Rising from the ashes….
One of my favorite philosophical discussions with my husband is “who is more worthy?” — the son that has always done the right thing in his life or the son after a life of indiscretions discovers his honor? Is one more deserving than the other? And, at what point would you consider the two sons equal, if at all?
Needless to say, it brings some lively discussions over our dinner table.
A certain level of jealousy would develop between brothers and maybe that’s what forces them to extremes. The righteous son may long for a life without expectations or use his honor as a weapon against the brother who has none. The other may want what his brother has, but cannot find the right path home.
At what point is the second son unredeemable? What is the tipping point of change?
I’m a sucker for a bad boy turned good and love to believe in second chances. The prodigal son returns. There is something to be said about testing a character’s virtue and knowing the limits. Turning your back on the easy road takes courage, let alone the level of determination needed never to return to old ways.
I happen to love this type of conflict, so much so, Soul Awakened, my second book in the Key to the Cursed series, is based on this theme. Two brothers could not be any different. One (Bomani) raised in the warrior camp, fighting for his life and elevating to the level of Legion Commander on courage and will alone. The other (Bakari) lived a life of luxury and wealth, using his power to feed his lust and greed, until one fateful day. After years of imprisonment and torture, Bakari claims to be a changed man.
Years of rivalry and hatred stand between them. One woman to love. Can Bakari rise from the ashes to claim her? Who will be the victor? Love for blood or honor.
I want to hear what you think. Who is more worthy of Kendra’s love?
Or who do you root for: Team Life of Honor or Team Bad Boy Turned Good?
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Website | Soul Reborn | Soul Awakened | Goodreads
LOVE FOR BLOOD OR HONOR
Kendra, an Egyptologist and demi-god in waiting, is the key to unlocking Bakari, the Egyptian God of Death, from his cursed slumber. Desperate to free him, she inadvertently binds herself to the god with a spell that only death will undo. To save Bakari from himself, she may have to sacrifice her innocence, and possibly her soul, before he becomes his family’s worst enemy.
HAUNTED BY SINS OF THE PAST
Bakari awakens to a world at war and a beautiful woman who has tethered his soul to hers. In the wake of his self-destruction Kendra is his only hope of salvation, but another has vowed to keep Bakari from the one thing he craves most— his Parvana. His butterfly.
Reviews:
Night Owl Reviews: Reviewer’s Top PICK/ 5 Stars (Abigail, Feb2013) : “I know other readers are going to love this series as much as I do. Get settled in for a thrilling paranormal tale.”
Bitten by Paranormal Romance, Ollie (Feb2013): 5/5 Alpha Howls, Hot
“I don’t know where to begin to describe the absolutely marvelous job that the author does in not only creating a wonderful world with so much depth and detail, but a story line the has the mystery and intrigue that will keep you glued to the pages.”
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16484518-soul-awakened
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Author
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Key to the Cursed Series: Soul Reborn & Soul Awakened
Only the strongest love can unlock the souls of the Underworld
In her pursuit of a nursing degree, Jean Murray aspired to see the world and joined the Navy. At the end of 2011 she said a heart-breaking goodbye to her Navy family and retired after twenty years of military service. Although her dreams of writing full time have yet to come true, she continues her writing journey and draws inspiration from her travels abroad. She enjoys spending time with her family and of course, writing about the “Carrigan sisters and their mates, Gods of the Underworld,” to bring you the next installment of the Key to the Cursed series.
Author Jean Murray brings a wonderful new spin to the paranormal world with her Egyptian Underworld gods. She broke ground in the paranormal romance genre with Soul Reborn and now continues the Key to the Cursed journey with Soul Awakened.
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I just love the excerpt and my answer to your question is team bad boy turned good even through it was a very hard decision bibbiesparks@yahoo.com.
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My husband and I have had that conversation, but framed in the context of vices. If a person does not allow themselves to experience a vice, there’s nothing learned. Is that person truly more righteous than someone who experiments, then turns away.
It wasn’t a very interesting conversation. We had the same opinion.
Bomani’s life was defined by valor and good choices, but they led over the course of Soul Awakened, into 3 of the 7 so-called deadly sins. Bakari is clawing his way up ash, while Bomani running full speed toward the burn, and Kendra is catalyst for both. Worth in this case is not overall, but at the moment, and so yes, the prodigal son is more worthy.
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Sounds like a great book. I always go for Team Bad Boy Turned Good. They make such a interesting story.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
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Looks interesting! 😉
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What a fascinating book! I vote for Team Bad Boy Turned Good, because bad boys are much more exciting to read about.
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Could be an interesting read.
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I have to go with the bad boy. Look forward to reading this book.
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Bad Boy turned good! No matter how “good” he is, there’s still a little bad boy inside, which can be interesting at times
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Wow! This sounds so amazing! I love the concept!!! Yeah.. I am Bad boy lover as well…. HUGS!!! 😆
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Delilah,
Thank you for having me over today on your beautiful blog. 😉
Jean Murray
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Hi Toni.
You’re right it is a very hard decision. I have lived a pretty straight and narrow life, so it seems such a contradiction to me to like the Team Bad Buy Turned Good. Opposites attract, I guess 🙂
Jean
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Hi Wendy. *waving*
Thanks for stopping by. Boy, do you bring up some great points. I think there is a lot to be said about honor, but no matter who you are you have to work for it. To some it comes easy, for others, it is an uphill climb.
You are right, we learn from our mistakes. Bomani has a really hard time accepting that he has made them. When he finally realizes it, of course it is too late.
Love this stuff!
Jean
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What a question. Of course it would depend on they way each brother treated me and on what I saw of each man’s soul. And who was the best kisser!
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Hi Sherry.
They do make interesting stories, don’t they? What I love about Soul Awakened is that I wrote it to have two stories intertwined. It took a bit of work, but I love how the brother’s stories play off of each other.
This book was so much fun to write. Thanks for stopping in.
Jean
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OOPS!
MMARVELLABN@aol.com For the comment above!
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Hi Ronnie and Sandra.
I hope you give the series a try. The series surrounds three sisters (Lilly, Kit and Kendra), each has their own unique characteristics. The fact that I have three sisters of my own made this series a blast to write. The Gods of the Underworld make worthy love interests for these girls, needless to say they all have their hands full. 😉
Jean
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Hi BookLady.
So good to see you again 🙂 We always talk about flawed characters and these Bad Guys – reluctant or willing – just provide awesome material. They have more baggage than Paris Hilton going on vacation.
Gotta love these Bad Guys Turned Good.
Jean
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Nancy,
Thank you for stopping in today. I’m a bit of a parajunkie, so I have this affinity for vampires, demons and of course, Egyptian Underworld gods.
When you harness that kind of supernatural power, its no wonder they can become corrupted. Given the right push they may just use that talent to “good” use.
I hope you do give Soul Awakened a try.
Jean
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Cynthia,
Is it possible the good guy is just better at hiding his flaws? 😉
I think if you dig hard enough, you’ll be able to find something. LOL.
Thanks for joining us today.
Jean
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Kimberly,
I had so much fun writing this book. From the bad blood between brothers and Kendra being caught in the middle — yum! 😀
Jean
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Hi Mary.
I so love your answer!!! LOL.
I think that is why Kendra is so confused – neither likes to share.
Jean
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Love both, but team bad boy turned good wins out. Love a redemption story.
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I think I would root for the bad boy turned good. It had to have been hard for him to totally turn his life around, especially if his Always-good brother looked down on him. Not to say he’s most deserving, because I truly don’t know. That would depend upon how Kendra is treated and who she is leaning towards. You can like 2 people but there always comes a moment in time where the tide shifts one way or another and your real path is clear.
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Hi Mary 🙂
I love when they stumble along the way, it makes reaching that summit all the more sweeter.
Thanks for stopping by…
Jean
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Hi Lady Vampire.
I so agree. I am a true believer that souls need to balance each other. Kendra needs to come out of her shell and Bakari is the perfect testing ground. Bomani wants to keep her protected and free of danger, but by doing so she can’t grow into the demi-god she needs to be to help win the war. Not that Bomani is wrong in protecting her, but her soul needs someone to test her boundaries.
Thanks for joining us today and following Wicked Romance 🙂
Jean
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team bad boy turned good. Love me a bad boy.
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Hi Tina.
I think our Bad Boy is the winner! Go Team Bad Boy.
Jean 😀
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Team Bad Boy Turned Good
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HI BN100.
So good to see you again. Yes, those boys are so easy to love.
Jean 🙂
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My sensible side says the life long good boy, but the rest of me knows better, the bad boy turned good always wins. Much more excitement and face it, bad boys are sexy.
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I have to root for team life of honor because I think the bad boys will always have that little part in their heart that remains bad even though they are reformed. Ok me how it will always hurt the girl in the end.
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I meant somehow the reformed bad boy still hurts the girl in the end. (See previous comment).
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HI Dawn.
That is where I live in books. Bad boys rock!
Jean 😉
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Shannon,
So great to see you here. Yea, our first good guy supporter. I worried for our other team. Glad, you came to represent. Although I love my bad boys, I married one of the good guys 🙂
Jean
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Hi everyone.
It is time to announce the winner. Looks as if our Team Bad Boy Turned Good was well represented here! Love us some bad boys.
Thank you for all that stopped by to participate. You have my sincerest thanks.
Rafflecopter selected Sherry S. as the winner of the $10 Kindle GC.
Congratulations, Sherry!
Jean 😀