Review of Firelight by Kristen Callihan

Title: Firelight (Darkest London #1)

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever

Pub Date: February 01, 2012

ISBN: 9781455508594

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .
Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

My Review:

All I can say is ‘wow’. I have read a few historical paranormals, but none of them came close to Firelight.

Lord Benjamin Archer is a tortured soul, a loner, and lives with a curse. He wears a mask to cover what that curse did to him. Miranda can command, manipulate and control fire. Archer and Miranda meet one day in an alley as Miranda is confronted by some boys (Archer jumps in to rescue her, although she is capable of defending herself). 

Three years later, unable to stay away from Miranda, Archer offers for her hand in marriage, and of course Miranda’s father who is chin-high in debt agrees. Miranda has her own reasons for agreeing to marry Archer.

As the story progresses, we get to see how Archer adores her, although he is scared of losing her, once she sees what lies behind the masks. He’s also terrified of what his hands would do to her once he touches her, as he has inhuman strength. Miranda is scared of what Archer will think when he finally discovers what she is. The sexual tension between this two builds up, the longing, the desire.

In the midst of their attraction to each other, someone is going around killing Archer’s friends, and all the evidence points out to him. He is intent on finding out who it is. And so does Miranda. 

The characters, even the minor ones were wonderfully created, pacing was good. Oh, and the desperation, desire and sense of urgency between Archer and Miranda.

One of very wonderful dialogues, and believe me they are a number of them. 

 When she moved to kiss him, he cupped her face in his hands, and his gray eyes searched her face as if to commit it to memory. “Know this, there is only one truth left in me.” His trembling fingertips caressed her jaw. “That I love you.” He said it again, his voice broken, his arms pulling her tightly against him. “I love you. The rest is darkness.”

Her fingers curled around the smooth swells of his biceps. “Then let me be your light.”

Archer shuddered, dragging an open-mouthed kiss across her cheek to claim her lips. “Always, Miri.” He grew tighter, colder in her arms. “All that I am, all that I become is for you.”

I can’t wait to read the second book in this series.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

Title: Dreaming of Mr. Darcy Publisher: Sourcebooks Imprint: Sourcebooks Landmark Pub Date: January 01, 2012 ISBN: 9781402251351 Source: Netgalley Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Rating: 4/5 Synopsis: Fledgling illustrator and Darcy fanatic, Kay Ashton, buys a B&B in the seaside town of Lyme so she’ll have a quiet place to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy, and she’s delighted to discover that a film company is in town making a new big-screen adaptation of Persuasion. Kay has a history of falling for the bad boy so it’s no surprise that she’s soon under the spell of handsome actor Oli Wade Owen, who is playing Captain Wentworth. But what exactly is it that Oli is hiding from Kay? His apparent dissembling is making her nervous, so she confides her misgivings to quiet, handsome Adam Craig, who always seems to be there when she needs a sounding board. Screenwriter and producer Adam Craig hasn’t been in a relationship since he had his heart broken years ago. Throwing himself into his work, the last thing he expects is to fall in love again but that’s exactly what happens when he meets Kay. But she seems smitten with that cad Oli Owen, who he knows isn’t right for her. Can Adam overcome his crippling shyness and insecurity in order to find a happy ending of his own? It will take more than good intentions for Adam to convince Kay that her real happy ending is with him… Victoria Connelly’s first novel was promoted in Germany to celebrate World Book Day and was adapted into a TV movie. Her second novel was published as a lead title in the UK and chosen as a “hot pick” in Closer magazine. Her new trilogy is her first foray into Jane Austen-related fiction. Connelly lives in London. My Review:

I’ve never read any book from Victoria Connelly, but have to admit I enjoyed reading this one. Kay is an artist and Jane Austen fan, and a dreamer.- dreams of the perfect guy. After the death of a friend and she receives an unexpected inheritance, Kay resigns from her job, packs and moves to Lyme Regis, buys and Bed & Breakfast. She meets Oli Wade Owen who is filming Persuasion, and playing the part of Captain Wentworth. And to her, he is the perfect Captain Wentworth. Although Oli’s behavior is nothing of the sort.
Then there’s Adam, who is just a normal guy and adores Kay. But Kay has eyes only for Oli and tries fixing Adam up with Gemma, one of the actresses filming Persuasion. Eventually after Oli breaks her heart, she takes some time to think about things. And when she is emotionally ready, Adam’s there to heal and love her.
Kay’s story is about love: not seeing what is right in front of us until, that love is right there just waiting. I can’t fault Kay, because, realistically it does happen. Too blinded by what someone sees as perfection to see what is real.
Victoria Connelly did a great job with the characters. And enjoyed reading this book a lot. Can’t wait to read more from this author

Kiss of Twilight by Loribelle Hunt Review

Title: Kiss of Twilight

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date: December 26, 2011

ISBN: 9781426892936

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis

Dupree Jackson is everything a senior soldier of the Order of Templar should be. Cold. Unbreakable. A master at arms in the fight against demons. But as a hybrid, Dupree is beginning to lose himself to the demon half of his soul. One woman has the power to save him. If he lets her.

Kara Stone wants two things in life: to be merged with a demon so that she can become a full member of the Order; and Dupree Jackson. She knows they are meant to be together, if only Dupree would love her back.

Though his desire for Kara is undeniable, Dupree's need to protect her is stronger. Not wanting to see her merge, to face the internal struggle he deals with every day, he refuses to bond with her. But when Kara becomes a target and uncovers a dark secret about her past, Dupree may no longer have a choice...

My Review:

Kiss of Twilight was a real treat. Although I haven’t read the first book in the series, I didn’t feel as if I missed a lot, given that the author gave a background of what happened to Dupree and his family. As well as his connection with Kara. It is fast paced, that and the characters were wonderfully drawn. That and the attraction between Dupree and Kara, danger lurking in every corner made this a wonderful read. Yeah it was a bit frustrating to see two people who loved one and couldn’t live without each other, not really doing anything about it (actual that was Dupree’s part,) but I understood his fears about not wanting to hurt/lose Kara. (So I imagine how Kara felt at Dupree’s stubbornness..:)

Other than the love connection between these two, there’s a lot going on in the book, which was enough to keep me interested. This is a world where lupines, hybrids (half human half demons) fight demons. A world where trust has to earned.

A wonderful read for fans of paranormal stories.