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 January 19, 2016
Pages: 155
Format: eBook
Source: Author
One of the signs that I’m really into a book/series is when I break out of my reading plan and snatch one up out of order. In this case, I had just read the previous book in this series with plans to go on to a few others before coming back for book two. Instead, I immediately clicked this one open and kept going with this dark, intense, and suspenseful tale of a young woman who was taken by slavers, got away, and now a dramatic twist has brought her full circle.
Yes! Resounding yes, you must read these in order. In fact, if you’re planning to read the series and don’t want to have the good stuff spoiled for you, please don’t read further until you’ve gotten book one under your belt.
The story picks up where the first one left off. Jewel is rescued from the sea by a fisherman and is taken to his home and cared for by his wife while he goes to start the process of contacting the American Consulate. Jewel starts to relax her guard and enjoy her time feeling safe at last.
Only, it’s not a person from the American Consulate who arrives to take her away. She winds up back with the slavers who had a bounty out for her return. The Captain is as cold and cruel as ever and his crew are as eager to punish her and sample her wares as things march steadily toward the auction block and her sale into sexual slavery. And it’s there that Jewel receives two surprises and a potential new fate if the offer can be trusted.
So, Jewel’s nightmare is broken up by a brief time of rest before she is back into the nightmare. This book was intense with the unknown and Jewel’s fear, but it is also filled with her working to keep from being broken and crushed and to find a way to escape the inescapable.
There are exciting moments, but for the most part, the author relies on tone and tension to wind out this even-paced story.
It is as dark in the actions against Jewel as the first book, but yet I felt that it drifted more toward the dubious than the non-consent. Jewel understands her power as a woman over men’s weaker lusts and uses it. I think it was her limited power that gives the reader hope in her ugly, seeming hopeless circumstances. I wasn’t even all that devastated when she ended up losing her new found freedom because I expected it.
The characters are all interesting even the ones that are absolutely vile. I still am left intrigued by those who would sear their consciences and make their living in the slave trade though that feeling goes no where near warmth or sympathy. I definitely want Jewel to win and to get her revenge on them all.
Now, I look forward to where the events at the end of this story will take Jewel. I encourage those who enjoy or are curious about dark erotica to give this series a try.
My thanks to the author who provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met:
Romance Roundabout #115 ER
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, Sophia, for your wonderful review of “Reunion.” I’m honored . . .
You did a heck of a job, Jaye. 🙂
Oh that is a good sign, Sophia! Every once in a while I have to do a little editing on the reading list too like that. lol Glad you’re loving these so much!
Yes, sometimes, it is the only way. Couldn’t get my mind off the story so I had to keep going. 🙂
Dull cover.
B out!
Now, you do have me curious. I’m sure its a symbolic cover like many of the erotic covers, but now I wonder what it symbolizes. 🙂
Thanks for asking about the cover of “Reunion.” As always, a good question:-) The covers for all three books in the series were designed to convey an evolution of the story and the underlying “theme” of Jewel’s journey from a naive, unsuspecting newlywed to a woman of the world. On book one’s cover (“Betrayed”), the red rose is symbolic of Jewel’s lost innocence and the illusion of romantic love she believed she shared with her husband. The cover of book two (“Reunion”) suggests the possibility that love is still alive, without revealing the nature or identity of the recipient. Book… Read more »
Aha… I thought it might have some symbolism involved. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, Jaye!
gotta love when books make you put others to the side so that you can read it 😉
Oh yes, that is a feeling I don’t count on, but when it comes…bliss! 🙂
Hmmm, dark erotica. I’m curious about what you’re *not* saying this review. 😉 I’m not sure this is one for me, but you do have me intrigued, Sophia! 😀
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Well let’s just say once a person is captured by slavers, they are now at the very vilest and darkest of non-mercy from them. These are hard for me to read, no lie, but I had to keep going b/c the story and character development are strong.
Not one for me but I am glad you enjoyed it. It sounds really intense and I think it would really upset me.
There are definitely disturbing elements in it, Lorna. Definitely not for everyone and some days not for me. 🙂
That sounds good, I like the premise of the story.