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Shards of Sevia #1
Wrong Place, Right Time
All Anna Belko wants is a quiet cup of tea. For a young garment factory worker in the uneasy city of Dor, such moments of peace are few and far between. When she stops by a little cafe called Oxsana's on her way home from work, she has many things on her mind, but meeting the man who will turn her life upside down is not one of them.
After his cousin is killed, Boris Merkovich wonders if he will ever feel a moment of peace again. As the manager of Oxsana's, his family's cafe he doesn't have time for grieving. But everything changes when he stumbles and almost pours a pot of tea into his customer's lap. To his surprise, the young woman doesn't become angry...
Love comes in unexpected ways. Neither Anna nor Boris dreamed this unexpected encounter would change both their lives, but as Dor implodes, Boris and Anna's relationship, begun over a broken teapot and a heartfelt prayer, only grows stronger.
However, it isn't long before Anna realizes the hatred destroying her city isn't just "out there." If Boris cannot forgive his cousin's killer, it will cost both him and Anna everything they've begun to hope for.
After his cousin is killed, Boris Merkovich wonders if he will ever feel a moment of peace again. As the manager of Oxsana's, his family's cafe he doesn't have time for grieving. But everything changes when he stumbles and almost pours a pot of tea into his customer's lap. To his surprise, the young woman doesn't become angry...
Love comes in unexpected ways. Neither Anna nor Boris dreamed this unexpected encounter would change both their lives, but as Dor implodes, Boris and Anna's relationship, begun over a broken teapot and a heartfelt prayer, only grows stronger.
However, it isn't long before Anna realizes the hatred destroying her city isn't just "out there." If Boris cannot forgive his cousin's killer, it will cost both him and Anna everything they've begun to hope for.
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Published May 1, 2020
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About the author
E.B. Roshan
13 books88 followersE.B. Roshan has enjoyed a nomadic lifestyle for several years, living in the Middle East, Asia and various parts of the U.S. She is now temporarily settled in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
To learn more about E.B. Roshan and her books, visit: https://shardsofsevia.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 28, 2024
4 stars. I put off writing this review for weeks because I didn’t know what to say about it. I read these books very fast, so I struggle to pull them apart from each other—which is one reason. But the other reason is that this series is so very, very unique… and I don’t quite know what to make of it, and this intrigues me.
First off, the setting is FASCINATING. A contemporary fantasy, i.e., a book set in the present but in an imaginary land—I thought I was the only one who wrote that genre, so this was a pleasant surprise. The imaginary country is suffering from civil war/unrest… with a war going on in Ukraine, that’s got your attention ASAP. This civil unrest is caused by the multicultural population, based on Grecian and Slavic ethnicities… as a French-Canadian, I’m all ears right away. The setting is definitely my favourite part of the book, and I could go on about it. It just fascinates me somehow.
The characters are less interesting to me personally, because somehow, they just didn’t grab me. But I liked Anna—I liked Radoslav—I liked their parents—I liked Rama a lot (figures) and his brother-in-law was really nice too. I liked Boris… sometimes. He isn’t my fav—he confuses me. I feel like he’s too waffly, yet super obstinate at the same time. I never know which way he’ll stick, or which decision he will keep. But that aside, B & A do have a sweet little romance. Anyways, I’m very happy for Anna. :)
Most of all, though, the character’s arcs and lessons interested me. After passing through the pandemic, I’m much more attune to moral dilemmas, and this book is full of them. Should Anna put aside marriage because it’s her duty to care for her mother? As a big sister caring for a younger sister who is disabled, the question hit me HARD. Can Boris learn to forgive the murder of his cousin and not become racist towards those whose brother killed said cousin? Again, the question is particularly relevant right now. And I really liked how the book tackled civilian PTSD and anxiety. Very, very well done.
Is this for everyone? I have no idea. I just know that I am hooked on this series, and since they’re short reads, imma be binging for a while.
A Favourite Quote: “Dear God, I pray for...Boris...that You would guard him from hatred and keep his heart soft, even if that means it needs to stay broken. Give him strength to bear this pain for himself and for his family. And don't let him ever forget that everything he is suffering is nothing compared to what You took on for all of us. In Jesus' name.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I'm not very good company, am I?” He set his cup of ice cream on the edge of the fountain. “I'd been planning what we could talk about...but I don't know where all those ideas went.”
… “You don’t need to impress me. Don't try to be funny or smart if you're not.” That sounded terrible.
*Content list to come upon reread. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
First off, the setting is FASCINATING. A contemporary fantasy, i.e., a book set in the present but in an imaginary land—I thought I was the only one who wrote that genre, so this was a pleasant surprise. The imaginary country is suffering from civil war/unrest… with a war going on in Ukraine, that’s got your attention ASAP. This civil unrest is caused by the multicultural population, based on Grecian and Slavic ethnicities… as a French-Canadian, I’m all ears right away. The setting is definitely my favourite part of the book, and I could go on about it. It just fascinates me somehow.
The characters are less interesting to me personally, because somehow, they just didn’t grab me. But I liked Anna—I liked Radoslav—I liked their parents—I liked Rama a lot (figures) and his brother-in-law was really nice too. I liked Boris… sometimes. He isn’t my fav—he confuses me. I feel like he’s too waffly, yet super obstinate at the same time. I never know which way he’ll stick, or which decision he will keep. But that aside, B & A do have a sweet little romance. Anyways, I’m very happy for Anna. :)
Most of all, though, the character’s arcs and lessons interested me. After passing through the pandemic, I’m much more attune to moral dilemmas, and this book is full of them. Should Anna put aside marriage because it’s her duty to care for her mother? As a big sister caring for a younger sister who is disabled, the question hit me HARD. Can Boris learn to forgive the murder of his cousin and not become racist towards those whose brother killed said cousin? Again, the question is particularly relevant right now. And I really liked how the book tackled civilian PTSD and anxiety. Very, very well done.
Is this for everyone? I have no idea. I just know that I am hooked on this series, and since they’re short reads, imma be binging for a while.
A Favourite Quote: “Dear God, I pray for...Boris...that You would guard him from hatred and keep his heart soft, even if that means it needs to stay broken. Give him strength to bear this pain for himself and for his family. And don't let him ever forget that everything he is suffering is nothing compared to what You took on for all of us. In Jesus' name.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I'm not very good company, am I?” He set his cup of ice cream on the edge of the fountain. “I'd been planning what we could talk about...but I don't know where all those ideas went.”
… “You don’t need to impress me. Don't try to be funny or smart if you're not.” That sounded terrible.
*Content list to come upon reread. I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 7, 2020
E.B. Roshan has written a relatable story in a place of her own creation. In Wrong Place, Right Time, she explores the emotional conflict raging within the hearts of several different characters during the trying time of war. Wrong Place is not my typical preference of story. Yes, it is very much a romance, but set within a fictional country in the modern-day time period. It is set in the middle of a dystopian-esque, war-torn nation and rife with emotional highs and lows--all of which guarantee a moving story. While her short novel (only 162 pages in print and about 18 chapters) has a great amount of potential, I feel several areas were lacking and others were not, making for an imbalanced story.
(And, yes, I'm dispensing of the stream-of-consciousness nonsense and attempting to makes sense with numbered lists...again. We'll see how that turns out. 😉)
Pros:
#1 Roshan doesn't shy away from anything on the interpersonal/romantic level. Our hero Boris is not your average alpha male. For one, his name is Boris. Not exactly screaming sexy Regency buck, right? He's a little soft in the waistline, smells like onions, and is almost always drenched in grease. He's got his internal issues, too. He's broken (aren't we all?). And so, yeah, my "I love macho alpha males with six-packs" side was a little disappointed...but I really do appreciate the fact that Roshan didn't conform to the idea of what a strong, loveable hero should look (or read) like. She didn't make a romance novel hero--she made a character. And there is a lot of difference between the two, believe me.
#2 She also takes the time to bring out a powerful message in her story. War isn't easy for anyone--and that shows quite well. People deal with anxiety, hatred, murder, brokenness, loss, rejection--and not just during war but in our everyday lives as well do we wrestle with these issues. I like that she didn't gloss these subjects over and that she used God's Word as a tool to bring them to rectification.
#3 Roshan's prose was interesting--and I'm getting to that--but I do appreciate the balance she had between description and...not description. I was able to picture places, people, and things without being overloaded by detail. Which brings us to our next section:
Cons:
#1 At times, her prose was stilted. Things happened in simple, choppy sentences; and while this easily conveys the action or point being made, it does not do so smoothly. I often missed the emotion in the short, concise sentences, especially in moments of trial or immense joy.
#2 Roshan invents a country all her own to nestle between countries in our real-life world. It was easy to tell that her story was set in a modern period Slavic country (presumably not too far from Russia), I gathered nothing else. There was no backstory about Sevia and Tur, which made the conflict seem less...frightening, when I had no idea why the Sevians hated the Turs or what was going on with the government or how the country was laid out, etc. I would have liked to have some backstory evenly dispersed throughout the story, as well as some indication of what their language sounded like. Did they speak a Cyrillic/Slavic language or one completely separate? It would have also been nice to have actually read some of their words and had a little more description of what their culture was like (or maybe it's a reflection of some Slavic culture and I just need to get my head out of Europe and do some research...).
#3 There were a couple cuss words. For the story to be going along smoothly in the middle, there was some language at the beginning and the end. Had I not promised a review, I would have put the book down simply because of that. When the book is labeled "Christian fiction," I expect clean, wholesome fiction. Not profanity--no matter how large or small an amount is present. Also, it would've been nice to have had a heads-up in the age department. While the rest of the story is fine for a young teenager to read, the language rates it PG-13 and makes it less accessible for a younger audience (like my fifteen-year-old self).
Long story short (or, well, short story short), I think most of my issues with this story stemmed from it being so short. Had it been the length of a full novel (i.e., over 80k and maybe closer to 30 chapters), there would have been more background present, a deeper, more believable romance story, and (possibly) more action. Since the story was set during wartime, I would've liked more action/adventure directly relating to the characters. While I do appreciate the attention Roshan paid to the internal forces of her story (like anxiety, bitterness, unforgiveness, and romance), I would have liked the same attention paid to the external forces. Throw in a few more chapters, stretch things out a little bit, maybe give Anna and Boris more personality in their perspectives, and I think it would have been fine. The message was presented well, and that is the important part.
BookWorm
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
(And, yes, I'm dispensing of the stream-of-consciousness nonsense and attempting to makes sense with numbered lists...again. We'll see how that turns out. 😉)
Pros:
#1 Roshan doesn't shy away from anything on the interpersonal/romantic level. Our hero Boris is not your average alpha male. For one, his name is Boris. Not exactly screaming sexy Regency buck, right? He's a little soft in the waistline, smells like onions, and is almost always drenched in grease. He's got his internal issues, too. He's broken (aren't we all?). And so, yeah, my "I love macho alpha males with six-packs" side was a little disappointed...but I really do appreciate the fact that Roshan didn't conform to the idea of what a strong, loveable hero should look (or read) like. She didn't make a romance novel hero--she made a character. And there is a lot of difference between the two, believe me.
#2 She also takes the time to bring out a powerful message in her story. War isn't easy for anyone--and that shows quite well. People deal with anxiety, hatred, murder, brokenness, loss, rejection--and not just during war but in our everyday lives as well do we wrestle with these issues. I like that she didn't gloss these subjects over and that she used God's Word as a tool to bring them to rectification.
#3 Roshan's prose was interesting--and I'm getting to that--but I do appreciate the balance she had between description and...not description. I was able to picture places, people, and things without being overloaded by detail. Which brings us to our next section:
Cons:
#1 At times, her prose was stilted. Things happened in simple, choppy sentences; and while this easily conveys the action or point being made, it does not do so smoothly. I often missed the emotion in the short, concise sentences, especially in moments of trial or immense joy.
