Blog Tour: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan

I absolutely love Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series. It's a unique, gorgeously written series and it comes to a fantastic end with Forevermore. I'm so excited to be part of the Forevermore blog tour and Forever have provided me with some great things to share. Check out my review of Forevermore, but make sure to come back and scroll down for an excerpt from Forevermore, information about the Darkest London series, and a giveaway from Ms. Callihan’s publisher, Forever!

About Forevermore:

Isolated and alone, Sin Evernight is one of the most powerful supernatural creatures in heaven and on earth. As an angel of vengeance, he hunts down the darkest evil, but when his long-lost friend, Layla Starling, needs him, he vows to become her protector. Even though she will be horrified by the man he has become.

Now a famous singer and the toast of London, Layla believes that Sin is only here to guard her from rabid fans and ardent suitors. However, the truth is far more sinister. Desperate to avoid losing Layla a second time, Sin will face a test of all his powers to defeat an unstoppable foe - and win an eternity with the woman he loves.

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The Darkest London Series

0.5. Ember
1. Firelight
2. Moonglow
3. Winterblaze
3.5. Entwined
4. Shadowdance
5. Evernight
6. Soulbound
7. Forevermore

Series page on Goodreads

Excerpt from Forevermore

One might think being an immortal was a blessing, never grow old, never grow sick, never die. At one time in St. John Evernight’s life, he considered it a blessing too. He would be around long after the simple humans who surrounded him were nothing but dust. They could stare all they liked at his “strange” hair and frosty green eyes. They could gossip and speculate about him until they lost their voices. It didn’t matter. He was untouchable, and they were but fragile sacks of blood and bone.

How naive he’d been. Because living forever merely meant a lack of escape from the desolation of regret and loneliness. He knew now that he could walk down Jermyn Street endlessly, see the sands of time shift and rearrange before him, and never be a part of life.

“Brooding, Mr. Evernight?”

Sin almost jumped at the sudden sound of Augustus’s voice by his side. Damn, the blasted man loved to startle him. He gave Augustus a passing glance. Dressed in conservative brown tweed and a bowler hat, the angel appeared every inch the English gentlemen, save for his dark coloring that marked him to be from Southern climes.

“It’s really quite the trick, popping up like a soap bubble whenever you choose, Augustus. You must teach me how one day.”

The man’s mouth twitched. “With your luck, you’d pop up in the middle of a parliamentary session.”

Yes, Sin had abominable luck. Or perhaps it was more a matter of making abominable choices.

“You’re brooding again,” Augustus remarked.

“I’m not brooding. This is simply my face.”

Augustus snorted but remained silent as they walked along, past Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall.

“Care to tell me why you called me here?” Sin asked, when they came upon the grounds of Westminster. For the past year, Sin had been in Rome, soaking in the warmer temperatures, drinking espresso in cafes along the Piazza della Rotunda, under the shade of the ancient Pantheon. He’d eaten simple but delicious food, and listened to the rapid fire of Italian, and felt…well, not peace, but a measure of contentment.

Until Augustus had sent for him. Returning to England sat like a stone in his gut. But he would obey. Augustus was his mentor, and the man who’d given him salvation. The price was a lifetime of servitude. To be fair, his role was for justice, not evil, which was a nice change of pace.

A massive dray rattled past, kicking up dust and sending a fug of stale manure into the air. They hurried past the cloud and headed for Westminster Abbey. Sin hadn’t planned on visiting today, but here they were all the same. He wondered if Augustus somehow had led him to their usual meeting place or if Sin had merely headed that way because of the man’s sudden arrival.

He’d like to think the latter. It did not sit well with him having another control his actions. Not since a certain evil fae had kept Sin as a blood slave for years. Even now, the memory made his stomach turn.

Not a soul acknowledged them as they walked through the abbey and into the cloisters. Here, a rare bit of sunlight peeked through the constant cloud cover and cast lacy shadows along the walkway. The sound of their boot heels clacked out a steady rhythm as they strolled along.

“Layla returns to London tonight.”

At the mention of her name, Sin’s heart stilled within his breast. He’d tried his best to ward off all finer feelings, to remain numb, detached from life. And yet he could not, for the life of him, remain immune to Layla Starling. His childhood friend. The one woman who could take his breath, his reason, simply by laying eyes upon her.

Stuffing his shaking hands into his trouser pockets, Sin forced himself to keep an even tone. “So then I am to begin watching over her?”

God, but he did not want to. It would be agony, staying so close to her and never being allowed to show his true feelings. And yet a thrum of anticipation went through him at the mere prospect of seeing Layla once more.

“Are you ready?” Augustus asked, though his expression told Sin he fully expected an affirmative answer.

So Sin told him the only truth left to him. “I will not fail her.”

About Kristen Callihan:

USA Today bestselling author Kristen Callihan is a writer because there is nothing else she'd rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewers' Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Book Reviews' Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher's Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Find Kristen Callihan on the Web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Follow Forever Online:

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Review: Forevermore by Kristen Callihan

Forevermore by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 7
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 9781455581702
Release Date: June 28, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Isolated and alone, Sin Evernight is one of the most powerful supernatural creatures in heaven and on earth. As an angel of vengeance, he hunts down the darkest evil, but when his long-lost friend, Layla Starling, needs him, he vows to become her protector. Even though she will be horrified by the man he has become.

Now a famous singer and the toast of London, Layla believes that Sin is only here to guard her from rabid fans and ardent suitors. However, the truth is far more sinister. Desperate to avoid losing Layla a second time, Sin will face a test of all his powers to defeat an unstoppable foe - and win an eternity with the woman he loves.

Sin Evernight is Judgment, an angel who takes the souls of supernaturals who have gone evil. Before that, he was a blood slave, used and abused in every way possible, and then separated from his family just as he found freedom. Now he’s isolated and apart from the world, save for his mentor, Augustus. At least, he is until his new mission brings Layla Starling back into his life and turns his world upside down. Sin and Layla met as children, forming a bond that no amount of time apart could break. She’s the only person who has ever been his true champion and seen the best in him. And she’s in danger. She’s coming into her immortality, into powers evil beings would hunt her to possess. Sin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if being close to Layla means risking the heart he’s afraid to give.

Kristen Callihan wraps up her dazzling Darkest London series with the oh-so-enchanting Forevermore. As much as I hate seeing the series end, Layla and Sin’s book is an exciting, emotional finale that I absolutely adored.

Layla is a ray of sunshine in the sometimes dark and twisted world of the supernatural. She’s a sweet, adventurous woman willing to fight for Sin no matter what, so of course I absolutely loved her. She’s got spirit, and even when someone tries to knock her down, she bravely faces what’s coming. As for Sin, he’s been through hell and bears the emotional scars to prove it. Yet despite all this, he fights for the side of good. When he learns that Layla is in danger, he doesn’t hesitate to protect her, even knowing what being close to – but unable to touch her – would do to him. He doesn’t want to open his heart, believes he can’t be the man for Layla, and yet it’s clear to see they are utterly perfect for one another. Their romance grabbed my heart and the fantastic chemistry they had had me practically devouring Forevermore. Quite simply, this was an excellent pairing of two characters who complemented each other perfectly and gave the book its heart.

As the final book in the series, Forevermore splits its time between Sin and Layla’s love story and the overarching Darkest London world. Augustus has long been an important background player in the series and we get to see the full scope of his planning, along with an unexpectedly powerful secondary romance between him and another familiar face. Fans of the series will also surely be delighted that a significant number of past heroes and heroines reappear for this final chapter, and they add further emotional weight to the tale. It’s difficult to talk about much of the plot of Forevermore without spoiling the joy of discovery for readers. Suffice it to say that Ms. Callihan seamlessly blends love, longing, action, danger, and magic in this beautifully crafted story. So as much as I hate to say good-bye to the intelligent, imaginative world Ms. Callihan has created in the Darkest London series, I’m thrilled that it’s capped off by such a satisfying story.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

I LOVE Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series! Every book is smart, unique, and utterly addictive. The latest story, Soulbound, is no exception. Soulbound releases tomorrow and it's just plain awesome :) Don't believe me? Check out my review, but make sure to come back and scroll down for an excerpt from Soulbound and a giveaway from Ms. Callihan’s publisher, Forever!

About Soulbound:

Once two souls are joined…
When Adam's soul mate rejected him, there was more at stake than his heart. After seven hundred years of searching, his true match would have ended the curse that keeps his spirit in chains. But beautiful, stubborn Eliza May fled-and now Adam is doomed to an eternity of anguish, his only hope for salvation gone…

Their hearts will beat together forever
No matter how devilishly irresistible Adam was, Eliza couldn't stand the thought of relinquishing her freedom forever. So she escaped. But she soon discovers she is being hunted-by someone far more dangerous. The only man who can help is the one man she vowed never to see again. Now Adam's kindness is an unexpected refuge, and Eliza finds that some vows are made to be broken…

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Excerpt from Soulbound

Eliza sat back on her heels, while Adam merely stared at her as though he had all the time in the world. “Fine,” she said. “Three weeks. I free you and you help me.” She gave him a warning look. “I’ll need your word that you will help me, that this” she waved her hand between them, “isn’t merely a way to trick me into freeing you.”

“This business was your idea, woman,” he said with affront.

“Nevertheless, I’ll need your word.”

The demon’s nostrils flared with a sharp exhalation. “My word then.” Eliza did not look away from him, and he glared back in obvious exasperation. “What now?”

“I’m merely considering if I ought to trust your word,” she said.

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he bared his teeth. “I keep my word, whether I want to or not. My word is my bond. Honor, Miss May. Unlike you, I have it.”

“How dare you—”

“How dare you?” He craned forward, the muscles along his shoulders bunching. “Not so long ago you broke your promise of fealty. To me!”

“Oh, yes, how quick you are to remind me.” Eliza leaned close, grinding her teeth to keep in a shout. “You enjoy being quick, don’t you?”

His thick, dark brows furrowed. “What in the bloody blazes are you talking about?”

“You gave me all of ten seconds to make a choice.” Eliza’s fists ached from clenching them. “And what a choice. I was dead, my body sliced open, my blood on the ground. I would have done anything, anything,” she thumped her fist to her chest, “to get back my life.”

“So that makes it better?” he snapped back in outrage. “Desperation gives you leave to go back on your word?”

“No. That is not what I meant.”

“Then you agree that you bloody well have no honor—”

“You never explained what was involved. You never said I’d be chained to you, like some animal, for the rest of my days,” Eliza shouted. “I was told I would be a GIM. I was ready to serve you in that manner. You knew full well that’s what I believed. If anything, you swindled me!”

All at once, he sagged, though he still eyed her with resentment and distaste. Well, she had a healthy helping of those feelings for him too.

“Tick, tock, Eliza,” she mimicked. “You rushed me because you didn’t want me to think things over.”

When he broke eye contact, his hard jaw twitched.

“I’m correct, aren’t I?” Ire and a red rage surged up within her. “And you have the brass to sit on your high horse and talk of honor. Well let me tell you something, demon. There is little honor in forcing a person’s hand. Or using your power to coerce those weaker than you.”

A black scowl twisted the demon’s face as he glared at some distant point. “Fine. May I continue, or have you more complaints to heap upon my head?”

“Please do continue,” Eliza granted.

His golden gaze flicked back to her. “I want to kiss you.”

“No.” The word burst out of her with force. “Absolutely not.”

Unfazed, Adam shrugged. “Unless you have something to offer in exchange for your freedom, Mellan and Mab will, as you say, merely hunt us down, and you’ll be back to where you started.”

“Then I shall find out what he wants.” Eliza straightened her back. She could do that. She must. Like hell was she going to kiss this demon.

Adam simply gave her a slow, wicked half-smile. “Fortunately for you, lass, I already know what he wants. What they both want. More than controlling you. More than torturing me, even.”

“Then why in blazes haven’t you used it to secure your own freedom?” Eliza blurted out.

“I’m only alive because they cannot break me into revealing where this item might be.” The belligerence burning in his eyes was gone in a blink, replaced by a look of pure cunning. “However, I might be persuaded to help you use the knowledge. All I require is— ”

“Fine,” she snapped, irritation getting the best of her. “I’ll kiss you.”

Silence fell, and Adam stared at her with those eyes of his. Devil’s eyes. Eyes that made a woman forget herself. Heat rose up over her breasts and crawled along the back of her neck. Eliza grasped her skirts, her fingers twitching. She would kiss him. Kiss a man who had brought her nothing but irritation. Maybe she’d bite him to boot.

His chest, gleaming with sweat, rose and fell in a soft pattern. A bead of perspiration broke free from the top of his shoulder and ran down along the firm rise of his pectoral muscles, straight toward the dark nub of his nipple. All this time arguing with him, she’d forgotten his state of undress. Not so now. She’d have to press up against those hard muscles, touch his skin. Eliza wrenched her gaze back to his face, and his sinful lips curled in a knowing smile.

“You know,” he said casually, “I believe I shall pass for the moment. I’d rather it be when you aren’t wearing such a sour face. Kills a bloke’s ardor, you realize.”

Eliza blinked. And then his meaning hit her. “Why you…rutting…cheap, trickster…”

He laughed, a flash of even teeth. “Come now, Eliza, fret not.” He stopped then, that obnoxious smile growing and heating with promise. “I’ll take that kiss soon enough.”

She rose to her feet in a rustle of skirts. “And I’ll be sure to bite that wicked tongue when you do!”

She marched out of the cell, slamming it behind her, as he began to laugh again. Bastard. She might just leave him here to rot after all. His laughing taunt echoed through the dark. “Now that I know tongues are involved, I’ll be sure to collect.”

About Kristen Callihan:

Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she'd rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewers' Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Book Reviews' Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher's Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.

Find Kristen Callihan on the Web: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter here to win a set of Darkest London books, including Soulbound!:
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Review: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 6
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781455581665
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Once two souls are joined…
When Adam's soul mate rejected him, there was more at stake than his heart. After seven hundred years of searching, his true match would have ended the curse that keeps his spirit in chains. But beautiful, stubborn Eliza May fled-and now Adam is doomed to an eternity of anguish, his only hope for salvation gone…

Their hearts will beat together forever
No matter how devilishly irresistible Adam was, Eliza couldn't stand the thought of relinquishing her freedom forever. So she escaped. But she soon discovers she is being hunted-by someone far more dangerous. The only man who can help is the one man she vowed never to see again. Now Adam's kindness is an unexpected refuge, and Eliza finds that some vows are made to be broken…

Soulbound is an utterly addictive read. Every book in the richly-drawn Darkest London world has been wholly original and smartly done and Soulbound is no exception. I loved how author Kristen Callihan kept me on my toes, never knowing what would happen next to Adam and Eliza.

Adam, the creator of the GIM, has been a somewhat mysterious character up until recent books and it was truly delightful peeling back the layers to his character. Adam is a good man who has done his best with the life fate – and interfering supernaturals – has given him. That doesn’t mean he always does the right thing. He screwed up with Eliza in the past, stealing her away and keeping her bound to him out of fear. He deserved to lose her before, but Adam atones for what he has done and shows his true self both to Eliza and to readers. Eliza, in turn, is a tougher nut to crack. She holds herself away not just from Adam, but from readers, and it’s a bit harder to form a connection with her for much of the book. This is not to say I disliked Eliza – I admired her strength and honor – merely that she wasn’t as much a stand-out character as the previous (amazing) Darkest London heroines have been. As for Adam and Eliza as a couple, I love that Ms. Callihan didn’t rush their romance, but rather let the love story unfold organically. There’s instant attraction, but distrust and anger keeps them from acting on it until they know each other better. By the end of Soulbound I wanted nothing more than to see these two get the happily ever after they deserved.

Ms. Callihan delves deeper into her Darkest London world in Soulbound. We learn even more about the GIM and how deep their connection to Adam runs. I won’t spoil the story, so suffice it to say that since several beloved Darkest London characters are GIMs, the danger Adam is in takes on a new level of urgency. Ms. Callihan really ups the stakes in this story. There are fae villains whose obsession with Eliza and Adam will make your skin crawl. There are also intriguing revelations that impact not only the events of Soulbound, but the series as a whole. Though you can enjoy Eliza and Adam’s story on its own, I highly recommend reading the previous Darkest London stories (Firelight, Moonglow, Winterblaze, the novella “Entwined,” Shadowdance, and Evernight) first. So much of what happens in Soulbound builds upon the foundation set by the rest of the series.

Soulbound is a book I did not want to put down. I’m always so excited to read a Darkest London story because I know it’s going to be unique and engaging. Adam and Eliza’s book had me reading late into the night until I could stay awake no longer, and of course I had to pick it up to finish it upon waking. I cannot get enough of the Darkest London world and I’m already on the edge of my seat, waiting for Forevermore!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Blog Tour: Evernight by Kristen Callihan

I can’t get enough of Kristen Callihan’s fantastically original Darkest London series. I’m so excited to be a part of the Evernight blog tour! Evernight is the fifth Darkest London novel, and like its predecessors, it’s engaging and unique. You can check out my review of Evernight here, but make sure to come back – I’ve got a fun Q&A with Kristen Callihan, an excerpt from Evernight, and even a giveaway from Ms. Callihan’s publisher, Forever!

Q&A with Kristen Callihan

Q: Do you have a set number of books planned for the Darkest London series, or is it open-ended?
A: There are seven books planned. SOULBOUND (book 6) is next and then FOREVERMORE finishes off the series.

Q: Do you have any favorites of the characters you've written?
A: My favorite characters are always the ones I’m working on at present. Likely because I grow close to them as I write their story. I loved Holly and Will because they were both such strong personalities, and extreme opposites in the way they view life (at least at first.)

Q: What's one thing about being an author you wish someone had told you before you were first published?
A: You will never have a day off. Lol. Not that it would have deterred me, because I love it. But I don’t think many beginning writers realize the level of work involved. Every writer I know is at the computer every single day. I don’t think I’ve left my laptop at home for a single vacation. But, on the other hand, if you don’t get the story out of your head, it starts to hurt, so non-stop work is also a necessity.

Q: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
A: Read! On average, I read a book a day. I also like to hang out with friends and family, and travel when I can!

About Evernight:

Once the night comes...

Will Thorne is living a nightmare, his sanity slowly being drained away by a force he can't control. His talents have made him the perfect assassin for hire. But as he loses his grip on reality, there is no calming him-until he finds his next target: the mysterious Holly Evernight.

Love must cast aside the shadows

Holly cannot fathom who would put a contract on her life, yet the moment she touches Will, the connection between them is elemental, undeniable-and she's the only one who can tame his bouts of madness. But other assassins are coming for Holly. Will must transform from killer to protector and find the man who wants Holly dead...or his only chance for redemption will be lost.

My Review | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BAM! | iTunes | Google Play | IndieBound

Excerpt from Evernight

Cool, hard, smooth, hot. The texture of his skin was unlike anything she'd ever felt. The metal made it smooth and cool and hard. Where not altered by metal, his skin was like hot satin, only silkier and tight with strength.

His flesh twitched beneath her palms as she mapped his chest. Every breath he took sounded loud and clear in her ears. And all the while, he watched her.

A quiver rippled along the backs of her thighs, up over her bottom, and crawled along her spine. Damn it, she was better than this. She was not a creature of base desires, but of logic and restraint. Her breath moved in and out, a slow, steady rhythm as she stroked him.

Neither of them spoke. The crackle of the fire in the grate, along with the occasional creak of the house settling, surrounded them. Beneath heavy lids, Thorne tracked her every move. And her touch grew unsteady. A momentary weakness he jumped upon.

"Does it feel good to you?" he drawled, low and easy. "Touching me?"

Instantly, the space between her legs clenched tight. Holly kept her touch impersonal. She could not live with the ignominy of revealing her wants to Thorne, who would treat her weakness as a bloody good joke. "It is a task. Just like any other." A bald-faced lie if ever she told one.

His nostrils flared, the platinum in his eyes shining bright. "Then why do I smell your cunny growing wet with need?"

Holly stopped, her palm flat against his pectoral muscle, as more slick heat flooded her sex. Oh, this was beyond the pale. What on earth had gotten into the blasted demon? "Being crude is not going to get a rise out of me, Mr. Thorne."

A small, cruel smile curled his lips. "Not going to deny it, are you, Miss Evernight?"

"Blather." She took up stroking an area tangled with platinum webbing with more force than necessary. "That is all you're about. Ridiculous blather. And I will not engage in such nonsense."

Holly concentrated on pulling the metal from him. Not on his scent, clean and pleasing in the space between them. Or the way his skin grew increasingly warmer.

When he spoke again, it was soft, teasing. "Do you know that when I said "cunny" your sweet scent grew stronger?"

Again she stopped. His dense muscles tightened beneath her nails. "Mr. Thorne—”

"Do you wonder," he whispered, holding her gaze with his, "if my cock is affected?" A dark brow lifted, his fangs glinting. "If it is more metal than flesh? Hard for you?"

She would not look down at the appendage in question. It was difficult enough to pretend each time that she wasn't aware of that part of him, or that she hadn't seen it grow and lengthen beneath the covers. Oh, she knew precisely how long and thick he was, and precisely how aroused. Each and every time.

His gaze upon her burned. "Do you want to see my cock, Miss Evernight? Feel it move inside of you?"

Gods, he made her feel empty, made her want to be filled up. Her hands turned to fists. "Stop it. Now, Mr. Thorne."

He rose up on his elbows, his white hair sliding over his broad and dusky shoulders, his defined abdomen tightening. "Or. What?"

Holly sat back on the stool by the table, placing her hands upon her lap so that he wouldn't see them trembling. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why not?"

She could not look away from the black and platinum starburst of his gaze, so very brilliant. So very angry and taunting. Her nails dug into her palms. "Find your amusement elsewhere."

His lean hips canted just a bit, an utterly crude gesture that held her in thrall. "I'd rather find it with you."

"I'm helping you, aren't I?" She hated how the words came out in a near-desperate pitch. But he had to stop. Agitation had her breath coming on hard and fast, pressing her now-heavy breasts against her too-tight bodice.

"Helping me," he scoffed. "Do not skew this into some act of kindness. You do so that I won't kill you."

"Is it kindness that you want?" She laughed without humor. "A funny way you go about getting it." She leaned forward in her anger. "Why are you saying these things? Truly? Why are you acting like such a... disgusting arse?"

He shot upright, his chest bumping into hers before she backed away a pace as if seared. "Because you never react during these torture sessions," he ground out. "Because I want that rise out of you. I want you to..." He bared his teeth, those evil-looking fangs growing longer. "I want to know if you feel—”

His teeth ground together, his eyes wild and silver-black.

"Feel?" she prompted as if her heart wasn't beating madly.

"Anything!" he roared. "Jesus." He ran a hand through his hair. "You touch me every day. You rub your hands all over me. And nothing! Not a flicker of emotion. As if I didn't exist." The expanse of his chest heaved with exertion, the sinewy muscles along his abdomen clenching. "And all the while I'm lying here aching, fucking dying to... You're driving me to insanity," he finished with a wild shout. "And it means exactly nothing to you—”

She grabbed hold of the back of his neck and kissed him. Just as she'd wanted to, her lips claiming his parted ones, shutting off the stream of words that flowed from him. His lips were soft and warm, and touching them set off a rush of lust that coursed along her limbs. He froze, going so tense that his neck felt like ice. For all of one second. And then he attacked. His hands plunged into her hair and gripped the sides of her head as he fell back, hauling her with him, devouring her with quick, biting kisses, punctuated by helpless groans.

Breathless and dizzy, she answered every kiss, opening her mouth when his mouth demanded it. They both shivered when their tongues slid together.

"Hell," he moaned, licking along her bottom lip. "Hell, I knew you'd taste so bloody good." He angled his head, plunging his tongue in deep as his hands held her captive. The gesture wicked and decadent. Grunting, he spun them, pressing her into the table with the strength of his body. His thigh nudged between hers, and her skirts slid up. Instantly, his hand was there, long fingers trailing along her skin. "I'm not stopping," he growled into her mouth. "So don't ask me to."

Holly tore her lips from his and grabbed a handful of silken hair. She held him fast and hard. "You'll stop if I say so."

Thorne paused, his lips brushing hers as he breathed heavily through his mouth. Hot, black eyes bore into her. "Are you asking me to stop?" He was so still and careful that she knew he would, despite his claim.

A fire raged through her veins. And the need to suckle his curved lower lip had her voice turning rough. "No."

About Kristen Callihan:

Kristen Callihan is a child of the eighties, which means she's worn neon skirts, black lace gloves, and combat boots (although never all at once) and can quote John Hughes movies with the best of them. A lifelong daydreamer, she finally realized that the characters in her head needed a proper home and thus hit the keyboard. She believes that falling in love is one of the headiest experiences a person can have, so naturally she writes romance. Her love of superheroes, action movies, and history led her to write historical paranormals. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area and, when not writing, looks after two children, one husband, and a dog - the fish can fend for themselves.

Find Kristen Callihan on the Web: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

Enter here to win a set of the entire Darkest London series (all 5 books published to date)!:
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Review: Evernight by Kristen Callihan

Evernight by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 5
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781455581641
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Once the night comes . . .

Will Thorne is living a nightmare, his sanity slowly being drained away by a force he can't control. His talents have made him the perfect assassin for hire. But as he loses his grip on reality, there is no calming him-until he finds his next target: the mysterious Holly Evernight.

Love must cast aside the shadows

Holly cannot fathom who would put a contract on her life, yet the moment she touches Will, the connection between them is elemental, undeniable-and she's the only one who can tame his bouts of madness. But other assassins are coming for Holly. Will must transform from killer to protector and find the man who wants Holly dead . . . or his only chance for redemption will be lost.

Enter the rich, seductive, dangerous world of Kristen Callihan’s supernatural Victorian-era London with Evernight. The fifth Darkest London novel is wonderfully unique and intelligent – exactly what I’ve come to expect from Ms. Callihan.

Holly is a woman ahead of her time. She’s a brilliant inventor and has a delightfully practical mind, but she’s also been living a sort of half-life since her kidnapping. Will breathes new life into Holly’s existence; he draws her out of her shell, he challenges her, and (though it sounds cheesy) he completes her as she does him. What was done to him when he and Holly were imprisoned has changed him physically and psychologically, but he’s still a vibrant, interesting demon. From the start, Holly and Will’s relationship is complex and fascinating. They need each other, but they also dislike one another – yet there’s undeniable chemistry there. I loved watching their relationship develop over the course of Evernight. At the risk of repeating myself, the two of them are simply too interesting to resist. There’re numerous obstacles – both internal and external – for them to overcome in order to simply survive, never mind be together, and Ms. Callihan kept me guessing at every turn how things would turn out.

There are a number of carefully crafted plot threads in Evernight, and Ms. Callihan masterfully weaves them together. In addition to the romance and the problem of Will’s altered state, there’s a deadly new villain in town who has their sight set on Holly for reasons I won’t disclose. If that weren’t enough, readers are treated to more of the Nex, assassins, supernatural beings whose abilities we’ve yet to explore, and the mysterious Adam, who has a problem of his own. Only an author of Ms. Callihan’s caliber could put so much in a story and still have it read as smoothly as it does. That being said, I do recommend reading the previous five Darkest London stories (Firelight, Moonglow, Winterblaze, the novella “Entwined,” and Shadowdance) before beginning Evernight. Outside the romance, much of what happens in Will and Holly’s book has its roots in events that occurred in previous books. The only downside to reading such an intricately connected series is that I wanted to start the next book, Soulbound, immediately upon finishing Evernight.

The Darkest London series is a favorite of mine for the simple fact that each book is intelligent, complex, imaginative, sensual, and romantic. Evernight continues this tradition and I simply cannot wait to see where Ms. Callihan takes readers next!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Best Books of 2013

Every year I like to take stock of what I’ve read and pick out the best of the best. In 2013 I didn’t read quite as many books as I normally do, but that doesn’t mean I let my Kindle and bookcases get dusty. I read 212 books, read stories from 84 new (to me) authors, and participated in my fourth A to Z Reading Challenge. I read a ton of fantastic stories this year, but I did manage to narrow the list down. So without further ado, here are my picks for the best of 2013:



Top Thirteen Books of 2013
Top Re-Reads of 2013
Honorable Mentions

My Top Thirteen Books of 2013

Note: Not necessarily all published in 2013 but all were new-to-me reads
Also note: The books are alphabetized by title as I love them all equally

1. Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
My Review | Buy Link





2. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
Buy Link






3. Bound by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampires, Book 1) by Larissa Ione
My Review | Buy Link





4. Decadence (Emerald Valley, Book 1.5) by Riley Shane
Buy Link






5. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, Book 1) by Robin LaFevers
My Review | Buy Link






6. Her Ladyship’s Curse (Disenchanted & Co., Book 1, Part 1) by Lynn Viehl
My Review | Buy Link





7. The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas
My Review | Buy Link






8. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
Buy Link





9. Rocky’s Road by Lynley Wayne
Buy Link






10. Trust in Me (Rancho del Cielo, Book 5) by Dee Tenorio
My Review | Buy Link






11. A Very Personal Trainer by Justine Elyot
My Review | Buy Link






12. Winterblaze (Darkest London, Book 3) by Kristen Callihan
My Review | Buy Link






13. With This Kiss: Part One by Eloisa James
My Review | Buy Link

My Top Re-Reads of 2013

1. Bed, Breakfast and Bondage (Emerald Valley, Book 1) by Riley Shane
Buy Link





2. Conspiracy in Death (In Death, Book 8) by J.D. Robb
Buy Link






3. He Loves Lucy by Susan Donovan
Buy Link






4. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Buy Link






5. Purity in Death (In Death, Book 15) by J.D. Robb
Buy Link






6. Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor, Book 1) by Jill Shalvis
My Review | Buy Link






7. Victorian Valentine by Riley Shane
Buy Link

Honorable Mentions

These books barely missed making the top thirteen list but they’re excellent.

1. The Battle for Galerir (The Galerir Saga, Book 1) by Anna Lee
Buy Link






2. The Big Book of Orgasms anthology
Buy Link






3. Entwined (Darkest London, Book 3.5) by Kristen Callihan
My Review | Buy Link






4. Ghosts of Bourbon Street by Rowan Speedwell
Buy Link






5. Learning to Live by Diana DeRicci
Buy Link






6. A Life Interrupted by Lynley Wayne
Buy Link






7. Marine Biology by Gail Carriger
Buy Link

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Review: Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan

Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 4
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781455520817
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Shifter Jack Talent has been through hell and has come out broken. The only way he knows how to live is to destroy the demons who tortured him. But his actions haven’t gone unnoticed. The Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals — for whom Jack is a regulator — is determined to uncover who has been killing the demons and they’ve assigned Jack to the case. This wouldn’t be a problem, except they’ve given him a partner…and she’s the last woman on earth he would ever want to be paired with.

Mary Chase is his biggest rival in the SOS, but Jack will never let her know that his disdain for her is a lie. The beautiful GIM has captivated him from the moment they met, but should Mary uncover his secrets, she’ll hate him forever. But the longer he’s around Mary, the harder it is for Jack to maintain his distance. And when their case takes an unexpected turn, Jack will have to face his past and a dangerous new enemy or it’ll be Mary who pays the price.

Shadowdance will leave you breathless! Kristen Callihan’s fourth Darkest London novel is a dark, sensual thrill ride that is sure to captivate readers from the very first page.

Jack has come a long way from the charming shifter he once was. His imprisonment and torture in the last book, Winterblaze, has forever changed him. Jack is tormented by his memories and scarred by what was done to him. My heart broke for him and those who love him the most, particularly Ian, the man who is Jack’s father in all ways but biological. The deeper I delved into Shadowdance, the more I wanted to see the caring, loyal shifter find his way back home. Mary is the catalyst for his recovery. She’s got scars of her own and hides her pain well, but there’s a vulnerability to her which made me desperate to see her happy. Despite everything she’s been through (or perhaps because of it), Mary possesses a core of inner strength you have to admire. Combine said strength with her intelligence and spirit and there’s no question as to why I think Mary’s a phenomenal heroine.

As individuals, Mary and Jack are undeniably appealing. Put them together and the sparks practically fly off the page. The two of them have incredible chemistry and their relationship is filled with witty banter, unexpected heartbreak, sizzling heat, and sigh-worthy romantic moments. Ms. Callihan hits all the right notes with these two, simple as that.

Romance and complex protagonists aside, there’s a richness to Ms. Callihan’s world building in Shadowdance that just delighted me as a reader. I never know where Ms. Callihan will take her characters or the Darkest London universe next, but I can have faith that whatever surprises she has in store will come about organically. In Shadowdance, Jack and Mary face off against new supernatural entities, plus we get to further explore beings we already know a bit about from previous books (such as the GIM). I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling the story, so suffice it to say that there’s never a dull moment in this book. Even if you can guess what’s coming, Ms. Callihan will still manage to knock your socks off.

Shadowdance is the fourth Darkest London book and I highly recommend reading this series in order. If you haven’t read Firelight, Moonglow, and Winterblaze, you can probably still follow along well enough, but the book might not have the emotional resonance it would otherwise have. Fans of the series will undoubtedly be happy to see some of their past favorite heroes and heroines play supporting roles in Mary and Jack’s story. The only downside to Shadowdance is that I finished the book desperately wanting to read the next story, Evernight, because man, oh man, does Ms. Callihan lay some intriguing groundwork for Holly Evernight’s book.

It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite Darkest London book because they’re all fantastic. Shadowdance continues Ms. Callihan’s streak of delivering imaginative, emotional reads that will dazzle old and new fans alike. I loved Shadowdance and I cannot recommend it highly enough!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Entwined by Kristen Callihan

Entwined by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 3.5
Publisher: Forever Yours
Genre: Historical Romance with Paranormal Elements
ISBN: 9781455577774
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

While his brother, Aidan, has been looked on with admiration, Eamon Evernight has always frightened people with his massive size, flame-red hair, and rumored supernatural abilities. After their father arranges a marriage for Aidan, it’s Eamon who writes his brother’s betrothed at Aidan’s request. What should have been a simple task turns unbearably complex when Eamon begins to fall for the witty Lady Luella Jane Moran. Eamon would never betray his brother, but how can he stand by and watch the woman he loves marry someone else?

Prepare to be utterly charmed by Kristen Callihan’s Entwined! Eamon and Lu will have you smiling, sighing, and falling wholly in love with both of them from the very first page.

Eamon’s a man who is dismissed by many because of his looks. It’s their loss, for he’s a talented, intelligent, and wonderfully giving man who is sure to make you envy Lu her good fortune in capturing his heart. As for Lu, she’s a sassy, fun heroine who – like Eamon – isn’t quite who she presents herself to be. It was delightful watching the layers be peeled back on both of these characters as they fell in love, first in letters, then in person. Ms. Callihan’s writing simply sparkled in Entwined and the interactions between Eamon and Lu gave me that lovely warm and fuzzy feeling.

Though Entwined takes place a few decades before Ms. Callihan’s Darkest London series, the end of the story does tie into the third book, Winterblaze. Eagle-eyed readers might recognize Eamon and Lu’s granddaughter Holly Evernight from Winterblaze, along with Eamon’s inventions which come up in said book as well. If you haven’t read the Darkest London series, you can still read Entwined without feeling lost.

Ms. Callihan never fails to entertain and Entwined is no exception. I absolutely adored Eamon and Lu and I hope we see much more of their family in future Darkest London books!

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Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 3
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781455520794
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 out of 5 — Recommended Read
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Poppy Lane learned at a very young age how to keep secrets. Her powers and her position in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals mean that she has to hold back a part of herself from everyone, including her husband, Winston. But when a werewolf attacks and nearly kills Winston, Poppy’s secrets are revealed; and her husband, who has no stomach for lies, leaves her. Poppy knows Winston still loves her, but she doesn’t know how to win back his trust. She’ll have to find a way, especially now that a demon is targeting them both. It will take the combined strength, intelligence and love of this husband and wife team to defeat an immortal evil hell-bent on their destruction.

The DARKEST LONDON series just gets better and better! Author Kristen Callihan is at the top of her game in WINTERBLAZE, an exciting, sensual, imaginative story that will sweep you away to a world unlike any other.

Poppy and Winston are interesting, endearing characters, and as a couple they’re simply irresistible. It’s clear from page one that they’re meant to be together, but the obstacles in their path aren’t easy ones for them to overcome. I love that Ms. Callihan weaves the story of how they first fell in love into WINTERBLAZE; it gave me a good sense of the foundation of their relationship and provided a nice contrast to the present day, showing how they’ve grown and changed in the fourteen years they’ve been married. While I can’t say much about the plot of WINTERBLAZE without spoiling the gripping twists and turns the story takes, I will say that Ms. Callihan had me rooting for Poppy and Winston all the way through the book. The only downside to this was that I didn’t want to put WINTERBLAZE down, no matter how late the hour.

Almost but not quite stealing the page from Winston and Poppy are their companions on the adventure, shifter Jack Talent and GIM Mary Chase. The chemistry these two have is undeniable and each has scenes in WINTERBLAZE that left me heartbroken and dying to read the next DARKEST LONDON book, SHADOWDANCE.

The paranormal Victorian-era world of the DARKEST LONDON expands by leaps and bounds in WINTERBLAZE, so I recommend reading the first two books in the series — FIRELIGHT and MOONGLOW — before reading WINTERBLAZE. There are new supernatural creatures to be discovered, paranormal politics to be played and a host of surprises that are sure to have you avidly turning the pages of WINTERBLAZE. Again, I’m afraid I’ll have to be vague to avoid giving away any of the fantastic twists and turns in WINTERBLAZE. Suffice it to say that you will NOT want to miss this book.

WINTERBLAZE is a phenomenal romance that I highly recommend. Kristen Callihan is an author to watch — it’s clear she’s a master at her craft. I foresee many, many more spellbinding stories coming from her and I, for one, cannot wait to read them!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 2
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 31, 2012
ISBN: 9781455508587
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Finally free of her abusive marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore wants to fully live life once more. But when taking her first step into her “new” life, Daisy narrowly misses being attacked by a werewolf. Daisy’s brush with death lands her in the arms of Ian Ranulf, Marquis of Northrup, a genial rake who is far more than he seems.

Drawn together by chance, Daisy and Ian must work swiftly to uncover the identity of the werewolf. The hunt grows deeply personal as Daisy and Ian begin to fall for one another. And with that newfound intimacy comes increased danger. For both Daisy and Ian possess dangerous secrets. Secrets that endanger for more than their hearts...

Return to the thrilling, imaginative world of Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series with Moonglow. Ms. Callihan takes readers deeper into the vision of paranormal Victorian-era London she introduced in Firelight. The result? A unique, dazzling romance that’ll leave you hungry for more Darkest London books.

Daisy is a bright, beautiful woman whose abusive husband left her with physical and mental scars she’s working to overcome. I respected Daisy’s inner strength and, what’s more, adored her truly joyful personality. Quite simply, Daisy was a delight throughout Moonglow. Ian, in turn, is an utterly delicious hero. He’s got scars of his own, ones that will tug on your heartstrings. Because of his past, he is now a man at war with himself. Ian’s a lycan, but he has given up his birthright and suppressed his true nature after the death of his son. Because of this, Ian’s constantly pulled into many different directions. And though he struggles against it, the string of werewolf killings will soon force his hand; Ian will have to take up the mantle of Alpha he turned his back on so many years ago or risk losing everything. As a couple, Ian and Daisy are never anything less than engaging. I loved how well they fit one another emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Truly, they’re a fantastic pair. While it isn’t an easy road to happily ever after — not by a long shot — Ms. Callihan makes it a journey worth taking.

Turning from romance to world building... All I can say is wow. Ms. Callihan expands on the world she created in Firelight, but she does it so smoothly, so flawlessly that I was amazed. I loved learning about the lycans, the politics of the clan, and all that Ian’s struggle entailed. And I cannot write about Moonglow without mentioning the GIMs. What are the GIMs? Alas, I wouldn’t dare spoil the fun of Moonglow by describing them here. Suffice it to say the GIMs are a fascinating supernatural species I am dying to see more of. Ms. Callihan balances world building and romance like a pro in Moonglow and that alone makes her an author to watch.

Moonglow is the second book in the Darkest London series, but Ms. Callihan provides enough information for readers new to the Darkest London world to follow along. That being said, Archer and Miranda (the hero and heroine of Firelight) are strong supporting characters and Moonglow does contain major spoilers for Firelight. Though it’s possible some readers may find Moonglow is less original than its Beauty and the Beast-like predecessor, I honestly enjoyed Moonglow far more. The only downside to Moonglow was the cliffhanger Ms. Callihan ended the story with; it made me want to read the next Darkest London book, Winterblaze, right now! Aside from that one complaint from an over-eager reader, I thought Moonglow was simply incredible. I think Ms. Callihan is an author who’s only going to get better and better at her craft, and considering how amazing her first two novels are... Well, watch out world ;)

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Kristen Callihan Book Order

Click on series title to jump to a particular reading order:

Darkest London
Game On
VIP

Darkest London

Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance

0.5. Ember
Benjamin Archer and Miranda Ellis
Note: This novella is technically a prequel, but it's best read after Firelight

1. Firelight
Benjamin Archer and Miranda Ellis

2. Moonglow
Ian Ranulf and Daisy Ellis Craigmore
My Review

3. Winterblaze
Winston Lane and Poppy Ellis Lane
My Review

3.5. Entwined
Eamon Evernight and Luella Jane Moran
My Review

4. Shadowdance
Jack Talent and Mary Chase
My Review

5. Evernight
Will Thorne and Holly Evernight
My Review

6. Soulbound
Adam and Eliza May
My Review

7. Forevermore (available 6/28/16)
St. John Evernight and Layla Starling
My Review

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Game On

Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance

1. The Hook Up
Drew Baylor and Anna Jones

2. The Friend Zone
Gray Grayson and Ivy Mackenzie

3. The Game Plan
Ethan Dexter and Fiona Mackenzie

4. [Untitled] (est. release 2016)
Cal Alder and Tess Harper

5. [Untitled] (release date unknown)
Jack Ryder

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VIP

Genre: Contemporary Romance

1. Idol
Killian and Liberty

2. Managed (release date unknown)
Gabriel and Sophie


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Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://kristencallihan.com/

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