Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Beyond The Ruby River
SERIES: Immortal Jewels #3 of 3
AUTHOR: Lee Colgin
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 265 Pages
RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2021
BLURB:
Can an incubus half-breed find love with a mortal man, or are they destined to pine for each other forever?
In Ancient Egypt when the pharaohs ruled the banks of the Nile, Mahu led a simple, if somewhat melancholy, life. Making papyrus filled his days. His needs were provided for, but deep in his soul, Mahu longed for companionship.
Dakarai, born of a demon mother and a human father, craved independence. A young incubus constantly in the shadows of his full-blooded siblings, Daka set out to forge a life of his own.
While a starving Daka roams the streets hunting for a meal, the sight of a beautiful man walking alone stops him in his tracks. The handsome stranger is just what he needs to quench his spiraling thirst.
But Mahu turns out to be more than Daka bargained for, and his heart falls for the lonely man.
When betrayal shatters their foundation, can Daka and Mahu find their way back to each other, or is each soul destined to long for the other for all eternity?
***
Beyond the Ruby River is an MM Paranormal Romance featuring a steamy love story, a second chance romance, and the mysteries of an ancient world. This is book three of a series but can be read as a standalone with its own happily-ever-after.
REVIEW:
Mahu lives to exist without really enjoying living. When Daka enters his life, Mahu feels a spark that he hasn’t felt in an age. The need for independence drives the incubus, Daka, from his family. When he sees Mahu, something other than lust swells within him. But, given they live in Ancient Egypt where Osiris is among the many worshipped Gods, can Daka trust Mahu with his demon secret?
Many people are drawn to tales set in Egypt, and I am one. Beyond The Ruby River is the third book in the Immortal Jewels Series and the one I have been looking forward to reading the most – I wasn’t disappointed.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Mahu and Daka. The tale starts somewhat slowly and picks up to a good pace. Having already encountered Mahu in the series and considered him a scene-stealer, I was impatient to see where backstory crossed with previous elements.
The author states that this book can be read as a standalone and, I agree. Previous knowledge of characters/storyline is an advantage, but only in the later stages where some may feel the story is rushed without said information. Overall, not much is lost by not reading the previous installments as the basic elements are covered. I have to admit though that, I’d like to read a spin-off about how Mahu became a member of the vampire council. That aspect wouldn’t belong in this story, but maybe the author could consider it for the future.
The timeline begins in 564 BCE when Daka is an effervescent demon of twenty-two. And here is where I took a second look at my only niggle with the story. Daka considered a man of thirty-five or forty to be in his prime. By today’s standards, he is correct, but in Ancient Egypt, life expectancy was thirty – thirty-four. However, Daka’s observation may have been due to his immortality. Mahu’s view of himself as an ‘old man’ is more in keeping with the era.
Mahu lived in a simple time of family, friends, and work as a papyrus maker. He is the kindest of gracious souls but not the kind that gets on your nerves. He accepts life and death in all its forms, and I absolutely adored him.
This story contains some beautiful depictions of life in Ancient Egypt, including the gods’ influence in daily life. Couple that with the realization that demons exist and what centuries of existence does to a man once they’ve grasped true love, and I was left with a story that made me smile, cry, and transported me back to an era of history that I adore.
RATING: 
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