Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Sweet Peril Blog Tour: Review, Band Tour Posters + A Giveaway

SWEET PERIL
The Sweet Trilogy #2
Wendy Higgins
Paranormal Young Adult
374 pages
HarperTeen
Available April 30th
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY
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 has a rather daunting task ahead of it from the beginning, following up a debut that was surprisingly intense emotionally, and while it is definitely a middle book in some ways, Ms. Higgins uses the slightly slower pace of this sequel beautifully, allowing readers time to really study the characters and walk away from them with a far deeper understanding than we had when we started. We begin with a rather brutal prologue – a harsh reminder of just what Kaidan and Anna risk should they try to be together – and it succeeds in planting a seed of tension in our guts from the onset, something that continues to grow and often forces us to hold our breath as our concern for Anna and Kaidan’s safety reaches an all time high.

Anna is both the girl we met at the beginning of Sweet Evil and yet drastically different at the same time, forced to split her personality in two in order to keep off the Dukes’ radar. She’s not the girl that can look at the world and see only the good anymore, instead her painful lessons in life as a Nephilim have given her a few sharp edges where before there were only smooth curves. She never resorts to melancholy or despairs of all the ways her life has changed since learning of her heritage though, instead she meets every challenge with a lift of her chin and an admirable confidence borne from the hope that one day her future will be free of its current confines. Her handling of the romantic drama in this sequel causes us to release a sigh of relief, a love triangle flickering briefly into place before Anna definitively shuts it down, embracing her feelings for Kaidan even though she knows he may never be able to return them.

Many readers may find themselves a touch antsy during the first half of this book as Kai is physically absent for the most part, but Ms. Higgins gives us a scene at the very beginning that acts as a branding iron, searing our skin and causing a sharp pain to flare before fading to a dull but persistent ache, leaving behind a permanent reminder of Kaidan that we keep with us until he and Anna join forces once again. What becomes hauntingly clear in this second installment is just how dark and unforgiving life for the children of the Dukes really is, Anna’s upbringing a stark contrast to the torment Kaidan and the others suffer daily; their fathers constantly seeking ruination rather than salvation and pain instead of love, all the while using their sons and daughters as the tools by which they cast a black mark on the soul of humanity.

Anna’s separation from Kaidan and the things she learns as she travels the world searching for allies among the Neph make their relationship all the more poignant when they finally work through some of their issues, Kaidan’s ability to express any kind of emotion at all shocking given the depravity his father requires of him, and our hearts beat to an erratic but pounding rhythm as Anna bleeds love into a man who knows nothing of it. Sweet Peril definitely sets readers up for what is sure to be an epic showdown in the final book, but the quieter nature of it gives us time to truly breathe these characters in before that breath will no doubt be expelled quickly as the Dukes bring fists to vulnerable flesh in book three.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find Sweet Peril:


• • • • • • • • • • 

LASCIVIOUS TOUR POSTERS

For any of you who have yet to read this series (first of all, get a move on, Kaidan is waiting for you!),  Kaidan Rowe is the drummer for a band called Lascivious. Those of you who follow this blog with any frequency know I'm scarily mildly obsessed with these books and Kaidan in particular, and given I find Mr. Rowe to be, ahem, inspiring, I thought it might be fun to design some promotional posters for Lascivious as though they were actually going out on tour.

Below are the three posters I created for Kaidan and his band as a token of my undying affection for them, Wendy Higgins, and this series as a whole :)

KAIDAN ROWE


LEAD ME INTO TEMPTATION


WHO MAKES YOUR HEART BEAT LOUDER?


• • • • • • • • • •

WENDY HIGGINS


After earning a bachelors in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until becoming a mommy. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Evil is her debut novel.


 • • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY


The prizes:

1 Grand Prize Giveaway - engraved “Kaidan Rowe Sweet Peril” drumsticks, fruity scented lip balms, a paperback copy of Sweet Peril and a signed Sweet Peril bookplate.

5 Winners for - a paperback copy of Sweet Peril and a signed Sweet Peril bookplate.

Giveaway is US only and ends May 10th at 12:00 a.m. PDT. Only one entry per household and you must be 13 or older to enter. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 • • • • • • • • • 

BLOG TOUR


Don't forget to check out all the other amazing tops on this tour for more interviews, guest posts and general Sweet Peril awesomeness! A huge thank you to Rockstar Book Tours for putting this tour together.

April 22nd - YA Sisterhood - Guest Post
April 23rd - Tater's Tall Tails - Kaiden Interview
April 24th - Supernatural Snark - Review + Artwork
April 25th - Books with Bite - Anna Interview
April 26th - Tales of a Ravenous Reader - Guest Post

April 29th - Bewitched Bookworms - Guest Post
April 30th - Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post
April 30th - Curling Up with a Good Book - Review
May 1st - Magical Urban Fantasy Reads - Guest Post
May 2nd - The Book Cellar - Guest Post
May 3rd - Fiktshun - Guest Post

74 comments:

  1. Ok hon we both already squealed over this book as we are both so insanely obsessed with these books:)) And .. uhm Kaidan… we might admit it's mostly Kaidan we are obsessed with!!

    I told you already that these posters are FANFREAKING amazing!! You are so crazy talented! I can't decide which one I like more, but "Lead me to temptation" sounds awesome to me :))
    *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My love for Kaidan (and Wendy) knows no bounds Danny:) And the temptation poster is my favorite too! Love that apple:)

      Delete
  2. Love those posters ! The fonts and coloring are perfect. I'm not quite sure who I would choose yet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And you just choose Team Kopano so I can claim Team Kaidan for myself ;-)

      Delete
  3. I can't choose...loved the first book hope this one is just as great!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those posters are awesome! I still have to read Sweet Evil, but I'm planning on reading that and Sweet Peril back to back. I'm so excited to read them now. Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope you do pick up Sweet Evil, it just blew me away last year and I loved everything about it:) Anna and Kaidan are awesome.

      Delete
  5. OMG I cannot wait for this book! She makes him feel !!!! *drops dead*

    BTW: Jenny you write beautifully

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! And I adored the relationship growth between Anna and Kaidan in this one, so well done:)

      Delete
  6. WOW those book posters sound amazing!! I have seen this series before but haven't read it. I really can't wait to read it! :) Also the giveaway is awesome. I can't enter but still innovative! :) Great picks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's on of my very favorite YA series Tanja, I hope you give it a try! And aren't the drumsticks cool? I want them:)

      Delete
  7. OMG--THOSE POSTERS ARE AWESOME!! WANT!! Can this please be a real band so I can get these prints on t-shirts and go to their concerts and scream loudly? Dang, girl!! You're SOOO talented with the graphics!! Love 'em all but I especially am lusting after the drum kit one. YES, MY HEART DOES BEAT LOUDER!!

    Heh. So glad to know this second book didn't disappoint. I know how much you loved the first one (which I have on my Kindle and WILL READ SOON!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really wish they were real too. I would be there screaming at Kaidan like a total fangirl. We could wear our t-shirts and go together Mary!

      You must email when you finally get to Sweet Evil! I'm dying to know what you think:)

      Delete
  8. First of all, those posters are so freaking gorgeous, Jenny! You are one talented girl. :)

    I'm not overly excited for this book because I didn't love the first book. I did like the sound of the world-building. I'm glad that the sequel worked for you, Jenny! :)
    Fab review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Nick! And if the first one didn't work all that well for you, this one likely won't either, and that's okay:) That just leaves more Kaidan for me ;-)

      Delete
  9. You write some of the most beautiful reviews! I know that sounds funny but you have a way with words and all your reviews flow so nicely!!

    I still haven't started this series but I know I want to! I read a deleted scene from Kaidan's POV and I already know I am going to adore him!
    Awesome review and thanks for the giveaway chance!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *blushes* Thank you so much! Sometimes the reviews come easily to me and sometimes I struggle with how to say what I want to say. I struggled with this one just because I love this series so much. It always seems harder to write the reviews for books I loved.

