Stone Cold Touch

Stone Cold Touch is a re-read for review and refresher to move on to Every Last Breath.

When I first found out about White Hot Kiss I didn't hesitate to pre-order it and I read it within a week of it's arrival and I was not disappointed. I instantly fell in love with the cast of characters in The Dark Elements series. Especially with Layla and Roth, and I'm so ecstatic to have them in my life again. Roth was his usual heart-meltingly charming, tongue in cheek self. And Layla was back with her spunky dry twisted way of describing the sitch. I love that about her, that made me bond with her right away because I tend to use made up words and phrases to show how dire a situation is too. I totally get her, it is very necessary sometimes to show more add flourish to your words you know☺. Okay, I won't forget Zayne, I like Zayne buuut, Roth stole my heart, sorry Zayne. Zayne is really sweet and protective, and any girl would lose their skinny jeans for a hot second with him.

I loved this installment of the series, lot's going on in there, we see Layla's distress with Roth's untimely return to hell when he sacrificed himself for her by taking Zayne's place. Also Roth surprise return, him pushing her away but not staying away himself and pushing her buttons to no end. Layla was also trying to figure out who or what's messing with her school this time around. And a chance at having a once impossible dream come true with Zayne. Layla still dealing with her Warden clan not accepting her and being suspicious of her. Even with all this, Layla was still her funny and positive self, she didn't let her situation break her spirit. This is one of the things I like about JLA's characters, they always have that strength in adversity thing going on, even if they don't start out with it, they always end up there in the end. But Layla always came across as very strong willed from the git go and I can see her getting even more so as the story develops.

Roth was...Roth, provokingly amusing as always, constantly teasing or pushing Layla into imagining punching him in the family jewels. A flirt, he is such a charmer, so deceptive is the prince of hell with his charm, better the charming side I say. And lest not forget hot as hell, no pun intended. *swoon* He continues to ruffle Stony's patience, and hatred for him. (Shaking head from left to right, smiling). Still protecting Layla and keeping secrets from her. *sigh* By the way, I would reeeally love to have, even just one of his familiars. Maybe Bambi, or even Bluebell or Flower. Man talk about how badass that would be.

Well it's obvious how much Zayne loves Layla, but I don't like how over protective he is and how he's in denial or maybe he knows but don't want to admit it to her how his father feels about her. He also seem to have accepted her for who or what she is, more than even she does herself, so that's good.

Overall, I really enjoyed Stone Cold Touch, I knew I would from the first page because it never seems to fail that I will find myself grinning ear to ear on page one if not page two of a JLA book. How does she do it?

I liked how the story is progressing and seeing Layla gets more kickass everyday, Roth more good, even though he would deny it, and seeing how Zayne is a positive influence in Layla's life, especially when she needs it most. ♥

When I found out that fans would be able to vote on who Layla should end up with, Roth or Zayne I hurriedly clicked over to the site and made my choice. Can you guess who I chose? Now I can't wait to see if I get my wish. show less

I have a problem. I’m a terrible series finisher. There, I said it. And any of my friends probably already know this. So let me just say, that for me to continue the second book in a series immediately after I finish the first (and I do mean, the minute I was finished) you know it has to be good. That just simply doesn’t happen.

I loved Stone Cold touch as much as White Hot Kiss. Love triangles aren’t usually my cup of tea, but I really actually didn’t mind it the way JLA wrote this one. There was something about each guy that I loved, and there were also some things about one of them that definitely made me not a fan. I have a clear winner in my mind, but as much as I hate to admit it, I actually enjoyed the tension.

Overall, show more this was a fantastic second book that left me wanting more. #teamroth show less

Hey, Stephanie Meyers, this is how you do a love triangle. I tried to read the Twilight books but they were not for me. OR I should clarify that I attempted to read the first book. I did see the movies but only after the second one came out. I just never really felt the romance between Bella and Edward or even Jacob. Edward made me feel uncomfortable. Yet, I really felt and experienced the passion with Layla, Roth and Zayne. The heat was coming off the pages of the book. Although this time it was more between Layla and Zayne. Not that I am complaining as these two were hot together.

This book was really good. This is because the banter between Roth and Zayne was off the charts. They were whipping the one line zingers at each other so show more quickly I almost got whip lash. I was laughing at the insults they were giving each other. Layla's friends rocked too. They had bigger parts in the story as well. Also, it was cool to get to see the Warderns shape shift more. Layla and her powers are really growing and changing and making her very interesting. The way this book ended has me even more antsy to get my hands on the next book in this series. show less

I wanted to read Stone Cold Touch because I adore Jennifer as a person and an author. I love her snarky sense of humor, the ability to draw me into her worlds, connect with the main characters, fall in love with her swoony guys, and always want more. I read Bitter Sweet Love and White Hot Kiss, and love her take on gargoyles, as well as really connecting and feeling for the spot that Layla the main character in this one is in where she lives with Wardens, the full gargoyles, yet the mysterious, and hot Roth, who is an upper level demon, but yet he is so attentive and protective of her and even sacrificed himself for her. Then there is Zayne, who she has always been close to and had a crush on, and trying to navigate those waters all show more while being a hybrid-- half warden and half demon. She can tag demons for the wardens to kill, but she can also take someone's soul, a demon property.

This started right where the last left off, and there was enough review without weighing anything down, but enough to get me right back in there, totally with the story and not confused since its been a bit since I read the first. Layla has a whole new set of problems when her abilities change as well as everyone realizing that a nightmare creature may have been created and they will form an unlikely and shaky truce to put an end to it.

My feelings for both of the boys, and appreciating the hard place that Layla is in, trying to figure out who she is, and where she fits in as well as which boy is the right choice for her. This once again has some hot scenes, and even though we have Roth--I think he's playing an Edward because of the things he said to Layla, but in some ways I can understand. (Don't consider this is a spoiler, happens early). So, thanks to his idiocy we get to have a book where Zayne can throw his hat in the ring for Layla's heart, and by golly, it confuses me even more.

There is so much action in this one and things revealed in this one, it kept my attention and I can't wait for the next one. I love her writing and she holds one of my favorite author spots, and with her hot romance and snarky humor as well as break neck pace and surprising reveals.

Bottom Line: Great second book and can't wait for more. show less

Layla is stupid ! There I put it out in the universe, it's now a known fact. She is just so immature and idiotic some times. ARGUH ! Layla who has two super powered hotties loving her, two ! Maybe I'm a bit jealous. Moving on..
So I binge listened to this, ignoring my family and friends for a couple days. They'll get over it, I hope. Layla has found trouble at school, trouble at home, trouble in her heart and trouble in her mind. Layla is coming into her own, our little brat is growing up. Well sort of, she still dips her toes into TSTL moments. Her, Zhane's and Roth's lives are going to change majorly. Everything builds to this horrendous mountain of OH Shiitake What Will They DO, then the book ends ARGUH !! Thanks the gods for Amazon, show more click I have book 3. :D See yah show less

This is the 2nd book in The Dark Elements trilogy and was better than the first book in the series. I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and whipped through this large book very quickly. It’s a fun read that keeps you turning the pages.

Layla is trying to deal with the fact that the Lilin may be free and is causing havoc. To complicate things her own demonic powers have changed and she doesn’t know why. In addition to all of that the family she’s known her whole life (the Wardens) are keeping secrets from her. Add to that the tension between her, Zayne, and Roth and Layla is having a tough go of it.

I really enjoyed the mystery behind the Lilin and the creepy things that were happening at Layla's high school. Some of these scenes show more were super creepy and scary (I am kind of a wimp about scary stuff but I thought they were scary)! I also enjoyed Layla exploring her powers more and getting to learn more about Roth and his fellow demons. The addition of the witches was intriguing too. Also...I love Bambi, she is so awesome :-)

I also love that this series keeps me guessing. There is a major twist at the end of this book that really threw me and it was very well done.

My biggest complaint was that I got sick of the Roth vs Zayne bickering (I am not a huge fan of love triangles). Too much time was spent on this love triangle and on Layla’s confusion about her feelings for both Zayne and Roth. Some of my frustration with this may be that I already know who she ends up with because of reading “Storm and Fury” before this series.

Overall this has been a fun series that is very entertaining. The books are hard to put down and full of excellent action scenes, as well as some steamy romantic scenes. I can't wait to read the third book in this series to see how everything ties up (I immediately went onto my library’s website and reserved the third book as soon as I finished this one). show less

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout continues Layla, Zayne and Roth's story in this epic sequel.

I was totally obsessed with the first book in this series so I ran out and bought the sequel. It took me a bit to get to reading it, but it was totally worth it!

In this epic continuation, Roth is gone. Layla and Zayne are growing closer as it seems like a Lilin has been released and is wreaking havoc at the local high school. Then suddenly... Roth's back? The love triangle gets so much worse as Layla tries to figure out why Roth doesn't love her and why Zayne suddenly does. And it seems like everything is only getting worse... things are getting out of control and people can't be trusted.

This book is super fast to read and it's quite show more amusing. There are some goofy one liners and jokes throughout the book that make this romantic, fantastical drama more amusing than the typical tale. It was a great YA/New Adult book with some sexy scenes but no real sex. It's definitely for an older teen crowd. This book isn't afraid to delve into the fact that teens have sexual feelings for one another.

Some of the plot points are really easy to guess and see coming, but I was in this book for the fun and not for the plot. I adore the love triangle and ease of this book. It's a nice, simple yet long book. It clocks in at over 400 pages so it did take a couple days for me to read it.

I have to say, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. It's 95% as good as the first, in my humble opinion. It's still a great read and I'll definitely be finishing the series when I manage to find the third book.

Overall, this is a great YA read. It has gargoyles (Wardens), demons, fantastical and magical elements, a love triangle, romance, comedy and lots of drama. It will definitely keep you busy and amused!

Four out of five stars. show less