“Blood is Zeus is a dynamic and uniquely alluring paranormal romance! This author duo knows how to scorch the pages and tug at our imaginations. I can’t wait for more!” – NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann RyanAn ancient grudge. A forbidden love.The only thing worse than being a demon is being a Valari. As an undergraduate at Los Angeles’s Alameda University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at … University, Kara Valari can sometimes succeed at forgetting she’s both. Lost between the pages of the classics and tucked into the shadows of lecture halls, she can dodge the paparazzi’s lenses as well as her family’s publicized dramas—not to mention their private expectations. She has one more year to feed her true passions. Then she’ll be expected to fulfill a much darker destiny.
Cursed with inexplicable strength and godlike stature, literature professor Maximus Kane knows all about darkness. Every day he’s reminded of the missteps of his childhood and the devastating consequences they’ve had on those dearest to him. To atone, Maximus spends his nights alone and his days submerged in the quiet life of academia. His existence has become a study in control, and he’s become a master at it—until Kara Valari walks into his toughest course.
Viscerally, Kara’s everything he craves. Logically, she’s everything he rejects. She’s a starlet of privilege. She’s also a student. And after one touch, he can’t deny that she’s awakened something in him that may never go dormant. Nothing about her makes sense, but everything about her feels right. Especially in the deepest strands of his DNA, which are still shadows of mystery to him—a mystery Kara seems determined to uncover.
She’s Hollywood royalty. She’s forbidden fruit. And he’s pretty sure she could be the answer to everything.
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My immediate reaction when I finished this book was “Great start to the series. I need to get my hands on book two like NOW!!!” and I’m not kidding.
First you have a demon, Kara Valari, who is in the spotlight and hates it, her family actually reminds me of the Kardashian’s in a way. Kara doesn’t like when the paparazzi is following her around, she likes to be left alone to her studies she is more of an introvert than her mother would like.
Second you have Professor Maximus Kane, he’s so yummy to look at he has all of the girls…and some of the guys lining up to get into his class. Professor Kane is different, you can tell that right away but it’s more than just his good looks.
There is a deep connection between Kara and Maximus but their Professor/student relationship needs to stay just that way, he cannot and will not jeopardize anything ever again. But after one touch she’s what he craves….
This was the first book I have read by this author duo, I have read a few books by Meredith Wild but none yet by Angel Payne. I am really, really looking forward to the rest of this trilogy. I will warn you this is left on a bit of a cliffhanger but the next book is due out later this year. If you enjoy Paranormal Romances I would definitely recommend this book to you.
Happy Reading!!!
Basically I’m floored. This book, this epic story, blew me away! First I have to say that Meredith and Angel are two of my absolute favorite authors! They write incredible stories surrounded by amazing detail, and characters and twist after twist that keep you hooked! And secondly can I just say HOLY COVER!!! If I knew nothing about this book or authors the cover would be more than enough, it’s perfection!! This story really has it all. There’s a hot as a God professor, a pretty famous girl, awesome friends, controlling families, mystery, magic, sex appeal, glamorous parties, and stars! Professor Kane, Maximus, is the best God/human a girl could ask for. He’s kind and patient and intelligent and broding and sexy and alluring. He has God like strength he has learned to controll over the years. His heritage is unknown to him and for most of his life he has been ok with the lack answers. He made a grave mistake when he was young and this seems to have kept him grounded as well as haunted him enough to drive for a normal, semi hidden life. He’s never met anyone like himself, until he meets one of his students and his life it tipped on it’s axis. Kara has grown up with a family name she wishes she could ignore. She isn’t like her family and does not want the spotlight or a life that is not chosen by her. She is beautiful, and intriguing, and smart, and loyal. She catches the attention of Professor Kane immediately and there is a pull she cannot ignore. She has secrets and so does Maximus but when they are together they cannot contain those secrets and soon nothing is what it seems.
There was nothing I disliked like about this book. There was nothing I would change. The story is so intriguing and I couldn’t get enough. Meredith and Angel set this storyline up perfectly with just enough mystery and answers and magic to keep me happy and wanting more. The chemistry between Maximus and Kara is so good and when they are together it’s explosive!! There was no point in this where I felt I couldn’t connect with the characters or story. The ending was perfect and it set up the next book incredibly well!
I expected nothing less than perfection from these two authors, and perfection is what I got! I cannot recommend this book enough and I cannot wait for the next one!!!
Maximus is a college professor. He knows he’s different from other people but he has know idea what makes him different.
Kara is a student and a member of the famous Valeri family. She knows what she is but ignores it as much as she can. Super slow burn even though the sizzle was immediate the romance was push and pull through most of the book.
The chemistry between Maximus and Kara is off the charts! I am so excited to read more about this couple and to find out how they are going overcome all the obstacles in there way.
“I’m falling for you, so hard. Like, straight out of a plane without a parachute hard.
There is a cliffhanger ending so it’s a good thing we don’t have to wait long for the second book.
The cover of this book is smoking hot.
I have read a few books from both of these authors. When I found out that they were writing a series together I couldn’t wait to read it. I knew it was going to be amazing but these ladies exceeded all my expectations. This is the first book of the Blood of Zeus series and wow what a perfect start to an addictive series. I started this book and I couldn’t put it down until the very end. It only took me an hours to devour this addictive story.
Kara Valeri is not your average college student. She is well known from her family. Kara is an undergraduate in a great college and she keeps forgetting that she is a demon. She has only one more year of freedom and she is going to live it up. Kara is so excited that she finally got into the class of her dreams. When she finds out who her professor is she can’t help but feel a connection to him. Kara feels that Maximus is not your normal human but she can’t put her finger on what he is. She is in complete shock when they touch. There is something about him she can’t get enough of. Will Kara find out what Maximus is or will her dark life get to be too dangerous to find out?
I confess…I was expecting something completely different. Billed primarily as a paranormal romance, I was completely drawn to it, however even though both MCs are shrouded in these unexplained mysteries it feels more like a contemporary romance. That’s not bad, just unexpected.
Don’t get me wrong, this co-authored book is magnificently written, almost to the point of being poetic. The visuals I experienced are spectacular, I actually felt like I was lying on my back and marveling at the beautiful night sky.
I love when an author can transport me and the romance…. WOW! off the charts <3
Max and Kara have these beautiful stolen moments that will melt the hardest heart.
The cliffie is excruciating...honestly, I felt like we were just getting started!
So I’m not really into PNR or mythology, it really is not my first choice to read so I wasn’t really sure how I would feel about this book.
But boy oh boy let me tell you that Blood of Zeus was absolutely FREAKING AMAZING!!! Angel and Meredith have knocked it out of the park with this book. I mean WOW just WOW!!! I love it so much and am so desperate for the next installment!!!
Wow, this book is hot and mysterious
I absolutely loved Maximus and Kara’s story. Their feelings jump off the pages and occupy your mind for days after. The undeniable pull they feel for each other is so magnetic.
Maximus and Kara are so hot together. The intense feelings are felt from the very beginning. Maximus has never understood why he is the way he is and when Kara seems to understand it unnerves him that she keeps coming back. They are a forbidden love and can’t let each other go. The intense enthrallment just gets stronger as secrets are affirmed.
Paranormal isn’t my normal genre I go for in books but this one has changed my mind. It really makes you feel like it is all going on now in our world. It was truly captivating and I cannot wait for the next book.
Epic romance! If the cover isn’t enough to tempt you, the forbidden love story inside will surely conquer you.
Luxurious power, endless wealth and notorious family name all compete to bestow a dark legend around Kara Valari. Not even the fires in hell can drag her away from her fascination for literature professor Maximus Kane. A man, but not just a mortal man. And the tragedy is born.
So very exciting!
This is a beautiful romance forged in mythology, tormented souls, sectarian traditions, and fate. The atmosphere blends modern luxury, ancient mysticism and a paranormal biology with a lust that vibrates through the pages. The characters bring sophisticated talks about Dante and Hell to their dance of seduction. The pull and push of mind-blowing chemistry and untapped dangers play its magic in scenes where the couple challenges and tempts each other. They are fighting their fiery desire while attempting to decipher their connection, his foggy origins, and her mafia-like family.
The result is addictive. I really can’t say what I enjoyed the most. The arousing buildup of impossible intimacy? The nagging secrets about the characters’ mysterious identities? Maybe the horrible, yet darkly erotic fate that awaits Kara as her biblical duty? That Lucifer look alike was my undoing 😀
When Maximus and Kara finally succumb to their passion it is truly a moment of tempestuous bliss. True scorcher! That cliffhanger in the end is a portal to a veritable source of devilish plots that I am eager to explore. Bring the underworld on!
Blood of Zeus by Meredith Wild and Angel Payne. This is the First book in the Blood of Zeus Series. This starts the story of Kara Valari and Maximus Kane. Kara is attending a University trying to stay out of the limelight along with keeping her secrets. Maximus is a professor at the university. But there is more to him which has him too keeping secrets. These two meet when Kara has Maximus for a professor but each feels a pull toward the other. This is a paranormal romances that does end setting us up for the next installment into their story. For me this was a page turning read by to great authors. I can’t wait for the next installment.
BLOOD OF ZEUS By Meredith Wild & Angel Payne
What a wonderful start to this new series! This book captured me from the very 1st, and did not let up or slow down! I expected no less from Meredith Wild and Angel Payne, as they are 2 of the finest authors that have ever put words on a page. I have now entered cliffhanger hell to await the second book. As with all they produce, I know it will be more than worth the wait! Definitely a 5 star read!!
Merrdith Wild and Angel Payne brings us this sexy, edgy, paranormal romance with a mythological twist. Hang on tight because these ladies give you a whole lot if heat and leave you gasping for more!
Kara Valari is a student at the University in Los Angeles. Kara is always under the watchful eye of the media because she is a Valari. She is trying to finish her final year at college because once she is done she is expected to fulfill her true destiny. Her future has always been planned by her mother and she wants to make the most of her life before finishing her last year of college. Kara always keeps to herself until she takes an Advanced Studies in Medieval Literature, and her teacher catches her attention for many reasons.
Professor Maximus is the definition of a male model. When Maximus begins his class and catches the eye of Kara he feels an instant and unexplainable attraction to Kara. He’s always liked to keep to himself because he’s always afraid of hurting anyone that is close to him after experiencing a horrible accident when he was a young boy.
Kara and Maximus run into each other at a party and their is no denying their chemistry it’s breath taking and passionate. Both have never given anyone a second look or given into temptation but they can’t help but want to spend more time together. There are many reasons why people don’t want them together, but they don’t care they do it anyway!
They have both felt like they would never find anyone to share thier life with because they were so different but together they realize that they are so in sync with one another. There are many different abilities that they each possess that only adds to the uniqueness of the story. I really loved this book it has romance, mystery, and passion.
Kara Valari has saved Professor Maximus Kane’s literature class for her senior year of college. From day 1 she feels a pull to him like nothing she has ever felt before. Maximus knows he is different but doesn’t know why. He is bigger and stronger than any human should be. He has resigned himself to a life with his books until Kara walks into his life and derails his plans. Will their secrets destroy any chance they have together?
I am so excited to read Blood of Zeus by this amazing duo. I have read nearly all their books so knew with them writing together, this was going to be epic. I wasn’t sure where the story was going in the beginning but what a ride to get to the end. The suspense builds rapidly towards the end of the book and leaves you anxiously awaiting book 2. These ladies threw in some surprises I wasn’t expecting to keep you guessing. Did not want to put it down.
Who’s your daddy? 😉
Sweet Lord Almighty, I’ve never had so many dreams and fantasies as to Maximus Kane and how he looks like at Alameda University. Just from the cover alone, I knew I was going to be in for a hot hot HOT read, and it did NOT disappoint! <3
Of course, nothing from Angel Payne and Meredith Wild ever disappoints. ^_^
Maximus Kane always knew something about him was different. From his stormy eyes to his god-like strength, flowing hair, and even tall and built stature, everyone knows that Maximus Kane isn't someone to fight with. He's known he was different since the accident that hurt his best friend Jesse for life. But when he locks eyes on the mysterious Kara Valari, something within him ignites. An ache that he has never felt before...
