@felicityheaton, #Paranormal, #Romance, 4 out of 5 (very good)

Marek is the fourth book in the Guardians of Hades series and I really couldn't wait for the researcher's story! He has been hinted at in the previous books but, of course, you don't find out much until he gets his own story.

Marek has his past that he is "dealing" with. Well, he's not, not really, but it makes him feel better. Caterina goes out hunting vampires every night because she thinks if she kills his sire, her brother will return to 'normal'. When these two meet, sparks fly... literally!

Poor Marek! And poor Caterina!! Both of them were hurting before they found each other but even then it didn't go smoothly. Now, of course, I know it never does but these two really had it bad. How about turning into something the man you're falling for hates and literally fights every day? Yeah, not easy. However, in true Felicity Heaton style, they not only managed to overcome these obstacles but also found their HEA along the way. Of course, they also found murder, more mystery, betrayal, and heartbreak but it's all for a good cause!

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?

Review 4.5 rounded up to 5*

Marek is the fourth book in the Guardians of Hades series. I loved it!

Marek is one of six son's of Hades. He is an intriguing character, and I liked him a lot. When he was first introduced in the series, I thought Marek was the more studious brother since he enjoyed researching. However, he is also a fierce warrior. I found it a pleasure to get to see into his life. There is a darkness within Marek that was not immediately obvious. It's this darkness that leads him to crossing paths with Caterina.

Caterina is a woman on a mission. I liked her spunky-ness and determination to save her brother. Family is important to her since it's just her and her brother. When a stranger helps her fight vampires, she is intrigued by him. Unfortunately, she gets pulled into the tug-of-war between Marek's family and their enemy, and her life will never return to normal.

It's been a year since the last Guardians of Hades book, and I've been eagerly awaiting Marek's story. I started to read and was pulled back into the fantastic world built by the author.

It was a pleasure meeting the other brothers and their new loves once more. Hades and Persephone also make an appearance; they are typical parents - overprotective and loving. Karas and Calistos are the only two brothers who haven't had their stories told yet. However, the author made mention of Calistos's twin, Calindria, who had died several years before. It made me wonder if she could still potentially be alive somewhere when someone close to her briefly made an appearance, however, back to the review.

The brothers still have a lot to do to avoid the prediction the Morai made about the human world and Underworld's impending collision. I was glad, however, when a specific character met their fate, but now wonder if Caterina's brother will play a more prominent role at some point. There are fast-paced fight scenes, which are this author's forte. She can bring them to life, so I always enjoy those, and the romance between Marek and Caterina scorched the pages even though there weren't as many opportunities for togetherness.

I am now looking forward to reading Calistos's story soon.

Felicity Heaton has written another fast-paced, sexy paranormal romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love her fast-paced writing style, which flows effortlessly from scene to scene. She is on top of my favourite author's list.

Each book of this series could be read as a stand-alone, as this one does not end in a cliffhanger, though I would recommend reading them in order. I do not recommend this book to younger readers due to the extremely HOT and explicit sexual scenes. However, I highly recommend this book (and series) if you love sexy paranormal romances full of gods and daemons. - Lynn Worton

Holy smokes Batman - this was a scorching read! *fans self* It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Natalia Jaster's books but this one might just be my favourite yet (and that's a massive compliment because I totally adore all of her other works!) I loved absolutely everything about Tempt: the characters, the setting, the story... it was sheer perfection. Hades and Persephone retellings are totally a weakness I never knew I had. Throw in an enemies to lovers trope and I am in literary heaven!

Full disclosure: I'm on Natalia's ARC Team but this in no way has influenced my rating. I was so happy to be sent this little beauty. It went a long way to cure me of the book hangover I had been suffering from and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!

Now, enough waffling... onto the review!

At the end of Torn (the second book in the Selfish Myths series), Wonder first set eyes on Malice, the malevolent exile god whose appearance managed to rattle the normally unflappable deity. Malice too seemed to be affected by Wonder. This interesting little altercation left me salivating for their backstory so when I found out the next book would be about them, well I was very happy, to say the least!

Wonder is part of a class of gods and goddesses that have dared to go against their makers. Love fell for a mortal boy, Anger fell hard for a failed goddess. Now it is Wonder's turn.

A celestial battle approaches and any advantage could mean the difference between life and death. Wonder knows she will need to gather as much information as she can in order to defeat her enemies. The only problem is that she will have to put her trust (and fate) in the hands of Malice, a former god now exiled and a prisoner of the gang.

The two of them have to break into a subterranean library relying on only their wits to get them where they need to go and each other. A precarious situation, for sure. Wonder isn't sure of Malice's intentions and is even less sure of her own conflicting feelings for the sharp-tongued exile. For Malice is the spitting image of her lost love - a mortal whose downfall she played a huge part in and for which she still carries a load of guilt.

But Malice couldn't possibly be her lost love, could he? It just wouldn't be possible... still, stranger things have already happened and as she gets closer to Malice, she begins to see that what she thought wouldn't have been possible is becoming more and more likely the more she gets to know Malice.

The two grow closer as they spend time in their favourite domain: both of them are scholars at heart, and Wonder sees new sides to Malice each day they are ensconced among the forbidden tomes. However, Wonder will find herself torn between the love she once felt for her mortal boy and the ever-increasing feelings she has for his celestial doppelganger. She will have to make a choice and in doing so may forever break her own heart...

Alright, I was intrigued for Wonder and Malice's pairing, I will not deny it, but I wasn't prepared for just how swept up I would become in their story. Their relationship was everything I never knew I needed. I was full-on swooning! 

I have always had a soft spot for Wonder. I love bookish types and her character just always appealed to me right from the very first book. I was intrigued by her backstory and the suffering she endured as punishment for her supposed transgressions.

Malice also drew me in from his first appearance in Torn. I do love a bad boy but Malice was something else entirely. He was a villain - no doubt about it - but I really wanted to know what made him the way he was and when I realized he was destined for Wonder I was very curious to see how his redemption would play out.

I was not disappointed. His growth is this book was nothing short of phenomenal. Wonder played a part in this but it wasn't just love that was responsible for his recovery and eventual healing. Learning about his past and shaking off the demons that came with it was very satisfying and cathartic.

There was nothing I didn't enjoy about Tempt. The story was amazing and Wonder and Malice are now my very favourite power couple of this series! It was great also catching up with Love and Andrew, Merry and Anger, and Sorrow and Envy (can't wait for their book!) The story is falling into place nicely, the stakes are high and the characters are poised for action. They are on the precipice of war - not just to change the fates but for their very own survival. I can't wait to see how this is resolved in Transcend (and isn't that title fabulous?)

If there was a graphic novel collection of these, I would buy it. Sejic's Hades and Persephone are adorable together.

He was banished from his home by his father and given a new duty and purpose. Together with his six brothers, Ares, Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Fire keep the daemons from gaining entrance to the Underworld and keeping the worlds from colliding. Driven from everyone she loves by the devastating realization that she is different to them all, Megan has wandered far from her home. Not knowing who to trust, she keeps to herself.

This paranormal romance is an energetic read that dares readers to keep up. The characters are strong and vivid with a sizzling chemistry that draws readers to them while the romance is sweet and passionate. The relationship, however, does have a fiery obstacle to be overcome which makes them getting together seem quite impossible no matter how magnetic their attraction which keeps this romance full of suspense and strong emotions.

The plot is fast paced with non-stop excitement that keeps readers transfixed to the pages as surprising twists keeps the characters on their toes. Danger, deadly, energetic & spectacular battles keeps the adrenaline pumping while interfering family adds to the suspense as well. Creative and imaginative story elements comet together mixing Greek mythology and the apocalypse and gifts readers with a fascinating world of Gods and the ones they fall in love while they defend the world in an adventurous and enticing read.