#2 Roshan invents a country all her own to nestle between countries in our real-life world. It was easy to tell that her story was set in a modern period Slavic country (presumably not too far from Russia), I gathered nothing else. There was no backstory about Sevia and Tur, which made the conflict seem less...frightening, when I had no idea why the Sevians hated the Turs or what was going on with the government or how the country was laid out, etc. I would have liked to have some backstory evenly dispersed throughout the story, as well as some indication of what their language sounded like. Did they speak a Cyrillic/Slavic language or one completely separate? It would have also been nice to have actually read some of their words and had a little more description of what their culture was like (or maybe it's a reflection of some Slavic culture and I just need to get my head out of Europe and do some research...).
#3 There were a couple cuss words. For the story to be going along smoothly in the middle, there was some language at the beginning and the end. Had I not promised a review, I would have put the book down simply because of that. When the book is labeled "Christian fiction," I expect clean, wholesome fiction. Not profanity--no matter how large or small an amount is present. Also, it would've been nice to have had a heads-up in the age department. While the rest of the story is fine for a young teenager to read, the language rates it PG-13 and makes it less accessible for a younger audience (like my fifteen-year-old self).
Long story short (or, well, short story short), I think most of my issues with this story stemmed from it being so short. Had it been the length of a full novel (i.e., over 80k and maybe closer to 30 chapters), there would have been more background present, a deeper, more believable romance story, and (possibly) more action. Since the story was set during wartime, I would've liked more action/adventure directly relating to the characters. While I do appreciate the attention Roshan paid to the internal forces of her story (like anxiety, bitterness, unforgiveness, and romance), I would have liked the same attention paid to the external forces. Throw in a few more chapters, stretch things out a little bit, maybe give Anna and Boris more personality in their perspectives, and I think it would have been fine. The message was presented well, and that is the important part.
BookWorm
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 24, 2021
This is the 1st book I've read written by E.B. Roshan; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the first book in the Shards of Sevia Series; it’s the story of Anna & Boris.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the Shards of Sevia Series; it’s the story of Anna & Boris.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2023
Beautiful novella glad the ending was a good one I hope we see more of Boris and Anna in the future
May 29, 2024
I don’t usually read a series out of order, but in this case, I read one of the later books (Judgment Call) before starting this one. And, you know? I’m kind of glad I did. Here’s why…
Wrong Place, Right Time had a somewhat simplistic writing style, and I often wanted it to go deeper. It had a great setting and premise, but I just felt like it never gave me enough to really get into it.
HOWEVER, because I’ve read a later book, I know that the writing style and characters do improve, so I’m going to keep on with the series. The grim setting of a country torn by violence and prejudice is definitely interesting!
Wrong Place, Right Time had a somewhat simplistic writing style, and I often wanted it to go deeper. It had a great setting and premise, but I just felt like it never gave me enough to really get into it.
HOWEVER, because I’ve read a later book, I know that the writing style and characters do improve, so I’m going to keep on with the series. The grim setting of a country torn by violence and prejudice is definitely interesting!
April 3, 2021
I enjoyed this sweet romantic story set in a troubled city. The setting was original and interesting, and the characters formed easily in my mind. I liked Boris for his integrity and soft spot for Anna, and for the way he made sacrifices to do what was right. His self-doubt and struggle with his conscience made him more interesting than Anna. The action flowed smoothly and the pace was good.
December 20, 2021
I didn’t like this book as much as the third one, Love Costs (which I actually read before this one), but it’s still a sweet story, though quite short!
Characters: I liked Boris and Anna . . . kind of. They’re definitely sympathetic. I liked that Boris was honest and real and that Anna was gentle, understanding, and patient. But their character arcs felt too shallow. Anna had almost no flaws, and while Boris struggled with forgiveness, it was completely understandable and didn’t feel like a major shortcoming. Granted, the book was too short for serious character growth, but I would have liked more depth to both of them. They felt a little too perfect, their lives a little too average. And while there’s nothing wrong with average characters, they needed a little more uniqueness and depth to be truly interesting.
The book was also a little lacking in the romance, despite being in the romance genre. Boris and Anna’s relationship felt a little rushed, although that’s probably because the book is too short to really develop it. I appreciated that the romance was clean, but I would have liked a little more connection and spark between them. At times, their relationship felt more like that between a brother and sister, not really romantic.
Plot: I liked that the book started in medias res, pulling me into the story. But even though the story was interesting and kept me reading, it was rather predictable. Nothing really took me by surprise.
Worldbuilding: I would have thought that since this was the first book in the series, there would be a little more background information about the fictional city of Dor and about the Turs and Sevians. However, there was surprisingly little explanation. It would have been helpful if the author had laid more of a foundation—explaining why the Sevians and Turs are so against each other and why they are both living in Dor in the first place. Honestly, I still don’t have a clear idea as to why this war is happening. The tension and warfare, however, felt very realistic and was well-described without being graphic.
Content: D*** is used a few times. There is some violence—two people are shot and killed and a factory is set on fire, but none of it is graphic.
Prose: The author has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read. I especially enjoyed her dialogue. It felt very natural.
This book is a sweet read, but it’s too short to be very deep, and the romance is not all it could have been. But it was still fun to read, and if you’re a fan of Christian romantic suspense, this might be the book for you!
Characters: I liked Boris and Anna . . . kind of. They’re definitely sympathetic. I liked that Boris was honest and real and that Anna was gentle, understanding, and patient. But their character arcs felt too shallow. Anna had almost no flaws, and while Boris struggled with forgiveness, it was completely understandable and didn’t feel like a major shortcoming. Granted, the book was too short for serious character growth, but I would have liked more depth to both of them. They felt a little too perfect, their lives a little too average. And while there’s nothing wrong with average characters, they needed a little more uniqueness and depth to be truly interesting.
The book was also a little lacking in the romance, despite being in the romance genre. Boris and Anna’s relationship felt a little rushed, although that’s probably because the book is too short to really develop it. I appreciated that the romance was clean, but I would have liked a little more connection and spark between them. At times, their relationship felt more like that between a brother and sister, not really romantic.
Plot: I liked that the book started in medias res, pulling me into the story. But even though the story was interesting and kept me reading, it was rather predictable. Nothing really took me by surprise.
Worldbuilding: I would have thought that since this was the first book in the series, there would be a little more background information about the fictional city of Dor and about the Turs and Sevians. However, there was surprisingly little explanation. It would have been helpful if the author had laid more of a foundation—explaining why the Sevians and Turs are so against each other and why they are both living in Dor in the first place. Honestly, I still don’t have a clear idea as to why this war is happening. The tension and warfare, however, felt very realistic and was well-described without being graphic.
Content: D*** is used a few times. There is some violence—two people are shot and killed and a factory is set on fire, but none of it is graphic.
Prose: The author has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read. I especially enjoyed her dialogue. It felt very natural.
This book is a sweet read, but it’s too short to be very deep, and the romance is not all it could have been. But it was still fun to read, and if you’re a fan of Christian romantic suspense, this might be the book for you!
October 23, 2020
This was such a good book! Anna and Boris were very relatable and fun characters. I enjoyed reading it and can't wait to read the second one!!
Once I started reading I had to read multiple chapters.
Thanks to E.B. Roshan for writing this book!
Once I started reading I had to read multiple chapters.
Thanks to E.B. Roshan for writing this book!
August 16, 2024
3.7/5 Stars 🌟
Right Book. Right Time.
This is a 3.7 Star book but more to the 4 Star side!
I love this book! It's a romance that takes place in the fictional country of Sevia, where tension is rising between the Turs and Sevians. So, it is set in a politically turbulent atmosphere. Yet everyday life must go on, and it does.
Anna and Boris meet and form a beautiful, steady romance in the midst of this. But Boris's war within threatens their relationship. His unforgiveness towards his cousin's murderer causes carnage of its own. We see two brutal wars tear people apart.
I love Sevia. It feels like someone took so much of what makes up the reality of my life and put it in fiction. I felt right at home in this setting of basic houses, family life, and tough times. Even though I thankfully don't live in a place with constant threats of violence looming over me.
E.B. Roshan just writes realism so well into the story. All my romantic expectations were entirely restructured after reading Boris and Anna's wholesome and natural romance. It was amazing to see a romance story do away with the standard superficial banter, your everyday-handsome love interest, and all those out of the box amazing dates. Even the things that caused conflict between them were not things that drove me crazy. They had real problems and good reasons.
I felt unrealistic expectations of dating just peel straight off me. It was such a great comfort to see this side of romance 😊
The characters in the book were also people that live around me. I've SEEN these people. What they wear, how they act, how they care... It was amazing to see them in fiction.
I loved the slow burn pace. It was smooth and natural. Plus, the way the tension picked up was also really fun for me lol
The faith content in this book was also very natural to the setting. Like the way water is natural in the ocean. The characters lived it out in their lifestyles in a way that it was both foundational and well woven into the story. I adored that!
At times, I needed some more cues to feel out moods regarding both the dialogue and nonverbal communication. Some moments were fast passing, and they held enough that I could get a hint of what was happening, but I wanted more.
I'd like to thank E.B. for this complimentary copy! I enjoyed it so much, and I can't wait to get to book 2.
⚠️ I advise that you check out E.B. Roshan's author's comment for content warnings!⚠️
Right Book. Right Time.
This is a 3.7 Star book but more to the 4 Star side!
I love this book! It's a romance that takes place in the fictional country of Sevia, where tension is rising between the Turs and Sevians. So, it is set in a politically turbulent atmosphere. Yet everyday life must go on, and it does.
Anna and Boris meet and form a beautiful, steady romance in the midst of this. But Boris's war within threatens their relationship. His unforgiveness towards his cousin's murderer causes carnage of its own. We see two brutal wars tear people apart.
I love Sevia. It feels like someone took so much of what makes up the reality of my life and put it in fiction. I felt right at home in this setting of basic houses, family life, and tough times. Even though I thankfully don't live in a place with constant threats of violence looming over me.
E.B. Roshan just writes realism so well into the story. All my romantic expectations were entirely restructured after reading Boris and Anna's wholesome and natural romance. It was amazing to see a romance story do away with the standard superficial banter, your everyday-handsome love interest, and all those out of the box amazing dates. Even the things that caused conflict between them were not things that drove me crazy. They had real problems and good reasons.
I felt unrealistic expectations of dating just peel straight off me. It was such a great comfort to see this side of romance 😊
The characters in the book were also people that live around me. I've SEEN these people. What they wear, how they act, how they care... It was amazing to see them in fiction.
I loved the slow burn pace. It was smooth and natural. Plus, the way the tension picked up was also really fun for me lol
The faith content in this book was also very natural to the setting. Like the way water is natural in the ocean. The characters lived it out in their lifestyles in a way that it was both foundational and well woven into the story. I adored that!
At times, I needed some more cues to feel out moods regarding both the dialogue and nonverbal communication. Some moments were fast passing, and they held enough that I could get a hint of what was happening, but I wanted more.
I'd like to thank E.B. for this complimentary copy! I enjoyed it so much, and I can't wait to get to book 2.
⚠️ I advise that you check out E.B. Roshan's author's comment for content warnings!⚠️
October 31, 2020
Honestly, this book wasn't my cup of tea but it was so well-written that I actually really liked it!!! E.B. Roshan did a great job making the characters loveable as well as relatable. This story was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time.
My only complaint is the use of a swear word three times throughout the book. Other than that, it was a very good read!
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
My only complaint is the use of a swear word three times throughout the book. Other than that, it was a very good read!
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
June 29, 2020
About the Book:
Anna Belko is a young woman living in the city of Dor. There is unrest in the city. Anna meets Boris Merkovich at a cafe called Oksana's, when she stops for a cup of tea. A relative of Boris's was killed but he doesn't have time to grieve because he has to run the cafe. He nearly spills a pot of tea in Anna's lap, and she prays for him.
Boris is deeply touched by Anna's prayer for him and so begins a love neither of them expected.
However, stuck in a city filled with hatred, it soon becomes clear that the hatred isn't just "outside" and Boris and Anna's relationship is threatened.
The story, though centered around Anna and Boris, includes several other characters, including Anna's parents and one of her brothers, whom she is close to. The story is filled with danger and troubles between the Sevian people and the Tur people.
As the violence escalates near their home, Anna's parents decide to move to Dovni where things are not so volatile. Anna remains behind with her brother.
My Review:
The plot kept me turning pages. The characters captured and held my attention. The characters were realistic, and I cared about them and what happened to them. My heart ached for Anna and Boris as they struggled with their environment and their feelings for one another.
E.B. Roshan did an excellent job showing the difficulties of living in an area where danger and hatred are a part of everyday life. Not only did E.B. Roshan clearly show the dangers, Roshan did an excellent job expressing the thoughts and feelings of the people stuck amidst the struggles.
The story was very well written. Though it was a story about hatred and violence, the violence was not overly descriptive or gory. It did not need to be to touch the reader's heart and help the reader understand the setting and what was happening. I also liked how Roshan showed that hatred is a choice and no one has to allow it to consume them.
E.B. Roshan wrapped up the ending quite nicely, but even so, I was sad to finish the last page and say goodbye to these characters.
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well written story filled with struggles and different types of loving relationships.
Anna Belko is a young woman living in the city of Dor. There is unrest in the city. Anna meets Boris Merkovich at a cafe called Oksana's, when she stops for a cup of tea. A relative of Boris's was killed but he doesn't have time to grieve because he has to run the cafe. He nearly spills a pot of tea in Anna's lap, and she prays for him.
Boris is deeply touched by Anna's prayer for him and so begins a love neither of them expected.
However, stuck in a city filled with hatred, it soon becomes clear that the hatred isn't just "outside" and Boris and Anna's relationship is threatened.
The story, though centered around Anna and Boris, includes several other characters, including Anna's parents and one of her brothers, whom she is close to. The story is filled with danger and troubles between the Sevian people and the Tur people.
As the violence escalates near their home, Anna's parents decide to move to Dovni where things are not so volatile. Anna remains behind with her brother.
My Review:
The plot kept me turning pages. The characters captured and held my attention. The characters were realistic, and I cared about them and what happened to them. My heart ached for Anna and Boris as they struggled with their environment and their feelings for one another.
E.B. Roshan did an excellent job showing the difficulties of living in an area where danger and hatred are a part of everyday life. Not only did E.B. Roshan clearly show the dangers, Roshan did an excellent job expressing the thoughts and feelings of the people stuck amidst the struggles.
The story was very well written. Though it was a story about hatred and violence, the violence was not overly descriptive or gory. It did not need to be to touch the reader's heart and help the reader understand the setting and what was happening. I also liked how Roshan showed that hatred is a choice and no one has to allow it to consume them.
E.B. Roshan wrapped up the ending quite nicely, but even so, I was sad to finish the last page and say goodbye to these characters.
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well written story filled with struggles and different types of loving relationships.
December 3, 2020
check out more reviews on my blog www.graywolf0517.wixsite.com/bookishb...
4.4 / 5 stars
(I received a free e-book in exchange for a true, unbiased review)
Where to start. It is so hard to decide with this book. I just loved it so much. I mean there are a few things that could be fixed and made so much better, but I still loved it. Wrong Place, Right Time was just a heartwrenching page-turner that kept me on my toes. I absolutely love these nice, family-friendly, romance novels. Everything about them just makes me smile.
Anna Belko was just a girl who wanted to do her job and come home every day. Boris just wanted justice for his dead cousin. When they meet, they seem like two normal people. However, their relationship grows and everything is challenged. Who will survive, and more importantly, who will leave?
Character Development: 4 stars
Story Line: 4.5 stars.
Readability: 4 stars.
Writing style: 4.5 stars.
My enjoyment: 5 stars.
Average Star Score: 4.4 stars.
Things I Liked
- Anna was quirky but caring.
-Boris was the sweetest man ever. I love how Roshan didn't make him perfect. Just normal
- Everything was smooth. Of course, there were a few things that felt forced but, overall it felt great
- This was one of the books I just couldn't stop reading. Everything was so amazingly great.
Things I Did Not Like
- Chapter 13 was just a killer on my heart. I would explain but I do not want to spoil anything.
- There were a few points when I was confused about who was talking.
- I spent about 5 minutes trying to figure who Sasha was.
Other than a few short rough patches this book was amazing. I am so thankful that E.B reached out to me about this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank them for sending me the cover art. It just made my job so much easier. Make sure to keep an eye out for the rest of this series in the coming months.
4.4 / 5 stars
(I received a free e-book in exchange for a true, unbiased review)
Where to start. It is so hard to decide with this book. I just loved it so much. I mean there are a few things that could be fixed and made so much better, but I still loved it. Wrong Place, Right Time was just a heartwrenching page-turner that kept me on my toes. I absolutely love these nice, family-friendly, romance novels. Everything about them just makes me smile.
Anna Belko was just a girl who wanted to do her job and come home every day. Boris just wanted justice for his dead cousin. When they meet, they seem like two normal people. However, their relationship grows and everything is challenged. Who will survive, and more importantly, who will leave?
Character Development: 4 stars
Story Line: 4.5 stars.
Readability: 4 stars.
Writing style: 4.5 stars.
My enjoyment: 5 stars.
Average Star Score: 4.4 stars.
Things I Liked
- Anna was quirky but caring.
-Boris was the sweetest man ever. I love how Roshan didn't make him perfect. Just normal
- Everything was smooth. Of course, there were a few things that felt forced but, overall it felt great
- This was one of the books I just couldn't stop reading. Everything was so amazingly great.
Things I Did Not Like
- Chapter 13 was just a killer on my heart. I would explain but I do not want to spoil anything.
- There were a few points when I was confused about who was talking.
- I spent about 5 minutes trying to figure who Sasha was.
