Reviews: SEMPRE and SEMPRE: REDEMPTION by J.M. Darhower

Sempre (Book #1) Synopsis

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco had vastly different childhoods. Haven, a second-generation slave, grew up isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse. Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege, never having to answer for anything he did.

Both now seventeen, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide, making them question everything they ever believed. Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think.

Amazon ♥ B&N

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Sempre: Redemption (Book #2) Synopsis

In this thrilling and sexy follow-up to Sempre, two young lovers struggle to keep their relationship intact after they become deeply enmeshed in the dangerous mafia-run crime ring they once tried to overthrow.

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco have been through a lot. Haven was taken in by Carmine’s father, and with his family’s help, she escaped a gruesome fate. However, saving Haven from the dark intentions of a mafia family cost Carmine a steep price: he was forced to swear loyalty to them.

Now, still passionately in love, Carmine and Haven must face the fall-out of Carmine’s forced service, as Haven discovers terrifying secrets about the family that enslaved both her and her mother—and why she matters so much in this intricate web of lies.

Amazon ♥ B&N

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Abby’s Combined Review 5 Stars

I’m going to be reviewing both books together because I read them practically back to back.  Which once you read Sempre there is no way that you are going to pass up on reading the second book.  Sempre, book one, is about a girl, Haven who is raised as a slave. She is rescued from that life only to be thrown into a whole different circumstance and in that circumstance she meets Carmine, her principe.

“Colpo di fulmine.  The thunderbolt’ as the Italians call it.  When love strikes someone like lightning, so powerful and intense it can’t be denied.“

This quote stuck with me in both books, in many ways it was the reason for everything.

If you start this be prepared, it is going to be a journey that you are not going to want to end. It is a story riddled with bullets and death, guilt, greed and violence. Mostly though, this is a love story. This is Carmine and Haven’s story. It is a hard one to read about. I found myself ugly crying at most of the second book. Heck even writing this and thinking about everything that happened in both books has me tearing up.

I’m not one to try to tell you what the story is about in my reviews. I really just like to convey to you how something I read made me feel. If you want to know what the book is about I am sure you can read the synopsis and you don’t need a book report either. I can assure you that part of me needs to go into detail about Corrodo and Celia. I also want totalk about Vincent and Maura. I want to talk about the mob and Salvotore and hard decisions. I can’t even do that all that has me filled with so much emotion that I want to, but I won’t. Really because when I think about everything I am still so left on this emotional roller coaster.

Gah, when I say this is a love story, it is but it’s so much more, it’s about the love of a brother, a father, an aunt, a lover.

I know I’m not even close to doing this book justice. In ways, I am kind of lost for words. Just know when we talk about those books that can change you and that you will never forget, these two stories are right there for me. Do you ever feel privileged that you got to read an author’s story, well cause so much thought and heart went into it? I feel like that, just grateful she shared this story, in all its ugliness and all its beauty.

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About the Author

JM Darhower is the author of the New Adult Sempre series (Sempre & Sempre: Redemption), and the paranormal romance novella, Extinguish. She lives in a tiny town in the Carolinas with her family, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and human rights, and when she isn’t writing she’s usually ranting about those things. Chronic crimper with a vulgar mouth, she admits to having a Twitter addiction. You can find her there.

Connect with J.M. Darhower

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5351355.J_M_Darhower

Website: http://www.jmdarhower.com/index.htm

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