A Demon Awaits [Paperback]

CJ West (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2008

A DEMON AWAITS

I love the ever changing dynamics of the characters from one book to the next. If you like thrillers with a great story line and intriguing characters, you'll love A Demon Awaits. --Reader Mom

I am amazed that you can take a character I hate and make me root for him. What genius and talent! --Pam

SIN AND VENGEANCE

...the book was spellbinding. The plotting is brilliant, and Randy is an exquisite character, an evil genius for the modern age. --Debra Hamel

C.J. West delivers, from the highly erotic opening scene to the chilling conclusion. Sin & Vengeance is a provocative page-turner brimming with intrigue and heart-pounding suspense. --Alynn

THE END OF MARKING TIME

... West has brilliantly portrayed a world gone crazy where the rule is there are no rules, or are they. Crime fiction meets science fiction in this awesome thriller." --Book Bitch

Powerful, thought provoking and massively entertaining... I loved this book and the way it made me root for someone who I knew I shouldn't like. --CrimeSquad.com

ADDICTED TO LOVE

This book had me so hooked. I loved the plot ... unique and creative [with] just the right about of romance, sexuality, thrills, mystery, and just plain crazy ... --Tiffany Harkleroad, Tiffany's Bookshelf

CJ's latest offering is a blend of the thrillers we come to expect from him and a new touch of romance, actually a little steamier than just any old romance, so I like to call it a "steamy thriller." --Roxanne



From the moment Randy Black appears in CJ West's novel, Sin and Vengeance, he is consumed with a lust for revenge. Randy is so obsessed that he plans to sacrifice himself to destroy the man who has taken his rightful place. Randy delivers retribution in spectacular fashion, but his suicide mission takes an unexpected twist. Randy survives, his blood cools, and he doesn't know what to do next.

A Demon Awaits is the second book in the Randy Black series and as the book opens, Randy sees his future. Horrific torture lies ahead if he doesn't change course. He's given a chance to atone for his mistakes. He latches on and begins the difficult journey to rebuild the life that tragedy stole from him 15 years earlier, but questions haunt his every step. Is he worthy of forgiveness? Can God forgive him? Can he forgive himself?

Earthly trials impede Randy at every turn. Randy is threatened and beaten. He's repeatedly tempted to lash out and undo the spiritual progress he's made. Randy resists only to discover that he's being manipulated by Tom Gold, his own defense attorney. Finally, Randy is ready to strike back, but there are limits to what he can do. Sin carries weighty consequences in the afterlife and Randy is out of second chances.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A Demon Awaits is a stunning thriller that will have you turning pages to the end and then keep you talking for weeks to come. In Sin and Vengeance, CJ West creates Randy Black, a villain so insidious that we are tempted to hate him. Randy returns in A Demon Awaits and CJ challenges us to see the world through Randy's eyes and ask ourselves if we can forgive him. We see a transformation in these two books that makes them read more like a two-part novel than the genesis of a high-action series.

As we watch Randy struggle to resist unrelenting pressure, we are reminded of the conflicting forces in our modern world and the temptation that surrounds us. Randy's struggle makes the action all the more intense and as Randy searches for forgiveness, he gives us his view into numerous issues of the day. CJ cleverly balances Randy's views with alternative viewpoints from other characters and gives us a launching pad to discuss questions of faith and forgiveness, the conflict between Islam and Western religions, and the liberal vs. conservative debate over how best to deal with violent criminals in our society.

This book will delight the casual reader with non-stop action and spark a spirited debate over weighty social issues. To truly understand the nature of Randy's journey, we suggest reading Sin and Vengeance immediately before A Demon Awaits.

From the Author

A Demon Awaits could be the second half of my novel Sin And Vengeance. Unfortunately that book would be just too long. I strongly suggest reading these books in order to understand the magnitude of the transformation Randy Black undergoes.

If it has been a while since you read Sin And Vengeance, I suggest carefully reading the prologue, which is included to remind you what happened in the first book of the series.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: 22 West Books (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976778823
• ISBN-13: 978-0976778820
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,335,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of life and death consequences - Another must read!!!!, July 23, 2009

By 

TANNIA E. ORTIZ-LOPES aka Mary Magdalene (Letmathe-Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Demon Awaits (Paperback)

A Demon Awaits is the second book in the Randy Black series written by ingenious storyteller, CJ West.

At the end of the first book, Sin and Vengeance, Randy Black found himself getting a spoonful of his own medicine as Murphy's Law once again proved itself trustworthy, ''Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.'' Things could have not gone worse for Randy, whose role changed suddenly and unexpectedly from hunter to prey with blood thirsty predators chasing him. Neither Randy nor the reader will be prepared for the outcome.

In this sequel, author CJ West mixes conspiracy, surveillance, power and manipulation of knowledge, fanaticism, and corruption in all levels of government to fold in the reader into the threshold of Randy Black's new dilemmas. The reader must decide to unmask the villains or to put on a masquerade as not to stand out in the crowd.

The book begins with an inside look at the events that caused Randy Black to be at the ICU in New Bedford Hospital in Westport, Massachusetts, with a cop guarding his room. He is a skillful and dangerous murderer who suffered numerous fractures and lays unconscious in bed with half of his body covered in plaster, his left arm suspended by two twisted cables, and his right arm cuffed to his bed. When Randy awakes, he is clueless about the length of time he has been in the ICU.

While at the hospital, he will meet a series of characters who will play key roles during the rest of the story. First he meets Detective Al Ruiz, a Westport Internal Affairs (IA) officer who is investigating the officer's alleged brutality and excessive force during Randy's arrest. Then comes Reverend Simmons, Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Westport. Reverend Simmons will be a cornerstone for Randy's new spiritual beginnings and understanding of his daily terrifying and vivid nightmares. Cassie Corcoran, a young and ambitious journalist for The Standard Times, is the first one from the media to get free access to Randy's room. However, during their brief conversation, he discovers that Cassie is unprepared to write his story and sends her away to do her homework with the promise of an exclusive when she returns. Cassie's research will bring her to a new level of field journalism which might include risking her life for the sake of covering and writing the biggest story of her career. But to her, the prestige of this exclusive story is worth every risk!

We all know that a murder case story could not be completed if the perpetrator and accused murderer is not represented by the best defense attorney in town. Author CJ West won't disappoint his readers. On the contrary, he introduces the reputable, successful, and unbeatable defense attorney, Tom Gold. The reader will get a glimpse of Tom's method and procedures before he visits Randy at the ICU. His visit finds Randy ill-prepared to react to Tom Gold's knowledge of his case. At first, Randy is suspicious, but then he agrees to let Tom represent him in court. He knows deep inside that this witty lawyer might be the only one capable of getting him out of all his legal ordeals.

As the story unfolds and all the new key characters and their associates show their true colors, Randy will be forced to choose sides. This decision, however, might come at a high price and will turn into lack of freedom for him knowing too much and not being able to trust those who are supposed to protect him.

When Randy Black's urges for Sin and Vengeance have been consumed and only A Demon Awaits for him at the afterlife, which road would he take? The one leading to freedom and redemption, or the one leading to eternal condemnation? To know the answer to these life or death questions, you must take a leap of faith and venture yourself to walk a mile with Randy Black.

Reviewed by the author of, The Window To My Soul : My Walk With Jesus

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Demon Awaits, March 24, 2009

By 

TMK "Reader mom" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Demon Awaits (Paperback)

A Demon Awaits is a fast moving thriller. I love the ever changing dynamics of the characters from one book to the next. If you like thrillers with a great story line and intriguing characters, you'll love A Demon Awaits, as well as the book before Sin and Vengence. I loved this book and read all three from the author CJ West. All of his books will keep you turning pages.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel a Sin coming on? Better think twice!, May 17, 2009

By 

Rebecca Lerwill (Utah, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Demon Awaits (Paperback)

What if you could see into the future? What if you could fathom your afterlife and the things it has in store for you? The mind-tingling question arises: Will I go to Heaven or will I end up in Hell?

Randy Black has seen it - both sides. Following his murder rampage to avenge his parent's bankruptcy and death, Randy almost loses his own life due to the beating he takes from an arresting police officer. The things Randy witnesses while unconscious range from the indescribable beauty of God's heavenly threshold to the utmost barbaric torture sinners will endure for all eternity.

In I.C.U., Randy awakes as a changed man. Handcuffed to his bed, he recalls the grueling images of Hell and decides to turn his life around, hoping it isn't too late. And that's where his real trouble begins: The more Randy tries to clean-up his ways, the deeper he slips into a labyrinth of crime. No matter which direction he turns for help; his attorney, the cops, and even the judge trying his case, Randy encounters manipulation, black-mail and distortion. With only one person to trust, a story-hungry reporter named Cassie, Randy soon finds himself entrapped in not just earthly dangers, but also the threat of God's Unforgiving.

With Randy Black, author CJ West created a strong character who takes us on a fast-paced journey of great mystery and suspense. We cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. The story's plot and sub-plots spread over a vast variety of interests, beginning with the epilogue and it's wonderfully narrated glimpse of the afterlife, and ends with the beautiful tenderness of a romantic drama. West's skill of thrill dabbles with modern political and ethical topics which make A Demon Awaits an even more desirable read. A few times I put the book down, but only to question why this story hasn't found its way to the desk of a traditional publisher, or even onto the big screen. With a few gentle edits, A Demon Awaits should hold its own against any mystery thriller the likes of Dean Koontz.

I'm extremely stingy with 5-star reviews but after zipping though CJ West's Randy Black novel and especially after such an unconventional ending, I'm just too impressed to give it a lesser score than a 4.8.

Rebecca Lerwill is the award-winning author of Relocating Mia and The Acronym - White Nights of St. Petersburg Her book and product reviews can be found on Amazon, Goodreads, Authorsden, and Facebook.