“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.
more
I love Meredith’s writing and I know paranormal is new to her. Between her and Angel it is quite the interesting story. It starts a little slow for me, which made it hard to get into, but I didn’t give up and really started enjoying it. I will be reading book 2 when available.
A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart – Zeus
I have been chomping at the bit to see what wonders the duo of Meredith Wild and Angel Payne would conquer with this Paranormal Romance. I was rendered speechless when I read what they had created in the form of Maximus Kane. He is a literature professor with a presence that would bring any student to their knees. Maximus has a strength he cannot explain. When he was younger, a close friend suffered a devastation at his hand and one that cannot be mended. He is constantly in a state of control so that nothing like this happens ever again. His world is thrown off its axis when a student named Kara Valari tests that control to his limits.
Maximus and Kara immediately have a bond that they cannot explain. Kara has her own secrets she cannot share with Maximus but she finds her reserve weakening every moment she is in his presence. Their attraction for each other is impossible to fight against, but they both realize they are entering a journey that leads to a road of destruction.
I am so looking forward to the next installment, Heart of Fire.
What happens when the child that has always been good decides that she’s had enough. Kara Valari knows who she is and what she is. While the world sees one side of her family she knows that everything comes with a price. And she is that price. Her last year in collage Kara takes the class about Dante’s Inferno. She did not expect Professor Maximus Kane to stir feelings she hasn’t felt before. Professor Maximus has always held back because of his strength. After meeting Kara he finds it harder to hold back when she is pushing for more than he can give. There are secrets that can turn their world upside down. Is their attraction worth the devastation of their actions?
This is my first book by both authors and it will not be my last. I enjoyed reading the anguish between Kara and Maximus. Every time I paused in reading I would wonder what Kara or Maximus would do next. Would they indulge in each other or would they put a stop to things?
MIND. BLOWN!
I read this book in one day and couldn’t get enough! This is a strong start to a new series by two of my fave authors and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Maximus and Kara! He is sexy and mysterious, there’s something unknown to him and he can’t shake the feeling. Kara is strong willed but her life is pretty much controlled and she doesn’t know what to do. Both have secrets. Together, their chemistry is lightening and it wakes something in them. I need the next book stat and I need to find out more!!
*ARC generously provided for my honest review, thank you!*
TOTALLY SPEECHLESS!!!
TRUE EUPHORIC READING EXPERIENCE!
Another extraordinary book from both Meredith Wild and Angel Payne!!!
I sat on this book for days before I got the courage to write this review.
This was my most anticipated read for 2020 and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
I loved the story line, the characters and especially the build-up.
Maximus was every thing…as was Kara!
I CAN NOT wait to get more of Maximus’ backstory and family history. This series will only get better as the books keep coming. I know the ‘WORD QUEENS’ are gonna astonish the hell out of us….counting down the days!
The sweet, sweet agony of forbidden love in this masterpiece will wrap itself into your soul. Maximus is sexy and every woman’s dream alpha protector. Kara is sassy, strong and intelligent. The chemistry between them is in the stars. This series is going to be beyond epic and my review doesn’t even hint at the amazingness. My heart is so full to see two of my favorite authors coming together to create an incredible story. A billion stars! Holy smokes I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Maximus and Kara!!
Mindblown! I honestly don’t know if I just read a book or watched a movie. This book is so vidily written I honestly saw it like a movie in my mind. Kara and Maximus were epic. I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology and even studied Latin for a time. This book brings gods and goddesses to a modern day timeline that does not disappoint. Throw in some hot chemistry and the best of Meredith and Angel’s writing and you have magic! These characters come to life and I cannot wait to read more!
I love everything about this story! Maximus is so intense, so tortured by his past actions that he can’t let anyone too close. He has a secret and truly doesn’t even know it. Those closest to him won’t tell.
Kara has a secret too and wishes she could forget it. Her life is mapped out for her and she has no control over her future.
Together they are fire and lightning! Together they are on a path that neither one knows how to move forward.
Book 1, Blood of Zeus is an exciting buildup to what can only be a battle of epic proportions for love!
I am vibrating with glee having read this and thoroughly anticipate the next book of the series!
Oh my gosh, wow, is what I say about this awesome first book in Meredith Wild and Angel Payne’s new series. The book is a page turner loaded with secrets and steam. This is not your usual professor/student relationship by far. Maximus and Kara’s journey is eloquently portrayed and written not to disappoint. I loved this first book and you will too. I can not wait to read the next one.
Blood of Zeus is FIRE!!! Maximus and Kara are off the chart! Their attraction to each other is literally scorching. So many secrets and unknowns. I can’t wait to see what is next. I absolutely loved this book and so will you!
2
Style: Paranormal Romance
Story: 2/5
Enjoyment: 2/5
Dark Level: 0/5
Sexual Level: OK
Triggers:
Violence:
Male: Sexy
Series: Book 1
Pages:
Audio: GOOD (f/m)
Kindle Unlimited: Nope
STORY:
The way this book started out intrigued me. Max the professor with unbelievable strength and Kara his student and demon like and whose family is well established, but I just could not get into this story. It felt paranormal adjacent. Also, I felt the story dragged and became not interesting anymore. Individually, characters seems interesting at times, but too many words within the pages and not enough excitement to them.
I appreciate the work that went into this book, but it was not for me.
SEXUAL CHEMISTRY:
If my interest is not fully there, the intimacy will be lacking for me.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
There were a few, but they didn’t hold my interest either to help pull me back in.
OVERALL:
With any book rated low, I would not discourage anyone from reading this book. I just think, personally, it was not for me the way the story was being told to me.
TRIGGERS:
****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.
NOLA504NERDS BLOG
A forbidden love story + ancient mythology = a 5-star audiobook! Maximus Kane is a literature professor at Alameda University and Kara Valari is his student. Kara belongs to Hollywood’s most notorious dynasty, though she’s more introverted than her family. This isn’t your typical student/professor romance though. The mythological aspect of the story gives this a unique and emotional twist. My favorite part of this story was the slow-burn and build-up. The sexual tension was amazing. There were also great subplots that included various aspects of the underworld. I especially love Maximus’ best friend Jesse North. Meredith and Angel clearly put a lot of time, research, and heart into this story. I felt like I was on the journey myself with Maximus and Kara. This was a great start to this series and I look forward to continuing this journey!
“She’s graceful curves and sensual shadows. Sultry darkness and passionate light. Blatant need and open desire. But most of all, she’s mine.”
Jennifer Mack and Jacob Morgan were perfectly cast for their roles. Kara is a very sweet, strong and passionate character. Jennifer embraced that and effortlessly portrayed her. Maximus is tall, handsome, broody, intelligent, and caring. Jacob Mack’s voice is sugar, spice and everything nice. Jacob portraying the sexy and dominating Professor Maximus? Wow! He does broody and dominating very well! Both narrators really brought this story to life. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.
5 Powerful Stars!
NOLA504NERDS BLOG
I am a huge fan of authors that step outside of their comfort zone, try something new and nail it. Now, in saying all of that I have to say I am not a fan of paranormal. I have read some, loved it but it is not my go to genre. Yet, the expectation can’t be me wanting authors to take a different path and I not do the same.
I am a fan of Meredith Wild. A huge fan of hers. I am one of those fans that says if you write the phone book I will read it. Well, she did not write the phone book, but she and Angel Payne penned a paranormal romance that has me salivating for more.
The quiet romance is filled with everything I would want from my hero and heroine. And it’s so seamlessly intermingled with the paranormal aspect of this story I could not tell the difference between the real and the fantasy.
Maximus is larger than life. He’s the epitome of masculinity. Sensual, smart, sexy with a quiet strength and determination that defines his existence. The mere passion that exudes from his presence is enough.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or could that possibly be changed to a woman in love. Kara is fully aware of who she is but she is more in tune with what she feels. Passionate, intelligent, fearlessness controls her existence. In her case her heart is her ruling factor.
Maximus and Kara together are what love is made of. The ins and outs of it. The uncertainty that controls the thoughts. The need, the drive and the pull that manages to manifest itself into every thought. The idea that opposites attract and forbidden love is sometimes a pull stronger than the obstacles that stand in its way.
Meredith Wild and Angel Payne have given me something forbidden in my eyes (PNR). Love at its rawest. Passion at its most intimate. Determination at its strongest.
I have stepped into a world I normally would bypass. I trusted the words of two women I immensely love and adore. This galaxy of stars is all I can offer in return.
Blood of Zeus is the first book in a new trilogy from Meredith Wild and Angel Payne. Maximus Kane is a professor of medieval literature at Alameda University. After a devastating accident when he was a child that caused permanent injury to his best friend, he has hidden his almost supernatural strength from everyone and comes across as a gentle giant complete with man bun. Student Kara Valari is a darling of the paparazzi, living her life in the eyes of the world albeit reluctantly. She’s also a demon whose destiny was decided for her before she was even born.
This book straddles several genres including teacher/student, role reversal and paranormal and I was intrigued by the blurb. It started off well and this thought from Kara….. a stark contrast to his notable physical presence. I was fabulously wrong. The masochist in me sends down a dark prayer that he’s a hard grader too…… gave me the impression that this would be a romance that would be at the darker end of the spectrum but then it didn’t live up to my expectations. For a demon Kara has definitely led a sheltered life, unless she’s rebelling against her family’s demonic heritage and playing the good girl. I did like the fact that for once it was the hero who had no idea what he was, generally it’s the heroine who’s oblivious to what’s going on around her so it made a pleasant change. But the rest of the book was just so so – maybe I just like a bad boy and both Maximus and Kara were both just so nice and boring despite what they are. I did enjoy the secondary characters of Kell and Jesse. In fact I’ll probably read the rest of this trilogy if only to find out if my suspicions about those two are correct but overall I’m really not sure if I enjoyed this book or not. If anything I’d have to say I’m left feeling slightly let down by it.
Wow!! This book was great!! The chemistry between Kara & Maximus is off the charts. This book has me pining for more. I need to know if they end up together, more about their separate stories, the mythology angle – all of it!! I’m counting down the days for Heart of Fire.
Fantastically Good! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
I can’t get over the high of this story! You can feel power in their DNA from the words pouring on the pages! I’m not usually one for a paranormal romance. But I love an intense powerful romance. AND THIS IS THAT TEN TIMES OVER!
I can’t wait for the next two books in this series! MEREDITH WILD & ANGEL PAYNE have outdone themselves! I need more NOW!
5 God Like Stars!
5 star review of Blood of Zeus (Blood of Zeus #1) by Meredith Wild & Angel Payne
Paranormal romance is not a genre I usually read, however since it is co written by one of my favourite authors, Angel Payne, I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad that I did. Although it is PNR, it was intriguing and Blood of Zeus was a book that I had a hard time putting down; in fact I was so invested in the story line that I forgot that there were paranormal elements to the story.
The chemistry that sizzles between the mysterious and tortured Maximus Kane and Kara Valari was so scorchingly hot that at times I felt as though I was going to burst into flames. Maximus is swoon worthy and there is something about him that ticked the boxes for me whilst Kara is a strong determined woman.
The secondary characters were just as engaging and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I am also going to purchase the audio as soon as it is available.