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Falling Hard: A Fantasy Romance Novel
After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he's finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he's attacked after a concert-and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible he carries the devil's soul within him.Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer's return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined. But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she's come to love to stop the war she's always feared?83,000 words
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2011
2 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
J.K. Coi
29 books84 followersJ.K. Coi is a multi-published, award winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She makes her home in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and son and a feisty black cat who is the uncontested head of the household. While she spends her days immersed in the litigious world of insurance law, she is very happy to spend her nights writing dark and sexy characters who leap off the page and into readers’ hearts. When not writing, she loves to paint and create beautiful things with stained glass.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 2, 2016
Incredibile, ma assolutamente vero, dopo esattamente due anni, quattro mesi e quindici giorni, finalmente sono riuscita a inserire questo romanzo tra le mie letture! Lo so, lo so, vi starete chiedendo come diavolo è possibile . . . ma succede, fidatevi xD soprattutto perché, come ben sapete, ormai il genere fantasy/urban fantasy/paranormal scarseggia sul mio scaffale To Read.
La prima cosa che mi sono detta non appena ho terminato di leggere il primo capitolo è stata:
Perché cacchio ho aspettato così tanto per leggere questo libro?!
E' stato amore a prima vista, e mi ha fatto riscoprire la mia passione per le storie che hanno protagonisti gli angeli ▬ soprattutto gli arcangeli :3
. . . per le storie che hanno protagonista Lucifero ♥
E se cito lui, non posso non proseguire direttamente con Gabriel, la rock star in tutto e per tutto di questo bellissimo romanzo! Ho adorato il suo personaggio, vedere come pian piano l'anima di Lucifero lo contaminasse e rendesse ancor più evidenti i suoi scatti d'ira e i suoi desideri, così oscuri da farmi arricciare le dita dei piedi :P
Desideri che ▬ maledetta fortunata! ▬ ha provato sulla sua pelle Amelia, angelo vendicatore al servizio dell'arcangelo Michael e incaricata di vegliare sul tramite di Lucifero.
Scommetto che ora state pensando a Supernatural!
Ahahahahahahah e secondo voi non ci ho pensato anch'io?! Basta andare a guardare la cronologia dei miei stati su Goodreads, tutti con le gif di Crowley ▬ che per me avrebbe risolto la faccenda in quattro e quattr'otto, se ci fosse stato ;)
Punto non forte, ma fortissimo di questo libro è stata l'assoluta mancanza di romanticismo: è una storia dura, cruda, forte. Non c'è spazio per il solito amore epico, solo per la lussuria e l'odio.
E per il dovere.
Perché Amelia sa bene che, se Lucifero si risvegliasse, il suo compito sarebbe uno soltanto.
UCCIDERE GABRIEL.
Ho adorato questo romanzo dall'inizio alla fine scioccante, che lascia presagire l'inizio di una guerra all'ultimo sangue che spero ardentemente l'autrice decida di raccontare alle sue fan.
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July 30, 2011
Gabriel Gunn is a rich and sexy rocker with a troubled past; after trying for a year to get his life straight he is attacked outside of a concert and learns that no matter what good he does in life it may not matter because he carries the dark angel Lucifer inside of him – and devil is ready to be set free.
Charged with protecting the life of Gabriel and insuring that Lucifer’s soul is never let out, Amelia has been watching over Gabriel his entire life. Stripped of emotions long ago by the archangels, Amelia knows nothing of love, desire, anger or even regret until she must leave the angelic realm to guard Gabriel night and day. Now, not only is she second guessing her entire life but she is experiencing arousal for the very first time and Gabriel is more then up for the challenge of introducing Amelia to life’s carnal pleasures.
With two angel factions hunting them in hopes of possessing Gabriel’s darker half and the protective walls crumbling around Lucifer’s soul, Amelia and Gabriel find themselves in a race against time. They must find a way to contain the Devil without destroying them both; will they survive the battle ahead or will the darkness living inside of Gabriel surpass even the deepest love?
Falling Hard was a compelling story about the age-old battle between angels and the fallen, weaving in a rock star atmosphere with myths and beliefs associated with religion. The premise was good and as the story started out it really captured my attention despite some of the musical term errors at the beginning (which was corrected as the story continued), but as soon as Gabriel and Amelia started to recognize their attraction for each other I begin to lose the feel for it. Don’t get me wrong, Falling Hard has a wonderful romance with a stellar couple but the plot fell to the back of that, giving it a minor feel that dragged and stumbled often. It didn’t seem to flow in a believable way for me.
Gabriel and Amelia’s courtship is sizzling, intense and riddled with tension but it focused too much on the character’s distrust, regrets and insecurities, as well as sex, without backing it up with concrete feelings and a well constructed world. The whole story lacked depth and dimension. There was a good amount of action though, with rogue angels appearing out of nowhere, but it just didn’t make up for the missing layers.
I think this novel will get a 50/50 out of readers. I really wanted to love Falling Hard but it ultimately left me frustrated because I think that this could have been a great and unique story if the author would have put just a tad more effort into it.
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Charged with protecting the life of Gabriel and insuring that Lucifer’s soul is never let out, Amelia has been watching over Gabriel his entire life. Stripped of emotions long ago by the archangels, Amelia knows nothing of love, desire, anger or even regret until she must leave the angelic realm to guard Gabriel night and day. Now, not only is she second guessing her entire life but she is experiencing arousal for the very first time and Gabriel is more then up for the challenge of introducing Amelia to life’s carnal pleasures.
With two angel factions hunting them in hopes of possessing Gabriel’s darker half and the protective walls crumbling around Lucifer’s soul, Amelia and Gabriel find themselves in a race against time. They must find a way to contain the Devil without destroying them both; will they survive the battle ahead or will the darkness living inside of Gabriel surpass even the deepest love?
Falling Hard was a compelling story about the age-old battle between angels and the fallen, weaving in a rock star atmosphere with myths and beliefs associated with religion. The premise was good and as the story started out it really captured my attention despite some of the musical term errors at the beginning (which was corrected as the story continued), but as soon as Gabriel and Amelia started to recognize their attraction for each other I begin to lose the feel for it. Don’t get me wrong, Falling Hard has a wonderful romance with a stellar couple but the plot fell to the back of that, giving it a minor feel that dragged and stumbled often. It didn’t seem to flow in a believable way for me.
Gabriel and Amelia’s courtship is sizzling, intense and riddled with tension but it focused too much on the character’s distrust, regrets and insecurities, as well as sex, without backing it up with concrete feelings and a well constructed world. The whole story lacked depth and dimension. There was a good amount of action though, with rogue angels appearing out of nowhere, but it just didn’t make up for the missing layers.
I think this novel will get a 50/50 out of readers. I really wanted to love Falling Hard but it ultimately left me frustrated because I think that this could have been a great and unique story if the author would have put just a tad more effort into it.
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
August 21, 2011
I really, really enjoyed this one, provided by netgalley. I loved the cover (how hot is that cover-boy?), loved the hero and the heroine, loved the whole angels/paranormal thing going on, and loved the way the plot twisted. I only didn't give this 5 stars because there's a whole sex-in-a-storm thing which was just a leetle bit too cheesy-pie for me.
Now, I've not watched any of those young adult, HBO-type paranormal romance TV shows. Nothing personal, but I either watch TV or read, and reading wins every time. So, although I've read paranormal before, the whole angels and good v evil was pretty new for me.
The world-building is really great with this story. There is detail, so it feels there are no gaping holes, but it's not overwhelming. The focus of the plot is Gabriel, Amelia, his journey, her journey and their love, but the world-building adds texture and color to the plot, and they work beautifully together. Gabriel is a rocker, a naughty boy, who's done everything, seen everything, but he feels the pain of all the hurts and abuses he's seen or experienced in his life. He's fiercely loyal to his friends and family. I particularly liked how the author didn't dwell too much on his rockstar lifestyle, and really went straight to the real Gabriel, after all, most of these people are normal at some level, and although Gabriel is pained by the episodes in his life, he is essentially a very likeable person. He's the sort you'd take home at Thanksgiving and who would, not exactly charm the pants of your horrified family, but would leave them thinking how normal he was, despite having a face everyone recognized.
Amelia is deliberately more cold, but equally conflicted, but it's their transformations as the plot develops that I really liked reading. The pacing is wonderful, and you can see the changes in them, but it's not so obvious that you feel you're being slapped in the face with a wet kipper and shouted at. I also really appreciated how Gabriel and Amelia's story is really wrapped-up well, you're not left feeling adrift or short-changed, but still, the door is left open on the opportunity to tell other stories based upon this "world".
4 stars. Really liked this one, and will look out for more by this author.
Now, I've not watched any of those young adult, HBO-type paranormal romance TV shows. Nothing personal, but I either watch TV or read, and reading wins every time. So, although I've read paranormal before, the whole angels and good v evil was pretty new for me.
The world-building is really great with this story. There is detail, so it feels there are no gaping holes, but it's not overwhelming. The focus of the plot is Gabriel, Amelia, his journey, her journey and their love, but the world-building adds texture and color to the plot, and they work beautifully together. Gabriel is a rocker, a naughty boy, who's done everything, seen everything, but he feels the pain of all the hurts and abuses he's seen or experienced in his life. He's fiercely loyal to his friends and family. I particularly liked how the author didn't dwell too much on his rockstar lifestyle, and really went straight to the real Gabriel, after all, most of these people are normal at some level, and although Gabriel is pained by the episodes in his life, he is essentially a very likeable person. He's the sort you'd take home at Thanksgiving and who would, not exactly charm the pants of your horrified family, but would leave them thinking how normal he was, despite having a face everyone recognized.
Amelia is deliberately more cold, but equally conflicted, but it's their transformations as the plot develops that I really liked reading. The pacing is wonderful, and you can see the changes in them, but it's not so obvious that you feel you're being slapped in the face with a wet kipper and shouted at. I also really appreciated how Gabriel and Amelia's story is really wrapped-up well, you're not left feeling adrift or short-changed, but still, the door is left open on the opportunity to tell other stories based upon this "world".
4 stars. Really liked this one, and will look out for more by this author.
July 18, 2011
Falling Hard by J.K. Coi which has released today from Carina Press as I write my review is a novel that combines a well developed ethereal world which delves into the heart of an age old struggle between angels who want the ultimate freedom from the emotionless shackles that have bound them for millennia.
30 year old Gabriel Gunn has no idea of the freakish hell his life is about to turn into when he walks out of a club with his best friend and band manager David. Within minutes Gabriel lies in a pool of his own blood after watching the horrific attack on David take the very life out of him. Rescue comes in the form of a woman whose mere presence makes Gabriel feel alive, the same kind of energy he only feels when he sings. What Gabriel doesn’t know is that the woman who rescues her is an angel who has sworn to protect Gabriel at all costs, even if it means giving up her own life for the cause.
Amelia White has been tasked with the job of watching over Gabriel for the past 30 years during which time she has looked over upon the trials and tribulations that has shaped the man that stands before her now. Knowing that Gabriel’s very soul holds the key that could unlock the angel’s realm and give them the freedom that they have been stripped bare of a long time back, Amelia knows that safeguarding Gabriel is going to be the toughest mission she might have undertaken yet, as her senses start to come alive and emotions that Amelia is sure she is not capable of feeling starts pricking and poking at her to give in.
It is a journey filled with twists and turns filled with potholes that Gabriel and Amelia embark upon to find a way out of the mess Gabriel finds himself in. With rogue angels hunting them down at every turn and with Amelia’s own fears and insecurities to battle with Gabriel finds himself with more questions than answers about his mysterious guardian angel who makes him want as he has never wanted before. But that doesn’t stop him from realizing and embracing the fact that life as he knew it is never to be again as he stands in the midst of a game of tug of war between the good and the bad angels. The ultimate showdown would mean that Gabriel would have to embrace his darker side which would in turn mean his death at the hands of the avenger who happens to be the angel who owns his heart, body and soul.
Falling Hard is a book that plunged me deep into a world that had me fascinated right from the very beginning. Amelia with her sparkling beauty and the emotions that she fights so much at the beginning is a heroine who would go to any lengths to protect the man that she loves. The concept of the heroine being the protector was a novel experience which I loved, though that doesn’t mean Gabriel is a man who would willingly step aside and let a woman do all the work.
Gabriel is the perfect rock star hero material, intense, broody and energetic, a man who is buried so deep in regrets of his past that blinds him to any other emotion except pain, anger and sadness until Amelia lights up his world with her aura. It is Gabriel’s intensity that I was drawn towards right from the very beginning which was complemented by the calm serenity that is Amelia.
The passion between Gabriel and Amelia is scorching in its intensity and though not explicit in nature it had me fluttery in all the right places. J.K. Coi has certainly penned a splendid romance with paranormal elements that gives the story that unfolds an extra edge that makes this unputdownable. The ending does make me wonder whether J.K. Coi plans to start off a series with this novel as there are lots of secondary characters that I would love to know more about.
Recommended for fans of the genre and fans of J.K. Coi.
Memorable Quotes
Her scent took him off guard. Spicy and sweet. Intoxicating but casual – the most dedicated virgin and the most celebrated siren wrapped up in one deceptive little package.
Her purposeful movements made him want to dig his fingers into the silk of her hair and muss her up. He vowed to be the one to unsettle her. He wanted to make her pulse hammer beneath that smooth skin and force those lips to part on high gasps of unexpected pleasure.
His soft lips felt sinful, so incredible. She moaned and Gabriel responded in kind, pressing for more, sliding his tongue over the seam of her lips before slipping inside to sweep her mouth. Again and again until she matched him, giving him her tongue so they they dueled together in a slick, sensual challenge.
His heart beat strong and fast beneath her palm. His breathing had quickened, too, blowing against her nape in short, heated blasts. “You’ve got me wound tighter than I’ve ever been, Amelia. You piss me off quicker than anyone else can. And you push every one of my buttons. I look at you and I want to make you feel the same way—edgy, uncertain and desperate.”
Rating=4.25/5
Original Review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
30 year old Gabriel Gunn has no idea of the freakish hell his life is about to turn into when he walks out of a club with his best friend and band manager David. Within minutes Gabriel lies in a pool of his own blood after watching the horrific attack on David take the very life out of him. Rescue comes in the form of a woman whose mere presence makes Gabriel feel alive, the same kind of energy he only feels when he sings. What Gabriel doesn’t know is that the woman who rescues her is an angel who has sworn to protect Gabriel at all costs, even if it means giving up her own life for the cause.
Amelia White has been tasked with the job of watching over Gabriel for the past 30 years during which time she has looked over upon the trials and tribulations that has shaped the man that stands before her now. Knowing that Gabriel’s very soul holds the key that could unlock the angel’s realm and give them the freedom that they have been stripped bare of a long time back, Amelia knows that safeguarding Gabriel is going to be the toughest mission she might have undertaken yet, as her senses start to come alive and emotions that Amelia is sure she is not capable of feeling starts pricking and poking at her to give in.
It is a journey filled with twists and turns filled with potholes that Gabriel and Amelia embark upon to find a way out of the mess Gabriel finds himself in. With rogue angels hunting them down at every turn and with Amelia’s own fears and insecurities to battle with Gabriel finds himself with more questions than answers about his mysterious guardian angel who makes him want as he has never wanted before. But that doesn’t stop him from realizing and embracing the fact that life as he knew it is never to be again as he stands in the midst of a game of tug of war between the good and the bad angels. The ultimate showdown would mean that Gabriel would have to embrace his darker side which would in turn mean his death at the hands of the avenger who happens to be the angel who owns his heart, body and soul.
Falling Hard is a book that plunged me deep into a world that had me fascinated right from the very beginning. Amelia with her sparkling beauty and the emotions that she fights so much at the beginning is a heroine who would go to any lengths to protect the man that she loves. The concept of the heroine being the protector was a novel experience which I loved, though that doesn’t mean Gabriel is a man who would willingly step aside and let a woman do all the work.
Gabriel is the perfect rock star hero material, intense, broody and energetic, a man who is buried so deep in regrets of his past that blinds him to any other emotion except pain, anger and sadness until Amelia lights up his world with her aura. It is Gabriel’s intensity that I was drawn towards right from the very beginning which was complemented by the calm serenity that is Amelia.
The passion between Gabriel and Amelia is scorching in its intensity and though not explicit in nature it had me fluttery in all the right places. J.K. Coi has certainly penned a splendid romance with paranormal elements that gives the story that unfolds an extra edge that makes this unputdownable. The ending does make me wonder whether J.K. Coi plans to start off a series with this novel as there are lots of secondary characters that I would love to know more about.
Recommended for fans of the genre and fans of J.K. Coi.
Memorable Quotes
Her scent took him off guard. Spicy and sweet. Intoxicating but casual – the most dedicated virgin and the most celebrated siren wrapped up in one deceptive little package.
Her purposeful movements made him want to dig his fingers into the silk of her hair and muss her up. He vowed to be the one to unsettle her. He wanted to make her pulse hammer beneath that smooth skin and force those lips to part on high gasps of unexpected pleasure.
His soft lips felt sinful, so incredible. She moaned and Gabriel responded in kind, pressing for more, sliding his tongue over the seam of her lips before slipping inside to sweep her mouth. Again and again until she matched him, giving him her tongue so they they dueled together in a slick, sensual challenge.
His heart beat strong and fast beneath her palm. His breathing had quickened, too, blowing against her nape in short, heated blasts. “You’ve got me wound tighter than I’ve ever been, Amelia. You piss me off quicker than anyone else can. And you push every one of my buttons. I look at you and I want to make you feel the same way—edgy, uncertain and desperate.”
Rating=4.25/5
Original Review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
August 14, 2011
Falling Hard by J.K. Coi is the story of rocker Gabriel Gunn. Gabriel’s rough start in life led him to the stereotypical rocker lifestyle of drugs and women. He’s finally getting his life back to together, and his band is doing well out on the road. Its after one such show that Gabriel’s life changes forever. A mysterious man with a sword appears, and if it wasn’t for a mysterious woman, he’d be dead. What Gabriel doesn’t know is that Amelia has been watching over him since the day he was born.
Amelia is full of secrets concerning Gabriel, and while she’s guarding him he starts to learn some of them. Amelia is an angel, but these angels aren’t the holy, protect humanity kind of angels that we usually think of. After a war among the angels many years ago, the archangels decided it best that all angels stay out of the human realm and that all emotions be stripped from them. Unfortunately for Amelia, being around Gabriel is letting those feelings come out, and this might keep her from doing her job when the time comes. Her other secret - Gabriel is holding the soul of Lucifer inside him. If the Fallen’s soul is allowed to rise, it will open the angel realm back up and allow them to re-enter the human realm. Amelia’s job - stop the Fallen’s soul from taking over Gabriel, even if that means killing him. This is why Amelia’s newly found feelings are very dangerous.
I really liked Falling Hard. Gabriel is no do good hero; he’s a tortured soul who has taken the blame for anything and everything that has happened in his life. He doesn’t feel deserving of the the love of others. Add the Fallen’s soul to this and you have a rather volatile combination. Gabriel isn’t perfect, but he really grew on me as the story went on. Its also interesting to see Amelia’s development throughout the story. We get to see her first emotions in thousands of years! She tries hard to keep these feelings from building, but being around Gabriel makes it very difficult. One would think a relationship between Amelia and Gabriel would be impossible, and until the very end you’re unsure how the author is going to pull this one off. I really hope there is going to be a second book, as I would love to see more of Gabriel and Amelia.
Amelia is full of secrets concerning Gabriel, and while she’s guarding him he starts to learn some of them. Amelia is an angel, but these angels aren’t the holy, protect humanity kind of angels that we usually think of. After a war among the angels many years ago, the archangels decided it best that all angels stay out of the human realm and that all emotions be stripped from them. Unfortunately for Amelia, being around Gabriel is letting those feelings come out, and this might keep her from doing her job when the time comes. Her other secret - Gabriel is holding the soul of Lucifer inside him. If the Fallen’s soul is allowed to rise, it will open the angel realm back up and allow them to re-enter the human realm. Amelia’s job - stop the Fallen’s soul from taking over Gabriel, even if that means killing him. This is why Amelia’s newly found feelings are very dangerous.
I really liked Falling Hard. Gabriel is no do good hero; he’s a tortured soul who has taken the blame for anything and everything that has happened in his life. He doesn’t feel deserving of the the love of others. Add the Fallen’s soul to this and you have a rather volatile combination. Gabriel isn’t perfect, but he really grew on me as the story went on. Its also interesting to see Amelia’s development throughout the story. We get to see her first emotions in thousands of years! She tries hard to keep these feelings from building, but being around Gabriel makes it very difficult. One would think a relationship between Amelia and Gabriel would be impossible, and until the very end you’re unsure how the author is going to pull this one off. I really hope there is going to be a second book, as I would love to see more of Gabriel and Amelia.
August 26, 2011
3.5 Stars
This review was posted at Under The Covers
First of all let me just say that I am enjoying the new trend of angel books! I really am! Falling Hard is the story of Gabriel, a hot rocker, who has lived a difficult life and has struggled to get to where he is at today in his life. You know, the hot brooding male, with tats and an attitude, but deep inside so sweet. And his name is so fitting once you realize where the story is going.
He's lost his family, and basically out of nothing and with the help of a good foster family, he made himself a very successful rock star. However, disaster hit again a year when his then girlfriend died of an overdose and since then he has stayed away from all the partying and drugs with his band mates. Not so typical rock star.
After the last concert of the tour, his life will change drastically. He's never known really who he was, or more accurately what he was. But his destiny has finally caught up with him. And just when he needs it most, his sense of preservation goes out the window. Yes, unfortunately, he is that female in the horror movies that has no common sense (in a way).
Amelia is an angel, she's been watching over Gabriel his whole life because of who he is and the time has come to protect him, and prevent him from becoming the vessel by which Lucifer will come back to the world. But by being on Earth she's weakening... and feeling.
But... is everything she's always been taught by Archangels' true? Should she blindly believe them and follow orders? And now, after being on Earth for a while, physically protecting Gabriel and starting to feel, can she deny what her heart is telling her and asking her.
The storyline was really good and the premises of the whole world were very good as well. It was just a little slow at times for me. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was definitely there, and they had some pretty hot and steamy scenes! I am looking forward to see where the stories can go from here.
This review was posted at Under The Covers
First of all let me just say that I am enjoying the new trend of angel books! I really am! Falling Hard is the story of Gabriel, a hot rocker, who has lived a difficult life and has struggled to get to where he is at today in his life. You know, the hot brooding male, with tats and an attitude, but deep inside so sweet. And his name is so fitting once you realize where the story is going.
He's lost his family, and basically out of nothing and with the help of a good foster family, he made himself a very successful rock star. However, disaster hit again a year when his then girlfriend died of an overdose and since then he has stayed away from all the partying and drugs with his band mates. Not so typical rock star.
After the last concert of the tour, his life will change drastically. He's never known really who he was, or more accurately what he was. But his destiny has finally caught up with him. And just when he needs it most, his sense of preservation goes out the window. Yes, unfortunately, he is that female in the horror movies that has no common sense (in a way).
Amelia is an angel, she's been watching over Gabriel his whole life because of who he is and the time has come to protect him, and prevent him from becoming the vessel by which Lucifer will come back to the world. But by being on Earth she's weakening... and feeling.
But... is everything she's always been taught by Archangels' true? Should she blindly believe them and follow orders? And now, after being on Earth for a while, physically protecting Gabriel and starting to feel, can she deny what her heart is telling her and asking her.
The storyline was really good and the premises of the whole world were very good as well. It was just a little slow at times for me. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was definitely there, and they had some pretty hot and steamy scenes! I am looking forward to see where the stories can go from here.
Read
July 19, 2011***I must preface this review by saying that I hate to not finish a book. It’s a compulsive need to follow-through, to bring a story to completion by closing the proverbial chapter on it. I don’t mind giving a bad review, we all have our own opinions about things, and that’s cool. However, I just could not finish Falling Hard. I tried, I really did. It just didn’t do it for me.***
Review:
So, here’s the...ahem...long & short of it: Blah blah blah, action sequence, sexual tension builds, blah blah blah, more action blah blah blah, major sex scene, blah blah blah. I just couldn’t get into this story as much as I wanted to. JK Coi conjures up her on brand of angel, an interesting concept—the whole reason I decided to request this on netGalley.
There is so much talk about destiny, and fulfilling destiny, and destiny not being finished. I’m just not buying it. I wanted to love Falling Hard, the characters, the plot, but I just didn’t...or maybe couldn’t. There wasn’t enough to them. If you removed the lust Gabriel and Amelia have for each other, there was really nothing to them, nothing to make me like them. They were so flat they were almost transparent. Don’t get me wrong. There was action, violence, blood, and cussing (lots of cussing), so I should have enjoyed it, but I just didn’t.
Ugh, I got very frustrated with the story, to the point where I just wanted it over. Finito. So, I stopped reading it. And, I don’t care how the story ends...so there.
After my first successful experience with a romance novel, I decided to give this one a try. Epic fail on my part. So, maybe I’m not man enough to read romance after all...
??? Star: It felt like falling hard...and not in the good way.
Many Adventures,
Richard
To see more of my reviews, please visit my blog
Review:
So, here’s the...ahem...long & short of it: Blah blah blah, action sequence, sexual tension builds, blah blah blah, more action blah blah blah, major sex scene, blah blah blah. I just couldn’t get into this story as much as I wanted to. JK Coi conjures up her on brand of angel, an interesting concept—the whole reason I decided to request this on netGalley.
There is so much talk about destiny, and fulfilling destiny, and destiny not being finished. I’m just not buying it. I wanted to love Falling Hard, the characters, the plot, but I just didn’t...or maybe couldn’t. There wasn’t enough to them. If you removed the lust Gabriel and Amelia have for each other, there was really nothing to them, nothing to make me like them. They were so flat they were almost transparent. Don’t get me wrong. There was action, violence, blood, and cussing (lots of cussing), so I should have enjoyed it, but I just didn’t.
Ugh, I got very frustrated with the story, to the point where I just wanted it over. Finito. So, I stopped reading it. And, I don’t care how the story ends...so there.
After my first successful experience with a romance novel, I decided to give this one a try. Epic fail on my part. So, maybe I’m not man enough to read romance after all...
??? Star: It felt like falling hard...and not in the good way.
Many Adventures,
Richard
To see more of my reviews, please visit my blog
July 7, 2011
This was a hard read for me. The premise was good, the characters were good, but there was just something about this that made it hard to get through.
Gabriel has led a very hard life. It's because of this life that he's become the jaded person that he is today. He's spent the past year fighting his demons and not always coming out on top. When he and his best friend/manager are attacked after a concert, he figures the end is near.
Amelia has been tasked, for the last thirty years, to watch over Gabriel. So when Gabriel is attacked, so swoops down and saves him. While he's in the hospital recovering from his injuries, she stands guard. And when he's sent home, she's hired to be his personal bodyguard.
Gabriel can't stand Amelia's icy exterior and her inability to answer any of his questions. At the same time, he's incredibly attracted to her. Being torn as he is, his less than stellar personality comes out. Even then, he still can't break her icy exterior.
It's not until Gabriel is heading out to Chicago that Amelia's icy exterior starts to melt. It's then that Gabriel learns that she's an angel and has been charged with protecting him because his body contains the soul of Lucifer. Rogue angels are now hunting Gabriel in hopes of releasing Lucifer and starting another angelic war.
See...good premise. Where I get lost is that we spent a lot of time inside both Amelia and Gabriel's head. When we're not in their head, we're listening to their bickering (or yelling. Gabriel is a yeller). And when they're not doing either of those things, they are having sex. I get that Gabriel is attracted to Amelia. But at some point, if you don't trust someone and straddle the line between love and hate, don't you lean towards not having sex with that other person?
I want to really like this one, but it just didn't happen.
3 Cocktails
Gabriel has led a very hard life. It's because of this life that he's become the jaded person that he is today. He's spent the past year fighting his demons and not always coming out on top. When he and his best friend/manager are attacked after a concert, he figures the end is near.
Amelia has been tasked, for the last thirty years, to watch over Gabriel. So when Gabriel is attacked, so swoops down and saves him. While he's in the hospital recovering from his injuries, she stands guard. And when he's sent home, she's hired to be his personal bodyguard.
Gabriel can't stand Amelia's icy exterior and her inability to answer any of his questions. At the same time, he's incredibly attracted to her. Being torn as he is, his less than stellar personality comes out. Even then, he still can't break her icy exterior.
It's not until Gabriel is heading out to Chicago that Amelia's icy exterior starts to melt. It's then that Gabriel learns that she's an angel and has been charged with protecting him because his body contains the soul of Lucifer. Rogue angels are now hunting Gabriel in hopes of releasing Lucifer and starting another angelic war.
See...good premise. Where I get lost is that we spent a lot of time inside both Amelia and Gabriel's head. When we're not in their head, we're listening to their bickering (or yelling. Gabriel is a yeller). And when they're not doing either of those things, they are having sex. I get that Gabriel is attracted to Amelia. But at some point, if you don't trust someone and straddle the line between love and hate, don't you lean towards not having sex with that other person?
I want to really like this one, but it just didn't happen.
3 Cocktails
July 27, 2011
Overall rating 1.5 out of 5 stars.
Sadly, I am a little over 1/3 of the way through this book and am putting it down.
The premiss is what caught my eye - who wouldn't be intrigued by a love story between a dark and gorgeous rocker and ethereally beautiful angel? Come on, you know you can't deny you wouldn't be interested...
The thing is - I didn't care for Gabriel. His rage and overactive temper gave me more angst than I like reading about. My shoulders would tense and slowly creep up to my earlobes during his tantrums (which were often). His language (profanities) was forgivable and understandable, I guess, considering his dark and brooding rock star status. For some reason, I don't expect rockers to have polite manners and mild language - double standard on my part? Oh, probably...
Oh! But, one thing I REALLY did like reading was how Gabriel saw and related to music... I could see perfectly what was presented in written form... Beautiful! I loved all the lyrics that were included, and the overall strong tie to music... Very nice!
Moving on to Amelia... Ah Amelia... Being vertically challenged myself, I LOVED her entrance into the story and loved that she was so petite and yet packed such a supreme punch. With her angel life force, she hasn't been free to feel human emotions or feelings, let alone yearnings, so I was surprised to hear her say things like, "I wanted to feel him inside me." Really? How would she know that she wanted to feel him inside her? I don't think humans, let alone angels, innately know or yearn for this - I think it's more of a learned experience. Geesh, now I sound like a sex-ed teacher, sorry... I digress...
At any rate, I wish J.K. Coi much luck and success with Falling Hard; it just wasn't my cup of tea...
Sadly, I am a little over 1/3 of the way through this book and am putting it down.
The premiss is what caught my eye - who wouldn't be intrigued by a love story between a dark and gorgeous rocker and ethereally beautiful angel? Come on, you know you can't deny you wouldn't be interested...
The thing is - I didn't care for Gabriel. His rage and overactive temper gave me more angst than I like reading about. My shoulders would tense and slowly creep up to my earlobes during his tantrums (which were often). His language (profanities) was forgivable and understandable, I guess, considering his dark and brooding rock star status. For some reason, I don't expect rockers to have polite manners and mild language - double standard on my part? Oh, probably...
Oh! But, one thing I REALLY did like reading was how Gabriel saw and related to music... I could see perfectly what was presented in written form... Beautiful! I loved all the lyrics that were included, and the overall strong tie to music... Very nice!
Moving on to Amelia... Ah Amelia... Being vertically challenged myself, I LOVED her entrance into the story and loved that she was so petite and yet packed such a supreme punch. With her angel life force, she hasn't been free to feel human emotions or feelings, let alone yearnings, so I was surprised to hear her say things like, "I wanted to feel him inside me." Really? How would she know that she wanted to feel him inside her? I don't think humans, let alone angels, innately know or yearn for this - I think it's more of a learned experience. Geesh, now I sound like a sex-ed teacher, sorry... I digress...
At any rate, I wish J.K. Coi much luck and success with Falling Hard; it just wasn't my cup of tea...
January 7, 2026
“Tu gli hai dato ciò che voleva, io ciò di cui aveva bisogno...” è questa la frase che ad un certo punto è cominciata a frullarmi in testa,anche se le trame del film Legions e del libro non hanno molto in comune, senza contare che nel film è Michael che la dice a Gabriel, qui dovrebbe essere al contrario o dovrebbe pronunciarla Amelia. Il punto è che questo è un libro che per chi ama il genere non può non essere letto, non aspettatevi putti pacioccosi, o una storia d’amore sdolcinata, no questa è comunque una storia di guerra, di sangue e di potere in cui in scena entrano le alte sfere degli angeli, gli arcangeli: ribelli, fedeli, caduti e scacciati e in gioco c’è molto di più di quello che si crede.
Il libro ruota intorno alla figura di Gabriel che ironia della sorte è il portatore inconsapevole dell’anima di Lucifero, Gabriel attorno al quale ruotano due spirali di eventi parallele e concentriche. Da un lato la schiera di angeli ribelli che vuole risvegliare l’anima di Lucifero per riottenere la libertà che gli è stata sottratta e dall’altro Amelia l’angelo vendicatore che tanti suoi simili ha già eliminato e che ha il compito di uccidere il suo protetto pur di non risvegliare l’anima oscura al suo interno. Ma quando c’è di mezzo una guerra non è mai tutto giusto o tutto sbagliato, il torto e la ragione non stanno sempre dalla parte di una sola fazione e quasi mai le cose vanno come le si è pianificate, ma parafrasando (di molto lo so) la citazione con cui ho iniziato gli eventi prendono la piega che devono prendere con un finale per nulla scontato.
Il libro è auto conclusivo, è vero ma il finale è comunque aperto e non mi dispiacerebbe se continuasse e un nuovo atto di questa eterna guerra venisse raccontato.
Il libro ruota intorno alla figura di Gabriel che ironia della sorte è il portatore inconsapevole dell’anima di Lucifero, Gabriel attorno al quale ruotano due spirali di eventi parallele e concentriche. Da un lato la schiera di angeli ribelli che vuole risvegliare l’anima di Lucifero per riottenere la libertà che gli è stata sottratta e dall’altro Amelia l’angelo vendicatore che tanti suoi simili ha già eliminato e che ha il compito di uccidere il suo protetto pur di non risvegliare l’anima oscura al suo interno. Ma quando c’è di mezzo una guerra non è mai tutto giusto o tutto sbagliato, il torto e la ragione non stanno sempre dalla parte di una sola fazione e quasi mai le cose vanno come le si è pianificate, ma parafrasando (di molto lo so) la citazione con cui ho iniziato gli eventi prendono la piega che devono prendere con un finale per nulla scontato.
Il libro è auto conclusivo, è vero ma il finale è comunque aperto e non mi dispiacerebbe se continuasse e un nuovo atto di questa eterna guerra venisse raccontato.
July 20, 2011
Falling Hard by J.K. Coi is about a famous rock star who has had a hard life and has played hard. Throughout his life he has had to continually battle his inner demons to stay humane. One night after a successful concert, his best friend is killed while he was saved by his guardian angel, Amelia. She witnessed and fought in the battle to save his life. Because Gabriel is now under serious attack by a faction of angels that have gone bad, Amelia must stick close to him in order to keep him alive and keep the secret that lives in him concealed. The more time they spend together, the more the attraction they feel towards each other grows.
It took me quite a while to complete this review because I did not enjoy this adventure and it was difficult for me to write this. The plot sounds very exciting and engaging; and to a certain degree, it was. However, the best thing I can affirm is that Falling Hard by J.K. Cod had a strong finish. Nevertheless, getting there seemed to take forever. The hero and the heroine did not engender a connection on any level for me. I am not sure if it was the delivery of the story. If you enjoy paranormal romances about angels, you should give this book a try. You might enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!
It took me quite a while to complete this review because I did not enjoy this adventure and it was difficult for me to write this. The plot sounds very exciting and engaging; and to a certain degree, it was. However, the best thing I can affirm is that Falling Hard by J.K. Cod had a strong finish. Nevertheless, getting there seemed to take forever. The hero and the heroine did not engender a connection on any level for me. I am not sure if it was the delivery of the story. If you enjoy paranormal romances about angels, you should give this book a try. You might enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!
September 19, 2011
Dark Paranormal Romance With Wings
Music is a dark passion for rock musician Gabriel Gunn, as well as his vehicle for emotional expression. It reflects the rage and pain that stains his soul after a life of tragedy, horror, and pain.
But not everything is misery for the rocker. His band just closed out a wildly successful tour with their best performance to date and he's looking forward to a couple weeks of rest and relaxation as he leaves the venue with his best friend and band manager David. In that moment, Gabriel was feeling pretty good with the world in general.
The moment was fleeting.
Before Gabriel could wrap his mind around just how quickly his life had turned to hell yet again, he and David stumble onto an incomprehensible scene of shattered glass and blood, the dead stare of the murdered driver haunting them both. Then life took an even more twisted, surreal turn when a figure separated from the shadows and drew a bloodied sword. David fell under the blade and Gabriel was run through trying to defend him. Just before he passed out, Gabriel saw her. A woman he'd noticed backstage during the concert. As his world went dark and his blood spread in a widening pool around him, she engaged the fiend that had attacked them. Like a stained snapshot, she was the last thing he saw - her hair like moonbeam, her sword like silver fire...her wings...her wings...
Guardian angels are a myth. Angels, in fact, didn't much care for humanity, considering them as little more than the usurpers of a realm and planet that the angels wanted for themselves. Despite that, Amelia had guarded one man since birth, using her angelic abilities to protect and hide him both from others of her kind and from himself. It was an emotionless task, as Angels had long ago given up emotion. At least it was supposed to be.
Amelia, however, had been in the human realm for too long without the angel song that fed her soul and kept her alive. And kept her emotions bound. Still she remained with Gabriel after chasing off his foe. Guarding him, watching him, feeling for him. He was her charge and she failed him, humans dying for her mistake. It is not one she would be repeating. It wasn't only her life depending on her continued success, either. If by some chance what is inside Gabriel is released, it will start another angelic war.
What she hasn't told Gabriel, though, is a secret that could change everything, a truth that could destroy even the last vestiges of hope. For what is rising inside Gabriel is a force of evil unmatched in both their realm's. Gabriel Gunn holds inside himself the soul of Lucifer. His fate is sealed, his options are limited to two: die to guarantee that Lucifer's soul doesn't rise, or lose his soul to Lucifer's ascension then die.
Either way, life definitely sucked.
~*~
While I've enjoyed my share of dark paranormal romance, I have to admit, Coi's Falling Hard didn't thrill me as much as I'd hoped it would. I had a very hard time feeling any sort of connection to the lead characters, the world building was well-developed but grim, the main threads of the plot seemed limited and lacked depth, and the tone of the story lacked the glimmers of hope or redemption that make dark themed tales appealing or satisfying reading for me.
The hero Gabriel was so angst-ridden and filled with rage that he didn't invite much sympathy, despite his history. I considered him more of an anti-hero, but the story didn't fully support that label, either, so I just couldn't seem to invest in his plight. Amelia was slightly more appealing as the angel who had been tasked with guarding Gabriel since his birth. As a warrior she was strong and coldly competent, as a female who was experiencing emotion for the first time in millennium she was less appealing to me. My oft-mentioned prejudice against weak female characters got stirred a few times by several scenes in which Amelia came off as a naive ingenue type when viewed against the jaded carnality of Gabriel. It didn't work for me.
The story vaguely reminded me of the start of Adrian Phoenix's dark urban fantasy series, The Maker's Song, though more in tone and a few minor similarities in the main characters than in plot or world building. Falling Hard has the same sense of grim inevitability, and the lead characters in both are dark anti-hero types with tons of baggage, with romantic leads who are warriors intent on protecting them, but neither the plot nor the world of this book have as many secondary and ancillary plot threads to add depth to the story, nor is the book as heavily populated by secondary and ancillary characters as Phoenix's.
When I finished the novel I checked the author's website to see if I could determine if Falling Hard was a stand-alone book or a series debut but the results weren't conclusive. I felt vaguely uncomfortable and conflicted by the book's ending. For me, it offered no redemption, little happiness, and too few overall positives, and I wasn't thrilled with the culmination of Gabriel's character. If this is a series debut, some of that would be forgivable, even understandable, because I expect characters to expand and evolve and their stories to become more complex as a series progresses. It doesn't bother me as much if those aspects are a bit rough at the start. Not knowing forces me to view it as a stand-alone, and in that regard, neither the characters and their romance, nor the external conflict and resolution were enough to fully engage and entertain me.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Music is a dark passion for rock musician Gabriel Gunn, as well as his vehicle for emotional expression. It reflects the rage and pain that stains his soul after a life of tragedy, horror, and pain.
But not everything is misery for the rocker. His band just closed out a wildly successful tour with their best performance to date and he's looking forward to a couple weeks of rest and relaxation as he leaves the venue with his best friend and band manager David. In that moment, Gabriel was feeling pretty good with the world in general.
The moment was fleeting.
Before Gabriel could wrap his mind around just how quickly his life had turned to hell yet again, he and David stumble onto an incomprehensible scene of shattered glass and blood, the dead stare of the murdered driver haunting them both. Then life took an even more twisted, surreal turn when a figure separated from the shadows and drew a bloodied sword. David fell under the blade and Gabriel was run through trying to defend him. Just before he passed out, Gabriel saw her. A woman he'd noticed backstage during the concert. As his world went dark and his blood spread in a widening pool around him, she engaged the fiend that had attacked them. Like a stained snapshot, she was the last thing he saw - her hair like moonbeam, her sword like silver fire...her wings...her wings...
Guardian angels are a myth. Angels, in fact, didn't much care for humanity, considering them as little more than the usurpers of a realm and planet that the angels wanted for themselves. Despite that, Amelia had guarded one man since birth, using her angelic abilities to protect and hide him both from others of her kind and from himself. It was an emotionless task, as Angels had long ago given up emotion. At least it was supposed to be.
Amelia, however, had been in the human realm for too long without the angel song that fed her soul and kept her alive. And kept her emotions bound. Still she remained with Gabriel after chasing off his foe. Guarding him, watching him, feeling for him. He was her charge and she failed him, humans dying for her mistake. It is not one she would be repeating. It wasn't only her life depending on her continued success, either. If by some chance what is inside Gabriel is released, it will start another angelic war.
What she hasn't told Gabriel, though, is a secret that could change everything, a truth that could destroy even the last vestiges of hope. For what is rising inside Gabriel is a force of evil unmatched in both their realm's. Gabriel Gunn holds inside himself the soul of Lucifer. His fate is sealed, his options are limited to two: die to guarantee that Lucifer's soul doesn't rise, or lose his soul to Lucifer's ascension then die.
Either way, life definitely sucked.
~*~
While I've enjoyed my share of dark paranormal romance, I have to admit, Coi's Falling Hard didn't thrill me as much as I'd hoped it would. I had a very hard time feeling any sort of connection to the lead characters, the world building was well-developed but grim, the main threads of the plot seemed limited and lacked depth, and the tone of the story lacked the glimmers of hope or redemption that make dark themed tales appealing or satisfying reading for me.
The hero Gabriel was so angst-ridden and filled with rage that he didn't invite much sympathy, despite his history. I considered him more of an anti-hero, but the story didn't fully support that label, either, so I just couldn't seem to invest in his plight. Amelia was slightly more appealing as the angel who had been tasked with guarding Gabriel since his birth. As a warrior she was strong and coldly competent, as a female who was experiencing emotion for the first time in millennium she was less appealing to me. My oft-mentioned prejudice against weak female characters got stirred a few times by several scenes in which Amelia came off as a naive ingenue type when viewed against the jaded carnality of Gabriel. It didn't work for me.
The story vaguely reminded me of the start of Adrian Phoenix's dark urban fantasy series, The Maker's Song, though more in tone and a few minor similarities in the main characters than in plot or world building. Falling Hard has the same sense of grim inevitability, and the lead characters in both are dark anti-hero types with tons of baggage, with romantic leads who are warriors intent on protecting them, but neither the plot nor the world of this book have as many secondary and ancillary plot threads to add depth to the story, nor is the book as heavily populated by secondary and ancillary characters as Phoenix's.
When I finished the novel I checked the author's website to see if I could determine if Falling Hard was a stand-alone book or a series debut but the results weren't conclusive. I felt vaguely uncomfortable and conflicted by the book's ending. For me, it offered no redemption, little happiness, and too few overall positives, and I wasn't thrilled with the culmination of Gabriel's character. If this is a series debut, some of that would be forgivable, even understandable, because I expect characters to expand and evolve and their stories to become more complex as a series progresses. It doesn't bother me as much if those aspects are a bit rough at the start. Not knowing forces me to view it as a stand-alone, and in that regard, neither the characters and their romance, nor the external conflict and resolution were enough to fully engage and entertain me.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
December 5, 2017
droga e omicidi non fanno per me.
December 15, 2011
To see this review and more like it please visit my site, www.ufreviews.com
Falling Hard was such a good read. It has one of new favorites in the paranormal field, angels. And more than that it has a delightful set of role reversal. In so many books that you read these days, even when the heroine is strong and can kick butt on her own, she is also the one that (to a least a little bit) needs saving. In this book, Gabriel, is really the one who needs to be protected, and he is protected, by a girl, Amelia. I found this switch up of the stereotype to be not just interesting, but also it made the book all the more fun to read.
To give you a little bit of synopsis of the book, Gabriel carried Lucifer's soul within him. Amelia is an angel who is sworn to watch over him and protect him, her goal is to keep Lucifer from wrecking havoc on earth. Of course there is a lot more to the story than that. Gabriel is a real life rock star, groupies, big concerts, and recognized all over the place. You would think someone with that kind of status would have an easy life but not Gabriel. Gabriel kind of breaks your heart the more you learn about his past and how tortured he is. Just when you think you think his tortured past can't get worse it does. For me it endeared him to me, I wanted good things to happen to him so that he could really experience something good, because lets face it if anyone needs something good to happen to them its him.
Amelia as a character is really interesting, she almost strikes me as emotionally childlike. Throughout the story she literally has to learn about how to be human and human feelings, because all she has ever been is an angel who deals with angel things, or watched Gabriel from afar. Even though she is so new at being in the human realm she is a force to be reckoned with, she is a strong warrior.
Combined the two of them are both two complete opposites. Gabriel is just a ball of human emotion, constantly dealing with his anger, rage, guilt, and sorrow over the events of his life. And Amelia is far more logical because most of her existence does not involve the emotions that make Gabriel so rash. By the end of the book I really think the two of them have started to share with each other parts of their personalities, and have both grown from knowing each other.
There is a great deal of romance in this book, as it is a paranormal romance of course. I would like to say that Coi does a good job of writing those scenes, and more over she writes the scenes true to the characters within them. What I mean by this is the sex scenes in the book could not be transplanted into another book or story and they make sense. It's not just a romp in bed, she brings both characters essence into the scene through both action and thought, which I believe makes Coi a great writer, and also helps the reader continue to identify with the characters.
Overall, I am giving this book a good rating. It really is a good paranormal romance, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. I believe anyone who likes paranormal romance would enjoy reading this book, and it is one of the more unique books in this genre I have read. Coi brings a lot of elements into the book, like her use of music throughout, to make it so unique. For that reason alone I would recommend the book.
Falling Hard was such a good read. It has one of new favorites in the paranormal field, angels. And more than that it has a delightful set of role reversal. In so many books that you read these days, even when the heroine is strong and can kick butt on her own, she is also the one that (to a least a little bit) needs saving. In this book, Gabriel, is really the one who needs to be protected, and he is protected, by a girl, Amelia. I found this switch up of the stereotype to be not just interesting, but also it made the book all the more fun to read.
To give you a little bit of synopsis of the book, Gabriel carried Lucifer's soul within him. Amelia is an angel who is sworn to watch over him and protect him, her goal is to keep Lucifer from wrecking havoc on earth. Of course there is a lot more to the story than that. Gabriel is a real life rock star, groupies, big concerts, and recognized all over the place. You would think someone with that kind of status would have an easy life but not Gabriel. Gabriel kind of breaks your heart the more you learn about his past and how tortured he is. Just when you think you think his tortured past can't get worse it does. For me it endeared him to me, I wanted good things to happen to him so that he could really experience something good, because lets face it if anyone needs something good to happen to them its him.
Amelia as a character is really interesting, she almost strikes me as emotionally childlike. Throughout the story she literally has to learn about how to be human and human feelings, because all she has ever been is an angel who deals with angel things, or watched Gabriel from afar. Even though she is so new at being in the human realm she is a force to be reckoned with, she is a strong warrior.
Combined the two of them are both two complete opposites. Gabriel is just a ball of human emotion, constantly dealing with his anger, rage, guilt, and sorrow over the events of his life. And Amelia is far more logical because most of her existence does not involve the emotions that make Gabriel so rash. By the end of the book I really think the two of them have started to share with each other parts of their personalities, and have both grown from knowing each other.
There is a great deal of romance in this book, as it is a paranormal romance of course. I would like to say that Coi does a good job of writing those scenes, and more over she writes the scenes true to the characters within them. What I mean by this is the sex scenes in the book could not be transplanted into another book or story and they make sense. It's not just a romp in bed, she brings both characters essence into the scene through both action and thought, which I believe makes Coi a great writer, and also helps the reader continue to identify with the characters.
Overall, I am giving this book a good rating. It really is a good paranormal romance, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. I believe anyone who likes paranormal romance would enjoy reading this book, and it is one of the more unique books in this genre I have read. Coi brings a lot of elements into the book, like her use of music throughout, to make it so unique. For that reason alone I would recommend the book.
July 13, 2011
This book releases July 18th.
Story Overview:
After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he's finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he's attacked after a concert—and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible truth: he carries the devil's soul within him.
Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer's return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined.
But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she's come to love to stop the war she's always feared?
My Review:
This book really had a different feel for me than most books that I read. I think that a lot of that was because of Amelia's character. Amelia is an angel. For years, angels have not had any emotions because that was the way that the archangels chose to end an angelic war by taking away their emotions. This technique is only effective as long as the angels are in the angelic realm- not on earth. Amelia has been Gabriel's guardian angel for his entire life. He's never known about her until she saves him from certain death at the hands of another rogue angel. Now she is on the earthly realm so that she can guard Gabriel and all of a sudden, her emotions are starting to come on-line. Even with the addition of her emotions, she is a very stoic, quiet character. She remains strong and unruffled through everything!
Completely opposite to that is Gabriel. He's tumultuous, brash, temperamental, and stubborn. He doesn't think twice about saying exactly what he wants or acting any way that he wants. But for all that, he truly has a good heart. He's completely loyal to his friends...even blaming himself for bad things that happen to them that are totally beyond his control.
Most people don't get guardian angels, but Gabriel is special because his body holds the Devil's soul and there are others out there (i.e. the angels trying to kill him) that want to re-awaken it.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't see how it was going to end. I loved Gabriel's character. Wow, he is such a strong guy (emotionally.) He's terrified fo what's happening and of Lucifer winning the battle for his soul. Although it shreds him to do it, he battles day by day to keep Amelia safe from the evil lurking.
The romance in this book is really beautiful. I love the way that the author used song as such an integral element in the story line. And the use of the angel wings, esp. at the end of the book-- *sob* such a gorgeous element to show the caring/love between Gabriel and Amelia...just beautiful!
Overall, this was a really fantastic novel. I simply cannot imagine where the series is going to go from here, but with that ending, I can tell that it's going to be a fantastic ride!
Story Overview:
After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he's finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he's attacked after a concert—and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible truth: he carries the devil's soul within him.
Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer's return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined.
But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she's come to love to stop the war she's always feared?
My Review:
This book really had a different feel for me than most books that I read. I think that a lot of that was because of Amelia's character. Amelia is an angel. For years, angels have not had any emotions because that was the way that the archangels chose to end an angelic war by taking away their emotions. This technique is only effective as long as the angels are in the angelic realm- not on earth. Amelia has been Gabriel's guardian angel for his entire life. He's never known about her until she saves him from certain death at the hands of another rogue angel. Now she is on the earthly realm so that she can guard Gabriel and all of a sudden, her emotions are starting to come on-line. Even with the addition of her emotions, she is a very stoic, quiet character. She remains strong and unruffled through everything!
Completely opposite to that is Gabriel. He's tumultuous, brash, temperamental, and stubborn. He doesn't think twice about saying exactly what he wants or acting any way that he wants. But for all that, he truly has a good heart. He's completely loyal to his friends...even blaming himself for bad things that happen to them that are totally beyond his control.
Most people don't get guardian angels, but Gabriel is special because his body holds the Devil's soul and there are others out there (i.e. the angels trying to kill him) that want to re-awaken it.
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't see how it was going to end. I loved Gabriel's character. Wow, he is such a strong guy (emotionally.) He's terrified fo what's happening and of Lucifer winning the battle for his soul. Although it shreds him to do it, he battles day by day to keep Amelia safe from the evil lurking.
The romance in this book is really beautiful. I love the way that the author used song as such an integral element in the story line. And the use of the angel wings, esp. at the end of the book-- *sob* such a gorgeous element to show the caring/love between Gabriel and Amelia...just beautiful!
Overall, this was a really fantastic novel. I simply cannot imagine where the series is going to go from here, but with that ending, I can tell that it's going to be a fantastic ride!
August 23, 2011
Amelia’s job had been protecting Gabriel since he was born. When his manager is killed and he is attacked after a concert, Amelia realizes she needs to stay on the mortal plane to protect him, now. Unfortunately, being here, on the mortal plane weakens her and makes her susceptible to emotion, confusing her and making her question the life she has taken for granted.
Ms. Coi takes the current guardian angel/fallen angel fad and puts her own spin on the romance of angels. Interesting. Gabriel feels real to me; he’s been through a lot, and has faced his own personal demons (smile), taking responsibility for many things in his life, things that weren’t his fault and those that were, creating a scary guilt complex. Amelia’s character seems naïve, sometimes, and very aware at other times. I get it, but do think that a guardian angel that has been around for so long would be more aware of what goes on here on earth. I am wholly in Gabriel’s court, but haven’t made up my mind about Amelia. She needs more depth. Perhaps that will come as the series progresses and she spends more time on the human plane and deals with emotions.
I loved Gabriel’s description of his music, “He sometimes wondered if everyone ‘saw’ the notes like he did, if the music lived for them the same as it lived in him.” I would like more music storyline in the next book. I wonder how Gabriel will reconcile his new self to his old life—or will he need to start over?
NetGalley ARC, paranormal romance, angels, rock stars, series, adult
Ms. Coi takes the current guardian angel/fallen angel fad and puts her own spin on the romance of angels. Interesting. Gabriel feels real to me; he’s been through a lot, and has faced his own personal demons (smile), taking responsibility for many things in his life, things that weren’t his fault and those that were, creating a scary guilt complex. Amelia’s character seems naïve, sometimes, and very aware at other times. I get it, but do think that a guardian angel that has been around for so long would be more aware of what goes on here on earth. I am wholly in Gabriel’s court, but haven’t made up my mind about Amelia. She needs more depth. Perhaps that will come as the series progresses and she spends more time on the human plane and deals with emotions.
I loved Gabriel’s description of his music, “He sometimes wondered if everyone ‘saw’ the notes like he did, if the music lived for them the same as it lived in him.” I would like more music storyline in the next book. I wonder how Gabriel will reconcile his new self to his old life—or will he need to start over?
NetGalley ARC, paranormal romance, angels, rock stars, series, adult
September 27, 2014
3 e 1/2
"Per lei, non era una rockstar. Non era nemmeno una missione da assolvere, non più. Per lei era Gabriel. Era amato."
Nel complesso ho avuto l'idea che ci fosse un buon potenziale in questa storia ma l'autrice non è riuscita a farlo emergere e sviluppare. Su Amelia non c'è molto da dire, è un'angelo guerriero vissuta nell'apatia che riscopre le emozioni. La sua trasformazione è resa abbastanza bene ma ha un complesso del martire un po' fastidioso XD Gabriel è forse il personaggio che mi è piaciuto meno perchè, diciamolo, è davvero davvero deprimente. Ha i suoi buoni motivi e certo siamo in un contesto apocalittico che lascia poco spazio alle risate ma ogni storia deve avere momenti di distensione che permettano al lettore di non tagliarsi le vene ahahah XD Immagino che l'autrice volesse dare l'idea dell'eroe tenebroso e tormentato ma sembra più un bambino stizzoso, perennemente furibondo e/o depresso D: Il finale è troppo aperto se si considera che da quel che so un seguito non c'è, dopo tutti i drammoni sulla rinascita di Lucifero alla fin fine sembra quasi che la cosa sia del tutto accettabile XD E proprio quando intravedevo un bel tocco finale di romanticismo con il classico: "Ho bisogno di te" Amelia mi rovina tutto con un pragmatico (e smontante) "Non è vero, te la cavi alla grande da solo. Ma rimango con te comunque" ma come! XD
"Per lei, non era una rockstar. Non era nemmeno una missione da assolvere, non più. Per lei era Gabriel. Era amato."
Nel complesso ho avuto l'idea che ci fosse un buon potenziale in questa storia ma l'autrice non è riuscita a farlo emergere e sviluppare. Su Amelia non c'è molto da dire, è un'angelo guerriero vissuta nell'apatia che riscopre le emozioni. La sua trasformazione è resa abbastanza bene ma ha un complesso del martire un po' fastidioso XD Gabriel è forse il personaggio che mi è piaciuto meno perchè, diciamolo, è davvero davvero deprimente. Ha i suoi buoni motivi e certo siamo in un contesto apocalittico che lascia poco spazio alle risate ma ogni storia deve avere momenti di distensione che permettano al lettore di non tagliarsi le vene ahahah XD Immagino che l'autrice volesse dare l'idea dell'eroe tenebroso e tormentato ma sembra più un bambino stizzoso, perennemente furibondo e/o depresso D: Il finale è troppo aperto se si considera che da quel che so un seguito non c'è, dopo tutti i drammoni sulla rinascita di Lucifero alla fin fine sembra quasi che la cosa sia del tutto accettabile XD E proprio quando intravedevo un bel tocco finale di romanticismo con il classico: "Ho bisogno di te" Amelia mi rovina tutto con un pragmatico (e smontante) "Non è vero, te la cavi alla grande da solo. Ma rimango con te comunque" ma come! XD
September 9, 2013
Trama interessante.
Gli angeli non sono così buoni come immaginiamo e soprattutto non sono i nostri custodi e sono addirittura sull'orlo di una guerra.
Le fazioni sono due: contro e pro i sentimenti..
Al centro di tutto c'è la rincarnazione di Lucifero.
Amelia è un Angelo Vendicatore che ha come incarico di sorvegliare un umano Gabriel che guarda caso è lui che custodisce l'anima di Lucifero.
Gabriel è un cantante rock e alla fine di un concerto l'angelo Donato gli tende un'imboscata nella speranza di risvegliare Lucifero e uccide il migliore amico di Gabriel. Ma Donato non riesce nel suo intento perchè Amelia interviene e lo ferma.
Da ora in poi Amelia diventa laguardia del corpo di Gabriel che contro il suo volere si trova in mezzo ad una guerra.
Come andrà a finire?
Non è troppo scontato come potrebbe sembrare. E' scorrevole e interessante il tormento dei due protagonisti. La storia è diversa dal solito e l'ho trovata piacevole e mi ha incuriosito parecchio.
Ho dato tre stelle perchè mi aspettavo di più..mi è sembrato un primo libro di una serie, perchè ha lasciato alcune cose in sospeso. Non può finire così! Peccato era diverso dagli altri, intrigante.
Comunque mi informerò magari c'è un secondo volume :)
Gli angeli non sono così buoni come immaginiamo e soprattutto non sono i nostri custodi e sono addirittura sull'orlo di una guerra.
Le fazioni sono due: contro e pro i sentimenti..
Al centro di tutto c'è la rincarnazione di Lucifero.
Amelia è un Angelo Vendicatore che ha come incarico di sorvegliare un umano Gabriel che guarda caso è lui che custodisce l'anima di Lucifero.
Gabriel è un cantante rock e alla fine di un concerto l'angelo Donato gli tende un'imboscata nella speranza di risvegliare Lucifero e uccide il migliore amico di Gabriel. Ma Donato non riesce nel suo intento perchè Amelia interviene e lo ferma.
Da ora in poi Amelia diventa laguardia del corpo di Gabriel che contro il suo volere si trova in mezzo ad una guerra.
Come andrà a finire?
Non è troppo scontato come potrebbe sembrare. E' scorrevole e interessante il tormento dei due protagonisti. La storia è diversa dal solito e l'ho trovata piacevole e mi ha incuriosito parecchio.
Ho dato tre stelle perchè mi aspettavo di più..mi è sembrato un primo libro di una serie, perchè ha lasciato alcune cose in sospeso. Non può finire così! Peccato era diverso dagli altri, intrigante.
Comunque mi informerò magari c'è un secondo volume :)
June 23, 2011
Gabriel Gunn is a rock star with a voice that can seduce the masses. Behind his success is a tragic life and a load of guilt. After an attempt on his life and the loss of his best friend, Gabriel is left wondering if it's all worth it. Amelia has been watching over Gabriel since his birth, and she has sworn to keep him and what sleeps inside him safe from those who wish to unleash evil on the world. When the hidden awakes it is Amelia's duty to slay Gabriel to protect the innocent, but emotions that were nonexistent in the angel realm are flourishing here in the mortal plane. She may end up trading her life, so that Gabriel can live out his.
Fantastically good book, and I would have loved to have given 4 and a half stars, but I can't. The ONLY reason I didn't give it 5 stars was a personal nitpicky thing of mine ( remember I'm a tad warped), but when oral sex only goes one way it ticks me off. Regardless of the gender, fair is fair. That's the only reason. Otherwise this was a great read.
Full review at http://www.yougottareadreviews.blogsp...
Fantastically good book, and I would have loved to have given 4 and a half stars, but I can't. The ONLY reason I didn't give it 5 stars was a personal nitpicky thing of mine ( remember I'm a tad warped), but when oral sex only goes one way it ticks me off. Regardless of the gender, fair is fair. That's the only reason. Otherwise this was a great read.
Full review at http://www.yougottareadreviews.blogsp...
October 10, 2011
"Demon's Fall" by Karalynn Lee piqued my interest in angel/demon romance, so I was eager to read "Falling Hard." I rarely give up a book once I've started, but I just couldn't finish this one. Several pages in, and I find I'm FORCING myself to go on... so what's the point? Guardian angel falls in love with rockstar is a great premise, but I just couldn't get into this no matter how I tried. There's a whole lot of sitting around talking, as well as tons of inner monologuing, with occasional terse action sequences. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there was just nothing about the characters that made me care (or even understand) why they were attracted to each other, or care why they were being pursued by bad guys.
I often find myself wishing that novellas were longer (such as "Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale" or "Demon's Fall," for example). But in this case, I think the story would have benefited immensely by being edit down by at least 1/3.
I often find myself wishing that novellas were longer (such as "Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale" or "Demon's Fall," for example). But in this case, I think the story would have benefited immensely by being edit down by at least 1/3.
July 24, 2011
Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Review date: 25 July 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=5795
When I first picked up this book, I thought “Oopps, one more of those angel-demon love story.” And I thought it’s going to be such a bore, but the book pleases me very much despite of the angel-demon love story theme. The story is highly original and I could feel myself symphatizing with the main male character earlier on in the story.
I love the plot development and character’s relationship where is was developed in a way that touches my heart deeply, and I certainly would not mind reading this book again some time in the future. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.
Review date: 25 July 2011
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=5795
When I first picked up this book, I thought “Oopps, one more of those angel-demon love story.” And I thought it’s going to be such a bore, but the book pleases me very much despite of the angel-demon love story theme. The story is highly original and I could feel myself symphatizing with the main male character earlier on in the story.
I love the plot development and character’s relationship where is was developed in a way that touches my heart deeply, and I certainly would not mind reading this book again some time in the future. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I received an ARC of this book from Carina Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.
July 24, 2011
First off, I seem to be reading a lot of books with angels in them recently.. hmmm oh well. This book was actually really interesting! What I really liked was the differences between Amelia and Gabriel (great name for someone holding Lucifer’s soul). Amelia is an angel without emotions, while Gabriel, though tough and hard around the edges, is sensitive and very scared. Although he hates to say it, he is just afraid of Lucifer taking him over as Amelia is. This book was very enjoyable to read and I just might have to pick up another book of J.K. Coi’s!
January 30, 2015
Libro molto scorrevole e intrigante, mi è piaciuto moltissimo. Non me lo sarei mai aspettato da questo libro dato che non conoscevo l'autrice sono andata un pò alla cieca con questo libro e invece mi sono dovuta ricredere perchè mi hai letteralmente preso dalla prima all'ultima pagina. Spero che ci sia un seguito di questo libro dato il suo finale unpò come dire messo lì. Mi sono piaciuti molto i personaggi Gabriel ed Amelia con i loro problemi da risolvere sia emotivi che "lavorativi" per così dire. Nel complesso un buon libro.
July 14, 2011
Rocker. Emotionally scarred bad boy. Literal inner demons. Possible apocalypse. OK; truth be told, this book had me at the “rocker” and the rest was just icing on an already tempting brownie…
Full review, with only one squee, on my blog...
Full review, with only one squee, on my blog...
July 21, 2011
I really like the premiss of this novella but sadly it didn't live up to the promise. I just didn't like Gabriel enough to care if he lived or died. I found Amelia tedious and just wanted Gabriel to shake kick her scrawny butt. I got as far as page 86 and could read no more with out shouting at my e-reader for them to hurry up and die, not good.
October 28, 2011
Flounced. I won't even, because it's just mean.
August 26, 2011
I liked it. Don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say it was intense, and the ending was a very interesting surprise.
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