      And yes, you will most likely fall madly in love with Kaidan. It's hard not to ;-)

      Delete
  10. Oh my goodness, the branding iron reference, Kai can brand me any day of the week. Yes. A grown woman just said that. Moving on. ;-)

    I can NOT WAIT FOR THIS ONE! I loved Sweet Evil so much and yeah just yeah. I am definitely Team Kaiden, I actually remember that I knocked down my rating for Sweet Evil from 5 to 4.5 strictly because the addition of Kopano annoyed me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RIGHT?! You just said what I was thinking Jenni, so that would be two grown women wanting him to brand them. Well done us I say.

      Delete
  11. I know you keep mentioning this series and I've yet to read it. Must fix that soon. Really curious about meeting this Kaidan person. ;)

    p.s. The posters are fabulous! You are so creative.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOU MUST MEET KAIDAN! He's just all sexy and British and damaged and I love him.

      Delete
  12. Great review, Jenny! I am definitely excited for this book and am glad to hear that it kept you entertained despite the fact that Kai is missing the first half of the book. I love these posters, too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jenny so glad you enjoyed this book! Girl you are so talented! I loved those posters!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I can't wait for this book. And team kaiden all the way

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi, I read your blogs regularly. Your writing style is witty,
    keep doing what you're doing!

    Feel free to visit my web-site: adult chat

    ReplyDelete
  16. I absolutely love the posters. Wouldn't mind sporting one of those posters or even having the image on a shirt. Sweet Evil was awesome but Kaidan is an a whole other plane of super awesome. *sigh* I am sure a meeting with him would be amazing. And yet terribly destructive since how could any guy measure up after that? I recently recommend Sweet Evil. She was so upset/happy about it. Because it was so awesome and she has to wait for more. Oh and of course she loved Kaidan. Love your post. Glad to meet a fellow Kaidan groupie. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Off topic side note: What cool posters.

    ReplyDelete
  18. JENNY!!! My gawhd!! I just adore Wendy and Kai and everything related to Sweet Evil. I have gathered from the reviews that Kai is absent during the first half, but even though I'm scared of missing him, I know the reunion and his realisation that he does care so very deeply about Anna are more sweeter that way. I'm in awe of how Wendy "The Ever Sweet" Higgins has managed to paint the Dukes so cruel and malicious. I love it! I love to hate them lol. I. Cannot. Wait. Less then a week. A week Jenny!! Less then a frigging week!!!

    Oh, btw I saw your designed posters on Wendy's page already, but dear lord, Jenny! You are remarkable! I just adore these. I remember your Asunder designs which were absolutely brilliant and gorgeous, but these? You've outdone yourself, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jenny....I love those posters you made, are you designing blogs yet????? I just bought the first book in this series so I cant wait to meet this drummer..:)

    Tina~

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jenny you rocked out those posters. I am very much looking forward to the sequel. I can't wait to see what the dukes will do and how Anna and Kaidan will respond. I was definitely surprised at the complexity of Sweet Evil.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh, wow, this seems to have been a really emotional experience for you, Jenny! I tried reading the first book, I really did, but it just didn't work for me at the time, but I'm determined to try again, since I know how much you love this series. You've never steered me wrong before!

    And OMG those posters are GORGEOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't know, since I haven't read Sweet Evil yet. I can't wait to get my hands on it when I'm done with classes:) Thank you for the giveaway!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You're such an amazing graphic artist...I gotta check out this series!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm so going for Kaidan since Jenny keeps trying to steal MY book harem... ;) Oh and can I say I LOVE those posters??? My faves are the apple and the drums. LOVE!!!!!

    I don't know if I should start this one or wait for that third book. That way I can have Kaidan one right after another... ;D Jenny, you had me wanting that first book so all I can say is that it's your fault I'm so looking forward to meeting Kaidan! Kaidan!!!!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cool giveaway even if I can't enter :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've found that a slower-paced second novel seems to be the way to go when it comes to trilogies and I'm glad this worked out so well. Although the idea behind this series seems so cliche, I'm going to have to give it a shot soon. Great review, Jenny! :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oooh! I'm excited to read this book in paper this time instead of audio. I liked Sweet Evil but I really think reading it in print will help.

    ReplyDelete
  29. God, Jenny! You are super talented! I guess I knew that already (I mean, just look at your gorgeous blog design!), but those posters are stunning. I haven't read your review yet as the first book is on my schedule for very soon actually. I think it's about time I met this Kaidan you seem to love. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! Great review! This is my most anticipated book of 2013 and I can't believe the release is just days away. The posters are amazing too! Great art work:) I do agree that I'll get impatient waiting for Kaidan to appear in this one. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't know yet but from what I hear Team Kaidan

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wonderful review Jenny, I really enjoyed book one and for some reason this just slipped passed me. I needed to add it in as a summer read. I really have chosen a team yet as I like both boys. I really loved the world building in book one and from your review it looks like the worldbuilding with regard to the children of the Duke will be stunning. Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win book 2.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I don't know yet.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm not sure yet. I have the 1st book in this series, I just haven't started it yet. Thank you for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Team Kaidan...no question! Hands down!

    Love the posters too! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I don't know yet. Still trying to decide.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Not sure, I am still up in the air about this one!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have yet to read this series, but I certainly would LOVE to start!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Team Kaidan. I hate adding a third party to the equation

    ReplyDelete
  40. I don't know yet, but I just picked up Sweet Evil, so I'll figure it out real soon ; )

    ReplyDelete
  41. I don't know yet! I haven't read Sweet Evil yet! But I can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh my lord those Lascivious posters are freaking gorgeous! I have the first book (I bought it after your hilarious interview with Kaidan) and need to read it so I can catch up. Can't wait to get started. Glad you enjoyed book two so much! Lovely review :-)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh wow, I LOVE those posters! They are AMAZING!
    I'm not team anything yet since I haven't read the books, but I do have the first one and am so excited to pick it up! I know many bloggers who I love love them!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Team Kaidan All. The. Way. I mean there is really non competition here it's pretty clear :) Don't get me wrong, I like Kopano too, but I only have wyes for Kaidan *SWOON*

    ReplyDelete
  45. I WANT, Jenny!!! Pick me, pick me!! Darn it why did you have to put up a rafflecopter and make it random?!! ;) I have yet to pick up this series, but I know I'll love it if you did. Your poster designs are AWESOME! I can't wait to meet Kaiden! Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I LOVE book tours! THEY MAKE HUNTING DOWN TEASERS, INTERVIEW AND MORE THAT MUCH EASIER!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Nice review, Jenny! Those posters are fantastic, too.

    I still haven't decided if I'm team Kaidan or Kopano yet...perhaps I will after reading the sequel!

    (entering rafflecopter as Lea Johnson)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Very rock star tour posters! Good job. I really really can't wait for Sweet Peril. I have my copy pre-ordered and am so excited for it to be released. But to hear that Kai's absent for most of the story saddens me. I'm glad to hear that Sweet Peril is not just a filler 2nd book in a series. Happy reading x

    ReplyDelete
  49. I still need to read the first book in this series *hangs head in shame* so I kind of skimmed your review to avoid any spoilers.

    I love the posters you created, Jenny, although my favourite is the first one. Lol, I'm guessing you'd be a grouping if Lascivious was real; scratch that, I know you'd be one ;)

    ReplyDelete
  50. OMG I cant pick:) hahah thats so hard..they both well ROCK IT!! I mean I have read both but still in the end I think I love them both!! Kai will have a special spot in my heart but Kope well he has moved in after reading SP :) heheh I loveeeeee this giveaway its to cool thanks for it....


    I WANT THESE posters we need to get them printed up, like soon!! heheheh!!!!!!


    Bella;)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Team Kaidan!! There is no competition for me! I like Kopano, but Kaidan is just my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Well, right now, I'm Team Kaidan, but I'm probably going to have to read Sweet Peril before I make a definitive decision. =)

    ReplyDelete
  53. Team Kaidan, no question! I adore Kopano, but I'm hoping he'll get his own love interest. Kaidan and Anna are made for each other!

    ReplyDelete
  54. How can you not be team Kaidan. But I'm sure I'll get swoony reading all about Kopano!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Team Kaidan

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Team Kaidan all the way :)

    thank you so much for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I could not chose yet since I have not read this series but I would love to win the book. :P

    - Beckie

    ReplyDelete
  58. Team Kaidan!!!!! <3 But i do love how Kopano is but idk i guess i'd have to get over my kaidan lust crush to look at Kopano!!!

    ReplyDelete