Crave: A Novel of the Fallen Angels (Fallen Angels, Book 2)

Jim Heron and his boys Adrian and Eddie and Dog are back for round two! Jim thinks its pure serendipity that his past and the fate of the world coincide. Jim owes his ex. deadly, shadow, US military organization XOps boss, Matthias, a debt. In return for providing needed intel in Covet; Jim is now on the hook with Matthias, and Xops commander wants him to assassinate his former teammate Isaac Rothe; who apparently grew a conscience, wanted out and went walkabout. Except that he’s still using his real name and engaging in illegal cage fighting to make money, so hardly the best laid plans for a walkabout.Jim is determined that he’s going to save Isaac’s life. At first, he’s motivated by owing the man a past debt. Then he starts putting the pieces together and concludes that Nigel and Colin and the boy’s upstairs must be all cool with Jim’s little detour – because it isn’t a detour. Jim figures out he needs to save Isaac’s life and his soul. So, let’s keep in mind that Jim is new at all this and leave it at that.The Fallen Angel books seem to follow a specific formula. The overreaching plot involves the game being played to settle the fate of humanity. Despite that both sides approved of Jim and think he could sway the game either way; the upstairs guys have taken him under their wings (literally) and try to provide him with a degree of guidance. Devina, who’s batting for the guys (and gals) down south, is a nasty little cheater (well, yeah, evil) and she seems to get away with it. I did get quite a kick out of her therapy session though. Even evil incarnate needs someone to talk to, a little validation and some positive affirmations.The second part of the formula involves a romance involving at least one of the humans currently in play on the chessboard of earth. In this case Isaac, the ex-XOps assassin and soft spoken, well mannered, good old southern boy at heart; can’t help falling for his sophisticated and lady-like public defender Grier Childe (turns out cage fighting isn’t the best way to lay low). Of course, nothing is ever simple. It’s not simple between Isaac and Grier, turns out everyone has ghosts and backstories.It’s not simple between Jim and Devina either– enough said. And the state of play turns out to be a little more complicated than Jim initially thought. Round three is going to see him learning to think outside of the box. And then there’s 19-year-old Sissy Barten; the personification of “no good deed goes unpunished”. As much as Devina may crave Jim; Jim has his mind set on saving Sissy – or at least her soul.

I know that I said in my last review that this series is completely different from the BDB series. I'm going to have to eat my words and take that back. You all know I love the BDB series, so that's not exactly bad per say, I was just hopeful for a series unrelated. My how things can change in only one book. With that said, I still continue to love the characters. Each of them were well done and served a purpose to the story. No extra fluff there.Jim's got wings! I adore Jim with all his new angelic powers. Jim, Adrian (aka Ad) and Eddie are set on saving Isaac Rothe from Mathias, in turn saving him from Devina as well. Mathias wants Isaac dead and will stop at nothing to kill him…or will he? Jim is willing do anything to save Isaac, which technically didn't make sense to me. How does Mathias killing Isaac allow him to be claimed by Devina? Fortunately it all began to make sense when Jim figures out that he was trying to save the wrong persons soul. But in this case, even if he did have the correct person from the start, this guy seemed beyond saving. I did enjoy that little turn of events and it made the story come together better. Although, initially I did spend a good amount of time trying to figure out does Devina even would want Isaac?Isaac, I like him. I hope he makes an appearance later in the series. He is a lot like Jim. He’s a dangerous, lethal killer with morals. Isaac is an oxymoron for sure, but that makes him a good guy. Sort of. I thought for a second he would end up apart of Jim’s team, but that didn't happen. Maybe it will later.I like Isaac with Grier. Of course no Ward book will do without a little romance, insta-love and hooking up. They have great chemistry, and their times together are seriously high on the hot meter. I’m glad that Grier wasn’t the main character, because had she been I probably wouldn’t have liked her as much. At times she really comes off as holier than thou, which I could pass on. Her character needed to get off her high horse and come to reality. But I guess in the end it all worked out. Apparently the bad boy can get the good girl after all.Mathias, he's just ridiculous. He's totally week and deserves everything he gets, but at the same time you almost feel a little sorry for him. Almost. He's the perfect villain.Devina is back and she’s seeing a therapist! A demon needing help for her OCD is too funny and very nonsensical. This B is deranged and pretty sick in the head. But I one should expect no less from such a character. She keeps the story moving and keeps our good guys on their toes...or backs. Which in her world is way worse.I was starting to wonder if the good side was going to win every time, and I'm glad they won't. If they did it would be pretty boring after a while. Score one for the bad guys, now their game for souls is now one to one. I do wonder if Jim and his boys will ever have to fight Devina for the soul of a woman. That would be a fun twist to read about.I listened on audio, and I'm enjoying this narrator. It's refreshing to hear a man narrate. It seems like mostly what I’ve listened to thus far has been mostly women. This guy is good because even when he's speaking for Grier, he doesn't sound ridiculous!I didn't like that our villain didn't interact directly with the good guys until almost half way through the book. It took a very long time to set everything up. While I enjoyed reading about the lives of the Isaac and Grier and delving more into the history of Mathias and Jim, we all know the action takes place when Devina shows up.I noticed that the writing style of this book did seem familiar to the BDB series, which I don't necessarily like. In the first book Covet, I was able to tell the difference like she was trying to go away from the BDB novels, but this one brought me right back. I kept waiting for one of the brothers to make an appearance, unusual slang, incomplete sentences, bad English and all. That whole "What's doin." and a few other slang phrases is a little over the top for me, but as with the other novels, you get used to it. Now that the writing style has turned more toward the BDB books, I could see a cross over at some point.I'll keep listening to this series. I'm really enjoying it during my work day and I suspect that this series will get even more addicting as it goes on. The story in itself continues to be fresh and entertaining! If you enjoyed Covet, you'll enjoy Crave as well.

This is the second instalment in JR Ward's Fallen Angel series. Jim Heron is a man on a mission. Agreed by both Heaven and Hell as a suitable pawn in their never ending game, Jim has seven chances to save humanity for one side or the other.Round one (Covet) went to the good guys and left them buoyed up and raring for challenge number two, where Jim and his wingmen Adrian and Eddy must try to work out what Devina, their evil, demon nemesis is up to and shut down her plans.Last time Devina was caught unawares, not knowing that Jim was the opposition. But this time she's ready to engage him and his fellow angels in a deadly game. And it seems it's the soul of one of Jim's old XOps colleagues which is the prize at stakeIsaac Rothe is a wanted man, an XOps operative that desperately wants out from a career choice he never really made. But his attempts to break away land him in more hot water and his file ends up on the desk of the hot young lawyer, Grier Childe. The chemistry between the Grier and Isaac soon starts to bubble its way toward boiling point as she seeks to learn more about him, to help him and he desperately fights to keep her out of his sinister and dangerous world.But Isaac's soul isn't the only one at stake. As the XOps boss turns up the heat and closes in with the intention of destroying Isaac, Jim and his boys realise they might not have been focused on saving the right soul.This is another amazing story from, in my opinion, the best paranormal romance writer out there today. This lethal game of cat and mouse between heaven and hell leaves you unable to trust anyone and always looking round the corner for the next big surprise. Completely engaging and compelling... can't wait to read the next instalment, Envy. Covet: v. 1: A Novel of the Fallen Angels (Novel of the Fallen Angels 1) Envy: A Novel of the Fallen Angels: 3 (Novels of the Fallen Angels)Covet: v. 1: A Novel of the Fallen Angels (Novel of the Fallen Angels 1)Envy: A Novel of the Fallen Angels: 3 (Novels of the Fallen Angels)

As J R Ward set the scene so well in Covet book 1 in this series, we jump straight into to the action pretty much from the get go.I found Isaac who is a ex- special ops soldier turned bare knuckle fighter to be very likable from the start, he has the whole bad boy southern gentleman charm going for him, hes a gentle giant of a man, even though he is rough around the edges.The heroine Grier, is very privileged, classy lady she is the attorney assigned to Isaac. She is beautiful, but carries her own baggage and loss with her.The chemistry between Isaac and Grier is almost at boiling point and the sex scenes were hotter than hot and so very well written, they smolder off the pages.We get a better look into the characters in this book as we learn more about them, we learn more of a understanding of what made Jim the person he is.Devina is one of the best evil characters ever! she is the perfect balance of evil to Jim's good.The humor is still present throughout this book as in the previous, Eddie, Jim and Adrain compliment each other well in the humor department.You will be chomping at the bit for the next book in the Fallen angels series after reading this.

I'm a big fan of J R Ward, her BDB books rank highly amongst my very favourites..so looking forward to Lover Unleashed..I didn't think she could anywhere near match them with a new series, so I read Covet with a little trepidation but yep you guessed it..really really liked it and couldn't wait for the second one in the series Crave and it was so worth waiting for LOVED IT! (Shame we have to wait until later on next year for the third one Envy!) What I liked about the book is that not only do we get to know Jim more..wish he was my guardian angel..you can't help but love him..but I like that other characters like Adrian and Eddie have come to life, and I hope that as the series progresses not only do they still feature strongly in the books, but that we also get to know Nigel and Colin and the rest alot more. Isaac Rothe is such a fantastic character in this book..a gentle giant of a man..and how nice not to have Grier his lover come across as a women, all not gung ho the type that can take on the world and doesn't need a man to help her! The love 'scenes' are sexy just what you expect from J R Ward..so if like me you are unsure whether to read this newer series of hers for fear of not liking them as much, as BDB is such a hard act to follow DON'T..Promise you will love them.

This first book in the Fallen Angels series served the place the stories in the same neighbourhood as the Black Dagger Brotherhood. However, this series is entirely 'human' based (no vampires in sight). Simple premise: seven deadly sins as demonstrated by seven individuals; good vs evil trying to win each soul, with the ultimate prize being the Universe.What I liked particularly about this book is that the main character, Jim Heron, is developed more in this book, and through the story of Isaac, we gain more understanding of what made Jim the sort of person he is. This time, the 'other side' are playing dirty. After all, they are the bad guys.I won't give too much away of the plot, but I will say that fans of JR Ward will really enjoy this series. There are some interesting parallels with the Black Dagger Brotherhood, in the way that you gain more of an understanding of the characters as the books progress. For that reason, Book 3 promises to be a real stunner.

Having read all of J R Ward's B D B series I was very disappointed with the first in this series, different characters and different story but just didn't grab me at all - a real struggle to get through. However Crave has grown on me, only twice have I felt like quitting!Crave tells the continuing ventures of Jim Heron and his quest to save souls with his comrades Eddie and Adrian under the guidance of Nigel and his cronies, the Archangel (I hope the J R Ward doesn't imagine all us English folk are like them - 'cause we're not).Story good - won't give too much away, based around ex-special services guys.On the whole, not a bad read but my opinion is that J R W has written better.

I wasn't sure when I heard that J.R. Ward would be releasing a Fallen Angel series...not that I thought it would be bad but I did think `How could anything ever beat the Black Dagger Brotherhood?' And with Covet I was pleasantly surprised and Crave was just amazing. While the BDB are still my favs Ward has created another series with the same calibre writing and amazing characters.The battle of good and evil, heaven and hell, angels and demons is the basis of this series and so far soooo good.The connection between Isaac and Grier drew my in immediately and the struggles and revelations they go through are staggering...Evil demons and the good guy angels battling for souls but also a great plot then this is a series for you. Great paranormal fantasy series especially for those fans of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

I liked this continuation of Jim and his attempt to thwart the demon, Devina, in claiming a soul in the war between good and evil. I really liked that "she" is in therapy, just a quirky plot line that amused me. Jim's a troubled fallen angel and he is in danger of becoming too drawn in with the demon and her games. The supporting angels, Eddie, Adrian, Nigel and Colin are all interesting and I am keep waiting for the introduction of the fallen angel that appears in the Black Dagger Brotherhood later books. J.R. Ward is excellent at developing friendships between her characters and I look forward to reading how this grows in the next book.

Normally with a JR Ward book I can sit down with a cup of tea and read for ages. The last few books to come onto the shelves (BDB inc) I have found to be a bit 'un-JR Ward like' for a better want of a word. I love the romance, the alpha possesive males / females but I'm now finding the books are more suited towards men.Anyway with Crave I got the feeling it was going to be just like Covet and in a sense, it was for quite sometime. To be honest I got really bored which is why it took me over 2 months to read it. The ending surprised me, good twist and it really needed it.My advice, if you get bored - PERSIST. The ending will surprise you.

I confess to enjoying this new series from the Warden, they are gritty, with strong characters that you cannot help but want to succeed. The english guys make me laugh, just goes to show that the big guy with the white beard upstairs often recruits the wrong people or am I completely missing something!Meantime, Jim and his crew (not forgetting Dog) step up the battle against the slimy Devina, who I confess I disliked from the get go, but I'm sure she will get her comeuppance in the future, but with 6 more innocents to save there is still plenty of time....or is there.Bonus item.....an opening section for the New BDB Lover Unleashed is at the back!

The challenge in this book was just as dark as the first one with Davina always interfering in the background. Jim the Fallen Angel and his two companions had more hurdles to jump to be able to win this challenge to allow Jim to save the endangered soul.Although unusual, it was a fascinating concept and the whole story was unpredictable. I found all the characters interesting too and now look forward to face the next challenge.

I was unsure of this book to begin with as I felt the first in the series was a bit predictable. However this book although you have the normal boy meets girl they fall in love your 99% certain they get the happy ending it isn't quite that black and white. The ending is not what you think and I'm glad that the author hasn't got everything giving the main characters way. I look forward now to the rest of the series!

J R Ward is an extremely talented author. All her books - The Fallen Angels and Black Dagger Brotherhood series - are excellent. Good reads with good solid characters. If you have a strong appetite for books, I would highly recommend J R Ward because once you've read one it will leave you 'Crave' -ing for more!

Another spectacular story and even though Jim did not win this battle with his old boss, it wasn't such a bitter pill to swallow as Isaac was alive and going to live the rest of his life happy. I'm ready for the next instalment and the next battle. .....

Am reading all of this series of books and this author has some imagination.

Gift