Review ~ Halo by R.C. Stephens

eARC received via Enticing Journey Promotions in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: November 1st 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
I fell in love with Thomas Wells and knew he was my forever.
I was sixteen when I gave him my heart. 
Our love was the kind to last a lifetime. 

But Thomas was broken. 
The first day we met he told me he was going to become a Navy SEAL. 
At nineteen he enlisted. 
At twenty he married me.
At twenty five he left me pregnant and didn't turn back.
I knew he was suffering…. 
I also knew I couldn't save him.
He left me broken.
I was scared and alone. 
Until I met Ryder St. John a wounded soldier… 
He was lost. 
I was lost. 
Together we made sense. 
I fell in love again… 
What Ryder forgot to mention was that he held a secret so explosive that it could shatter both our worlds.

My Opinion

Halo was one of those books that has been in my mind since I requested it. I wanted to read it so much that all other books I've needed to read first have held less of a draw. I don't know why this book intrigued me so much, maybe because it sounded emotional, but it definitely didn't disappoint.

Halo took me on an emotional roller coaster. It's full of highs and lows, but is essentially a book about healing. While it destroyed me, it did piece me back together as well. I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying believable emotions and creating two characters who I fell for completely. Their lives are hard, they're both suffering, but together the world is a little less dark.

I won't say anything about the plot. This book is one you need to experience.


Overall Halo was a moving and emotional read. The story kept me hooked better than I ever could have predicted and it was beautifully written.

5

Hades and Heaven - Alexandra Adornetto,

Ok I know this isn't my normal way of reviewing books but I would pretty much be repeating myself from the review of Halo. I really enjoyed this series and even though there were a few problems (didn't really like the ending as it was predictable) I couldn't put them down.

Hades (Halo #2)

IS LOVE A GREAT ENOUGH POWER AGAINST EVIL?

Bethany Church believes so- after all, the love of her angel siblings and her boyfriend Xavier saved her from the clutches of hell itself.

But when Jake Thorn returns to town, determined to take Beth away with him, it seems he may be able to destroy everything she cares about.

Will Jake's actions shatter Beth's faith in love? Or can she overcome heartache and betrayal to fulfil her role on Earth?

Interesting, slightly darker than Halo. My favourite out of the series.

Heaven (Halo #3)

Only sixteen when she started the series, Ally Adornetto knows how teen hearts beat, and this long-awaited conclusion is certain to be her most popular book yet.

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

Interesting and engaging but the ending did not satisfy me as it was predictable and cliche. 

Halo (Halo #1) - Alexandra Adornetto

Description
An angel is sent to Earth on a mission.

But falling in love is not part of the plan.

Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.

Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.

The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

My Opinion
Ok, so I'm going through a bit of a angel phase at the moment. I don't know why but it seems to be the paranormal genre I am enjoying most right now. 

When I saw this book the cover was what hooked me to begin with. I loved the colours and the fact that it was clearly about angels interested me. However I didn't instantly want to buy it. The description did only a little to intrigue me so instead of adding it to my basket on Amazon it stayed on my wish list for a while. I received this book for my birthday and when I unwrapped it I was a little disappointed as there were other books I wanted more, however I am now glad I got it and was able to read it as it exceeded my expectations.

The plot (although not entirely original) was interesting and engaging. I did skip a few pages here and there as it was a bit slow in places but even when doing that the story line was clear, simple and easy to follow. I loved the romance. Yes it was a stereotypical/ kind of cheesy romance but it is sort of a guilty pleasure. This book is a feel good book and it livened up a bad day.

The parts of the book I liked most was the concept of telling the book from the point of view of angels that are still attached to heaven. I have read many books that use the concept of fallen angels or just demons but never angels sent on a mission to help fight the dark forces around Venus Cove. It separated the book from other angel novels (such as hush hush) and helped make it different so I could enjoy it without a comparison.

In all honesty, I didn't expect to enjoy this book but I was glad I was proved wrong. The story line keeps you hooked and turning pages. I tried to finish it in a day but because I started it too late I had to stop around 4am. I'm also glad I got the second book "Hades" for my birthday so I can continue the series straight away! 

The third book is definitely going on my Christmas list too.