In an effort to escape a lifetime of bad luck and worse decisions, Luke decided to take a giant risk and leave Los Hermanos in his past where they belonged. Unfortunately, Los Hermanos took the saying "blood in, blood out" VERY seriously.
When his long lost foster sister and her new boyfriend show up at his hospital bed willing to commit felonies in an effort to get him out of his guarded hospital room, he suddenly finds himself burdened with the fact that his actions had now brought innocent people into a firefight that he had tried to avoid all together.
As he struggles to push the only family he has left to a safe distance, a heavy sense of dread settles in around him and every instinct he has tells him that something far worse than Los Hermanos is coming.
Pushing them away and sacrificing himself seems to be his only option, but Sarah and Makkar have other plans. For better or worse, they intend on being there to the very end.
David Michael currently lives in Salt Lake City with his five-pound purse dog. He's the author of eight novels and three novellas, a lover of Star Trek, the founder of Live Literately, and owner of Encompass Press, LLC., and has spent the last eight years bartending in one of Utah's few gay bars.
When he's not working he's sleeping or mindlessly scrolling TikTok.
For starters, I had the honor of beta reading this gem. David has thoroughly sucked me in to The United Series…especially after this book! Cursed was a fabulous read. The character development and flow of the storyline had me hooked from start to finish, it had me wondering if the outcome would be favorable or flat out upsetting. I can’t tell you how the ruling went as that would ruin the story but it was surely worth the read.
Starting with a common car thief/gang member in the lovely city of Los Angeles California…Luke. Luke wants out of the game and to make a go of being on his own without the “backup” of Los Hermanos, the toughest gang running the streets. Unfortunately for Luke, gang life is just that…life.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, with the help of his estranged foster sister, a weird hippy, and the powers that be, Luke finds himself fighting for not just his life anymore…but something SO much bigger. Coming into a gift that was never expected and not sure which side to choose, Luke only has a select amount of time before someone else makes that decision for him.
In the end, it’s all about good versus evil anyway…which side will Luke choose in order to not tip the scales of power?
I bet you had no idea that this story took a crazy turn? Well, when you read each line on each page and the hair on your arms raise, or you suddenly chill with goosebumps, you’ll get it. I cannot wait for my next “hair raising” experience in a world where epic battles take place, where love comes in all varieties, and where you don’t know until the very last chapter which way each person decides to sway. It makes for more than just a story; this book and series is definitely one that makes you think…and think…and think. My favorite.
Five Stars!! No question. David Michael has done it again! With the perfect combination of action, adventure and emotional turmoil.
The well written character Luke has been through it rough and it is worse when his sister steps in to help. It is worse to him than the trouble he was already in. With the brotherly instinct to protect the only person who he has ever really cared for. Luke is a passionate man who made some decisions that got him in a bind. He fights with all he has to push his beloved sister away. He sacrifices a lot to keep her safe. Well written and well described background of Luke.
Sarah Is also written well with her strong, stubborn determination to help her brother as best as she can. With her spending her growing years away from her brother hurt her to no end, it was like torture. She knew that what she did was right and now that she has the opportunity to help him, she fights him to no end to help. His trouble he has been in is difficult to handle but she has always cared for him and not let him push her away. She is a well written character with a strong will.
David Michael wrote this book with passion. You can tell by the way it was written. The storyline is written so well that you can relate with the characters. You are pulled into the world of the book easily. Couldn't put it down!!
Reviewer: Donna - Magic Within The Pages Rating: 4 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I read Blessed, book 1 and i found it very confusing but this one was really good and i enjoyed it straight from the beginning. I thought Cursed was going to continue the story of the first one. It does but it evolves around different characters.
Luke is a bit of a bad guy, stealing cars etc and he works for three brothers but has been doing a few deals on the side. They find out and end up setting Luke up which lands him in prison. Then you have Sarah, his sister who turns up out of the blue and Luke hasn't seen her for years. Mak is Luke's spirit guide as Luke doesn't know what he is or what he can do until he starts having these powers. Sarah and Mak try to help Luke out when he escapes from hospital after be beaten up in prison. Chuck in two archangels who are after Luke to destroy him and this story is exploding which excitement. It sounds confusing but believe me that when you read it, you will be really, really hooked.
The only thing i will say is sometimes it did seem to drag in some places. I think the book could have been a bit shorter as so scenes, i didn't feel were necessary but all in all i loved reading it. I really got on board with these characters and i found the story to be a bit clearer and i understand a bit more of the story. I'm looking forward to reading Saved, book 3. I'm hoping it will shed some more light on this enjoyable, detailed story.
**Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review**
Admittedly the paranormal genre is not always my cup of tea; I am extremely picky about what I like/don't like. After reading Blessed, I was a bit nervous, unsure what David Michael was going to do in his sophomore effort, Cursed, especially since we are still dealing with an M/F storyline. Once again, good writing, good editing and a good storyling continues in this series.
Whereas it took me a little bit to figure out what was going on in Blessed, Cursed drew my attention from the very beginning. I liked Luke... I liked his snarky personality, his storyline and the other characters (Mak and Sara) that were introduced. I also found here, one of my favorite things to find in m/f storylines - a take charge, take no prisoners, make no excuses tough woman in Sara. Score!!!!
Cursed portrayed good and evil, light and dark but not as absolutes. There isn't any black or white here, only shades of gray. It was interesting to see new characters and an expanded storyline. My curiosity is definitely piqued. How do these characters fit with the characters from Blessed? I'll definitely be tuning in to the next book in the saga to find out!
This book is so far from the genres that I typically read that it’s not even funny. That said, Cursed was awesome. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to read book one, I did not feel lost as I read the story.
Unfortunately there is not a lot that I can say about Cursed without revealing potential spoilers. The book focuses on Luke, a man who is an admitted criminal but who wants to change his path in life. Unfortunately, life changes it for him and not in the way he was hoping. Unbeknownst to him, his foster sister Sarah has been watching over him for years and steps in to help correct the path his life has been set on. Neither is aware that there are higher powers that are at work in Luke’s life.
All I can say without revealing too much is that this is an intense, action-packed read that David Michael has done an excellent job in writing. I will be reading book 1 as soon as possible.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
As I sit here - having just finished Cursed - the thoughts that are running through my mind lead me to wonder if we really know whether "good" and "evil" are truly as defined as we were always taught. I know the answer. David Michael does such a wonderful job in this book of weaving this story from the very beginning in a way that just grabs your attention and holds it until the very end. It leaves you asking that very question. The characters are so completely developed that you feel like you know them personally. Sarah's strength was a particular favorite piece of the book. I love Mak - but I am a sucker for dreadlocks. In my opinion, Mr. Michael has shown us a little more of himself in this book with a bit more romance, sexy scenes and humor. This book is a definite five-star for me! I enjoyed it - cover to cover. Well Done, David Michael! I look forward to #3!
The balance between the Dark and the Light is battling on in "Cursed". I was hoping for more of Ardra and Kaiser. But, as we were warned at the end of "Blessed", these new adversaries and their friends - and foes - take center stage. Once again, David Michael spins a fantastical, fast paced, sexy, snarky, and thoroughly enjoyable story about the balance between the forces of good and evil. However, in this book, the lines are not so clearly drawn. Are the messengers from God (all you fans of Angelic paranormal fiction - this one's for you....sort of)really ALL good? Are the people who represent the "dark" all bad?
Any TRUE fan of paranormal literature will enjoy Blessed and Cursed. There's a little sex, a lot of conflict, great supernatural beings, a great deal of witty banter, and action galore!
Thank you, Mr. Michael, for gifting me with both books!
After reading Blessed I really didn't know what to expect from Cursed. It definitely wasn't Archangles, a gang member I fell in love with & the most kickass woman I've seen in a long time! As I said for Blessed, it took me a bit to get into that story and figure it out, but not Cursed. This one had me hooked from the beginning and I had a hard time putting it down any time I was forced too. David had me on edge, worrying about a few things when it came to the Good & Bad or Light & Dark, but it was amazingly done. I really fell in love with Luke, Sara and Mak, and hope they show up again in this series. Very well done Mr. Michael!!
If you want an edge of your seat adventure, this is the book for you. You will have a pounding heart waiting to see if Luke will survive the encounters with the ones who want to kill him. Can he keep his sister and her boyfriend safe?
I love the way David pulls you in to the book and makes you feel as if you are right there in the action. You end up holding your breath for the outcome of each encounter. Now onto the next one.