Gabriel

The Lost Angels #2

by Heather Killough-Walden

Since the beginning of time, the archangels have longed to know true love.

When four female angels were created for the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Azrael, a chaos spurred by jealousy erupted, and the archesses were secreted away to Earth. The four favored archangels followed, prompting a search that has lasted millennia…

For hundreds of years, Gabriel has passed himself off as a common Scottish villager. Few know he is the Messenger, a powerful archangel who has secretly scoured the world for the only woman who can complete him. Now, he’s shocked to discover the object of his desire in his own backyard.

Researching her Ph.D. in the Outer Hebrides, Juliette Anderson has always been the rational type—until she looks across a quaint pub into the silver eyes of a stranger. He’s handsome. He’s intense. And he claims her with a searing kiss on the spot.

Every instinct tells her to run. But when a dark force rises, and the truth of her identity is revealed, she must put her faith in the mysterious man who enflames her.

Genres: Angels, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Vampires, Audiobook

399 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Heather Killough-Walden is a California native currently living in Texas with her husband and child. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series. Heather’s educational background includes religious studies, archeology, and law. She has traveled all over the world but hopes to one day live in a town with a world-class hockey team. (Let’s Go Pens!) Visit Heather’s website at www.killough-walden.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter. Also, be sure to keep in touch with her and other fans through her Facebook fan page and through Twitter (killoughwalden)!

Reviews

[Francesca 🇵🇸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crying all my tears

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is action-packed, sexy, romantic and so much better than the first one. 4 well earned stars!
****************************************

"Good God, she thought, as she stared up at the curve of his chin, the broad plane of his shoulders, and the vast expanse of muscle across his chest and midsection. I'm in bed with an archangel."

I had a very good picture in my head of Gabriel

The archangels as you will be aware from book 1 of the series live in America but Gabe loves Scotland and that is where his heart lies... and where he will find his Archess...

Juliette is a lover of history. It calls to her (and she will figure the why's to this later in the book- which in itself is an interesting revelation about the Archesses.
Her family originate from Scotland and she ventures there on a paid assignment- sent by none other than our Samael on one of his schemes.


However, when she arrives in Scotland nothing goes to plan- the poor girl has no luck that day and to top it off has a run in with an Adarian


and the first time that Juliette and Gabriel set eyes on eachother


and the ending... I so knew it!!

you'll know what I mean when you get to the ending)

I couldn't wait to start the nxt book after this one- I hope Az's story will be just as great!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Mada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure the archess Samael wants is the one who belongs to Michael. Michael is the one who took Samael's place in Heaven and became the Old Man favourite. So now I can bet Sam wants to take something as equally important from Michael. Sam wants to hurt Michael the same way he was hurt when he lost his place as the Old Man's favourite archangel. That's the reason he came to earth: to get revenge.
I hope Max and Lilith will end up together. I like them so much.

[SteffiTjaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

genauso gut wie der erste Band. mal sehen ob die restlichen Bände genauso gut sind die die beiden ersten

[Nicky Cartwright Pashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel has been searching for his Archess, his soul mate, for two thousand years. The problem is that a team of Andarians are also searching for the Archesses, hoping to steal their powerful healing abilities. Samuel Lambent is also determined to track down an Archess, for reasons that he has yet to reveal.

Although Gabriel can flit anywhere in the world that has a door (using the archangels mansion) the group of archangels are based in America. However, Gabriel feels that Scotland is his real home and has returned there frequently through the years, claiming to be his own descendant as he returns through the generations.

Juliet is the daughter of academics, who loves to immerse herself in history. A PhD student in Anthropology, she has always been unaccountably drawn to Scotland. A Media Mogul, Samuel Lambent (whom we have already met in book one of this series) offers to fund her research in Scotland, providing she also gives him information for a tv mini-series. She is finally going to Scotland! Juliet is frightened by her healing abilities and haunted by dreams of historic Scotland but excited by the prospect of finally travelling there.

However, when she arrives in Scotland nothing goes to plan. A rogue Andarian is determined to track her down and capture her in an attempt to regain credibility with his leader. Gabriel sees her across a crowded pub and immediately recognises her as his soul mate … however, she hasn’t got a clue who the gorgeous stranger is when he accosts her! Life quickly spirals out of control as lives are endangered, chases ensue and Juliet has to decide who she can and cannot trust. Innocent people are injured and killed. Then Juliet begins to realise that this may not be her first visit to Scotland after all ….

Another action-packed, sensual and exciting story from Heather Killough Walden. I love the way that Heather weaves a scene with words, creating a visual picture with her talented mastery of language … I could almost hear Gabriel’s thick Scottish brogue!

I am now eagerly looking forward to Azrael’s story … another very sexy character!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been reading quite a bit recently. The reason for this is there are SO MANY GOOD BOOKS COMING OUT, and Messenger’s Angel is one of those.

The second book in the Lost Angels series (the first focuses on Uriel), this one is about Gabriel and his archess, Juliette. I really enjoyed Avenger’s Angel and waited quite impatiently for Messenger’s Angel to come out, and of course, the day it came out, I raced to the bookstore to get it.

Let me tell you, the wait was worth it.

Heather Killough-Walden, while her name might be a mouth full, is great at writing intense scenes and sexy times. I read this book in one sitting and really liked where the overall plot arch is going. The Adarians, whom you meet in the first book, are quickly becoming unhinged and turning into a group of villains, run by one of the craziest people I’ve read in a while. And Samuel is just doing his own thing, which NO ONE can figure out, including me. He clearly knows a lot more than he’s letting on and I hope he shows up more in the next book, Death’s Angel. Sadly, he wasn’t around that much in this book.

As for Gabriel and Juliette, talk about instant chemistry. I loved the way Gabriel reacted upon seeing Juliette for the first time. It fit him perfectly. Poor Juliette is just bewildered and completely taken aback from his actions, but thankfully she doesn’t go through quite so many trials as Eleanor did.

The next book, Death’s Angel, is set up at the end of this and should prove to be interesting in that the archess doesn’t know she is one. Poor Azarel. He’s going to have a tough time of it, I think.

And then that leaves only Michael for the next book, unless we get Samuel’s as well? *puppy eyes* Heather, if you’re reading this, might we be getting Samuel’s book as well as Michael’s? I can’t be the only person who wants this.

So, overall, a great addition to a series that already started out so well. If you haven’t read it, do so now, and if you haven’t read the first book, I highly recommend it.

[Helyce]

I really looked forward to reading Messenger’s Angel by Heather Killough-Walden. I have a thing for the fallen angel trope and this one seemed interesting even while similar to others out there.

Messenger’s Angel is book two in this series. In book one, Uriel finds his archess, so the archangels now know that these archesses really do exist and the remaining archangels are ever hopeful that they, too, may at last find the one woman created especially for them. In this book, Gabriel is featured and when he realizes that Juliette Anderson is his archess he of course does everything he can to make her his. This story, in and of itself, is not bad and initially I liked it. You have the usual conflict with the bad guys, you have Gabriel, who while trying to win over his archess, does all the wrong things and you have the other archangels who are there trying to help him out because if Gabriel can win over his archess, there is hope that they too will find their one and only.

