Branded (Fall of Angels #1)

Jessica had the nightmares for as long as she can remember. Nightmares of being judged by people who have died, of being branded by the angels. Her friends and family think she's crazy because of it all. Yet she carries the mark of the condemned, seared into the back of her neck, and hides it and herself away from the world.

But when two men she can't ignore enter her life everything changes, including the nightmares. The two of them couldn't be more different. She will do anything to be with one of them. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck. But one of the two has set events into motion that will pull her toward her own judgment and turn her into the object of her greatest fear.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Keary Taylor delivers a heart-wrenching tale in which the main character stands trial for those who die, either being exalted or condemned. And oh-my-wow, what a tale it is. The storyline had me hooked from page one. I've been voraciously reading for the past two days and it was definitely worth it. 

Jessica Bailey is the main character. A twenty-year-old girl who ran away from home before her mother could institutionalize her because of her nightmares. The nightmares where she is judged for acts she never committed. She finds herself in Washington state acting as caretaker for a lake house, where no one can hear her screams as she fights off sleep and the trials. Jessica is an innocent character, very down to earth (surprisingly), and has all of the characteristics of the average young woman. She prays that the trials will stop and she'll be able to lead a normal life. Readers will connect with Jessica based on her personality and the empathy she evokes. As she attempts to make new friends, become socially active, takes care of her mentally troubled neighbor, and falls in love, readers will come to see Jessica as a close friend. 

The plot line follows Jessica's nightmares, which have always been consistent, until now. The dreams are starting to change as well as the angels within them. As the dreams change, so does her everyday world. Certain things become more intense and Jessica starts wondering if the angels could follow her into reality. Taylor does a wonderful job crafting a supernatural story that convinces the reader that it could be real. There were a few parts where a clue to the plot repeated itself and the end was a little less extreme as it promised. But that won't stop me from reading the rest of the series. Definitely going on the TBR. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Branded: Fall of Angels

WWW Wednesday (47)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

01. Currently Reading:
Branded by Keary Taylor. LOVE this book so far! Full of mystery, suspense, and romance. Focused on a girl who dreams of recently deceased people being judged for their lives and either being exalted or doomed.

02. Recently Finished:
Muskie Attack by G. M. Moore. The story of a young boy's adventure out of Chicago and into the heart of the wild. Look for the review on Saturday during the blog tour!

03. Reading Next:
Lest The Dew Rust Them by Michael Drakich. The Homeland Security Director of the US must catch the deadly men that call themselves the Sword Masters before terrorism peaks in New York City.

Teaser Tuesday (55)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Branded (Fall of Angels) p.5
   - Keary Taylor

I often had to remind myself who I really was. It would be all too easy to lose my grasp on reality and fall to pieces.

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.

Like any good scientist, Pippa's done her research and Cross's reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion—the experience of ruination w
ithout the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it's more than tempting . . . and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts—and giving the lady precisely what she wants.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Sarah MacLean truly delivers in her novel, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, with a scoundrel by reputation and a scientist that demands results. Readers will connect with both characters as they laugh out loud at MacLean's situational humor and honest witticism. 

Pippa is about to get married and everyone knows how odd she is. Including her fiance. But she's determined to abide by her vows... if only she knew what they meant. As a scientist she looks logically at any situation and is determined to get to the bottom of marital sex. She is a humorously honest, dedicated, and hopeful character. Readers will love her and connect with her as most have felt the effects of being the 'odd one out.' Though, I'm not sure how many readers will have experienced her need for ruination. 

Cross is the bad boy who wants nothing more than to be good. He's a rake, a scoundrel, and a liar. And will even admit it! But, he doesn't want to be. By trying to escape his past, he's fallen victim to his vices. But Pippa may just be the girl to save him. If he ever realizes that he's the one who needs it. Readers will adore his blunt speech, impeccable retort, and his absent charm while hoping that he'll break the chains of his past and allow his own happiness to be claimed victor. 

The plot follows Pippa as she attempts to convince Cross to "ruin" her so that she may come to understand what her future marriage will be like. As she discovers that desire, passion, and temptation are part of the scientific equation that equal sex, Pippa finds herself researching an entire different hypothesis. Amazing novel for those mature readers! I may just have to read the entire series. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover: The Second Rule of Scoundrels

Book 3: Romance Genre in Challenge