Elisabeth Naughton - Stolen Fury

To unearth a centuries-old secret, an archaeologist must team up with the rakish thief who’s stolen both an ancient relic and her heart…

Oh, is he handsome. And charming. And sexy as all get out. Dr. Lisa Maxwell isn’t the type to go home with a guy she barely knows. But, hey, this is Italy and the red-blooded Rafe Sullivan seems much more enticing than cataloging a bunch of dusty artifacts.
After being fully seduced, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. She’s staked her career as an archaeologist on collecting the three Furies, a priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs. Now the one she had is gone. But Lisa won’t just get mad. She’ll get even.
She tracks Rafe to Florida, and finds the sparks between them blaze hotter than the Miami sun. He may still have her relic, but he’ll never find all three without her. And they’re not the only ones on the hunt. To beat the other treasure seekers, they’ll have to partner up—because suddenly Lisa and Rafe are in a race just to stay alive.

Comment: I had this book in the pile for years. I've tried to add books to my monthly lists these past years, so that books I had for longer would finally get their chance...

In this book we meet archaeologist and professor Lisa Maxwell in the exact moment she is investigating a cave in Jamaica during her holidays. She happens to find one of the Furies, part of a set of three Greek statues, which have been searched for a long time by experts. However, after a presentation, she meets Rafe Garcia, a very attractive man with whom she hopes to spend the night but falls asleep and realizes he deceived her and stole her statue. Later, she is able to track him and while the attraction between them is as strong as before, she will not give this time... or will she? Will them? The problem is that more people are after the statue, for if someone manages to have them all, it will be quite a feat, and that means Rafe and Lisa and those around them need to run against time to find the other statues...

This did remind me of those adventure books and movies of the 90s mostly. I've actually seen references in some reviews to some movie titles which are similar to this book in plot or style and it does seem a correct comparison. I think this was a great adventure, with lots of fast paced scenes and jumps, but I will have to say that while the characters' relationships weren't any novelty, I still felt a little sad over the fact they were so predictable and lacking (to me).

The story itself isn't bad, and I was interested in reading what would happen next, even though sometimes we had scenes supposedly shady from the villain's POV which I could do without, but I was curious about what the main characters would do and how. There is a lot of travel from place to place, then some secondary characters get involved and that broadened the range of action, which made me think the action was non stop. The idea of finding the statues and what it meant was always a fascinating enough element and when a certain information closer to the end is shared, I was surprised because it wasn't such a big surprise and still I found it great.

Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention to some elements, I should confess, thus my surprise at the end, because another big part of the plot is centered on the romance between Rafe and Liza and this was the element I felt a little disappointing. When they meet Rafe deceives Liza and no matter his thoughts about it and the fact they are strangers, it was still a bit of a betrayal. I also felt slightly put off by how they think about one another at that time, I would have liked it more if their relationship had started in a different way.

I kept imagining that if they had been reluctant partners from the start and the physical and emotional attraction had developed more slowly, i'd have liked the progression of the romance more. I know this is only an impression but the constant reminders and inner thoughts about how good looking, how attractive, how whatever they felt about one another took some of the fun out of this for me. I think it would have been a better strategy if we could see their interactions and more, I don't know, subtle ways of their behavior letting us know about what they were feeling. More showing and less lustful thoughts lol, because there was a time it felt they only had superficial emotions between them.

Of course, as expected, they end up together, and there are even supposedly love declaration exchanges, but I cannot say I was fully on board being convinced about their feelings. I would have liked the author could have done things differently, if these were the characters partnered.

The secondary characters, apart from the bad guys, had their interest and I've seen some will be protagonists in future installments. I'm still thinking if I'll read them, perhaps if it suits any of the challenges I usually do.

I think there are enough reasons why the characters are captivating, there are indeed plenty of scenes where it was fun to follow their steps, and the writing style is mostly fluid and easy, which are positive details. I just think the romance disappointed...

Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Elisabeth Naughton - Wicked

Zagreus—Dark, depraved, cursed. In every way the Prince of Darkness.
Then he found her.
She was his salvation. His sanity. His strength. The only constant in his immortal life. Even when fate ripped her from his arms, he always found her again. But five hundred years has passed since her last death, and with no sign and no guarantee she’ll be sent back, the darkness inside him is swirling out of control.
Then fate drops a female in his path. One with violet eyes he’s sure he’s looked into millions of times across multiple lives. Talisa may be the daughter of the Eternal Guardians’ leader, but Zagreus is convinced she’s the missing half of his tattered soul. He doesn’t care that she doesn’t remember him. He’ll never let her deny that wicked-hot connection still sizzling between them.
This time, Zagreus is willing to risk everything—his present, his future, his destiny, even war—to keep her.
Because this time, even if he has to hold her as his prisoner for all eternity, he won’t lose her again.

Comment: No wonder time seems to fly! It's time for another TBR post and this month the chosen theme is "author with more than one book in TBR" and I could have picked one of so many but decided to go with a PNR series I follow. I chose this because I have other things by the author but this book is the latest installment in the series and this would allow me to be updated on it.

