Dana Pratola

What would you do if you were a young artist and a famous billionaire personally called you and invited you to his house for a proposition? Haven is more than flabbergasted, especially over the allusive man’s presumptuous nature. As a bold young woman, Haven is more than confident with her skills as an artist. But when Jett doesn’t give the curtesy of making an appearance, speaking to Haven through speakers and spying on her from cameras, Haven bristles and her personality clashes with the overly cocky man.

Sparks of contention fly. Every word they exchange is riddled with meaning and goading, emotion and intimacy. You could say Haven and Jett have effectively dug themselves under each other’s skin.

As the reader, I was so drawn in by how one character was so acutely aware of the other and how Haven had such an effect on Jett. Every time we dipped into Jett’s thoughts from his POV we saw deeper into his mind and soul. Right from the beginning, he couldn’t get Haven out of his mind. What it comes down to, he wants her, so much so, that he begins revealing glimpses of himself to her, against his better judgement. Haven learns more and more just how twisted Jett’s past really is.

But she can’t help herself either. She is drawn to him. And his supernatural abilities. But Jett believes they make him a monster. Here in lies the Beauty and the Beast vibe.

As seductive as the author paints the words to this novel, it’s a clean read. I’d rate it PG-13. Mild swear words. Jett makes several references to how much he desires and wants Haven. So much so that the average Christian reader will be hanging on to—I mean swooning—with every word. Jett is dark. Like Heathcliff or Mr. Rochester. Haven is pure and innocent. She believes in God. Jett does not. Rest assured, they delve into delicious kissing, but it doesn’t go beyond that.

The novel is intense, gripping. Devourable. I must say that I read this with ferocious hunger.

Readers who loved the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi will enjoy this read.
… (més)

Dana Pratola’s Descended: Jett is an intriguing blend of action adventure, romance, family drama, fantasy, and faithful Christian fiction. Her Christian characters wear their faith very naturally, feeling no need to preach or pray at every turn, but turning, when things go wrong, in the right direction. Meanwhile, the author's non-Christians are pleasingly natural too, some with hints of faith, some with anger, and many with secrets. The action’s great. The mystery of Jett is beautifully underplayed. And the protagonist’s journey from quiet subservience to recognition of her own value and skills is enjoyably told. Meanwhile other characters rise above far more wounded pasts, and the mysterious Jett tries not to rise to the bait of love.

Misunderstandings abound in true romantic style, but there’s more to this tale than just romance. Jett might be maligned by those jealous of his financial success, but few know the truth of his nature or his concerns, and those that do are keeping very quiet. Slowly Haven, an artist far more accomplished than her father has allowed her believe, paints her way into Jett's heart, while painting herself out of obscurity.

With scary castle, haunting corridors, amazing technology and loyal servants, all the ingredients for modern gothic horror meld seamlessly with genuine faith and hope and make for a story that’s truly different, intriguing, romantic and fun.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to buy this while it was free.… (més)

Dana Pratola has done it again with another engaging book from start to finish. Descended Sebastian is the second in a series about men of superhuman strength and ability that are descendants of angelic beings. This book has romance, intrigue, and a good dose of the unexplainable, which is the way a good paranormal should be – even a Christian one. The gospel message is present, but the author doesn’t try to make the mystery of the main characters’ superhuman powers fit into a neat Biblical package. Sometimes fiction is best left as fiction and in this case, it works.
The main character, Sebastian, is especially interesting because of his ‘bad boy’ mystique and is more likeable than Jett, the superhuman hero from book one. Jett is an important character in this book, however, and although it isn’t necessary to read book one first, it is helpful for a complete understanding of the ongoing story. They team up to save Sebastian’s love interest from insidiously evil men working in the sex trade. She is equally imperfect with enough flaws to make her and Sebastian the perfect pair. For me, the ‘rough around the edges characterization’ is probably one of the reasons I liked this book so much. I recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that is somewhat different from the typical fare. I hope more books will follow in this series.… (més)