• Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

Wading Through...

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives - Wading Through
  • Archives - The Craft Sea

Forevermore by Kristen Calihan -- Release Day!

It's release day for the final book in the Darkest London series! Check out my review, an exclusive review, and a giveaway below!

Title: Foevermore (Darkest London #7)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Forever 2016

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 308

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Popsugar - Published in 2016; Women Authors

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.

I received a copy of this soon-to-be-released book from the publisher. I didn't even realize that there was going to be a seventh book, but I'm so glad there is!I have loved Callihan's world building and twist on the paranormal world.  We get to see so many different beings and relationships. This volume wraps up the Darkest London world in a neat little package. We get a fitting ending to all the characters we've met in the previous books. And this one focuses on Sin Evernight. I thought he was an intriguing character in the previous storyline. It was nice to see him get his own story and romance! I sped through this book in one day desperate to see how everything came together. Oh man! I am going to miss this series, but it's a good absence.

An Awesome 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.”

BUY THE BOOK HERE

AmazonBarnes & NobleBooks-A-MillionGoogle PlayiBooksIndieboundKobo

AUTHOR INFORMATION

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.

WebsiteFacebookTwitterPinterestGoodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramPinterest

Darkest London Series

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

tags: 5 stars, Kristen Callihan, paranormal, Popsugar, Read My Own Damn Books, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.28.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Forevermore by Kristen Callihan

Releasing June 28th, 2016!!!!

Title: Foevermore (Darkest London #7)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Forever 2016

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 308

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Popsugar - Published in 2016; Women Authors

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.

I received a copy of this soon-to-be-released book from the publisher. I didn't even realize that there was going to be a seventh book, but I'm so glad there is!I have loved Callihan's world building and twist on the paranormal world.  We get to see so many different beings and relationships. This volume wraps up the Darkest London world in a neat little package. We get a fitting ending to all the characters we've met in the previous books. And this one focuses on Sin Evernight. I thought he was an intriguing character in the previous storyline. It was nice to see him get his own story and romance! I sped through this book in one day desperate to see how everything came together. Oh man! I am going to miss this series, but it's a good absence.

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Soulbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 5 stars, Kristen Callihan, paranormal, Popsugar, Read My Own Damn Books, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.01.16
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Title: Soulbound (Darkest London #6)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2015

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 366

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Ebook; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W50

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 . . .

An enjoyable volume in this series. I wasn't a fan of Eliza or Adam in the previous books, but they definitely grew on me over the course of this one. I really came to pull for them throughout the book. The storyline was fun. The ending was satisfactory. But my favorite part was encountering all the previous characters in the series. The little glimpses of Ian and Archer were great. And I liked seeing more from Lucien and Sin. The ending left the series open for another book.  At least I hope so...

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Soulbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, ebook, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, Seriously Series, TBR Reduction
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 12.14.15
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Evernight by Kristen Callihan

Title: Evernight (Darkest London #5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2014

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 385

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall into Reading; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W47; Monthly Motif - December That's a Wrap

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.

After two good, but not great volumes, Callihan redeems herself with this awesome engaging book from the Darkest London series.  Immediately I fell in love with Will and Holly. Of course, I knew that they would end up together at the end, but I loved their journey.  I loved watching the characters grow and open up. I loved their little fights and arguments. I loved the background story and additions to the world of the series. Finally we get to hear more and the fae!  We even get a few appearances from previous characters.  Thank you Jack Talent! I was engrossed in this novel from page one and couldn't put it down until the end.  Can't wait until book six is released next year.  I'm betting it will be about Sin and the mysterious lady at the party...

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 5 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, Fall Reading Challenge, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, Monthly Motif, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 11.16.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Shadowdance by Kristen Callihan

Title: Shadowdance (Darkest London #4)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 427

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall Reading Challenge; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W42; Seriously Series

Once a heart is lost in shadow . . .

Life has been anything but kind to Mary Chase. But the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals has given her purpose. Now she's been tasked with catching a vicious murderer dubbed the Bishop of Charing Cross. But someone is already on the case-and the last thing he relishes is a partner.

 

Only someone who lives in darkness can find it.

Jack Talent has been alone with his demons for many years. He never expected to have the willful Mary Chase assist him on the Bishop case. Their age-old rivalry reaches new heights-even as their desire for one another reaches a fever pitch. Though he aches to bring her close, Jack's dark secrets are a chasm between them. With dangerous enemies closing in, Jack must find the strength to face the past . . . or risk losing Mary forever.

Another good but not great book in the Darkest London series.  I was never interested in learning more about Mary or Jack from the previous books.  While I may not have loved the characters, the storyline was much better than the previous full novel.  I enjoyed learning more about the Nex and the fallen and the other demons.  I will have to pick up the next volume soon to get my paranormal romance fix.

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 10.14.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Entwined by Kristen Callihan

Title: Entwined (Darkest London #3.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 120

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Read Your Freebies; 52 Books - W41; Seriously Series

Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it's Eamon's help-and quick wit and romantic heart--that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady...a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man. 

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

Such a fun little novella to expand the Darkest London universe.  I didn't realize how this story fit into the larger one until the last page, but the story itself was worth it.  I loved following Luella and Eamon as they discover one another and their own destiny.  It was a real treat.  Can't wait to read the next volume.

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 52 books in 52 weeks, ebook, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, Read Your Freebies, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 10.07.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Title: Winterblaze (Darkest London #3)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 411

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W37

Once blissfully in love . . . Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . .

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test. Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

I really wanted to like this volume.  I loved the first and second books in the series.  I thought I would continue to enjoy this series.  I did like the storyline involving the demon Isley.  It was interesting was we got an expansion of the Darkest London world.  But there were two things that turned me off from the book: main characters and sex scenes.  The main characters, Winston and Poppy, paled in comparison to Archer and Miranda or Ian and Daisy.  I just could not like these characters no matter what they did.  Because I didn't like the main character, I found myself yelling at the book more than enjoying it.  My other issue was with the constant sex scenes.  Now I like a good steamy sex scene in my books, but it seemed that every other chapter was a sex scene.  After awhile, I started skimming those sections.  Too much and too much almost sex.  It got old after awhile.  This novel isn't billed as erotica but paranormal romance.  I expect a few sex scenes, but more plot and character development.  I didn't get it.  Unfortunately this volume fell a bit flat for me.  I hope the next in the series is better.  I own Shadowdance and I would like to read about more in the world. I guess we will see next month...

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 3 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 09.08.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

Title: Moonglow (Darkest London #2)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 382

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Monthly Motif - Alternate Reality

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . . Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . . 

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . . Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul. 

I thought I really enjoyed the first volume in this series, Firelight.  How is it that the second volume is even better?  I immediately fell for Daisy and Ian.  I was rooting for them the entire time.  The complications were riveting.  The world expansion was a nice surprise.  As was the inclusion of Miranda, Archer, Poppy, and Winston.  I was lost in this book until the very end.  I could not put it down!  Definitely a winner!  I can't wait to read the third volume.  I hope we get to see more of Poppy and Winston and special appearances by all the already know characters and a few shadowy figures.  I want more!

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 5 stars, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, Monthly Motif, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 08.21.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Firelight by Kristen Callihan

Title: Firelight (Darkest London #1)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Hachette Book Group 2012

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 372

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Women Authors; Monthly Key Word - December; Seriously Series

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

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

I was intrigued by the prequel, but was wary of what would actually happen in the series.  I need not worry.  This series started off amazing!  I immediately fell for Miranda and Archer.  I rooted for them to finally confess their feelings and their secrets.  Of course it happened in the last 20 pages, but that's okay.  I was enjoying their journeys.  And we get some very interesting side characters.  I figured out that the series will continue with some of the side characters and not focus on Miranda and Archer.  I'm a little sad to lose them, but this volume explored most of their story.  A great start to a hopefully great overall series.  Can't wait to read to the next one.

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Spellbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 5 stars, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, monthly key word, mount tbr, Seriously Series, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 07.12.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Ember by Kristen Callihan

Title: Ember (Darkest London #0.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publisher: Forever Yours 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 88

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; New Author; 52 Books - W19; Read Your Freebies; Monthly Key Word - April (Light)

After a fire consumes the Ellis family fortune, the beautiful and resourceful Miranda finds herself faced with an impossible dilemma: enter a life of petty crime or watch her family succumb to poverty. But once her fiancée learns of her descent into danger--and of the strange, new powers she's discovered --saving her family may come at the high price of her heart. 

When Lord Benjamin Archer's one chance for redemption is destroyed by corrupt London antiquarian Hector Ellis, he vows to take what Ellis values most-his daughter Miranda. Forced to hide his face behind masks, Archer travels the world hoping to escape the curse that plagues him so that he can finally claim his prize.

But once Archer returns home to London, will it be revenge he seeks? Or will the flame-haired beauty ignite new, undeniable desires? 

I picked up this little prequel around the same time that I picked up the first book in the series.  I was immediately drawn in by the story and characters.  We get some background into Miranda and Archer and (I'm imagining) a set-up to the actual series.  I can't wait to dive into Firelight.  Now I just need to go find the physical book somewhere in my library...

Darkest London

  • #0.5 Ember
  • #1 Firelight
  • #2 Moonglow
  • #3 Winterblaze
  • #3.5 Entwined
  • #4 Shadowdance
  • #5 Evernight
  • #6 Soulbound
  • #7 Forevermore
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, ebook, fantasy, Kristen Callihan, monthly key word, New Author, Read Your Freebies
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 05.06.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Powered by Squarespace.