This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Erotic Romance
Published by Red Stone Press
Released on November 17, 2016
Pages: 466
Format: eBook
Source: Author
Redemption is the third and final installment of the story of Jewel, a woman sold to slavery by her husband and live through that dark and horrific world. This concluding part of her story was just as captivating as what came before leaving me tense and breathless as she found her way through to the end.
This is the third leg of a trilogy that absolutely must be read in order. In fact, I will suggest that if the reader has plans to read through this series that you may wish to forestall reading my review because I will need to connect some dots with this third part to what came before it.
Redemption opens with Jewel parted from Annie at the slave auction and taken to fulfill her agreement to the clandestine government agency in exchange for her freedom in five years after she works off the debt of her auction purchase. Jewel is guilt-ridden and devastated to know that Annie was bought by a cold-blooded sadist who kills the women he buys and tortures, but she hopes that her new employers will help her find and get Annie back.
Meanwhile, Jewel lives on the embassy grounds and begins her training in earnest as a ‘hostess’ who will be assigned to specific guests to cultivate their trust by supplying their every want while extracting the information the government wishes to know. Jewel’s handlers are clinical, but not unkind though with her past experiences she is still wary. She could even like them if they allowed it and she could more than like Mike one of the outside agents that is also one of her trainers.
Not long into her new life, she learns that others are still keeping secrets from her, things aren’t exactly what they seem, and Jewel is more determined than ever to recover Annie. There is danger in not following orders and the stakes are just as high as they have always been since she lost her freedom. Who can she trust and how will she see her way through this ongoing murky, dark world?
This leg of the story took a twist away from the obvious and sordid world of blatant slavery to the polished and subtle world of government diplomacy and secrecy. Her chains aren’t as noticeable, but they are still there. Jewel was roughly groomed to be a sexual slave and now she undergoes another form of grooming. This new world she enters was fascinating and more subtle.
The pacing starts out slow and almost grinding before it picks up steadily until there is the mad and heart-stopping excitement of the climax near the end. The reader has to exercise patience through the early scenes that have their place establishing the groundwork for what is to come after. There is a fabulous shocking reveal at the end that left me grinning because it was a clever one. There were hints leading up to it and the truth started to dawn on me, but way late and almost at the point of reveal.
All along the characters have been amazingly drawn. There are several new characters introduced in this segment and as before, I enjoyed the shades of gray with many having quite dark souls. Jewel herself maintains her spirit, fire, impulsivity, and even unapologetic openness and lust. She is still unbroken and dares to reach for what she wants even when made to understand in no uncertain terms just what her place is.
As to the passion and relationship side, Jewel is a sexual woman with diverse tastes for women, men, and not opposed to a group encounter. For all her troubles, she seeks out emotional connections and relationships. She is a champion for the down-trodden and doesn’t suffer bullies lightly. Because of the world she lives in, she is well aware that she can never completely trust even while she allows herself to like and want some of the people.
There is a denouement for the end that transitions things and shows the direction of the future. My only real niggle is that I would have wanted some of the summation to be more first hand. There were some comeuppances and revenges that I am blood-thirsty enough to want more up close and personal. I was alright with the open-ended feeling of the story that left room for more even as it did give enough so that I could see what direction matters were headed.
All in all, this final segment struck just the right note bringing the main character along in keeping with the plot and tone established early. This is an erotic romance with the first two books being more flagrant though this one is no less titillating. I would recommend these for those who appreciate a darker story ranging from non-con to consensual encounters.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
About Jaye Frances
Jaye Frances is the author of “World Without Love,” a suspense thriller series with an erotic edge including “Betrayed,” “Reunion,” and “Redemption.” Her other books include “The Beach,” a sci-fi supernatural tale about the possibilities—and horror—of wishful thinking; “The Kure,” a paranormal-occult romance novel; “The Possibilities of Amy,” a coming-of-age story of first love; and “Love Travels Forever,” a collection of poignant short stories. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, taking pictures – lots of them—and sipping a glass of merlot with a side of dark chocolate. Jaye lives on the gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, and several hundred pairs of shoes.
For more information, visit Jaye’s
Website: http://www.jayefrances.com
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/jayefrancesauthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/www.jayefrances.com
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Sofia. Best wishes and hope you enjoy the holidays.
Jaye Frances
My pleasure, Jaye! You have a lovely holiday season, too.
OMG what a fab premise and so like a controlling freakazoid man to sell his wife into slavery, Wow! I didn’t see your other two reviews but i am intrigued Sophia Rose
Incredible story. Hope you get the chance, Debbie.
Thanks for the comment, Debbie. Appreciate the comment and good luck in the giveaway.
Wow, I was not expecting the storyline you shared. This sounds really good!
Oh yeah, this one is one intense and gripping read.
Hi, Kimba – many thanks for dropping by, and good luck!
This sounds deep, dark and thought-provoking, and even though I’ve been staying away from series, this seems like a good one to pick up. With 466 pages, seems like a lot is going on, for sure, and your review is amazing! Hugs…
Yeah, I’ve hesitated over adding new series to all the ones I’ve already tried to catch up on. This one is a trilogy so well within reason for finishing it soon.
I agree with how you describe it, Ro. Definitely grabbed me in from the beginning and had me vested in Jewel’s story.
Appreciate you checking in, RO, and good luck:-)
vvb32’s comment is on the review for first book to avoid reading any spoilers in my review. 😉
I added this comment so she could be included in the drawing for the giveaway.
Thank you, and best of luck!
I’m glad you enjoyed these, Sophia and that the conclusion was a satisfying read 😀
Oh yeah! I’m always a little nervous about finales, but this was just right for this series.
Thank you for weighing in, Anna. Good luck!