Reviews
Hands of the Maker
Saxon and Juliette are in Banff, shooting the most ambitious campaign of his career — a nanofabricator that will make every fashion house on earth obsolete overnight. The stakes are enormous, the location breathtaking, the cast extraordinary. Everything is in place for the greatest shoot of Saxon's life.
Then Persephone walks into their lives.
She is a woman unlike any Saxon has ever encountered — beautiful, deadly, and with martial skills that far surpass his own. What follows has no safe corners — between a man who is forever reaching, a woman who refuses to be left behind, and a force of nature who has never wanted a single thing.
Until now.
Around them the world is getting stranger. Ancient enemies are closing in. Betrayal and secrecy threaten everything. And Juliette's buried past simply...
Will.
Not.
Be.
Denied.
In Hands of the Maker, Book 2 of The Dark Photography Folio, the game doesn't just change. The entire board gets shattered.
You have been warned.
Whether behind the lens, deep in work, or lusting after one another, the passion is electrifying. In Canada for the shooting of the dictionary and the selling of Saxon soul, “Hands of the Maker” immediately begins where book one left off – the encounter with Juliette’s mother of all people. After the shocking final sentence in “Eyes of the Beholder,” Juliette’s dark and mysterious past may finally be within reach as she navigates the appearance of her mother, the woman who may have the answers she seeks. The looming reconciliation, the cult following they were once tied up in, and the woman Grace has become, keep Juliette twisted and confused. Yet, despite this heart pounding revelation, it isn’t Juliette and her mother that drive this second in the series, but rather the client behind the curtain of this latest shoot. Ling Pei, his assistant Persephone, and the various models and crew present for Saxon’s current project guide this second pulse-pounding escapade in the Dark Photography Folio series. Author Swinn Daniels’ characters are captivating. Once again showing readers the beauty of photography, Daniels expertly weaves the challenge and allure of the backdrops with the feeling on set as the perfect shot is captured. All while navigating the patience, skill, and form needed for success. Photography may be a visual art form, but Daniels’ words depict the exquisite talent with a lens and the ballet of movements just as spectacularly. Saxon Payne is a peculiar man. Once an unexperienced boy, he now exudes confidence and charm. Leaning into his martial arts background, Daniels shows readers the varying nuanced sides to Saxon as he marries the craft with his photographic skills. The focus, commitment and dedication both photography and martial arts require build a new layer to the character as he spars with Persephone and draws her in. “Hands of the Maker” houses the delicate dance of Juliette and Saxon. Juliette as she rediscovers her truth, pushing it down to focus on the shoot in front of her, and Saxon as distractions creep in, just as the passion between the two of them was heating up. Leaning into family, martial arts, deception, and intrigue, Daniels shows readers a new side to the genre bending mind game he so proficiently pens.
Another Incredible Five-Star Read! Hands of the Maker—Book 2 in the Dark Photography Folio—is a mesmerizing journey that places the captivating Saxon Payne firmly in the spotlight. This installment delves deeper into Juliette's intriguing past, unveils more about the alluring Maxine, and introduces Mason and Mia—whose eerie storyline keeps you perched on the edge of your seat. Adventure abounds as Saxon and his team embark on world-class photography assignments for the client, Daizu, whose dark agenda adds layers of suspense to the tale. The introduction of Persephone is a game-changer. Stunning and fiercely skilled at Kung-Fu, she storms into the narrative with an energy that ensures you won't be able to put the book down. From its engaging start to its gripping finish, Hands of the Maker exemplifies Swinn's unparalleled storytelling style. This thrilling sequel leaves you ravenous for more, and I can't wait to dive into Book 3. Bring it on!
Hands of the Maker, by Swinn Daniels, the captivating second installment of The Dark Photography Folio, further immerses readers in the enchanting world of photography. Saxon Payne’s lens captures the essence of his enigmatic client, Daizu. Juliette’s quest to uncover her past takes an unexpected turn, leading Saxon toward a new and alluring figure, Persephone. Simultaneously, Saxon’s history resurfaces, adding an extra layer of complexity to his journey. While the first book primarily revolved around Juliette, this installment beautifully shifts its focus to Saxon. However, it still provides valuable insights into other characters’ perspectives, particularly Maxine. While her backstory is shared through expository dialogue, I believe a more gradual and seamlessly crafted unveiling could have further deepened the intrigue and mystique surrounding her character. Nonetheless, the glimpses of Saxon’s past, as well as the intriguing Airstream Series shoot involving Saxon, Mason, and Mia, held my fascination. The gradual revelation of Mason’s inner turmoil and the introduction of Rider left me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their story. One delightful aspect to note is that while Juliette’s and Saxon’s narrative arcs are left open-ended in this installment, leaving room for even more exploration in the upcoming chapters. The intricate tapestry of Saxon, Mason, and Mia’s storylines, while tantalizing, merely hints at the depth of their potential. It’s quite conceivable that these threads are intricately interwoven with Juliette’s journey, promising readers an exciting and highly anticipated revelation in the third book. I relished the opportunity to explore this richly developed world further. The second book bursts with heightened action that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. While conflicts do arise, I feel they maintain a certain one-sided dynamic, which, in its own way, adds a unique layer of suspense and anticipation to the narrative. Even so, the story remains engaging, as the outcome seems evident despite the narrative twists and turns crafted by Daniels. Daniels divided this story into thirds to create a trilogy, allowing for a more immersive and expansive exploration of the characters and their interconnected tales, leaving us eager for the next installment. Hands of the Maker is a fantastic follow-up to Daniels’ first book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next installment.
After reading book one in this series I was pleasantly surprised to find it went way beyond the usual generic romance novel. I was hoping to see more of this in the sequel and was not disappointed! It is still a love story with complex relationships, but in Hands of the Maker these characters encounter next level technology, extraordinary skills and physical abilities, and even other worldly forces. There is so much action and several mysteries emerging, yet the characters are very real and engaging. Many of them are also really funny and there's a wicked sense of humour underlying the dialog. I genuinely wanted to see them succeed and overcome their obstacles (I'm trying to be spoiler free here). I'm very much looking forward to seeing how Daniels ties everything together in the 3rd book.