From USA Today Bestselling Author Adriane Leigh, an Edgy, Thornbirds-esque romance with a jaw-dropping twist…She found herself on the steps of St. Michael’s seeking shelter, what she didn’t expect was temptation so sharp and sweet concealed beneath one snow-white collar.He rescued her from rock bottom, desperate people squeezed together by the desperate cracks of life, but their relationship … of life, but their relationship was never innocent. The thinly-veiled attraction combustible, magnetism so explosive it rattles the very foundations of their belief.
But can their unholy love story withstand the fall?
“Rebel Saint is Adriane Leigh’s best so far…lush with lyrical metaphors and so erotic!” – New York Times Best Selling Author Nelle L’Amour
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Nothing, and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me to face this incredible story.
It’s almost impossible not to be addicted to this author’s writing. A delicate prose that will wrap your heart around her words in such a way that you will forget all the books that came before.
Your book world will never be the same after meeting the enigmatic Bastien and his precious dove; Tressa. But I can assure you that you will never forget them. They will always have a special place in your heart.
A well deserved recognition for this author and the ability that she has to make you feel her words as if they were yours.
It may be a standalone, but it really felt like those old and thick books that with the very few pages you read, transported you to places you’d never imagine to reach.
I wish I can write more about the story but this is a book you have to take the time to savor it. What I can say is that this is one of the best forbidden romances I’ve read this year. If not EVER. Not only for the well constructed storyline or the unique characters; it’s mainly because this author took the risk to turn a plot like this in something magnificent and exquisite.
It will definitely push your boundaries but at the end, it’ll be all worth it.
I truly recommend it to anyone who wants a story to remember.
Not myself from a religious upbringing, I normally shy away from pious content in my reads but that said, I never shy away from the forbidden; in fact it’s kind of my jam!
Rebel Saint however, though grounded in ecclesiastical content that binds the characters in this story, is a brilliant intertwining of biblical and romantic sentiment that will make any heretic a devout believer in the sanctity of love!
When we join Bastien and Tressa, there’s already a bond; a simmering connection that might leave some bereft for it’s beginning but does by no means detract from the building chemistry that follows.
There’s a beautiful, classic reverence in Bastien’s appreciation and admiration of Tressa and in her moral hesitance and remorse; this is by no means a sordid connection, it’s entirely spiritual and worthy of their tryst.
Beyond the emotion, I loved the discovery at the end which was beautifully veiled throughout the book such was the intensity of their chemistry; it did not allow you to look away long enough to see the underlying plot twist.
This was my first book by this author, it’s brilliantly researched and crafted, and I am now a devoted convert to her flock.
Needless to say, I am delighted Bastien and Tressa’s story does not end here.
5 Ethereal stars!!!
This story drew me in from the first page. It is all kinds of taboo, but I LOVED it. Tressa and Bastian played a dangerous game with their attraction, but it was written so beautifully that you cheered them on and hoped that they would give in to temptation and surrender their hearts to one another. I thought of this book and even the plot as two parts of a whole. The first being the obvious, their forbidden attraction and love, the second being the events that take place in the second half of the book that lead to the set up for the next book. And it all starts with a twist that almost gives the plot a reset, and this is where I fell in love with the story. The religious undertones cannot be ignored but never at any point did it come off as preachy. It was a dialogue with the reader more than a sermon. One that opens you up to critical thinking and deeper meanings to what the book is about. It doesn’t excuse the fact that Bastian is a priest, in fact it confronts it head on. Some priest books almost make you want to go to confession afterward, this one had a different tone. Forbidden yes, but different. It’s hard to explain, you just have to read it and fall in love with Bastian and Tressa like I have. You won’t regret it
There are times I read a book and I just can’t get my thoughts straight. What to say about this book, sometimes just saying it’s great or awesome isn’t enough. So I take time to think it over. I try not to rush my reviews and wait for the right words. I finished this book about two weeks ago and I’m still thinking about Rebel Saint. I grew up Catholic and never remember seeing a Priest like Bastien. I’m kinda glad I didn’t because then I might be a real life Tressa! Tressa was saved many times by St. Micheals church. This time around the church gave her a job and shelter when she needed it the most. She worked very closely with Father Bastien. Helping bring life to the old church thru community programs. Working so closely together they find they can’t hide their chemistry for each other. Just like any good book there is is always some mystery. Check this book out! I would rate it my TOP read of 2019! I couldn’t wait for it to be released and I was not disappointed! I’m so excited there is a plan for a second book!
Rebel Saint is a forbidden love story, that will give you all the feels. The story is well written, and the twists and turns will keep you engrossed from the start to the finish. Father Bastien couldn’t help his lustful feelings he had for Tressa and vice versa. You could feel their chemistry coming off the pages.
