Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

*** 1/2

From Tera Lynn Childs:

Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters—after all, she’s spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss—but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe?

Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won’t leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home—like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He’s hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives hiding secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy.

The Bad:

Sweet Venom and Sweet Shadows are both told from the point of view of all three sisters, Grace, Greer & Gretchen.  I enjoy the multiple point of views but occasionally it leaves me feeling a tad disjointed. 

The Good:

Tera Lynn Childs is a great writer.  Sweet Shadows is a fascinating and cleverly written re-imagining of Medusa's mythology.  Shadows is full of foreshadowing and Tera's ability to cast doubt and suspicion over even the most lovable characters is amazing.  I thoroughly enjoyed Sweet Venom and Sweet Shadows and recommend both to anyone who enjoys new twists on old myths.  

We have one more "Sweet" book to come - I wonder what the title will be...

~Shel 

A Touch of Greek: Out of Olympus Book 1 by Tina Folsom

***

From Tina Folsom:

Romantic Comedy about Greek Gods

Selfish and gorgeous Greek God Triton is cast out of Olympus after seducing Zeus' mistress and can only gain reentry if he finds a woman who loves him for his kindness and selflessness, not his beauty. When the mortal Sophia - recovering from an eye operation and virtually blind - needs a home healthcare worker, he takes on the role, hoping she will be his ticket home.

While defending Sophia from an unknown adversary, Triton's protective instinct emerges. At the same time rival Gods do everything to doom him to failure. And even if Triton can win Sophia's love, will he throw it away to return home, or will he lose his own heart to the only woman who truly sees him?

A Touch of Greek is the first book in the humorous paranormal romance series Out of Olympus following the romantic adventures of four Gods: Triton, Dionysus, Eros, and Hermes.

If you have been paying any attention to the books I read this last year, you will know that I am a fan of mythology.  I also enjoy romances, so a romance about greek gods?  Completely in my wheelhouse.  This is the first in the series and features the god Triton, son of Poseidon.  The romance is okay, the heroine unremarkable, but what I really enjoyed about A Touch Greek was the friendship between Triton, Dionysus, Eros and Hermes.  A typically masculine friendship full of hyjinx, amusement at the trials of the others and threats of physical violence.  The relationship between the boys was humorous, realistic and thoroughly entertaining.  I look forward to reading the second in the series, A Scent of Greek featuring Dionysus and Ariadne. 

~Shel

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

***      Happy Release Day to Aimee Carter!

From Harlequin:

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

The Good:

This is a very interesting sequel to The Goddess Test.  I thought Interrupted was better written and executed than Goddess Test.  The story moved more quickly and seemed to flow better than the first in the series.  Kate's a little whiny, but that is pretty true to a teenager turned immortal.  I thought the relationship and interraction between Kate and Persephone was fun and has the potential to become even more so in the next installment. 

The Bad:

I just cannot buy into Carter's mythology.  As an avid lover of Greek Mythology, I generally love books spinning mythology (see Greek Week posts from October if you don't believe me), but I really have a hard time with this one.  It is certainly a unique take on the Greek gods and I applaud the effort, but something holds me back from losing myself in the spin.

If you enjoyed The Goddess Test, you will enjoy Goddess Interrupted.  If you haven't checked out the series and you enjoy stories about the Greek gods, I say give it a chance and let me know what you think - am I crazy for not getting into it?

~Shel