Once upon a time she became mine. Mine to destroy. I used to have it all.Successful career.Loving husband who adored me.A future full of possibilities.A perfect fairytale nothing could break.Until one day, life as I knew it was crushed into tiny little pieces.I was charged with a murder I didn’t commit.And no matter how much I begged for justice, no one believed me.Least of all the man who … justice, no one believed me.
Least of all the man who promised to stand by me through anything.
And the husband of the woman I allegedly killed?
He vowed for me to live in a hell on earth-and even then it wouldn’t be enough to atone for my sin.
His words rang in my ears every single day as life became an endless nightmare.
With time, I grew to hate him so much my heart burned from it.
Until three years later new evidence was found.
And everyone believed my truth.
I might be free but I’m still part of a twisted game the monster is playing.
And the only way I can survive in it?
Trust a man who I promised to hate till my last breath.
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A new book by V.F. Mason. It is a bit different than the other books, but if you have read the Serial Killer books then you might spot a familiar face here and there, but it is fine if this is your first V.F. Mason book.
It is book full of emotions. it had dark and sad moments, but there is also hope and joy. It that will keep you guessing who the unsub is and the how and why. I kept guessing who it could be.
Zach started out as a real ***, but he grew on me. I loved Phoenix, she was an amazing strong character. More forgiving then I would be
So many thoughts and emotions swirling around me right now
I can’t express everything this story was –
I will share some thoughts a few key rambles –
I can, with all certainty, say
Do NOT pass this one up!
Best read of 2020!
“The biggest lies we tell … are spoken to ourselves. ”
Would you believe me if I said that as I read the final chapters I was crying and doing the inner happy dance at the same time?
You should, this is VF Mason’s work after all.
So many twists.
Phoenix and Zachary’s lives were interconnected in ways that…
well once revealed I was speechless
Serendipitous!
That’s the word
“But forgiveness is like love; it’s either freely given or has no meaning at all. ”
I did eventually forgive Zachary. I think I will always hold a small shred of anger towards his actions but not him.
Not sure if that makes sense.
He was blinded by his pain and instead of facing the emptiness he redirected it upon the cause.
Vengeance isn’t always as fulfilling as we believe it will be.
It’s easy while lost in our grief to become the monsters we so hate.
“Enjoy life to the fullest, but also be careful. Don’t sacrifice yourself at the altar of others, because the funny thing about sacrifices? No one remembers you made them when they turn their back on you. ”
So much pain, so much loss.
Phoenix was definitely given the short end of the stick.
I raged at the injustice.
I cried at the betrayal
I cheered for her every time she got back up
I stood a bit taller for each false apology she brushed away
She bent, she broke, she took some time on the pity pot –
Then she gathered the pieces, realigned the best she could with what was left, took a deep breath and took another step forward
This can be read as a standalone easily.
But if you have read previous books from this series – we get cameos!
4.5 stars
There are very few authors out there that can continually surprise me, especially in regard to plot storylines. However, this author is one that can weave a story that is so complex that it boggles my mind and always leaves me guessing. Her stories have a depth to them that is mind-boggling and the mind games she plays is extraordinary.
This might be her best book yet in regards to making a character that should be repugnant actually be redeemable. Those are some big words considering that one of the things that I love most about this author is her anti-heroes (hello, Lachlan? /swoon) Zach did some pretty awful things. Things that should have been unforgivable. Yet, somehow I not only forgave him but almost supported his reasons why as thy he did that. That is just insane. Phoenix, sweet lord, this amazing woman. The things that she endured…. somehow she lived up to her name because she sure rose out of the ashes in this one.
Twists and turns galore that had had me continually guessing who the serial killer was and what the connection was with between these characters. I did have a few points of the story that I did question and the ending was rushed, but for the most part this book was exceptional, per usual from this author. Great secondary characters that I would love to see more of and a great epilogue.
The Land Where Sinners Atone was a fantastic read! It’s dark, intense and very well-written. It had so many twists and turns I was guessing until the end. VF Mason does such a great job at telling unique stories and this was one of them! I felt every emotion while I read this book and I was hooked from the very beginning. Phoenix’s story was so heartbreaking, but she is such a strong character and I started to like Zach more as I read the story. This has been one of my top reads for 2020 and I would highly recommend it!
This is definitely the most twisted book that V.F. Maso had written !! and I loved it a lot !!
I love to hate Zach and then I hate loving him !!
Phoenix has seen her life being destroyed under her eyes, she’s a broken soul.
Zach has seen the love of his life being taken from him, and all he wants, it’s revenge against the person who killed her !!
Sometimes, things aren’t what it seems to be !!
What an absolutely stunning book!
Ms. Mason superbly captures all the feelings with this story.
I could feel every characters passionate emotions.
Hatred,love and despair come alive with the intense scenes written on the pages.
They despise wholeheartedly and they hate wholeheartedly.
But when they love.
They love with intensity and fiercely.
Phoenix is accused of a crime she never committed.
And from this point her life becomes a living nightmare.
The hell she goes through broke my heart and shattered my soul.
With no one on her side and not a living soul believing in her innocence.
She depends on herself.
Not to prove her innocence but to do her time while trying to stay alive.
I loved Phoenix from the start.
She’s compassionate and committed.
She didn’t have parents growing up.
But she got through the foster care system and became a psychiatrist dedicated to each of her patients.
Phoenix never had luck on her side though.
Zachary is committed to being Phoenix’s tormentor.
He’s driven to the point that he’s lost any sense of rationality.
With the last name of King,anything and everything is in his power to do and achieve.
And he uses that powerfully.
I had empathy and sympathized with Zach for everything he lost.
I kept trying to analyze if I was in his position would I do what he did?
When the hurt in the heart is so devastating,I think all reasonable thought is gone.
The characters go through horrific situations and circumstances.
So their emotions are always on full blast.
I loved the storyline and plot!
It’s complicated and twisted.
Raw and gritty.
It had me wanting to hurry with reading to see what happens next.
But also I wanted to savor it and take my time to appreciate everything the author lays out.
An absolutely thrilling read and I loved everything about it!
This story is deserving of so much more than 5stars.
And I just want to mention that cover is incredibly sexy!
And also I loved the cameo appearances Ms. Mason includes
This book was amazing! I do believe this is my new favorite by this author… once I started, I couldn’t put it down! Phoenix really had a rough time, I felt so bad for her. And that ending…wow! Definitely a must read!!
Wow!!! This book was amazing! I felt so bad for Phoenix but loved every second of the journey! Highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
I used to have it all. Successful career. Loving husband who adored me. A future full of possibilities. A perfect fairytale nothing could break. Until one day, life as I new it was crushed into tiny little pieces. I was charged with a murder I didn’t commit. And no matter how much I begged for justice, no one believed me. Least of all the man who promised to stand by me through anything. And the husbnd of the woman I allegedly killed? He vowed to me to live in a hell on earth-and even then it wouldn’t be enough to atone for my sin. His words rang in my ears every single day as life became and endless nightmare. With time, I grew to hate him so much my heart burned from it. Until three years later new evidence was found.And everyone believed the truth. I might be free, but I’m still part of a twisted game the monster is playing. And the only way I can survive it? Trust a man who I promised to hate till my last breath.
Oh gosh this book is so good. So good in fact you will not be able to lay it down. It is a dark story and it will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. Here we meet Phoenix who is on her way to being one of the best psychiatrist in the country. She has it all. A career that she absolutely loves and a husband who adores her and promises to love and protect her for the rest of his life. However one accident that causes a death and that’s it for her career, her marriage and her life. She has killed the love of Zachary King’s life. His woman and his soulmate and he is out for revenge. This event send Phoenix to prison and he feels like she got no where near the time or the punishment that she should have and he puts a bounty on her head in prison. It is her worst nightmare magnified about a thousand times. He wants her to pay. Pain is what he wants her to suffer but he doesn’t want her to be killed. Suffering is all she knows when she is in prison until three years pass and a King show up claiming that she is innocent and that there is a serial killer on the lose who is in control of everything that happened to Phoenix. He caused that accident and so many others but becomes bored and confesses but doesn’t turn himself in. Now he is chasing the high of his first kill and he has plans or Phoenix and Zachary. It has to be someone from their past and he is on a mission to make this man pay with his life. I don’t want to give anything else away about the book. You just need to read it and I am telling you I don’t figure this one out. I was guessing till the very end and I still didn’t have it figured out. I don’t think anyone will every top this dark story from V.F. Mason. She does excel at dark stories that keep you on the edge of your seat with your heart beating a million miles an hour and every emotion you can experience is experienced. You do not want to miss this book. I am sure this will be one of my favorite books of 2020
The Land Where Sinners Atone by V.F. Mason is an extraordinary, suspenseful, powerful, intense, twisted, gripping, emotional rollercoaster dark romance read that keeps you on the edge simply right up til the very end of the story. This is a book that shakes you to the core and reforms you from the foundation of the newly created pile of “OMG what just happened “.
I want to say I am #TeamPhoenix all the way. She was an innocent woman, charged with a murder and convicted of a crime she didn’t do…did anyone stand behind her? No, she was cruelly abandoned by all asundry. Zachary wants complete revenge against his wife, Angelica’s killer. Two broken souls who need saving are Phoenix and Zachary. Yet theirs is a twisted path that will take a complex and gritty path towards each other. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s heartbreaking and bittersweet; dark and raw; forgiveness and love. This is what Karma looks like when she finally finds you…. I really enjoyed reading Zach and Phoenix’s dark, standalone romance. I would have liked to have seen more of their story not seemed rushed at the end but really, this was an amazing plot, fantastic characters and just captivating story. I look forward to Ms. Mason’s next story.
My Rating: 4.7 stars *********
OMG, if you like dark romance then this is one that MUST be read! From its inception, you will feel your heart bleeding out from the visceral emotions brought on by this talented author as she paints a picture of two people whose lives were inexplicably changed due to tragedy. This is one of those books where I am not going to try and write a review because the words will not do it justice. One click and get your copy NOW! I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
5 seriously cray stars!! If you haven’t read this author before you are seriously missing out.
This is a stand alone in V. F. Mason’s serial killer series. You will meet many of the other characters in this book.
Trust and believe you will wonder if your morals are still the same when you are done. Is it wrong I love all these men?!?!
This book started with a bang. I thought when I first started reading there is no way in hell I could be ok with this. Well let me say I was wrong. I threw all that shit out the window. I was rooting on the two souls who have had enough pain.
Patience has a story. And man does it break you. Crazy how a chance meeting snowballs into so much more.
Zachary has a story. He has felt pain and lost women he had loved with his all. Crazy how one snowy day could change the course of his whole life.
I love how many turns this book took. The author kept my mind engaged and it is hard for me to keep this interested. Not to mention this book was incredibly sexy. Man I was like a puddle.
This book is full of every emotion you can think. My heart broke for many of these characters. I gave forgiveness when I thought I never could. This is a definite MUST read!!
**I received this book as and ARC and in return gave my honest review**
A woman wrongly accused.
A man lost his wife in terrible way.
A hell they live as someone else wrong vendetta.
There’s the positive and not so hot feelings about this book.
I love how the author saying how bad childhood doesn’t give you the excuse to be the evil.
How your sadness, suffering, hurt doesn’t give you the excuse to hurt somebody else.
How forgiving the one who hurt you, although it’s hard, means freedom for you to move on.
How loving someone also mean letting your self be vulnerable to be hurt.
How parents should stand up for their children no matter what happen.
How love should be spoken to and show everytime in every single breath you take so the one you love will know it for sure.
How you don’t take granted of small thing like having people on your side no matter what.
Strong messages from the author in this book. Phoenix that’s like her name, rise from the ashes of her life hell. King, like his name, become the man that he is after so many mistake he made.
But there’s just this small detail that’s for me give this book a 4,5 star is, I feel the turn around on King feelings toward Phoenix is too fast. I need more detail on how and why. For love is such a big word and after what happened with them, I need more from King to believe that turn around at the time. Although at then end the author tell us why and how, but I wish it’s written from the start. Or take us in that journey with King’s POV. Cause to have your feelings change after hating someone so much…i need to see the struggle.
For Phoenix. I totally connect with her. Her fear, her lust, her strength, her anger and sorrow. And finally to have that turn around…i feel her.
The trials, tribulations and heartache that Phoenix went through tore me up. I was so happy she overcame it and was a better person because of it. This book was absolutely amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I am such a huge fan of this author’s and always expect awesomeness from her. And she always delivers!!! This story is one of the most complex and twisted that she’s ever written, or that I’ve ever read!! I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The intensity was mind blowing, and I just didn’t know what to make of everything at some point. I couldn’t figure out who the bad guy was, everyone was a suspect. I also couldn’t figure out how she could pull off a happy ending!! But OMG did she do that, and more!! You really need to have an open mind and dig deep into your heart to understand the main characters’ choices and decisions. My heart ached for everyone. Just an amazing read!
What an absolute masterpiece by this author! The Land Where Sinners Atone is raw & gritty, tantalizing & thrilling, and deliciously dark & suspenseful. While this book is a little different from her usual works, this novel is an enthralling read that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as she skillfully weaves together an intricate web of romance and suspense.
Actions triggered by hate can lead to the most devastating consequences. It brings to mind, is it possible to fully atone for your sins and receive the forgiveness of the one you have wronged?
This book is not only a dark romance that brings together two broken characters who were utterly destroyed by something horrific, but it also is a thought-provoking and powerful thriller. The underlying mystery kept me flipping pages – as I couldn’t wait to find out what happens and yet I didn’t want the story to end.
My heart wept for both Phoenix and Zachary even if at times I wanted to spit on Zachary. Phoenix is a hardcore heroine; exceptionally resilient and brave for all that she has endured. Zachary was a character that I loved to hate and hated to love. He started off as cruel and ruthless and even though my heart hurt for him, at first I wasn’t sure he would be redeemable. Yet, he won me over!
I found myself pulled into this phenomenal read right from the first page and I was unable to put it down. This author always impresses me with her ability to craft a story with such complex characters and a unique plot. She does an excellent job with character development and telling a story that is both interesting and original. It is because of this, this author is one of my absolute favorites and I am really looking forward to see what she comes up with next.
Two broken souls in need of mending…I’m not sure these two together was the best solution for that to happen, but this author brought their broken pieces together beautifully.
Can sinners ever atone? I’m not sure, but we can put one foot in front of the other, forgive ourselves, be a better person and live our life. I have no idea how Phoenix ever found it in herself to forgive Zach, but he was relentless in his mission to atone.
I would have liked the author to explore more of their emotions when they discovered their childhood connection, I thought that was an absolutely brilliant twist in their story, but this one is jam-packed with heart pounding energy.
VF Mason knows how to write serial killers! I love how we always get a visit from one of our favorites.
O.M.G! To say that I was sucked in from the start would be an understatement! I was sucked in, mesmerized, you name it. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! Heartbreaking, beautiful, amazing. I don’t have the words to tell you how fantastic this book is. 1000 stars! I absolutely loved it!
5+ PHENOMENAL STORY STARS!! MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!! I wish I could give more than 5 stars….this books deserves all the stars in the sky. Phoenix and Zach’s story is phenomenally told and will have you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Their story will touch all your emotion buttons…your heart will beat so hard you believe it might explode in your chest. This author’s story are so beautifully told in a dark world and worth every minute of your time.
Let me start by saying that I hated every character in this book in the beginning. Phoenix is being charged with murder. Sebastian, her doting husband, up and left her. Zachary is out for revenge against his wife, Angelica’s killer.
So, knowing this author’s work as I do, I continued to read. This book is dark, it’s gritty, it’s going to make you cringe. There are a few scenes where I wanted to close my eyes and open them when it was over. This story is not for the faint of heart.
I grew very involved with not only the story itself, but with all of the characters as well. This is a story of karma catching up to you and how you repay it.
I absolutely loved this story. I am so very happy with the ending. The HEA this story has is an awwww moment. And the actual bad guy? I did not see that coming.
Christina~ Book Haven Book Blog