#yafantasy

Shadow Angel 2 by Leia Stone & Julie Hall

About the Book

Title: Shadow Angel Book Two
Authors: Leia Stone & Julie Hall
Series: Shadow Angel #2
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: February 25, 2022

He’s gone, and the worst part is, I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.

I dealt with the curse. I picked my side. The hellish nightmare that I woke up to when I discovered I was a Watcher should be over, but it’s not. Weeks have passed with no sign of Gage and I can’t seem to move on, but a war is brewing and wallowing is no longer an option. With the ruler of the Netherworld after me, my new mission not only affects one realm, but all of them.

Save my mom.
Save the souls.
Save the world.

No pressure.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Authors

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She’s sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children. www.LeiaStone.com

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author. She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie’s daughter says that her superpower is sleeping all day and writing all night . . . and well, she wouldn’t be wrong. Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people – her husband, daughter, and two fur babies. www.JulieHallAuthor.com

My Review

Shadow Angel: Book Two
by Leia Stone and Julie Hall
Rating: 4.5/5

This epic story continues after that crazy cliffhanger from Book One! You definitely should read the first book in the series because it’s awesome and this story picks up right where Book One left off. This author duo is great at action and high stakes suspense. They aren’t afraid to break our hearts and then give them back.

First, the cover is gorgeous (as always) and deserves to be seen in person (I will be ordering the special hardback when available). What book cover lover won’t want the special edition? 😉

Second, the story continues with a new character that is amazing and powerful and I want to know more! Yes, I’m talking about Aurum and you’ll be talking about Aurum too.

Third, the sweet love story between the main characters continues to make readers swoon and sigh in awe. There are definitely some very romantic moments in the midst of all the action.

Fourth, that ending! I won’t say more but come on! You’ll just have to read the series to find out.

I cannot wait to read what comes next and am excited to delve into this fantastic world again.

PG-13 content – some swear words.

Highly recommend if you enjoy stories about light and dark and the characters who fall in love against all odds.

My thanks to the authors for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Also Available

Read my review of Book One here!

February 25, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews

Shadow Angel by Leia Stone and Julie Hall

About the Book

Title: Shadow Angel
Series: Shadow Angel #1
Authors: Leia Stone and Julie Hall
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 21, 2022

From the moment I saw the shadows come to life, I knew my world would never be the same.

Yesterday I was a teenager waiting tables in Manhattan, and today, monsters exist and I can see them.

Overnight I’m thrown into the realm of the Watchers, a society of earthbound angels split into two factions: The Shades, whose powerful dark magic is given to them by the fallen angels, and the Lumens, whose abilities are bestowed on them by the archangels of Avalon.

They’re on opposite sides of a brutal war, and I only have a few days to pick which side I want to join. I’m ready to choose when the Shades force my hand by cursing someone I love.

The only hope I have of saving them rests on the broad shoulders of the prickliest Shade alive, Gage Alston. He’s cold, arrogant, and quite possibly the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Do I trust him? No.
Do I need him? Yes.
Do I want to kiss him? Maybe.

Perhaps I’ll choose darkness after all.

Purchase here or read on Kindle Unlimited.

About the Authors

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She’s sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children. www.LeiaStone.com

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author. She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie’s daughter says that her superpower is sleeping all day and writing all night . . . and well, she wouldn’t be wrong. Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people – her husband, daughter, and two fur babies. www.JulieHallAuthor.com

My Review

Shadow Angel
by Leia Stone and Julie Hall
Book 1 in the Shadow Angel series
Rating: 4.5

When two of your favorite authors start a series together, you can’t help but squeal with glee and rush to read the ARC when available. I finished this book in a few hours. I could not and did not want to put the book down. It is a great start to a series and I cannot wait to read more.

First off, that cover is gorgeous and definitely makes a prospective reader go, “I need to read that!”. Second, the authors are great by themselves but they definitely play off of each other’s strengths. Third, the world building is well done but not overwhelming. There’s a 3D map of the Lumen Compound at the beginning and then an educational graphic from the school. I love any and all visuals that the authors wants to include. The world seems somewhat familiar but different so it’s still relatable and begs to be explored. Fourth, the main characters were memorable and made you, as the reader, want to root for them. Who hasn’t at some point in their life crushed on a bad boy? The supporting characters are also a blast and I would love to learn more about them and their stories. Fifth, the story is just beginning and deserves to be read.

Highly recommend if you enjoy YA urban fantasy with angel and demons, humor and romance!

PG-13.

My thanks to the authors for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

January 21, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews

Entwined by Jody Hedlund

About the Book

Title: Entwined
Series: Knights of Brethren #2
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Northern Lights Press
Release Date: December 7, 2021

During a time when legends were born . . .

ENTWINED

A princess cursed from birth, a loyal knight worthy of being king, and a sword that can determine their destiny.

After growing up on a remote farm, Lis learns she is the rightful heir to the throne of Norvegia. Even as she does her part to thwart a dangerous plot against the king, she resists pursuing her new identity and resigns herself to a simple life helping her elderly father with their farm.

With the king losing his mind, Sir Ansgar, the highest knight in the land, is desperate to save the sovereign he’s sworn to protect. But before Ansgar can uncover what is causing the king’s demise, he finds himself falsely accused of treason and dismissed from court.

In danger of losing his life, Ansgar takes refuge on Lis’s farm. Love soon blossoms between Ansgar and Lis, even as they realize a future together is impossible. Yet they must unite to save the kingdom from ever-growing forces of evil. Are their destinies entwined? Or will they be ripped apart forever?

The real story of Excalibur continues . . .

Purchase your copy here or read on Kindle Unlimited

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

My Review

Entwined
by Jody Hedlund
Book 2 in the Knights of Brethren series
Rating: 4/5

“Everything about him was engaging—his determination to protect the king, his effortless way of conversing, his intelligence and wit, his strong and compelling presence.”

I just flew through this story and enjoyed every moment. The chemistry between lost Princess Lis and Sir Ansgar was so apparent even Red recognized it before the two humans. I was excited to read more in this series and the author did not disappoint. The characters are further developed and it was fun to see my literary “friends” again. Though you could probably read this story as a standalone, it would make a little bit more sense if you read the previous book, Enamored, first. I believe this series will be four books total and I will be reading more in this series.

“The greatest honor a man can experience is dying to himself and living for a greater cause.”

The author’s characters and settings are so well done and the loose retelling of the King Arthur world is beautiful. This story was such a fun escape into Arthurian times but also included some faith aspects which I found appropriate and not forced. Lis must come to grips with her past and her heritage. Ansgar must deal with accusations of treason while trying to protect the king. As frustrating as villains are, the author does a great job with developing her villains and setting up the next books.

“One can never gain something truly valuable without sacrifice.”

Highly recommend for those that enjoy an explosive love story with dragons, bargains, and the magic of the real Excalibur!

Content: Clean read with some violence and action scenes.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.