Eclipsing Apollo by Sasha Summers (Excerpt, review and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

Eclipsing Apollo

by Sasha Summers

is an ADULT title

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GENRE: Paranormal Romance/Fantasy Romance

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BLURB:

Apollo is fond of many things. Music, poetry, physical prowess, truth, and love. The Pythian Games are held in his honor and he attends, as a mere mortal, to enjoy the competition... and the women. Meeting the fair Coronis offers him his greatest delight. Her strength, her beauty, and her fearlessness clasp his heart with an irrevocable hold. But she wants none of him.

Coronis' duty is to marry, but she yearns for so much more. She is a fierce competitor, a hunter, skilled in strategy and reason. Those that would court her lack both the mind and the body to rival hers - she will settle for no less. As a mortal, Apollo was both infuriating and tempting. But Apollo the Olympian is terrifying. She fears giving him her heart might destroy her soul.

Demeter's need for revenge pits Olympian against Olympian, forcing Apollo into a darkness the God of Light must fight if he ever hopes to see his Coronis again.



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EXCERPT

He sat in a metal tub, one leg dangling over the side. He was talking, of course. The man seemed to think his every word a gift from the Gods. Erato, who was on her knees washing his foot, laughed as if she agreed. Stupid cow.

Khloris appeared then, pouring water over his shoulders from a large earthen jug. He sighed, shivering slightly, as Khloris set the jug aside and began to scrub his neck and shoulders. Her pale fingers clasped a thin rag against his gilded skin, sliding it over the impressive curve of his shoulder.

Coronis swallowed again, her hands fisting inexplicably.

He looked at her then, startled. But instead of looking ashamed, his brows rose, his lips curved in that smug grin, and he waited.

She wanted to yell. She wanted to hit him, to slap that look from his all-too-handsome face… To demand his apology for putting his baser needs before the respect he owed her father. He should not sit, smug and waited-upon, when she’d been sent to fetch him. She was not a common servant. She was certainly better than the two serving him. Oh, how she longed to tear the cloth from Khloris’ pudgy fingers and knock Erato aside...

She stopped then, stunned by rage twisting her insides.

She was a fool, too, to waste time expecting more from the likes of him. He may be named after Apollo, but was a man. An irreverent, lustful, peacock of a man…

She cocked a brow in return, not bothering to hide her disdain as she spoke. “I will inform my father that you’re too busy for his company this evening.” Erato gasped, Apollo’s foot sliding from her hands, while Khloris dropped the rag in the dirt at her feet. With mumbled apologies, they both hurried from the tent, scurrying past Coronis into the night.

He dared laugh. “Stay, awhile, fair Coronis. These maids were simply attempting to make me fit to visit your father’s home.”

“I fear it would take far more than a… bath to make you fit company for my father.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:




Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance, history, and travel. Her first play 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.

Links:

Sasha Summer’s website & blog
Email
Twitter
Facebook Author Page
Goodreads
Pinterest
Group Blog
Fresh Fiction
Amazon author page


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GIVEAWAY

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The tour dates can be found here  

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My review: 

4 out of 5 stars
Eclipsing Apollo by Sasha Summers is part of the 'Loves of Olympus' series and is a retelling of several elements of Greek mythology, particularly events involving the interactions between Apollo and the humans who populate his favored city of Delphi.  A celebration of the Pythian games draws Apollo and Hermes to interact with mortals who have no idea of the honor being bestowed upon them.  King Phlegys’ daughter, Coronis, enthralls Apollo but becomes an unwitting pawn in an ongoing struggle amongst many of the deities.  Coronis must figure out whether it is possible to believe in eternal happiness with a god and Apollo will have to figure out whether he can give his heart to a mortal.

This deftly told story brings to life many of the beings who populate the fascinating tales of the gods in Olympus and the way they interact (and interfere) with the mortals on Earth.  The author does a nice job of bringing to life some of the salient details of several different tales, including those of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades; Demeter’s feud with Erysichthon; and the conflict between various mortal factions, but I think that a few liberties may have been taken with some of the events as this version differs from some of the ones that I have read.  Despite that, the story does a nice job of evoking some of the excitement and fascination with the competitions of the era, and the heroine’s expertise in one particular skill is inspirational—although one wishes she was a bit more unconventional in other aspects.  The story is a combination of sensual romance and cautionary tale and provided an enjoyable reminder of the complicated relationship between the Greek gods and their subjects.

A copy of this title was provided for review