Semblance by Logan Patricks : Author Spotlight and Review

Alright. Before I get down to the review, I want to spend a little time on the wonderful Logan Patricks. I’ve followed his blog for some time, a member of his ‘exclusive list’ and boy do I get excited when I see his name pop up in my inbox. The most recent being entitled ‘whip me’ (a post about getting his butt in gear to get book 2 drafted...out of the gutter, now)Anyway, without further ado, I give to you...Logan Patricks
Who is Logan Patricks?Logan discovered both love and heartbreak at the tender age of seven, when the pretty little blue-eyed girl next door stole his Kit-Kat bar and shared it with the bad boy from across the street. Devastated, Logan found solace by escaping into imaginary worlds he forged with words, creating kingdoms where the chivalrous knight always got the princess.Twenty three years later Logan spends his days in a suit and tie, working for the government on matters of network security. However his thoughts never strayed too far from the incendiary nature of love — the passionate fire that’s both scintillating and dangerous. Obsessed with exploring the steamy and mysterious side of human nature, Logan continues to create worlds filled with thrills, mystery, and of course, sex.
Intrigued? I was too. If you don’t follow Logan’s blogwhich consists of stories of his shameful escapades, laugh out loudable sarcasm and dry wit, and updates on The Midnight Society, I urge you to become acquainted with him. Right now. After you’ve read the review and downloaded Semblance. You can find Logan’s links and where you can read a sneak preview from Semblance at the bottom of the post.
Now, down to business. Semblance was my first read of 2014 and my god did it start this year’s fictional journey off with a bang.I turned the last page and was smacked in the face with a whopping book hangover. I had the racing heart, the tear tracks, more tears falling, and a mammoth headache.This story was complete fuckery of the mind, body and soul and I loved every second of it.

Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness has never starved a day in their lives.
My name is Aria Valencia, a third year classical music student at the University, and I was down to my last dollar. Some nights, I seriously considered stripping at the Skin Bar just to make ends meet, but the thought of my dad's spirit--God rest his soul--scowling at me while I shoved my breasts into some pervert's face was enough to turn me off the idea completely.
And then one night, chance came knocking on my door under the guise of the Midnight Society, a secret cabal comprised of the most wealthy and influential souls this side of the Universe. Their leader was a man named Shadow, who was equally enigmatic as he was gorgeous and, for some mystifying reason, had his dark brooding eyes focused on me.
Seduced by the promises of fame and fortune in exchange for a seemingly innocent request, I soon found myself drawn into a provocative world filled with both vast riches and unending lies and it didn't take long for me to realize what being a part of the Midnight Society actually entailed: shiny things, hot sex, and dead bodies.
There's a dark side to every love story, and this one was mine.

Quotes*'…I hit the first note, creating an instant bond between my mind and my art. I closed my eyes and allowed the spirit of the music to possess me, my hands no longer my own, but an extension of the piano itself. I was its vessel – its mistress – and the intimacy we shared was filled with majestic music…'*'I wanted these moments we had together to mean just as much to Shadow as they did to me. I wanted him to look at me as I looked at him – as the person who captured my heart.'*'After enduring that nightmare, how could I ever think about touching a piano again? … Today, my desires to play music died along with my best friend.'*“Shadow please," I said, reaching out to him again."Just tell me you love me," he said. "that’s all I need from you." His face was red from strain, his voice hoarse."I love you," I said without hesitation.I saw peace on Shadow’s face as he closed his eyes, accepting that this was the end. If he was going to die, I wanted to join him.
Shadow Tremaine and Aria Valencia were two people from completely different worlds. Their collision was that of fate and intervention. And I fell in love with them instantly.
We see Aria as a broke music student, trying to make ends meet, feed her growling stomach and live out the dream she shared with her father. She meets Shadow and instantly goes from having nothing to having the world at her feet. But there are two sides to every coin and she finds herself immersed into the world of the Midnight Society; a world of power and money, but one with danger, murder and secrets.
Logan Patricks created a complex plot that had me hooked from the first page. The way he told a thrilling love story that was enchanting, haunting and intoxicating was genius and Semblance is by far the best romantic thriller I have ever read. I read and review books left, right and centre and this story just captured me.I know Logan worked tirelessly (and I believe his wife did too!) to produce this story and I cannot commend him enough for creating a tale that left me breathless.The sex was hot, the pain felt real, the anticipation was palpable and the mystery around Shadow and the bewildering Midnight Society was impeccably written, giving you just enough to have you begging for more.
I loved Aria’s voice. She’s strong, smart and her snarky attitude had me chuckling while the suspense was high. To find a writer who can make you laugh while your heart is racing in anticipation is rare.And Shadow…I don’t even know what to say about Shadow. He’s dark and brooding, mysterious and dangerous, but he was loveable and sexy as hell. Even his flaws were alluring. His love and need to protect Aria is again something Logan did with finesse and originality.The thick, intertwining plot, and the development of every character encountered throughout, is what had me still swiping my finger across the screen in the early hours of the morning.
Logan created a gothic world of murder, mystery and dangerous love and made it real. It earns a huge five stars from me and I’ll be going back to read it again before the release of book two this spring.
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SemblanceAmazon UKAmazon USGoodreadsSneak PreviewBreathless (Original song by L. Patricks, as featured in Semblance)]