You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
authordanielleforrest's Reviews (110)
This book starts with a great first scene that really draws you right in. There is something about this scene that is just so visceral. I was immediately captivated by the story. I didn't quite know what it was going to be about, but the scene had this urgency and strong imagery that set the tone, mood and pace of the story.
By far, I think my favorite thing about the novel was how evil was portrayed, corrupting the faithful by making them kill in the name of God, betraying their beliefs and whatnot. I loved the bad guys. The author creates a world of good and evil that is palpable and different. He makes the story of the Nephilim as intriguing, if not more intriguing, than that of the the main character, which is something of a falling in the book. I find myself wanting to know what happens with Mors, even though he's one of the bad guys. I'm more intrigued by the development of his bad guys than Keith, who I feel like I barely know.
I didn't start to really connect with the main character, the hero, until about 80-85% into the book. Up until then, I was rooting for the bad guys. I was enthralled by them. In fact, I loved this one bad guy so much, I was actually devastated when he died. I remember wanting to yell at him because I knew if he went there, he was going to die. Kind of like those horror movies where the girl goes exploring alone and you yell at the screen but she's stupid and does it anyway.
The author is a good storyteller with a gift for imagery, but he could have done well with a better editor or two. The author had a tendency to mix past and present tense. I also noticed quite a few places with extra words. Overall, while it could use some more editing, the author did a fairly good job. The writing is clear and not overly burdened down. Great imagery. It's not hard to read. The most detracting parts are those where he mistakenly used present tense and situations where he didn't bother to fact check. For example, I was a little taken out of the story by a man still being conscious with his heart outside his body, but then I have an above average knowledge of anatomy and physiology and know that a person cannot be conscious if his heart has stopped. It is a physical impossibility - like not being able to breathe if your heart has stopped. Being in the first year of my doctorate myself, I was equally chagrined by the details of his main character's graduate student life. He's halfway through his doctorate, yet he's still studying. You only take classes for about the first two years. Up until prelims. Then it's all research. I'm also well versed in Japanese sword fighting. I know, for example, you would need to be 6'8" to draw a katana from an upside down scabbard on your back (which the character used) based upon ratio of height to arm span. Also, I cringed during his fighting scenes where he used the katana. He was lopping off limbs left and right and stabbing through people's skulls. To make matters worse, the Nephilim have tougher skin, denser bones, and cannot be killed by bleeding out, making the katana a useless weapon against them. All Japanese sword fighting styles are centered around bleed the enemy out. It's how the blade is designed. It's razor sharp when battle ready, requires constant maintenance, and can be easily damaged if it makes contact with bone. The author's a good storyteller, has a wonderful way with words, and I would love to see what he could do with a little more effort.
Received a Kindle formatted version of the book in exchange for an honest review.
By far, I think my favorite thing about the novel was how evil was portrayed, corrupting the faithful by making them kill in the name of God, betraying their beliefs and whatnot. I loved the bad guys. The author creates a world of good and evil that is palpable and different. He makes the story of the Nephilim as intriguing, if not more intriguing, than that of the the main character, which is something of a falling in the book. I find myself wanting to know what happens with Mors, even though he's one of the bad guys. I'm more intrigued by the development of his bad guys than Keith, who I feel like I barely know.
I didn't start to really connect with the main character, the hero, until about 80-85% into the book. Up until then, I was rooting for the bad guys. I was enthralled by them. In fact, I loved this one bad guy so much, I was actually devastated when he died. I remember wanting to yell at him because I knew if he went there, he was going to die. Kind of like those horror movies where the girl goes exploring alone and you yell at the screen but she's stupid and does it anyway.
The author is a good storyteller with a gift for imagery, but he could have done well with a better editor or two. The author had a tendency to mix past and present tense. I also noticed quite a few places with extra words. Overall, while it could use some more editing, the author did a fairly good job. The writing is clear and not overly burdened down. Great imagery. It's not hard to read. The most detracting parts are those where he mistakenly used present tense and situations where he didn't bother to fact check. For example, I was a little taken out of the story by a man still being conscious with his heart outside his body, but then I have an above average knowledge of anatomy and physiology and know that a person cannot be conscious if his heart has stopped. It is a physical impossibility - like not being able to breathe if your heart has stopped. Being in the first year of my doctorate myself, I was equally chagrined by the details of his main character's graduate student life. He's halfway through his doctorate, yet he's still studying. You only take classes for about the first two years. Up until prelims. Then it's all research. I'm also well versed in Japanese sword fighting. I know, for example, you would need to be 6'8" to draw a katana from an upside down scabbard on your back (which the character used) based upon ratio of height to arm span. Also, I cringed during his fighting scenes where he used the katana. He was lopping off limbs left and right and stabbing through people's skulls. To make matters worse, the Nephilim have tougher skin, denser bones, and cannot be killed by bleeding out, making the katana a useless weapon against them. All Japanese sword fighting styles are centered around bleed the enemy out. It's how the blade is designed. It's razor sharp when battle ready, requires constant maintenance, and can be easily damaged if it makes contact with bone. The author's a good storyteller, has a wonderful way with words, and I would love to see what he could do with a little more effort.
Received a Kindle formatted version of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Is it possible for a book to get more than five stars? If so, I would totally give it to Tempted by the Storm. Nothing in this book was what I expected. Better and worse, all at the same time.
And before I get started, I have a dirty, dirty mind so, yes, this book hit the spot. If sexual innuendos, outrageous mishaps, and daring scenes (not for the prim of heart) are your thing, then you will love Tempted by the Storm. The book starts out setting the mood and the match. You take an immediate liking to Lark, and Sarco because he chooses her at the party instead of her sister.
I find myself frequently laughing, like when her father makes a joke about living above flood level (because Lark's moods can change the weather - when she's sad, there's a downpour). I am equally appalled and amused. I broke out into hysterical laughter when a pet started in with… No, I shouldn't tell you. It would ruin the surprise and that would just be tragic. But, I didn't stop until my sides started to hurt.
I loved Lark's names for Sarco after the first day of class. Had me laughing again. The author is great at making me laugh at their comments and antics.
My God, this story is so crazy. I love it! And it seems, with each progressing scene, it just gets crazier, however impossible that might seem. The situations the characters find themselves getting into are beyond outrageous. There aren't words. I don't think there has been a page where I didn't at least break out into a smile. Most of the time, I would break out into hysterical laughter. Their antics are like a train wreck. It's terrible and tragic, and you can't look away.
The gnomes were absolutely priceless! They took everything - every concept, every principal and preconceived notion - and turned it on its ear. And I love the long drawn out exclamations like, "What the green slimy snot running down the fat lip of a red-eyed ogre with a nasty head cold are ya thinking, lad?" And the dolls! Oh, the dolls! It's so wrong and so right - no it's just wrong - at the same time. I can't think about it without starting to laugh again.
Even as I write this review, two days after I finished reading the book, I can't help but smile thinking of the events and characters portrayed. Every one of them seeps into your heart.
And don't even get me started about the ending. I would not have predicted that gnomes' show in my wildest dreams. I had tears in my eyes, I was laughing so hard.
And before I get started, I have a dirty, dirty mind so, yes, this book hit the spot. If sexual innuendos, outrageous mishaps, and daring scenes (not for the prim of heart) are your thing, then you will love Tempted by the Storm. The book starts out setting the mood and the match. You take an immediate liking to Lark, and Sarco because he chooses her at the party instead of her sister.
I find myself frequently laughing, like when her father makes a joke about living above flood level (because Lark's moods can change the weather - when she's sad, there's a downpour). I am equally appalled and amused. I broke out into hysterical laughter when a pet started in with… No, I shouldn't tell you. It would ruin the surprise and that would just be tragic. But, I didn't stop until my sides started to hurt.
I loved Lark's names for Sarco after the first day of class. Had me laughing again. The author is great at making me laugh at their comments and antics.
My God, this story is so crazy. I love it! And it seems, with each progressing scene, it just gets crazier, however impossible that might seem. The situations the characters find themselves getting into are beyond outrageous. There aren't words. I don't think there has been a page where I didn't at least break out into a smile. Most of the time, I would break out into hysterical laughter. Their antics are like a train wreck. It's terrible and tragic, and you can't look away.
The gnomes were absolutely priceless! They took everything - every concept, every principal and preconceived notion - and turned it on its ear. And I love the long drawn out exclamations like, "What the green slimy snot running down the fat lip of a red-eyed ogre with a nasty head cold are ya thinking, lad?" And the dolls! Oh, the dolls! It's so wrong and so right - no it's just wrong - at the same time. I can't think about it without starting to laugh again.
Even as I write this review, two days after I finished reading the book, I can't help but smile thinking of the events and characters portrayed. Every one of them seeps into your heart.
And don't even get me started about the ending. I would not have predicted that gnomes' show in my wildest dreams. I had tears in my eyes, I was laughing so hard.
I found this short story to be an enjoyable, cute (to my twisted mentality) short story that does a commendable job at trying to get inside the head of a young child that has just lost a parent.
One of the things I liked about this story is how you can see her actions from an adult's perspective at the same time it's told from that of a child. I remember the squirming and fidgeting, the questions and acting up, of kids at the wake I last attended.
I felt sorry for the young girl, not able to accept or understand death. And I found it strange that the girl knew her mother had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments. That took me out of the story a bit. After all, she seems young enough that her family would simply call it medicine or treatments to make mommy better or something of the sort.
The music lyrics were a great touch - very creepy. I loved how the lyrics of the song and the words of the preacher took on whole new meanings to the ears of a small child. What was meant to be reassuring, became ominous, even hauntingly disturbing.
I find myself finding the story more creepy, disturbing, and intriguing than a horror story as categorized. But, then again, I haven't had a good scare since I watched Nightmare on Elm Street and couldn't sleep that night (even though I watched it in the morning). The story was cool, but I wouldn't call it scary.
One of the things I liked about this story is how you can see her actions from an adult's perspective at the same time it's told from that of a child. I remember the squirming and fidgeting, the questions and acting up, of kids at the wake I last attended.
I felt sorry for the young girl, not able to accept or understand death. And I found it strange that the girl knew her mother had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments. That took me out of the story a bit. After all, she seems young enough that her family would simply call it medicine or treatments to make mommy better or something of the sort.
The music lyrics were a great touch - very creepy. I loved how the lyrics of the song and the words of the preacher took on whole new meanings to the ears of a small child. What was meant to be reassuring, became ominous, even hauntingly disturbing.
I find myself finding the story more creepy, disturbing, and intriguing than a horror story as categorized. But, then again, I haven't had a good scare since I watched Nightmare on Elm Street and couldn't sleep that night (even though I watched it in the morning). The story was cool, but I wouldn't call it scary.
The worst thing about this book was it ended before I wanted it to. It was just too short. I wanted to spend more than a few hours with Chase and Sam!
I really liked Sam and Chase and absolutely despised her mom and her other suitors (Hah! Suitors. As if.). God, I wanted to wallop her one something fierce!
The author was very good about player to the reader's emotions and my moods swung like a manic-depressive without their meds. I found myself laughing and then quickly wanting to hit someone, yearning for them to get together and practically yelling for them to run as fast as their legs could carry them.
What can I say? I liked it. Now, when's the next book coming out?!?
I really liked Sam and Chase and absolutely despised her mom and her other suitors (Hah! Suitors. As if.). God, I wanted to wallop her one something fierce!
The author was very good about player to the reader's emotions and my moods swung like a manic-depressive without their meds. I found myself laughing and then quickly wanting to hit someone, yearning for them to get together and practically yelling for them to run as fast as their legs could carry them.
What can I say? I liked it. Now, when's the next book coming out?!?
I like the dynamic between mother and daughter. But then, I've always been fond of a little bit of crazy. Their relationship is open (a little too open, some might say), off the wall, loving and infuriating. Actually, take out the paranormal, and it kind of reminds me of the relationship with my own mom. Sort of a love/hate thing.
The relationship between her and her friends Zoe and Diego are fun and flirty, making me laugh throughout the book. I liked Boulder, even if he was a bit overbearing for my taste and Torch's stubbornness pissed me off, which I suspect is exactly what it was supposed to do.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first 75% of the book, even if it had quite a few patches that made me make a double take because I couldn't rap my head around the logic.
But what bugged me the most about the book is how badly it left you hanging. There's no end to the conflict, no relief for the romantic ties, and the book ends with all these what ifs hanging over your head. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and yet was thoroughly pissed off at the author for leaving me hanging like that. I'm okay with a cliffhanger on occasion, but this was like racing toward a finish line and dropping off a cliff. I kept seeing the progress advance. 80%, 90%, 95% and knowing there was no way the book could possibly come to a satisfactory conclusion in that time.
In summing, the book was good and entertaining. It was engaging and I found myself invested in the characters. Just don't expect to leave feeling fulfilled or with a sense of completion. So, I guess, my question becomes, when the hell is the next book coming out?!?
The relationship between her and her friends Zoe and Diego are fun and flirty, making me laugh throughout the book. I liked Boulder, even if he was a bit overbearing for my taste and Torch's stubbornness pissed me off, which I suspect is exactly what it was supposed to do.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first 75% of the book, even if it had quite a few patches that made me make a double take because I couldn't rap my head around the logic.
But what bugged me the most about the book is how badly it left you hanging. There's no end to the conflict, no relief for the romantic ties, and the book ends with all these what ifs hanging over your head. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and yet was thoroughly pissed off at the author for leaving me hanging like that. I'm okay with a cliffhanger on occasion, but this was like racing toward a finish line and dropping off a cliff. I kept seeing the progress advance. 80%, 90%, 95% and knowing there was no way the book could possibly come to a satisfactory conclusion in that time.
In summing, the book was good and entertaining. It was engaging and I found myself invested in the characters. Just don't expect to leave feeling fulfilled or with a sense of completion. So, I guess, my question becomes, when the hell is the next book coming out?!?
I love how this book starts. The scene has overtures of anger and aggression, while whisperings of past sins and abuses tickle your consciousness, begging to know more. What happened to her? What will happen? It is a perfect hook.
Though the author doesn't put a lot of effort into any of the characters but Mira, all the characters bring something to the table. I liked how cheeky Kaden was and Wyck's playful, childlike demeanor was endearing. Wyck's food obsession, though it seemed to come out of nowhere, was cute. It made me chuckle as he raced off like a little boy in a toy store. Chago has some potential and I would be intrigued to see what he'd be like if he ever opened up. Xander and Zoe are mysteries just waiting to be discovered.
Mira, the main character, is both the most complex and the most challenging of the bunch. She presents a puzzle at first. Later, she fights and claws to get away, making you work to like her and, at the same time, making it impossible not to be drawn in by her.
The book is non-stop, with one fiasco after another, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Full of action and suspense, mystery and intrigue, battles of good and evil, angels, demons, and nephilim, this book has it all.
Though the author doesn't put a lot of effort into any of the characters but Mira, all the characters bring something to the table. I liked how cheeky Kaden was and Wyck's playful, childlike demeanor was endearing. Wyck's food obsession, though it seemed to come out of nowhere, was cute. It made me chuckle as he raced off like a little boy in a toy store. Chago has some potential and I would be intrigued to see what he'd be like if he ever opened up. Xander and Zoe are mysteries just waiting to be discovered.
Mira, the main character, is both the most complex and the most challenging of the bunch. She presents a puzzle at first. Later, she fights and claws to get away, making you work to like her and, at the same time, making it impossible not to be drawn in by her.
The book is non-stop, with one fiasco after another, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Full of action and suspense, mystery and intrigue, battles of good and evil, angels, demons, and nephilim, this book has it all.
I had mixed feelings about this novella. First, the book is first and foremost a Young Adult Romance and SciFi is a far second. Most of the story revolves around the budding relationship of Natalie and Ryan. While I was definitely engaged in their romance and I was enthralled by their plight, I think I was expecting a little more freaky stuff.
That being said, I suspect the next part in the series will have a great deal more freaky stuff. Sadly, like many of the novellas I've read, especially ones broadcasting they'll part of a series like this one, I felt a lack of closure.
I loved the dream sequences most of all. But I guess I have a thing for dream sequences because you can stretch the limits of reality even beyond the limits of your story. I also loved the part where they're dancing and he's singing "Getting you home" by Chris Young (which is a song, by the way, I really like). All I was thinking was that it was probably not the most apropos song when they intend to wait till marriage.
I was a little frustrated with Natalie and her whole I don't want to get hurt again thing. I get being hurt and being afraid of getting hurt again. I don't get taking a single experience and extrapolating it consciously to the entire male population. This bugged me throughout the story and made me want to yell at her to get over herself.
I really enjoyed the last ¼ of the book and the ending was great. It took a while for the story to really build. The author gives you bits and pieces and clues, but unfortunately it has more than one part and you only get the first part with this book.
Now, onto a few of my pet peeves. I'm not overly fond of reviewing ARC copies, as this one was. I'm never certain what will be removed from the finalized printing and what was, in fact, a mistake. Why doesn't she put up a fuss when he suggests adding a class in May when they had their schedules finalized in April? And, I don't know about you, but when I hit someone really skinny, I go down. No muscle and no fat means you contact directly with bone... which is very painful. Last time I did it, I was on the floor for ten minutes trying to regain the ability to walk.
All in all, if you enjoy a good YA Romance with just a dash of weird, I think you'll enjoy the book. It's sweet and angsty. There's danger and suspense and shady dealings. It really picks up around 3/4 the way through the book. I found myself really wanting the two to get together and really frustrated as their pasts and presents kept clashing and keeping them apart. Looking forward to Part II.
