Touching Eternity Review

Before Fallon was created to destroy. Before love became the ultimate weapon of destruction. There was Amalie and the horror that started a revolution that tore the fabric of humanity, of everything standing in the balance between power, hope and survival.

Amalie has one wish, one gnawing desire — she wants to die.
She wants to leave this world behind with its pain and darkness. She wants to finally breathe. But Amalie is a prisoner, a disease, not fit for life. She is unwanted, unnatural. She is defective, something useless and broken. Her own mother hadn’t wanted her. Her father hated her. The world shunned her and the only person she had ever loved, truly and with all her heart and soul, couldn’t stand the sight of her, couldn’t stand the thought of ever being with her. She repulsed him. Her insanity disgusted him. He’d forgotten her. He’d left her behind, deserted and abandoned her to a madman hell bent on crushing her, stealing her soul and shattering her will.

But what if she’s finally given hope? A reason to live? Can Amalie finally accept the hand offering so much for so little in return? Can she love again when she has nothing left to give?

Can she finally be free?

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(From the Author)
WARNING: PLEASE READ

Due to sensitive matters portrayed throughout the novel, Touching Eternity (Touch Series, book 1.5) is rated 18+ (Adult).

Although a part of the Touch Series, Touching Eternity is a standalone. This book does not need to be read in order to understand the others in the Touch Series or vice versa. You can skip this book altogether if necessary. Touching Eternity is the story of Amalie. For those who have read Touching Smoke — and I advise strongly that you read Touching Smoke before Touching Eternity — already are aware of her story to some point. This book is about her.

I, Airicka Phoenix, in no way, shape or form condone the violence shown in Touching Eternity. For those sensitive to matters of abuse (mental, emotional, substance (unwilling) and sexual), torture, suicide and mental instability, this is not a story for you, please do not read. All images are not projected graphically, but I believe strongly that my younger readers should not read this.

Please be aware that the rest of the Touch Series (Touching Smoke, Touching Fire, Touching Embers & Touching Ash) will continue to be Young Adult.
Touching Eternity is ADULT. It may not be suitable for all readers.

Please read with caution.

My Take:

5 Stars

Recommend to others? Yes

14 and under: No

Language and Content: Mild language, HIGH matters of abuse (see above disclosure)

This book quite literally almost broke me!!

I really wanted to read this to find out the background of Garrison, Isaiah and Amalie...to see what made all the characters tick in Touching Smoke. I have to be honest, that some of the stuff that happens in the book made is so difficult for me to read, that I had to go for a few days before even being able to pick it up again. (Not that it wasn't on my mind.) Now, I need to explain that it's not horribly sick or twisted, there's no horrible, ghastly language in it...Airicka did a very tasteful job of getting her story across and making her points, without crossing any lines and making a reader extremely uncomfortable. The ONLY reason this book had a profound effect on me was because of past experiences, not quite as extreme as Amalie's, but still...it touched me in ways that may not touch another reader.

This being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the tender moments between Isaiah and Amalie. This is why I poured myself back into the book over and over. I love being able to see into each individuals head every other chapter and see what they were thinking and feeling, live their memories w/them...and the few glimpses we were able to get of Amalie's mother. Though they were a little sad, they were a treat, in a way, to see that her mother did indeed love her...the bed scene took my breathe away. Due to the content of the book, I'd recommend to older readers, but I would recommend it. Great job, Airicka...you leave no emotion untouched.

Up next?

 

Touching Smoke Review

Secrets...

Fallon has one. She doesn’t know it, but it will kill her... if she’s caught.

Love...

Isaiah. Her soul mate. Made especially for her. Created especially for her. Designed to be everything she would ever need. But loving him will destroy her.

Betrayal...

Willing to die for her, kill for her, Isaiah must first save her from the monster chasing them — the man that had created them to annihilate the world.

What would you risk for love?

 

My Take:

 

5 Stars!!!!

Recommend to others:  Yes!! Already have!!

14 and Under:  Maybe

Language and Content:  Mild language, no sex

  

Whoa! What an emotional roller coaster ride that was! Whew!

Can I just start by saying that Isaiah is freaking HOT!?!? A man that will take a bullet for you over and over again...throw you onto a motorcycle...growls (yes, I said growls) when someone insults you or hurts you and he gorgeous and tells you his all yours? Um, I'll be the first in line to be with him please!?!?!

I love a book that grabs you at the first and pulls you in, and this did not disappoint. I was sucked in right from the beginning and was literally held hostage for HOURS (I'm writing this review at almost 12:30 am)! I couldn't tear myself away to do anything that needed to be done, lol. I honestly can't get into anything without giving too much away, just know that this book is added to my "favorites" list and that, Airicka...I'm hooked! I've already started your other book and, I was already a fan before having read your books, but now I'm a stalker, haha.

 

Up Next?  I can't help myself....

 

Independence Review *SPOLIERS*

In the fourth and final installment, Maggie and Caleb must tie up all the loose ends of their lives and make a way to be together completely on their own. With everything that happened with Bish and Maggie's father, she's almost reluctant to move on and move out. And now she must figure out all of this...stuff...with Haddock. But of course, nothing can stay simple for the Jacobsons. Enemies who were thought to be dissolved have decided to not go down so easily. And old flames come calling for more than just Maggie. Caleb is torn between leading his family and personal wants. Maggie is torn between Caleb and being the leader of their people. But neither will let what they need most to be pushed to the wayside. They are determined to make it all work, design a plan toward destiny, and make everything right again for themselves and their family.

And then there's a wedding...

 

My Take:

 

5 Breathtaking Stars!!

Recommend to others?  Already have!

14 and under:  Yes!

Language and content:  none/VERY mild

 

Before you read any further, if you haven't read this book yet, DO NOT CONTINUE READING MY REVIEW!  SPOILERS ARE SURE TO HAPPEN!!

 

I have absolutely LOVED this series!  I really tried to go slow through this book, to pace myself and enjoy every single morsel...but I rushed through it in just under a day!  I can NEVER get enough of Maggie and Caleb and this will be one series I will read over and over and over again!

 

***SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT***

 

In this book Caleb and Maggie FINALLY get married, along with several others.  And the wedding is gorgeous!  It's way more than I could even imagine, I was completely taken away by the beauty of it and the preparations of it.  And there is nothing more sexy than Caleb and his guitar!  I'm surprised Maggie was able to contain herself and not jump on the boy right at that moment, lol.

I loved that Caleb is so selfless in how he helps Bish and his decision for his own housing arrangement.  I kinda thought he'd do this, but I was surprised that he did it...very nice.  He's just the perfect man for Maggie, really, and it's proven with the exchange of rings.  I was seriously bawling at that point.  And the reading of vows?  Oh my goodness!  That was one of THE most romantic moments I have EVER read!!  I was a bawling mess here!

And then the showdown at the beach?  Ugh!  I was a hot mess during this point in time!  I could barely stay seated in one place to finish reading.  And the moment they said their goodbyes and Caleb ran away??  Seriously, didn't you just die?  I almost screamed!  It worked out perfect though and I love that Haddock was able to help and he was able to be more involved from this point on.  But I was seriously looking at the 80 something percent on my Kindle thinking..."what? How can it end like this?  How can it be fixed...ugh!"  SO glad it worked out and that I didn't have to throw my brand new Kindle across the room.  :)

And finally the ending, thank you, Shelly!  You always go one step further and make sure you let us know what happens a few months, a year, a few years out.  Some authors just end it and leave it to imagination.  My imagination runs amok and I'm SO happy that you don't allow it to do so...the ending was perfect!

So, that's my messy review, sorry it's so all over the place, but in a nutshell, I LOVED this book.  And as stated on Goodreads...if I could be any fictional character and be with any fictional leading man...this is the series I'd jump into, no questions asked.  <3

Up Next:

Avow Review

Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out.

Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.

My take?

5 MASSIVE stars!!!

 Recommend to others:  Already have!!!

14 and under:  No

Language and Content:  Mild language, mild sexual content

Yay! What a PERFECT ending! I wanted to pace myself on this one, but once I started it, I was greedily finding time to finish reading it!!

Chelsea, you amazing girl, you!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book! Talk about romance and suspense! And just the right amount of juiciness from Tristan and Scarlet...YUM!

I loved the back story that was provided in this book. I was bored at all by any of the going back in time, I found that I just wanted to rush through it more to find out what happened in each century. And I loved that there wasn't focus just on Tristan and Scarlet, but that we got to see into Gabriel's and Nate's life. Nate quickly became one of my favorite characters. I love his comments about his games and his obsessions w/Indiana Jones and Lucky Charms! That's a boy after my own heart. The wit and comments in this whole series would have me laughing out loud all the time, I loved it! I don't think I could have picked out a favorite quote without eventually quoting 1/3 of the books.

And then the chemistry and interactions between Tristan and Scarlet...can we say scorching? It was kept very clean, but my Kindle was getting hot in my hands, lol. I loved the 1500's, also the scenes after she steals his weapons, and the cave scenes. One thing is for sure, I will be haunting your pages, Chelsea, to see what you have in store next! VERY well done. I will be reading this series again and again and it's going on my favorites shelf. :)

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