Ashley Stoyanoff's Review: Ascension by Caris Roane

★ASHLEY STOYANOFF'S REVIEW★

Ascension

by Caris Roane

Title: Ascension (Guardians of Ascension, #1)

Author: Caris Roane

Number of Pages: 480

Publication Info: St. Martin’s Paperbacks (Dec 2010)

Genre: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Shelf: Books I Won

Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads: Here

Purchase: Here

Authors Website: Here

Summary from Goodreads

Vampire. Warrior. Legend. Lover.

Discover a secret, sensual world of winged vampire warriors and the women they crave—in an epic battle between unearthly longing and immortal love...

On The Wings Of Desire

Alison Wells is no ordinary woman. Born with supernatural powers, she can never make love to a man without putting him in grave danger. But when her special vision reveals a glorious muscled man soaring overhead on mighty wings, she feels an overwhelming attraction she cannot resist—even as he tells her: "I have come for you. Your blood belongs to me." 

In The Heat Of Passion

Kerrick is a vampire and a warrior who has fought his hunger for a woman's love for the past two hundred years. As a Guardian of Ascension, he is sworn to protect Alison from the death vamp armies who crave her blood and her power. But Kerrick has cravings of his own—a forbidden longing to open his heart and veins to Alison. To share his blood...satisfy his thirst...and seal their fates forever.

My Review

There are hot vampire warriors!!! Do I need to say more?

Ascension struck me by surprise, much like the infamous Breh-hedden struck Kerrick and Alison. For the first 30-ish pages I just couldn’t get into it. I’d read a page, put it down, a couple days later I’d read another. But then ... I was struck down and completely enthralled. I actually forget to eat for a full two days. All I could think about was this book. I read every second I had, before work, on my lunch, as soon as I got home. This booked had me gripped and refused to let me go.

Alison was born with powers. She knows deep down that there’s something more for her and she longs for it desperately. When she meets Kerrick the attraction between them is electric and she realizes exactly what she’s been longing for. She makes her way to the borderland and starts her rite of ascension, a three day process for her to become a vampire and ascend to Second Earth. But for someone with as much power as Alison, three days is a long wait, especially when Second Earth is in the middle of a war and the bad guys want her dead.

Right from the start I liked Kerrick. He’s a Warrior of the Blood and sworn to protect the world from the Death Vampires. His leader assigned him as Alison’s Guardian, his job,to keep her alive. Will he be able to do it? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

The characters were amazing. All of them. Endelle was my favorite for sure. She’s the leader of Second Earth. She’s a kick-ass, 9000 year old vampire. Her attitude was awesome and had me laughing out loud more than once.

I loved the idea of the Breh-hedden. The intense drive that came with it for this couple was breathtaking. The constant sexual tension was amazing. Roane did an awesome job with the destined to by mated theme. Although the hero and heroine fought the connection to some extent, they also acted on their cravings. 

I didn't have to wait until the end of the book to see these two together. It was perfect. Just perfect.

Now the reason for the four stars. I loved this book, I really did. I can look past the hard start, because when I first started it, I was crazy busy, so I figure it was probably just me. 

But the thing was, the last 60 pages dragged. A lot of the ending felt like filler. And then there were the confessions of love that seemed so formal, especially for Kerrick. It kind of ruined his image for me.

My final thoughts ... This was a great read, even if I didn't love the ending. I will definitely by buying the next one in this series. Right now I’m totally crushing on Marcus and his story is up next. If you like hot warriors, want some steamy romance, and you love vampires, then you need to check this book out.

Reading Challenge: 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge

Hosted by Under the Covers

if your like me & just can't get enough of anything paranormal, 

then you just have to join this reading challenge in 2013!

here's the low down..

1. The Immortals Reading Challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. You can join at anytime from now and throughout the year. This is a 2013 challenge, so books read before January 1 will not count to your progress.
2. You pick your goal! Read as many books as you’d like for each species. This means that you can do just one category or all five or a combination of. The choice depends on you and your reading pace.
*We have chosen to have a three book per species standard. However, if this is a breeze for you, then feel free to tackle on the additional bonus entries of two more books of the same level.
3. Re-reads are acceptable.
4. Books chosen can be of any genre.
5. To participate, copy and paste this post on your blog along with the challenge button. We ask that you provide a link back to the sign-up page in case others wish to participate.
6. Readers without blogs can still participate! Keep track of your progress with Goodreads, Shelfari or LibraryThing.

the categories

Category 1: Vampires
Some ideas for Vampire books
Read any THREE books with vampires as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with vampires

Category 2: Angels and Demons
Some ideas for Angels and Demons books
Read any THREE books with angels and/or demons as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with angels and/or demons

Category 3: Fae and Magic
Some ideas for Fae books
Read any THREE books with Fae/Witches as the main characters
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on Fae/Witches.

Category 4: Shifters/Werewolves
Some ideas for Shifter books
Read any THREE books with shifters or werewolves as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on shifters or werewolves.

Review: Bead of Blood by R.E. Butler

A Bead of Blood 

The Fourth Book in the Wiccan-Were-Bear Series

By R.E. Butler

Rating:♥♥♥♥ .5 

GoodReads

R.E's Website

Purchase on Smashwords

Goodreads Summary: 

Vampire Sabrina Chalice has spent the last few decades righting wrongs within the vampire community as a Hunter. When she stops a vampire-run, illegal were-animal fighting ring, she finds herself head over fangs for a were-bear named Griegs.

One hot moment leads to a connection that neither anticipated, and the solitary Hunter finds herself in a bear den, surrounded by love and acceptance. As Griegs makes amends and pulls Sabrina into his furry world, she’s happier than she’s ever been in her long life.

Warning: this story contains a sexy vampire that hunts other vampires, a were-bear that needs forgiveness, tent-ruining hot sex, and hatchet-burying apologies that will melt your heart.

My Review:

A bead of blood is the fourth installment in R.E. Butler's Wonderful Wiccan-Were-Bear Series which see's Griegs, after two long years find a true mate in the beautiful yet quite dangerous Sabrina. 

 R.E. has a wonderful way of drawing you into her world & I gotta tell you I loved being There, I seriously wish the Wiccan-were-bear books weren't so short! 

I love these characters & can't get enough of them! There like my furry family. 

 

It wouldn't be a R.E. butler novel with out some really sweet & romantic moments mixed with some action, deviously hot sex scenes & actually Laugh out loud moments. 

 *Warning Fan-Girl Moment Ahead* I love Greigs he is defiantly my favorite of the were-bear brothers (not that the others aren't major hotties!) but I'm a one man kinda girl & god Damn he's so panty melting hot and so very very naughty!  *drools* 

 I devoured this in a couple of hours but it still left me hungry for more....So now I'm hanging just for the next book! 

Xxx

Review:The Soul's Mark:HUNTED by Ashley Stoyanoff

The Soul's Mark:HUNTED
By Ashley Stoyanoff
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Author Website: Here
Goodreads: Here
The Soul's Mark Giveaway: Here

Good Reads Synopsis:  

When Amelia Caldwell learned that she was marked by a vampire’s soul, she did what any smart, self-preserving person would have done: tried to run. But thanks to the soulmate bond that tethered her mentally and emotionally to her vampire soulmate, Mitchell Lang, running was not an option and finding out she was a witch didn’t make her life any easier.

Now, Amelia has made peace with her new supernatural life and accepted her destiny with Mitchell, one of the most powerful vampires in the world. They are finally getting along but Amelia is sure he is hiding something—something big.

Little does she know that this is just the calm before the storm. When Mitchell’s former flame resurfaces and Eric’s dreams become distorted visions of his soulmate, hostility and tension threatens to tear their world apart. 

Just when Amelia thinks life couldn’t get any crazier, vampires and humans start turning up dead. The killer—something more sinister and haunting than your run of the mill psychopath —is heading straight for their front door.

 My Review:

 A Young Adult Vampire Novel  with No glittering!... No vows of Undying Love!... No Staring off Into the Distance!... No blood Vegetarians!....No "forbidden"  love affairs!...No whinning teenagers!... No Stupid Love Triangles!... Just Vampires being actual Vampires with Magical Delicious thrown in....well im as  happy as a kid in a candy store....

or more a bookworm  in a book store (or a second hand book store...oh yeah!)

 

The Soul's Mark:HUNTED is the Second in Installment in the unique Soul's Mark Series.  I was so excited about its release & thankfully I didn't have to wait long, when I sunk my fangs into pages I was utterly blown away! Ashley really came into her Full writing ability & it was such a joy to read.  I loved watching (ok reading) each character grow & evolve, and to see as their relationships developed... I also loved how their flaws & insecurities aren't hidden or totally eradicated.. No body's perfect & that really comes through in Ashley's writing which helps to weave a more readable, relatable & heart felt story. My emotions were totally all over the place, one chapter I would be near tears the next I would be smiling like a  Cheshire Cat......

 

(epically during a naughty little part... Yay!) But seriously The Soul's Mark:HUNTED is a Awesome Novel & I am stoked I got the chance to read & review it! =) 

 Would I Recommend it? YES 

 Would I Re-Read it? Hell Yes!   

Review: Moon Trilogy by C.L. Bevill

Moon Trilogy by C.L. Bevill

GoodReads
C.L. Bevill's Website


♦

Black Moon, Book 1#
Rating: ♥♥♥
*mature content warning*

Donovan is a werejaguar warrior for the werecat clan who's spying on there enemy the evil whitelaws, a werewolf clan who love money & murder.Isabella is a special librarian for a secret committee who job is to protect the human race. The Story starts of interesting & very promising but loses it towards the middle & then kinda cuts short at the end. Which is a shame because I really wanted to get into this book but just couldn't. As with most free books you get what you pay for. Action, Semi Romance, a bit of a plot with lust = Black Moon. All in all ok but not great. 

♦

Amber Moon, Book 2#

Rating:♥♥♥1/2

Mirie an agent of the secretive committee is assigned to stalk...I mean observe a hunky elvish prince who has the powerful possible world ending artifact but the problem is like all good short novels, her target is just to cute.....mmmm

I've read all three of the moon trilogy's & this is defiantly my favorite, mostly because of the female lead mirie. I like how there's a little reference to first book & picks up what was left out. But was a bit disappointed there was no real lust or romance going on unlike the other two books, which was a shame because I like this couple the best. Still a good book tho. 

♦

Silver Moon, Book 3#

Rating: ♥♥♥

*mature content warning*

Silver moon is the nice & tidy ending of the trilogy, jack drake & asta (who we meet in the second book) must find out the mystery of the silver moon while fighting werewolves & dragons and also while desperately trying to keep their hands off each other.....the Naughty things! ;)

Nothing epic happens..it was good but nothing really special, it worth reading if you've read the first two in the series tho.

Review: The Soul's Mark Found by Ashley Stoyanoff Extended and Revised .

The Soul's Mark FOUND.

By Ashley Stoyanoff.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥1/2

Authors Website:Here
Goodreads: Here
Amazon: Here

'This is my second review of this novel It had be revised and extended so I decided to re-read and re-review it' 

"You Can Not Run From Destiny"

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anxious to leave her destructive past behind, Amelia Caldwell moves to Willowberg, excited for a fresh start. Once there, she discovers that her birthmark is more than it seems. She has been marked by a vampire’s soul. Not only does she hold his soul, but Amelia is also his soulmate.

After almost a century of searching for his soulmate, Mitchell Lang fears the worst—he is going to lose Amelia to another man. His heart takes over, and his impulsive decision to take away her free will and to intensify their bond quickly turns her growing love into hate.

When they become trapped in the emotional rollercoaster of their souls' bond, open conflict erupts. Amelia has no intentions of belonging to anyone, not even her soulmate, and Mitchell refuses to let her go.

While she frantically searches for a way to escape his grasp, Amelia unlocks the painful memories of her past and uncovers a powerful secret. But before she has a chance to explore her newfound edge, she finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly game of revenge and is forced to realize that YOU CANNOT RUN FROM DESTINY.

Review:

"The first thing you should know is that soulmates are real. They are not just some romantic idea. We are made for one person and one person alone."

The Souls Mate:FOUND Has made me fall in love with vampires again, I'll still having a love/hate relationship with YA novels but hey I'm super happy because I haven't read a good vamp novel since Dracula, I'm more of a shifter kinda girl but I read the synopsis then I was hooked, I just had to read it and it didn't disappoint it actually got me quite addicted.

I was soooooooo  hoping there was more in the series!...no more it was more demanding, demanding more in the series and thank god those demands have been heard in the form of The Soul's Mark:HUNTED! 

  Ashley has a wonderful way of making the reader feel the characters emotions, I seriously could not stop giggling, it was terrible & those feelings of first crush's ekkkkkkk so embarrassing! 