In this 9th book the adventures of the Argolean Eternal Guardians carry on, now with the children of the original characters already grown up. Talisa is the daughter of the couple from book #1 and when the story begins she is annoyed at not having been accepted to be a warrior, even though she has the marks, like her father, making her a true Argolean. While trying to come to terms with it, Talisa visits a bar usually attended by all kinds of supernatural beings and there she is mesmerized by a man that entices her, not knowing he is Zagreus, a constant enemy of her family.
Zagreus, too, is mesmerized for he believes this woman to be the reincarnation of his beloved, and he decides he will not lose her out of sight. But when Talisa's cousins try a rescue, things go terribly wrong. Will it be possible for them to reach the goals they need?

This is a series that, by this point, doesn't make much sense if one hasn't read the previous installments. Several things can be inferred by context and some information is shared in all the books but there are several nuances that can be lost and a lot feels confusing...I have read the books and time apart between releases is enough to make me forget some details, which is why I recommend this series should be read in order.

I think this had all the necessary ingredients to be a good paranormal romance. There's adventure, a world filled with mortals and gods and special powers, secrets to uncover, a romance between supposed enemy sides and enough secondary hints about other characters which makes them feel like friends. There's also what seemed to be a hint about whose might be next and the way things ended feels promising for another good novel.

Since I have liked the series, these elements seem good to me and while reading I managed to remember several things from other books but it's true time makes one forget a lot... the plot of this one isn't too complicated, at its base it's only about a rescue and what goes wrong/different in the process. Of course, as the Guardians try to save Talisa, they learn interesting new information, especially about the gods, which are based on Greek myths, and the surprises some hid. There's a revelation close to the end which was hinted at but when told it makes some information more relevant in previous books too..

The main characters, Talisa and Zagreus have different backgrounds and to be fair, this whole "reincarnation" tactic only seemed necessary to explain the obvious age difference between them. I mean, in the big scheme of things that's not even an issue, for this is PNR and usually most rules don't apply but the age difference here isn't as much maturity or common interests, it's actually about the fact they should be too different to make it work but, of course, they are soul mates! This should not be an excuse but it makes it easier for the author to bring them together.

Talisa I found a bit annoying.. a little too entitled even if her behavior didn't always show it. I can't explain but she read to me as any other PNR heroine and I wasn't too sold on her personality. Zagreus, for more than one reason, is the one going through the biggest evolution and I did like what the author thought for his character. The best thing about a romance is to see how they become better people or special while together and, in this regard, I think the result was positive for them as a couple.

I thing there some irritating issues, namely regarding how things happened so that a new story can (probably) happen next but the Greek myths twists and situations impacting the characters made for it and I had fun wanting to know what and how things would happen next. It was obviously great to have scenes with previous couples and characters and see how they sort of are now, which is even funnier since some are now parents.

I wouldn't say this is always the most stable series, meaning some books aren't as great, but overall I believe this to be a good series, solid enough to keep the interest as it moves along.

Grade: 8/10

TBR Challenge: Elisabeth Naughton - Unchained

For thousands of years, Prometheus’s only certainty was his daily torture at his enemy's hand. Now, unchained by the Eternal Guardians, he spends his days in solitude, trying to forget the past. He’s vowed no allegiance in the war between mortal and immortal, but when a beautiful maiden seeks him out and begs for his help, he’s once again powerless to say no. Soon, Prometheus is drawn into the very conflict he swore to avoid, and, to save the maiden’s life, he must choose sides. But she has a secret of her own, and if Prometheus doesn’t discover what she’s hiding in time, the world won’t simply find itself embroiled in a battle between good and evil, it will fall in total domination to Prometheus’s greatest foe. 

Comment: As with other participants, this is the first TBR challenge post of the new year and I want to use this opportunity to wish everyone a great challenge!

In January the theme tends to be short stories or smaller length novels and I picked a novella from the Eternal Guardians series by Elisabeth Naughton because I followed the series and I had it in the TBR list anyway.

In this short story we see what happens after Prometheus has been free of Zeus' control following a rescue mission from the Argoleans, especially since his daughter Natasa mated one of them.

Prometheus is facing a calmer life, the prospect of being free a good one despite the things he suffered but being in Argolea, close to his daughter and seeing her happy makes everything easier.

One day he starts hearing a strange seductive voice calling hi for help although he doesn't know how he could do anything.

Suddenly a figure appears even though not in full presence. She presents herself as Keia, but in fact she is Circe, a witch imprisoned by Zeus so he can control her powers. Will Circe convince Prometheus she is not what fame has made her to be? Can he trust her? Will they join forces to free Circe at last?

I couldn't remember the last time I had read a story in this series and it was 2016 but to be honest I only remembered the basics. It seems since the last full length story, the author has only added novellas to the series and since I don't always read novellas, it just hasn't been in my radar lately. 

I must also note that as soon as I started reading, some details came to mind but not many. Reading this novella out of order will leave readers confused, especially if their notion of the Greek mythology is updated, because the author picked that base to develop this series and some pairings are... original.

Since I did read the other books and I recalled some details, I was prepared to enjoy this novella about Prometheus and Circe, two of the characters that populate the series which was originally focused on the fictional realm of Argolea, a place from where seven warriors were chosen to help humans from the deceitful gods (the main books in the series).

Prometheus and Circe were only secondary characters in the past and their connection non existent which makes me wonder why they were paired off, perhaps just to solve loose points or something...

Thinking about the way this story is inserted in the main plot, I would say it was just a little piece of the puzzle instead of a big part of it finally solved. It was good to see a little extra something done but it doesn't change the big picture. Isn't this what usually happens with novellas in big or already developed series? It barely reaches the surface, much less meatier stuff.

I don't think it really added much to what was happening so I cannot say this was a successful tactic done by the author.

Circe and Prometheus don't really seem developed characters. They could be anyone else that the story would be exactly the same and since there was barely enough to allow the reader to connect with them, I felt very detached from what was happening and finished the story thinking it might as well not have been written, or it could have been inserted in another, bigger story perhaps.

Part of this short sized story is showing how Circe and Prometheus bond over sex and apparently one sex scene and a few meetings are enough to convince them (and us) they are meant to be together, in love, as if that immediately puts them in the "serious commitment" level.

I didn't buy it. I was not convinced, by the way the author wrote, that they really had achieved that level and not even the paranormal aspect of the series is enough element to make it easier to accept.

I've liked the books in this series and I've liked some of the settings and developments the author has created. I cannot imagine the effort to think about reducing a story so much that it would make sense within the world created and still be worth it on its own. Were this to be a cute vignette in a newsletter or something perhaps it could have even enough but to me, this story doesn't make sense as a novella. It's just too short, too much under developed and the characters are forced to look having chemistry. The romance is non existent, not convincing and nothing really important happens to move things along (if that is even a purpose now that only novellas are being released in the series).

I like the world, I liked seeing a few references to things I remembered and characters I know from the other books but, in general, this just barely makes a positive grade, since I was generous but in reality it would read more a 4.8 or something in my scale, thus the final 5.

Good for fans but not that special overall.

Grade: 5/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Wait For Me

After a tragic accident left her with no memory, Kate Alexander struggled to fit in with a husband and world that didn’t feel right. She’s had no reason to question what friends and family have told her, not until her husband is suddenly killed and she finds a photo of a young girl in his office. A girl who can’t be anyone but a daughter Kate didn’t know she had.
Ryan Harrison lost his wife in a plane crash five years ago. To cope with the pain of her loss, he dedicated himself to his job and to raising their daughter. Now a successful pharmaceutical executive, Ryan has everything a man could want—money, fame and power—but he’d give it all up in a heartbeat for just one more day with the woman he still loves.
As Kate begins to dig into a past she doesn’t remember, evidence leads her to San Francisco and puts her on the path toward Ryan, a man who sees in her the woman he loved and lost. Kate feels a draw to Ryan, one she can’t explain, but is that feeling enough to convince her this is where she’s supposed to be? As Ryan and Kate search for answers, they uncover lies long buried, a passion hotter than either expected and a danger that threatens…even now…when the second chance they’ve both been searching for is finally within reach.

Comment: I heard about this book a long time ago. A friend had recommended it to me, I added it up to my TBR list but only in the past months did I manage to actually buy it. I had plans to read it in the past month but I failed, so I put it on first for November.

This is the story of Kate Alexander, a woman who finds out by chance that her life has been a lie. After the death of her husband to an plane accident, she discovers in a locked drawer the picture of a young girl, someone who has to be her daughter. But how can that be, Kate has even been on a come and had her only son while linked to machines...Kate then embarks on an adventure to look for answers and she finds surprise after surprise...

But those who wanted Kate out of the way won't stop now that she came back again...

I enjoyed reading this book. The writing is fluid and easy and it's not a too lengthy book, which makes it easy for us to go through. The story is well described and it was interesting to have a different take on the author's writing because I had only read her PNR stories. This was quite well accomplished, although certain situations seemed too rushed...which is understandable, considering the plot need to move forward.

This book is based on the premise of a specific type of amnesic problem that only allows the heroine to remember things but not her memories attached to it, so she knows a lot about geology and can write/speak about it, but she doesn't remember where she learned it or who was with her, so on... Then the twist, which makes this a suspense story as well, is that she does remember one or two things , she sees a picture that makes her realize some dates and events don't match up to her memories since she woke from her coma. From there she discovers shocking things and goes on looking for the truth. I liked seeing the path she took to find answers but yes, she stumbled on the truth a little too soon I think. I understand the need but I felt a little bit more technique could have been used to make us imagine more time had been gone from her fist idea something was wrong until she found the truth.

The truth is quite complex and what's behind everything is contemporary but still hard to accept. Weird things happen in the world every day so it's not the facets of Kate's coma that made me doubt certain things, but the whys and hows.

Kate had a previous life before her come and despite all the advance in the technology she still managed to stay under the radar and no one knew where or how she was.

There's some complexity here, like I said, and the most interesting aspect of the book is the relationships between the characters. Dealing with such a situation must be complicated and if we add emotional baggage...I fully expected things to keep on being stressful between everyone, al of those missed dates , expectations and comparisons between who Kate is and who she used to be, all this is truly interesting. Of course, the book couldn't go on forever so in a way, there is some rush but overall, I was glad by how things turned out. 

The secondary characters are quite interesting, I'm very curious about the next book.