Other than a few short rough patches this book was amazing. I am so thankful that E.B reached out to me about this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank them for sending me the cover art. It just made my job so much easier. Make sure to keep an eye out for the rest of this series in the coming months.
June 30, 2020
I was provided with a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wrong place, right time follows the lives of Anna Belko and Boris Merkovich as they navigate a war torn world. Set in the make-believe world of Sevia, the author has done a wonderful job of bringing this world to life. It feels as though the places really exist and the author brings to life the characters in the book with great attention to detail! The best thing is that the characters are realistic. They have problems, they are not perfect, but they find love and learn to accept each others' flaws.
As far as romance novels go, this book is a short and quick read. However, there is an element of suspense with respect to what happens to the main characters and what kind of decisions they take which makes the story interesting. Keeping in tune with the title, the main characters Anna and Boris meet coincidentally at Boris's family's cafe. This leads to an unexpected attraction, a growing friendship and a lot of understanding born out of dealing with grief and loss. As they navigate the world and their feelings, we meet their families and the people they interact with, giving us a further glimpse into the perils of life and how the people are dealing with them.
This story is worth the read especially since it has all the elements of romance mixed with suspense making it an emotional ride in a very short time!
Wrong place, right time follows the lives of Anna Belko and Boris Merkovich as they navigate a war torn world. Set in the make-believe world of Sevia, the author has done a wonderful job of bringing this world to life. It feels as though the places really exist and the author brings to life the characters in the book with great attention to detail! The best thing is that the characters are realistic. They have problems, they are not perfect, but they find love and learn to accept each others' flaws.
As far as romance novels go, this book is a short and quick read. However, there is an element of suspense with respect to what happens to the main characters and what kind of decisions they take which makes the story interesting. Keeping in tune with the title, the main characters Anna and Boris meet coincidentally at Boris's family's cafe. This leads to an unexpected attraction, a growing friendship and a lot of understanding born out of dealing with grief and loss. As they navigate the world and their feelings, we meet their families and the people they interact with, giving us a further glimpse into the perils of life and how the people are dealing with them.
This story is worth the read especially since it has all the elements of romance mixed with suspense making it an emotional ride in a very short time!
September 16, 2022
This was something a bit new to me. I've read romance books and I've read dystopian books, but never the mix. What a treat to discover!
Set in a fictional European city and country, Wrong Place, Right Time is a story about family, loss, love, war, and faith. Anna and Boris find each other while facing hardships during turbulent times in their country. Boris particularly stands out to me, not the typical male protagonist you see in romances. He's a real, flawed, and struggling human being who comes into Anna's life in a less than ideal way. She, too, is dealing with the state of the country as well as her mother's well-being. When things get worse and it looks like war, Anna and Boris' relationship is tested.
For a book under 200 pages, the story is well fleshed out even though we don't get a whole lot of history about the country which was a bit disappointing. The writing was so good though that it didn't bother me too much. The characters are likable as well. I'm glad to see that Sevia is a series. I hope to learn more about this fictional place as the story continues. E.B. Roshan has created an enticing place that I want to learn more about.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy to read and review!
Full review: https://oceanwriterreads.com/2022/09/...
Set in a fictional European city and country, Wrong Place, Right Time is a story about family, loss, love, war, and faith. Anna and Boris find each other while facing hardships during turbulent times in their country. Boris particularly stands out to me, not the typical male protagonist you see in romances. He's a real, flawed, and struggling human being who comes into Anna's life in a less than ideal way. She, too, is dealing with the state of the country as well as her mother's well-being. When things get worse and it looks like war, Anna and Boris' relationship is tested.
For a book under 200 pages, the story is well fleshed out even though we don't get a whole lot of history about the country which was a bit disappointing. The writing was so good though that it didn't bother me too much. The characters are likable as well. I'm glad to see that Sevia is a series. I hope to learn more about this fictional place as the story continues. E.B. Roshan has created an enticing place that I want to learn more about.
A huge thanks to the author for sending me a free digital copy to read and review!
Full review: https://oceanwriterreads.com/2022/09/...
December 13, 2020
The book is a good romantic suspense read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2025
Re-read, March 2025
Just as good as, if not better than, the first time I read it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. The author knows how to craft complex and realistic characters--particularly Boris, but Anna was a likable MC as well. The setting is interesting--I must admit, when I first heard about this series, I thought it was dystopian, but it's not: it's contemporary in a fictional country.
July 2023
Wrong Place, Right Time was an enjoyable read set in contemporary times in a fictional country. The setting was well-described and felt as though it could be a real place. The main characters, Anna and Boris, were likable, and I appreciated that they were just average people. Anna verged closely upon flawlessness, but this didn’t really bother me, as not every book or character needs a character arc. Boris’s character growth, though, was well-written in my opinion. The writing style was clear and descriptive. Some reviewers mentioned profanity, but I never noticed any, so either I’m extremely unobservant or the book was revised–probably the latter. I look forward to reading more in this series!
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free review copy to honestly review.
Just as good as, if not better than, the first time I read it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. The author knows how to craft complex and realistic characters--particularly Boris, but Anna was a likable MC as well. The setting is interesting--I must admit, when I first heard about this series, I thought it was dystopian, but it's not: it's contemporary in a fictional country.
July 2023
Wrong Place, Right Time was an enjoyable read set in contemporary times in a fictional country. The setting was well-described and felt as though it could be a real place. The main characters, Anna and Boris, were likable, and I appreciated that they were just average people. Anna verged closely upon flawlessness, but this didn’t really bother me, as not every book or character needs a character arc. Boris’s character growth, though, was well-written in my opinion. The writing style was clear and descriptive. Some reviewers mentioned profanity, but I never noticed any, so either I’m extremely unobservant or the book was revised–probably the latter. I look forward to reading more in this series!
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free review copy to honestly review.
October 27, 2020
Anna Belko is your average twenty three year-old garment worker in the fictional country of Sevia. Her life in the uneasy city of Dor takes a sharp turn when a waiter at a sidewalk café accidently spills a pot of tea in her lap. Turns out the waiter’s cousin has been recently killed, an innocent casualty in the high stakes battle for control of the country. And Boris Merkovich isn’t sure he can live with the loss – or with his growing affection for Anna.
