Thanos by Ella Frank Series:
Masters Among Monsters #3
Publication Date: January 26th,
2017
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Synopsis
CHARMED FOR LIFE?
Thanos Agapiou has always been a charmer. For over two millennia, the
vampire had no problem acquiring whom and what he wanted with a flash of his
handsome smile. He took for granted the boyish good looks he presumed he’d
possess for the rest of eternity.
How very wrong he was.
A nearly fatal attack distorted his entire existence. With his
appearance now matching the title many have bestowed their kind—monster—he
hides away from the world and all of those who know him, including his Ancient,
Eton.
Until one night when a stranger draws him out from the shadows.
OR CURSED FOR ETERNITY?
Ever since Paris Antoniou was thrust into a world of vampires, his
reality has become stranger than the history and the myths he’s studied for the
past decade.
When he learns the truth about his origins and the power he wields, his
confusion and fear have him running for his life. What he doesn’t expect is to
run into the arms of Thanos—a vampire who doesn’t intimidate him as much as he
intrigues him.
WHAT HAS THE POWER TO MAKE YOU WANT TO SURVIVE?
As their worlds collide under extraordinary circumstances, an attraction
neither can deny takes hold. But will that be enough to save Thanos from his
demons, or will he condemn Paris to his fate?
Destinies have been changed. Lines have been crossed. And, with tales of
the vampire race coming to an end, who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
After all, in a world run by vampires and gods, only one can be the true
Master among the Monsters.
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series,
including Try, Take, and Trust. Her Exquisite series has been praised as
“scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic
fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR.You can reach her on the web at
www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author
Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart,
J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.
This installment picks up immediately after the last. Each of the three Ancients has a first-sired. They are a pair for all eternity. Each relationship is unique, be it sexual, friendship or a deeper necessity. The first vampires were made by three of the Greek gods. Now those same gods have sent three demigods to end the vampires. Because of current feelings and past actions, lines for everyone have blurred.
I had no idea how things would end for all involved. Some things seemed unforgivable, and others undeniable. All of the nine main characters play a part in this book. Each book has continued to world build and add to the series storyline.
Even after the ending, Thanos and Eton are a bit of a mystery to me. I really liked Paris and the interactions between Thanos and Paris. Leo almost stole the show for me in this book. He's probably my favorite character from the series. All of the cast bring something unique.
If you're a fan of the previous books, you must read this one. If you haven't started the series, but you like paranormal romance, give this one a try. It has M/M, M/M/M, M/F, M/F/M themes. Some parts are erotic. There are flashbacks. Greek mythology and gods play a big part. It's an interesting turn on the idea of vampires. Everything does wrap up on good note.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life.
Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change.
On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.
Six words will forever change the course of their lives.
Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary.
Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.
Nothing is as simple as it seems.
After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart.
Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.
BRANTLEY KEPT A discreet eye on the final student to leave for the morning as Mr. Finley strode down the stairs to the front of the classroom. They were three weeks into the semester and he was ashamed to admit that, with every day that passed, his fascination with the young man grew.
At first, he’d tried to convince himself that it was purely academic. The kid was smart. He’d aced all the weekly quizzes, and Brantley was more than aware of the way he watched him lecture with keen, intelligent eyes that never strayed from him.
Oh, he was fascinated, all right, but he made sure to tell himself at the end of every class that it had nothing to do with the mischievous grin Daniel would flash at his friends or the easygoing laugh that would bubble up out of him at any given moment. But he knew he was lying. Daniel was quite possibly the happiest person he’d ever met, and his joy of life lit up the room and everyone in it. Including him.
When Daniel stopped in front of him and dropped his paper on the desk, Brantley acknowledged him with a glance before returning his gaze back to the notes he was going over.
“Any big plans this weekend, Professor?”
The question had been so unexpected that he didn’t think to catch himself before he replied, “Nothing too big. Just going out with some friends. You?”
Daniel smiled at him as he shoved his arms through the loops of his backpack, and Brantley couldn’t help but look at his shirt as it stretched across his broad chest.
“I’m going to hit the beach. Such great waves right now.”
“Ahh, you like to surf. That explains it.”
When the side of Daniel’s mouth crooked up, the effect was charming as hell. The kid was a knockout.
“Explains what?”
Annoyed that he’d made such a stupid slipup, he looked back at the papers in front of him, hoping Daniel would get the message and leave. No such luck.
“Explains what?” he asked again.
Brantley sighed and rested his arms on the desk as he studied Daniel’s inviting face. “It explains your hair.”
“My—oh,” he said, touching the ends of it. “Do you like it?”
