What do you think?
Rate this book
RAZOR VALENTINE
PRAISE from award winning South African Author, Ronel Janse van This book is filled with the odd twists and turns that I always imagine New Orleans to be – the supernatural as normal as breathing. I liked the intertwined history, mystery and the odd (and compelling) character that is Lucas. And the author’s play with language is quite a treat! The world building is intricate, the layers fascinating and Irene is clearly insane (though, that is part of the fun) – and no-one in this story can truly be sane with everything they encounter. MARDI GRAS … MAGIC … MURDER In 1947 New Orleans THREE KINGS DAY marks the start of the official Carnival Season. Carnival, coming from the Latin words, carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte, Our Lady of Holy Death, is stalking the French Quarter streets killing apparently at random. What does the psychotic actress, Irene Dupré, know of this entity and what lies behind the murders? She remains silent, only smiling. Santa Muerte’s strange acolyte lurks in the shadows watching, waiting. Waiting for what? Frank Capra is filming a historical fantasy in the city with Jimmy Stewart, Cesar Romero, and the enigmatic Irene Dupré. Former O.S.S. operative, now the film’s Prop Master, Lucas, finds himself in the middle of the mystery with more questions than answers. His lost love back from the dead, Ingrid Durtz, and his best friend, Mitchell Mack, are at a loss on how to stay alive, much less catch a supernatural killer. Then, there is Lucas’ former O.S.S. team mate, Father Darael, whose gift of a Seraph Blade is literally a two-edged blessing. You see, Darael is a Seraphim Provocateur. And Lucas is unsure whose side he is really on, the Celestial or the Fallen?
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2019
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Roland Yeomans
60 books21 followersRoland Yeomans was born in Detroit, Michigan. But his last memories of that city are hub-caps and kneecaps since, at the age of seven, he followed the free food when his parents moved to Lafayette, Louisiana.
The hitch-hiking after their speeding car from state to state was a real adventure.
Once in Louisiana, Roland learned strange new ways of pronouncing David and Richard when they were last names. And it was not a pleasant sight when he pronounced Comeaux for the first time.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Master’s degree in Psychology. He has been a teacher, counselor, book store owner, and even a pirate since he once worked at a tax preparation firm.
So far he has written thirty-three books. You can find Roland at his web page:
www.rolandyeomans.blogspot.com or at his private table in Meilori’s.
The web page is safer to visit. But if you insist on visiting Meilori’s, bring a friend who runs slower than you.
The hitch-hiking after their speeding car from state to state was a real adventure.
Once in Louisiana, Roland learned strange new ways of pronouncing David and Richard when they were last names. And it was not a pleasant sight when he pronounced Comeaux for the first time.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Master’s degree in Psychology. He has been a teacher, counselor, book store owner, and even a pirate since he once worked at a tax preparation firm.
So far he has written thirty-three books. You can find Roland at his web page:
www.rolandyeomans.blogspot.com or at his private table in Meilori’s.
The web page is safer to visit. But if you insist on visiting Meilori’s, bring a friend who runs slower than you.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 9, 2019
In Razor Valentine you enter 1947 during Carnival where the natural laws don’t exist and where death is a dark and dangerous beauty. In this world, unlikely people struggle to live and love. Death is always imminent and confusion is queen.
Many characters return from previous stories to weave their way into this newest surreal adventure. And there are some new, but extraordinary characters based on real life celebrities of the 40s. Yeomans captures their essence in this bizarre tale. Caesar Romero comes to life as the suave, sophisticated actor he actually was on the Hollywood screen decades ago. You can almost hear Jimmy Stewart drawl his way through the story, and the author pays him the respect he earned in real life during the war years.
As always, a lot of fresh and often humorous images lace the story and Yeomans does an elegant dance with the English language. Something I always appreciate.
Many characters return from previous stories to weave their way into this newest surreal adventure. And there are some new, but extraordinary characters based on real life celebrities of the 40s. Yeomans captures their essence in this bizarre tale. Caesar Romero comes to life as the suave, sophisticated actor he actually was on the Hollywood screen decades ago. You can almost hear Jimmy Stewart drawl his way through the story, and the author pays him the respect he earned in real life during the war years.
As always, a lot of fresh and often humorous images lace the story and Yeomans does an elegant dance with the English language. Something I always appreciate.
March 13, 2019
When I dove into this one, I wasn't really sure what to expect...but whatever it was, this story was much better.
The author creates a dark but beautiful and enticing atmosphere in the French Quarter. The setting is placed on the first day of the Carnival in 1947, where reality, death and magic interplay and form a wondrous world. Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte is portrayed with an exquisite, dark elegance as she leaves a trail of death in her wake. But that's only the beginning.
The characters are vivid with personalities so potent, they jump from the page—some even taken from well known figures like Cesar Romero. The mystery is twined and twisted. The addition of myth and magic add an alluring spice. It's a wonderful concoction which pulls in and presents a show all of its own. Add the well crafted wording and clever dialogue, and it's an intoxicating mix.
The author creates a dark but beautiful and enticing atmosphere in the French Quarter. The setting is placed on the first day of the Carnival in 1947, where reality, death and magic interplay and form a wondrous world. Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte is portrayed with an exquisite, dark elegance as she leaves a trail of death in her wake. But that's only the beginning.
The characters are vivid with personalities so potent, they jump from the page—some even taken from well known figures like Cesar Romero. The mystery is twined and twisted. The addition of myth and magic add an alluring spice. It's a wonderful concoction which pulls in and presents a show all of its own. Add the well crafted wording and clever dialogue, and it's an intoxicating mix.
March 14, 2019
‘Ingrid patted his arm. “I am afraid not. New Orleans is more dangerous than the tourists know.” Irene smiled a demon’s grin. “Which explains why so many go missing every Mardi Gras. Who knows the face lurking behind all those lurid masks?” Cesar’s eyebrow rose slowly as he continued to stare at me, and I sighed, “The occult world exists. No one knows all the rules, just the one: stay as far away from it as you can.”’ Love that! It says so much about the themes of the book.
This book is filled with the odd twists and turns that I always imagine New Orleans to be – the supernatural as normal as breathing.
I liked the intertwined history, mystery and the odd (and compelling) character that is Lucas. And the author’s play with language is quite a treat! The world building is intricate, the layers fascinating and Irene is clearly insane (though, that is part of the fun) – and no-one in this story can truly be sane with everything they encounter.
And the story that got me to read this book: “Love in Masquerade” that is about Hazy (who I met in the author’s WEP challenge story on his blog). She is an odd, delightful character.
I loved this YA short story. Hazel (Hazy) has an entertaining inner monologue. And she’s strong female character (we need loads of her kind!).
This book is filled with the odd twists and turns that I always imagine New Orleans to be – the supernatural as normal as breathing.
I liked the intertwined history, mystery and the odd (and compelling) character that is Lucas. And the author’s play with language is quite a treat! The world building is intricate, the layers fascinating and Irene is clearly insane (though, that is part of the fun) – and no-one in this story can truly be sane with everything they encounter.
And the story that got me to read this book: “Love in Masquerade” that is about Hazy (who I met in the author’s WEP challenge story on his blog). She is an odd, delightful character.
I loved this YA short story. Hazel (Hazy) has an entertaining inner monologue. And she’s strong female character (we need loads of her kind!).
April 15, 2019
Razor Valentine is a vivid and well crafted tale set in 1947, New Orleans.
The author skillfully pulls the reader into the story from the very start. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Carnival, the darkness and mystery ooze from every word. The well-crafted characters race against time to stop a string of murders, despite danger lingering around every corner.
The action is surprising and fast paced and the author skillfully weaves the scenes in between with breath-taking attention to detail and a dark sense of humour. Twists and turns keep the reader guessing where the story will lead them, even casting suspicion on the motives and loyalties of the characters themselves.
Razor Valentine is an ideal read for anyone interested in Paranormal Mysteries/Thrillers. The author has a stunning command of the written word that will not fail to entertain. After reading this story, I look forward to diving into more of Mr. Yeomans' works.
The author skillfully pulls the reader into the story from the very start. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Carnival, the darkness and mystery ooze from every word. The well-crafted characters race against time to stop a string of murders, despite danger lingering around every corner.
The action is surprising and fast paced and the author skillfully weaves the scenes in between with breath-taking attention to detail and a dark sense of humour. Twists and turns keep the reader guessing where the story will lead them, even casting suspicion on the motives and loyalties of the characters themselves.
Razor Valentine is an ideal read for anyone interested in Paranormal Mysteries/Thrillers. The author has a stunning command of the written word that will not fail to entertain. After reading this story, I look forward to diving into more of Mr. Yeomans' works.
August 8, 2019
Roland Yeomans writes action packed scenes set in 1940's New Orleans. He pulls in characters who were stars at the time mixed with his own creations and a bit of the supernatural. More of a tale of spirits, the undead come back to wreak havoc. While not my normal genre, I found the narration fast-paced and the characters interesting. I especially liked the photos and quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I follow Roland's blog, Writing in the Crosshairs, and enjoy his posts. Give his supernatural action stories a try!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews