Of Fear and Faith

Death and Destiny #1

by N.D. Jones

In a world where nothing is ever as it seems, the seeds of love take root on the precipice of chaos, danger, and a great destiny.

In the shadow of an ancient prophecy, two individuals will be drawn together to meet a dangerous calling--or die trying. For legends tell of a powerful Fire Witch and a legendary shapeshifter who will one day rid the world of the wrath of the Water Witch of Legend, and restore the world to peace and balance.

However, for Sanura Williams and Assefa Berber, their destinies will not be so easily won, as fear and faith will ultimately determine their fates. In the heat of battle and the chill of prophecy, Sanura and Assefa will weather the dual storms of lust and love. Are they prepared for the intoxicating swirl of danger and attraction? Can they overcome their fears of such a powerful prophecy? In the face of their foes, these legendary warriors must embrace their roles as heroes, side-by-side, and defend humanity against the coming doom.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Witches, Mythology

307 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2014

About the author

N.D. Jones, Ed.D., is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy, speculative fiction, paranormal romance, and historical fantasy. She lives in Maryland with her family, where she creates emotionally resonant, character-driven stories rooted in imagination, depth, and heart.

She has written more than a dozen books across multiple series, including Winged Warriors, Death and Destiny, Dragon Shifter Romance, Feline Nation, Fairy Tale Fatale, and the contemporary romance trilogy The Styles of Love. Her historical fantasy novel Harriet’s Escape won the 2024 BookLife Prize Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Category.

A lifelong educator, N.D. brings a deep understanding of emotional development and identity to her storytelling. She is currently expanding into middle-grade fantasy with a new series that carries her signature blend of heart, humor, adventure, and emotional truth to younger readers.

Whether writing for adults or children, N.D. creates stories that explore courage, connection, legacy, and the power of imagination. She calls her work Novels with Soul — fantasy that resonates long after the final page.

Reviews

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

what happens when you mix ancient gods with witches and were-cats.... magic!!! of fear and faith is about assefa berber a special agent with the paranormal agency who has been asigned to serial murder case were the victims have been ripped apart and drained of their blood. assefa meets his partner's god daughter sanura williams a physiologist who's been called in to speak to a young girl who watched the killing of her parents but was able to survive.no one is who they seem both assefa and sanura have secerts to share with each other and their growing attraction and passion will lead these two people and their love ones into world were gods, monsters, witches and were-cats are all part of a propecy that will come to pass. i enjoyed this book very much. very well written hot and sexy too. cant wait for N.D. next book!!!! 5 hot as hell stars!!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paranormal romance, one of the most written about genres, where authors are free to take us away on a journey of passion, adventure and incredible powers far beyond a mere human’s. Add the words “powerful tale” and you have N.D. Jones’ OF FAITH AND FEAR an intriguing tale of prophecies, fear, desire and finding the ability to trust without reservation, even when your very life depends on it.

The world is full of secrets, but possibly the best kept secret is the existence of beings of magic, myth and powers unknown to mankind. Among them, a psychology professor and a Special Agent must find each other, bond and create the fulfillment of a prophecy long awaited. Sanura is a powerful witch, and she was NOT prepared for the power that emanated from the shifter, Assefa, who is on the hunt for a supernatural killer. Is it possible the prophecy’s time is now? Must these two become more than the sum of their individual natures? Are they the ones to save humanity from the Water Witch?

Love, lives and hearts are on the line as two souls battle both their insecurities and their attraction to achieve one of life’s greatest gifts, trust in oneself and in another.

N.D. Jones does not write insta-love. She builds a world of rich detail, high tension and drama as the weight of the world slowly falls on Sanura and Assefa. Feel each scene come to life as we witness heinous crimes, very real familial love and an almost comical FBI partnership that seems made in hell.

So many beings exist next to the innocent humans, so much power and history and so much riding on fate, luck and the trust of lovers meant to be.

Want to be immersed in fantasy until the lines between reality and fiction are blurred? Do you enjoy the vibrancy of a well- told tale? N.D. Jones can write, and her world comes to life as her words cross the pages. This is one of those Gems I search for when nothing short of strong writing will do!

I received this copy from N.D. Jones in exchange for my honest review.

Trilogy: Death and Destiny - Book 1
Publisher: Siren Publishing (July 22, 2014)
Publication Date: August 18, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance | Suspense
Print Length: 288 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Gisele Walko · Rating 5 out of 5]

***4.5*** Rounded up.

I though this was a very good mythological/paranormal read. There were no spelling/grammar issues that I noticed, which is important to me. I start reading like an editor and disengage from the story if I find too many problems. The H/H Sanura and Assefa were very likable and the story was unique. Secondary Characters had depth as well. Originality goes very far with me, and I had read nothing like this before. I found myself on the fence about were-cats being sexy. I decided they are, but found the purring different. I like witches. Sanura was great. The sex scenes were tasteful, and not trashy. Refreshing. There is a lot of African Mythology in this, but I really liked it! I would read the rest of the series, and recommend to fans of paranormal romance.
Gisele Walko- Author of The Vampire and the Necromancer: An out of Sequence Love Story

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Fear and Faith

WOO-HOO and Wow!

This paranormal story I really lost a lot of sleep over and I literally couldn't put it down til the very last page! Yes it is a trilogy but I'm sure if you love paranormal as I do, you will say that book one, "Of Fear and Faith, the author, N.D. Jones just slayed it just right!

My checklist was all fulfilled: history or origin, legends, mythology, world building; multi-dimensional characters, prophecy, magic; strong antagonists, suspense/mystery on a mystical level and did I mention, ahh... oh-la-la-la, a strong and promising swoon-worthy relationship for H/h badassess, Special Agent Assefa Berger (Were-cat) and Psychology Professor, Sanura Williams (fire-witch).

I will not spoil anything to this book but please take it upon yourself to look up the origin of the H/h's names (yep, I've been told I'm anal like that) because N.D. Jones selected her character's names wisely and they blend extremely well with the stories' magical journey from Oyo Empire, 1500 to present day, Baltimore, Maryland.

This is a must read and I highly recommend it to all paranormal lovers. There is something so unique and exact about "Of Fear and Faith (Death and Destiny#1) and is is so noteworthy in a excellent way. So kudos N.D., you slayed book 1! Also, thanks for no grammatical errors! lol

This bible verse is so valid to this title on Sanura:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
- Hebrews 11:1 King James Version (KJV)



FIve + magical and prophetic stars *******

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

N. D. Jones never misses, all her books are unique, amazing and they'll definitely make you cry. Of Fear and Faith is no exception.

I love this book. I love Sanura and how caring she is, and I love Assefa and how protective he is. I love Makena and her subtle-not-so-subtle matchmaking, I love Mike and his tiny attitude problem.

Everyone is so cool. Except Richard. We don't like Richard in this house, he's not welcome here.

AND THE MYTHOLOGY! *chef's kiss* Masterfully done.

And then we have the romance which is painfully sweet. Sanura and Assefa are so cute together, it's almost unfair.

I've been looking forward to reading this for more than a year and I'm happy it met my expectations and that I can continue with the series ASAP.

[T.M. Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Of Fear and Faith (Death and Destiny #1)
Author: N.D. Jones
Publication Date: 7/22/2014
Reviewed by: Tammy Payne- Book Nook Nuts
My Rating: 5 Stars


REVIEW

*May contain spoilers *
New to me author.

I love everything paranormal and when you add gods, goddesses, and prophecy, well it can only be good and I absolutely loved it. We get gods, goddesses, witches, and demons or the devil himself oh yeah and we get shifters to. A prophecy older than time is about to come true but first they must find the serial killer. Sanura and Assefa find themselves drawn to each other and both know what it means. Can they conquer the demon however? And bring to life the prophecy? And will Sanura accept Assefa for her mate? Fully.

