Stone Cold Touch

October 13, 2014
In this sequel to Armentrout's White Hot Kiss, half-demon Layla, daughter of Lilith (yes, that Lilith), is mourning the loss of her boyfriend, Roth (i.e. Astaroth, Prince of Hell), who sacrificed himself to save the world. All she has left of him is a snake named Bambi, whose habit of eating dangerous people comes in handy. While Layla's demonic side makes her apt to soul-suck anyone she kisses, she is also half-Warden, a race of demon-destroying gargoyles, which gives her an identity crisis and an uncomfortable position in the household of her adoptive Warden family. Just as it seems that Zayne, Layla's foster brother and former crush, can heal her broken heart, Roth reappears, along with a series of strange happenings. Students attack other students, demons are hatching in the school basement, a wraith-creating Lilin has been born, and Layla can't see auras anymoreâbut she can kiss without killing. Series fans will appreciate the quick pace as Layla's attentions vacillate between an impossibly gorgeous Warden and an equally hot demon prince. Ages 14âup. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

October 1, 2014
The saga of a girl who's a hybrid of demon and Warden, the gargoyle-type creatures who fight demons, continues (White Hot Kiss, 2014). Layla is torn between very different heartthrobs: Zayne, the Warden boy with whom she's lived for most of her life, and Roth, the demon Crown Prince of Hell. It's complicated. If she kisses Zayne, her true love, she might accidentally inhale his soul. Although Roth tells her he doesn't really care for her, he continues to attend school, wisecracking his way through every scene. The story kicks off when Layla's snake tattoo, Bambi, eats a visiting Warden. Worse, Layla and Roth find evidence that the foretold demonic Lilin indeed has entered their high school and appears to be taking the souls of students. While she's investigating the Lilin, Layla finally begins a real relationship with Zayne. As the plot thickens, she begins to doubt herself. Could she have some connection with the Lilin? Armentrout balances suspense and romance, spicing it up with Roth's one-liners and Layla's wry inner commentary, all adding welcome humor. Of course, everyone involved has a hotness level that would shame supermodels. The almost-sex scenes provide even more punch, and the book ends with a nice zinger. Demon Roth again stands out as the character with the mostest. Demonic fun. (Paranormal romance. 14-18)

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November 1, 2014
Grades 9-12 This second book in the Dark Elements trilogy picks up right where White Hot Kiss (2014) left off. Layla is battling grief over demon Roth's exile to hell, but when he is released with news of the possible birth of a Lilin (a creature that can turn humans into destructive wraiths), the demons and wardens must work together to discover the Lilin before it's too late. Meanwhile, warden Zayne has discovered his love for Layla, in spite of her killer kiss, and Layla's ability to see auras has vanished, making life immensely more complicated. Those who have not read the previous book can still jump in and sort out this paranormal love-adventure story. Roth's sense of humor and Layla's wry wit keep the book from being too dark, while the furious pace, coupled with the sensual scenes of Layla and both male characters, will have readers inhaling this novel. Some issues are painfully resolved; others are left open, including the dramatic, cliff-hanger ending, which means audiences will be itching for the conclusion. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-seller Armentrout has an in-place audience, and a big media campaign (including an online contest at the author's website) will push this forward.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)