Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe – a Review

Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe – a Review

 

Marked by HadesBound by Hades – Book #2
by Reese Monroe
Release Date: April 14, 2014

Marked by HadesLinks or order Marked by Hades:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
One choice away from eternity…

For 911 years, Gatekeeper companion Justin Bradford has denied the possibility of being mated to only one woman. He enjoys them all too much to settle down. So when he feels his mate’s Ahavah mark surface, his first instinct is to ignore it. But when he sees the leather-clad beauty in need of his help that’s easier said than done…

Yvonne wakes up naked on a cold park bench in a small town with no memory of who—or what—she is. All she knows is the gentle man who woke her was turned to dust when she touched him. And now the strange mark that appeared on her shoulder throbs in the presence of the raven-haired man now offering to help her…

As Justin and Yvonne navigate the mystery of her past, their bond grows, but the secrets they discover and the sacrifices that must be made could be enough to rip them apart for eternity


Review:

Marked by Hades is the 2nd book in Reese Monroe’s Bound by Hades series.  If you haven’t read my review of the first book, (Forged by Fate), this series revolves around the Gatekeeper of Hades, who vanquishes demons to hell.  Theo is our gatekeeper, and the first book’s hero, and his Gatekeeper companion (helper) is his brother, Justin.  This book belongs to Justin, whom we fell in love with in the first book, as he was the fun loving womanizing one of the two. 

We meet our heroine Yvonne immediately, as she wakes up on a park bench naked, and with no memory of who she is.  A Good Samaritan comes to her aid, and much to her horror, she accidently kills him just by her touch.  Yvonne clothes herself in leather, especially the gloves, so that she doesn’t kill anyone else, but has no idea where to turn for answers.  One night, she is attacked and in her defense she pulls off the gloves.   Justin just happened to be near and saw her dust the bad guy.  Before he could get to her, she runs away.

We all know that Justin vehemently does not want a mate, which is expected at some time.  After all, like Theo had to wait 900 years to find his mate in Sadie, Justin has waited that long and has no problem waiting another 900 years.  Much to his chagrin, he senses the Ahavah mark being branded on his shoulder, and that of his mate somewhere near.  Eventually he finds Yvonne, and recognizes that she is his mate.  

What follows is a non-stop action filled story, and a beautiful romance.  When Justin brings Yvonne to Theo, it is Sadie who recognized Yvonne as Dyre, the demon who helped her escape her captivity in Hades.  The immediate reaction is to kill her, as she is a demon, even if she shows no signs of being one.  Watching Justin fall in love with Yvonne, and she with him was really so well done.  Their romance was very sexy, even when she had her leather clothes on.  Lol  I loved how Sadie and Yvonne became close, knowing this human side of Yvonne was one of them.  The battle does begin, as the demons want her (Dyre) back, and Theo’s life is in danger. 

Reese Monroe does another fantastic storyline, where we get to see both sides of Yvonne/Dyre, as she returns to Hades.  The excitement builds throughout, as we head to a very exciting climax. Will Yvonne ever return?  Will Justin be able to claim his mate?  Is Yvonne truly a demon?  Will the Great One be able to stop Lucifer?

The great cast of characters in this series, both good and evil were nicely written.  I loved Theo, Sadie, Dasha (Can’t wait for her story), besides Justin and Yvonne.  Halena is one of the good guys, but for now she is rough and brusque.  I’m sure in time, she will have her own storyline, and this will change.   Marked by Hades is another wonderful addition to this series, and I really do enjoy Reese Monroe’s writing.  If you like fantasy with Gatekeepers, Demons, God, Lucifer, Angels and Humans, and a story filled with action, excitement, romance, steamy sex, and great characters, then this series is for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe – a Review

Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe – a Review

 

Forged by Fate
Bound by Hades – Book #1

by Reese Monroe
Release Date: December 9, 2013Forged by FateLinks to order Forged by Fate: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
He’s waited more than 900 years to love her…

Being the Gatekeeper to Hades is no small feat, and waiting almost a millennia to meet your mate is damn near impossible. But Theo Bradford’s mark has finally surfaced on his intended. Now all he has to do is find her and convince her to embrace her supernatural heritage.

Young genius, Sadie Nowland, has got life figured out. Graduating college at the age of eighteen and accepting a six-figure job is just what she needs to prove she’s made something of herself. But when a strange tattoo mysteriously appears on her shoulder and Theo starts talking about Mates, it catapults her neatly laid out life into chaos.

Somehow a vicious demon banished to Hades defies Theo’s vanquish and returns, setting his target on Sadie, and she is thrust into the volatile world of Shomrei warriors and a connection to Theo her brain can’t comprehend and her body can’t deny. That primal bond proves more imperative to their survival than either could have ever imagined—and just may be the key to the world’s survival.

 

Review:

Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe is the 1st book in her Bound by Hades series.  I was offered this book to replace another book that had been delayed.  I was not sure how this book would be, nor did I know Reese Monroe.  Now that I have finished this book, thank you thank you for allowing me to read this book, as I loved it; and Reese Monroe is now being added as an author I want to read.

Forged by Fate begins as we meet our hero, Theo, who it turns out is a powerful supernatural.  Theo is a Gatekeeper of Hades, who vanquishes the demons back to hell, and was created by the Great One. His brother Justin, is his companion, someone who is not as powerful, but who is responsible for helping the gatekeeper.  Justin is the funny and womanizing one. Theo is reserved, serious and dedicated to his responsibilities; he also remains celibate all these years, waiting for his mate.  Theo now knows his mate, whom he has waited for over 900 years is now ready for his claiming. 

Sadie is our heroine, and we meet her as she prepares for her graduation, and moving on to a promising career.  Sadie is a genius, having graduated with high honors, and is also a black belt. Around her 18th birthday, she discovers a strange tattoo on her shoulder and from there on her life begins to change.  She is getting stronger, and slowly, especially after meeting Theo, begins to gain more powers.  Theo, a gorgeous hunk, introduces himself as her mate.  Sadie at first, freaks out, trying to keep her distance from Theo.  Shortly after, she sees demons, who are after her, gets kidnapped and taken to Hades; where Theo will rescue her.  Theo and Justin try to help Sadie understand her destiny, and despite her  original disbelief, she slowly realizes her life as she knew it is over. 

The story was non stop action, as Theo, Sadie, Justin and their friends find themselves under attack by Demons, who have gained abilities to get past Theo’s Gatekeeper powers.  As Sadie learns more, she discovers that she will be the one to help stop evil from taking over, and must find the answers before it’s too late.  Along the way, both Theo and Sadie find themselves in very dangerous & deadly situations.

Reese Monroe has created a fantastic New Adult fantasy storyline with Gatekeepers, Demons, God, Lucifer, Angels and Humans.  The characters she has created are awesome:  Theo is a wonderful hero, not only gorgeous, powerful, a real hunk, but he is sweet and totally devoted to Sadie.  Sadie is a fabulous heroine, as she is strong, independent, brave, and has no qualms stepping up to take control. They are fabulous together, as we watch their romance build slowly.  Justin, whom I loved; Sadie’s friend Dasha;  Halena, a female gatekeeper, all play major parts in the story.  

The best part of the story is watching Sadie come into her own, gaining some awesome powers, discovering the truth about the parents she never knew, coming to terms with what she is & will be, and seeing her fall in love with Theo.  This was a beautiful romance with an awesome couple.  The story keeps you engrossed from the start to the exciting climax.  I hope Reese Monroe continues with more Theo and Sadie, so we learn more about them; and hopefully the charismatic Justin will get his story.  This was a great fun action filled story, and a new wonderful author to add to your list, as I have done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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