A Review for Demon at My Door by Michelle A. Valentine

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Release Date:  February 12th, 2013 
Finished Date: March 7th, 2013

Publishers: Self - Published 
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle 

Pages:  203
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Gothic outcast Natalie Sugarman bartered her soul for her dying mother’s life sixteen years ago to a boy demon that could stop time. Now, days before her twenty-first birthday, the lifelines on her palms are slowly vanishing, and she knows it’s just a matter of time before Satan’s little helper collects.

Natalie's tried numerous times to kill the demon and regain control of her soul’s destiny, but she always falls short. When she decides to try and gain the element of surprise for her next attempt, Natalie seeks answers about his location from a freaky, glowing-eyed fortuneteller. Creeped out by the psychic’s methods, she bolts from the reading and misses the warning that the demon who stole her soul is always closer than she thinks.

After some strange incidents with her new boyfriend, including a hot, levitating sex session, she realizes he’s the grown-up version of her little nightmare and he’s returned to collect on their deal. Natalie must figure out how to win her soul back from the demon before her lifeline completely disappears and she becomes his forever—even if that means making a deal to damn three other souls to take her place.

The Review: I really enjoyed this book, it ticked a lot of boxes for me… I can’t really add anything to the synopsis as it’s really accurate of what can be told about the plot. It was such a pleasure to read though and a bit different to the books with demons that I’m used to reading. I liked all of the characters, Natalie is cool, I liked everything about her form her clothes to her outlook on life, I liked most of her attitude except for the ‘secret boyfriend’ scenario which seemed a bit out of character for a person who didn’t really care what people thought of her (unless it was meant to be a front). I loved when Rick came into her life and we see her blossom, coming out from the darkness to live a little. 

Rick was great too, I have to be honest, I knew his deal straight away but I still loved it & loved the heat between those two. At the centre of the storyline of course is the deal for her soul, it’s due to come around so that features heavily in the plot as she decides to fight and try to rid herself of her demon before he can make her into his minion. There is also heavy emphasis on a love triangle too, she dithers between the two men, making her mind up one minute then changing it the next, It was wearing thin but I’m glad it wasn’t over done where she was spending time with & playing one against the other, I had a favourite from the outset soo wanted them to spend as much time as possible together ;) it may seem a straightforward plot but there are few little twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes and more than one person hiding something – be prepared for a couple of wth moments. The pacing was great too and I was never bored, I’m actually hoping for a follow up because whilst everything was wrapped up at the ending, it still has various ways it could go and you feel like you just got to know the characters but they have the potential to give more…. And I would like more – great book though and definitely worth a read. 

A Review for Rock the Heart by Michelle A. Valentine

Posted by Donna
Release Date: November 20th, 2012

Finished Date:  November 20th, 2012

Publishers: Self-Published

Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle 

Pages: Unknown
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US 

For the last four years, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

When Lane’s company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

After Lane reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

The Review: “If I don’t have you soon, I’m going to implode. Can’t you see that? I want you to be with me. I can’t stand all these guys coming on to you. The fact that I’m not allowed to do a God damn thing about it because you’re not mine is killing me.”

I’ve read a few rock star books lately but Rock the Heart is one of the ones that has really stuck with me a few weeks later. It’s one I keep thinking about and I honestly don’t get that too often. The reason I kept thinking about it was because author Michelle A. Valentine really does create some stand out characters. 

Laney is driven by her  prospective career. She wants to work in a professional marketing company and she will do anything to try and reach her goal – even if that means breaking up with her wanna be rock star boyfriend, Noel, who she believes has no future in the music business. 

Now fast forward 4 years, and we see Laney and Noel both living separate lives. Laney is interning at a big marketing company and Noel is a rock star. Laney does regret breaking up with him but everything is all in the past, isn’t it? Well…..maybe not, when Laney’s company gets signed on to do the marketing for Noel’s band, and unfortunately for Laney, Noel hasn’t forgotten how she broke his heart all them years ago. 

I really did enjoy this story and the characters. Both Laney and Noel were completely unforgettable and I loved seeing their journey. At times I did find them highly frustrating – Laney with her trust issues and Noel with his secrets. I just wanted these two to get together and shut up but, no matter how hard they tried, something seemed to get in the way. Their relationship isn’t perfect and they have problems but is love enough for these two? HELL YEAH! I’m actually pretty surprised that Noel wanted to give Laney a second chance seems as she didn’t support his dreams enough to stick with him from the start. I guess it shows how much a good guy Noel is and he was definitely my favourite character. He was open about his feelings for Laney – even though she broke his heart but he constantly pushed and pushed until he got what he wanted. I adore men that have that alpha male personality and Noel definitely fits the bill. 

I sometimes find that rock star stories can become quite predictable but this is not the case with this book. Michelle A. Valentine keeps us readers on our toes with a good few twists into the story, that I honestly didn’t see coming. I was constantly questioning “How the hell is this going to end?” but Michelle does the story well. Now the big question is – who is the next book based on? I’m kind of hoping Riff! I’d love to see that and hopefully get into his head a little more. Roll on 2013! 

Thank you to Michelle A. Valentine for giving me the opportunity to review this book.