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The REM Series #1
The REM Reaper
PLEASE NOTE: This is BOOK 1 of a two book series. The second book of this series is entitled, "Kiss of the Scythe." Both books have been released simultaneously, on the same day.
This novel is intended for adults, 18+ years of age. This book contains content that some readers may find objectionable such as profanity/adult language, violence and explicit sexual content.
Reader discretion is advised.
For renowned hypnotist Jayson Sebastian Toscana, life has never been easy, or ordinary, from the day he and his twin brother drew their first breaths. Labeled a troubled child, he struggles to turn a new leaf. After putting trust in a friend turned foe, he suffers the worst act of betrayal. He makes a fresh start, but change proves hard, for evil and buried secrets sometimes fester, becoming larger and more threatening with time. As he teeters back and forth on the line of good versus evil, temptation visits him in the form of Dr. Ava James.
Ava is an accomplished, cultured, and charming veterinarian. She has a host of close girlfriends, runs a thriving clinic, and helps both her furry patients and their owners. However, not everything is quite peachy-keen, for the good doctor suffers from a sleep disorder that has tormented her for the majority of her life: Ava is a notorious sleepwalker.
Finally, she seeks help at the urging of her best friend. Upon meeting Jayson, his handsome looks, demeanor, and powerful mystique bowl her over. As they get to know one another, the ultimate no-no is now deliberated: Can Jayson date his patient?
Love blooms but Jayson’s past still haunts him, while Ava has a hidden REM state secret or two of her own. It takes the likes of Jayson Toscana to bring the darkness forth, to finally uncover what she’s known all along but was unable to face…until NOW. Secrets are exposed, hearts are broken and healed, and love blooms—but can it last after all is said and done? And, can good finally trump evil?
Step into the lives of Jayson Sebastian Toscana and Ava James and let yourself be hypnotized. The answers to these questions await…
This novel is intended for adults, 18+ years of age. This book contains content that some readers may find objectionable such as profanity/adult language, violence and explicit sexual content.
Reader discretion is advised.
For renowned hypnotist Jayson Sebastian Toscana, life has never been easy, or ordinary, from the day he and his twin brother drew their first breaths. Labeled a troubled child, he struggles to turn a new leaf. After putting trust in a friend turned foe, he suffers the worst act of betrayal. He makes a fresh start, but change proves hard, for evil and buried secrets sometimes fester, becoming larger and more threatening with time. As he teeters back and forth on the line of good versus evil, temptation visits him in the form of Dr. Ava James.
Ava is an accomplished, cultured, and charming veterinarian. She has a host of close girlfriends, runs a thriving clinic, and helps both her furry patients and their owners. However, not everything is quite peachy-keen, for the good doctor suffers from a sleep disorder that has tormented her for the majority of her life: Ava is a notorious sleepwalker.
Finally, she seeks help at the urging of her best friend. Upon meeting Jayson, his handsome looks, demeanor, and powerful mystique bowl her over. As they get to know one another, the ultimate no-no is now deliberated: Can Jayson date his patient?
Love blooms but Jayson’s past still haunts him, while Ava has a hidden REM state secret or two of her own. It takes the likes of Jayson Toscana to bring the darkness forth, to finally uncover what she’s known all along but was unable to face…until NOW. Secrets are exposed, hearts are broken and healed, and love blooms—but can it last after all is said and done? And, can good finally trump evil?
Step into the lives of Jayson Sebastian Toscana and Ava James and let yourself be hypnotized. The answers to these questions await…
- GenresRomance
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2016
16 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Tiana Laveen
98 books511 followersTiana Laveen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved away, and now lives inside of her mind, but her heart is occupied with her husband, two children, and twisted imagination. She enjoys a fulfilling and enriching life that includes writing books, public speaking, drawing, painting, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
Tiana Laveen is a uniquely creative and innovative author whose romance fiction is geared towards those who not only want to temporarily escape from the daily routines of life, but also became pleasantly caught up in the twisted, well developed journeys of her unique characters. Tiana creates a painting with words as she guides her reader into the lives of each and every main character. Her dedication to detail and staying true to her characters is evident in each novel that she writes.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 4, 2016
Rating: 3.75
I was going to wait until I read the second part to this book and just review it in one big chunk. But it’s been a week and I haven’t read it yet so I’m going to just knock this one out before I forget how I feel.
When I read the synopsis of this book and it said the male lead had a troubled past….I didn’t expect Jayson Toscana OR that opening scene. Lord have mercy. That’s what I really love about Tianas writing. She always writes these stories about seemingly everyday people and then just throws in a bizarre twist that just throws everything off, but in a good way.
Rem Reaper follows Jayson who is a hypnotist and Ava who is a veterinarian who needs a hypnotist to help her figure out why she’s sleep walking and to help her stop.
I liked both characters pretty well. They’re educated, respectful, successful and they both have things about them that put them on just the right side of interesting.
I feel like Rem Reaper and the sequel were actually just one big book that was cut down the middle and released as two because things were only just getting moving by the end of this book. And that seems to be Tianas MO. The majority of this book was really just focused on introducing the reader to the characters and building their relationship with one another. Something I’m 100% okay with if it’s not too drawn out or boring. It’s easier for me to sympathize and root for characters that I feel like I know.
With that being said… Unlike the previous two books I read by Tiana, the heat and passion between the two lead characters just wasn’t there. I don’t really feel anything for their relationship and that bothers me considering this is a dark romance. I don’t know if it’s because of Jayson and the way he carries himself as kind of detached, controlled and aloof… When the book first started I thought he was a sociopath so that is a possibility…. But whatever it is, it’s affecting my feels!
Some interesting things were revealed at the end of this book and some secrets were on their way to being shared...and I’m interested to see how the new information is going to affect Ava and Jaysons relationship.
Anyway… I don’t know when I’m going to get around to reading the second book…. I feel like I kind of have to be in the mood for it, but I’ll definitely be reading it.
I was going to wait until I read the second part to this book and just review it in one big chunk. But it’s been a week and I haven’t read it yet so I’m going to just knock this one out before I forget how I feel.
When I read the synopsis of this book and it said the male lead had a troubled past….I didn’t expect Jayson Toscana OR that opening scene. Lord have mercy. That’s what I really love about Tianas writing. She always writes these stories about seemingly everyday people and then just throws in a bizarre twist that just throws everything off, but in a good way.
Rem Reaper follows Jayson who is a hypnotist and Ava who is a veterinarian who needs a hypnotist to help her figure out why she’s sleep walking and to help her stop.
I liked both characters pretty well. They’re educated, respectful, successful and they both have things about them that put them on just the right side of interesting.
I feel like Rem Reaper and the sequel were actually just one big book that was cut down the middle and released as two because things were only just getting moving by the end of this book. And that seems to be Tianas MO. The majority of this book was really just focused on introducing the reader to the characters and building their relationship with one another. Something I’m 100% okay with if it’s not too drawn out or boring. It’s easier for me to sympathize and root for characters that I feel like I know.
With that being said… Unlike the previous two books I read by Tiana, the heat and passion between the two lead characters just wasn’t there. I don’t really feel anything for their relationship and that bothers me considering this is a dark romance. I don’t know if it’s because of Jayson and the way he carries himself as kind of detached, controlled and aloof… When the book first started I thought he was a sociopath so that is a possibility…. But whatever it is, it’s affecting my feels!
Some interesting things were revealed at the end of this book and some secrets were on their way to being shared...and I’m interested to see how the new information is going to affect Ava and Jaysons relationship.
Anyway… I don’t know when I’m going to get around to reading the second book…. I feel like I kind of have to be in the mood for it, but I’ll definitely be reading it.
March 5, 2016
Another masterpiece
I am absolutely in love with this author and the story she weaves from her brilliant mind. You never know exactly what to expect but it's guaranteed to be intriguing, intense, captivating and addicting.
Jayson Toscana is a complicated, sadistic, charming, sexy, attractive brute of a man. His special skill enables him to get into a person's mind and either fix or break them.
Dr. Ava James is a veterinarian whose sleepwalking has gotten worse ,and decided to take her friend's advice and seek the help of hypnotist. The minute she met Jayson the chemistry was undeniable.
As is expected, the characters are fine tuned and well developed. We are taken on their journey which enables us to understand the complexities of their characters. It enables me to glean so much knowledge from a subject that I never thought I would find interesting. Well done Ms. Laveen, well done.
I am absolutely in love with this author and the story she weaves from her brilliant mind. You never know exactly what to expect but it's guaranteed to be intriguing, intense, captivating and addicting.
Jayson Toscana is a complicated, sadistic, charming, sexy, attractive brute of a man. His special skill enables him to get into a person's mind and either fix or break them.
Dr. Ava James is a veterinarian whose sleepwalking has gotten worse ,and decided to take her friend's advice and seek the help of hypnotist. The minute she met Jayson the chemistry was undeniable.
As is expected, the characters are fine tuned and well developed. We are taken on their journey which enables us to understand the complexities of their characters. It enables me to glean so much knowledge from a subject that I never thought I would find interesting. Well done Ms. Laveen, well done.
July 1, 2024
Goodness… !
Ms Laveen is right when she advised the readers not to skip or they would miss something… I ll go further, don’t even blink or you can miss some very insightful “stuff” in the story. That being said this book is absolutely mind blowing. Jayson Toscana is not your down the mill kind of your hypnotherapist guy, he is gifted and a mastermind in the “REM” department…
He used it to help others and for his own gain… until things got complicated…
He was incapable of compassion, empathy … like “normal “ people ,but like any great sociopaths he learned how to mimicking the proper way of what the do called society expected… then came Dr Ava James and all kinds of feelings are creeping up on him.
Seriously, I can’t review the way I want to, it’s too complicated and I don’t want to leave any spoilers.
So, lets me just say this: It’s a fantabulous read!!
Ms Laveen is right when she advised the readers not to skip or they would miss something… I ll go further, don’t even blink or you can miss some very insightful “stuff” in the story. That being said this book is absolutely mind blowing. Jayson Toscana is not your down the mill kind of your hypnotherapist guy, he is gifted and a mastermind in the “REM” department…
He used it to help others and for his own gain… until things got complicated…
He was incapable of compassion, empathy … like “normal “ people ,but like any great sociopaths he learned how to mimicking the proper way of what the do called society expected… then came Dr Ava James and all kinds of feelings are creeping up on him.
Seriously, I can’t review the way I want to, it’s too complicated and I don’t want to leave any spoilers.
So, lets me just say this: It’s a fantabulous read!!
September 11, 2021
I haven’t read a book by this author in a while. So I forgot how good of a story teller she is. OMG!! This book was awesome. Just started the 2nd and final book. I know there will be twist and turns so I look forward reading more from this author.
September 7, 2021
2.5 stars
March 20, 2016
Nice read but understand that this is part one of a two part series I've read both parts. Not as good as this author's "Saint" series.
Jayson, the hero, is a hypnotist who used his extraordinary gift to murder people by using their fears against them. He thought he was balancing the scales of justice by killing wrongdoers until he learned that he killed an innocent man. Ava, the heroine, is a veterinarian who's sleepwalking puts her in danger physically and emotionally. Ava goes to Jayson to cure her sleepwalking. A romance develops in part one of the series and in part two a dark character from his past threatens his relationship with Ava and her very life. Ava also finds out the secret from her childhood that was so traumatic that she blocked it out of her conscious thoughts but her subconscious won't let her forget it; not even in her sleep.
The characters were well developed but Jayson never seemed to speak in the manner of a White guy (sorry to stereotype here but too much slang) trying too hard to have "cred" and his character just didn't seem to hit the right tone. Secondary characters were introduced but never made a part of the story in a way to explain the thoughts or actions of the hero/heroine, or to move Jayson's character development along. At least with Meredith, Ava's friend,she was used to connected Ava to Jason's hypnosis practice but his friends didn't seem to do much for the story other than complain about their marriages or their divorces, or relationships. The author tried to use them to show that Jayson was emotional detached but she never was able to pull that off.