What really ruined this book for me, though, was the author’s writing style. Just as a scene was getting interesting or information was being provided to further the story along, there’d be a break and it’d move to one of the side stories. It was choppy and frustrating and it really began to hinder my comprehension to the point that I couldn’t follow it. I read through to page 266 before I gave up. I found I was spending too much time trying to keep so many different story lines straight that there was no clear flow and I just couldn’t fall into the story as I normally do.

[Maddux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look at that cover! He's so pretty - I want to scream and roll around on the floor!

Okay... *gets up off the floor*

There are a lot of things that really kept me coming back to this book. After the first in the series, events were predictable, but I still wanted to see it through to the end.

But... Then at the end! There's a bit of the next book. Azrael's book. Dude. I want to read Azrael's book so bad. And I have to wait 6 months! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I still don't understand the Adarians' motivation. Why aren't they happy with what they have? Why don't they just do their own thing and live like kings on earth? These villains do not make sense to me.

Samael is a very interesting character. Not quite hero, but not quite villain, either. I am eager to see what the future holds for him.

But the next book! I want to read the next book!!!!!

[Libby Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. To put it simply. It's sort of like a guilty pleasure reading this series. Adult fiction, sexy Angels, kick-ass female leads, peril, mysterious, brotherly bonds. I could keep going but I only have a limited amount of words. Gabriel was great to read about and Jules was amazingly smart and beautiful. The many different POVs at first were confusing but made complete sense towards the end, and I ended up enjoying reading from so many different characters both good and bad in nature. I can't say too much more without spoiling it, but if you're looking for an adult read with some heated scenes and romance this Angels series is for you.

[Donna Was A Scandal · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, love, love!!! Just returned from vacation...I'll post a longer review tomorrow but I have to say - HKW has done it again...beautiful story and now I REALLY need to visit Scotland.

Here's a link to my formal review...

http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...

[Hbeebti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better than the first. Loved Gabriel and Juliette. I cant wait to read about Az and Sophie next. What I am dying to know is what the heck Samuel is up too. I am struggling to figure out of he is good or bad or just a combo of both. Whats his ultimate plan?

[Karen Lindeman]

Death's Angel, book 3 of The Lost Angels series, is due to be released in Dec/Jan.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Il messaggero dell’angelo” è l’atteso seguito del “La notte degli angeli caduti” e secondo volume della saga urban fantasy intitolata “Lost Angels”, scritta da Heather Killough-Walden. A mio avviso, con la lettura di questo libro, l’autrice si aggiudica un posto d’onore tra gli scrittori che meritano di essere ricordati.

I protagonisti sono l’Arcangelo messaggero Gabriele e la sua cherubina Juliette, ma, come nel primo libro, vi sono molti punti di vista che narrano la vicenda, oltre a quelli dei due protagonisti principali; questo aspetto, tuttavia, non ha infastidito per nulla la mia lettura, anzi l’ha resa più interessante.

Il primo e inaspettato incontro tra i due protagonisti avviene sullo sfondo di un’indomita e selvaggia Scozia, terra a cui i due sono molto legati, in un modo che solo leggendo potrete scoprire.

Ovviamente la strada per i due amanti non sarà facile, ma lastricata di ostacoli e pericoli: nuovi personaggi tramano nell’ombra, come l’Arcadiano Daniel (New entry) e il comandante Kevin (Abraxos), già conosciuto nel primo volume. Inimitabile Samael, che avrà un ruolo cruciale nella salvezza dei nostri protagonisti, ma la cui figura rimane comunque misteriosa: non è chiaro se appartenga ai buoni o ai cattivi e quale sia veramente il suo ruolo.

Se si vuole proprio trovare una pecca a questo romanzo e alla narrazione dell’autrice, mi sento solo di dire che manca un approfondimento sull’evoluzione del rapporto da sconosciuti a innamorati. Manca totalmente la fase dell’innamoramento, Gabriele e Juliette si riconoscono all’istante come anime gemelle e il loro rapporto viene trainato dall’attrazione fisica.

Anche la trama potrebbe risultare un po’ ripetitiva: incontro inaspettato dei due amanti, reiterati tentativi di sottrarre la cherubina da parte dei cattivi Adariani, battaglie e voli.

La scrittrice, però, è talmente brava da variare con accortezza questo schema, in modo tale che il lettore venga colto dall’intenso e adrenalinico vortice della narrazione e arrivi alla fine completamente soggiogato e soddisfatto, anche per l’immancabile lieto fine.

«D’accordo» disse, appoggiandosi sulla guancia i palmi delle mani e facendo un respiro profondo. «Vediamo se ho capito bene.» Lily o Lilith, come aveva scoperto che si chiamava in realtà quella donna, era rimasta nel cottage nelle ultime quattro ore, raccontando a Juliette la verità su Samuel Lambent, anche noto come Samael, e i suoi complicati contratti. Le aveva anche raccontato degli arcangeli e degli Adariani. E, fino a quel momento, erano le stesse cose di cui le avevano già parlato gli arcangeli, a eccezione di ciò che le aveva detto di Samael. «Il Vecchio mi ha creata per Gabriele e poi mi ha mandata sulla Terra per proteggermi. E questo è accaduto duemila anni fa?» Lilith annuì. Si portò la tazza di tè alle labbra e ne bevve un sorso. Juliette aggrottò la fronte. «Dunque, dove sono stata negli ultimi duemila anni?»

[Stefanie Hasse hisandherbooks.de · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zitat:
"Während sie seinen Blick erwiderte, schien sich die Zeit zu verlangsamen. Das Rauschen der Brandung an der Küste glich einer leisen Melodie, Möwen kreischten, der kalte Wind roch nach Salz. In Gabriels Haar sah sie Salzkristalle. Jetzt erschien er ihr wie ein Teil dieses Landes - unerschütterlich, hart, kompromisslos. Und die durchdringenden Augen wirkten sehr alt, von tausend Geschichten erfüllt."
(S. 225)

Inhalt:
Juliette träumt oft von "alten" Orten, in denen sich auf magische Weise die Vergangenheit mit der Gegenwart mischt. Auf dem Weg zu ihrem neuen Job in Schottland träumt sie auch noch von diesem Mann!
Juliette ist anders. Vor einem Jahr hat sie ihre Gabe entdeckt, andere heilen zu können. Doch Schottland löst noch weiteres in ihr aus. Sie erkennt ungeahnte Fähigkeiten in sich.
Als es dann zu einem Zusammentreffen mit "diesem einen" Mann kommt, spührt sie das Prickeln und die unglaubliche Anziehungskraft sofort. Doch sie versucht, einen klaren Kopf zu bewahren, ist sie doch geschäftlich in Schottland und nur ihrem Auftraggeber, Medienmogul Samuel Lambent, verpflichtet.
Hat dieser wirklich so uneigennützig gehandelt, wie Juliette geglaubt hatte?

Meinung:
Band 1 der Engelssturm-Reihe konnte mich begeistern, weshalb die Messlatte für diese Fortsetzung und meine Erwartungen sehr hoch waren. Bis auf kleine Abstriche konnte mich "Engelssturm - Gabriel" ebenso überzeugen wie sein Vorgänger.

Sehr schnell konnte ich mich wieder in die Welt der ehemaligen Erzengel und ihren Feinden zurechtfinden. Die Autorin gibt mit kurzen Rückblicken und Nebensätzen die Möglichkeit, das Geschehene Revue passieren zu lassen, um an diese anbinden zu können.

In Band 2 der Serie erhalten andere Protagonisten die Hauptrolle. Insgesamt sind die Charaktere durchweg tiefgründig, sehr sympathisch und gut durchdacht.

Der einstige Botenengel Gabriel fühlt sich auch im Herrenhaus der Erzengel allein und zieht seine Wahlheimat Schottland diesem vor. Als er auf seinen Sternenengel trifft, ist er nicht zu bremsen. Überschwänglich und ungestüm drängt er Juliette eher zur Flucht als in seine Arme. Doch auch Engel sind lernfähig, was Zuneigung und Partnerschaft angeht. Und als sein Sternenengel ist sie es defintiv wert, dass man um sie kämpft - in vielfacher Hinsicht.

Juliette sieht sich nach ein paar erlebten Missgeschicken Gabriel gegenüber, dem Mann ihrer Träume, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes. Sie spürt die knisternde Anziehung sofort. Doch sie stellt sich stur und ignoriert ihre Bindung an den einstigen Erzengel. Hin- und hergerissen zwischen ihrem Schicksal und den gesponnenen Intrigen, verwirrt von ihren Gefühlen Gabriel oder Sam gegenüber findet sie Halt bei ihrer besten Freundin und auch Uriels Sternenengel Eleonore, die ihr wie eine Schwester vorkommt.
Juliettes "Sternenengelfähigkeiten" äußern sich auf besondere Art. Die Autorin hat der Geschichte um ihre Erzengel so noch mehr Tiefe verliehen. Juliette erhält Einblicke in ihre Vergangenheit, die ihr bisher verschlossen waren. Dieser Ansatz bietet auch sehr interessante Aspekte Azraels Sternenengel betreffend.

Juliettes Hin- und Hergerissenheit war "nervenaufreibend". Ich habe dagesessen und mitgefiebert, hatte Herzklopfen und habe gebetet, dass sie sich jetzt endlich treffen. Als es so weit war durfte ich nur kurz verschnaufen, denn dann ging es erst richtig los. Intrigen, mehr Gegner als erwartet und selbst menschliche Hinderungsgründe ließen mich wahnsinnig werden.

Selbstverständlich tauchen auch die "Stars" des ersten Bandes auf: Eleonore und Uriel sind inzwischen verheiratet und mussten eine wichtige Entscheidung treffen.
Mein Liebling Azrael bekommt von einer ganz neuen Seite Konkurrenz und die anderen Team-Mitglieder eilen ebenfalls zur Rettung wenn es ihrer Hilfe bedarf.

Sam, oder Samael, ist in dieser Geschichte wieder ein sehr undurchdringbarer Charakter. Ich habe seine Person betreffend so dermaßen viele Fragen im Kopf - und hoffe, dass sie mir im nächsten Band beantwortet werden. Sam bleibt seiner Linie treu und stellt sich wieder als Retter heraus. Doch er macht deutlich, dass er seine eigenen Ziele hat, die er verfolgt und bei denen ihm keiner im Weg stehen darf.

Die Bedrohung des Sternenengels ist in "Engelssturm - Gabriel" sehr dominant, weil sie von allen Seiten auf einen einstürzt. Die Gegner stehen Schlange, haben neue Tricks auf Lager und werden mächtiger und stärker als jemals zuvor.

Selten war ich von einer Geschichte so gefesselt. Frau Killough-Walden schafft es, eine Spannung zu erzeugen, die wider aller Vorhersehbarkeit existiert. Die Kapitel wirken nicht in die Länge gezogen, sondern existentiell. Die Autorin verzichtet auf zu ausschmückende Details, berichtet und beschreibt dennoch glaubhaft und vorstellbar.

Eine dritte Person erzählt die Geschichte überwiegend aus der Perspektive von Gabriel und Juliette. Der Leser erhält aber auch besondere Einblicke in die Gegner und ihre Beweggründe, was zusätzlich Spannung aufbaut.

Nun zu dem Grund der Klassifizierung als "Erwachsenen"buch:
Nach den ersten Seiten dachte ich nur, dass dieser zweite Engelssturm-Band doch etwas "erwachsener" ist als sein Vorgänger. Zum Glück "entspannte" sich die Situation schnell wieder und so trifft dies nur sehr bedingt zu.
Insgesamt muss ich sogar sagen, dass die Erotikszenen eigentlich beinahe zu vernachlässigen sind. Im Vergleich mit diversen Jugendbüchern stechen die anrüchigen Szenen kaum heraus. Lediglich der sexuelle Grundtonus ist in Engelssturm stärker und beinahe allgegenwärtig, dennoch bin ich der Meinung, dass es auch von Jugendbuch-Fans gelesen werden kann.

Das letzte Drittel war von kaum auszuhaltender Spannung geprägt. Der Showdown ließ mich erzittern und mitfiebern und ich konnte nur eines: lesen, lesen, lesen - um mir Entspannung zu verschaffen und die Sache zu Ende zu bringen. Dieses ist sehr zufriedenstellend, bietet im Epilog bereits einen kleinen Ausblick auf den nächsten "Engelssturm"-Band.

Deshalb freue ich mich nun auf Juni 2013. Denn Azrael hat mit seiner Vergangenheit als Todesengel und dem daraus resultierenden Dasein als Ur-Vampir sicher eine ganz fantastische Geschichte zu bieten!

Urteil:
Band 2 kann nicht ganz mit den Überraschungseffekten und noch neuen Ideen des ersten Teiles mithalten, ist aber durch eine neue Tiefe der Charaktere und Hintergründe ein absolutes Leseerlebnis, ein spannendes, nervenaufreibendes Hin und Her. Ein Abenteuer, das, versetzt mit den kleinen erotischen Einlagen und Gedanken, zu einem Highlight wird und dadurch knappe 5 Bücher verdient hat.

Es ist ein Must-Must-Read für Fans des ersten Bandes und alle, die auf spannende, mitreißende Weise unterhalten werden wollen und einem klitzekleinen Hauch prickelnder Erotik nicht abgeneigt sind. Dieser zweite Teil ist unabhängig von seinem Vorgänger lesbar, ich rate aber, auf den ersten Band "Engelssturm - Uriel" nicht zu verzichten.

Die Serie:
1. Engelssturm: Uriel
2. Engelssturm: Gabriel
3. Engelssturm: Azrael

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit der Geschichte von Gabriel, und somit dem zweiten Buch in der Engelssturm-Reihe, wird hier die Story spannend weitergeführt.
Auf der Seite "der Guten" sind die Erzengel Uriel, Gabriel, Azrael und Michael weiterhin auf der Suche nach den fehlenden Sternenengeln und müssen sich gegenüber den Adarianern und Samael behaupten. Die Adarianer haben neue Erkenntnisse erlangt und agieren nun aus anderen Motiven und Samael treibt zwar weiter sein falsches Spiel, nimmt allerdings nicht mehr primär die Rolle des bösen Engels ein und seine bisher für mich vollkommen offensichtliche Motivation ist nun schleierhaft und ungewiss. Hiermit gibt die Autorin dem weiterführenden Plot mehr Raum und erhöht die Spannung, was den Leser am Ball hält.
Gabriel und sein Sternenengel Juliette, um die sich die Geschichte in diesem Buch dreht, sind ein wirklich schönes und harmonisches Paare. Die willensstarke und furchtlose Juliette mochte ich von Anfang an und Gabriel hat sich ja bereits in Band eins in mein Herz geschlichen. Leider muss ich sagen, dass, wie auch bereits bei Uriel und Eleonore, auch bei Gabriel und Juliette der Funke bei mir nicht übergesprungen ist. Die Personen und Paare sind schön und sympathisch gestaltet, allerdings fehlt mir immer etwas und ich schließe die Bücher dieser Reihe nicht ganz so zufrieden, wie ich es eigentlich gerne möchte. Auch wenn der Plot einen sehr ansprechenden roten Faden hat, dringen die Charaktere der Autorin nicht wirklich zu mir durch. Vielleicht ändert sich das noch, aber ich denke, dass dies einfach der Stil der Autorin ist und mir weniger liegt.
Am Ende dieses Buches wurde ein wirklich spannender Cliffhanger zu Azrael Geschichte platziert, und ich bin nun schon sehr gespannt, wie es weiter geht.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the beginning of time, the archangels have longed to know true love.
When four female angels were created for the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Azrael, a chaos spurred by jealousy erupted, and the archesses were secreted away to Earth. The four favored archangels followed, prompting a search that has lasted millennia…
For hundreds of years, Gabriel has passed himself off as a common Scottish villager. Few know he is the Messenger, a powerful archangel who has secretly scoured the world for the only woman who can complete him. Now, he’s shocked to discover the object of his desire in his own backyard.
Researching her Ph.D. in the Outer Hebrides, Juliette Anderson has always been the rational type—until she looks across a quaint pub into the silver eyes of a stranger. He’s handsome. He’s intense. And he claims her with a searing kiss on the spot.
Every instinct tells her to run. But when a dark force rises, and the truth of her identity is revealed, she must put her faith in the mysterious man who enflames her.

Heather's Notes
So I had forgotten about this series. I do like the books, but sometimes I feel like the archangels aren't very bad ass. Also I did not like how often we got the "bad guys" POV. It took forever for Gabriel and Juliette to finally met up and stay met up. I felt like there were also a lot of "rabbit" trails that went no where. I did enjoy the story overall, just felt it could have been just as good shorter.

[Bliss Silverleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intenso, sensuale e particolare come il suo prequel, anche Il Messaggero dell'Angelo di Heather Killough-Walden �� riuscito a conquistarmi. La forte carica erotica e la tensione pre e post scontri fra angeli mi fa venire i brividi, cos�� intensa da far rimanere sull'attenti chiunque legga!
Come vi sentireste se improvvisamente il vostro sogno prendesse forma, vi ritrovaste nella terra che avete sempre sognato di visitare, mentre infinite porte sembrano aprirsi davanti a voi? Juliette non riesce ancora a credere all'enorme fortuna che ha avuto quando Samuel Lambent, il magnate dei media, l'ha contattata per offrirle un contratto in cui le sue ricerche sul campo in Scozia sarebbe state utilizzate per un programma di sua creazione, addirittura finalizzando i suoi viaggi e il materiale necessario! Certo, avrebbe potuto scegliere milioni di ricercatori pi�� esperti invece di lei, e ci�� dovrebbe farla riflettere, ma tanto �� l'entusiasmo per questa possibilit�� che non ci fa caso, reputandolo un semplice dono della fortuna. D'altronde, come potrebbe conoscere la vera identit�� di Samuel e il reale motivo per cui l'ha cercata?
Accanto a questo viaggio, se ne affiancher�� un'altro, pi�� lento e all'inizio volutamente ignorato, che riguarda il riconoscimento di ci�� che �� in grado di fare. Scatenare fulmini, tempeste, muovere oggetti col pensiero... e guarire le persone. Il che fa di lei la seconda cherubina, dopo Eleanore, ora moglie di Uriel/Christopher Daniels, gi�� nominata nel primo libro. Ovviamente, lei non sa nulla, inconsapevole sia del significato di questi poteri, che del fatto di essere in grave pericolo. Oltre Samuel, infatti, anche gli Adariani la vogliono, capitanati da un Kevin smanioso di catturare tutte le cherubine -Eleanore in particolare- e ottenere il bramato potere di curare con un tocco.

Ma il cammino pi�� emozionante �� sicuramente quello del crescente rapporto tra Juliette e l'angelo a cui la vedremo affiancata. E stavolta, dopo Uriel, tocca al bellissimo Gabriele. Ho cominciato ad amare questa coppia ancor prima del loro incontro! Nello stesso luogo pi�� di una volta senza vedersi, pensando l'uno all'altra, Gabriele invidiando il fratello per aver trovato la sua cherubina, che l'ha reso diverso e felice in cos�� poco tempo da far quasi evaporare il pensiero di duemila anni d'attesa, Juliette tormentata dall'intrigante e meraviglioso uomo visto nei suoi sogni, occhi d'un profondo grigio da farla avvampare al solo pensiero.
Ma �� quando si incontrano che scoppiano le scintille. E nonostante l'enorme attrazione per un perfetto sconosciuto, il turbamento e la confusione di Juliette non mancano di farla rinsanire.
Juliette non si fidava di Gabriele Black. Niente in lui le ispirava fiducia: quel corpo alto e forte, i penetranti occhi argento, il viso incredibilmente bello e l'accento, che la faceva squagliare. Non si fidava del suo aggraziato modo di muoversi, n�� del suo profumo sensuale o della soggiogante perfezione del suo dannato bacio. Indubbiamente, non si fidava di quel bacio.
Gabriele per�� non riesce a starle lontano. L'emozione per aver finalmente trovato la sua cherubina... oh, come mi palpitava il cuore, leggendo dei suoi pensieri, come se un'agonia a lungo subita fosse finalmente cessata! E adesso che l'aveva trovata, due diverse fazioni di angeli volevano portargliela via. Agguerrito come non mai, potete gi�� intuire che non permetter�� mai che una cosa simile accada.. e ovviamente i suoi fratelli, insieme ad Eleanore, andranno pi�� volte in suo aiuto. Purtroppo, per��, conquistare il cuore e la fiducia di Juliette sar�� una battaglia che dovr�� affrontare da solo... e che battaglia!

Ma non �� tutto. Oltre all'aspetto romantico, mitologico e d'azione, cominciamo a comprendere sempre pi�� ci�� che comporta essere una cherubina. Non �� solo una questione di riconoscere l'arcangelo a cui ognuna di loro �� legata, e viceversa. E' un'unione pi�� profonda, che rispecchia l'essenza del loro compagno. Non voglio svelarvi troppo, poich�� per me stessa �� stata una piacevole sorpresa scoprire che c'era dell'altro, lasciandomi carpire sfumature sempre pi�� vaste di questa intrigante storia.
Lo stesso rapporto varia da una coppia all'altra, e anche se mi verrebbe da dire che ho apprezzato maggiormente quella composta da Uriel e Eleanor, non esiste una configurazione standar delle relazioni fra arcangeli e cherubine da cui poter partire per analizzare ogni coppia. Perci�� ho trovato in entrambe un'intesa e un modo di fare che non posso paragonare, ma che ho apprezzato e di cui mi sono letteralmente infatuata!

