Customer Reviews

Shadow Lover

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shadow Lover started out well, but quickly became absolutely infuriating. The author portrays the main character as a bright, independent woman and then procedes to have her act completely contrast to that form. Chyna, our main character, lost her house to a witch induced hurricane and was rescued by a neighbor (who paid the witch) and taken to his home to ride out the storm/recover from her injuries. When she comes to, she never calls anyone to say she still lives. She never says, take me home. Then after several days/weeks of her staying at this house, the neighbor, Quinn, attempts to rape her only to be stopped by his deformed brother. The very next day, Chyna is speaking nicely with Quinn and taking a ride in a car with him. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? First of all, no one would stay in a neighbor's home, that she didn't know more than very minimally, for weeks without the subject of her leaving even coming up. Secondly, who in the world would stay even one minute in the home of a man who just tried to rape you. I read alot and use reviews to make my decisions on what to purchase and read next. The other reviewers of this book must have read a different version. I can't even believe an editor sent it to be published. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. I could even finish it I was so aggravated...and I am only mentioning two of many anti-type and just plain idiotic story lines.

You know you're in love when you no longer see the scars! SHADOW LOVER is lengthy at 265 pages, but you need all those pages to really get this substantial story. I adore the line in SHADOW LOVER, "I only wish more men would read romance novels. Maybe then there wouldn't be so many disappointed women in the world." It goes a long way in showing why men like Cyrano were so popular. SHADOW LOVER shows that a scarred man is beautiful and another man without physical scars is ugly inside. A warning... you can't help but fall in love with Kirk!

Twenty-six-year-old Chyna Marsh is a well known author of dark romances. Feeling the need to escape the big city, Chyna moves to Mystic Islands, New Jersey. The local residents quickly begin filling her head with tales of Old Rocky Road which is said to be haunted, a witch that lives in the lighthouse, and of the graveyard covered in the bones of the witch's victims. Chyna decides to go exploring and meets Elaine Grayson. Elaine's last name startles Chyna, because Chyna's dreams have been filled lately with the dark image of a handsome man named Quinn Grayson. Finding out that Quinn is real and Elaine's brother is shocking, but Chyna finds her herself attracted to his brother, Kirk.

Quinn Grayson is obsessed with Chyna. He pays the old witch well for potions and spells to destroy her home and lure her into his. He never imagines that she would look beyond his handsome face and spy the evil beast within. Nor does it cross his mind that she may see beyond his brother's grotesque face to the kind man beneath.

Kirk Grayson's face is twisted with deep scars due to a car wreck ten years before. The wreck killed his parents. Kirk's guilt refuses to let him seek help with cosmetic surgery. He prefers to dwell in the shadows and live in the basement of the family's mansion, where he thinks a monster, such as himself, should reside. When beautiful Chyna makes advances toward him, Kirk believes her to be toying with him. For how could such a lovely lady stand to look upon the face of a monster?

*** This dark romance came across to me as the fond, old gothics used to. Within these pages I found magic, witches with spells, obsession, betrayal, and love ever-lasting. However, be warned that there is one violent and graphic scene where the heroine is taken against her will. Some readers avoid books with any scenes such as this one. There are also times that I found myself wanting to kick Kirk in the shin for his gullible tendencies. He came across as immature a few times. If you love the tale of "Beauty and the Beast", then you will enjoy this dark dream come true. Well done. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Shadow lover was a well-written, emotionally gripping tale that had me hooked from the very beginning. It was not only romantic and sensual, but it also taught a very real lesson of life: The fact that the brightest treasure can come buried in crap and the most sparkling wrapping paper can cover the most horrendous of gifts! In other words, don't judge by appearances. The heroine of this engaging novel falls in love with the inner beauty of the hero, thereby making his scars and imperfections a non-concern.

This author did a superb job with this book. I look forward to reading more from her in the years to come.

Chyna Marsh is a famous romance novelist who thought the big city distractions in New York were making her crazy. She relocates to a small town called Mystic Island. Locals inform her to stay clear of the deserted road by her house, declaring it to be a road of death. The writer in her is intrigued with what she may find on that road.

A series of realistic dreams with a gorgeous man plague her, along with strange memories of a scarred, depressed man. Quinn and Kirk Grayson live in a mansion not far from where she lives. When a hurricane hits the small town they live in, Quinn rescues her from certain death and takes her to his mansion. There she comes face-to-face with Kirk, whose face is a monster's nightmare. A bad car accident has left him with no hope for his future. Chyna wants to help him out of his self-induced captivity, but is the depth of his despair too much to overcome?

I'm giving Shadow Lover 4 Tombstones. Audrey Godwin weaves a fantastic tale about the power of love and how one man overcomes his demons. I found myself reading late into the night as the story unfolded. Just a little warning: this love story isn't a sweet, romantic read; it's raw and entertaining, with paranormal twists and turns. If you are looking for something with a little more edge to it, Shadow Lover is the book for you.

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Brianna

Ms. Godwin delivers the goods. This book is set apart as it is a modern day Frankenstein story, with the romance and mystery thrown all together to emerge this wonderful, captivating story about two people who sincerely need each other and find their way to their hearts desire. This reviewer gives kudos to Ms. Godwin for a wonderful well-written story that takes the reader on a ride that is at times funny, tender and romantic.
Reviewed by Dawn