UnGuarded by Ashley RobertsonPublished by: Self Published on July 1, 2012
Genre: Angels, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires
Pages: 271
Source: Blog Tour
Buy on Amazon • Book Details
Rating: ★★★★
Guardian angel Selene was so close to becoming an archangel—the supreme of all beings—until she fell in love with Cole, a forbidden dark one. Once she discovers her vampire lover has been kidnapped and the only way to save him is by abandoning her number one priority—Caitlyn, her human charge—there really is only one answer in Selene's mind, even though leaving Caitlyn unguarded will most likely cause Selene to fall from grace.
But her choice to save Cole doesn't come without a price...and now Selene is racing against time to not only save her dark lover, but find a way to keep Caitlyn alive as well.
With the help of a new vampire ally, Luke, Selene will push her diminishing angel abilities to the point where her very existence lies in the balance. Now threatened with the chance of becoming a fallen angel or even dying, Selene can only pray she'll have enough time—and good grace—to save the ones she loves.
Oh my goodness, Ashley Robertson really starts this story off with a kick! Immediately we are thrown right into the action, with flashbacks, angels, demons, and vampires! UnGuarded was my first book about angels and I absolutely adored it. I loved learning about the angel hierarchy, their duties, and their enemies.
Selene, an angel, is distraught because her vampire lover Cole has been kidnapped, and it’s her fault. Now she has to make a choice: she can abandon all hopes of rescuing Cole, or she can give up her human charge in exchange for information on how to find him. What does she put first: her duty as an angel, or her love for a vampire?
This book reminded me of those questions that get posted online like, “Would you hurt someone to save your lover?” Those are the kinds of things you think about, but never actually expect to happen. But in UnGuarded, it does happen, and Selene has to make that decision.
If I betrayed Caitlyn for just an hour, Moros would help me save Cole. […] Was it worth Cole’s undead life to give my human charge over to the monsters? […] Everyone has a choice. After a few grueling moments, I’d made mine.
Page 12
This book is filled with so much raw emotion that had me getting teary at times. I really sympathized with Selene’s position and struggled with her as she made her choices. I could completely understand where she was coming from: she had a strong desire to save her lover, but she also didn’t want to throw her human charge to the demons. Not only is she responsible for her charge—Caitlyn—but she also has a friendship and a bond with her. She’s basically forced to choose which one will be hurt (or worse). It’s really heartbreaking to see Selene go through this struggle and deal with the pain and guilt, and meanwhile, her status as an angel is also at risk. She was so close to becoming an archangel, but ever since she fell in love with a vampire—a creature of darkness—her reputation and powers have been on the decline. And now that she’s neglecting her duties as Caitlyn’s charge, she’s seriously risking becoming a fallen angel.
At first, most of what we know about Cole is through a series of flashbacks. We never actually meet Cole until much later in the book. At first it was difficult to relate to and understand Selene’s love for Cole when we never actually met him, but as the memories and flashbacks became more frequent, I began to understand. Their love is forbidden, but beautiful at the same time. They truly care for each other and are willing to risk life itself.
UnGuarded does have a love triangle, but it’s done in such a way that I have no idea who to root for. We get to know Cole through the flashbacks, but that’s it (until the end of the book). Then there’s Luke. Luke is helping Selene rescue Cole. So I was wanting to root for Cole since he’s the one Selene already loves, but I found it hard to stay loyal to him when I never actually ‘met’ him! So part of me wanted Selene to remain loyal to Cole, but then Luke was there in all his sexiness, stealing the spotlight! I think finally I did decide that I’m a Cole fan because Luke has more of the bad boy vibe and that’s usually not the kind of guy I like!
I do feel like more time could have been spent detailing Selene’s fall from grace. There wasn’t much time between her fall, and her suddenly coming back tasked with keeping the balance. Compared to other parts, like her being stranded in the realm below the Underworld, it seemed a little rushed.
This is a really beautiful book about star-crossed lovers, guilt, good vs. evil and sacrifice — all wrapped up with action and racey tidbits that will have you screaming for more!
» Read the first two chapters of UnGuarded FREE! «
Giveaway!
Ashley Robertson is super awesome and is generously giving away one $10 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback OR ecopy of UnGuarded! Thanks so much, Ashley, you rock! There will be two winners, and each one will receive one of the prizes. The winner of UnGuarded will be able to pick whether they want an ecopy or a paperback copy. But keep in mind that the paperback copy is US ONLY and won’t be shipped until mid August or even later. So if you want to read the book now, go with the ecopy! 😉
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You may submit as many or as few entries as you like. 🙂 Make sure you read my giveaway policy!
Tour Schedule
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour stops here! And HUGE thanks to Ashley at Bookish Brunette for putting this all together! 🙂
The Verdict
Ashley, You are freaking awesome (and it’s not just because we share the same name) 🙂
Thanks for this kick-ass review. I am thrilled you loved UnGuarded. If anyone has any questions or comments, I’ll be checking in periodically and I’d love to hear them. Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway.
No, you are so freaking awesome! 😀 Thanks a million for giving me the opportunity to read your book! ♥
You know it’s weird… but I love to cry when reading.. If a book maanges to make me tear up, the book and me are a good pair :)) and … you had me at “This book is filled with so much raw emotion that had me getting teary at times.”
Thanks! Sold! 🙂
I love to cry too!! It just means the book had a lot of emotion, and that’s an awesome thing in a book. It means it came to life enough to really affect me. I LOVE THAT!
There were a few scenes that I choked back the tears as well. It was so very real in my head and getting Selene’s point across was very difficult at times.
I can only imagine what it must have been like for you! By the way, are you Team Cole or Team Luke?? 😀
That is an incredibly tough question. When the plot first came to me, I was team Cole all the way. But as the story progressed, Luke really started to get under my skin. I love a bad guy that actually has good intentions. It’s fun trying to figure them out, and some of the things they do are actually surprising (in a good way). But can certain circumstances alter those good intentions? Hmph….
I totally know what you mean! You made it super tough to decide! 😀
cant wait to read Ashley Robertson book Unguarded
Haha there are advice articles everywhere for aspiring authors (like myself) that say, “Write the book you’d want to read.” (It’s one of the only slices of advice that’s worth listening to.) And so that’s what I did–I wrote a series about vampires, angels and demons because that’s a book I’d L-O-V-E to read, and I’ve never seen it done before. I’ve seen them in various combinations but never all three, together, like this. Uwaa~
And so you can imagine that I’m pretty excited about UnGuarded. 😀 I’d love to get my hands on this book. I mean, really, a book about an angel with a human friend, a vampire lover and demons in there somewhere?! Oh my God yeah! (Now, if only there were no pesky love triangle… but I guess I’ll have to read it to be sure for myself how that affects the novel as a whole…)
*fingers crossed*
And, of course, as always, the review was wonderful, engaging, meaningful and descriptive. Sankyuu~ 😀
‘Til next review!
Haha that’s so funny Sierra! 😀 It sounds like UnGuarded would be perfect for you!
I’d be very curious to see what you think about the love triangle!
My other book (Crimson Groves) has a pretty unique love triangle, very different than UnGuarded. You might like that one too. The MC is a young girl turned into a vampire against her will, but there’s a reason she was turned and her quest for answers leads to one heck of a discovery.
I’ve got to admit, I’m not much of a angel/demon fan but I love all things vampire so this sounds like an awesome emotional ride.
Y’all are so awesome. Thanks for your comments. I really hope you all enjoy Selene’s story as much I loved writing it (and Ashley, the Booknook) liked reading it :-):
Its weird but I love emotional books that are able to move me emotionally and if it is really good, then I end up crying. This sounds like exactly my kind of read.
It was emotional at times for me to write it. My friends tell me I have an intense writing style and I hope when you read it, that you experience the emotional journey that Selene (the MC) went through. It’s one heck of a ride 🙂
this book looks awesome! I really have to check this out!
I think this book is for me! Love supernatural content.
Thanks for the giveaway! This is definitely my kind of book!
First off, I absolutely love the cover on this book! As for if this book sounds like something I would read, it is right up my alley. I think the book sounds unique and intriguing! Just the review made me want more! Fantastic!
Thanks Wendy! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it once you’re able to read it 🙂
Steph, Erika, and Wni, Thank you for your comments and support. I really appreciate it and look forward to hearing what you think of UnGuarded after you read it. I hope it’s a thrilling, emotional, suspenseful roller coaster ride.
Yeah, it looks really good!
Thanks Claire 😀
This would def be my kind of book! I love a book that can make me feel different kinds of emotions because it means ive connected with these characters and in the short span of the few hours theyve become part of my life. Not many books can do that
Yes it is. I’m so excited to read this book, I loved the cover. It’s like calling me for me to read it ASAP!
Claudia with Phatpuppyart.com did the amazing cover. I think it’s important for your book to look as beautiful on the outside as it is badass on the inside. I really hope you enjoy reading UnGuarded 🙂
excelente blog asi mismo excelentes regalos , buen dia besos y abrazo
This sounds like a great book! I love reading about angels and the hierarchy too! The idea of an angel and a vampire is original and intriguing! Thanks for this info!
Hi,
This book sounds AMAZING! If I win this will be my first ‘Angel’ book LOL… Good luck to everyone entering 😀
Before UnGuarded, I hadn’t read an angel book either. About halfway through writing my novel, I read Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh and loved it. It’s completely different from my book, but it too as vampires in it, and I’m a sucker for anything vampire related 🙂