Torn

Beneath the Shadows of Evil #2

by Jolynn Raymond

Torn is the second book in the Beneath the Shadows of Evil Trilogy. Amid the grandeurs of her husband’s castle, the once wild gypsy Alliana struggles against those who would trap her in the gilded cage. Tormented, abused, and toyed with, Alliana has no intention of ever trusting the vampire who took her from the life she loved. Though she knows she is bound to her new husband for life, the now pregnant Alliana refuses to see anything but evil inside him.

Through a twist of fate, the consequences of his cruel and evil ways are forced upon the Master Vampire, Mikhal the Merciless. Like it or not, he can experience the terror and hate he inspires in his bride, and finds he has no taste for the agony he causes her. Sickened by Alliana’s pain and hatred, he vows to inspire trust in the beautiful Gypsy who has warmed his cold heart. Though true love has yet to bloom, Mikhal is determined to make his unwilling bride happy in her new life. But even as he does everything in his power to bring Alliana joy, there are others all around them who are plotting to destroy the fragile hope for love and happiness between Mikhal and Alliana.

Genres: Paranormal

372 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2013

About the author

Jolynn Raymond's love of writing began in her early 30s and has been a passion ever since. She loves to read, write, travel the world, and is a history buff. Her genre's cover historical romance, often with a spicy kinky twist to suspenseful paranormal thrillers. Her love of history makes its presence in the books she writes. They are often set in centuries past. She is a lover of art, architecture, and the study of diverse world cultures. She still resides near her childhood home with the love of her life, her two spoiled cats and their gnome, Gerome.

Her favorite quote is: "Well-behaved women seldom make history." -- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Reviews

[T.J. Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

TORN begins exactly where TAKEN left off as tormented Mikhal attempts to prove himself as a man who loves Alliana and can control his beast. Since I’d read TAKEN (the first in the series), I was prepared for Ms. Raymond’s many POV changes. The typos, formatting issues, misspellings, incorrect word choices (quite when it should be quiet) etc., were still present and in full force.

However, a curious thing happened. Since Ms. Raymond writes in multiple POVs, I found myself very interested in two secondary characters, Natalya and Lucian. The growing sexual tension between them not only held my interest, but I looked forward to reading about them almost more than Alliana and Mikhal. Most authors would’ve kept Natalya’s and Lucian’s story for another series, but not Ms. Raymond. I almost feel guilty because it’s like I’m getting two books for the price of one.

Extensive introspection throughout the book occurs just like in TAKEN and several scenes could have been shortened to increase the pacing and action. To compensate, I skimmed through some passages. But for all the hiccups, I remained interested in the storylines. Editing can be learned, but the ability to write an intriguing book that holds a reader’s attention requires a great imagination and an innate ability not everyone can master. Although I so wish Ms. Raymond would find a proper copy editor, I’m anxious to read TREASURED to learn how Alliana and Mikhal fare as parents while Natalya and Lucian struggle to deny growing (and inappropriate) feelings toward one another.

Please remember, you must be willing to overlook the editing issues and multiple POV changes. If you cannot then I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy the book. But if you can, the day might pass you by as you lose yourself within the storylines of these intriguing characters.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of the series left me wanting to read the second one as soon as possible and now that I have read the second one, I can hardly wait for the third one in the Beneath the Shadows of Evil series. Torn is even better than Taken as a second gypsy enters the story. Expecting a child that is developing too quickly makes Alliana uneasy and emotional in addition to being sure she will never trust Mikhal. The story takes many twists and turns as the evil layers of the castle's characters work to gain power and our hero learns to deal with feelings he has long forgotten thanks the misfired curse of his evil sister.

In this part of the story a few issues are resolved and evil fights to gain control and spread its horror. The last twist at the end of Torn made me smile as it offers hope and makes me want to find out what will happen in the third part of the story. I loved the non-stop excitement in the ups and downs in the story line in Torn. What a GREAT SECOND BOOK for this trilogy to keep me wanting more soon, please.

[susan stacy smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller

Another book well written this story keeps getting better I am unable to the the book down its well deserving 5⭐️ and deserves another 5

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trade paperback/Paranormal Historical Romance: It must be me because this book was horrible. First, you need to read book one in this trilogy to understand what is going on. The female half of the romance, Alliana, is pregnant by a vampire. I think; she was apparently raped in the first book and vampires would have dead sperm to go along with their lack of a heartbeat, sooooo... Alliana calls her vampire husband, Mikhal, a beast numberous times and it is annoying. That is the only time she has a any sort of backbone and even then she doesn't mean it. Mikhal makes all her decisions for her: what she eats, when she sleeps, her choice of midwife, if she is too cold or too hot, and her baby's name.

The character of Mikhal was schizophrenic. One minutes he is telling Alliana that she is so wonderful and the next, you, as the reader hears what he is really thinking. It is all about possession. His "love" for her is more of a challenge he has given himself. One minute he is trying to be tender and the next he is punishing his right-hand-man with a whip. Mikhal is never wrong, well won't admit he's ever wrong. As a couple, they will never make it. She's upset, he buys her baubles. There is no real conversation between them and they have nothing in common.

I feel bad because this book was given to me by Goodreads for a honest review. In order to finish it for review, I had to read only a few chapters at a time because I hated all the characters. The dialog was stupid.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torn is the second book in the trilogy called, Beneath the Shadow of Evil and the vampire sister is evil to the core, as she plots to hurt her brother's wife and unborn child. The descriptions of the people and how they lived in medievil times was excellent.

[Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the continuing trilogy, Beneath the Shadows of Evil. Another amazing read that kept my interest throughout