Full of serious teenager drama and romance, Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend expresses all the anger and frustration that teenagers may go through. Oh the joys of growing up. I can't wait to read more of Rose's story.

Rating

A review copy was provided by Mira INK

Book Haul (#79)

Hey,

Guess what? IT'S THE EASTER HOLIDAYS WHICH MEANS NO SCHOOL FOR TWO WEEKS. 

This means I have time for things... YES THINGS! ANYTHING. I can't wait to spend my time sleeping and eating... *Sigh* It's going to be great. Oh, and of course, I have time to get more posts together for you guys.

This week I've won and borrowed:

Far From You by Tess Sharpe - Won -
Thank you Raimy at Readaraptor and Indigo Books! This is some kind of murder mystery book, I think. It sounds pretty damn awesome, and there has been a lot of positive feedback on it. I shall crack this open soon.
Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand - Borrowed -
I know I'm late, but I have a good excuse! The publisher in the UK decided NOT to publish the last book, and over a year later, my library decides to get a US paperback copy... HOOORAY! I'm so excited. I don't really remember the events in Unearthly and Hallowed but I know I loved them so... GAHHHHHH! EXCITEMENT!!!

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer - Borrowed - 
I have been waiting for you, my pretty one! :D Cinder and Scarlet were simply fantabulous and stunning in their own ways, and I'm simply desperate to see what Meyer has in store for us next! The Independent Study (The Testing #2) by Joelle Charbonneau - Borrowed - 
I enjoyed The Testing, but it wasn't completely unique. I have heard mixed things about this book; some are extremely happy, while others are extremely disappointed... Maybe I'll end up somewhere in the middle!

Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye - Received -
Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing! I read the blurb and I could not simply resist requesting this. It's about a girl who struggles to remember events, and one day she wakes up next to a guy and she doesn't know who he is or how she got in the situation. I'm just ready!

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/In My Mailbox/Letterbox Love/Showcase Sunday in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy all your books,
Sam :)

Let's Talk: GIFs

Hey guys!

I haven't done a "Let's Talk" post it a long, long time, and I miss them a lil' bit so I'll try and bring out some more! I think the next few will be about trailers of film adaptations of books. Just some nice rambles and discussions for you all to join in. 

So, today I thought I'd kick it off with a light and fun topic of one of my favourite things and, as the title of this post suggests, it is GIFs! For those the do not know the term, a GIF is a little moving image, a great example is the one above. 

GIFs can express my feels so well. Especially in a review! I use them quite a lot in reviews and I'm not quite sure whether you guys like the use of them, but I've had no complaints so I'm guessing that you're not too bothered. But to me, they make the post a little more interesting and easy on the eyes. Also, I don't like using a GIF unless it is funny or completely ridiculous... I mean, who wants a boring GIF?

MMMHMMMM! SASSY WOMAN SAYS NUH UH NO ONE.

If you don't like the GIFs then I apologise from deepest depths of my heart, but I can't think of parting with them. Here are some examples of where I've used them in reviews:

"This is the end, guys. We have to say our goodbyes to this wonderful, amazing, incredible, exquisite, beautiful and unique series. I know some of you can feel your heart breaking as you realise that we will have no more dangerous adventures with Kaylee Cavanaugh and her crazy friends. And Tod... Oh God! NO MORE TOD HUDSON!"

(With All My Soul Review)

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"Beware, my fellow readers! This real Wonderland is much darker and more terrifying that Lewis Carroll's version! A. G. Howard whisks you away to a magical land full of danger and plot twists. Be prepared to fall into the mind of Alice Liddell's descendant, Alyssa, while she takes on an unimaginable quest with dangerous and daring tasks to complete."

(Spintered Review)

Some may argue that it makes a review look less professional, but I'm not too bothered. I'm easily amused and these GIFs make me laugh so hard sometimes. 

So, my question for you guys is: Do you like GIFs in reviews, or posts in general? Would you prefer if they weren't in my future reviews? Leave your response in the comments and don't be afraid to be honest! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I am eternally grateful.

Have a good week,

Sam :)

Waiting on Wednesday (97)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

Idols (Icons #2) by Margaret Stohl
Release Date: July 8, 2014

The Icons came from the sky. They belong to an inhuman enemy. They ended our civilization, and they can kill us.

Most of us. 

Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas are the four Icon Children, the only humans immune to the Icon's power to stop a human heart. Now that Los Angeles has been saved, things are more complicated - and not just because Dol has to choose between Lucas and Ro, the two great loves of her life. As she flees to a resistance outpost hidden beneath a mountain, Dol makes contact with a fifth Icon Child, if only through her visions. When Dol and the others escape to Southeast Asia in search of this missing child, Dol's dreams, feelings and fears collide in an epic showdown that will change more than just four lives -- and stop one heart forever.

I found that Icons has a good premise and story line. Definitely better than I was expecting. I'm not desperately seeking out this book, but I am looking forward to what's in store. Especially the love triangle emerging.

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments below so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :D

My review of White Hot Kiss

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: March 1, 2014
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

White Hot Kiss is a young adult novel. Yes, a young adult; not a new adult as some may be coming to the coming to the conclusion of from seeing the cover. Like all of Armentrout's novels, this is worth every penny that you could pay as it is simply enthralling and absolutely captivating from beginning to end.

First off, can I just say that this book is the most perfect blend of gargoyles, demons, romance and humor. Layla is our protagonist who is a half demon and half Warden (a race of gargoyles who rid of demons to keep humans safe); and she is brought up by the Wardens to hate and ignore her demon side. The only person she can have a normal relationship with is Zayne, a Warden who she has had a crush on since as far as she can remember. But when Roth walks into her life with his edgy tattoos and promises of not only secret piercings (wink, wink), but also promises of revealing who she really is; Layla can't resist.. Even if he's a demon.

I don't know how to sum up my feelings because right now my heart is just "ASDFGHJKL:"ing all over the place from the absolutely charming characters and to die for plot. Where do I even start? Layla was great. She has a strong and confident voice. At times she may seem weak, but when someone she loves is in danger, get ready to feel the impact of her feisty and protective personality.

You know what my big issue is? DO YOU KNOW THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM? IT'S BECAUSE ARMENTROUT MAKES HER MALE CHARACTERS SO DAMN PERFECT I'M ALWAYS TORN BETWEEN THEM. Please, stop tearing my heart in two like this. Please. Zayne, he is sweet and has known Layla since forever. He is protective and I love how he tries to ignore his feelings. 

On the other hand, Roth is just a sexy beast. Yes, I said that. He was charming and funny and amazing and lovely. Could you just become mine please, you fine piece of male specimen? From the moment he walked into the book I was hooked on his badass charm, and when he opens up and shows a sweet and soft heart, that you are definitely not expecting from a demon, I couldn't help but fall even harder for him. Roth has many secrets that are revealed throughout the book and this just added to me not being able to put the book down. The whole time I was thinking, "NO. I'M NOT PUTTING THIS DOWN UNTIL I GET MORE ROTH. I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S TWO IN THE MORNING."

White Hot Kiss may be my favourite Jennifer Armentrout book up to date as the characters and plot were simply irresistible. And maybe it's because Roth... and the idea of gargoyles that contributed to making it fabulous. I don't know. No one can go on with reading YA if they haven't given Jennifer L. Armentrout a try as she and her books are fantastic in every single way. If you are desperately searching for a paranormal romance book that is full of humor, will grip your attention and leave you obsessed in the best way possible, read White Hot Kiss; actually just read anything by JLA. She's the bomb.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher