This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Justine Reyes for Readers' Favorite
In contrast to the tropical and beautiful setting of the warm Caribbean island of St. Thomas, Dark Paradise by Gene Desrochers stays true to its title. When Boise Montague's ideal life in Los Angeles falls into a shambles after the death of his wife, he decides to find some peace in St. Thomas, his childhood hometown. Boise wants to reconnect with an old childhood friend. Nevertheless, it isn't long until Boise discovers that his old friend has died because he was involved with the wrong sort of people. This newfound information pushes Boise into action. Readers will follow Boise Montague through danger and relentless turmoil as he uncovers the true nature of the island of St. Thomas.
Usually, I'm never surprised at what point of view authors of this genre use to tell the story, but the fact that Desrochers uses Boise Montague to narrate the story had me awestruck. Montague was written in such an evocative way that I was immediately submerged in the narrative. There are also little details which go further to explain the state of mind Boise is in without outwardly declaring it. One of the ways Desrochers shows this in Boise's character is through his constant inclination to drink beer. "I sat for a whole minute, contemplating my next beer as rain pattered." This seems like an unimportant detail, but the little things truly add a lot to who a character is; it helps readers understand and empathize.
Gene Desrochers is an outstanding storyteller. There is nothing as enticing as a well-paced and well-written mystery thriller, and Gene Desrochers' Dark Paradise: A Caribbean Noir Murder Mystery delivers both. Along with the absorbing backdrop of the Caribbean, there is a plethora of characters that will immerse readers in the story. Without giving away any spoilers, I implore anyone looking for a good thriller to see for themselves what Dark Paradise has to offer.
