Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton (Eternal Guardians #3)
Paranormal Romance
September 1, 2011
Sourcebooks
Reviewed by Helyce
I freaking loved this book!
Demetrius is an Argonaut, one of the seven Eternal Guardians who guard the realm of Argolea as well as the human realm. Of all the Argonauts, Demetrius has the worst temperament, can be a bit on the mean side, and is generally avoided but he takes his responsibility seriously and is loyal and trusted by his fellow Argonauts. In order to be an Argonaut, you must be a direct descendant of the original 7, and there is only one in each generation. Demetrius has a few secrets, though, and as it goes with secrets something always happens to bring them out. If that wasn’t enough, each Argonaut is cursed by Hera in that they are destined to love but one woman, a soul mate; the catch is that the woman may be out of reach and never feel the same way about him.
Isadora is the Princess of Argolea, next in line to the throne. Her father, the king, is ill and it’s only a matter of time before he dies. But Isadora isn’t confident that she’s Queen material. In trying to gain self confidence, Isadora has done some very un-queenly things like befriending Orpheus and using his contacts with the witches to open portals and sneak into the human realm, a big no-no for her.
Of all the Argonauts, Isadora and Demetrius have the most complicated relationship. Demetrius has always steered clear of her, to the point of being rude and in some instances cruel. Isadora has never understood why, and despite his obvious aversion to her, she knows that she can trust him to protect her. But Demetrius knows something that no one else does, Isadora is his soul mate. She is his one and only, destined to be the only woman he could ever love due to the curse of Hera. While you would think this was a good thing, to find that one, rare person to share your life with, Demetrius knows he can never be with Isadora. Those secrets I mentioned above are the reason and no one can ever find out.
The threat of war against Argolea is a constant and their biggest foe is Atalanta and her army of daemons. Atalanta’s feud with Argolea and the Argonauts has been going on forever. She’s been biding her time; waiting for the right opportunity to wage war and take back what she feels is rightfully hers, the throne of Argolea. She’s determined and finally she sees a way to extract the vengeance she feels is her due. The key is Isadora and she needs her to make it all happen.
When Isadora is kidnapped Demetrius cannot stop the surge of feelings that run through him. He must find her and save her but to do so he risks his secrets being exposed because he must call upon a part of him that he has repressed for many years. He really doesn’t have any choice, however. Even though he and Isadora have not bonded, his need to protect her is first and foremost and lives in every cell of his being. He will do whatever it takes to rescue her and bring her home safely to Argolea.
Tempted is the 3rd book in this series. I read the first two (Marked and Entwined) so I am very well versed in the world that Ms. Naughton has created. Her world building is fantastic; her descriptions so clearly created Argolea in my head. I love that there are witches and magic, and portals and that while the Argonauts can move between the realms, the humans are clueless. I love that mythology plays a huge role in the world that she’s created. And of course, there are the characters. Isadora in books one and two kind of came off as fragile, weak-hardly someone strong enough to be Queen and rule Argolea with all its problems. But she grows and blossoms in this book as she finds her strength, largely due to Demetrius. Ah, Demetrius…love him! Demetrius is so tortured, forced to hide an innate part of himself for fear of being discovered. It’s ironic that what he’s hidden for so very long is exactly what he needs in order to save Isadora. Watching him fall in love with Isadora with every fiber of his being and fight it because he feels unworthy is painful and broke my heart. Isadora never gives up on him, though and when he realizes that she loves him and accepts him in spite of everything she’s learned it is simply perfection.
Of the three books in this series, Tempted is my favorite so far and while it can be read as a stand-alone, I’d recommend reading the first two to get the full story.
Rating: A
Recent Reviews:
Fiction Vixen – B-
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
I’ve seen other great reviews for the first two in this series – sounds fun!
I like this series-this one was my favorite so far!
AAAAH, this is another series I have to read!! Thanks for the review =)
If you like PNR, you’ll probably like this. She left us wondering some things…so I’m looking forward to more!
This is a great series! I’m happy the books keep getting better!
Great review Helyce!
I agree! I can’t wait for the next book-though I haven’t been able to find any info on it on her site.
I recently won the first 2 books in the series. By the looks of your review I really need to get started on them.
I hope you like it! I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I have the first book “Marked” in the series. Your review does make be want to dive into this new world and take a look at the series. Thanks for your through review.
Dive away, Donna. I think you’ll like it!
Ah, Smexy, I knew I loved you! Such good taste! Okay, yeah, I’m E’s CP, but I’m her CP for a reason! You nailed it when you said her worldbuilding is vivid — just wait until you read ENRAPTURED. Seriously gorgeous worldbuilding in there! So thrilled you liked it. E is a master of building conflict until you’re sure there is no way out and then unraveling everything to a satisfying ending. Never fails to amaze me.
Thank you Joan, I appreciate you saying so! I read this while camping with my family and my husband couldn’t understand why I would go into the lake. I was like, “are you kidding. I can’t get my book wet!!!” So, any details on Enraptured? Who’s book? And when does it come out…PLEASE don’t say a year from now!
sheesh….that should read “wouldn’t go into the lake.”
Oooo….hmmmm….let me check in with E and see what I can and can’t say :) But, no you won’t have to wait a year!
OMGosh…what a fantastic review! I don’t normally post on review sites (don’t want to influence the reviewer) but I just have to say…thank you! That totally made my day. And I’m sooo glad you enjoyed TEMPTED!
I can hopefully answer a few of your questions…No, you don’t have to wait a whole year for ENRAPTURED. It will release in April 2012. And I posted the cover on my blog here: http://www.elisabethnaughton.com/2011/07/05/squee-new-cover/
I’ve been a little mum on the hero in book 4 (and the premise) only because I didn’t want to spoil book 3 for everyone. For those of you who have read the book though I will tell you…the hero in book 4 walks away in the final scene of TEMPTED. Is that enough of a hint?! LOL
My editor sent me the back cover blurb for ENRAPTURED last week but I’m waiting for the final approval before I post it up on my website. But rest assured…it’ll be up soon.
Thanks again for the great review!!
Wow! I am thrilled you stopped by. Thank you so very much for the hints. Thank you more for not making us wait a year for book 4. I will be stalking your site for the back blurb to confirm my suspicions of the hero of book 4!
Lovely review Helyce – thank you!
Thanks Orannia!
I have book one on my kindle-I’ve got to move it up now! Great review Helyce!
Book one was good. Sets up the world, introduces the characters! Isadora is already getting into trouble in that one! Lot stuff revealed! Thanks for stopping by!
Ooo I have those books on my shelves, I will start reading them soon. Thanks for the great review, and thank Elizabeth for stopping by.
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem together with your web site in web explorer, would test this? IE still is the market chief and a huge component of other folks will leave out your fantastic writing due to this problem.