Review/Guest Post/Giveaway: Gilded Wings by Amy Lignor

Today I have a guest post and giveaway from author Amy Lignor along with a review of Gilded Wings the second book in the Angel Chronicles. Be sure and check out the other blogs participating in the Fire and Ice Hop list below my post. 

Gilded Wings
by Amy Lignor
Series: The Angel Chronicles #2)
Publisher: Tribute Books
Publication date:
Genre: YA Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
ARC was provided for unbiased review

When Matt and Emily are sent on their second mission they have no idea how truly dark human nature can become…  Emily never wanted to face humans again. With the heartache that went on down below, she’s still trying to figure out how to save souls that don’t deserve saving. The only one she wants to see again is Jason - the young man she fell in love with who became the soulmate she simply can’t forget…  Matt was trained to protect and defend the souls down below. Longing to feel the heartfelt emotions that come from being human, Matt wants nothing more than to have just one life - one chance - to live and love the girl of his dreams… The powerful team find themselves in a brand new century, living in the Gilded Age of New York City. Emily takes over the body of Anya, a young Russian girl who arrives on Ellis Island after a hideous tragedy. There she meets up with a strangely familiar young man by the name of Drew Parrish, who helps Anya survive in an unknown world of luxury, snobbery and…obsession. What Anya’s inner angel doesn’t know is that the soul she loves is also back. This time around Jason goes by the name of Max Carrow. Once a quiet and kind boy, he’s now part of the ‘Four Hundred Club,’ and wants nothing more than to be among the most admired as he climbs the shaky ladder of society’s elite. As two worlds merge, Emily and Matt struggle under the weight of their “Gilded Wings.” Not only will they have to figure out who they should fight to save, but they must also face a romantic choice that could destroy them both.

I really enjoyed Until Next Time and was excited to begin Gilded Wings the second book in Amy Lignor’s Angel Chronicles series. This time we travel to America during the Gilded Age of New York. I have always found the time period after the civil war fascinating and was delighted to visit. Romance, moral decisions and faith all play a strong role in this tale. The tale is mixed with the author’s special blend of humor and messages. I easily consumed this and look forward to Matt and Emily’s next adventure.

Emily returns to Earth as a young Russian woman who has just witnessed a horror in her homeland. She seeks refuge in America and on the passage meets a young boy name Gregori and his father. Upon arriving at Ellis Island refugees have to pass a health screening and Gregori’s father fails and will be sent back to their homeland. Emily now known as Anya steps in and claims the boy as her brother. As fate would have it the young clerk Drew Parrish, offers her a job as a tutor, giving both her and the young boy refuge. Drew was taken in as a boy in the Carrow home and Mr. Carrow immediately welcomes Anya and Gregori into his home. Anya is flabbergasted by his generosity. She quickly learns about the social ladder and doesn’t like what she sees in the members of the “Four Hundred Club”. Max Carrow is a dashing young member and his obsession with the circle shakes Anya’s core beliefs, what she doesn’t know is that he is her beloved soul mate Jason. Emily truly struggles with her feelings for Jason, and right and wrong. The tale was fascinating, rich in history and kept me enthralled.

Both Emily and Matthew struggle to understand humans, the social ladder and their feelings. Everything is so much simpler in heaven. Emily believes people can change, that what society thinks shouldn’t matter and that money will rule the day. She becomes attached to the Carrow family and her friendship with Drew (Matthew) deepens. Emily loves Jason and has feelings for Max but she has a duty to protect others and keep faith alive. I loved meeting and hearing about some of the greatest entrepreneurs and financial investors of our country. The Saints were back and I laughed so hard at the quotes and advice. It was fun visiting and I loved their interference.

The title is perfect for the Gilded Era and Lignor’s incorporation of historical characters was delightful. I recently watched a four week documentary showcasing each of these men and her knowledge was solid. She wove tidbits of these men, and events into casual dinner conversation. While Emily and Matthew learn and work to keep faith alive, the author added in messages about the evils of money, and the social structure of a society. She accurately depicted the prejudices and the slums of the tenets. I cried during a few scenes and felt for the victims. I enjoyed Anya’s (Emily) banter with Max and her thoughts on society and being a lady. I felt for Matt (Drew) this time around as his feelings for Emily became crystal clear. The pace was delightful and this time I had no difficulty with the back and forth from Heaven. As I closed the book I did so with a strong sense of who I wanted with whom and excitement for the next installment.

Readers who enjoy tales of faith, historical fiction,and angels laced in humor will enjoy Gilded Wings and this series. It was delightful to see how much tighter this tale was and see growth in the writer. At this time there is no information on the release of book three.

Four vanilla lattes out of five

Author Guest Post 

 The Allure of Romance

Ever since ‘Romeo and Juliet’ had their tragedy, the romance novel has been the lure - the draw - for many readers. So it came as no surprise that when old Edward & Bella came along, love grew even more exciting for readers because one character was already dead, so they actually HAD the ability to live in each other’s arms for all eternity.

Romance is one of those rare things that make people forget. In other words: Heart comes to life and brain can take a day off. No, I’m not saying that when you’re in love you’re no longer intelligent. What I’m saying is that when you feel protected, excited and when you’re falling in love with that soul mate you’ve waited for such a long time, your brain knows that ‘all is right with the world.’ When that occurs a great deal of pressure is taken off your shoulders, because you now have that ultimate partner who will help, protect and offer that look in his/her eyes that you believed only came when ‘Once Upon a Time’ was spoken.

As a person who came from a family that had those huge romances - the two sets of grandparents who were always loving and kind to one another, and the mother and father who quite literally would check on each other while they were in the same room by looking over and giving a smile when needed - I was blessed to see the fact that real romance was certainly available and was a gift that you could find if you tried.

When I think of Matthew and Emily, I think of that partnership. Yes, there is the lure, the drama, excitement, hardship - everything that life offers when it comes to the two of them trying so hard to figure out how to be soul mates while doing a job that must be done correctly. But watching them be everything from friends to partners to enemies, makes my heart grow. As the writer, even as the words come out and are placed on paper, I am routing for them. Emily has a tough time, seeing as that she’s been in love with Jason ‘down below’ and has had that feeling of perfection. She is loyal, which means she can’t just wave off that lifetime and forget that he was her first, magical love. And I feel for Matthew a great deal. He’s had lives, he’s had romance, but when it comes to the ultimate partnership, Emily is the only one he wishes to stand behind to support; in front of to protect; and, finally, by her side so that they can face things together.

I don’t know what will happen to these two. Yes, I am the creator, but their hearts can walk down a different path in what seems like seconds sometimes as the story offers a twist or turn that I didn’t even know was coming. But, in the end, Matthew and Emily have joined the category of star-crossed lovers. They are knee-deep in a romance we all long to have, because their souls ARE one! Perhaps, for them, the third time will be the charm.

Until Next Time, Everybody,

Amy

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