This is a deeply psychological tale of abuse, hardships, depravity, and murder. A tug of war between good and bad, right and wrong, rages and swirls outside and inside the mind of Harlen LeBlanc.
As I read this book, I found myself comparing the author to the likes of Erskine Caldwell or John Steinbeck. It is gripping and gritty. The author shows both the best and worst sides of humans.
I love the way the author takes the reader back and forth between the present and the past, weaving together the story of two characters, Harlen LeBlanc and young Michael Fischer.
The unexpected psychological twists of this story are raw and disturbingly realistic. They make you question everything you believe about yourself and humanity in general. The true black souls of men are revealed, turning them into beasts of the earth. If you are a fan of damaged characters and gritty stories, you will enjoy this one from Mr. Wade. He is a brilliant wordsmith, creating phrases that belong in frames on walls to be admired.
The stark realism and raw exposure of the human mind and all of its depravity left me stunned and examining myself and my beliefs. But the prose and descriptive phrases left me admiring this author’s gift.
James Wade, whose first two novels were praised as "rhapsodic" and "haunting," delivers his most powerful work to date--a chilling parable about the impossible demands of hate and love, trauma and goodness, vividly set in the landscapes of Texas and Louisiana.
Beasts of the Earth tells the story of Harlen LeBlanc, a dependable if quiet employee of the Carter Hills High School's grounds department, whose carefully maintained routine is overthrown by an act of violence. As the town searches for answers, LeBlanc strikes out on his own to exonerate a friend, while drawing the eyes of the law to himself…
This book is an epic fantasy that introduced three-dimensional
characters and unimaginable hardships that brought them to the brink of
destruction more than once.
The story captured me from page one and
held me in its tight grip until the end. I lost sleep reading this book
because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. This author is known
for her beautiful prose and for her willingness to put her characters in
impossible situations.
I rooted for these characters all the way. The
unimaginable torture and hardships Aster went through were enough to
have me biting my fingernails and holding my breath. This book was also
my first introduction to the ancient practice of necromancy. I
appreciated the knowledge the author showed, especially in the use of
herbal healing and tinctures.
Throw in some magic, dragons, and
corruption in the king’s palace, and you have the perfect combination of
action and adventure with a hint at possible romance.
A healer with the talent to unravel death. A stillborn child brought to life. A father lusting for vengeance. And a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.
A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge,…
I hardly ever tackle a book that is over 500 pages, but I am so glad I did. It did not feel like 500 pages.
As this story unfolds one delicious layer at a time, an off-the-charts steamy romance between the two main characters, Knox and Naomi, had me gasping at times from the intensity. This book is so well written it kept me turning pages long after the lights should have been out. I had to see how it would all come together.
I loved all the side characters, including Knox's brother, Nash, who is the local chief of police. The tension between the two brothers is so thick you could cut it with a knife. But why? I had to know that, too. An excellent read for anyone who loves a hot, steamy story rife with impossible complications. It is action-packed with a storyline that is not only believable but compelling.
This is set in a small town, and even the name of the town had me smiling. I closed the book with a happy sigh. The ending was as satisfying as the beginning was compelling.
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* THE UNMISSABLE TIKTOK SENSATION* OVER 1.6 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
Grumpy, small-town barber + hopelessly romantic runaway bride = great big bust ups, all the tension and lots of steamy encounters!
Escaping her seemingly perfect wedding, Naomi Witt arrives in rough-around-the-edges Knockemout, Virginia, running to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina.
Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn't changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi's car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected: the 11-year-old niece she didn't know she had. Now she's stuck in town with no job, no plan,…
What's the point of having it all when you have no one to share it with? Brandon Miller has everything—except a commitment from the woman he loves. Angela Cooper has deep scars from a previous marriage. She's not interested in a do-over with Brandon or anyone. Yet, he arranges a romantic getaway to the historic Harbor Pointe Inn, where he plans to propose. Angela's got her camera in hand and ghosts on her mind, but they arrive to find a much more tangible horror. Accident or foul play? Angela becomes the next target, and when suspects can be worldly or otherworldly, danger and secrets lurk everywhere.
Poised at the perilous edge of too late, Angela and Brandon face the fight of their lives.
