Hard Breaker by Christine Warren is book six in her Gargoyles series. Can be read as a standalone, but because it brings back past characters and continues the fight against the Order of Eternal Darkness who are trying to destroy the world.

This installment is about Ivy Beckett, whose uncle and cousin were Wardens and part of the Guild, protecting humanity. However, the Order has been exterminating the Wardens and weakening the Guild as they work on releasing the Seven Demons of Darkness from their magical prisons.

Gifted with Clairaudial empathy, Ivy is able to hear voices during "moments filled with anger or fear or soul-wrenching grief" at unexpected times. After hearing her uncle and cousin pass away, she makes it her mission to help get Wardens who are in need of a safe place to hiding where the remaining Wardens are before the Order can find them.

During one of her removals, she and the Warden she is trying to help transfer are attacked by three minor demons on the way. Luckily, a Guardian of the Light (stone warriors come to life), awakens and comes to her rescue. Baen, is the sixth Guardian to awaken, and now that he is awake he is ready to join in the battle to stop the Order with Ivy's help. What follows is a fast-paced, entertaining story with great characterization in Ivy and chemistry between Ivy and Baen. Top it off with action and the big face-off between the Guardians of Light and the Demons of Darkness and you have a story not to miss.

I really enjoyed Ms. Warren's novel. Hard Breaker is the first book in this series I have read, so I can confirm you can read it as a standalone because Ms. Warren does give us a run through of the overall plot between the Guild, Guardians, Order and the Seven. So I didn't feel lost. Though I will admit, once the other Guardians and their Wardens began appearing with their unique dynamics and bantering, I had a strong desire to go back and read their stories (which I probably will), especially Ash and Drum's. I hope Ms. Warren does a story for short story for Rose because I would love to know more!

My only qualm would be wishing we could have seen Ivy use her gift more or use it past just hearing things since it was hinted she could possible do more (which she does a little), but still I found her gift quite interesting and thought it could have made a bigger showing.

Overall, Hard Breaker by Christine Warren is a great paranormal fantasy romance that I enthusiastically recommend. I also recommend reading the series (book one is Heart of Stone), you don't want to miss out. I sure don't!

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Hard Breaker by Christine Warren
Gargoyles #6

In the finale of this series two gargoyles make their appearance with one getting short shrift…at least in my opinion…Ghrem makes an appearance late in the story along with his Warden instead of getting a whole book for the two of them. I was happy to find out how the series ended but have to say that the ending left me underwhelmed.

The main players are gargoyle Baen who comes to Ivy’s assistance as she is assisting a Warden to safety. Other Warden-Guardian couples make appearances, fights with demons inhabiting humans occur frequently, mythology is shared, angsting and denial by Ivy is prevalent, wooing-of sorts- is done by Baen, and alpha behavior on the part of Baen and other Guardians is exhibited.

There is a myth that tells of Maidens with power/magic awakening Guardians/gargoyles when they are most needed and normal calling to awaken and defend does not suffice and it says that the Warden and Guardian will mate, live a mortal life, enjoy love and happiness and then die as other guardians are called to take their places and act should they be needed at some point in the future. The assumption is that if all seven Guardians in this series survive, they manage to defeat the Darkness and imprison the seven demons then they and their Wardens will walk off into the sunset to enjoy a happily ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3 Stars

The guardians are protectors of Earth from Evil, i.e. Demons. They have been awakened one by one in previous books, as the demons are gaining in power. As with the previous books, this one follows a similar formula. The guardian Baen is awakened by Ivy as she is about to be slaughtered by demons. Baen is of course, her mate. All the guardians come together through....Craigslist!!! How did they not do this before? Through a vision in the previous book, they know something terrible will happen if they do not act quickly. It is through this that we discover that there has been a 7th guardian all along? interdimensionally guarding the baddest demon around. Huh? This is the final book? This is how this series goes out? The final battle scene is the mates chanting this simple, childish spell/rhyme that sends Evil back to Hell and saves mankind. Disappointing, really.

This is book six in the Gargoyles series and it doesn't disappoint. It can be read as a standalone if you want as the author explains the characters to you as the book moves along but do yourself a favor read the others as well. Baen & Ivy are the heroes of the book but they are just a part of the book that makes it so interesting. They both have their own unique gifts, Ivy can hear voices from everywhere she finds it a curse more than anything but she will need it to stay alive and help Baen her own gargoyle fight the Order from taking over the world and sending it into darkness. Can she really trust him and will he be able to keep her safe forever? Baen knows that Ivy is the one but will she be able to accept their fate? Can they beat the Order before it is too late? A great book filled with sexual vibes and a good storyline that just keeps you turning the pages. Another great book in the series. Come on read them all you won't be sorry.

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: HARD BREAKER: A Beauty and Beast Novel (Gargoyles Series) by Christine Warren https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aie
Publication Date: October 31, 2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

This is a fun, action packed addition to the Gargoyles Series. Danger, magic and hot sex are jam-packed into the story of the last Guardian, Baen, finding his mate. He is patient and steadfast, which helps counteract Ivy’s sarcasm. Its filled with snarky humor and life and death situations until the very end. I liked it.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy has a gift, she can hear things happening from far away. That is how she knows her family has been killed by the Dark. Ivy joins the fight to save the world, but it is not an easy one. Baen is a Guardian and when he awakes he can’t believe his eyes. But when he sees Ivy, he knows just what he wants. Loads of drama and suspense. I really liked this read and plan to check out the other books in the series. An entertaining read.

For a series that started "rock-solid", only the first two books in the Gargoyles series have been truly worth reading. In "Hard Breaker" the relationship between Baen and Ivy seems rather one-sided (for more than half of the tale) except for the physical attraction. I did not appreciate the constant repetition of certain details, such as the tale of the Guardians and the Maidens. Also, Ivy’s internal thoughts became more annoying than cute. I was glad to finally see all the Wardens and Guardians uniting for the ultimate battle against the Darkness, and there are plenty of twists and turns in the action, but all of that takes place in the last three chapters of the book.

I think that this series has lost its freshness and I was glad to see that the seventh Guardian was introduced in this novel rather than adding one more book to this series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Enjoy paranormal romances with a twist? Look no further! Christine Warren has written this action packed series but I don't think you need to have any of the others to appreciate this book.

Ivy Beckett has an usual gift - or curse, depending on your point of view - she hears things that are happening in distant locations. She doesn't see anyone or anything, just hears. She can't choose when or if she does this, either, and sometimes what she hears can be a traumatic experience - like hearing the last moments of her Uncle and cousin, including their murder. This triggers her move to London where she works to help send Wardens who are fighting her family's killers, the servants of Darkness. It is whilst involved in one such mission that she is forced to fight three demon infested humans. With the warden a quivering wreck, she's on her own and bound to fail - until a gargoyle guardian, Baen, flies in to the rescue! Thus starts a dramatic, suspense filled adventure as she discovers more about those fighting for Light, against the Darkness, is unsure just who to trust, is betrayed, makes new friends and allies, helps in a dramatic rescue and discovers romance!

This is a fast paced, engaging and enthralling paranormal romantic suspense, a real page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I will say up front that I love Christine Warren. I have not read all of this series though as it doesn't appeal to me as much. I have read 3 of the series though. This does read well as a stand alone. I enjoyed this book but didn't love it. I thought the ending was a little abrupt.

Hard Breaker by Christine Warren is book six of the series. It still reads fresh and original, not so much like the tying up of loose ends. Having read all of the series, I can’t really say if one could read this book as a stand-alone. While background information is given throughout the book, there is still much that has happened with the gargoyles and mates, then the evil and impending doom theme.

This series is fantasy at its best. Don’t we all wish a “Arnold Schwarzenegger” guy, in this case a gargoyle, would save the day with the help of a beautiful intelligent woman, who falls madly in love with him. Of course, just for a little while we dream of being that woman. Which is one reason, I like this series, the females are strong, intelligent and resourceful, no damsels in distress to be found. Well-written, with amazing characters, it is fantasy at its best, like I said earlier.

Ivy Beckett and Baen are one of the best couples, bringing a gift/curse and the strength of another Guardian to the overall story-line. Their story is one of sorrow and joy, humor and seriousness, steamy romance and fated mates, but also the evil verses good theme. The idea of the needed contrast of both light and darkness is thought provoking to say the least. Great finale to the series.

Christine Warren’s Gargoyle (aka: Beauty and the Beast) series is one series that you don’t want to miss. The series has gargoyle guardians and witchy warden’s saving mankind from evil’s clutches as it tries to encompass the world in darkness. First I guess, I should say that it is my understanding that Hard Breaker is the last book in this series and while I haven’t read all of them yet, (I really need to get caught up on my TBR pile!), the author makes it easy to read each and every book as standalones and still easily be able to grasp all concepts of the overall series plot.

That being said, let me get to what you really want to know; is this book good? Definitely, the author created a spectacular ending with a sensational battle and a very rocky relationship. Ivy is a reluctant heroine that gets the surprise of her life and has a bone to pick with fate which keeps the relationship on rocky ground despite the hot and heavy attraction that burns between them. The reader can certainly empathize with the situation that the characters find themselves in and Baen is one hunky winged guardian that easily captures the heart.

The danger that plagues the couple is full of suspense, thrills, betrayals and death defying action which keeps readers completely engrossed in the tale from start to finish and plenty of supporting characters spice things up to really keep readers on their toes.
What’s better than one sexy guardian? Why a six sexy guardians and their wardens, which the story provides as previous characters join our hero and heroine for one outstanding knock down drag out finale. I love Christine Warren’s books and while I am sad to say goodbye to this series (of course I will be re-reading again and again) I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us readers next.

This was the first time I've heard of the Gargoyle series and I was quite intrigued, this was well written and I really enjoyed it

I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my own opinion

This is the sixth book in the Gargoyles series and I loved this one! This can probably be read as a standalone, but I personally recommend starting with book one and going from there since they're all just that good!

This author has an amazing way of creating a fantastic world filled with magic and adventure around every turn that leaves you wanting more and I can't get enough of her amazing stories! Ivy is one of my personal favorite characters so far in this series and I love her strength and determination against even the worst odds or in the most dangerous situations. Baen isn't so bad either and I definitely had a bit of a soft spot for this man of stone by the end of this story.

Overall, I highly recommend this highly addictive paranormal romance series to anyone to read and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!

From New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren comes the sixth book in her red-hot romance series in which even the most beastly gargoyle is able to win the heart of a beautiful human woman.

Ivy Beckett has a special gift. She can hear voices, feel events, and receive messages from great distances. Which is also a curse. The moment her family is killed by the servants of the Darkness, she knows it. And the only way to fight these evil forces is to align her powers with a Guardian. A legendary warrior of stone who strikes fear in her heart―and fire in her soul…

Baen is a fierce and powerful gargoyle who has sworn to protect all humans from the Darkness. But when this mighty winged warrior swoops down to rescue Ivy from the jaws of death, he is drawn into a battle that is more dangerous―and more intimate―than he ever bargained for. The beautiful, gifted Ivy touches something deep within him, an all-consuming passion that puts both their lives at risk. Can he conquer the armies of evil itself . . . without losing the woman he loves?




Review:




This was fun to read!


I love a book with some good, snarky dialogue, which was in this book. Besides the snarky I really enjoyed Ivy and Baen. I loved the tension between Ivy not believing she is Baen's mate and him being super patient with her. He also enlists the help of the others to win her over, which was very smart of him. As a couple they were fun and sexy and in my opinion the best part of the book.


Having read only the last three books, I think the Author does a good job of not making the reader feel lost if they are reading out of order. Plus, all the others from previous books are present in this book, so you got to know them a little also. The story line continues through all the books as the Guardians continue to wake up and fight the rising evil.


4Stars

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

The finale to the Gargoyles series has arrived! With kick-ass females and their supernatural men here to literally save the world.

Ivy's grown up hearing tales of the Light and the Darkness from her uncle and cousin. Her family is a long line of those who fight the evil Darkness called The Guild. She never thought much of her gift, the ability to hear events as they happen miles away from her. But hearing the gruesome death of her uncle and cousin launches her call to action to rid the world of the Darkness.

Now on the run and helping any Guild members left alive to escape she comes across an ambush that almost ends her life. Until Baen, her own fearsome Guardian steps in and banishes them without a second thought. With the shock of a Guardian right before her eyes, Ivy has to determine what's true and who she can trust. Legend tells of a secret about the Wardens she never knew and it seems the legend may be about her.

As our wardens from past novels come together we learn the final plan of the Nocturnis. Hard Breaker is a non-stop action romance that culminates all the past stories into one final epic battle. There are glimpses into past couples as they help Baen and Ivy come to terms with the world's new truth. And a final character comes in to play to help the Wardens and the Guardians fight true evil in a battle of epic proportions. I loved this story so much and I don't want to spoil any of it for you!This may be a tale of magic beyond anything I've read lately but it's written in a way so believably perfect.

If you love the supernatural, romance, bad-ass heroines, heroes who respect their females, a world of mystical powers and secrets then this series, and this finale, is the one for you!

Loved this first book in this new series from Donna. This book has an Alpha Male and Bad-Ass Woman who always picks herself up no matter what is thrown at her. Clayton has just come home after being a Navy Seal. He is trying to save his family's farm and meets Abby and sparks fly. Abby is an amazing person who is raising her 2 brothers after her mother left them. I really enjoyed reading about Clayton and Abby. It does make me wonder who will be next in this series as Clayton has no brothers but I know i will enjoy the book wherever it goes.



*Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest opinion*

I like the series, but not the ending. It left me wondering what happens next? Is this the last book? Will there be another one?

Can't say I did not enjoy it, because i like how Baen and Ivy romance develop. I just have some issues of the way it was ended.

I look forward to reading more books from this author.

This is the sixth book in the Gargoyles series and it was an interesting read. When a human female and a make gargoyle meet for the first time so many interesting things start to happen. Is Baen and Ivy's attraction destined to end or just starting? Ivy isn't your typical; human she is special but then so is Baen. They must figure out if they can trust each other or will the dangers tear them apart? Thank you for allowing me to read this and write a honest review.

I read this one way out of order but that did not take away from my reading experience. I loved the concept. The Guardians are very unique and I loved that the women in the story were strong and capable. I'm definitely going to back track and get everyone's stories. I loved Baen and I felt he was a well crafted character. Ivy I struggled with. Ivy was a complete badass in the beginning of the book. She was confident and gutsy. But about a quarter of the way into the book she became less and less like the strong female character we were first introduced too. Sure she had moments of badassery but then she was just a damsel in destress. I wasn't thrilled with the back and forth. Overall though I would still call this a strong enjoyable story.

3 1/2 stars Guardians have always been the protectors of the world from evil. They sleep till they are needed and once summonsed protect the world. But there was a time when the guardians felt taken advantage of and decided they no longer wanted to protect humanity. Once that happened only the pleading from their destined mates could summon them. Now many years later that is only thought of as a myth, the guardians still protect when called upon but no one realizes that those ancient tales are true.

Ivy’s world turned upside down when she heard in her dreams her uncle and cousin being murdered. Now she does everything she can to protect the world by helping to keep wardens safe. While protecting and transporting one warden Ivy is put in danger when demons come to get the warden she is protecting. When a guardian comes and saves the day Ivy is shocked. Baen came and not only protected the warden but saved her life as well.

Since no one summoned Baen he knows that Ivy must not only be his personal warden but also his destined mate. And though saving the world especially with the state it is in is important Ivy’s safety is the most important. But Ivy is convinces Baen is wrong about both counts. With the world falling apart all around them and evil set on taking over the world all the guardians and their mates must work together to save humanity and Baen will do everything he can with every spare moment he has convincing Ivy she’s his.

Ok so fair discloser here I shouldn’t have read this book. Was it good, yes it was really good. I loved the writing style and the world this author created and I especially loved the two main characters Baen and Ivy. However I didn’t realize this was not the first in the series. Had I looked into it at all I would have seen that this was not book 1 but in fact book 6 but to be fair to myself this wasn’t numbered and Amazon does not have this listed as book 6 either I had to look on Goodreads when I stared getting confused.

So I am not the best to read this book. I really liked it but I was confused and their was so much going on I didn’t know about and so many charters that I didn’t know anything about that I know I missed too much and would have enjoyed it more had I actually started at book 1, and I know that’s all on me.

What I will say is this book is really good, the main charters were great and the story was great. I would be more inclined to call this urban fantasy, yes there is romance and great romance at that but there is also tons of world building and action. As I’m sure you can guess I don’t recommend reading just this book, this series should be read from beginning to end, but from what I can see( including being introduced to the previous main characters) this series is full of not only romance but a great story and tons of action while everyone try’s to save the world from evil.

*Thank you NetGallery and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks for this ARC to read and review.