Redemption

by J.S. Snow

How does a child musical prodigy who was left for dead by the mafia at the age of three in a cardboard box discarded next to a blue dumpster in a South Philadelphia neighborhood alley wind up becoming the lead guitarist for one of the world's most successful Heavy Metal Bands... Hells Redemption? The beginning of Alex's young life was tragic and should have been the end, but a Nun and a Priest who ended up rescuing her then later raising her determined that surely a predetermined destiny wasn't to be for Alex. Despite her conservative and secluded upbringing, Alex wants to prove herself to be anything but a foregone conclusion, especially when she strives to not only succeed but dominate the music genre that she loves more than anything with her natural God given talent. With dreams of becoming nothing but one of Heavy Metal's Music's most legendary guitarist's of all time, and at the same time proving that a woman can indeed melt faces off just as well as any man, Alex is determined and focused to let nothing stand in her way, not even her past. Can Alex achieve her dream while keeping her anonymous childhood celebrity status a tightly guarded secret? Can Alex guard the physical and mental scars she bares from her past, even if that means never physically acting on love? Can Alex really achieve all that she wants while still maintaining her integrity and the values she was raised with? We can choose to allow our pasts dictate who we are or who society decides we are destined to be, or we can embrace that we truly are only defined in this life by the choices we make now. These are Alex's choices, this is Alex's story and in turn become's Alex's..... REDEMPTION 314,474 Words New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance – Recommended for those 18 years of age and older due to violence, graphic language and sexual situations.

Genres: Romance

928 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2013

About the author

J.S. Snow began her literary obsession at the tender age of eleven with the first voluntarily read book Are you There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume. Only a few years later her fascination with fictional offerings really took root as she stepped into the mind of one of her hero’s Stephen King through his work Christine.

Now that her fascination with fictional literature has firmly taken root, she is now seriously considering a twelve step program for her e-reader addiction, feeds her fascination with fiction with new literary offerings via her coveted e-reader, has a passion for dark chocolate, sweet tea and Heavy Metal music. She is the proud mother of a downright spectacular daughter (who was head banging in the belly) and lives with the belief that the mind where the imagination lives is a far more entertaining place than TV or movies ever will be.

J.S. Snow currently resides in the midwest and has been in the administrative office field for thirty two years.

Reviews

[LaDonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start out by saying this is an absolutely epic read in the rockstar romance genre. The storyline is easily in the 6+ Star range. It may be a bit over the top, but isn't that why we read fiction in the first place? It wasn't so over the top that it couldn't possibly happen, though admittedly, a very long shot. The first part of the book tells about Alex/AG's early childhood, from the time she is found in a box next to a dumpster, left to die; she had almost bled out when Sister Maria Therese found her where she had been thrown away. We find out she is a child prodigy in all things musical, though she rarely speaks. We get a good look into her unusual upbringing, and her musical talents. Then her introduction to the real world while attending Julliard. After turning down the New York Philharmonic Symphony because she wants to be a heavy metal guitar goddess, eventually making it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I did mention that in reading fiction we had to suspend some disbelief in order to enjoy the story, right? I haven't even filled in all of the things you will have to take with more than a pinch of salt, but it truly is a story, series worth reading (basing the series on this one book of it, and some friends' recommendations, I am convinced that it will all be worth reading.) It has me sucked in for sure, and I can't wait to head on to the next one. I really wish I didn't have to wait to get through a promised review before I jump into it!)

I haven't even mentioned the band. Each one of the five guys in the band (though I still can't picture the sound of a band with two basses) has captured a piece of my heart, well at least 4 of them have. I am still on the fence about the one Alex adores, but I guess you will have to read on to find out who he is and why I am hesitant. But they all are so very well described, that you can't help but feel lkie you are getting to know them all as she is, getting more pieces of exactly who each of them are as she tours with them and gets to know their quirks and redeeming qualities. They are an amazing bunch, without a doubt. I even ended up completely loving the little red headed tinkerbell sprite.

So why only 4 stars? It really tore me up a bit, but I couldn't in good conscience give it more. The website says this was the revised version, but there were so many grammarical and proof reading mistakes that I just can't give it the full 5 that I really, really want to and feel like it deserves. There are too many misplaced commas, commas that should be there that are not, usage of the wrong word, head hopping, words that should be capitalized that are not and vice versa, apostrophes that are not needed and not there where they should be (including in the band's name, which is obviously repeated many times,) and many, many unneccessary dashes, as well as a few sentences here and there that just didn't quite make sense. As often as I do beta reading and proofreading, I find it second nature to notice these things and this book simply has too many of them for me to give it a higher rating. I sincerely hate that because it is a fantastic story.

I am going to say this is for an adult audience only for content, though there are fewer scenes that I would put flags up against kids reading than most of the books I read.

I will add a note to the author, if this book is ever revised again, I would be happy to reread and adjust my review.

