Archangel's Kiss is book two of Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series and it picks up one year later after the end of Angel's Blood. Elena awakens from a year long coman to discover she has wings. Yes - wings. Her lover, Raphael transformed her into an angel. Something that hasn't been done in over half a millenia.

Elena must deal with the gifts and weaknesses of the life of a newly born angel. As a human she understood her limits - as a newborn angel she was weak and vulnerable. In contrast, Raphael's continued exposure to Elena, makes him more an more human - slowly chipping away his "inhuman" nature to uncover feelings that have taken root into his soul.

Singh has done a great job with exposing the vulnerabilities of Elena and Raphael and thier relationship. While you don't see much of the Guild in this book - you gain more information about the angels, Raphael's history and how and why he became the stoic member of the Archangels. We're introduced to more members of The Seven which will hopefully lead to more spin-off novels for the series. The vampire Dmitri and Angel Illium would be very well received with their own storylines.

If you're into urban fantasy and looking for something fresh and new - you can't go wrong with a sexy-heartstopping-Archangel from New York!



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Description from Goodreads.com

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.

Because 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…

Published: March 3rd 2009 by Berkley
Details: Mass Market Paperback, 339 pages
Available on Kindle: Yes

I have to admit, the "tweets" of fellow book bloggers are what drew me to Angel’s Blood. I’ve seen this book in the local library and book stores, but the title nor cover image grabbed me. It didn’t touch that special place in my brain (or wallet) that says “READ THIS NOW!!!”……… I’m so glad I’m on Twitter!

In Angel’s Blood, Nalini Singh creates a world where Angels rule – literally. Archangels are the leaders of the winged race with lower caste angels scattered throughout the population. Vampires are “made” by the angels and are held in servitude for centuries through the contracts they sign as part of the deal for immortality. However even deals sealed in blood can have its own problems and sometimes vampires try to renege on their contracts. Enter Elena Deveraux, Vampire Hunter.

Elena is the best vampire hunter that has ever worked for The Guild, the worldwide organization dedicated to policing errant vampires and “others”. But Elena is hunter-born. Her ability to scent and hunt vampires is a part of who she is – which makes her the best. Unlike “hunt-and-stake” traditional vampire hunters, Elena’s job is to tag, bag and return runaway vampires back to their angel masters alive. After all, a deal is a deal.

But when Raphael, New York’s most dangerous Archangel is confronted with a problem that could tear down the wall of secrets that surrounds his race, he hire’s Elena.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Singh creates a world that is both believable and fantastical. In this story – Angels aren’t the cute little cherubs with rosy cheeks, carrying bows and arrows. Here – they are blindingly beautiful and ancient in age. Power and control are all that matter to them. Be it with an iron fist or slick glaze of madness.

The chemistry between Elena and Raphael is fantastic. Raphael is the immovable object and Elena is the unstoppable force. Both characters are damaged emotionally, but the book is written in third person, so you’re able to see both points of view. There’s definitely sexual tension between Elena and Raphael, but it doesn’t become the all consuming focus of their relationship. Which I think is a good thing.

Angel’s Blood is fast paced and has a great flow from one scene to another. This is the first book of two currently published so I’m not giving away any spoilers – just know that the ending is so unexpected it will make you reach IMMEDIATELY for book two Archangel’s Kiss......... so you may want to have it handy!




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