For
the Love of Hades Loves of Olympus, Book 2
Sasha Summers
Genre: Romantic
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Crescent Moon
Press
ISBN: 978-1-937254-83-4
ASIN: 978-1-937254-84-1
Number of pages: 309
Word Count: 78,500
Cover Artist: Jeannie
Ruesch
Book Description:
Hades, the Lord of the
Underworld, has no patience for living things or his Olympian
brethren. His purpose is order, administering justice to those who
enter his realm, and keeping the balance decreed by the Fates.
Meeting Persephone sways his focus, her gentle sweetness threatening
his control. But he will not be tempted.
Poseidon’s scheming
wreaks havoc upon Persephone. Hades has no choice - he must rescue
her.
Hades awakens something
within the Goddess Persephone. She feels no fear from his brooding
presence. In truth, she’s never felt so alive. Every stolen moment
together only confirms her instinct: he is meant to be hers. Such a
powerful union suit will face opposition – from Olympus, her
troubled betrothed, the Fates, even Hades himself – but she is
determined to win his heart.
Tagline: Hades, God of
Death, has no heart. Persephone is determined to prove otherwise…
Short Excerpt
For the Love of Hades
Hades
glanced at the lily propped atop the mantle. The blossom was bright
white against the black silk to which it was pinned, light against
the darkness. He reached up, tracing one petal with an unsteady
finger. He saw the tremor, cursed it, and clenched his hand, drawing
back from the flower as if it had burned him.
Turning
abruptly from the fire, he made his way to his chair and sat heavily.
There was a sweetness to his burden, but it was no less a burden.
He
leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees and covered his face
with his hands.
What
had he done? How could he make amends now that his heinous act had
been hidden so long? Using his powers to aid a mortal would seem
trivial in comparison with the offense he’d committed against
Demeter. Against Olympus.
And
yet, he felt whole.
The
raw emptiness that he’d held at bay, for nigh on an eternity, no
longer threatened to consume him. Having her here, with her constant
laughter and endless conversation, had changed his world irrevocably.
If not
for her, he would have remained bitter and angry. He would not have
interfered at Cyprus. He would never have thought to champion the
mortal, Ariston…
“My
lord.” Her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
He
lifted his head from his hands, surprised.
Persephone
stood, beauty to behold, watching him with wide green eyes. In the
blazing firelight her hair glowed copper, warm and rich. Her face,
normally alight with smiles and laughter, was drawn. Was she not
fully recovered? Or did the tension between them tire her as well?
His
voice revealed nothing. “Persephone.”
Her
steps were cautious, but she made her way to him. “Aphrodite?”
So she
had seen Aphrodite. “Has gone.” And she should have gone with her
fellow Olympian. He should have insisted she do so. He swallowed
against the lump in his throat, ignoring the tightening in his chest.
“I
thought as much.” She stood so close he could see the front of her
tunic. The fabric trembled, thundering in time with the rapid beat of
her heart.
Was
she disappointed? Was she ready to leave him… his realm?
She
should go. She should have gone weeks ago. He knew it was right. Yet
knowing it did nothing to soothe his agitation. He clutched the arms
of his throne, clinging to control.
“I’ve
not asked you for anything in my time here.” She paused. “Have
I?”
He
shook his head once. No, she’d seemed happy, though he had little
knowledge of true happiness, he supposed. His gaze found shadows
beneath her eyes and a tightness about her mouth. He was a blind
fool.
Have
you been miserable? He could not ask the words aloud, fearing her
answer.
Her
voice was no steadier than her pulse. “Nor would I trouble you now,
if my need were not so great.”
“What
is it?” he asked. His voice sounded harsh to his own ears.
She
sank to her knees, glancing at him with an almost timid gaze. Her
hands lifted, wavered, and covered his hands. He stiffened, stunned
by her actions. She touched him… He swallowed. The feel of her
hands upon him squeezed the air from his lungs.
“Show
me mercy. Show me the same mercy you’ve bestowed upon the mortal…
the soldier Ariston.” Her hands clasped his tightly.
He
would not reach for her, he could not. No matter how he might want
to.
“Have
I been cruel, that you feel the need to beg for anything from me?”
His words were a harsh whisper. She shook her head and he continued,
“Then why do you kneel before me?”
“It
is a selfish request, one that may turn you from solicitous to,”
she paused, her cheeks growing red, “… sickened.”
Was it
possible for him to feel so towards her?
He stared at her hands,
wrapped about his. He would not meet her gaze. He would not reveal
his damnable weakness to her. He could not risk losing himself in the
fathomless depths of her green eyes. “Ask me,” he murmured as his
traitorous eyes sought hers.
She drew in a wavering
breath, ragged and labored. Her whispered words were thick.
“My lover… Release
him. Release the man who loves me, please.” Her eyes sparkled,
mesmerizing him while his heart, so newly discovered, seemed to
shudder to a stop once more.
Medusa
A Love Story
Loves of Olympus Book
One
By Sasha Summers
Book
Description:
It's said love can change
a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster...
Medusa is ruled by duty,
to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the
tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her
from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she
loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.
Ariston goes to war with a
full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the
danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the
Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep
him from returning to her.
Poseidon will use Greece's
war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs
to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an
Olympian, and she will be his.
book trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fH7xoZiCo
"This tragic and
beautiful retelling of one of the world's oldest stories tackles the
eternal battle between duty and happiness. Medusa, A Love Story broke
my heart then filled in the cracks with joy. Sasha Summers is simply
a mesmerizing new talent." ~Stephanie
Dray, Author of the critically acclaimed Song of the Nile
About
the Author :
Sasha Summers is part
gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and
travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in
places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and
Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout
troupe.
She's been writing ever
since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she
creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash
socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and
hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.
Sasha is an active member
of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict,
she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.
Thanks so much for hosting Hades and I today! Here's hoping readers are enticed by the excerpt and the pretty necklace... :)
ReplyDeleteWho could resist a book like this? It sounds awesome! I must read it :)
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