Beyond Ruin

Never too far gone for love The Beyond series is one of my absolute favorites. There is something about these gritty down to earth survivors that just resonates with me. Kit Rocha has a major talent at delving into the psyche of her characters. Or should I say their characters? Beyond is the literary genius of co-writing team Donna Herren and Bree Bridges writing as Kit Rocha. This duo also writes as Moira Rogers, whose books I started reading several years ago and love as well. Unlike their paranormal romances as Moira Rogers, the Beyond series are dystopian romance. As the definition of dystopian implies the society of the sectors and Eden that Beyond inhabits is characterized by human misery, squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding. The rich and elite inhabit the city of Eden and the characters we have grown to love and cheer forward, the O’Kanes inhabit sector four of the sectors that surround the city. Unlike most typical romances, Beyond Run is not a story of love between two or even three people, but rather four. One thing the O’Kanes are known for is their drinking and their loving. They are an open lot and prize open sexuality. Their open views on sexuality, however, do not in any way define their capacity for loyalty and love. When an O’Kane loves, they love wholeheartedly and with a promise of forever. So, be forewarned that this series is explicit and not your standard romance. That being the case, I will tell you that although I am not typically drawn to some gender combinations in relationships, the storylines, the depth of character development and the writing are so compelling that I am emotionally drawn into these relationships. I fall in love with all of the characters and want them to find their HEA together. Even though I may not personally hold to their sexual preferences I find the scenes hot and far from gratuitous. If these scenes didn’t reflect so much on the characters, their needs, their love and their aspirations I don’t think this series would stand a chance in drawing me in and holding my attention. Bottom line it’s all about the relationships. Beyond Ruin centers on the relationship between Adrian Rios “Mad” Maddox, Dr. Dylan Jordan, Scarlet and Jade, four very different people from very different backgrounds. Mad is the self-exiled prince of Sector One. Orphaned as a young teen at the brutal hands of rebellion and a self-righteous grandfather, he wants nothing to do with leading or being the saint his people expect of him. Dylan, or Doc as everyone else knows him is from Eden. His past isn’t pretty and he has a slight problem with addiction. His medical knowledge not only tells him how to heal a body but just how much pain and suffering it can take. Scarlet is an ophan from Sector Three. She’s the rock star of the group. She has a sinfully beautiful voice, a very giving and forgiving nature. At the same time what you see is what you get with Scarlet. She is no wilting petunia. Jade was born with a silver plated spoon. Then it tarnished and she ended up trained in the houses of Sector Two to become someone’s mistress and the consummate spy. That is until her protector turned on her, drugging her senseless and taking a major piece of her. Now she struggles to define who she is beyond being broken and all the training. The one thing they each have in common is that they are now O’Kanes. If a relationship between two people can seem insurmountable at times imagine making one work amongst four and yet that is exactly what Kit Rocha does. She brings these four individuals together and makes them each other’s salvation and love against the backdrop of a brewing rebellion. The danger escalates and the future is uncertain in the sectors. Beyond Ruin leaves you with a HEA, but a series cliffhanger. Once again I’m swept away into the Broken Circle and I’m left impatient for the next story to unfold. *****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions*****

***4.5 out of 5 stars*** The Beyond series of books is one of my favorite out right now. I highly recommend this series be read in the order of release as with each book, the world builds and changes from the last book. I absolutely loved where the authors took the story in Beyond Ruin. First off we have the romances between Mad and Dylan (Doc) and Jade/Jyoti and Scarlet. I knew they would all end up together as the attraction between the 4 was obvious and the chemistry when they were near one another was smoking hot. I absolutely love that the author not only showed how this foursome could work as a family unit, but threw just about every single obstacle at them to make sure they were a strong enough unit to work. The 2 couples separately were hot with their chosen partner, but when Mad, Dylan, Jade, and Scarlet came together, my kindle smoked as I read it. I'm in awe of the authors being able to keep up with body parts with this many people and totally make me feel each and every emotion the characters were feeling. I truly believe they are way stronger as a unit than they could ever be as individuals because of each individual in their unit. The war with Eden has been coming and stayed in the background pretty much since Beyond Shame. With Beyond Ruin, everything changed and I'm so psyched to see where the sectors will take everything from here. As I love any time I get with Dallas and Lex in the books, I especially loved they are a main part of this storyline. I also love that Dallas knows his people and respects them enough to let them make their own choices as to where they want to be with the war coming. Have to say I almost cried when Dallas was offering people an out to see his reaction to the support given. Beyond Ruin was another winner in the Beyond series from Kit Rocha. This series of book is like book-crack to me and I absolutely go without sleep to finish reading each book as quickly as possible when they are released.

The war has begun. Choose wisely. The main characters: Mad - Adrian Rios Maddox, heir to Sector One Jade – A spy raised in Sector Two Scarlet – Angelic street rat from Sector Three Dylan (aka Doc) – A healer who can’t heal his own pain. They are a hell of a team. Lots of steamy sex, political intrigue and family conflicts.