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The Ramseys #11
Lover's Origin: Black Island
Receiving a mysterious package with directions to journey to an island half way around the world should have raised suspicion as well as caution for Persephone James. While caution and a fair amount of suspicion were definitely heightened, what stirred most was her curiosity. Having lived sixteen years as the only child to two loving parents, Persephone felt her world turned inside out at the discovery that she had a sister somewhere in the world- one her parents never mentioned. With no thought of consequence or danger only discovery, Persephone followed the instructions inside the package and found herself in a place that should’ve only existed in an adventure story…or horror novel.
Black Island; for all its beauty and luxury was a far cry from the wonderland its residents arrived hoping to find. Populated almost exclusively by young adults the place was as strange and fascinating as it was dangerous and depraved.
Not all was bleak and unsettling however. Persephone made friends she would never forget and met a sister she all too soon wished she’d never met. What’s more, she met the one who would stir emotions that her wildest imaginings couldn’t conjure. There was no description for Hilliam Tesano-at least not one that would do him justice. Persephone was riveted not only by his looks but by the demeanor that could intimidate as easily as it could intrigue.
Darkly gorgeous with an army at his command, Hill Tesano knew all too well that Black Island was not a place for the faint of heart. It was a place where friends disappeared in the dead of night-a place where ulterior motives were commonplace. Nothing was as it appeared. It was a place that could all too easily swallow an uncommon beauty like Persephone James. She had no place there, but he wanted to keep her just the same.
Black Island; for all its beauty and luxury was a far cry from the wonderland its residents arrived hoping to find. Populated almost exclusively by young adults the place was as strange and fascinating as it was dangerous and depraved.
Not all was bleak and unsettling however. Persephone made friends she would never forget and met a sister she all too soon wished she’d never met. What’s more, she met the one who would stir emotions that her wildest imaginings couldn’t conjure. There was no description for Hilliam Tesano-at least not one that would do him justice. Persephone was riveted not only by his looks but by the demeanor that could intimidate as easily as it could intrigue.
Darkly gorgeous with an army at his command, Hill Tesano knew all too well that Black Island was not a place for the faint of heart. It was a place where friends disappeared in the dead of night-a place where ulterior motives were commonplace. Nothing was as it appeared. It was a place that could all too easily swallow an uncommon beauty like Persephone James. She had no place there, but he wanted to keep her just the same.
- GenresAfrican American Romance
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2010
21 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
AlTonya Washington
145 books336 followersAlTonya Washington has been an author for 20 years. She’s traditionally, independently and scholarly published, a winner of the Romance Slam Jam EMMA Award, and two-time winner of The Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award.
She's a librarian, film buff and music junkie and enjoys writing in an array of genres: T. Onyx erotica, Ally Fleming interracial romantic suspense, and Temple Carver mainstream romantic suspense. She's best known for her long-running Ramsey/Tesano multicultural romantic suspense series.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 4, 2016
This is an excellent introduction of the crossover between the younger generation of the Ramseys and the Tesanos.
There is much history being exchanged here, you get a glimpse of how it all began with the meeting of the Ramseys and the Tesanos older generation. You see as like the Ramsey Elders, there are good and there are bad and we get a glimpse of that same dynamic with the Tesanos.
Some of the characters that you will read already have their HEA (remember this is a story of when the Ramsey children not the elders where younger and have already met their soul mates but throw fiery trials they had lost them but have been reunited when they got older). What you may not know is some of the Tesanos falling in love with some of the Ramsey women, one has already married her soul mate but I have to read further if they have managed to stay together. Another one is Sabra Ramsey and Smoak Tesano, lawd their story is tragic and it will only be a miracle from God Himself if they can find their way back to one another. And the other stories were excellent from Yohan, Moses, Quasar etc.,
I am definitely looking forward to reading the next round of stories with the Tesano Family taking front and center.
Here is something that I found and this is for future readers and those such as myself who is beginning. There are 2 books that are called (Book 11) which is a mistake because this book that I am currently rating is book 11 on Amazon and then there is another book 11 on Amazon called "Lover's Origin: Black Island (Ramsey Tesano)". I believe the confusion comes in with the book covers. Both books have the same exact cover with the exploding heart. Now on Amazon The Ramsey Novella just has the exploding heart with light leaking through it. The other book "Lover's Origin: Black Island" Has the exploding heart again but now writing has been added to the cover with the title and the author's name. So just be careful that you don't mistake the two books as being the same because they are not. Hopefully author AlTonya Washington can fix this.
Again an exceptional addition to the ongoing series and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next story.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
There is much history being exchanged here, you get a glimpse of how it all began with the meeting of the Ramseys and the Tesanos older generation. You see as like the Ramsey Elders, there are good and there are bad and we get a glimpse of that same dynamic with the Tesanos.
Some of the characters that you will read already have their HEA (remember this is a story of when the Ramsey children not the elders where younger and have already met their soul mates but throw fiery trials they had lost them but have been reunited when they got older). What you may not know is some of the Tesanos falling in love with some of the Ramsey women, one has already married her soul mate but I have to read further if they have managed to stay together. Another one is Sabra Ramsey and Smoak Tesano, lawd their story is tragic and it will only be a miracle from God Himself if they can find their way back to one another. And the other stories were excellent from Yohan, Moses, Quasar etc.,
I am definitely looking forward to reading the next round of stories with the Tesano Family taking front and center.
