What do you think?
Rate this book
The Church #3
Priest
Nathaniel “Priest” Otella
Secrets, I was birthed in them. It’s no wonder they surround me now. The secrets of a ghost, the secrets of the Church, my boys are dripping in secrets.
The trick is to bury the secrets that can kill you before they come back to haunt you.
Will my secrets keep me from ever accepting love? Will my secrets stay buried as they should? Or will the secrets of the Church consume us all?
Secrets, I was birthed in them. It’s no wonder they surround me now. The secrets of a ghost, the secrets of the Church, my boys are dripping in secrets.
The trick is to bury the secrets that can kill you before they come back to haunt you.
Will my secrets keep me from ever accepting love? Will my secrets stay buried as they should? Or will the secrets of the Church consume us all?
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2021
254 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
September 8, 2022
Spoilers ahead, and cussing! Y'all know how I get down. 😂.
If you don't like cussing or spoilers please don't follow me.... I only do both 😂
Man this done fucked this series up for me!
Listen to me!!!
Albany was a badass, nonexistent, but still a badass through this series....or so we're led to believe right. She's a member of the nunnery(my poor catholic upbringing shuddered in horror) which is basically a whorehouse for members of the church. Albany however is a special little prostitute, she's able to read the men and pretend to be whoever they need..... without the sex🙄. Anyways she's recruited by Priest in a deal to save her sister. When she finally has something that she can't let the church destroy, she fakes her death and disappears.
Priest has been the gruff father figure throughout these books. He brought the guys in and trained them all. He's wanted Albany a while now but she's off limits to him.....until one night together and he then pushes her away. Fast forward over a year later (don't quote me) and evidence suggests Albany is alive. Priest immediately sets out to find her
I was excited to read about Albany, I mean she basically orchestrated everyone's HEA and set beast free as well as fooled the church into believing her death. I was sure she was going to be strong and fierce and give Priest exactly as he deserved......um bitch where?!! BBS!! Do you hear me..... betraying body syndrome reared it's ugly head and turned this strong woman into a bubble head when it came to Priest! I was like girl Stan up!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr
Priest is what we call in the streets a lowdown lying mofo! I hated his narcissistic manipulative ass!!!!!! Like almost to Keaton levels of hate! He knew she had feelings for him for years, I mean she basically threw herself at him! Yet he used those same feelings to manipulate her! But wait let me back up. His response to thinking she's alive is to go to his once favorite prostitute to fuck the h out of his head.......he didn't go through with it but fuck me I didn't need that scene in my head! It was gross! And he was AROUSED!!!! By another woman......after having sex with the h and being celibate since her! How dare your penis even think of rising for another female!!! How dare you! And to make matters worse that's the same bitch he'd been fucking for years! His favorite prostitute if you will.....like seriously!!!!??? What the ever lovin'fuck?!!!
Anyways whew......my fingers are tired😂. There's a secret baby that felt like a prop more than anything like dang let him be cooing in the background or sumn 🤦🏾♀️
This probably would've been good but I hated Priest and wanted to smack Albany so I couldn't enjoy it. Side note I've had this book since it released and didn't notice 🙄
I rage skimmed to the end
Anyways whew..... I'm still pissed but I'm still hoping for Many's book
After h/H actually hook up he's celibate except for the attempted sex which he didn't go through with
Of course the most successful prostitute of the nunnery was a virgin
Age gap
He was fucking around with his bitch and probably others before they actually had sex
If I remember correctly she'd warned the bitch off him a couple times.....the shame🤦🏾♀️ a badass bitch would never cuz his trifling ass was the one going to her grrrrrrr
Ok ok I'm done
If you don't like cussing or spoilers please don't follow me.... I only do both 😂
Man this done fucked this series up for me!
Listen to me!!!
Albany was a badass, nonexistent, but still a badass through this series....or so we're led to believe right. She's a member of the nunnery(my poor catholic upbringing shuddered in horror) which is basically a whorehouse for members of the church. Albany however is a special little prostitute, she's able to read the men and pretend to be whoever they need..... without the sex🙄. Anyways she's recruited by Priest in a deal to save her sister. When she finally has something that she can't let the church destroy, she fakes her death and disappears.
Priest has been the gruff father figure throughout these books. He brought the guys in and trained them all. He's wanted Albany a while now but she's off limits to him.....until one night together and he then pushes her away. Fast forward over a year later (don't quote me) and evidence suggests Albany is alive. Priest immediately sets out to find her
I was excited to read about Albany, I mean she basically orchestrated everyone's HEA and set beast free as well as fooled the church into believing her death. I was sure she was going to be strong and fierce and give Priest exactly as he deserved......um bitch where?!! BBS!! Do you hear me..... betraying body syndrome reared it's ugly head and turned this strong woman into a bubble head when it came to Priest! I was like girl Stan up!!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr
Priest is what we call in the streets a lowdown lying mofo! I hated his narcissistic manipulative ass!!!!!! Like almost to Keaton levels of hate! He knew she had feelings for him for years, I mean she basically threw herself at him! Yet he used those same feelings to manipulate her! But wait let me back up. His response to thinking she's alive is to go to his once favorite prostitute to fuck the h out of his head.......he didn't go through with it but fuck me I didn't need that scene in my head! It was gross! And he was AROUSED!!!! By another woman......after having sex with the h and being celibate since her! How dare your penis even think of rising for another female!!! How dare you! And to make matters worse that's the same bitch he'd been fucking for years! His favorite prostitute if you will.....like seriously!!!!??? What the ever lovin'fuck?!!!
Anyways whew......my fingers are tired😂. There's a secret baby that felt like a prop more than anything like dang let him be cooing in the background or sumn 🤦🏾♀️
This probably would've been good but I hated Priest and wanted to smack Albany so I couldn't enjoy it. Side note I've had this book since it released and didn't notice 🙄
I rage skimmed to the end
Anyways whew..... I'm still pissed but I'm still hoping for Many's book
After h/H actually hook up he's celibate except for the attempted sex which he didn't go through with
Of course the most successful prostitute of the nunnery was a virgin
Age gap
He was fucking around with his bitch and probably others before they actually had sex
If I remember correctly she'd warned the bitch off him a couple times.....the shame🤦🏾♀️ a badass bitch would never cuz his trifling ass was the one going to her grrrrrrr
Ok ok I'm done
March 14, 2022
Woo chile, what a story!
This story was a whirlwind of scenarios. The lot was on point and kept twisting and revealing new information. Albany, aka Femme wanted to know why her mother abandoned she and her sister Brooklyn, aka Painter. She was seeking information about her family as well as faking her death to protect what meant the most to her, just like her mother. She fell in love with Nathaniel aka Priest many years her senior. He tried his best not to love her for personal reasons. Everything she thought she knew turned out different. The Church turned out to not be what it was intended to be.
Priest also had family issues. He made up his family fixation by being a mentor to his family of boys he trained for the Church. The problem comes in when they all fall in love and want a normal family life that would go against the Church's ideology.
I did not like Albany and Nathaniel's relationship. He was so controlling and cold. He was in love with her but his secret kept him from letting go. It wasn't until everything was out in the open and he knew he would lose Albany that he finally came clean with his feelings.
I did not like how this story ended, it left too much up in the air. Where is Beast, who called from ex-communication, and does everyone get their HEA, how did the DOE start and why? I guess this is an open-ended cliffhanger that I hate. We'll probably find out everyone's future in the next book. That is why I hate cliffhangers and don't read series until all of the books are out. I tend to lose interest if I can't continue to read a series in a TIMELY manner.
This book made Facebook BWSL's Top 2021 reads and was read on this recommendation.
This story was a whirlwind of scenarios. The lot was on point and kept twisting and revealing new information. Albany, aka Femme wanted to know why her mother abandoned she and her sister Brooklyn, aka Painter. She was seeking information about her family as well as faking her death to protect what meant the most to her, just like her mother. She fell in love with Nathaniel aka Priest many years her senior. He tried his best not to love her for personal reasons. Everything she thought she knew turned out different. The Church turned out to not be what it was intended to be.
Priest also had family issues. He made up his family fixation by being a mentor to his family of boys he trained for the Church. The problem comes in when they all fall in love and want a normal family life that would go against the Church's ideology.
I did not like Albany and Nathaniel's relationship. He was so controlling and cold. He was in love with her but his secret kept him from letting go. It wasn't until everything was out in the open and he knew he would lose Albany that he finally came clean with his feelings.
I did not like how this story ended, it left too much up in the air. Where is Beast, who called from ex-communication, and does everyone get their HEA, how did the DOE start and why? I guess this is an open-ended cliffhanger that I hate. We'll probably find out everyone's future in the next book. That is why I hate cliffhangers and don't read series until all of the books are out. I tend to lose interest if I can't continue to read a series in a TIMELY manner.
This book made Facebook BWSL's Top 2021 reads and was read on this recommendation.
December 30, 2021
A Bit of a Dip From Books 1 and 2
*****Spoilers*****
I'm not sure if it's me since I didn't enjoy this book as much or if it's because the story of Priest and Albany just isn't that good but I didn't like this one in the same way as the first two. There are revelations towards the end but not as satisfying I found. I liked how this book continues pulling together information from the first two, it's intriguing and adds to the enjoyment of the read.
In any case, it turns out that Albany faked her death and with clues left by Beast, the family Priest put together is able to locate Albany. We learn that the one night they shared months ago led to them having a baby, Charlie. Priest confronts Albany at her hideaway one hour from New York and it's when he discovers his son. From there, Priest and Albany hash out their issues by making stops in the bedroom, chase down leads in cases, and work with the others in the Daughters of Egypt to follow breadcrumbs and piece together a complex story around how the New York Church is run. Some of the shockers in this book are that Albany and Brooklyn have parents and those parents are alive unlike they thought, Priest was the member of the Church sent to clean the girls's mother's plate, and Malia is their cousin. I couldn't enjoy Albany and Priest because she spent so much time crying over him when he didn't show her much of anything as it relates to his love for her. From the first book, he's supposedly devastated when he thinks she's dead, but when he gets here back, none of that deeper emotion is evident or reflected in his actions. I still like Priest's character, it's funny his reactions and the stuff he says, but I was really thrown off and confused at his hesitance when it came to Albany. I also thought that even though she did such good things for Hawk and Lucien/Seth, Albany was better off a benevolent specter working her magic from the grave. The reality of Albany wasn't what I expected given what we get in the first two books.
It was just too convenient at times this one was I thought. I couldn't for the life of me understand why Priest and crew were just out and about while someone was looking for them. I couldn't help but wonder why the same technology Lucien used to track facial features couldn't be used by the people after all of them, and why no one thought to disguise themselves appropriately because of it. Too, some of the fights were ridiculous. How Albany and Emory took out 30 guards in one room by themselves was unrealistic, particularly when neither of them had many injuries. The worst was Albany getting shot by Pope because during many of the shocking revelations at the end, all of the assassins in the room lost track of him somehow and he was able to pick up a gun and shoot Albany. That Albany is breastfeeding is a good addition I found, but how she's able to spend hours and hours away from Charlie without pumping and storing the milk and also without severe pain at the fullness was another detail that didn't quite ring true.
Like the first two books, there are typos peppered throughout and some inconsistencies in places.
*****Spoilers*****
I'm not sure if it's me since I didn't enjoy this book as much or if it's because the story of Priest and Albany just isn't that good but I didn't like this one in the same way as the first two. There are revelations towards the end but not as satisfying I found. I liked how this book continues pulling together information from the first two, it's intriguing and adds to the enjoyment of the read.
In any case, it turns out that Albany faked her death and with clues left by Beast, the family Priest put together is able to locate Albany. We learn that the one night they shared months ago led to them having a baby, Charlie. Priest confronts Albany at her hideaway one hour from New York and it's when he discovers his son. From there, Priest and Albany hash out their issues by making stops in the bedroom, chase down leads in cases, and work with the others in the Daughters of Egypt to follow breadcrumbs and piece together a complex story around how the New York Church is run. Some of the shockers in this book are that Albany and Brooklyn have parents and those parents are alive unlike they thought, Priest was the member of the Church sent to clean the girls's mother's plate, and Malia is their cousin. I couldn't enjoy Albany and Priest because she spent so much time crying over him when he didn't show her much of anything as it relates to his love for her. From the first book, he's supposedly devastated when he thinks she's dead, but when he gets here back, none of that deeper emotion is evident or reflected in his actions. I still like Priest's character, it's funny his reactions and the stuff he says, but I was really thrown off and confused at his hesitance when it came to Albany. I also thought that even though she did such good things for Hawk and Lucien/Seth, Albany was better off a benevolent specter working her magic from the grave. The reality of Albany wasn't what I expected given what we get in the first two books.
It was just too convenient at times this one was I thought. I couldn't for the life of me understand why Priest and crew were just out and about while someone was looking for them. I couldn't help but wonder why the same technology Lucien used to track facial features couldn't be used by the people after all of them, and why no one thought to disguise themselves appropriately because of it. Too, some of the fights were ridiculous. How Albany and Emory took out 30 guards in one room by themselves was unrealistic, particularly when neither of them had many injuries. The worst was Albany getting shot by Pope because during many of the shocking revelations at the end, all of the assassins in the room lost track of him somehow and he was able to pick up a gun and shoot Albany. That Albany is breastfeeding is a good addition I found, but how she's able to spend hours and hours away from Charlie without pumping and storing the milk and also without severe pain at the fullness was another detail that didn't quite ring true.
Like the first two books, there are typos peppered throughout and some inconsistencies in places.
May 23, 2022
Priest is a story with themes of survival, sacrifice, second chance love, and trauma. If you like hot tempered controlling “alpha” men, poor decisions based on trauma, bad ass assassins as women, and sense of crafted family, read it. I love secret organization action plots sooooo much (I am begging for y’all to rec me some more) so I was so excited to continue on with this series. That being said I was disappointed in this book because one, it got boring half way through. I feel like there is a point in some books where there can be a continued cycle of whatever actions the characters are repeating and it makes the story boring or annoying. But Maybe that was the point, but I think that stating repetition of actions rather than a long drawn out 2-4 chapters of the same shit that makes me wanna skip. In addition, I didn’t think a lot of the dialogue in arguments or disagreements between Preist and Albany gave me much insight to them to bring them to life as actual people other than she think she bad and he think he bad. Like this alpha male, alpha female tug a war for love and safety. Rayne exectued all the elements she ussally includes: humor, pain, trauma, etc. perfectly. But the crafting of the characters just did not appeal me. I did not like priest, at all. AND THE AGE GAP???? I mean to me personally, “legal age of 18 or not…you’re like 43…that’s not weird to anyone? Anyone at all? And you knew her when she was 13… and you were just right there when she became legal? At first i thought it was typo I said, “Maybe she meant she 13 and he…13 through oh I don’t know, 13??” I dnf when i realized there wasn’t a “Ah sike , he’s her age“ or some shit. So yea…3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
This one took my shock and awe meter way past 10, you hear me? 😂 I am happily falling down the rabbit hole of the Church Series! Priest, although very gruff, demanding, and bossy, he really cares about his boys. Learning of Beasts release, and that Albany may still be alive, put his whole world in a tailspin! Then having Pope on his ass does not make the situation better at all! When I say the twists, turns, and revelations in this read had me screaming, what??? How?? Are you serious right now?? I knew that Priest trained the boys to be savages, but learning of Albany's abilities and her skill-sets blew me away! She is a force to reckoned with! So many questions were answered in this one, and for that I am glad. But, whew there is still a whole lot of mess coming down the pike, that is going to have to be dealt with! Who is above Pope, and who is now calling the shots? Is Beast really okay? Will he come and assist Priest and his brothers, if/when they need him? Ms. Reece and TR? What's up with that? I cannot wait for the next book, and the continuation of this series! Great work! 👍👍👍
September 4, 2022
Wow!
I saw some of the reviews from this book and couldn't figure out why someone would give this book a two star. I know every one has they own ideas about a book, they also said it had a whole lot of grammar issues which makes me think they couldn't have read this book, but I digress. I loved the book and hope Beast will be getting his story soon. I love Priest but didn't understand how he could treat the woman he loves like he did but I understand now. I would recommend.
I saw some of the reviews from this book and couldn't figure out why someone would give this book a two star. I know every one has they own ideas about a book, they also said it had a whole lot of grammar issues which makes me think they couldn't have read this book, but I digress. I loved the book and hope Beast will be getting his story soon. I love Priest but didn't understand how he could treat the woman he loves like he did but I understand now. I would recommend.
