Claire Nichols endured the CONSEQUENCES of Anthony Rawlings’ vendetta.
When she first arrived to his home, her goal was survival. Through strength and compartmentalization Claire captivated her captor. Her resilience in the face of his rule threatened Anthony’s well developed plan. Domination became desire and power turned to love.
Their passion and adoration in a world of opulence appeared perfect. Yet, reality was a roller coaster of emotion. Claire’s world teetered on the edge of sanity as Antony monitored her every move. When given the opportunity to flee, Claire drove away. A fateful decision which set a well laid plan into motion.
However, unbeknownst to either of them, there were others who saw past the perfect facade of Anthony Rawlings. There were others who saw the TRUTH. Conspiracy and unfulfilled promises result in an early prison release for Claire. Not just a release – a pardon. According to the law, her crime never happened!
Will it be that easy? Faced with freedom from her past... can Claire seize it? Can she build a new life, mend her broken spirit, become the woman she once was, and seek her own revenge? Or is it all a game? And does the game master have different plans?
How does Sophia Burke fit into the puzzle that is Tony and Claire? Will her presence affect the future of this well esteemed man? Can he dominate twice? Is that his goal?
TRUTH continues the tumultuous saga of CONSEQUENCES, introduces new players, and uncovers more intrigue. Aleatha Romig skillfully weaves past transgressions through current deception to create a fervent world of obsessed desire. In this reality can an all-consuming relationship survive?
When buried sins are discovered they threaten not only Tony and Claire’s future -- but their very lives! Will the TRUTH be revealed in time?
Where to Find Truth:
Where to Find Aleatha Romig:
*5 Stars*
I'm thinking that saying this book is fantastic, and that you should totally read Consequences so you can get to it as quickly as possible is probably redundant. Maybe. But that is totally what I think. I thought Consequences was awesome, even if it is a crazy, horrifying roller coaster ride I will gladly hop back on sometime in the future. Truth was just as awesome, if not more so, because it was just as crazy but had so many game changers. Just. Wow.
1) Claire. Claire really was completely screwed over at the end of Consequences. This scenario brought out a great many not so nice names from me for Tony, and I was shocked. Just total and utter shock. However, at the beginning of Truth I found myself laughing so hard at the changing of the tides. Booyah Tony! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it! Already, I knew that this was going to be EPIC. Also, to Claire's credit, I was so impressed with how much she changed. All for the better of course, but we finally get to see the beautiful Claire BT (Before Tony). This Claire is awesome. She is continually coming out of her shell, and while I rooted for her 100% of the time, she had me questioning her more this time. What the hell was she thinking? Hello, run away, hide, or do a better job of hiding, new identity...something! Did she do that....of course not! Oh, no, the crazy millionaire couldn't possibly have the resources to find your ass if he wanted! Gah.
2) Tony. I pretty much hated him through the entire first book. The ending solidified that feeling. But once again Aleatha had me feeling way, way too much for him with all of the backstory we get in Truth. Nature versus nurture could be heavily debated in psychobabble for this one. It also couldn't be more of a poster story for money not being able to buy you happiness. Anton never had anyone that really showed him pure love and affection, and what he got from his Grandfather was far from it. The Rawls family does all these things out of supposed family loyalty, but really, so much could have been different if they'd just stayed away from each other. I spent a lot of Truth also questioning his motives, intentions, and feelings this go around too. Is this really what is happening? Or is this just another move in their chess game. I had a lot of hand holding from Shel, which helped, but since Tony doesn't really have a clue what his feelings mean we never really do either. Until the end. Then I got it. *tear*
3) Sophia and Derek. This story line or sub plot was very interesting and by the finish so unresolved. Remember what we said about remembering everything is somehow connected. This holds true here, and I sincerely hope we get more answers in Convicted. I think we will, because evil never sleeps and I sense bad things coming for these people because this vendetta will never be over until you'll have to read to find out who is dead.
4) What comes next. Holy cow, I can't even imagine! While I was satisfied with this story in that we a lot of answers, there was an even bigger slew of questions brought in. Do they come back? Was it for sure him with her? Will you'll have to read to find out who keep going with the master plan 30+ years in the making?
I am sure I drove you nuts, Shel, with all of my predictions (which were totally wrong by the way) but it did make reading together fun! I was playing my own crazy game of clue, like he did this, in this way, in this room madness! Kudos to you if you figure out what the heck is going on well before I did, but no matter when you do, I sincerely hope you enjoy this wild ride! We all will be waiting with bated breath for when the final installment comes out!
***5 Stars***
Court, it's books like this that make me delighted to have you as a friend and writing partner. I loved the texts we exchanged--they ran the gamut of emotions from rage to confusion to happiness to WTF just happened here. I loved rereading both of the books with you and am so glad you enjoyed them as much as me! Now, on to the review...
1) Claire. From the very beginning of Truth we see a more confident, decisive, strong Claire emerge from the ashes of her former life--the epitome of a Phoenix. She takes control of her life and starts mapping out a plan to protect herself and seek a little vengeance. Rightfully so. In Consequences I sometimes questioned her decision making, but in Truth I was with her, cheering her on and seeing the rightness in every step she took. I loved her ability to read a situation and handle it ---especially those involving Tony. She was no little meek mouse, she stood toe to toe with him and refused to give him anything she didn't want to give. I love a girl who is smart and willful and independent and strong; I found her to be all of those things.
2) Tony. Man I wanted to hate him. I really, really wanted to hate him. So what does Aleatha Romig go and do? She writes a Tony that is complicated and complex and intuitive. I had no choice. I had to go with what she gave us and I ended up in a constant flux of emotions..I was rooting against him, then for him, then...OH BLOODY HELL...seriously, do I like him? SHEESH. I resisted for as long as I could. Seriously. I mean what he did to Claire in Consequences was so despicable and abhorrent, how could I enjoy him as much as I did in Truth? What is wrong with me??!!! Don't get me wrong... he still has those godforsaken rules and we still see flashes of Mr. Control Freak, but we also see a more caring and sensitive side to him too.
3) Sophia and Derek and Harry and Catherine. These four characters, in addition to more history of the Rawls family, add more intrigue and conflict to this already crazy story. With the Sophia and Derek storyline I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the bad to happen, for the bad Tony to appear and do harm. As more of their story is revealed we begin to see how they are connected to Tony. By the end of Truth we have more questions than answers and I anticipate their story will create some angsty times in the 3rd book. The Harry and Catherine stories also provide a good dose of interest. They are closely involved with Claire and each play a role in her interactions with Tony....and here I'd really like to say more but since I don't want to spoil anything...I'll leave it at that. HMPH.
4) The writing. Once again I must gush over Aleatha Romig. Her ability to create characters who you feel so much for--whether it is compassion or hate or love or confusion--was done with her carefully chosen words and phrasing; as an English teacher I am always pointing out the importance of words to my students and this is a prime of example of an author using just the right ones to convey every thought and emotion. I also must applaud her ability to keep up with all of the twists and turns coming, keep the plot unraveling at the most perfect pace, and giving us just enough to feel satisfied (and yet here I am begging for more). Finally, kudos to the editing, everything was just as it should've been and I so appreciate a well edited book.
Courtney and I are both eagerly anticipating the third installment of this series. Actually, eager is an understatement but I don't know if there is a word that exists that is HUGE enough to properly describe exactly how badly we want to get our hands on the third book. The way Truth ends is excruciating....there were lots of f-bombs being bandied about as Courtney and I both finished. I may or may not have wanted to jump in my car and find a way to get inside Aleatha's computer...or better yet her brain to see what she has in store for us next. Whatever it is, I know it will be amazing and I am so looking forward to it. Read this series; you won't regret it.
