by Sarah | Jun 19, 2012 | Books, Guest Authors, Reviews, Writing
If I say I got signed up for this book just because of the blurb you can take it to heart. Me and mythology? We have never mixed well.
Still, even I know of Medusa – at least the basics. Beyond that I knew nothing. I didn’t know the original mythology or the reworking by Ovid (some of those old tales disgusted me when I checked on them after reading this book), I only knew what we all knew.
Medusa. With the ‘hair’ and the turning people to stone.
Sasha Summers created out of old sexist mythology a tale that I could truly enjoy. Medusa and Ariston were characters I fell in love with and got invested in. Their love transcended duty and grew out of true affection. They could not even touch each other for the first portion of the book.
By the time I got halfway through the book I became so enraptured with the love of the two that I didn’t want to go on. Things were happy, things were beautiful – why on earth would I want to see the hell that would occur? War, betrayal, and the eventual curse?
I did push through and I’m glad I did. The ending brought everything to a satisfying conclusion and even though I still could care less for most of the Gods – the mortal beings were wonderful to behold.
Because I insist on being honest in my reviews I do have to comment on the one thing that bothered me and occasionally pulled me out of the story. The frequent hard breaks and back tracking to switch POV’s in a chapter (or in a scene) wore on me after a time. I also love to know what everyone is thinking, but not at the expense of losing the flow of what I’m reading. Sasha hints in her epilogue at another story in this mythological world and I hope that this is addressed – because books like hers may be the only way I actually manage to learn any mythology at all.
My final ruling? 4 stars out of 5.
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[amazon_link id=”B007WSV5JI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Medusa A Love Story[/amazon_link]
By Sasha Summers
Blurb:
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. WhenOlympusfrees 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 useGreece’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
Excerpt:
“You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me, where do you belong?” Hades’ voice was deep, emotionless.
Ariston swallowed. “Athens.” He met Hades’ gaze, but the God revealed nothing to him.
“Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what every soldier wants?”
“My wife…” His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”
“She is in danger.”
“Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”
“The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me toAthens.”
Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
“Who is this wife?” Hades asked.
“Medusa ofAthens.” He paused. “Now ofRhodes.”
Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.
“When I die—” Ariston began.
“You are dead,” Hades assured him.
“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.
“You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”
Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive
fireplace.
“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “AsOlympushas my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…
“It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”
The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor.
Ariston vowed, “You have it.”
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Author Bio:
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.
Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers/213036208773108
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/
Twitter: @sashawrites
Webpage: http://www.sashasummers.com
by Sarah | Jun 18, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Marriage, All About Me, All of Us, Bucket List, Random
*Please excuse the crappy quality of this picture. I assure you the original is AWESOME…my phone just took a really crappy photo of the photo…
Two months ago Erik & I went to St. Louis. It was a “knock some sh*t off Sarah’s bucket list while getting the heck out of dodge & being child-free” weekend. We had a great time. The highlight of the trip (especially for Erik) was the Anheuser Busch Beermaster Tour.
Running in a close second was the Star Trek Exhibit at the science center. Depressingly, pictures were not allowed in any capacity – except for those that they themselves took & you had to pay for (mind you, it was an expense I didn’t hesitate to pay…but I digress).
Erik & I spent over an hour looking at everything on display. Pointing out errors in the placards (seriously? You’re going to allow blatant errors in a ST exhibit? Shame…). Soaking in the dozens of costumes on display. Erik took this killer picture in the original series captain’s chair (depressingly not set in an actual set – but against a green screen). Toward the end I about passed out as I beheld the TNG bridge set. In geek heaven I wandered around, had my picture taken in the captain’s chair, kept wandering. I sat in Data’s chair, people…DATA’s CHAIR.
Geek heaven.
In the past few weeks there’s been an emergence of an up and coming geek.
The teen has been watching anything & everything Trek (or Trek-approximate) in our house. Considering Erik has ALL the movies (some in double w/ Blu-Ray and Standard) – and Netflix carries all the series – this is a lot of Trek. He also has a Play Station Star Trek game that I don’t remember us having…but he’s been playing pretty non-stop
First it was the movies. All of them. From The Motion Picture to the new Star Trek.
Then he tried the series. Much like me, the Original Series didn’t float his boat much – and he stopped watching it within about 3 or 4 episodes. In the past two days he has watched the entire first season of The Next Generation. I know he’s chomping at the bit to get to Deep Space Nine, but seems dedicated to watching them in order. The proper order.
The kid is my kind of geek.
Wish I could take full credit – but I’m pretty sure most of it goes to my movie-obsessed husband whose fail-safe “I don’t know what to watch” movies are the Star Trek movies.
Either way – the new generation has started it’s Trekkie-love. And I couldn’t be more proud. After all, this is something we can share as a family. Most of the time, we don’t agree on much (that is difficult to do with a teen).
by Sarah | Jun 16, 2012 | All of Us, Random
[flickr id=”5849473154″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Sometimes we forget.
It’s the simplest things that bring them joy.
May I remember to spend the summer catching fireflies.
Drawing with chalk.
Playing in the sprinkler.
Blowing bubbles.
Playing horseshoes or catch.
May I remember that we don’t need a pool.
To travel the world on vacation.
A fancy swingset.
It’s about enjoying the moment like I did then.
Making sure there is love, and laughter, and air conditioning to return to.
by Sarah | Jun 14, 2012 | All About Erik, Crap, Depression, Special Needs
[flickr id=”6202967832″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I talk freely about almost everything here. The kids, their ‘challenges’, my challenges, the days that I feel like giving up and the days of great joy.
There is one thing I never talk about – except in passing. The one subject I never dive into for numerous reasons.
My husband of almost ten years suffers from severe, often debilitating depression.
Most of the time we manage. I am the silver-lining girl. I push us forward, I find the light at the end of the tunnel for him.
But sometimes it overwhelms and consumes.
And one of those times is now.
Erik & I, despite living with this for 10 years, are now making the hardest push we have ever to tackle this.
Together.
So little by little you will see us both start to open up about this here.
When he is ready. When we are ready.
Until then, I only ask that you send good thoughts, positive energy, or prayers (whatever is your preference) in his direction. While we search for answers for the best possible course of action toward a positive future. A future he deserves after his incredibly long struggle.
by Sarah | Jun 13, 2012 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
Today I’m happy to welcome Lilly Caine, author of The Naked Truth to Redefining Perfect.
Once a Writer…Always a Writer!
Thank you for having me here Sarah! I thought I would share today how I became an author and why I write erotic romance.
I’ve been writing for years, having joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) about ten years ago. I wanted to write, I enjoyed it, but it was a hobby for me then, something to work on while I wasn’t at a day job and needed something to entertain myself that didn’t haveSesame Streetor any version of Elmo. It was fun, and I met a fantastic group of women at the local branch – The Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada. I wrote light paranormal romance with sexy little twists. Fun. I nearly finished my first book when my life fell apart.
My husband of nearly twelve years left me, we separated when my first daughter was only five and my second daughter hadn’t yet reached one. I can’t tell you how hard it was to try to explain things to my little girl. I honestly don’t know that she ever understood. I’m not sure I did either.
For a few years, writing took a backseat. Way, way in the back. It hurt to write about love. It hurt to write about anything. Therapy took up my time and my emotional strength. And when I did write, it was dark. Vampire dark, full of broken promises and pain. And maybe a little getting even. I might have killed off someone a few times while writing that book. There was sex, lots of it, and lots about whether sex was a matter of control, if love really existed. But somehow a hero slipped in there too. A lover, and my first love after my husband. My first finished book. And it sold.
I tried to teach myself something as I wrote. My next novella was a shapechanger story. It was just as deeply centered around a couple with erotic tastes, but it was filled with hope. I felt stupid telling myself this fairy tale, but it must have worked. It sold.
And then I wrote another. And it wasn’t as dark. Let’s say it was shadowy. And it wasn’t as sappy. But it was sexy. I couldn’t help but put in a happy ending. What was really surprising was that it was set in outer space. And it made me feel better. I decided it needed to be a series. There were more stories I wanted to tell about this particular time and place. And so I created the Confederacy Treaty Series. Alien Revealed, The Naked Truth and coming June 25th, 2012, Undercover Alliance.
Writing became an escape for me. It still is. Lately, I’ve become more and more interested in this world I created, and how it reflects my life as I write the stories. When I feel emotional, my characters cry. When I am lonely, they find ways to be together. In The Naked Truth, my desire to understand my past led me to write about a man who could see into a person’s memories and weigh their innocence or guilt. What would it be like to love this kind of man, when your entire fate depended on what he might find?
I think every book that becomes a favorite of both the author and the readers evolves into that favorite because it asks a question that means something to both the writer and the reader. My book asked the questions I wanted to know about myself.
Lilly
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To read more about Lilly check out her website at www.lillycain.com. Or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LillyCain or www.facebook.ca/Lilly_Cain
The Confederacy Treaty Series – Erotic sci-fi romance from Carina Press www.carinapress.com [amazon_link id=”B003NX7C0M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Alien Revealed[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B004XVSVEE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Naked Truth[/amazon_link] and coming June 25th, [amazon_link id=”B007M8S3PM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Undercover Alliance[/amazon_link]
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The Naked Truth
The Confederacy Treaty Book Two
Carina Press
Book Blurb
Captain Susan Branscombe was the victim of brutal torture at the hands of terrorists. Though rescued, she’s now facing an equally brutal accusation: treason.
The only way she can prove her innocence is to allow Asler Kiis, a Confederacy Examiner, to delve into the depths of her mind. Asler is Inarri, the alien race that made contact with Earth just months before. His duty is to find the truth, but when he explores Susan’s mind he can’t resist drawing her into a more intimate experience.
Susan takes comfort in Asler’s heated sensuality. Their erotic sensory exploration chases away the darkness and her body aches for more. But as their desire reaches new limits Susan finds it difficult to suppress the memories she is desperate to forget.
Is the passion they share enough to let Susan push aside her fear and trust Asler, not only with her mind and body but with her ever-opening heart?
If I say I got signed up for this book just because of the blurb you can take it to heart. Me and mythology? We have never mixed well.
