FRESH FICTION

River Kassandros was born into servitude over two centuries ago. His status doesn't change when he is among the seven Spartan warriors given the choice to become immortal and protect the innocent. River is extremely unique among the men due to his capability to shape-shift into any weapon his master needs. He spends too long as a blade during the last battle making it more difficult to shift back to his warrior state. Then River is captured and tossed into the river. He has no hope of rescue, unless someone comes along to save him from the lonely, watery grave before the darkness takes over his soul.

Emma Lowery's best friend has left her to fend for herself on their camping trip, her cell phone is in her car and a crazy storm is coming out of the middle of nowhere. All of a sudden, she begins to hear a voice asking for help, even though there is no one in the vicinity. Because of her unique family talent, Emma understands the changes going on in Savannah with demons entering the neighborhood. She has been running from this talent ever since her twin sister died tragically. Now she is being pulled toward the river by a voice in desperate need of help and she is unable to resist.

This next installment in the Gods of Midnight series is just as action-packed and passion-filled as the first one. Definitely a must-read!

- Mandy Burns, Fresh Fiction

HARRIET KLAUSNER REVIEWS

The Spartan warrior slave, River Kassandros, is the ultimate weapon as he can turn into any shape and is endowed with Ares' berserker gift that is extremely useful in battle, which is his life. However during the revolt against their god Ares, River fought as a dagger only to be caught and thrown into the sea trapped in that shape forever (see the RED FIRE). His Spartan mates desperately search for him as they understand the curse he now will suffer eternally with his soul gone forever unless the right mortal frees him, but they fail to find him.

Several months later, River makes telepathic contact with psychically gifted mortal Emma Lowery. Attracted to his savior, River fears his emotions as he is unsure he can contain his berserker curse. Ares continues his assault on the Spartans and his efforts to regain control over River. Emma wants River, but knows to chase him could mean her death as he seems to be the focus of some powerful forces beyond her ken.

The second Gods of Midnight romantic fantasy is a terrific tale that once again will have readers believing in the Knight world where Gods and immortals intervene in the lives of expendable humans. The fast-paced story line is filled with plenty of action and passion. The overarching plot of the saga moves forward somewhat as Deirdre Knight provides an intriguing tale as his reason for being was protecting humanity, but now wants to focus his protection on one particular human.

- Harriet Klausner

RJ. KAYE'S BOOK BLOG

Deidre Knight has created a remarkable series that blends immortal Spartan warriors and demons with the flavor of the south. RED KISS picks up exactly where the first book, RED FIRE, left off. In the first book, River Kassandros, who has the ability to shape-shift into any weapon, had been fighting a war with his master, Ajax. He’d been captured and thrown into the deepest part of the river where the tides would carry him out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Emma Lowery gets stranded on a small uninhibited island off to the coast of Georgia. Since she has the ability to hear voices in the spiritual realm, she is able to hear River. In midst of a demon attack, she releases River and he is able to save them both. Little do they know, the fight against evil has just begun. As the passion between Emma and River explodes, each will come to understand their own destiny. The God of War won’t make it easy though. He will use River’s fears against him to put a wedge between the two. Even with the intervention of the Oracle and the help of the Highest of God. River has so much to overcome.

In book two, the saga of the Spartan warriors becomes richer in depth. I can’t wait to read more. The third and fourth installments of this series, RED ANGEL and RED DEMON, are scheduled for 2010.

- J.Kaye's Book Blog

ROMANCE JUNKIES

River is a warrior but also a slave who has a gift to transform into any weapon to be used by his master, Ajax. However, he is lost in his dagger form to both his master and to Ares. Both sides want him for different reasons. As they try to find River, it is Emma who finds him and returns him to his human form. He is attracted to her and wants her forever. But can they be together when only one of them is immortal?

RED KISS is the next book in the series featuring King Leonidas and his faithful warriors’ battle against Ares. River has a lot of rage and anger but his desire for Emma is real. She makes him feel like a man not a slave. Emma is mesmerized by River but understands the darkness inside him. She stands by him even though she knows some of his choices are not his own. The secondary characters are an integral part of the book since everyone is preparing for the confrontation with Ares. There are even some interesting romantic threads that will certainly be explored in future books. Although some secrets are revealed in RED KISS, I expect that there are many more to come and I can’t wait!

- Ann, Romance Junkies

THE ROMANCE STUDIO

Emma doesn't know what to think when she hears voices from the water. But she follows her instincts and discovers a beautiful dagger that, with her help, transforms into River, a hot, aroused male warrior. Further following a higher power, she and River, together with the other Spartan warriors, engage in fierce battles with Ares, the demon God, and his huge army of demons. The warriors are sworn to protect humans. Yet this battle is all about protecting River and all the unknown powers he holds inside.

I haven't read the first book in this series yet this one easily stands alone. However, I definitely want to read the first book because this one is so good. I really liked that the warriors are serving a higher God and how strong their faith and loyalty are in the face of some serious adversity. The world in which these men live is very vivid and descriptive yet refreshingly unique given the mass number of paranormal books flooding the market. Emma's ability to understand and accept the world she is thrust into could have been anti-climactic. But given the history of her family, she easily fits right in with River and because of their love for each other, easily embraces her duty. I really loved that the warriors were Spartan characters with the strong ethics and arrogance resonant with that time period. Yet they were living in our modern world. From the very first page, my interest was engaged and the action and adventure didn't stop until the very last page. The author also gives great insight into the other warriors and what their futures might hold. This book was a super hit with strong characters, a fascinating setting and lots of action and adventure!

- Lisa Freeman, The Romance Studio, 5 Hearts

More Reviews