Review: Archangel's Kiss - Nalini Singh

I think I start every single review I do for Nalini Singh’s books exclaiming how much she manages to impress me, how great it is, and how much I love it.

This one is no different. Archangel’s Kiss proves, once again, that Nalini Singh is a master at writing. She deftly weaves multiple storylines together, builds interest in supporting characters, and gives yet more depth to Raphael and Elena.

Archangel’s Kiss picks up a little over a year after Angel’s Blood (the first full-length novel in the Guild Hunters series). Elena’s spent that time in a healing coma, and has just woken as a newly Made angel. One who doesn’t know how to be an angel, and has to learn everything – even those things she once knew, like how to fight.

And she must learn quickly. The other angels, and archangels, have taken an interest in her. She’s like a shiny new toy. One that someone is anxious to see how quickly they can break, hoping to take their place with the Cadre by that show of power. Refuge, a safe place for the angels, is suddenly no longer safe as attacks begin to happen, one after the other. Circling the threat closer and closer to Elena.

Then there’s Lijuan. The eldest of the archangels has taken a deadly interest in Elena, and is throwing a ball in her honor at the Forbidden City in Beijing. While rumors of her making the dead walk as living flourish, there’s danger in accepting, but even more in refusing. Because this is not a social gathering to congratulate Elena, it’s all about power. Testing Elena’s and Raphael’s, and Lijuan showing hers. Making it an invitation that can’t be refused.

Archangel’s Kiss held me in a sort of thrall from the first word, to the last. We see Elena training with Raphael’s Seven to get her up to speed, and work closer towards that first flight. The details in every page painted a clear picture of how the angels live. From their shirts, to their houses, to the beauty of flight. The action and mystery of the plot sped the story along, compelling me to not put my Kindle down until I hit the last sentence. There were many light moments to offset the growing darkness that surrounded and threatened them, including fields blooming in winter, a class with angel-children, and playful teasing with Illium. And, of course, there was the not-so-light heat and chemistry between Elena and Raphael. The sexual tension that builds between them is mind-blowing.

Nalini deftly delves into the relationship of Elena and Raphael, showing the gradual growth and trust build between them beautifully and realistically. Their respective histories begin to unfold for us, and them. There are the horrors that hide in Elena’s mind, even from her, and Raphael’s past complete with the secret of his parents. Both of them were in unfamiliar territory, but they worked through it. With each other. And for each other. I can’t think of anything more romantic than that.

Raphael said that Elena would intrigue him through eternity. I think it’s safe to say that this series will intrigue me for just as long. I’m fascinated with the world, and the characters that populate it. I feel as though I’ve been given the gift of seeing the world Nalini’s created, and it’s left me breathless for the next installment.

Grade: A+

Book Link

2010 Oscar Nominations!!

Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart
George Clooney in Up in the Air
Colin Firth in A Single Man
Morgan Freeman in Invictus
Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in Invictus
Woody Harrelson in The Messenger
Christopher Plummer in The Last Station
Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz in Inglorious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
Helen Mirren in The Last Station
Carey Mulligan in An Education
Gabourey Sidibe in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz in Nine
Vera Farmiga in Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal in Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick in Up in the Air
Mo'Nique in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Directing
James Cameron - Avatar
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino - Inglorious Basterds
Lee Daniels - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air

Animated Feature Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up

Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria

Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
The White Ribbon

Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria

Documentary Feature
Burma VJ
The Cove
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Which Way Home

Documentary Short
China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closer of a GM Plant
Music by Prudence
Rabbit a la Berlin

Film Editing
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Foreign Language Film
Ajami
El Secreto de Sus Ojos
The Milk of Sorrow
Un Prophete
The White Ribbon

Makeup
Il Divo
Star Trek
The Young Victoria

Music (Original Soundtrack)
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
Up

Music (Original Song)
Almost There - The Princess and the Frog
Down in New Orleans - The Princess and the Frog
Loin de Paname - Paris 36
Take It All - Nine
The Weary Kind (Theme) - Crazy Heart

Short Film (Animated)
French Roast
Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty
The Lady and the Reaper
Logorama
A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action)
The Door
Instead of Abracadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
The New Tenants

Sound Editing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Star Trek
Up

Sound Mixing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Visual Effects
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
District 9
An Education
In the Loop
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Up

Last year, Kat and I did a running commentary of not only the Red Carpet, but the Academy Awards themselves. It was such a blast we plan to do the same thing again this year!

So come join us March 7th for the Biggest Night in Hollywood!

Count down to Oscar Night HERE!!

Lara Adrian Book Order

Midnight Breeds

1. Kiss of Midnight
Lucan and Gabrielle

2. Kiss of Crimson
Dante and Tess

3. Midnight Awakening
Tegan and Elise

4. Midnight Rising
Rio and Dylan

5. Veil of Midnight
Nikolai and Renata

6. Ashes of Midnight
Andreas Reichen and Claire Roth

7. Shades of Midnight
Kade and Alexandra Maguire

8. Taken by Midnight
Brock and Jenna

9. Deeper Than Midnight
Hunter and Corinne Bishop

* A Taste of Midnight
Malcom MacBain and Danika MacConn

10. Darker After Midnight
Sterling Chase and Tavia Fairchild

11. Edge of Dawn
Kellen Archer and Mira

12. Crave the Night (25 February 2014)
Nathan and Jordana


Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.laraadrian.com/

Anne Bishop Book Order

The Realms of the Blood

1. Daughter of the Blood
2. Heir to the Shadows
3. Queen of the Darkness
* The Invisible Ring
4. Dreams Made Flesh
5. Tangled Webs
6. The Shadow Queen
7. Shalador's Lady
8. Twilight's Dawn


Tir Alainn

1. The Pillars of the World
2. Shadows and Light
3. The House of Gaian


The Landscapes of Ephemera

1. Sebastian
2. Belladonna
* The Voice
3. Bridge of Dreams


The Others
1. Written in Red
2. Murder of Crows (4 March 2014)



Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.annebishop.com/

Jim Butcher Book Order

Dresden Files

* "A Restoration of Faith" in Side Jobs
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
* "B is for Bigfoot" in Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
* "Publicity and Advertising" aka "Vignette" in Side Jobs
6. Blood Rites
* "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot" in Blood Lite III: Aftertaste
7. Dead Beat
* "Something Borrowed" in Side Jobs
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
* "It's My Birthday, Too" in Side Jobs
* "Heorot" in Side Jobs
10. Small Favor
* "Day Off" in Side Jobs
* "Backup" in Side Jobs
* "The Warrior" in Side Jobs
* "Last Call" in Side Jobs
* "Curses" in Naked City
11. Turn Coat
* "Even Hand" in Dark and Stormy Knights
* "Love Hurts" in Side Jobs
* "Bigfoot on Campus" in Songs of Love and Death
12. Changes
* "Aftermath" in Side Jobs
13. Ghost Story
14. Cold Days

15. Skin Game (27 May 2014)


Codex Alera

1. Furies of Calderon
2. Academ's Fury
3. Cursor's Fury
4. Captain's Fury
5. Princep's Fury
6. First Lord's Fury


Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.jim-butcher.com/

Jennifer Armintrout Book Order

Time and availability have prevented me from digging into Jennifer's books previously, though I read her blog all the time and love that! I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't.
http://jenniferarmintrout.blogspot.com/

Blood Ties

1. The Turning
2. Possession
3. Ashes to Ashes
4. All Soul's Night


Lightworld/Darkworld

1. Queene of Light
2. Child of Darkness
3. Veil of Shadows


Other

* American Vampire


Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.jenniferarmintrout.com/


Writing as Abigail Barnette

Naughtily Ever After

1. Glass Slipper
2. Giant
3. Beast


All Steamed Up

1. Infernal Devices
2. Bound in Brass


Other

* Ravenous (Samhain Publishing)

* In The Blood (Samhain Publishing)

* Bride of the Wolf (Resplendence Publishing)



Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.abigailbarnette.com/

Angela Knight Book Order

Mageverse

1. "Seduction's Gift" in Hot Blooded anthology
Lancelot du Lac and Grace Morgan

2. Master of the Night
Reece Champion and Erin Grayson

3. "Galahad" in Bite anthology
Galahad and Caroline Lang

4. Master of the Moon
Llyr Galatyn and Diana London

5. Master of Wolves
Jim London and Faith Weston

6. "Moondance" in Over the Moon anthology
Lucas Rollings and Elena Livingston

7. Master of Swords
Gawain and Lark McGuin

8. Master of Dragons
Kel and Nineva Morrow

9. "Vampire's Ball" in Hot for the Holidays anthology
Ridge and Kat

10. Master of Fire
Logan MacRoy and Giada Shepherd

11. Master of Smoke
Smoke and Eva

12. Master of Shadows
Tristan and La Belle

13. Master of Darkness
William Justice and Miranda Drake


Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.


http://www.angelasknights.com/

Sherrilyn Kenyon Book Order

Dark-Hunters
*many thanks to Kat for this list.
Her's is much more complete, so please go visit her site. I've only included series that I've read, and/or am planning to read soon....so there may be more additions.

1. Fantasy Lover (prequel)
* "The Beginning" (short story in the back of Sins of the Night)
* Dragonswan
2. Night Pleasures
3. Night Embrace
* "Phantom Lover" in Midnight Pleasures anthology
4. Dance with the Devil
* "A Dark Hunter Christmas" (short story in the back of Dance with the Devil)
5. Kiss of the Night
6. Night Play
* "Winter Born" in Stroke of Midnight
7. Seize the Night
8. Sins of the Night
* "Second Chances" (short story in the Dark Hunter Companion)
9. Unleash the Night
10. Dark Side of the Moon
* "A Hard Day's Night Searcher" in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding anthology
* "Until Death Do We Part" in Love at First Bite anthology
11. Fear the Darkness (free ebook)
12. The Dream Hunter
13. Devil May Cry
14. Upon a Midnight Clear
15. Dream Chaser
16. Acheron
17. One Silent Night
* "Shadow of the Moon" in Dead After Dark
18. Dream Warrior
19. Bad Moon Rising
20. No Mercy
21. Retribution
22. The Guardian
23. Time Untime
24. Styxx


Chronicles of Nick

1. Infinity
2. Invincible
3. Infamous
4. Inferno
5. Illusion (1 April 2014)


The League

1. Born of the Night
2. Born of Fire
3. Born of Ice
* "Fire and Ice" in In Other Worlds
4. Born of Shadows
5. Born of Silence
6. Cloak and Silence
7. Born of Fury (1 June 2014)


Lords of Avalon / Hel Hounds

1. Sword of Darkness
Kerrigan and Seren

2. Knight of Darkness
Varian and Merewyn

3. Darkness Within
Kaziel and Avery


Nevermore

1. Alpha (1 October 2013)
2. Omega (release date unknown)


Belador (co-written with Dianna Love)

1. Blood Trinity
2. Alterant
3. The Curse



Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.


http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

Kresley Cole Book Order

Immortals After Dark

1. "Warlord Wants Forever" in Playing Easy to Get anthology
Nikolai Wroth and Myst the Coveted

2. A Hunger Like No Other
Lachlain MacRieve and Emmaline Troy

3. No Rest for the Wicked
Sebastian Wroth and Kaderin the Cold-Hearted

4. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Bowen MacRieve and Mariketa the Awaited

5. Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Conrad Wroth and Néomi Laress

6. Dark Desires After Dusk
Cade Woede and Holly Ashwin

7. Kiss of a Demon King
Rydstrom Woede and Sabine Queen of Illusions

8. "Untouchable" in Deep Kiss of Winter anthology
Murdoch Wroth and Daniela the Ice Maiden

9. Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Garreth MacRieve and Lucia the Archer

10. Demon from the Dark
Malkom Slaine and Carrow Graie

11. Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Declan Chase (Aidan the Fierce) and Regin the Radiant

12. Lothaire
Lothaire and Ellie Peirce

13. MacRieve
Uilleam MacRieve and Chloe Todd

14. Dark Skye (5 August 2014)
Thronos and Lanthe


Realm of Mist and Blood

1. Shadow's Claim
Trehan Daciano

2. [Untitled] (May 2014)



MacCarrick Brothers

1. If You Dare
2. If You Desire
3. If You Deceive


The Sutherland Brothers

1. The Captain of All Pleasures
2. The Price of Pleasure


Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information on books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://kresleycole.com/

Welcome 2010!!

For me, 2009 was a year wrought with difficulties, but also sparkles with great memories. I'll never forget my trip to New Orleans with some of my closest friends. Or the Twilight birthday party that we threw for a friend. Then there was the karaoke.

All in all, it was a good year. Some of the best friendships of my life solidified in 2009, and I know that I will always have those. I loved and lived in 2009. What more could I ask for?

But as I look on this next year, the year that I'll be turning 30 - a number that I dread for some reason. When I think about anything after that I'm not phased (at least not yet), but 30 has always had this ... dread associated with it for me. By the time I was 30 there was going to be so many things that I had accomplished in my life - at least that's what I thought at 16. *laughs* How things change from your view when you're 16.

So now I'm a mere 5 months from 30 (yes, I keep repeating it to dull it). And I look back and realize that there are many things that I've not accomplished. Many things I've never done.

So now I'm looking forward. This year, I'm going to start DOING. Start living. My mantra of late has been this:

Live life. Love deeply. Regret nothing.

The first two are pretty natural to me. Regret nothing. That's a bit more difficult. But no less important. This is the year that I start checking things off my list of what I want to do. There are some dreams that are gone by the wayside, hardly able to return. And that's fine. I can let them lie there and look back on them fondly, or perhaps with a bit of wistfulness. But there are others that I still have the ability to accomplish.

So 2010 is going to be the year I start. I signed up for a class this spring, and will be starting in January...providing that I get in from the wait-list. It's a prerequisite in order for me to get into the nursing program. Something that I've always felt I'd be good at.

I've taken steps to make sure that I'm able to complete the book I've started. Going to people for help and research that I had previously put off. And I've re-committed to writing here as well. Including adding some more reading order lists (hopefully sometime today) as they help me so much, and I hope they help others too.

And I've started to plan the trips I've always wanted to take. Ireland, Scotland, and Britain seem to be the first on the list this year. I'd also like to get a HIM, Muse, and My Chemical Romance concert in sometime this year - if at all possible. I'm still waiting impatiently for the HIM US concert dates.

So here's a kind of rambling start to 2010.

I hope that everyone had a fantastic 2009, and has a better 2010 - or as one of my favorite quotes goes:

"May the best day of your past, be the worst day of your future."