E aspettate di sentirvi scorrere sulla pelle l'adrenalina che precede ogni scontro.. e lo scoppio dell'azione nelle vene, la sensazione di avere a portata di mano l'esito della battaglia, eppure indugiare ancora fino all'ultimo col dubbio che quest'intrigante quanto possente gruppo di angeli possa perdere il suo vantaggio. Per non parlare del modo in cui il libro finisce... sempre cos�� irrimediabilmente in sospeso... quanto mi faranno attendere stavolta??

Mi sento quasi in colpa ad averlo divorato tanto in fretta, avrei voluto che durasse in eterno. Non riesco a capacitarmi del fatto che sia finito cos��! E'... terribilmente frustrante, come quando un forte vento vi investe, costringendovi a chiudere gli occhi e cercare subito un appiglio per non cadere e poi di colpo... si fermasse, lasciandovi storditi. Ecco, sono stordita, completamente. Ma sono sicura che un'intensit�� simile, se non maggiore, mi terr�� incollata al sequel, nel momento in cui uscir��. Spero che la leggereditore non ci faccia aspettare troppo! Prevedo problemi e guai e tante domande a cui devo assolutamente trovare una risposta. Heather Killough-Walden �� una maga del genere paranormal, se non avete ancora iniziato questa serie, beh, fatelo subito!

[Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intenso, sensuale e particolare come il suo prequel, anche Il Messaggero dell'Angelo di Heather Killough-Walden è riuscito a conquistarmi. La forte carica erotica e la tensione pre e post scontri fra angeli mi fa venire i brividi, così intensa da far rimanere sull'attenti chiunque legga!
Come vi sentireste se improvvisamente il vostro sogno prendesse forma, vi ritrovaste nella terra che avete sempre sognato di visitare, mentre infinite porte sembrano aprirsi davanti a voi? Juliette non riesce ancora a credere all'enorme fortuna che ha avuto quando Samuel Lambent, il magnate dei media, l'ha contattata per offrirle un contratto in cui le sue ricerche sul campo in Scozia sarebbe state utilizzate per un programma di sua creazione, addirittura finalizzando i suoi viaggi e il materiale necessario! Certo, avrebbe potuto scegliere milioni di ricercatori più esperti invece di lei, e ciò dovrebbe farla riflettere, ma tanto è l'entusiasmo per questa possibilità che non ci fa caso, reputandolo un semplice dono della fortuna. D'altronde, come potrebbe conoscere la vera identità di Samuel e il reale motivo per cui l'ha cercata?
Accanto a questo viaggio, se ne affiancherà un'altro, più lento e all'inizio volutamente ignorato, che riguarda il riconoscimento di ciò che è in grado di fare. Scatenare fulmini, tempeste, muovere oggetti col pensiero... e guarire le persone. Il che fa di lei la seconda cherubina, dopo Eleanore, ora moglie di Uriel/Christopher Daniels, già nominata nel primo libro. Ovviamente, lei non sa nulla, inconsapevole sia del significato di questi poteri, che del fatto di essere in grave pericolo. Oltre Samuel, infatti, anche gli Adariani la vogliono, capitanati da un Kevin smanioso di catturare tutte le cherubine -Eleanore in particolare- e ottenere il bramato potere di curare con un tocco.

Ma il cammino più emozionante è sicuramente quello del crescente rapporto tra Juliette e l'angelo a cui la vedremo affiancata. E stavolta, dopo Uriel, tocca al bellissimo Gabriele. Ho cominciato ad amare questa coppia ancor prima del loro incontro! Nello stesso luogo più di una volta senza vedersi, pensando l'uno all'altra, Gabriele invidiando il fratello per aver trovato la sua cherubina, che l'ha reso diverso e felice in così poco tempo da far quasi evaporare il pensiero di duemila anni d'attesa, Juliette tormentata dall'intrigante e meraviglioso uomo visto nei suoi sogni, occhi d'un profondo grigio da farla avvampare al solo pensiero.
Ma è quando si incontrano che scoppiano le scintille. E nonostante l'enorme attrazione per un perfetto sconosciuto, il turbamento e la confusione di Juliette non mancano di farla rinsanire.
Juliette non si fidava di Gabriele Black. Niente in lui le ispirava fiducia: quel corpo alto e forte, i penetranti occhi argento, il viso incredibilmente bello e l'accento, che la faceva squagliare. Non si fidava del suo aggraziato modo di muoversi, nè del suo profumo sensuale o della soggiogante perfezione del suo dannato bacio. Indubbiamente, non si fidava di quel bacio.
Gabriele però non riesce a starle lontano. L'emozione per aver finalmente trovato la sua cherubina... oh, come mi palpitava il cuore, leggendo dei suoi pensieri, come se un'agonia a lungo subita fosse finalmente cessata! E adesso che l'aveva trovata, due diverse fazioni di angeli volevano portargliela via. Agguerrito come non mai, potete già intuire che non permetterà mai che una cosa simile accada.. e ovviamente i suoi fratelli, insieme ad Eleanore, andranno più volte in suo aiuto. Purtroppo, però, conquistare il cuore e la fiducia di Juliette sarà una battaglia che dovrà affrontare da solo... e che battaglia!

Ma non è tutto. Oltre all'aspetto romantico, mitologico e d'azione, cominciamo a comprendere sempre più ciò che comporta essere una cherubina. Non è solo una questione di riconoscere l'arcangelo a cui ognuna di loro è legata, e viceversa. E' un'unione più profonda, che rispecchia l'essenza del loro compagno. Non voglio svelarvi troppo, poichè per me stessa è stata una piacevole sorpresa scoprire che c'era dell'altro, lasciandomi carpire sfumature sempre più vaste di questa intrigante storia.
Lo stesso rapporto varia da una coppia all'altra, e anche se mi verrebbe da dire che ho apprezzato maggiormente quella composta da Uriel e Eleanor, non esiste una configurazione standar delle relazioni fra arcangeli e cherubine da cui poter partire per analizzare ogni coppia. Perciò ho trovato in entrambe un'intesa e un modo di fare che non posso paragonare, ma che ho apprezzato e di cui mi sono letteralmente infatuata!

E aspettate di sentirvi scorrere sulla pelle l'adrenalina che precede ogni scontro.. e lo scoppio dell'azione nelle vene, la sensazione di avere a portata di mano l'esito della battaglia, eppure indugiare ancora fino all'ultimo col dubbio che quest'intrigante quanto possente gruppo di angeli possa perdere il suo vantaggio. Per non parlare del modo in cui il libro finisce... sempre così irrimediabilmente in sospeso... quanto mi faranno attendere stavolta??

Mi sento quasi in colpa ad averlo divorato tanto in fretta, avrei voluto che durasse in eterno. Non riesco a capacitarmi del fatto che sia finito così! E'... terribilmente frustrante, come quando un forte vento vi investe, costringendovi a chiudere gli occhi e cercare subito un appiglio per non cadere e poi di colpo... si fermasse, lasciandovi storditi. Ecco, sono stordita, completamente. Ma sono sicura che un'intensità simile, se non maggiore, mi terrà incollata al sequel, nel momento in cui uscirà. Spero che la leggereditore non ci faccia aspettare troppo! Prevedo problemi e guai e tante domande a cui devo assolutamente trovare una risposta. Heather Killough-Walden è una maga del genere paranormal, se non avete ancora iniziato questa serie, beh, fatelo subito!

[CriCra CriCra · Rating 4 out of 5]

La mia recensione sul Blog, Sognando Leggendo:
http://sognandoleggendo.net/blog/?p=2...

Il Messaggero dell’Angelo di Heather K. Walden è il 2° libro dedicato alla Serie Lost Angels. Nel primo libro abbiamo fatto una prima conoscenza, a tutto tondo, dei protagonisti sovrannaturali che in maniera del tutto celata alle popolazioni umane, vivono sulla Terra.

Con mia grande gioia quindi torno ad occuparmi di un libro in cui sono racchiusi due degli argomenti che di gran lunga sono i miei preferiti. Numero uno: gli Angeli o in questo caso ancora meglio gli Arcangeli. Esseri soprannaturali, divini, belli, forti, affascinanti... insomma dei “ gran pezzi di fighi con le ali. ”

Argomento numero due: l’ambientazione nel paese della Scozia. I suoi verdeggianti e suggestivi spazi, ammantati di storia antica, magia e vecchie tradizioni. Città e famiglie intere orgogliosamente attaccate alla loro terra, alle loro usanze e ai loro miti.

Lì c’era tutto: antichi castelli, un passato affascinante,
rovine, rocce nere con muschio giallo e prati verdi,
gabbiani di un bianco brillante, insenature acquamarina,
dorate spiagge sabbiose, innumerevoli piccole isole piene di
monasteri abbandonati e cimiteri e torri, ondulate colline viola di
erica in fiore, albe nebbiose e stelle luminose che la notte brillavano
contro un cielo limpido...
Adesso capiva da dove venivano le favole.

La breve nota introduttiva al testo, ci ricorda essenzialmente l’articolazione sommaria della trama. Quattro splendidi arcangeli scesi sulla terra: Uriel, l’ex angelo della vendetta, Gabriele, il messaggero, Michele, il guerriero e Azrael l’ex angelo della morte. Sono alla ricerca millenaria delle “cherubine”, le loro anime gemelle, donate ad ognuno di essi dal creatore celeste. Sfortunatamente non sono gli unici a cercarle.

A contrastarli ovviamente non potevano mancare i cattivi. Gli Adariani, una razza di arcangeli diversa ma altrettanto potente, dai poteri ineguagliabili e unici nel loro genere. Comandati dal Generale Kevin Trenton o conosciuto meglio come Abraxos, nella loro lingua madre.

Tra questi avversari, spicca inoltre la figura enigmatica di Samael. Forse il più potente arcangelo tra tutti loro. La sua presenza, come nel primo libro, avrà un ruolo di rilievo nella storia. Alla fine ci si chiederà davvero se lui rappresenta il bene o il male. È un amico? O un nemico subdolo, disposto a tutto pur di ottenere quanto di più proficuo per lui? Di certo lo si scoprirà, con maggiore approfondimento, nei prossimi libri.

I buoni e i cattivi hanno questi immensi poteri sovrannaturali che variano dalla telecinesi, alla manipolazione degli elementi della natura, alla lettura del pensiero e al controllo delle menti. E le cherubine con il loro rarissimo potere di guarigione dei feriti, sono la classica “ciliegina sulla torta”.

La cherubina protagonista questa volta è Juliette, un’avvenente donna dai folti capelli castani con splendenti occhi color nocciola cangianti verso una tonalità di verde intenso, a seconda del suo stato d’animo. La vita di Juliette già attorniata da strani fenomeni inspiegabili alla sua logica, cambierà totalmente dal giorno alla notte nel momento in cui, incontrerà l’uomo destinato ad essere l’altra metà della sua anima.

Il suo arcangelo predestinato da più di duemila anni, Gabriele. Un uomo affascinante, corpulento e magnifico per i suoi splendenti occhi color argento fuso. Un amore immenso. Un amore celestiale per mano divina. Nato per ritrovarsi e continuare a vivere nel tempo.

Duemila anni. Venti secoli. Era un bel po’ di tempo
da passare alla ricerca di una persona. Quando aveva alzato
gli occhi, scorgendo quello sguardo verde-marrone e
percependo dentro di sé l’immagine che aveva sognato nelle
ultime settecentomila notti, Gabriele aveva capito subito che la
sua lunga ricerca era finita. Non poteva lasciarla andare.
Non l’avrebbe persa di nuovo, per nessun motivo.

Ci si accorgerà quasi fin da subito come all’interno della storia le vicende di ogni singolo personaggio siano concatenate tra loro. Infatti non avremo sotto gli occhi solo la storia tra Gabriele e Juliette, ma ognuno di loro, sia buono o cattivo, svolgerà una parte da coo-protagonista di rilievo ai fini della trama stessa.

Bisogna però portare la massima attenzione, altrimenti si potrebbe correre il rischio di cadere in confusione per la presenza, appunto, di tutti questi personaggi. Lo stile semplice e articolato dell’autrice comunque, renderà questo compito abbastanza facile.

La storia in questo modo è resa molto interessante e intrigante. Ti trasporta con molta semplicità. Ogni personaggio attira subito l’attenzione, scaturendo allo stesso tempo la tua simpatia o antipatia verso i suoi confronti. Come si suol dire, in questa trama, c’è talmente “tanta carne al fuoco”, così ricca e gustosa, da rimanere infine appagati e molto sazi.

Leggendo questo racconto, in apparenza, sembra di partecipare ad una lunga maratona che ti lascia senza fiato. Ma al suo interno, al momento giusto, ti accorgi del piazzamento di “strategiche piazzole di sosta” adatte a far riprendere un po’ di respiro e proseguire poi la corsa... fino ad arrivare al traguardo finale.

Alla conclusione della lettura sono rimasta davvero molto soddisfatta. Una serie bella, interessante e altrettanto dettagliata. Forse non brillerà di originalità ma è comunque molto valida. Ovviamente sono ansiosa di leggere i prossimi episodi. Non voglio assolutamente perdermi l’avventura che vedrà protagonista il tenebroso Azrael, l’ex angelo della morte e l’incontro con la sua cherubina. Come serie, ve la consiglio calorosamente. Buona lettura a tutti.

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Brogue
Gabriel. *sigh* I had no idea the silver-tongued angel with that Scottish brogue and broody ways was such a romantic. But then, the right girl will do that to you, and Juliette is definitely his archess. Holy St. Elmo's Fire, these two really scorch the earth with their intense passion. But of course, it's not all red roses and rainbows for these lovers. Trouble comes fast and hard...you could even say it comes with a vengeance. Of course, that slithering worm Samael is still in the mix, stirring the pot, so to speak, and creating havoc just when the four favorites really don't need any more chaos in their lives.

This is a majestically beautiful love story, worthy of angels. One that fills the reader's heart with hope, joy, light, and love: one that reminds you to believe in the goodness, purity, and beauty of pure love. Yeah, romance at its best.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one, even though Gabriel starts the story by being an idiot with Juliette. He makes up for it though so all is well!
The story is mainly the same as the first book: Archangel and archess meet, instant attraction because they are soul mates, Adarians came on to steal the archess, Samael plays in the background to help the archess and further his own plans (that are still undisclosed)
It may seem boring, but there are variations here and there that makes this book unique and the story not a retelling of the previous one.
The love story is good, but what I'm really curious about is Samael... I can't wait to reach his book to put all the pieces of the puzzle together!

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: An action-packed novel with great characters in an amazing setting of Scotland. This was a great follow-up novel in the Lost Angels series.

Opening Sentence: Juliette sidled back on the massive four-poster bed, a remotely hesitant part of her still wanting to get away.

The Review:

I was way more impressed with Messenger’s Angel than I was with Avenger’s Angel. Maybe it was because the series has been set up so I didn’t have to sit through long bouts of exposition. Messenger’s Angel was much more action packed and the tension brought on by the bad guys hunting down Juliette really helped move this book along. The page length of this book, to me, was pretty long but it certainly didn’t feel that way. I also thoroughly enjoyed Gabriel, his Scottish accent and Juliette.

Messenger’s Angel begins with Juliette traveling to Scotland to do research for a television pilot and to finish her paper for her PhD. She is being funded by Samael, the archangel whose grand scale plan isn’t known as of yet. Unknown to Juliette, she is also being followed by an Adarian, one of the evil archangels that fought against the four favored (Uriel, Gabriel, Azrael and Michael) from the previous book. He needs Juliette if he wants to survive what the Adarian leader (Kevin) has in store.

Juliette’s powers as an archess have just recently surfaced. She is still trying to figure things out when she runs into Gabriel at a bar and is instantly struck by his beauty. He equally returns the favor by kissing her and she runs away. Right after, she is attacked by the Adarian but saved by Gabriel. Events unfold leaving her with lies told by Samael before she uncovers the truth about what she is and about what Gabriel is.

Kevin or Abraxos as he is often called has gone completely insane. He was nuts before but now he has come up with a plan that will certainly get him the healing powers he so very wants. It is his insanity that makes him a perfect bad guy because he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The rest of the Adarians follow him without question and they have no problem using what powers they have to fight the four favored angels.

The romance is quick and hot since it is one of those love at first sight romances. Even though Juliette tried to deny it at first it doesn’t take her long to give in. And you can feel the romance they have for each other in every glance and touch they have, but since they are constantly fighting off someone it is hard for the romance to stay hot.

Juliette is a level-headed woman. She doesn’t really go insane like you think she would when she realizes she has powers. She investigates and experiments and knows that it is her doing these things. She freaks out inwardly but on the outside she realizes that she has these powers for a reason. Gabriel is just drop dead sexy, with his dark hair and silver eyes, and his Scottish accent. He does his best to woo her. He is definitely not the domineering/demanding man that Uriel was in Avenger’s Angel.

Messenger’s Angel also has many points of view from Gabriel, Juliette, Lilith, Samael, Daniel to Kevin. Seeing inside the bad guys heads really added to the depths that they would go to get Juliette’s powers and just to see how plain crazy they are. The setting of this book in Scotland was an amazing detail and I loved to read the detail in the scenery and places that these characters went.

Overall, Messenger’s Angel was an amazing follow up to Avenger’s Angel with better characters, an amazing setting and uber-creepy baddies to suit. With the revelations that were brought to light in this novel about the archesses, I can’t wait to read Azrael’s and Sophie’s story next.

Notable Scene:

Somewhere in the distance thunder rolled, barely audible over the rhythmic sound of the train on the tracks. But Black’s eyes cut from the hair in his hand to Juliette’s eyes once more, and he cocked his head to one side. He said nothing, as if waiting for her to continue.

“But I don’t know you and you’re…” She trailed off again.

“I’m wha’, Juliette?” he asked softly.

He knows my name, she thought. For some reason, she wasn’t surprised. He seemed unreal, sitting there only inches from her, more solid than a sable-draped statue of bronze. He seemed impossible, like a superhero. Like a dream. You’re scaring me.

Thunder boomed closer to the train, the storm obviously having moved in, as it was easier to hear over the metal slide of the rails. Something strange flashed in the light gray depths of Gabriel’s eyes. He gently released her hair and leaned in a bit, closing the space between them. “You’ll want to control that, luv.” He smiled a decidedly dark smile. “Let it rage an’ it’ll drain your strength.” He leaned in even farther so that Juliette’s head bumped the wall behind her. “An’ then how will you fight me off, lass?”

Juliette could barely breathe now. Her mind fought to process what he had just said, even as her body fought with itself over the effect he was having on her. Enough of his words got through that her blood pressure shot through the roof, and adrenaline poured into her bloodstream. “Control what?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“The storm, Juliette,” he replied. “It’s one of your powers as an archess, it it no’? An’ from the way it’s growin’ stronger by the moment, I’d wager it’s a fairly new one to you.”

FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Messenger’s Angel. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[E_bookpushers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review originally posted at Thebookpushers.

Publisher: Signet
Publish Date:
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Since the beginning of time, the archangels have longed to know true love.

When four female angels were created for the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Azrael, a chaos spurred by jealousy erupted, and the archesses were secreted away to Earth. The four favored archangels followed, prompting a search that has lasted millennia…

For hundreds of years, Gabriel has passed himself off as a common Scottish villager. Few know he is the Messenger, a powerful archangel who has secretly scoured the world for the only woman who can complete him. Now, he’s shocked to discover the object of his desire in his own backyard.

Researching her Ph.D. in the Outer Hebrides, Juliette Anderson has always been the rational type—until she looks across a quaint pub into the silver eyes of a stranger. He’s handsome. He’s intense. And he claims her with a searing kiss on the spot.

Every instinct tells her to run. But when a dark force rises, and the truth of her identity is revealed, she must put her faith in the mysterious man who enflames her.
This blurb came from Goodreads.

Back in November I did a joint review with MinnChica on the first book of this series Avenger’s Angel. As I stated in that review I thought the series had potential, so when we were offered a chance to review Messenger’s Angel I went ahead and accepted. Unfortunately this one really didn’t keep my interest.

The three remaining single archangels, now aware that their archesses do exist have hopes that they will encounter them but have not restarted searching. In fact they seemed to just continue their normal existence as they have for thousands of years. They also did not seem to be making any effort towards tracking down the hiding spot of the Adarians even after their experiences with them in Avenger’s Angel. If anything the impression I received of Gabriel was one who was tired of things staying in the same pattern but at the same time not doing anything to change that pattern. On the other hand the Adarians were actively looking for the archesses as well as trying to come up with new ways to rid the world of the archangels. Their leader was certainly evil incarnate and while he had led his men for thousands of years and never actively betrayed any, he had made the decision that it was time to sacrifice the weaker of their number in order to gain a greater advantage over the archangels and therefore the ability to take the archesses for their powers.

Juliette had only recently discovered the fact that she had the ability to do certain things and still really didn’t believe or understand it. While I am sure she was extremely intelligent in her field, outside of that she struck me as not having any common sense and in fact prone to having To Stupid To Live (TSTL) moments which conveniently bring her into the grasp of the Adarians on more then one occasion. She signs a contract with Sam regarding some particular historical research, which brings her to Gabriel’s location. From there she encounters Gabriel, the Adarians, Sam and Lilith. She sways between disbelief, anger and eager acceptance/lust/love. I was not able to buy into her complete switch from anger and hurt at Gabriel’s lies of omission to love/lust during a date that he forced on her. She also had some other strange mental epiphanies that just happened.

I was not very impressed with Gabriel. His method of wooing Juliette consisted of getting personal information that his brother Azrael pulled from her mind and using that to create “perfect dates” etc. Yes he did risk his life for her and tried several times to get her to go to safety, which she didn’t do, but he seemed to be under the impression that he did not need to know who she was as a person or allow her to know him. If he was concerned about what the Adarians were doing and how it would impact not just his archess but those of his brothers’ then he would have made information sharing a priority like they did in the first book.

I found that the things I liked about the first book were sadly lacking in this second installment. Lilith, who played an important role in the first book, appeared to be a shadow of herself without any influence or will of her own. Sam continued manipulating things behind the scenes using his contracts and a few other things but I never had any doubt whose side he was working on. Granted I don’t know his ultimate goal yet but I never had a sense of ambiguity regarding his motives. The interaction between the four brothers outside of fighting the Adarians was extremely limited. The lead-up to the identification of the next archess was extremely obvious from the very first mention of her name. I also noticed some continuity issues for example regarding stolen luggage that then somehow re-appears intact. As a result of the cardboard characters and continuity issues, the potential that I saw in the first book failed to materialize here resulting in a rather disappointing read. While I have hopes that this fell victim to what is referred to at the sophomore slump in a series I have to admit I have my doubts.

I give Messenger’s Angel> a D

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rate: 4.5-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pg-21 (vivid sex but rare)
Series: The Lost Angels

I almost didn't pick this series bc I felt like it was going to be just another paranormal romance with little context and a lot of sex sex sex 🙄..blah blah...But NO I WAS WRONg..this series was actual really really good. The characters are solid and it has a good storyline ..so far. Very Similar to "Fallen" series.

Mrs.C. 💋

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love unusual paranormal worlds, then Juliette and Gabriel's story will introduce you to enough unique characters to keep us both in agonizing anticipation of what will happen next in the LOST ANGELS series. Yes, there are more than cookies on the dark side!

Juliette Anderson is a struggling anthropology student working on her thesis for her PHD. When she's given a financial opportunity in Scotland, she signs the contract without thinking. After her luggage is lost and one obstacle after another seems to be telling her to go home, Juliette can't imagine anything weirder, but déjà vu is a hard thing to shake off, especially when she meets the angel from her dreams. Then there's that discovery that she can now heal people with her touch, plus that pesky lightning she can generate. Has the strain of her studies finally sent her over the edge?

Gabriel Black lives a dual life. To those in Scotland, he's Gabriel Black, son of Duncan Black in this century. To his brothers and his good friend Stuart, he's Gabriel, the Messenger Archangel. Living for centuries has its advantages, but secrecy is harder to keep if you continue to come back to the same location. Gabriel takes that risk for his beloved Scotland, hoping to someday find his own archess, just like his brother Uriel found his Eleanore.

It's instant sexual attraction when Juliette and Gabriel meet, but Gabriel isn't exactly subtle in his approach, and Juliette would rather run than wait for explanations. After all, her life is weird enough at the moment without having an angel lust after her. Even though I knew Juliette and Gabriel were perfect for one another, I continuously doubted whether fate would allow their relationship to blossom in this century. Everyone wants Juliette. Can she realize her potential before it's too late? I love it when I doubt and worry about a couple, especially when it's as action-packed as this book.

In the beginning, I wasn't sure that I would be able to read MESSENGER'S ANGEL, book two, without reading AVENGER'S ANGEL, book one. This novel didn't grab me until page seventy-five, which happened to be chapter ten, and I was enthralled from that moment until the end. Once I finished, I did go back and re-read the first seventy-four pages and understood them completely, but by that time, I had adapted to the world and the characters. That leaves me to believe that for me, starting a paranormal series in the unintended order often has its consequences. If you read book one, you will probably sail right through without a hitch.

MESSENGER'S ANGEL has plenty of action, vivid descriptions of Scotland, magic and sensuality scattered throughout, which is expected when you're dealing with immortals who have been looking for two thousand years for the "one" who completes them. I really couldn't read fast enough and I thought about the book when I wasn't reading it, which made me feel a bit obsessive about it.

I can't say that I've ever thought of angels as being sensually attractive before, but Heather Killough-Walden has created a world of good and evil where those who love the bad boys will get as much enjoyment as those who love the good guys. I don't want to say too much so I don't spoil the fun, but I think there's enough variety to go around so that every reader will find someone to dream about. And for those dark paranormal lovers, there are beings to satisfy your craving too. Whew ‒ hot!

MESSENGER'S ANGEL is filled with some very creative world-building that captivates at a faster pace as you delve deeper into the book. Four archangels are trying to find their mates who are four female angels, the archesses, who were made specifically for the "favored" archangels. The archesses' special supernatural abilities aren't known to themselves or their archangels, so the reader is teased with the suspense as it unfolds. Then there are the Adarians, another group of archangels, who want the archesses as much as their intended archangels do, but for different reasons, which pitches the suspense upward once again. Of course, the archangels and the archesses try to live normal lives on earth, so it's fun to discover their human-like identities which add to their allure. And then there's Samael, the "Fallen One," one of the original Adarian archangels, who seems to be someone we're going to have to stew about for several books to come. Dangerous and enigmatic, he's hard to ignore. Nice touch, Ms. Killough-Walden – I'm definitely intrigued and anxious for DEATH'S ANGEL, book three.

If you love Scottish history and life's mysteries mixed with a variety of paranormal and fantasy elements, then I recommend MESSENGER'S ANGEL as a unique twist of rapid-fire entertainment in novel form. MESSENGER'S ANGEL has an inkling of a super-hero feel to it, as well as a gothic eeriness to rev up your anxiety, while you waver on tenterhooks for the villains' demise. And for those who love wicked villains? I don't think they're done with any of us yet!

4.5 Blue Ribbon Review Courtesy of Romance Junkies.

[Claudia Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.2

Muy parecido al libro anterior. Es un poco difícil interesarse en la trama al principio, pero mejora al final.

Confieso que he seguido leyendo esta serie porque me intriga muchísimo el personaje del tercer libro, Azrael.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel, an angel with a Scottish accent. Where do I get one?

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged on towards the end. I think I enjoyed the first in the series more.

[Lisa]

can't say much but do love this series of books. thank u

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one, it kept me on my toes