Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Message from Viola Mari

Rate this book
World-renowned oceanographer and meteorite specialist Marissa Jones uncovers evidence that a comet cloud will soon destroy Earth. When aspiring writer and best friend, Jennifer, begs her to take a Saturday morning sci-fi writing class, Marissa reluctantly agrees. Writing her real-life story as fiction gives her an astonishing new perspective on the anomalous set of craters she discovered off the La Jolla Coast. But this favor for her friend stirs up more than scientific results...writing teacher Justin Lincoln goads her constantly and taunts her with his irresistible curly blond locks and steely physique he knows only too well make women drool. Marissa teeters on the dogs of anger and raging attraction for this irritating man. But it's a terrible time to let lust call the shots when the world's about to end and Marissa's the only one who can save everyone.

162 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

55 people want to read

About the author

Sabrina Devonshire

25 books192 followers
Sabrina Devonshire, an avid swimmer most of her life, can usually be found near or immersed in a body of water. If she's not seeking an endorphin rush in a pool, lake or ocean, she's usually writing or practicing yoga.

She received a John Woods Scholarship and an Arizona Commission of the Arts Professional Development Grant toward her participation in a 2007 Prague Summer Program writing workshop. She also studied writing in Arizona and northern California and has a M.S. degree from the University of Arizona.

Sabrina loves traveling to off-the-beaten-path places where outdoor adventure awaits. She especially enjoyed Peru, Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Greece. Sabrina lives in southern Arizona with her husband. They are planning to live as expats somewhere south of the border and fun in the near future!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
25 (78%)
4 stars
4 (12%)
3 stars
1 (3%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
1 star
1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Ellen Cross.
Author 19 books63 followers
January 20, 2013
Marissa Jones is a young Oceanographer and Metorite specialist, with a poor track record with men.
Driven by her best friend, Jennifer, to join a sci-fi writing class, Mari is forced to suffer the frustratingly personal attention of her beyond mouth-watering, yet insanely irritating teacher, Justin Lincoln.

One look at Justin, and Mari doesn't know whether to follow her body's desire to kiss him, or satisfy her mind's urge to punch his lights out.
Mari's research into the mysterious craters on the ocean floor, leads her to the discovery that the earth's end is approaching in a cataclysmic event that will claim all life.
With no-one willing to believe her research, Mari is left with not only the fate of all mankind in her hands, but a best friend to keep happy, a sexy man to figure out, and a book to finish writing. Simple huh?

Sarina Devonshire has exploded into the sci-fi genre with "A message from Viola Mari". Her beautifully descriptive style with the delicious splashes of witty humour throughout, are a delight for the senses.
"Message from Viola Mari" will keep you guessing right up until the very last page.
Author 3 books49 followers
April 25, 2013
I took my time enjoying Message From Voila Mar because this story after reading the first two chapters, deserved more than a rapid read while I huffed on an elliptical trainer. Impressive comes to mind. The author absolutely hooked me with a realistic portrayal of the heroine, Marissa Jones. Not some utterly intoxicating beauty found in many novels, nor the slightly dumpy side-B version either. Marissa was real. I could immediately imagine her in line at Starbucks or conversing with her at a cocktail party. I was fascinated by Marissa’s uncanny outbreaks of laughter at the wrong times. Priceless.

“Three of us comprised the professional crowd. We wore too many wrinkles to belong to the Hello-Fresh-Face collegiate crowd but looked far too stressed-out to be retired. I was the one with lines etched into my forehead, while Jennifer had bitten her nails down to the quick. “

The hero is equally cast. Justin Lincoln. Oh, a bit of California dreaming. Who couldn’t get into a man with longish curling blond hair, and a college professor? Immediate hands off which translates to sexual tension. Yet, he too is portrayed realistically with an enticing tender side.

“That must have been an exciting evening. But I can relate to what you’re saying. I’ve had my share of bad dates. Women who want to know where I am every hour of the day. The worst are women looking for a rich guy. Once they find out I eat TV dinners and drive a Toyota, their libido drops dramatically.”

Devonshire’s writing style and voice are fresh. These are perhaps my favorite aspects of this book. The story features fiction set as though real. An exceptional mark in staging romance scenes that enthralling this reader. I kept thinking I’ve got to do other things, and then kept reading.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the science-tech-talk played out in Justin’s writing class and Marissa’s job. I would have liked to get to know more about Justin, his history and inside his head. There were times when an old flame intersects, causing havoc and pouty moments. The story becomes more engaging as it spins, drawing the reader further in during the investigation of ancient underwater meteorites. The result is a suspense driven climax.

The author did a great job mixing it up with a writing class, romance, and oceanographic scuba research. Nothing too weighty and the details interspersed to keep the story entertaining. More than romance, Message From Voila Mar was an adventure.
Profile Image for Dean.
6 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2013
Marissa Jones is an oceanic geologist specializing in studying ancient meteorite impacts. She’s tough and serious with little need for anything else in her life … But, when her best friend talks her into enrolling in a creative writing course, she falls hard for the instructor, Justin Lincoln, much to her embarrassment.

Marissa can’t believe that she’s so attracted to the hunky writing guru. She has to get over her own insecurities and accept the truth of his love … At the same time, she is uncovering an ancient secret that might mean doom for humanity … Unless she can find a solution and decipher what she believes is an alien message of hope.

Investigating ancient underwater meteorite impact sites with Justin, Marissa becomes involved in life-threatening intrigues in a conflict that leads to an action-packed climax.

This was an offbeat novel which I found to be a quick and easy read. The characters were sympathetic and relatable, and writing was clear, the story briskly paced. The story veers quite heavily into science fiction territory near the end, which is set up very well earlier in the book. Overall, a fun, light read.
Profile Image for Cameron James.
Author 34 books93 followers
September 8, 2013
Message from Viola Mari was an unexpected romantic sci-fi delight. I should preface by saying I’m a huge sci-fi fan and have become incredibly picky over the years when it comes to the genre. I know what I like in sci-fi and I know what I don’t like—and I have no patience for the stuff I don’t like. So, I was understandably hesitant when I read the blurb for Message from Viola Mari and realized it had sci-fi elements.

As I dove into the book, I was completely taken by the sci-fi aspect. There are craters on the ocean floor that occasionally disappear and reappear later. And people start going missing. Oh and there’s that impending comet, that will end all life on earth. With all of this sci-fi doom that Marissa knows is coming, no one believes her because, well, it sounds ridiculous. And because she’s a woman.

To read the rest of my review of this book, please visit my post over at Romance Reviews Submitted by Authors:
http://romancereviewsbyauthors.blogsp...
Profile Image for Jocelyn Dex.
Author 48 books150 followers
March 20, 2013
3.5 Stars

The heat between the hero and heroine, Marissa and Justin, was believable and Marissa's blunt comments in the writing class, her best friend dragged her to, are funny. She made me laugh a couple times.
Knowing this story was supposed to have sci-fi elements was the determining factor for me reading it so I was disappointed that the sci-fi elements didn't evolve until later in the story. It was more sci-fi lite. However, the writing was solid, the characters and romance believable and the ending a surprise. Worth a read. :-)

I was provided a free copy of this book by CBLS Promotions for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Christy McKellen.
Author 106 books149 followers
March 3, 2013
What a fun read!

I really enjoyed this author's voice; her writing is fluid and smart and her characters are quirky and cool. There's some scorching chemistry and witty banter between these two and an intriguing plot that keeps you captivated.

I loved that the female lead is a scientist - she's definitely not your usual romance protagonist!

A very enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Bob.
1 review1 follower
March 16, 2013
Message from Viola Mari, by Sabrina Devonshire, is an easy to read erotic romance sci fi story with twists and turns that kept me from putting it down. There is a surprise ending that begs for a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.