This was a very well written book. It was slow to start but wow when it did it was a no putting down book. The story itself begins in Africa fast forwarding to Baltimore and it has Detectives on the hunt for a demon serial killer. But we also get some comedy especially from Mike who is not human either and a whole lot of steamy hotness between our main characters.

I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review.
N.D. Jones

[Keri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where appearances deceive, love blossoms amidst chaos and danger. Sanura Williams, a powerful Fire Witch, and FBI Special Agent Assefa Berber are drawn together by an ancient prophecy. Tasked with defeating the Water Witch of Legend, they must navigate their intense attraction while confronting fears and formidable foes. As they embrace their roles as heroes, their journey tests their faith and courage against impending doom.

This was so incredible! ND Jones does it again. This was steamy and fantastic. The fantasy aspect was incredible and the characters and story were well developed and well paced. I loved everything about this book! Can’t wait to continue the series!!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

From The Book Junkie Reads . . . Of Fear & Faith (Death and Destiny, #1) . . .
Content, content, content. You cannot get around the authentic feel of this one. There was a feel of realness to this one. I could almost transport myself to this time, place, and scene as it was taking place. The words came off the pages to engage and entice you to believe. I absolutely love paranormal read of all kinds. I love even more paranormal romance. Add to that there was something of all the paranormal supernatural genres that kept me turning pages and getting excited for what was coming next.

Gods, goddess, witches, demons, destiny, death, and then there was more. Getting immersed in this world of paranormal/supernatural activities was a breeze. ND Jones made the flow enjoying and inviting. The mix of romance and mystery with some suspense all capped in a paranormal world packed in Baltimore.

I could not get enough and I am looking for more. I had the please to snag an interview with the author herself. That would be contained on my blog my link text.

**This ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Kelly Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading all of the books by this author. The other two are novellas, so I was glad that this story was a full-length novel. I really liked "Fire, Fury, Faith" and "Heat, Hunt, Hope," but "Of Fear and Faith" was my favorite. With the longer length, the author was able to really get into and establish the characters and the storyline. Which I loved. There aren't too many paranormal romance novels written with African/African Americans as the lead characters. The supporting characters were also well developed and I enjoyed getting to know Assefa and Sanura, as much as I did Mike and Makena. The paranormal elements blended nicely with the romance. But what I really liked was the care the author took with describing the scenes of magic. They weren't brushed over but shown in detail. And the mythological nature of a witch/shapeshifter novel was a nice and surprising touch. African gods. Nice. I'll definitely check out the next book in the trilogy.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...this book was an awesome read! Besides being well-written with amazing characters, the plot was multi-layered, with unusual paranormal creatures abound, in a very realistic setting.
Those who know me know that I required realism and common sense in my reads, no matter how outlandish or crazy the plots may be.
The sex in this book was sizzling without being crass; it also didn't overtake the plot. YAH!
I loved the H/h, who came across as thoughtful and intelligent. Heroes and heroines need these qualities, in order to be heroes and heroines, in my opinion. (I hate dumbf**k females who constantly make one mistake after another, cry all of the time, and always have the need to be saved by the hero...ugh).
Anyway...I wonder what took me so long to read this...lol. I'll be reading the next installment - 'Of Beast and Bonds' soon!

[Michael Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last novel that I read that was based in Baltimore was The Baltimore Chronicles by Treasure Hernandez. This novel took us from an opening scene in Africa over 500 years ago. The gods of Egypt played a role as the story unfolded. There was unmistakable chemistry between two of the main characters, Assefa and Sanura, that led to memorable scenes in the book. Danger lurked in the form of creatures in the search of blood of a certain species. I loved the writing style of the author. I learned some things about the expulsion of European settlers from Africa based on the novel. I cannot wait to read the next installment of the trilogy.

[Pearline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shout out to this author for depicting the real Baltimore. Everything she wrote and described about the DMV was very accurate. For someone who has lived in Baltimore and currently living in the DMV it was refreshing to have a book that didn't make up areas and street names. I really enjoyed the supernatural/ suspense element and the fact that the Gods are African based. My only issue with this book was the heroine Sanura being wishy/washy and unsure of her love for Assefa. Outside of the romance portion the book was very engaging.

[Rameisha Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yaaaaaasssss

Now this was a book! Great character development, great pacing! I've read so many books that have just one conflict and then it's on to the next! It was nice to have to take more than one day to finish it.

[Gwen Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious, Scintillating, and Terrifying!

A cold-blooded killer is on the loose. The victims are mutilated and drained of blood, but this time he’s left a witness behind, and the child may be vital to understanding what’s behind the string of murders. Sanura Williams and Special Assefa Berber are up for the challenge, but little do they know that the real key to stopping the crimes can be found in an ancient prophecy.

OF FEAR AND FAITH is the 1st book in Ms. Jones’ DEATH AND DESTINY TRILOGY. The story was recommended to me, and this was my first time reading Ms. Jones. Can I just start this review off by saying a little something about the beginning? It’s SENSATIONAL! One of the best starts ever, so be prepared for some chills!

Of course, chills aren’t the only thing happening in this tale. There’s also the smoldering romance going on between fire witch Sanura Williams and hunky werekitty Assefa Berber. Dang if Ms. Jones doesn’t tease us along, but it’s worth the wait—I promise. When she finally delivers, the heat is on! Keep your air conditioners going!

The main characters are all very likable and well fleshed out. The descriptions are just enough and we root for Sanura and Assefa to prevail. This connection pulls us further into the story while the twists keep us off balance and constantly surprised.

There’s also a complexity of plotline locked into this story. Add in magic, folklore, and a fate that awaits Mother Earth and you have a slam bang of a tale that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat right up until the end. Yes, there’s everything you want and more packed into these pages. The dialogue was solid and very real despite the fanciful touches. I think that’s an important component for books delving into the paranormal to have. Without this type of grounding, the story doesn’t work this beautifully.

As for Ms. Jones’ writing, LOVING IT! Great flow, intelligent choices in vocabulary, construction, etc. And aside from the technical adeptness, there’s the ability to keep us hooked. But for me, it’s in describing this mysterious netherworld that Ms. Jones really excels. The terror-filled moments are fantastic and conveyed with an intensity that is unexpected. It really amps up the fear factor.

OF FEAR AND FAITH is a great read and great start to the DEATH AND DESTINY TRILOGY. I highly recommend it and I’m interested to see where this story goes! 4.8 stars from me … and I want a werecat!

[Heathery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for review.

The model chosen to represent Assefa on the cover of this book was a gooooooood choice. Yowzers. <3 For the first 25% of the book, Assefa felt entirely different than in the last 80% of the book. I actually think there should have been some re-writing there as it felt like an unnatural character change. He suddenly became an ultra alpha male and it was like woah, where did this come from.

This book is a heavy dose of insta-love, and I honestly don't like stories like that. I find them nauseating. That's the reason this book only gets three stars from me. With this being the first book in a trilogy, I would have liked to have seen the romance take longer to build. They're soulmates from pretty much 20% onward.

That said, I do think the actual plot of the story--with the witches and the pending fated battle--was interesting and well-written. I liked reading whenever the goddesses were on the page. The ending of the book is a heavy cliffhanger intended to lead into book two and the mythology setting the backdrop of the whole trilogy. Great writing style on the part of the author, and very descriptive sentences/dialogue.

[Mizz · Rating 1 out of 5]

*ARC provided by Author*

Beware of Spoilers!

Star Ratings:
Heroine (Sanura): DNF
Hero (Assefa): DNF
Plot: DNF
Grovel: DNF
Cheating: DNF
HEA: DNF
Triggers: DNF

Average score: 1 star - DNF

Best Quote: none found before DNF-ing

Worst Quote: “For the love of Dr. Phil”


Personal Review:
It took a little time for me to get into the flow of this story as it was confusing to begin with and it continued to be confusing, There was a lot of information given about mythology but what I was interested in more was the relationship between H and h which I couldn’t really feel. I found myself skipping chunks of dialogue and then I DNF’d because I wasn’t getting the feels!

I am missing the emotions from a romance book, how is that possible?!

Random Ramblings:
I honestly do not remember what I just read

Overall Feeling:
A lot of dialogue but no emotions!

[Natalie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by Author*

I give this book 4 stars. The book started out slow so the first day that I started reading it I thought I wouldn't like it. However, I picked it up again a day later and could not put it down. The plot really picked up. The plot is interesting and has a good amount of suspense. I'm still unclear as to what's supposed to happen as it relates to the prophecy. I think that is the author's intent since this is a series.

The secondary characters were provocative enough to make me want to know more about them and their lives. The main couple is HOT together. I really like the hero (Assefa). I think he was well written, sexy, and complex but not contradictory. The heroine (Sanura) was OK but her "fears" and reluctancy to get involved with Assefa were a little too unrealistic. I'm looking forward to reading more about them, the prophecy, and how their relationship develops.

[Litentric Teon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characters of both Assefa and Sanura were intriguing and exciting to watch develop throughout the novel. And the character of Mike was a much appreciated addition to the the story. Overall, I'd say that this book deserves a five star rating due to the immense passion the author has for writing that is evident in the work, as well as the stunning presentation with which she delivers part one of what I'm sure will develop into a massively cohesive and amazing story. I'm looking forward to what she'll produce next.

As a side note, I like the title. It seems to tie directly to Sanura's and Assefa's spirits respectfully. Sanura fears her fire spirit and rarely lets it out, while Assefa respects andhas Faith is his cat spirit and maintains control over it.

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Assefa Berber is on the trail of a serial killer, one possessing preternatural powers from an age long past. When he enters the life of psychology professor, Sanura Williams, both of their lives are forever changed. They are immediately drawn to each other, but that relationship is threatened by predatory killers with great power who threaten the entire human race.
Of Fear and Faith by N. D. Jones is a tense paranormal thriller that makes The X Files seem like ‘Sesame Street.’ From the modern streets of the U.S. to places where people still believe in the old gods, the two protagonists fight to stay alive while they track a killer who has no mercy. This is a book that will chill you down to the bone, with characters who are easy to identify with even when they are acting bigger than life.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was happy to have won this book through LibraryThing's Member's Giveaway program. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. I did enjoy the storyline but I found it hard to follow in places. While I enjoyed the various, interesting characters, I just really wasn't connecting with them. I did enjoy the monster called the adze but found some of the background on the witches, monsters, shape shifters, legends, etc. a bit on the confusing side. Overall this book was just ok.

[Jjean]

Starts with action and keeps you interested through out the whole book - being a paranormal, witches & shape shifters are included along with very likable characters - Action packed, mythology, romance story...will read Trilogy 2 when it is on the market.

[Jalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is soooooooooooooo GOOD! It gets so REAL. The writing is great and the cover looks great. This book is the full package. Like if I got a package in the mail and it had a whole bunch of junk food. It would be the full package like this book.

[Kimberly Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a fan of the X-Files, Fringe and/or Star Trek? If you are, have you ever read a book that had the same galaxy charm to catapult your mind in out of space? If you haven’t, you are in for a delightful treat. Being a fan of fantasy, I have to say, Jones did an outstanding job of telling Sanura’s and Assefa’s love story. In fact, I rank her up there with one of my all-time favorite fantasy authors, Mitch Albom.

Assefa is a Special Agent with the FBI working under a special unit called Preternatural Intelligence. He’s on the hunt for a serial killer wreaking havoc on Baltimore destroying families and claiming souls. On one such night, as the Special Agent was called upon by his superiors to work the latest murders, a small child remained in the aftermath. Assefa was happy the child’s life was spared, but wasn’t exactly thrilled to know this child was going to grow up without her parents, no thanks to the murderer, and he vowed to avenge her parents’ killer by finding out who and/or what did this to them?

