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Reverb
New Release!
THIRD EDITION of Romantic Suspense REVERB
50+ pages, and a lot more story added.
Why?
James' full story is worth telling...
https://www.amazon.com/Reverb-J-Cafes...
Also available in print.
---
James Whren is brilliant, beautiful, rich, and taken—with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. Desired by many, committed to no one but his muse, on the eve of his brother's funeral, his father inadvertently turns his life into a living nightmare, and James is left abandoned in hell with no one real to save him.
Until Elisabeth, and her son, Cameron.
Reverb is a love story, a psychological thriller paced with romantic suspense. Told in a new "clipped" style, Reverb reads fast. Immediate. "Intense," like a sting of texts for today's reader. Spun from The Magus, also about a man who learns to love someone other than himself, Reverb is like nothing you've read, guaranteed.
THIRD EDITION of Romantic Suspense REVERB
50+ pages, and a lot more story added.
Why?
James' full story is worth telling...
https://www.amazon.com/Reverb-J-Cafes...
Also available in print.
---
James Whren is brilliant, beautiful, rich, and taken—with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. Desired by many, committed to no one but his muse, on the eve of his brother's funeral, his father inadvertently turns his life into a living nightmare, and James is left abandoned in hell with no one real to save him.
Until Elisabeth, and her son, Cameron.
Reverb is a love story, a psychological thriller paced with romantic suspense. Told in a new "clipped" style, Reverb reads fast. Immediate. "Intense," like a sting of texts for today's reader. Spun from The Magus, also about a man who learns to love someone other than himself, Reverb is like nothing you've read, guaranteed.
326 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2013
29 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
About the author
J. Cafesin
11 books41 followersWriting fiction is intoxicating. Fully engaging. Hot. Sexual. Physical. Mental. Spatial. Virtually touching real sucked into the scene, and I am a million miles from Lonely.
I write taut, edgy, modern fiction with complex, compelling characters that bring story live, and linger long after the reads...
I write taut, edgy, modern fiction with complex, compelling characters that bring story live, and linger long after the reads...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 19, 2013
Reviewed by Diana Coyle - 5/5 Stars / Top Pick!
This is one of those stories that pulls you in immediately and has you frantically turning the pages to see what happens next.
In this story, we're introduced to James Whren, a talented, brilliant and famous musician who only wants to run from his seriously dark and troubled past. What he has gone through already only adds to his character development as you become more involved in his life. I really felt bad for him and I wanted him to find peace in his life so he could finally move on and put it all behind him. My heart went out to him and I found myself rooting for him throughout the story. When the author had revealed what his estranged father had done to him, I found myself seriously wanting retribution against his dad.
Ms. Cafesin created characters that were believable and very relatable. The storyline was emotionally compelling and I was so engrossed that I felt as if I became another character seeing everything firsthand. When Elisabeth and her son, Cameron came into the picture I wanted them to all be each other's redemption in one form or another. I knew that if they both didn't deal with their own troubled past there was no way they could start a healthy relationship together.
Another thing that I enjoyed was the easy flow of dialogue the author created. It was so believable that I really could "hear" the characters speaking their stories to me. This is one story that I highly recommend. Well done, Ms. Cafesin!
© Night Owl Reviews
This is one of those stories that pulls you in immediately and has you frantically turning the pages to see what happens next.
In this story, we're introduced to James Whren, a talented, brilliant and famous musician who only wants to run from his seriously dark and troubled past. What he has gone through already only adds to his character development as you become more involved in his life. I really felt bad for him and I wanted him to find peace in his life so he could finally move on and put it all behind him. My heart went out to him and I found myself rooting for him throughout the story. When the author had revealed what his estranged father had done to him, I found myself seriously wanting retribution against his dad.
Ms. Cafesin created characters that were believable and very relatable. The storyline was emotionally compelling and I was so engrossed that I felt as if I became another character seeing everything firsthand. When Elisabeth and her son, Cameron came into the picture I wanted them to all be each other's redemption in one form or another. I knew that if they both didn't deal with their own troubled past there was no way they could start a healthy relationship together.
Another thing that I enjoyed was the easy flow of dialogue the author created. It was so believable that I really could "hear" the characters speaking their stories to me. This is one story that I highly recommend. Well done, Ms. Cafesin!
© Night Owl Reviews
December 7, 2013
Sir James Michael Whren goes by James Logan is attending his half brother's funeral in England. He's anxious to get back to his music studio to continue working on his current project. His father, Edward Whren wants to have chat with him about his future which leaves James feeling resentful and sullen to his father's presence. Edward continues the conversation he started five years prior to which James replies let's not go down this road again because he wants nothing to do with Whren Trust or inheriting anything from his father. Edward Whren hatches a plan to keep James in England but he could not foresee what happens next to James. James is arrested at Heathrow Airport on a trumped up charge of dealing drugs and forced into rehab but that is the beginning of his worst nightmare of his life for the next year and half. James manages to escape where he's being held to eventually States to gain access to his money~so he can disappear again. James does that and more. He's hidden on island of Greece called Corfu and eventually meets Elisabeth Whitestone and her son Cameron. James slowly comes out of his shell being around Elisabeth and Cameron. James is completely haunted by his past and can't seem to shake just wanting to die. Elisabeth knows that something awful happened to James eventually gets him to start eating and pick up his musical skills again. Will James let his past continue to haunt him? Will James find his muse again? Will James love both Elisabeth and Cameron? Will Elisabeth admit her feelings for James? Your answers await you in Reverb.
Reverb is gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster from first page to last page. I've found my favorite book and character of the year in this book. I honestly don't have the words to explain or describe how this book affected me. I applaud the author for bolding stepping into this dark path and the courage to follow thru with it. I highly recommend this book. I look forward to next book presented by this author.
Reverb is gut wrenching emotional rollercoaster from first page to last page. I've found my favorite book and character of the year in this book. I honestly don't have the words to explain or describe how this book affected me. I applaud the author for bolding stepping into this dark path and the courage to follow thru with it. I highly recommend this book. I look forward to next book presented by this author.
August 23, 2011
Favorite Lines: “There are no white knights, Kate. You don’t need one. Get back to your life and make it what you want.” (p. 56)
Reverb is a troubling book. Why? It’s a heavy book in which multiple rapes affect everything. I guess that’s where the title kinda comes in as reverb is “an effect whereby the sound produced by an amplifier or an amplified musical instrument is made to reverberate slightly.” It’s not the usual heroine rape, though.
The story is intriguing. A man is institutionalized against his will, raped, escapes and must find out how to live again while on the run. The author shows the long journey to self-worth that James is forced to travel and it is a painful trip. It didn’t happen overnight and even by the end of the book, James wasn’t a happy, carefree man. He was a man who made a life after losing everything. He found a woman who supported him and tried to be the best man he could be. The book wasn’t for me though and I’ll tell you why.
James (the hero) is obviously an extremely damaged man. He tries to keep people at arm’s length, but when he finally lets his heroine in she tries to show him another side to the atrocities he was forced to endure. She has some valid points, such as he needs to confront his father and see if his father knew how James was being tortured. But she lost me when James expressed his feelings about being returned to the facility. She tells him:
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear anymore. How important could Cameron and I possibly be to you if you’re so keen on killing yourself when faced with a little adversity?”
“A little adversity?” He flashed her a look like hatred then turned back to the road.
“You know what I mean. I need you to listen to me very carefully now.” She hoped he could hear her through his anger.
The hero handles it, but with those sentences the heroine lost my support. If I can’t believe in the power of a heroine’s (or hero’s) love, the book does not work as a romance for me. I don’t believe the two can live happily ever after, and for me that makes or breaks a romance novel. However, this book isn’t a romance. It is a general work of fiction that really disturbed me
I felt like there was an ongoing theme of characters chastising the hero. Even the hero’s father and his father’s assistant shook their proverbial fingers at the hero. I was pissed. It felt like the characters were trying to justify placing James in a facility, while pleading ignorance of how he was treated. Kinda like, “Well, I (he) did the what I (he) thought was best for the right reasons, but something bad happened. That’s not my (his) fault.” It made me furious.
The impertinent child still glared at him. How was he to get through to this man? “He took you into his home, his life, and provided you with a stable, supportive environment that encouraged and funded your talent without limits. And you walked away. You shame me as a man and a mentor. I thought you knew better than that.”
Really? After the hero has been raped by men and women, and you now know of his torture, you’re trying to get through to him that his father wanted to take care of him. Really? A grown man? We’re not talking about a teenager. We are talking about a man who is around 30-years-old. From the beginning to the end, people want to fix him, to pull him away from his music simply because he’s a musical prodigy who lives and breathes music. They want him to take a larger interest in the world. Well look at how that world treated him.
In the end, Reverb is just not my type of book. It left me disturbed and filled with negative energy.
Scooper Speaks
Reverb is a troubling book. Why? It’s a heavy book in which multiple rapes affect everything. I guess that’s where the title kinda comes in as reverb is “an effect whereby the sound produced by an amplifier or an amplified musical instrument is made to reverberate slightly.” It’s not the usual heroine rape, though.
The story is intriguing. A man is institutionalized against his will, raped, escapes and must find out how to live again while on the run. The author shows the long journey to self-worth that James is forced to travel and it is a painful trip. It didn’t happen overnight and even by the end of the book, James wasn’t a happy, carefree man. He was a man who made a life after losing everything. He found a woman who supported him and tried to be the best man he could be. The book wasn’t for me though and I’ll tell you why.
James (the hero) is obviously an extremely damaged man. He tries to keep people at arm’s length, but when he finally lets his heroine in she tries to show him another side to the atrocities he was forced to endure. She has some valid points, such as he needs to confront his father and see if his father knew how James was being tortured. But she lost me when James expressed his feelings about being returned to the facility. She tells him:
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear anymore. How important could Cameron and I possibly be to you if you’re so keen on killing yourself when faced with a little adversity?”
“A little adversity?” He flashed her a look like hatred then turned back to the road.
“You know what I mean. I need you to listen to me very carefully now.” She hoped he could hear her through his anger.
The hero handles it, but with those sentences the heroine lost my support. If I can’t believe in the power of a heroine’s (or hero’s) love, the book does not work as a romance for me. I don’t believe the two can live happily ever after, and for me that makes or breaks a romance novel. However, this book isn’t a romance. It is a general work of fiction that really disturbed me
I felt like there was an ongoing theme of characters chastising the hero. Even the hero’s father and his father’s assistant shook their proverbial fingers at the hero. I was pissed. It felt like the characters were trying to justify placing James in a facility, while pleading ignorance of how he was treated. Kinda like, “Well, I (he) did the what I (he) thought was best for the right reasons, but something bad happened. That’s not my (his) fault.” It made me furious.
The impertinent child still glared at him. How was he to get through to this man? “He took you into his home, his life, and provided you with a stable, supportive environment that encouraged and funded your talent without limits. And you walked away. You shame me as a man and a mentor. I thought you knew better than that.”
Really? After the hero has been raped by men and women, and you now know of his torture, you’re trying to get through to him that his father wanted to take care of him. Really? A grown man? We’re not talking about a teenager. We are talking about a man who is around 30-years-old. From the beginning to the end, people want to fix him, to pull him away from his music simply because he’s a musical prodigy who lives and breathes music. They want him to take a larger interest in the world. Well look at how that world treated him.
In the end, Reverb is just not my type of book. It left me disturbed and filled with negative energy.
Scooper Speaks
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2013
(4.5)
Wow, I'm at awe! This was thinking outside the box (my prude box). A definite unforgettable tale and splendid storytelling. I was captivated from the very start and when I got to that (don't what to spoil it for you), particular adult content , I yelp, "Oh no!". My mind immediately thought that this was going in the direction that I didn't want it to go ..just not my genre. But I kept reading and glad I did. It so happens that the incident was not to tantalize but clearly the opposite. It was crucial to showcase it in order to get into the source of James' mentality.
James' story was remarkable because his odyssey to finding meaning in life was cause to reflect. Life definitely throws us wretched circumstances and those times can put us in a solipsism kind of thinking. In James' case, fear "reverberated" (like his music) in his heart and motivated his steps. Although my fear is different from James', I can certainly relate to the intensity and self-centered thought process. I want to throw the towel, I want to hide somewhere, I want to punch something, ..I want an eraser! Then we are rescued by love ones, a spiritual being, or what have you and then and only then comes the understanding that as horrible as that was, we're stronger for the lesson it taught. That in turn puts you in the path to a happier and fulfilling you. That was part of the message I got from this read. Another was the saving graces that family plays in our psyche. A love story in the end. Edgy and dark getting there so it did leave me with a bit of a negative energy.
This novel delivered main characters that poured out their souls, supporting characters that really added richness to the story, backdrops that followed the suspense well, meaningful lines, and a life affirming message. Well crafted, Ms Cafesin!
I only recommend this book to mature readers because of its strong adult content.
My quoteables:
"You'd figure out that love wasn't going to consume you, but complete you." (1710)
"Yeah. Atheism is efficient that way. But I envy your faith. You're never alone, or without purpose." (2474)
"The thing is, living is all about feeling. Feeling pleasure, ...pain ...Angry, sad, hurt, scared, compassion, passion, love-- letting yourself feel these things because in them lies the spectacular richness of being alive ..." (pauses are my own, 2640)
"My body reverberates with the pounding of my heart, fear suddenly gripping my throat and suffocating." (2667)
"Who you love may be chance, but how you love clearly isn't" (4384)
"This is all we will ever really possess, James. Use it wisely." (5354)
**Number after quote is location according to my e-reader, 5673 being the very end.
**Ebook copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Jinky is Reading
Wow, I'm at awe! This was thinking outside the box (my prude box). A definite unforgettable tale and splendid storytelling. I was captivated from the very start and when I got to that (don't what to spoil it for you), particular adult content , I yelp, "Oh no!". My mind immediately thought that this was going in the direction that I didn't want it to go ..just not my genre. But I kept reading and glad I did. It so happens that the incident was not to tantalize but clearly the opposite. It was crucial to showcase it in order to get into the source of James' mentality.
James' story was remarkable because his odyssey to finding meaning in life was cause to reflect. Life definitely throws us wretched circumstances and those times can put us in a solipsism kind of thinking. In James' case, fear "reverberated" (like his music) in his heart and motivated his steps. Although my fear is different from James', I can certainly relate to the intensity and self-centered thought process. I want to throw the towel, I want to hide somewhere, I want to punch something, ..I want an eraser! Then we are rescued by love ones, a spiritual being, or what have you and then and only then comes the understanding that as horrible as that was, we're stronger for the lesson it taught. That in turn puts you in the path to a happier and fulfilling you. That was part of the message I got from this read. Another was the saving graces that family plays in our psyche. A love story in the end. Edgy and dark getting there so it did leave me with a bit of a negative energy.
This novel delivered main characters that poured out their souls, supporting characters that really added richness to the story, backdrops that followed the suspense well, meaningful lines, and a life affirming message. Well crafted, Ms Cafesin!
I only recommend this book to mature readers because of its strong adult content.
My quoteables:
"You'd figure out that love wasn't going to consume you, but complete you." (1710)
"Yeah. Atheism is efficient that way. But I envy your faith. You're never alone, or without purpose." (2474)
"The thing is, living is all about feeling. Feeling pleasure, ...pain ...Angry, sad, hurt, scared, compassion, passion, love-- letting yourself feel these things because in them lies the spectacular richness of being alive ..." (pauses are my own, 2640)
"My body reverberates with the pounding of my heart, fear suddenly gripping my throat and suffocating." (2667)
"Who you love may be chance, but how you love clearly isn't" (4384)
"This is all we will ever really possess, James. Use it wisely." (5354)
**Number after quote is location according to my e-reader, 5673 being the very end.
**Ebook copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Jinky is Reading
December 28, 2013
Book – Reverb
Author – J. Cafesin
Publication Date – January 19, 2013
Type – Stand Alone
Genre – Romance, Thriller
Rating – 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars
Review
To be honest, there were a few times, I had to put the book down and take a break from it. Parts of it had my mind wandering on other things and I had a hard time grasping the “present tense” writing. Other than that, I liked James’ character – I loved how self absorbed he was and was rooting for him the whole time.
I found myself getting pissed off at Elisabeth’s character and how she didn’t seem to have true sympathy for James’ tortured past at the institution. At this point in the story, I was ready to give up. I was frustrated that a grown man had everyone trying to take care of him and thought they knew what was best for him. I just had a hard time connecting with that and wanted James to just turn his back on everything.
The author told me that this book would be like nothing I have ever read before and that statement in a nutshell is 100% true. It is dark and most of the time captivating – the biggest problem being that while reading, I experienced a sense of dread and negative energy.
Re-Cap
James is a genius with music, but that’s about where it ends for him. He can’t connect with people and relationships are the furthest thing from his mind. James’ father confronts him at his older ½ brother’s funeral about taking over the property and business but James wants nothing to do with it or his father.
The next part of the book, we experience James hurt and on the run from something and learn that for years he has been institutionalized. During this time, James has suffered unbelievable accounts of rape and torture until he is finally able to escape.
All alone, James tries to deal with the fact that music is missing in his mind and he needs to escape his father from finding him. Hence, the trip to Corfu and the meeting of Elisabeth……but here I’m going to end since I don’t want to give too much of the book away.
Wrap Up
It may be just me and my dislike for stories told in the present tense that I couldn’t connect fully with this book, if you are a fan of that style along with romance, suspense and dark things…this is definitely a book to pick up. The author isn’t lying about this being “nothing you’ve read before”.
Author – J. Cafesin
Publication Date – January 19, 2013
Type – Stand Alone
Genre – Romance, Thriller
Rating – 3 1/2 out of 5 Stars
Review
To be honest, there were a few times, I had to put the book down and take a break from it. Parts of it had my mind wandering on other things and I had a hard time grasping the “present tense” writing. Other than that, I liked James’ character – I loved how self absorbed he was and was rooting for him the whole time.
I found myself getting pissed off at Elisabeth’s character and how she didn’t seem to have true sympathy for James’ tortured past at the institution. At this point in the story, I was ready to give up. I was frustrated that a grown man had everyone trying to take care of him and thought they knew what was best for him. I just had a hard time connecting with that and wanted James to just turn his back on everything.
The author told me that this book would be like nothing I have ever read before and that statement in a nutshell is 100% true. It is dark and most of the time captivating – the biggest problem being that while reading, I experienced a sense of dread and negative energy.
Re-Cap
James is a genius with music, but that’s about where it ends for him. He can’t connect with people and relationships are the furthest thing from his mind. James’ father confronts him at his older ½ brother’s funeral about taking over the property and business but James wants nothing to do with it or his father.
The next part of the book, we experience James hurt and on the run from something and learn that for years he has been institutionalized. During this time, James has suffered unbelievable accounts of rape and torture until he is finally able to escape.
All alone, James tries to deal with the fact that music is missing in his mind and he needs to escape his father from finding him. Hence, the trip to Corfu and the meeting of Elisabeth……but here I’m going to end since I don’t want to give too much of the book away.
Wrap Up
It may be just me and my dislike for stories told in the present tense that I couldn’t connect fully with this book, if you are a fan of that style along with romance, suspense and dark things…this is definitely a book to pick up. The author isn’t lying about this being “nothing you’ve read before”.
November 5, 2013
Reverb by J. Cafesin is one of those reads that will shred your heart to ribbons as you follow the tortured journey of its main character, who had it all until he was betrayed by the actions of a powerful man, his own father. The damage was devastating in every way imaginable for James and he feels destroyed, mentally shattered, emotionally drained. He has become a shell and retreats from the world in a futile attempt to heal or hide from his “shame.” Meeting a young widow and her small child may be the only lifeline thrown to him, if he would only reach for it.
This is not light reading, you will not be able to distance yourself from the horrors endured and the damage wrought on James. When you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you will find yourself wanting to point it out to this tortured soul, you’ll be that invested in this tale. Ms. Cafesin has built a horrific world for her main character, but softens it with hope and possibilities. Her writing is crisp, taut and intense with character development that is very strong and powerful, as she molds each personality and positions them for maximum effect. Like a fly on the wall, I watched the story unfold as Ms. Cafesin gave life to each scene, sometimes brutally raw, sometimes warm and very moving. There are no wasted words in her powerful portrayal of redemption and return from a living nightmare. This was an emotional rollercoaster that will stay with me for quite a while. Do I recommend it? Definitely.
I need to thank the author for providing me the opportunity to read this amazing work.
Publication Date: January 14, 2013
Publisher: Entropy Press
ISBN: 0615756395
Genre: Adult Literary Fiction
Page Count: 328
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
This is not light reading, you will not be able to distance yourself from the horrors endured and the damage wrought on James. When you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you will find yourself wanting to point it out to this tortured soul, you’ll be that invested in this tale. Ms. Cafesin has built a horrific world for her main character, but softens it with hope and possibilities. Her writing is crisp, taut and intense with character development that is very strong and powerful, as she molds each personality and positions them for maximum effect. Like a fly on the wall, I watched the story unfold as Ms. Cafesin gave life to each scene, sometimes brutally raw, sometimes warm and very moving. There are no wasted words in her powerful portrayal of redemption and return from a living nightmare. This was an emotional rollercoaster that will stay with me for quite a while. Do I recommend it? Definitely.
I need to thank the author for providing me the opportunity to read this amazing work.
Publication Date: January 14, 2013
Publisher: Entropy Press
ISBN: 0615756395
Genre: Adult Literary Fiction
Page Count: 328
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
July 23, 2014
this book blew my mind!!!!
I had an amazing hand wrote review for Reverb, But I misplaced it. So as promised, I am writing an honest review other than "This book blew my mind."
There is no doubt in my mind that James is such a beautiful character. And his character is what make this book, No doubt about it. How one person can go through so much trauma in life and come back stronger and willing to love is beyond me. James captured my heart.
Stunning story telling J. Cafesin! :-)
I had an amazing hand wrote review for Reverb, But I misplaced it. So as promised, I am writing an honest review other than "This book blew my mind."
There is no doubt in my mind that James is such a beautiful character. And his character is what make this book, No doubt about it. How one person can go through so much trauma in life and come back stronger and willing to love is beyond me. James captured my heart.
Stunning story telling J. Cafesin! :-)
December 30, 2013
James Michael Whren is a hot and sexy man who is obsessed with creating music. For James nothing compares to music. To James life is great until his brother’s funeral which ends up changing the course of his life forever. He is dropped into hell and can’t find a way out. James did a good job of coming to terms with his life preincarceration, during incarceration and post incarceration.
I was not fond of James’s father, Edward. He came across a selfish, self-obsessed and judgmental man. He seemed too concerned with James doing what he wanted and judging him than being a parent. Parents should be doing what is best for the child and not what is best for them but it looks like Edward never got that message. Even in the end Edward took credit for something that James did. Edward pissed me off every time we saw him in the story. Also Edwards’s friend, Howard is just as bad. It seems that he blames James for Edwards’s actions when the blame for everything lays at Edwards’s feet.
This book is very good at making you think about your life and what would happen if someone with ulterior motives injected themselves into your life just to get you to do what they wanted regardless of what you want. It makes you realize how precious our lives are and how much we could lose when someone else judges our actions according to their values and wishes.
I loved seeing how James falls in love with Elisabeth and her son Cameron. James finds someone that meets his needs in a way that no one else ever has. I enjoyed seeing that James was willing to outside his comfort zone to make her happy. James and Elisabeth had great chemistry together.
This book keep me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it figured out it changed on me. I found this story to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. Overall this with a wonderful story that will stick with me for a long time to come.
I was not fond of James’s father, Edward. He came across a selfish, self-obsessed and judgmental man. He seemed too concerned with James doing what he wanted and judging him than being a parent. Parents should be doing what is best for the child and not what is best for them but it looks like Edward never got that message. Even in the end Edward took credit for something that James did. Edward pissed me off every time we saw him in the story. Also Edwards’s friend, Howard is just as bad. It seems that he blames James for Edwards’s actions when the blame for everything lays at Edwards’s feet.
This book is very good at making you think about your life and what would happen if someone with ulterior motives injected themselves into your life just to get you to do what they wanted regardless of what you want. It makes you realize how precious our lives are and how much we could lose when someone else judges our actions according to their values and wishes.
I loved seeing how James falls in love with Elisabeth and her son Cameron. James finds someone that meets his needs in a way that no one else ever has. I enjoyed seeing that James was willing to outside his comfort zone to make her happy. James and Elisabeth had great chemistry together.
This book keep me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it figured out it changed on me. I found this story to be well written. The main and secondary characters were interesting and realistic. Overall this with a wonderful story that will stick with me for a long time to come.
March 28, 2014
ARC Was Given To Blog For An Honest Review
It is funny; I had to look this title’s name up in the dictionary to find out what it means. I found out that it relates to music. I started this book really not know much about it except from the blurb. I noticed some people wrote that it was suspense thriller. I did not see this story that way at all. All books for the most part are suspense for me, since I am waiting to see what happens next.
At the beginning of this book I was confused. The prologue starts with the character as a small boy. It then jumps to James a grown man. I actually felt that the prologue was not needed; ultimately it left me scratching my head. If the story would have started out where chapter one started and that was the prologue it would have made more sense to me. It was after I got through that when I finally was intrigued by the story.
This is not a hearts and flowers love story nor is it erotica. This is a dark tale of crimes committed against James. James is a gorgeous man obsessed with his music always feeling he was the outsider in his family and that his father really wanted nothing to do with him. The two were estranged for many years. He is famous and rich but all he really focuses on in his life is his music and his obsession limits him in his relationships. I felt very sad for him. He is wrongly accused of crime and although this crime is not a big one, things go horribly wrong and his life spirals from there. We usually see this type of thing happen to women in our stories rarely a man. I must warn you that there are scenes that involve rape; these scenes are intense and can be hard to handle.
The family dynamic is very strange and left me questioning who was wrong and right when it came to how the story evolved to climactic proportions. My heart broke into a million pieces with each nightmare James had. James escapes and runs far away. He is alone with nothing but his nightmares and always looking over his shoulder. That is when he meets a young women and her infant son. Liz and Cameron become his salvation, healers and the loves of his life.
Liz suffers from her own loss. A husband killed by act of terror, she also escapes to help gain insight to her life. Once she befriends James, I began to feel the healing for both of them. Liz is an everyday women, I love the way the author describes her as curvaceous. I love how she sees more than what is on the surface and seems to dig deep when needed. She is a courageous smart and beautiful person.
I really like the way the author brought the relationship with Liz and James together very slowly. I felt their feelings as they felt them. It was not the all consuming type of love and lust but one built of trust and understanding. I really loved their understanding of each other. Watching James in this story, he grew to be a different man than he was and it was beautiful to see.
I know I normally do not go into much about stories because I do not want to give you just another synopsis but I did leave out so much for other readers to feel and learn, but what I wrote was necessary and no spoilers are given.
I do have a few issues that I was not happy with in the book. As I said earlier the prologue was confusing. There were characters early on that were not as developed as I would have liked, and they seemed glossed over quickly. I do not even think I have ever said this but I felt as if this should have been a two book series.
I believe the author of this story was also trying to send a message to the reader of this story. I am not sure I agree with the message I took away from the story, or if I can even forgive after leaning the message I perceived. I did take away the message more than one thing can define who we are. The story has an HEA but it is different than what you will expect.
I would really love to discuss this book with others that read it or have read it. Please comment below if you are interested.
It is funny; I had to look this title’s name up in the dictionary to find out what it means. I found out that it relates to music. I started this book really not know much about it except from the blurb. I noticed some people wrote that it was suspense thriller. I did not see this story that way at all. All books for the most part are suspense for me, since I am waiting to see what happens next.
At the beginning of this book I was confused. The prologue starts with the character as a small boy. It then jumps to James a grown man. I actually felt that the prologue was not needed; ultimately it left me scratching my head. If the story would have started out where chapter one started and that was the prologue it would have made more sense to me. It was after I got through that when I finally was intrigued by the story.
This is not a hearts and flowers love story nor is it erotica. This is a dark tale of crimes committed against James. James is a gorgeous man obsessed with his music always feeling he was the outsider in his family and that his father really wanted nothing to do with him. The two were estranged for many years. He is famous and rich but all he really focuses on in his life is his music and his obsession limits him in his relationships. I felt very sad for him. He is wrongly accused of crime and although this crime is not a big one, things go horribly wrong and his life spirals from there. We usually see this type of thing happen to women in our stories rarely a man. I must warn you that there are scenes that involve rape; these scenes are intense and can be hard to handle.
The family dynamic is very strange and left me questioning who was wrong and right when it came to how the story evolved to climactic proportions. My heart broke into a million pieces with each nightmare James had. James escapes and runs far away. He is alone with nothing but his nightmares and always looking over his shoulder. That is when he meets a young women and her infant son. Liz and Cameron become his salvation, healers and the loves of his life.
Liz suffers from her own loss. A husband killed by act of terror, she also escapes to help gain insight to her life. Once she befriends James, I began to feel the healing for both of them. Liz is an everyday women, I love the way the author describes her as curvaceous. I love how she sees more than what is on the surface and seems to dig deep when needed. She is a courageous smart and beautiful person.
I really like the way the author brought the relationship with Liz and James together very slowly. I felt their feelings as they felt them. It was not the all consuming type of love and lust but one built of trust and understanding. I really loved their understanding of each other. Watching James in this story, he grew to be a different man than he was and it was beautiful to see.
I know I normally do not go into much about stories because I do not want to give you just another synopsis but I did leave out so much for other readers to feel and learn, but what I wrote was necessary and no spoilers are given.
I do have a few issues that I was not happy with in the book. As I said earlier the prologue was confusing. There were characters early on that were not as developed as I would have liked, and they seemed glossed over quickly. I do not even think I have ever said this but I felt as if this should have been a two book series.
I believe the author of this story was also trying to send a message to the reader of this story. I am not sure I agree with the message I took away from the story, or if I can even forgive after leaning the message I perceived. I did take away the message more than one thing can define who we are. The story has an HEA but it is different than what you will expect.
I would really love to discuss this book with others that read it or have read it. Please comment below if you are interested.
July 22, 2015
Well that was excruciating. One might notice that I don't typically provide reviews but this book was so truly awful that I just had to warn other. While the absurd premise alone was enough to make me detest this book, there were three aspects of Reverb that made it so painful to read that I only finished it because I so very rarely give up on a book. They are (no spoilers contained):
1) The crazy love affair the author has with the protagonist. I wish I had the foresight to quantify the number of times I had to read about how beautiful James is, how his features were exquisite, how he ran his long beautiful fingers through his long, luxurious hair. This read as if it were written by a 16-year-old high school girl about a boyfriend that had just broken her heart. Come on J. Cafesin, (how pretentious, don't you have a first name?) I get it, he's a handsome guy. I don't need to read it every 15 pages or so to understand the concept. Get over your crush!
2) The author's incredibly annoying writing style with incomplete sentences. "Went to the store." "Felt like hell." "Looked at me like I was crazy." UGH!
3) Lastly, and possibly the one that pushed me over the edge here was the horrendous baby talk of the young child Cameron (I believe that was the name, I'm doing my best to repress everything from this book). I don't recall ever having read a book full of baby talk ("soders 'ames for "put me on your shoulder), but this book has ensured I will never endure another book that has any sort of baby talk.
I'm really not trying to bury the author -- she must be doing something right to warrant the score I see on this site, so obviously many others have enjoyed this book. But I can say, unequivocally, that this is one of the worst books I have read in my 50+ years.
You have been sufficiently warned.
1) The crazy love affair the author has with the protagonist. I wish I had the foresight to quantify the number of times I had to read about how beautiful James is, how his features were exquisite, how he ran his long beautiful fingers through his long, luxurious hair. This read as if it were written by a 16-year-old high school girl about a boyfriend that had just broken her heart. Come on J. Cafesin, (how pretentious, don't you have a first name?) I get it, he's a handsome guy. I don't need to read it every 15 pages or so to understand the concept. Get over your crush!
2) The author's incredibly annoying writing style with incomplete sentences. "Went to the store." "Felt like hell." "Looked at me like I was crazy." UGH!
3) Lastly, and possibly the one that pushed me over the edge here was the horrendous baby talk of the young child Cameron (I believe that was the name, I'm doing my best to repress everything from this book). I don't recall ever having read a book full of baby talk ("soders 'ames for "put me on your shoulder), but this book has ensured I will never endure another book that has any sort of baby talk.
I'm really not trying to bury the author -- she must be doing something right to warrant the score I see on this site, so obviously many others have enjoyed this book. But I can say, unequivocally, that this is one of the worst books I have read in my 50+ years.
You have been sufficiently warned.
October 30, 2013
Jane Hunt Writer First Steps
Reverb is a compelling read.
The plot successfully merges the genres of psychological thriller and romantic suspense. Written in both the first and third person Reverb's unconventional writing style adds to its immediacy. For much of the story you are the fly on the wall and sometimes you don't want to be.
Vivid characters drive the story forward and even the numerous flashbacks positively reinforce the plot's momentum.
Realistic and savage many aspects of the story are tragic; James' blighted childhood inability to connect with people and the loss of his muse. The fine line between genius and mental instability is explored. James relives the graphic torture he suffered during the past year ending with a failed suicide attempt. Edward James' biological father's manipulation of his life causes a tsunami of pain and angst.
The inclusion of the torture scenes is essential to the story development but I found them unpleasant, to read. I must emphasise Reverb is an adult read.
From the darkness hope and a life changing romance emerges when James meets Elisabeth. Love heals James's damaged psyche but is it enough.
Reverb has a twisty plot even the well written ending is shadowed with past events which leave you wondering.
I was given a copy of Reverb by the author in exchange for an honest review.
J. Cafesin
June 14, 2014
******* This book is nothing like I have ever read before. Spent many longs nights staying up and reading. I could not leave James without knowing how he was feeling at that moment in time. This book is written in three stages of James life. From the very start I loved James you just can not help it. My blood ran cold, my heart stopped beating, my eyes were red from crying. To know what all the hurt and pain that happened to ones soul. He fights in all that has left from inside himself. In the end he lives, happy, loves like he has never loved and he is loved like he has never been loved. I will not give any spoilers here but I have to say that I feel the same way he does about his father!!! May I say that I hope James has the peace that he needs to live his life as he wishes.... Loving Liz until his time is up in this world. I have to many feeling about this book but I must say this is one of the very few that I will not ever have go back and have to read. The words of this story in burned into mind. I will never forget the paths that I was takin on thought this book. I will always remember but I will pick it back up just to remind myself that no one can keep me from living. This is a MUST READ!!!!!
August 30, 2014
Not the usual type of book I go for, normally anything with the word romance in it has me running for the hills. But I am so glad I resisted this primal urge because I was rewarded with an extremely well crafted story.
From the opening paragraph I was compelled to read on as the narrative pulled me in. While there was definitely a large serving of romance in this book, it was well balanced with all the other components. When all of these components are put together they deliver a memorable experience. The character and dialogue in this book for me are the standouts as they feel so real. Overall a very satisfying read that made me glad I stepped outside of my literary comfort zone.
From the opening paragraph I was compelled to read on as the narrative pulled me in. While there was definitely a large serving of romance in this book, it was well balanced with all the other components. When all of these components are put together they deliver a memorable experience. The character and dialogue in this book for me are the standouts as they feel so real. Overall a very satisfying read that made me glad I stepped outside of my literary comfort zone.
August 14, 2011
A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN SUSPENSE!
My Thoughts:
I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from this book, premise sounded intriguing but different. But once I started the book it wasn’t easy to put down or forget—I found myself thinking about it while doing other things. James Whren made that much of an impact on me. There were parts of the book that made me stop and realize how beautifully written it was and how complete and realistic the main characters were.
James, through various losses, has found solace in music and it’s been his way of protecting himself—disconnecting from messy life and hiding in the sheer genius of his music. Music is where his emotions run free and where he’s safe. When he’s betrayed on a very basic level and by someone he didn’t expect it from, everything he is or thinks he is has been ripped away leaving him raw and damaged. Music is no longer a solace.
I wouldn’t classify Reverb as a thriller. You know something horrible has happened to James and he is on the run. You’re captured by the sense of danger he feels but the pace is a bit slower than a thriller and without a classic thriller’s edge of kick ass action with the danger. This is a very well written suspense. The suspense is figuring out what happened to James, the danger he’s facing, and why he’s on the run. That aspect of the story is well developed and once you have a picture of the danger you’re invested emotionally and don’t want to see him captured. You also feel the increase of tension as the story unfurls. Well done.
The joy of this story is in the growing relationship between James and Elizabeth and her young son, Cam. Of seeing James growing, healing, and dealing with the reverb or echoes of his past. It’s redemption, forgiveness, connection, and like the phoenix rising from the ashes, rebuilding a life based on the strength of love.
This is very much a character (even the secondary characters) driven story and I genuinely liked Elizabeth and James. It is James’ story and it touched a range of emotions in me as I got to know him. The author skillfully puts you inside his head and heart and you see the arc of his journey. She gives you time to get to know Elizabeth through well developed dialogue and actions which draws you to see what happens next.
The only nit-pics I had was with a peripheral character whose involvement could have been shortened. It didn't really interfere with my enjoyment of the story--other than raising a question as to what happened to her.
There are some unexpected twists and as with all good stories love wins but it’s not without cost.
It’s a compelling read and a book I’d definitely recommend.
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
My Thoughts:
I wasn’t sure quite what to expect from this book, premise sounded intriguing but different. But once I started the book it wasn’t easy to put down or forget—I found myself thinking about it while doing other things. James Whren made that much of an impact on me. There were parts of the book that made me stop and realize how beautifully written it was and how complete and realistic the main characters were.
James, through various losses, has found solace in music and it’s been his way of protecting himself—disconnecting from messy life and hiding in the sheer genius of his music. Music is where his emotions run free and where he’s safe. When he’s betrayed on a very basic level and by someone he didn’t expect it from, everything he is or thinks he is has been ripped away leaving him raw and damaged. Music is no longer a solace.
I wouldn’t classify Reverb as a thriller. You know something horrible has happened to James and he is on the run. You’re captured by the sense of danger he feels but the pace is a bit slower than a thriller and without a classic thriller’s edge of kick ass action with the danger. This is a very well written suspense. The suspense is figuring out what happened to James, the danger he’s facing, and why he’s on the run. That aspect of the story is well developed and once you have a picture of the danger you’re invested emotionally and don’t want to see him captured. You also feel the increase of tension as the story unfurls. Well done.
The joy of this story is in the growing relationship between James and Elizabeth and her young son, Cam. Of seeing James growing, healing, and dealing with the reverb or echoes of his past. It’s redemption, forgiveness, connection, and like the phoenix rising from the ashes, rebuilding a life based on the strength of love.
This is very much a character (even the secondary characters) driven story and I genuinely liked Elizabeth and James. It is James’ story and it touched a range of emotions in me as I got to know him. The author skillfully puts you inside his head and heart and you see the arc of his journey. She gives you time to get to know Elizabeth through well developed dialogue and actions which draws you to see what happens next.
The only nit-pics I had was with a peripheral character whose involvement could have been shortened. It didn't really interfere with my enjoyment of the story--other than raising a question as to what happened to her.
There are some unexpected twists and as with all good stories love wins but it’s not without cost.
It’s a compelling read and a book I’d definitely recommend.
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
January 17, 2016
By: J. Cafesin
Published By: Entropy Press
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Reverb" By J. Cafesin was a "love story, a psychological thriller paced with romantic suspense." I truly could not have said it any better because this was truly a story of redemption. I enjoyed the first POV from James Michael Whren and the other characters are in third person POV.. all giving the reader a good story. The author was able to create a emotional intensive feel that ring high from the 'backstories' on to a much needed happier ending that we were given in the end. The reader was able to feel the tension that radiated from James, his dad and the other characters to a point of making it seem you are there in the midst of it all. You will definitely find yourself being brought into James's world. This author was able to use all of this through the 'accusations, deep talks, revelations, and the many arguments only to bring out to the reader a good intriguing dialogue. In the end I can only say I thought "Reverb" was a awesome read that I could not put down until the end.
However, be ready for a few scenes that maybe a little 'graphic in nature and languages that push the boundaries' for some of the faint hearted, but still I did like the way this author presented it all.
"James Wren is brilliant, beautiful, wealthy, and taken - with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. But on the evening of his brother's funeral, his father turns James' life upside down." This is where the story will take off and James meets widowed Elisabeth and her young son Cameron. Now, to get the rest of it all I will say to get the rest of the story you must pick up "Reverb" to see how this author makes it all clear to the reader.
The characters: James Whren, Edward Whren and Elisabeth Whitestone and her son Cameron were really the main characters who were colorful, real, even believable. However, for some of these characters you will be able to feel the 'angst, anger, frustration, pain and betrayal' that will be all up into this interesting story.
I agree that "Reverb" was "fast paced, fascinating, shocking but most of all a riveting read" that I would recommend to you as some compelling story.
I have looked at the book cover many times trying to figure it out...then it came to me.... "Reverb" is all about James... who was of "echoes, repercussions, consequences, aftermath fallout to backlash." Well done author J. Cafesin!
Published By: Entropy Press
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Reverb" By J. Cafesin was a "love story, a psychological thriller paced with romantic suspense." I truly could not have said it any better because this was truly a story of redemption. I enjoyed the first POV from James Michael Whren and the other characters are in third person POV.. all giving the reader a good story. The author was able to create a emotional intensive feel that ring high from the 'backstories' on to a much needed happier ending that we were given in the end. The reader was able to feel the tension that radiated from James, his dad and the other characters to a point of making it seem you are there in the midst of it all. You will definitely find yourself being brought into James's world. This author was able to use all of this through the 'accusations, deep talks, revelations, and the many arguments only to bring out to the reader a good intriguing dialogue. In the end I can only say I thought "Reverb" was a awesome read that I could not put down until the end.
However, be ready for a few scenes that maybe a little 'graphic in nature and languages that push the boundaries' for some of the faint hearted, but still I did like the way this author presented it all.
"James Wren is brilliant, beautiful, wealthy, and taken - with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. But on the evening of his brother's funeral, his father turns James' life upside down." This is where the story will take off and James meets widowed Elisabeth and her young son Cameron. Now, to get the rest of it all I will say to get the rest of the story you must pick up "Reverb" to see how this author makes it all clear to the reader.
The characters: James Whren, Edward Whren and Elisabeth Whitestone and her son Cameron were really the main characters who were colorful, real, even believable. However, for some of these characters you will be able to feel the 'angst, anger, frustration, pain and betrayal' that will be all up into this interesting story.
I agree that "Reverb" was "fast paced, fascinating, shocking but most of all a riveting read" that I would recommend to you as some compelling story.
I have looked at the book cover many times trying to figure it out...then it came to me.... "Reverb" is all about James... who was of "echoes, repercussions, consequences, aftermath fallout to backlash." Well done author J. Cafesin!
April 16, 2013
James, the leading man of the story, is an artist with a tortured soul and past that weighs heavily on him. He escapes through his music and is almost isolated from the rest of the world until Elisabeth and her son walks into his life. Elisabeth has past of her own with her previous marriage and the loss of her first husband. The book covers the journey of these to souls to finding each other.
I am keeping the story outline short because I do not want to give away much of the plot. It is twisted in some ways and that’s the main attraction of the novel. The situations and the course of action of some of the characters is what give the storyline the quality that it has. Frankly, the book has some seriously disturbing situations and the way the author has delicately handled them must be acknowledged. The dialogues and conversations are a plus point. It is a smooth and well-paced novel, with simplicity in language. Ms.Cafesin’s real talent lies in her character depiction as the way she has portrayed each character in the book made me feel strongly, whether love-hate-irritation, for each of them. There isn’t one character that I could feel indifferent about.
James is a character like no other. It is sufficient to say that James has seen and suffered so much in his life, some of it truly horrifying, that as a reader Elisabeth and her son were as much a hope as for James himself. I assure you that you will feel deeply for him. As for Elisabeth, I appreciated her patience with James but at the same time I often wondered how she could be so blind to his sufferings since women usually have a sixth sense about these things, especially when it involves a loved one. And my god, I hated Edward so much. I kept wondering what kind of a father has the line of thinking like him. He is such a misguided dumb-fool.
Overall, this is a well-written and entertaining read for matured readers.
I am keeping the story outline short because I do not want to give away much of the plot. It is twisted in some ways and that’s the main attraction of the novel. The situations and the course of action of some of the characters is what give the storyline the quality that it has. Frankly, the book has some seriously disturbing situations and the way the author has delicately handled them must be acknowledged. The dialogues and conversations are a plus point. It is a smooth and well-paced novel, with simplicity in language. Ms.Cafesin’s real talent lies in her character depiction as the way she has portrayed each character in the book made me feel strongly, whether love-hate-irritation, for each of them. There isn’t one character that I could feel indifferent about.
James is a character like no other. It is sufficient to say that James has seen and suffered so much in his life, some of it truly horrifying, that as a reader Elisabeth and her son were as much a hope as for James himself. I assure you that you will feel deeply for him. As for Elisabeth, I appreciated her patience with James but at the same time I often wondered how she could be so blind to his sufferings since women usually have a sixth sense about these things, especially when it involves a loved one. And my god, I hated Edward so much. I kept wondering what kind of a father has the line of thinking like him. He is such a misguided dumb-fool.
Overall, this is a well-written and entertaining read for matured readers.
January 25, 2014
Wow! This is one of those books that changes you after reading it. J. Cafesin writing style even though confusing at times, the heartbreak and the darkness of the book is felt on every page so much so that the reader fears at times to turn the page.
James Micheal Whren has everything that anyone could possibly want, he's beautiful, rick, talented and all the women love him. However all these things aren't happiness and the only person who can ever reach James is James. Lost in his lonely world of music he doesn't see the world he is shutting out around him and the loved ones he is pushing away until the fateful day his brother dies of a drug overdose.
Left as the only heir to his fathers immense fortune, a fortune that he doesn't want or need, James finds himself locked and thrown into in a horrid world against his will. A world that James will do anything to escape, even if it means his death.
Now on the run James seeks peace and solace from the horrors of his past in Athens where he meets Elizabeth and her son Cameron also seeking escape and solace in the Greek Island. Together they learn to live in world around them and each other and forget the horrors of the past. But will James take it one step further and confront the people who placed the horrors on him in the first place?
the characters in this story really touch your heart, James is a character that stays with you long after you have read the story. He is the true tortured artist! Elizabeth and Cameron were to sweet and kind to have suffered as they did, but they would have never have meet James otherwise and I was grateful for that. I really felt bad for Julie and my heart still breaks for her knowing her heart will prob always pine away for James that she wanted.
James Micheal Whren has everything that anyone could possibly want, he's beautiful, rick, talented and all the women love him. However all these things aren't happiness and the only person who can ever reach James is James. Lost in his lonely world of music he doesn't see the world he is shutting out around him and the loved ones he is pushing away until the fateful day his brother dies of a drug overdose.
Left as the only heir to his fathers immense fortune, a fortune that he doesn't want or need, James finds himself locked and thrown into in a horrid world against his will. A world that James will do anything to escape, even if it means his death.
Now on the run James seeks peace and solace from the horrors of his past in Athens where he meets Elizabeth and her son Cameron also seeking escape and solace in the Greek Island. Together they learn to live in world around them and each other and forget the horrors of the past. But will James take it one step further and confront the people who placed the horrors on him in the first place?
the characters in this story really touch your heart, James is a character that stays with you long after you have read the story. He is the true tortured artist! Elizabeth and Cameron were to sweet and kind to have suffered as they did, but they would have never have meet James otherwise and I was grateful for that. I really felt bad for Julie and my heart still breaks for her knowing her heart will prob always pine away for James that she wanted.
October 17, 2013
Every so often you read a book that changes you, stays with you always. For me this was one of those books. I was told I hadn't read anything like it... And it's true. I haven't read anything like it. It is one of a kind in that sense. I was captivated from the beginning. I can't really begin to describe how I feel about this book.
What would you do if you had everything going for you? What if you had worked your whole life to achieve greatness? Then it was ripped away in seconds?
I can't even give character descriptions with out giving away some part of this story. The pain and loss is unimaginable. I was honestly in tears at parts! The story was well written and will definitely keep you turning pages if you choose to read it. I read it in one sitting and then couldn't sleep afterward.
The honesty in the description of how one might feel after traumatic events like these is spectacular. It is very rare that you feel the pain and loss along with these character days after you have read a book. I couldn't even get my review written or even put thoughts down on a page for a few days. It was a lot to take in. Gut wrenching at times to read, bringing memories forward that you hope you or no one ever has to experience.
And in all this pain and loss you have this spectacular love that blooms. Slowly at first but beautifully.
At least we get the fairy tale ending in real world terms. A good book, an emotional roller coaster read, and highly recommended! Truly a psychological thriller and romantic suspense.
http://twinopinionsreview.blogspot.co...
April 1, 2015
Reverb is an absolutely riveting and completely mesmerizing read. Sucked in from the first page, readers will be taken on a roller coaster ride through unthinkable acts, unconditional love, and ultimate salvation.
James Logan (Whren) has it all...good looks, money, and talent. What's missing from his life? Love and authentic relationships with real people. James is in his own world and believes music will bring him all the happiness he needs. However, his biological father has other plans for the heir to English Royalty and has James arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. His hope is to save the life of his only remaining son from the downward spiral he perceives as James's life. Of course, the plan backfires and James experiences a living hell at the hands of his captors. He ultimately escapes, but at what cost? Can James ever discover something worth living for besides music?
This story is positively amazing. James is a fascinating well developed character that is left a drastically changed man due to events beyond his control. His ordeal will break your heart and enrage you, but the end result is nothing short of a miracle. I was truly swept away by the intoxicating story line and I felt a deep connection to the characters. The author's exquisite attention to detail brings the story to life and readers will feel as though they are experiencing the story first hand.
I highly recommend picking up a copy.
James Logan (Whren) has it all...good looks, money, and talent. What's missing from his life? Love and authentic relationships with real people. James is in his own world and believes music will bring him all the happiness he needs. However, his biological father has other plans for the heir to English Royalty and has James arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. His hope is to save the life of his only remaining son from the downward spiral he perceives as James's life. Of course, the plan backfires and James experiences a living hell at the hands of his captors. He ultimately escapes, but at what cost? Can James ever discover something worth living for besides music?
This story is positively amazing. James is a fascinating well developed character that is left a drastically changed man due to events beyond his control. His ordeal will break your heart and enrage you, but the end result is nothing short of a miracle. I was truly swept away by the intoxicating story line and I felt a deep connection to the characters. The author's exquisite attention to detail brings the story to life and readers will feel as though they are experiencing the story first hand.
I highly recommend picking up a copy.
February 27, 2015
Reverb was fast-paced, fascinating, and at times shocking, but riveting read. The arc of the character of James was great to follow, at the end of the book, I found myself wondering, well what happened next? Also, James' father, Edward, is a byzantine character, I'd like to get a better understanding of him. Maybe in the sequel!
James starts life in a peaceful, loving environment, which becomes increasingly desperate. As an adult, James attempts to maintain a sense of order by keeping his world at a distance. This becomes impossible for him, and he ultimately seems doomed to become lost. When Elizabeth enters his life, things change ...
James starts life in a peaceful, loving environment, which becomes increasingly desperate. As an adult, James attempts to maintain a sense of order by keeping his world at a distance. This becomes impossible for him, and he ultimately seems doomed to become lost. When Elizabeth enters his life, things change ...
October 23, 2014
James Whren is brilliant, beautiful, rich, and taken—with himself, or more precisely, his genius for creating music. Desired by many, committing to no one but his muse, on the eve of his brother's funeral, his father inadvertently turns his life into a living nightmare, and James is left abandoned in hell with no one real to save him.
This book was a page turner, and at times the content was very disturbing to read. There was some predictability but not enough to make you know how the story will go. 4 1/2 stars.
This book was a page turner, and at times the content was very disturbing to read. There was some predictability but not enough to make you know how the story will go. 4 1/2 stars.
June 24, 2013
Reverb is a dark, but very compelling story. I felt the character's angst, anger, frustration, pain, and betrayal and was sucked into his horrendous plight. What's scary is that the author managed to put the same fear into my being the way she did that main character. At no time could I stop reading as I "needed" to know how it ended. Fine job.
April 14, 2015
I found this book to be excellent and very close to home. PTSD comes in very different packages but they all have the same emotions and anxieties. It is through unconditional support that one can find their way through it. The author gave a very truthful view of not just one perception but also of the other side of the coin which at times brought me to the need of tissues many times.
September 27, 2013
Wow! So much more than I was expecting. I've known so many talented people who's talent takes them over into a place many of us cannot reach them. I think this story has helped me to understand them a bit better now.
July 14, 2015
Intriguing read
This book has a good development of characters and keeps the reader guessing and cheering for the good guys out goes on a bit long inn the middle and then ends quickly but the plot is original
This book has a good development of characters and keeps the reader guessing and cheering for the good guys out goes on a bit long inn the middle and then ends quickly but the plot is original
June 18, 2015
Wow. This story tells us of manipulation, trauma, grief, betrayal, damage, darkness and disturbing.. then healing. A book that will stay in my mind for a long time.
October 31, 2011
A story revolving around music and psychological suspense that had my heart in my mouth. Right. Up. Until. The. Very last word.
The Story
Having just lost one son to drugs, Edward Whren is not prepared to lose another and he sets his son up in the way that only an all-powerful, businessman thinks. Without thought for future consequences simply because he thinks he is omnipotent.
Once the current action starts, it becomes a race between surviving and salvation as James escapes his captivity desperately searching for refuge as he races from Boston to California. He needs money. His money. With luck, he can meet up with Stephen and not see Julia. Ah god, Julia. His memories of her were all that sustained him throughout his tortured imprisonment. He did so many things wrong and he can never go back. Never fix their relationship. He's on his own. Never again can he create music. Compose. Let loose with fellow musicians. He's lost everything that made him who he is. God. God. God. Please.
It takes Corfu and Elisabeth. Elisabeth and Cameron who teach him what went wrong. What he did right. What he must do to come back to life.
The Characters
James Whren, a.k.a., James Logan, a.k.a., James Matthew Raine is a renowned musician with a controlling father. As beautiful as Michelangelo's David, everyone is attracted to him, yet, it is the intimacy of attraction that terrifies him.
Edward Whren is James' biological father and of noble blood. Caught between being English and a business-obsessed man, Edward has no idea how to handle this son who comes to live with him in his early teens. Howard, a.k.a., Harvard, is Edward's right-hand man and appears to have had more of an influence on James than his father.
Elisabeth Whitestone is newly widowed with her thirteen-month-old son, Cameron. Still trying to come to terms with Jack's death, the thought of beaches and waves lapping on shore have enticed her with its peacefulness and isolation.
My Take
Ultimately, Reverb is about isolation with a bleak tone throughout until the end. How using an outside passion allows one to avoid interaction with people and James is a master of it. Reverb is an extremely suspenseful tale of James' journey into realization and we get one hell of a ride through James' mind. Both with the hell he suffers in the present and in flashbacks as well as an intimate look at how a musician thinks and creates. I absolutely loved Cafesin's use of music terminology to bring us deep into James' creative mind. It made my connection with James so much more intense. As for Edward's thinking that James learning about himself excuses what happened to him...I don't think so! What an ass!!!!
Loved the prologue and then the segue into the first chapter...wow!
I love how Cafesin uses sharp, abrupt sentences to reflect how James is thinking. Very effective.
Early on in the story, I get the impression that Edward is more concerned about his family name than about the welfare of his child. So, it's not surprising when James continues to throw his passions into his music. A passion that, if Edward were truly as all-seeing as he thinks, Edward would have held off from his actions. But his selfishness insists that he act on what he believes without a greater, more in-depth investigation and so he sows the seeds of his son's destruction. Edward certainly doesn't do himself any favors when he drags James in the second time either. Just why would he think James might consider listening to him when he's simply repeating his earlier actions? Why wouldn't James assume the worst!
On a less specific point, I love how Cafesin set us up in the beginning with how incredibly attractive James is so that by the time we arrive in Corfu, it becomes more of a statement when Elisabeth discounts his attraction to her even as James forces Elisabeth to see her own beauty.
Elisabeth kind of bugged me with her intrusion into James' life: taking his photograph after he's already indicated he doesn't want her to, constantly picking at him about his past, whining when he drifts off. Jesus, lady, give the guy a break. Did she learn nothing from her life with Jack??
I do love how supportive James is of Elisabeth's ambitions. I also enjoyed the perspective Cafesin gave us onto how a photographer thinks. It wasn't as intense as James' musical thoughts but just as enlightening. Beautiful.
And then Harvard's attitude at the end!!! Excu-u-u-se me…!!? No, I'm sorry, as far as I'm concerned, Howard is taking his own feelings of guilt out on James trying to make James feel guilty. Howard is as big an ass as Edward.
Quibbles: There's the odd bit where Cafesin confuses with statements about Whren being royal, 700 years of lineage, and then 200 years of being buried in one graveyard. I certainly don't see a point in using "Edward Charles Whren XXI" when it would have been more appropriate to say "Edward Charles Whren, twenty-first Earl (or whatever) of Castlewood" instead. Or, am I missing something'?? Is Edward a lord or what??
What was the point of the production about Father Albert Tenant at the funeral?? I kept waiting for something from James' childhood to crop up in relation to the priest? Were the Whrens Catholic???
I'm confused as to what "let surreal temper too real" means. As much as I enjoy reading about a guy's stacked abs, it is possible to go overboard on telling me about them every time the guy shows up. Does a thirteen-month-old "bound" on a hillside? I would have liked a bit more of an emphasis on the different cameras Elisabeth uses. One minute, she's using a Canon and then all of a sudden she pulls out a Nikon. It took a bit before I figured out she was doing digital and roll film.
If you're providing a translation for Cam's "more, more", why not provide us with one for the more extensive Greek conversations?? I'm completely missing the context for "caseium".
This story was absolutely excellent. The intensity and passion of the action and its characters kept me on the seat of my chair throughout. This is one of those tales that you must set time aside as you won't want to put it down. It more than makes up for the bad punctuation and misspellings which is what brought the review assessment down to a "4".
The Cover
At first glance, I thought I had the wrong cover because the "James" depicted did not match up with the "James" I read of inside the book. Now, I wonder if this particular image is meant to evoke the darkness within the written James.
Omigod, the title is so absolutely perfect! Generally accepted as a musical term for amplification, Reverb is also about echos, repercussions, consequences, aftermath, fallout, backlash… Reverb is all about James in every sense of the word.
The Story
Having just lost one son to drugs, Edward Whren is not prepared to lose another and he sets his son up in the way that only an all-powerful, businessman thinks. Without thought for future consequences simply because he thinks he is omnipotent.
Once the current action starts, it becomes a race between surviving and salvation as James escapes his captivity desperately searching for refuge as he races from Boston to California. He needs money. His money. With luck, he can meet up with Stephen and not see Julia. Ah god, Julia. His memories of her were all that sustained him throughout his tortured imprisonment. He did so many things wrong and he can never go back. Never fix their relationship. He's on his own. Never again can he create music. Compose. Let loose with fellow musicians. He's lost everything that made him who he is. God. God. God. Please.
It takes Corfu and Elisabeth. Elisabeth and Cameron who teach him what went wrong. What he did right. What he must do to come back to life.
The Characters
James Whren, a.k.a., James Logan, a.k.a., James Matthew Raine is a renowned musician with a controlling father. As beautiful as Michelangelo's David, everyone is attracted to him, yet, it is the intimacy of attraction that terrifies him.
Edward Whren is James' biological father and of noble blood. Caught between being English and a business-obsessed man, Edward has no idea how to handle this son who comes to live with him in his early teens. Howard, a.k.a., Harvard, is Edward's right-hand man and appears to have had more of an influence on James than his father.
Elisabeth Whitestone is newly widowed with her thirteen-month-old son, Cameron. Still trying to come to terms with Jack's death, the thought of beaches and waves lapping on shore have enticed her with its peacefulness and isolation.
My Take
Ultimately, Reverb is about isolation with a bleak tone throughout until the end. How using an outside passion allows one to avoid interaction with people and James is a master of it. Reverb is an extremely suspenseful tale of James' journey into realization and we get one hell of a ride through James' mind. Both with the hell he suffers in the present and in flashbacks as well as an intimate look at how a musician thinks and creates. I absolutely loved Cafesin's use of music terminology to bring us deep into James' creative mind. It made my connection with James so much more intense. As for Edward's thinking that James learning about himself excuses what happened to him...I don't think so! What an ass!!!!
Loved the prologue and then the segue into the first chapter...wow!
I love how Cafesin uses sharp, abrupt sentences to reflect how James is thinking. Very effective.
Early on in the story, I get the impression that Edward is more concerned about his family name than about the welfare of his child. So, it's not surprising when James continues to throw his passions into his music. A passion that, if Edward were truly as all-seeing as he thinks, Edward would have held off from his actions. But his selfishness insists that he act on what he believes without a greater, more in-depth investigation and so he sows the seeds of his son's destruction. Edward certainly doesn't do himself any favors when he drags James in the second time either. Just why would he think James might consider listening to him when he's simply repeating his earlier actions? Why wouldn't James assume the worst!
On a less specific point, I love how Cafesin set us up in the beginning with how incredibly attractive James is so that by the time we arrive in Corfu, it becomes more of a statement when Elisabeth discounts his attraction to her even as James forces Elisabeth to see her own beauty.
Elisabeth kind of bugged me with her intrusion into James' life: taking his photograph after he's already indicated he doesn't want her to, constantly picking at him about his past, whining when he drifts off. Jesus, lady, give the guy a break. Did she learn nothing from her life with Jack??
I do love how supportive James is of Elisabeth's ambitions. I also enjoyed the perspective Cafesin gave us onto how a photographer thinks. It wasn't as intense as James' musical thoughts but just as enlightening. Beautiful.
And then Harvard's attitude at the end!!! Excu-u-u-se me…!!? No, I'm sorry, as far as I'm concerned, Howard is taking his own feelings of guilt out on James trying to make James feel guilty. Howard is as big an ass as Edward.
Quibbles: There's the odd bit where Cafesin confuses with statements about Whren being royal, 700 years of lineage, and then 200 years of being buried in one graveyard. I certainly don't see a point in using "Edward Charles Whren XXI" when it would have been more appropriate to say "Edward Charles Whren, twenty-first Earl (or whatever) of Castlewood" instead. Or, am I missing something'?? Is Edward a lord or what??
What was the point of the production about Father Albert Tenant at the funeral?? I kept waiting for something from James' childhood to crop up in relation to the priest? Were the Whrens Catholic???
I'm confused as to what "let surreal temper too real" means. As much as I enjoy reading about a guy's stacked abs, it is possible to go overboard on telling me about them every time the guy shows up. Does a thirteen-month-old "bound" on a hillside? I would have liked a bit more of an emphasis on the different cameras Elisabeth uses. One minute, she's using a Canon and then all of a sudden she pulls out a Nikon. It took a bit before I figured out she was doing digital and roll film.
If you're providing a translation for Cam's "more, more", why not provide us with one for the more extensive Greek conversations?? I'm completely missing the context for "caseium".
This story was absolutely excellent. The intensity and passion of the action and its characters kept me on the seat of my chair throughout. This is one of those tales that you must set time aside as you won't want to put it down. It more than makes up for the bad punctuation and misspellings which is what brought the review assessment down to a "4".
The Cover
At first glance, I thought I had the wrong cover because the "James" depicted did not match up with the "James" I read of inside the book. Now, I wonder if this particular image is meant to evoke the darkness within the written James.
Omigod, the title is so absolutely perfect! Generally accepted as a musical term for amplification, Reverb is also about echos, repercussions, consequences, aftermath, fallout, backlash… Reverb is all about James in every sense of the word.
January 5, 2019
This book was an enjoyable read. It deals with abuse, male abuse specifically, and other issues associated with tragedy of loss. I wholly enjoy 80% of it but I entirely disagree with the cliche ending. Personally, I'm not a fan of "let's forgive everyone" ideology and I was sorely disappointed that the author also took this route as with many others author that deals with issues of neglect, abuse, and violence.
But overall, the writing was very well written and the characters and plot were engaging.
May 23, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley
October 19, 2021
A short read on a rather twisted psyche between two people as a reverb through drugs alcohol and other forms of addiction.
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