The Fortress/The Temple by M.A. Abraham – Reviews

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Barb

The Fortress/The Temple by M.A. Abraham – Reviews

The Temple Description:
Ele is a powerful goddess in her own right, so she doesn’t worry about her safety as her sisters think she should. She is beautiful in ways that catches the wrong type attention. In order to keep her safe, her sisters blackmail a god from another world to take Ele into his care.
Sagan is a warrior god on his planet and every bit as powerful as Ele. He is also the epitome of what every woman thinks a god should look like. Without seeing Ele, he promises to keep her safe and keep his distance. After seeing Ele, he doubts if he can keep his word.

The Temple Review:

The Temple by M.A. Abraham is a novella that is part of the Sinners and Saints Anthology. Above is the list of authors participating in this Anthology and a brief description. Since I read all of M.A. Abraham’s work, this review is only on her novella The Temple. Brief description: Ele is a powerful goddess in her own right, so she doesn’t worry about her safety as her sisters think she should. She is beautiful in ways that catches the wrong type attention. In order to keep her safe, her sisters blackmail a god from another world to take Ele into his care. Sagan is a warrior god on his planet and every bit as powerful as Ele. He is also the epitome of what every woman thinks a god should look like. Without seeing Ele, he promises to keep her safe and keep his distance. After seeing Ele, he doubts if he can keep his word.

At the start we meet Ele, our heroine, and her sisters, who fear their sister in law is planning on doing something bad to Ele. Normally, Ele could handle herself, as she is one of the most powerful goddesses, but the sisters decide to make sure she is safe. They call upon a warrior god, Sagan, to protect her and after being convinced, he takes Ele to his planet. Even though she is surprised, Ele knows why she is on this planet, and takes it upon herself to womanize the planet which is bare everywhere. Slowly, Sagan finds himself attracted to her, and tries to win her over.

When Sagan goes away for awhile to handle his bad brother, he returns to find that his home, and his warriors have totally changed, due to Ele’s influence. When his brother returns, he decides to make Ele his own, and the two battle it out.

What follows is a battle that will involve Sagan, his brother Chase, and their father, whom Ele saved. Sagan manages to be a step ahead of Chase, but learns that the danger sits with the father. Will Sagan survive? What happens to Ele when she manages to escape and return home? You will need to read this short story to find out.

I really enjoyed this quick read, and was happy with how the story concluded. M.A. Abraham once again gives us a fun story line, with great characters.

Fortress Description:
A slip of the tongue by Riel’s older brother, Tash, has sent him reeling. Riel is the god of the sun, and until now he didn’t know that he was related to Sagan, who is known as the god of the sky. It doesn’t take much prodding to get him to travel across the great distance so he can get to know his brother, a man who is his identical twin.
Tash is a god of chaos, and although he is content to let things develop as they will, up to a point, this soon comes to an end when they arrive in Sagan’s home to find Ele’s sisters also visiting. As Riel quickly falls for the one sister, Tash plots to destroy everything and everyone around him.

Satirea and Aslea, Ele’s sisters are also in residence. One is a goddess of battles, the other a goddess of justice. It is Aslea who finds out about Tash’s plans and moves to stop him. The question is, can she before it is too late?

Fortress Review:

The Fortress by M.A. Abraham is part of the multi authored Twist of Fate (Gods of War) anthology. This review is solely on The Fortress, which is a novella. We meet Riel, one of our heroes, who is the God of Sun, and his half-brother, Tash, who is the God of Chaos. Reil learns that the God of the Sky is his twin brother, Sagan, whom he has never met. He decides he wants to meet him and plans to travel to his land and The Fortress.

Tash, has always been a bad boy, but is close to Reil, which convinces him to go with him to meet Sagan. When they arrive at The Fortress, Sagan welcomes his brother and Tash, and introduces his wife, Ele to them. Tash acts brashly to Ele, who has her own powers, which she turns on him, with fire ants, much to Tash’s dislike. Both Sagan and Ele recognize that Tash is dangerous and needs watching. Ele’s two sisters also arrived for a visit, and Riel finds himself in competing with Satirea (who is the Goddess of Battles) and by the time they are finished, they both end up falling hard for each other.

Tash is jealous, and plots to destroy his brother’s relationship with an evil plan, that will also possibly hurt Ele and the other sister, Aslea (Goddess of Justice). As Tash puts together his plan, Aslea overhears his plan and works with another friend of Sagan, to stop Tash at any cost.

What follows is Aslea and Cort getting help to turn the tables on Tash, which will eventually bring him in front of Sagan, Ele, Reil, who realize what he was planning in destroying them. Before Sagan can do anything, someone from the past will return to bring justice. I did like most of the characters, with the exception of Tash. The Fortress was a quick read, and a good story that was well written by M.A. Abraham.

Reviewed by Barb

Copies supplied for review

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Barb

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Jack Tamerlaine hasn’t stepped foot on Cadence in ten long years, content to study music at the mainland university. But when young girls start disappearing from the isle, Jack is summoned home to help find them. Enchantments run deep on Cadence: gossip is carried by the wind, plaid shawls can be as strong as armor, and the smallest cut of a knife can instill fathomless fear. The capricious spirits that rule the isle by fire, water, earth, and wind find mirth in the lives of the humans who call the land home. Adaira, heiress of the east and Jack’s childhood enemy, knows the spirits only answer to a bard’s music, and she hopes Jack can draw them forth by song, enticing them to return the missing girls.

As Jack and Adaira reluctantly work together, they find they make better allies than rivals as their partnership turns into something more. But with each passing song, it becomes apparent the trouble with the spirits is far more sinister than they first expected, and an older, darker secret about Cadence lurks beneath the surface, threatening to undo them all.

Review:

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross is the 1^st book in her new Elements of Cadence series. I have become a fan of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful fantasy novels. A River Enchanted has a Scottish feel filled with magic, in the isle of Cadence, with two warring clans (East & West). The focus of the novel, is centered on two childhood enemies that team up to find out why young girls are being mysterious taken.

Jack Tamerlaine (he is a Bard) returns to Cadence after a 10-year absence, studying music and getting a job at the mainland university, as he has been summoned home. Jack learns quickly that the person who really summoned him home, was his childhood enemy, Adaira, as she is now the heiress of East. Adaira explains why she needs Jack’s help, as the missing girls have not been found; she needs him to use his Bard music to bring out the spirits (fire, water, earth & wind). At the same time, Adaira makes an offer to the West to bring about peace, but can they be trusted?

Jack hasn’t seen his mom (Mirin) in all those years, and is surprised to discover he has a sister, Frae. Torin is the captain of the guard, and is also one of the POV’s; his wife Sidra, is a healer, who also takes care of Maisie (Torin’s daughter from his deceased wife). Jack and Adaira agree to work together, and in a short time, their feelings begin to change, as they continually become closer.

What follows was an amazing, fantastic adventure in a world filled with magic, spirits, enemies, betrayals and a slow burn romance. There are some surprising twists that will eventually change the game, with the East and West still very much divided. I loved Adaira, who was a fantastic heroine, as she was strong independent, determined, savvy and fierce. Jack was a very good hero, as I liked him too, but not as much as Adaira. Ross has created a wonderful group of secondary characters, such as Torin, Sidra, Frae, Mirin, just to name a few.

A River Enchanted was a captivating, unique story filled with spirits, magic and folklore. To say too much more would ruin it for you, as you really do need to read this fantastic book. Rebecca Ross once again gives us a wonderful fantasy, with great characters and keeping me enthralled from start to finish. I wholly suggest you read A River Enchanted and anything written by Rebecca Ross, as I cannot wait for her next book, especially with the surprise ending.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

NEON GODS (Dark Olympus 1) by Katee Robert- a review

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Sandy

NEON GODS (Dark Olympus 1) by Katee Robert- a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date June 1, 2021

He was supposed to be a myth. But from the moment I crossed the River Styx and fell under his dark spell… he was, quite simply, mine.

Society darling Persephone Dimitriou plans to flee the ultra-modern city of Olympus and start over far from the backstabbing politics of the Thirteen Houses. But all that’s ripped away when her mother ambushes her with an engagement to Zeus, the dangerous power behind their glittering city’s dark facade.

With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity and makes a devil’s bargain with a man she once believed a myth… a man who awakens her to a world she never knew existed.

Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her—for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…

A modern retelling of Hades and Persephone that’s as sinful as it is sweet

•••••••

REVIEW: NEON GODS is the first instalment in Katee Robert’s contemporary, adult DARK OLYMPUS erotic, romance series -a modern retelling about the gods of Olympus. This is Hades, god of the lower city, and Persephone Dimitriou, daughter of Demeter.

NOTE: NEOD GODS contains scenes of Dom/sub and voyeuristic sexual situations.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hades and Persephone) NEON GODS follows the modern day romance between Hades, King of the lower city, and Persephone Dimitriou, daughter of Demeter. Persephone has effectively been sold by her mother to Zeus, the self-styled modern day King of Olympus, but Persephone wants nothing to do with Zeus, and crosses the river Styx where she is under the rule of Hades, himself. A bargain for three months of freedom finds Zeus falling for his beautiful prisoner, the woman with whom Hades will fall in love but as Zeus begins to threaten the people she loves, Persephone takes matters into her own hands, as she devises a plan to take down the powerful god. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Hades and Persephone, and the potential fall-out as Hades breaks the rules, and all will suffer the consequences.

NEON GODS introduces the gods of Olympus, the leaders of the Thirteen Houses who rule modern day Olympus and those who are willing to play along. A political power struggle begins to focus on the take down of the man at the top, a man who believes everyone and everything is his for the taking. We are introduced to Persephone’s sisters: Callisto, Psyche, and Eurydice, as well as their mother Demeter, Zeus, Hermes and Dionysus, and a large cast of gods and goddesses, who believe they are in control. A story about the political machine of a modern day Olympus, and the struggle for power and control. A different, engaging and entertaining take on the mythology of the gods.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

The Stone God (Indulgence 1) by Erin Kellison-Review & Giveaway

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Sandy

The Stone God (Indulgence 1) by Erin Kellison-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

GoodReads Link: https://bit.ly/3vuP9RJ

ABOUT THE BOOK:Release Date May 24, 2021

Terah Crane knows not to tempt the gods. A happy life—or at least an uncomplicated one—involves no gods at all. And since her loving grandfather bought her an Indulgence that exempts her from their service, she can focus on her other problems—the fact that her recent divorce has left her broke, unemployed, and reeling.

Seeking a fresh start, Terah packs everything she owns into her beat-up car and moves to her family’s empty country cottage—never mind that deadly firedrakes occasionally wander into the garden. When an unlikely flood carries a cracked pillar of stone from a nearby shrine right to Terah’s doorstep, it seems the gods demand her service after all.

The man trapped inside the monolith is still alive, and Terah’s reluctant task is to resurrect him, his godkiller of a sword—and his fury for vengeance.

The gods’ awesome powers are matched only by their careless, capricious whims—and vulnerable mortals are often the ones to suffer and die. Now, the gods are watching Terah, making her a pawn in their savage game. Her survival depends upon navigating a new world of peril and treachery, taking up a weapon, and making a fateful move of her own…

••••••

REVIEW: Well that was totally different to what I normally read!

Terah is recovering from a breakup, so needing time and space, she retreats to the family cottage to reevaluate her life. Not knowing that her life is going to change forever….

Adomanei is a busy man, he’s trying to woo a direct descendant of a god, so a marriage is needed between them if they want to rule the land, Nilea is all he thinks about, but being his father’s Hood has him running all over the place!!

Kol is a lesser god (not as high ranking as others!) and after being trapped for centuries, he’s out for revenge! But he needs to bide his time, he needs to gain his strength, so falling back on a descendant to date for him until he is at full power again.

A flood brings Kol and Tereh together, but it’s not a good thing, she’s not suppose to rescue or serve him, she is no one’s slave, but what is she to do?
And when he finally emerges from his stone tomb, (which was beyond stressful for both Kol and Tereh) she’s really for him to strike her down!

That was really good, but you do have to concentrate, and it does flit about a little bit, but once you get use to the rules, the names and who is who then the rest falls into place.

Definitely an author I will be looking forward to reading again.

So the plot…..

Gods are in charge, they have lesser gods under them, and under the lesser gods are the descendants of the gods. These are trained to serve, well you don’t really get much choice, unless you can escape servitude through payment.

Hoods are descendants of gods, these are a little like marshals keeping the peace. But if the god is angry, guess who gets told off!!
Anyway…. Kol centuries ago ran off with another God’s descendant, that Goddess was angry and encased him in stone (but there is definitely more to that story)

Now the stone he is encased in is cracking. Why? You’ll need to read to find out why.
Tereh is then made a Hood so she can look after Kol.

Easy…. Ha!! It’s anything but that!! Poor Tereh then has to navigate the backstabbing/intrigue/double dealing works of the Gods, the Hoods and other humans!! She’s now in charge of caring for Kol, and she’s his voice until he is at full strength.

Focus is very much on the Tereh in this book. The poor human doesn’t know what to think, she’s only trying to get herself sorted after a bitter divorce, and now she’s in the limelight as the favourite of the Crimson God Aran, and she’s the teal Hood for Kol!! If that’s not enough she’s got to navigate the power games people play.

And she’s also being chased by a suitor, and a strange being wants to know all about her!!

Cliffhanger? Wouldn’t really call it a cliffhanger, more of an intro into book 2….

New series? Yes it is, and I’m looking forward to the next book that should be out this year.

Romance? Not much, and at for most of the time I wouldn’t really call it a romance, there is the romance between Adomanei and Nilea, but not much for poor Tereh!

It did remind of a few old films, where the Gods like to move humans around like chess pieces!♟ And there is a lot going on in this book, you do need to concentrate, but saying that it does flow pretty well.

It’s a cleverly thought out book. And very well written.
And I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B.

FOLLOW: Goodreads /Website /Facebook /Twitter /Pinterest/

Erin Kellison is the bestselling author of the Dragons of Bloodfire series, the Reveler series, and the Shadow series. She writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction romance. She loves other worlds and visits them as often as possible via movies and books and her kids’ imaginations. When not daydreaming or writing, she’s goofing off with her family in sunny Arizona. Find out more at www.ErinKellison.com.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the GOODREADS giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact Goodreads/the author.

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY: 5 signed copies of THE STONE GOD. US Only<-

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/323822-the-stone-god

Gifting Fire by Alina Boyden – a Review

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Barb

Gifting Fire by Alina Boyden – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM /

Description:
The battle has been won, but the war is just beginning.

Although at long last Razia Khan has found peace with herself and love with her prince, Arjun, her trials are far from over. In order to save her prince and his city from certain destruction, Razia made a deal with the devil–her father, the Sultan of Nizam. Now the bill has come due.

Razia must secure the province of Zindh, a land surrounded by enemies, and loyal to a rebel queen who has survived her father’s purge. But when her old tormentor Prince Karim invades her new home and forces her into a marriage alliance, Razia finds herself trapped in the women’s quarters of a foreign palace, with her beloved Prince Arjun exiled from her side.

Now, in order to free herself, and her province, from Karim’s clutches, she must call upon all of her training as a royal princess, a cunning courtesan, and a daring thief to summon new allies and old friends for a battle that will decide her fate, and the fate of an empire.

Review:

Gifting Fire by Alina Boyden is the second book in her Stealing Thunder fantasy duology. I am happy to say Gifting Fire was another excellent read. Razia Khan, continues to be the wonderful heroine in this story. When we left off in Stealing Thunder, her father, placed Princess Razia, to lead the province of Zindh, with her love Prince Arjun and her two sisters, joining her. Soon Razia finds herself with new allies, such as Hina, whose brother was murdered by Razia’s enemy Karim. Hina brings all her girls and their zahhaks to help Razia, and hope to defeat Karim, who she wants to kill for murdering her brother. In a short time, things drastically change when Razia’s father comes and brings with him Karim, as they have agreed on an alliance; Razia to marry Karim. Despite her desperation and deviance, she will agree in order to save her sisters, as well as Arjun. She manages to get Karim, with her father’s insistence, to allow her sisters to join her, as well as Hina and her maidens (who are warriors in their own right).

They travel back to Karim’s home, where Razia is trapped and pretending to be willing to marry Karim, especially with his evil parents watching her every move. She works closely with Hina, to find a way to get help to rescue them, and playing safe for now. We learned in the first book how smart and cunning Razia was, with her amazing ability and skills to create ways to win these wars. Will she survive Karim and his family?

What follows is an exciting and at times tense story, with Razia using her climbing ability to get free during the wee hours to send messages to possible allies; and get back in time before she is discovered. I really hated Karim, his mother and father, as they were truly evil. At the same time, Boyden gave us some fantastic secondary characters that I loved, such as both of her two sisters, Hina, Arjun, as well as all those allies who were willing to risk their lives to fight the enemy. I loved her wonderful dragon, Sultana, who was amazing, and the other zahhaks. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and you really need to read and enjoy the wild and climatic ending.

The last half of Gifting Fire was very exciting, tense, nonstop action, with flying dragons, aerial battles, and a heroine who stood up to the challenge. This was also a sweet romance, as I really liked Razia and Arjun together. Alina Boyden did a great job writing this wonderful fantasy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Heart of Fire by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne-Review tour

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Sandy

Heart of Fire (Blood of Zeus 2) by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple /

Goodreads: bit.ly/GR_HeartofFire

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 22, 2020

He’s forged from heaven. She’s promised to hell.

Professor Maximus Kane can no longer deny his passion for his stunning yet mysterious student, Kara Valari. But surrendering to their desires carries more consequences than just violating the Alameda University conduct codes. Kara has defied her destiny. Higher directives have been violated. Now there’s hell to pay.

It’s a crisis for which there seems no solution, until the explosive secrets of Maximus’s bloodline are exposed. Despite all his doubts and fears, Maximus has no choice but to accept help from his enigmatic father, which means coming to terms with his heritage and embracing a bizarre new world of gods and demons. Because somewhere in that world—in the strange and sordid secrets surrounding his past—is the key to protecting Kara’s future. Nothing has ever meant more to him than saving the treasure of her life and the fire of her heart.

While earth’s lower realms seek payback for Kara’s transgressions, Kara finds a new ally in a surprising place: the Valari matriarch herself. Beneath the scrutiny of the world press, Veronica orchestrates a plan to protect her daughter by doing what she does best—shining the spotlight on her. But by her side, Maximus can’t escape the glare of the paparazzi.

Can they buy time and blind their enemies with Kara’s fame? Or will Hollywood’s new “it” couple and their forbidden love incite more vengeance than they’d ever bargained for?

•••••••

REVIEW:HEART OF FIRE is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult BLOOD OF ZEUS paranormal, mythological, romantic suspense series co-authored by Meredith Wild and Angel Payne focusing on university student Kara Valari and professor Maximus Kane. HEART OF FIRE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the event of book one BLOOD OF ZEUS.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kara and Maximus) HEART OF FIRE follows in the aftermath of Maximus Kane’s discovery of his heritage, and the history of his mother’s relationship with a God among man. As the fall-out of Maximus’ relationship with his student Kara Valari comes under the scrutiny of the paparazzi, the students and the teaching staff, there is someone else determined to make Kara his own, no matter the cost or repercussions to everyone involved. What ensues is the ongoing relationship between Maximus and Kara, and the chaotic fall-out of betrayal, vengeance, obsession and lies.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Maximus’ best friend and fellow professor Jesse NOrth; Kara’s sister Kell, their mother Veronica Valari, their grandfather Giovani Valari, art collector Arden, Maximus’ mother Nancy Kane, his father, and the uncles he knew nothing about. We are introduced to Kara’s brother Jaden, and his best friend Rerek who is about to betray the man that he loves.

Like the first instalment BLOOD OF ZEUS, HEART OF FIRE is a story of family, secrets, power and gods; of mythological demons, angels, contracts and legends; of promises and love. The premise is captivating and heart breaking; the romance is passionate and emotional; the characters are energetic and determined. HEART OF FIRE ends on a cliff-hanger, you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BLOOD OF ZEUS

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

ANGELA PAYNE: USA Today bestselling romance author Angel Payne has written for four publishing houses, and is also independently published. She loves to focus on high heat romance starring memorable alpha men and the women who love them.

She has numerous book series to her credit, including the Suited for Sin series, the Cimarron Saga, the Temptation Court series, the Secrets of Stone series (with Victoria Blue), the Lords of Sin historicals, and the rebranded Honor Bound series, as well as several stand-alone titles.

Currently, she is serving as the Vice President of Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Ink Chapter.

She lives in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and beautiful daughter.

https://www.facebook.com/authorangelpayne/
https://twitter.com/AngelPayneWrtr
https://www.instagram.com/angelpaynewriter/
http://angelpayne.com/

•••••••••

MEREDITH WILD:

Meredith Wild is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author. After publishing her debut novel Hardwired in September 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to push the boundaries of her “self-published” status, becoming stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide and forging relationships with the major retailers.

In 2014, Wild founded her own imprint, Waterhouse Press, under which she hit No. 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. She has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, the New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Publishers Weekly, and The Examiner. Her foreign rights have been sold in over 23 languages.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/meredithwild
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wildmeredith
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/meredithwild
Instagram: www.instagram.com/meredithwild

DRUID (The Talisman #5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Sandy

DRUID (The Talisman #5) by Tam DeRudder Jackson-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 20, 2020

A vengeful goddess demands a sacrifice…

Sloane MacIntosh isn’t an ordinary talisman. Gifted with the skill of the Sight, she knows her warrior’s fate. Powerless to stop him from flinging himself headlong into death, Sloane mourns a sacrifice demanded by the war goddess on her summer feast day. Having found-and lost-her warrior, her fated mate, in the same evening, she knows what it means when the goddess demands a sacrifice. Her talisman skills couldn’t stop the goddess bent on evening the score.

A druid wishes for a sword arm…

Davy Sutherland is a storyteller whose incredible skills immortalize warriors for all time. But he yearns for the life of danger and adventure those warriors live. He also yearns for the special bond the fates give to talismans and warriors, a love at first touch that burns hot and intense, burnishing the iron of lust into the steel of everlasting devotion. The first time he sees Sloane MacIntosh, he wishes more than anything the fates had made him a warrior-her warrior.

Love hangs in the balance.

•••••••••

REVIEW: DRUID is the fifth full-length instalment in Tam DeRudder Jackson’s contemporary, adult TALISMAN paranormal, fantasy, Celtic mythology series. This is Seer and Talisman Sloane MacIntosh, and Scottish Druid Davy Sutherland’s story line. DRUID can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order or book one TALISMAN for back ground and history.

SOME BACKGROUND: Centuries earlier, the Morrigan cursed the descendants of the Sheridan family, a curse that has the potential to be broken with the mating of a warrior and his fated mate. Desperate to prevent the breaking of the curse, Morgan and her sisters Macha and Maeve set into motion a series of battles that will pull the Sheridan family into a war where family and friendships will be tested. Morrigan is part of Celtic mythology representing the cycle of birth and death, but is also the patron of magic and revenge, prophecy and night.

Told from several third person perspectives including Sloane and Davy DRUID focuses on the preparations for the wedding between Sloane’s best friend Fallon Graham and her Warrior Seamus Lochlann (Bard #4). With Sloane’s arrival in Scotland comes the memories of what our heroine had lost. Having only known her Warrior Gavin for less than an hour, the goddess Macha targeted our couple pulling Gavin across the river of blood into an eternity of battles and war. Believing love and her own happily ever after had been destroyed Sloane struggled with all of the happiness surrounding the wedding preparations until meeting Druid Davy Sutherland, a man who stirred something deep within our story line heroine. Davy knew Sloane was the woman that called to his heart. With each encounter Davy’s ‘tattoo’ burned with a need to claim Sloane MacIntosh but Sloane battled her memories and the continuous omens that threatened to pull her under. As a Seer, Sloane saw the future but with the help of her best friend Fallon, a woman with the ability to change the story, Sloane is able to protect the man with whom she is falling in love, a man who becomes fodder in a game of vengeance against our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sloane and Davy, and the potential fall-out as Davy find himself on the precipice of immortality, a choice he must make between love and enduring life.

DRUID is an infinitely detailed story line rich in Celtic mythology with tales of gods and goddesses, and the struggle to survive. There is a very large cast of secondary and supporting characters including Davy’s mentor Hamish; all of the previous story line couples, and their extended families, as well as Macha, Maeve, Morgan and the thunder god Taranis. As everyone prepares for the upcoming nuptials between Fallon and her fiancé Seamus Lochlann, something dark and ominous is on the horizon, taking aim at our story line couple. The premise is complex and intriguing; the romance is flirty and seductive; the characters are energetic and inspiring.

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Talisman
Warrior
Prophetess
Bard

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Blood of Zeus by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne-Review tour

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Sandy

Blood of Zeus (Blood of Zeus #1) by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne-Review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GR_BloodOfZeus

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 25, 2020

An ancient grudge. A forbidden love.

The only thing worse than being a demon is being a Valari. As an undergraduate at Los Angeles’s Alameda University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at forgetting she’s both. Lost between the pages of the classics and tucked into the shadows of lecture halls, she can dodge the paparazzi’s lenses as well as her family’s publicized dramas—not to mention their private expectations. She has one more year to feed her true passions. Then she’ll be expected to fulfill a much darker destiny.

Cursed with inexplicable strength and god-like stature, literature professor Maximus Kane knows all about darkness. Every day he’s reminded of the missteps of his childhood and the devastating consequences they’ve had on those dearest to him. To atone, Maximus spends his nights alone and his days submerged in the quiet life of academia. His existence has become a study in control, and he’s become a master at it—until Kara Valari walks into his toughest course.

Viscerally, Kara’s everything he craves. Logically, she’s everything he rejects. She’s a starlet of privilege. She’s also a student. And after one touch, he can’t deny that she’s awakened something in him that may never go dormant. Nothing about her makes sense, but everything about her feels right. Especially in the deepest strands of his DNA, which are still shadows of mystery to him—a mystery Kara seems determined to uncover.

She’s Hollywood royalty. She’s forbidden fruit. And he’s pretty sure she could be the answer to everything.

••••••••

REVIEW:BLOOD OF ZEUS is the first instalment in the contemporary, adult BLOOD OF ZEUS paranormal, mythological, romantic suspense series co-authored by Meredith Wild and Angel Payne focusing on university student Kara Valari and professor Maximus Kane.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kara and Maximus) BLOOD OF ZEUS follows the building but forbidden relationship between university student Kara Valari and professor Maximus Kane, a relationship forbidden by the university ethics, and the law of the gods. From the outset, the reader is aware there is more to our couple than meets the eye. As Kara and Maximus relationship builds, their attraction and time together creates a firestorm that summons the gods, forcing Kara to reveal the truth about what she is, and her connections to the world. While Maximus continues to be oblivious to his supernatural heritage, a visit from his father begins to breakdown the barriers between earth and h*ll, barriers that no longer protect our story line couple. What ensues is the building relationship between Kara and Maximus, and the potential fall-out as their union is forbidden because Kara is promised to someone else.

Kara Valari has known about her heritage and the circumstance of her family and her birth all of her life but meeting Maximus Kane draws Kara like a moth to a flame, a flame that burns with the intensity of the sun. Unable to reveal the truth to Maximus, Kara finds herself bouncing between walking away or losing everything for love. Kara’s family is a member of the ultra-rich and famous, and in this, their every move is watched and painted for the world to see. Maximus Kane is unaware of his supernatural powers or his mythological heritage but knows he is not quite normal in the eyes of humanity. The more time he spends with our story line heroine, the more his abilities begins to manifest revealing his location, and his connections to the sky.

The relationship between Kara and Maximus is one of immediate attraction that neither one is able to explain. Kara knows there is more to Maximus than a mortal human being but our hero continues to be oblivious to his heritage, and the powerful strength that comes with his DNA. Having to keep their relationship secret from the university and the paparazzi, Kara struggles knowing that if their secrets are revealed, the punishment will be swift and deadly. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Maximus’ best friend and fellow professor Jesse NOrth; Kara’s sister Kell, their mother Veronica Valari, their grandfather Giovani Valari, art collector Arden, Maximus’ mother Nancy Kane, and a revelation as to the identity of our hero’s father.

BLOOD OF ZEUS is a story of family, secrets, power and gods; of mythological demons, angels, contracts and legends; of promises and love. The premise is intriguing, entertaining and exciting; the romance is seductive and impassioned; the characters are desperate, dynamic and charismatic. BLOOD OF ZEUS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

PreOrder book two HEART OF FIRE

Amazon:https://amzn.to/2Qg1xTh

Print: https://amzn.to/2FL36GB

Nook: http://bit.ly/3a5hHHz

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2t2uyKd

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2splCOG

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2uNtsm9

Goodreads: bit.ly/GR_HeartofFire

Currently, she is serving as the Vice President of Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Ink Chapter.

She lives in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and beautiful daughter.