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Barbara Avon

Sultry, Is the Night Kindle Edition

by Barbara Avon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Book 1 of 2: Sultry, Is the Night

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The year is 1982.

This town has a distinct border, the good side and the shady side, where the townspeople battle rats for scraps of food. Mario used to live among the rich, but he now resides on the wrong side of the tracks thanks to the father who left him behind. Worst of all, he’s mourning his mother’s death and what he thinks is the loss of his lifelong dream, becoming a chef.

After meeting Dito who owns "Dean's Pizzeria", things are finally changing for Mario. Until Tess enters his life – the beautiful, mysterious stranger who lives in a luxury high rise. But there’s something off, something she’s hiding, something dark.

Some borders aren’t meant to be crossed.

"Sultry Is the Night", is for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong.

Book 1 of 2

Sultry, Is the Night
Print length

176 pages
Language

English
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Publication date

November 17, 2021
File size

1.9 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Avon weaves a harrowing yet breathtaking tapestry of resilience set against the backdrop of a decaying town. The setting, with its crumbling facades and an undercurrent of despair, transcends mere scenery to reflect Mario's inner turmoil. I was immediately captivated by the universal themes embedded in this story. Avon reimagines the timeless struggle between light and darkness, good and evil, and the unyielding quest for redemption, all with remarkable depth.

From the opening pages, the prose demands attention. Raw yet lyrical, each sentence feels intentionally crafted to evoke vivid imagery and palpable emotion. The town itself, once a beacon of promise now withered into neglect, mirrors Mario's journey, resonating as both a literal and symbolic presence. Avon's ability to intertwine setting and character is masterful, creating a dual narrative that unfolds with compelling intimacy and universal significance.

Avon avoids simple dichotomies of heroism and villainy, offering instead a spectrum of flawed, complex individuals. Mario stands at the heart of this story, his struggles both deeply personal and strikingly relatable. Through him, readers confront uncomfortable truths about vulnerability, survival, and the lengths to which one might go to grasp hope. Avon tempers these weighty themes with moments of quiet beauty, where even the faintest glimmer of light feels like salvation.

Technically, Avon's storytelling is impeccable. The pacing is deliberate, drawing readers gradually into the depths of Mario's world without ever losing momentum. Her atmospheric descriptions are immersive, enveloping the reader in a visceral experience that lingers well beyond the final page. The dialogue, stripped of artifice, feels raw and authentic, lending credibility to the story's gritty realism. Themes of poverty, betrayal, and hope are explored with nuance, inviting readers to wrestle with their interpretations rather than imposing a singular perspective.

Sultry Is The Night challenges its readers to feel, reflect, and empathize. It dares you to confront the darkness within humanity while holding fast to the fragile yet enduring sparks of light. For those who appreciate character-driven narratives rich with emotional depth and poetic realism, this novel is an absolute must-read. Barbara Avon delivers a tale of redemption and resilience that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. ★★★★★" - Literary Titan

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09M7Q4YQ3
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 17, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.9 MB
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Sultry, Is the Night
Best Sellers Rank: #4,680,531 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #6,829 in 20th Century Historical Romance eBooks
- #10,818 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- #74,844 in Romantic Suspense (Kindle Store)
Customer Reviews:
(23)

About the author

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Barbara Avon

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I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. - Pablo Neruda.

Barbara Avon grew up Italian in the Niagara Falls Region and attended Notre Dame High School, and then Brock University. In 1999, she moved to Ottawa to pursue work and has worked for two major Ottawa area magazines. Being a shy kid in school, she created stories in her head, and when her Grade 9 English teacher awarded one of her short stories an A +, she knew that she would one day write a novel.

Avon is a multi-genre author. She’s written Romance, Romantic Thrillers, Time Travel, Mystery, Horror, and Paranormal Romance. Her work appears in various anthologies including Steering 23 Publications, and Beyond the Levee, and her stories have been regularly featured on the Spillwords Press website. In October of 2022, “Revived” was chosen as “Horror Book of the Year” by the “Feed My Reads” community, and in February of 2025, "Sultry Is the Night", received the Literary Titan Gold Medal Award for Fiction. In April of 2025, Avon won the Editor's Choice Award for Literary Excellence from Reader's House Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Publisher's Weekly Magazine.

When she’s not writing, she’s experimenting in the kitchen with her husband, spends her time reading, and watching 1980s movies, and always lives with her characters in her head while working on her current novel. Avon has quoted: I believe in magic. Books are magic. Love is the most remarkable magic.

Customer reviews

23 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's sultry sensuality and wonderfully complex-yet-simple love story. The writing style receives positive feedback for its breathtaking prose, and customers find the narrative heart-wrenching.

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8 customers mention content, 8 positive, 0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's sultry sensuality and powerful content, with one customer noting it's not a light-hearted romp.

Barbara Avon evokes other descriptors, including steamy and powerful. Powerful comes to mind because her prose is nothing short of powerful....Read more

...There are elements of mystery, horror, and humor. A beautiful story of human passion overcoming hardship and family history.Read more

...but---rolling around in the romance, the lives, the grit, the sultry sensuality, the streets where they live, Mario and Tess?...Read more

...chemistry of Mario and Tess sizzles - it’s desperate and hungry but oh so savory, without resorting to cliches rampant in many steam scenes today....Read more

8 customers mention plot, 8 positive, 0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a wonderfully complex-yet-simple love story with twists and turns.

...yes...can someone please help me to compose a soundtrack for this beautiful story?Read more

...There are so many themes explored throughout the story - love, acceptance, family - and each are done beautifully in the way only a skilled writer...Read more

...This book is a wonderfully complex-yet-simple love story. It’s a tight tale with a side order of interesting food tidbits sprinkled throughout....Read more

Mario’s story is raw and absolutely heartbreaking. I could feel his pain, his desperation so acutely....Read more

6 customers mention writing style, 6 positive, 0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, with one noting its breathtaking prose.

...continued to propel me through to the end of the book was Avon's poetic prose she so wonderfully penned....Read more

...rollercoaster ride with her deep, controversial characters and beautiful writing.Read more

...The book, the prose was mesmerizing. Avon is a sure thing in that department....Read more

...Powerful comes to mind because her prose is nothing short of powerful. This book is a wonderfully complex-yet-simple love story....Read more

5 customers mention emotional, 4 positive, 1 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as heart-wrenching, with one customer noting its visceral impact.

...pleased as if I'd walked out of a theater from a heart-warming, heart-wrenching, sad, happy, REAL film....Read more

Mario’s story is raw and absolutely heartbreaking. I could feel his pain, his desperation so acutely....Read more

...to read (truly, she’s a gifted wordsmith), thought-provoking and visceral....Read more

...He feels unworthy of love. He feels undeserving of trust....Read more

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C. Percer
Can Someone Please Compose a Soundtrack for This Beautiful Story...?
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Seriously. A soundtrack plays in my head when I reminisce on "Sultry, is the Night."

First of all, I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the moody cover immediately reminded me of "West Side Story" and I hoped that its luscious romantic mood would be fulfilled in the book.

It did. After having read it, I want to sing, "Tonight, Tonight!"

No, it wasn't a West Side Story, but---rolling around in the romance, the lives, the grit, the sultry sensuality, the streets where they live, Mario and Tess? Well, the experience DID make me feel just as giddy and pleased as if I'd walked out of a theater from a heart-warming, heart-wrenching, sad, happy, REAL film.

One thing I NEVER do is to fake a review, to say I had a fictional experience that I really did not have.
So, when I bubble over about the book, you can know I'm really, really excited.
And if I EVER say I could not put a book down, I mean it.

The anxious drive to the finish was because:

The book, the prose was mesmerizing. Avon is a sure thing in that department.

The characters, Mario, Tess, Dito, Mario's parents (an entire story unto themselves), the street (because,yes, some authors even bring the scenery to life as their own characters), the warehouse, the railroad tracks, the restaurant were SO real, so endearing and addictive.

Last but not least, the story itself had twists and turns, not only plot-wise but emotionally, and---once having dived in---there was no slowing down until the end.

The moment I set 'eyes' on magnificent, humble, proud, sexy, sensual, strong, gorgeous Mario, I was hopelessly invested for the duration. His story endeared me to him and sincerely had me biting my nails for him, as his experiences could have easily caused him to go down so many paths in his life. It all depended on HIM.

Then Tess. Would she be his road to hell or his redemption? What would HE be to HER? She came with her own history, one just as chancy as Mario's.

A cool bonus: If you love cooking, you'll enjoy the delicious food references in this book.

Won't say much more, I do NOT really discuss plots. That's for YOU to find on your own. I'm excited, as there IS a sequel!

Oh...and, if you know me, you know I am a weakling for all things Italian. So, Mario. Welcome to my heart list of favorite Italian heroes.

So...yes...can someone please help me to compose a soundtrack for this beautiful story?

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Baltic Mermaid
Raw, heartbreaking, and absolutely beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Mario’s story is raw and absolutely heartbreaking. I could feel his pain, his desperation so acutely. Probably, because I know how it feels when you get thrown out of the beautiful, cosy life you were used to, and the new circumstances you find yourself in are too bleak to try to wrap your head around them. When it happens, you stop living, and everything you can do is drift along with the flow. Some drown, not having enough strength to reach calmer waters.

That’s what I was thinking about while reading. Will Mario make it to a safer, brighter shore? Will the next punch from fate destroy him? I often wonder how to put into words that special thing that makes some people endure and overcome the harshest hardships. It’s a true superpower, for if a person lacks it, he/she drowns.

The author draws a picture of a town’s degradation masterfully. I could feel the odours penetrating the buildings and the streets. Those odours that come with dilapidation. I’ve witnessed it happening, and the saddest thing about it is that since your own life dilapidates along with unused edifices, you have neither emotional strength nor time to give the situation a proper thought. This is if you try to run out of this situation, fighting and still hoping – somewhere deep inside, since on the surface, you’ve lost any hope – that you’ll have your old, beautiful life back. If you don’t, you simply don’t care.

Despite the popular slogan about a man being the sole master of his destiny, it is usually the other human being that helps you stay afloat. And for Mario, it is exactly the case. Not one, but even two people enter his life with what seems a purpose from above to help him swim and reach the shore. But it can never be that easy, can’t it?

After all his dreams have been shattered, Mario finds himself alone in a world that doesn’t care a bit about him. He has no hope for a better future. The world doesn’t care that you were kind and caring; it demands from you to obey its rules. And if you don’t, you miss the opportunities the world egoistically and coldly offers – only to those who play by its rules.

Mario feels that his dreams about working in a restaurant aren’t meant to come true. He feels unworthy of love. He feels undeserving of trust. And still, there is that special spark in him that makes him grab every opportunity that promises – no matter how feebly – that he can get all these things.

“Sultry, Is the Night” is not an easy book for reading. It’s not a shiny little story wrapped up in a flashy paper that says “there is a lesson inside, kids, but you won’t get hurt while learning it”. Reading this book, you will get hurt. You will feel sadness, compassion, revulsion – the whole specter of emotions. I certainly did feel all of them, and I’m deeply grateful to the author for making me take this rollercoaster ride with her deep, controversial characters and beautiful writing.

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Tory Jane
Sultry, Is the Night - When we discover a sense of belonging....
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Sultry, Is the Night is both mournful and inspirational. Mario and Tess are searching for home, yearning for a sense of belonging. Ms. Avon has created a world where the misfits find love and peace in acceptance and forgiveness.

Life is not a fairy tale, especially when you live on the wrong side of the tracks.

Mario and Tess have suffered profound loss. They each find themselves alone and unsure of where they belong in their world. They have made choices to survive in a world of poverty and pain - choices that do not comport with their fundamental belief in love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Separately, they understand that they must forge their own paths. They must find the strength and courage to rise above their current reality.

Life is not a fairy tale. It is complicated and messy. People are not perfect. Relationships require choice and commitment. When Mario and Tess accept this, together, they embrace a new "normal" where they create their own version of success - and find peace in forgiveness and love.

Ms. Avon weaves a beautiful tale of loss and re-birth. Her words light up your senses. I love her use of language and words to create Mario and Tess' world. I could feel the dank coldness of poverty on the wrong side of the tracks. I smelled and tasted (and was inspired to attempt to create) the Italian feasts Mario joyfully prepares.

This is not a light-hearted romp. It is rich and powerful. It will stay with you, haunting your senses and your imagination. It will inspire you to reach for more. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
Barbara Avon is a master in telling stories of people broken by the world.
Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Barbara Avon grabs you by the throat and drags you into her world with her storytelling.

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Patrick Scattergood - Author of Mother, Dearest
Another brilliant book from a superb multi-genre author.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
One of the things that I've always loved about Barbara Avon's books is that you don't know what you're going to get. She's a superbly talented multi-genre writer. One that is equally at ease in any genre that she sets her hand to.

This one isn't from a genre that I would normally read, but something about the description made me incredibly eager to pick this one up and read it in one sitting.

The thing I liked about the characters was the simple fact that none of them were perfect. They all had flaws, but Avon didn't fall into the trap of having those flaws fixed by the end of the book. Instead, they were still imperfect, they were still broken in some parts, and they were still hurting.

Another thing that I really liked was the fact that some of their actions may have seemed unexplained or, sometimes, even a bit strange, but when you get further into the story, each little action or moment they've been involved in starts to make sense. It's like a really interesting jigsaw.

All in all, Avon has written another superbly gripping and well-paced novel that is worth picking up, even if it isn't one of your preferred genres.

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Dawn Hawkins
Gripping, riveting
Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Loved this!!! From the descriptions of the characters and locations to the roller coaster of emotions going through the various relationships of the main characters, every page made me want to read more!!!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Can Someone Please Compose a Soundtrack for This Beautiful Story...?

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw, heartbreaking, and absolutely beautiful story

5.0 out of 5 stars Sultry, Is the Night - When we discover a sense of belonging....

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Avon is a master in telling stories of people broken by the world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant book from a superb multi-genre author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, riveting

Report an issue

Can Someone Please Compose a Soundtrack for This Beautiful Story...?

Raw, heartbreaking, and absolutely beautiful story

Sultry, Is the Night - When we discover a sense of belonging....

Barbara Avon is a master in telling stories of people broken by the world.

Another brilliant book from a superb multi-genre author.

Gripping, riveting