Hidden
by Amy McKinley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Half-demon,
half-goddess, Jade’s fate makes her a pawn in an epic battle among the gods.
Hidden on Earth with her sisters, she successfully avoids the Oneiroi—the dream
gods—bent on her destruction until the prophecy, long dormant, awakens a dark
shadow within her.
Roen, a
reclusive Worr demon known for his battles against the Oneiroi, is called to
protect Jade. Together they must unlock their mysterious connection and find a
way to beat back destiny. Can she outsmart the prophecy, change her fate, and
find love—even when she learns who is connected to her destruction?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Jade froze, her paintbrush hanging
mid-air above her palette. An eerie, surreal frame was cast as light streamed
diagonally through the bay window.
Whispers seduced and coerced.
She scanned the entire painting. The
buildings cast long, ominous shadows, stalking the pedestrians as they made
their way to and fro, huddled against the misery of the evening. A man lay
sprawled, his lifeblood staining the sidewalk crimson. Half in a deserted
alley, he was yet to be discovered. This was the detail Jade concentrated on.
She blended a burnt red and used careful brush strokes to complete the scene as
the portrait fell prey to the darkness that burned inside her.
Without meaning to, her gaze was
once again drawn to the slain man. She reached up and touched the blood seeping
from his body, coming away wet. Bringing her hand to her nose she closed her
eyes and inhaled.
Instead of the cloying scent of her
oils, she inhaled the coppery smell of blood.
Stunned, her mouth parted on a
silent scream. No! Darkness bubbled to the surface, invading her senses with a
roar. Unable to fight the invasion, her heart beat an increasing crescendo.
Part of her didn’t want to struggle, not with the temptation of death on her
hand.
Deep inside, a macabre shadow
stretched. Hungry for more, its long arms clawed for purchase with each breath.
Changing her, as part of her argued for the better. The other part—the one that
gloried in her fire-kissed hair and shimmering eyes—cried against this crime
and screamed for redemption.
She crouched to welcome the demonic
strength as the parasitic monster grew inside her. Evolving into a fierce
predator, she was able to taste, weigh, and measure the souls who sifted
through her fingers.
Still, she fought for space in her
own body. For control.
But with the scent of blood, of
death, of prey—she was losing fast. It’s happening. Unshed tears burned her
eyes. Finally. The curse of the three Fates had begun. With her.
Slowly Jade stood and bit down on
her lip and welcomed the pain. The distraction would help fight the
transformation. Dipping the brush into the Caribbean blue, she swirled then
began to paint a shimmering cove. The vision soothed the beast that lurked just
beneath, but it was temporary, and Jade knew its evil would soon rebel. The
Fates’ curse would change her over time, unleashing an unstoppable power within
her, annihilating the gods who created her and anyone who got in her path.
Including her family.
Dropping the blue-tipped brush,
Jade’s back snapped straight and her mouth opened on silent scream. Succumbing
to a surge of menace, she lost control. Every cell stretched to accommodate the
new presence. Shivering from the effects of her altered state, she briefly shut
her eyes, adjusting. When she opened them, her painting was before her, and she
viewed the scene anew. Cocking her head, she closely observed a woman who
tightly clutched her rain slicker about her body.
This one will not make it home
tonight.
MY REVIEW:
This book contained everything!
It had a strong and fierce heroine, a fearless hero, it had action, romance, passion, gods, demons, underworld creatures, and the list goes on and on...
Right from the very beginning I felt the excitement build up!
Jade is overwhelmed by the power that starts coursing through her while painting! This has happened before, and it didn't turn out in a nice way! But, her powers don't stop there. She senses the ill intentions of a demon that has approached the King, her step-father demon, and attacks him, even if he is of her own species.
But, what species is that?
Jade is half demon and half goddess, and part of a set of quintuplets that were cursed by the Fates. A prophecy was cast upon them, that they are destined to kill the Gods. This curse set Zeus off into hunting them, through Oneiroi, who can track people through their dreams, and step into different realms.
At the same time, Jade, after hundreds of years of being hunted, forced to loneliness and futile search of her mate, or any kind of romantic relationship for that matter, has started giving up her hopes! Until she stumbles upon a group of five Worr demons, who are fierce enough to be the only ones able to defeat Oneiroi! One of them is also destined to be her mate!
But, nothing proves to be easy for them. One mistake brings her closer to Nightmare, the worst of the Oneiroi.
Will Roen, her Worr mate, be able to save her now that he knows who she is, or is Jade's fate already sealed?
This book contained so much action and so many events took place, that I couldn't manage to get my attention off of the story! The pages flew by so easily!
I loved the majority of the characters, even the bad ones, with all their personalities' elements! Jade was a fierce heroine I gladly identified with, and Roen was oh-so-strong-and-handsome and focused on his quest to release Jade!
Another aspect of this story I loved, was the fact that it referred to the Greek mythology, and very accurately, I might also add! Being Greek myself, I grew up with stories of the Olympian Gods and their adventures, so I found myself instantly drawn to both the plot and the characters! And, I loved every minute of it!
MY REVIEW:
This book contained everything!
It had a strong and fierce heroine, a fearless hero, it had action, romance, passion, gods, demons, underworld creatures, and the list goes on and on...
Right from the very beginning I felt the excitement build up!
Jade is overwhelmed by the power that starts coursing through her while painting! This has happened before, and it didn't turn out in a nice way! But, her powers don't stop there. She senses the ill intentions of a demon that has approached the King, her step-father demon, and attacks him, even if he is of her own species.
But, what species is that?
Jade is half demon and half goddess, and part of a set of quintuplets that were cursed by the Fates. A prophecy was cast upon them, that they are destined to kill the Gods. This curse set Zeus off into hunting them, through Oneiroi, who can track people through their dreams, and step into different realms.
At the same time, Jade, after hundreds of years of being hunted, forced to loneliness and futile search of her mate, or any kind of romantic relationship for that matter, has started giving up her hopes! Until she stumbles upon a group of five Worr demons, who are fierce enough to be the only ones able to defeat Oneiroi! One of them is also destined to be her mate!
But, nothing proves to be easy for them. One mistake brings her closer to Nightmare, the worst of the Oneiroi.
Will Roen, her Worr mate, be able to save her now that he knows who she is, or is Jade's fate already sealed?
This book contained so much action and so many events took place, that I couldn't manage to get my attention off of the story! The pages flew by so easily!
I loved the majority of the characters, even the bad ones, with all their personalities' elements! Jade was a fierce heroine I gladly identified with, and Roen was oh-so-strong-and-handsome and focused on his quest to release Jade!
Another aspect of this story I loved, was the fact that it referred to the Greek mythology, and very accurately, I might also add! Being Greek myself, I grew up with stories of the Olympian Gods and their adventures, so I found myself instantly drawn to both the plot and the characters! And, I loved every minute of it!
All in all, 5 stars to an awesome story that had everything,
from Olympian Gods, semi-gods and demons,
to intensity, passion and so much action!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy
McKinley is a freelance writer and author. She lives in Illinois with her
husband, their four talented teenagers, and three mischievous cats. Her debut
novel, Hidden is the first in the Five Fates Series.
Connect
with Amy
www.amymckinley.com
Twitter:
Amy McKinley@amymckinley7
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/amymckinleyauthor
Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/amymckinley7
Wordpress
https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE
Amy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N
GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $20
Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host. Additionally, Goddess Fish
Productions will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn host.
It was a pleasure! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cat Neko! What an amazing review, I'm thrilled. :) I'm happy to answer any questions and good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteIt was an absolute pleasure reading such an amazing story!! Thank you for the chance!! :)
DeleteLoved the excerpt and thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Becky! I hope you enjoy Jade's story and good luck with the giveaway. :)
ReplyDelete