Heavenly Desire

Elemental Sisters #3

by J.L. Sheppard

Jade Ashley has a past she’d like to forget and a destiny she isn’t aware of. A stranger, Clyde, saves her from an attack and demonstrates extraordinary abilities she believed only she possessed. Soon, she realizes he’s her guardian angel sent to reunite her with her long lost sisters, who like her are part of a new breed of immortals, Elementals, prophesied to determine the outcome of the upcoming war.

Clyde, an angel, battles the one thing he believes will lead to his fall from heaven—his new found emotions, forbidden among his kind. Nonetheless, the Angel Lords promise to promote him to warrior when he completes his last assignment—to find Jade. When he does, emotions he never knew possible arise. For the first time in two thousand years, he curses his existence, knowing she can never be his. Will he sacrifice his wings for a woman he loves but can’t keep?

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2014

About the author

J.L. Sheppard lives in South Florida. She has an extraordinary passion for books, reading, and writing.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The war between good and evil is coming and the Elemental Sisters are prophesied to be the ones to tip the scales of victory. From the unique talents of J. L. Sheppard, Heavenly Desire takes us on a journey of loneliness, attraction, longing and even confusion as Clyde, a guardian angel is tasked with bringing in the beautiful Ashley to reunite with two of her long lost sisters. Scarred by her childhood both physically and emotionally, Ashley’s life hasn’t treated her kindly; she has trust issues and low self-esteem. There is no way what Clyde has told her could be true, but desperate for a sense of the family she lost long ago, they begin the journey that will change eternity. Angels do not “feel” emotions, they do not mate, but Clyde’s heart is saying Ashley is his, while his head tells him, “this is an impossible dream.” He cannot risk becoming a fallen one by forsaking his angelic commitments for a woman he must learn to live without, because surely the signs are there and she has already met her fated, eternal mate. Would YOU tempt the fates or the lords for the one you love?

Equal parts romantic, heartbreaking and just good old fashioned entertaining, Heavenly Desire has that special something that makes each turn of the page a gateway to emotional turmoil, danger, and forbidden passions. As J. L. Sheppard leads us through the maze she has created, Clyde is all a guardian angel should be, a divine protector, a friend and, well, miserably confused by these new emotions he is feeling toward Ashley. Ashley is a product of her past, but shows a vein of bravery and courage as she relies on instinct to use her abilities. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon and you’ll fall in love with J. L. Sheppard’s world, her words and her characters, whose diversities are like a melting pot of the supernatural! Add this gem to your treasure chest of reading.


I received an ARC edition from J. L. Sheppard in exchange for my honest review!:)
Series: Elemental Sisters - Book 3
Publication Date: September 10, 2014
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc; Black Rose 1st edition
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Print Length: 254 pages
Available from: Amazon

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde is an angel sent to guard Jade Ashley and reunite her with her long lost sisters to join in preparing for the upcoming war, but Clyde has his own battle to fight, he has to decide if he’s willing to give up his wings for a woman he loves but cannot keep in this captivating paranormal romance. The war with the evil immortals is still going strong and of course they come after Ashley and one of them has every intention of claiming her for her as his mate, which adds lots of spice and excitement to the story. I was completely caught up in the story from the very beginning and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I also want to mention that you may want to read the series in order to get the full impact of the Elemental Sisters stories.

“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©

See my full review at:

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...

[Paranormal Romance Junkies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent continuation of the Elemental Sisters series. With each of the books you learn more secrets of the Elementals and none have disappointed me yet. Each sister so far has been unique in her abilities and most certainly have very unique mates. I look forward to when all of the sisters are finally reunited and we get to see what they can all do once they are all together. Not really a dull moment at any time and I would recommend to anyone that likes paranormal romance books.


~Storm

[Amber Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of J. L. Sheppard This in the the third book in her Elemental Sisters Series.....It might just be my favorite! I really enjoyed the story of Ashley and Clyde. Clyde is so sweet and passionate while Ashley is just like her sisters, independent and hard headed.....I don't think we are done with the elemental sisters, I can't wait to read more!

[Chrissy Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was so happy, I was crying at the end. I can't wait for more books from J L Sheppard!!

[Angela Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a paranormal romance, the third book in the Elemental Sisters, but hopefully not the last in this series. I recommend this for adult paranormal lovers, being it does have some sexual content. This book is not meant to be a stand alone, you should read the other two books to get the full story. I am so excited that there are three sisters now reunited and I can not wait to see if there is more happy reunions waiting to be written.. please J.L. Sheppard! I love how the sisters have been separated for a long time but when they reunite it is like they have never been apart. Jade Ashley is like her sisters, independent and self sufficient but she is tender hearted. Clyde is an angel whom is not meant to have a mate, boy is he in for a surprise, but out of anyone else he is so deserving of love.