Here is something that I found and this is for future readers and those such as myself who is beginning. There are 2 books that are called (Book 11) which is a mistake because this book that I am currently rating is book 11 on Amazon and then there is another book 11 on Amazon called "Lover's Origin: Black Island (Ramsey Tesano)". I believe the confusion comes in with the book covers. Both books have the same exact cover with the exploding heart. Now on Amazon The Ramsey Novella just has the exploding heart with light leaking through it. The other book "Lover's Origin: Black Island" Has the exploding heart again but now writing has been added to the cover with the title and the author's name. So just be careful that you don't mistake the two books as being the same because they are not. Hopefully author AlTonya Washington can fix this.
Again an exceptional addition to the ongoing series and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next story.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas!
January 16, 2012
This is my first read about the Ramsey's, and I can definitely. say I am intrigued to read much more. This was a great summary of the many different relationships in this family. Mosr were very entertaining and steamy, I cant wait to read more.
April 16, 2015
This was a welcome treat to read the history between Hill and Peri. I cant wait for the next book regarding these two. If you haven't read this series, you need to start at the beginning of the series in order to understand this book.
September 13, 2012
Great beginning to the Ramsey/Tesano series! Gives a more in depth look in to their beginnings to better enjoy the coming stories! Can't wait to read the first Tesano story!
October 23, 2016
Good quick read
I appreciate things like this from the author. There was so much history between some of these couples, a lot if it really dramatic. This was a nice insight to the beginnings/endings as they happened rather than as a flashback. I really enjoyed it!
I appreciate things like this from the author. There was so much history between some of these couples, a lot if it really dramatic. This was a nice insight to the beginnings/endings as they happened rather than as a flashback. I really enjoyed it!
October 29, 2017
Fantastic! There is so much drama and suspense in the back story of Hilliam Tesano and Persephone James. It's hard to know who to trust or believe.
March 27, 2025
Love this book and series. This is a reread for me.
April 17, 2015
A Lover’s Origin: Black Island is a novella telling the story of the first meeting and love story of Hilliam Tessano and Persephone James. This latest installment in the Ramsey/Tesano saga is a just a small morsel leading up to the grand finale of this series. In this installment, readers learn how Hill and Persephone’s paths cross and the instant attraction that flowed between them. Hill was living on the infamous Black Island working for his uncles unbeknownst to the crimes they were committing. Persephone is lured to the island in the hopes of rescuing the sister she never knew. Readers will also glimpse how evil Eva really was and the lengths she would go to for power. This background novella holds a wealth of information; readers will need as we prepare for the final installment.
The storyline for Black Island was engaging and provided a wealth of information. Readers understand Hill’s need and why he has not seen his parents. It also shows how deeply he loves Persephone. To say he was smitten from the first meeting is an understatement. He does not want to pursue Persephone or Goddess as he calls her, but the attraction was strong. Persephone was just as intrigue with Hill, but she also wanted to form a relationship with her sister. Ms. Washington does a great job with character development and the story line. This is a page turner readers will not want to put down, and if readers were fans of Eva, after this book, their opinions will change. She is every bit like her father. Overall this was an enjoyable read. Will hate to see this series end.
The storyline for Black Island was engaging and provided a wealth of information. Readers understand Hill’s need and why he has not seen his parents. It also shows how deeply he loves Persephone. To say he was smitten from the first meeting is an understatement. He does not want to pursue Persephone or Goddess as he calls her, but the attraction was strong. Persephone was just as intrigue with Hill, but she also wanted to form a relationship with her sister. Ms. Washington does a great job with character development and the story line. This is a page turner readers will not want to put down, and if readers were fans of Eva, after this book, their opinions will change. She is every bit like her father. Overall this was an enjoyable read. Will hate to see this series end.
March 11, 2013
A Lover's Origin, a short story, gives us the background of how the younger Ramsey cousins met and fell in love. It also gives us a look into the lives of the female Ramsey cousins: Sabra, Sabella, and SyBilla and their mates, the Tesano brothers: Smoak, Isak, and Caiphus. Looking forward to reading more about the connection between these two amazing families.
June 3, 2015
Now back to what I was saying. I have obviously been slacking because I had absolutely no idea that this book was coming out. Lover’s Origin: Black Island serves as a prelude to the last book in this beloved series, A Lover’s Return.
Read my review here:
http://marieslist.com/lovers-origin-b...
Read my review here:
http://marieslist.com/lovers-origin-b...
January 5, 2011
A quick HOT & SPICY peek at how some of the Ramsey couples hooked-up or fell apart...INTRIGUING...but it ONLY wets my appetite...it DEFINITELY leaves me wanting more of that Ramsey family and their circle of friends, as well as their enemies...I'm EAGERLY anticipating the next installment.
November 3, 2012
This actually the first book of Altonya Washington's books. It gave me insight into the characters, into the couples. I really enjoyed it. It is what inspired me to read the rest of her novels in the family series.
April 5, 2015
If you have been following the Tesano's this book explains quite a bit about E and Persephone dynamics and Persephone and Hill's relationship. If you haven't been following them then the book will make no sense to you.
April 19, 2015
Loved It
I really enjoyed reading the backstory on how Hill and Perry met. It's time Evangeline and Maeve gets what is coming to them. Waiting patiently for the next Tesano Ramsey book.
I really enjoyed reading the backstory on how Hill and Perry met. It's time Evangeline and Maeve gets what is coming to them. Waiting patiently for the next Tesano Ramsey book.
June 2, 2011
The back story on how the RAmseys got their start, the apple did not fall far from the tree in most cases. The older Ramsey men were off the chain, so what can you expect fron theri children.
February 19, 2016
Tesano Introduction
The Tesano is very much like the Ramsey family - full of good and bad, great at concealing secrets and regrets and inner conflict!
The Tesano is very much like the Ramsey family - full of good and bad, great at concealing secrets and regrets and inner conflict!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews