Thursday, August 1, 2013

Book Review: Epiphany by Christina Jean Michaels

Descrption


“I had my first psychic dream when I was nine. Psychic implied power, and powerful wasn’t a word I’d use to describe myself. I couldn’t foretell the future or conjure visions at will, but I couldn’t think of a more fitting word to describe what I sometimes saw in my dreams.”

For 23-year-old Mackenzie Hill, tossing her life down the garbage disposal is easy after a painful incident shatters her life. Her heart is bleeding, and moving to Watcher’s Point is a chance to start anew, only she isn’t prepared for the guy who walks out of her dreams and into the flesh. Literally . . . because she’s been dreaming about this sexy stranger for years.

Mackenzie is even less prepared to face the dark nature of her dreams. They’ve turned disturbingly gruesome, full of blood and murder, and when they begin to coincide with the media’s headlines, she and Aidan realize her visions might be the key to stopping a madman from killing again.



Only Aidan has painful secrets of his own, and perhaps the biggest danger of all is falling for him.

Excerpt

A half hour later, after three rounds of drinks and a dozen lurid jokes, I extracted myself and was certain four pairs of lascivious eyes were glued to my ass.

Six grabbed my arm mid-stride and gestured toward Aidan. “Talk to him. It won’t kill you, I promise.”

I wasn’t so sure about that—I’d been trying to talk to him all week, but he’d been tight-lipped. The band went to break, and I kissed my excuse to duck and hide goodbye. Six gave me a final nudge in his direction.

“How’s it going?” I asked, gripping the counter for support. His eyes answered for him. Troubled and drawn, they indicated a sleepless night. Two full shot glasses sat between his hands; three empties had already been pushed aside.

This couldn’t be a good sign.

I said the first thing that came to mind. “No costume tonight?”

“I’m not really in a festive mood.” His eyes traveled the length of my body, and the corner of his mouth crept up in a lopsided smile. “Nice hat,” he said, swaying in his seat, “but Bonnie was blond.”

“I don’t play well with hair dye or wigs. It’s a character flaw.” What had gotten into me? Talking to the opposite sex had never come so easily, especially with a man as attractive as Aidan.

Sexy. Gorgeous. Hmm . . . wonder what’s underneath those clothes?

I swallowed hard. Now who had lascivious eyes? Time to pour cement into my mind’s gutter.

“You’re right. I can’t picture you blond.” He swayed on the barstool again, and I figured he must have hit the bottle before arriving. “Where’s Clyde hiding?”

“Bonnie’s an independent woman. She’s going solo.”

“Maybe you’ll get into less trouble that way.” He downed the remaining two shots without warning. The last hit the counter with a racket. “Can you believe today is my birthday?” The scorn in his tone confused me. Most people didn’t get so bent over a birthday.

I wasn’t sure how to reply. Somehow I guessed “happy birthday” wasn’t what he wanted to hear. I silently waited, hoping he’d shed some light. Even in my dreams—where I learned of things I had no way of explaining to others—he remained a mystery.

“I’ll take another round,” he said, gesturing toward the empties. “Make them doubles.”

I swallowed hard. “You sure? You’ve had a lot already.”

He flashed that crooked smile again, and I wondered if he realized how disarming it was. “You’re worried about me?” he asked.

I hesitated. “Yeah, I am.” Way more than I wanted to admit. Tonight was Halloween, after all.

Author Bio

Christina Jean Michaels was born in Paradise, California, but she has found the true home of her heart in Eugene, Oregon where she finds plenty of inspiration for storytelling.

When she was young, her mother said she hated words. Now she can't imagine not writing. She became an avid reader when she was thirteen and discovered the world ofSweet Valley High. About a year later she realized she could play God and write about her own characters. She has been writing in some form ever since.

She lives with her husband and their four children—three rambunctious UFC/wrestling-loving boys and one girl who steals everyone’s attention.

My Review

Let me preface my review with...I do not like murder mysteries. I hate serial killer themed anything. So when I opened Epiphany to start reading, I wasn't hopeful I'd enjoy it. SURPRISE! I really, really did!!!

Ms. Michaels is a very talented writer and draws her characters and environment beautifully. Every action and reaction of Aidan and  Mackenzie were real and believable. I love it when the people in a book seem real. I could also picture the not-so-sleepy little town of Watcher's point. Her descriptions of the Northwest are beautifully done and make me long to visit sometime. 

While there is much sleuthing going on in the story, I would most definitely peg this novel as a romance. There is a slight paranormal slant to the romance with Makenzie's psychic dreams, but it doesn't take center stage. The story revolves around a devastated Aidan and a broken Mackenzie. Through much of the book we are learning bits and pieces of their past. The timing is good on the reveals and Ms. Michaels gives us just enough to bait us along.

I enjoyed the romance and the heat between the the characters. When they finally give in, you're in for a spicy treat!  One thing I didn't enjoy about the book was the serial killer aspect. I KNOW it's a huge point, but it's just not my thing. I get kind of squicky with that stuff. BUT, I know if you enjoy a good criminal mystery, you will most definitely enjoy this. You get the crime scenes and the clues without too much gore. Even if, like me, you're not into criminal mystery, I think you would still enjoy the book for it's intensity and romance.

Overall great book that I would suggest for mature audiences.

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