While the Agent was working the case, his partner advised him of a pscyhologist who could help them get through to the traumatized child. At this point, Assefa was willing to try anything so he wouldn’t have to deal with the child on his own. Dr. Sanura Williams walked into his case, into his life and into his heart and soul. The chemistry between the two of them was so potent, you’d have to be blind not to see the fire and sparks igniting between the two. Assefa could barely keep his mind on the case, let alone finding a serial killer, for this gorgeous beauty was occupying all his head space. After much prodding, luckily Sanura, being very professional and eager to get to the child, broke their spell for just a little bit. Obviously, there was a more serious matter at hand.

As Assefa and Sanura worked the case together, not only was their magic brought to the forefront on the battle grounds of fighting demons and evil spirits, that magic extended to the love they each felt for the other. Sanura was terrified to relinquish her heart to Assefa because she had a taste for dating full-humans. She nor Assefa were one hundred percent human, but their teachings brought them up to respect the Gods and damn it, fate had brought them to this place. Sanura had to do all she could to fight her insecurities, while Assefa had to be the patient lover-in-wait while Sanura came to some sort of conclusion. And readers, when I tell you the two of them came to a meeting of the minds, body and spirit, I can’t possibly say that enough. The love scenes in this book were so spot on, you’ll have an organism from the mere words alone. (chuckle).

I’d also like to point out that I do not feel, in any way, the man on the cover of the book adequately represents what my mind’s eye view says Assefa looks like. Uh-oh, no way! Assefa was fine as hell, and although the brother on the cover is alright, he’s NOT Assefa! OMG, I got chill bumps reading Jones’ description of this beautiful hunk of chocolate man. You may have heard the saying, ‘The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.’ Good Gawd, umm yes, Assefa had it goin’ on ladies. Yes indeed! So with that I say, if you love fantasy, ectasy, romance, a fine-ass man, and paranormal activity and you don’t get this book, somethin’ is seriously wrong with YOU!

My only criticism would be, if I had to find anything, is I felt there were times the story lagged, but just briefly, and the story easily picked right back up. It was a little slow going for me in the very beginning, but that was my learning curve of the characters. Again, it doesn’t take anything away from the book. This story was the total package, and as much as my readers know I cannot stand romance novels, what sets this one apart from many others is that there was an actual storyline. That’s right! A! Story! Line! I can definitely live with that. I couldn’t get enough! Oh my, those love scenes were aah-maaa-zing! I had to fan myself a few times! (LOL)

The story was well put together, flowed nicely and pushed the characters through. There are many lessons Assefa and Sanura had to learn, and you will enjoy taking the journey with them. I was rooting for them the entire time I was reading and praying neither of them were killed. Thankfully, Jones gave us a wonderful HEA. (Happily Ever After).

I was sold from the prologue describing the Gods and what fueled the battles on the earth as we know it today. Shapeshifters are a strange group of people, but then again, even though I know this story was make-believe, I truly believe we walk among them. There are humans that portray goodness and light, when in actuality they are evil and darkness. They change their façade at will, and that, folks, is what makes up shapeshifters. Not all of them are bad, but there are quite a few. Still not convinced? Perfect example, politicians. If they aren’t shapeshifters, I don’t know what is? (Chuckle!) We see shapeshifters all the time, you just never look at it that way. Jones brings all of that to the reader’s attention, and she holds you there and commands you take note!

Mello & June gives Of Fear and Faith, four stars. It was well written and easy to follow along, once you learn who the Gods, witches, warlords and demons are. Every reader will take something different from this book, which is what it should do. I’m positive you’ll be delighted to have taken the time to read. I know I’m glad I did. Bravo, N.D. Jones. Keep on doing what you do, girl—you did the damn thing!

To review the original post, please go to http://mellojune.blogspot.com/2016/03... Thank you.

[Thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Fear and Faith

N.D Jones' Of Fear and Faith is the 1st in what reads as the beginning of a wonderful series, she weaved a great story, loved it, will definitely be reading more of her books,

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating read. This book has definitely found its reader! This author deserves all the flowers 💐.

[Leah Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It drew me in from start to finish. It was so hard to put this book down. All the different characters were great and had their own story. The two main characters were very likeable, both strong yet vulnerable. The story itself is fast paced and not once did I get bored or disinterested. Every thing is explained as the story progresses but not overly so. I can't recommend this book enough and I can't wait for the next one in the series.
I received this free for an honest review.

[Chyna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read for me. I bought the 2nd book knowing after the first chapter. I am already addicted to finding out more and more about Assefa and Sanura in Of Beasts and Bonds. My biggest wondering as I read is if they will fully bond to one another or not. Excited to read and find out! Great Paranormal Romance (new reading genre unlocked)

[E.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Of Fear and Faith" is the first installment in what promises to be a very fun, readable paranormal romance/romantic thriller series with a twist. I have the slash because it combines elements of both genres: Sanura, the female lead, is a child psychologist brought in to help with a serial killer case by the male lead, FBI agent Assefa. Only Sanura is also a witch, descended from a line of powerful Nigerian witches, and Assefa is a shifter, descended from a line of powerful Sudanese shifters. When they come together, sparks fly...

I enjoy both the paranormal and the thriller subgenres of romances, and they are combined effectively here. Because there's a lot going on, the narrative jumps around, but for the most part it's easy to follow. The characters themselves have a lot of the elements you'd expect from the genres indicated--Sanura is smart, educated, and feisty but also delicate and dealing with emotional pain from her past; she's also, as befits any decent heroine of a paranormal romance, the Chosen One; Assefa is the strong silent type with a secret past and a heart of gold--but are also compelling and sympathetic individuals, so that the plot and the relationship between them feels fresh and engaging, even though fans of the genre will have a pretty good idea where things are going. Which is in no way a critique: this is solid romance novel plotting and characterization and is very enjoyable as such. The twist is that both the main characters have close ties to Africa and the use of African mythology to create the system of magic that underlies the paranormal element of the story.

This was probably my favorite aspect of the novel: the author skillfully combines elements of European-based witchcraft--witches have covens and familiars--with African mythology and legends, so that the characters pray to Egyptian deities and the witches' familiars are men who can shift into large cats in order to protect them. The result is a rich magical system that is both familiar enough for a Western reader to understand it easily, but different enough to stand out. The total result is very readable but also unique.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Shortridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this for my honest review. This is a paranormal fantasy with strong characters and non-stop action. . If you love stepping away from every day life to a fantasy world then this is definitely going to be a book you will love to read. With all the different great characters and that they had their own stories to tell this made great reading, the two main characters were very likeable both strong and yet vulnerable with their pasts. Looking forward to hearing more.........

[Ray Sunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was an amazing read for me. It has everything I want in a great paranormal book: depth in the story, action-oriented thriller, hot, scorching sex, heartfelt romance, and out-of-this-world magic. You have a sexy, banging alpha male, yet a gentleman with a golden heart seeking to win his fire witch of legend. What's touching though, he didn't see her as the fire witch of legend, but a vulnerable woman yearning for acceptance of her true self. Even more, he's an FBI agent whose side gig was owning a multi-billion dollar company. Say what? Kick-ass, hot, smart, considerate, and savvy with money? Sign me in! He's a hero that would make any woman's heart melt for sure.

I liked the heroine as well. She's a woman with smarts and great emotional depths--a simmering molten, fiery lava underneath her psychologist persona. At first, Sanura's emotional reticent from the delicious hunk agent Assefa annoyed me, but I found out why later on and everything started to make more sense. Furthermore, I loved that the author used the gods and goddesses from Yoruba Orishas/Kemetian (Egyptian) lores. If you think Zeus/Hera were powerful, wait till you meet these unsung legendary gods and goddesses.

NDJ definitely slayed this thrilling book! I'm psyched to read the next installment and look forward to future work from this author. If you have not read this book, please do! You won't regret it.