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Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is an award-winning author, advanced practice registered nurse, and wildlife rehabber who was born and raised in the French Quarter. She has taught at major universities and worked with victims of sexual assault, abuse, and mental illness in a clinical setting at many New Orleans area hospitals. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization and Horror Writers Association. The Strand Magazine said, “Alexandrea Weis is one of the most talented authors around, and her novels are destined to stand along with authors such as Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Joyce Carol Oates, and Jeffery Deaver.”
Lucas Astor is an award-winning author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but next door behind a smiling face. Astor currently lives outside of Nashville, TN.
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
River of Ashes is the first novel in the St. Benedict series by authors Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor. Beau Devereaux is a charming, popular high school guy. The hero quarterback, handsome and rich, Beau is everything you could wish for in a young man, except for one thing: he is a psychopath. He gets what he wants, and he wants Leslie. Beau thought that getting into a relationship with Dawn (Leslie’s twin sister) would be enough, but it was not. He is ready to do whatever it takes to get Leslie, even if it means he has to hurt, rape, and kill anyone who gets in his way. However, Leslie is not the only one Beau has pursued. She is just one of the victims who have fallen into the hands of this psychotic guy. Can Leslie stay safe and away from him? Or will she be his next victim?
The story comes with trigger warnings such as sexual assault, rape, and emotional abuse. That being said, I cannot praise this novel enough. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but that gorgeous cover (I cannot wait to get my hands on a hardback copy!) was the first thing that caught my eye, and then the blurb sealed the deal for me. The setting is incredible. The tense atmosphere of the river, the ill-concealed threats, and Leslie's and Derek’s attempts to outrun and outsmart Beau are exciting, to say the least. I loved Beau’s POV because it just made everything exciting. The writing style of both authors works in the story's favor and allows readers to fully enjoy Beau's perspective. This is the kind of novel that authors like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins would be proud to write. The twists will shock you, and the fantastic storytelling will amaze you! In my opinion, River of Ashes is worthy of the 5-star rating and so much more.
