Publication Date: Out now!!!
Format: Hardback
Price: Hb £20.00
Publisher: WilliamMr
I would like to say a huge thank you to Random Things Tours (Anne Cater) for organising this intriguing and gripping book’s tour. I would also like to say thank you to WilliamMr for allowing me to read and review a physical copy of this book. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the creative talent, Katherine St John, for creating such an atmospheric and intriguing tale of lies, deception, betrayal and obsession and a cult influence that makes the story that much more threatening. Intrigued? Let’s head over to the blurb and find out a bit more.
A perfect paradise? Or a perfect nightmare?
On a river deep in the Mexican jungle stands the colossal villa Xanadu, a wellness centre that’s home to an ardent spiritual group devoted to self-help guru Paul Bentsen and his enigmatic wife Kali. But when Paul mysteriously dies, his entire estate – including Xanadu – is left not to Kali, but to his estranged niece Sveta.
Shocked and confused, Sveta travels from New York City to Mexico to pay her respects. At first Xanadu seems like a secluded paradise with its tumbling gardens, beautiful people, and transcendent vibe. But soon the mystical facade wears thin, revealing a group of brainwashed members drunk on promises of of an impossible utopia, guided by a disturbing belief system and a charismatic, dangerously capable leader.
As the sinister forces surrounding Sveta become apparent, she realises too late, she can’t escape. Frantic and terrified, she discovers her only chance of survival is to put her confidence in the very person she trusts the least.
This book grips you from the very page and takes you on a journey into a dark, disturbing and sinister world. One that should be filled with peace, love and finding your inner joy and contentment, but what if there’s another side to these spiritual retreats, one where with a charismatic and charming group leader and where like sheep you follow, even if some of the rites and rituals are dangerous and disturbing. We follow Sveta into the Mexican jungle after she learns she’s inherited this retreat, Xanadu, from her estranged Uncle. And at first there’s nothing sinister at all just a lovely secluded bit of paradise and beautiful people strolling around, until gradually odd moments and suspicions start to form a disturbing picture, and that’s when it’s too late to escape.
I have to admit I wasn’t expecting where the story was going, so was a bit surprised by some of the plot, but once I got over that it really did just rattle off from there. I liked the darkness and suspense of what would happen next, and with a touch of romance it really did make your heart pump with excitement. The only things I wasn’t too enamoured about where mentions of Hindu, and other Asian religions that seemed to have got twisted, which granted Cults tend to do, twist things to suit their purpose. But I do admit that the name Kali is an interesting choice for a cult leader, though the Hindu goddess the name is taken from is a much more complex and grey being than just a use for thuggish behaviour, she’s the goddess of destruction,and death she’s considered to be Mother Nature in some respects. So I felt the name was a bit jarring, but that’s my own opinion and it doesn’t take away from the novels gripping and thrilling tale.
I would urge you to read this as soon as you can get hold of it. It’s definitely unique and I had to get to the end to find out what happens next. And no I won’t spoil that for you (wink).
Ratings: 5 ⭐️s with a large ☕️ and a large 🍰.
Author’s Blurb:
Katherine St John is a native of Mississippi, graduate of the University of Southern California, and author of The Lion’s Den and The Siren. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking or on the beach with a good book. Katherine lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two children.
I hope you have enjoyed this sinister and dark journey into the heart of cults and what makes them tic and how easy it is to be caught up in that wave of euphoria and not knowing that sometimes it can be too much like a good thing. If you are wanting a copy for yourself, you can find this in Waterstones, and of course on Amazon. I will leave you now to say Happy Reading and see you all soon!!!
Zoe's Book Nook 
Thanks for the blog tour support x
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