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Xaman
In the jungles of Belize, an ancient power lurks, and American grad student Rachael Monroe is about to come face to face with it. But is it a monster from a long-dead culture, or something far more dangerous? And who is Xaman, the mysterious local man Rachael finds so inexplicably fascinating?
Seeking answers to these questions will lead Rachael deeper into the heart of a centuries-old mystery that might reveal to her a love that can surpass even death... or her own gruesome end.
Seeking answers to these questions will lead Rachael deeper into the heart of a centuries-old mystery that might reveal to her a love that can surpass even death... or her own gruesome end.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2014
23 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Simone Beaudelaire
85 books75 followersHello, I am Simone Beaudelaire, romance enthusiast, freelance proofreader, and novice author.
In real life, I'm a wife, mother, and full time high school French teacher, which doesn't leave me a lot of time for my hobby. Of course, that hasn't stopped me yet.
I hope I can connect with other readers of romance (and other genres. I love to read, and through my beta reading group, I have recommendations in all different categories.)
In real life, I'm a wife, mother, and full time high school French teacher, which doesn't leave me a lot of time for my hobby. Of course, that hasn't stopped me yet.
I hope I can connect with other readers of romance (and other genres. I love to read, and through my beta reading group, I have recommendations in all different categories.)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 21, 2015
Carpe Diem!
Fate should always been in ones mind, you usually cant fight it. So one should try to embrace it... as Rachel Monroe did. Rachel is woman well traveled.. sassy headstrong independent. She also loved history and discovering things... when she has the chance to go to the jungle in Belize, she is all for it. Rachel was determined to make a name of herself. What Rachael hadn't expected was for Josh her fiance to tag along with her. (ok when one part of the couple doesn't mind leaving on a 3 month stretch...I think Id have to re-evaluate my relationship) Josh wasn't going to let Rachel be gone for that long.. without him. Now think.. what happens when you throw a city boy.. in the jungles..
The magic..the history .. the past .. calls to Rachel and a few times she has had to come to grips that there is a lot more going on she isn't quick to shy away from a good mystery even if it involves herself.
Xaman is un-explainable... almost as if he himself is nothing but smoke and mirrors. He is there when Rachel needs him he is even in her dreams. Even when its revealed that she may have played a part in the past she is more than willing to jump in with both feet.
The writer(s) put a lot of detail in this, if you didn't know the Mayan history or anything of Belize some parts of this story you will find intriguing. Where as I thought it was good I also found that it dragged in some places. There are well rounded characters for the most part.. The effort in both writing skills was pretty good and I did like Xaman and Rachel, just wasn't a wow factor for me. But I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read the story.
Fate should always been in ones mind, you usually cant fight it. So one should try to embrace it... as Rachel Monroe did. Rachel is woman well traveled.. sassy headstrong independent. She also loved history and discovering things... when she has the chance to go to the jungle in Belize, she is all for it. Rachel was determined to make a name of herself. What Rachael hadn't expected was for Josh her fiance to tag along with her. (ok when one part of the couple doesn't mind leaving on a 3 month stretch...I think Id have to re-evaluate my relationship) Josh wasn't going to let Rachel be gone for that long.. without him. Now think.. what happens when you throw a city boy.. in the jungles..
The magic..the history .. the past .. calls to Rachel and a few times she has had to come to grips that there is a lot more going on she isn't quick to shy away from a good mystery even if it involves herself.
Xaman is un-explainable... almost as if he himself is nothing but smoke and mirrors. He is there when Rachel needs him he is even in her dreams. Even when its revealed that she may have played a part in the past she is more than willing to jump in with both feet.
The writer(s) put a lot of detail in this, if you didn't know the Mayan history or anything of Belize some parts of this story you will find intriguing. Where as I thought it was good I also found that it dragged in some places. There are well rounded characters for the most part.. The effort in both writing skills was pretty good and I did like Xaman and Rachel, just wasn't a wow factor for me. But I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read the story.
January 14, 2015
I started reading this morning and just finisned. I couldn't put it down. The love that had lasted through the years was deep. Rachel and Xaman story is one that I would recommend to everyone I know.
August 10, 2022
Xaman takes you on an adventure that links history to the present. It is a romantic story about true love and the complexity of the heart. Set in the deep jungles of Belize, with the allure of Maya mysticism, this story captivates you with the blend of action, romance, and supernatural delights. I can truly say that this tale has something for everyone!
Reading this book, I found myself completely engrossed, forgetting my own reality. This story was compelling and the world the authors created was enchanting! The detailed descriptions of the jungle brought it to life and allowed it to surround me. The struggles of the characters were both real and moving, making me love some and hate others. The layering of personalities and the truth about the imperfections of the relationships the characters shared was spot on. It made this story even more gripping.
I thought the sex scenes were well written, scintillating and sexy, but still passionate and tender. The violence was frightful and intense, but not sickening or distasteful. The historical foundations were accurate, making the story all the more believable. The blending of the authors was seamless; there was no distinction from one voice to the author. The fact that both genders were represented by the co-authors only added to the realism of the characters and the story!
Reading this book, I found myself completely engrossed, forgetting my own reality. This story was compelling and the world the authors created was enchanting! The detailed descriptions of the jungle brought it to life and allowed it to surround me. The struggles of the characters were both real and moving, making me love some and hate others. The layering of personalities and the truth about the imperfections of the relationships the characters shared was spot on. It made this story even more gripping.
I thought the sex scenes were well written, scintillating and sexy, but still passionate and tender. The violence was frightful and intense, but not sickening or distasteful. The historical foundations were accurate, making the story all the more believable. The blending of the authors was seamless; there was no distinction from one voice to the author. The fact that both genders were represented by the co-authors only added to the realism of the characters and the story!
June 8, 2015
The book of Xaman is about the past and the present. It is an amazing love story in which you cannot put down.
Xaman who is a handsome shape shifter who serves the Jaguar goddess. Longs for the woman he has loved for over 100 years. How he longs to hold her, kiss her, and protect her. He longs to make her his once again.
Rachel Moore who is engaged to Josh becomes fascinated with this mysterious man name Xaman. Something is so familiar about him. She becomes torn between the connection she feels for Xaman and her loyalty to Josh. Who will she chosoe? Well you have to read the book.
Rachel becomes some engulfed on finding the truth that it starts to lead her on a very dangerous path, which could lead to her death. But no matter how dangerous it becomes she is determined to find the truth. Will the dark path she is on kill her? Got to read the book to find out. What dark secrets will she discover? Got to read the book to find out.
If you love shifter romance books I would recommend this one. I truly enjoyed the book.
Xaman who is a handsome shape shifter who serves the Jaguar goddess. Longs for the woman he has loved for over 100 years. How he longs to hold her, kiss her, and protect her. He longs to make her his once again.
Rachel Moore who is engaged to Josh becomes fascinated with this mysterious man name Xaman. Something is so familiar about him. She becomes torn between the connection she feels for Xaman and her loyalty to Josh. Who will she chosoe? Well you have to read the book.
Rachel becomes some engulfed on finding the truth that it starts to lead her on a very dangerous path, which could lead to her death. But no matter how dangerous it becomes she is determined to find the truth. Will the dark path she is on kill her? Got to read the book to find out. What dark secrets will she discover? Got to read the book to find out.
If you love shifter romance books I would recommend this one. I truly enjoyed the book.
January 21, 2015
I started reading this last night & couldn't put it down, I finished it at 3am!! WOW it dragged me in & kept me there wondering what was going to happen... pretty much all throughout the story.
Simone Beaudelaire & Edwin Stark have paired up to write a truly captivating story full of twists & turns, just when the predictable would happen in the story line, BAM something completely different happens to take you by surprise.
The story is set in the DEEP jungles of Belize, with the allure of the ancient Maya... The detailed descriptions of the jungle & the people whom live around it, paint very vivid pictures for the reader to enjoy & boy did I enjoy them. Also the main characters personalities, flaws & imperfections made them more likeable/loveable for me & the use of their interraction in previous lives,just made the story that more gripping.
I'll be keeping my eye out for future work between these two AMAZING authors.
Simone Beaudelaire & Edwin Stark have paired up to write a truly captivating story full of twists & turns, just when the predictable would happen in the story line, BAM something completely different happens to take you by surprise.
The story is set in the DEEP jungles of Belize, with the allure of the ancient Maya... The detailed descriptions of the jungle & the people whom live around it, paint very vivid pictures for the reader to enjoy & boy did I enjoy them. Also the main characters personalities, flaws & imperfections made them more likeable/loveable for me & the use of their interraction in previous lives,just made the story that more gripping.
I'll be keeping my eye out for future work between these two AMAZING authors.
January 16, 2015
I loved this book. It was different than any I've read, but oh so good. It is a story that starts out with Josh and Rachel going to the jungles of Belize to record and photograph a rare Hummingbird. Josh is Rachels fiance who goes along to keep her from danger. But there she meets Xaman! He has loved Rachel for centuries and has been waiting for her to come back.Not knowing this Rachel becomes friends with Xaman. This leads to all kinds of things happening. And Xaman is also a Shifter who has lived through the Mayan and Aztec culture. I learned a lot about history in this book too. You wont be able to put it down!! I hope Simone Beaudelaire and Edwin Stark write more books together
December 8, 2014
Keeps you guessing: Wonderfully detailed, heart-warmingly and exhilaratingly romantic, sensually erotic, and with layers of intrigue stringing you along the path of a terrific adventure in time. This story rocks. I think it’s fantastic. It’s a smooth, fast-paced read that is always building, and the climax is fittingly powerful. I was left well satisfied, not wanting more. A particular vote of appreciation for the description of the jungle and depiction of historic local culture. It feels like you are there.
