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Tonight, I walked off the end of the Santa Monica pier.<\/strong><\/p>\n I know I’m no longer alive, but somehow, I don’t feel as though I’m dead.<\/p>\n This limbo is the story of my life and the reason for my death.<\/p>\n I expected to burn in the depths of Hell.<\/p>\n I expected to pay for my sins.<\/p>\n I expected to suffer for the rest of eternity.<\/p>\n What I didn’t expect was to find my soul mate.<\/p>\n My name is Mara and I’m in Purgatory. Unfortunately, this is not a euphemism.<\/p>\n This is the story of my death.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add to Goodreads<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4 stars<\/b><\/p>\n This novella is the first in Eva LeNoir\u2019s Soul Guardian\u2019s series, and it\u2019s an emotional and heartfelt paranormal read with a fast but swoony romance.<\/p>\n This novella was originally a Drazen World story from CD Reiss\u2019 The Submission<\/i> series, written under the title “Purgatory”.<\/i> From what I can gather, it\u2019s been reworked a little bit, with a change to character names (Gabby is now Mara, Monica and Jonathan are now Sophie and Jake), I\u2019m not sure what else has been altered, but it works well as a standalone – though it\u2019s very clear that there\u2019s a big story that comes before this one. I haven\u2019t read The Submission<\/i> series, and was able to follow along with the story fine, but I\u2019m sure if you have read it, then this book will be even more meaningful \u2013 I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve been dead a long time,” I admitted\u2026 It\u2019s a really interesting take on the whole life-after-death thing, and I found the author\u2019s insights to be really thought provoking.<\/p>\n \u201cReligions are a man-made phenomenon. They are all correct and yet are all wrong at the same time. In fact \u2026 they are all one and the same.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n “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.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Mara\u2019s after-death journey is beautifully written with lots of emotion, and even though I hadn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery 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.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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?<\/p>\n Time may not have been passing and hunger was definitely not gnawing at me but sexual frustration was alive and well.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Yes, even in the midst of Mara\u2019s post-life-crisis, there is a romance, and it is gorgeous! Honest, earnest, passionate and gorgeously swoony, I thought Hunter\u2019s presence, and his role in Mara\u2019s journey, was absolutely beautiful.<\/p>\n \u201cMy soul recognized his mate, and has been waiting, watching, and crying through every one of your losses, your wins, and your devastations. Yet, through it all, you’re still not ready to accept the unconditional devotion that is mine for you. Until then, we can never be.” Right before my eyes, Hunter fell to his knees and begged. “So, please, Mara. I’m pleading with you to set me free from this emotional purgatory and love yourself. Just…see what I see. Accept it, love it, and I promise you I will be here when you do. I will give you every part of me.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Swooon!<\/div><\/div>\n I love the way that LeNoir has written this story. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 house when their room was just on the other side of your wall. I didn\u2019t think God would appreciate us getting it on under his roof. Or cloud. Or\u2026whatever the fuck.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I finished this book with a smile on my face, wholly satisfied with how it played out. And I\u2019m so curious how this will continue to be a series – will we continue Mara and Hunter\u2019s story, or will we meet new characters in this world? I\u2019m definitely keen to explore more.<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n 4 stars.<\/p>\n An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Anatomy to witness the epic tear fest.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Follow Eva:<\/p>\n Website<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Pinterest<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Goodreads<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0BookBub<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0@EvaLeNoirAuthor\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0@e.lenoirauthor<\/p>\n Fancy some fun?\u00a0Join Ruby\u2019s Lounge FB Fan Group![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Reprise-Teaser-2.png?resize=326%2C326&ssl=1\")
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\nReview<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n“Then, wake up and live. Your earthly body is gone, Mara, but your mind? Your soul? They\u2019re just on stand-by, waiting for you to open your arms wide and accept the exquisiteness that lies in wait.”<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/span>Spoiler<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Reprise-Teaser-1.png?resize=323%2C323&ssl=1\")
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\nMeet Eva<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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