Simmering tensions explode as Dor plunges into war. Rival gangs fight it out in the streets. Anna’s family decides to leave Dor for safety, but she chooses to stay behind to be with Boris. As Boris unexpectedly rebuffs her, feeling he’s unworthy, Anna wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake. Internal and external conflict soon crashes into Anna and Boris’s private world, threatening to up-end them both.
Both Boris nor Anna have their flaws. But Wrong Place, Right Time shows readers why that doesn’t really matter, and why forgiveness is always a choice, even in the midst of a raging gang war.
Lithe and agile, this uplifting faith-based story features robust world building and sturdy writing. You can almost smell the smoke. Hear the gun fire. Taste the sugar-glazed cherry tarts. Suspense mounts as personal and political antes are upped in this gentle romance. Will Anna and Boris’s love survive as Dor descends into chaos and internal war threatens to tear them apart?
A new author, E.B. Roshan writes like a seasoned pro. Keep an eye on this author. I’m already looking forward to the next Roshan book.
Simmering tensions explode as Dor plunges into war. Rival gangs fight it out in the streets. Anna’s family decides to leave Dor for safety, but she chooses to stay behind to be with Boris. As Boris unexpectedly rebuffs her, feeling he’s unworthy, Anna wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake. Internal and external conflict soon crashes into Anna and Boris’s private world, threatening to up-end them both.
Both Boris nor Anna have their flaws. But Wrong Place, Right Time shows readers why that doesn’t really matter, and why forgiveness is always a choice, even in the midst of a raging gang war.
Lithe and agile, this uplifting faith-based story features robust world building and sturdy writing. You can almost smell the smoke. Hear the gun fire. Taste the sugar-glazed cherry tarts. Suspense mounts as personal and political antes are upped in this gentle romance. Will Anna and Boris’s love survive as Dor descends into chaos and internal war threatens to tear them apart?
A new author, E.B. Roshan writes like a seasoned pro. Keep an eye on this author. I’m already looking forward to the next Roshan book.
March 13, 2025
Re-read, March 2025
Just as good as, if not better than, the first time I read it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. The author knows how to craft complex and realistic characters--particularly Boris, but Anna was a likable MC as well. The setting is interesting--I must admit, when I first heard about this series, I thought it was dystopian, but it's not: it's contemporary in a fictional country.
July 2023
Wrong Place, Right Time was an enjoyable read set in contemporary times in a fictional country. The setting was well-described and felt as though it could be a real place. The main characters, Anna and Boris, were likable, and I appreciated that they were just average people. Anna verged closely upon flawlessness, but this didn’t really bother me, as not every book or character needs a character arc. Boris’s character growth, though, was well-written in my opinion. The writing style was clear and descriptive. Some reviewers mentioned profanity, but I never noticed any, so either I’m extremely unobservant or the book was revised–probably the latter. I look forward to reading more in this series!
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free review copy to honestly review.
Just as good as, if not better than, the first time I read it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series. The author knows how to craft complex and realistic characters--particularly Boris, but Anna was a likable MC as well. The setting is interesting--I must admit, when I first heard about this series, I thought it was dystopian, but it's not: it's contemporary in a fictional country.
July 2023
Wrong Place, Right Time was an enjoyable read set in contemporary times in a fictional country. The setting was well-described and felt as though it could be a real place. The main characters, Anna and Boris, were likable, and I appreciated that they were just average people. Anna verged closely upon flawlessness, but this didn’t really bother me, as not every book or character needs a character arc. Boris’s character growth, though, was well-written in my opinion. The writing style was clear and descriptive. Some reviewers mentioned profanity, but I never noticed any, so either I’m extremely unobservant or the book was revised–probably the latter. I look forward to reading more in this series!
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free review copy to honestly review.
September 26, 2020
I'm not really into romances, but this kept me engaged.
May 12, 2020
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will also note that Romance novels are not really my thing. Still, I liked the blurb enough to give it a try.
Right off the bat, the setting caught my attention. The characters live in a violent city on the edge of war. Where was this place? I tried googling the name of the city, the ruler, a river named in the book, to no avail. This was gonna drive me to distraction. Luckily, I could email the author who explained that the city of Dor and the conflict were an amalgam of conflict zones around the world. Great idea and great job creating this world, I was convinced it was real!
The story explores a budding romance between Anna and Boris as they navigate a disintegrating world. Both have excellent conflicts in their lives that have the potential to botch the developing romance. Neither are perfect. I like that Boris is not the best looking guy on the block. The author does a great job of bringing out their fears and their humanity. Life goes on, even when missiles are flying overhead.
Overall, I thought the book was well written and well edited. The characters are realistic and believable. I enjoy the story from start to finish. The book is pretty short, only 130 pages so I was able to read it quite quickly. I would recommend this to romance readers who appreciate a different yet realistic setting. Non romance readers will also enjoy this book. It's a window into a world that many of us in the West have not looked through in many decades.
See all my reviews at www.thebookdelight.com
Right off the bat, the setting caught my attention. The characters live in a violent city on the edge of war. Where was this place? I tried googling the name of the city, the ruler, a river named in the book, to no avail. This was gonna drive me to distraction. Luckily, I could email the author who explained that the city of Dor and the conflict were an amalgam of conflict zones around the world. Great idea and great job creating this world, I was convinced it was real!
The story explores a budding romance between Anna and Boris as they navigate a disintegrating world. Both have excellent conflicts in their lives that have the potential to botch the developing romance. Neither are perfect. I like that Boris is not the best looking guy on the block. The author does a great job of bringing out their fears and their humanity. Life goes on, even when missiles are flying overhead.
Overall, I thought the book was well written and well edited. The characters are realistic and believable. I enjoy the story from start to finish. The book is pretty short, only 130 pages so I was able to read it quite quickly. I would recommend this to romance readers who appreciate a different yet realistic setting. Non romance readers will also enjoy this book. It's a window into a world that many of us in the West have not looked through in many decades.
See all my reviews at www.thebookdelight.com
July 20, 2023
Shards of Sevia promises to be a fast-paced romantic adventure series with believable characters who we want to end up together. IMO the best part of the first book, Wrong Place, Right Time are the details describing what life is like in a city under siege. The subtle references to the family's faith are also very cool because they are realistic, not pushy. All in all, Wrong Place, Right Time was the right book at the right time for me.
January 20, 2021
I didn’t like this book as much as the third one, Love Costs (which I actually read before this one), but it’s still a sweet story, though quite short!
Characters: I liked Boris and Anna . . . kind of. They’re definitely sympathetic. I liked that Boris was honest and real and that Anna was gentle, understanding, and patient. But their character arcs felt too shallow. Anna had almost no flaws, and while Boris struggled with forgiveness, it was completely understandable and didn’t feel like a major shortcoming. Granted, the book was too short for serious character growth, but I would have liked more depth to both of them. They felt a little too perfect, their lives a little too average. And while there’s nothing wrong with average characters, they needed a little more uniqueness and depth to be truly interesting.
The book was also a little lacking in the romance, despite being in the romance genre. Boris and Anna’s relationship felt a little rushed, although that’s probably because the book is too short to really develop it. I appreciated that the romance was clean, but I would have liked a little more connection and spark between them. At times, their relationship felt more like that between a brother and sister, not really romantic.
Plot: I liked that the book started in medias res, pulling me into the story. But even though the story was interesting and kept me reading, it was rather predictable. Nothing really took me by surprise.
Worldbuilding: I would have thought that since this was the first book in the series, there would be a little more background information about the fictional city of Dor and about the Turs and Sevians. However, there was surprisingly little explanation. It would have been helpful if the author had laid more of a foundation—explaining why the Sevians and Turs are so against each other and why they are both living in Dor in the first place. Honestly, I still don’t have a clear idea as to why this war is happening. The tension and warfare, however, felt very realistic and was well-described without being graphic.
Content: D*** is used a few times. There is some violence—two people are shot and killed and a factory is set on fire, but none of it is graphic.
Prose: The author has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read. I especially enjoyed her dialogue. It felt very natural.
This book is a sweet read, but it’s too short to be very deep, and the romance is not all it could have been. But it was still fun to read, and if you’re a fan of Christian suspense romance, this might be the book for you!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Characters: I liked Boris and Anna . . . kind of. They’re definitely sympathetic. I liked that Boris was honest and real and that Anna was gentle, understanding, and patient. But their character arcs felt too shallow. Anna had almost no flaws, and while Boris struggled with forgiveness, it was completely understandable and didn’t feel like a major shortcoming. Granted, the book was too short for serious character growth, but I would have liked more depth to both of them. They felt a little too perfect, their lives a little too average. And while there’s nothing wrong with average characters, they needed a little more uniqueness and depth to be truly interesting.
The book was also a little lacking in the romance, despite being in the romance genre. Boris and Anna’s relationship felt a little rushed, although that’s probably because the book is too short to really develop it. I appreciated that the romance was clean, but I would have liked a little more connection and spark between them. At times, their relationship felt more like that between a brother and sister, not really romantic.
Plot: I liked that the book started in medias res, pulling me into the story. But even though the story was interesting and kept me reading, it was rather predictable. Nothing really took me by surprise.
Worldbuilding: I would have thought that since this was the first book in the series, there would be a little more background information about the fictional city of Dor and about the Turs and Sevians. However, there was surprisingly little explanation. It would have been helpful if the author had laid more of a foundation—explaining why the Sevians and Turs are so against each other and why they are both living in Dor in the first place. Honestly, I still don’t have a clear idea as to why this war is happening. The tension and warfare, however, felt very realistic and was well-described without being graphic.
Content: D*** is used a few times. There is some violence—two people are shot and killed and a factory is set on fire, but none of it is graphic.
Prose: The author has a very smooth writing style that is easy to read. I especially enjoyed her dialogue. It felt very natural.
This book is a sweet read, but it’s too short to be very deep, and the romance is not all it could have been. But it was still fun to read, and if you’re a fan of Christian suspense romance, this might be the book for you!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 9, 2021
A simple story of love, faith and violence. Anna and Boris meet at a Cafe and after few meetings, they did fall for each other. And on the other side, we see a war raging between Turs and Sevians. With growing danger around them will Anna and Boris's love stand the test of the times.
Then something happens one night which changes their lives. What exactly happened that night and what happened to the love story of Anna and Boris is something you will get to know if you read the book.
I did enjoy the story to some point but what I felt lacking here was the background information as to why Turs and Sevians are at war. There is no mention whatsoever about their differences that led to the violence and why both are still living in the city of Dor.
Also, the spark between Anna and Boris was missing to some extent. There was not much of a romance in this story. The narration of the story was very smooth and the language was simple and lucid. The writing was good and the scenes of violence and war were described really well. Overall it was a good story but I hoped for more.
Then something happens one night which changes their lives. What exactly happened that night and what happened to the love story of Anna and Boris is something you will get to know if you read the book.
I did enjoy the story to some point but what I felt lacking here was the background information as to why Turs and Sevians are at war. There is no mention whatsoever about their differences that led to the violence and why both are still living in the city of Dor.
Also, the spark between Anna and Boris was missing to some extent. There was not much of a romance in this story. The narration of the story was very smooth and the language was simple and lucid. The writing was good and the scenes of violence and war were described really well. Overall it was a good story but I hoped for more.
Read
June 27, 2024I saw another author use her review for a content rating, and thought it was a good idea. While this series is written with younger readers in mind, there are still mature elements to be aware of.
Violence: shooting, explosions, a murder is briefly mentioned. No graphic descriptions.
Sexual content: brief kissing
Language: none
Other: brief mention of smoking and alcohol use.
Violence: shooting, explosions, a murder is briefly mentioned. No graphic descriptions.
Sexual content: brief kissing
Language: none
Other: brief mention of smoking and alcohol use.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews