What do you do when the one you trust can no longer be trusted? Where do you turn when the one you gave your heart to, your body, your blood, the murky depths of your soul, defies mortality's rules? What do you do...YOU RUN!
Hannah Malcolm has been through more in her short lifetime than any young woman should have to bear. So after the well publicised death of her family, Hannah decides to leave the bustling streets of Chicago and seek refuge, in the sleepy seaside town of Bar Harbor, in Maine. A new job, new friends and a quaint cottage on the cliff overlooking the sparkling waters of Frenchman Bay give her just the opportunity she needs.
But complications have always been a specialty of Hannah's and Bar Harbor is to be no exception. The town is reeling after an unexplained murder and several random assaults, which have small degrees of separation from her. One disaster after the next begin to swirl at Hannah's feet and to add to her worries her new found man is starting to appear not quite as he seems.
Bone chilling and a lesson in trust Roses at Dusk is a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist that will have you questioning your judgement with everyone you meet.
I was quite surprised by Roses at Dusk by M.W Russell and pleasantly so. This is not your normal paranormal romance, for it is dark, twisted and in its own way horrific. My kind of book! I was hooked after the first page and could not put my kindle down. This story is not an easy one to read for some of the topics may be not for the faint of heart.
Roses at Dusk follows Hannah who is looking for a fresh start in a new town Bar Harbor and hopes to leave the pain of the loss of her family behind her. Starting a new job and making new friends. When Hannah has chance meeting with a stranger named Marcus her life changes. In this new relationship her reality shifts and the world as she knows it is ripped out from under her feet as she fights to break free from evil’s grip.
For me it was the beginning of the book that really drew me in as the author gave me a taste of what is to come. After reading the first chapter I had so many questions that needed answers for she throws you smack dab in the middle of the plot not knowing how the main character Hannah got there. Which I feel is a brilliant move as it engages the reader which leaves them wanting more.
Now for the Characters in the book, the main character is Hannah and who is the catalyst for all that happens in the book. She becomes unbeknownst to her caught up in a supernatural battle for her mind, body and soul. I really enjoyed watching her evolve as she begins her relationship with Marcus who plays the villain/hero in this book. Theirs is a very twisted relationship and she finds herself in deep and doesn't even know it is happening. The only thing that bothered me about Hannah was for a brief second she feels pity for Marcus, even after everything he had done to her. Granted it was only a few seconds but it was enough for me to shout NO!! Don’t do it! The supporting characters did a good job at lightening up the story line such as Penny the lighthearted man loving best friend, to Felix the funny coworker who as the story plays out becomes a major character and really comes into his own. He annoyed me at first because he was so different than Marcus…I have a soft spot for tall dark and evil lol But as his story started to reveal itself Felix made sense. There was one supporting character that I just kept waiting to jump out but she never did was Audrey Brewer, I kept fantasizing in my head as to what role she played but it never panned out.
The book was well written and very easy to read. The story line played itself out well with kept me asking questions of who, what, when and why, this is a must in my book when it comes to phychological thrillers. I do want to mention that the supernatural theme is one that hasn't been written yet and something new to me so that was a plus!
All in all this was a great book to read and this is an author to watch in the paranormal thriller genre. Again I wanted to mention that this book is for adult with sexual themes. Now for the rating, I would have given this book 5 stars except I had to take a bit off for my frustration with the character Audrey brewer, I just felt her character didn't really help the story line. So with that said I give this book 4.5 Stars
I must take a moment to catch my breath. Ms. Russell definitely put a spin on evil with this one, and it's hard for me to believe this was her debut novel, although she is not new to writing. The way I hear it she has another novel about to break into the publishing world, with another two works in progress. Wow! Sounds like an author that could keep a reader satisfied to me. Anyway, I must move on and tell you a bit about why my heart is still in my throat and I may or may not be looking over my shoulder right now. And I will try my best not to spoil it for you.
Hannah Malcolm attempts to start her life anew in a slower-paced town. Bar Harbor isn't at all what she was used to in Chicago, but that was the point. She had to find a way to escape, and possibly forget, the horrible memories she had of the death of her family. With the case closed, and no answers found, staying would have only been the end of her sanity.
With a brand new job and a few friends made, Hannah agrees to be dragged against her will to a club with new friend and co-worker, Penny Pilkington. What she found there was Marcus, a guy that any girl in the club or town would have done just about anything just to get his attention. Hannah was shocked by the evident fact that Marcus didn't seem to notice anyone but her.
Marcus' interest seemed to grow even more through the weeks, and Hannah found that she was completely besotted with the devastatingly handsome rogue. Strange things began to happen, but ignoring them was a whole lot easier than facing them and ruining what seemed to be the perfect relationship.
A brutal murder and a serious accident that almost took the life of Penny, had her nerves on end. And she realized when the bruises lasted longer and Marcus' words sounded more possessive than loving, that she may not have been seeing the real Marcus at all. She also realized that the only way to get out of the relationship may cost her her life.
With the help of a friend, and some disturbing discoveries about Marcus' secret life and her own past, she takes the chance and runs.
I can't tell you anymore, because it would spoil it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who craves a little danger in their life. Roses at Dusk will have you dreading the setting sun. It receives 5 stars from me.
Hard to put down. Just when you think you know how it's all going to tie up, quite smugly, you think to yourself that you will put it down and get back to it later...you get thrown a curve ball. Fascinating, little bit chilling, a little bit of discomfort thrown in for good measure to make you question yourself on a couple different things. What a great start to The Demonic Series...looking forward to reading about Lucas.
I picked this book up as I was looking for something in the thriller/horror genre, but quickly realised this is not the sort of book I would normally read. I couldn't help groaning when early on a devilishly handsome man comes strolling down the beach in tight jeans with his shirt undone, and I lost count of the number of times the term "devastatingly handsome" was used.
That being said, I did find myself continually returning to the book to see how things would turn out. The main villain is suitably powerful and threatening, making it difficult to see how the heroine will ultimately triumph; and I think there are a lot of people who would enjoy the story of a woman trapped in a dangerous relationship with no obvious way out. I think anyone who liked the Twilight series will be entertained, although the content of this book seems more mature (I think Twilight spliced with Fifty Shades of Grey was what the author was going for).
A few things let the book down for me. Most noticeably, there were many typos ("if" instead of "of," "passed" instead of "past," "like" instead of "liked," "nid-stride" instead of "mid-stride" - I spotted several in every chapter) and there were several sections where the paragraph formatting was wrong. There were also several areas where unusual phrases were evident in descriptions (such as a night a character cannot remember being described as "unforgettable"). I think it would pay for the author to give the work another proofread and tighten up the edit a bit more (easily done with a Kindle book), as it really will improve the book.
I also found there were times where characters acted unrealistically. One character, after being assaulted, decides the best thing to do is forget about it and fall straight into the arms of the most likely suspect. Later on, the same character is fleeing for her life, but still goes in to work because she doesn't want to miss a business meeting she has scheduled.
I am rating this book four stars because I think there is much to enjoy here for fans of the genre and I appreciate I am not the target audience. For anyone who thinks the Twilight books are a bit tame, this could be a winner.
In Russell’s paranormal novel, Hannah Malcolm attempts to start her new life in a different town. Bar Harbor isn’t at all what she was used to in Chicago, but that was the point. She needed to escape, and possibly forget, the horrible memories she had surrounding the death of her family. No answers coming, case closed, staying would have only been painful.
New job and a few new friends made, Hannah agrees to be dragged against her will to a club with new friend and co-worker, Penny Pilkington. There she found Marcus, a guy that any girl in the club would have done just about anything to get his attention. Stunned, Hannah was shocked to learn he only had eyes for her.
Marcus’ interests seemed to grow in the weeks to come, and Hannah finds herself completely besotted with the devastatingly handsome rogue. Strange things begin to happen, but ignoring them was a whole lot easier than facing them and ruining what seemed to be the perfect relationship.
Penny comes close to losing her life following a brutal murder and a serious accident, leaving Hannah’s nerves frayed. When Hannah realizes the bruises are lasting longer and Marcus’ words are sounding more possessive than loving, she knows she may not have truly seen the real Marcus at all. And the price of leaving may just be her life.
With the help of a friend, and some disturbing discoveries about Marcus’ secret life and her own past, she puts everything on the line and runs.
Intense—a touch of evil. The book is hard to put down. A great introduction to The Demonic Series.
Amazing and heartpounding. You will immediately be drawn into this story and wont be able to put it down. I highly recommend this book, Im looking forward to the next novel. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel!
Wow. Where to begin?! M. W. Russell knocked it out of the park with Roses At Dusk! This was a pulse-pounding, nail-biting, edge of your seat, can't put this book down thriller! Trust me, I read a lot of books but this was such a refreshing twist on what is considered the "norm"! From the first chapter you are drawn into a mysterious, seductive world that promises to intoxicate you with forbidden knowledge & dark desires!
Hannah Malcolm just wants a little normality in her life. After the tragic loss of her family, she decides to get out of the public eye and trades in her life in Chicago, for a quieter, less hectic life in Bar Harbor...or so she thinks! She embarks on a journey through life that will have her questioning not only all those around her, but everything she thought she knew about her life, herself and the very fabric of her beliefs. As you join Hannah in her quest, you will meet funny & lovable characters that will entice you to cry, laugh, rage & even gasp for breath with them as the story unfolds & you work towards solving the mystery!
Roses At Dusk is beautifully written, with an engaging plot & lovable characters that will drag you into the deadly beauty of its world. As the book continues it offers detailed character development that will leave you feeling as if you KNOW the "players" personally & leave you captivated right up to the very end where it leaves you desperate for the next book. It offers a refreshing & unique look at an age old discussion. What do you believe?
This is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys a great book with an amazing plot & sincere characters that have you rooting for them all the way up to its climatic end that just keeps you guessing.... and ready for more!
I HIGHLY recommend this book & it gets 5 stars from me!
Ok, when I started this book I wasn't sure what to expect, especially since it is marked as part of The Demonic Series. I was amazed at how the story progressed and was even caught by surprise a few times. One of my favorite things was how the author was able to set the mood of a situation without being graffic. Most of all it really is a good story, that is unique and exciting to read. I cannot wait for the sequel Snowdrops wilt at Dawn!
I received a copy of this story years ago from Amazon and am pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was pulled into the story line. The beginning hits you hard and you find yourself wondering ' what the hell just happened?' I couldn't wait to read about what would unfold within the pages to come. Hannah Malcolm is a mystery you just can't wait to unfold and you hope with all your might she can survive to the end. I so found myself relating with her and her ability to 'disappear' within situations presented to her but also with how she found her voice and strength when needed most. The character development was a good pace and doesn't leave you lost on the story line. In fact you want to find out more as soon as you can. I am looking forward to reading the second instalment (Snowdrops Wilt at Dawn) to this demonic series.I give this story a 5 🌟 rating
I brought this book on release day and must say I was not disappointed.
Roses at Dusk will certainly take you on a roller coaster ride, with twists, turns and mystery entwined within the pages and even a little bit of romance to curb that inner romantic. It’s a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist that will certainly have you on the edge of your seat or hidden within your room as the pages enfold.
There will be certain characters on first sight that you will swoon after , and then after reading a chapter or two , you will be gobsmacked and even grossed out, or scared, at certain scenes put forth. I know I thought WTF and felt sorry for Hannah at many a moment. Can someone be loved too much? And the length that someone would do to keep you within arm’s reach?
I was engrossed from the very start, however very surprised at the storyline that was put forth. IN A GOOD WAY! As dark as it comes across at times, I pulled the covers down and sped along at record breaking pace. This book gave me more than I could have imagined. CHILLS FOR SURE... LOL.
I certainly do enjoy a story that is unique and different and definitely one of a kind. Roses at Dusk is certainly that !
M W Russell gives us a haunting, yet dark yet and mysterious tale that is not only alluring but downright scary in parts. In Roses at Dusk we see a darker side to fallen angels, and mysteries that you will want to be unleashed.
I’m not going into the storyline with this review As I to want you to be as surprised as I was.
I was slightly taken back in certain parts, cringing and gasping along the way, but also sheepishly grinning at a certain parts to.
I enjoyed the banter between Felix and Hannah, the flirty yet wonderful friendship formed and also the twist that becomes about as well. Hannah formed new friendships and love and the author put this forth well. I liked all the characters within the story. However, even the darker ones you couldn’t help but sort of feel sorry for. To need something – so dark…. Its unjustifiable yet …………….
The relationships grew as the story progressed; we see different sides to all the characters as it the story unfolded. Some for better some for worse...
Roses at Dusk will certainly have you raising your eyebrows, taken aback at many a scenes but it lures you in like a magnet to a piece of metal. The storyline is fluent flowiing and engrossing and will certainly pique your interest till the last page has been turned.
I look forward to the next installment of this series, and recommend it to all who like a haunting tale, a bit darker than most but also Unique!
Maree Ward Russell’s excellent paranormal thriller - Roses at Dusk is a must for any fan of the genre. The author’s imagination, combined skilfully with her talent for painting an image, leaves you keenly turning pages and wanting more!
It has been some time since I last ventured into paranormal fiction and did so with relish – the book in no way left me disappointed! The story provides ample surprises with lashings of suspense and an explosive conclusion.
Strong characters, a well thought out plot and well written prose all go to ensure a hunger to devour each line while longing for the next.
Better than a night out at the cinema – I have discovered a rising star of paranormal fiction and cannot wait for her next book!
Great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Would classify this book in the paranormal genre. The book starts off mildly enough, with Hannah sitting on her porch. But it soon escalates from there, to nail-biting & heart-rending action. The mysterious man she meets turns out to be her worst nightmare, literally. Her relationship with him puts all those around her in danger. But help comes from a quarter that Hannah least expects it from. Now you know you just have to read this one.
A book of light and dark. Hannah moves to Maine after her family dies under mysterious circumstances. As she begins to make friends, a dark stranger named Marcus enters her life. He professes love for her, but proceeds to control her. However, his control isn't the run of the mill toxic relation scenario. He isn't quite human.
The book starts of slowly, but quickly picks up speed as Hannah tried to find a way to fight Marcus before he kills her.
I must admit from the beginning you realise that Marcus is a very dark character and, as the story unfolds for Hannah, Penny and Felix I just couldn't put the kindle down. Dark sexual beginning that made you want to shout out to Hannah at times. Even though you know you shouldn't really feel for Marcus, you keep holding on in case he reprieves himself. Needless to say loved this book and can't wait for the follow up to be released
A wonderfully exciting paranormal thriller, Roses At Dusk grabbed me right from the start and didn't let go. Good, page-turning writing, and well presented although the quality, in terms of proofing errors, dropped off slightly towards the end; I thought it could have done with slightly more rigorous editing, but there was nothing that really impaired the reader's enjoyment. A solid piece of work in a very competitive genre.
'Roses at Dusk' was an intense book to read!!! It was read, read read from the first page. Paranormal romance on a whole different level. Could not put down book. Always wanted to turn the page, just to see what would happen. The storyline was unpredictable... Maree kept you guessing. Would recommend this to anyone!!!
So, I finished "Roses At Dusk" about 2 minutes ago, and let me start out with, "Wow."
If you have never read it, you must get a copy, because it was a great story. The story starts out with a woman, named Hannah Malcolm, who just recently moved to a new town and a new job. As she meets new people and settles in, she falls in love with the archangel, Marcus, who claims he is madly in love with her. Just as things started to seem right, something makes Marcus snap (not that he hadn't already had a wire loose). The man she thought she knew has gone cold, and she is trapped in an abusive relationship, not knowing what to do, nor whether it was humanly possible to stop him. The story progresses smoothly and keeps the reader on his or her toes at all times. There were a couple spelling and grammatical mistakes that can easily be fixed on an e-reader that distracted me a few times, but I don't think they took away from the content that kept drawing me back for more. It was easy to relate with Hannah throughout her endeavour -partly because of the past relationships I have been involved in- and the character development was astounding from page one. If I could say one thing to M.W. Russell, I would tell her to continue writing about Demonic events, because she sure had a great ability to capture both the victim's emotions as well as the captor's emotions in the story, making it all the more believable, as well as kept it well-rounded. (I would go back and fix some of the mistakes, though. According to the Kindle version that I read, a few mistakes were: "So she was so relived when Penny finally rescued her from behind" [At the 9% mark] instead of relieved, "With the tip if his long finger" [at the 11% mark] instead of the word of, and 5 other prominent mistakes stood out to me. But, like I said before, the few mistakes did not take away from the content, which was amazing.)
Darker toned but for those squeemish no explicit descriptions. I thought for sure I'd really enjoy this book, totally dig the title, but there were 2 issues for me. **in the beginning I just couldn't get over how naive/stupidly the heroine reacted to huge neon warning DUH signs. Also about 65% in everyone's behavior just felt like high school.**Interesting w/potential but even w/adult situations this seems more suited to teen readers.