Clarity

Blackwood After Dark

by Christina C. Jones

Some things are just inevitable...

Genres: Paranormal, Novella, Romance, Paranormal Romance, African American Romance, Supernatural, Halloween

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2024

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parris was causin’ some serious havoc in book two because, he was ready to jump start his union with his fated mate. He’s impatient and ready to lock down a certain supplier so, he can follow in Elias and Cassius’ footsteps. River has always known her destiny but, she fought against it until she couldn’t fight it any longer. The moment of truth is upon her and she can no longer run from her family obligations. I loved the connection of Maeve to River’s family. We finally got a real backstory on how she turned to black magic and was banished from her coven. And, just like that, the Blackwood After Dark series has come to an end. The Black brothers have found their fated mates and the secret society of vampires will remain just that. A secret. These books were nothin' but a tease. I really want more of the Black Brothers and the ladies who love them. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we’ll hear from them.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honoring Tradition

Parris and Larivye seem like they are going to be a force together. Larivye was a witch that was spicy. I liked her because she was set on not making anything easy for Parris, despite the attraction she felt for him. Although she understood the impact this would have on her family, she stood in her truth. Parris, you could tell desired to please her and he was proud to honor his Vampire birthright.

I liked that we received more details about the fmc, but I wish we got that same insight to Parris the mmc. And of course more together time for them. It was a good Novella though.

P.S. Big Elias is still my fave

[Rashawnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black Brothers are back and Parris is up next to find his fated mate. They say when you know you know and even though these two were an unlikely pair and Larivye gave him a hard time, they couldn’t fight fate! The story was short sweet and to the point. Wesleigh did her thing with narration and made the book more enjoyable.

[WellReadRuby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon!

[⌞giselle⌝ · Rating 4 out of 5]

you know them dreadheads do it the besttttttt! yesss, Parris! New Orleans & witches gonna do it for me EVERY TIME!

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickish Review

Probably my least fave of the series. The sex it’s hot but the lack of real connection between the leads just left me feeling meh.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a teas! I really really want more of this world.

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Keesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for the arrogant bad boy of the family and Paris didn’t disappoint. But Riv was the star of this book. The story of her and her family of witches is incredibly interesting. I hope we get some full length books in Blackwood After Dark series.

[Jaz Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parris Black is really that nigga. i love how river gave him a run for his money but he still was able to keep up. of course he can. he a whole ass vampire lol. loved the smut of this one that thang was thangin fr! the author knows her lane and is doing the damn thing! i honestly wanted more but it was nice and hot!

[Mybookscafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more

A novella nah this needs to be full on book, I need a follow up as to happens. I enjoyed it so much

[Tina Sharane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 🌟 I absolutely loved this series of novellas!!! Parris and Riv being my faves of the bonded/fated couples! Because Parris was my kinda nasty and the spice in this book was the best imo. The banter was also quite entertaining.

It was also so cute and original how Riv and Parris chose to solidify their bond; they give a whole new meaning to “tat my name on it so I know it's real”. Bringing Riv's family into the mix added an extra layer of enjoyment to this because we didn't get enough lore into Celeste and Ambrosia's families in the previous books.

The only reason this was not a 5 star read for me is because it wasn't long enough and I wanted sooooo much more from this series and the Black brothers specifically. I would have loved it if all of these books were full-length novels because Black vampires just do it for me! 😏 I will definitely be reading more of CCJ's books sooner than later; I am a fan of her storytelling and writing style even with these being very short reads, so I'm looking forward to reading longer books by her.

[mimi 🧚🏽‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

i probably should’ve did a little refresher of the last two books before reading this one since i read them last month, cause i was a littleee confused in the beginning (which is totally my fault and not the authors) 😂

parris is definitely my favorite out of the black brothers, this book expanded more on the different “beings” that exist in this universe so that was intriguing!

this story was also really sweet though and straight to the point, with a dash of spice.🫶🏽.

i definitely think if you read all of these books in this series back to back you’ll have a great reading experience and you’ll love it!

[Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Everything finally came full circle in this one, and I loved how all the stories connected. We’re introduced to the youngest Blackwood…Parris who decided to speed things up so he could finally claim his bonded mate. I especially loved the touches of Haitian culture throughout the book. And Riv was full of fire and absolutely not the one to mess with!
Honestly, I kind of wish the entire Blackwood saga had been one big book, but I still really enjoyed getting to know this powerful family piece by piece.

[Sha Sha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noooooooo I want more!! And I’m still confused! 😒😤 anyways this one I liked more than the others it was just something about Riv & Parris. Elias and Celeste probably my next faves. And then Cassius and Brosia. Idk maybe both couples are equal after Riv & Parris. Anyways in this read we only got bits and pieces more of their history. Not enough. So CCJ could we please revisit this series sis and give more background, history of each character, their fate and what’s next because there is more we just need you to gone and give us a full novel. I’ll even take 500+ pages.

[Megan Thee Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Quick

I loved this 3 book series because they were all short and straight to the plot of the story. I do think after reading all 3 they were rushed but overall good quick reads with spice and women that talk back/do not listen. 😂

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch and vampire instalust.

[Tsholonki · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are so short, you blink and the book is ddone.But in the same breath, it's to the point Larivye gave Paris a good run for his money, but we eventually got there.

[ShaTorey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one was definitely the best. This isn’t a bad book but falls flat in comparison to the first.

[Brisace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew, when he said “Don’t. Make. Me. Chase. You.” if it wasn’t enough clarity, I don’t know what was.

[Imani · Rating 4 out of 5]

His name on her neck is crazy.

[Brittany S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this whole series, wish it was longer!

[The Book Jawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read, however, I wanted more and didn’t anticipate the abrupt ending at all.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m conflicted. I’m throughly pleased and disappointed at the same time. Because again, with these being short stories, I feel like it was a missed opportunity for a hit series…
The world created in these is was so well done (an amazing feat for a short story) and I looooved the reference to the Eternally Tethered series for the sake of connection and continuity but it feels disappointing that this is all we get of these characters/storyline… but I guess this is the best kind of review you could get as a creator of worlds through stories…

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The shortest of the series but arguably my favorite, I loved Larivye and Parris. Something about an enemies to lovers storyline with a caution to the wind MMC and a FMC trying to fight back against destiny, then add in the supernatural element?? And I’m sat.

I think this novella was the best because it tied together many connecting pieces from the earlier novellas and helped further flesh out the world/setting in which the stories take place. But at the same time, made me more curious about the extensive lore that’s hinted at and made me even more hungry for a full novel treatment for these characters and their love stories.

Like what else is in Riv’s family’s book? And what exactly did her ancestor do? Is it connected to the massacre that Celeste mentioned in ‘Curiosity’? Was it in retaliation to that story Cassius told Ambrosia about the immortals who sought to keep their lovers forever? And what exactly was Parris told regarding his portion of the prophecy?

Also, I wish we’d been able to see Parris meeting and talking with Riv’s mom and aunt. As well as, what the return to Blackwood was like, with Riv reuniting with her girls. Also also, just to be able to see Riv and Parris settle into their dynamic and get to know each other and fall in love would’ve been cool. Not to mention the party where they’re officially introduced to the “community.”

There’s just so much opportunity with these characters to be fully explored and unpacked that the novellas feel like a disservice to how rich the world building could be.

However, the main couple I loved. Just two headstrong dumpster fires, surviving the best they know how and having to recalibrate their ideas of what their life could be with each other by their side. Also, they’re both kinda bratty which makes their intimate relationship so fun, the push and pull; even though Parris is undoubtedly the stronger one of the two with his command of his abilities, he also never throws his weight around at Riv’s expense; he likes playing with his food so to speak and being on the receiving end of her fire. It keeps him sharp. Very Klaus/Marcel coded, if you will.

[TheReaderVert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep your head on Swivel

...and Never Say Never

From beginning to the end you will be going through the quick, fun and sexy twists. If the banging on the kitchen table and rune signs in c)m juices don't make you want to savor eat the delicious immaculate taste of this treat, surely the sexy-fun tit for tatt banter will. Christina C Jones is really gifted with writing these paranormal stories. The mythos is always on point, the characters are genuinely Othered in an eternal sense, but their African Diaspora-ness shines through. These little bite-size morsels are never quite enough. Come for the juicy Mile High Club-body-turning-into-jello handling but stay for the great witchy mystery. I really love how Riv asked the age-old question about fated mates: "I want someone who wants me for me, not out of obligation. Someone who wants to love me." Parris, our vamp boy, has to catch up and realize that bringing fuckboi energy with an equal is not going to cut it. "..I don't need you to be anything. I just need you to be you." And just like that, just when we think Riv is going to keep never-ing the never out of that never ever, we get some intriguing plot beats and tender moments from Parris. The biggest thumbs-down is for the abrupt end. It's clear that more pieces of the story are left to be told. Now the team is assembled we have to wait and see how they will be used.

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telepathic conversations that make you laugh. Neck tattoos that make you fall in love and bind you forever. Compelled s❤️x on a plane. 🤭 An asshole fated mate that’s obsessed with you and has been secretly k!ll!ng folks for you. Parris black made sure to SHOW her. As it was his birth right to bind with Riv. NOTHING could keep him from her.

Book 3 concludes this story of 3 friends now sisters in love finding out they aren’t like, other women.

It leaves off where Brosia and Celeste question her about walking into her home when not being invited to do so. Vampire problems. 😂 They suspected she was a vampire like them, but just so happens sis is a witch. 💜

While Riv wasn’t necessarily as excited as Parris about this “arrangement”. She also knew accepting him as her fated mate restored her families magic and saved her mother’s life.

She tried SO hard to run from this man. And he just was NOT having it.

* I do wish there was more translating when they spoke in creole.

[Matthania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Brothers are always a great time, and Clarity didn’t disappoint. Parris Black is unhinged, and I love that. His and Riv’s dynamic is electric. It gives enemies-to-lovers and fated mates, which are two tropes that I don’t normally often.

The previous book, Caution, was left on a cliffhanger, and I had many questions about Riv. She’s probably my favorite heroine in this short series. She’s feisty, talks back, and doesn’t take anything lying down, unless Parris has something to do with it, and in that case, she’s all for it, iykyk.

I loved the sprinkle of Haitian Creole and magical lore. I gobbled it all up!

And if it’s one thing that Christina C. Jones is gonna do, it’s incorporate some of her other book series since some of them share the same neighborhood settings.

If you haven’t yet, get into the Black Brothers in the Blackwood After Dark series.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy

I enjoyed jumping back into this series. I was really interested in getting Parris’ story. Previously, he seemed so dark and brooding. In this book I found him to be lovable. And so damn sexy. I liked how River could find ways to overpower him. That added a nice balance. Even though she was reluctant to deal with him, they really did have great chemistry. I loved how spicy things got with them. It was definitely giving off bedroom goals. The supernatural element of this series is surprisingly enjoyable considering that it’s not a genre that I like. CCJ has a way of making it so palatable.

[Damilola · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt rushed. There just wasn’t enough time spent with either characters to feel connected or to make this relationship feel believable- bc how did we go from I can’t stand you, to this is great sexual chemistry, then to I’m running away from you, to oh okay I’ll do this to save my family, and then all this lovely dovey feelings……like was it because of the binding or was it because they’re fated or is it because they actually do like one another? Or all of the above? Idk but as mentioned before not enough time was spent with the characters to know much - felt like the surface was barely scratched with them