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4.0
The Awakening: A Novel of Intrigue, Seduction, and Redemption by Allen Johnson is a 2014 Yucca Publishing publication.
This is one of those books that just kept slipping further and further down my TBR list, and ended up getting lost in the shuffle somewhere along the way. But, I promised myself I would do a serious reorganization of my Kindle books and start getting these older titles bumped to the top of the pile. I am so glad this was the first one of those older titles I pulled up, because it is a really nice story I wish I had read much sooner.
The story opens in the 1990’s when Diego Garcia rescues a man who was badly beaten and brings him to granddaughter, Lupita, who is a doctor.
The story then shifts back to 1936 Granada, as Diego, tells the story of his painful past during the Spanish war, which explains why he felt compelled to help the American left to die.
Lupita nurses the man, they name Antonio, back to health after he spends four months in a coma. Once Antonia emerges from the coma, however, he has no recollection of his past, but once his memory returns, the truth threatens to rip apart the life he’s come to know and love since his recovery, with Lupita and Diego.
This story has all the elements promised in the title. But, the redemptive parts of the story are what really sticks out for me.
“Without mercy there is no love. But without remorse, mercy is best left to heaven.”
The historical tale Diego explains about his own past is ‘edge of your seat’ stuff and very heartbreaking. But, his story has stuck in my mind and I think I will remember it for a while.
Antonio’s chance at redemption comes not just from an act of kindness, but from Diego's own attempt at redemption. But, will Antonio, who was once a ruthless man, get a chance to right his wrongs in order to live a better life and finally know and understand love?
I appreciated Diego’s influence, loved Lupita’s sassy personality, but didn’t particularly care for her friend. Upon further reflection, I think Antonio’s ultimate journey to redemption was maybe a little too pat, but that is only a minor complaint.
Overall, this a bit of a ‘feel good’ story with a little dash of romance, and a sweet inspirational tone.
3.5 stars
This is one of those books that just kept slipping further and further down my TBR list, and ended up getting lost in the shuffle somewhere along the way. But, I promised myself I would do a serious reorganization of my Kindle books and start getting these older titles bumped to the top of the pile. I am so glad this was the first one of those older titles I pulled up, because it is a really nice story I wish I had read much sooner.
The story opens in the 1990’s when Diego Garcia rescues a man who was badly beaten and brings him to granddaughter, Lupita, who is a doctor.
The story then shifts back to 1936 Granada, as Diego, tells the story of his painful past during the Spanish war, which explains why he felt compelled to help the American left to die.
Lupita nurses the man, they name Antonio, back to health after he spends four months in a coma. Once Antonia emerges from the coma, however, he has no recollection of his past, but once his memory returns, the truth threatens to rip apart the life he’s come to know and love since his recovery, with Lupita and Diego.
This story has all the elements promised in the title. But, the redemptive parts of the story are what really sticks out for me.
“Without mercy there is no love. But without remorse, mercy is best left to heaven.”
The historical tale Diego explains about his own past is ‘edge of your seat’ stuff and very heartbreaking. But, his story has stuck in my mind and I think I will remember it for a while.
Antonio’s chance at redemption comes not just from an act of kindness, but from Diego's own attempt at redemption. But, will Antonio, who was once a ruthless man, get a chance to right his wrongs in order to live a better life and finally know and understand love?
I appreciated Diego’s influence, loved Lupita’s sassy personality, but didn’t particularly care for her friend. Upon further reflection, I think Antonio’s ultimate journey to redemption was maybe a little too pat, but that is only a minor complaint.
Overall, this a bit of a ‘feel good’ story with a little dash of romance, and a sweet inspirational tone.
3.5 stars
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