"Hot, she thought. Green hair, hot? Well, on him, yes, it was really hot." 

I think I forgot to mention in my first review how original & totally epic the Soul's mark is, like the concept I mean it's has to be one of the most original concepts I've ever read + ash pulled it off perfectly. I can't believe I've never thought of it before, a vampire's  Soul linked to a human... it just makes so much damn sense! & it's quite romantic. 

"He was close enough that she could feel the heat of his skin. But even with this closeness, Amelia felt as if they were painfully far away from each other. She felt a tug, as if she was being pulled towards him by an invisible chain and without realizing it, she slid closer. He reached out, brushing away her tears and leaving behind a sizzling trail of sparks where his fingers had touched her skin. Her heart beat erratically, thumping like a jackhammer."

All tho i liked all the characters each in there own special way,  I'd have to say the character I loved most was Amelia, she just had that crazy, lovable,  loyal charm. 

The Heroine: 

Amelia was a fresh take on a female lead..if only for her curly locks (I'm naturally curly so I love lead females that are too... Crazy I know but it makes her more relatable) Smart Strong & Confident just want a female lead Needs to be but she was also stubborn, emotional & not Submissive! (Thank God!)

The Hero:

Mich the Male lead was a bit over protective & dare I say it possessive ( but not to the extreme some books take it). 

His ridiculously hot & despite his faults his a compassionate & loving character.

The Hottie:

Eric....omg his not a total lead but as you probably guessed already I'm in total book lust! His just the kinda guy I go for insanely hot, with Crazy Hair (mmmmmmm), maybe not the smartest guy around but with a heart of gold & a wicked sense of humor!

Ashley Did a great job of weaving this light hearted romantic novel together with a devious paranormal twist, I'd defiantly recommend it to all lovers of YA, Vamps or just anyone really!

"And she loved the way he made her feel, the way her heart beat when he was near, the electricity she felt at his touch, and the nervous butterflies he always caused in her stomach."

Giveaway: The Soul's Mark Series Book Bundle!

I'm Super Excited to be having a New Giveaway with the the Help from an awesome chickee Ashley  Stoyanoff!...

So when Ash asked me if I wanted to give away some copies of her super kick arse novels filled with vampire delious-ness, I was like...

I can't wait to sink my fangs into her new novel The Soul's Mark:HUNTED, the second book in the Soul's mark series & neither should you! & if you haven't read her first novel The Soul's Mark:FOUND check out my review here & Grab your copy here! 

Click Here for a Excerpt of The Soul's Mark:FOUND

Click Here for a Excerpt of The Soul's Mark:HUNTED

So here's the low done on the  Giveaway..
Where: International 
When: 15th November til 1 Dec
What: The Soul's Mark Found Prize Bundle!
Why: Because your Awsome 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Soul's Mate: FOUND.

The Soul's Mark FOUND.
By Ashley Stoyanoff.

"You Can Not Run From Destiny"

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

The Souls Mate:FOUND Has made me fall in love with vampires again, I'm still having a love/hate relationship with YA novels but hey I'm super happy because I haven't read a good (non adult) vamp novel since twilight, I'm more of a shifter kinda girl but I read the synopsis then I was hooked, I just had to read it & it didn't disappoint it actually got me quite addicted & I'm soooooooo hoping there's more in the series!...no more like demanding more in the series at least more of Eric.


There's not much to put down that synopsis hasn't already said So I'll just give my honest opinion. :)

The Book started off really great, The characters were engaging & enjoyable. Even tho you knew what was happening early on, you still wanna know more.
I was defiantly going 5 stars but towards the middle near end I became confused then that confusion turned to annoyance. **Spoiler**This was about the time Amelia went to the physic, I really had little understanding of what was going on & then felt like everything the physic said (I forgot her name) was simply to fill up some space or give way for the more serious part of the novel**spoiler**

The book was written in third person but was set solely on Amelia the female lead which became frustrating I wanted a greater understanding of the characters & their interactions with each other.

while I'm at it I do have one more winge There's no Sex!...I'm not talking Erotica Its YA so that's not gonna happen but for a relationship to blossom & be realistic There's needs to be a bit more sexual love/hate tension to make it more believable, basically When you don't know wether you want kiss them or punch them

The Heroine:
Amelia was a fresh take on a female lead..if only for her curly locks (I'm naturally curly so I love lead females that are too... Crazy I know but it makes her more relatable) Strong & Confident just want a female lead Needs to be but she was also stubborn, emotional & not Submissive! (Thank God!)

The Hero:
Mich the Male lead was a bit over protective & dare I say it possessive ( but not to the extreme some books take it).
His ridiculously hot & despite his faults his a compassionate & loving character.

The Hottie:
Eric....omg his not a total lead but as you probably guessed already I'm in love! His just the kinda guy I go for insanely hot, with Crazy Hair (mmmmmmm), maybe not the smartest guy around but with a heart of gold & a wicked sense of humor!

The Ending was the perfect mix, in a way it was what I expected but at the same time I was surprised.

All in all it was a great book with a great story line plot & characters, it's just could of been so much more.
Ashley did a great job & like I said before I really hope fore more books.

(Update-ish Ashley has recently expended this novel & hopefully made a couple of changes around the end, I'm planning on reading it really soon & will have my "updated" review up ASAP)

Review: Hot Vampire Touch.

Hot Vampire Touch (Vampire Wardens 3#) By Lisa Renee Jones.
*Warning Adult Content*



Hero: Troy.
Heroine: Cassie.
Sex Rating: 3.8
Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Summary: Troy is a Vampire Warden who has been betrayed by a werewolf he loved & turned into something, neither Vampire or Wolf. Only to be healed & loved by a she wolf…if he doesn’t destroy them both first.

Review: Book Three was my favorite story wise but was pretty boring sex wise ok so I wanted Marcus in all is vampire leather goodness to just in there & have a god damn orgy!....ok that's out of the way back to the story hot vampire touch is the satisfying but not all too Intense ending to the vampire Warden trilogy & leads way to the werewolf society series.
It was a tight little story & I quite enjoyed it.

Review: Hot Vampire Seduction.

Hot Vampire Seduction (vampire wardens 1#)
By Lisa Renee Jones.



Hero: Aiden
Heroine: Kelly.
Favorite Character: Kelly/Marcus.

Sex Rating 4.6
Overall Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Summary:
The underground vampire population of Austin, Texas has taken to hosting orgies with human women who’ve been forced to indulge in a new aphrodisiac.The drug, Blood Red, is a mixture of a rare type of werewolf blood and that of a vampire. Blood Red creates an insatiable desire for sex in the user to the point of pain in the absence of pleasure. Sometimes that pain leads to death.
Vampire Warden, Aiden Brooks, has spent more than a hundred years enforcing the laws of his race, and life has taught him that anyone that he allows into his world ends up dead. Despite knowing this all too well, having painfully loved and lost in his past, when his search for the creator of Blood Red places coroner Kelly Riggs directly in both his path, and that of a dangerous clan of vampires, his desire for her goes well beyond offering her protection. He’s drawn to her bravery, seduced by her feisty spirit and beauty, but he is determined to resist her, fearing he will put her in harms way. But Kelly is already on the radar of the enemy, and when she gets too close to the evil vampire clan’s secrets, she is given Blood Red. Now Aiden’s hunger for her might be the only thing that can keep her alive but who will save her from him?

Review
The chracters in the second book are much more interesting but so is the story itself, there were some moments I found my self blushing & other times giggling, so it's not a in depth read & you don't have to really enjoy vamps just hot brothers who kick ass!!!!

Review: Hot Vampire Kiss.

Hot Vampire Kiss.(Vampire Wardens 1#) By Lisa Renee Jones.
*Adult Content Warning*

Hero: Evan.
Heroine: Marissa.
Fav Character: Troy.
Sex Rating: 3.9
Average Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Summary:
The werewolf population is entrenched in a century long civil war, and now they are plagued by a virus that is turning wolves into killers. The Brooks brothers pursue one such rogue werewolf to Temple, Texas. It is in Temple that Evan encounters a beautiful nurse named Marissa who instantly melts the hundred years of ice running through his veins. When she is brutally attacked by the wolf, he breaks the rules of the Vampire Council and uses his blood to save her. Now, if he doesn’t kill the wolf by the next full moon, Marissa will become a killer wolf, and he will be sentenced to death.

Review:
I really enjoyed hot vampire kiss, the sex scenes were good but not great & the story is the "slowest" of the trilogy, its mostly about setting up the scence for the next two books.