Waiting on Wednesday: Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn Double Feature

Some bloggers regularly feature two WoW picks every week based on genre. I usually don't do that, but today, I'm switching things up and doing a double feature for upcoming books by Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn, an author whose books have enchanted me for the past month. I need more, and the sooner, the better!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

White Hot Kiss
The Dark Elements #1

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Coming February 25, 2014

Harlequin Teen

Summary:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Why I want it:

I just read "Bitter Sweet Love," the prequel novella to White Hot Kiss, and I loved it. More than anyone else, Jennifer's books have been recommended to me over and over this year. I'm so glad I have the opportunity to work with Harlequin on this series. I find it extraordinarily unique but also really, really sexy. I had no idea I would want to read a series about gargoyles until it was right in front of me! Quasimodo's goofy friends from Disney's Hunchback, these are not!

Why I think you should want it:

Gargoyles, guys. Gargoyles. Sexy, cool, mysterious gargoyles with crazy family dynamics and some surely wicked (wicked in the Boston slang sense, not naughty) mythology. Although, yeah, I have a feeling some of these characters are sure to be the wicked ie naughty sort, if "Bitter Sweet Love" is any indication! My first impression is honestly that this series is remniscent of those like The Shadowhunter Chronicles or Amy Plum's Revenants series. If you like superhuman beings standing as the only guardians between mostly-clueless humanity and a demonic apocalypse with some romance thrown in, this is sure to be right up your ally.

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Be With Me
Wait for You #2

by J. Lynn

Coming February 4, 2014

William Morrow/Harper Collins

Summary:

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

Why I want it:

New adult is the new kid on the block, and it's receiving a lot of possibly probably rightfully deserved criticism. I'll admit; it seems like smutty ya or adult romance lite most of the time. However, I read Frigid by JLA under her J. Lynn pen name and then turned to Wait for You & Trust in Me, and that was when I realized just how much real potential the new adult genre has. The characters in this series are realistic and sympathetic, the plot is engaging, the romance is steamy and believable. I was hooked. I found myself caring about even the small characters so I'm thrilled to be able to move from Cam & Avery to Jase & Teresa!

Why I think you should want it:

If you are unsure about NA, I will straight up tell you that this series will either instill in you the same hope it did in me OR it's just not a genre that you're going to enjoy no matter what. That's it. If a series with real characters with real chemistry but also real problems can't entice you to buy into new adult, I'm just not sure you will ever find an NA novel of your liking. I wrote up a full review for Wait for You so if you are sorta-kinda interested but not sold yet, check it out and see all the reasons why I rated it 4 stars and why I need the next book in the series. 


So those are my two picks this Waiting on Wednesday. Have they been on your TBR for months? Did I sway you? Are you a maybe or a solid no? Let me know what you think and please, as always, share your links!