Book Reviews – From Divinity to Carnality

Eternal Road: The Final Stop – John Howell

When I picked up this book, I expected a sombre tale about passing over and a journey to the other side. I didn’t expect a rollicking adventure through time! John Howell’s Eternal Road is one of the more unique titles I’ve come across in recent memory, pitting protagonists Sam and James against historical figures and situations, the reconciliation of their own lives (and deaths), and even against the devil himself.

Howell makes up his own set of ‘rules’ regarding the afterlife (there are no angels plucking harps on floaty clouds here) and sets a cracking pace for James and Sam as they visit immensely important moments in history and learn a good deal about themselves on their journey toward the final stop.

There are moments of levity, moments of drama, moments that tug on the heartstrings, and, as other reviewers have noted, I sense this could easily become the first in a series about wayward travellers and their journey along the eternal road. If you’re looking for a different take on the concept of the afterlife, take a trip down the eternal road.

The Emissary: A Riverbend Spinoff Novella – Marcia Meara

Despite not having read the Riverbend series (yet), I was not at all disadvantaged going into Marcia Meara’s spinoff series, starting with The Emissary. Following the journey of recently passed over, almost-an-angel protagonist, Jake (who I understand played his hand a little too openly in the Riverbend series, managing to come close to revealing his true Divine nature), The Emissary wends through themes of redemption and salvation, as it explores the notions of free will, choice, and temptation. 

While put in mind of the television show Highway To Heaven, Meara peppers her ‘intervening angel’ story with shots of good humour, warm friendships, and references to some of the last few decades’ most brilliant music. You can almost hear the soundtrack to this novella playing in your head as you read!

The Emissary unfolds carefully, setting the scene for what will be a series of novellas following Jake and new friend, Dodger. It’s a warm-hearted novella, replete with interesting characters, and well worth a read. Who knows, you might save your soul in the process.

Interludes: A Collection of Short Erotic Fiction – Harmony Kent

I don’t usually read erotic fiction. No, not because I’m prudish (have you read certain scenes in my book?) – but because erotic fiction is usually sandwiched in with romance, which is really not my jam.

Harmony Kent’s collection of short erotic stories in Interludes certainly has moments of romance, but also moments of suspense, drama, and even supernatural themes! The first few tales in Interludes are short and punchy – very to the, er, rock hard point, but as the tales continue, they grow in length (pun intended), and become meatier so to speak. Characters are more fleshed out (again, pun intended), given intriguing backstories, and tossed into some complex plots…all with an undercurrent of hot hot hot sexual tension.

Kent doesn’t shy away from detail in the steamy scenes, which is exactly what you want in a good erotic short story. There’s no innuendo or camera panning to the sunset here! So, if you want a well-rounded bunch of stories that will burn your socks off with their heat, get your hands on a copy of Interludes today!

If you’re looking for some more good books by great authors, check out some of my Book Reviews here!

60 thoughts on “Book Reviews – From Divinity to Carnality”

  7. Thanks so much for your great review of The Emissary, Jessica. And for including me with two of my friends from Story Empire today. Yes, quite a contrast in stories, I think, which makes it all the more interesting. Something for everybody. So glad you enjoyed The Emissary, and hope you’ll like the other two books in the trilogy. BTW, would you believe I’ve never watched Highway to Heaven, even though I was a Michael Landon fan back in the day? Somehow, I missed it altogether, but the comparison is flattering, for sure.

    Nice to see both John and Harmony here, too. Rollicking is a perfect adjective for Eternal Road, and your review of Interludes is hilarious, while at the same time, enticing. Perfect. 🙂

    Thanks again! Sharing!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. I think it was the Michael Landon hair that most people liked 🙂
      I’d recommend watching an episode or two, but no…don’t. It’s very 80s now! Besides, you did the job so much better – I loved the heart and humour (especially in Azrael) in The Emissary.

      I didn’t realise y’all were SE’s until someone else pointed it out! Maybe I should be the SE publicist 😉

      It was my pleasure sharing these three stories today 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Michael Landon was a fave of mine from Bonanza days. I even saw I Was a Teenaged Werewolf in 1957, believe it or not. Hahaha. But it was Little Joe on Bonanza that hooked me. I liked his smile, and from everything I ever read about him, he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. But, somehow I never watched Highway. Maybe it was on opposite something I liked better, and that was before you could record shows to watch later.

        At any rate, I’m glad you enjoyed TE1. I just got this idea that with all that was going on in the world today, angels must be totally overworked, and could use some hired help. Hence the appointing of recently passed mortals as emissaries to represent them, after being given some limited but very useful powers. And once Jake and Azrael had that first explosive meeting, I couldn’t stop myself from writing more. 😀 I hope you’ll enjoy the trilogy when you have a chance to read on. And again, thank you for such a super review! 🙂 ❤

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Hahaha, Bonanza! My husband talks about that one (we have a bit of an age gap between us). I totally missed that series 😉

        OMG angels would have NO HOPE in today’s society trying to guide people. It’s so bad out there these days.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Hence the need for emissaries who were once mortal, and have a better understanding for the problems of the world, and mortal failings today. 😉 Wish we had some looking after all of us. 😀

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Not so much punny as juvenile I suspect! Honestly, our house is like this every day. That’s what happens when you don’t have children – you become children 😉

      Thanks so much for popping by, D. Always love having you visit 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  19. Pingback: #BookReviews – From Divinity to Carnality @HowellWave @MarciaMeara @JessicaBakkers #Mustreads | Welcome to Harmony Kent Online

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