From the Shadow

by Jessica Jesinghaus

What makes a man a monster?

For too long Jacob has lived in isolation. Forsaken by God and cursed by a Shadow, he is doomed to a eternity of solitude with only the demons of his past for company. For nearly two hundred years, he has longed for that which he knows he can never have: forgiveness, love, and redemption.

A chance encounter could hold the key...

When Jacob meets Lynn, she shines a ray of hope across his bleak existence. But will she be strong enough to shoulder the truth of his past? Can she forgive the horrors he has wrought? Can she help him come to terms with his past and move with him into a brighter future?

An old nemesis threatens...

Confronted by an ancient enemy, Lynn and Jacob travel halfway around the world. There, they face the daunting task of sifting through ancient history for clues to their tormentor's weaknesses and a way to loose his grip on their future.

What good can come From the Shadow?

Genres: Paranormal

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2016

About the author

Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Jessica has been writing since she was ten years old. She attended Willamette University with the intention of going to law school and becoming a criminal prosecutor. But, as is the way with life, plans changed. Since 2002 she has worked in the medical field and absolutely loves the challenges and positive impact she can have on the lives of others. She loves the outdoors and considers herself blessed to call Oregon her home.

Following the birth of her second child, she committed herself to writing her first novel. Unfortunately for her, story ideas rarely present themselves one at a time and she often has two (if not three) manuscripts in progress at once. When she's not writing her own material, she enjoys reading a wide variety of books, many of them aloud to her husband and two children.

Follow Jessica on Facebook and Instagram @jessjesinghaus or her blog at https://jessjesinghaus.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

He has been isolated and damned for nearly two hundred long and lonely years. Within him lay a monster, a killer and it all started with love, jealousy and a shadowed curse. Then there she was, an innocent, alone, afraid and as isolated as he in the dark woods of the night. There is something special about Lynn and for the first time in centuries, Jacob is determined to fight his evil side, the side that craves blood and death. Brought together, as only Fate can do, this mere woman and this tormented monster find a bond that could bring hope, love and acceptance for a future, if the past doesn’t come between them.

A woman from the past, a brother filled with rage and jealousy, Jacob finally has a reason to live, but will Lynn be strong enough to stand by him, no matter what? In a dark tale of horror, curses and treachery, can the purity of the beauty save the beast from his eternal hell? When his history is revealed will she stand by him or run for her very life?

Jessia Jesinghaus has a tale to tell and she does it very well with FROM THE SHADOW. A tale of love, violence and death in the past, understanding, love and acceptance in the present and a glimmer of hope and love for the future may be shattered in one night of terror as Jacob’s many worlds collide.

Sweet and dark, edgy and tense, this fantasy will have you hoping that Jacob can be redeemed for his past and Lynn will finally find a soft place to land in her future, if she still wants it. From the simple beginnings of this tale to the richly detailed finale, Ms. Jesinghaus slowly draws us into a world where we can “see’ her characters grow and develop, I found I was completely wrapped up and transported into the world Ms. Jesinghaus has created.

I received this copy from Jessica Jesinghaus in exchange for my voluntary and honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Publication Date: July 18, 2016
Publisher: Jessica Jesinghaus
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Print Length: 351 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Nikki Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I had no idea what to think of this book at first. I was intrigued but also I did not like Jacob's character at the onset of the story. I'm glad I stuck with it. The story slowly developed into a tale of love, passion, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption. It's a wonderful novel and quite different than other vampire stories I've read.

This was a long read but kept you engaged and by half way through the book I was quite invested in the characters. There were moments that I disliked as well as choices I disagreed with but the fallibility of these characters is part of their charm. Well-written and descriptive, full of action, and with some twists and turns I did not expect. 4.5 Stars.

[S.K. Wee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Crafted Paranormal
At the beginning, Jacob is portrayed as a blood thirsty demon but we soon see there is much more to him. Jacob is a tortured monster who gave up his soul to save his wife’s life. When he believed she died anyhow he goes on a killing rampage across continents. When he comes upon a campsite the hunger drives him to kill them all until he meets Lynn. She is unafraid and though she doesn’t yet know what has happened to her friends she welcomes Jacob with open arms. Her healing presence changes Jacob and he learns how to manage the hunger and evil dwelling inside of him. They begin a relationship which quickly grows into mutual love and respect. Lynn wants to find some answers to what has taken place and though it happened two centuries earlier they start on a quest to learn everything they can of the past.
The two find that the past still needs to be dealt with. Jacob’s nemesis from childhood is still haunting them and they need to learn everything they can to stop him. This is a very well-written story and moved along at a nice pace. I did find it difficult in the earlier chapters to feel Lynn’s motivation but due to the way they can share memories, I assume she could tell that Jacob was well worth saving. Highly recommended paranormal romance with some horror elements woven in.

[Davyne DeSye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well done, fast-paced and exciting paranormal romance!

I picked this book up because I’ve read Jessica Jesinghaus’ Mirror, Mirror (twice!) and was not disappointed… Ms. Jesinghaus is a consummate story teller.

The story begins with Jacob – a tortured soul. He has been alive and living as a disconnected-from-society vampire for two centuries… I admit, at the beginning I did not feel any empathy for him at all. Enter Lynn – a lovely, trusting young woman who shows Jacob the first bit of acceptance in a society he has felt rejected and hated by (for good reason!), and we see the beginnings of a change in Jacob. The reason this beginning works so well is that I ended up feeling he was a man/creature of honor and capable of great love. That’s quite a character arc, and it was pulled off brilliantly.

Lynn and Jacob’s relationship grows closer, despite a couple of bumps in the road, and together they work together to confront his past – a past that is stranger than I could have imagined.

I do wish I had gotten a bit more information about the Shadow by the end, but even without that information, it was a satisfying ending that, again, I could not have predicted. The writing was seamless and I definitely was pulled through the book, trying to imagine what the ending could possibly be.

Highly recommended for lovers of paranormal romance. I definitely will be reading more of Ms. Jesinghaus’ work.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Shadow is a paranormal romance by Jessica Jesinghaus. In desperation Jacob made a deal with darkness. His wife Johanna had been afflicted by a strange illness. It ate away at her, and whilst he knew it was somehow Liam's doing he was powerless to prevent its course, the dark magic had already gone too deep. He begged God for aid, and when his pleas remained unanswered he pledged himself to the shadow. He thought it would save her, but darkness is weaved with lies, and all was lost. Jacob became a monster, living in exile, devouring flesh and blood and forgetting everything it was to be human, until he met Lynn. She awoke something within him long forgotten, and her acceptance of him allowed him to be born anew, but Liam wasn't done with him yet, not by a long shot, he continued to haunt him, or perhaps it was something more, could it be, after all this time, he still lived?

Damnation, redemption, love, and betrayal all come together to present an intriguing and original plot from Jessica Jesinghaus in her novel From the Shadow. You'll find yourself drawn into the characters' plights, shifting your opinion and perspective of them as you follow the story. This is definitely suitable for the older side of the young adult spectrum given that some of the scenes may be disturbing or inappropriate for the younger side, but it is certainly diverse in that the adult audience will enjoy it. There are some unique ideas which Jessica Jesinghaus expresses in a clear and concise manner. The writing style has just the right level of descriptive prowess to conjure scenes both familiar and haunting. This will certainly earn a place within the hearts' of lovers of the genre, if for no other reason than the fresh ideas.

[Anita Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written

This is a truly well written story that I loved reading.
It is well thought out and it must of taken a while to write.
I recommend this book.

[Brenda Ashworth Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that Jessica Jesinghaus writing hooked me in right away. From the first moment I met Jacob I felt sorry for him. Even with the things he did. Being a monster and all alone, made me sad. Lynn seemed a little lost and sad herself, so when they met, you couldn’t help but root for them as a team. And without giving too much away, I loved how the story evolved. How they fought against evil and set on their journey to find their home. Watching Jacob grow, into a loving man was wonderful and watching him and Lynn together and what they had to go through, hooked me in, even more so.

From rescues and the evil of the world, they stood strong and made a powerful team. The mystery and all the lurking around, gave me nightmares. But in a good way. This story has tension on every page and you will fall in love with almost all the characters. But you will hate, the evil Liam. What you find out he is doing will make you want to destroy him. Jacob and Lynn set out on their mission to find out what secret he holds. Liam is really a monster and pure evil and loves to torture. Will Lynn and Jacob be able to stop him, is the big question.

Finding out the back story of Liam and Jacob was heartbreaking. Liam had always been evil and wanted Jacob cast out of everything. Stole away his wife, which started Jacob's long life filled with pain and misery.

Jacob made a deal with the shadow to save his wife, not knowing what it would bring to him. Or what he’d end up doing to Johanna. All the years of guilt and pain took their toll on him.

The only thing I would have liked to know more about is Liam and how he got so evil. But, it didn’t matter. The story was filled with excitement, mystery, murder and more. This book will have you hanging on the side of your chair, and like Lynn, it will give you shivers and chills when you read the parts where Liam is lurking around.

I highly recommend this book. It’s so different. I’ve never read a book like this or seen a movie done this way. And although this is not my normal genre, I’ve read enough to know that this book is done different. With twists and turns all throughout the story. I expect more people will read this story and the word will get out.

[Jessica Jesinghaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Reviewed By Ankita Shukla for Readers’ Favorite** 5 Star Review Excerpt

“The author's writing is extremely spellbinding... The story developed beautifully from serious to light to serious again... All the characters are thoughtfully written. I was able to make a connection with each one of them... which kept me glued to my seat until reaching the last line of the last chapter. The emotions of the characters were conveyed beautifully to me and that enhanced the overall experience. If one reads closely, From the Shadow tries to reinstate the concept of giving second chances, forgiving oneself, and keeping the faith. These are really desirable attributes to have and Ms. Jesinghaus has done an incredible job of communicating these to her readers. This is a flawless read to me and it kept me fascinated until the end. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy a gripping blend of romance and paranormal.”

**Reviewed By Stephen Fisher for Readers’ Favorite** 5 Star Review Excerpt

“From the Shadow by Jessica Jesinghaus is a brilliantly written paranormal romance that immediately drew me in with the entrance of the main character, Jacob.... Ms. Jesinghaus does a remarkable job of describing the horror elements of this masterpiece... From the Shadow is a captivating read that is impossible to put down. Awesome characters and plot twists. I fell in love with everything that Jessica Jesinghaus vividly put into this remarkable book. Brava!”

[Ann Pratley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read so many shorter books in recent times, I have to say that this is one very substantial read, and a very addictive one at that. The storyline is intriguing indeed - I do not remember having read a story before of this recipe of events. The beginning drew me in right away, with focus on one aspect of the main character, Jacob, and when the second main character comes into the story, things do indeed take a turn. Without saying too much about what happens, I can say that this was a real page turner for me - I didn't put it down till I'd finished it. It is well written and in-depth in detail, but at the same time it is not over-detailed - it did not feel like there were too many words to tell the story as it needed to be told. The pace is good and overall this is a great book. There is mild adult theme in it at times but these scenes are modest, and there is implied horror in places but again these scenes are written in a way that I don't think would be overly too graphic for most people. I certainly would have absolutely no hesitation letting my 17 year old read it as an intriguing paranormal suspense story that has many different aspects to it.

[M.J. Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARO from the author, and honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I got it. The blurb was intriguing, yet, it could have led into any path. It was therefore a gratifying surprise when I got to read it.

Jessica makes a refreshing approach on vampires, removing much of the clunk hanging over this type of character, and introduces the reader to a new world. Her well drawn sets and competent narrative only add to an enjoyable experience.

I did, however, find Jacob’s character to be a tad shallow, having only two modes; anger and regret, lacking a wider arc of emotions. The other characters are well defined and easy to like, but Jacob lingers in the back, lacking real growth towards the end of the story. Another low point for me was the incessant crying of the characters. I understand the story is dramatic with heavy emotional impact, even so, I wonder if the characters were not dehydrated by the end.

Despite these few remarks, I consider it an excellent story and recommend it to those in look for a strong story and unexpected developments.

[Natasha Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

MINOR SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

From the Shadow is a unique book in that a great deal happens in it, especially within the first few chapters. Jacob is a monster who tears into Lynn's friends (literally!) who are in the woods camping. Shortly after this Lynn is turned into a similar monster herself. This by itself could be enough plot material to fill a significant portion of the book-how Lynn deals with this new transformation, how she deals with what Jacob has done to her friends, etc. It's a very interesting situation that appeals to my love of complex monsters. I would have liked to see Lynn given more time to deal with this in the woods, but like I said a lot of things happen in this book quickly, a majority of which goes into Jacob's past and why he was turned into a monster to begin with. Without going too much into spoiler territory, I also really liked the character of Johanna, a woman from Jacob's past. She has an interesting backstory and it was neat to see how it developed over the years which made her into a complex character.

If there is one criticism I have, is that because a great deal happens in From the Shadow, a great deal also tends to get resolved neatly and almost right away, besides the main conflict of the book. Characters may misunderstand something, for example, and it is resolved within a page or two. I would have personally loved to see the more minor conflicts stretched out. For example, Lynn is a strong and independent woman and can be a touch on the reckless side as a result. Because this character goes through so many changes within the first chapter, I would have loved to see that stretched out to making poor decisions or mistakes which the main antagonist can capitalize on.

My score is 4 out of 5. Overall From The Shadow has an interesting plot, characters, and a fast-paced plot. A little more internal conflict would have made this perfect.

[Lydia Larue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally review shorter books, but From the Shadows was a longer novel that I enjoyed reading, as well as reviewing.

From the Shadows has twelve chapters, and each of these chapters is referred to as Books, as such, I will refer to the sections the way that the author prefers: books. I love this idea.

Book 1 started off well. It managed to reign me in and hold my attention. From the beginning, I wanted to know more about the ancient evil and why it was what it was. I also felt pity for this character and the choices that it had to make.

One of my favorite parts of this was the initial introduction between Jacob and Lynn. The atmosphere of this scene was well written. I really felt for Jacob here, and then I came to like Lynn as well.

Although this novel has a dark vibe to it, the connection between the two main characters left me feeling happy, as a romance should. It was touching.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a paranormal romance with nuances of horror in it.

[James Sillwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob is a monster, trapped for eternity in a nightmare world. He meets Lynn who is camping with a group of friends and he is instantly drawn to her. Together they travel to Jacob's homeland, seeking answers to his past.
This book really took off for me when Jacob and Lynn begin their travels. From this point the story is gripping with plenty of action and suspense and I found it difficult to put the book down.
I would have liked to have known more about Lynn. Does she have any family or other friends? What job does she do? What is her past? Similarly with Maggie, a very interesting character who works at the Cathedral but seems to come and go as she pleases. Whilst the lack of background adds an air of mystery, I felt that there was a lot more to discover about Maggie.
The writing is imaginative and descriptive. Although never gratuitous, there are some gory scenes which add well to the sense of danger and suspense.
An original and intriguing story.

[Melissa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story to read…

[Challa Fletcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tormented by a pack centuries old, Jacob lives off the fear-laden blood of the people. When he finds himself among a group of American campers his bloodlust is quenched and his heart is awake. Now on a new path with his eternal companion, Lynn, Jacob gets the opportunity to right some wrongs and get another chance at life.

From the Shadow by Jessica Jesinghaus is a mythical romance novel combining forgiveness, love, and revenge.

What Did Work
If you like stories that span different settings you may enjoy these world-traveled protagonists. We see Chicago, London, Scotland and many means of transportation. The setting moves with the characters and that hold your attention as much as the conflict that will come. Next, I am a fan of mythical creatures that walk among us; even if the origin of those creatures can't be explained. Jacob has vampiric like qualities but is not a vampire. He doesn’t know what he is; all he knows is that he is a monster. But is he really? Jacob has a dichotomy to him: being evil but easily wooed by good. The reader understands Jacob because the writer gives this captivating story of him, going back to his days of a child and leading up to the moment he meets Lynn. The story is told by Jacob, rather than the narrator and so there is a lot of emotions in his framework story. Jacob’s story is so well written and detailed. At the end, you will understand who he is as a character and some of the decisions he will make later in the story. I wish the author gave us this much information on other characters of the story.

What Doesn’t Work
Where Jacob’s story is captivating, Lynn’s story is non-existent. Lynn quickly becomes Jacob’s eternal partner and wife but we don’t know anything about her. The few things we do learn about her is shared by the narrator before she meets Jacob. And while we get small pieces of her later in the story her tale never comes together. It leaves the reading to feel one-sided. For Lynn to be one of the main characters, I don’t know her, and therefore I didn’t care about her when I really should have towards the end of the story. Next, this story is fast paced, not leaving exploration of the situations. Lynn quickly falls in love with Jacob and many problems are solved with blood and yet again we don’t know why Lynn is okay with everything. When she should be freaking out or reconsidering this life-long choice she made, or even mad at Jacob for what he did, she is calm and only worried about him!. The format of the story is that the main characters are only dealing with one problem at a time. The solution wraps everything up neatly as if it never happened, and only then do we move on to a new conflict. It makes the story sound incomplete. This quick pace also affects the epilogue of the story. The epilogue begins where the story ends, except the writer fast forward the reader many years into the future. We don’t know what happened to the main characters after the resolution. The reader only sees our protagonist in the same place with the only indication that time has passed is the natural death of a friend and the growth of another. The writer doesn’t tell us if Jacob and Lynn stayed in that place or have only returned for a visit. The story, like all the other scenes, are wrapped neatly and quickly with no explanation.
While I love the eternal creatures I can't relate to most of the main characters. I loved hearing Jacob's story but I needed Lynn's story just as much. Not knowing her made her decision seem less honorable and this story hard to read.

From the Shadow by Jessica Jesinghaus gets 2.75 / 5.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Shadow was a lot more gripping than I expected. Jacob is introduced as a monster, but as his story unfolds you can’t help but feel for him, especially once Lynn enters the picture. Their relationship gave the darker parts of the book real heart, and even though some scenes made me uneasy, I couldn’t stop reading. The tension with Liam adds a sharp edge, and the mix of horror, mystery, and romance worked really well. It’s a unique take on the genre that lingers long after the last page

[Sandy Frediani · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale of good vs. evil and the unintended/unintentional consequences of one's actions. I'm curious to know the source(s) of the Gaelic words as a couple seem to be Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) rather than Scots Gaelic (Gaidhlig), since the tale takes place partly in Scotland.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book like this makes me remember that I prefer the Underworld movies over Twilight. This book gives me a vibe from Underworld for sure. Great piece of work.