Unwrapping: Review of KISS OF SURRENDER, a Dark Angels novel by Sandra Hill

Back in April of 2012, I reviewed the first book in the Deadly Angels series, KISS OF PRIDE, by Sandra Hill, and introduced you to the Vangels. The Vangels are a humorous group of seven Viking brothers who have each been found guilty of one of the seven deadly sins. The first was Vikar, whose sin was Pride. As soon as the second book in the series, KISS OF SURRENDER, was released last November, I knew I had to read it. My reading schedule finally allowed me the chance and because book 3, KISS OF TEMPTATION, is releasing at the end of March and I had to be caught up. More on that one another day.

***Print copy purchased for my own personal reading but of course, I'm going to share my thoughts with you.

Blurb for KISS OF SURRENDER:

It’s not easy being a Vampire Angel

No one knows that better than Trond Sigurdsson. In the centuries since he last went out drinking and wenching with his Viking buds, Trond has been a gladiator, a cowboy, a ditch digger...even a sheik. But now he’s the baddest of them all: a kick-butt Navy SEAL kicking butts of terrorist immortals with the help of his hotter-than-Hades female partner, police officer-turned-Special Forces operative Nicole Tasso—whom Trond dearly hopes to “partner” with very shortly in a whole different way.

It’s not easy being a Vangel’s lover

The “cop” part of Nicole tells her there’s something bizarre about her gorgeous godlike teammate. But her “all-woman” side can’t help wondering how great it would be to have a virile Viking in her bed. Trond has secrets galore, but Nicole feels certain she can dig them out—and really get to the heart of this powerful, unnerving stranger whom she may be risking her soul to love.

                                               *                       *                        *                       *                       *

Trond Sigurdsson is a Vangel and his sin is sloth - that's being lazy. He was so lazy when he was alive over a thousand years ago that he allowed the village under his protection to be attacked and innocent villagers slaughtered because he couldn't be bothered with getting out of bed. It's because of this sin that he's been made a Vangel, or vampire angel, and must spend his life, as it is, fighting Lucifer's evil minions - Lucipires, or Lucies as the Vangels refer to them. His current mission is to infiltrate the Navy S.E.A.L.S. and locate any members who might be tainted by Jasper's Lucies. What Trond doesn't expect to have to deal with is a nosy female S.E.A.L. or W.E.A.L. as they're called in this book. (This is fiction.) When push comes to shove and she ponders a most sensitive question - is he gay? - he takes it and runs with it. Better for her to believe he's gay than know how attracted he is to her and the truth about what he is ... or is it?

Nicole Tasso is suspicious by nature. She supposes it's the cop in her but it also may have to do with the distrust she has for most seemingly arrogant men like the handsome Viking, Trond, who manages to rub her the wrong way at every turn. Having survived and escaped an abusive marriage, Nicole has very little patience with a man like Trond but can't ignore her attraction to him. She knows he has a secret and she's determined to discover what it is. Having him admit that he's gay wasn't the secret she thought he had, but now her disbelief that this all man, man is gay has become a challenge to an all woman, woman like Nicole. Pushed together on an important mission, Nicole discovers more than she expects about Trond, about her attraction to him, and about the world which isn't as simple as she thought.

KISS OF SURRENDER by Sandra Hill is an adventurous story filled with humor, albeit sometimes corny, action, adventure and salvation. The Deadly Angels may not be for everyone but for those who enjoy a twist on vampires, this heavenly twist is one I believe you'll enjoy. Unlike some vampire series, this isn't as dark which I think might appeal to some who steer clear of paranormal because of the darkness in most. This series is fun and upbeat even when you're dealing with the demons. KISS OF SURRENDER provides that fun and upbeat feeling, including an unexpected friendship between Vangel and Lucipire. I do recommend that if you're interested in reading this paranormal romance or any of the Deadly Angels series that you start at the beginning with KISS OF PRIDE and then continue forward. It will all make much better sense if you do. If you read KISS OF PRIDE and enjoyed it, then you'll surely enjoy this one.

I recommend KISS OF SURRENDER by Sandra Hill if you're a fan of Sandra's, if you're a fan of humor filled paranormal romance, and by all means if you already read and enjoyed the first book in the Deadly Angels series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

KISS OF SURRENDER, a Deadly Angels novel by Sandra Hill, Avon Romance, available now in print and ebook formats. 

                                                                                                 

Unwrapping: Columbus Day

It's Columbus Day or rather the government holiday for Columbus Day so that a long weekend can be had by those fortunate enough to have it off. October 12th is traditionally Columbus Day but as with many holidays that have been moved out of convenience, the real date seems to have been forgotten. I personally don't forget because it's also my father's birthday - he'll be celebrating 91 yrs young.

    

     Christopher Columbus is attributed with the founding of the Americas in 1492.  Think of the excitement, the fear and speculation that he and his crews might never have returned. After all, it was still believed the earth was flat and that they would sail directly off the edge if they went too far.  We keep with the tradition that it was Columbus and his men that first set eyes on the Americas. Of course, he landed in Central America, not New York City.


     Many forget that it was the Vikings who first landed along the northeastern coast of North America nearly 500 years earlier. Of course, it wasn't as well documented or sponsored so perhaps that's the real reason we don't call it Leif Erikson Day instead of Columbus Day. However, yesterday - October 9 - was actually Leif Erikson Day and many, especially among the Scandinavian people of North America, do celebrate it. He represents the first Scandinavian to set foot on what is, today, American soil.

     I grew up celebrating Columbus Day. We told the story of how in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue in three ships,  The Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. Even today, there are parades in some of our biggest cities and of course, a three-day weekend for government employees. But what if it had been the Vikings who were given the real credit? Would it have made a difference to us?

     Perhaps if the Vikings had been given credit, we'd be drooling over great Viking statues rather than those of Christopher Columbus. Of course, I doubt that any of them were really as good-looking, sexy or as clean as Alexander Skarsgård's Viking Eric Northman in TRUE BLOOD which is based on the SOOKIE STACKHOUSE Series by Charlaine Harris, but it wouldn't be hard to deal with, would it?

    

      

     I have noticed there are a lot of romance novels featuring Viking themes with huge Viking heroes capturing the hearts of young beautiful Nordic women but why aren't there any about swarthy handsome Italians who explore and discover far off lands? I wouldn't mind a story centered around some tall, dark and Meditteraneanly handsome hero, would you?

     Oh well, until someone pens it, ... hmmm ... doesn't sound like a bad idea actually, perhaps I will. Until then, we're happy with our Vikings, aren't we? Romance Novels featuring Vikings, I mean -  like in Sandra Hill's newest release, THE NORSE KING'S DAUGHTER or perhaps in Connie Mason's VIKING!

         

 

     Regardless of whether you're of the school that the Vikings were the true discoverers of the New World or a traditionalist who believes Columbus should have the credit ... aren't you glad somebody had the courage, incentive and flat out GUTS to cross that huge ocean and see what lay beyond?  Thank you Vikings and Christopher Columbus ... Happy Columbus Day! 

     Happy Reading Everyone!