Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts

Book Review: Exodus 20:3 by Freydis Moon

Exodus 20:3 by Freydis Moon is an unexpected, short read. Religious eroticism and queer emancipation meet in a claustrophobic monster-romance about divinity, sexuality, and freedom. When Diego López is guilted by his mother into taking a low-key construction job in New Mexico, he doesn’t expect to be the only helping hand at Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. But the church is abandoned, decrepit, and off the beaten path, and the only other person for miles is its handsome caretaker, Ariel Azevedo. Together, Diego and Ariel refurbish the old church, sharing stories of their heritage, experiences, and desires. But as the long days turn into longer nights, Diego begins to see past Ariel’s human mirage and finds himself falling into lust—and maybe something else—with one of God’s first creations. WARNINGS: mention of transphobia, mention of drug use, light dubious consent, sexualization of religion.
Exodus 20:3 is a book that started off fairly normal, then quickly had me wondering what exactly was going on and who Ariel and Diego were. I liked the build up, and think it was very well written. I could understand a good deal of Diego's insecurities and concern, and could empathize with them. It was not until close to the end that I felt like I had any kind of understanding of Ariel's thoughts. There was just so much more that needs to be explored and unpacked with these two characters, and I think I would have enjoyed it a little more if it had been a bit longer, with more information on both characters and what might happen next. There is plenty of room for more, and I am more than a little intrigued in the world building here and how the relationship could go. I do see how some readers could be offended or upset by the take on religion and sexuality here, but I think those readers are also unlikely to pick up a book with a transsexual main character, so I doubt that will be a big issue for the readers that choose this book. 

Exodus 20:3 is a well crafted read, and I think I will be exploring other writing from the author. 

Early Book Review: Finding Him (Covet) by Rachel Van Dyken

Finding Him is the second book in the Covet series by Rachel Van Dyken and it currently scheduled for release on February 25 2020. . I think each book does stand fine on its own, however those that read the series in order will get more from the larger story arc than those reading them separately. 

Coming out of a coma was one hell of a wake-up call. While I was in the dark, my estranged twin brother, Bridge, had replaced me in the company I owned and swept up my fiancée in the takeover. With my ruthless reputation, can I blame them for falling in love? I have to look long and hard at where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Alone time? The universe has other plans. Our family’s secluded Vermont cabin comes with a gorgeous—if at first, unwelcoming—surprise. She’s renter Keaton Westbrook, a social media superstar struggling with her own private grief. As a winter storm bears down, we’ve found something to keep us warm—an intimacy neither of us expected and both of us need. After we say goodbye, what happens then? Keaton and I are longing to reconcile with our painful pasts. I can’t bear to do it without her. Is it too much to ask of fate to give us a second chance at life and love?

Finding Him is a contemporary romance with two emotionally wounded souls finding each other, and healing in the process. Julian is coming to terms with his own mistakes and trying to find a new normal after waking up from a coma and then losing his mother. Forced to take a vacation he is not thrilled to find someone else in the cabin where he expected to find solitude. Some entertaining conversation and attraction aside neither is really looking for intimacy, a relationship, or anything else. However, their wounded edges seem to fit together perfectly- and they find healing while dealing with their individual scars. While some of the trauma they face may seem a little over the top (comas, twins, and paparazzi) I think the individual characters and their pain is thought out and well written. The over the top nature just made the one on one conversations and realizations more poignant and meaningful to me as a reader. It was a great weekend read to escape the real world but still suffer from some serious feels.

Finding Him is a roller coaster ride of feels, and is worth the ride.

Book Review: At Death's Door (Deadman's Cross) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

At Death's Door is the third book in the Deadman's Cross series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I highly recommend reading Kenyon's series in order- and if you have read her Dark Hunter and other series it will be an even more meaningful read for you because they do all tie in together nicely. 

Valynda Moore was born cursed. So when she dies as the result of a spell gone wrong and is trapped in the body of a voodoo doll, she expects nothing else from her messed up life. Until Thorn, leader of the Hellchasers, offers her a chance at redemption and a new life. But nothing has ever gone her way, for the Malachai, the very beast she and her crew of Deadmen have sworn to keep locked away, has risen. And this time he’s taken prisoners. Valynda must keep her wits about her or be denied her salvation and forced to watch as the entire world falls into the hands of absolute evil. It’s a demon-eat-demon world where the stakes have never been higher and either redemption or the ultimate betrayal waits for her at Death’s Door.
At Death's Door is a culmination of the Deadman's story. We get to see Valynda resolve her feelings of betrayal and find love again. We get to see the Malachai and forces of evil at work and fought against. We get to see some of the backstories we wanted, and some of the family dramas that shaped characters and the way the see the world. It is a dark story, with a great deal of dwelling on betrayal and how horrible people can be to each other- even the ones they are supposed to protect. I find that very understandable since I have been following the author's current struggles in real life. However, there is also love, redemption, friendship, and all the things that make humanity wonderful in the story as well. There is a lot going on in this story, andI loved the references to characters and plot points from other books and series. The way this connected characters I never really connected in my head before made me happy. The more negative parts, the dwelling on betrayal and horrible things that happened to some characters, rather brought me down and I kept expecting more trauma even after things were wrapped up- but I think think that goes to show how invested I have become in the world.   

At Death's Door is a solid conclusion to the Deadman's trilogy. I really enjoyed how it pulled together so many of the worlds created by this author. It is a must read for fans. Even though it was not my favorite from this author, I am as always impressed with the world and character building. As an aside for audiobook lovers, the reader is fantastic as always. 

Book Review: Hard Time (Hard as Nails) by Hope Conrad

Hard Time is the first book in the Hard as Nails contemporary romance series by Hope Conrad. Thomas Street is an ex-con, but before he got out of prison, he locked eyes with her.  The moment Street sees Katie serving food in a hellhole of a prison, he wants her.  Now he’s found her again, working in a bookstore of all places, and she’s just as gorgeous as he remembers. Only Katie thinks he can be redeemed. That there’s a good man underneath his darkness. But then Katie becomes his, Katie and her daughter. And he’ll risk everything, including fighting the devil himself, to protect them.
Hard Time is a contemporary love story and a good start to a series. I liked that Street and Katie face huge, real life problems. While their issues were those that are not part of my reality, I am very aware that some of them are very really to many people. I liked the fact that Katie's daughter did not just become a non issue, but that where she was and how to keep her safe and happier were very much a part of the story. Too often a child in a romance with a single parent just kind of disappears and plays too little of a role. The danger and drama of Katie and Street's romance was real, and I like that it come from both sides of the story- they each had problems that needed to be overcome rather than one being the perfect partner and one in need of redemption. They have both made mistakes and talk out their issues for the most part. The guilt and pain they each feel, and the internal issues they need to overcome are just as important to the story as their attraction and sex that they share. I really liked that emotion and consequences were so important and prevalent in the story. I wonder where the series will go next, and look forward to seeing the friends from Street's past find their way to happiness. 

Hard Time is a great redemption and love story. It is heartening to see people overcoming huge but real problems and work towards happiness.