Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

 

BRIDE by ALI HAZELWOOD

Series: n/a

Publication date: February 6, 2024

Published by: Berkley

Genre: paranormal romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again...

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

Purchase your copy now!

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Praise for Ali Hazelwood:

"Bride is a delight! Passionate and witty and primal in its intensity, Ali Hazelwood's paranormal debut introduces a world as intriguing as its characters. I absolutely adored this read."—Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author

“Ali Hazelwood finally gives us paranormal, with her trademark humor, twisty plot, and spice that doesn’t quit—buckle up.”—Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author on Bride

“Hazelwood unleashes her sparkling voice and wit on a paranormal Romeo and Juliet.”—Ruby Dixon, international bestselling author on Bride

“The romance that blooms from a marriage of convenience is both tender and foxy, indisputably sexy and brimming with heart.”—Isabel Cañas, USA Today Bestselling Author of Vampires of El Norte on Bride

“It’s official. There’s nothing Ali Hazelwood can’t do brilliantly when it comes to writing. LOVED it.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Ali Hazelwood is a romance powerhouse and she's put me firmly back in my werewolf era.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Hannah Grace

"Whenever I want a sexy, witty, delicious romance, told in a fresh and intelligent voice, I read Ali Hazelwood. Prepare to get addicted. Each book is pure joy."—Simone St. James, New York Times bestselling author

“Hazelwood is an absolute romance powerhouse.”—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren

“Funny, sexy and smart.”—New York Times bestselling author Mariana Zapata

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm Ali, and I write contemporary romcom novels about women in STEM and academia. I love cats, Nutella, and side ponytails. I'm also currently learning to crochet, so as you can tell I'm a super busy gal with an intense and exciting life!

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REVIEW

Bride by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Misery and Lowe are voluntarily entering into an arranged marriage for the good of their respective species. The Vampyres and Werewolves would form a shaky truce between them if their wedding could conclude without anyone killing each other. As the Vampyre Councilman's daughter, Misery is used to sacrificing her happiness and safety for the good of their kind. Her father sent her to live among the humans when she was a child to be what is called the Vampyre Collateral. This is a grudging agreement between humans and Vamps in which a child is exchanged on both sides to live on the alternate side. If the treaty is broken by either side, it's understood that the Collateral child will be killed. Misery's father had no regrets about placing his daughter in danger then, and definitely not now for this dangerous marriage of "convenience."

   Heartbeats are like fingerprints, one of a 

kind, distinctive, the easiest way to tell 

people apart. Father’s was pressed into 

my flesh on the day I was born, when he 

was the first person to hold me, the first 

person to care for me, the first person to 

know me. And then he washed his hands of me.

She takes it all in stride though-if there's one thing she's used to, it's being an outcast with a target on her back. Besides, she has her own motivation for agreeing to marry Alpha Were Lowe Moreland.

Misery is a tough, gritty heroine, and very much a loner-with one exception. Serena Paris is her one and only best friend that she met while growing up with in human territory. Their relationship goes beyond friendship, she's like the sister she never had. Vampyres are notorious for being aloof and undemonstrative with their emotions, but Serena is her weakness. She may not be the touchy-feely type, but she has her own snarky, sarcastic way of showing her that she cares. They are very similar in that way, which is why I really enjoyed their scenes together when we finally meet her in the later chapters. I honestly wish we could have gotten more page time with Serena to establish her character early on and their friendship dynamic. She was a fantastic secondary character that held her own and I'm looking forward to hopefully reading her story in the future. There is foreshadowing at the end that hints that she will be paired with a certain Were character and I'm totally down for it.

Lowe is a strong, respected alpha who has also lived a life of sacrifice. He and Misery have that in common and it is one of the first things that they see and respect in each other. They try to keep their physical and emotional distance, but fate has a way of turning plans upside down. Bride has a "he falls first" trope which I actually really enjoyed. You don't really see that with Were/shifter books so I found that to be pretty unique. You also get forbidden romance vibes from them, because they have a lot of obstacles to overcome due to the prejudices of their species towards each other.

