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Shadow Life
Jonathan Birch fled for his life from the sex-and-drugs party scene that left his lover dead and Jonathan framed for murder. Hunted by powerful, dangerous men who want more from him than he's willing to give, Jonathan lives a solitary existence in a low-rent motel, always afraid his past will catch up with him. Newly-released ex-con Peter Grant longs for the life he no longer believes he deserves. Convinced that everyone who looks at him can see his guilt, Peter hides away behind the safety of his locked motel room door and observes his small corner the world -- and the handsome young man who lives upstairs. Their quiet lives come crashing down one snowy night when the worst of the men from Jonathan's past finds him. If they work together, Jonathan and Peter might stand a slim chance of escaping from men who buy and sell others like cattle, but first they have to do the hardest thing either of them has ever step out of the shadows and fight back.Author Kris Sparks is an award-winning writer of mystery, suspense fiction, and crime fiction. She can be found on the web at www.kris-sparks.com.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2011
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 6, 2012
I was completely gripped by this story. The tentativeness with which the MCs encounter each other, and each see a hope to be something together which is far greater than they are apart, found me compelled to keep reading into the early hours.
The characters are sketched quite sparsely, but beautifully. This is essential, because once the scene is set the plot moves quickly. If it was written differently it would become melodrama, whereas that never seemed to be the case. All the characters seem real, even minor ones. How does a writer manage to flesh out a world so fully, yet never over-describe? Every part of the story has room to breathe. Sparks has a beautiful talent.
This story is about two people who crave an ordinary life, and someone to love. It's such a simple goal, and is why the characters are so relatable: isn't that what we all want?
The ending did seem ever-so-slightly rushed, but maybe the reader deserves that after the uncertainty of the ride. However, saying that, I was absolutely satisfied with how it concluded.
There is sexual contact, but it's remarkably understated. This book involves a sex-slave ring (although it's not about a sex-slave ring), and yet at no point does the sex get titillating, salacious, or exploitative. No non-con or rape is described. There are descriptions of non-sexual violence, and there are descriptions of consensual sexual activity. It's a book about love, and the desperate feeling you will inevitably lose someone you connected with: not a piece of hot smex.
The skilful way the narrative is handled makes it hard to believe that this is a beginning author, and I'm wondering if they write under another name as well.
Loved it: recommended to all.
The characters are sketched quite sparsely, but beautifully. This is essential, because once the scene is set the plot moves quickly. If it was written differently it would become melodrama, whereas that never seemed to be the case. All the characters seem real, even minor ones. How does a writer manage to flesh out a world so fully, yet never over-describe? Every part of the story has room to breathe. Sparks has a beautiful talent.
This story is about two people who crave an ordinary life, and someone to love. It's such a simple goal, and is why the characters are so relatable: isn't that what we all want?
The ending did seem ever-so-slightly rushed, but maybe the reader deserves that after the uncertainty of the ride. However, saying that, I was absolutely satisfied with how it concluded.
There is sexual contact, but it's remarkably understated. This book involves a sex-slave ring (although it's not about a sex-slave ring), and yet at no point does the sex get titillating, salacious, or exploitative. No non-con or rape is described. There are descriptions of non-sexual violence, and there are descriptions of consensual sexual activity. It's a book about love, and the desperate feeling you will inevitably lose someone you connected with: not a piece of hot smex.
The skilful way the narrative is handled makes it hard to believe that this is a beginning author, and I'm wondering if they write under another name as well.
Loved it: recommended to all.
March 17, 2012
Nerve-wracking! I feel like I've been put through the wringer...twice. Picture a roller coaster ride, slow going up, building up the tension and anticipation, racing down through twists and turns leaving you gasping for air only to slow down and start all over again with the most exciting climax of the ride at the end.
This is the story of Jonathan and Peter who are both hiding from their pasts for different reasons. After months living in the same motel they finally officially meet and connect thanks to a mangy cat named Tramp. Unfortunately, Jonathan's past soon catches up with him and he needs to run again. Questionable pasts for both, frustrating, dumb decisions made throughout the book by both but I ended up cheering for them anyway. The romance was caring and beautiful. Non-explicit for those looking for smut. Recommended for those looking for a suspenseful thriller with very human, imperfect yet likeable main characters.
This is the story of Jonathan and Peter who are both hiding from their pasts for different reasons. After months living in the same motel they finally officially meet and connect thanks to a mangy cat named Tramp. Unfortunately, Jonathan's past soon catches up with him and he needs to run again. Questionable pasts for both, frustrating, dumb decisions made throughout the book by both but I ended up cheering for them anyway. The romance was caring and beautiful. Non-explicit for those looking for smut. Recommended for those looking for a suspenseful thriller with very human, imperfect yet likeable main characters.
December 22, 2011
Some books you can't put down until you reach the end. Those are rare enough, but even more rare are the books you can never put down. Their stories stay with you for the rest of your life. You might say they live a sort of "shadow life" inside your head, becoming active when triggered alive by some scene or event. Shadow Life is such a book.
Shadow Life started me thinking deeply about a number of serious issues in our modern society, such as,
- The truly important things in a person's life are the same whether the person is gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual.
- How a simple label, once given, can change a life forever, and never be entirely erased.
- How weak a lonely individual is, and how strong he becomes when he teams up with another lonely individual.
Shadow Life's writing is movingly clear, its protagonists truly alive, and its lessons unforgettable.
Shadow Life started me thinking deeply about a number of serious issues in our modern society, such as,
- The truly important things in a person's life are the same whether the person is gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual.
- How a simple label, once given, can change a life forever, and never be entirely erased.
- How weak a lonely individual is, and how strong he becomes when he teams up with another lonely individual.
Shadow Life's writing is movingly clear, its protagonists truly alive, and its lessons unforgettable.
March 10, 2012
3.5
The romance was sweet without being explicit and overall this was a good read. For me, the climax of the book was the best part--Sparks has a way with increasing tension to a point where you become addicted to read on--you just have to in order to know that everything will be okay.
I'd recommend this if you like a good splash of action/crime in your read and a tender romance.
The romance was sweet without being explicit and overall this was a good read. For me, the climax of the book was the best part--Sparks has a way with increasing tension to a point where you become addicted to read on--you just have to in order to know that everything will be okay.
I'd recommend this if you like a good splash of action/crime in your read and a tender romance.
December 26, 2011
Oh dear lord — I started this book and next thing I knew it was 3 in the morning. So I put it aside and went to bed. I woke up and started reading again (luckily it was Christmas break) and then got irritated 'cause I had to stop and attend to real life.
I could not stop reading—I had to know what was going to happen to the two of them, and how their pasts were going to converge and be resolved. And for a minute there, I wasn't sure they would!
Kudos!
I could not stop reading—I had to know what was going to happen to the two of them, and how their pasts were going to converge and be resolved. And for a minute there, I wasn't sure they would!
Kudos!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews