Thursday, March 1, 2012

REVIEW: Trinity & Relic by Deena Remiel

Brethren Beginnings Volume 1, Trinity and the recently released Relic by Deena Remiel are carefully woven tales about the Brethren who are a special breed of angels sent down to earth to protect humans from evil.  Within this group of Brethren there are Healers, Warriors and Protectors.  
In Trinity, we learn of Michael D’Angelo, principal of the elementary school where the main character Emma works and her daughter Hannah goes to school.  After learning of some troubling events in Hannah’s and Emma’s lives, Michael realizes that it is time for the Brethren to step in, not realizing that it was almost too late.
In Relic, we learn of Raphael, a Healer who has lost his ability to heal completely, and Serena who owns a business showing people the wonders of the spiritual Arizona mountains. Raphael, hiking through these spiritual mountains, is using the time to try and figure out why he has lost his ability to heal others when, during one of those hikes, he comes across Serena bloody & beaten, barely alive.  He has just enough healing power to keep her alive and get her to the hospital.  This is where their story together begins.

Shauni* Squeeling OMG! I loved these books!

Kimberly* Watching Shauni wiggle and squeel like a little girl on her birthday, I giggle.  They are AWESOME books aren’t they? I mean REALLY? Where else do you get HAWT Mangels (that’s our word for the angels that are this manly and smokin’ -- related only to the Brethren Series) that can make you want one all for yourself?

Shauni *crosses arms* Deena said I already get a Mangel.

Kimberly *Shaking my head* I know she did.  *Pouting a bit because I really want Cassiel as my own angel*. Ok. So, in Trinity, it’s your basic good versus evil book, right? I mean, we’re talking about angels here. In some aspects, that would be the truth! Right Shauni?

Shauni* I do think that Trinity does have all your Good versus Evil aspects and I do love that even though they are angels, they aren’t what you think of with the halo and white robe carrying a harp.  These angels are 100% up to date with everything that we have in society now, electronics, clothing, speech....all of it.

Kimberly* So true! I mean how many angels do you know wear leather pants and are built like Greek Gods?  Also, the way Deena writes Trinity and Relic you aren’t bogged down by a lot of foul language and play-by-play sex scenes -- not that we don’t all love our sex scenes.  The way these are written, you get the emotion behind them.  Not the deeds.  You know what’s happening but it’s more about the people and their love for each other and not just the actions.  

In these novels, what you get is all storyline -- and a GREAT storyline it is.  Deena weaves the tale and back story about each main character in a way that you get just what you need to know about them, when you need to know it.  It keeps you wondering and keeps you involved in the story, throughout the entire book.

Shauni* *Day dreaming about Mangels in leather pants, shaking head, wiping drool* Sorry. Yes even though Deena wrote these stories without a lot of curse words and detailed sex scenes, believe me your heart will race and you will feel all the emotions through out the whole storyline.

Kimberly* That’s exactly right, Shauni.  One of my favorite parts that proves that point is in Relic and, without giving spoilers to those who haven’t read it yet, there is a storm involved and Raphael’s gorgeous wings!  

Shauni* I love that part too, Kim. It is hard for me to post my favorite part.  There are a couple that really stood out for me. Michael, in Trinity, who wouldn't want a protector like that and Raphael the gift he gave Serena was the sweetest.  I had tears running down my face.

Kimberly* A lot of sequels out there sometimes just throw the next story at you and you sometimes have to go back and look up information to try to remember what happened to certain characters.  I loved the way Deena tied Relic’s character Serena back into Trinity.  She isn’t directly in Trinity but without giving spoilers we can’t tell you how she does it and with what character.  Trust us when we say, she gives you back story about a character Agremon (an evil dude in Trinity) uses and discards. It all comes full circle in Relic and I appreciated the way it was written.

SNIPPETS AND QUOTES:
In Trinity, Michael and Emma find each other coming to terms with their attraction for each other that, for Michael, has been growing for years.  Here is a quote that goes to show you that the Brethren aren’t mere angels but have all the desires of men as well.  Emma asks Michael: “Would you like coffee or something”?  His response is: “Or something....” he says as he kisses her passionately.

In Relic, Serena realizes that the soul of Sirona, Raphael’s long ago deceased wife/Goddess of Healing resides within her.  As Raphael was aware of this to an extent, Serena is furious and the snippet goes like this:  “Who’d you throw up against the wall and make love to in the hallway that first time? Was it her you tore the shirt from when we were out in the storm, perhaps?  Or was it her every bloody time, and only me that really got screwed?”

Well, Goddesses, what do you think? Let us just say, that these novels are something that can be read by just about anybody.  We loved them.  I would let my teenage niece read them.  I truly can’t think of anybody, over the age of about 18, who wouldn’t enjoy these books.  There aren’t any “hot buttons” in these books (such as rape, BDSM, same sex relations, etc).  These are just books that make you feel good, make you think that Good really CAN and really DOES overcome Evil.  And really, isn’t that what we want at the end of the day?  Closing a book, putting it down, sighing with pleasure and thinking to ourselves, “That was a really good book”.  You will with this series.

Speaking of “Series”: A little bird told us -- ahem -- Miss Deena herself, that the next book in the Brethren series, Elixxir, is in the works.  It is in the hands of her Beta readers now!!!  AND....She gave me a hint and OMG! EXPLOSIVE! That’s all I’m going to say! This book is going to blow your socks off. I have a feeling that the chemistry and the twists and turns are going to have us all grabbing the edge of our seats.


DEENA'S BIRTHDAY BASH GIVEAWAY LINK!
http://deenar116.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/trinitys-1-year-birthday-bash/

OH! AND BY THE WAY -- ONE LUCKY COMMENTER WILL WIN A GORGEOUS BOOKMARK CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR US BY THE WONDERFUL KRAFTYMAX! (*like* this one, color chosen at random).

So, we all know, our rating system....we give 2, 3 or 4 cupcakes, with 4 being our favorite! In our opinion, the way Deena Remiel tells a tale and spins her words, Trinity and Relic both get.....

15 comments:

Deena said...

Kimberly, Shauni, thank you both so much for this amazing and fun review! Your chemistry combined with my books have left a wonderful warm fuzzy feeling inside me. I shall treasure it always! Mwuaaah!

Sue Sattler said...

Oh goody, another new to me author! I just love finding new to me authors with books that I really want to read!! *now about the lottery that I need to win!* Thank you!

Unknown said...

I have yet to read these ones , I have read books of Deena's and loved them !!! thanks for the wonderful giveway and great review ! Cupcakes are def my fab cake ;)

kittee_cat@bigpond.com

kat

Denise Z said...

I really enjoy Deena's writing style. I have read Brethren Beginnings and Trinity and loved them. Recently purchased Relic and am looking forward to this installment in the world of the Brethren. Thanks for sharing today, it has been fun, and the bookmark is beautiful :)
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

crystalmbf said...

Loved reading Brethren Beginnings and can't wait to read more. I agree, she definitely gets 4 cupcakes! It would be wonderful to think there are angels out there protecting us, especially children.

Kristina's Books & More said...

Fantastic! I love all of Deena's work! :) I myself just got done reading and reviewing Relic! Can't wait for book 3! Cool bookmark, too.

kristinaleigh1@hotmail.com

Janice Seagraves said...

what a fun post to read. I love how you guy talk about the book.

Janice~

Unknown said...

Just to let everybody know, a winner was chosen. Crystalmbf was picked randomly and has replied to the e-mail sent out. The bookmark by Krafty Max will be mailed out to her this week. Thank you everybody for your comments! Come back for our next review!

Keep Reading Godddesses
Kimberly

andieleah said...

I LOVE CHOCLATE COVERED ANGELS

Denise Z said...

I know I commented earlier, but hey I LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ANGELS and just had to stop back by and say so :)

Shauni said...

I REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED MANGELS MMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMM SLURP!!!!!

Deena said...

Did someone mention angels dipped in chocolate?! ;)

pnr junkie said...

"I LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ANGELS!"

Hope Welsh said...

Very Nice! I love chocolate covered angels. (Hell, I just love angels :)_

Mary Preston said...

"I LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED ANGELS!"

Angels are my favorite & chocolate covered - YUM!!!

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