This is Jade Ashley's story, she prefers to be called Ashley. Ash is another elemental sister the one who puts others before herself. She has never met anyone who has powers, until the night when she was attacked. Clyde the mysterious man, whom she has see daily for the last few days steps in just in time. She is shock when he saves her by using some of the same powers she possesses. She has an instant connection to Clyde but he seems not to be interested in anything but getting to know her, he admits the real reason he has come into her life. He is to take Ash to her sisters, he is her Guardian Angel. And wow what an Angel.

Clyde is a Guardian Angel with one goal in mind, to become an angel class warrior. He is dedicated to doing what is expected by the Angel Lords. Well until he meets the one he is supposed to watch over. Jade Ashley is simply beautiful, and she is causing him to feel things he has never felt before. Will he give up all he has worked for to stay with Ashley? Give up heaven for a life with her?

Favorite passages:
"The blinding light surrounding him shined brighter than the sun on cloudless day, permeating his body and soothing any worries, burdens and sorrows."
"With that smile, man would stumble."
"I've never known a man to love a woman as much."
"He found himself wondering what it would feel like to have another complete him to such an extent it made his life make sense."
"A new beginning with my sisters."
"Despite dreaming about this moment for far to long, even as everything faded away, his presence remained like a torch inside her that had only just begun to burn and perhaps would never blow out."
"I'd rather have her scream and yell at me than feeling like I broke her."
"Go big or go home right?"
"I'd gladly give up heaven and my wings for her."
"You are not damaged. You are simply a miracle on earth."
"No matter how many millenniums he spent in heavens dome trying to rid himself of every emotion she stirred, he would never succeed."
"I will live with the memory of you in my heart because nothing can erase you from within me." <3

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! BEST BOOK from the Elemental Sisters Series, yet! I knew from the moment I met Clyde in Fate Forgotten I was going to fall for him and I did, hard! If you haven't read this series, then you have to! Even if you're not into paranormal/romance I highly recommend it. Even though I know there won't be another to top this book for me I'm really looking forward to the next book! My first angel book and I am ruined for all other angel books!

Clyde was just the most sweetest, kindest, and caring immortal I've ever read about. Maybe him being an angel has something to do with it, but his entire personality draws you in and makes you fall for him. I fell head over heels in love him and now he has a special part in my heart.

Clyde's next mission is to guard and protect Jade Ashley, one of the five elemental sisters, from the Malums after her guardian angel had fallen. When he first meets Ashley he immediately gets drawn in because of her beauty. He is so taken that he starts getting feelings for the elemental that he can't explain. Clyde tried befriending her to gain her trust and tell her the truth about her origin and her sisters meanwhile Ashley begins to stir feeling in him that he's never felt before and it's not long before it becomes obvious that they are fated to be together. Yet, he doesn't realize what it truly means for Angels don't feel those types of emotions and don't mate. Clyde denies her because of that and I felt like it was going to be like the other two books, but it was completely different because I understood the reasons why and I didn't once feel like it was a hot and cold relationship.

Ashley is the sweetest and shy from the other two sisters we've met and is so pure which is what made me really love her character. Ashley too is immediately taken with Clyde when she first lays eyes on him and feels the attraction. She was a little doubtful about his intentions at first, but gives him chance anyway. Even though she had some insecurities and couldn't believe he was interested but she still went with it.

What I mostly loved about Ashley was the fact that she knew her feelings for Clyde and knew in her heart that they were fated for each other. After learning about Angels and how they don't procreated, she still knew in her heart that Clyde is her mate. It made my heart swell how wonderful she was with Clyde and how she tried to make him see that they are truly fated for each other. J.L. Sheppard couldn't have given Clyde a better mate than Ashley, they truly are soulmates.

Clyde and Ashley will forever be in my heart! <3 

*Book copy kindly provided by author for honest review


Three Filthy Bookers

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

This is the third book in the series, and it might be best to start with the first one. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, this could lead to some confusion, especially regarding the world-building and mythology.

Read full review in the 2015 March issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Chrissy Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was so happy, I was crying at the end. I can't wait for more books from J L Sheppard!!

[Hannah (Sakurahan or ForeverBooks18) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi Readers,

I've just finished Heavenly Desire by J. L. Sheppard, a great book about love and sacrifice, among other things. Thank you to NetGalley for granting me access to read it!

4 Stars!

NOTE: Heavenly Desire is a new adult/adult novel with a few sex scenes towards the end. I'd say 17+ year olds could read it but everyone is different and can handle different things. Also there's an abusive thread running through part of this novel. Although, it never happens in real time in the book, there are flashbacks and recounts of it.

Heavenly Desire is the third book in the Elemental Sisters series. I'd say you should read books 1 and 2 first, though. I didn't because I didn't have time to (NetGalley arcs are only available for a little while). It was fine to read on its own but you'll get more of the story if you read all three, I think.

I read this book for the "Book with a scary cover" challenge on the Life And Lit Boo!kish Bingo Challenge on Facebook. I thought the shadow behind the guy looked like a creepy ape, although I'm pretty sure it's meant to be the lead male character who's an angel.

The Elementals series is written in 3rd person. While I understand why this was used, I think, it would have been nice to have had the story from the main character's perspectives. This would have made me feel closer to the characters.

Heavenly Desire is about Clyde, an angel and Jade, otherwise known as Ashley. Clyde is told to protect Ashley by his superior angels because she's unknowingly, an Elemental. What he doesn't expect, though is to fall in love with her...

Spoilers below...

At the beginning of Heavenly Desire, Clyde is introduced. He's an angel, up in heaven, looking down on the world when we meet him. There are some details from the previous books too, like how he thought Jenna, Ashley's sister, was "his" to mate with. This gave me enough of an introduction into the world and story to understand what was going on, however as I said above if this review wasn't for NetGalley, I would have definitely read the other two novels first.

After we're introduced to Clyde, we see Ashley. She's an American pastry chef working in London. Clyde is sent to watch over Ashley by his superiors when it's revealed that her guardian angel, Asher, became Fallen and turned evil. Clyde then becomes her new guardian angel. The angels tell Clyde,

"You are to ensure her safety. Take her to her sisters and do not under any circumstances leave her",

which denotes that Clyde is to make sure Ashley is kept safe, no matter what and delivered to her sisters in New York. He's not allowed to leave her either. At first he's annoyed about this but as he gets to know her he becomes her friend. As friends they tell each other secrets. Like how Ashley's adoptive mother died and how her adoptive father abused her because he couldn't live without his wife.

This friendship, however quickly becomes something more intense. I enjoyed this but I know that some people don't like it when characters fall in love quickly. Although, I wouldn't call this instalove, we know the main couple from the first couple of chapters. As this is a romance, we know the couple are prominent throughout.

When Clyde and Ashley get to New York, they're caught unawares by Asher, Ashley's previous guardian angel before he became Fallen. He wants to capture and hurt Ashley.

"The Malums were after her. Asher had attacked her"

shows that Clyde is the only one Ashley can trust. There is a war brewing between the Malums and the Elementalists. We don't really get much information of this war in Heavenly Desire, though, and as I haven't read the previous two books I don't feel I can explain it. All I know from this book is that Asher was once a guardian angel but he's become a Malum, one of the fallen.

After this, Ashley meets her two siblings. She has more but they haven't been found yet. There are some secrets discovered about their family that I don't want to spoil here.

Jenna is the older sister and Jaclyn is the next eldest. Jenna, as an Elemental sister is married to the King of Demons, Lucas and Jocelyn is married to a werewolf called Landon. The sisters have some funny moments discussing their other halves. And the men have some funny moments discussing their women too. All they want is to protect their females, however sometimes they go a little to far.

Heavenly Desire is ultimately about finding love and not letting it go. Angels aren't meant to fall in love, it's forbidden, however strongly Clyde and Ashley feel about each other. Is it love, though? Will Clyde give up being an angel for Ashley? Will he have to give up his role? You'll have to read to find out...

What did I like about Heavenly Desire?

I liked the witty banter/talk Ashley and Clyde had. It was as if they'd known each other longer than they actually had. This may have been why the romance seemed second nature between them.

I liked how all the characters seemed to bring something different to the story. Some were funny, some were caring, some were overprotective, some were evil etc.

I liked how the second half of the novel really focused on whether or not Ashley and Clyde would be together.

What didn't I like about Heavenly Desire?

I didn't like being thrown in the deep end with no information from books 1&2. That was my fault but I wish NetGalley would write what number a book in a series was. That way it would make it easier to choose and read the previous books before.

I didn't love the use of third person. I would have liked to have seen first person, mostly from Ashley's POV with maybe a few chapters from Clyde's POV. Clyde is an angel, which don't exist so the author could have written from that perspective without much issue, I think, even though he is a male character.

Overall, I really liked Heavenly Desire. I thought it had a good balance of romance and action. The characters were easy to tell apart, I found. I was never confused as to who I was reading about, which sometimes can happen with 3rd person stories. That's why I'm giving Heavenly Desire 4 Stars!

Will you be picking this up? Have you already read books 1&2 and liked them? Let me know in the comments below...

Stand by for my next review coming soon...

[lisa jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

jade is the 3rd sister found thats an elemental and her angel protector Clyde. Or could he be more in this exciting series. Best to read the first 2 books but you dont have too to enjoy this.

[Janet Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

his is another wonderful addition to a series that quickly became one of my favs! It’s a great story about being in love despite think it be an impossibility for you. I love that Clyde gets his happy ending :) can’t wait until the next installment!