Lowe is a very caring, giving person, so despite the intensity of his feelings for her, he conceals his true emotions for much of the book to protect her. This is something that bothered me a bit because it caused a huge conflict in their potential relationship. Lowe unilaterally makes the decision to hide important information from her as well as his true feelings in order to give her the "freedom of choice." He feels that she's been pushed into situations her whole life that trapped her, and he does not want to do the same. My issue is...by not being completely open and honest with her, he is making the choice for her instead of allowing her the free will to make an informed decision. I don't exactly view that as freedom. So the non-communication and dishonesty on his part caused some mildly irritating issues that could have easily been avoided.

There is a mystery side story which didn't have a lot of page time once Misery was living in Were territory which seemed a bit unrealistic for me. She felt desperate to find answers to all of her questions, but we barely see her looking into the matter at all. Also, I found the antagonist very easy to guess from the beginning, so it lacked any surprise towards the end. None of these things were big issues, but noticeable enough to bring up.

I enjoyed the romance between Misery and Lowe quite a bit and felt that they made a complimentary, supportive pair. You get third person POV snippets of Lowe's thoughts regarding her at the beginning of the chapters as well as the epilogue. This gives you some insight into his private internal battle as he struggles with his very uncomfortable attraction. Misery really blossoms under his care and protection. You see a softer side emerge by the end because Lowe is able to make her feel safe and wanted for the first time in her life. She never fit in quite right with any of the species, but he finally gives her a true home and sense of what family should feel like.

   I would take anything she chose to give me—

the tiniest fraction or her entire world.

I'm glad I chose this book as my first read by Ali Hazelwood. It was a good first impression to her work and I'll definitely be checking out any future additions to this potential series in the future. There is no series listed yet, but all signs are pointing in that direction.

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Review: A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton

Angels walk among us, but so do other unearthly beings in this brand new series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.

A TERRIBLE FALL OF ANGELS 

by LAURELL K. HAMILTON

Series: Zaniel Havelock #1

Publication date: August 17, 2021

Published by: Berkley

Genre: paranormal, fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Meet Detective Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. The race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.

The first in a new series from the author of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series.

Purchase your copy now!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PHOTO CREDIT: Ma Petite Enterprises

Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.

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REVIEW

A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I just finished a four hundred page information dump on demons, angels, witches, spirit guides, animal guides, guardian angels, a baba yaga descendant, a voodoo priest, a "remote viewer," different specialties in the College of Angels, and abrupt, abstract descriptions of otherworldly interactions in the heavenly realm. As you would imagine, I'm feeling just little bit mentally exhausted after such a marathon of data. There was a slew of characters from Zaniel's past at the College of Angels, there was another huge set of police force characters-and if that wasn't enough, some of the characters had three different names. (Zaniel couldn't even get his best friend's name straight for the life of him.) So in other words, there was so much to compute that my brain is feeling a little numb right now. I'm going to try to sum things up as concisely and clearly as possible.

This was my first read by this author so I have nothing to compare this new series to. I've always been curious about Ms. Hamilton's work because of the popularity of her Anita Blake books. However, as a blogger I just didn't have the time to attempt an established 28 book series when I have so many ARC obligations on my plate. That's why I jumped at the chance to try out her new Zaniel Havelock series. My first impression here was that she's a big fan of detail. Normally that's a good thing to have intricate world building in urban fantasy. In this case, it was on the opposite side of the spectrum from "too little, too late." There were supernatural lessons like these littered through every chapter- even in the middle of character building, internal dialogue.

“Infernals take on the appearances of the human imagination nearest them,” Charleston said. “What?” Miller asked. 

“What he said,” the female security guard said. 

“It means they look like what the nearest human thinks they should look like, but they won’t appear in their true Hellish form, not here on Earth, except maybe for a second, then it changes,” I said. I didn’t add that a second could be enough for insanity or death for the human seeing it, but our minds protected us from so much, including demons. If a person could survive that second, then what they thought changed what they saw; demons used it to appear as our worst nightmares, but even that was usually less soul-destroying then the demon’s original form.

You take your time to get a good grasp on what is being explained, but the problem is that the infernal creature committing murders in the central mystery plot breaks all the rules in the rulebook. So this thing has abilities that contradict everything we've been told and by the end of the book, there was only the barest hint of why that could be. I understand that this is the introduction to a very long series and we should expect things to be drawn out far into the future, but I felt that the purpose of this book was to simply teach us who the characters were and begin to explain the world they live in. There were many different plot arcs such as Zaniel's marriage difficulties, his friend Levanael's mental illness recovery, his mysterious past affair with a Seraphim, the events that broke his faith in the college of angels, and attempting to piece together the mystery of the demon possessed/merged Cookson. The plot was so erratic, jumping from one point to another, that your attention never truly has time to engage with any one thing. To be frank, my favorite parts of the book were the action sequences where Zaniel was facing off with the demonic being. All of the other parts were often rambling, disjointed scenes stuck together.

For instance, why was Kate introduced? She is supposed to be from the lineage of a russian folklore witch called Baba Yaga. Zaniel seems notably attracted to her (despite his conflicted feelings about putting his family back together). He has an odd wound from her that keeps strangely seeping blood which we're led to believe has some deeper meaning. Then it just heals at the end and nothing ever comes of it. She never enters the story again, and we don't know why the wound behaved that way. Then there's the conflict that occurred with the spirit animal raccoon. We were told that this was a very strange and worrisome thing that the raccoon had been separated from a witch named Ravensong. She and Emily were both so distressed over the matter and then after the climax of the story it was never addressed again. Lila and Adam got only a hint of a romantic connection before disappearing from the story. Then we have the tangled mess of the College of Angels. I can't seem to get a cohesive picture of that place at all.

Zaniel grew up in the College of Angels. For a long time, he believed that he was training for a higher purpose and putting his supernatural gifts with angels to good use. He and his best friends Surrie and Lev were like the three musketeers in the strict religious faction he lived in until he broke away and joined the military. Something happened to severely disillusion him and I sensed that it was caused by the leaders in particular. However, what they were being taught about angels and demons actually seemed valid. Zaniel himself truly has the ability to communicate with angels and yet he feels as if he has just been indoctrinated by the group.

   She was still comfortable and secure in the College of Angels

and everything they taught us there. 

No, not taught, indoctrinated. 

How do you know you’re in a cult? 

You usually don’t until something happens that is so terrible 

you can’t ignore it, or pretend it didn’t happen, 

and then you start questioning everything.

Zaniel is able to withstand holy fire and speak with the higher forms of Celestial beings without dying or going crazy. Surrie helps heal people who are demon touched-once again, a true ability. She's even called in as a consultant for one of Zaniel's jobs on the force. And yet, the college is classified as a cult by Zaniel and the rest of society. There was even a Netflix documentary about their cult-like practice of recruiting children and then permanently keeping them from their parents. Why would the police force recruit help from a cult? That would be like recruiting a Scientologist even though its been established that they are brainwashed at best and criminals at worst. The definition of a cult is a religious sect considered to be extremist or false. Most of the time led by one charismatic or deranged leader. Holding the kids captive fits, the extreme rules forced on the members, the disassociation from members who leave...they fit. So then why are they teaching them legitimate skills rooted in truth? Why did Zaniel feel loyalty towards the "masters" at the College when they very clearly failed his friend and ruined his mind for over a decade? I was baffled as to why he seemed to be defending them when Levanael confided in him that they played a large role in his tragic break from reality. It didn't begin to come together for me.

“So, you are no longer Christian,” she said. 

“I am still a follower of Christ.” 

“How is that different from being Christian?” she asked. 

“I find organized religion difficult to deal with.”

Again, I get that there will be many books to come in the series that will potentially shed some light on all of my questions and inconsistencies. I just don't know if I am suitably invested in our hero Zaniel enough to wade any deeper into these murky waters. I felt like he was a good guy for the most part, but I didn't get a full grasp of what shaped him to be who he is now. And by the time book two comes around, the characters and plot points will need to be refreshed in my mind all over again. If you love complex stories and paranormal series with very detailed world building this could very well be the book for you. Unfortunately, this one was just okay for me so I think I may have to throw in the towel here.

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Blog Tour: A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton

Angels walk among us, but so do other unearthly beings in this brand new series by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.

