Tag Archives: Greek Mythology

QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD by Felicity Heaton-as review

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QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD (Guardians of Hades Prequel) by Felicity Heaton-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 31, 2023

Hades, the wickedly dark god-king of the Underworld, needs a queen.

And he’s chosen Persephone.

All Persephone has ever desired is control of her own life, and someone noticing her once in a while. Kept in her mother’s shadow, and overlooked by the entirety of Olympus, her dream seems impossible… and now she’s doomed to wed a dull god of her mother’s choosing…

Until she crosses paths with a handsome, dark warrior who rouses wildfire heat in her veins—a male whose immense power is unmistakable, and who matches the fearful tales whispered in Olympus—stories of a cruel, heartless king who rules his realm of death with an iron fist.

When Hades abducts her and imprisons her in the depths of the Underworld, a dormant part of her awakens. And as she slowly discovers the truth about him, Persephone isn’t sure whether the snarling, dark beast of a king is her doom… or her saviour… but she knows one thing…

She will embrace the fire he awakens in her with every heated glance, and every vicious growl.

And use it to tame him and forge her dreams into reality.

Because, Persephone, the quiet, gentle goddess of nature, desires a king.

And nothing will stop her from claiming his black heart.

••••••

REVIEW: QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD is the prequel story line in Felicity Heaton’s GUARDIANS OF HADES paranormal/fantasy romance series based in Greek Mythology. This is Hades, god of the Underworld, and Persephone’s story line.

Told from third person perspective QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD is the retelling of Hades, god of the Underworld, and Persephone’s love story. Hades has watched from afar as his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, had fallen in love and taken a mate. Hades was jealous; angered that he was tricked into ruling the Underworld where the madness and darkness had taken control. Exiting a portal onto Olympus, Hades would come face to face with Persephone, the goddess with whom he would fall in love. With ‘permission’ from Zeus, Hades would claim Persephone as his Queen but all was not well, and Persephone’s mother Demeter was about to reign down H*ll on Earth. As Hades and Persephone’s relationship blossomed into something more, there would be those in the Underworld and Olympus who hoped to destroy the woman Hade’s loved.

QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance; a love affair between lightness and dark, good and evil, life and death, winter and summer. The relationship between Hades and Persephone is tempestuous at best but Persephone quickly sees the darkness, the pain and the sorrow, buried just below the surface of the man with whom she will fall in love. The premise is entertaining and captivating-a narrative paraphrasing the Greek love story comparable to the original; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are magical and enthralling.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Ares
Valen
Esher
Marek
Calistos
Daimon
Keras
Thanatos
Hades

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

WEBSITE|BLOG| FACEBOOK| TWITTER| GOODREADS| INSTAGRAM

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Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus 3) by Katee Robert-a review

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Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus 3) by Katee Robert-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 7, 2022

She was the face that launched a thousand ships,
The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus,
And she was never ours to claim.

*A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.*

In Olympus, you either have the power to rule…or you are ruled. Achilles Kallis may have been born with nothing, but as a child he vowed he would claw his way into the poisonous city’s inner circle. Now that a coveted role has opened to anyone with the strength to claim it, he and his partner, Patroclus Fotos, plan to compete and double their odds of winning.

Neither expect infamous beauty Helen Kasios to be part of the prize…or for the complicated fire that burns the moment she looks their way.

Zeus may have decided Helen is his to give to away, but she has her own plans. She enters into the competition as a middle finger to the meddling Thirteen rulers, effectively vying for her own hand in marriage. Unfortunately, there are those who would rather see her dead than lead the city. The only people she can trust are the ones she can’t keep her hands off—Achilles and Patroclus. But can she really believe they have her best interests at heart when every stolen kiss is a battlefield?

•••••

REVIEW:WICKED BEAUTY is the third instalment in Katee Robert’s contemporary, adult DARK OLYMPUS erotic, romance series-a modern retelling about the gods of Olympus. This is Achilles Kallis, Patroclus Fotos, and Helen Kasios’ story line. WICKED BEAUTY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE:WICKED BEAUTY is a reverse harem story line with M/F/M, MM and MF sexual situations.

Told from three first person perspectives (Achilles, Patroclus, Helen) WICKED BEAUTY follows the search for a new Ares. Modern day Olympus is run by the gods; Thirteen gods and a new replacement for Ares is to be decided by a competition ala the Hunger Games style, and our heroine, Helen Kasios is determined to win the coveted seat but all is not well in Olympus-the barrier between Olympus and the rest of the world is collapsing, and the in-fighting within the inner circle is threatening all peace or amicable solutions. Not only are Achilles and Patroclus declaring themselves contenders for the position of Ares but outside competition is about to upset the balance when Zeus declares Helen as the ultimate prize. Refusing to back down, Helen finds herself the target of an unknown assailant, and Achilles and Patroclus declare themselves guardian and protector. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Achilles, Patroclus and Helen, and the potential fall-out when sacrifices are made to save the life of one of our story line heroes.

Helen and Achilles have always had a love/hate relationship but throwing them together in competition for the position of Ares is about to pull the trio together to protect one of their own. Patroclus is in love with Achilles, and both men have fallen in love with our story line heroine. Achilles, with the help of Patroclus, is determined to become the next Ares but all three are in the direct line of fire as Olympus begins todo battle with itself.

The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus has already been established but a one-night stand between Achilles and Helen forces Patroclus to reconsider his own future with Achilles. Helen is a strong-willed, independent young woman who knows who and what she wants, and our heroine wants both Achilles and Patroclus by her side when she takes over as the next Ares. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and often troubling secondary and supporting characters including Zeus, Athena, and a large number of gods, as well as the introduction of Helen’s ex Paris, his brother Hector, the Minotaur, and Theseus- there is a war on the horizon for control of Olympus.

WICKED BEAUTY is a story of power and control, influence and administration, determination and competition, friendships, relationships, family and love. The action packed premise is captivating; the romance is passionate and sensual; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Neon Gods
Electric Idol

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Ravaged (Eternal Guardians 7.5) by Elisabeth Naughton-a review

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RAVAGED (Eternal Guardians 7.5) by Elisabeth Naughton-a review

Ravaged

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ABOUT THE BOOK: June 9, 2015

Ari—Once an Eternal Guardian, now he’s nothing but a rogue mercenary with one singular focus: revenge.

His guardian brothers all think he’s dead, but Ari is very much alive in the human realm, chipping away at Zeus’s Sirens every chance he can, reveling in his brutality and anonymity. Until, that is, he abducts the wrong female and his identity is finally exposed. It will take more than the Eternal Guardians, more even than the gods to rein Ari in after everything he’s done. It may just take the courage of one woman willing to stand up to a warrior who’s become a savage.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: RAVAGED (Eternal Guardians 7.5) by Elisabeth Naughton is the latest installment in the 1001 Dark Nights novella series. This is rogue Argonaut warrior Ari (Aristokles), and nymph Daphne’s storyline. Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardians paranormal romance, fantasy series is based in Greek mythology, prophecy and history.

RAVAGED follows Daphne, a Siren in training, who has been tasked, by Zeus, to kill Aristokles. Ari currently lives in the human realm, and the stories reveal that Ari is a monster; a dark and dangerous rogue Argonaut, who out of revenge and grief following the murder of his first mate, tortures and kills the creatures responsible for her death-the Sirens. Daphne, not quite a Siren, must seduce and destroy Aristokles before she is allowed entry in the Siren caste. What ensues is the building relationship between Ari and Daphne, and the revelation that Ari’s acts of murder and destruction are not of his making.

Fifty years earlier, Ari faked his own death, leaving his son Cerek, and the other Argonauts to grieve the loss of their father and friend. But Ari’s disappearance was self-imposed as he was unable to control the need to kill the Sirens whenever they were in his presence. Daphne’s presence will help Ari focus on the need, and with her help, Ari and Daphne will uncover the truth behind Ari’s uncontrolled murderous rage.

Although a novella, RAVAGED, is a complete story: we learn about Daphne’s background, Ari’s history, and the gods of Olympus who play with the fates of man and beast. Several of the Argonauts make a cameo appearance including their leader Theron, as well as Argonauts Demetrius, Gryphon, Phineus and Titus. Half Breed ‘Misos’ Silas is introduced as Ari’s friend and ‘roommate’; and Daphne’s friend and Siren Sappheire, whose own understanding of the truth, finds another Siren in the human realm.

Elisabeth Naughton seamlessly blends Greek mythology with a modern timeline. There is romance and passion; betrayal and revenge; grieving and death. The characters are a mix of man and gods; daemons and beasts; Sirens, nymphs and Fates. Their stories are heartbreaking, passionate, and exciting. There is always a happily ever after-for now-because, well, Zeus always has another plan to create destruction and chaos, in the world of man.

Reviewed by Sandy

Eternal Guardians

 

FREE ebook: Marked : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Entwined : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Tempted : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Enraptured : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Enslaved : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Bound : Amazon.com/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Twisted: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /The Book Depository

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Underworld’s Daughter by Molly Ringle – a Review

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Underworld’s Daughter by Molly Ringle – a Review

 

perf5.000x8.000.inddAmazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
New immortals are being created for the first time in thousands of years thanks to the tree of immortality discovered by Persephone and Hades. But Sophie Darrow is not one of them. Nikolaos, the trickster, has given the last ripe immortality fruit to two others, the reincarnations of the gods Dionysos and Hekate: Tabitha and Zoe, currently Sophie’s and Adrian’s best friends.

While the disappointed Sophie struggles to remember Hekate and Dionysos from ancient Greece, she must still face her daily life as a mortal university freshman. Tabitha and Zoe have their own struggles as they come to terms with being newly immortal and their own haunting dreams of past lives and loves. The evil committed by Thanatos invades all of them in heartbreaking memories, and worse still, Sophie and her friends know their enemies are determined to kill again. And even the gods can’t save everyone..

Review:

Underworld’s Daughter is the second book in Molly Ringle‘s The Chrysomelia Stories  (Book #1 Persephone’s Orchard review) The story continues with Adrian (Hades) and Sophie (Persephone) living between the real world and the spirit realm.

Sophie has made the decision to become immortal so she can be with Adrian forever, but Niko gives the last ripe immortality fruit to Tabitha and Zoe, who are Sophie’s and Adrian’s best friends. Sophie was very upset by this and a little jealous of her friends getting the immortality that she wanted. While Tabitha and Zoe adjust to being immortal, Sophie is trying to live her normal life and relive the memories of her past life as Persephone. The memories that she remembers are amazing. What she discovers is her best friends Tabitha and Zoe were once Dionysos and Hekate. I’m not going to tell you how important Hekate was to Persephone and Hades, you will have to read and find out, but I loved the addition of her character to the story.

Tabitha and Zoe are also experiencing the memories of their past lives and coming to terms with their feelings and the things they experienced. And if that wasn’t enough to deal with, the evil Thanatos is always lurking in the background, wanting to destroy any immortal, with their prime target being Adrian. Thanks to Thanatos, as Sophie, Tabitha and Zoe relive their memories, they are exposed to the heartbreak that Thanatos has inflicted with their crazy, cult like members in the present and the past.

This second book to Persephone’s Orchard was a great continuation of the first story. How the past and present characters are written together is great. I loved the addition of Hekate’s character, it brought so much more to the lives of Persephone and Hades, along with the other Greek characters that are in the story. I’m not going to give away too many details because that will only ruin what happens, you’ll just have to read it to find out.

I highly recommend reading Persephone’s Orchard before reading Underworld’s Daughter because the story means much more when you read the first book. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next addition. I will wait very impatiently for the next installment because Ringle left me hanging with a very nice cliffhanger at the end…..what happens to Adrian and Sophie’s relationship???? Well played Molly Ringle, well played. Now how much time do I have to wait to find out what happens????

Reviewed by Tricia

Copy provided by Publisher

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Spotlight & Giveaway for Persephone’s Orchard &
Underworld’s Daughter

If you like Greek mythology, New Adult romance and a touch of the paranormal, check out The Chrysomelia Stories by Molly Ringle. The story centers around Sophie Darrow – a normal college freshman – who is abducted by a man she’s never met before and tricked into eating some pomegranate. What follows is her realization that she is no other than Persephone and her kidnapper – Hades himself.

As the official release date (June 27) of Underworld’s Daughter approaches, the second book in the series after the very successful and well received Persephone’s Orchard, we are very happy to point you towards an awesome giveaway!

The lucky winner will be receiving:

• Signed copies of both books

• 1 oz Persephone’s Pomegranate Blend looseleaf tea by Dryad Tea (black tea with pomegranate and vanilla)
• 25 plantable paper mini-flowers with wildflower seeds, by PaperSprouts (on Etsy)
• $5 Starbucks card
• Pegasus Greek coin pendant necklace from PartsForYou (on Etsy)

To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter and hopefully you’ll win. If not, never fear, apparently the publisher will be offering more awesome giveaways like this one in the coming weeks.

And if you haven’t read Persephone’s Orchard yet, there’s good news there too since the ebook will be only $0.99 on all major bookstores for a limited time starting on June 27!

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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