Passion Rising

I was scrolling through Audible looking for a book that was included in the premium library to get lost in while I myself got lost in the mundane things of my everyday mom life. I usually err towards the side of “dark” or “taboo” in the romance genre, just because it’s hard to find anything with any actual suspense, depth, angst, or conflict that isn’t repetitive or contrite, in mainstream romance. So needless to say finding this series was like finding Buried Freaking Treasure!! I don’t know that it would be classified as “Dark”, while there are certainly dark elements at play, but I just finished the “Original Sin” series by Johnathon McClain and JA Huss and I’m obsessed with it.I sought out the first book in the series “Sin with Me” because Tad Branson is one of my favorite Narrators on Audible. He always brings so much emotion to his interpretations that I rarely ever come away without tears from a book that he narrates. When I reached the end of the Audible for Sin with Me, it was revealed that Tad Branson IS Johnathon McClain! What kind of Mindfuckery was this!?🤯 No wonder his performance was off the charts in bringing the Protagonist Tyler to life.This series was emotionally charged. It was about existentialism, tragedy (a lot of it), suspense, a cacophony of emotional depth, self-healing and growth within two damaged people.....and of course, love. Also, the sex was off the charts!Anyway, I adored this series and the absolute head cases the two main characters are. It’s so so much more than a romance, and is by all means not a light read. So if you are not prepared to be ripped open and put back together with a box of tissues handy, I dare say you should pass on this one.However, if any of what I have described to you above tickles your fancy, then you will not be disappointed by this series. Also, do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible. It’s AMAZING!

Well, we’ve made it to the end of the Original Sin series, and I’m a pretty sad panda now. Leading up to this last book, I was super stoked to see what was going to happen with Maddie and Tyler now. By the end of Flesh Into Fire, they had pretty much been to h3ll and back. The threats they had been facing through the first three books have been eradicated, so what could possibly be next for Maddie and Tyler? Were they finally going to be able to just “be” and get down to becoming acquainted with each other, in more than just the biblical sense?This last book was quite an emotional journey for this couple. I don’t mean they were on an emotional rollercoaster, I’m talking about them finally delving deep inside themselves, and figuring out what the emotions are that they’ve been feeling. For a long time now, Maddie has been of this mindset that she’s a magnet for bad luck, or that nothing good seems to happen to her, or that she’s been endlessly climbing a mountain that just keeps shoving her back down. And Tyler has just shut emotion out of the equation altogether and avoided anything and anyone that would make him interact and relate to another person on an intimate or deep level. But now that these two are together, they’re beginning to realize that they’ve been going at this life thing all wrong.The depths that Julie and Johnathan take our beloved couple in the emotional development category is pretty deep. I’ve read plenty of Julie’s books in which a character has some pretty intense, a-ha moments, where things click into place for them. And many a time those scenes punched me right in the gut and left me breathless and teary eyed. Well, that same thing happened in this book, only that emotional punch came from Johnathan and a specific scene that our loveable Tyler experienced. I haven’t decided if I want to find him and smack him for making me bawl, or if I want to give him a hug and thank him for the beauty that scene provided. In its imagery and the feelings I experienced while reading it.The journey that Maddie and Tyler took us on in this series was a whirlwind to be sure. I laughed, a lot and I teared up, (okay, cried) a lot, and I have gained a newfound respect for authors who take on the complex challenge of co-writing stories. I’ve been reading Julie’s books for a lot of years now, so I already knew that she was capable of producing amazing stories. And now reading this series and seeing the depth of talent, emotions and creativity that Johnathan contributed to this collaboration, I can only say how excited I am to see what they bring us next!

The conclusion to the series was more like a really long epilogue. We still get a lot of steam, some drama, Tyler crazy thoughts and rumblings and a conclusion to their reconciliation and the start of their journey together. Loved the heaven scene, it was really insightful and beautiful. Loved the end.

This series have been everything I needed, but didn’t know to ask for. The story captivated me from the first chapter, and the characters are unique as well as easy to recognise. Each of the main characters carry traits that feels like being reunited with old friends, whilst also being so different that it’s a joy to get to know them!

book 4, of a 4 part series that must be read in order.Oh my! After the drama and events of Flesh Into Fire, Maddie and Tyler are finally moving forward with their lives, working through things.I laughed and I cried. It's easy to be invested in Maddie and Tyler after all they've been through. The inner monologue of both characters is brilliant. I have absolutely loved this series. I wanted to read to see how it was all going to finish, and yet I didn't want it to end.

Wow! I’m so glad each book in this series wasn’t too far apart because I wouldn’t have had the patience to wait! The final book in this series just really really tops it all off.It made me laugh and gasp and cry! Jeez did chapter 19 make me cry! Maddie and Taylor’s relationship just gets better, their friendships with people who they thought they couldn’t be friends with, get better. Everything get better!

*contented and happy sigh*....The finale of Maddie and Tyler and what a finale!I've said it before but it's true - Maddie and Tyler's mad ramblings take me to the fair! 😂😂 They are so random, so messed up and yet make so much sense! Those two were always destined to be together.I've loved this series, its definitely a rereadable one!!