January 19, 2015
What a great love story. Xaman waited over a 100 years for the woman he loved and along the way was cursed to live through how he lost her over and over at the whim of his goddess. And what a twist about Josh , whom is Racheals fiance' . This a story in time about love found and lost, and found again. This is my first read from this author but I will tell you it won't be my last. Xaman is a must read
February 18, 2017
A very slow start but not so bad that you it does not hold up our new interest. A book combing. Paranormal, magic, legends, and let's not forget one devilishly handsome man. A young woman, Rachel Monroe, is going to experience it all. But the question remains - will she live or succumb to the ancient powers. An easy read with few mistakes which was a relief. I read this in about four hours. I would recommend this book to other paranormal romance fans.
January 25, 2015
GREAT ADVENTURE!!!!
This was a great paranormal adventure that held my interest throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down. It was captivating and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved it. It had all the elements that make a book good. Was sorry to see it end. Read this book. You'll love it. I received this book as a gift for an honest review. Patsy Sacco
This was a great paranormal adventure that held my interest throughout the whole book. I couldn't put it down. It was captivating and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved it. It had all the elements that make a book good. Was sorry to see it end. Read this book. You'll love it. I received this book as a gift for an honest review. Patsy Sacco
January 21, 2015
Awesome!
A very enjoyable book. Great characters and a great story. I would be very interested in a book for Josh and Ixchel. I will also be looking at other books by both of these authors.
A very enjoyable book. Great characters and a great story. I would be very interested in a book for Josh and Ixchel. I will also be looking at other books by both of these authors.
February 23, 2015
wonderful read ;-)
Wonderful read about spaniards and Mayan culture, the Brazilian jungle, history, and magically enough a Mayan Jaguar Goddess and a shifter!! I loved it, and loved the history and culture in it. Great fun read!
Wonderful read about spaniards and Mayan culture, the Brazilian jungle, history, and magically enough a Mayan Jaguar Goddess and a shifter!! I loved it, and loved the history and culture in it. Great fun read!
August 7, 2015
Rachael finds out that sometimes life has more to do with fate than it is you making your own path. Will she stay on the path she's been on with a guy that doesn't really excite her or will she find something that is so much more?
August 15, 2017
Weird! Just...Weird!
Rachael Monroe travels to the jungle of Belize with her fiance, Josh, in an expedition to discover a new species of hummingbird.
In a bar by their place of stay, she encounters Xaman, where he saves her from a drunken truckers advances.
It turns out she's a reincarnation of Xaman's centuries old love and fate ,(and the leopard Goddess), bring them back together.
Very odd book with poor editing. The female lead was completely self absorbed, selfish and horrible, for example, she was injured and he carried her on his back for miles through the jungle to safety and medical help, and then when in his exhaustion tried to sleep in she moaned and slammed the door. She never thought about him for a second when she was having sex with another man either.
And then we're taken back in time, she wasn't much better then either.
Then you have the men! Downtrodden and pathetic comes to mind. And one is incredibly strong and shifts into a leopard!
I did finish it, (albeit a few skipped pages in and there), but I can't honestly say I enjoyed it. I was hoping it would improve...I didn't!
Thankfully I found it free but I still wouldn't recommend.
Rachael Monroe travels to the jungle of Belize with her fiance, Josh, in an expedition to discover a new species of hummingbird.
In a bar by their place of stay, she encounters Xaman, where he saves her from a drunken truckers advances.
It turns out she's a reincarnation of Xaman's centuries old love and fate ,(and the leopard Goddess), bring them back together.
Very odd book with poor editing. The female lead was completely self absorbed, selfish and horrible, for example, she was injured and he carried her on his back for miles through the jungle to safety and medical help, and then when in his exhaustion tried to sleep in she moaned and slammed the door. She never thought about him for a second when she was having sex with another man either.
And then we're taken back in time, she wasn't much better then either.
Then you have the men! Downtrodden and pathetic comes to mind. And one is incredibly strong and shifts into a leopard!
I did finish it, (albeit a few skipped pages in and there), but I can't honestly say I enjoyed it. I was hoping it would improve...I didn't!
Thankfully I found it free but I still wouldn't recommend.
May 11, 2023
good story
I really enjoyed the story line. However this book needs some serious editing. Felt like the author was thinking faster than she could type.
I really enjoyed the story line. However this book needs some serious editing. Felt like the author was thinking faster than she could type.
September 25, 2017
Not a favorite and I found myself forcing myself to finish the book. For me it was like "is the story over yet"? More like a 2.5 star reading at best for me. But hey I got to add the title to a challenge, and that was the highlight of this book.
October 2, 2014
This is a story of star-crossed lovers with a twist of paranormal. But before we get to that part of the story we are transported to the depths of a rainforest in Belize following Rachael Monroe, her fiancé Josh Randall, and their guide, Alphonso Montoya, as they make their way through the jungle. We are given an excellent introduction to their characters as well as the location with the descriptive prose. I had no problem immersing myself into the scene.
Rachael is an independent, strong-minded woman who goes after what she wants in life, Josh has invited himself along on this three month expedition to chaperone her, which didn't sit well with Rachael at all. As unexpected events arose, Mayan mysticism and history were brought into play, captivating my attention completely. The plot moves at a good pace as some seedy characters are introduced and take the plot in unexpected directions, not the least of which is the introduction of the devastatingly handsome and mysterious Xaman.
When certain Mayan artifacts spark visions, memories, or dreams in Rachael, she is a bit unnerved but interested in finding out what it all means. Seeking the help of the local curandera, she has no idea what she is in for when a whole new world from the past comes to light. Soon after, Josh’s true role in the plot becomes evident. The authors have woven a fascinating tale about past lives and fate surrounded by mysticism of the Jaguar Queen in the Mayan jungle who felt slighted hundreds of years ago.
I think Mr. Stark’s and Ms. Beaudelaire writing styles and storytelling meshed well. I hope to see some more collaborations between these two in the future.
FYI: Ms. Beaudelaire writes some steamy sex scenes which are explicit but well written. These may not be suitable for some readers. I enjoyed them.
Format/Typo Issues: No significant issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** September 25, 2014
Rachael is an independent, strong-minded woman who goes after what she wants in life, Josh has invited himself along on this three month expedition to chaperone her, which didn't sit well with Rachael at all. As unexpected events arose, Mayan mysticism and history were brought into play, captivating my attention completely. The plot moves at a good pace as some seedy characters are introduced and take the plot in unexpected directions, not the least of which is the introduction of the devastatingly handsome and mysterious Xaman.
When certain Mayan artifacts spark visions, memories, or dreams in Rachael, she is a bit unnerved but interested in finding out what it all means. Seeking the help of the local curandera, she has no idea what she is in for when a whole new world from the past comes to light. Soon after, Josh’s true role in the plot becomes evident. The authors have woven a fascinating tale about past lives and fate surrounded by mysticism of the Jaguar Queen in the Mayan jungle who felt slighted hundreds of years ago.
I think Mr. Stark’s and Ms. Beaudelaire writing styles and storytelling meshed well. I hope to see some more collaborations between these two in the future.
FYI: Ms. Beaudelaire writes some steamy sex scenes which are explicit but well written. These may not be suitable for some readers. I enjoyed them.
Format/Typo Issues: No significant issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** September 25, 2014
October 30, 2015
So sorry
This was not a well written book. Too many descriptions of non essential things such as the name of the typewriter.. Not relevant to the story as were the other descriptions. The romance was nothing to drool over as it was not a lasting act as the Lady both protests too much. This man should research his romances. Ask SB!. She did not write this story. Her stories are grade 10 on a scale of 1to5 !!!
.
This was not a well written book. Too many descriptions of non essential things such as the name of the typewriter.. Not relevant to the story as were the other descriptions. The romance was nothing to drool over as it was not a lasting act as the Lady both protests too much. This man should research his romances. Ask SB!. She did not write this story. Her stories are grade 10 on a scale of 1to5 !!!
.
January 18, 2015
I dislike not leaving a review with more stars. I found the pace to be a little slow. It didn't keep my attention like I had hoped it would. I thought the characters were two dimensional and hard to feel connected to. I read some great reviews and I'm glad other readers really seemed to like it.
gifted in exchange for an honest review
gifted in exchange for an honest review
February 26, 2015
Oh wow... I started this and couldn't put it down until it was over. This was amazing. Rachel was so torn between the two guys and Xaman.. well who wouldn't choose him? Omg he is amazing.. and so hott. I loved the complex that was their love but also how pure and romantic it was. I am so glad the author let me read this one because I am in love with this author and cannot wait to read more.
September 10, 2014
A wonderful story, the only thing that makes me sad is that I want to read more about what happens to Joshua at the end with the Jaguar Goddess. Hopefully since this book was recently put out there will be a book at a later time to tell us what happened with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2015
Xaman
Not my cup of tea. Just a little flat nothing likable about any of the characters. Just lackluster. Not a good read for me.
Not my cup of tea. Just a little flat nothing likable about any of the characters. Just lackluster. Not a good read for me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews