Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good Beginning But...
Comment: Interesting story that starts off well but in the last fourth of the book ultimaltely takes a turn towards the unrealistic, corny, and predictable in a big way. I really wanted to like this book to the end but too often improbale reactions and dialog turn the characters into unbelievable personalities with unlikely qualities.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Golden Crown Literary Society award nominee finalist
Comment: Fascinating, Riveting Novel! Fast paced and utterly readable. This is an immensely entertaining book. Superior writing.
This is a page turner and makes an excellent beach or airplane read. Be prepared this is a bloody and violent story, chock full of unforgivable actions. The thirty-something leads are unforgettable.
Cain Casey is a New Orleans Mafia Crime Boss and makes a fascinating anti-hero. The fantastic supporting characters include 11 year old Hayden who is amazingly mature due to circumstances beyond his control.
This is a hugely popular book, I don't know anyone who has read it and not loved it.
I really enjoy this author's writing and look forward to reading her next novels. My favorites are the author's two romances 'Carly's Sound' and 'Second Season' - don't miss them!!
The sequel 'The Devil Unleashed' is available now.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Real Page Turner
Comment: This is a wonderful first novel. I have read earlier reviews and do generally concur. More detail/attention should have been paid to their physical features. Cain had lush, dark hair and blue eyes. Okay. Emma had blonde hair and green eyes. Okay. I was also keenly aware of something being missing though and finally realized that the physical relationship between Cain and Emma hadn't, for me, been sufficiently grounded from the beginning of the book. The earlier flashbacks were done well but failed to address what was missing, the history of/longing for their intense sexual attraction/desire. There was one scene and it was very nice but there was no volatile sexual chemistry woven throughout the story. I am not bemoaning a lack of explicit sexual scenes, but near the end when Emma felt a bolt of sexual energy/arousal when Cain touched her in the hospital room - there should have been more of that. And Cain was so completely shut down. What a soldier! Even when we believe she's bad for us, our feelings, emotional and sexual, will disagree with our brains. I didn't get any of that turmoil from Cain. Hayden was a very engaging youngster of 11, but smart or not, no 11 year old can sustain the depth of conversations and demonstrate the insight he did. He was just too young to be credible. Even Hannah at 4 was too young to be completely believed for some of her dialogue. I had trouble with those three areas. That distracted me throughout the read. But, I have already ordered the sequel because I really, really loved the story. It was engaging and entertaining and there are many fine lessons for all of us in there. Ali is a talented storyteller and I recommend this highly!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Must Have More
Comment: Like all of the other reviewers here, I absolutely loved this book. It is a must read that grabs your attention from the very beginning and holds on tight to it until you finish. Which won't take you too long as you will find yourself unable to put this book down. The only drawback that I see is in waiting for the next book in the series. I truly recommend buying both books together so you don't have any down time in between. Kudos to Vali for her vibrant writing.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Comment: Kudos to Ms. Vali! Her characterization and style of writing is superb. I felt very connected to Mama Bear Cain, and although I could never imagine leaving my child, I felt equally strong about Emma and her choices. It takes real talent for a writer to make this reader tear up and feel like I have a stake in the characters' decisions. Truly a joy to read, I've already recommended this book to every person looking for a page turner. Did I mention I work in a bookstore?? :)
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