April's author and book have been a fantastic pick! Jessica (Confessions of a Bookaholic) and I have been excited to share this interview and quotes with you. So, lets get right to it!

Title: A Temptation of Angels
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Dial Books, 435 Pages, (March 20th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Synopsis: Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Interview:

1. Was A Temptation of Angels more, or less, difficult than writing Prophecy of the Sisters?

Honestly, it was just... different. With Prophecy, I had a three-book story arc. Pacing that correctly was always at the forefront of my mind, because I wanted the series to get better and better rather than peter out toward the end. But writing Temptation as a stand-alone was also a challenge, because I had to tell the whole story in one book when my inclination is always to dig deeper. Both stories have heavy psychological undertones, though, and getting that right is always a challenge.

2. Could you share with us one thing about the main characters from A Temptation of Angels that we don’t know but should?

While Helen comes to love one man by the end of the book, she values her independence and has no intention of marrying and living a traditional life at the close of TEMPTATION.

Griffin is every bit as strong as Darius but defers to his older brother because he knows Darius needs the illusion of control to feel safe.

Darius keep everyone at a distance - everyone except Anna - because he's afraid to be as vulnerable and wounded as he was after the execution of his parents

Raum's story is far from over.... Dun-dun-DUHN!

3. Since A Temptation of Angels is set in historic London, I’d suspect that research was one of the more interesting – if not highly entertaining – aspects behind writing this book. What was the most fascinating thing you found during your research that you just KNEW you had to include in the book?

There really wasn't anything. The historical research in my stories so far has always taken a back seat to the story itself. In fact, I remain surprised when anyone refers to my work as historical fiction, because I see my books as fantasies that happen to be set in the past rather then historical fiction. I don't know how to clarify the differences, except to say that for me, the story and unique world of that story always comes first. I never want that to be bogged down by too much historical detail.

4. I love everything about England. Do you have a favorite place you’ve had a chance to visit while there? And is there one placing in the UK you have yet to see and are most excited to visit one day?

Believe it or not, I've never actually been. As a single mother to four teenagers, the luxury of in-person research is often lost to me. I have to read a lot, talk to lots of people, and use GoogleEarth quite often! My first stop in England would be the henges, though, starting with Avebury since it plays such a prominent part in the Prophecy series.

5. There are a few handsome males in this book. Can you give us 3 words that you would use to describe each one?

Darius - sarcastic, protective, harsh.

Griffin - kind, strong, loyal.

Raum - conflicted, independent, lonely.

6. What was both the easiest and hardest part in writing A Temptation of Angels?

The easiest was setting and era. Writing Gothic fiction is second-nature for me.There is nothing I love writing  more than flickering candles, lamplight, creaking floors, and shadowed streets. The hardest part was developing the unique weaponry and mode of travel. I wanted the Keepers to have their own set of tools and wanted to give the world an edgy, Gothic James Bond atmosphere. But that required the invention of several new things. It was a fun challenge, though! I enjoyed pushing myself to create this Gothic/Thriller/Steampunk hybrid.

Quotes from A Temptation of Angels:

Some of Michelle's Favorite Quotes -

"I'm not very good with anything physical..." she began as they turned down a hallway she had never seen.
He flashed her a grin while they walked. "I find that hard to believe."

His muscled back rippled as he reached blindly for a towel on the washstand. She felt something inside her shake loose and expand, spreading like a hot wind through her veins as he stood, his broad shoulders and back fully revealed in the glow of the fire.

At first, his lips lingered gently on hers. She wasn't sure what to do. What came next. But it didn't matter. Even this was enough, and she stood as still as she could, not wanting the moment to end. Wanting his mouth on hers forever. The the passion between them erupted, and all at once, his mouth opened on hers and she fell into the warmth of this kiss.

She entered the ruined parlor, and for a moment, it was just as it was. There was Father with his paper, grumbling about the state of affairs. Mother was at the piano, playing so beautifully it made Helen's heart ache. She turned in a circle, taking it all in. Remembering.

Was it really as simple as that? Could she give herself the benediction of forgiveness that she had given Raum? She didn't know the answer. But as she leaned on tiptoe to kiss Raum's cheek, she knew she would try. She would try to remember the girl from the garden and her friend Raum. Their innocence and kindness to one another in the giving of small trinkets and simple friendship.

She would remember it all and grant that love and acceptance to those around her.

And maybe, just maybe, to herself.

A couple of my favorite quotes -

"It's all right." Griffin's voice came from her right, and she flinched at the feel of his hand on hers. "Trust me."
His voice was gentle, and when she looked into his eyes, instinctively, she did trust him. -- pg. 58

"Don't mind him." Griffin followed his brother with Helen in tow. "You'll get used to it."
 "I highly doubt that," she said. "And for the record, I have crossed a street before. All by myself, too." -- pg. 71

"Your eyes... I've only seen color like that once before, but... it cannot be." Something feel from his hand with a clatter as he backed away, into the shadows, shaking his head.
"It's you."
He turned and ran. -- Pg. 125

A couple of Jessica's favorite quotes -

"Even in the dark, Helen saw tenderness in her mother's eyes as she reached out, pulling Helen roughly in her body. In her mother's hair, Helen smelled roses from the garden, and on the fine surface of her mother's skin, the books to which her head was always bent. They were a memory all their own" -- p. 4

"His pain collided with her own until all she heard was the unspoken message in his statement. She swallowed her despair. She was not ready to consider her parents lost. Hope they were still alive was all she had left" -- p. 33

"She had to suppress the urge to protest. She did not want to work with something so sharp and dangerous. Now, as they made their way through the kitchen, she wanted to apologize in advance for the fiasco what would surely be her training with the sickle. "I'm not very good with anything physical..." she began as they turned down a hallway she had never seen. He flashed her a grin as they walked. "I find that hard to believe." " p. 144

Find Michelle Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook




A Temptation of Angels Book Trailer:

We wanted to do this feature as a way to promote a new release and get people involved in discussing the book. One of the best ways to find out about a book is to read the reviews.

Please feel free to link your review of A Temptation of Angels that has been posted on your blog or Goodreads.

Rules: Please post ONLY your review of A Temptation of Angels.
Please provide the direct link in the linky.
You can include your rating of the book.

Example of link: A Life Bound By Books - A Temptation of Angels Review (4 stars)

Title: A Temptation  of Angels
Author: Michelle Zink
Publisher: Dial Books, 435 Pages (March 20th, 2012)
From: won from the Author
Format: ARC
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Review: 4 Stars - A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink is a mysterious story interlaced with secrets and Angels. It’s a thrilling story of good vs. evil with romance and so much more!

Helen has always had a full life. With two loving, dotting parents she’s happier than ever. Until one night it all changes faster then she could have ever imagined. Forced by her mother to hide in a hidden passage in a wall of her family home, Helen has only a small hand full of her belongings, a few words from her mother and then names of two brothers and their address when she’s told to run. 

One thing about Helen that I loved was her adaptability, which came so naturally with great thanks to her father. He taught her from when she was very young, via games things that her parents would know she’d need someday in later life. It’s just too bad that she’s needing these tools sooner rather than later. Sadly she doesn’t know anything that’s going on around her. Her life has turned into a mystery that she has to figure out all while trying to survive. Helen’s voice throughout the story created a perfect balance to the main male characters throughout the story. She was the softer side of things, always giving a different way to thinking about the various situations she faces throughout the book. She’s also pretty tough even when she doesn’t think she is. She always finds what she needs inside of her to figure things out and do what she needs to in order to help keep her and the brothers alive.

Speaking of the brothers… let’s talk about Darius and Griffin for a bit. Darius is the older brother who’s rough and keeps people at a distance. I totally understand why he’s not the nicest and at best stand offish. They all have reason to be after what they’ve been through. I thought for sure something more would happen with Darius, I just had that feeling while I was reading that there would be some major that happened, yet it didn’t. I really liked his characters’ the most out of all the boys within the story and I think I’ll just chalk it up to the fact that I tend to fall for the bad guy in the book. Then there’s Griffin who’s the nice guy of the two brothers. He has no problem extending his hand to Helen and befriending her. He understands where she’s coming from and doesn’t want her to feel alone. I enjoyed the story and watching it unfold between these two, yet there were times that I questioned if things were really meant to progress further than friendship.

There was a bit of a love triangle that happened, yet it wasn’t, in my opinion a full blown one. The other guy in the triangle was just so interesting and a whole other layer to the story. I really hope that in the next installment we get a chance to see this mysterious character more.

I can’t forget to give Zink props for her writing skills and imagination, which not only keep the reader entertained but also engulfed in the story and invested in her characters. In a story built on secrets and the world unknowingly at stake it’s up to Helen and the brothers to figure out how to survive. 

All in all, I was thrilled with my first experience in reading a book by Zink. I’m looking forward to reading her Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy and also to see what happens next in Zinks London of old and her story of Angels and Demons. Pick this one up and read it soon!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, it was won in a giveaway provided by the author - nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

Hello and welcome again to the third month of a Brand NEW Feature, co-hosting with Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic! In this post I'll share with you a bit of information about the event and what book we'll be focusing on for April.

Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed is a monthly feature where Jessica and I will take one book and read it simultaneously. Throughout the month the book and author will be showcased in reviews, interviews, quotes and more on both blogs. When we post our reviews we'll have a linky set up where we hope you'll link your review to the book for that month.

Then at the end of the month, we'll post a discussion that we've had about the book and hope that others will join in on the discussion about the book in the comments. Now, on to the good stuff...

Aprils's Novel Exposed Book: A Temptation of Angels By: Michelle Zink

We're really excited about this new feature/event and are more than thrilled with the response we've received so far. Also, we picked books for the next few months, which we can't wait to share with everyone! You can find May's book below and we hope you'll leave comments letting us know what you think of our book choices or if you have books you'd like to see featured on the months a head. If you are an author or publisher, please check the details below on submitting your book to be highlighted in this feature.

At the end of the month we'll be hosting our monthly discussion post that we hope you'll all join us in. So, read the book and then keep checking back each week, we're we'll be sharing various things to help celebrate all things A Temptations of Angels!

Add A Temptation of Angels to: Goodreads

May's Novel Exposed Book: Purity By: Jackson Pearce

Add Purity to: Goodread

If you are an author or publisher and have a book you'd like featured in Novel Exposed, please feel free to contact either of us and include info on your book and what month you had in mind. Please remember that we only feature ONE book a month for this event and that Jessica and I will try to accommodate.

Should anyone have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email and I'd be happy to help.