Book Review: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2) by Laini Taylor
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

Days of Blood & Starlight is the second book in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor. I really hate to say this, but after loving the first book so much, I was pretty disappointed with this book. It kind of fell into that second book syndrome category for me. There were a lot of moments that seemed to drag on and on. This time around we are given multiple points of view, some of which I didn't find to be necessary to the book as a whole. Other characters would make an appearance or two and then we wouldn't see them again. Why? To create a bigger picture? Maybe, but we are already given a pretty good view of the situation through the characters whose point of views are necessary. We really didn't need the extras. The writing towards the end wasn't consistent and became a little choppy and flipped back and forth between moments. So, it temporarily confused me as this wasn't the normal flow for the book up until now. Aside from appearances, the angels and chimera in general seem almost human. You have good ones. You have bad ones. Some can do magic and/or fly, but there's not much that sets them apart from a human. I didn't think anyway. Days of Blood & Starlight was all about the war aspect of the story. So, we get a good look at the mentality of both sides fighting. The angels exhibit the same behavior as the chimera if not worse with the rapes and killing of children(I think both sides are now killing children). If chimera are supposed to represent the demons in this story, why is it the angels act just as bad if not worse? I get this is a time of war. Horrible things happen during war. Things I don't want to think about. But to have angels raping their own women? Why?

What are they all really fighting for or against? It's unclear.

Many things happen and we're given lots of information that I feel is crucial to the plot as it builds towards the next book. There were some twists thrown in towards the end. Actually, the book started to pick up again around the ending. By that time, it was too late to reel me in completely. After reading Daughter of Stone & Bone, I jumped into this book with such high expectations. I still have high hopes for the next book.

“He dropped to his knees, and the air between them rippled with Karou’s crippling magic and with memory. The day of her death, this is what she had seen, this: Akiva on his knees, sick with the weight of this same magic coursing off Thiago’s soldiers, and he had struggled to hold his head up and look at her—just like this—with horror and despair and love—and she had wanted more than she had ever wanted anything to go to him and hold him, whisper to him that she loved him and was going to save him, but she couldn’t, not then, and she couldn’t now, not because of shackles or pinions or the executioner’s ax but because he was the enemy. He had proven it beyond any horror she would ever have believed, beyond any betrayal she could ever have dreamed, and he could never be forgiven, not ever.

But… then… her hands fell to her sides.”  

Check out my reviews of other the books in this trilogy!



Hi there! I'm a writer of fantasy books for young people, but my books can be enjoyed by adults as well. My 'Dreamdark' books, Blackbringer (2007) and Silksinger (2009) are about faeries -- not dainty little flowery things, but warrior-faeries who battle devils. My first young adult book, Lips Touch, is a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award! It's creepy, sensual supernatural romance. . . about kissing. I am also an artist with a licensed gift product line called "Laini's Ladies."

To learn more about Laini Taylor and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads and Twitter.

Book Review: Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow

Diamonds in the Rough (The Secret Diamond Sisters #2) by Michelle Madow

Genre: Young Adult (Contemporary Romance)

Expected Release Date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

All-access doesn't mean no problems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again.

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.

Diamonds in the Rough is the second book in the Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow. If you thought there was drama in the first book, get ready! A lot of the drama revolves around the family, which I liked, because we get some more information on their history and why Adrien's been out of the girl's lives. I don't completely excuse him, but I see how he thought he was doing the right thing. The girls reactions were pretty believable too. I think I'd feel all the things they felt upon hearing the new information.

We're getting to know some of the other characters more too. For example, Madison is growing on me. Can you believe that?

Diamonds in the rough had a Gossip Girl feel to it with maybe a touch of Cruel Intentions, but not enough to make it feel creepy. I enjoyed this book much better than the first one. I wasn't expecting a cliffhanger. Certainly not one like that. Dirty pool Miss Madow. You can't leave us hanging like that. ;-)

The ARC of The Secret Diamond Sisters was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my reviews of the first book in this trilogy!

Be sure to read more books by this author! Check out my reviews below!

Michelle Madow wrote her first novel, Remembrance, in her junior year of college. Remembrance is the first book in the Transcend Time Saga, a three part series about reincarnation and true love that Michelle successfully self-published. The series was inspired by Taylor Swift's "Love Story" music video. Michelle's upcoming YA trilogy, The Secret Diamond Sisters, about three sisters who discover they are the secret heirs to a Las Vegas billionaire casino owner will be published by Harlequin TEEN in Spring 2014.

Michelle graduated from Rollins College in 2010, cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the International English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta. She received the Charles Hyde Pratt Award for Excellence in Creative Writing in 2010.

She lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is writing more novels for young adults. She loves reading, spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping, sunshine, Disney fairy tales, Broadway musicals, and spends way too much time on Facebook and Twitter (@MichelleMadow).

To learn more about Michelle Madow and her books, visit her website. You can also find the author on Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Tour! A Review of Crisis of Serenity by Denise Moncrief + Guest Post & Interview!

Crisis of Serenity (Crisis #2) by Denise Moncrief 
Genre: Adult (Suspense/Romance)
Date Published: July 15, 2014
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing

Tess Copeland lives a quiet life in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Thanks to the government’s witness protection program, she enjoys the freedom of never having to glance over her shoulder to see if someone is following her. Life has become safe, serene...and boring. Her heart longs for something more than just existing...until a ghost from her past shatters her serenity.

Once upon a time, Tess was stuck between the FBI and the men the feds were trying to take down. Jake Coleman is the U.S. Marshal who extracted her from the jam she was in with the FBI, a man she could have fallen for...hard...if she had let herself. It’s been a year since she last saw Jake, and in all the months that have passed, he’s never tried to find her. The longer he keeps his distance, the more she wonders why his absence hurts so much.

When a stranger comes to town searching for her, all of Tess’ old fears are resurrected. Asking Jake for help with her current crisis might lure him into a dangerous trap involving murder, kidnapping, and revenge. When Jake and Tess come face-to-face with the past, they will have to use all their wits to survive.

Crisis of Serenity was the second book in the Crisis series by Denise Moncrief. You don't have to read this series in order as the author does a great job catching you up on all the going ons, but I still prefer to read it in order. I think I got to know these characters better by reading it in order. This book is a whirlwind of a read. Tess is all Go Go Go! She has fight to survive. She's in witness protection, but as you know if you read the first book.. nothing goes as planned for Tess. Will she ever be safe? I like Trevor. He's got that snarky charm that always hooks me in books, but I think Jake would be a better fit for Tess. He seems more stable. I don't know. I just like him for her. With the way the first book ended, I wasn't expecting some of Tess's circumstances in the beginning of this book, and ultimately I like the path this book took.There are many twists and turns all through. It kept me on my toes and was completely entertaining from start to finish. There wasn't a dull moment.

Crisis of Serenity by Denise Moncrief was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

With my purse strap crossed over my body, I ventured out my front door, but not without drawing in a quick breath of bravado and glancing right and then left. No one seemed to be lurking in the shadows, waiting for me to make a dumb move, like leave my apartment to do my laundry. The weight of the .22 caliber handgun hidden in the depths of my purse bounced against my ribcage. It wouldn’t do anyone much damage, but maybe it would injure a bad guy enough to slow him down for me to get away.

I winced. The rhythmic pounding of the gun on my chest would probably leave a nice purple bruise. When I approached the entrance to the small Laundromat on the grounds of the apartment complex, I shifted the basket to my hip and then pushed the door open with my butt. Before I could take another step, the basket slid out of my arm.

Anger shot through me. So much of my paycheck had been surrendered to retailers who sold me towels and underwear. No one was going to take my laundry. I turned to face the thief, ready to yank my weapon from where I had concealed it. My hand stalled when it should have kept moving. I froze as I stared into the eyes of Iverson.

He passed me and entered the small coin-operated laundry, then deposited the load on a nearby washer before turning to me, a smirk of pure delight covering his handsome features. I never understood how someone so good looking could be so heart ugly. He seemed to be waiting for me to speak first. I bit my lower lip to keep from blurting what I was thinking. My thoughts had to do with him and the fires of hell and how I might help him make his journey there, but he was still law enforcement, and there was nothing I could do to speed his journey that was even remotely legal.

Finally, he took a step toward me. I remained frozen, still propping the door open with my backside, my hand clutching the shoulder strap of my bag, fingers twitching and itching to dig inside the purse’s depths to retrieve the gun. I refused to run like a scared little girl. I’d faced off with the coward before; I could do it again. He didn’t scare me…much.

“So, Tess…” He smiled, a wicked glint in his brown eyes. “Can I call you Tess? Or have you assumed a different identity again?”

I closed my eyes, hoping Iverson was only a nightmare. When I opened them, he was still standing two paces away from me.

“You know what name I use or you wouldn’t be here.” I glanced at the nametag above his left breast pocket. It appeared someone besides me was using a false identity. “Officer Jacobs.” Our eyes met, understanding passing between us like a bolt of electricity. There was no way his presence in Gatlinburg was a coincidence. I stepped closer to him, the door bumping my butt as it shut behind me. “I’m a live and let live sort of girl. You live your life and I’ll live mine, and let’s don’t get in each other’s way. Agreed?”

He laughed. “You’ve always had more guts than someone in your position should have.”

I groaned. I’d heard that before from his partners in crime. No one had been able to tie Iverson to the killings, but I was certain he had played a part in the double murder of Les Corona and Mark Padget, as well as the stabbing death of Anya. Both Iverson and I had left the shadow of those crimes behind in Colorado.

He glanced up and down my body, causing me to shiver with disgust. Why did men like him always look at me that way? I studied my reflection in my full-length mirror every morning. I wasn’t what anyone would call hot. Not by any definition. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t have body issues. I was fine with me the way I was. Always had been.

I had changed my appearance so many times over the years when I was running from the law and the bad guys that it was satisfying to look like me for a change. My dirty blonde hair was long and unruly, tied in a ponytail at that moment. My hourglass figure was bottom heavy, accentuated by the tight pants I was wearing. A man once said I had a bubble butt. Height-wise, I probably came up to the shoulder of Iverson’s six-foot frame. My proudest feature was my trim waist. I was what the fashion industry derisively called a plus size. An insulting label, since I was a size 10.

“Do the local cops know who you are?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Do the local cops know who you are?” I countered with just as much scorn.

A mischievous fire glinted in Iverson’s eyes. “I’ll stay out of your way and you stay out of mine.” I didn’t believe he meant to leave me alone. He closed the final step between us, so close I could smell his cheap cologne and the sickly sweet scent of chocolate-covered donut. “But if you cross me, Tess…” His eyes shifted over my shoulder. From where he stood, there was a clear view between buildings 8 and 9, straight across the street toward the side of Joyce’s daycare center.

I narrowed my eyes. In that moment, Iverson and I had a moment of total understanding. His threat to Joyce snatched my breath from my lungs. My knees wobbled a little. I was afraid I’d go down if I didn’t say or do something quickly. I sputtered the first thing that came to mind. “Leave her alone or I swear I’ll kill you.”

Ten Things That Make a Reader Cringe

Before I was a published writer and an acquisitions editor, I was a reader. I began reading romances when I was in high school. My friend Brenda and I traded books and read every Harlequin we could get hour hands on. I’m not going to tell you how long ago that was.

Over the years, I’ve collected some reading pet peeves. The editor in me can spot them in someone else’s work with ease. Unfortunately, I can get so close to my stories that sometimes I don’t see these flaws in my own writing...until a reader points them out to me, and then I want to bang my head against a wall because I know better.

So here they are...the top ten things that make me cringe as a reader and a writer.

10. When paragraphs are too long to fit on my eReader page – Even though I still LOVE the feel and smell of a real paperback in my hands, I’ve gone digital. When the paragraph fills the page without giving me a breather, I start skimming.

9. When the author goes on a tangent in the middle of an intense scene – When the story gets to the point where something important is about to happen, I don’t want the author to tell me the backstory or what the characters are wearing, set the scene, or discuss the weather.

8. When the author treats you like you’re stupid by over explaining – When an author tries to impress me how smart she is, I tune her out. If I think the writer is condescending to me as a reader, I’ll stop reading.

7. When the author dwells too much on an insignificant character – If the author tells me what the character looks like, what she thinks, where she came from, and what her cat’s name is, I expect that character to have an impact on the plot.

6. Missing scene transitions – It slows the story and lessens my enjoyment when I have to figure out how long it’s been since the last scene ended. I don’t want to struggle to understand what’s going on and when it’s happening. It makes a difference whether two hours, two days, or two years have passed.

5. Frequent typos and obvious grammatical errors – When errors are too frequent, I stop and try to refocus every time I come across an error. Too many stops and I’m going to close my eReader and watch something on Netflix.

4. Switching points of view too frequently – I can’t connect with the character when I’ve just gotten used to being inside her head and the point of view switches to another character. I can only handle being inside one person’s head at a time.

3. When characters obviously act out of character – Characters should change and grow over the course of a story, but even then, they should act and sound like the personality that’s been created for them. A forty-year-old man should not act or sound like a twenty-something woman unless it’s obvious he’s trying to be funny.

2. When the ending feels rushed – It leaves me unsatisfied when I’ve gotten used to the pace of a book and it ends too soon, as if the writer just wants to get the story over with. Maybe I want the plot to unravel at the pace I’ve gotten used to.

My number one pet peeve as a reader?

1. Unrealistic dialogue – I cringe when the writer tries to give me an information dump in dialogue. When one character tells another character what she is wearing or how someone is related to her, I nearly fall on the floor.

When I see these things in a book, it makes me want to turn on tracking changes and do some editing, but I can’t edit a Kindle download. Too bad. Or...maybe that’s a good thing.

How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first “novel” when I was seventeen. It was seventeen handwritten pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last Harlequin romance I’d read. The urge to write wouldn’t let go of me. In my twenties, I started another novel, only to abandon it after Chapter Four or Five. I started writing seriously about eight years ago and now I write every chance I get.

What inspired you to write the Crisis Series?
The premise for the book began with a “what if” question. What if a fugitive used a storm as an opportunity to switch identities with a dead person? In the beginning of Crisis Of Identity, Tess uses the chaos in the aftermath of a hurricane to take a dead woman’s social security number and change her own identity. This begins a chain of events that causes all sorts of trouble for Tess. Shelby’s was the wrong identity to steal. Crisis Of Serenity picks up the story where Crisis Of Identity left off. Now, Tess is in witness protection, but she still doesn’t feel safe and serene, and there are still people who want her dead.

When you first started writing Crisis of Identity, did you plan for it to be a series?
No, I didn’t, but enough readers felt the first book was unfinished and there were a few loose ends that needed tying up that I was compelled to continue Tess’ story, to help her find her happily ever after. This time, though, I know that Tess’ story will continue. Not giving any spoilers away, but the book ends with a situation that definitely needs a resolution in a third book.

After writing Crisis of Identity, was it more challenging to write Crisis of Serenity?
Yes, definitely. There was a need for consistency between the two books, not only in the characterization, but in keeping the tone and the light-hearted feel of the first book. Tess is so sassy and smart, such an unusual character, that I didn’t want to lose any of her Tess-ness. Keeping her in character and helping her grow and mature at the same time was quite a challenge.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Although I don’t think I’m anything like Tess in the Crisis series, I actually can relate to her better than any of my other heroines. She says things that I would never say and does things that I would never do, and in a way, she is the part of me that wishes I were braver and less worried about what other people think of me.

What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
I cheated playing the hot potato game on the Bozo the Clown show. The potato was clearly in my hands when the buzzer went off, but by the time Bozo turned around, the girl next to me had taken the potato from me. In my defense, I was so shy that I would have never interrupted Bozo while he was talking to tell him he’d made a terrible mistake.

What book have you read too many times to count?
I cannot think of a single book I’ve read more than once, but if I had the time, I would reread Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
A publisher, and I can’t even remember which one. I submitted my Colorado series years ago and received my first rejection. It was crushing, but the man advised me to hone my craft and polish my skills, perhaps by attending a writers’ conference. I took his advice. At the conference, I realized how much I didn’t know about the art and craft of writing. Looking back on some of the manuscripts I drafted eight to ten years ago, I cringe. Even now, I learn new skills. My biggest advice for aspiring authors is to keep writing, researching, and reading about the craft of writing. Never give up your dream.

If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I would to be Temperance Brennan from the television series Bones. If I had a do over, I think I would study forensic science, but crime scene investigation intrigues me. And she gets to hang around with a hot FBI agent, or at least, she does in the television series. I haven’t read any of the Temperance Brannan book series, but I think it’s next on my to be read list.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I learned that characters often have their own ideas about where a plot should go. I am a certified pantser. I have an idea how a story begins and I know where I want it to go. In the middle, I put myself in my character’s shoes, asking what would the character say or how would he/she react if this was real life. I try to make reactions believable. Sometimes, that’s difficult when I’ve placed a character in a larger than life situation.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I have this accounting job that takes up too much of my time, but at least, it provides me with a little bit of income to support my writing habit. I spend time with my family. I think we have a twisted sense of humor. We find amusement in the oddest things. For me there is nothing better for relieving stress than a good laugh. One of the things I look forward to every year is our family vacation.

Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Occasionally, I’ll let a bit of life experience into my writing. I will use a mannerism or a personality trait of someone I know that would fit one of my characters. I’m an unashamed eavesdropper. I collect bits of conversations I overhear and put those tidbits into my books. I think it makes dialogue more real.

Check out my review of the previous book in this series!

Want to know a little bit more about Denise? She's a Southern girl who has lived in Louisiana all her life, and yes, she has a drawl. She has a wonderful husband and two incredible children, who not only endure her writing moods, but also encourage her to indulge her writing passion. Besides writing romantic suspense, she enjoys traveling, reading, and scrapbooking.

Accounting is a skill she has learned to earn a little money to support her writing habit. She wrote her first story when she was a teen, seventeen handwritten pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last romance novel she had read. She's been writing off and on ever since, and with more than a few full-length manuscripts already completed, she has no desire to slow down.

To learn more about Denise Moncrief and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Book Review: Crisis of Identity by Denise Moncrief

Crisis of Identity (Crisis #1) by Denise Moncrief 
Genre: Adult (Suspense/Romance)
Date Published: January 26, 2013
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing

Tess Copeland is an operator. Her motto? Necessity is the mother of a good con. When Hurricane Irving slams into the Texas Gulf coast, Tess seizes the opportunity to escape her past by hijacking a dead woman’s life, but Shelby Coleman’s was the wrong identity to steal. And the cop that trails her? He’s a U.S. Marshall with the Fugitive Task Force for the northern district of Illinois. Tess left Chicago because the criminal justice system gave her no choice. Now she’s on the run from ghosts of misdeeds past—both hers and Shelby’s.

Enter Trevor Smith, a pseudo-cowboy from Houston, Texas, with good looks, a quick tongue, and testosterone poisoning. Will Tess succumb to his questionable charms and become his damsel in distress? She doesn’t have to faint at his feet—she’s capable of handling just about anything. But will she choose to let Trevor be the man? When Tess kidnaps her niece, her life changes. She must make some hard decisions. Does she trust the lawman that promises her redemption, or does she trust the cowboy that promises her nothing but himself?

Crisis of Identity is the first book in the Crisis series by Denise Moncrief. Tess is a kick butt character. I seriously think she can survive anything. She has sense and is resourceful, and she knows how to use it all to her advantage. There was so much going on in this story with murders, human trafficking, good cops, bad cops, bad people. Whew! I still don't know who to trust completely, and neither does Tess. Then you have Trevor and Jake... These two could make it hard on a girl. Are they good? Are they bad? Can she trust either of them? I was completely drawn into this book from the first few pages.

Crisis of Identity by Denise Moncrief was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my review of the next book in this series!

Want to know a little bit more about Denise? She's a Southern girl who has lived in Louisiana all her life, and yes, she has a drawl. She has a wonderful husband and two incredible children, who not only endure her writing moods, but also encourage her to indulge her writing passion. Besides writing romantic suspense, she enjoys traveling, reading, and scrapbooking.

Accounting is a skill she has learned to earn a little money to support her writing habit. She wrote her first story when she was a teen, seventeen handwritten pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last romance novel she had read. She's been writing off and on ever since, and with more than a few full-length manuscripts already completed, she has no desire to slow down.

To learn more about Denise Moncrief and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Tour!! A Review of Rogue's Paradise by Jeffe Kennedy + Guest Post

Rogue's Paradise (Covenant of Thorns #3) by Jeffe Kennedy 

Genre: Adult Fiction (Fantasy Romance)

Date Published: September 8, 2014 

Publisher: Carina Press

Book three of Covenant of Thorns

Pregnant, possessed, and in love with a man I don't dare to trust—those are the consequences of the risks I took to save my life. But Faerie, the land of blood and magic, is filled with bitter ironies, and the bargains I made now threaten me and my unborn child.

The darkly sensual fae noble Rogue still tempts me to danger and desire. As we await the birth of our child, I've been forced to question whether our offspring is part of a bargain Rogue once made to save himself. He can't tell me the truth due to a spell the vicious Queen Titania has him under. Would he betray our family against his will? Could I ever forgive him if he does?

Rogue insists on an eternal commitment from me, even as Titania's forces close in on us. I don't know if Rogue and I can withstand her onslaught, or that of the beast within me. But I will not stop looking for answers—even if it brings the walls of Faerie crashing down.

Rogue's Paradise is the third book in the Covenant of Thrones series by Jeffe Kennedy. Rogue is still the ever mysterious Rogue, although we see a new side to him within this book. But, is he sincere? Or is his behavior a means to an end?? Hmmm... As for Gwynn, she's not taking any chances and is doing her best to look out for herself and her unborn baby. I love Darling and his attitude and many names. He is a hoot.

Everything ties together nicely within this story. Some long, lingering questions have finally been answered. There are some surprising revelations as well. When I first started reading this series, I thought it was going to be my naughty little escape, and it was, but there was so much more to this story than I ever expected. It gave you adventure, humor, suspense, romance, and yes... naughtiness too.

The ARC of Rogue's Paradise by Jeff Kenedy was kindly provided to me by the publisher through Net Galley for review. The opinions are my own.

The inquiring minds at What’s Beyond Forks asked me for the inspiration behind Rogue’s character in my Covenant of Thorns trilogy. 

It’s a tricky question, because I’m not always entirely sure where any of my inspiration comes from. Suffice to say, however, that Rogue walked into the room as a total surprise to me. Which, upon reflection, is perfectly in character for him, isn’t it?

See, when I first started writing the first book, Rogue’s Pawn, (I hyperlinked to my website, but feel free to link to your review instead ) I thought the dashing Captain Liam would be the hero. Seriously. In fact, that scene where Gwynn kisses Liam between the tents was one of the initial moments I had in mind from the beginning. I dreamed that scene and was writing towards it. I didn’t expect it to be so far away in the story! I also had the dream of the bathing chamber and the Black Dog, so I knew that was a component. So, all of that went fine. I wrote about Jennifer walking out of the party, going to Devils Tower, ending up in Faerie, the encounter with the Black Dog and her injuries. 

And in walked Rogue.

As we all know by now, he totally took over, too. He started calling my heroine “Gwynn,” the mythologically fraught Celtic version of her name and it turned out he had plans for her. A very deep agenda that even I didn’t understand. He also fascinated and attracted me as much as he did Gwynn. Every time he walked onto the page, the words flew. When he disappeared on his maddeningly frequent errands, doing whatever the hell it is he does, I’d be bored. He drove me crazy and I couldn’t wait for him to return. 

At the conclusion of the trilogy, at the very end of Rogue’s Paradise, (same deal on link and I don’t think this is spoilery, but adjust if you think it is) Gwynn notes that Rogue’s name revealed his role all along. Because she doesn’t understand the Faerie language, Gwynn instead telepathically hears the meaning of people’s names instead of the actual sounds. When Rogue first introduces himself, she pictures him as a pirate in the style of Johnny Depp. By the end, she realizes that he’s a different sort of Rogue. He’s the iconoclast, the wild card, the one who can’t be predicted or controlled. That’s why he’s able to pull off what he ultimately does. 

No wonder he took me by surprise!

Check out my reviews of the other two books in this trilogy!

Check out my interview with Jeffe Kennedy

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author with a writing career that spans decades. Her fantasy BDSM romance, Petals and Thorns, originally published under the pen name Jennifer Paris, has won several reader awards. Sapphire, the first book in Facets of Passion has placed first in multiple romance contests and the follow-up, Platinum, is climbing the charts. Her most recent works include three fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns, the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion, and the post-apocalyptic vampire erotica of the Blood Currency.  

Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.

She is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

To learn more about Jeffe Kennedy and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.