The two leading characters of this novel: Sultry, Is the Night, by Barbara Avon, are Mario and Tess. These two have both undergone heartfelt losses, and soon they share similarities in the volume of viciousness life has shown to them. Somehow they find strength and form a bittersweet love alliance, sharing values, family ties, and affection.

Barbara Avon has done a tremendous job in characterization. Each character has a life and a story to tell. The author allows the reader to live like the character, draws you to their fierce emotions, and makes you identify with their harsh realities through her impeccable descriptions.

Barbara outdid herself in the entire atmosphere of this novel. The settings and displays used to create complexion were flawless. Her writing was descriptive, narrative, and expository as well. She skillfully pulls taut a resemblance of a town’s degradation that you could almost perceive the odors permeating the establishments and the thoroughfares by merely reading.

To say I was not entirely impressed with this book would be a fallacy. I was in a chokehold from the cover art to the last page. The conspiracy was dark and depressing, but the romance was steamy and vicious. What I enjoyed the most was the incredible lessons infiltrated into this book. You would learn to live and love, and you would pick a thing or two about overcoming the many hurdles life would throw at you.

Honestly, this is a book to purchase on your next visit to the bookstore. Barbara is a bundle of talent in fine writing, and you can only relish her writing by engaging her books. A complete 5-star novel and nothing less.