5 star review for Heather Killough Walden's Death's Angel

Review: Death’s Angel by Heather Killough Walden

9 Jan posted by scandal

13568563 Title: Death’s Angel

Author: Heather Killough-Walden

Series: Lost Angels #3

Publisher: Signet

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Source: e-copy supplied by author for honest review

from Goodreads…

Since the beginning of time, the archangels have longed to know true love. When four female angels were created for the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Azrael, a chaos spurred by jealousy erupted, and the archesses were secreted away to Earth. The four favored archangels followed, prompting a search that has lasted millennia.

As the Angel of Death, Azrael could never be like his brothers. While the others fell to Earth in human form, Azrael descended as a vampire. Today, as the lead singer of a popular rock band, he keeps his true nature hidden–a powerful darkness constantly at odds with his angelic self. Beneath his mask, Azrael holds onto the hope that he will one day find the archess who will complete him.

At his brother Gabriel’s wedding, Azrael set his golden eyes on Sophie Bryce, the maid of honor. He is certain she is his destined mate, and will do anything to make her his. But Sophie is unaware of her archess identity, and is haunted by unspeakable demons of her own.

When supernatural forces emerge from the shadows, threatening Sophie, Azrael is the only one who can protect her. But to do it, he must reveal his true, savage self.

If you’ve not started Heather Killough-Walden’s Lost Angel series you need to finish reading this review and haul your ass over to where ever you purchase your books and get on this shit. I fucking loved this book. Azrael and Sophie’s story was so compelling I honestly didn’t want it to end. And HKW threw some new blood into the mix that in my opinion, completely turns this series on its ear. All this time I’ve considered Sam the bad guy, well, I’m not saying he’s good, I still don’t know what the hell his deal is but there’s a new bad guy in town and frankly he makes Sam, and the Adarians for that matter, look like cupcake makers. Holy shit, the whirlwind tour (see what I did there, Az is a rockstar!) this book takes you on is so exhilarating. The mystery, the intrigue, the sexual tension and finally the pay off. Hot damn, the pay off. Az and Sophie’s first time is fucking award winning. It’s a good thing they were created for each other and destined to be together for all eternity because I’m pretty sure he ruined her for all other men! Shit, he almost ruined me for all other men, and I was just reading about his scandalicious ways. There is something about a sexy vampire biting you in All. The. Right. Places. Yep…cogitate on that for a few minutes.

As it states in the Liner Notes. The Old Man created 4 archesses for his favored four archangels. These four women were sent to Earth and the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Azrael, were cast down thousands of years ago to find them. Sam was also an angel and was once the Old Man’s favorite. He’s here on Earth too and he’s made it his mission to fuck with the archangels every step of the way. The Adarians are also angels that were cast out of heaven. They’re pretty pissed about that. They are trying to capture an archess for themselves because an archess has the ability to heal…and they are beautiful, perfect specimens of women, so they want to get some of that, too. Up until this book, Sam and the Adarians have been our main bad guys. HKW introduces us to Gregori in this book. I’m not sure who the fuck he is but he’s older than the archangels and stronger, too. Oh, and he’s really pissed off and super bitter.

I’ve never hidden the fact that I love my men broken. As the former angel of death, Azrael has about as much baggage as one immortal can carry. His baggage actually made him a vampire when the Old Man cast his favored four off to Earth in search of their true loves. Azrael became the world’s first vampire, thus making him King. All other vampires are a descendent of his. That would make Sophie, his Queen. That means a lot of really cool, super badass guys have totally got her back. It’s awesome. Watching Az try and win her over, the old fashioned way, instead of bending her mind to his will is pretty entertaining. He can read her mind, and what a sad broken story she has hidden in the depths of her sub conscious, but he wants her to fall in love with him of her own free will. You know, the Old Man is pretty big on the whole free will thing. I love the way Az describes Sophie, “she was walking charisma-and she had no fucking clue.” I love a heroine like that. Since she’s Juliette’s best friend (Juliette is Gabriel’s archess from book 2) she’s already aware of the supernatural world going on all around us. This knowledge, coupled with Sophie’s shitty childhood makes her pretty much unflappable. Which is a good thing because like I said, Az is the fucking King of the Vampires…an international rockstar…and an archangel. Oh, and he’s drop dead (again with the puns) gorgeous in a panty melting sort of way. The man oozes sex appeal, practically involuntarily! It’s insane and I’m pretty sure he’s my favorite of the favored four.

So Death’s Angel takes us on this journey of angels, demons, Nightmares, Dragons, good and bad. There’s a lot going on but HKW does a great job explaining things so you never feel lost. Hell, everything I’ve read in this series seems perfectly normal…in a supernatural sort of way! She builds this world that’s so finely interwoven with our society that you simply feel like all things are possible. There’s no need for suspension of disbelief with this one. Everything is perfectly explained and flows beautifully. HKW really has a lovely writing style. It’s detailed and beautiful, and sexy and raw and innocent and gentle and harsh all at the same time. She paints a picture in such a way, you feel like you are literally in the story with the characters. This Gregori creature (?) brings with him news of the Culmination. Something big is supposed to happen when all of the archangels find their mates. Michael is up next but there might be one more…who is she for? Sam? The Old Man? Is Sam the Old Man? Is Sam the devil? Is Gregori the devil? Is there something worse than the devil? Holy shit, my brain if frying. I’m so confused, and I want more yet I’m oddly satisfied with where we are. There’s a big teaser at the end and it really feels more like a teaser instead of a cliffhanger. That’s good because I have no idea when book 4 is coming out…I just hope it’s soon!