Monday, August 4, 2014

{Blog Tour + Two Reviews + Giveaway} Revelation + Restraint by Randi Cooley Wilson




About Book 1 REVELATION:

Revelation by Randi Cooley Wilson
Published May 1st, 2014
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 314








A DIVINE SECRET,
A LOYAL PROTECTOR,
A FORBIDDEN LOVE.
Eve Collins starts her freshman year at college blissfully unaware that one revelation will challenge everything she’s believed to be true about her family, life, and future, and right in the midst of it all is Asher St. Michael.
Mysterious and aloof, Asher is appointed to protect Eve at all costs. Bound by his oath of loyalty to mankind, loving her is forbidden. 
Dark and enigmatic, Gage Gallagher may be even more dangerous to Eve than the demonic army that hunts her.
Caught in the middle of a centuries old war, Eve must choose sides knowing that the wrong choice will cost more than just her life. 
Can Asher and Eve fulfill their destinies or will their love destroy everything?
Revelation is a journey of self-discovery, love, and sacrifice. 
This is volume one of a series


{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Randi Cooley Wilson uses popular tropes (and my favorite tropes) - secrets, star crossed lovers, a destiny - but adds in interesting elements - all the secrets of Asher St. Michael which I won't spoil - to create an intriguing, unique story filled with characters I love, a bit of action and excitement, and romance.

Eve's a good heroine. She's a loyal friend, she's imperfect. And she doesn't deal well with all the revelations, because really, when all that crap gets dumped on you? No one would deal well. She doubts herself even as she discovers her hidden reserves. And the boy problems? Almost as difficult to deal with as the secrets.

Asher. The mysterious, brooding, difficult, appealing Asher. After a bit I found the on/off switch in his emotions a little off-putting but it does really show how torn he is between want and duty. I'm a sucker for a protector and I loved his commitment to Eve's safety. And the fact that he has secrets? I couldn't wait to discover them.

The other characters. Aria. Callan. Abby. Keegan. Even Kenna. Callan was hands-down my favorite character. His charm, optimism, sweetness and the baking.

I liked the pacing. I didn't feel like there was too much filler before we found out more about what was going on, the whos and whys, even as Randi Cooley Wilson teases us about the secrets we've yet to discover. I did sometimes find her writing style a little jarring. There would be ways she phrased things that would take me out of the story, but that's really a minor complaint. And the cover? Perfect for the storyline.

When I got to the end of the story - gasp! - I couldn't wait to dive into book two, Restraint.


About Book 2 RESTRAINT:


Restraint (The Revelation Series, Volume Two) by Randi Cooley Wilson
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 300
Publication Date: August, 2014



A FORBIDDEN LOVE WILL BECOME DEEPER.
A LOYALTY WILL BE TESTED.
AND ONLY DARKNESS WILL REMAIN.
One revelation changed everything, turning Eve Collin’s world upside down with grief and questions of identity and allegiance. Now as she flees enemies that refuse to give up, Eve must also face the mounting attraction between herself and her gargoyle protector. Will she ever truly be safe? How much will she sacrifice to survive and who will she become?
Restraint is an addictive pleasure a spellbinding continuation of Eve’s journey of self-discovery, love and sacrifice.
Readers captivated by Revelation will eagerly devour Restraint.
Restraint is volume two in The Revelation Series.


Excerpt:

"Sleep Over" - Asher and Eve, Restraint Excerpt
I’m brushing my teeth when Asher swaggers into the bathroom. He leans his hip against the counter and just watches me. It’s starting to freak me out. I squint at him before spitting.
     “Can I help you?”
     “Huh?” he asks.
     “You’re staring.” I tip my toothbrush at him.
     “Am I?” He tilts his head to the side and crosses his arms.
     I spit one last time and start my flossing routine and gargle my mouth rinse, all while Asher just stands there, observing me. Seriously, what’s he doing?
     “Curious about dental care?”
     “Curious about you,” he shoots back.
     “Okay.”
     He shrugs. “I like watching you do normal, everyday things.”
     I blink. “Did you get clocked in training today?”
     “No.” He slides his hands into the pockets of his pajama bottoms. “Want to have a sleep over?”
     “Sleepover?” I repeat, less than enthused.
      “Pajamas, pillow fights, gossip. You know, sleepover,” he clarifies, like I’m an idiot.
      I sigh. “You’re freaking me out. What the hell is going on?”
      He reaches for me and grabs the hem of my tank top, pulling me towards him. I stumble a bit and have to place my hands on his shoulders for balance as he tugs me closer. “I want you in my bed tonight. I was hoping you’d fall asleep in my arms.” His eyes lock onto mine.

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it! 

{Review}

If you haven't read book one, Revelation, stop here. Go read Revelation, it's great, - don't worry, I'll wait. Ready?

Randi Cooley Wilson turns up the dial on everything in Restraint, the sexual chemistry, the danger, the connection between Eve and Asher, the romance, the risk they take if they pursue their attraction.

The world gets a little bigger in Restraint. We meet other characters, both good and bad and jealousy inducing. We also get to see a little more about the effects of the bond and the sacrifices Eve and Asher each have to make. As to their relationship, despite the continuing on/off nature of their relationship I really like them together in their sweet moments - the Property of London tee shirt - and their steamier ones, even when they're at each other's throats.

I like that Randi Cooley Wilson isn't afraid to hurt her characters, to injure them physically and emotionally, to take away what they love the most, it definitely makes for an interesting read. And the end? Another gasp! What?! Where is book three? Must read now!



The Giveaway:

Signed copy of Revelation and Restraint open Internationally
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In addition to the giveaway the winner will also be able to choose Callan's next Apron Saying in book 3.

Love Callan St, Michael's aprons? Now is your chance to pick the saying for book 3, Redemption:

"Be a flirt and lift your shirt."

"If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you."

"Can I check to see if my hot dog fits your bun?"

Choose one, winner will be put into book 3!!!


About the Author:

Randi was born and raised in Massachusetts where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she moved to California where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years. Randi and her husband recently moved back to Massachusetts with their daughter where she was encouraged to begin writing again. Revelation is her first novel and The Revelations Series is her first New Adult Paranormal Romance book series.
“I’ve had a love affair with books, writing and storytelling since childhood. It has been a dream of mine to introduce this world and these characters to you. I hope I’ve done them justice.”
Randi loves to hear from readers, you can reach out to her via Twitter: R_CooleyWilson and/or Facebook: authorrandicooleywilson


Twitter: R_CooleyWilson

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