Saturday, July 7, 2012

Review of: Medusa A Love Story by Sasha Summers


 Today the Salon is participating in Virtual Book Tour for Medusa A Love Story by Sasha Summers presented by Bewitching Book Tours. Below you will find a review, a book trailer and an excerpt. Enjoy! 
Cover Art: Jeannie Reusch
 My Review:
Let me begin with the cover art, which I found haunting and full of hidden secrets.  The dead vines that grace the background look like barbwires.  They’re not, but it gave me that feeling of danger, keep out.  The grey to white background alludes to a veil between worlds or cloudy mist.  The other objects, snakes, pedestal and a muscular leg in stone keeps in line what we already know about Medusa.  At the top of the image, a plaque of a God stares out ever vigil to the unfolding of the story.  The beauty of the cover art is its simplicity and subtleness to foreshadow what is to come. 

Sasha Summers has weaved a story full of Greek and Roman mythology, historical events in keeping with that time and lush settings that I could almost touch. 

It’s a story of Medusa before snakes crowned her head.  A time before the Gods cursed her.  This story carves out a new twist to the old myth that belongs to Medusa.  It’s a story of pure love between Medusa and Ariston, the lust of Poseidon for Medusa and duty to the Gods and family.  The richness of the story belongs to the words chosen by Summers to push the emotions of the reader, to elicit a feeling of being there in her world.   There are moments where the pace slowed to describe the setting, but all in all it’s a enchanting read and drew me in.  If you love mythology and romance this is a book for you.  

Blurb:  Medusa A Love Story by Sasha Summers
It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster...
Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.
Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.
Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.
Format: Kindle and Paperback
Pages: 294
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Excerpt:
“You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me, where do you belong?” Hades’ voice was deep, emotionless.
          Ariston swallowed. “Athens.” He met Hades’ gaze, but the God revealed nothing to him.
“Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what every soldier wants?” 
          “My wife…” His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”
          “She is in danger.”
          “Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”
          “The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me to Athens.”
          Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
          “Who is this wife?” Hades asked.
          “Medusa of Athens.” He paused. “Now of Rhodes.”
          Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.
          “When I die—” Ariston began.
          “You are dead,” Hades assured him.
“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.
          “You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”
          Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive fireplace.   
“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “As Olympus has my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…
          “It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”
          The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor. 
Ariston vowed, “You have it." 

Author Bio: 
Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), 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.
Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.
Twitter: @sashawrites

Do you have a favorite myth that you loved to see another side to it?

Till later,
Elizabeth

WINNER to last week's giveaway of Sandy Hunter's Elanraigh - The Vow is Kayle Allen.  Congratulations Kayle.   
Please note Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of Medusa A Love Story from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising


1 comment:

Sasha Summers said...

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Medusa, A Love Story. I am so happy you enjoyed the book. Have a great weekend!

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