ARC Review: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by, Jennifer L. Armentrout

Summary:

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…(Via Goodreads.com)

Pages: 446

Expected Release Date: October 28th, 2014

Review:

     Before I start talking about how much I loved Stone Cold Touch I figured I should tell you guys how I ended up getting an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of it. To do so I have to rewind back to Book Con (my review on Book Con here:  http://www.littleredsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-con-2014.html). I was at the Spencer Hill Press booth and getting some of the bookmarks, pins, and a small poster of The Return (also by Jennifer L. Armentrout) when I noticed that Jennifer L. Armentrout was standing in the booth with the people running it. I was surprised no one recognized her, I did because I met Jennifer two other times prior to Book Con. Anyways, I went over to her and asked if she could sign my poster of The Return. Jennifer recognized me and she signed my poster. Then she asked me if I was going to go to her signing for the ARC of The Return, I replied yes and she gave me a ticket to get one of the ARC's at the signing because there were a limited amount. I also said I was excited to go to her ARC signing of Stone Cold Touch. It turned out that they had run out of ARCs at the Stone Cold Touch signing during BEA (Book Expo of America) so I was really sad. But, she said she could get me a copy. Two weeks later, I ended up getting an ARC of Stone Cold Touch in the mail! I want to thank Jennifer for the ARC of Stone Cold Touch and for giving me a ticket to go to the signing for The Return! 

     To me and many others, Jennifer is infamous for her huge cliff hangers. But, her most painful cliff hanger had to have been White Hot Kiss. Knowing that, I went into Stone Cold Touch expecting a really bad cliff hanger and I got it. The cliff hanger in Stone Cold Touch was not as bad as White Hot Kiss, but I am itching to have my hands on the third Dark Elements book. That is the one down side of ARCs, you have to suffer cliff hangers longer than people who get the book the day of its release. I am hoping to get an ARC of the third book so I do not have to wait as long. But, with no release day set for it, I am nervous how long I have to wait.
     During White Hot Kiss, I was not a huge fan of the love triangle but I grew to like it in Stone Cold Touch. But, I still like Roth and Layla together more than Zayne and Layla. 
     I love how unique The Dark Elements series is, I am unaware of any other authors using gargoyles. Most paranormal books use vampires, demons, werewolves, witches, etc. Some of those types are featured in the series but the main focus is on gargoyles. I have never even seen gargoyles being mentioned in other paranormal stories as living creatures. The concept of gargoyles in The Dark Elements series is so interesting and I wish there were more books out there with gargoyles. 
     Jennifer has amazing writing, is kind, caring, and goes beyond what she has to for her fans. I would highly recommend any of her series or any of her stand alone novels. I have loved meeting her three times so far and am hoping to go see her at the release party of The Return and other book events in the future. I would also recommend going to any book event she will be attending, you will not regret it. 

     In Stone Cold Touch, we meet new characters and many shocking revelations are unearthed. Stone Cold Touch is a great sequel to White Hot Kiss and I can't wait for the next book in the series! It has the perfect blend of romance, action, suspense, and surprises. I rated Stone Cold Touch five out of five stars and I highly recommend it or any other books by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 
~Casey