I always enjoy reading taboo stories, and this one is at the top of my list to reread again.
Holy saints and sinners! This book was everything forbidden and hot and so full of temptation. Adriane Leigh showcased perfectly that love wants what it wants regardless of the cost in a way that was almost poetic at times. I loved the characters, although at times, I wanted to knock Bastien in the head. I loved Lucy. She was an awesome side character, bringing light and laughter to the pages. The tension in this book was so thick it could have choked an elephant. It left the reader wanting and waiting for this story to come together. And when it finally did come together, it was perfect!
Tressa Torrado came to St. Michael’s when she had nothing and she was given a job and a place to live. Now she must also deal with her mounting attraction to Father Bastien Castaneda.
Father Bastien Castaneda has given his oath to God but he has been having a hard time keeping that with Tressa around. He knows he can’t succumb to her no matter how much he wants to.
With the attraction between them growing can they deny how they feel and if they give in how much will they lose?
This was a great read with some really interesting moral components. I am not someone who grew up in the church and I have always found it almost frustrating that Catholic priests are not to have relations with anyone but God, especially with all of the negative press over certain things that have happened.
I liked Tressa and it was clear she did not have the easiest time growing up and had hit rock bottom before coming to the church. She also knew that her attraction to Father Bastien was dangerous and she knew she had to leave before something happened.
I thought Father Bastien was a great character who was truly at odds within himself of doing what was expected and needed of him and following his own heart. Within the confines of his job he wasn’t allowed to be in a relationship yet that was what his heart really wanted. He was definitely great for his congregation and I hated that he thought all of their needs were more important than his own.
There were definitely some tense moments involving Cardinal Lovello and then everything with Lucy.
I was so mad towards the end and what happened to Father Bastien. I was also a little disappointed in him after everything to still keep going with what was planned out for him. I was so proud of Tressa for getting up the courage to follow her own heart and I was shocked at what she ended up discovering about her own family.
I was very proud of Father Bastien at the end for really seeing what needed to be done!!
Rebel Saint is the most inspiring and heartbreaking story that I have read in quite some time. I have tried thinking of a story to compare it to but I’ve come up short- there isn’t one, or not one that I have read anyways. I love a good forbidden romance but Rebel Saint is unlike any other book I normally read and honestly if I had known I probably would have chosen not to read it. But after saying that, let me also say I am so glad that it found it’s way to my Kindle!
Rebel Saint, although a romance, delves into the Catholic faith and the secrets that are sometimes kept all in the name of religion.
Tressa Torrado finds herself on the steps of St. Michael’s. The church has always been a sort of safe haven for her and once again she finds herself in need of the churches shelter but this time instead of Father Martin, it’s Father Bastien Castaneda who’s there to catch her when she falls.
“I’d come to St. Michael’s to escape a disaster of my own making, only to walk myself into an even bigger one.”
Father Bastien is the definition of what a holy man is supposed to be. He selflessly serves his God and his people and doesn’t hesitate to provide Tressa with shelter, and a job.
As Tressa starts to adjust to her new life, both her and the good Father start to develop an attraction towards one another. But as that attraction continues to grow Father Bastien struggles with his feelings because of his position in the church and his commitment to God.
Bastien and Tressa’s story is not an easy one, and it’s filled with ups and downs and twist and turns but the chemistry between these two is scorching hot, and knowing that it is forbidden just makes it that much hotter. When these two finally come together after fighting their attraction for so long it’s bound to be explosive.
I genuinely liked both of these characters. Tressa is such a strong woman with her rebel ways, never afraid to speak her mind for fear of persecution. Bastien with his subtly sensuality and his genuine love for God and how he’s chosen to live his life as well as the way he embraces Tressa for exactly who she is without ever asking her to change.
So, how long can they fight their attraction before giving into temptation? Can Father Bastein give up the woman he loves so that she has a chance to be loved the way she deserves or will he forsake his vows and be the man that she needs?
You’ll have to read Rebel Saints yourself to find out!
This is my first read from Adriane Leigh (IDK how the hell that happened but I plan to rectify it very, very soon!) and she did not disappoint! As I said earlier, religious reads or things involving religion usually are not my cup of tea but although it does delve into the Catholic faith and religion, the way she did it… I just can’t even explain it. If you aren’t reading Rebel Saint because of the religious factor, take my word for it and give it a shot anyway, it really is tastefully done.
Chaos and order, sin and virtue, every bit of us together made no sense at all-and perfect sense just the same.
These are just some other quotes from Rebel Saints that really stuck out to me and I couldn’t NOT mention.
“You’re not my dark night of the soul, Tressa, you’re my light at the end of the tunnel. When I talk of rebels, I talk of people like you and me. Soul mates, both of us driven to leave the world brighter than we found it. That’s the thing I love the very most about you, always willing to do all the wrong things for all the right reasons. I love your rebel heart.”
“If I’m a rebel heart, wouldn’t that make you a rebel saint? My holy man, saving the world one soul at a time.” His chuckle sent sparks down my spine. “S’pose it would.” His grin quirked, eyes twinkling. “But rebel hearts change history.”
“We are love. And loving shouldn’t be done with shame or guilt. We are God’s expression of physical love on earth. Two souls uniting.”
This last passage stuck out so much to me. This isn’t the full passage and it’s not even something that either of the main characters said, in fact, we only hear about this person once, it’s just a random stranger on a bus but this passage stuck with me so much that I had to go back after reading and write the whole passage down in my journal!
“I usually hang on to a book for a few days after I finish it-” he leafed through the pages, callused pad of his thumb grazing the edges reverently “-sometimes to reread certain passages. I like to let the meaning of a story settle into my bones like dust on a bookshelf.”
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
4.5 stars
What a beautiful story between Tessa and Bastien. Though it’s a “forbidden” love story it never once felt that way. The purity of their hearts and the connection they shared was no where near taboo. Even when they struggled with that connection and their feelings due to Bastien’s position in the church and their deep rooted faith…I could still sense the honesty in their love. It may not have been allowed, but is surely was real in the eyes of God.
Their story was breathtaking and unlike previous taboo/forbidden love stories I’ve read before.
Presiding at St. Michael’s church, Father Bastien Castaneda is dedicated to his parishioners and has a loyal following. Handsome and full of heart, Bastien accepts those in need, and when Tressa Torrado arrives at the church, he finds more than he could have imagined.
Working side by side, Bastien and Tressa share a close rapport and a deep forbidden attraction. Though Bastien isn’t your typical priest, there are layers that define him and his faith. Tressa is young but her experiences have made her question morality and hone her instincts. However, Bastien and Tressa choose a path where boundaries are breached and the consequences are great.
Told in two parts, the illicit aspect of their relationship is brewing from the beginning. Wanting to see how far Bastien and Tressa would push their boundaries and how it would morally affect them intrigued me. Though there were times when I had to re-read some parts to be sure certain of actions, the narrative otherwise flowed well by balancing romance elements with a secondary plot.
In this story, both characters have to reconcile their own issues. While Bastien seems more adept, it doesn’t make it easier for him. Together, they forge their own way but it isn’t a seamless journey and this adds a realistic element, which I liked.
Rebel Saint is a taboo romance that explores choices that surround faith and love.
Wow—this book is hot, dirty, and sinfully good! This book was impossible to put down and feasibly one of the best books I’ve read. I wasn’t expecting the turn this story just took; it has quite an unexpected surprise that is jaw-dropping good! Adraine Leigh you did it with this twisted taboo, steamy and suspenseful romance with deep and troubled characters. It has gruesome details; terrorists, bombings, mystery, intrigue, suspense, and erotic passion continue to keep you glued to the pages of this fascinating story. REBEL SAINT astounds me so much I actually had book intoxication—when a vow of celibacy collides with the fate of love. It is forbidden for a priest to betray the penitent for any reason—even love. The consequences: excommunication. Father Bastien Castaneda is Cuban, and he is one sexy priest that could make women worship him on their knees, but he is intriguing and the untouchable aspect made him alluring. Father Bastien heard everyone’s confession, but when Tressa Torrado came crashing into his life—this posed a whole set of new challenges for him that made him question his own faith. The chemistry and passion that Father Bastien and Tressa have for each other is explosive! Of course, there is more to the story than can be surmised in a few short sentences, but I assume if you are reading this, you want to know more about what happened and if Father Bastien was being true to himself and believed that all are deserving of God’s mercy. This is the first time I read a book by Adraine Leigh, but I assure you it will not be the last. Adraine Leigh presents one of the most unseemly “potential love” stories, with a slow burn, and takes you through so many heart wrenching emotions. There are soft, sweet moments, but there is no mistaking the skill applied to the arousing, gritty circumstances of this forbidden romance. There are several surprises and plot twists and turns within the story that makes it interesting. This taboo forbidden romance with gripping details and deep and troubled characters will pique your interest and draw you in from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend this book to those with an open and dirty mind.
Rebel Saint by Adriane Leigh is the story of Bastien Casteneda and Tressa Torrado.
Bastien and Tressa’s forbidden, fierce and taboo love story is extremely well written and beautifully maintained from start to finish. The main characters have this taboo and forbidden romance that is a slow burn but when it gets going, whoa- look out, cuz it’s a steamy read !! The priest and a member of his church…oh yes, it is a very good story with all the angst, drama, twists, passion, heat and romance. Trust me, this is one beautiful and amazing book. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but you don’t want to miss out on this hot, sizzling and taboo love story.
My Rating: 4.7 stars ******
One-click this amazing, beautifully written book! You will not be able to put down this epic forbidden love story. I LOVED every word! Highly recommend!
This is the first religious themed romance book that I’ve read so I went into it a little blind and anxious, not knowing what to expect. I was absolutely blown away by the depth and emotion throughout this book.
Bastien and Tressa’s love story is one of longing, heartbreak and loneliness. Through the devout commitment to his faith, Bastien knows he will never be able to give Tressa the life she so very much deserves, but he finds it harder and harder to let her go. Tressa is at war with herself, her heart in a huge battle with her mind, and she has to decide whether she’s willing to sacrifice her one true love to maintain her sanity. What will become of this couple, destined to be apart yet desperate to be together?
WOW!!! I cant tell you how much I loved this book! I finished it last night then turned the page for the little surprise and I was like
It was beautifully written, from both POV’s, the emotions they experience so true and realistic that you are instantly at their mercy, begging for their outcome to be one of happiness and not pain. It gripped me in its firm hold and clung to me the whole way through, my heart swooned, cried, shattered and finally pieced back together again.
A huge 5
I was looking forward to reading a good forbidden romance ~ this one delivered! Tressa & Father Bastien had an underlying chemistry that you could feel through the pages. The story was very well written, it drew me in and kept me captivated with some unexpected twists and intriguing characters.
Forbidden fruit is the juiciest. I truly love biting into a good taboo story.
Religion is a tough one for me. I was raised Catholic. Even though I don’t practice it, I still find myself questioning values especially when it comes to a potential book boyfriend.
Bastien didn’t strike me as having an internal battle with his sins of the flesh giving me a bit of a disconnect to him and his love of God versus his love for Tessa.
I love the author, so even though I was not head over heels in love with these characters, I enjoyed the writing and I will continue to gobble up other books written by her.
This book was extremely well written and the plot and characters were fantastic. Rebel Saint was a good read, but it just wasn’t my style and I couldn’t get completely invested into this story. I read the blurb and really thought I would be super into it, but I just couldn’t get 100% behind it. I love the aspects of the forbidden romance and that is absolutely what drew me into this book. The plot was there, the characters were really good and had a lot of depth to them.
Tressa finds herself homeless and turns to St. Michaels for help. She is welcomed by Father Bastien with open arms. He is a holy man, he serves God and cares for all of Gods people. Tressa tempts him though and makes him want to lead a life of sin. The chemistry between these two characters was really good. They were fighting their attraction to one another tooth and nail. One persons cup of tea may not be another’s so please don’t let my review scare you off. Give this book a try, it may just be the one you’re dying to read!
This book was beautifully written and I enjoyed every aspect of this story. I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what would happen next. This forbidden romance had so many twist and turns you couldn’t help but be addicted.
Rebel Saint was an enjoyable enough read, it’s not the best priest/parishioner forbidden romance that i’ve ever read but it did have it’s merits. Firstly Father Bastien is a holy man that lusts after Tressa and he actively pursues her, it was a rather refreshing change that even though they have an attraction to each other he is actually the one that makes the first move. Most books of this genre/theme seem to always make the woman seem to be immoral by leading the priest into giving in to temptation. It did have an interesting backstory and with secrets found hiding in the attic at St. Michaels it did make the story have a little more depth than just being your average taboo romance.
My only dislike of the story was how Father Bastien knowingly tells Tressa he could never give up his god for her but he still pursues her and takes her innocence, it’s a bit predatory. She comes across as a naive young girl that is easily mislead. She is definitely a lamb to the slaughter, but with most romances it all comes good in the end.
The writing was good and the story was easy to read. If you love a taboo romance you will love this book too!
What an emotional roller coaster! Regardless of the taboo-ish relationship, and my inability to get sucked in for a little because I’m just burnt out I think, this one was written so beautifully I couldn’t help but to fall in love with the characters and their fight to be together. Their struggles were ones I felt deep in my bones and at no point was I completely sure of what would happen. The twists blew my mind, and the fact that we’ll be getting more was a pleasant surprise. Once it started moving, the heartfelt, gorgeous prose moved me, and was just a fantastic journey that each character had to take to get to where they ended up. It really made you think, and covered topics that were relevant to the subject at hand. This Author has a true gift of the written word and I hope she never stops writing!! I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog