Waiting on Wednesday - The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins

Welcome to Waiting On Wednesday here at

 Winterhaven Books!

This is a feature created by Jill at Breaking The Spine where we share some books we are anxiously awaiting.

This week's pick...

The Great Hunt 
by Wendy Higgins
Expected publication: March 8th 2016 by HarperTeen 

Kill the beast. Win the girl.
A strange beast stirs fear in the kingdom of Lochlanach, terrorizing towns with its brutality and hunger. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage. Princess Aerity understands her duty to the kingdom though it pains her to imagine marrying a stranger. It would be foolish to set her sights on any particular man in the great hunt, but when a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention, there’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment. Paxton is not keen on marriage. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast and protecting his family—yet Princess Aerity continues to challenge his notions with her unpredictability and charm. But as past secrets collide with present desires, dire choices threaten everything Paxton holds dear. Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale, “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, outlawed magic, and a princess willing to risk all to save her people.

I am made of all things fairytale in case you didn't know this by now. I also like the darker, not so happily ever after version such as the Brother's Grimm provided. If you have never heard of the tale of "The Singing Bone" you should definitely read it. It is a rather disturbing account of a brother who kill his younger to take credit for a kill and marry the king's daughter. Then the brother bones are found and made into a horn which then rats out the murder and all is brought to bloody justice! LOVE IT! These aren't the types of fairy tales for your children nor for the weak of heart. I am incredibly curious to see Mrs. Higgins' take on this account. I also have learned to temper my expectation when a blurb promises the comparative qualities of another story. I guess all in all we shall see. i am still thrilled to read this!!

Teaser Tuesday, # 59 Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...

Sweet Reckoning By Wendy Higgings

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

*Teasers are from an Advanced Readers Copy. They may change in the Final Edited Version.

Teaser From EBook Page: 112

"This is right, Kai. We love each other."

He closed his eyes. "I'd do anything for you."

"Just love me," I whispered

Teaser From EBook Page: 184

"Stop!" I pinned him with a serious look. "No more. Get it out of your head, Kai! We are not running. This is happening whether you like it or not. It's time to get your game face on and get ready to kick some ass."

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2) by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2) by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Amazon / B&N

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

My Thoughts:

Sweet Peril was yet again, another fantastic journey in The Sweet Trilogy. I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible, but I do recommend reading Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy, #1) as it was one phenomenal book!

The tensions rise in this installment. Anna has to play her role as the daughter of addiction and it was obvious it was difficult for her and with stray spirits watching the neph for the Dukes, she had to be careful. Since the summit where she spoke out, some of the Dukes have been a little suspicious and on edge. Anna knew their was some sort of a greater purpose. Instead of a road trip, Anna and Kope are sent out on a particular mission which was set up by her father. That man is incredible! I mean, he makes things happen! I grew fond of him in Sweet Evil, and in Sweet Peril, I like his character even more.

On their first destination, Kope shows signs of affection for Anna, and her heart is aching something fierce for Kai. I felt bad for Kope. He truly had a good heart and tried to be a gentleman, but Kai was who was in her heart. It was sad how Anna ached and longed for him. I guess he was just as much of an addiction as alcohol and drugs were to her.

The tension was crazy I tell you! Pure crazy! It was like Ms. Higgins dangled the carrot in front of the rabbit, but just high enough it couldn't quite get it. Between the small love triangle (No fear! It was a short spout) the Kai appearances and the not knowing...I was going bananas!

I wanted to kiss my Nook the moment Anna's father told her she was going to California. (If you read Sweet Evil, you'd know why) It was such a huge moment in the storyline and I couldn't have been happier. From that point on, I was in for the haul. Despite the fact that Kai didn't actually appear until about half way, when he did, It was a confetti party here. The story was amped up to a new level and the chemistry got H-O-T! As I said before...Kai turns good girls, bad. Okay, so Anna wasn't turned to a naughty girl by any means. She was just a hormonal teenage girl with a serious crush.

The plot moved forward and there weren't any dull parts and it flowed nicely. Honestly, I didn't want to put the book down. Towards the end there is an island scene that was really informational and one of their fellow neph's loses his life. The scene was bittersweet because it was sad, but at the same time you were proud of how strong this person stood.

This is about good and evil, and even though some of the Dukes had made bad choices, there were a few who had a good heart and tried to right wrongs in their own way. I think in a way that was how Kope's father was too. He let his son, be. I absolutely love this trilogy. I love the world Wendy Higgins created and the strong characters. There is one specific character I have yet to mention, and that is Anna's mom. Wow. She just oozes love and support. Anna hit the jackpot with her. I have a particular suspicion about her but I'm not saying a word. But if you want to guess, be my guest.

Overall, this book was phenomenal. I want more, and I want it now. *stomps foot*

Review: Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy, #1) by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 1, 2012

B&N / Amazon

Embrace the Forbidden What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels. Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

 My Thoughts:

Sweet Evil is the perfect title for this book. Good versus Evil. Which way will the scale tip? Anna is a sweet girl, knew she was a little different than her friends. She remembered her birth, and can see emotions as colors. It was an ability to sense others' feelings, their auras. She has a bestfriend, Jay who was a cool character. He introduces Anna to his favorite band, in walks Kaidan, the bad boy drummer. He oozes with lust. He's not the boy next door or the guy you would trust in a relationship. He turns good girls, bad.

Anna discovers the truth of her heritage and the truth behind the mysterious Kaidan. A sudden road trip and an anonymous message, sends these two into unchartered waters for them. Anna peels the tough layers back one day at a time, and Kaidan, his natural instinct to do more than play friends rubs away at Anna's pure-hearted nature.

I absolutely loved this story. This was one I had been itching to read, and I have to say, I am so angry with myself for not reading it sooner!!! What was I thinking!? The internal fight Anna battled to stay true to herself felt realistic. I felt bad for her, but at the same time, I was happy for her, too. She wasn't a prude, and I think that's what made her "Good-Girl" persona believable. The tension between her and Kaidan was electric! I just LOVE these two!

Of course this is a mythological blend, but it didn't feel cliché the least bit. I think Wendy Higgins did a fantastic job with it. I was able to imagine the scenes and feel the emotion between the characters. What really stood out was the fact that she didn't hold back on the heavier, darker side of things, and I appreciate the boldness. It gave the story some zest.

Fans of Angels/Demons/romantic chemistry will enjoy this. I also need to add the action, too. I stayed up late reading this book, and I can say without a doubt that this is a new favorite of mine.

Teaser Tuesday, #29

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy, #2) by Wendy Higgins

 

Publisher: Harper Teen

 

Published: April 30, 2013

 

Teasers from ebook page: 239

 

"Bright, glowing joy filled my heart. My eyes welled and I mouthed, "I love you, too."

 

"I pulled him close and breathed him in, feeling him in every pore, letting his love drown out everything else."

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!