Book Review: Mahogany Sin
Mahogany Sin (The Valerie Chamber Series-Book 1). Kellee Gilmore. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, July 22, 2013, E-book and Trade Paperback, 350 pages.
Reviewed by Jessica Cage.
Mahogany Sin is a deliciously unexpected paranormal thrill ride. In the first book of its series, debut author Kellee Gilmore introduces us to Valerie Chambers, a self-sufficient woman who is working her way to the top of her accounting firm. She is focused and determined to succeed, and has tossed aside her bad girl ways, much to the chagrin of her best friend Jordan who is still thoroughly enjoying the wild life. One evening Jordan convinces Valerie to come out for a night on the town and of course, this is the night that Valerie’s life is thrown off its rails.
Waiting for her is a blind date, the handsome and intriguing Edric, who sweeps Valerie off her feet with just one look. The magnetism between them is undeniable, the kind that will throw a wrench into the life Valerie is trying to build. She knows her involvement with Edric will lead her down a shaky path but she chooses to go with it anyway.
Yes, you want Valerie to be okay - you want her to have the successful life she is building - but you cannot help wanting Edric to shake that all up for her. When they are near each other, she is more alive, more vibrant, more herself. But Edric brings something else out in Valerie, and that something isn’t just a more lively social life. There are some serious demons hidden in Valerie’s past that she will have to face.
The paranormal twist to this story is one that is completely unanticipated and is very well done. All the while you are reading this book, you are waiting for it. You know it’s coming (after all, it is paranormal fiction) and when it is finally revealed it is both devastating and enticing, and done in such a way that you find yourself lost inside the pages all over again.
Fair warning: there is some adult content that was a bit more than I expected, but I have no complaints. Kellee is descriptive without being vulgar. Mahogany Sin is definitely one to add to your collection if you love paranormal work that contains a heated sexual atmosphere. At times you will feel a bit naughty reading it, but it’s the good kind of naughty.
Mahogany Sin is Chicago author Kellee Gilmore’s first book. The story combines her love for her city, horror movies, and paranormal fiction into one tempting story that will leave readers begging for more.