': Q&A, Review and Giveaway. Entice by Jessica Shirvington (book 2 of the Violet Eden Chapters)

Every day Violet Eden wonders whether she made the right choice.

She still doesn't fully understand these powers she's been granted as a half-angel Grigori. And worse, isn't even sure she's capable of using them. Stab someone through the heart? Really?

No matter how bad things get, though, Violet doesn't run and she doesn't quit. Even if it means she can never allow herself to love the guy she longs for. Even if it means asking her enemy for help. Even if no one is telling her the truth.

The war between Exiles and Angels is on—and she's wanted by both sides. *amazon.com*

In this highly anticipated sequel to Entice, Violet jumps head first into her Grigori training as she attempts to juggle her Angel abilities with her desperate need to be a normal teenager. Still struggling with her relationship with Linc (her friend, trainer and Grigori partner) her inner turmoil is only compounded by the reappearance of Phoenix. Oh and let’s not forget the thorn in her side, quite literally, Onyx.

This series took me completely by surprise and quickly became one of my favorite Angel genre series. Shirvington’s take on Angels, what with the Light and Dark and those two terms not always as straight forward as they seem, will have you tearing through these books eager to learn more about this world she so vividly describes. Another thing that is somewhat unique to Shirvington’s series is Violets BFF Steph; it is rare to have a series where the main heroine and her friend are both no nonsense, kick ass, smart, strong characters. And, even though this is a YA series there isn’t a ridonkulous amount of teenage angst, another plus!

Shirvington introduces us to some new Grigori members in this book, my favorite of which is Spence. Struggling to reign in his own abilities and bitter because his partner hasn’t presented his/herself yet, he brings an odd balance to the mix with his self assured attitude, dry whit and fierce fighting skills.

As usual the Author’s attention to detail and ability to weave a believable reality that coincides with the one we live everday, lurking around the corners and in the shadows, makes this book all the more enthralling!

I give this one 5/5 and I anxiously await book 3!

http://www.jessicashirvington.com/

Jessica Shirvington is the author of THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS also known as THE EMBRACE SERIES. An entrepreneur, author, and mother living in Sydney, Australia, Jessica is also a 2011 finalist for Cosmopolitan’s annual Fun, Fearless Female Award. She’s also one of the lucky few who met the love of her life at age seventeen: Matt Shirvington, a former Olympian and current sports broadcaster for FOXTEL and Sky News. Married for almost eleven years with two beautiful daughters, Sienna and Winter, Jessica knows her early age romance and its longevity has definitely contributed to how she tackles relationships in her YA novels. Previously, she founded a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and before that was involved in the management of restaurants Fuel Bistro and MG Garage in Sydney. Jessica is now a full-time novelist and living her dream.

I did an Interview with Jess when I reviewed book 1, Embrace. So to toss things up a bit I asked her for a quick Q&A to catch up. Her's a quick peek inside the mind that created this fantastic series (giveaway details to follow)!

*For those not familiar with your series, The Violet Eden Chapters, can you give a brief.

EMBRACE:
It starts with a whisper: "It's time for you to know who you are..." On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice. Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, EMBRACE is a compelling novel of good and evil, seductive desires and impossible choices. A centuries old war between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity chooses a new fighter. It's a battle Violet doesn't want, but she lives her life by two rules: don't run and don't quit. If angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.

ENTICE:

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s whole life changed when she discovered she is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key, but when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even her partner, Lincoln.

And now Violet has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori. It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and exile Phoenix ignites, and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. The race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles brings them to the cradle of civilization, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

*What has been the most interesting comment/review for Embrace?

That is a hard question. I find all the reviews and comments interesting. It always amazes me what people take away from a story and what stays with them the most. No two people ever read a story in the same we. We all imagine the characters differently and have different expectations for the outcome. I do admit I find it really interesting when people try to predict what is going to happen in the next book. Sometimes it is way off track but other times people might hit on something and it really impresses me.

*What is involved in your daily writing process? Playlist; Routine; certain authors or movies that you view for research?

I don't have any one set routine. I'm a bit haphazard and that is mostly due to a fairly hectic schedule. When I am drafting I keep my head down. I need to close myself in a room with my computer and not much else. The key is to keep the distractions away so that I can keep moving forward. The best days are those that I spend 12 to 15 hours typing - I wish I had more of them! Some days, however, it just isn't possible as I also have to fit in editing, proofing, emails, blogging etc. I do have playlists for all of the books but I tend to listen to them when I am in the car or at other times when it isn't possible to be writing - that way I am still thinking about the characters, still considering the next scene. Er...yes, I'm slightly obsessive!

*What book are you currently reading?

I just finished ADAPTATION by Malinda Lo and next I will be reading RIFT by Andrea Cremer.

*What's next for Violet and Lincoln?
Tammy, I know you are reading Entice at the moment so there is no way I am spoiling the story for you! But, I think I am safe in saying A LOT! :)

Amazon/Embrace: http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-ebook/dp/B006PJKCOE/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347807128&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=violet+eden+chapters

Amazon/Entice: http://www.amazon.com/Entice-Embrace-Jessica-Shirvington/dp/1402268432/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347806645&sr=1-1&keywords=jessica+shirvington

Link to my review for book 1 at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/12288524