Release Date: 03/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
It's not green fingers that have kept the Empousai family's roses blooming for centuries - it's the drops of blood that their women secretly sacrifice for their gardens. But Mikki would rather forget this family quirk and lead a normal life. Until the day she unwittingly performs a ritual and ends up in the strangely familiar Realm of the Rose. As its goddess, Hecate, reveals to her, Mikki has the blood of a high priestess running through her veins. And the realm has been waiting for her ...In a long ago flash of temper, Hecate cursed her Guardian beast with a slumber that only her priestess can undo - and Hecate is counting on Mikki to set things right. At first the beast terrifies Mikki - but soon he intrigues her more than any man ever has. But the only way he and the realm can be saved is for Mikki to sacrifice her life-giving blood - and herself ...
REVIEW:
This for me is perhaps the strangest of the Goddess Summoning series to date as whilst in some way or form I’ve been able to connect to previous lead characters, here Mikki is not only detestable but difficult to get a handle upon, she’s a woman of contradictions and with her choices following no discernable pattern made her easily the hardest choice for a female lead that PC has done to date.
Not that I’m saying it’s a bad thing but when I cannot connect with a lead I have trouble enjoying the book in which they appear. In part this tale is the ancient mythos of Hecate, in others it feels like a modern interpretation of Beauty and the Beast with more carnal knowledge than Disney fluffy bunnies (unless of course they were in the dog’s dinner.) It’s a wide leap from the previous titles in the series that I’ve read to date and whilst different to a certain degree allows the reader the chance to meet and understand a character different to the norm. All in, I felt highly rewarded by the tales conclusion and whilst it isn’t my favourite in the series it has cast another layer to the overall feel.
Release Date: 12/05/11
SYNOPSIS:
Pea Chamberlain needs help. Her shoes, hair, clothes, make-up are all disasters and she really needs a makeover - especially if she wants to attract sexy fireman Griffin DeAngelo at the firemen's masked ball. And who better to coax Pea out of her pod than the Goddess of Love, whom she invokes when she gets her hands on a book of enchantments. Sure enough, Venus works her magic on Pea, which is what she has been doing for eons - helping others find love. But who will help the Goddess of Love when she finds herself falling head over heels for the same sexy fireman she is trying to land for Pea? Could it be that Venus needs a love makeover herself?
REVIEW:
OK, I read the first title in this series and loved it, I’ve had a break and whilst I’m currently waiting for the others to land, couldn’t resist the temptation of this, the latest release in the series. As with the original, its beautifully crafted, the lead female characters are not only emotionally strong but also allow others to develop on their own paths and whilst in this book, Pea starts out as a meek and mild, easily embarrassed woman, she blooms to her full potential though the administration alongside care and attention of the delightful Venus.
All in a satisfactory read, a real gluttony of passion, of character growth and if you love a bit of the more hardcore angle of romance, this title will more than meet your expectations. Throw into the mix, a wonderful arc, some great prose and characters who can not only stand up for themselves but also stand out from the rest and you know that it’s a series that will more than please the reader. Perhaps PC’s best solo work to date.
Release Date: 03/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
Lina's trendy bakery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is proving to be less than lucrative and she must come up with a plan to save it. When she stumbles upon an Italian Goddess cookbook, she can't help but think she's found the answer to her problem - even if it means invoking a goddess to save her business. Soon enough, Lina finds herself face-to-face with Demeter, who has a plan of her own. She proposes that Lina exchange souls with Persephone, the Goddess of Spring, who will breathe new life into the bakery. In return, Lina must set order to the Underworld. Before all this, Lina's problems mostly involved dough and second dates. Now that she embodies the enchantingly beautiful Persephone, Lina has weightier things on her mind - like the formidable task of bringing Spring to a world of spirits. But when the handsome, brooding Hades kindles a spark in her heart, Lina wonders if this Lord of the Underworld might be the man of her dreams...
REVIEW:
The course of true love never runs smooth and with the wonderful addition of the tale of Persephone (although the original tale had the character as Kore) takes an everyday woman and thrusts her into the life of Hades as her own world crumbles around her. All in, it’s a tale of romance, of happy endings and of course a tale with lust that will satisfy the reader. Add to this PC’s usual great character depictions, backed up with decent prose and of course dialogue and the reader will have a blast as this ancient myth gets a workout for the modern audience.
Release Date: 03/02/11
SYNOPSIS:
Tired of dating egomaniacs, interior designer Pamela Gray has nearly given up on men. She wants to be treated like a goddess - preferably by a god. As she whispers her wish, she unwittingly invokes the goddess Artemis, who has some tricks up her celestial sleeve...Twins Artemis and Apollo have been sent to the Kingdom of Las Vegas to test their mantle. Their first assignment: make Pamela's wish come true. So Artemis volunteers her golden brother. After all, who better than the handsome God of Light to bring love to this lonely woman? It might be a first but here in Sin City, where life is a gamble, both god and mortal are about to bet on a high-stakes game of love.
REVIEW:
As usual with PC’s writing you get some great characterisation within this title, the lead females are strong, they have personalities and they’re not afraid to fight for what they want and let no man (or god) get in their way. Here PC transports the reader to the world of Vegas, where the lights are bright, the nights are long and the you can either make your fortune or cripple yourself with debt.
What occurs within is a tale that is wonderfully told, with perhaps an almost unparalleled cast in any other title and brings the myths of Ancient Greece to her own indomitable talent. It has got thrills, it has got spills and it is one hell of a vindictive god or two in there as well (let me just say I now know why people are mean drunks.) Back that up with great prose and a serious understanding of pace and it’s a title that was a real joy to devour. Great stuff.
Release Date: 23/12/10
BOOK BLURB:
Isabel, a world-weary photojournalist, is grounded back home in Oklahoma, when her car plummets off a bridge into a lake. Struggling on the edge between life and death, she's miraculously saved by the Water Goddess, but with one tiny caveat: Isabel must travel to another time to seduce the legendary Lancelot du Lac away from Queen Guinevere. Simple. After all, the handsome knight is a dream for any woman in any century. Unfortunately Isabel is the one who's seduced - by the soulful eyes of the wise and soft-spoken King Arthur. But for Isabel, a deal is a deal. Now, the King watches as fate takes from him the mysterious beauty he has come to worship, knowing all too well that any interference on his part could destroy the kingdom he loves.
REVIEW:
Whilst many know PC more for her House of Night series which are written alongside her daughter, PC comes to her own in what I can only term the Urban Fantasy Bodice Ripper where strong female leads walk the fine line of independence backed within the rules and restrictions of the society into which they’re placed. Here in this, the first novel in the Goddess of Summoning series the reader is transported back to the days of Camelot where a water goddess seeks to save her love, Merlin, from the fates by attempting to save Arthur from despair.
It’s beautifully written, its definitely a title that is a bit of a guilty pleasure and one that the reader will more than likely enjoy under the duvet with a glass of wine and a box of chocs. Ideal fare for the busy holiday and a great opportunity for the reader to escape the chaos to a world of their own as this title weaves its own eldritch spell of calmness within the storm.
BOOK BLURB:
From the bestselling author of the "House of Night" series comes the award-winning world of Partholon, rich in goddesses, intrigue and magic. The only excitement Shannon Parker expects while on holiday is a little shopping. But when an antique vase calls to her, she finds herself transported to Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess...Somehow Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while there's an upside - what woman doesn't like lots of pampering? It also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and threats against her new people. Can Shannon survive this new world and ever find her way home?
REVIEW:
Cracking characterisation make this an intriguing title from House of Night author PC Cast. The title gently leads the reader by the hand to begin with and then throws them to the wolves literally as we get as confused as the principle protagonista as everything she thought she knew is thrust head over heels in a world changing moment. Beautifully written, cunningly crafted and with characters that leap from the page into the imagination, its going to be a thankful new reader who knows that each of the series to date in this latest incarnation is released a month apart.
BOOK BLURB:
From the bestselling author of the "House of Night" series comes the award-winning world of Partholon, rich in goddesses, intrigue and magic. Shannon Parker has finally come to terms with life in the mythical world of Partholon. She's almost forgotten her old life on Earth - especially when she discovers she's pregnant. Then a sudden burst of power sends her back to Oklahoma. Without magic, Shannon can't return to Partholon and needs to find help. Trouble is, it might take the form of a man as tempting as her husband. And along the way she'll discover that being divine by mistake is a lot easier than being divine by choice.
REVIEW:
To be honest I had problems getting started with this title but if theres one thing that PC does well, its character creation. Shannon is instantly likeable for the reader and really does keep you hooked as you’re left wondering what the hell is happening. Yet part of the attraction to this title is the surprise and twists with you never fully knowing which way is up. What did surprise me was the conclusion of the title as you never know whats going to happen until that last page is turned and that is what will keep you clamouring for more throughout this Urban Fantasy Bodice Ripper.
BOOK BLURB:
From the bestselling author of the "House of Night" series comes the award-winning world of Partholon, rich in goddesses, intrigue and magic. Raised as a normal girl in Oklahoma for eighteen years, Morrigan had no idea how special she really was. After discovering the truth of her heritage, her rage and grief take on a power of their own, carrying her back to the world of Partholon. Yet, instead of being respected as the daughter of the goddess Incarnate, Morrigan feels like a shunned outsider. In her desperation to belong to Partholon, she confronts forces she can't fully understand or control. And soon a strange darkness draws closer...
REVIEW:
This is perhaps the most controversial of the Divine titles as its one that a large number of people will wonder if it was really required. What you get with Cast however is a title that is determined by the characters as they grow emotionally as you follow the tale. Whilst it follows a new principle protagonista fans will see firm fav’s return to the fold as the worlds are explored through new eyes and with enough twists and turns to keep you amused to the final page. Whilst it won’t be for everyone I did enjoy this and felt that it was an appropriate way to continue the worlds exploration alongside keeping the characters interesting for the reader. Good fun.
BOOK BLURB:
From the bestselling author of the "House of Night" series comes the award-winning world of Partholon, rich in goddesses, intrigue and magic. Part-human, part-centaur, Elphame has always been different. OK, make that very different. The hundreds of shimmering butterflies sent by the goddess Etain to mark her birth were only the beginning. When Elphame is asked to breathe new life into the remote MacCallan Castle, she goes along with it (well stranger things have happened...) and finally she's found her true calling. But Elphame hadn't banked on her life being threatened when the bizarre Fomorian descendents (bat-like humans - it's a long story) return to MacCallen with their own devastating agenda. Nor the fact that she may have finally found her lifemate...at the most inconvenient time!
REVIEW:
The second series set in the same world as the Divine series although set 125 years after the original. As you know by now, PC’s writing is something that you either love or hate. I really enjoy her characterisation and the way that she brings the reader into the world through imagination as well as carefully sculpted writing. Add to the mix a touch of Irish mythology within this offering and its going to be an adventure that you were glad you embarked upon. One thing I will warn you about is that this is more a fantasy tale than anything else and whilst Cast’s usual touch of romance is within it’s the incredible elements that drive this offering forward.
BOOK BLURB:
From the bestselling author of the House of Night series comes the award-winning world of Partholon, rich in goddesses, intrigue and magic. When she leaves her ultra-strict family, Brighid also strays from her pre-ordained life. Born to be the Chief Shaman and ruler of a herd of centaurs would be tough for any girl - and Brighid wants out. Joining Clan MacCallan as a Huntress and helping broken-hearted Cuchulainn on his mission seems much simpler - if befriending bat-winged creatures and helping them gain acceptance in society can ever be described as simple. As Brighid uncovers more about her heritage (and her true feelings for a certain someone), she realises her powers cannot lie dormant forever. And that she can not escape her destiny.
REVIEW:
More of Cast’s unique plotting and outlining than you can shake a stick at. As usual great characters, top notch dialogue and above all a plot that just keeps driving forward at a pace that’s hard to believe. Add to the mix an unusual as well as mindboggleing sex scene and you’ve got something to not only enjoy but savour as this title will demand a reread. I’ll eagerly await other titles by this author and its been a real pleasure to get a huge block to glut upon in one go. If you’ve loved her House of Night, give the Divine series a go as you really will get a kick out of seeing what happens when Kristin is left behind.
Release Date: 03/02/11
Release Date: 12/05/11
