In Bonds of the Earth
Book 2 of The Book of the Watchers
Dark romance/thriller: Contemporary paranormal: cliffhanger ending
And from henceforth you shall not ascend into heaven unto all eternity, and in bonds of the earth the decree has gone forth, to bind you for all the days of the world. And previously you shall have seen the destruction of your beloved sons, and ye shall have no pleasure in them, but they shall fall before you by the sword. (The Book of Enoch 14: 5-6)
“I will free them all.” When Milja Petak released the fallen angel Azazel from five thousand years of imprisonment, she did it out of love and pity. She found herself in a passionate sexual relationship beyond her imagining and control – the beloved plaything of a dark and furious demon who takes what he wants, when he wants, and submits to no restraint. But what she hasn’t bargained on is being drawn into his plan to free all his incarcerated brothers and wage a war against the Powers of Heaven. As Azazel drags Milja across the globe in search of his fellow rebel angels, Milja fights to hold her own in a situation where every decision has dire consequences. Pursued by the loyal Archangels, she is forced to make alliances with those she cannot trust: the mysterious Roshana Veisi, who has designs of her own upon Azazel; and Egan Kansky, special forces agent of the Vatican – the man who once saved then betrayed her, who loves her, and who will do anything he can to imprison Azazel for all eternity. Torn every way by love, by conflicting loyalties and by her own passions, Milja finds that she too is changing – and that she must do things she could not previously have dreamt of in order to save those who matter to her.
In Bonds of the Earth is the second in the Book of the Watchers trilogy and the sequel to Cover Him With Darkness.
"An absolute must-read. Janine Ashbless' impressive knowledge of primeval Christianity and her passion for plot-brimming storytelling renders yet another gripping fantasy that ravishes readers, all while on a journey to the ancient rock-cut churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia. I must confess... I would follow Ashbless' Milja and her exquisitely rebellious Azazel anywhere. My heart quickens for Book Three." – Rose Caraway, the Sexy Librarian
"Just like the first book, this novel is a globe-trotting masterpiece. Ashbless’s landscapes are so evocative they may as well be characters. History and geography are beautifully woven into this passionate, sexy, and occasionally disturbing story... As in Ashbless’s previous books, beautiful erotica runs through In Bonds of the Earth live a live wire. These scenes never feel gratuitous; instead, they help to push the characters, illuminating their deepest motivations, and sometimes revealing surprising new gifts." - Samantha MacLeod
"I honestly don’t know what to say. This book is amazing — it’s like reading an erotic poem masquerading as prose. The author finds such a beautiful rhythm with her words — descriptions of settings and action whether a hotel room or church, a forest or an erotic scene between Azazel and Milja — that give a sense of the scene that’s absolutely visceral in both perception and impact. Even the violence, when it occurs, is so well-written, like a nightmare set to some unheard rhythm... This is truly a work of art. The author has taken the most difficult part of a trilogy—the middle— and made it absolutely fascinating." - Kate Douglas
"It’s a pleasure, then, to report that In Bonds of the Earth is everything fans have been waiting for, taking all the elements that made the first book memorable, artfully supercharging them in a sweeping, action-packed, powerfully erotic story that dazzles with its imaginative employment of real-life settings, elements of ancient lore and legend, and fast-paced contemporary thrillers. This entry in the series closes with a shattering cliffhanger that will have readers on the edge of their seats, hearts pounding in their throats, and practically howling in half-fulfilled frustration! I felt afterwards as if I’d enjoyed an extraordinary meal — or had really great sex — richly fed to be sure, yet craving still more, able only to dream of next time." - Erotica for the Big Brain
"I have no idea where to start, seriously! The Book of the Watchers series by Janine Ashbless is SO complex and absolutely amazing that I’m just....... speechless really. This series is rich in story telling with great research, and a marvelous writing style where the author blends many dimensions of facts and fictions together in such a way that the only thing I can say for this series is WOW!" - Punya Reviews
"This is a story that acknowledges the stakes and isn’t afraid of them. Janine’s writing carries the story beautifully – lyrical at turns, stark and brutal when it has to be, and so aware of the sexuality pulsing underneath all the time. Her style is wonderful and bloody enviable too. It’s also a great page turner, the tension barely letting up – Milja has precious few moments to breathe before being plunged into the next phase of the action. The first two books of this series are smart, sexy, literate, gripping, and moving. I can’t wait for the third." - Jacqueline Brocker
"Did the sequel live up to its promise? Well, emphatically. Intensely, bravely and daringly. Janine Ashbless is a writer who is staunchly committed to her characters, her plot and her action. This book just chews on the marrow of its idea – there is such wealth of detail and research, and it revels in the characters’ chemistry. In romance terms, it deals with the whole struggle of loving an angel so convincingly...I’m gnawing my fist waiting for book three. Then there’d better be a movie. What are you waiting for? Buy it! Quick!" - Vida Bailey
"My biggest concern was that it wouldn't be so incredibly all-encompassing and immersive a storyline as Cover Him With Darkness but I wasn't disappointed. From the very beginning, it's as hot, raw, sexy and intelligent as the first book. And like the first, the storyline has the echoes and trappings of the fairytales and Bible stories we've been taught and have read but it digs deeper, retelling the old myths with new insight; an obvious labour of love and research for the author." - Anna Sky
