Blog Tour: Review: Burn by Paula Weston

Today I'm participating in the blog tour for one my favorite authors!  Paula Weston is amazing and I am so excited to join in her blog tour for the last installment of The Rephaim series, Burn!

Burn (The Rephaim, #4) by Paula Weston
Publisher: Tundra Books
Release Date: June 7th, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

Suddenly, Gaby remembers everything.
For a year she believe she was a backpacker chilling out in Pandanus Beach. Working at the library. Getting over the accident that killed her twin brother.

Then Rafa came to find her and Gaby discovered her true identity as Gabe: one of the Rephaim. Over a hundred years old. Half angel, half human, all demon-smiting badass and hopelessly attracted to the infuriating Rafa.

Now she knows who faked her memories, and how—and why it's all hurtling towards a massive showdown between the forces of heaven and hell.

More importantly, she remembers why she's spent the last ten years wanting to seriously damage Rafa.

My Thoughts:
I hate finishing a series.  I have avoided most if not all series enders with the exception of this one and the only reason why I read it was because I love Paula and I wanted to join her blog tour.  The reason why I hate reading the dreaded last book isn't because I think I'll be disappointed it's because I just don't want to walk away from these characters that I've spent so much time with.  It's like leaving a friend and I just can't do it!  Well I made myself read Burn, and it was everything I could have ever hoped for and so much more and I am left wanting more!!!   Simply put his book is EVERYTHING!

Burn starts off with Gaby remembering what happened ten years ago.  I loved how Paula wove in the past with the present and she let Gaby feel those memories.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to relive everything you had lost and I think Gaby was a super strong character for handling it the way she did.  The whole book was actually quite moving because we get to see how Gaby's friendships shifted after the fall out with Rafa and I think seeing what Gaby went through gave her readers a better understanding of her.  Gaby will forever be in my top favorite heroines of all time.

The story is just brilliant.  I have said that with each and every installment and this last one doesn't disappoint at all. It was filled with so many twists and turns and I just loved every minute of it!  Paula Weston is a genius and I have to say this series is by far the best angel/demon series I have ever read and I can guarantee nothing will ever come close to it.  Yes that is a bold statement but I mean it with every fiber of my being.  The Rephaim series is pure perfection and is amazeballs!!

I have to say that I loved Gaby, Jude, and Rafa.  I appreciated that The author kept the drama to a minimum between them when things went down.  I don't like a lot of angst so it was nice to see 90% of that kept in the past.  I like that Gaby let things go and lived in the moment.  Like I said pure perfection and that includes these characters!

I will say the ending was AWESOME!  I loved that twist and I found that last chapter hilarious!  This is why I want more!  I honestly can't praise this whole series enough and I want so much more!  The ending was left sort of open and well I am really hoping Paula revisits these characters.  I think there's WAY more story left that could be told.  As it stands though I think this set of stories concluded very nicely and I have no complaints whatsoever.  It was a brilliant story and Paula PLEASE write more!

Blizzard read as always with Ms. Weston!

Other books in The Rephaim series

About Paula

 Paula Weston lives in Brisbane with her husband, a retired greyhound and a moody cockatiel. Burn is book four in The Rephaim series after Shadows, Haze and Shimmer.
Website / Twitter / Goodreads

Blog Tour: Shimmer (The Rephaim #3) by Paula Weston

Today I am very excited to join in the blog tour for Paula Weston hosted by Tundra!

 

Shimmer (The Rephaim #3) by Paula Weston
Publisher: Tundra Books
Release Date: March 8th, 2016
Purchase: Amazon

Gaby thought her life couldn't get more complicated.

She's almost used to the idea that she's not the teenage backpacker she thought she was. She can just about cope with being one of the Rephaim--a 139-year-old half-angel--whose memories have been stolen. She's even coming to grips with the fact that Jude, the brother she's mourned for a year, didn't die at all.

But now Rafa--sexy, infuriating Rafa--is being held, and hurt, by Gatekeeper demons. And Gaby has to get the bitterly divided Rephaim to work together, or Rafa has no chance at all.

My Thoughts:
All of my previous reviews for this series have been singing praises from the roof tops and this review will be no different.  Paula Weston has created an absolutely amazing series that just gets better and better with each installment.  I don't know how she does it and I hope she continues to delight her readers for more years to come!

The first thing I have to say is that I love how Paula started the book with a quick prologue that recapped the previous two books.  It's not an in depth  recap, but if it's been awhile since you've read Shadows and Haze this will refresh your memory a bit.  I also really enjoyed the character list.  This really helped jog my memory and helped me keep the characters straight from previous books.  These two things were a huge bonus for me.

Okay so the story.  Man this story just gets better and better!!  Each book has added another layer to this tension filled story and Shimmer is no exception.  At one point in the story I was so tense and stressed that my whole body was shaking.  I have never had that happen before!  I had to make myself slow down because I knew if I kept reading at a fast pace I would miss a lot and this book needed to be savored.  Also as a fun side note there were times that I would have normally had to stop reading because I couldn't remember something, but with book I couldn't put it down long enough to look!  I had total faith in the author that she would answer my questions without my having to look anything up and she totally succeeded!  By the end of the book I felt like I had Shadows and Haze right in a row with Shimmer.   

In this third book the story did progress quite a bit, but still kept that "we still don't remember" story line. This would normally bother me, but I knew once Gaby and Jude remembered the story would be over and I really didn't want that to happen!  Instead of them remembering we get to see a lot of secrets revealed and I have to say again I loved how Paula set them all up.  I liked that we the reader got to know each secret, but the other Rephaim did not know them.  This was fun for me because I felt in the loop and sort of part of the group.  I also really liked that we are getting to see more and more history come out.  Jude starts asking more questions in this one and they all tie into Nathaniel and the Garrison.  I think there's a lot we don't know and I feel like this book really set things in motion for a more dramatic fourth and final book.  

The characters.  Man I just fell in love with each and every one of them.  Okay I'm not loving Daniel quite yet, but I have faith that Paula will make me love him by the end.  My three favorites of course are Rafa, Jude, and Gaby but all the Rephaim were amazing.  I have to talk about Jude though.  I love his character fiercely and I felt all the feels throughout this book for him.  He is just what a brother should be and I loved that he took care of Gaby and stood by her each and every time she needed him to.  He never wavered.  I can't lie though I am terrified to find out what happened in that last year because I don't want them to fight.  Gaby and Jude need each other and I will say that when that all comes out I will be reading with one eye open and might have to skip to the end to make sure they end up on the same page by the end of the book.  My heart can't take that tension I can promise you that.

Rafa oh Rafa.  He's was amazing as usual and I am crushing hard on him still!  We don't get to see a lot of him in the beginning because of events that happened in Haze, but it was a glorious moment when he returned.  I love how his rescue scene played out (MINOR SPOILER) and I'm glad the author let Gaby take the lead with this one.  I think that sealed their bond and I'm hoping that whatever went down between them can be fixed with this one action.  I know they have something huge between them and again I'm terrified to read what it is, but I have hope that all will be sunshine and rainbows in the end.  I am normally all about the shock value and bows being undone at the end of a story, but not this time.  I want puppies, rainbows, kisses, and freaking sunshine people!!!  I want everyone to live and I want everyone to get along.  I haven't felt this strongly since Harry Potter so that should tell you something!!

I could go on and on about this series.  I was honestly in a book slump before I read this, but Paula is amazing and I just couldn't pass up her blog tour.  Well Shimmer has done what no other book has been able to do and has officially ended my slump!  Thank you Paula for writing such an amazing story!  I will forgive you for that evil cliffhanger only because I know the next book Burn will be in my hands soon.  If I had to wait a year I might have to put you in the corner!!  I'm terrified, but I can't wait to read Burn and I have a feeling after I finish this series I will dive right back in and re-read them.  They are that good!

Blizzard Read!!

Guest Post & Giveaway: Paula Weston

To help celebrate our Hauntings month we have Paula Weston with us!  WOOHOO!!  Everybody clap your hands!!  For Paula's stop I asked her to name top five book characters that have scared you for life.  Here's what she said...

 

Most recent:

1. The Passage - Justine Cronin (Babcock, one of the infected).

I have to confess that I haven’t read a lot of classic horror in recent years - not genuine keep-me-awake-at-night horror stories - but I vividly recall the sense of dread I had after reading the following books when I was a teenager.

2. It- Stephen King (the clown!)

3. Salem’s Lot - Stephen King (creepy vampires)

4. Watchers - Dean R Koontz (monster-beast)

5. Peter Straub - Ghost Story (I can’t remember characters but this book seriously freaked me out)

CLOWNS!  THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE NEAR ME!  I have to agree with you Paula, It scared me for life.  I will never forget Pennywise!! *shudders*  This is a great list for those looking for creepy reads this Halloween!  Paula you rock!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Find the Author:

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If you haven't picked up her Rephaim series you seriously need to open up a new tab and order it stat!  Her series is amazing and one you won't want to miss!!   Paula and her publisher are amazing, they are giving away not one, not two, but FOUR sets of the first two books in the The Rephaim series!  They are actually giving away five sets but we are saving one for our big Author Fright Fest on Halloween so be sure to stop back by then as well!

To enter just fill out the form below.

US/Canada only.

Good luck!

Shadows and Haze are out now and they are the books included in the giveaway!  Shimmer is out in March and Burn in June 2016.  I've linked the covers to Goodreads so you can read more about them!
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Blog Tour: Revew Haze (The Rephaim #2) by Paula Weston

Today on WinterHaven Books I am excited to participate in the blog tour for Haze by Paula Weston!  I am a huge fan of Ms.Westons and I am honored to be on this tour!  For my stop I have my review to share with you and also a fun character badge!

Haze (The Rephaim #2) by Paula Weston
Publisher: Tundra Books
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Purchase: Amazon

"But what if we can’t find Jude?"
He leans closer. His breath is warm on my ear. "We will."
"How can you be so sure?" I want to believe him so badly, but this is Rafa. The guy who’s all action and no plan. His smile is tired, knowing. An echo of a shared past I don’t remember.
"Because I’m not smart enough to give up, and you don’t know how to."

Gaby Winters’ nightmares have stopped but she still can’t remember her old life. Still can’t quite believe she is one of the Rephaim—the wingless half-angels who can shift from place to place, country to country, in the blink of an eye. That she was once the Rephaim’s best fighter. That demons exist. That Rafa has stayed.

But most of all, she can’t quite believe that her twin brother, Jude, might be alive.

And Gaby can’t explain the hesitancy that sidetracks the search for him, infuriates Rafa, and sends them, again, into the darkest danger.

My Thoughts:
Haze was definitely one of my most anticipated sequels of 2014.  After reading Shadows I could not wait to get my hands on this book and see what would happen to Gaby.  Haze while leaving me with even more questions did not disappoint and has definitely left me wanting more.

Haze starts off pretty much where Shadows left off.  If you haven't read Shadows in awhile you might need to refresh your memory like I did because the story doesn't stop much to explain what is going on.  I actually appreciated this because I have found that most sequels spend the first few chapters rehashing what happened in the previous novel and honestly I feel like it's a waste of good pages.  In Haze we are thrown right into the intense storyline and I loved it.

Okay so I have to talk about all the unanswered questions.  Shadows left me with a lot of questions.  I mean we find out that Gaby is not who she thinks she is and everyone knows about her past, but won't tell her anything.  Plus we also learned that Jude might be alive.  When I picked this up I thought I would have at least a handful of my questions answered in the first half of the book, but well I was wrong.  Really only one question gets answered and it takes a long time to get that answer.  Now normally this would have bothered me, but this story was just too good!  Paula Weston managed to weave a very intricate story into an incredible world that totally left me breathless.  I didn't need answers I just wanted more words from her.  Now will this feeling last if the next book doesn't cough up some answers probably not because I will be frustrated, but for this sequel I was content enough to sit back and just read the amazing adventures and know that in time I will get my answers.

The characters also helped me forget my questions.  I love Rafa, Gaby, Maggie, and Jason.  They are just an awesome group of characters that have me in the palm of their hands.  I literally hang on their every word!  Rafa oh where do I begin!  I can't wait to really see him let loose on Gaby and I can't wait to see where they end up. I am almost terrified for them, but I can't wait to read that scene.  Mya and Daniel aren't on my favorite list but I am really curious to know what their storylines actually are.  Ms. Weston has crafted some beyond interesting characters that have me wanting to find my own crew just like them!

So this series is still my top favorite Angel series of all time.  It is unique and wonderful that hasn't let me go.  Haze ends in a cliffhanger that I won't lie is painful so I am dying to get my hands on the third book Shimmer!!!  If you are looking for angels look no further this book is for you!

4 snowflakes

As part of the tour each blogger filled out a character quiz and then were rewarded with a badge.  This badge shows us which character we are most alike!  I am thrilled to be Team Ez! She is a fierce fighter and I would love to be her anytime!

About the Author:

Goodreads / Website / Twitter 

Blog Tour: Interview Paula Weston!

Today on WinterHaven Books we have the lovely Paula Weston with us as part of the Tundra Books Blog Tour!  Paula is one of my favorite authors and I am so excited to have her here today!

1. Ever since I read Shadows I have been crossing my fingers and toes that it would be published in the US.  Congratulations on this huge accomplishment!!  What are your  plans for the release day?

Thank you. =) Aside from grinning all day and doing the occasional happy dance, I’ll  probably spend time editing Shimmer (book 3). I’ll also no doubt do some work for my  day job. Either way, there will be a glass raised at some point in the evening.

2.You really brought something different to the table when you wrote this story.  How did  you come up with it?  Have you strayed from your original idea?

Again, thank you. That’s such an interesting question. My original idea was to explore the dynamic between Gaby and Rafa and their complicated history, which still forms one of the driving plots of the story. The idea started as a scene in my head with the two of them, when I didn’t know their story. There was an attraction between them, but also a history that only he remembered. I knew they were part of a larger conflict - and had been on opposite sides – but that was it. The decision to bring fallen angel mythology into the mix came when I started researching ideas for their back story and found the Book of Enoch and the story of Semyaza and the two hundred angels who fell from grace because they couldn’t resist their attraction to human women. It sparked some interesting ideas and was a great starting point for my world building. It would be fair to say the original idea has expanded as the series unfolds. Themes have emerged relating to family, friendship, identity and – yes – destiny. I’m also exploring the consequences of the actions of the Fallen and the Rephaim: the decisions they make and how they – and others – are affected by them.  But yes, Gaby and Rafa – and their complicated relationship – are certainly still at the centre of it all. J

3. I know we have previously talked about this series being 4 books, is this still the case?  Will they all be published in the US?

Yes, still four books. Tundra Books have contracted the first two and I’m hoping there is enough interest in Shadows and Haze in US and Canada that they’ll pick up the rest of the series. Tundra is a wonderful publisher to work with and I’d certainly love to continue the relationship beyond the first two books.

4.With so many books being made into movies I have to say that if I heard Shadows would be joining the list I might just faint!  Do you think this could be a possibility??

I think might just faint too. =) I’d love to see Shadows as a film (I have the Foo Fighters soundtrack ready to go!), but it’s one of those things over which I have absolutely no control. To be honest, I’m not even sure how these things come about. There are so many great books out there for filmmakers to choose from, and you never know what they’re looking for at any given time (or how they find it). But there’s quite a trend for YA urban fantasy at the moment, so who knows?

5. Is there a way for us to beg you to fly over here and have a book signing tour??

I’d love to do a book signing tour. =) Actually, I’m coming to US for a lightning holiday in October. The bulk of the trip will be visiting friends in Idaho, but I’ll also be hanging out briefly in San Francisco and LA, and crossing the continent to meet the Tundra team in Toronto. It’s not a book signing tour as such, but I’m hoping to pop into a few bookstores while I’m in the country.

6. For fans who have already read and loved Shadows can you share something from Haze the second book in the Rephaim series?

Sure! Gaby finds out more about the Outcasts and her history with them; the Outcasts and the Rephaim discover a new threat; and the search for Jude delivers a few surprises. Haze introduces a couple of new characters, including the infamous Mya, and Gaby and Rafa continue to work out how to be around each other (with mixed results). There are more demons, more of the Butler Brothers, and more of the rest of the Rephaim. Oh, and it all ends with a bit of a cliffhanger…

Thanks for having me at Winter Haven Books again. It’s always fun to chat with you guys. =)

Paula thank you so much for stopping by!  Wait!  *rereads answers* Cliffhanger??!!  Oh Paula why??  LOL!  Okay  I think I might need to plan a trip to LA in the near future and beg for more information LOL!  

I am so excited for you that this amazing series will be published in the US and I can't wait for all my friends to read it!  

Find Paula:

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Shadows by Paula Weston

Published: September 10, 2013

Publisher: Tundra Books

It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn.

And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams—he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?

Fast-paced and gripping, Shadows, the first book in the Rephaim series, is a standout paranormal romance for fans of Richelle Mead and Cassandra Clare.

Author Spotlight: Paula Weston of Shadows (The Rephaim #1)

We are so very excited to have Paula Weston on the blog today!!  She is by far one of my favorite authors, and I am literally bouncing in my chair right now!!  Paula was gracious enough to answer a few questions I had about her brand new book Shadows.  US and Canada friends pay close attention because Paula has a big announcement in the interview for you!

 

1. Shadows definitely stands out among a long list of Angel/Demon books. How did you come up with the idea for the storyline?

Thank you for the lovely compliment. :)

The storyline started with an idea involving a girl and guy who are attracted to each other, but who have a complicated history only he remembers. And he knows that if he takes advantage of the situation, and she gets her memory back, he'll be in serious trouble. I knew they were part of a larger, fragmented, group, and that there were paranormal elements to their story.

From that set-up, I started working out what it was that caused the past tension between them, and what had caused the rift in their group. I toyed with exploring vampire, werewolf or faerie mythology, but knew I would have to build a complex society to achieve what I wanted with the story, which would involve a lot of work for readers. With angels and demons, the foundation for conflict already exists. When I read the account of Semyaza and the fallen angels in the Book of Enoch, I had a flurry of ideas of how fallen angel lore might work. Regardless of whether or not the account is true, it’s a fascinating premise for a story. Would those fallen angels regret the decision? How would they feel about any offspring from those relationships with human women? What would happen if they got their freedom back? What would be the consequences of being a child of the Fallen? It's the latter question that created the bulk of the plot for the series. (Which is not to say that some of the other questions may not be answered through the series as well...)

2. Gaby and Rafa are two very strong characters that I connected with from the start. Are they based on anybody you know in real life?  Which characters are you closest to?

I'd have to say that Gaby - while certainly not based on me - does have a few of my personality traits. Or at least traits I had when I was younger and less patient. :) We definitely share the same sense of humour. I think it's hard not to put a lot of yourself in a first-person narrative character (particularly as this is the first time I've written in first person-present tense. My other stories - unpublished - were always third person, past tense). So for that reason I'm close to Gaby. Having said that, I really enjoy writing Rafa. Not just because he says whatever he's thinking, but because he has one one of the more interesting character journeys of the series. And no, he's not based on anyone I know. :) 

3. How many books are planned for this series?  
Four.  (I am beyond excited that there will be more than 2 woohoo!!)

4. Can you give us a teaser from the next book in the series, Haze?  
Sure! I can tell you that Gaby learns more about the Outcasts, we find out more about Jude, and Gaby and Rafa continue to work through their volatile and complicated relationship. There's also plenty of action - and we haven't seen the last of the demons. 

5. Shadows and Haze will both be released in the US and Canada (YAY!). Do you have a firm release date yet?
Shadows is scheduled for release in Fall 2013 (US and Canada LOOK HERE =D)

6. Do you have any other projects in mind for the future? 

I have a kernel of an idea for a new story...I've jotted down some notes and put them aside so they're ready when I've got the head space to explore the idea further - which won't happen until the fourth book of the Rephaim series is finished.

Also  for fans of the series and those who would like to take a peak into this awesome world Paula has a little something for you..

There's also some bonus material on the Text Publishing website you might like - Gaby's short story that drew the Rephaim to Pan Beach. :)
http://textpublishing.com.au/books-and-authors/book/shadows/

Thank you thank you thank you Paula for stopping by!  Haze is definitely on my too watch list and I will definitely be first in line when it comes out!

Find the Author:

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     Now let me introduce you to this fantastic book!

  Shadows (The Rephaim #1)

Publisher: Text Publishing

Release Date: July 2, 2012

My Thoughts on Shadows:

Okay listen up, forget everything you think you know about Angels and Demons.  That's right, pack it all up in that box you have in your brain and tape it shut. Now throw it out.  I can assure you that after reading this book you won't need any of that information because this book, Shadows, is by far THE book to read if you are an Angel and Demon lover like myself.  Shadows is beyond explosive with a kick ass heroine, an amazing storyline with incredible mythology, and a romance sure to heat up even the coldest of hearts.

Gabby has been living on her own ever since her brother Jude died.  She moved in with her only friend and works days at an art gallery.  She spends her time trying to get over her brother's death and just living each day as it is.  The only problem is that she has very vivid dreams, dreams that consist of dark hellturds (or creatures if you rather lol), a sexy sword wielding guy, and herself only this girl is swinging her sword better than the hot guy and can definitely hold her own against any dark hellturd that runs into her path.  Having had these dreams for awhile Gabby decides to enter a creative writing contest and uses her dreams as her story.  By doing this she unknowingly brings the past that she has been made to forget knocking on her door.  She finds that not only is the hottie starring in her dreams real but the girl that looks like her in her dreams is actually her. Now Gabby has to find out the truth about her life before the accident and comes to terms with the fact that things she thought she once knew may not be real.

I LOVED this book!!  I cannot say that enough!  This book right here takes my top spot for favorite of the year!  Gabby was such a great character.  She stood up to people and gave as good as she got every time.  I for one can't wait to see her be the big badass that I know is sure to come.  Rafa was a great sparring partner for Gabby.  Their first encounter left me with goosebumps and I have to say I am Team Rafa ALL THE WAY!  He is hot, self assured, and his witty comebacks are just too awesome so really what's not to love?  Oh and he can swing a sword with ease, yeah he captured my heart.  The rest of the cast of characters rounded out this story nicely. Everyone of them had a part to play and they did effortlessly.  I really enjoyed them all.  I will say I still think there is more than was revealed with one in particular but I won't name any names since that big reveal is well HUGE!

So yes if you are looking for the next BIG series you will not be disappointed with this book.  Right now you can only purchase it from Fishpond World (which I have linked above) but like Paula said in her interview these books have been picked up to be published in the US and Canada in 2013! I am so excited for her because she really does deserve to have them published all over and I am excited because more of my friends will be able to read them!!  Again, I can't say it enough - this is by far my favorite book of 2012 and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel Haze!!

                                                              5 Snowflakes