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Obedience #1
Obedience
Gossip. Drama. Religion.
Welcome to Fair Hollow, Georgia.
Small-town divorcee Jane Cohen’s got two goals in life: bury herself in her role as a teacher and stay away from men. Bitter, some might say. Self-preservation, Jane believes. She’s got it made, or so she thinks, until her boss-slash-ex-husband announces he’s shutting down the school she’s called her work-home for almost a decade.
Father Tom Darrow has dedicated his life to the priesthood and Fair Hollow’s his first real parish, all on his own. With a heart-crushing smile and the eyes of fallen angel, Tom’s no stranger to shunning temptation. Expect the unexpected, he always says. But when he finds Jane Cohen sobbing on a park bench, his hard-earned discipline begins to slip away.
She all but tells him to get lost.
He makes her an offer she can’t refuse.
But their budding friendship proves dangerous. Tom has everything to lose. He’s never touched a woman, never sought the pleasures of the flesh. But one look from Jane Cohen, God forbid, one smile from her full, sensuous lips has him burning for what he can’t have. Not and remain an ordained Catholic priest.
Tom could be the soulmate she’s always dreamed of.
Jane could be his deliverance or his destruction.
Author's Note: This book contains religious and romantic elements meant for character and entertainment value. The combined subject matter may be offensive to some readers.
Welcome to Fair Hollow, Georgia.
Small-town divorcee Jane Cohen’s got two goals in life: bury herself in her role as a teacher and stay away from men. Bitter, some might say. Self-preservation, Jane believes. She’s got it made, or so she thinks, until her boss-slash-ex-husband announces he’s shutting down the school she’s called her work-home for almost a decade.
Father Tom Darrow has dedicated his life to the priesthood and Fair Hollow’s his first real parish, all on his own. With a heart-crushing smile and the eyes of fallen angel, Tom’s no stranger to shunning temptation. Expect the unexpected, he always says. But when he finds Jane Cohen sobbing on a park bench, his hard-earned discipline begins to slip away.
She all but tells him to get lost.
He makes her an offer she can’t refuse.
But their budding friendship proves dangerous. Tom has everything to lose. He’s never touched a woman, never sought the pleasures of the flesh. But one look from Jane Cohen, God forbid, one smile from her full, sensuous lips has him burning for what he can’t have. Not and remain an ordained Catholic priest.
Tom could be the soulmate she’s always dreamed of.
Jane could be his deliverance or his destruction.
Author's Note: This book contains religious and romantic elements meant for character and entertainment value. The combined subject matter may be offensive to some readers.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2018
About the author
Alyssia Kirkhart
8 books26 followersAlyssia is an award-winning romance writer who loves animals, Junior Mints, Harry Potter, and hanging out with her fabulous hubby. When she's not writing, reading, or watching Friends reruns in her Northern Louisiana home, she enjoys what every other chick in America digs: shopping, chocolate, and a good cup of coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 10, 2022
Considering this is a taboo romance featuring a priest, you'll have to pardon the pun when I say good Lord, was this a slow burn!
The author definitely knows how to get you hooked for the next book, considering we have to wait until literally the last few pages of this first one for the MCs to even kiss. Obviously, with Tom being a priest, he wasn't going to leap at Jane dick-first the moment he met her. (Sounds like Cirque du Soleil After Dark.) And the tension that builds between them along the way is pretty damn good. I also appreciated seeing him wrestle with the feelings he's having, trying to reconcile them with the life he's been called to and still very much wants. Jane too seems to understand the turmoil he'd be facing, as well as the shitstorm she'd be into with people in their small town. I liked their rapport as well, and appreciated the realistic dialogue and inner monologues.
I'll admit, I was hoping the title was a double entendre, invoking both Tom's obedience to the church and maybe also some obedience in the bedroom. Maybe we get that in book two? I don't know how spicy the author intended to get with this series, though.
One thing I did look askance at with a bit of Jewish confusion is the fact that Jane's last name is Cohen, but she's a shiksa in a tiny Southern town full of goyim. I don't think I've ever come across anyone named Cohen who wasn't either Jewish themselves, had a Jewish father, or married a Jewish person and took their name. I suppose there may be some out there, but it just felt like an odd name to choose for your character when there are a zillion others that don't evoke a specific identity. I'm not offended by it or anything, just puzzled.
But this was a fun time, and I definitely will read book two to see if these two finally decide to honor the Lord by fucking nine ways to Sunday.
The author definitely knows how to get you hooked for the next book, considering we have to wait until literally the last few pages of this first one for the MCs to even kiss. Obviously, with Tom being a priest, he wasn't going to leap at Jane dick-first the moment he met her. (Sounds like Cirque du Soleil After Dark.) And the tension that builds between them along the way is pretty damn good. I also appreciated seeing him wrestle with the feelings he's having, trying to reconcile them with the life he's been called to and still very much wants. Jane too seems to understand the turmoil he'd be facing, as well as the shitstorm she'd be into with people in their small town. I liked their rapport as well, and appreciated the realistic dialogue and inner monologues.
I'll admit, I was hoping the title was a double entendre, invoking both Tom's obedience to the church and maybe also some obedience in the bedroom. Maybe we get that in book two? I don't know how spicy the author intended to get with this series, though.
One thing I did look askance at with a bit of Jewish confusion is the fact that Jane's last name is Cohen, but she's a shiksa in a tiny Southern town full of goyim. I don't think I've ever come across anyone named Cohen who wasn't either Jewish themselves, had a Jewish father, or married a Jewish person and took their name. I suppose there may be some out there, but it just felt like an odd name to choose for your character when there are a zillion others that don't evoke a specific identity. I'm not offended by it or anything, just puzzled.
But this was a fun time, and I definitely will read book two to see if these two finally decide to honor the Lord by fucking nine ways to Sunday.
November 21, 2018
I almost didn't go grocery shopping today because I wanted to finish this book. Which would have been bad since I have to cook Thanksgiving dinner. What can I say? It was hot. Super hot. I can't wait for the rest of the story now and the suspense is killing me!
Seriously, this slow burn will set your smoke alarms off.
Probably like my Thanksgiving dinner.
Seriously, this slow burn will set your smoke alarms off.
Probably like my Thanksgiving dinner.
November 11, 2018
I love this book! Characters are believable and well built up. Love that we get to see both Tom and Jane's perspective. Completely fell in love with Father Tom.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews