Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton; Review by JesykaJames

Review for Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton

Title: Tempted

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 411
Format: Paperback
Source: The Book Depository
Release Date: September 6th 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Series: Yes
No. in Series: 3



Synopsis: 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.



My Review: Okay, so as this series goes on I find I am liking it more and more. The characters are developed much better, and the plot is really coming together. The Greek mythology (though not technically accurate) is put together nicely. I am a big fan of Greek mythology, and I like the twist that Ms Naughton has put on it.

There have been a few scenes where I've been like 'Wait a minute, I swear that was an episode of Hercules,' (the old school TV Show staring Kevin Sorbo) but it was still pretty damn good. I am really starting to get a connection with the characters.

Demetrius was my favorite from the beginning, (I have a 'thing' for dark, mysterious, brooding types ;) ) His character really came out in this book, and I loved it. Admittedly, there were some scenes where he might have been a little more of an ass than I would have liked, but it did ring true to the character. And at the end of the day, it was made clear that he would never harm his soul-mate Isadora.

Now, Isadora. In the first book I found that her character was the only one with any depth. In the second book, her character really started to come out of her shell and I found myself quite interested in how her story would play out. In the third book, I was not disappointed. She really came into her own, stopped being the meek princess and started demanding a life for herself. A life she was determined to spend with Demetrius. I would have to say, she is my favorite character so far, with the exception of only one character...

Orpheus. I love him. I am really excited to read his book. He fascinated me from the first book, and I have to admit, there was a small part of me that was hoping he would fight for Iasdora. They were so cute together. I'm hoping by the end of his book (which is number four) that I won't still be wishing he fought for Isadora. Only time will tell I guess.

Anyways, more about the book. It was much longer that the previous two in the series, which made me pretty excited when I got it. The first two were quiet short, and left me feeling a little unsatisfied. But this book was much longer, admittedly some scenes dragged a little, but it was still really good.

**Spoiler Alert

Okay, I'll admit there were two things about this book that annoyed me a little. I don't want to go into it to much, cause there will be spoilers, and also because I did genuinely like this book. I don't want to point out the bad too much.

Okay, so in book one Isadora bargains her soul to Hades, to save her sisters life. My assumption, was that her book would basically revolve around her and Demetrius fighting to get it back, to prevent her from spending her afterlife being tortured and tormented by Hades and Persephone. I was wrong. It was mentioned about four or five times through the course of the book, but was not the main plot. At the end of the book, Isadora's soul was still set for Tartarus. I didn't like that... I mean, will they get a short story, in an anthology or something, at some point in the future? Or will it just be one of those unexplained things?

Second thing I didn't like, also happened within the last twenty or so pages. Nick. A character who has been there since book one, returned, and though we already knew he was Demetrius' brother, we found out a few more thing. Some I won't give away, but one thing was that they were twins. It was also explained that the soul-mate curse applies to them both, and they both share a soul-mate; Isadora. It was glossed over in about three pages. But basically, he lost his chance at having a soul-mate, because Demetrius got her first. Okay, so... huh? I mean, it makes sense, but... I mean, I felt like: One, it was glossed over ridiculously quickly. And two, I feel like it closed the book on a potential story for Nick, and if he does get his own book, I myself, will feel it's a little tainted and false, seeing as though the whole series is based on this 'soul-mate curse'.

But hey, that is just my opinion. If you have read this series and think differently, let me know in the comments, or drop me and email. :)

My Rating: I really did enjoy this book, so I gave it four Tiny Bats out of five.






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Email: pages2crave@hotmail.com

Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton; Review by JesykaJames

Review for Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton

Title: Entwined

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 322
Format: Paperback

Source: Fishpond (I went through Hades to get this book!!! I swear, the world was against me!!! But eventually, I got it 2nd hand from someone on Fishpond.)

Release Date: July 27th 2010
Publisher: Love Spell
Series: Yes
No. in Series: Book 2


Synopsis: 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 . . .


My Review: I liked this book. It was... emotional. I really felt for Callia, and for Zander (who, I loved :D) There were a few plot holes, but all in all, I really liked the book.

Some minor things that irritated me; one scene in particular (I won't give too much away) there was a scene between Callia and Zander, and I feel like Zander's character was a bit... forceful, and I think it went against his character. I didn't like it. I mean, it was only one little tiny bit of a scene, where he kinda went a little too he-man. I just ignored it a little, and pretended it didn't happen.

There was a lot of character jumping, and sometimes that annoys me, but it was actually quite good in this book. I felt like they were fluid, and done well.

Some things about this book, that were better than the first; there was a much better emotional connection between the characters, and it didn't make me feel like they were only together because of the soul-mate bond. There was a particular line that I really appreciate being thrown in,

"If I could go back, I'd tell you that I loved you. And it's not because you're my soul-mate. If the Fates had pushed me towards someone else, I'd still have loved you." Zander said.

Some things that didn't change from the last book; well, the ending, for one thing. It, again, seemed really rushed. Quite anti-climactic also. The 'happily-ever-after' was there, but it was just so rushed at the last two or three pages. I felt like they were good characters, and maybe they deserved more than a rushed ending.

It was a really good book though, I really enjoyed it. I quite like Isadora and Orpheus, they seem to be quite interesting characters too. I also have a bit of a fascination with Demetrius. I've ordered the next book, and know that him and Isadora are in it, I'm really interested how that book will play out. I have hope that it will be the best book in the series.

Rating: I almost gave it four Tiny Bats, because I really did like the characters... but I just couldn't do it. Not with the ending being so rushed. So I gave it three Tiny Bats. Hopefully I will be able to give book three a better rating :D

Posted By: JesykaJames

Email: pages2crave@hotmail.com

Marked by Elisabeth Naughton Review by JesykaJames

Review for Marked by Elisabeth Naughton

Title: Marked
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 321
Format: Paperback

Source: Big W

Release Date: April 23rd 2010
Publisher: Love Spell
Series: Yes
No. in Series: Book 1


Synopsis: 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.

My Review: I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It was a fairly short book, I read it two days, which would normally be good... but at the end of this book I must say I felt... unsatisfied. The whole book seemed rushed to me, and the closer it got to the end the more rushed it felt. It had half a page at the end of 'happily ever after' which, well honestly, you have to kind of expect to a certain extent in a Paranormal Romance novel, but it was so rushed that I was barely interested in them working out there problems and getting together anyway. And though this is a continuation series, I don't think Casey and Theron are going to get anymore floor time.

I have to say, I feel like there wasn't a lot of effort on Elizabeth Naughton's part, there was some pretty good world building, but in the end what was lacking, for me, was the characters. I like to be drawn into a book by it's world, and it's characters. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters in this novel. I feel like there wasn't enough... personality I suppose.

There were some very cute moments between Acacia and Theron, and I did genuinely like the banter that went on between them. I will say there was a spark between the characters, but not to the level of spark between; for example Larissa Ione's characters Ares and Cara.

"And what do you call this... this attraction between us?"

She cocked her head "Your problem?"

"I call it opportunity. A chance to see if fate is really pushing us toward a combined destiny. And there's one way to know for sure."

Her eyes narrowed. "How?"

He moved closer, barely brushing his body against hers, and felt her shudder. And oh, yeah, as far as gambles went, this was the big one. "All it takes is one night."

She blinked twice. "Are you for real?"

Then she laughed. Her laughter went on and on, to the point a frown worked it's way between his eyebrows. When she finally paused to breathe, tears were streaming down her cheek. "Oh, my God. That was the best line I've ever heard. 'Here sleep with me and I'll tell you if you're my destiny.' Nice one, Theron"

The entire relationship seemed rushed, and based only on the premise that they were soul-mates. Fated to be together.

I will say, that once again I am going to give this author another chance. I have ordered the second book in this series, and will hopefully have a better review for that. I hate to give bad reviews, but honestly, this was not a great books for me. It needed more. I do have hope though, that the second book will be better.

Rating: Two Tiny Bats out of Five

(I have decided to go back to the normal rating system, as it was getting to complicated between here and GoorReads.)

Posted By: JesykaJames

Email: pages2crave@hotmail.com