Title: Cursed Be The Wicked
Author: J.R. Richardson
Publisher: Soul Mate
Publishing
Genre: Paranormal, Suspense
(M/F, Adult language/situations)
Page Count: 312
Reviewer: Cassiopeia
Buy link:
Publisher Blurb:
Cooper Shaw lives his life under a pen name and enjoys the anonymity it provides during his journeys across the globe as a seasoned writer for a travel magazine. When his job lands him in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, to cover the famous Festival of the Dead, he soon realizes that he can’t stay invisible forever as he faces ghosts from a past he’s been trying to forget ever since he left.
The city represents nothing but bad memories for Coop until he meets Finnley Pierce, a quirky young woman with an old soul and curious insights. While she acts as his tour guide through a town he thought he knew, Finn helps him unearth the truth of his childhood and might even begin to open up his heart.
By unraveling the mystery of his father’s murder, Coop may finally accept who he is, where he came from, and perhaps even realize what he wants for his future.
Review of book:
I was looking for a little
change of pace from the types of books I'd been reading lately, and came across
Cursed Be The Wicked. It was exactly
what the doctor ordered. J.R. Richardson
had me instantly hooked with a plot rife with angst and filled with twists and
turns galore. I'm not easily fooled, but I found myself taken completely by
surprise at more than one point, and I loved
it.
I'm not sure if my enjoyment
of the story was enhanced because it was set in, and around where I grew up,
but it sure didn't hurt that Ms. Richardson captured the rich history and colorful feel of Salem so
spot on. She did her research well, and it showed throughout the book. There was just enough by way of geographic
and cultural details contained in the plot, that it quickly drew me in to Finn and Cooper’s world.
Finnley– Finn for short- was such a
crazy, fun character. She definitely
marched to the beat of her own drum, and while it could have easily been
overdone, the author clearly went to great lengths to ensure that didn't
happen. I think that’s what made it possible for
Finn’s warmth
and humor to really shine through. Yes,
she was psychic, but I never felt that Coop, or myself for that matter, were
being beaten over the head with it.She wasn't constantly trying to show anyone
up with her “inside
knowledge”. In fact, Finn usually stood back, and let
Coop come to his own conclusions with very minimal
prompting on her part.
Coop was a complete mess. He'd had a difficult childhood, with his
mother being labeled“Crazy
Maggie Shaw”you knew
he had to have been teased and ostracized, making his absolute apoplectic
aversion to going back to Salem, MA understandable. Who the heck would want to
literally go back to the scene of the crime? Not me, that's for sure. Still, he took the assignment, and under an
assumed name, went back to his hometown at the height of the media hoopla
surrounding his mother’s recent death.
It was amazing to watch him come out of his shell. He not only came to terms with who he was, he
seemed to gain a measure of pride at being Cooper Shaw. Where his young child’s mind couldn't process what
was going on around him at the time, following him as he directed those same events
with an older, more mature perception, was so intriguing.
What I especially enjoyed though,
was the slow burn between Coop and Finn.
You could see the two of them forming a connection, blissfully unaware
as it flourished. I got a kick out of it being such a big secret that only the
two of them weren't in on. The tension wasn't so much sexual, as it was
passionate and compassionate. They truly liked one another long before any
stronger emotion emerged, and it was refreshing. Where he was in denial, she was gently
patient. Where she was self-sufficient,
he was there as her protector should she need it.
It was impossible for me to
choose one thing about this book that made it a win for me. There was so much in this story that I
enjoyed, I couldn't do it (and believe me, I tried). I'll be eagerly following this author to see
what exciting places she takes her readers in the future.
Five Shooting Stars
1 comment:
It was such a great surprise to find this review of Cursed be the Wicked on Goodreads today - I can't thank you all enough for the kind words I am thrilled you enjoyed them Redz. Thank you so much!
xoxoxoxoxo
Jo
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