Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Deliver Me From Temptation by Tes Hilaire

I really like the heavenly guardians and the action in this series.
Deliver Me From Temptation: A Novel of the Paladin Warriors
Tes Hilaire

• File Size: 552 KB
• Print Length: 354 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1402264372
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (December 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
"Dark, sexy, and intense! Hilaire blazes a new path in paranormal romance."—Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author on Deliver Me From Darkness
Logan Screwed Up...Big Time
When things go bump in the night, Logan bumps back. Vampires, demons, succubi—you name it, he's fought it. His job as Paladin angel warrior is to protect humans. Not fall for one.
She Never Believed in Divine Intervention...Until Now
Detective Jessica Waters protects humans too-with her Glock and a good set of handcuffs. She doesn't believe in fate. But if anyone looks like a gift from the gods, it's Logan. And he clearly knows more about her case than he's letting on...

Review:
Jessica is a fierce cop whose driving force is the anger and hate that she carries from the rape and brutal death of her twin sister. She is a good and dedicated cop but sometimes her anger pushes her to take risks like investigating without her partner for backup.  She has been pushing pretty hard on a murder that involved some freakish aspects. High on Jessica’s lists of suspects is Roland, a Paladin Warrior (heavenly protector) who is outcast from the ranks because he is now a vampire.  (See Roland’s story in Deliver Me From Darkness.) Roland is not the murderer, but there are other vampires and dark forces involved in the murder.  They object to Jessica’s snooping and she is now a target.

While investigating, Jessica sees Logan and Alex, two Paladin Warriors, chasing what appears to be an innocent woman. Jessica tries to challenge the men, interfering with their efforts and gaining a memory wipe for her troubles.  Jess doesn’t remember Logan and Alex when she next meets them at the station while they are bailing out Roland. She suspects something isn’t right but doesn’t know what.

Now Logan is set on protecting Jessica as she continues to bump into bad, dark things in the night. Their attraction is intense. She tries to resist as he is a “person of interest” in the case and she can’t really believe in forces he alludes to. Logan realizes that, as the future leader of the warriors, there is no way he should get involved with a human. There union may be beyond their control! But can Logan keep Jessica alive as she is dragged in by enemies to lure him to a trap?

Logan is a great, strong hero who is dedicated to his mission but sometimes challenges the Paladin leader, his father, because of his old-fashioned and limiting methods. Jessica is a wonderfully strong and dedicated officer although her independence and hatred get her into trouble. I really like the action in this series. The book jumps off with a start and never lets up. I also love the fact that the heros are heavenly warriors protecting humans from demons and other evil creatures.  My only hesitation and disappointment in the series is the free use of foul language. Too bad that mars the rest of the great work for me. I did pick this book to review knowing from the last time that it would likely have language. Still - the action and story outweigh the negative language. I’m glad I read this and I recommend the series to those who love strong characters, intense passion and plenty of action.

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I agree with Logan’s thoughts on faith and Justice:

[The station house} was more than just a place for the work of law to get done. It was the line between human goodness and evil deeds, a sanctuary to Justice’s warriors. But without faith in...something? Could that line really be held? Could Justice survive.   Page 64.

I really liked this imagery:

She made her way down the side street, the sounds of the investigative team playing like a homicide-cops urban symphony.  The clicking of a camera was the erratic drummer, the scuff of boots on gritty pavement the counter beat and the gruff voices lowered in funeral hall tones claimed the melody.  Page 119.

I received this from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 14, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 15, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire

This is a story where a tortured, dark, hero meets an innocent, light, heroine.  Are they enemies or mates?

Deliver Me from Darkness: A Novel of the Paladin Warriors 

by Tess Hilaire

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402264348
• ISBN-13: 978-1402264344

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2012

A STRANGER IN THE NIGHT...

He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladin. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa shows up at his doorstep.

COMES KNOCKING ON THE DOOR She is light and bright and everything beautiful—despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. He may not have a soul, but he can't deny his heart.

Review:
Roland was a Paladin, a warrior of the Light, fighting to protect humans. Then he was seduced, trapped, turned into a vampire, and rejected by his Paladin family.  His friend, Logan, was ordered to execute him but didn’t. Roland battles his bloodlust each day but his extra powers allow him to continue to fight evil in his own way - as a lone warrior.  One night Logan shows up with a dirty ruffian who turns out to be a striking, beautiful girl who is full of innocence and light.

Karissa was raised and sheltered by her grandfather who told her to be afraid of the creatures of the dark. Against his instructions she takes a class at the local college and brings death to her home. She doesn’t understand why dark creatures are after her but she is able to escape because she has some unusual powers, like teleporting herself out of reach.  Karissa had been told to find Logan so she feels he is trying to keep her safe. However, when she awakens in a vampire’s bed she is terrified. Initially she battles with Roland but she slowly begins to feel safe with him.

When Roland and Logan discover her powers they realize that Karissa is extremely rare and special: a female Paladin. Logan knows he should take her to the headquarters of the Paladin but Roland is convinced that the males will fight to form a mate bond with her. Although they may not form a true bond if they are not soul mates, they can try to create a lesser bond that would allow them to protect her but also would give them some control over her.  Logan doesn’t explain this problem and Karissa doesn’t realize the danger until she is in a room surrounded by eager Paladin.  The more troubles she has the more it seems that Roland is the one who is truly looking out for her safety. He believes she is his mate but that she can never be his. She believes he still has a soul and is good, not evil.

A full out battle ensues as the Paladins seek to protect Karissa from Vampires and Demons.  Some of the Paladins recognize, like Logan, that Roland is still a Paladin brother at his core, but the Paladin leader may give the order that will kill Roland before he can rescue Karissa again.

I loved Roland as a dark vampire who clearly is still a good guy hero. He is quite enticing! Karissa is a little flighty at times but she is young. The lovely thing is she is willing to look for the good and hold on to it when others doubt. The primary characters are strong and there are several secondary characters who add interest as well as conflict. There are weak and evil intents even among those protector warriors.

There is very good action, suspense and emotional bonding. The writing has good movement that helps give the book a good action pace. There is some bad language but the plot is worth getting past that. I enjoyed this a lot and will look for more in this series.

A quote of perception:
Though his embrace was a tad constricting, Karissa didn’t get the impression he meant her harm. Quite the opposite, in fact. If anything she felt...safe. Location 939.

Thank you to Sourcebooks through NetGalley for this book to review.

This is set in New York City for Where Am I Reading challenge and I will add this to my ARC, and New Author challenges.