A TERRIBLE FALL OF ANGELS 

by LAURELL K. HAMILTON

Series: Zaniel Havelock #1

Publication date: August 17, 2021

Published by: Berkley

Genre: paranormal, fantasy

 

SYNOPSIS

Meet Detective Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. The race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.

The first in a new series from the author of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series.

Purchase your copy now!

Amazon |  B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo 

For the first time in 20 years #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton launches a brand-new series with A TERRIBLE FALL OF ANGELS (Berkley Hardcover; August 17, 2021).

 

With more than 20 million books sold, Hamilton is one of the most successful paranormal fiction authors writing today. Known for the signature blend of chilling mystery, pulse-pounding action, and sizzling sensuality that has distinguished her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter and Merry Gentry, Fey Detective series, Hamilton is recognized as one of the first authors to usher in a new era of popular speculative fiction that combines elements from multiple genres. Now she offers a fresh take on angel mythology by creating a world where angels, demons, and other supernatural creatures walk among humans.

 

A TERRIBLE FALL OF ANGELS introduces Detective Zaniel ‘Havoc’ Havelock, angel expert and member of the Metaphysical Coordination Unit, which investigates supernatural-related crimes. Zaniel is one of the team’s best assets because he has a direct connection to Heaven. Zaniel was an angel speaker, a human with the rare ability to see and receive messages from Celestial beings. He remains the only human ever to complete his training at the secretive College of Angels and then walk away from the calling.

 

When Zaniel is called to the murder scene of a college student, all signs point to a murderer from the angelic realm, but a cryptic message from an angel warns Zaniel that the killer is something else entirely. Something that not even the all-knowing angels have a name for. Now it’s up to Zaniel and his team to uncover what the murderer is—and how to stop it—before it can kill again. When Zaniel’s past begins catching up with him and old wounds reopen, he realizes that Heaven and the College don’t let go of their messengers easily.

Praise for A Terrible Fall of Angels:

“Wow! A Terrible Fall of Angels has it all—a terrific new character, devious twists, plenty of action, and one hell of an ending. Brava!”—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Ink and Rage

"Zaniel Havelock is a great character, part tough guy detective, part speaker to angels, in a setting where the powerful beings from every religion aren't just real, but actively messing with people's lives. It's a great ride. In a world where angels and demons walk openly among mankind, it takes a special kind of cop to solve paranormal crimes. Havoc is the man."—Larry Correia, New York Times bestselling author of Destroyer of Worlds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PHOTO CREDIT: Ma Petite Enterprises

Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.

Follow her:

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Release Blitz with Review and Giveaway: Midnight Labyrinth by Elizabeth Hunter

MIDNIGHT LABYRINTH is the first book in an all new contemporary fantasy series by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries and the Irin Chronicles.

Grab your copy Today!

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SYNOPSIS

He’s one human caught in a tangled maze of theft, politics, magic, and blood. In other words, it’s just another night.
Benjamin Vecchio escaped a chaotic childhood and grew to adulthood under the protection and training of one of the Elemental world’s most feared vampire assassins. He’s traveled the world and battled immortal enemies.

But everyone has to go home sometime.

New York means new opportunities and allies for Ben and his vampire partner, Tenzin. It also means new politics and new threats. Their antiquities business is taking off, and their client list is growing. When Ben is challenged to find a painting lost since the second world war, he jumps at the chance. This job will keep him closer to home, but it might just land him in hot water with the insular clan of earth vampires who run Manhattan.

Tenzin knew the painting would be trouble before she laid eyes on it, but she can’t deny the challenge intrigues her. Human laws mean little to a vampire with a few millennia behind her, and Tenzin misses the rush of taking what isn’t hers.

But nothing is more dangerous than a human with half the story, and Ben and Tenzin might end up risking their reputations and their lives before they escape the Midnight Labyrinth.

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ABOUT ELIZABETH HUNTER

ELIZABETH HUNTER is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and paranormal mystery author. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening. She’s the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, and the Cambio Springs Mysteries.

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REVIEW

Midnight Labyrinth by Elizabeth Hunter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Title: Midnight Labyrinth
Series: Elemental Legacy #4
Author: Elizabeth Hunter
Release date: November 7, 2017
Cliffhanger: No

After reading the first two books in the Elemental Mystery series , I was already familiar with Ben and Tenzin.
However, Ben was still a young boy, and things have changed since I read them. I'm thinking that missing those last two books, and the three novellas preceding Midnight Labyrinth didn't do me any favors. I'm sure now that I was missing some important nuances between the main characters. The sign up for this was misleading in telling me this was (and I quote) "the first book in an all-new contemporary fantasy series by Elizabeth Hunter". I was expecting some sort of romance. A slow burn, or even just a hint that's only introduced in their first full length. What I got a whole heap of platonic friendship laced with an abrupt drunken declaration of deeper feelings that didn't fit or feel natural.

The author states on her website that the two of them ending up together is not out of the question. But if I'm to believe in a possible relationship later, should I not have seen some real clues leading up to that? Some angst? The way their feelings were presented had me thoroughly confused.

For example, more than one person implied to Ben that his feelings went far beyond platonic. I saw absolutely nothing in his thoughts or actions to lead me to believe that. I need to be shown, not told. Tenzin's makeover suddenly filling him with a surge of passionate attraction and lust was very abrupt. What I did see was his thoughts and emotions towards his girlfriend. Immediately after passionately declaring to Tenzin that he wanted to be alone with her, he jumps in bed with the girlfriend. Did that bother Tenzin? Not. One. Bit. The entire matter is balled up, thrown aside, and ignored like it never even happened. Honestly, I would have been MUCH happier to take a possible romance entirely out of the equation.

Putting the relationship dynamic aside, let's address the mystery, the real story here.

Ben and Tenzin are business partners and long-time friends. Well, not so long for Tenzin, considering she's a vamp who's lived several millenniums, and he's a human whose life is like the blink of an eye to her. So...keep in mind that time is relative with them. Ben entered the vampire world through his uncle Gio who raised him, and though he remains a part of that world, has no desire to lose his humanity. He's travelled the world and been on grand adventures that most could only dream of. The problem is, you can't see what he's seen without gaining an enemy or two. And if you upset a powerful elemental vampire upset, there's going to be hell to pay.

Tenzin was a very intriguing and complex character. Her knowledge of human behavior, and overall intelligence is truly unparalleled. Living so long, she's seen every facet of beauty and darkness that the world has to offer. So when she opens her mouth to give advice, you can count on having real wisdom gifted to you. On the other hand, she's hilariously inept at modern society. Or else, she just doesn't care to conform to polite or banal chit chat. She's blunt, socially awkward, and fiercely loyal to those small few who make her inner circle. Her people. There's a ruthless side to her that cannot be ignored, but in the end, you can't help feeling a little bit in awe of her.

Ben and Tenzin are both similar in that they are both drawn to the excitement of adventure. Discovering things long ago lost, and the thrill that surrounds the chase. In this story, they're drawn into a mystery revolving around a set of paintings: The Midnight Labyrinth, The Twilight, and Dawn Labyrinth. Two of the three are on display at the museum, but the third has disappeared after being stolen during the war. The story immediately pulls Ben in, and playing hero is an added bonus. However, things are not quite what they appear. Deceptions have been plotted, and they need to stay on their guard in order to pull off the heist he feels will restore peace to the artist's family.

My feelings were that it was very slow going in the first half, and I felt like I was waiting for something of consequence to happen. But when the action finally kicked forward in the last 30-40%, I had no complaints. The secondary characters Gavin and Chloe had a fantastic sub-plot that had me completely hooked. Strangely, it was almost like this felt like their book more than Ben and Tenzin's. They stole the show so much that I actually got disappointed when their scenes would end. I wish I could have felt the same excitement for the two main characters, but there was a clear disconnect somewhere.

Midnight Labyrinth had its moments of action and humor that undoubtedly kept me entertained. As always, the characters were well-developed and original, and that's why I'll continue to read her stories. But I just couldn't say that I enjoyed it enough to finish off the series with the final book. There was an open ending, a to be continued type of situation. So there's no need to proceed with caution if you don't care to be left hanging off the dreaded cliff.

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