Today I am so excited to participate in the release blitz for Hope’s Deceit by Angela McPherson. It’s been a little over a year and a half since I first read Hope’s Decree and fell in love with Trinity, Blain, and Morpheus so I was uber-excited to get my hands on this one! If you enjoy young adult romance, fantasy, and mythology, be sure to grab a copy. And keep reading after the review for an excerpt and your chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card 😀
I received this book via the author, Angela McPherson. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Hope's Deceit by Angela McPherson Series: The Fated,
Published by Untold Press on 2015-11-13
Length: 238 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
Everything has changed—people, my life—no one and nothing is as it seems. With each new threat, the idea of normal slips farther beyond my reach.
A relationship with Blain is everything Trinity has ever wished for—even before she realized she wanted it, but after the near fatal attack with Melia, something changes. The connection that binds them shifts, and a dark force threatens to wedge the two apart. Trinity's only hope for the life she craves is stopping Melia and her immortal Rogues.
But fate always has an ulterior plan.
As Trinity's eighteenth birthday draws near, more abilities manifest. But controlling them is a problem. During an emergency Watcher meeting, some question if Trinity is strong enough to carry out the task she is fated to uphold.
Secrets are revealed, and lives are lost. Melia has plans to awaken an ancient god whose wrath—if released—is sure to create more devastation than Pandora. As new threats surface, fear spreads. Fighting to keep the people Trinity cares for safe may be more than she can handle.
In the end, light may not be enough to outshine the darkness.
Review
Hope’s Deceit by Angela McPherson picks up the morning after the events of Hope’s Decree. Please note that if you have not read book one of this series, there are minor unavoidable spoilers in this review. Trinity has just been rescued by Blain and Morpheus from being tortured by Melia. Feeling betrayed by one of their own, the Watchers pour in to Blain’s home and start to plan. None feel Trinity has what it takes to fulfill prophecy, and Trinity is out to prove them wrong.
So I love Trinity! She is just a teenage girl who wants teenage things, but when faced with the fate of the world she rises to the challenge. She is stubborn, a fighter, and no longer the scared girl we saw at the beginning of the series. Melia’s actions changed her. Her thinking is a bit darker, but her motivation rocks! She will do whatever it takes to save her friends, her family, and Blain.
Blain…oh my!! So in the first book, he wasn’t really my favorite character. He was too-straight laced and by the book. He expected so much out of Trinity and refused to give into his feelings for her. In this book, after nearly losing her, he can’t get enough of her. There’s only one problem….remember that black blast at the end of Hope’s Decree? Yeah…let’s just say that comes back to bite them all!!! Blain is just as overprotective of Trinity as he always has, but he is also struggling with this darkness that threatens to consume not just him but everyone he cares for.
The plot of this book really focuses on the Watchers and Rogues and the prophecy surrounding Trinity. There are so many twists and turns in the book that your head will spin so be prepared for that! No one is who they seem to be and it leaves Trinity on guard, not trusting anyone, even Blain. She questions everything, as she should, and ultimately she kicks butt. She has no reservations when it comes to defending those she loves and in this book she really starts to come into her powers. It’s fabulous 😀
Overall I really enjoyed this book! So why 4 stars and not 5? Well, it starts off a bit of a hot mess. There’s a lot of action and a lot of dialogue that I really had a hard time following. By about 20%, I could follow it easily, but in the beginning I kept going back to be sure I hadn’t missed a page. Now this may be because of how long it’s been since I read the first book. I really needed a good refresher of the characters. If you enjoy young adult romance, fantasy, and a bit of mythology, than this is the book for you!
Final Conclusion:
About Angela McPherson
Born and currently residing in Midland, Texas, Angela shuffles three busy children (not including her husband) all over the place. She works in a busy pediatric doctor's office as a nurse during the day, and writes at night. She is addicted to coffee-who isn't? And firmly believes that chocolate can fix all-especially chocolate ice cream. She laughs a lot, often at herself and is willing to try anything once (she thinks). When Angela isn't rushing kids around, working or writing, she's reading. Other than life experience, Angela turns to a wide variety of music to help spark her creative juices. She loves to dance and sing, though her kids often beg her not to.
Excerpt
Waking up every morning to Blain and his skillful, mind-blowing kisses definitely made starting the day easier. Those lips of his had a way of making me forget the outside world. His clean cotton and fresh-out-of-the-shower scent clung to him like static, and I couldn’t get enough. The feeling of comfort and safety while wrapped in his arms enveloped me, and the terrible images that startled me awake earlier faded away.
Melia being a Rogue and nearly killing me was frightening. But seeing the black orb attack Blain was a whole new level of terrifying. He seemed okay, though. God, I hoped he was okay.
Blain inched back, definitely far enough to see redness spread across my face, and grinned. His stare, the desire and need held there, made my pulse race. “God, you’re beautiful,” he said, stroking a thumb across my cheek.
His tender touch burned through me. The familiar buzz danced along my skin, and the colors from our power–white and gold– followed the sweet caress.
“This is my favorite part, the pink across your cheeks and knowing I put it there.”
I smiled. “Mine is definitely your lips.”
In turn, they kicked up in a sinful smile. The single butterfly in my stomach multiplied into a swarm. The clear blue in his eyes darkened, and he brought his mouth over mine.
Blain’s kiss started nice and slow. His hand slid down my side, finding the edge of my shirt, along with a bundle of feelings I shouldn’t be exploring just yet.
My heart thudded in a staccato-style rhythm. More heat rushed over my skin like a furnace.
I didn’t want to stop. Didn’t want to think about what Melia’s next move may be. Silently, I wished that her army of Rogues, and all the other obstacles in our way, would disappear.
We’d almost lost each other during the near-fatal fight with Melia. Death gave a person a sense of perspective, and living in the moment, with Blain, was the only place I wanted to be.
“Stop worrying,” Blain said against my lips, then pulled away. “Right now is about me making up for being a jerk, and for not doing more of this sooner.”
I wanted to let it go. So bad, but the spinning wheel of thoughts in my brain refused to slow down. “What if Melia sends her Rogues after us? We should probably get a few workouts in, so I’m better prepared.” A spike of terror tugged at my insides.
“You’re right, we need to get you better prepared. But first I need to do a full body inspection. Make sure all your parts are workable,” he said, pressing his lower half into me.
Before I could reply, he skimmed his tongue across my lower lip, dissolving whatever smartass comment was about to come out.
I granted him access, and the worry of Melia’s attack faded. A clear image of Blain filtered in–the sexy, lone-dimpled grin he’d given me over a dozen times. Private moments between us were few. Losing myself with Blain… his touch, his lips, his everything, turned my bones to mush.
If only the bliss could’ve lasted longer.
The somber memory of yesterday, Blain’s life nearly lost, all still too real. The awareness created an empty pit in my stomach. Within seconds, the daydreamed effects of us together and safe shattered.
My body stiffened. Thank goodness Morpheus barged in before Blain caught on that something was wrong.
“Knock, knock.”
Blain’s wandering hand on my stomach froze, and his lips stopped moving. Resting his forehead against mine, a growling sound deep in his throat emerged. “I should’ve let you take him out,” he said, frustrated.
I smiled. Regardless of what was going on, knowing the effect I had over Blain kinda rocked. Strike that, it totally kicked ass.
Blain sighed. “Please tell me the reason you’re in my room is because you’ve found Melia and destroyed her. I’d really like to get back to spending time with my girlfriend.”
Don’t Miss Hope’s Decree, Available Now!
Thank you so much, Lillian!
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