"The Prophecy" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Titan #4
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance/ Mythology
Format: Kindle
Publication: March 2018
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars

From Goodreads: History is on repeat… 

Seth never thought he’d have a future. But now he’s on the brink of having it all with Josie: A tomorrow. A family. A forever. And all that's standing between him and that forever is the Titans. If he helps Josie entomb them -- without killing them, a nearly impossible task for him -- everything he could ever want will be in reach. But he soon realizes that as a god, every little choice he makes can reshape the world for the better… or worse. And in meddling with the Titans, Seth may have just set into motion catastrophic consequences that will force the Olympians to enter the mortal realm and reshape the delicate balance of power that keeps the world from total collapse.

A price must be paid… 

Entombing the Titans is Josie’s top priority. After all, it was what she was born to do. But the plans her father put into play to help her are no longer an option, and the odds she and Seth face in forging their own path are grim. The escalating violence between halfs and pures only increases the danger closing in on them and their friends. Josie knows their chances of succeeding in their task are slim at best -- and if they fail, they might lose everything. But she also knows she's not fighting just for herself -- she's fighting for the man she loves, for their future, for the world. Together with the Army of Awesome, Josie and Seth will face the unthinkable. And to win this war, the ultimate sacrifice must be made.

For the end is here and the Prophecy will be fulfilled….

My Thoughts: I can't believe this is the end! Ugh, so many tears! SO MANY! This was the absolute perfect ending for not only the Titan series, but also for the Covenant series as well- unless of course, JLA wants to write more (pretty please?). Honestly, I didn't want it to end. I've loved these character so much, way back when I discovered them on Goodreads in 2011. This entire series is so unique that you get sucked in instantly and end up falling in love with all the characters in it. I just can't believe I'm never going to read another Covenant novel! Also, side note: This is definitely a book you want to have emotional support nearby for! And tissues. Lots and lots of tissues!

Okay, okay. So enough moping about it ending. The Prophecy was everything I wanted it to be. Josie is once again our kick butt heroine and Seth is Seth in all his amazing-ness. However, I feel like the characters have really grown up in this final installment and we see that on a new level. And while the Big Bad is still out there (and we do get some serious action scenes), this last book is more focused on wrapping everything up and the emotions behind what has been going on. The gang is on a ticking clock trying to find a way to entomb the Titans once more and nothing is going as planned. While I really loved the entire book, what I was super proud of was Josie. I'm not going to get into any spoilers, but Josie's character goes through so many changes and she has so many things thrown at her, and yet she comes out of it stronger and WISER. She makes the right decisions for her and I was so proud of her character for that. Of course, I think the same can be said about Seth. He's come a long way since his days in the Covenant series for sure.

The bottom line is, JLA is Boss/ Queen and the collection of both the Covenant and Titan novels is one of my favorites and I definitely recommend them to everyone!

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

"The Dark Calling" (The Arcana Chronicles #5) by Kresley Cole

Series: The Arcana Chronicles #5
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/ Dystopia
Format: Audible
Narrated: Emma Galvin
Publication: March 2018 (Audible Version)
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Narration Rating: 5/5 Stars

From Goodreads: In a world teetering on the edge . . .
When Evie receives life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn’t she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?

With enemies at every turn . . .
Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie starts to doubt her own sanity. Answers can be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack’s possible survival?

Darkness beckons. 
A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the Dark Calling before hell reigns on earth?

My Thoughts: First of all if you haven't read this series stop reading this review right now and go read it (or listen to it, because Emma Galvin is QUEEN and slays narrating this). Seriously, this is one of my all time favorite series ever. Kresley Cole does an amazing job with the world building, the character development, the ROMANCE, and the non-stop action.

Like the previous books, I couldn't stop listening to The Dark Calling. While I wouldn't label this book as a "filler" book, it is definitely leading everything to the end and starting to wrap up the story. However, my mind was still blown away at the plot twists and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire thing. We have different POV again, from Aric, Jack and of course Evie, which really helped expand the story and give the characters some more growth. Also, let me just say I have no idea what #team I'm on. Team Jack? Team Aric? Can I be Team Both? Is that possible?! And... I had some serious tears. Like, really. I was cleaning my kitchen listening to this when I screamed out "NOOOO!!!!!" in anguish and scared the crap out of my toddler (don't worry, she's fine). It did break my heart though (no spoilers).  Anyway, I've been waiting on this book FOREVER and it did not disappoint me. I'm just super sad I finished it so quickly and now have to wait for the next one.

As far as the narration goes for the audible version: As I've mentioned above, Emma Galvin slayed it. She has a way of just sucking you right into the story and you completely tune out everything else around you. I'm VERY picky with my audio books. I can't just listen to any narrator and usually have a hard time finding one I love, but Emma Galvin is on POINT, ya'll. She has the best accent for Jack and Aric both. I honestly forget I'm only listening to one person. Definitely can't wait to check out more of her work!

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

"Inspire" by Cora Carmack

Series: The Muse #1
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Publication: December 14th, 2014- Self Published
Format: Kindle
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars

From Goodreads: Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too. 

My Thoughts: I love Cora Carmack. Really, I do. Her books are funny and sexy and I always end up liking them. So I was super excited when I found out she wrote a New Adult PNR- like I said before, there's so few good ones out there. I'm not going to lie to you guys though, I almost didn't finish this one. ALMOST. I loved Kalli and I loved Wilder, but I hated their insta-love. They literally met in a grocery store line, said about five words to each other and BAM! That was it for them. Head over heels. ...Okay, it wasn't exactly that way, but close. Here's the thing though, I pushed through it and I'm really glad I did. Yes, there's insta-love, but there's also this really cool, amazing, original story too. If you can get over the fact that these two characters felt love at first sight (or more probable are just destined for each other), then you will enjoy this story.

What's even more crazy was that even though I wanted to give up on it in the first half, by the second half I wanted the next book ASAP. Unfortunately, it looks like the book's publication was put on hold for good reason. After stalking the author I discovered through her blog that she was experiencing some health issues at the beginning of this year and that for now, the second book Inflict, is on hold. It was supposed to be published sometime this year, but so far I haven't read anything saying that's going to happen. Which really sucks because I think the second book is going to be even better than the first. BUT we all need our favorite authors to take care of themselves first so they can write later. Cora is one of those authors like JLA that just spins out books like magic, so I have a feeling it's probably really hard on her to delay a book. Either way, I hope she feels better soon and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Bottom Line: I would recommend this book to all friends of PNR and Romance, but with a warning about the insta-love.

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

"Wicked" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Wicked Saga
Genre: New Adult/ Paranormal Romance
Publication: December 8, 2014
Format: Kindle
Cover Rating: 5/5 Stars

From Goodreads: Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

My Thoughts: Can I just be honest here and say I am in love with JLA's paranormal romance writing? Seriously, all of her PNR books are just out of this world amazing and addicting. Luckily for me, Wicked had that same magic that she spins and I couldn't put it down. You would think after publishing... well, a TON of PNR books they would start to melt together and get repetitive, but that's just not the case. Each one of her novels/ series stands all on it's own with a splash of amazing sauce thrown in.

What I really loved about Wicked though was that it was New Adult. I don't get to do as much research on upcoming books since becoming a mom. I just don't have the time. So I could be wrong here, but it seems to me like there's a large gap of good, quality, paranormal romance missing from the New Adult genre. So when I got my hands on this baby, I was beyond excited. Just the right amount of world building, romance, and action thrown in!

Needless to say, as soon as I finished this book I immediately went to Amazon to purchase the second in the series.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Series Review: The Sweet Trilogy by Wendy Higgins

From Goodreads Sweet Evil Description: What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

My Thoughts: My first reaction upon finishing this series was that I just didn't get what all the hype was about. One of my favorite authors had raved about these books, so I went into reading them with pretty high expectations. They weren't terrible. I mean, they definitely held some appeal for me... but they didn't scream "book hang-over" quality.

I did enjoy the fact that there was a lot of Biblical references, and that the plot were pretty original (which we all know is kind of hard to find now days in the YA Paranormal 'verse). However that's about all I can say for my pros list. I just felt "meh" towards every book. 

One of the things that really bothered me was the pacing. The plot felt rushed, the characters chemistry felt a little forced, and in general it seemed like the author didn't give herself time to flush out their relationships, even though the whole series is suppose to take place in a two year time span. There's definitely a bout of insta-love all around, as well. 

Then we have the MC, Anna Whitt. I wanted to like Anna. Really, I did. But she grated on my everlasting nerve most of the time. She was just too much sometimes with her "good behavior" and personality. I felt like the author went over the top with her. 

Bottom Line: Again, these are all just my opinions, and I have friends who loved this series, but it wasn't for me. Would I recommend this series? Maybe as a last resort, but I would definitely suggest getting it from the library and saving your cash for something with a five star quality.

Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars