ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE !!!
Title: Sinned
Designation: A Priest Romance Standalone Novella, NO Cliffhanger
Author: Veronica Daye
My Rating: FIVE DIVINE STARS*****
WOW! This is my very first time reading Veronica Daye's work but it certainly won't be my last! Please pardon the pun, but Veronica Daye seems to certainly be "blessed" with an extraordinary gift as a master storyteller and in her latest sexy release, Sinned, she has demonstrated that she not only has an abundance of talent but knows how to use it and do it exceptionally well! I love it! This is a a very relaxing, enjoyable and easy to follow standalone novella which does include a wonderfully written happily-ever-after ending. The story is sweet, tender, sensual, arousing interesting and totally held my attention. Once I started reading, I quickly became completely immersed in the story and I wanted more. The narrative is exceptionally well written in the first person with alternating his and her points of view given by the two protagonists of the story which I believe adds to the depth and complexity of the story and definitely gives us a better understanding of the characters, their feelings and motivations. The story is exceptionally well crafted with the reader being given an introduction to the present in the first chapter and then flashing back to six years earlier giving the complete sequence of events as they unfold which gently leads the reader back to the current events as they are now happening. The dialogue is smart, well executed, easy to follow and flows effortlessly. And now for the best part, the characters. They are captivating, intriguing, engaging, relatable, at times humorous and sexy as sin. (Again, please pardon my pun!) The chemistry between the two lead characters is convincing and almost palpable. Quite simply, it is off the charts hot! I found myself actually cheering for these two unlikely lovers. Daye skillfully crafts these elements into a divinely entertaining contemporary romance with a twist. I would like to add, if you object to mature subject matter and explicit sexual situations then this is probably not the book for you, but if you love an exquisitely written forbidden romance with a sharp edge filled to the brim with passion, raw emotion, powerful characters, heartbreaking angst, steamy dreamy sex and a wonderfully written, heartwarming, happily-ever-after ending, then this is definitely the read for you!
Twenty eight year old Charlie McArthur has devoted the last nine years of his life into becoming the man he is today - Father Charles McArthur - and the last five of which he has been completely celibate. He left temptation behind once he graduated college and has chosen to love all mankind and to serve only God and the Church. He is no longer tempted by the pleasures of the flesh. He has taken his vows and has not once regretted his decision - until now. After traveling to work in a remote area in Peru, Father Charles finally discovers how it truly feels to love another as much as he loves the church. But will his faith be strong enough to resist the beautiful Ava Abrams? Does he even want to resist?
Twenty five year old Ava Abrams is a doctor working in a remote area of Peru with Doctors Without Borders. She was home schooled throughout her entire childhood and as a result, has found it difficult to make friends or maintain any sort of personal relationships. She's never really felt the need nor the desire until now - until she meets Charles McArthur, the charming young priest who has just arrived in the village where her clinic is located. Ava was raised a Catholic but has never been particularly religious herself. She knows the thoughts and feelings she has for Father Charles are definitely sinful. Oh my! He is one delicious hottie with gorgeous blue eyes and a body to die for - not literally, of course. But her sinful thoughts don't stop her from developing a friendship with the handsome young cleric. The problem only begins when she finds herself wanting so much more than just a casual friendship and the real dilemma begins when Father Charles appears to want more from her as well. Should she succumb to her desires and enjoy more than just a friendship with Father Charles? Will it just be a wonderful few months and nothing else? Or will the love felt by two lonely souls destroy both their lives and leave a permanent painful reminder in their hearts of how it feels to love, to have love and then lose love forever? Beautiful, intelligent and lonely doctor in search of acceptance and friendship-check! Handsome, kindhearted and dedicated priest trying to serve God and help the world-check! A sweet, tender, sensitively written forbidden love story with unexpected consequences-check! That and a whole lot more! Deliciously sweet, seriously sexy and delightfully entertaining! Well done Veronica Daye!
Complimentary copy received in exchange for a review.