Title: The Mark of Abel
Author: Viola Ryan
Series: The Mark of Abel #1
Genre: Paranormal
Published: December 21st 2012
Book Description
Lucifer is fed up with humanity. He created hell to deter evil, but man’s inhumanity is only escalating. He just wants to return home to heaven, but ever since that little problem in the Garden of Eden, the Pearly Gates remain firmly shut to him. It doesn’t help that he’s the first vampire, an abomination in God’s sight.
Fortunately, two thousand years ago Lucifer’s estranged brother, Jesus, gave him a prophecy. To fulfill it, all Lucifer has to do is find the right artist, study her artwork and the path back to heaven will be revealed. The artist even bears a symbol so he knows who she is. Too bad she is murdered every time he finds her.
Janie’s a frustrated artist and college art teacher who wants two things—a guy she can show her paintings to and a night without nightmares. Each nightmare plagues her until she paints it. She doesn’t realize these paintings are key to unlocking her destiny, one that could redeem the original fallen angel.
My Review
The Mark of Abel takes some of the stories from the bible and puts a paranormal twist to it. It is told from two Pov's, and we spend most of the time in the present day and visit some of the memories of the past.
Luke has been driven by a prophecy and Janie, the artist may be that link. Only she doesn't know this other world exists and that her dreams are something more. Together they face not only the dangers in their lives, but their inner demons as well.
Luke I really loved..... Even though he is the real Lucifer, he is just misunderstood. One passage I really enjoyed was when he said this –
“‘Guess what. I’m really Lucifer, the Bright Star of the Morning. The Devil. Forget what you’ve heard about me. It’s all bad PR. I really should get someone to handle it better, but whatever he says is going to be twisted, so why bother?’”
He has obviously been around for a long time and he lost his faith in God way back in the beginning, but he is not the baddie we were taught to believe. He is loyal and sweet and often puts those who are important to him on a pedestal, he really is an awesome guy… and yummy too!!
I found it hard to relate to Janie, I am no artist and when I look at art and paintings, I really don't understand it. What I did understand is the passion that she has – we just have different passions. However, her art comes from the nightmares that she has constantly had since the deaths of her parents and they flow onto the canvas.
I enjoyed the twist of the bible in this story and how the author was able to turn the stories that I learnt growing up to form her own story. In TMOA we briefly meet a lot of characters from the bible but together their stories are different to what we all know. What I did hope for between these characters was more of a romance... they definitely have spark, and some great swoon moments that hinted for more, but it didn't cross over into the bedroom at all. Overall, it was a good book and if you enjoy books with that biblical theme you will find it highly entertaining.
Author Bio
A very good friend of Viola Ryan in high school said, “You don’t think outside the box. You blow the thing up.” Sometimes boxes need exploding. That’s why she’s here. She has a whole bag of C4 and isn’t afraid to use it. She’s blessed with people who treasure her eccentricities or at least put up with them.
Sometimes the box can be a cozy place. Without some sort of stability, her two daughters’ and her life would be unmanageable. That stability comes from her husband. He’s the rock holding her family together.
On the flip side, his career is anything but stable. He’s a Chief Marine Safety Technician in the US Coast Guard. They’ve lived from Kittery, Maine to Yorktown, Virginia. Fortunately, the moves have all been on the east coast. Then again, the Coast Guard tends to guard the coast.
Her oldest daughter (16) was born on Cape Cod, not far from Plymouth. Massachusetts. Her youngest (12) was born in Yorktown, Virginia, down the road from Williamsburg. Viola jokes they’re doing the colonial America tour.
Links to Social Media:
Website: http://www.violaryan.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeanie.ryan.9
pinterest: http://pinterest.com/violaryan/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/violaryan
Giveaway
Viola has a tourwide giveaway running where one lucky person has the opportunity to win a $50 giftcard!! Now who couldn’t use one of those??
Click on the banner to view the rest of the Tour Schedule
It's interesting to see something with a twist on Biblical stories, that doesn't (or at least from this) seem to preach at you! I'll be adding this one to my read list. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me, Naomi. Feel free to ask me anything.
ReplyDeleteThank, Amy.
I agree, if it preach's too much, I can't read it. This book was good because it was just enough!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Viola! Thanks for giving me the chance to read your book!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on The Mark of Abel! I love the cover and the book sounds great. Definitely a book I need to read. Will this book be part of a series or a stand alone? Just curious. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and once again congrats on your all new release!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this but glad that you enjoyed and there were interesting twists and the paranormal elements worked
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Hmm, this sounds interesting and kind of like Supernatural when they twist stories from the bible
ReplyDeleteWow! This is a new twist. Sound very intriguing! Adding to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a series.... far from over!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi!! Definitely worth the read... The series has only just begun!!
ReplyDeleteYep!! And Lucifer is a good guy, just misunderstood!!
ReplyDeleteOne I would recommend!! Lots of fun twists!
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