Essence's Divinity

by Sylvia Hubbard, Crown Designs (illustrator)

Osirus was supposed to be gone—a powerful businessman under a DNR, left to fate in a six-year coma. But Osirus never did what he was supposed to do. Against all odds, he starts breathing on his own, and that’s when everything changes.

Enter Essence, a compassionate nurse tangled up in secrets. In a world where romance with medical drama is a line few dare to cross, she defies the rules, making a choice that could cost her everything. When Osirus wakes, their connection is undeniable—a forbidden love that feels dangerous yet irresistible. But as passion ignites, so does a storm of dark secrets and family deceit.

Osirus’s journey of redemption and transformation is just beginning, as memories of his ruthless, controlling past resurface. But will Essence’s forbidden love bring healing or destruction? In this psychological romance filled with suspense and family betrayal, they’ll both have to choose between love and survival.

Perfect for readers craving romantic suspense with family secrets, or those captivated by stories of forbidden love with dark twists, this steamy thriller dives deep into the complexities of love, redemption, and the price of defying fate.

563 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

With twist and turns, Sylvia will make your eyes dance and your mind shudder as you read her short stories. Find out all about this fantastic author of mystery/romance & sensual/noir.
Sylvia Hubbard, single mother of three is from Detroit, Michigan. Dreams of Reality was her first novel, and since then have published over 60 books available wherever books are sold

AUTHOR, MOTHER, SPEAKER, JOURNALIST, CONSULTANT & MORE!

Founder of Motown Writers Network & The African American Electronic Literary Network & Motown Romance Network, Editor of The Essence of Motown Literary Journal.

Owner of HubBooks Literary Service and Co-Founder of Essence of Motown Writers Alliance Literary Conference

Moderator of Detroit Writers Galore & Lulu’s Romance Writers

Board Member of National Association of Black Writers, Michigan Black

Independent Publishers

Present and Past Member of Great Lakes Booksellers Assc, National Association of Black Journalist-Detroit, Sisters In Crime, Black Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, World Romance Writers, Erotic Author’s Association, Real Sister Writers & Essentially Woman Literary Group, & Great Lakes Publishers Assc., Authors Supporting Authors (ASA), The Society of Midland Authors, The Michigan Reading Association

ABOUT HER:
Sylvia Hubbard has independently published 4 paperback books and over 10 e-books. Her foundation genre has always been romance, but she has ventured into suspense, erotic, mystery, paranormal and I/R. Always urban and contemporary styled, her writing is enjoyed all over the world by all nationalities. She’s always available for speaking opportunities at bookclubs, conferences, schools, and writing groups. In the upcoming year, she will be featured in several anthologies & will be publishing another paperback and 4 more e-books. She has a degree in Marketing/Management and minored in journalism, broadcasting (Specs Howard), drama, html programming, teaching assistant, customer service specialist, and commercial art.

Voted by Romance Book Cafe as a Favorite Author

Spirit of Detroit Winner for 2005 by Detroit City Council

2006 State of Michigan Governor’s Certificate of Tribute Emerging Minority Business Leader Award

2005 Stone’s Revenge Voted Best African-American Mystery by Mojolist.com

2006 Triumphant SPIRIT Award Winner (acknowledging Legacy of Bessie Mae Downey Rhoades Martin) by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc – Rho Sigma Chapter

2006 EbonyAuthor.com To Look Out For

2007 National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter’s Top 10 Michigan Business Giving Spirit Award Nominee

2007 Erotic Showdown Author Nominee by Publisher’s Market.

2007 Who’s Who In Black Detroit listing. (2nd Edition)

2007 National Inspiration Role Model Month (November) Literary Leader Award
2007 Powerful Visionary Award by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc – Rho Sigma Chapter

2008 SORMAG.com Readers Choice Award The Best Multi-Cultural Self-Published Author of the Year

2008 Facilitator at Idlewild Dubois Writing Workshop

2008 Detroit Literary Empowerment Community Champion for Motown Writers Network

2008 Distinguish Service Award Recipient from Detroit City Council

2008 NaNoWriMo Winner for Eve’s Deception @ 56992 words

2008 Metro Times The Best of Detroit Recipient – Best Literary Host and Literacy Booster

2009 Black Author Network Community Literary Legend Author

2009 Who’s Who In Black Detroit listing. (3rd Edition)

Reviews

[Mylene Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essence is a woman who has lived by her father's rules for so long that her desire to be a mother almost took a back seat. Overstepping the boundaries of her medical therapist role, Essence sees her chance to achieve her hearts desire, to become a mother. On this journey Essence discovers the true meaning of family, friendship and trust. There are lies, deceit and crimes to uncover on this journey and through it all, there is a patient to cure. I loved this book. Great story. Great read. The characters were great and the plotting carried you from page to page. For me a great reading start to the New Year!

[The Bourbon-Sipping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sylvia Hubbard’s Essence’s Divinity is not your soft, gentle romance—it’s a dark, twisted, and suspenseful tale about obsession, survival, and the dangerous ways love can entangle itself with control. This book is heavy on emotional triggers, and the author warns readers upfront: there’s violence, dubious consent, and explicit sexual content. If you’re faint of heart, this is not your book.

We meet Osirus Numen, a powerful, selfish man who has been left in a vegetative state after an accident—only to “wake up” when Essence, a caregiver, crosses moral lines in desperation for a child. Essence, who has always longed for motherhood, makes reckless choices that intertwine her life and her son Horus’s future with Osirus. Over the course of the novel, secrets unravel: Osirus’s cruel wife, his fractured family, Essence’s own lies, and the slow-burning—and often morally ambiguous—bond between Osirus and Essence.

This isn’t just a romance; it’s a psychological ride filled with betrayal, twisted love, and shocking revelations.

Themes
The Gray Morality of Love – Hubbard leans into the idea that love doesn’t have to be “pure” to be real. People who are broken still crave connection.

Power & Control – The novel constantly asks: who has the power—Osirus, even while helpless, or Essence, who exploits his condition for her own desperate dreams?

Family Trauma – From drug-addicted mothers to manipulative wives, family dysfunction ripples through every character’s decisions.

Obsession vs. Care – Essence’s choices blur the line between nurturing and selfishness.

Character Dynamics
Osirus – A man once cruel and unyielding, his near-death experience forces him to face both his demons and the twisted affection forming between him and his caretaker.

Essence – She’s complicated—both sympathetic in her longing for motherhood and deeply flawed in her methods. Hubbard doesn’t let her off easy.

Atticus – A side character who brings both charm and danger, offering a counterbalance of wit and moral corruption.

Stella (Osirus’s wife) – Deliciously hateful, manipulative, and greedy. She represents everything toxic about power and relationships.

The chemistry between Osirus and Essence is volatile. It’s not tender—it’s obsessive, messy, sometimes disturbing, but undeniably magnetic.

What I Sipped & Savored
🥃 Bold, unapologetic storytelling that doesn’t flinch from taboo subjects.

🥃 A suspenseful pace that keeps you hooked, even when you’re uncomfortable.

🥃 Complex moral territory—this isn’t your typical hero/heroine story.

What Made Me Side-Eye My Glass
🥃 The prose can be wordy and meandering, occasionally pulling you out of the story.

🥃 Character motivations, while fascinating, sometimes feel forced to push the drama higher.

Essence’s Divinity is the kind of book you throw across the room, then immediately pick back up because you have to know what happens next. It’s not clean, it’s not pretty, but it is unforgettable. Readers of dark, morally gray romance like Penelope Douglas or K. Webster will find a lot to chew on here. If you like your romance messy, obsessive, and borderline dangerous, Sylvia Hubbard delivers exactly that.

⭐️ Rating: 3.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5 (explicit, messy, and darkly erotic)
The sex scenes are explicit and plentiful, often layered with tension and questionable consent. Hubbard writes them with raw intensity, and while they fit the dark-romance tone, they may unsettle readers who prefer lighter or more consensually clear steam.

My Rating System:
1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book.
2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations.
3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others.
4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read the book again. Definitely recommendable.
5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essence's Divinity

Having read several of Sylvia Hubbard’s books, I am always (even though I shouldn’t be) surprised by her unique plots and intricate narratives. Her characters are larger than life and often skirt the edges of decency and blur the boundaries of consent and normalcy. Essence is basically a kind and giving person; she has a core of goodness but because of circumstances and the villainy of others, she makes some very questionable choices. No one would ever take Osirus for a kind and compassionate man. Even as he is laid low by a coma, his family is circling like vultures, his callous wife and dysfunctional mother battle over his inert body. However once awakened, he must piece together the actions that happened when he was unaware. And why does his physical therapist and caregiver, Essence, seem so strangely and intimately familiar? This story was a “hoot” from beginning to end and I enjoyed the OTT plot. And while one cannot fault Osirus for seeking vengeance, he really wasn’t a very sympathetic figure. By the end of this story, Essence more than deserved her HEA!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/essenc...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

This was an intense story and took a few turns I was not expecting. Essence and Osiris had a horrible introduction to each other and then an unfortunate accident happened and he became her patient. This is where things got real interesting and unexpected. Osirius was in a coma and had been for five years when he was removed from life support but he began to breathe on his own and the rest you have to read for yourself. Let me tell you the series of events and cast of characters will leave you breathless and speechless at times.

Good job Ms. Hubbard!!

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a couple of books by this author, and many of them have been out of the box, but I think this one takes the cake. I was not expecting this type of story line. There were many times I was pissed off at Osirus, even though to be honest, he had a right to feel the way he did at times, I just think the punishment didn't always fit the crime. There is a trigger of SA, so definitely keep that in mind. It was an enjoyable and fun read and I can't wait for the next read from this author.

[shelly shells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essence

Well, Essence was something else lol but she gave as good as she got.. The Sensitivity behind the story shows that What a woman is capable of doing when she wants to have something so desperately even though she knows it's wrong to do
This could have easily been 5 stars but there were a lot of repetitions of paragraphs throughout the book that it made me not want to continue but the story line was so well developed that I needed to see what the ending would be

[Damaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Sylvia Hubbard, is simply an incredible writer. Her ability to create entangled plot that developed, connect and keep the reader wanting the story to never end. I highly recommend this book and other that connect her characters, can't wait for Iris story.
Janus and his brother need a story.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divinity


Sylvia Hubbard has done it again!!!!
I truly enjoyed reading Essence’s Divinity!
If you are a fan of Sylvia’s books this is a must read!!!!
If you are not a fan of Sylvia Hubbard’s books,
You are truly missing out as this is a great read!!!

Osirus had me all in my feelings!!!

Great job Sylvia Hubbard!!!

[Cre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divinity From Unlikely Places

Even while in a coma, the chemistry between Osiris and Essence is off the charts. They both are the answers to each other prayers. Their story is a true depiction of how love can be found and survive through adversity.

[carolyn williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mean man

Of all TBE books I've read this is by far the meanist hateful evil man I fave ever read about. I did like the story , I just think essence wad a bit dick crazy, made her so easy to rule and that's what he did.

[lakiesha brissett · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book

This book is so good and so unexpected. I could not have predicted anything that happened in this book and I loved it would totally recommend for anyone interested in unorthodox love stories and a lot of drama.

[Stephanie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!

I just love her books and they never fail to entice you into reading all day long! I can’t wait until the next read, I hope it’s something from the Black family series.