That being said, I suspect the next part in the series will have a great deal more freaky stuff. Sadly, like many of the novellas I've read, especially ones broadcasting they'll part of a series like this one, I felt a lack of closure.
I loved the dream sequences most of all. But I guess I have a thing for dream sequences because you can stretch the limits of reality even beyond the limits of your story. I also loved the part where they're dancing and he's singing "Getting you home" by Chris Young (which is a song, by the way, I really like). All I was thinking was that it was probably not the most apropos song when they intend to wait till marriage.
I was a little frustrated with Natalie and her whole I don't want to get hurt again thing. I get being hurt and being afraid of getting hurt again. I don't get taking a single experience and extrapolating it consciously to the entire male population. This bugged me throughout the story and made me want to yell at her to get over herself.
I really enjoyed the last ¼ of the book and the ending was great. It took a while for the story to really build. The author gives you bits and pieces and clues, but unfortunately it has more than one part and you only get the first part with this book.
Now, onto a few of my pet peeves. I'm not overly fond of reviewing ARC copies, as this one was. I'm never certain what will be removed from the finalized printing and what was, in fact, a mistake. Why doesn't she put up a fuss when he suggests adding a class in May when they had their schedules finalized in April? And, I don't know about you, but when I hit someone really skinny, I go down. No muscle and no fat means you contact directly with bone... which is very painful. Last time I did it, I was on the floor for ten minutes trying to regain the ability to walk.
All in all, if you enjoy a good YA Romance with just a dash of weird, I think you'll enjoy the book. It's sweet and angsty. There's danger and suspense and shady dealings. It really picks up around 3/4 the way through the book. I found myself really wanting the two to get together and really frustrated as their pasts and presents kept clashing and keeping them apart. Looking forward to Part II.
The story is fast paced, hard, ballsy, and frustrating (but in a good way). The voice, the tone, of the story had a no-nonsense, hardened cop feel I just loved. I can't help but like Sydney, who is about the most hardheaded person I've ever met. She is everything that I just described the story as. She is sexy and fun and I find it hilarious that every guy she's encountered so far in the book wants to screw her brains out. And I loved that when the male lead turns her down, she decides to go and boink his friend.
Like a good mystery, the story keeps you guessing. The author keeps the tension ramped the entire time, either with the case or with the ever growing sexual tension between Kade and Sydney.
The only true fault I had with the book was with the first dead body - the floater. The body was too new to be a floater. Why was the skin slack? A body that's a couple of days old is entering the first few days of decomp. Bodies don't float until 8-10, under rare conditions starting at 7. The body's skin doesn't become slack until after gas build up has dissipated, which is long after the floating stage. So why was it called a floater? Why didn't the coroner correct that assumption? Why was she called a coroner when the city of Philadelphia has a Medical Examiner's office on 321 University Ave? Why did she put the coroner's office in the same building as the police station when there is no medical examiner's office in the same building as a police station? The closest I could find was a University Police Department. But those are minor things that would probably only matter to you if you either lived in Philly or had experience in law enforcement.
As a word of warning, the ARC copy I received had head hopping. While this doesn't bother me, I know it bothers some, so I felt it only right I include that in my review.
In closing, this book had me glued to the "pages" the entire way. Even with the initial inconsistency in the crime scene, this is definitely a five star read.
Like a good mystery, the story keeps you guessing. The author keeps the tension ramped the entire time, either with the case or with the ever growing sexual tension between Kade and Sydney.
The only true fault I had with the book was with the first dead body - the floater. The body was too new to be a floater. Why was the skin slack? A body that's a couple of days old is entering the first few days of decomp. Bodies don't float until 8-10, under rare conditions starting at 7. The body's skin doesn't become slack until after gas build up has dissipated, which is long after the floating stage. So why was it called a floater? Why didn't the coroner correct that assumption? Why was she called a coroner when the city of Philadelphia has a Medical Examiner's office on 321 University Ave? Why did she put the coroner's office in the same building as the police station when there is no medical examiner's office in the same building as a police station? The closest I could find was a University Police Department. But those are minor things that would probably only matter to you if you either lived in Philly or had experience in law enforcement.
As a word of warning, the ARC copy I received had head hopping. While this doesn't bother me, I know it bothers some, so I felt it only right I include that in my review.
In closing, this book had me glued to the "pages" the entire way. Even with the initial inconsistency in the crime scene, this is definitely a five star read.