We are so excited to be sharing the release of REPRISE, the first enthralling paranormal romance standalone novella in Eva LeNoir’s brand new SOUL GUARDIANS SERIES.
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Blurb
Tonight, I walked off the end of the Santa Monica pier.
I know I’m no longer alive, but somehow, I don’t feel as though I’m dead.
This limbo is the story of my life and the reason for my death.
I expected to burn in the depths of Hell.
I expected to pay for my sins.
I expected to suffer for the rest of eternity.
What I didn’t expect was to find my soul mate.
My name is Mara and I’m in Purgatory. Unfortunately, this is not a euphemism.
This is the story of my death.
Review
4 stars
This novella is the first in Eva LeNoir’s Soul Guardian’s series, and it’s an emotional and heartfelt paranormal read with a fast but swoony romance.
This novella was originally a Drazen World story from CD Reiss’ The Submission series, written under the title “Purgatory”. From what I can gather, it’s been reworked a little bit, with a change to character names (Gabby is now Mara, Monica and Jonathan are now Sophie and Jake), I’m not sure what else has been altered, but it works well as a standalone – though it’s very clear that there’s a big story that comes before this one. I haven’t read The Submission series, and was able to follow along with the story fine, but I’m sure if you have read it, then this book will be even more meaningful – I’m certainly going to go back and check out the original series. Just beware that this book and my review contain spoilers for the original series.
This is the story of Mara who, after years of personal struggles, ended her life. We follow her into Purgatory, a place between heaven and hell, where she is to wait and be evaluated to see where she will spend eternity. During her time in Purgatory she is to reflect on her life, she will be shown moments from her life from the perspectives of others, and she will be encouraged to heal herself in preparation for the rest of her existence.
“I’ve been dead a long time,” I admitted…
“Then, wake up and live. Your earthly body is gone, Mara, but your mind? Your soul? They’re just on stand-by, waiting for you to open your arms wide and accept the exquisiteness that lies in wait.”
It’s a really interesting take on the whole life-after-death thing, and I found the author’s insights to be really thought provoking.
“Religions are a man-made phenomenon. They are all correct and yet are all wrong at the same time. In fact … they are all one and the same.”
“You are the sole bearer of your own healing. Act wisely and don’t let your human personality eclipse the reality that is inside of you.”
Mara’s after-death journey is beautifully written with lots of emotion, and even though I hadn’t met her before this book, I really felt for her and all that she had endured in her life, and the impact that her difficulties had on those who loved her.
“Every time you push yourself into the ground with your demeaning words, you are insulting every single person who ever loved you, Mara. Every time you dismiss your worth, you’re mocking every effort they ever made to help you. And every time you degrade your mind and body, you are killing yourself a little more.”
Helping her along the way is fellow Purgatory-dweller, sweet, sexy, tattooed Hunter. He is friendly face, a comforting presence and a warm shoulder, and he is there for Mara whenever she needs him. But are they able to be more?
Time may not have been passing and hunger was definitely not gnawing at me but sexual frustration was alive and well.
Yes, even in the midst of Mara’s post-life-crisis, there is a romance, and it is gorgeous! Honest, earnest, passionate and gorgeously swoony, I thought Hunter’s presence, and his role in Mara’s journey, was absolutely beautiful.
I love the way that LeNoir has written this story. It’s meaningful, deep and thoughtful, but there are elements of lightness and humor that are really entertaining, and that keep Mara real and relatable to the reader, and I really enjoyed that.
I didn’t think it was at all appropriate to have carnal thoughts toward a fellow Purgatorian or In-Limbo-ist. It seemed perverse, like doing it in your parents’ house when their room was just on the other side of your wall. I didn’t think God would appreciate us getting it on under his roof. Or cloud. Or…whatever the fuck.
I finished this book with a smile on my face, wholly satisfied with how it played out. And I’m so curious how this will continue to be a series – will we continue Mara and Hunter’s story, or will we meet new characters in this world? I’m definitely keen to explore more.
For the first time in my existence, I felt light. I felt I could breathe and not drown. I finally felt like a living being. How ironic that it was in death that I would finally find life.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Eva
Eva LeNoir lives in France with her husband, two sons and the entire food chain in pets: From fish to gerbils to cats and a dog. With a full-time job that pays the bills, she reserves all of her free time to doing what she loves most: Writing.
Eva likes teasing her husband that she should have married a billionaire so she could stay home and write all day. But then he makes her laugh at his silly antics and all dreams of lavish lifestyles evaporate from her mind.
A softie at heart, Eva can be seen crying whenever anything emotional is on TV or the radio. Yes, even commercials. So, if ever you meet her, make sure to bring a box of tissues and a good episode of Grey’s Anatomy to witness the epic tear fest.
There are three things she believes unconditionally: Love really does conquer all, Humans are still inherently good and Wine and Cheese will solve all the problems of the world.
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