I’m not a fighter.

I was born into a fighting family. As the middle child, I was overlooked in favor of my older brother.

He took the negative attention, too. In comparison, there’s nothing special about me.

I’m not as big as Cobra. I’m not as strong as Cobra. He’s the alpha.

I’m a beta.

The second son.

The lesser one.

The one never encouraged to fight, never encouraged to do anything, but stay out of my father’s way.

I’m not a lover either – but I wished to be – that’s why I needed her.

I met a girl in the pouring rain.

Sounds cliché, but it’s true. It changed everything.

Because of love, I learned to fight.

Betas come second, but in this fight, my story is first. 

GOODREADS LINK:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27802927-paradise-fought

I always know when I start a L.B. Dunbar text that I’m going to get a well written story that has dynamic and complex characters who are constantly changing and growing as their story line progresses, and that’s exactly what Dunbar delivers in her newest book, Abel.

Abel and Elma have always felt second best, standing in the shadows of their older brothers, but now they both need to stand on their own and make their own way, but they’re not quite clear on how to achieve that when it seems like there’s too many forces going against them.

Abel is determined to prove that he’s capable and worthy of love and respect. He’s tired of feeling confined to his solitary existence because it’s done nothing but make him feel alone and insecure. In order to recreate himself, Abel works to make a name for himself away from his controlling father and prize fighting brother. But in order to step out of his brother’s shadow, he’s going to have to prove his worth and force people to SEE him, starting with Elma Montgomery.

Elma’s once fairy tale life has now spiraled out of control, forcing her to make decisions and take risks that could tear her world even further apart. Elma has one objective and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to seek the retribution she desires, even if it means living up to the rumors about her and using people to further her mission.

In a strange turn of events, Abel and Elma’s paths lead them towards each other, and although they don’t quite know what to make of one another and where they might fit into each other’s lives, they’re in for the toughest fight of their lives where the winner may have to sacrifice more than they’re willing to in order to get the results that they want.

The most intriguing aspect of L.B. Dunbar’s writing is her method of taking a classical tale and putting her own spin on it in a way that gives it new meaning. It’s easy to see throughout Abel that Dunbar alludes to the well known biblical tale of Cain vs. Abel, but this story is about so much more than brother vs. brother; in fact, the distance and disdain between Abel and Cain is not of their own doing but amplified by a controlling force that refuses to let either one of the brothers break free from its hold.

I also love the idea of Abel learning to be ABLE to stand on his own, pave his own way, and feel in control of his life and who he chooses to have in it because even though he may personify the Betta fish, Abel doesn’t want to remain isolated and unloved.

Abel’s transformation will only truly occur when he becomes the warrior he’s meant to be with the woman he loves standing by him and truly seeing him for the great man he is.

A complimentary copy was accepted in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples

If I thought I was going to make a speedy getaway, I was wrong. My savior caught up to me, half way down the walk, outside the finance building. He was quick and a large hand wrapped around my upper arm.

“Whoa, sister,” he said, slightly out of breath. “You almost got away from me again.”

“What?” I questioned. I had no idea what he meant: again.

“Never mind,” he muttered, his hand still on me. I looked down at it and he immediately released me. My eyes pinched as I realized I didn’t mind his hand on my skin. There was something nonthreatening about him. He seemed rather innocent, studious, actually. His shirt was buttoned almost to the top and tucked into his pants. The sleeves secure at the cuffs. His jeans were snug and hugged him well. He wore dark rimmed glasses that screamed smart. Brown boots looked too new on his large feet. It was like he had the right parts but the wrong combination.

His blue eyes were soft and easy to look into. They practically spoke to me, but I had no idea what he was saying. His dark hair was disheveled, a bit shaggy, but cool looking. He kind of looked like a pop star, which was a little too sugar sweet for me. His form was questionable. It was hard to tell what kind of body he had under those clothes. He looked rather preppy, like half the guys at this university. I didn’t want to think about it. I’d just sold my soul for another semester.

“So when do you want to do this?” I asked. His blank stare told me he had no idea what I meant.

“Us,” I said, pointing between him and me.

“I…” His voice trailed off as he gawked at me. His expression changed from confusion to shock.

“I didn’t buy you to sleep with you,” he said, a touch of disbelief in his voice. His face turned crimson, then fell. “Why, have you done that before?” It was my turn to be surprised and offended.

I turned on my heels and began stomping away from him. He was too quick and he caught me again. His hand on my arm halted me. This time he didn’t release me when I peered down at his fingers wrapped around my bicep.

“Look. I need help,” he blurted. His face pinked a little, and it was sweet. “I don’t need help with sex. I need help with before.” His tone dropped, and he looked side to side to see if anyone would hear him. I took his meaning.

“You don’t know how to do foreplay?” I questioned in a loud whisper, trying to hide my astonishment. How could anyone have sex and not know a touch of foreplay?

His face pinked again.

“Not that,” he said, sounding like a child. “The flirting. The dating. The…other stuff.”

I was stunned. I stared at him, taking in his features again. He was kind of cute, leaning toward the potential for good looking. He couldn’t possibly need help with this request. The confusion on my face made him speak.

“I don’t know how to flirt.” The words swirled between us.

“I don’t understand.” I didn’t. I didn’t know what he wanted from me.

“I need lessons how to be…cool: with girls. Call it a tutoring session. I need to learn how to be…seen.” His voice took on a touch of sadness. He couldn’t possibly be serious. I continued to stare at him. My mouth might have actually dropped open a bit, and I noticed he was watching my lips. It was a little exciting the way he stared at them. I licked them and his pupils dilated, filling in more black over the blue. His expression changed. Knowingly, he blinked when he realized I was teasing him. His lip quirked up and a dimple showed in his cheek.

“I need to date you,” he blurted. “To learn how to do, what you just did to me.”