I am delighted to be part of the (Crossroads Saga) Eternity & Halo City by Mary Ting Blog Tour! Please find below my reviews of the books, along with a sneak peek of Crossroads (Crossroads Saga #1) and a fantastic giveaway to enter!
Eternity:
Eternity
Crossroads Saga
Book 4
Author: Mary
Ting
Print ISBN:
9781939865786
E-Book ISBN:
9781939865793
Genre: YA
Paranormal Romance
Release date
09/12/2013
Description:
Having happily ever
after is never easy when evil lurks nearby. Now that Claudia has her memories
back and her life seems to have settled down, the fallen have come out of hiding
with the news about Aliah’s and his demons’ death. The fallen coming out of
hiding is not a concern; there are those who want to be left alone. However, one
particular fallen, Dantanian, is hungry for revenge. Being one of God’s first
fallen angels, he is the evilest of his kind, known as an angel of many faces.
He will do anything to get his way, even if it means forcing others to join him.
And he will stop at nothing to get Michael on his side.
Dantanian will
torture, kill for pleasure, and concoct evil schemes to get Michael’s attention;
and once in his hands, he will try to destroy all the happiness Michael fought
so hard to gain. Having no support from the Twelve, and with Claudia temporarily
losing her powers, the venators and the alkins must work together once again to
save their friends. As death draws near to those captured by Dantanian, will the
gang reach them in time? Or will Michael return to the dark angel he once was
and destroy everyone he loves?
Review:
Eternity by
Mary Ting
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the fourth and final book in the Crossroads Saga. I loved it!
Claudia Emerson is a fantastic character. She has endured a lot in her life: from the deaths of her best friend and Grandmother, to losing her memory. However, I found her to be an extraordinary woman. She has grown with her experiences, and is a pretty formidable opponent. But, she is about to face her toughest challenge yet!
I fell in love with this series when I first read Crossroads last year. I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I heard it was being written. I knew that I was in for an exciting and fast paced read, and the author didn't disappoint! However (and this is NOT a complaint), Claudia is not as involved with this story compared to the other books, even though she is there. There is a reason for this, but I'm not saying what it is! You will have to read the book to find out for yourselves! It made a nice change to follow Davin and the rest of the Alkins and the Venators as they carried out their duties. I think that Davin has also grown in this series. He has become a leader (and an able one at that). I did find that I missed him, his bad jokes and his love of salsa notwithstanding! He is one of my favourite characters in this series. There are some twists and turns in the story which kept me hooked! Dantanian may be evil, but I didn't get the impression that his character was as strong as it could have been. He reminded me of a bully who has low self-esteem issues.
Mary Ting is an amazing author! Her characters are extremely lifelike and likable. I added her to my favourite authors list a while back. Her books are a joy to read (when they're not making you cry!). They are fast paced, take you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and flow beautifully!
I highly recommend this book (and series) if you love YA, Paranormal Romance, Angels, Demons, Nephilim and Alkins. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Halo City
Michael's Journey
(Novella)
Author: Mary
Ting
Print ISBN:
9781939865809
E-Book ISBN:
9781939865816
Genre: YA
Paranormal
Release date
08/12/2013
Buy Now
Description:
When a massive group
of angels known as nephilim—half human, half angel—had been found by the Royal
Council, they were taken to Halo City. Instead of cleansing the Earth with a
flood, which had been done before, the Royal Council created a place just for
this group of angels. While they were being taken, one of the Twelve, Aden,
rebelled and convinced many of the new alkins to join his cause—to live freely
among the humans and take over Crossroads.
After the fall of Aden
and his followers, Michael was taken to Halo City to heal. Not only did Michael
have a difficult time settling into his new environment, he had conflicting
issues regarding his past. Upon meeting the alkins, one in particular, Davin,
refused to give up on helping him deal with his struggles. Together, they
discovered a strange being that would appear at the Crossroads at unexpected
times. Souls wandering there was nothing new, but this one aged as time passed.
Mystified, they both searched for answers while refraining from telling the
Twelve about her. Who was this being that had enraptured Michael’s attention?
And will Michael finally forgive himself and find the happiness that he yearned
to have?
Review:
Halo City: Michael's Journey by
Mary Ting
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is a novella that I really loved!
Michael is an Alkin/Nephilim (half angel, half human), who had joined Aden when he rebelled against the council.
This novella is the back story to Michael and how he arrives at Halo City. This shows his struggle to fit in with the other Alkins, and how his friendship with them began. This story also shows Michael's point of view of the beginning of Crossroads, where he first meets Claudia. I loved seeing things from Michael's point of view, as it made me understand and like him more! He may not have been a nice person to begin with, but as he lets down his guard and becomes more secure in his friendship with Davin and the other Alkins, he becomes a better person.
Mary Ting brings her characters to life, and it has been a pleasure to read her books. I hope to read more of her stories in the future!
I highly recommend reading this novella (as well as the whole Crossroads Saga) if you love YA, Paranormal Romance or stories with Angels, Demons, Nephilim and Alkins. - Lynn Worton
View all my reviews
Sneak
Peek
Crossroads
Saga, book 1 by Mary Ting (Free on kindle and nook)
(Crossroads,
Between, Beyond, Eternity, Halo City)
I
started walking in circles around him, engrossed by his wings. His shirt was
torn on the back. From where the wings protruded out, there were long slits to
form an upside-down V. He was beautiful, his wings were beautiful, and I was
even more in awe of him.
Perhaps
my reaction embarrassed him, as he quickly closed them. It was amazing how they
completely disappeared without a trace of their existence remaining. Even his
shirt showed no sign that it had been torn to allow such a phenomenon.
“May
I please take a look again? For me, please?” I pleaded.
“You’re
not freaked out?” He looked utterly astonished.
“Should
I be?” I wondered why he felt embarrassed about his precious gift.
“I
thought it might freak you out. Something not by human standards.”
I
leaned closer and placed my hands on his shoulders. “I’m not freaked out. I
think you are amazing just the way you are. I wouldn’t want you to be any other
way,” I said tenderly, trying to sound convincing with my words and through my
body language.
His
eyes were still steady on the ground. I needed to try harder to make him
understand that there was nothing freakishly wrong with him, and that his wings
were just as incredible as he was.
“Michael,
please, open for me,” I pleaded again, with my hands still resting on his
shoulders. Then I gave him the biggest smile, hoping he couldn’t resist, and he
would do as I asked.
He
opened gracefully, slowly expanding, not to rush the excitement of what I
wanted to see again. I placed both of my hands gently on this mysterious gift
and stroked them like they were gold. I was amazed by the many delicate layers
of feathers, soft as cashmere and smooth as silk, but equally taken aback by
the power and strength they exuded.
The
same wondrous feeling had rushed through my senses when I was wrapped inside
them after the fall, just before I had panicked. Had I known then that they
were Michael’s wings, I would have stayed there for eternity.
Slowly
I turned my back toward him and tried to wrap myself inside his wings again. I
wanted to be back in the arms of an angel, back to the feeling of peace that
was so desired. He fidgeted away from me, mumbling, “This is too dangerous. I
won’t be able to control myself.” His voice was worried and low.
I
didn’t heed his warning. When I pulled him closer, he ultimately gave in, and
held me gently with both of his arms and wings this time. All I needed was his
touch, for him to hold me that way; it made all the difference in the world. I
was safe again. Without thought, I turned toward him.
The
look in his eyes was so tempting, telling me that he wanted me too. I knew it
was impossible for him to want and need me the same way, but his eyes told me
something else. The depth of my yearning and what I wanted to do at that moment
were undeniable.
I
leaned toward him and tenderly placed a kiss on his supple lips to thank him.
It was an innocent kiss. What was the harm in just one small kiss? I was
extremely surprised that he didn’t push me away. I was even more surprised at
myself, since I was never the type to make the first move.
“Thank
you for saving me,” I whispered, looking straight into his soulful eyes, as
something came over me. He was right. It was dangerous, but it was me who
couldn’t control myself. His eyes gave me permission to continue, so I gave him
another kiss, but slower and longer this time. His lips were warm and sweet
like honeysuckle, just how I imagined they would be. When he kissed me back it
was hesitant, but it was enough to spread heat through my body like a blazing
fire.
Still
holding me, he pulled me away with a sudden jerk as his eyes pierced into mine
with anger. His left hand was tightly wrung around my hair and the other
gripped my shirt so I could feel the tightness from it. Panting, wanting more
of him, I forgot how to breathe, and so did he.
His
eyes, still fierce with anger, gripped me even tighter as he slightly pushed
and pulled me, fighting and uncertain of what he wanted to do. Feeling
petrified, I had to prepare myself for the consequence of my actions, for I
knew I had crossed the line.
I
was waiting for him to release me and push me away. I also anticipated the
lecture he would preach about how humans and angels couldn’t have any physical
contact. Recalling the last time, he suddenly stopped as we almost kissed.
Then, he drew me even closer, and kissed me hungrily. Passion that I never knew
could be possible claimed both of us. My toes curled, feeling immense pleasure
that tingled to the very depth of my being as my fingers tugged lightly on his
muscular shoulders. Then his wings were totally wrapped around us.
We
were in the dark, just Michael and me inside the cocoon of his wings. I couldn’t
believe what was happening…our first real kiss. Pressing his whole body against
mine, I could feel his heart racing just as fast as mine was. We both lost
control, and every part of me quivered with intense pleasure I had never felt
before.
About the Author:
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children.
She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way
to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a
dream she once had as a young girl.
E-Mail: thetings888@msn.com
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Fury of Fire by Coreene Callahan
