Ares’ Temptation by Aubrie Dionne
Paranormal Romance
Release March 24, 2015
Entangled- Covet Publishing
Reviewed by Sheena
Favorite Quote: The pair of water nymph’s sitting beside her wore only floral blossoms and river reeds. What a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. The nymphs giggled like two school girls in the back row of class.
Ares’ Temptation had me at hello. Or if we are being completely transparent, it had me at the veiny muscley hot cover and then had me again with the cheeky blurb. By the time I read the first few pages, I had a feeling I would be in for a ride and I was not disappointed!
Pardon while I gather my wits (that I have strewn around the room as my mind was blown by this fun little novel) and tell you without squealing (much) why I enjoyed this book so much. The mix of relevant urban slang with mythological creatures and paranormal characters of old has been done to death, however, it is so refreshing when it is done well, not Ad nauseam and is not distracting; rather enhances the light-hearted and comedic nuances of a tale. Aubrie Dionne is a new author whom I am impressed with and look forward to reading more of her works. It all began at a wedding held on Earth, heroine Kaye is a dateless, spunky, hilariously self deprecating mortal woman who falls in absolute rapture with Ares. You know him, he happens to be the God of a little something called war. Ares is exactly what I expected. He is alpha because, duh, could he be any other way and just all together grumpy- but not douche grumpy- charmingly grumpy which tickled me. Right away we find out that he has been cursed right before his own eyes at the wedding reception! An angry witch is out for revenge for Ares’ killing her brother in battle. A killing that he describes with such fanfare that I was totally on board for the front row seat I had at his comeuppance!
“Someone’s pissed. What did you do?”
“Are you addressing me?”
“Yeah” she spoke with a snarky emphasis that boarded on disrespect. If she were anyone else he would have pounded his fist and broken the table.
“I beheaded her brother.”
“Oh my.” The mortal popped a tomato in her mouth. “Why?”
“He spoke ill of my brother, challenging our family honor.”
“So you beheaded him?”
Pride surged up, and Ares straightened his shoulders. “In a glorious battle of our armies on the peak of Mount Olympus.”
Well that glorious victory, has now cost Ares his entire sense of self and immortal powers. Can’t say that I didn’t do a little ‘tut’ at his misfortune! The plot races forward and the dysfunction of the curse is felt immediate and impacts him hard! Poor little war monger did not know what hit him, feeling things such as compassion and rationale. He is hell-bent on triumphing over a powerful witch and Kaye is the young mortal woman, ensnared in the curse simply for receiving his touch. She has a heart of gold and the requisite adorable Grammy, who Ares bonds with immediately when he travels with Kaye on earth. Ares sticks to Kaye like glue, partly in an effort to win her affections to lift his hated curse. He was also without his Godly powers of teleportation and quite literally stuck with Kaye! The curse is a clever twist of Freaky Friday where his most awesome powers were transferred to Kaye and he inherits all of her less desirable qualities. Her awkwardness, her self doubt and her people pleasing all completely wash over Ares as he struggles to push past his inherited defenses and make her fall in love, which confounds him as she is now armed with his swagger and confidence and strategic mind. Watching as they circled one another, giving concessions, stealing ground when available. All the more complicated by the caveat that Kaye be ignorant to the curse until it is lifted at which time she could decide if her feelings of love are enough to overcome being deceived. It was like a game of chess and I took in every moment of it.
“A crushing weight fell on her foot. She cried out, breaking the kiss.
“My apologies.” Ares’ face filled with shock and embarrassment. Kaye glanced down . The front of her expensive high heel had caved in, putting excruciating pressure on her toes.
The whole thing was so ironic, she would have laughed had she not been in so much pain. Klutzy Kaye had never danced so smoothly in her life…
Somehow it must have been her own fault. The God of War couldn’t possibly by clumsy?
Kaye has an awakening of sorts, learning how to use all her newly acquired grace and athleticism and quick temper, while poor Ares struggles with his estrogen trip, determined to make a fool of the sneaky witch, This really is a sweet tale….emphasis on the sweet. I would be remiss not to mention that this is a very tame romance. Making out, amateur petting and it has a young adult feel. Which kind of bugged me out initially because I was already imagining a hawt God of War totally ravishing me- I mean-Kaye-but primarily-me. But if you like a funny, sweet, solid romance, you can fill in the naughty bits for yourself. I did. And it was awesome.
Intertwined with the romance, was also a lesson of love and acceptance and humility. Learning to see things through someone else’s eyes and the importance of humanity even when being humane has no shiny allure or tangible pay off. The changes they made for one another as they grew to realize their affections were bone deep and beyond the witch’s curse. It was quite beautiful to see. I was particularly touched when Ares in full control of his power decided to send a criminal to trial before Zeus, when before Kaye’s influence, he would have casually lobbed off the criminals head and burned him to ashes. He also saves Kaye from herself, when she nearly kills her beloved brother in a rage. Residual effects of being cursed and embodying a God’s powers, Kaye becomes a little more than mortal and does not forget the strength that coursed through her during her curse, appearing more mature and confident in her spirit.
Ares’ Temptation definitely stands alone, however, I’m game to check out more from this author, especially when she does this:
“Peace?” Ares paused, shocked at this woman’s gall. Did she know who he was?
“Mortal, I am the God of War, one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera.”
She glared, her dark eyes on fire.
“My name is Kaye. And I am a bookkeeper for Sylvia’s Creations, the daughter of Kim and John Underhill, thank you very much.”
If I had my druthers, I would have injected a little more passion (I mean c’mon, the cover is selling sex on a stick for sure) and the climactic danger would have been a little darker, however, I was quite pleased with the direction and pace of this book.
Grade: B+
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