Title: Reynaud’s Redemption (2nd Edition)
Author: Jaxx Steele
Genre:Paranormal/ Magic/Fantasy
Length: Novella (111 pages)
ISBN:9781784301880
Publisher: Totally Bound (12th September 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Will the final confrontation with his past destroy everything Reynaud has in his present, preventing him from having a future with Cam?
Murder, greed, and jealousy have taken everything from Reynaud. His lover, his high position, and his way of life are all gone in the blink of an eye. Condemned for a crime he did not commit, Reynaud must suffer the worst punishment his people can bestow. Only the love of a mentor saves him from destruction, giving him a second chance at life.
After more than one hundred years, he finally meets Cameron. Cam’s love sets him free and helps him put his life back on track, but something still nags in the back of Reynaud’s mind. He hopes going “home” will ease his weariness, but it only raises more questions. Things have changed during his absence. Friends have lost their places, and enemies have gained undeserved power.
Will the final confrontation with his past destroy everything Reynaud has in his present, preventing him from a future with Cam? Will the journey itself cost him Cameron and everything they have built together?
Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence and murder.
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released by another publisher. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound Publishing.
Purchase Link: https://www.totallybound.com/reynauds-redemption
Review: This story is the second edition and is the combined work of the previously published Cam’s Best Friendand Reynaud’s Redemption. The stories have been polished, but otherwise no noticeable changes have occurred.
Reynaud/Mel is being punished for something he didn’t do, he is now a dog, and to break the spell someone has to love him unconditional and he has to love and protect them back. Cameron is opening up his own restaurant, he has an abusive ex who he has run from and is now living his dreams when a large dog walks into his life and changes everything.
Reynaud is blissfully happy with Cam, but there is something tugging at his subconscious, something that he should recognize. With Cam, he returns to his old home, but everything has changed and the place where the council met is long gone but that tugging is persistent. Leaving Cam at home, he sets out to find Madame Cousteau. The one who is calling to him. But, the council has changed and the danger of an enemy is strong. Can Reynaud defeat his powerful foe to return to the arms of his beloved Cam?
This is a well-written story that doesn’t disappoint and is wonderful. Reynaud is being punished and we have a fantastic prologue that explains it all. Cameron meets ‘Mel’ when he is setting up his business and takes him in. He comes to love the dog and somehow breaks part of the spell. When Cameron’s past comes back to haunt him, Reynaud is there to love and protect him. And the last of the spell is broken.
But then Cam is getting fed up with Reynaud denying there is anything wrong, and Reynaud finally admits that he doesn’t know what is wrong but that there is something calling him, Cam offers to take Reynaud back to where he used to live. Reynaud is devastated when he sees the destruction of his former home, but returns days later by himself determined to find the one who calls to him
These two characters are fantastic together, the sex between them is erotic, and the love they feel is beautiful, I have no complaints with these characters and I hope to see them again (hint hint). Now, to the actual story. I really enjoyed how it was written and the way it progressed. And although this is Cam’s and then Reynaud’s story, some of the book is from Baptiste’s perspective. (Baptiste was responsible for Reynaud’s banishment).
Baptiste has been biding his time and with the elders all getting close to the end of their time. He becomes power-hungry and resorts to nefarious means to get what he wants. So we get a good feel for everything that is going on and don’t feel lost with the past suddenly cropping up.
Cameron’s abuse in the past was heart-breaking and there are flash backs to some of the abuse or the circumstances that caused the abuse and it was well written but I felt that Cameron should have had more of a reaction to waking up to a naked man in his bed but other than that it was great. Baptiste is a very nasty character and time hasn’t mellowed him in the least, Reynaud is great although his disregard of Cam is annoying, he didn’t even leave a note, he just disappeared. Cam is much more forgiving than I would have been but he loves Reynaud so it is understandable.
I recommend this to those who love magical paranormal, putting the past to rest, dishing out deserving punishments and a happy ending for Cam and Reynaud.