Thursday, December 18, 2014

Book Review/Giveaway!! The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, by L.G. O'Connor


The Wanderer's Children
(The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, #2)
L.G. O'Connor
Trade Paperback, 402 pages
Collins-Young Publishing, LLC
December 16, 2014
Angels, Pararnormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy



Book Synopsis 
The Wanderer’s mission three decades ago: secretly sire children to hide his bloodline, and protect them until their destinies can unite in the final battle between good and evil. That time has come...

Cara Collins, the First of the Holy Twelve, longs for one last peaceful weekend with her bridesmaids as she plans her wedding to Simon Young, her former Trinity Guardian, before duty calls with the Angelorum to gather the Twelve and prepare them for battle. Life, as she knew it, has changed; weird is Cara’s new normal. Her newly acquired Nephilim DNA is wreaking havoc on her and those closest to her as her body transforms into Amazonian proportions and an overabundance of pheromones threatens to land her in hot water with Simon—not to mention a sudden suspicious outbreak of “insta-love” among her friends.

Michael Swift, Cara’s Trinity Messenger, has spent months running from his attraction to Cara’s brazen best friend Sienna, the only woman who has ever skirted his considerable defenses. But if he wants a future with her, he must confront his tormented past head on, or risk losing her and destroying the future of the Angelorum.








Note

Since I didn't have the time to read both books,
I decided to read Trinity Stones,
the first one in the series.



(The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, #2)
L.G. O'Connor
Trade Paperback, 355 pages
She Writes Press
April 22, 2014
Angels, Paranormal Romance,
Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy


Book Synopsis:
Anxiety-ridden New York investment banker, Cara Collins, has little to smile about on her twenty-seventh birthday between a hostile work environment and her impossible romantic situation with her longtime friend and first love, Dr. Kai Solomon. But before the day ends, she learns she has inherited $50 million—a windfall that must remain secret or risk the lives of those close to her.

As Cara unravels the truth surrounding her inheritance, she makes a startling discovery: angels walk among the living, and they’re getting ready to engage in a battle that will determine the future of the human race. In the midst of these revelations, she meets mysterious and sophisticated Simon Young, who offers her the promise of romance for the first time since Kai—but when Kai and his daughter are kidnapped by dark forces, Cara must choose: accept her place in a 2,000-year-old prophecy foretold in the Trinity Stones as the First of the Twelve who will lead the final battle between good and evil . . . or risk losing everything she holds dear.


 






I  became hooked on paranormal romance and urban fantasy some time ago, so I know a great read in either genre when I come across one. This novel is one of the very best that I've ever read, and I can't wait to start on the sequel, The Wanderer's Children! Without a doubt, O'Connor is an author to watch!

This first novel of the series blends the romance with the fantasy action so well, they both captured -- and held --  my attention. The world-building was so detailed, so logically-developed and explained, that I had no trouble at all getting immersed in the story from the very beginning of the book. 

The characters are very likeable, as well as very realistic. They're by no means perfect, but their flaws are understandable, given their individual histories. Besides, these flaws are counterbalanced by their strengths. Cara Collins, for instance, has panic attacks, and is still pining for a former boyfriend, now married. However, she is also an extremely intelligent, very resourceful woman, as well as a very compassionate person, with a great capacity for love.

Simon Young, the man she eventually falls in love with, is also flawed. He's not who Cara believes he is, but again, when his background is revealed, the reader can understand exactly where he's coming from.

Speaking of Simon....I have to say that he's an incredibly great guy! I think any red-blooded female reader would swoon over him.... He's overwhelmingly attracted to Cara, and no one else. He's tender, sweet, loves to cook (such a huge plus!), and is all male. In short, Simon is my current book boyfriend.... I think I need to read this book all over again, just to enjoy those fabulous scenes in which Simon first sees and is smitten by Cara.....Needless to say, he, too, has a great capacity for love.

The romance between Simon and Cara is just so sweetly perfect, and the main reason is because he never for one moment sees her as anything but his equal. For her part, she can only see him as a man who has pleasantly stolen her heart. She also admires him as a person. Of course, they are both exclusively devoted to each other, and yes, this is so ecstatically romantic, in a world full of soaring divorce statistics, and the rampant betrayals of world celebrities! This is, in other words, Romeo and Juliet as they should have been, minus the tragedy. I don't think I can say enough about how beautifully this romance has been depicted by this author, who now has my undying gratitude because of that!

The world of the Angelorum is a wonderfully inventive concept; it's richly complex, with its own laws and councils, as well as tribunals. There's a hierarchy, but I was happy to see that women are top leaders in this hierarchy, just as much as the men are. Constantina is one of these. She's another of the characters that I just can't stop raving about! She's just all-around great -- a wise counselor, a gentle teacher, and a fierce warrior, as well. Once Cara has been introduced to her new life, she is lucky enough to have Constantina as her personal instructor.

Now on to the action, which is fast and furious at certain  points, as the Angelorum angels -- but specifically the Nephilim (these are a specially-produced breed of angels) battle the very fearsome demons allied with Lucifer. O'Connor expertly manages to introduce the raging war between  good and evil on a New York subway, with nearly unbelievable ease, and from there, subtly weaves in hints of this ongoing war without pages of information-dumping. She's excellent at the description of the insidious methods of these evil forces, which are as well-organized as the Angelorum.

There's also an element of science fiction as Dr. Kai Solomon attempts to delve deeper into a rather suspicious scientific project he's been working on, and the suspense intensifies....

The demons in question are very well-fleshed out, too, if readers will pardon the pun, for they are indeed very physical, and very real. O'Connor imbues their activities with some humor, too, which is very interesting, and keeps the scenes in which these demons appear from becoming too much like the ones you would find in a horror novel. They also enable the reader to laugh at the stupid demons. Kudos to the author for that! The names for the two featured in this novel are very appropriate, as well -- Emanelech and Achanelech. Just what you would expect for denizens of the fiery pit!

The action becomes very intense once Cara learns that Kai, her former love, has been kidnapped by the enemy, along with his daughter, Sara. The scene shifts quickly across the country, from one city to another. The Angelorum teams are very efficient, and are swiftly deployed; after all, the Nephilim warriors have wings -- breathtakingly-awesome and powerful wings. They also have incredible powers, perfect for battling demons. 

Going back to the characters, I also loved the secondary ones, especially Michael Smith, who was Cara's Messenger in her particular group, and Sienna, Cara's best friend, who has enough 'chutzpah' for a whole group of Nephilim! Both of these characters are totally devoted to Cara, and always have her back. Michael is very gentle and compassionate, reminding me of Simon, while Sienna, who appears to be rather rough around the edges, is really a softie underneath.

There's one more character in this book I need to mention, although she never speaks. It's Chloe, Cara's dog. Although I'm not actually a dog lover (horses are my favorite animals), I love this one! She's adorable! Also, she does play an important role at several points in the narrative. 

I really cannot say enough great things about this novel, which I know I will re-read sometime in the near future. There was just one thing I disliked -- the occasional appearance of profanity. As for the love scene, yes, it was pretty graphic, but still, there was so much love and tenderness between Simon and Cara, I was nevertheless totally swept away.... Actually, were it not for these two aspects of the book, I would have thought that it was in the Young Adult category, because that's the feeling I got from it as I read. However, Cara is 27, not 16 or 17; also, she's an investment banker at the beginning of the book. The other characters are adults, too. Still, the whole plot did sound like something from a YA novel. That's another element of this book that I loved!

On the whole, I am so thrilled with this book that I  simply cannot rate it as anything less than a five-star read! Not only are the  characters very compelling, the action and imaginary world completely believable and exciting, but the writing just flows, pulling the reader inexorably along, as page after page unfolds the fascinating world of the Angelorum.

As I read, I frequently felt that I was watching a movie, or perhaps a very exciting new video game. I think this novel, as well as the entire series, would translate very well to either, or both, of those two creative mediums.

If I had to pick what I regret the most about reading Trinity Stones, it would have to be the very sad fact that I can't enjoy it again for the very first time.... However, I can and will enjoy it again, for the second, third, and more times thereafter!


MY RATING 









L.G. O'Connor lives a double-life as an executive for a Fortune 250 company by day, and a writer of adult Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Contemporary Romance by night.
The second book in the Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, The Wanderer’s Children, was released on Dec. 16, 2014. In addition, her contemporary romance will launch next year.

A native New Jersey girl, she lives a life of adventure, navigating her way through dog toys and soccer balls and loaning herself out for the occasional decorating project. When she's feeling particularly brave--she enters the kitchen...

As an avid book lover, she enjoys connecting with readers.







The author is graciously giving away
ONE signed, paperback copy
of Trinity Stones or The Wanderer's Children
to ONE LUCKY U.S. or Canadian winner!!
Just fill out the Rafflecopter below!
This giveaway ends at midnight on 1/1/15!!
GOOD LUCK!!




For the list of all scheduled tour stops,
just click on the button below!

http://tlcbooktours.com/2014/10/l-g-oconnor-author-of-the-wanderers-children-on-tour-in-december-2014/

 

8 comments:

  1. The cover looks great though :D I'm glad you liked the book, paranormal romance are usually always amazing. My personal favorite is Vampire Academy & Bloodlines :D Great Review!

    Benish | Feminist Reflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Benish!

      Yes, the covers of both books are great, but I do prefer the one for "Trinity Stones". Paranormal romance is one of my favorite genres, and yes, they[re usually amazing! This novel somehow seemed even MORE amazing, however!

      Would you believe I have the Vampire Academy books, and haven't read them yet? Lol. I have the first Bloolines book, too....

      I'm so glad you liked my review! Thanks for the nice comment!! : )

      Delete
  2. Love to read these!!! Love that you stated it's adults but more like YA... it's sad but I love young adult books!!! Sometimes it's just fun to have a clean read! :) thanks for the heads up on these ones!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, there!

      Although I've only read the first novel in this series -- "Trinity Stones" -- I'm sure the second one will also read pretty much like YA fiction. I did love the first one, though, in spite of the two things I mentioned. I always like to let potential readers know exactly what they will be encountering, so you're very welcome for the heads up!

      The author has told me that she will be publishing a YA version of "Trinity Stones" in e-book format, this coming year, so you might want to watch out for that!

      Hope you had a GREAT holiday!! Thanks for participating and commenting!! : )

      Delete
  3. I think I would totally love either of these books bc they sound amazing and just lije my.kind of read bc if the fact that it is like paranormal romance. Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Josy!

      Oh, I'm so glad you like these books! "Trinity Stones" was AMAZING, and I know that "The Wanderer's Children" will be, too! I know you'll enjoy whichever one you pick, if you're the winner!

      You're very welcome for the giveaway! Thanks for participating!! : )

      Delete
  4. I like paranormal fiction. From the synopsis as well as the excellent review, I think I would really enjoy Trinity Stones. It seems to have everything I enjoy in a book. I also like that it is adult as well as YA. I have found I enjoy YA books.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Vivian!

      Thank you so much for the compliment on my review!! You can tell how much I LOVED the book!! If you win, and pick "Trinity Stones", you definitely won't be sorry.

      Good luck to you, and thanks as well for participating in the giveaway!! Thanks for such a nice comment!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! : )

      Delete

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