The Penitent (The Sacrifice Duet 2) by A Zavarelli/Natasha Knight-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 5, 2023

A cruel fate. Two souls condemned. An impossible love.

I knew he’d choose me before he came to our door on the night of the Tithing. I bore the mark that would make me his.

It was my ancestor who spoke the words that bound us together, and his demon-god who promised protection for the price of blood.

My blood.

I was prepared to be that sacrifice if it would keep my family safe.

Loving Azrael? The thought never crossed my mind. He was and would forever be my enemy.

He’s not the only monster coming for me, though, and somehow, it’s in Azrael’s arms I feel the safest.

But I need to be careful with him. I need to guard my heart because if I don’t, he is sure to destroy me.

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REVIEW:THE PENITENT is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult THE SACRIFICE dark, thriller duet co-authored by A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight focusing on Willow Wildblood, and Azrael Delacroix. THE SACRIFICE DUET is set in the author’s THE SOCIETY world aka Imperium Valens Invictum IVI. THE PENITENT should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one THE TITHING. If you have not read book one -THE TITHING-there may be spoilers in my review.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Hundreds of years of history and abuse, murder and repercussions between the Delacroix and Wildblood families comes to fruition with the arrival of a new Wildblood female, marked at birth. To pay for the sins of the past, an ancient curse directed at the Delacroix descendants, the Wildblood’s must sacrifice one of their own, a sacrifice at the hands of the Delacroix ancestors.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Azrael and Willow) following several intersecting paths, THE PENITENT focuses on the rescue and recovery of our story line heroine. Along with her sister Raven, and Azrael’s sister Rebecca, Willow finds herself facing down her past, a past that refuses to let go. Struggling in the wake of his wife’s abduction, Azrael is determined to end the ‘curse’, starting with the woman that calls to his heart but there are others who refuse to let go, a madness and history that wants payment in blood.

The world building continues to focus on payment for sins of the past. Hundreds of years of history and vengeance continues with each successive generation, vengeance that, although deemed a rite of passage, is meant as a reminder to those who dare to cross the Delacroix line. Meanwhile, a secondary story line is ongoing with the return of the Disciples, a group of religious zealots whose aim it is to cleanse the world of witches and magic.

The relationship between Willow and Azrael continues to be one of questionable intent. Azrael married Willow with the intention of sacrificing her life but the reality of the situation dawns, and Azrael must choose between life and death. Willow does not trust the man with whom she is falling in love but there are others whose intentions are more dangerous and dark. The $ex scenes are intimate.

All of the previous story line characters return: Azrael’s long suffering and ill sister Rebecca, their brother Emmanuel, and evil grandmother Salome, as well as Willow’s sisters Raven, Winter, Aurora and Cordelia, and their struggling, weak-willed parents. The requisite evil has many faces, most of whom meet their end in an abhorrent manner.

THE PENITENT is another startling, dramatic and dark story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, madness, murder, judgement and forgiveness. The premise is dark, haunting, raw and tragic; the characters are twisted, flawed and intense; the romance is edgy and impassioned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE TITHING

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

About A. Zavarelli:

Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.

When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.

She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.

Website: https://www.azavarelli.com/
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About Natasha Knight:

USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.

Website: https://natasha-knight.com/
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6478732.Natasha_Knight
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