Thursday, January 17, 2013

Book Review: Saving Grace by Christine Zolendz

Publisher: Dark Road Designs
Publish Date: October 5, 2012
Kindle Edition, 244 pages
ASIN: B009MH5QGK
Mad World #2


My Review:
Okay if I thought Fall from Grace was hot and amazing, Saving Grace did everything it could to top it. Yes Fall from Grace left us in a cliffhanger, but Saving Grace manages to take us on the ride of our lives emotionally and through a thrillride and Ms. Zolendz still manages to tie everything up with a neat little bow in the end. Yay for no more cliffhangers! Though I must admit I almost could have dealt with one to have more of Grace and Shane. But it's okay I think the story was really done and Ms. Zolendz played it out perfectly.

So I highly recommend you read Fall from Grace before you read Saving Grace. There is a lot of story development and character development that is really necessary to understanding the story in Saving Grace. But trust me that it's not a hardship to read Fall from Grace. I loved it and had high expectations for Saving Grace as well that were not let down. First the characters continue to grow and develop. The emphasis is on Grace and Shane. I love these two and was pulling for their romance through the whole book, through their trials and tribulations. Through the angst and troubles. I like how each character changes in little and big ways yet the other doesn't necessarily see it, but the characters around them see it and obviously the reader sees it to some extent. I think you will find yourself cheering right along like I did. I think you will also find your emotions running the gamut of happiness and giddiness to outright sadness through this book. I like an author that can evoke this much emotion. Ms. Zolendz does an amazing job making me empathize with the characters and making me feel like I am right there with them.

And if you want action. There is still a lot of action and a lot of questions of the paranormal sense to be answered in Saving Grace. Lots of suspense, and lots is up in the air. I found myself quickly turning pages not only to see what would happen with Shane and Grace but also to find out just what was happening with Gabriel and what it all meant. The suspense was well done. It confused me just enough to keep me enthralled and into that element of the plot as well as the romance. Ms. Zolendz did a great job with the balancing act between the two. So much that I don't think this book would disappoint romance or suspense fans, especially if you like your suspense in the paranormal variety.

In the end I loved this book (if you couldn't tell that by now). I may be becoming a gushing fan girl of Christine Zolendz. It's rough, it's gritty, but it's beautiful too. I honestly could not get enough of Shane and Grace and I'm kind of sad it's over though I think the story did run it's course and I'm really happy with the ending. If you are looking for a great new adult series with a touch of paranormal and suspense then this is just the thing for you. I can promise you that you will be sucked in and you won't be able to put it down until you read that last page and know just how things turn out. I would love some more stories from the group of friends though, that would be kind of fun, hint, hint :)

My rating: 5.0/5.0

About the Book:
After spending over 2,000 years being a lost soul looking for the angel I was forbidden to fall in love with, I finally found him. Lucky for me he has taken up residence inside the hot body of NYC’s local bad boy, tattooed rock star, Shane Maxton. Turns out, not only is he absolutely perfect, so is the whole Grace Taylor life that I’m stuck in. The only problem is Gabriel. An archangel who wants me all to himself so he kind of kidnaps me. Now I have to find my way back and hope everything works out…
About the Author:
Blog
Twitter


***I bought this book for my own reading pleasure.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  ***

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

I love romances and I had to join this challenge.  I came in just a little late, meaning after the beginning of the year, when I realized I was on a romance reading roll.  So once again Google was my friend and led me to The Book Vixen who is hosting the 2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge.  Go to the link to get the details, but it's pretty simple read Contemporary romances, meaning they are present-day and don't have any other elements (paranormal, fantasy, time-travel) in them.  Again more details on The Book Vixen's site.  The goal is to read at least 10 books.  I should have that easy.  I'm setting my goal for 25.

I'll list my books and links to reviews below.
  1. Yours At Midnight by Robin Bielman
  2. Chance of a Lifetime by Jodi Thomas 
  3. The Look of Love by Bella Andre 
  4. From This Moment On by Bella Andre 
  5. Tempting Acquisitions by Addison Fox
  6. Recipe for Satisfaction by Gina Gordon
  7. Melting the Millionaire's Heart by Linda Morris
  8. Vanilla on Top by C.J. Ellison
  9. Temptation by Kathryn Barrett
  10. Luck of the Draw by Kelley Vitollo
  11. Seven Night Stand by Nicole Helm
  12. Private Practice by Samanthe Beck
  13. A Little Bit Cupid by Jennifer Shirk
  14. Abby Road by Ophelia London
  15. Can't Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas