Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
I'm so pleased because this post represents the second time in four weeks that I'm able to review an excellent book by a blogger buddy. First we had Treadwell by Dana Joy Wyzard, a.k.a. Little Lotta Joy. To read my review of Treadwell, which includes information on where to purchase it, please click HERE. I suspect Dana continues to welcome all those who wish to buy her book.
And today we have my review of the thrilling Divine Temptation by Nicki Elson. To read my interview with Nicki, please click HERE and HERE.
Maggie Brock has been through a lot, but she's holding it together. She divorced recently because her husband was unfaithful. Now they're sharing custody of their two children, she works part-time in the office of her Catholic church, and she has an angel named Evan in her bedroom.
Yes. You read that correctly. An angel.
Evan isn't sure why he's been sent to Maggie, but he knows she needs him. Maggie finds herself becoming more and more attracted to Evan as unknown evil forces threaten her.
I love this book. The characters are interesting (Nicki, how did you know exactly how I felt while I was going through my divorce?), the plot is exciting, and the book has all sorts of unexpected twists and turns.
Plus, my girl Nicki is so very good at writing sex scenes that cause one to blush only a tiny bit.
This novel is Nicki's second. Her first was Three Daves (click on the title to read my review). Three Daves represents Nicki's coming of age in the form of the novel and in her maturity as a writer. She was getting her feet wet with Three Daves, and it's a great first novel.
But now we have a mature writer in Nicki Elson. Divine Temptation is highly superior to Three Daves (though I certainly enjoyed Three Daves, and I encourage you to read it).
Let me give you a little sample of the new Nicki Elson we find in Divine Temptation:
When Maggie woke, the first thing she did was pull off her sleep mask. Then, she sat up and found herself surrounded by blood red petals. Lifting one, she held it to her nose and inhaled. Roses. Her legs were sprinkled with them, and when she'd sat up, several had cascaded from her shoulders and arms.
So this is what it feels like to be queen, she thought, and then realized she was smirking. Well, why shouldn't she? She'd just accomplished the impossible. She was Maggie Brock: Seducer of . . . .
I'm not giving you the last word in the sentence. You need to read this book for yourself. You'll find good and evil and romance and adventure, but I assure you: This is no formulaic romance novel.
Divine Temptation has The Janie Junebug Highest Seal of Approval.
You can purchase it at http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Temptation-Nicki-Elson/dp/1623420083. You'll be glad you did.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Sounds great! I'm going to hop over to Amazon and check it out.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like it.
DeleteJust hopped over to Amazon--& bought it!!
ReplyDeleteHooray!!! The highest seal of approval. This review makes me very, very happy. And your coming of age analogy w/ my writing & Three Daves is so good -- and puts into words exactly what I felt while writing DT, but I thought maybe it was just me who'd see it that way, so it's just amazing to get this confirmation from someone whose opinion I value and trust. I kept kicking myself for getting distracted and not putting this story into words years ago, but now I know that it was waiting inside my head until I was ready as a writer to write it.
ReplyDeleteOh how much I enjoyed writing the snippet you chose to include - excellent place to cut it off at. You had me nervous!
Thank you, Janie, for everything.
You're welcome, sweet Vebbie.
DeleteSo many good books to read; so little time.
ReplyDeleteDon't I know it.
DeleteI bought it for my Nook on the weekend, but haven't started it yet, as I was finishing something else. I'm looking forward to it, though!
ReplyDeleteIt's very good, with all sorts of surprises.
DeleteAs you know, I already bought this book, but after reading your review, I'll move it up on the list and read it next after I finish the one I just started... which just so happens to be "Treadwell". (I'm enjoying the story, but the formatting on Kindle is seriously messed up. Lots of sentences with their endings clipped off, sometimes mid-word. Luckily, I'm good at word games.)
ReplyDeleteDana wrote on her blog about the formatting screw up. It's supposed to be fixed on future copies, but you got the earlier version. I'm surprised she didn't shoot the publisher.
DeleteOn Susie's kindle...just now.
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo!
DeleteI bought the book this morning & started it this afternoon. I just finished it. It was wonderful!! So different than any novel I'd ever read before. Thanks for steering me to Nicki!!
ReplyDeletefishducky THANK YOU for stopping by here to leave this note. I'm of course thrilled that so many of Janie's followers are trusting her word on the book and buying...and then I get all nervous...so knowing you enjoyed it makes me very, very happy.
DeleteUm, I think I left a reply to fishducky, but I didn't see the usual note about "waiting for approval" so please let me know if it didn't go through, okay?
DeleteThanks, everyone, for giving my book a chance. When Janie talks, people listen, eh?
ReplyDeleteExcept my kids.
DeleteA coming of age story that was also the author's coming of age? Great analogy! I hope to start this novel soon. :-)
ReplyDeleteThree Daves is her coming of age novel. As a writer, Nicki comes of age with her second novel, Divine Temptation. So writing Three Daves helped her grow into the author she is now. I hope you get to read both books to see what I mean.
DeleteI got Nicki's book. Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I know she'll be pleased.
DeleteAngel love---hummm! Sounds more than interesting. ;)
ReplyDelete"I want a dream lover, so I don't have to dream alone."
Deletewow,that's one saucy sounding book! glad to meet and follow you, hi!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteI envy you as you read and watch so many movies. I wish I had the time. I am reading atonement right now and cant wait to finish it but just dont get the chance to read 30 minutes in a row even:(((
ReplyDeletewww.thoughtsofpaps.com
Oh, PAPS! I envy all your travel and the fun things you do with your children.
DeleteI'm reading Divine Temptation now and really enjoying it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and I'm so glad you like it.
Delete