Jayson, the hero, is a hypnotist who used his extraordinary gift to murder people by using their fears against them. He thought he was balancing the scales of justice by killing wrongdoers until he learned that he killed an innocent man. Ava, the heroine, is a veterinarian who's sleepwalking puts her in danger physically and emotionally. Ava goes to Jayson to cure her sleepwalking. A romance develops in part one of the series and in part two a dark character from his past threatens his relationship with Ava and her very life. Ava also finds out the secret from her childhood that was so traumatic that she blocked it out of her conscious thoughts but her subconscious won't let her forget it; not even in her sleep.
The characters were well developed but Jayson never seemed to speak in the manner of a White guy (sorry to stereotype here but too much slang) trying too hard to have "cred" and his character just didn't seem to hit the right tone. Secondary characters were introduced but never made a part of the story in a way to explain the thoughts or actions of the hero/heroine, or to move Jayson's character development along. At least with Meredith, Ava's friend,she was used to connected Ava to Jason's hypnosis practice but his friends didn't seem to do much for the story other than complain about their marriages or their divorces, or relationships. The author tried to use them to show that Jayson was emotional detached but she never was able to pull that off.
March 27, 2016
Convoluted and unrealistic bordering on terrible. I don't understand when/how Jayson fell in love with Ava. There was no sexual tension or chemistry between the two. The whole book lacked energy. Scenes were tedious and went on and on with little to no action. Page after page of just filler. And the big secret about Ava? Anti-climatic and came out of nowhere. Even the love scenes were lukewarm. There's literally no reason to care about any character in this book. And I understand that the author wants to be as detailed as possible, but there should be enough trust that the readers are smart enough to understand what's going on without pages and pages of dialogue to explain it all.
May 12, 2016
The REM Series
You will be unsure how to feel about Jayson Toscana. I know the verdict is still out for me. I'm looking for him to redeem himself but does he really have to be worthy of love?
Dr. Ava James, has it together but is hanging on by threads. She is a walking picture of the art of pretending to be connected.
This is a unconventional love story that demonstrates the importance of knowing who you are, and what makes you that way. It's an exploration that challenges the notion that darkness and light can coexist.
Tiana Laveen has a knack of birthing characters that we would deem unlovable or worse unworthy of love. Jayson Toscana wears these titles the best.
You will be unsure how to feel about Jayson Toscana. I know the verdict is still out for me. I'm looking for him to redeem himself but does he really have to be worthy of love?
Dr. Ava James, has it together but is hanging on by threads. She is a walking picture of the art of pretending to be connected.
This is a unconventional love story that demonstrates the importance of knowing who you are, and what makes you that way. It's an exploration that challenges the notion that darkness and light can coexist.
Tiana Laveen has a knack of birthing characters that we would deem unlovable or worse unworthy of love. Jayson Toscana wears these titles the best.
March 6, 2016
Grabs you from the start
From beginning to end the story held my interest. The interactions between Elle and Jayson were intense and I was anxious for the next meeting. The connection between Jayson and Ava was immediate but you got to delve into Ava's sleep walking issue.
From beginning to end the story held my interest. The interactions between Elle and Jayson were intense and I was anxious for the next meeting. The connection between Jayson and Ava was immediate but you got to delve into Ava's sleep walking issue.
March 7, 2016
WOW
WOW! Tiana Laveen is an amazing author! This is yet another hit. It's 430 am and I feel compelled to start part two. Only Tiana Laveen could make you love a character like Jayson. LOL, I'm on to part two.
WOW! Tiana Laveen is an amazing author! This is yet another hit. It's 430 am and I feel compelled to start part two. Only Tiana Laveen could make you love a character like Jayson. LOL, I'm on to part two.
August 22, 2016
Interesting read...
This was a good book. It had me intrigued from the beginning. Jayson is bit of a mystery and I want to know more about him. I liked Ava the only thing i didn't like was when she was at the restaurant with Meredith, she was a bit over the top and dramatic.
This was a good book. It had me intrigued from the beginning. Jayson is bit of a mystery and I want to know more about him. I liked Ava the only thing i didn't like was when she was at the restaurant with Meredith, she was a bit over the top and dramatic.
March 6, 2016
Mindfu(k
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews