What do you think?
Rate this book
The Beloved #1
The Beloved
Gabriel Walker had the perfect life: a loving wife and a baby on the way until a seemingly random crime left him stranded between life and death. Caught up in a battle between good and evil, Gabe discovers he has been chosen to join a centuries-old secret brotherhood. The question is, why was he chosen, and will he survive long enough to find out?
257 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2011
4 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
P.A. Minyard
5 books20 followersP.A. Minyard's early years often found her immersed in comics, manga, and anime, so her works are influenced by legends that include Rumiko Takahashi and Hayao Miyazaki. While she marvels at those who write pages and pages of glorious prose, Minyard's novels are fast paced and action packed, like a roller coaster that too-soon screeches to an unexpected halt!
Like most storytellers, P.A. Minyard has a curious alter-ego. When she's not writing about slaying demons, she considers herself blessed to work with cancer patients as a Licensed Radiation Therapist and Board Certified Medical Dosimetrist. Minyard says that cancer has taught her to lavish praise, be generous with her time and fearless when pursuing passions - because life is short.
Like most storytellers, P.A. Minyard has a curious alter-ego. When she's not writing about slaying demons, she considers herself blessed to work with cancer patients as a Licensed Radiation Therapist and Board Certified Medical Dosimetrist. Minyard says that cancer has taught her to lavish praise, be generous with her time and fearless when pursuing passions - because life is short.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 26, 2012
Autographed Book Giveaway & Review: As a book reviewer, I get a lot of review requests. A lot more authors are self publishing these days for a number of reasons. As with novels from publishers, I’m always searching for independent gems I can share with you. I believe The Beloved by P.A. Minyard is one of those gems. This is a romantic story with a unique concept I think you’re going to love. There are strong spiritual and paranormal aspects to it. What makes it even better is that she’s provided us with an autographed copy for one lucky reader to win! Read the rest of my review & enter our giveaway at http://popcornreads.com/?p=2994
February 16, 2026
Reposted from my blog <3
What if when you die, you could choose to become a demon hunter instead?
Gabriel is madly in love with his wife Sarah, and they are horny as hell about it. After learning that she’s pregnant with their first child, Gabe gets shot in a bank robbery and dies. Instead of going to heaven or hell, Alex appears and asks him if he prefers the third option: become Beloved and vanquish demons. He’ll be allowed to check in on his family, but not interact with them. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn of Michel, the first Beloved, and what becomes of his adopted family.
“Gabriel, your heart is pure, your soul wiped clean by the murderer’s bullet. You are Beloved in the father’s eyes.”
Let’s start with the characters—namely, that there are far too many. This is a 250 page novel, and we’re introduced to an entire family within the first few chapters, and then a different entire family shortly after. I felt like if there were less characters to track, they would have been able to be fleshed out more. What we did learn of the main cast like Sarah, Gabriel, and his brother Steven, I liked. It felt like we were just scratching the surface of what they could be. For a debut novel, this is very ambitious, and I look forward to to seeing how Minyard matures as an author. There was so much potential with these characters and it’s clear that she loves them dearly.
“Evil spurred the sword that took your life, so evil shall be taken by the mark it left behind.”
Jo was another good character who didn’t get a lot of spotlight. It’s always refreshing when a male main character can have a woman best friend, and there isn’t this weird rivalry between her and his wife. Jo seems fun, but I don’t feel like I know her very well beyond “Gabe’s fun best friend.” I would have liked to have her more developed.
The prose can be a little bit all over the place, with punctuation and grammar structure making things confusing at times. Characters will have intense emotional moments, and then calm down immediately within two sentences. I’d have liked to see more of them working through things, make it feel less rushed. On the other hand, there are some great quotes. This is another aspect that I’m eager to see how Minyard grows as an author.
“Everything we go through, the good and the bad, make us who we are; why would I want to be anyone else?”
Minyard puts a fun spin on demons: they don’t possess people. They take on forms of their own, and when Gabe or Michel exorcise them, they just turn into energy and get sucked into the wound of the Beloved. There’s a part near the end that sort of goes against this, but it’s an exciting twist.
Readers who enjoy faith-tinged fantasy and emotionally driven supernatural battles may find a lot to love here, especially if they’re willing to embrace a slightly rough-around-the-edges debut. Minyard has another book on her Goodreads list that sounds like it’s an updated version of this (or just a reprint under a different title), but I haven’t been able to figure it out exactly and I’m not willing to spend the money to purchase a book I already have.
Review from 2011:
I won this book from the Goodreads Giveaway for my honest review. Thank you, P.A. Minyard!
The thought of this book excited me and I had much anticipation when I first opened it. I was a bit disappointed with the first two chapters, but after that I loved it. It picked up really quickly, but not so quickly that you're swept away and left confused and annoyed.
It did get confusing a little, though, when there were so many characters introduced very close together. My head was spinning with all the new names and positions they were in, but after a while it made sense. I think it should have been more gradual, though.
Another thing that confused me is why the angels have guardians. Angels don't have guardians, angels are guardians.
I really liked how there was romance, but it didn't overpower the book. It wasn't only about the romance, but it was a big factor. It was a really nice balance.
All in all, great book!
What if when you die, you could choose to become a demon hunter instead?
Gabriel is madly in love with his wife Sarah, and they are horny as hell about it. After learning that she’s pregnant with their first child, Gabe gets shot in a bank robbery and dies. Instead of going to heaven or hell, Alex appears and asks him if he prefers the third option: become Beloved and vanquish demons. He’ll be allowed to check in on his family, but not interact with them. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn of Michel, the first Beloved, and what becomes of his adopted family.
“Gabriel, your heart is pure, your soul wiped clean by the murderer’s bullet. You are Beloved in the father’s eyes.”
Let’s start with the characters—namely, that there are far too many. This is a 250 page novel, and we’re introduced to an entire family within the first few chapters, and then a different entire family shortly after. I felt like if there were less characters to track, they would have been able to be fleshed out more. What we did learn of the main cast like Sarah, Gabriel, and his brother Steven, I liked. It felt like we were just scratching the surface of what they could be. For a debut novel, this is very ambitious, and I look forward to to seeing how Minyard matures as an author. There was so much potential with these characters and it’s clear that she loves them dearly.
“Evil spurred the sword that took your life, so evil shall be taken by the mark it left behind.”
Jo was another good character who didn’t get a lot of spotlight. It’s always refreshing when a male main character can have a woman best friend, and there isn’t this weird rivalry between her and his wife. Jo seems fun, but I don’t feel like I know her very well beyond “Gabe’s fun best friend.” I would have liked to have her more developed.
The prose can be a little bit all over the place, with punctuation and grammar structure making things confusing at times. Characters will have intense emotional moments, and then calm down immediately within two sentences. I’d have liked to see more of them working through things, make it feel less rushed. On the other hand, there are some great quotes. This is another aspect that I’m eager to see how Minyard grows as an author.
“Everything we go through, the good and the bad, make us who we are; why would I want to be anyone else?”
Minyard puts a fun spin on demons: they don’t possess people. They take on forms of their own, and when Gabe or Michel exorcise them, they just turn into energy and get sucked into the wound of the Beloved. There’s a part near the end that sort of goes against this, but it’s an exciting twist.
Readers who enjoy faith-tinged fantasy and emotionally driven supernatural battles may find a lot to love here, especially if they’re willing to embrace a slightly rough-around-the-edges debut. Minyard has another book on her Goodreads list that sounds like it’s an updated version of this (or just a reprint under a different title), but I haven’t been able to figure it out exactly and I’m not willing to spend the money to purchase a book I already have.
Review from 2011:
I won this book from the Goodreads Giveaway for my honest review. Thank you, P.A. Minyard!
The thought of this book excited me and I had much anticipation when I first opened it. I was a bit disappointed with the first two chapters, but after that I loved it. It picked up really quickly, but not so quickly that you're swept away and left confused and annoyed.
It did get confusing a little, though, when there were so many characters introduced very close together. My head was spinning with all the new names and positions they were in, but after a while it made sense. I think it should have been more gradual, though.
Another thing that confused me is why the angels have guardians. Angels don't have guardians, angels are guardians.
I really liked how there was romance, but it didn't overpower the book. It wasn't only about the romance, but it was a big factor. It was a really nice balance.
All in all, great book!
January 18, 2012
The beloved is not your typical book. To me it's written more like a movie. It is as if I'm watching scenes in my head, instead of just reading a book. She has a way of bringing characters to life and you feel like your standing right there beside them.
I think Minyard is wildly talentled and is introducing a new type of writing, not oridinarily seen.
The story follows two main characters Gabriel and Michel, although from different times and places, both end up becoming "The beloved".
Although I don't want to give to much away, their new lives as The Beloved lead them on a journey of a life time. A journey frought with good and evil, love and betrail, honor and sacrifice and true love.
This is a deeply moving book and I would recommend it to everyone!!
I think Minyard is wildly talentled and is introducing a new type of writing, not oridinarily seen.
The story follows two main characters Gabriel and Michel, although from different times and places, both end up becoming "The beloved".
Although I don't want to give to much away, their new lives as The Beloved lead them on a journey of a life time. A journey frought with good and evil, love and betrail, honor and sacrifice and true love.
This is a deeply moving book and I would recommend it to everyone!!
October 5, 2011
WOW... this book really makes you think.. From the minute that I read the first chapter I was hooked
The author knows how to describe each character in a way that you really care about them, and what happens. I have to say that i wanted to skip ahead to see if the ending was what I wanted it to be, but I would have missed the whole point of the story.
There are a few twists and turns, but if you are really paying attention, you will "get it"
In the end, you are left with feeling, "nothing is really as it seems"
I will read it again.....
Kathy Hastings
The author knows how to describe each character in a way that you really care about them, and what happens. I have to say that i wanted to skip ahead to see if the ending was what I wanted it to be, but I would have missed the whole point of the story.
There are a few twists and turns, but if you are really paying attention, you will "get it"
In the end, you are left with feeling, "nothing is really as it seems"
I will read it again.....
Kathy Hastings
March 23, 2012
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions
At first, I’m not so interested with this book, the cover is wonderful but I thought it’s boring , well, I mean so religious , what with the rosary and ring..(sorry!).. but that’s my mistake when I started reading this book, it was thrilling and interesting!
The storyline is unique ( yep, I haven’t heard anyone like this).. and of course the characters are well-selected and unique in their own way.
As I’m sure like any reader would say, I felt the characters… especially Gabriel when he made his ultimate decision, when one part of you wanted it for yourself and another for others.
The alternating stories of the past and present are well-written, coming up on the right time. Both stories Gabriel and Michael are identical and inspiring. And what happened to both of their lives are just proofs that God meant His children to be well. Actually, I didn’t expect Michael’s life to end that way..I though he’s gonna oopss…:)
At the very end, I was a little bit lost as to what the war was for…although I understand how it ended….maybe for power? Dominance?
The book left me asking myself that if ever that happens to me, would I let God used me? Would I become His beloved?... If you think of it it’s actually hard you know….
Every aspect of the society or family was also talked about… family, father and child, a child toward others, brothers, friends and others..
So for everyone who wants a good story truly inspired by God.. grab this one now!
At first, I’m not so interested with this book, the cover is wonderful but I thought it’s boring , well, I mean so religious , what with the rosary and ring..(sorry!).. but that’s my mistake when I started reading this book, it was thrilling and interesting!
The storyline is unique ( yep, I haven’t heard anyone like this).. and of course the characters are well-selected and unique in their own way.
As I’m sure like any reader would say, I felt the characters… especially Gabriel when he made his ultimate decision, when one part of you wanted it for yourself and another for others.
The alternating stories of the past and present are well-written, coming up on the right time. Both stories Gabriel and Michael are identical and inspiring. And what happened to both of their lives are just proofs that God meant His children to be well. Actually, I didn’t expect Michael’s life to end that way..I though he’s gonna oopss…:)
At the very end, I was a little bit lost as to what the war was for…although I understand how it ended….maybe for power? Dominance?
The book left me asking myself that if ever that happens to me, would I let God used me? Would I become His beloved?... If you think of it it’s actually hard you know….
Every aspect of the society or family was also talked about… family, father and child, a child toward others, brothers, friends and others..
So for everyone who wants a good story truly inspired by God.. grab this one now!
January 20, 2012
I enjoyed this book. The first chapter or so describing Gabe and Sarah's relationship seemed a little forced to me and was a little hard to get through, but then the book took off. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to see how the stories of Michel and Gabe were related. The author eventually tied everything together neatly. While thought provoking and maybe a little disturbing at times, I finished the book with a good feeling.
May 9, 2016
Totally enjoyed. Love the device of the parallel stories and each chapter switching back and forth. The relationship between the main characters just felt spot on - real! It was a quick read and I'm reading to dive in to #2.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
October 21, 2011
The first thing I noticed is that The Beloved is sort of a "romance genre" book, which is not really my cup o' tea. But a few pages later, I got pulled in. I found this to be a most interesting and unusual book. Yes, it was kind of romantic. But also, kind of spooky. Even more so, it was quite spiritual. I must say, I've never read anything quite like it, and found it a very interesting read.
I recommend The Beloved to anyone who wants something quite unique and original, and can deal with a little romance. Thanks, P.A., for the thought provocation!
I recommend The Beloved to anyone who wants something quite unique and original, and can deal with a little romance. Thanks, P.A., for the thought provocation!
November 14, 2011
Minyard has constructed something quite unique and unexpected with "The Beloved". There are several elements which appear in the novel: suspense, romance, historical fiction, realism...it encompasses just about everything, and for that reason, I think it would appeal to a wide range of readers. The characters are ones which we can relate to and you can't help but to feel emotional for and towards them. Very clever and well-wriiten!
March 2, 2013
good one
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews