Review: Hainted
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 6, 2012
Hainted by Jordan L. Hawk is a wonderfully written novel filled with intrigue, suspense and romance. Dan assists the agitated dead in crossing over into the other world. Haint-work has been in his family for generations, but he gave it up after his parents died in order to raise his younger brother and sister. Dan also has given up being true to himself and who he is; a gay man living in rural North Carolina where homophobia tends to run rampant.Leif, also a magical, seeks Simone Miller's help in order to deal with an evil running through the towns and summoning the dead for its own selfish gain. What Leif encounters though is Dan, as his mother has since passed. When Dan and Leif first meet, the attraction is apparent, but Dan suppresses his feeling for fear of reprisals from the bigots in his rural town and for fear of losing custody of his brother and sister.Ms. Hawk's takes the reader on a wonderful journey of two very different young men each trying to find their way in the world and their talents. Both Dan and Leif must come to terms with their abilities; from whence they came from and how they plan to us them for the greater good. Both must battle their demons, physically and emotionally. Sacrifices must be made in order to save the townspeople from an evil so strong that allowing it to inhabit the town could destroy all.As I read the novel I felt the angst and turmoil that Dan felt as he attempted to muddle through the dark waters of his feelings for Leif. His distress radiated off the pages and left me with a sense of sadness. I wanted him to be happy or better yet, I needed him to be happy. Additionally, Leif's feelings were continuously bubbling on the surface adding to the melancholy and gloom both men felt.Ms. Hawk kept me on the edge of my seat as I cheered for them to find happiness and security with Dan's family and friends. Hainted is worth every page as it took me through an emotional upheaval and led me to happier times in the end, when I was finally able to feel safe and let out a *sigh*, as I could see the HEA on the horizon. Ms. Hawk is a new author to this reviewer and has been added to my list of favorites.reviewed by Zafirabook supplied by author/tour for the purpose of an honest review