Poet

Avenues Ink Series, Book 3

By: A. M. Johnson

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Seraphine Valentine

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger.

Melissa Trujillo knows suffering. She's tasted it, touched it, injected it. Sobriety is a gift, but it isn't enough to wash away her secrets.

Kieran O'Connell knows sacrifice. He's owned it, held it between his fingers, and felt it in his knees. Words are his freedom, and they've begun to fade.

Two different worlds. One moment, and the Earth shifts - granting them a path. His eyes meet hers. Her hand fits his. Kieran finds his muse. Melissa finds her new addiction.

But when sin meets virtue, angels fall, and the truth, it becomes a blade. Together they'll walk the sharp edge, and if her lies cut too deep, not even his words could save her... save them.

©2017 Amanda Johnson (P)2017 Amanda Johnson

I don't know who Haley is

But I freaking love her words. Kieran is by far my favorite brother. Decklan, sorry if I spelled that wrong, is your struggling mental health, Liam the Alpha caretaker, where does Kieran fit into that? Right in your heart, that's where. Patiently waiting his whole life to find the one that makes him spark. Faithful to the hilt, in faith and love, man, he just drags you right into the story. Loved this book!

Liam and Kelly Beautiful

AM Gives you the quirks of the family - and the love of a family - Thanks so much. I did this backwards, I listened to let there be light and Seven Shades of You - (Declan and Paige's Childrens Books) first - I expected little from this earlier series - I WAS WRONG!!! Liam is the big brother of the clan and definitely likes to keep control and deprive himself - that said - these two find their way back and it is beautifully done - and I love the continuity of characters throughout all of AM's novels - WONDERFUL! Keep it up! Love the overall feeling of connection. This is my 6th AM Novel! I love the alternating POV's and the fact that these beautiful and unique people find each other! The inner feelings - it takes a special gift to write that realistically - not boring - well done - I can't wait for the next title, which is in the wings! Seven Shades of You, Let there Be Light, Poet, Possession are ALL Amazing! Getting ready to start Sacred Heart LOVE YOUR NARRATORS - Shedlock, Hamilton and the female narrators so far do not disappoint!!!

BEAUTIFUL REDEMPTION FOR A SAINT AND A SINNER

When A.M. Johnson writes, IMO, she creates magic because her words are priceless, her characters are wounded and her love stories are beautiful lyrical works of art.. and, in Poet, she has surpassed all my expectations. Words are words but in this talented author’s hands the way she matches and manipulates them to describe feelings, thoughts, situations and scenes absolutely awes and floors me. I’ve been lost in, possessed by and totally loved the other two O’Connell brother’s stories.. but wow, the poetic words and descriptions in this book were beautiful.. raw.. powerful.. romantic.. and unique.

Melissa ‘s addiction, choices and lifestyle in her past had left demons in her soul, regret in her heart and self-loathing on her mind.. and that didn’t change the night she was introduced to Kieran O’Connell. The loving handsome youngest brother had almost been a Priest with a tattoo of a rosary and an eight pack that summed up his faith, his strength and his appeal. It was instant attraction and chemistry on both sides but Melissa’s tainted misguided view of herself left little doubt, in her mind, that she was not worthy of this particular Saint. But despite her fears, Kieran showered her with beautiful words, gave her his virginity, showed her truth and trust.. and eventually opened Melissa’s heart up to possibilities. Slowly Melissa’s doubts and dark thoughts were extinguished by Kieran’s light.. by gaving her his innocence, his virtue, his trust, his loyalty and his love.. but in return she peddled in half truths, excelled at misdirection and lied by omission. And, when the truth is accidentally revealed, it’s the lie not the sin that breaks two hearts.

Worth a credit? This book, and its narration, is much much more than just a nicely paced bitter-sweet dual POV beautiful love story.. it’s words hold the power to make you truly feel.. to empathize.. to judge.. to forgive.. to love.. to taste.. and to savor hope and heartache along with its damaged yet perfect characters. So YES, very creditworthy and it’s made me want to listen to the other two O’Connell brother’s stories all over again.

I loved this Poetic Journey!

I am so in love with this series and these O’Connell men! I have been looking forward to Kieran's story and it definitely did not disappoint! Kieran is the youngest of the family and after the sudden loss of their mother, he is feeling lost. He feels disconnected not only from God but from his passion of writing as well. When he finds his muse at mass, he is excited that his sacrifices may not have been for nothing. Melissa has made some tragic choices and lived to make a better life for herself. But it's not easy and is a daily struggle. She doesn't believe she is worthy of happiness or for a good man like Kieran. They seem to be opposites in every way. But they both suffer from the guilt of their choices and the naiveté that comes along with it as well. I loved the journey their story took me on. It is so alluring and provocative, it held me captive with its raw and honest emotions and you definitely feel them all.
I love how rhythmic and multifaceted Ms. Johnson's writing style is. She expertly weaved a heartrendingly beautiful tale of second chances and unconditional love, tackling very sensitive subject matters with honesty and empathy. I was totally mesmerized by the soulful poems she inserted in each chapter along with Kierans exquisite words for Melissa. They made me really understand and care for Melissa and Kieran who were so genuine and perfectly imperfect. I also loved catching up with Liam & Kelly and Declan & Paige, they are so essential in each others lives.
Narrators Seraphine Valentine, and Teddy Hamilton were so perfectly cast, they were Melissa and Kieran. They easily conveyed every emotion allowing me to really feel their guilt, turmoil, fun, excitement of new beginnings, and love. This is my first listen to Valentine's work. Her voice and accent is so graceful as she moves between characters, including her voice for young Jordan. I am definitely going to look for more of her work. I was already a fan of Hamilton's work and he continues to reinforce my love for great audio performances.
I loved this unique and poignant love story. Between the amazing narration and Ms. Johnson's poetic writing, this is an experience that should definitely not be missed!

So good

It's hard to review is book and series because they are all really good in their own right. Ms. Johnson does not hold back when it comes to hard topics or issues. Everyone of the books in this series made my heartache and tears come to my eyes. I highly recommend this series.

Loved this.

The narration was great and the two main characters were so wonderful. Total opposites..it was also great to see her life struggles come to make her a better person. I couldn't read the previous book. Did not like the continuance of the past and future constantly. But this one was great.

SO GOOD!

I was starving for a good book that I’d love the story AND the characters. This book was pretty all consuming and I found myself rooting so hard for Melissa to be ok and find love within herself.. The love story that was swirling around both main characters, as they each worked out their lives, was totally a “page turner.” Teddy Hamilton did his usual perfect narration and Seraphine Valentine was excellent as Mel. This one is a keeper.

Such beautiful words

Every time I pick up am A.M. Johnson book, I know I am going to love it. Each one is so distinctive, I fall in love for a different reason. This book features the youngest of the O'Connell brothers, Kieren who is now struggling to figure out who he is since the death of his mother. Almost becoming a priest, taking care of his mother and running the business side of the tattoo parlor has shaped him into the man he is, but there is so much more to him. When he see Melissa Trujillo in church, he thinks his missing piece has been found. Melissa has her own demons and secrets she is dealing with and the addition of Kieren in her life is something she is not sure will work out. While their happiness seems evident, of course something will always get in the way. There is so much woven into this story. AM Johnson has a way of dealing with real life problems that makes the characters so true. Her way of giving the gift of poetry to Kieren is incredibly expressive and so beautiful. The addiction, dealing with death, and living day to day is something that so many live with and Johnson's portrayal of Melissa's journey is hard yet beautiful. The feeling of knowing all the characters and feeling their pain, making decisions with them and trying to figure out how to help them as the story continues. The investment is absolute and doesn't end until the culmination of the story. Bringing Declan, Paige, Liam and Kelly into the mix just makes it more like family, we know these characters so well. Loved seeing the twins too, the softness that the babies bring to these men is priceless.

Narration is spot on for this book. Teddy Hamilton has a way of creating his characters with such emotion and vulnerability, its easy to get lost in the character. His quiet, yet husky voice is exactly as I would have heard Kieren. Seraphine Valentine voicing Melissa was perfect, bringing the slight accent and angst necessary to make her character so imperfectly perfect.

Wow! My favorite in the series!

This was my favorite in the series. I absolutely love Teddy Hamilton and how he brings the character to life. This story was about healing and forgiveness and really touched my heart. It was included in my romance package but it’s worth a credit or even paying money for. Loved how A.M. Johnson weaved the whole series together

Poet

This book (and series) is on the darker side of things, and honestly I don't like going that direction. Life is dark enough, reading is my escape and I want more happy stuff. That being said, the writing is extremely good and so is the narration. AM Johnson brings out interesting characters and issues that will open your eyes to a different POV.