Title: Valen
Author(s): Felicity Heaton
Series: Guardians of Hades #2
Also in this series: Ares , Queen of the Underworld
Published by Felicity Heaton on February 25, 2017
Pages: 262
Genre(s): Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Format: eBook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
New York Times and USA Today Best-Selling Paranormal Romance Author Felicity Heaton presents:
Valen (Guardians of Hades Romance Series Book 2) Prince of the Underworld and Lord of Lightning, Valen was banished from his home by his father, Hades, two centuries ago and given a new duty and purpose—to keep our world and his from colliding in a calamity foreseen by the Moirai.
Together with his six brothers, he fights to defend the gates to the Underworld from daemons bent on breaching them and gaining entrance to that forbidden land, striving to protect his home from their dark influence. Cursed by Zeus to never know love again, Valen has brought up barriers around his heart to protect it, but with each new barrier he creates, the dark hold his power has over him grows, becoming all he needs.
Until the night he finally crosses paths with the assassin who has been watching him from the shadows, a bewitching mortal possessing the name of an angel and the skills of a devil—a woman who awakens his passionate heart and stirs dangerous desires.
Eva has built a fearsome reputation for herself in Italy’s underworld, but her latest job in her beloved city of Rome has left her feeling that she has stepped into a dangerous world and this mission might end in her death—either at the hands of her mysteriously seductive client or by the blade of the wickedly alluring warrior who is her target.
As the threat from the daemons escalates and more than just the Rome gate becomes their target, will Valen be strong enough to face the fears in his heart and the ghosts of his past to claim everything he desires or will they lure him deeper under their spell and into the darkness?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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I had a wonderful time with Valen, the second book in the Guardians of Hades series, and it left me wanting to read the remaining books. I enjoyed it so much more than I the first book.
What the book is about?
As you may have guessed by now based on the title, this installment tells the story of Valen, the Guardian for the gate of the Underworld in Rome. A job which involved him protecting the underworld from daemons and preventing a collision between the mortal realm and his world. He had the power to weild lightening, however, the barriers he built around his heart, led to it having a dark hold over him. With every barrier he erects the hold becomes more powerful.
However, when he crossed paths with the beautiful assassin who had been watching him from the shadows waiting on the right moment to strike, the barriers he erected began crumbling one by one.
Eva was hired by a mysterious client to gather intel on Valen. She had no idea that her mark was a god and the guardian of the Underworld. She knew nothing of the world this latest assignment brought to her door. She knew, however, it was not an easy one, an she was way in over her head.
Characters
A tortured hero, Valen bore a deep seated pain and anger. He held the belief no one could love him. A belief which contributed to his aloof behaviour. Upon learning of the events that led to him maintaining this belief my heart broke for him.
Eva did not have an easy life growing up, and the choices she made as a result led to her becoming an assassin. She was smart, brave, feisty, resilient, independent and caring and the perfect match for Valen. She was unlike any woman he had ever encountered.
The secondary characters from Valen’s brothers to the various daemons looking to create havoc intrigued me and made me curious to learn more.
Romance
I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, especially those between Valen and Eva. The chemistry between them popped, cracked, sizzled and burned. Their romance was not of the slow burn variety, but more of a raging inferno. The sex scenes, though hot, were tastefully written. The main thing that endeared me to their relationship was the trust they had in their love for each other. I loved how protective they were of each other.
Story
Heaton weaved an intense suspenseful, fun and at times heartbreaking story There were scenes that had me smiling and some of which made me sad. There were no cliff-hangers, however the overall story arc continues.
World building
It was fun revisiting the world Heaton created. Things have intensified since the last book. The villains have amped up their game and will use any means necessary to carry out their evil plot.
Conclusion/Recommendation
The Guardian of Hades is proving to be an engaging series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This is a must read for fans of paranormal romance.
Valen by Felicity Heaton delivered an intense, suspenseful and entertaining paranormal romance with a twist on Greek mythology. Recommended for fans of the genre. #paranormal #romance #greekgods Click To Tweet
About Felicity Heaton
Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too. If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.
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OOh guardians of Haden this sounds super thanks for sharing your great review this is definitely one I could see myself enjoying
Yes Debbie, I think you would enjoy it.
This is a new series to me. I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
Thanks.
I love the set up of six sons of Hades guarding gates to earth from daemons. Fun that she’s an assassin. This sounds good.
It was interesting and different.
I love anything with a mythological spin! Thanks!
You are welcome, Kate.
I love a feisty heroine. This looks good Nadene. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks, Kim. It was good. So much better than the first book.
I loves me a kickass chick
Yes, they are the best heroines in stories klike these.
This looks like it would be a very very good book.
Yes , it was a good book.
This sounds incredible! I love anything to do with mythology or Zeus/Hades 🙂 Great review!