Nalini Singh - Angel's Blood

Nalini Singh seems the opposite to L&P – world famous, but not in New Zealand. A bit of research shows she’s been in NYT best seller lists; nine books in her Psy-Changelings series and soon to be three in the Guild Hunter series, plus a few others. She lives in Christchurch, has not a bad blog and a good website (warning – DO NOT go on this at work. J)

Anyway, as Nalini is signing at our Borders Armageddon stand, I picked up one of her titles, Angel’s Blood, the first of the Guild Hunter series. Christine Feehan raves about the author so if you like well-imagined paranormal, you should like the books.

Amazon description: Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad. The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

It’s been my “bus book” for a few days but I will admit to burning part of dinner last night as I had to finish it and know what happened. Cue protests from the kids. Overall, a solid 4 stars. Love how it’s in our world (like the Dark Hunter series, it’s a recognizable place, in this case, New York City), good plot, well written, leaves a bit to the imagination – I’m rushing onto book two now. And in case you were wondering, now that I've read this I get where LA Weatherly got her Angel idea from. But you already know how I feel about THAT book...

L.A. Weatherly - Angels

The tag on the back of this book (a publisher's promo) states "Eoin Colfer reinvented the fairy. Stephenie Meyer reinvented the vampire. L.A. Weatherly reinvents the angel".

Nope, what she does is use some demons. Been there, read it before. This was drivel aimed at the Meyer market with very little originality. If you want something with a decent plot and a better depiction of angels, read anything by Frank Perretti. If you're a teen and you want something original, with a plot (woo hoo) read Cassandra Clare. If you want something where the gorgeous but brooding hero falls in love with his beautiful, irresistable target, for goodness sake just read a Harlequin Mills & Boon. It's bound to be cheaper at least. And waste less of your life as a bonus.