The relationship between Kate and her children is awkward. Obviously it wouldn't be credible if all happened positively but I also think this wasn't addressed as well as it could. It should be a priority I suppose, even more so than Kate and Ryan's relationship.

The romance felt something pushed in front of us, but of course, this is a romance book a lack of romance, even if realistic, would have annoyed many and this is not mainstream fiction after all.

The final explanations about why everything happened seem rather weak. I can understand how anger and need for revenge feed up a behavior usually no one would go into, but still...

I'd have welcomed an epilogue as well, so better cement how everyone is after such a trial.

Still, overall, this is a positive book, one I rushed into reading, couldn't put down and little details aside, was quite entertaining. I'll read more by the author!

Grade: 8/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Awakened

DAMON – For twenty-five years he’s served as a plaything for the gods. With no memory of his past, he has no way of knowing if this is his ultimate fate, but he senses there has to be more to life.
Damon’s hope for more comes in the form of the Sirens’ newest recruit. Elysia is unlike any trainee he’s ever met. Not only can she remember where she came from—an ability the Sirens block—but she has an instant connection to Damon, one he’s never felt and doesn’t understand. Soon Damon is willing to do anything to have Elysia. Even risk the wrath of the gods to break her out of Olympus so he can keep her for himself.
But Damon’s past isn’t a mystery to everyone. Evil forces are at work beneath the surface, and before long, Damon realizes that the connection he shares with Elysia isn’t a random coincidence. His fate—and the darkness it brings—was cemented long ago. And when it is finally revealed, no one will be safe.

Comment: This is the most recent full length installment in the Eternal Guardians series by author Elisabeth Naughton. In this book we follow the adventures of the children of the characters we've met in the previous book. The action in this book starts 25 years after the happenings in the last book, Twisted. I confess I didn't know this and it was quite the surprise...

This story starts by presenting us Elysia, the daughter of Isadora and Demetrius, from book #3. She is angry because her parents, after all they went through to be happy, are actually considering making her bond with someone she didn't choose, only for political reasons. However, things change when she is kidnapped by the Sirens and taken as a recruit to see if she'll be part of the deadly group too.

On the island where recruits must face their challenges, she meets and helps Damon, a sort of slave of Aphrodite that is borrowed to the Sirens as an instructor. Damon welcomes those times because he is bored and doesn't really care for the goddess. But he didn't expect to find Elysia so special and to fall for her...

This book was interesting to read, especially after a certain twist happens in the plot, something so amazing I surely did not see coming but that made me so much more eager to see where the action was going to...

Because the reality is, for me, the beginning of the story was quite demoralizing. After all the other books, after all the things every couple had to face to gain happiness and to overcome the political obstacles the gods and enemies placed in their path, after so long wanting them to have a HEA and finally seeing it happen, it wasn't very positive to see nothing had changed since the last book!

The problems are the same, the characters still face the same difficulties in terms of social/political life, there's no solution to the gods terrible plans and all the conquered happiness feels like a treat and not the true HEA we saw happen. It made me feel rather cheated. I mean, I understand the need to keep up with interesting ideas so the story has grounds to move along, but in a way, why did we have to go through everything? Was it worth anything if things remain the same?

In terms of plot I have to say I was disappointed and still feel that.

What "saved" this book for me was the twist because I was wondering about something but this proved me the author knows her characters and didn't forget the issue conveniently.

What happened after the twist wasn't as special as I may have wanted but at least it made things go forward and characters act again with a purpose. I'm curious to see more "children", now grown up, find their HEAs.

As for this romance, Elysia and Damon are cute together, I especially liked how they met and fell in love, it was both in a seductive and heartwarming manner. I think their connection only gained from the twist but I have to confess I expected them to act more in sync after they admitted their feelings. I don't think personality had a lot to do with this because I feel they weren't as exploited as characters. Maybe because this is PNR and we already have a lot to pay attention to, but it would have certainly make me like them better had they acted more in love or more conscious of their connection in certain moments...

In the end, this was a positive book, I liked how they both took a chance on love but the other character relationships and connections felt too superficial, too easy, too bland... I wanted more bonds, more friendship, more happy or domestic moments to assure us that, despite all the issues, their family would endure all with love and warmth between everyone. I missed that.

But I'll read the next one when it comes out, for sure.

Grade: 7/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Twisted

Nick –Leader of the half-breeds and the last true hero. He’s spent his life fighting a dark pull toward the gods. A pull he now knows is linked to his father Krónos and the Titan’s plan to escape from the Underworld.
But Nick’s hidden powers are coveted by more than just his father. Imprisoned by Hades, Nick battles every form of torture imaginable as the sadistic god schemes to break him. Only one thing is keeping him sane. One woman who gives him the strength to fight the relentless darkness. She has a dangerous plan of her own, though, and as Nick’s powers grow stronger, even she might not be enough to alter his destiny.
As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, Nick’s allegiances are tested. And no one knows whether he will choose to fight for good or succumb to the sinister lure of evil. Not even him.

Comment: I've been a fan of the Eternal Guardians for years and this installment is the most recent one the author has published. I was quite eager for it, not only due to the promising story expected after the end of the previous book, but also because it's Nick's story, a character with mystery and darkness and I was curious about him.

Nick has been an interesting character since we first met him. He had a secret agenda concerning the misos, the Argolean's and Human's mixed half race and people he protects because he too was prejudiced in Argolea, thus he makes it his life aim to protect and guide those who were put aside.

But Nick isn't a humble warrior only, he has a dark past, darker origins and a really bad lucked present. After a sacrifice, Nick faces torture, but the person in charge of it isn't someone he fears. Cynna has a secret agenda as well and strange and surprising news about her childhood, something that will change Argolea once again. But is their bond strong to face it all?

This book is better read if one has already read the previous books. Same for the reviews, as many details are related to other books. This is one of those series we need to read in order to really understand many things.

I was very curious about this story. Since Nick showed up I was immediately curious about him and his position in the story and how important he could actually be in the whole series. His importance proved important indeed in this book for his real place in the hierarchy of things isn't what we expected at all. On that level, I think the author did well.

This book starts where the previous ended, with some months passing in between, if I remember correctly. Nick has been tortured, not only physically but mentally when he thinks about the woman he loves and his brother.

However, Nick is also distracted by Cynna, his torturer, someone who isn't vicious and resembles a person imprisoned as well. Things seem weird often but the torture keeps up. At the same time, in the palace, a new danger threatens Isadora's life and at this point, I confess things weren't going a path I thought was the best.

Then, we see Cynna isn't just some poor girl there to oppose Isadora, she has importance and the personal solution found to break up Isadora and Nick was quite smart and well done. Easy to accomplish too, despite the drama everyone faces before that happens.

This story had its share of darkness and drama but I admit it wasn't a heavy as I thought. The drama was intense yes, but not exactly the way I imagined and I have to say some parts were starting to feel like useless and needless and annoying to bear. But the author solved it all well and I'm glad for it.

The romance wasn't as wonderful as I imagined because of the hint of love triangle we've seen since Isadora's book. Cynna and Nick's connection had its moments but apart from the expected but annoying sexual relationship at the beginning and the little sugary scenes almost at the end, it was basically what one would imagine. But, personally, I think two characters who were described a certain way, they didn't act always in accordance to what I think they should, based on personality. Sometimes their actions would feel like too different from the expected to better suit the plot. I can understand why that happened but it didn't mean I liked it.

All in all, many good things, plot related. The author did  good job on that front. But the main couple's personality and some relationship's dealings weren't as well done as I imagined. Still, solution and news were abundant, so on that level, I was pleased.

I wonder who's next.

Grade: 7/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Bound

Obsessed. Her touch is like a drug. From the moment he met her, Titus knew she was different. Even dangerous. Yet though his guardian brethren are convinced Natasa is working for Hades, Titus can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop fantasizing about her. Can’t stop craving the one thing he knows could lead to the downfall of his world.
Possessed. Faced with stopping Natasa or joining in her quest, Titus falls to temptation and is thrust into a world of lust, deception, and deadly treachery designed by the gods. Her touch—only hers—frees him from his bonds, but desire may just condemn him. Because before the end he’ll have to decide which is more important: duty and honor to those he took an oath to defend, or a woman who could very well be the biggest curse to them all.

Comment: This is the 6th installment in the Eternal Guardians series by the author. This series focuses on the Argonauts myth and the characters all come from the ancient Greek mythology and it's amusing and curious to wait for who might show up next.

Bound is Titus' story. Like his fellow guardians, he's a descendant from one of the original argonauts and uses his abilities to help in the fight against daemons and other enemies.

In the previous book, Titus has seen a woman and now can't forget about her or what she could be doing, looking for something.

The woman, Natasa, is looking for someone but not with harmful intent, she wants information that's all. Her life is a mess and if she just finds the right clue about where someone else is hidden, maybe she can make things right at last. But she didn't count on her feelings for Titus or with the sense of family she would see in being with him.

I think one of the tricks with books like these, meaning full of adventure and focus on relationships that start with a special feeling/bond/spark/connection, etc, is how we see it as a whole. Sure, a romance like this is hard to swallow for any realistic, contemporary mind. But I like to think that this borders on fantasy, so anything is possible. Paranormal romances are fantasies, period. So, I try to keep an open mind about the insta-romances. But I don't believe the fact it's so fast that is the problem. For me, if the author does it right, he insta-romance can be as well done as any other. In this case, I kind of didn't mind it, because the characters have seen each other before in the previous book, so that adds a bit of illusion about time passing by. Then the circumstances allow for that possibility. But like I said, I think it's mostly author's talent and in this case, I think ms Naughton did good.

The story has many mythological references. I enjoy the character's connections to the gods and the beings we've recognize from History lessons and books. I think it's funny to see how each other works those stories into their own. The myths also help in the development of the plot and in the building up. Many situations happen due to myth's importance and influences. Once again, it was clever to use this as a support tool to engross and strengthen the story. Plus it's funny to read more and find out who or what might show up next.

The romance between Natasa and Titus has all the little difficulties we see in any relationship. How to trust the other, how to know their feelings are right, are they going to be worthy of he other, will there be disappointment, what will others around them think, so many things that add some sort of normalcy to things we all know are out of the ordinary. But I liked how they were important for each other and in the end, they worked for their relationship.

I think in terms of plot, things are moving along well. There's a goal in all this and things seem to get closer to an end. The next story is out, but if the author plans to write every Argonaut's story, there's two more, so... not sure how long this will drag, but if the author keeps the good work, I don't think any other subject arising in the plot would be badly done and might be as significant. I'm keeping my hopes up about the end of this series, which I hope will be nicely done even with more books to come.

In the end, this one worked for me. Sure, it could have different things to appeal even more to me and to what I think it should be done, but this happens more often than simple perfection, so... But all in all, not bad.

Grade: 8/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Enslaved

After being rescued from the Underworld, Gryphon is plauged by strange voices and an evil foreboding. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to track down the goddess who cursed him...until he meets Maelea.
A prisoner with no bars, Maelea encounters Gryphon on her quest to find Olympus. He's about to test her loyalty to the gods, and she's ready to find out if he still has a heart worth saving...

Comment: This is the fifth installment in the Eternal Guardians series by the author. This is the story of another Argonaut in the quest to secure a special relic and keep the world safe from the Titans. This story also takes place right after the happenings in the previous one, Enraptured. I was curious to see how the story would develop.

Gryphon is an Argonaut who's had a terrible experience in the Underworld and now he lives with the memories of those days until he was rescued. He doesn't feel very worthy and only wants to kill Atalanta, the woman who tortured him.
Maelea is the daughter of two gods but she isn't welcome in either of their places, she really want to go to Olympus but for centuries that hasn't happened. The two of them join forces to run from the Misos colony where they are in order to reach their goals without putting those they care for at risk. But things go a little differently...

Well, as soon as I've finished the book I immediately thought it wasn't as good as the others and I wasn't as dedicated to their story like I was in other books, which is bothersome. Even more so because something major happens in this book, I guess because the author set things for this to be the last book with her publisher...I suppose part of why it doesn't feel as well shaped is due to that. The book after this one is a self publication, which I haven't got yet, but I hope the stories after can have the same intensity my favorite story in the series, the third book, Tempted, had....

My biggest issue with this story is how everything is more than seen in the genre. Everything happens the same way and I didn't have the same vibe of freshness and difference which the other books gave. The storyline keeps up, the characters and the mythology is there as well, but the special things that made these books interesting seems to be missing here. The main couple runs away and in the trip they seem to be at odds but they fall in love and in the end they defend each other before their friends and they try to save the other. How many times have we seen this? But the way it was told just didn't grab me, it was like a repetition of the same movie we've seen countless times. In the end there's a twist I didn't see coming, but I don't think it was enough to save the day. 
It almost looks like I didn't like the book, but I did. It was a good story, not amazing, but still it provided what was needed to keep up the plots at game. It just wasn't innovative, addictive or full of special details. A bit of a letdown.

The two main characters suit each other too well. I have some trouble believing the veracity of true feelings like everlasting love while the two of them are running for their lives. In this cases, I almost wished some more time could pass so we could believe their love is real. What do I know, I've never been in love, but it feels so rushed, another romance rule I never really went for, but sometimes it is believable, in this case it felt as much of a trick as the plot line was.
Gryphon had his issues, I felt for his troubles and really wished he found happiness. Maelea as well, in particular once I've read about her past. I thin they look well together, this isn't the issue, but it was fast...very obviously so. Still, it was nice to see them both making some changes in their choices and expectations to suit a new feeling and a new person in their lives. Especially Maelea's, which I felt was a real sacrifice what she gave up, not in real terms, but when it came to her life dream. 

In the end, a nice story, but very lacking when compared to the others and not as passionate or attractive as the others. I hope the next one is more intense.
Grade: 5/10

Elisabeth Naughton - Enraptured

Orpheus -- To most he's an enigma, a devil-may-care rogue who does whatever he pleases whenever he wants. Now this loose cannon is part of the Eternal Guardians -- elite warriors assigned to protect the human realm -- whether he likes it or not.

Orpheus has just one goal: to rescue his brother from the Underworld. He's not expecting a woman to get in the way. Especially not a Siren as gorgeous as Skyla. He has no idea she's an assassin sent by Zeus to seduce, entrap, and ultimately destroy him.

Yet Skyla herself might have the most to lose. There's a reason Orpheus feels so familiar to her, a reason her body seems to crave him. Perhaps he's not the man everyone thinks... The truth could reveal a deadly secret as old as the Eternal Guardians themselves. 

Comment: This is another installment on the Eternal Guardians series by Elisabeth Naughton. This time, it’s Orpheus’s story. He has been the guy in the sidelines, never belonging to anything, always suspected to being able to betrayal, but having to be dealt with because he is half brother to one of the Argonauts. In his book, we find out Orpheus is a lot more than we expected.

This story is about Orpheus and his sort of quest to help his half brother after the terrible thing that happened to him in the last book. Orpheus isn’t sure of much, but he knows Gryphon is the true hero and will do anything to make things right again.

Skyla is a Siren, a warrior from Athena’s military faction. She has a past she tried to put aside which is connected to Orpheus. She is led to believe Orpheus has something bad inside, his daemon side is the powerful one and she has to get something from him and kill him, before he gains more power. But after meeting each other things start to happen and Skyla finally realizes she has been a pawn and Orpheus isn’t who he used to be.

As far as a continuation of a series, this book is alright. I mean, it wasn’t the most amazing thing in the world, but the action moved a bit forward and we got to know more things about the people in there and even get clues about interesting and a bit mysterious things too.

So, it’s almost all good, and I enjoyed reading it. The romance also had some strong moments, but it wasn’t spectacular. Why? Because it was based on a kind of supposition, something that annoys me in books. They were a couple in the past, although none of them knew until they had sex and after that only Skyla remembered. It’s tricky to explain, but it certainly wasn’t the type of romance I think would be the best to Orpheus because his characters has been following a certain mode and I don’t think this romance suited him.

Orpheus has been characterized as a rebel, someone not caring when obviously we as readers knew there was something good about him. I thought he would be swept in love by someone and not put in the position of already having had a romance and now his new self not remembering a thing. How to explain without spoilers? He used to be someone and now he’s changed and I think this didn’t have to be, I wanted him to be his own person, which he ended up being, but the premise itself was a bit weird and I really thought it wasn’t the best. Although the author has stressed in the story how Skyla now loves the man Orpheus is and not what he used to be and that Orpheus knows this to, I think why all the trouble? It didn’t add that much conflict to the storyline so it could have been gone. Anyway, it happened and it’s done but I still think didn’t suit…

The action, like I said, moved along and offered many interesting scenes and details. I’m very curious to see how the new romance will happen, as I know who the next par will be. It was also funny to see the previous couples show up and participate in the story, it’s always good to see the characters from before don’t just disappear. We also have scenes with some more key characters, especially one of them whose story I can’t wait for and I know it will be the next one to be released.

This book was a god installment, but the romance could have been better in my opinion.

Elisabeth Naughton - Tempted

Demetrius -- He's the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it's best to keep everyone at arm's length.
Isadora is missing. The words pounded through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius had done all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she was gone -- kidnapped. To get her back, he'll have to go to the black place in his soul he's always shunned. As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

Comment: This is the third book in the Eternal Guardians series and the main couple has appeared before, actually they couldn't stand each other, something that made me quite eager to try it because I usually love these type of stories and can't wait to see how they stop hating each other and start on the love.

This is the story of Isadora and Demetrius. Isadora is the heir to the Argolean throne but rules say she's got to be married and her father has pressured her before to bind herself to one of the Argonauts but it never worked out for a reason or another. Now she's changed, she stopped being the weak and shy girl and tries to be fierce and strong to be worthy of the throne. After some doubtful decisions in the past she is ready to be queen but right at that point she gets kidnapped.

Demetrius is a good warrior but he has tried his best to stay away from Isadora and says it's because he can't stand her. The real reason, obviously, it's much more meaningful and predictable but he does try to stay away until secrets from his past come to light. Now he is the only person around to help her but it means to be closer and everyone says there's nothing better to communication than complete loneliness in a desert island.

I liked this book best of the three I've read. I think the author has done well this idea of couple hating each other. Of course they really don't, but their reasons, behavior and fears were well played into it. I really enjoyed their path to happiness.

Isadora has always been considered weak by her father and many others but since she found out about her sister, she decided to step up and become a stronger person to be considered worthy of ruling. I thought her personality was very interesting because she had a strong mind and will, just because she was shy she wasn't considered good enough. In this book we get to see many of reasons behind her actions lately - some we've seen in the previous books - and I ended up liking her more. She has a good heart and she isn't stupid although sometimes she can do some less advised things. But I don't think she does that out of intelligence, it's really her heart leading and to be honest it's not that bad, she just could a little bit more cautious. She is attracted to Demetrius but thinks he hates her so when they get alone on the island she finally starts understanding him, something she claims was the hardest thing. And I liked that, once she made her mind about him, she took a very strong step to get after him.

Demetrius has secrets and by the end of the book we see them and wow, how plot interesting they are. I can see how that would play a part in future books too, especially one of those secrets.

Demetrius also feels attracted to Isadora but despite not considering himself good for her, that wasn't the main reason to stay away and he seemed rude all the time, but throughout the book we get to know him better and his characterization was quite well done by the author.

The romance between them was good, I liked how they took their time and how in the end Isadora proved she's regal and saved Demetrius from a cruel fate and pursued her HEA. Go, girl.

I thought this was a strong book, good characters and good plot, which made me very curious. Some secondary characters also played an important role in all that and I feel eager to know more about them and about what will happen next. Hopefully I'll be able to get the other books soon. But what a great solid story this one was for me.

Elisabeth Naughton / Jane Goodger

ZANDER -- The most feared of all the Eternal Guardians. It's rumored he can't be killed, and he always fights like he has nothing to lose. But as a descendant of the famed hero Achilles, he's got to have a vulnerability...somewhere.
Forces of daemons are gathering and have broken through the barriers of the Underworld. Now more than ever the Eternal Guardians are needed to protect both their own realm and the human world. Zander can't afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can't fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he's found his weakness, after all...
 

After being falsely accused of murder, Sara Dawes is desperate to escape New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her only hope is Captain West Mitchell. Alone and afraid, Sara prays the danger she is escaping is worth the danger to her heart. West Mitchell sees Sara at first as an unwanted burden. But soon he is fighting an attraction he cannot stop--and a love he dare not permit. 

* * * 

Comment: Yet, two more December readings.

Entwined is the second book in the Eternal Guardians series by this author. Obviously, I'm behind in this series but I intend to rectify that this year.

The Guardians are Argoleans, beings from the Greek mythology and the stories have many character's from that origin. This book focuses on Zander, he's a warrior that accepts to marry Isadora, the heir to the Argolean throne because no other warrior wants to and also because his true mate didn't want him and he figures he might as well be of service to his people. However, things happening in the world make it possible for him to be with his true mate again and eventually they talk and promise to be together again, despite so many secrets to unravel...

I liked the book, it was easy and fluid to follow and it offers many shocking news, which makes me eager to keep reading. So far, it seems a consistent series. I can't wait to read more.

If I Wait for You is an historical, most the action takes place at sea and it's centered in the relationship of the ship's captain and the sister of one of his crew members, someone he takes on reluctantly. While the voyage takes place, they pretend to be husband and wife to appease the crew but although nothing really happens, physically, between them, they start to fall for each other and exchange many intimate moments. This is done with both of them knowing things can't be easy and that they eventually will separate but it doesn't stop them from being in love. When the voyage ends and the captain sends Sara to his mother's home, time goes by and when they meet again the feelings are there still, although circumstances have changed...

I liked the book a lot, it was full of hope and had a dream like feel, perfect to read while by the fire. I think the romance was great, mostly because the majority of it was focused on how much tension existed between them, about the chemistry between them rather than sex, for instance. I think the romance felt better and stronger because of that. The story had its stronger points, sure, but even the weaker links didn't seem bad, I was entertained and knowing there's another story related to that "world" makes me eager to get it and I hope it won't take too long to be published. I recommend this one to you all, and I thank Hilcia for her review where I got interested in it.

Elisabeth Naughton - Marked

THERON -- Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He's the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.

From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn't exist in real life -- silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron's duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn't strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.
As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Comment: This month's read for one of the book club's I'm in.

This is a story based on the legend of the argonauts, with a twist, of course. In the world created by the author, the argonauts are now the descendants from the original ones in the Greek mythology. The seven guys now are more like an elite guard for the Argoleans, a race that was specially created after the original argonauts. The race has a royal family, a different realm where the population lives and of course, their enemies, whose main figure comes in the appearance of Atalanta, apparently a woman who wanted to be an Argonaut but was considered unworthy of such an honor and she's got a bone of contention over that for centuries.

When this book starts, a certain argolean prophecy states that the beginning of Atalanta's defeat will start when the two halves of the royal daughter will get together and the stronger part will win. The argolean king tells Theron, the leader of the current argonauts that he must find the sister of the royal heir (Isadora) and kill her because this will allow Isadora to grow stronger and then the battle to win Atalanta will begin.

However, like expected, Theron finds in Isadora's sister someone caring and special and he falls for her. While discovering her heritage isn't as simple and human as she thought, Casey will learn more not only about what she can help with but she also introduces Theron for a reality that he didn't see coming and I don't mean simply the love part.

Well, another series. Some friends have read the books and one of them, someone who's so tired of paranormal that she even canceled orders with paranormal books, loved them and read them all and is currently awaiting the 5th one to come out, if I recall properly. Usually only opinions don't convince me, but in her case, I do value her opinion and when she's enthusiastic about a book I tend to seriously consider getting it. So, due to this and the fact is suited my book club for this month, I jumped in. I have to say, for a first book it has several interesting things, the world, the mythology, the intriguing characters, the way each person ha a personalty that will allow growth, interesting dynamics and possibilities. It's all there in theory.

I liked reading about everything, I loved how intrigued I was over many things and specially some details about this person and that.

The pace of the book was good too, I think. Of course the romance happened a bit too fast but come on, is it worth my time to keep ranting about it in these [paranormal] books? Humm, not.

However, two things bothered me. First the main male protagonist was a bit too bland for me. Nothing in him, except his dedication to his nation and his duty, intrigued me. He was rather obnoxious and annoying in his thinking on how women should react to him. He tried to have sex with Casey and he kind of influenced her and I didn't like that, although she was very attracted to him..and willing. I think I liked him better in the end, when he was helping in a community.

Then Casey, the main female protagonist. She was a bit shy, very self conscious, hard working, she loved books and she wasn't sex crazed like so many protagonists out there...she was attracted to Theron since the beginning but she didn't throw herself at him on first sight, which made her great in my eyes. She sort of lost her free will there in a bit but nothing major happened when it shouldn't, meaning they didn't have sex one day after meeting, it took some time, something I appreciate for all the women out there with a (sex isn't everything) brain.She believed in things a bit too soon but I guess it was part of the naiveté in her character.

In the end I liked her more than him, for sure.

I enjoyed how the story was moving along and was eager to see how things would work out and I was pleased to see how the author solved things for them and now I'm curious to see what happens in the following books.

It's a world worth getting to know and although this first book is a good read, my friends tell me the best is yet to come, so...hopefully I'll think that too.