Damned If You Do

By: Marie Sexton

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Soul acquisition is a drag, but if Abaddon doesn't catch up on his quota, he could be demoted to scooping poop for the hounds of hell. With a deadline hanging over him, he heads for the Bible Belt, looking for the perfect combination of sweetness and challenge.

Seth is a blind musician, part of a traveling tent revival. He's cute, mystically talented, and quotes the Bible at every turn. His soul is pure enough to fill Abaddon's quota for months to come, and Abaddon is determined to claim it.

The problem? There's the revival foreman who watches Abaddon's every move. Then there's the mystery of Seth's many unusual talents. Finally, there's Abaddon himself. He's beginning to like Seth a bit too much. Maybe Seth deserves something better than damnation.

But hell's agenda isn't negotiable, and time is running out. If Abaddon doesn't play his cards right, he could condemn both of them to the worst fate of all-an eternity apart.

Warning: Contains a Bible-quoting twink and an irreverent devil. Also, snakes. Lots and lots of snakes.

©2017 Marie Sexton (P)2017 Marie Sexton

Really fun and surprisingly full of emotion

Abaddon is one of the many devils whose task it is to persuade humans to give up their souls to the devil through any means of temptation. He’s not very good at it. In fact, he’s behind on his quota and about to be demoted.
He has only 2 weeks to “catch up” so he decides to go for quality versus quantity. Certain souls are “worth more” in that they are harder to tempt to the dark side.

When Abaddon goes to the human realm in search of his soul he finds one so bright it’s nearly blinding, Seth. In addition to being blind, Seth also plays every musical instrument like a pro, travels with his brother in a tent revival and happens to perform healings as well.

There’s no soul more pure than Seth.

The problem is, Abaddon begins to like Seth and not only doesn’t he want Seth to be just another soul haunting Hell, he wants to BE with Seth… but that’s impossible…

**

Wow! This was so surprising! It was hysterical – first off. Sure, I’ve seen bits of humor in Marie’s writing in the past –but this was a whole new level of humor. It’s funny left and right and very, very clever.


Seth is chock full of Biblical quotes. If I had a complaint at all it’d be the quotes. I had to skim them after awhile there are quite a few. They’re used to make a point and never to really preach so much as to show the opposite side of Abaddon’s arguments, but the language and all grew a bit tedious.

That being said, I still really loved this – so much! But… I’ll warn you right now, I cried reading this. OMG. There are parts of this that just sucker punch you into the ugly cry. It’s a very, very heartwarming story as well.

There is almost no “heat” – it’s almost a fade to black but there are still moments of beautiful passion.

I ADORED the ending – it was a bit predictable (at least the what but not the how).

All in all this is a funny, sweet, witty, surprisingly moving story about finding true love and being true to yourself at the same time.

Highly recommended!


Audio

John Solo can be hit or miss for me. While I like his voice, he doesn’t always hit the right notes for me as far as inflection, accents or pacing. However, he absolutely nailed this!

He does a tremendous job of giving both Abbadon and Seth voices that suit their characters and he handles the humor and the high emotions well.

While his “James Earl Jones” imitation could use some work, he did a fair approximation. ;)

If you’re a fan of “devil vs angel” stories and enjoy some humor – this is the story for you. Listening absolutely enhanced my enjoyment and I can highly recommend this!

4.5 of 5 stars

A sweet and hilarious romance!

This was such a sweet and hilarious romance between a sweet blind Musician and a demon who will do anything to tempt him into taking his soul.

The writing was engaging and absolutely hilarious at times. It was fun and entertaining listening to this one.
The author's writing style flowed smoothly and it was light and enjoyable a tad fluffy at times which is just how I like it.

John Solo's audio delivery really breathed life into the characters.
Making this a stellar listen!

John Solo is awesome!

The story was a little predictable, but very sweet. Pretty much no angst, which is what I’m needing. Lovable characters. I hope Zeb gets his love too.

Rainbow gospel

I truly enjoyed this book it was filled with love that conquers all and so much acceptance. The end was wonderful overall this book was fantastic.

Entertaining, however

There are some parts of Damned if you Do that are hilarious and utterly brilliant, however in a good part of the book, the story sagged for me. I really found Seth's constant quoting boring and rather annoying. Abaddon on the other hand was a real laugh, especially when it comes to hellish bureaucracy.
For the greater part, John Solo's narration was good

Interesting concept...

I wasn't so sure about this book, but Sexton's writing style pulled me virtually from the beginning. You have to have a bit of talent to make a demon seem human. The aspects of hell presented by the author had me laughing out loud and agreeing with most everything she proposed. Abaddon and Seth's journey was a delight to witness and intermingle. The narration of John Solo made this story even better. A very interesting concept that was thoroughly enjoyable.

EveryMoment I spend together with you is my heaven

Ok, a lot more people need to discover this book and read it because I believe this is one of Marie Sexton’s masterpieces. ❤️😱 And no, I am not exaggerating. ☺️ This book was recommended to me by one of my very good friend who shall not be named. (J 😂) And I owned this book since it came out as an audio. And every time we talk, he’d always ask me whether I have listened to this audio or not and as the shiny new chaser I am, 😅 I’d always say “I’d get to it”. Now I’m kicking myself in the nuts for not listening this sooner because this is pure brilliance. 💎

Abaddon works in the soul acquisition department of Hell. And one irrefutable truth about Abaddon is that he’s not a very good devil. He hasn’t been meeting his soul acquisition quotas for a while. And now he has received an official letter from Satan himself that he has to meet his quota in two weeks or else. Fearing that he might descend to an even worse position than he already is, Abaddon tried to find that one holy soul that would not only fill his quota but surpass it for many more years to come. And he found the purest and most beautiful soul he’s ever witnessed in his life in the form of a blind young man named Seth in an isolated forest playing violin. Seth is part of the traveling rainbow revival bible group. Seth is everything Abaddon isn’t, pure, innocent, religious and oh-so-trusting. And there are many mysterious and inexplicable things when it comes to Seth. And what’s the problem you ask? The only issue is Abaddon is falling in love with this blind, devout young man whose soul he’s supposed to barter for a wish. Isn’t everything just so peachy! 😉

Before you ask further, this is the kind of book you need to read yourself to understand why I fell heads over heels in love with the story. 😌 I can’t analyze and catalogue the MCs and their characteristics like I usually do in the other stories with Seth and Abaddon. Because these two characters are very unique, everything about their relationship and love is unique and the story itself is super unique. ❤️ Let me just say that this is one the most beautiful and lyrical love stories I’ve ever read regardless mainstream or MM. 🥰💜 Was it angsty? Yes, it made me ugly cry several times. 😭😅 But every single drop of those tears were worth it in the end. 😊 Abaddon and Seth’s love story provoked so many emotions I didn’t even know I was capable of. And their happy ending was so well-earned. 👏💙 And I was crying happy tears for them in the end. 🙂 And John Solo did a phenomenal job portraying the magnificent love story of Seth and Abaddon. 👏 I believe Marie Sexton’s already marvelous masterpiece was perfected and even more polished by John Solo’s masterful narration. 👏 These duo deserves a standing ovation. 👏 I think I would always remember this story and cherish it in my heart. 🥰 And I can’t say how grateful I am to my friend “J” for recommending me this book. 😍 Recommended to anyone who believes that love can blossom in the most unusual and unique ways. 💜


5 Every moment I can spend together with you is my heaven stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️







Audio rating

Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Incredible Story, John Solo is Perfect!

I was craving some vintage John Solo, and I've owned this one for ages... so glad I finally got around to listening to this audiobook! If you're like me and own it as well, move it waaaay up on your shelf - it's amazing.

Mr. Solo's performance is perfection. There's just something about the way he reads this kind of novel that works so well for me. I love all the different voices he uses, and he makes the most out of the way the characters interact.

Marie Sexton always writes a fantastic story, but Damned If You Do is in a class by itself. Really fantastic story - very original and unique. Several times I thought I had it figured out and it turned out I was on completely the wrong path. I love when that happens :) great story!

Charming and sweet

I simply loved this book. It’s clever and totally believable and I can’t believe I was seriously rooting for a devil. Marie’s take on hell is comical. And the devil trying to save his own behind is sweet. Well, he is sweet if you can forget about the fact that he is a devil and he needs to collect a soul.

You get the standard devil vs young beautiful soul dynamic with the complication of religious revivals and homosexuality. This is NOT a diatribe on existential questions. It’s light-hearted in its own way- lol the paperwork in hell is just hellish. :-)

I really liked both MC’s so I was conflicted. Should Abbadon accept Seth’s soul or will he do the Nobel sacrifice?

There were a couple of things I didn’t see coming and that dragged me deeper into the story. This was sweet and funny and a little mysterious and so nerve wracking at the end! Argh! The HEA was so awesome and well earned.

The narrator brought the characters to life with the good inflections and different voices. His voice complimented the story. Great performance!

Great Story

Loved it. Story was wonderful. Love this author and you should listen to the book.