[Rebecca Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know how to express the emotions that I went through while reading this book. It was a masterpiece and I was shocked that it was J.S. Snow's first book. I experienced so many different raw emotions that left me on the brink of an emotional breakdown and other times laughing so hard at the comments that are thrown in there by author. She definitely has a great sense of humour and knows a few profanities!

The book centers around Alexis Grace Hattabough, a girl who was found at the age of three in a cardboard box in an alley by Sister Maria Therese and Father Martin Thomas after experiencing some atrocities at the hands of Victor Davone. At three Alex is a music prodigy and although she can not speak she is able to speak through her gift of music. As she ages her gift of music allows her to further her education where she dreams of becoming an accomplished guitarist in a heavy metal band.

As Alex's dream begins to come true she begins to play with Hell's Redemption while lead guitarist Seth Batista's arm heals after a climbing accident. Alex must learn to navigate in a man's rock n roll world where women rarely step forth. She must learn to put her personal values aside and concentrate on what is best for the band and develops a strong relationship with the guys.

The problem is that someone is digging into Alex's past and her secrets may not stay hidden for long. Will this end her rock n roll dreams or will it allow other dreams to come true instead?

Loved this book from start to finish!!

[Bill Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Where do I start? I bought this book as part of a personal quest to read more indie authors and strangely enough, found this author on Twitter. To say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. I will bet that I am not the target audience for this book nor does this book fit into the normal genre of what I read. I tend to read a lot of mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction. None of that really mattered when it came to my enjoyment of this book. J.S. Snow is definitely a storyteller, who captivated me from the very beginning with a very dark and disturbing prologue, followed with a beautiful story of the main character’s early childhood, and an amazing story that continues on as the main character embarks on adulthood. Character development in this book is spot on. The dialogue and storyline are completely in line with the characters or scenes in which they take place. This book had me laughing, had me crying, reminded me of all that is evil in this world, and more importantly, reminded me of all that is good.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone regardless of what genre of fiction they are caught up in. Having played a little bit of music in my life, I would also recommend this book to anyone who has ever picked up an instrument or simply gets lost in the sound of music. How often do we get a bang your head storyline as the backdrop for a novel? The reader in me says this book was amazing and well written. The guitar player in me says this book rocked!

I am very much looking forward to the continuation of this story with the next book!

[Nicole Woolaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part one of the “Metal Prodigy Series”. A three-year-old girl is discovered inside a cardboard box behind a dumpster in Philadelphia. She has been discarded by the mafia; left for dead. Thankfully, she survives, and is adopted and raised by former nun. She has no memory of how she ended up in the box, and refuses to speak. With the help of her adoptive mother’s love and patience, she slowly comes back to life, and even discovers a very impressive gift: the ability to play almost any instrument she puts her hands on. The girl (later named Alex) grows up to become a talented young woman. While playing with a band one night, she is discovered by the leading metal band in the business: Hell’s Redemption. Alex is asked to join the band as a guitarist, however, all the while she wonders about her past and tries to hold onto a dark secret. Who were her parents? Where are they? And how did she end up clinging to life inside a cardboard box all those years ago? Alex must fight to keep her past from wrecking her future….
Anytime you combine rock with well-written fiction, you’ve got my attention. This isn’t just a story about an awesome girl who plays guitar in a metal band; it’s about discovering who you are and embracing it, without shame. I absolutely enjoyed reading this and I can’t wait for the sequel.

[Sarah Muellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words....
Well, not true, I have a lot of words, but they'd ruin it.
The book starts off with an EXTREMELY brutal and depressing subject: child sex trafficking. and yes, its was hard to read, BUT once u get past that... It's an amazing, funny, touching story about a survivor following her dreams and making them a reality.
Oh, yeah: HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT and did I mention HOOOOOT guys?
<3

PS: I need book 2, FAST... yup, I'm officially having withdrawal symptoms, jitters, cold sweats, the whole nine.

[Mark Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written book,with a great story.The characters we're very believable and well thought out.I got really caught up in the story and was touched by the love of her adoptive mother.I have to say as a father myself reading through the beginning of the book was pretty hard to read because of the topic.But outside of that i think you did a great job and i look forward to reading your future work.

[Laurie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal series...this author has been bumped up to my all time 2nd favorite!!!!! Normally i would go into more details with my reviews, but since my computer went tits up, im on this dang kindle tablet & frankly i hate it for anything other than reading :-( ...for those of you that follow my reviews, trust me! This series just gets better & better...2015 & the 3rd book cant come fast enough..

[Terry Zigante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just spent the last 3 days ignoring my life for the most amazing book.. Your story of Alex and Hells Redemption is one of the most beautiful, broken, and rewarding story's that I have read..I'm am so glad I just found it so I don't have long to wait for the third story. Thank you!!

[Eryn Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this Series! Thank you so much J.S. Snow!

[Barbara Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will blow you away

It starts out very sad but it's about a little girl who's a survivor. She finds her way through music. Author JS has away of pulling you in from the very beginning.