D.J Kile

The Unforgiven reviewed by Patrick S. Lee

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​Book reviews : The Unforgiven by D.J Kile Reviewed by Patrick Lee
I am not a Vampire Genre fan. I grew up seeing vampires portrayed by Bela Lugosi. The bat flutters on not-quite-invisible wires into a dim, moonlit room, morphing into a sinister looking ghoul. The black-caped fiend who has emerged has no love for the beautiful young creature lying hapless and asleep in her bed—no qualms about who she is and why he is there. He’s simply hungry, but the scriptwriters and director had the good sense to show her as gorgeous, vulnerable, and doomed. Vampires were evil creatures. Victims were pure as the driven snow, and lovely.Intrinsic to any good story is this thing called plot. Create great characters and place them in a kettle of boiling water. Entertain us. Make us believe there is no way out for them, even though we know they’ll figure out a way. If we must see old ogres dressed up in new clothes with love and romance added to what they really are, so be it. But, tell us a good story.DJ Kile  like so many young readers fell captive to the new interpretation of these hell-bound heroes with what opens as a good story. She has made us fear them, and yet strangely identify with them because now they are something of what we are as fully human. They are not merely super-strength zombies, rather they “live” in a community much like our own, with rivalries and agendas and secret longings. Even as the (morally helpless) anti-hero rips out the throat of his victim—why are all the really despicable vampires men?—driven by his insatiable thirst for dinner, we almost want to cheer for him. Not so Mr. Count Dracula Lugosi. Ah, sigh, the times they have a-changed.The book opens with a prologue. Missouri, present day, a dark night, a man leaning against a building smoking a cigarette. Here she comes…his dinner/victim, and yet something stays his retractable canine teeth.
“Not knowing exactly the reason why he stands idle, he lets her go and does not follow his desperate sense of yearning.” I get the distinct feeling that his interest is something more than simple blood. But he moves on, down to a local bar, and there finds someone who doesn’t touch his heart, only his growling stomach.Dinner doesn’t last long. He’s full, kind of content standing there over the lifeless young woman...but not really.“After all that had transpired in that solemn alleyway, that dark haired beauty’s scent, her essence still lingers with him, a mixture of Lilac and another scent he cannot quite place. There is only one thing he knows for sure. It was a scent from the old world and not of this America.”Okay, she will most likely never be his victim. In fact, projecting at this early point, we can be reasonably sure they’re going to wind up in Vampire-love.Cut to a dank, wet castle somewhere a long time ago. The young woman in the scene is being chased through its belly halls. She manages to escape with her love, and off they run to safety in the woods, there to wait for a friend who will deliver horses to them. Not to happen, though. Good. The plot thickens, as they say. They will not escape to Eden, rather face the wrath of a King for something. For something.Back to present day, and Faith (really? Faith? Could it be…?) awakens from this not-exactly nightmare, but at least disturbing dream. More disturbing because she continues to have it in sequential episodes, night after night.The young college girl travels to her summer job at a mansion/historical home in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. While tending her duties as hostess and tour guide for the flocks of summer visitors, getting zonked on the head by Mica, the male half of the hostess team and old boyfriend, she is inexplicably drawn by a pair of eyes in a very old, framed photograph of a Civil War soldier hanging on the wall of the stairway to the second floor…where her bedroom lies.The dreams continue, and Faith gets drawn ever more deeply into a tale of vampire reincarnation. Without a stake in the heart or a mighty big mirror and crucifix, they just keep coming back, and in this case lots of cops and partiers pay a heavy price soon enough.
The best parts of this novel-in-progress take place in the 15th century, I think, where the plot is the most interesting, if not the bloodiest. In a strange way it reminded me of the masterful plotting of The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. Two lovers reunited after centuries of being apart. At times Faith shines in her facility to set scene and tension. For example, Faith (Ruelle) taking us into the dream, circa. 1469.
“That was when she spotted him. He was leaning against the far wall drinking from a silver goblet, conversing with some of the other gentlemen. His appearance astonished her. He was genuinely the most handsome man she had ever seen, including those kinsmen from her native country.He was quite tall compared to the other men in court, easily over six foot, and he had long dark hair tied back with a small piece of leather. He wore black breeches, a black and silver doublet, and tall boots that came to mid-thigh... An Irish hand and half sword with a high polished cross guard and pommel, leather wrapped handle, hung in its leather scabbard on his hip. Even through his fitted attire she could tell he was extremely muscular. Also how he at all times had his hand on the hilt of his sword. This easy readiness to draw it at a moment’s notice told her he was a master swordsman. He caught her carefully watching him from across the crowded hall, and so he looked back. She could now see his eyes, an odd color reminding her of frosted ice. He was quite pale as if his skin had not been touched by the sun in many days.”Or, regarding Faith’s bedroom at the mansion in 2011…“It sits at the end of a long hall, the last of the second floor bedrooms, paintings of the bayou that portray the south at its prime adorn the walls. Hand-blown glass vases brimming with wild Irises and Spanish moss sit on small tables along the hall, accompanied with tin-type pictures of the original family. The bedroom is decorated as it would have been during the time of the civil war. An ornately designed bed rests in the corner, covered with a wedding ring pattern quilt, by the open window a rocking chair sits in wait. On the back wall an oak chest of drawers stands, along with an original vanity that had been refurbished.”Or yet…
“They walk down the stone path that leads them through the old sugar field to Shirley’s garden. In the garden rests a beautiful live oak that is over a hundred and fifty years old, its branches extending so far it appears to bow down to mother nature in prayer; hanging from one of the branches is a simple swing.”These are examples of a writer letting her wings spread. The paragraphs shine.Faith Ruelle has been working on this, her first novel, for a couple of years; I remember the first draft quite well. This latest version is light years beyond those first pages’ efforts, and yet there is much work to be done. The author for some reason (I hope not my suggestion way back when) has chosen to narrate in two tenses, past and present. I have no objection to either, but in this instance I am convinced it would read with much more fluidity in straight past. The present tense sections are weak in comparison to those handled in past. Beyond that—and probably true to Faith’s age and form—our protagonist and her female friends elicit less-than masterful points of view concerning the young men around them, ie.,
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life, and last night I dreamed he was in my bedroom and...just a second ago I swear I saw him on the roof of this barn looking down at us!”Sara studies her, her mouth hanging open. Nearby, within a demon’s breath, Dean can hear her entire conversation and is intrigued by it. He wants to know what this Sara girl thinks. He also takes the time and glances at her neck. Ahhh, an appetizer perhaps.“One question?” Faith holds her breath.“Is he hot?” asks Sara. Faith starts to laugh, while Dean bends closer, listening, waiting for her reply.“Oh my god yes, he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever.....” Faith can’t even finish the sentence, dwelling on the image in her mind. Sara grins, and then giggles,…”Well, I didn’t even consider that as I read. But Dean (a good bad-guy vampire) is hungry, angry, and he’s about to rip a whole slew of throats out because of it. He’s hot.So, we take time-honored themes and story lines, tweak them in order to make them relevant to the age we live in, and set off to write the breakout novel. Given a little editing assistance, Faith Ruelle of this current era, the writer Faith, might very well have tea someday alongside Stephenie Meyer.“I love your first novel, Faith. It reminds me of…”8-1/2 stars.

The Unforgiven reviewed by Ava Avery

​I have to start off by saying you should rewrite the Twilight series. I was never a fan for that series because it lacked everything you had in "The Unforgiven" series you're working on.The descriptions, details, characters, background information and overall writing style were all fantastic and very notable. I love vampire novels/short stories, but the only one I ever favored before this is called the "Vampire Academy" series. Now this I'm adding this one to the list. haha.Overall, this book has everything that is expected of an author writing any theme of book: creating a clear picture so your reader can see the characters and scenes roll out in front of them like how you wrote them to be. I loved the way you had Dean at war with himself about whether to kill her or not. I love the twist of history you put into this. Not only were the descriptions very well written and organized, but I loved how you took the time (since I usually don't unfortunately haha) to thoroughly describe the surroundings around her. Overall, very impressed and loved this. Continue Chapter 12 soon!Favorite line: I must be going crazy, first dreaming about a dead guy and now this... but oh my god was he hot!(It made me laugh how Dean was enjoying Faith's opinion of him.)

The Unforgiven reviewed by J.K

​   I was never a paranormal fan till now! I was recently asked to read this book by a friend. I am not a big reader especially when it comes to ghosts, werewolves, vampires and stuff like that. But I agreed and began to read.This book revolves around the young college student Faith Ruelle, which is working as a tour guide on a southern plantation in the heart of Louisiana. There are many obstacles in her life such as haunting nightmares ( which were the hook for me ) that take place in another place and time. Aside from night terrors real problems arise such as boys and the emotions that they feel toward her, a creature that has lived through many lifetimes that is lured into Faith's world and a good ole boy who is busy trying to win the leading ladies heart which is very strong and independent. Along in this loveable cast of characters are an elderly couple you can't help but love and a faithful true-blu dog that will just make you smile with the ways the author has incorporated them with such beautiful description and love in her writing.There is love, loss and some extremely comedic moments in this book which draw the reader in and keep them guessing and wanting more. I will be telling everyone about this series and new author. If you love this genre you will love this book and speaking from experience if it's not just your cup of tea try it anyway its not just paranormal, its historic, romantic, mysterious and above all a great read. I'm am looking forward to the other books in this series, and more from this author. Try it out what have you got to loose.

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The Unforgiven reviewed by Arianna

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​I literally finished this book in one day,I couldn't put it down.Unfortunately I had little sleep and I had to get up early the next day for work, but it was totally work it. There were many loveable characters that will have you laughing out of your seat. I enjoy every minute of this novel and when it was over I was utterly disappointed, I need more. I will differently read more of this authors work!!!!!!!!! If you love vampires,

romance,historical,paranormal,mystery and some comedy I will guaranty that you will love this book! I highly recommend The Unforgiven:The crave, I would have payed eight more dollars-its was that great!