Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Love, Myth, and Destiny: One Man’s Fight to Save the Cosmos
Love and destiny collide when classic literature professor Alex Leith’s 25th birthday celebration takes an unexpected turn. He didn’t know his quiet, intimate plans with boyfriend Danyal would unravel, leaving the fate of humanity and the entire cosmos resting on his shoulders. Forced to accept his birthright as the force of Eros in the universe, Alex must quickly adapt to life as a divine being or risk shattering the balance of creation and destruction, plunging the world into chaos.
In a world on the edge of chaos, Alex must choose his allies carefully when Danyal and his loved ones’ lives are threatened. Can Alex trust Galen Tucker, the handsome and headstrong bodyguard assigned to lead his security detail? Galen has his hands full protecting Alex from a clandestine terrorist group hellbent on his destruction. However, Galen’s biggest challenge may be protecting Alex from his own impulsive and reckless behavior.
Eros Rising (Olympus Ascending Series Book One) is a gripping MM urban fantasy romance that weaves Greek mythology, self-discovery, and overcoming adversity into an epic tale of rags to riches. This LGBTQI+ adventure explores themes of love and destiny against a backdrop of paranormal intrigue and corporate espionage. Join Alex on a journey filled with romance and divine battles. Will he master his new powers in time to save the cosmos?
The Review
Dr. Alex Leith had a rough life growing up. At the age of eight he lost his parents, and his adopted family disowned him when he came out at sixteen. He suffers from anxiety, and takes Klonopin to help his situation. Two years ago, he made a mistake out of fear with a lover, and eventually lost a good friend. He has a boyfriend, Danyal Sarif, whom he cares for. But Alex has made some mistakes with him too, and to avoid Danyal’s jealousy, he has cut himself off from friends and even students.
Alex still has some growing up to do. He’s smart and is a Professor of Literature and History at Starling University in Boston. It’s his twenty-fifth birthday and he’s as nervous as ever, and he almost backs out of the celebration plans.
Ms. Ditta Dea has supported since he came out. She is his rock. Ditta is special in her own right – she’s a Fortune 500 business woman and no one can put one over on her. She and Alex only see each other once a year, on his birthday, and she always brings his favorite gift – artisan Italian chocolate.
This year Alex is extremely nervous – it’s first time he will be introducing his boyfriend, Danyal, to Ditta.
Ditta has a faithful security guard, Galen Tucker, and her designated driver, Malcolm. She goes no where without them. They are both concerned tonight, as Ditta is going to Dante’s Inferno Tavern, a dive bar by Boston standards.
Galen is also worried about how open Malcolm is being with Ms. Dea – it’s not protocol. He also picks up that Ditta seems to be sad.
Galen is former military, with special expertise and unique protection skills. He struggled through school, but his sister Amara helped him through. At eighteen, he began a career in rugby, and became a member of the New Zealand All Blacks team. He had everything going for him, and then his life changed at twenty-three when he joined the military’s special forces.
Needing money for his sister’s care, he ultimately went to work for PGC (Palingenesis). Ms. Ditta Dea became his priority, but tonight he again faces a change. Ms. Dea gives him the order that he will now be assigned as the lead of Alex Lieth’s security detail. She tells Galen he must protect Alex with his life, and she fears that he’s already been threatened. She tells him about two gifts he will need to share, one in an elongated box. He’s heard rumors of what Ms. Dea could do, and now it’s up to him to make sure he guides Alex with these gifts.
Alex has no idea how his life is about to change. Besides dealing with what he’s about to become, he will go before the PGC Board and will have to decide who he can trust. The one thing he won’t be able to avoid is Galen Tucker. Will Galen let the reckless, out of control Alex shake his hard stance?
Williams has crafted an outstanding story grounded in the mythology of Aphrodite, Eros and Thanatos and the Sons of Enyaluis. The excitement builds in this intoxicating blend of genetic cloning, cosmic energy, special abilities, immortality and corporate espionage.
It took me a while to warm up to Alex. He has a lot to deal with, but he grows over time as he makes amends with those who used to be his friends. I really liked the New Zealander, Galen Tucker – he stole the show. There are times when Galen is very emotional and not afraid to show it. The anxiety and emotions Alex and Galen show help to give each of them clear personalities. Most of all, I was glad that the author gave Galen his New Zealand speaking voice, and didn’t Americanize it.
I was very impressed and entertained with this debut novel. It’s fast paced, with explosive on-the-edge action, suspense, great fight scenes, and enough humor to occasionally lighten the mood. There are also sneaky moments of possible romance that keep you guessing.
This new series “Olympus Ascending” has a lot of potential. I’m all in for the next book!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.