Unholy Yearning (Sinful Natures #2) by Lynn Burke ❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

Unholy Yearning is the second book in Lynn Burke’s Sinful Natures series. I enjoyed the first one, Unholy Cravings quite a bit as well. Those characters do pop up a few times, but you can read either one of these stories as a standalone.

I was raised in an agnostic household, and this kind of indoctrination is way outside my wheelhouse. These characters have had their beliefs drilled into them from birth. “God will provide”, “God’s will”. Past, present, and future. I had to resist judging these characters, and put my preconceived ideas aside, and just let the story flow.

Levi is young and incredibly naive, but he has an endless supply of faith in Zeke. Zeke, who is flawed beyond description. Zeke of the incredibly poor decisions, who disappoints Levi over and over… This is one amazing journey: mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for all three of these characters.

I say three, because Levi’s fiancée plays an important role in the story. Full disclosure, there are some romantic scenes between the three of them in this book.

Levi’s courage to face his fears, and discover who he truly is, is admirable. I loved this character for his straightforwardness and his honesty. Zeke, on the other hand, already knows who he truly is, and is doing everything he can to turn his back on it. Following the path he’d “set in stone” for himself, leads to him making some wild decisions. But hey, it’s his journey to take too, right?

These characters have a rocky road to travel in their quest for finding themselves. Struggling between the path laid out for them by God and their parents, and what they know is the path which will give them true happiness. Unholy Yearning is an intense and emotional story, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Torn (En Pointe, #1) by Mickie B. Ashling ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Fans of Mickie B. Ashling already know to expect the unexpected. There's a unique flavor to her writing, and if you haven't yet had the experience, her latest novel Torn is the perfect place to start!

In the first episode in her new En Pointe series, Torn, Mickie B. Ashling lays the groundwork for an epic story. The pacing is spectacular, and the unresolved conflicts had me on the edge of my seat. I literally could not put this book down, so if you’ve got plans for a good night’s sleep, save this one for the weekend!

Clearly the scope of this series is going to be immense. Several generations, and extended branches of Misha’s family have their stories told. Using alternating points of view, we get to know Misha as well as his father, half-brother, and his best friend. Mickie B. Ashling does an amazing job of capturing the flavor of each character, giving them each a unique voice. These are clearly all central figures to the tale, and we have just scraped the tip of what ties them all together.

Torn begins with Kazimir’s story and introduces all the principal characters. While much of Torn focuses around his son, Misha, Kazimir’s complex character provides a unique insight into the drama as it unfolds. Plus, I have a feeling Kaz will continue to be a major player in future episodes of this series.

Filled with fascinating details of sixteen year old Misha’s life as a principal ballet dancer, Mickie B. Ashling paints a vivid picture of life in St. Petersburg, Russia. The daily ploys and plotting of the young folks, the pageantry of the ballet performances, the intrigue of the political climate, and some intense family drama, prove endlessly entertaining.

Over the course of the novel, Misha faces some intense challenges both professionally and personally. Coping with the physical and emotional stresses of securing a principal role in his ballet company. Meeting his half siblings, uncovering the secrets surrounding his birth. And, most importantly, facing up to his attraction to his best friend and how his admissions will affect his relationship with his long-term girlfriend. These monumental changes have him reeling.

None of the characters are native English speakers, and most of the novel takes place in St. Petersburg. There’s a faint sensation throughout the story as though the whole thing is translated into English, which creates a marvelous atmosphere. It’s masterfully executed, and definitely works to enhance the whole experience.

It’s been several years since we’ve had a new book from Mickie B. Ashling and I’m thrilled with Torn. I’ve got my fingers crossed for many more episodes of the En Pointe series, and hopefully the next novel will be out shortly!