Kara Valari has a name, money, and the looks to make a man drop to his knees and propose on the spot. But when she signs up for Professor Kane's Greek Literature class, Kara has no idea what she's getting herself into- especially when she locks eyes on her hottie of a professor, Maximus. Trying to keep her head down, she knows that God forbid ANYTHING should happen while she's there that she needs to put an end to it. She can't get involved with her professor- no matter what he says, or how he touches her, or how her body responds every time the two of them are in contact.
But for how long will Maximus and Kara deny their attraction? If the two were to get involved, their worlds would forever be intertwined and mixed up. But all eyes are on them- both heavenly and hellish ones. Not even the gods could stop what happens next...
I NEED THE NEXT ONE! NOW!! <3 <3 <3
Oh my my my. Let me gush about this book that was even better than I hoped for! First I’ll start with the obvious- Professor Maximus and his too hot to handle cover that’s been worth many repeated glances. Sigh. He’s just delicious. And my heart hurts for him. He carries guilt and restraint with him his whole life, and there’s a lot he doesn’t know about himself.
Then there’s Kara. She’s got secrets, and obligations, and a family debt she’s supposed to pay. But what can you do when you find your soulmate? Not like they can fight these feelings, so powerful it must be fate.
There are so many cool little details that brought this story to the next level for me. The forces keeping these two apart are bigger than things typical to a romance novel. These are HUGE problems! I also love the little details of their personalities- things unique to Kara and Max that are fascinating. And the things that happen whenever they touch….love it all.
This does end in a cliffy. And I’m sure I will reread this before book two comes out. I haven’t been this excited about a series all year!
***NO SPOILERS HERE***
Oh my, to say the bolt of electricity between Kara Valari and Professor Maximus Kane is mild to say the least. Are they destined to be together or doomed by her prearranged fate to another and his uncertainty of what he truly is!? Meredith Wild and Angel Payne together have just smashed book 1 of this series out of the park.
Cant wait for book 2
I wasn’t sure what I expected from this story but, I was pleasantly surprised. Maximus and Kara held my interest as a couple (even though they shouldn’t get together but the attraction and pull were too much to deny). One knows what they are, while the other doesn’t have a clue. Mythology isn’t my go to genre but this one held my attention and leaves me wanting the next part as soon as possible.
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
This storyline has an instantaneous magnetic feeling with heavy sexual desire added in. I’m not sure if it’s because I listened to the audiobook or what but it was a story that pulsed with desire. I’m not a big paranormal romance reader/listener but this first book doesn’t feel too heavy in the PNR either… it gets there and it’s definitely implied but it doesn’t start out heavy. I wonder if that’s because it’s the first book in the series. Blood of Zeus could have been setting up the story, setting the stage, if you will, and introducing all (most) the characters. I devoured it. I have an avid interest in mythology and am really excited to see where this story take us… I have the feeling that Maximus and Kara will have some hell to pay in the coming books!
This was my first book by Meredith Wild and Angel Payne and I’m really excited about the two follow up books. I can’t wait to learn more about the mythical world that they’re combining with our world. I found the mix to be really sexy and forbidden… recklessness it’s attractive when you have the Blood of Zeus!!
Now the narration by Jennifer Mack and Jacob Morgan was sumptuous. They both brought the perfect amount of drama and just gave a pulse to the story. Mack was able to perfectly portray Kara. She really brought her personality to the forefront… I felt her worry and apprehension just like I felt her inability to fight it. Morgan had his work cut out for him Maximus was left in the dark for so much of the book that he had to convey that confusion while still coming off as strong and dominant. He portrayed that flawlessly. They definitely had me invested and excited for Heart of Fire!
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for the complimentary copy of this audiobook with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
There are no correct terms for this book!!! Beyond fantastic this story is. Grips you and holds you so tight to the very end. Crave more as soon as you are done. Masterpiece I believe this one is going to be!!!
Meredith Wild and Angel Payne pairing up for some new books is so awesome! They did a phenomenal job collaborating and creating a great story. The main characters are Maximus and Kara. They both have something more to them but they don’t know what it is and neither do we. I love how that aspect kept me on my toes, thinking about different scenarios. When some of it finally comes together, it’s so exciting! Love the chemistry between these characters and I can’t wait to see how the storyline develops even more in the next installment of the series.