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Eternal Beloved #1
Grace: An Eternal Beloved Novel
Grace has wanted to die since puberty. She almost succeeds on her eighteenth birthday. When a dark force emerges to carry out the deed, her survival instinct kicks in. It’s too late, though. Death has already noticed her. A providential stranger saves her just in time, only to be challenged by the ultimate threat. In the end, only she has the power to save herself.
- GenresAdult
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2011
79 people want to read
About the author
R. Rodriguez
23 books6 followersMother, Educator, Wife, and Author. My mind wanders with curiousity. My loyalties lie with a time when my life was "so called", I was full of "Teen Spirit", and the best love in the world came from a "Champion Lover". I'm obsessed with the minds of men and women who have made a major difference for humanity. From Jesus to Jared Leto. :) Words are my playground. In them lies my passion. I live in Puerto Rico with my husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 28, 2012
I loved this 20 chapter book. The beginning grabbed my attention and never let go. Lucian Lake (cute name) oversees construction of the Skyway bridge while Grace attempts to jump off it. An image startles her, causing her to fall and dangle on the edge. It was an intense moment because I was very worried about her safety.
Poor Grace. She was forced into therapy multiple times by her mother because she didn’t approve of her daughter. Instead of accepting Grace for who she was, her mom wanted to control her life. Grace hates her birthday–Halloween, and she has wanted to die since 15 years old.
* Even though this was a drama, I laughed at some parts. Not laughing at the author or her writing style. No. I laughed because some parts were funny. Like, Grace was a struggling model trying to make it in Chicago. Her manager had told her to consider stripping because she was too voluptuous to model. I don’t know why that tickled my fancy, but it did. Probably since I’ve never missed a season of America’s Next Top Model.
It was the sweetest gesture when Lucian buys Grace a black, leather journal (I was jealous–I’m a notebook snob LOL) to use as a diary. My favorite quote was “Maybe you’ve been talking to the wrong people,” Lucian said. “It’s more productive to talk to yourself. After all, you are who you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.” I like that a character got me thinking emotionally like that. I appreciated the advice.
* And the beginning of Chapter 5 reminded me of the “Reason, Season, Lifetime” poem, which is one of my favorites. I enjoyed that the story brought out emotions in me and also had me become philosophical.
My favorite scenes were 1) the sexual tension between Grace and Lucian at his party 2) Grace’s therapy session (the ending is when the questions start arising to get readers prepared for the twists). And let me tell you, the twists were great. Throughout the novel, I kept trying to figure out the mystery of who Lucian was–does he truly love Grace? Is he obsessive? A pushover? A ghost? I was very satisfied with the reveals and questions answered.
The story was written in 1st person point-of-view through Grace’s perspective, so I enjoyed constantly seeing the things she saw, feeling the emotions she felt. R. Rodriguez was brilliant with characterization and being descriptive enough to get readers lost in the story. I absolutely hated the way Grace’s family (mother and sister) treated her so coldly when she came back home to visit from college. It was insane. And don’t even get me started on how awful Dario (her boyfriend) treated Grace. The author did a wonderful job in bringing out everyone’s personalities through dialogue and their actions. It takes talent to have your readers care about your characters–whether to want them to succeed or love to hate them. Anything is better than not caring. I also loved that all the characters were three-dimensional. They had strengths and weaknesses.
I honestly started thinking there could be more to Lucian than meets the eye once Grace has that vivid dream about him while she stays in her parent’s house. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to see what’s his deal. I would love to tell but can’t ruin the story LOL. Let’s just say, Grace is the underdog, and I was proud that eventually she becomes strong to face her situation head-on.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
Poor Grace. She was forced into therapy multiple times by her mother because she didn’t approve of her daughter. Instead of accepting Grace for who she was, her mom wanted to control her life. Grace hates her birthday–Halloween, and she has wanted to die since 15 years old.
* Even though this was a drama, I laughed at some parts. Not laughing at the author or her writing style. No. I laughed because some parts were funny. Like, Grace was a struggling model trying to make it in Chicago. Her manager had told her to consider stripping because she was too voluptuous to model. I don’t know why that tickled my fancy, but it did. Probably since I’ve never missed a season of America’s Next Top Model.
It was the sweetest gesture when Lucian buys Grace a black, leather journal (I was jealous–I’m a notebook snob LOL) to use as a diary. My favorite quote was “Maybe you’ve been talking to the wrong people,” Lucian said. “It’s more productive to talk to yourself. After all, you are who you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.” I like that a character got me thinking emotionally like that. I appreciated the advice.
* And the beginning of Chapter 5 reminded me of the “Reason, Season, Lifetime” poem, which is one of my favorites. I enjoyed that the story brought out emotions in me and also had me become philosophical.
My favorite scenes were 1) the sexual tension between Grace and Lucian at his party 2) Grace’s therapy session (the ending is when the questions start arising to get readers prepared for the twists). And let me tell you, the twists were great. Throughout the novel, I kept trying to figure out the mystery of who Lucian was–does he truly love Grace? Is he obsessive? A pushover? A ghost? I was very satisfied with the reveals and questions answered.
The story was written in 1st person point-of-view through Grace’s perspective, so I enjoyed constantly seeing the things she saw, feeling the emotions she felt. R. Rodriguez was brilliant with characterization and being descriptive enough to get readers lost in the story. I absolutely hated the way Grace’s family (mother and sister) treated her so coldly when she came back home to visit from college. It was insane. And don’t even get me started on how awful Dario (her boyfriend) treated Grace. The author did a wonderful job in bringing out everyone’s personalities through dialogue and their actions. It takes talent to have your readers care about your characters–whether to want them to succeed or love to hate them. Anything is better than not caring. I also loved that all the characters were three-dimensional. They had strengths and weaknesses.
I honestly started thinking there could be more to Lucian than meets the eye once Grace has that vivid dream about him while she stays in her parent’s house. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to see what’s his deal. I would love to tell but can’t ruin the story LOL. Let’s just say, Grace is the underdog, and I was proud that eventually she becomes strong to face her situation head-on.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
June 2, 2012
Grace: An Eternal Beloved Novel
This book surprised me, it wasn’t what I expected. Now let me say what I expected was good…but it exceeded even my expectations.
I was excited because I could not figure out HOW the author would put a spin on the mysterious stranger aspect…also the main character’s preoccupation with Death, I was wondering to myself… was she some type of Supernatural being… where Death was a type of curse placed on her, to keep her from her true mission? My thoughts were wandering to my mental log of supernatural beings…Faes being the primary image in the forefront of my thoughts, due to the character’s extraordinary beauty…My thoughts were, “okay was he Death and he falls in love with her?” I really was thinking these thoughts, and excited about all of them being a possibility!:)
But Grace:An Eternal Beloved, surprised me by although adding a supernatural element, the VERY frightening panther at the beginning (representing Death, and who I secretly thought was Lucian for half of the book!); to the luscious Lucian, who becomes her saving grace throughout the book. As I continued reading, Grace covered some incredible real world topics, such as teen suicide, teen depression, physical abuse, teen pregnancy…all without any heavy handiness. These topics were filtered in, because simply, this was Grace’s life…due to very bad choices; but it wasn’t handle like an after school special…(of course there is nothing wrong with after school specials, they provide very needed information to young people…do they even still have them???) Sorry, anyway….these topics were covered and blended so well into the fabric of the story, I didn’t realize until the end, that these elements and the important messages of finding help, and this is not okay was there!
Ms. Rodriguez, keeps the reader in suspense, and the story moves, flows well…I was crazy about Lucian, he stayed by the main character Grace’s side, as her best friend and champion; even when all had given up on her. Crazy action!; with Death fast on Grace’s heels at every turn! I will say…there came a time, when I was literally so angry at Grace, due to she wouldn’t choose Lucian over Dario…I was incensed…LOL…I forgot that this was a character! Ms. Rodriguez, creates a character that could be your best friend, sister whoever…that you love dearly, but also have strong negative emotions towards, when you see them making futile choices!
Grace:An Eternal Beloved Nove, appears one way, although changes as the story progresses.Like an onion, as you read, the layers peel away, and the story evolves to a surprising end. The story is so much more!
I fully recommend this story for mature teens
This book surprised me, it wasn’t what I expected. Now let me say what I expected was good…but it exceeded even my expectations.
I was excited because I could not figure out HOW the author would put a spin on the mysterious stranger aspect…also the main character’s preoccupation with Death, I was wondering to myself… was she some type of Supernatural being… where Death was a type of curse placed on her, to keep her from her true mission? My thoughts were wandering to my mental log of supernatural beings…Faes being the primary image in the forefront of my thoughts, due to the character’s extraordinary beauty…My thoughts were, “okay was he Death and he falls in love with her?” I really was thinking these thoughts, and excited about all of them being a possibility!:)
But Grace:An Eternal Beloved, surprised me by although adding a supernatural element, the VERY frightening panther at the beginning (representing Death, and who I secretly thought was Lucian for half of the book!); to the luscious Lucian, who becomes her saving grace throughout the book. As I continued reading, Grace covered some incredible real world topics, such as teen suicide, teen depression, physical abuse, teen pregnancy…all without any heavy handiness. These topics were filtered in, because simply, this was Grace’s life…due to very bad choices; but it wasn’t handle like an after school special…(of course there is nothing wrong with after school specials, they provide very needed information to young people…do they even still have them???) Sorry, anyway….these topics were covered and blended so well into the fabric of the story, I didn’t realize until the end, that these elements and the important messages of finding help, and this is not okay was there!
Ms. Rodriguez, keeps the reader in suspense, and the story moves, flows well…I was crazy about Lucian, he stayed by the main character Grace’s side, as her best friend and champion; even when all had given up on her. Crazy action!; with Death fast on Grace’s heels at every turn! I will say…there came a time, when I was literally so angry at Grace, due to she wouldn’t choose Lucian over Dario…I was incensed…LOL…I forgot that this was a character! Ms. Rodriguez, creates a character that could be your best friend, sister whoever…that you love dearly, but also have strong negative emotions towards, when you see them making futile choices!
Grace:An Eternal Beloved Nove, appears one way, although changes as the story progresses.Like an onion, as you read, the layers peel away, and the story evolves to a surprising end. The story is so much more!
I fully recommend this story for mature teens
August 11, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised with this book, the beginning took me for a loop... it definitely hooked me in and had me wanting to find out what was going to happen.
So here it is... ever since Grace was young she knew she wanted to commit suicide on her 18th birthday. She was never good enough for her family, she was the "black sheep" so to speak. When she finally decides to jump off of the bridge to kill herself she changes her mind, but then a panther shows up ready to kill her whether she wants to die now or not.
Fate would have it that as she fell over the side of the bridge Lucian shows up because he was working overlooking this bride because it was a construction site and he saves Grace. He then takes her home and nurses her back to health and helps her get on her feet.
After this they become best friends and Grace goes back to college to fulfill her dreams which is to play music "specifically the cello" for a living when she discovers HOT, soccer jock Dario.... Ugghhh I really DO not like Dario, but I won't spoil it for you. You will just have to read to find ouy yourself. Dario never treats Grace right they are always on and off he comes and goes, calls and disappears when he pleases and Grace always takes him back.
Grace finally opens her eyes and discovers her underlying love/attraction for Lucian her best friend only to ruin things and go back to Dario where she allows him to treat her badly... she finally has children with him which was a HUGE mistake because he manipulates her by using the kids.
At the end I was really shocked it is a beautiful ending just not how I thought it would go... let me just say that Lucian isn't what he "appears" to be and that's not a bad thing at all! I love Grace and Lucian as a couple, their love for each other gives me goosebumps! This is a story of love and it is oh so amazing... I recommend you read this! This was a magnificent story, filled with love, pain, and second chances... (more like 50 chances haha).
e-Book provided by Author, for honest review.
So here it is... ever since Grace was young she knew she wanted to commit suicide on her 18th birthday. She was never good enough for her family, she was the "black sheep" so to speak. When she finally decides to jump off of the bridge to kill herself she changes her mind, but then a panther shows up ready to kill her whether she wants to die now or not.
Fate would have it that as she fell over the side of the bridge Lucian shows up because he was working overlooking this bride because it was a construction site and he saves Grace. He then takes her home and nurses her back to health and helps her get on her feet.
After this they become best friends and Grace goes back to college to fulfill her dreams which is to play music "specifically the cello" for a living when she discovers HOT, soccer jock Dario.... Ugghhh I really DO not like Dario, but I won't spoil it for you. You will just have to read to find ouy yourself. Dario never treats Grace right they are always on and off he comes and goes, calls and disappears when he pleases and Grace always takes him back.
Grace finally opens her eyes and discovers her underlying love/attraction for Lucian her best friend only to ruin things and go back to Dario where she allows him to treat her badly... she finally has children with him which was a HUGE mistake because he manipulates her by using the kids.
At the end I was really shocked it is a beautiful ending just not how I thought it would go... let me just say that Lucian isn't what he "appears" to be and that's not a bad thing at all! I love Grace and Lucian as a couple, their love for each other gives me goosebumps! This is a story of love and it is oh so amazing... I recommend you read this! This was a magnificent story, filled with love, pain, and second chances... (more like 50 chances haha).
e-Book provided by Author, for honest review.
September 16, 2012
Let me start with this totally wasn't what I was expecting. The first part of the book is a little slow, and I kept wondering is this a contemporary piece or a paranormal piece? And then everything clicked into place within the last thirty pages. What's so different about this book compared to my other recent reads is this one spans about ten years of Grace' life. And that could be why I thought the beginning was a little slow.
While reading the book, I thought the description was a terrible description (until that eye-opening moment at the end). This book has a lot of contemporary emotions in it. Grace tries to die. She meets boy. She goes to school to try to better life. She takes a wrong turn and ends up in an abusive relationship. That gives you an idea of what you're going to see in this book without giving anything away. Also note that I kept the plot line blunt and without names, so you're still left guessing when you read it.
But let me tell you, the last part of the book completely made it for me. There's a moment where everything clicks into place and suddenly various parts of the book make sense and have a new meaning. I sort of guessed what was going on, but by the end, I wasn't sure there'd be some paranormal addition. That's why I only added a spritz of it when I listed the genre.
Who would I recommend this to? That's a difficult question... I'm not going to say hard-core vampire/werewolf lovers are going to love this book. I believe those who like romance and contemporary would find this one right up their alley. I definitely advise anyone who reads it to wait until the end before forming your opinions of the book (I know mine completely changed).
While reading the book, I thought the description was a terrible description (until that eye-opening moment at the end). This book has a lot of contemporary emotions in it. Grace tries to die. She meets boy. She goes to school to try to better life. She takes a wrong turn and ends up in an abusive relationship. That gives you an idea of what you're going to see in this book without giving anything away. Also note that I kept the plot line blunt and without names, so you're still left guessing when you read it.
But let me tell you, the last part of the book completely made it for me. There's a moment where everything clicks into place and suddenly various parts of the book make sense and have a new meaning. I sort of guessed what was going on, but by the end, I wasn't sure there'd be some paranormal addition. That's why I only added a spritz of it when I listed the genre.
Who would I recommend this to? That's a difficult question... I'm not going to say hard-core vampire/werewolf lovers are going to love this book. I believe those who like romance and contemporary would find this one right up their alley. I definitely advise anyone who reads it to wait until the end before forming your opinions of the book (I know mine completely changed).
August 27, 2012
Okay, let's be honest here. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting going into it, I have mixed feelings about this book (I was expected more paranormal than it had). On one hand I couldn't put it down, I wanted to know what was going to happen. On the second hand, I hated Grace. It was like watching a soup opera or a novela, it had so much drama going on that I didn't care if I didn't like the main character, everything else kept me on the edge of my seat. Some of the other characters of course I adored, Grace's college roommate/best friend, for example I just loved. And, Lucian, oh my lord, Lucian. I don't have many book crushes, but yeah he's one of them now.
It was probably the ending that saved Grace for me. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting (I kept hoping that this was some sort of bad dream for Grace, that it wasn't real), however, what it was completely satisfying. For a while I wasn't sure why one would considering a paranormal romance. I kept thinking it's about a stupid girl who keeps making the wrong decisions in life. Of course the ending cleared all of it up for me. (Sort of, I'm still not a big fan of Grace.) Did I mention how amazing the ending is? Now I don't mean just the last page or two. I mean the last chapter is flipping great.
After finishing the book, I thought of giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. However, now that I gave myself a few days to take it all it, I think it's worth a 4. I would probably recommend this book more to people who are into contemporary as appose to paranormal romance. But honestly anyone who's into a ton of drama, and not always reading about happy relationships, but still like a somewhat happy ending, this is the book for you.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review
It was probably the ending that saved Grace for me. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting (I kept hoping that this was some sort of bad dream for Grace, that it wasn't real), however, what it was completely satisfying. For a while I wasn't sure why one would considering a paranormal romance. I kept thinking it's about a stupid girl who keeps making the wrong decisions in life. Of course the ending cleared all of it up for me. (Sort of, I'm still not a big fan of Grace.) Did I mention how amazing the ending is? Now I don't mean just the last page or two. I mean the last chapter is flipping great.
After finishing the book, I thought of giving it a 3 out of 5 stars. However, now that I gave myself a few days to take it all it, I think it's worth a 4. I would probably recommend this book more to people who are into contemporary as appose to paranormal romance. But honestly anyone who's into a ton of drama, and not always reading about happy relationships, but still like a somewhat happy ending, this is the book for you.
I was given this book by the author for an honest review
April 24, 2012
Since her fifteenth birthday Grace has tried to end her life. She almost succeeds on her 18th birthday, Halloween night, but an external force almost startles her off the bridge that she was prepared to jump off, and a survival instinct kicked in. As she is dangling from the bridge, holding on for her life, Lucian Lake mysteriously appears to rescue her. Tall, handsome, and charming, Lucian becomes the older brother and best friend that she’d never had.
The author does an excellent job of defining the characters and making them come alive. Love them or hate them, you have probably known someone like them in your life and can relate well to most of the characters. The storyline flows nicely as you follow Grace on her journey through life, her ups and downs, her naïveté and bad choices. There were a few times that I wanted to scream at Grace after some of her bad choices, but it takes a talented writer to get a reader that involved into their characters’ lives.
There are some serious twists at the end of the book, one was practically a hairpin turn that left me lost for a minute, to be honest. I would have liked to see a little more expansion to the revelation Lucian surprises us with. There was a whole lot of detail given within a short space of time and I ended up needing to reread the last chapter to fully understand what all was going on.
All in all Grace: An Eternal Beloved Novel is an enjoyable read that is hard to put down.
The author does an excellent job of defining the characters and making them come alive. Love them or hate them, you have probably known someone like them in your life and can relate well to most of the characters. The storyline flows nicely as you follow Grace on her journey through life, her ups and downs, her naïveté and bad choices. There were a few times that I wanted to scream at Grace after some of her bad choices, but it takes a talented writer to get a reader that involved into their characters’ lives.
There are some serious twists at the end of the book, one was practically a hairpin turn that left me lost for a minute, to be honest. I would have liked to see a little more expansion to the revelation Lucian surprises us with. There was a whole lot of detail given within a short space of time and I ended up needing to reread the last chapter to fully understand what all was going on.
All in all Grace: An Eternal Beloved Novel is an enjoyable read that is hard to put down.
May 25, 2012
Review & Interview with the author to come!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews