Goddess Born

About the book:
Pennsylvania, 1730

Selah Kilbrid keeps a dangerous secret: she has the power to heal.

A direct descendent of the Celtic goddess Brigid, it’s Selah’s sacred duty to help those in need. But as the last of the Goddess Born living in the New World, she learned from an early age to keep her supernatural abilities hidden. The Quaker community of Hopewell has always been welcoming, but there’s no doubt they would see her hanged if her gift was revealed.

When a prominent minister threatens to try her with witchcraft unless she becomes his wife, Selah has only one hope—that her betrothed, a distant cousin from Ireland, arrives as planned. Marrying Samuel would keep her secret safe, preserve her sacred bloodline, and protect her from being charged as a witch.

But when news of Samuel’s death reaches the Colonies, Selah is truly on her own. Terrified, she faces an impossible choice—forfeit her powers and marry the loathsome Nathan? Or find an imposter to pose as her husband and preserve her birthright?

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2013 RWA Golden Heart© Finalist

2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semifinalist

 

  ABNA Publisher Weekly Reviewer Set in the colony of Pennsylvania in 1730, this riveting novel begins as 18-year-old Selah Kilbrid runs into Quaker minister Nathan Crowley, a man who “labor[ed] under the delusion that [Selah] would soon be his wife” despite the fact that she was betrothed to a man on his way to America from Ireland. Nathan tells Selah that if she refuses him, he will have her “charged as a witch” because of her ability to heal the sick. To avoid Nathan’s plan to marry her the following Sunday, she leaves for Philadelphia to wait for the arrival of her betrothed and marry him before returning home. In Philadelphia, she discovers that her betrothed has died at sea. She then purchases Henry, an indentured servant, and convinces him to pose as her husband and help protect her from Nathan. As the story continues, the reader learns of Selah’s family history and the powers she possesses; Selah is half human, half goddess. It's important that her secret stay safe, because if discovered, she could be killed. The characters are well developed and relatable; the reader empathizes with Selah and her plight. The fast-paced plot is exciting and keeps the reader guessing and in suspense. The end leaves room for a sequel, which, after such a tremendous beginning, would be anxiously awaited. A clear winner!  


About author Kari Edgren:
Kari Edgren did not dream of becoming a writer. Instead, she dreamed of everything else and was often made to stay inside during kindergarten recess to practice her letters. Despite doting parents and a decent school system, Ms. Edgren managed to make it through elementary school having completed only one book cover to cover – The Box Car Children, which she read approximately forty-seven times. Things improved during high school, but not until she read Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude in college, did she truly understand the power of a book. Ms. Edgren aspires to be a Vulcan, a world-acclaimed opera singer, and two inches taller. She resides in the Pacific NW where she spends a great deal of time torturing her husband and children with strange food and random historical facts. Ms. Edgren hasn’t stopped dreaming, but has finally mastered her letters enough to put the stories on paper.

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Persephone (Daughters of Zeus #1)

By Kaitlin Bevis

About Persephone (from Goodreads):
There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I received Persephone, I wasn't able to read it right away. Blog tours and life (ahem, a wreck that totaled my car), had kept me busy. When I was able to breathe again, I began Kaitlin Bevis' story and I was quickly drawn in. I regretted not starting it sooner, but was glad that I was able to give it the attention it deserves.

Basically, Persephone is a modern day twist on that Greek myth. The myth says that Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and forced to be his wife, thus becoming queen of the underworld. So of course you think, "Boo Hades! How dare you kidnap a girl and force her to be with you!" Kailin Bevis, however, took this story and flipped it on its head. Instead of making Hades out as the villan, he actually becomes the hero.

I absolutely love Hades' character. Forget everything you think Hades would and should be. Revis portrays him as a caring a nurturing god who honestly looks after his souls. He's not mad about being king of the underworld, but has embraced his role.

The world that Bevis creates is believable and well planned out. I could easily see the different sections of the underworld including the various rivers. The setting is where a fantasy writer can easily get it wrong and leave the story as a 2-D shell. Bevis got it right though! Her world was created in High-Def 3D.  I actually wanted to take a trip down and visit certain parts.

Although the book is geared to young adults and teens, adults who pick up the book will enjoy it as well.  It is very age appropriate. There isn't a lot of violence and not much romance--although Bevis does a great job of capturing the chemistry between Hades and Persephone. If you like any sort of mythology, then you should pick up this book!

About Persephone's world (quotes from the book):

"Oh, we're very good at misleading. We just can't speak words that aren't true. It could unravel all of creation." --Hades

"Just get him started on what he thinks is best for the souls. He's all about making everyone feel right at home. Oh gods! He reads these stupid psychology books and just spouts off random psych-babble. It's awful!" --Cassandra (talking about Hades)

I'd followed in the footsteps of the dead, befriended a prophet, been attacked by a snowstorm, married the King of the Underworld, found out I was a goddess, and stabbed a guy with a pen all in one afternoon. I was terrified of what tomorrow might bring.  --Persephone

"...Families think they know what's best for you. Your friends let you figure that out for yourself." --Hades

"I'm a god. I don't have to rule through fear or intimidation. That's a mortal weakness." --Hades

About author Kaitlin Bevis:

 I spent my childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with me, I rewrote it. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I spent high school and college learning everything I could so that one day I could achieve that goal. I graduated college with my BFA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and am pursuing my masters at the University of Georgia.

My young adult fiction novel “Persephone,” will be released this summer. I also write for Athens Parent Magazine, and truuconfessions.com. I have also published several short stories, my latest, Siren Song, is available on amazon.com.

Want to find out more? Check out the Persephone book trailer!