Book Review: Rapture by J.R. Ward

Rapture
The Fallen Angels #4
Author: J.R. Ward
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy/Angels
Released: September 25th 2012
Review Link: NAL Hardcover
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too ...As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in heaven - or in hell - will it take to save them both?

After reporter Mels Carmichael hits a disheveled man with her car
outside the local cemetery, she pays a visit to the stranger in the hospital. The only thing he remembers of his past is seeing a name written on a headstone: that of Jim Heron—a fallen angel charged with rescuing souls from the seven deadly sins. Now, as Mels struggles to help this mysterious stranger rediscover himself, Heron himself returns to prepare for a battle between good and evil.

The WARDen has done it again. J.R. Ward, author of the popular Adult series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood, has once again ensnared her readers with Book 4 in the equally steamy series, The Fallen Angels. Rapture picks up where Envy left off. Devina had won round three in the battle for the souls of all mankind. She played dirty and won but the Maker wasn't happy about the way she did it. He has released Matthias from Devina's beloved wall of souls and given him a second chance, to see if his soul can be claimed in favor of good once and for all.

Devina is back and playing dirtier than ever in round four. She has decided that in this round, instead of going directly after the target, she will try to mess with Jim's head instead. She wants to use his obsession with poor, sweet, innocent Sissy to her advantage. She wants to distract Jim from the job at hand so he'll lose focus and even the score of the game. As much as Jim doesn't want to let this happen, there is no denying that Jim was brought into his role in the game because he is inherently both good and evil. The question becomes, which way does he lean more toward and how will he handle the stress of the round.

Adrian is also fighting his own side battle. A war more so with himself since the loss of Eddie in round three. Eddie was his moral compass since Adrian's doesn't always point due north and Adrian finds himself thinking, "What would Eddie do in this situation?" as the round comes to a head.

Matthias by far steals the show in this round. Turns out, when you give a guy amnesia and allow his slate to be wiped clean, he can see himself clearly for the first time in his entire life. He falls for Mels Carmichael, our female heroine, and has to fight who he was when each memory comes flashing back to him.

I really can't say enough to recommend this book. If you're not currently reading either The Black Dagger Brotherhood or The Fallen Angels series by J.R. Ward, I suggest you start! If you love books about angels, redemption and a truly steamy, toe curling romance then this series is right up your ally.