December 16, 2021
Church is officially back in session!! I have waited for Priest's story, and today was like Christmas, my Birthday, and Valentine's day all in one! I do not have the words to even begin to fully give justice to how incredible this book was. Tiya Rayne killed it with this book, and I am ready to read it again.
3rd book takes us to the sarcastic, cynical, and devoted Priest. As he feuds with the Pope and a deals with an issue regarding Beast he soon learns that Albany may be very much alive and hiding. Angry and upset he starts trying to put the pieces together and figure what Albany is doing and why. Although Albany has always been the one he stays silent with his love, and is adamant that them being together will never go anywhere, and it will be anything. However the wheels have turned and now his sons are the ones giving the push for him to come clean. As he puts the pieces together he encounters one devastating detail after another, and begins to question how much longer he can keep his family in place, and how long before the Church comes for them all.
Priest played so many roles since we first met him, and now we finally get his story, and the truth with him and Albany. Priest is a father, lover, leader, and a stone cold killer. Priest was extremely loyal, and loved hard. He trained and raised sons, and even though he knew that there would never be a way out of the Church he supported them and their happiness. His true saving grace was Albany and as we see their history its clear that she was not just some girl in the Nunnery, and there is more history to be explored.
As we are introduced to Albany you cant help but fall in love. The vast differences with her and Brooklyn are comical, but that sisterly bond is fierce. Albany reads people and sees their truths, and she is a driving force that holds so much together for those around her. We meet Albany and find that she is clever, beautiful, loyal, and passionate. All she does has purpose.
This book brings back everyone we love from Hawke, Brooklyn, Malia, Seth, Lucien, Many, Ari, etc.
Be prepared for the whirlwind of emotions that this book takes you through, but also be prepared for some pure chaos and comedy.
3rd book takes us to the sarcastic, cynical, and devoted Priest. As he feuds with the Pope and a deals with an issue regarding Beast he soon learns that Albany may be very much alive and hiding. Angry and upset he starts trying to put the pieces together and figure what Albany is doing and why. Although Albany has always been the one he stays silent with his love, and is adamant that them being together will never go anywhere, and it will be anything. However the wheels have turned and now his sons are the ones giving the push for him to come clean. As he puts the pieces together he encounters one devastating detail after another, and begins to question how much longer he can keep his family in place, and how long before the Church comes for them all.
Priest played so many roles since we first met him, and now we finally get his story, and the truth with him and Albany. Priest is a father, lover, leader, and a stone cold killer. Priest was extremely loyal, and loved hard. He trained and raised sons, and even though he knew that there would never be a way out of the Church he supported them and their happiness. His true saving grace was Albany and as we see their history its clear that she was not just some girl in the Nunnery, and there is more history to be explored.
As we are introduced to Albany you cant help but fall in love. The vast differences with her and Brooklyn are comical, but that sisterly bond is fierce. Albany reads people and sees their truths, and she is a driving force that holds so much together for those around her. We meet Albany and find that she is clever, beautiful, loyal, and passionate. All she does has purpose.
This book brings back everyone we love from Hawke, Brooklyn, Malia, Seth, Lucien, Many, Ari, etc.
Be prepared for the whirlwind of emotions that this book takes you through, but also be prepared for some pure chaos and comedy.
May 11, 2022
You know, if I've faked my death and am also responsible for breaking out the planet's most dangerous man, I don't think I would be running around murdering people left from right in a quest to find out who murdered my mother and subsequently topple the assassin agency -that employed me no less - in broad daylight. But that's just me. I could delve into the plot of this but it would get spoilery, so I'll just list the things about the third book in the Church series that confused me and made me frown.
1. NO SENSE OF URGENCY
- For these peoples' lives to be on the line they really were outside a lot, and acting with zero urgency, having movie nights, spa days, making babies. Because of that and so much filler, the pacing of the story suffered and erased any high stakes that could have kept you on the edge of your seat. And if they were being targeted, how were Priest and his "sons" able to kill large groups of people without anyone from the Church following them and seeing 'oh, there's Hawk one of the people we've been [not] hunting down for the alleged murder of a beloved nun'. It made no sense that none of them were being surveilled by the people they worked for.
2. PRIEST'S CONSTANT THOUGHTS THAT REEKED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
-That might can be looked at as being unserious, humorous in a specific context, but the man spent every other interaction with Fem/Albany/Aurora/Angel, the lady of many faces, thinking of strangling her because she wouldn't bow to his authority. Of course when it actually happened it was during their sex scenes of which I skipped because they involved BDSM and that's not my thing. Plus I tried not to think too hard about the optics of picturing a white man using a belt on a black woman. Yikes.
3. THE FAKED DEATH
-It absolutely served no purpose.
4. CRACKS IN CONTEXT
-There wasn't enough detail given to flesh out the fight scenes nor emotional depth given to the characters to make them seem plausible. Writing about characters being angry is easy, but getting below that surface and making it believable is trickier. When pivotal moments happened, they were underwhelming for me as the reader as I didn't get to experience any raw emotions with the characters since they were absent in Priest and Fem. If this book had just focused on solving the big mysteries they were each battling, I may have enjoyed it more. It's difficult to interject a passionate love story where blood and guts are being sprayed on the walls every five minutes.
So yeah, Twins remains my favorite book out of this series.
1. NO SENSE OF URGENCY
- For these peoples' lives to be on the line they really were outside a lot, and acting with zero urgency, having movie nights, spa days, making babies. Because of that and so much filler, the pacing of the story suffered and erased any high stakes that could have kept you on the edge of your seat. And if they were being targeted, how were Priest and his "sons" able to kill large groups of people without anyone from the Church following them and seeing 'oh, there's Hawk one of the people we've been [not] hunting down for the alleged murder of a beloved nun'. It made no sense that none of them were being surveilled by the people they worked for.
2. PRIEST'S CONSTANT THOUGHTS THAT REEKED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
-That might can be looked at as being unserious, humorous in a specific context, but the man spent every other interaction with Fem/Albany/Aurora/Angel, the lady of many faces, thinking of strangling her because she wouldn't bow to his authority. Of course when it actually happened it was during their sex scenes of which I skipped because they involved BDSM and that's not my thing. Plus I tried not to think too hard about the optics of picturing a white man using a belt on a black woman. Yikes.
3. THE FAKED DEATH
-It absolutely served no purpose.
4. CRACKS IN CONTEXT
-There wasn't enough detail given to flesh out the fight scenes nor emotional depth given to the characters to make them seem plausible. Writing about characters being angry is easy, but getting below that surface and making it believable is trickier. When pivotal moments happened, they were underwhelming for me as the reader as I didn't get to experience any raw emotions with the characters since they were absent in Priest and Fem. If this book had just focused on solving the big mysteries they were each battling, I may have enjoyed it more. It's difficult to interject a passionate love story where blood and guts are being sprayed on the walls every five minutes.
So yeah, Twins remains my favorite book out of this series.
July 6, 2024
I swear to God… I wanted to like this book….but they portrayed Albany as this bad ass Fem Fatale in the other books only for her to be a dumb bitch for priest in this book (like what the actual f*ck?) Priest is such an asshole to her through 85% of the book that by the time they tried to redeem his character, (at the very end of the book) he just seemed unredeemable to me… because of that much of the “lovey dovey”/sex scenes were cringe.
They turned Albany into a complete freakin pushover for this man. they made her completely weak to the point where it was didn’t make sense — it was such a departure from her character to me. In the other books in this series, the MMCs adored their woman and they showed it… this MF priest’s Bicch ass? Doesn’t show it much. All I feel like he does is stick his d*ck down her throat to resolve issues (literally). He tells her some really hurtful things and she barely pushes back. Albany was really unexpectedly a stupid Bicch in this book and I hate to say it….and it’s like we get it that at the end of the day she loves him and she’s always loved him since she was a girl, but I can’t reconcile the strong, independent female character that the Author portrayed Albany to be in the previous books to this stupid woman in her own book.
I really wanted to like this pair, but I never like books where the MMC is such a d*ck for most of the book, doesn’t show much emotion until like essentially the end of the book, treats the MMC like shit and then the last 3 pages of the book the author tries to redeem them . It’s hard to redeem their character by then. Priest just treats her so badly I can’t get past it…. He doesn’t grovel or beg enough for me. He’s such a shitty person that a lot of their sex scenes are cringe to me. Oh… he also doesn’t eat p*ssy enough in this book for me… made his character that much worse.
I gave it 2 stars for the other characters in the book.
They turned Albany into a complete freakin pushover for this man. they made her completely weak to the point where it was didn’t make sense — it was such a departure from her character to me. In the other books in this series, the MMCs adored their woman and they showed it… this MF priest’s Bicch ass? Doesn’t show it much. All I feel like he does is stick his d*ck down her throat to resolve issues (literally). He tells her some really hurtful things and she barely pushes back. Albany was really unexpectedly a stupid Bicch in this book and I hate to say it….and it’s like we get it that at the end of the day she loves him and she’s always loved him since she was a girl, but I can’t reconcile the strong, independent female character that the Author portrayed Albany to be in the previous books to this stupid woman in her own book.
I really wanted to like this pair, but I never like books where the MMC is such a d*ck for most of the book, doesn’t show much emotion until like essentially the end of the book, treats the MMC like shit and then the last 3 pages of the book the author tries to redeem them . It’s hard to redeem their character by then. Priest just treats her so badly I can’t get past it…. He doesn’t grovel or beg enough for me. He’s such a shitty person that a lot of their sex scenes are cringe to me. Oh… he also doesn’t eat p*ssy enough in this book for me… made his character that much worse.
I gave it 2 stars for the other characters in the book.
December 19, 2021
AMAZING!!!!
I am not sure how Ms. Rayne does it, but this is a MASTERPIECE!!!! We finally get Priest's story and it was EPIC! So many secrets revealed plus more secrets to reveal. I am left speechless. It was that good. A ghost from the past returns and then its surprise, after surprise after surprise. The heroine was stupendous and Aurora with the DOE were a force. Not to mention Emory, I love that girl! I cannot say much more without giving a way the story but suffice it to say, Ms. Rayne keeps you on your toes and when you think you have it figured out, you don't. The Harry Potter scene,, Lol. I just can't, Lol. I laughed so hard😂😂😂😂I cannot wait for the next read. Will it be Many, Beast, or Zel? I loved it and am already eagerly waiting on the next story in the Church series!
I am not sure how Ms. Rayne does it, but this is a MASTERPIECE!!!! We finally get Priest's story and it was EPIC! So many secrets revealed plus more secrets to reveal. I am left speechless. It was that good. A ghost from the past returns and then its surprise, after surprise after surprise. The heroine was stupendous and Aurora with the DOE were a force. Not to mention Emory, I love that girl! I cannot say much more without giving a way the story but suffice it to say, Ms. Rayne keeps you on your toes and when you think you have it figured out, you don't. The Harry Potter scene,, Lol. I just can't, Lol. I laughed so hard😂😂😂😂I cannot wait for the next read. Will it be Many, Beast, or Zel? I loved it and am already eagerly waiting on the next story in the Church series!
June 17, 2022
wow wee
Tiya’s done it again. What an amazing action packed fiery hot read! Enjoyed getting to know priest and love all the twists and turns she delivers in these books. So glad this isn’t the end of the church series. Can’t wait for book 4! Bring it on
Tiya’s done it again. What an amazing action packed fiery hot read! Enjoyed getting to know priest and love all the twists and turns she delivers in these books. So glad this isn’t the end of the church series. Can’t wait for book 4! Bring it on
January 4, 2022
Excellent
I have no words. This was unexpected. I’m clapping and saying “ You understood the assignment.” I really enjoyed your books. PLEASE PUT THEM ON AUDIO BOOKS. Please don’t make me wait to long for Beast and Zel’s book.
I have no words. This was unexpected. I’m clapping and saying “ You understood the assignment.” I really enjoyed your books. PLEASE PUT THEM ON AUDIO BOOKS. Please don’t make me wait to long for Beast and Zel’s book.
July 16, 2024
Good series, but this one was not my fav
My second read of this book 4 years later. I am just as cringed out and disappointed in the Priest/Albany couple as I was the last time. I was so excited to see their story because the build up of them in the other books was 💥. Now Priest is every bit the a-hole we see in the other books and some. He is emotionally unavailable, controlling/protective which leads to him emotionally manipulative and cruel to Albany throughout their dynamics. She, in turn, is a pushover for him. She has BIG abandonment issues and her attraction to him almost gave creepy. Her attraction to older men is kind of like that girl with daddy issues that wants a daddy figure/her man to heal her. Thee Albany that is the femme fatale, queen of mind games, that reads everybody with precision...is also a fool, so easily manipulated by Priest. She chases him, tries to seduce, begs for his love and acceptance till the end; starting as a 13 yo. It was creepy, weird and does not really line up with all these awesome qualities we see in her personality, abilities and "talents". Honestly Priest gave emotional/mental abuse in this book with her ...then when you figure out the secrets😲, no way was this a loving relationship. They seemed like 2 broken people using sex as their connector...no love, no trust, making dumb decisions during sex that resulted in a baby. Other discrepancies that had me confused: 1) was she 18/19 or 27 when she loses her virginity to him??? 2) what was Albany’s ethnicity? It gets scrambled in this book. Couldn't tell what her mom was either. I lost my picture of what I thought she was the longer you read. 3) TR character - how was he on the menu, then in cahoots??? He also seemed a little too clueless at the end vs who we saw in the last 2 books 4) the span of time these events happen...Priest hasn't seen her for 7 months, then it was a different time frame, the baby is three months, then how old...the other pregnancies popping up. Things were happening fast, but slower with certain parts of the storyline. I was getting lost with this book.
Good parts that still win you over: the storytelling is still top notch and the unfolding of all the mysteries. Loved seeing more of Beasts’ story unfold, sparking of Zel/Kyra, and revisit the progress with the other characters. Hot adult scenes (even though I was annoyed and skipping over some because I was so cringed out the by the couple) were hot, hot with that sort of BDSM twist. And the plot twists were💥😲, I was blown out of the water- actually gasping out loud and dropped my reader a couple times. Even though, I really could not stand the couple, the series is still fire!!!!
My second read of this book 4 years later. I am just as cringed out and disappointed in the Priest/Albany couple as I was the last time. I was so excited to see their story because the build up of them in the other books was 💥. Now Priest is every bit the a-hole we see in the other books and some. He is emotionally unavailable, controlling/protective which leads to him emotionally manipulative and cruel to Albany throughout their dynamics. She, in turn, is a pushover for him. She has BIG abandonment issues and her attraction to him almost gave creepy. Her attraction to older men is kind of like that girl with daddy issues that wants a daddy figure/her man to heal her. Thee Albany that is the femme fatale, queen of mind games, that reads everybody with precision...is also a fool, so easily manipulated by Priest. She chases him, tries to seduce, begs for his love and acceptance till the end; starting as a 13 yo. It was creepy, weird and does not really line up with all these awesome qualities we see in her personality, abilities and "talents". Honestly Priest gave emotional/mental abuse in this book with her ...then when you figure out the secrets😲, no way was this a loving relationship. They seemed like 2 broken people using sex as their connector...no love, no trust, making dumb decisions during sex that resulted in a baby. Other discrepancies that had me confused: 1) was she 18/19 or 27 when she loses her virginity to him??? 2) what was Albany’s ethnicity? It gets scrambled in this book. Couldn't tell what her mom was either. I lost my picture of what I thought she was the longer you read. 3) TR character - how was he on the menu, then in cahoots??? He also seemed a little too clueless at the end vs who we saw in the last 2 books 4) the span of time these events happen...Priest hasn't seen her for 7 months, then it was a different time frame, the baby is three months, then how old...the other pregnancies popping up. Things were happening fast, but slower with certain parts of the storyline. I was getting lost with this book.
Good parts that still win you over: the storytelling is still top notch and the unfolding of all the mysteries. Loved seeing more of Beasts’ story unfold, sparking of Zel/Kyra, and revisit the progress with the other characters. Hot adult scenes (even though I was annoyed and skipping over some because I was so cringed out the by the couple) were hot, hot with that sort of BDSM twist. And the plot twists were💥😲, I was blown out of the water- actually gasping out loud and dropped my reader a couple times. Even though, I really could not stand the couple, the series is still fire!!!!
December 19, 2021
Fun exciting series
I love this series. I love the family atmosphere in this book. I love the action & the humor, brook and priest bickering was so funny. I adore ari & many because they are so weird. I've read all of these books. I liked Albany the least of all the other heroines. She had some really cool & bad*** moments especially towards the end however the lovesick puppy routine with priest was so disappointing. Normalize women accepting when a man acts like he don't want her & she moves on. She was like a kicked puppy. No matter how he treated her, she came crawling back for more. It's unrealistic to believe she is the type of woman to voluntarily plan her escape & leave him while she acted pathetically needy whenever she was around him. Having your heroine only route to love is having no dignity is cringe worthy. The stupid girl who stubbornly loves a man who doesn't want her is trope that's been done to death, outdated, & unimaginative.
I love this series. I love the family atmosphere in this book. I love the action & the humor, brook and priest bickering was so funny. I adore ari & many because they are so weird. I've read all of these books. I liked Albany the least of all the other heroines. She had some really cool & bad*** moments especially towards the end however the lovesick puppy routine with priest was so disappointing. Normalize women accepting when a man acts like he don't want her & she moves on. She was like a kicked puppy. No matter how he treated her, she came crawling back for more. It's unrealistic to believe she is the type of woman to voluntarily plan her escape & leave him while she acted pathetically needy whenever she was around him. Having your heroine only route to love is having no dignity is cringe worthy. The stupid girl who stubbornly loves a man who doesn't want her is trope that's been done to death, outdated, & unimaginative.
January 28, 2023
AWESOME!!!
I paced myself…. I read slowly. YET, it’s not enough. I want more! Only one thing managed to shock me & in hindsight, I should have seen it. That’s the thing with Tiya, her books make you THINK.
I paced myself…. I read slowly. YET, it’s not enough. I want more! Only one thing managed to shock me & in hindsight, I should have seen it. That’s the thing with Tiya, her books make you THINK.
April 18, 2022
I want to get all the good stuff out first. I am absolutely in love with this series, from the characters to the story. For me, it’s perfect. And I’ll read on as far as I can. Tiya Rayne has such a way with words, and the life she gives these characters is out of this world. It’s not easy to have an ensemble like this and have them all work together without things overlapping too much. It’s not without predictability, but as soon as you come to the moment you expected, she pulls the rug out from under you. I was completely hooked from beginning to end.
There are some tense issues, and some things require more detachment. They’re on the run and still have time for spa days and boat rides? I don’t know about that. And with it being relatively fast-paced, the slower moments throw you for a loop. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. With the amount of plot, she makes the time to ensure that we know the characters. And. Getting those moments distracts you a bit and heightens the intensity of the reveals.
Whew. Okay. All of that said. I love the first two books and their primary and side characters. However, I barely tolerated Albany. And that's unfortunate because she has the makings of an FMC that I would love. She's unhinged and ruthless, and she meets Priest where he is. They are evenly matched in fire and bite. As the book went on, I even started to soften towards her, but I could not get over her faking her death in the way that she did.
I’m not a fan of the fake death trope, but I can usually tolerate it. That wasn't the case here. Before Albany fakes her death, she sets up the mains from the previous books for their happy endings. And you think, okay, she faked her death for their happiness. She was probably running from an outside force. Nope. She was pregnant and wanted to keep her son safe. Now. This is a good motivation, and it isn’t what bothers me. What bothers me is that she had the awareness to get herself out of this sticky situation, cloaking herself to keep her son safe while under the impression that she's also keeping her family safe, and it just falls flat.
In setting her family up for their happy endings, she puts them in more danger. She believes herself to be some martyr. These were selfless acts to keep them safe, but they’re in the same predicament she’s in. What did she think would happen when these folks got their “happily ever afters”? Would they also be able to walk away from the Church without their lives being at risk? Would they somehow be in less danger because she’s gone? She knew her son wouldn’t be safe, so she got them out of there. But she also knew the future that Hawk, Seth, Lucien, Brooklyn, and even Malia longed for. Did she think that the Church’s rules would change for them? I struggled to understand this reasoning. I still do.
She keeps a son from his father. She allows her family to mourn her, and then she just…walks away with no intention to return. And through it all, she thinks she’s doing them a favor. She isn’t the only one to do this, but it stings more because all she accomplished could’ve been done while "alive." She knew how to move in silence. Instead, she hid only for them to end up in the same place they would've been had she chosen not to fake her death.
All that said. I've had two books to get used to Priest, so I didn't mind him as much here as in the first book. We also got to see more of his connection with his boys, and the authenticity of those connections surprised me.
I'm looking forward to learning more about them as a family and am eager to see if they'll succeed in taking down the Church. Hopefully, my stance on Albany will evolve.
There are some tense issues, and some things require more detachment. They’re on the run and still have time for spa days and boat rides? I don’t know about that. And with it being relatively fast-paced, the slower moments throw you for a loop. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing. With the amount of plot, she makes the time to ensure that we know the characters. And. Getting those moments distracts you a bit and heightens the intensity of the reveals.
Whew. Okay. All of that said. I love the first two books and their primary and side characters. However, I barely tolerated Albany. And that's unfortunate because she has the makings of an FMC that I would love. She's unhinged and ruthless, and she meets Priest where he is. They are evenly matched in fire and bite. As the book went on, I even started to soften towards her, but I could not get over her faking her death in the way that she did.
I’m not a fan of the fake death trope, but I can usually tolerate it. That wasn't the case here. Before Albany fakes her death, she sets up the mains from the previous books for their happy endings. And you think, okay, she faked her death for their happiness. She was probably running from an outside force. Nope. She was pregnant and wanted to keep her son safe. Now. This is a good motivation, and it isn’t what bothers me. What bothers me is that she had the awareness to get herself out of this sticky situation, cloaking herself to keep her son safe while under the impression that she's also keeping her family safe, and it just falls flat.
In setting her family up for their happy endings, she puts them in more danger. She believes herself to be some martyr. These were selfless acts to keep them safe, but they’re in the same predicament she’s in. What did she think would happen when these folks got their “happily ever afters”? Would they also be able to walk away from the Church without their lives being at risk? Would they somehow be in less danger because she’s gone? She knew her son wouldn’t be safe, so she got them out of there. But she also knew the future that Hawk, Seth, Lucien, Brooklyn, and even Malia longed for. Did she think that the Church’s rules would change for them? I struggled to understand this reasoning. I still do.
She keeps a son from his father. She allows her family to mourn her, and then she just…walks away with no intention to return. And through it all, she thinks she’s doing them a favor. She isn’t the only one to do this, but it stings more because all she accomplished could’ve been done while "alive." She knew how to move in silence. Instead, she hid only for them to end up in the same place they would've been had she chosen not to fake her death.
All that said. I've had two books to get used to Priest, so I didn't mind him as much here as in the first book. We also got to see more of his connection with his boys, and the authenticity of those connections surprised me.
I'm looking forward to learning more about them as a family and am eager to see if they'll succeed in taking down the Church. Hopefully, my stance on Albany will evolve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2021
Church is in session…..I kept trying to think about how I was going to write this review. What comes to mind as I replay this book is that opening to that movie “Baby Driver”. If you haven’t seen it then please YouTube the opening and man does that pretty much sum up this book for me. Priest throughout the book pissed me off because I felt how Albanys twin Brooklyn felt stop stringing along my sis and grow a pair, but Priest and his presence will not be denied. With all is corks ultimately lays a man who felt un-deserving of the woman he was in love with. I loved the scenes with his sons because they gave us a glimpse of who Priest and his impact on these young mens lives. Having a chance to see Hawk, Beast, Many, and the Twins evolved into men and fathers is a testament to how Priest raise them. Through the eyes of his sons and Albany Priest character began to really grow on me. With that this book had a lot of twists and turns like when you thought the book was heading in one direction BAM Tiya just took you somewhere else. If you have not read the other books please do yourself a favor and start with Hawk.
Like I said in my previous review for “Twins” I knew Albany was alive all along. Her character did not disappoint in the least she kinda of reminds me of Val (Blue Saffire character in Hush). Head strong, dangerous but incredibly loyal, a heart of gold well until you come for hers and with all her strength there is a vulnerability that makes her relatable. Although I’m not down with older men there was no denying that Priest was Albanys perfect match.
As great as Albany & Priest were in this book I would be remiss to not mention the return of previous couples and characters like little Emory, Hawk & Brooklyn, Twins & Malia, Ari & Many, Beast, and Ms. Renee. These characters showed up and showed out being the forces and the reason to get Priest to move past his fears and claim his women. Brooklyn had me dying laughing with her banter between her and Priest (that geriatrics joke no lie had tears from laughing). Im not quite sure whose story will be next but I pray it’s Beast. The book leaves on a cliffhanger so just be prepared but I’m ready.
On a side note Mrs. Tiya not sure if you are even considering this but DOE need books. I’m very very interested.
Like I said in my previous review for “Twins” I knew Albany was alive all along. Her character did not disappoint in the least she kinda of reminds me of Val (Blue Saffire character in Hush). Head strong, dangerous but incredibly loyal, a heart of gold well until you come for hers and with all her strength there is a vulnerability that makes her relatable. Although I’m not down with older men there was no denying that Priest was Albanys perfect match.
As great as Albany & Priest were in this book I would be remiss to not mention the return of previous couples and characters like little Emory, Hawk & Brooklyn, Twins & Malia, Ari & Many, Beast, and Ms. Renee. These characters showed up and showed out being the forces and the reason to get Priest to move past his fears and claim his women. Brooklyn had me dying laughing with her banter between her and Priest (that geriatrics joke no lie had tears from laughing). Im not quite sure whose story will be next but I pray it’s Beast. The book leaves on a cliffhanger so just be prepared but I’m ready.
On a side note Mrs. Tiya not sure if you are even considering this but DOE need books. I’m very very interested.
August 12, 2024
It’s a 4.5 even though I didn’t read it
Okay, the title sounds bad, but let me explain. And just so you know, this review is going to have hella spoilers, so read at your own peril.
I absolutely love these stories. I love how everything is unfolding, the action, the characters the steam, the plot. It’s all chefs kiss. But here’s my issue, which started in book two and has now boiled over into book three. Why tf do all these unhinged people pop out children like RIGHT AWAY? They just barely realized they’re capable of love and being loved—why are children the immediate next step? This is probably a personal—no, this is a personal issue because firstly, I don’t think children are the end all be all to make a happy couple. I would have loved to see the couples cultivate their relationships with each other, between running for their lives from the Church, between shaking off the fact that they have been straight-up murderers their entire lives before just being like, okay, I love you. You love me, and baby makes three. Like, please…give it a rest. Especially since these people all have childhood trauma AND the organization they work for would kill their families if they were ever found out. Sounds like a great idea for every single one of them to not only get a woman involved—which this is believable and not so annoying since the woman is at least a consenting adult. But then to add kids is just sooo 😡😡😡
For Hawk, having kids made sense for his personality. Yes, he was an assassin like the rest. But he is also the most “normal” of the group who almost wasn’t even cut out for the life—as stated in the books a few times. But Twin? Having a little assassin adoptive child made sense, but then immediately knocking Malia up was annoying. And then we have Priest’s story. I was excited af to read his because he’s been the a-hole, but loving “father” to this little group, and despite a lot of readers not liking him, I vibed with his douchey attitude. HOWEVER the moment Albany appeared talking about a baby I was so over reading this one. Because OF COURSE she and Priest had a baby the one time they hooked up. She loved him, and in this world love=immediate baby. Smex with the MMC=immediate baby. 😴 I literally skimmed so I could get the gist of the plot and the twists, and then read Priests confessions at the end (cause those are great), but I just could not with the rest of the book.
The writing feels so lazy when it comes to the relationships because every single one of these stories ends and or begins with babies. And it’s sad because there is much more to a family/happy endings besides meeting, f@#ing and instant baby.
Here I was, so stoked to read Beast's story, only to get into this one and find out HE TOO, has a child, and he is admittedly the most unhinged one of the bunch. It would have been so cool and satisfying to see one story in this series where the couple just worked on getting past their traumas, cultivating their love, and trust. But alas, in this world, you only get a happy ending if you have a baby. Otherwise, the whole relationship is null and void (probably just like I sound 🙄)
Okay, the title sounds bad, but let me explain. And just so you know, this review is going to have hella spoilers, so read at your own peril.
I absolutely love these stories. I love how everything is unfolding, the action, the characters the steam, the plot. It’s all chefs kiss. But here’s my issue, which started in book two and has now boiled over into book three. Why tf do all these unhinged people pop out children like RIGHT AWAY? They just barely realized they’re capable of love and being loved—why are children the immediate next step? This is probably a personal—no, this is a personal issue because firstly, I don’t think children are the end all be all to make a happy couple. I would have loved to see the couples cultivate their relationships with each other, between running for their lives from the Church, between shaking off the fact that they have been straight-up murderers their entire lives before just being like, okay, I love you. You love me, and baby makes three. Like, please…give it a rest. Especially since these people all have childhood trauma AND the organization they work for would kill their families if they were ever found out. Sounds like a great idea for every single one of them to not only get a woman involved—which this is believable and not so annoying since the woman is at least a consenting adult. But then to add kids is just sooo 😡😡😡
For Hawk, having kids made sense for his personality. Yes, he was an assassin like the rest. But he is also the most “normal” of the group who almost wasn’t even cut out for the life—as stated in the books a few times. But Twin? Having a little assassin adoptive child made sense, but then immediately knocking Malia up was annoying. And then we have Priest’s story. I was excited af to read his because he’s been the a-hole, but loving “father” to this little group, and despite a lot of readers not liking him, I vibed with his douchey attitude. HOWEVER the moment Albany appeared talking about a baby I was so over reading this one. Because OF COURSE she and Priest had a baby the one time they hooked up. She loved him, and in this world love=immediate baby. Smex with the MMC=immediate baby. 😴 I literally skimmed so I could get the gist of the plot and the twists, and then read Priests confessions at the end (cause those are great), but I just could not with the rest of the book.
The writing feels so lazy when it comes to the relationships because every single one of these stories ends and or begins with babies. And it’s sad because there is much more to a family/happy endings besides meeting, f@#ing and instant baby.
Here I was, so stoked to read Beast's story, only to get into this one and find out HE TOO, has a child, and he is admittedly the most unhinged one of the bunch. It would have been so cool and satisfying to see one story in this series where the couple just worked on getting past their traumas, cultivating their love, and trust. But alas, in this world, you only get a happy ending if you have a baby. Otherwise, the whole relationship is null and void (probably just like I sound 🙄)
June 26, 2024
Priest by Tiya Rayne is the third book in her Church Series. I have had this particular book on my Kindle since January of 2022. I devoured books one and two (Hawk and Twins) but held on to Priest because I wanted to be able to read the next in the series without too much waiting. Anticipation is a cruel mistress. Imagine my joy when Ms. Rayne released Beast, book one! Priest is just as amazing as I anticipated and more emotionally taxing than I could have ever imagined. In the first two books, Priest was an intimidating presence in the periphery of each story, firmly in control and guiding his “sons” as they navigated through the complexities of church business and the many mechanisms involved. At the end of book two and in a stunning twist, Ms. Rayne upends a pivotal portion of the plot from book one, setting up the action for the Priest and Fem (Albany/Aurora) clash. And what a clash it is! Fem is like a chameleon, she represents someone/something different to each person in her orbit…. each person in the book has a different name for her. Priest was gutted when it appeared that Fem had died; however, he doesn’t let her see how her loss affected him, he only shows her his anger and distrust. As usual Ms. Rayne gives us a complex story with many moving pieces. The Daughters of Egypt, the Church, Priest and his boys AND Fem all have intersecting and sometimes opposing agendas. I really enjoyed this no-holds-barred story and felt that I now have more clarity about the dynamics of this unusual group and really look forward to seeing what message Beast is sending! I especially loved the added story at the end about Priest and his care for his young deacons.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/priest...
https://theretiredreader.com/f/priest...
Read
January 2, 2022DNF @64%
Finally giving up on this one after weeks of slow, frustrating progress.
Round and round in circles and too much filler about things not connected to the overall Church plots. Obvious foreshadowing that make for disappointing reveals/twists (same as with the 2nd book -- how that "twist" surprised so many when the reveal is given away in the prologue, I'll never understand. The 1st book was done well in that regard though).
SUPER cringy and GROSS age gap situation (he's known her since she was LITERALLY a child and then she's fair game at 18 -- disgusting).
I think authors really need to start paying more attention to their timelines and writing BELIEVABLE accomplishments and skills for their characters. All these early-mid twenties super skilled and highly competent people are a stretch. Some things really take age and experience to be believed. I just found this one to be so slow and repetitive and I just didn't care about Albany (especially) or Albany and Priest together (I'm also not a fan of women using children against men simply because those men aren't doing what the women want). Even after the disappointment of book 2 (for me), I was still interesed in Priest (that lowered significantly when I realised he would be paired with childish Albany) and was looking forward to the book, which makes how boring it was annoying. As much as I like the idea of Beast, I'm not sure this series is for me anymore. Which is a shame because Hawk was so good and promising.
Finally giving up on this one after weeks of slow, frustrating progress.
Round and round in circles and too much filler about things not connected to the overall Church plots. Obvious foreshadowing that make for disappointing reveals/twists (same as with the 2nd book -- how that "twist" surprised so many when the reveal is given away in the prologue, I'll never understand. The 1st book was done well in that regard though).
SUPER cringy and GROSS age gap situation (he's known her since she was LITERALLY a child and then she's fair game at 18 -- disgusting).
I think authors really need to start paying more attention to their timelines and writing BELIEVABLE accomplishments and skills for their characters. All these early-mid twenties super skilled and highly competent people are a stretch. Some things really take age and experience to be believed. I just found this one to be so slow and repetitive and I just didn't care about Albany (especially) or Albany and Priest together (I'm also not a fan of women using children against men simply because those men aren't doing what the women want). Even after the disappointment of book 2 (for me), I was still interesed in Priest (that lowered significantly when I realised he would be paired with childish Albany) and was looking forward to the book, which makes how boring it was annoying. As much as I like the idea of Beast, I'm not sure this series is for me anymore. Which is a shame because Hawk was so good and promising.
December 17, 2021
Trust the process!
I almost didn't like priest. He is extremely controlling and borderline mentally abusive. But I've been a Tiya Rayne fan for some time now, and I just kept telling myself to trust the process. IM SO GLAD I DID. The reveals at the end makes some sense of why he is the way he is, but I still feel as though Albany *and everyone else* should have been calling him out on his shit alot more. The story was AMAZING and put so many pieces together. I am wondering how the last book will play out since we don't have the story of many, zel and beast yet, but I'm excited to find out! Also, can we PLEASE not have anymore damn near 30 yr old virgins, or submissive women? It's been done entirely too much and it would be fantastic to finally see a black woman who is sexually expressive, dominate in and out of the bedroom and actually teaches the man something in the bedroom for once. Black women aren't a monolith, and portraying us as submissive sexually inexperienced virgins is getting quite exhausting.
I almost didn't like priest. He is extremely controlling and borderline mentally abusive. But I've been a Tiya Rayne fan for some time now, and I just kept telling myself to trust the process. IM SO GLAD I DID. The reveals at the end makes some sense of why he is the way he is, but I still feel as though Albany *and everyone else* should have been calling him out on his shit alot more. The story was AMAZING and put so many pieces together. I am wondering how the last book will play out since we don't have the story of many, zel and beast yet, but I'm excited to find out! Also, can we PLEASE not have anymore damn near 30 yr old virgins, or submissive women? It's been done entirely too much and it would be fantastic to finally see a black woman who is sexually expressive, dominate in and out of the bedroom and actually teaches the man something in the bedroom for once. Black women aren't a monolith, and portraying us as submissive sexually inexperienced virgins is getting quite exhausting.
December 18, 2021
Priest and the Church
This is a complex multilayered story. With multidimensional quirky characters, with special talents. Their vividly defined traits add to the depth of the storytelling. Priest and Albany has so much history and there are so many secrets, hidden agendas, other pockets of situations going on with the Church and the family. Albany is struggling with finding her identity and feeling a sense of belonging and connection. Unsure if she will allow her loved ones, family and friends to know the real Albany. Priest has a devastating secret that consumes him. He chooses to deny his love and closes his heart.... or does he...Does Priest redeem himself with some of his questionable behavior..we will find ....This book has you on the edge of your seat, there are scenes you read that catch you by surprise, hilarious moments, you even get a little teary eyed, there's intensity and steamy chemistry. Settle in your comfy chair with your favorite beverage and read this antsy, riveting, intriguing third book of the Church series.
This is a complex multilayered story. With multidimensional quirky characters, with special talents. Their vividly defined traits add to the depth of the storytelling. Priest and Albany has so much history and there are so many secrets, hidden agendas, other pockets of situations going on with the Church and the family. Albany is struggling with finding her identity and feeling a sense of belonging and connection. Unsure if she will allow her loved ones, family and friends to know the real Albany. Priest has a devastating secret that consumes him. He chooses to deny his love and closes his heart.... or does he...Does Priest redeem himself with some of his questionable behavior..we will find ....This book has you on the edge of your seat, there are scenes you read that catch you by surprise, hilarious moments, you even get a little teary eyed, there's intensity and steamy chemistry. Settle in your comfy chair with your favorite beverage and read this antsy, riveting, intriguing third book of the Church series.
January 9, 2022
Priest!
I loved this book!! It is not your typical girl falls in love with boy type of HEA. Priest is older, he’s a boss he’s sexy, and he’s dark. Albany is bad a$$, she’s stubborn, she has daddy issues, she’s smart and she’s been in love with Priest since she was a teen. I did want to see more intimacy between the two but in the end I understood why he didn’t let his guard down. As much as he didn’t let his guard he didn’t play about Albany. Priest was definitely selfish because he wouldn’t take her for himself but he wanted no one else to have her.
I truly enjoyed their dark relationship. I loved all the twist and turns. Trying to keep up with what was going on made the book even more interesting. I didn’t realize there would be another book but I’m all for it. I love their unit and reading about the all others. My favs are still Twin and Malia I would read about them all day but I definitely want more intimacy between Priest and Albany.
This book didn’t disappoint had me reading before I went to work, at work, and right before bed for the last 3 days!
I loved this book!! It is not your typical girl falls in love with boy type of HEA. Priest is older, he’s a boss he’s sexy, and he’s dark. Albany is bad a$$, she’s stubborn, she has daddy issues, she’s smart and she’s been in love with Priest since she was a teen. I did want to see more intimacy between the two but in the end I understood why he didn’t let his guard down. As much as he didn’t let his guard he didn’t play about Albany. Priest was definitely selfish because he wouldn’t take her for himself but he wanted no one else to have her.
I truly enjoyed their dark relationship. I loved all the twist and turns. Trying to keep up with what was going on made the book even more interesting. I didn’t realize there would be another book but I’m all for it. I love their unit and reading about the all others. My favs are still Twin and Malia I would read about them all day but I definitely want more intimacy between Priest and Albany.
This book didn’t disappoint had me reading before I went to work, at work, and right before bed for the last 3 days!
July 5, 2024
😍😍😍Father Priest-Best Romantic Suspense🏆
Tiya- long may she Rayne as the 👸🏼of Ronantic Suspense😀🥳🙌🏽. Priest had me so completely engaged, I honestly struggled to put it down to do my IRL responsibilities 😅. While being an apex- alpha dominant, cunning, lethal assassin, Priest- AKA Nathaniel, built a family in which he raised his sons with love, loyalty & understanding to overcome their most challenging mental & physical disabilities & turn them into incredible strengths! This allowed them to not only survive, but to brilliantly thrive & find love with wonderful women🥲🙌🏽.His lady love Fem ( AKA Albany) is an equally strong alpha with unsurpassed assassin skills, who loves him with every fiber of her being & her whole ♥️🫶🏾!! I really did love to see the mighty Priest grovel to win her back, after he screwed up & almost lose her( swoon 🥰) This is just a fantastic 📕filled with suspense , drama , non- stop action & hell 🔥🔥🔥uber 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵🥵🥵Romance. 📚3 ends on a cliffy as well , so I’m off to Priest’ other son’s book…Beast, which is gonna be lit. 🍷Happy Reading😀
Tiya- long may she Rayne as the 👸🏼of Ronantic Suspense😀🥳🙌🏽. Priest had me so completely engaged, I honestly struggled to put it down to do my IRL responsibilities 😅. While being an apex- alpha dominant, cunning, lethal assassin, Priest- AKA Nathaniel, built a family in which he raised his sons with love, loyalty & understanding to overcome their most challenging mental & physical disabilities & turn them into incredible strengths! This allowed them to not only survive, but to brilliantly thrive & find love with wonderful women🥲🙌🏽.His lady love Fem ( AKA Albany) is an equally strong alpha with unsurpassed assassin skills, who loves him with every fiber of her being & her whole ♥️🫶🏾!! I really did love to see the mighty Priest grovel to win her back, after he screwed up & almost lose her( swoon 🥰) This is just a fantastic 📕filled with suspense , drama , non- stop action & hell 🔥🔥🔥uber 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵🥵🥵Romance. 📚3 ends on a cliffy as well , so I’m off to Priest’ other son’s book…Beast, which is gonna be lit. 🍷Happy Reading😀
December 14, 2024
Wow, this story! Crafting a rich and immersive world in a paranormal romance requires meticulous attention to detail. When done right, it can be breathtaking; when done poorly, it falls flat. Ms. Rayne is doing her thing with this Church series! I genuinely adore the entire cast of characters.
I am completely obsessed with an age-gap trope, and when you throw in a thrilling, suspenseful plot? All of the yes, please! This series gives off Black Dagger Brotherhood meets The Boys vibes, and I am here for it! Priest is definitely the standout book in the series. The chemistry between Aurora and Nathaniel? 👀 Alright alright alright. Nathaniel is a dick, but I absolutely loved him because he’s a tolerable dick who is rough around the edges and relatively relatable. Let me tell you, the intimate scenes were on another level compared to the previous installment—so steamy! 🥵 While there were a few minor things that irked me, I can’t help but give this gem a glowing 4.5 stars, which I’ll round up to a perfect 5!
I am completely obsessed with an age-gap trope, and when you throw in a thrilling, suspenseful plot? All of the yes, please! This series gives off Black Dagger Brotherhood meets The Boys vibes, and I am here for it! Priest is definitely the standout book in the series. The chemistry between Aurora and Nathaniel? 👀 Alright alright alright. Nathaniel is a dick, but I absolutely loved him because he’s a tolerable dick who is rough around the edges and relatively relatable. Let me tell you, the intimate scenes were on another level compared to the previous installment—so steamy! 🥵 While there were a few minor things that irked me, I can’t help but give this gem a glowing 4.5 stars, which I’ll round up to a perfect 5!
August 14, 2022
loving the series, just not this book.
I’m really loving the series. I like how we are learning about the different individuals. Piecing things together. I cannot wait to find out who God is. I really can’t wait to learn about Beast & ManyI hope Zel finds somebody.
I did not like this book because I felt like the animosity between Priest and Albany was a little excessive. Additionally, the use/mixing of all the code names and real names was a little much. At times it was hard to keep up because Albany has like three or four names. The two names between the characters is fine, they’re real name in their codename. However, as people start having so many different names and then there’s so much going on it gets to be a little confusing.
Overall I do like how the plat played out even though it was drawn out, I think, and could’ve been shortened. Can’t wait until the next installment of the series.
I’m really loving the series. I like how we are learning about the different individuals. Piecing things together. I cannot wait to find out who God is. I really can’t wait to learn about Beast & ManyI hope Zel finds somebody.
I did not like this book because I felt like the animosity between Priest and Albany was a little excessive. Additionally, the use/mixing of all the code names and real names was a little much. At times it was hard to keep up because Albany has like three or four names. The two names between the characters is fine, they’re real name in their codename. However, as people start having so many different names and then there’s so much going on it gets to be a little confusing.
Overall I do like how the plat played out even though it was drawn out, I think, and could’ve been shortened. Can’t wait until the next installment of the series.
December 16, 2022
She’s done it again!
All I have left to say at this point is she’s done it again lol. Half the reveals I guessed, some I half-guessed and some I didn’t see coming at all. And one of them I damn near had an existential crisis.
As usual the laughs were hilarious, the spice was extra spicy, and the supporting characters were so well done. Loved seeing Emory and the DOE again, getting more answers on Albany, Priest, and Malia, and enjoyed the little “Priest’s Confessions Part 2” short of Priest recruiting Many and finally getting the answers to his voices. So happy for him and Ari and now I just need to see Zel and Kyra getting together and Beast’s story. He’s intrigued me from his first mention in Hawk’s book and I loved getting more and more answers on him, especially how observant, caring and smart he really is. I need to know what happens with his family, why the previous Pope wanted Priest to recruit him, and what happens with his fight with “God”.
All I have left to say at this point is she’s done it again lol. Half the reveals I guessed, some I half-guessed and some I didn’t see coming at all. And one of them I damn near had an existential crisis.
As usual the laughs were hilarious, the spice was extra spicy, and the supporting characters were so well done. Loved seeing Emory and the DOE again, getting more answers on Albany, Priest, and Malia, and enjoyed the little “Priest’s Confessions Part 2” short of Priest recruiting Many and finally getting the answers to his voices. So happy for him and Ari and now I just need to see Zel and Kyra getting together and Beast’s story. He’s intrigued me from his first mention in Hawk’s book and I loved getting more and more answers on him, especially how observant, caring and smart he really is. I need to know what happens with his family, why the previous Pope wanted Priest to recruit him, and what happens with his fight with “God”.
December 18, 2021
Ready for Church!!
Confessions and secrets revealed is an understatement with this book! Priest was just mean with his comments but he cared for his family. Some of his comments had me cracking up. They were downright mean but hey what do you expect from a man like him. The secrets that came out, the action pack scenes that were swirled and wrapped up in the romance between Priest and Fem were wonderful. Tiya has a gift to write her scenes that play out like a mini movie while you read them. Not many have mastered this but Tiya definitely has! I loved Priest's relationship with Albany and the rest of the Church members. I enjoyed reading about everyone else especially Many, he never fails to entertain me. The best part of the book IMO is at the very end. I'm not giving anything away but I LOVED how Tiya ended this book. Another Excellent story as always Tiya, you never disappoint!
Confessions and secrets revealed is an understatement with this book! Priest was just mean with his comments but he cared for his family. Some of his comments had me cracking up. They were downright mean but hey what do you expect from a man like him. The secrets that came out, the action pack scenes that were swirled and wrapped up in the romance between Priest and Fem were wonderful. Tiya has a gift to write her scenes that play out like a mini movie while you read them. Not many have mastered this but Tiya definitely has! I loved Priest's relationship with Albany and the rest of the Church members. I enjoyed reading about everyone else especially Many, he never fails to entertain me. The best part of the book IMO is at the very end. I'm not giving anything away but I LOVED how Tiya ended this book. Another Excellent story as always Tiya, you never disappoint!
January 7, 2022
Masterly!!
This book deserved the 5 stars most reviewers gave it. Priest the father of a dysfunctional set of assassins and Albany their "mother" figure. I use that term very loosely as Albany gives each of these men what they need as she understands them. That is part of her gift. So these strong protagonists, have different issues and though they love each other, neither character is willing to back down. This story is filled with twists and turns as we meet the characters from the previous books! I do this I the end was slightly rushed and Priest's change of character was stretching it a little too far; it would have been more humorous to have his "sons" persuading him to sing to Albany!! To fully appreciate the plot and characters, you need to read the first two books!!
Tiya you have written a masterly piece, I await with baited breath your next book!!
This book deserved the 5 stars most reviewers gave it. Priest the father of a dysfunctional set of assassins and Albany their "mother" figure. I use that term very loosely as Albany gives each of these men what they need as she understands them. That is part of her gift. So these strong protagonists, have different issues and though they love each other, neither character is willing to back down. This story is filled with twists and turns as we meet the characters from the previous books! I do this I the end was slightly rushed and Priest's change of character was stretching it a little too far; it would have been more humorous to have his "sons" persuading him to sing to Albany!! To fully appreciate the plot and characters, you need to read the first two books!!
Tiya you have written a masterly piece, I await with baited breath your next book!!
January 7, 2022
I liked Priest, but it could have been better. Tiya Rayne b usually does a good job of showing the characters fall in love, but she didn't do that here. Albany and Nathaniel are supposed to be in love, but their relationship felt hollow. Outside of the sex, I didn't get any real emotional connection between them. There should have been flashbacks, so the audience could experience their growing feelings for each. Albany is in love with Nathaniel and I don't know why. However, I liked that Albany could kick butt, and that she did what she thought was best for the people she loved. I also liked the family dynamic between Priest and the boys. He treats them like his sons and not weapons. I thought the family living together was nice touch. All the characters were entertaining.
I'm patiently waiting for Gabriel's story, and I hope it had a fully fleshed out love story.
I'm patiently waiting for Gabriel's story, and I hope it had a fully fleshed out love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews