Sportochick's Musings: May 2020

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

REVIEW Marek by Felicity Heaton

Sportochick's Musings ~ The author Felicity Heaton's development of these characters is superb causing this reader to pay close attention to what she was reading earning this book 5 STAR's.

Marek

Guardians of Hades #4

by Felicity Heaton

Genres ~ Paranormal Romance

Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Earth, Marek was banished from his home by his father, Hades, two centuries ago and given a new duty and purpose—to keep our world and his from colliding in a calamity foreseen by the Moirai. Together with his six brothers, he fights to defend the gates to the Underworld from daemons bent on breaching them and gaining entrance to that forbidden land, striving to protect his home from their dark influence.

Haunted by a betrayal that shattered him and set him on a dark path of vengeance, Marek closely guards his heart, as determined to keep it safe as he is to wipe the scourge of vampires from the world.

Until a hunt lands him in the presence of a beautiful woman who threatens to steal that heart as she battles his sworn enemy, her graceful moves igniting a passion so fierce and hunger so deep it consumes him.

Caterina’s sole purpose for the last decade has been freeing her brother of the curse of being turned into a vampire. When an alluring dark warrior steps in to help her battle a nest of bloodsuckers, her entire life is tipped off balance. She knows deep in her heart the warrior can help her save her brother, but can she trust a man who is driven to slay every vampire he meets?

When Marek’s enemy emerges from the shadows, and Caterina is pulled down a dark rabbit hole into a dangerous world, will they be strong enough to overcome their pride and their prejudices or will a dark turn of events shatter both their hearts?

If you love Greek gods romance books featuring powerful dark lords of the Underworld and strong heroines who steal their hearts, this paranormal romance series is for you.

Seven powerful Greek god heroes. Seven passionate paranormal romance books. No cliffhangers. Just happily forever afters!

Marek and Caterina make an interesting couple. Both are driven by revenge, protecting loved ones and outstanding battle skills. Their chance meeting starts an exciting fast paced story where revenge is the main theme.

Marek hates two thing Daemons and Vampires. This fact is pivotal to the whole story line. He struggles with his hatred and love surrounding this area. How does one put aside hatred that is centuries old? The author manipulated this area in a manner that showed that love is not blind. It's about making choices and living with them.

Caterina has too much love. She loves very deep and will do anything to protect those she loves. Even go to her death if necessary. What I like about her is how intelligent she is and how quickly she makes a decision. Also, it helps that she is a kick ass fighter and a strong woman. I appreciate the authors ability keep Caterina's character real and not sappy.

This story has an exciting character list with the Illusionist from the past book, a Wraith, Vampires and Daemon's. Oh, wait did I mention Gods, Demi Gods and Goddesses. All Marek's brothers are present in this book with their very distinct individual personalities which makes for a wild time when they are all together.

The author Felicity Heaton's development of these characters is superb causing this reader to pay close attention to what she was reading earning this book 5 STAR's.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Book 1: Ares - My Review
Book 2: Valen - My Review
Book 3: Esher - My Review
Book 4: Marek - My Review

Monday, May 25, 2020

Emotional 5 STARS Review When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett

Sportochick's Musings ~ I absolutely love books that bring out this depth of emotion in the reader.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue

Debutante Diaries #3

by Anna Bennett

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press

Genres ~ Historical Romance

She knows what she wants.
Miss Sophie Kendall is happiest arranging the secret meetings of the Debutante Underground, a group of women who come together to discuss the weekly advice column The Debutante’s Revenge. What makes Sophie most unhappy is her impending march down the aisle to a man she does not love. But her family’s finances are in increasingly dire straits.

He makes an offer she can’t refuse.
Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, hasn’t slept in weeks. Desperate to escape his manor house and its haunting memories, he heads for one of his abandoned London properties. There he meets a beautiful, intriguing woman―trespassing. Reese is far less interested in Sophie’s search for a secret meeting spot than he is in her surprising ability to soothe his demons. So he strikes a bargain with her: his shop in exchange for spending one night a week with him.

Is this love for real―or just a dream?
Sophie never expected this to happen. But she cannot deny the fire Reese sparks in her―and soon their shared desire burns bright. Sophie is irrevocably promised to another. But maybe these two ill-fated lovers can find a way to risk it all―all the way to happily ever after…

I cannot even begin to explain how much I loved this book. Author Anna Bennett roped me in quickly with just the blurb. My mind kept trying to figure out how Reese and Sophie could pull off one night a week and not get caught in their era. This was handled by the author in a stunningly believable way.

The book is very emotional as it deals with what we know of today as PTSD, true abiding love, and deep emotional commitments to family.

Sophie is one of those women that people become instantly peaceful around. She has a graceful presence that draws people to her. This alone draws Reese to her. I do not think it mattered to him that she was beautiful as well till much later in the story.

Reese was a surprising character. I at first expected an alpha type man but he was much more than that. He had a soft intellectual side that was very expressive and romantic. This man may be tortured but he had depth to his character making him extremely interesting.

Because I am sentimental this story started me crying almost immediately. It was such a soft emotional feeling that just keep coming and going with the depth of feelings and emotions of this couple paired with the authors superb story line. I absolutely love books that bring out this depth of emotional.

I give it 5+ STARS for the delightful solution to Reese and Anna’s situation.