Stunned by the direct question, he sat back in his chair and fought the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Do I like your hair?”
“Yeah.”
“Does it matter?” Jesus, fuck. Stop it. Stop flirting with him.
But it was too late. Daniel put his hands on the desk and leaned forward, Brantley toed the ground, shoving his chair back.
“It could…”
“No. No, it couldn’t,” he said as he got to his feet, shaking his head.
Daniel straightened and tucked his thumbs into the straps of his backpack, no doubt to taunt him. His eyes were too knowing for someone his age, and when they held his longer than was acceptable, Brantley’s heart skipped a couple of beats.
“Was there something else, Mr. Finley?”
“You said you were going out with friends this weekend…”
Shit, did I? “Yes, that’s right.”
As Daniel ran his thumb down the left strap of his bag, he admonished himself for noticing every little move he made. He needed to get a fucking hold of himself.
“Are any of them more than a friend?”
If he hadn’t been watching Daniel quite so closely, he wouldn’t have believed the words that had just come out of his mouth. But he had been. So he did.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business. You better hurry or you’ll miss your next class.”
Satisfied that he’d firmly dismissed Daniel, he sat down and made a show of focusing on the books lining his desk and didn’t dare look and see if he had left this time or not. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if he was still standing there.
He reached up to adjust his tie, which suddenly felt a little too tight around his neck, and with each passing second that he was consciously not checking to see if he was alone, he swore that it was getting tighter.
“Professor Hayes?”
His head snapped up at his name, and when Daniel had his attention, he continued.
“Are you gay?”
Brantley’s eyes widened, and he wondered how his mouth hadn’t fallen open at the blunt question. Instead, he went with, “Excuse me?”
“I asked if you were—”
“I heard what you said. But I don’t see how that is any business of yours, either. You should think before you speak, Mr. Finley. I’m your teacher, and it’s time for you to leave. This conversation is over.” He flipped open one of the books on his desk and shook his head. He couldn’t believe the audacity of the kid—or the fact that he was so damn forthright. As he sat there, grinding his teeth in an effort not to look at his student—who was still standing in front of his desk—a bead of sweat ran down his collar and he cursed the fact that his nerves were getting the better of him.
“I only asked because, well, I am too. And I thought it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
Well, hell. He couldn’t fault him for that. The only problem was…talking wasn’t what sprang to mind when he was around Daniel Finley.
He clasped his hands on the desk and stared into the anxious face peering down at him. Daniel was worrying his lower lip with his teeth, and he suddenly looked very much the young man he was.
“Are you?” he asked again, and there was no way he could deny that hesitant curiosity.
“Yes, Daniel. I am.”
As his words drifted between them, Daniel’s mouth slipped into a smile. “Oh.”
Brantley laughed at that. He wasn’t sure what Daniel was thinking right then. He’d thought for sure with the way he’d been looking at him earlier that, if he’d admitted this, he would be fending off—or at least putting up a good show of fending off—an unwanted pass. But, instead, Daniel appeared thoughtful.
“Does that bother you?”
Daniel adamantly shook his head. “No.”
“Are you sure?” he pressed, and the look that entered Daniel’s eyes then was so hot that he thought he may overheat.
“Yes. I'm very sure.”
Oh, fuck. Okay. Where the hell did the nervous guy disappear to? One minute, Daniel was endearingly awkward, and the next, he was looking at him like he wanted to strip him out of his clothes and—“Stop right there,” he said, and he wasn’t sure if he was telling himself that or the contradiction eyeing him with newfound knowledge. “Whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it.”
“Why?”
Yep, he was fucked. That wasn’t a word he generally used, but in this case, he was well and truly fucked. He should’ve just stuck to the run-along-now speech.
“Because I'm your teacher.”
“This isn’t high school. I’m an adult.”
He sighed. “That may be true. But I’m your professor and this conversation is inappropriate.”
“How? I just asked if you were gay and you said yes. I don't see what the problem is.”
When Daniel aimed a mischievous grin at him, Brantley knew he was very aware of what the problem was.
“Out,” he said, pointing to the door. “Time to leave, Mr. Finley.”
This time, he made sure to watch Daniel so he knew he was actually leaving. He walked to the door, but at the last minute, he turned around to look back at him. Not willing to back down and show weakness, Brantley kept his eyes on his student as Daniel ran his tongue along his lower lip.
“You should call me Finn. Everyone else does.”
Christ. The kid was going to drive him to an early grave, but damn if he didn’t laugh at his audacity.
“Out,” he said again, and this time Daniel pushed out the door and disappeared into the hall.
Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR. You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author
Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.
I will forever be grateful for Try, which introduced me to the M/M book world; so, I was super excited to read a spin-off from the Temptation series. Finn (Daniel) is a lawyer who has had some interaction with Logan and Tate. Although I recommend the Temptation series, you definitely don't have to read it before this book.
Finn and Brantley met when Brantley was Finn's professor in college. So this a bit of student-teacher romance but not really. I would say it's more of a second chance romance. The guys were madly in love, but life and their decisions have kept them apart for several years. Now they're reconnecting to figure things out. They're either going to work each other out of their systems to get over the past, or they're going to find a way to heal and make their relationship work permanently.
Much of this book is torturous sexual tension, and when they give in of course the author delivers some deliciousness. The focus is almost completely on the two main characters. The storyline switches between past and present in their relationship. Also, the reader is given complete insight into what each is thinking. The overall vibe is really romantic and sexually charged.
If you're already a fan of this author, you should read Finley for sure. If you're not familiar with the author, but you love reading about sweet and saucy men burning for each other, you need to read this.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
Isadora
Nikitas understands what it means to be betrayed. That lesson was taught to her
in the prime of her life, and when she is offered a chance to exact revenge,
she finds it difficult to refuse.
Instead,
she entrusts her survival to a mysterious vampire known only as Diomêdês, a
male who wants nothing in return but to watch over her—in every way imaginable.
Gifted
with speed, strength, and immortality, she determines that her life will no
longer be governed by the needs and wants of a mere man. She has cowered for
the last time, and with her Ancient by her side, she thrives and blossoms into
the most formidable female vampire in existence.
But,
once upon a time, like all little girls, Isadora believed in love. She believed
it because she once had it. So, when it comes along a second time, she knows
that it’s possible—but when you love someone, they become your weakness.
Unless, in fact, they become your enemy instead…
A
MYSTERIOUS PAST…
Fulfilling
your life’s prophecy should be empowering. At least, that’s what Elias Fontana
always believed. But, as he stands guard over the beautiful vampire he’s taken
hostage, his convictions start to crumble. Made to believe by his creators that
he and two others have been designed to destroy a dangerous race, he has
difficulty connecting his current reality to the woman he once loved.
A
TANGLED TALE TO UNRAVEL…
When
friends become enemies and enemies become lovers, who can you trust in the webs
of lies and despair? And, when your life is at stake and blood has been shed,
how much are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill your destiny?
ALASDAIR KYRIAKOUS LOOKED over to where his human yielding lay stretched out beneath his Ancient and marveled at the predicament he now faced.
The depraved image on his bed had his cock standing at full attention as he walked closer to the scene that was unraveling. A feeding. And not just any feeding. One between the most formidable of their kind, Vasilios, and a human who he wasn’t fully convinced was human at all.
Tension filled the bedchamber, and Alasdair understood that one wrong move, one misspoken word, and the man he’d had his dick inside minutes earlier would be dead before he ever found out what he really was.
Although Vasilios was fully clothed, he was a shocking sight to behold. Covered in blood from the earlier butchery in Thanos’s chambers, he appeared every bit the savage he was. But that didn’t seem to faze Leonidas Chapel. Even naked and vulnerable as the man currently was, Leo was still enraptured by Vasilios.
Alasdair had previously suspected it, but that right there was proof positive. The sinful, wicked side of their nature, the killer instincts they possessed, intrigued this human. With every new detail Leo learned, he became more attracted and more involved. So much so that, when his life had been in danger, he’d offered them the use of him in any way they desired.
Leo was fearless.
Much like he himself had been when he had been mortal, and that made Alasdair…protective.
“Vasilios,” he said.
When his sire pivoted towards him, Alasdair had to tread carefully.
“Yes, agóri?”
Fuck, he knew that tone. It was Vasilios’s version of you dare interrupt me?
“Be mindful,” Alasdair said. “He is not like other humans.”
“Which is exactly the reason this must be done. This way, we will know where he is, what he is thinking, and I can bring him to me whenever I desire…” Vasilios turned back to Leo and trailed the tip of his bloodied finger along his cheek.
Leo’s lips parted.
“Wouldn’t that be a treat for you, human? To come to me—and for me—whenever I command it?”
Alasdair’s cock throbbed under Vasilios’s sensual tone, and when Leo arched off the bed, he knew that the invitation was affecting him in much the same way. He didn’t need to verbally respond—Leo’s body was speaking for him.
“You were right to keep him, Alasdair.”
Alasdair climbed onto the mattress so his knees were by their heads, and when Vasilios straightened to straddle Leo’s waist, he took Alasdair’s mouth in a possessive kiss.
He opened to his sire’s demanding lips, and as their tongues battled for dominance, Leo groaned underneath them. Alasdair pulled his head back and found Leo stroking his thick shaft.
So needy, file mou, he pushed into his mind. Are you sure you understand what you are offering?
A frown furrowed Leo’s brow, but the flush on his cheeks made Alasdair aware that, even though he might not have understood the finer details of his offer, he did understand he would get access to the both of them.
“He is different,” Vasilios nipped at Alasdair’s jaw. “And I want him to be ours.”
Leo was focused on the two of them, and when his teeth clenched and he gave a stiff nod, Alasdair relented.
“Then that is what he shall be.”
“So, you agree?” Vasilios asked as he lifted his head.
“Would it matter if I said no?”
When Vasilios arched an eyebrow, it gave Alasdair his answer, but his sire was quick to add, “Not particularly. However, I would prefer your acceptance.”
“Then be at ease. I want nothing more than to give you what you desire.”
“Ahh, agóri, you always know exactly how to please me. I shall endeavor to reciprocate the gesture. Keep him here. I shall return.”
Vasilios faded in an instant, and as Leo moved to his elbows, Alasdair shook his head. If he knew his sire, he would be back in less than—“Ahh, yes”—a second.
“Now, where were we?” Vasilios asked from where he’d reappeared—kneeling over Leo, minus all of his bloodied clothes, and clean as if he’d taken a lengthy shower.
This was a first for them. They had shared many lovers in the past, but never had they joined with another or fed another their blood with the sole purpose of connecting their lives. And Alasdair wondered where they would go from there.
A DANGEROUS ALLURE Bestowed with eternal life by the Ancient Vasilios, Alasdair Kyriakous is one of the most feared and ruthless vampires in existence. His name carries weight across all of the seven continents.
But he is a mystery to his kind, an anomaly among the self-indulgent. While he enjoys the pleasures of the flesh, he is exceptionally particular in his choice of partners and prides himself on his ironclad self-control.
Yet with one look his control will become a thing of the past, and Alasdair will discover that eternal life doesn’t always last forever…
A DEADLY ATTRACTION Thrust into a world he could never have imagined, Leo Chapel awakens in his worst nightmare. Taken hostage by the dangerously mesmerizing vampire, Alasdair, Leo must rely on his intelligence to escape before he reveals a secret he isn’t even aware he’s hiding.
A FORBIDDEN DESIRE Unaware that they’ve been brought together by an outside force and are little more than pawns to a higher power, Alasdair and Leo spend time trying to uncover the other’s secrets, the attraction between them growing stronger all the while.
But enemies are watching and preparing to act against them. When decisions that will alter lives and destinies have to be made—can a dead, grey heart learn to beat again?
AUTHOR INTERVIEW - Ella Frank
1.Why did you decide to write romance novels?
- Because I love reading them! I fell in love with love around the age of fourteen/fifteen when my Nan gave me my first Sandra Brown novel, and after that I was done. From there I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to fall in love in real life, and I wanted to write and read about it in books!
2.Do your leading men come from any place in particular? Dreams? Movie stars? Your partner? Past partners?
- I always think every character you create has a little piece of someone you know, and maybe a piece of yourself. But really, my men are all from my overactive brain!
3.What do you do in your down time?
- Read! Or binge watch Netflix. I love TV shows but hate commercials. So Netflix and Hulu are possibly the best things that have happened in modern times IMO.
4.When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head first?
- The erotic section. Hands down. I make a beeline in that direction and my husband heads to the DVD’s. I used to take great joy in taking the risqué titles to the cashier’s and smiling sweetly at them. But now I buy them on my kindle…ahh, some of the thrill is gone because of that!
5.Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?
Well, that would be the author’s I grew up devouring. That list includes, Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts, Janelle Denison, Lori Foster, Carly Phillips. There are so many wonderful writers in the genre. I also grew up reading James Patterson, who I love.
6.What research did you have to perform to back up your story? Any research, which really opened your eyes or gave you new respect for a topic or profession?
- With this recent series (Masters Among Monsters) I’ve been able to go back to my first love of Ancient History and do some digging and research on several topics. Some were not so pleasant like torture, and others much more so, such as clothing, locations, and myths.
In other stories, such as Blind Obsession I got to research all about Paris and violins and classical music and it really gives a whole other level of appreciation.
7.What is your method for writing a book? A certain amount of hours every day? A certain routine? Are you character/story builder or an outliner or some other method?
- Up until recently I would’ve said I was a total pantser (as in writing by the seat of my pants). However, I have recently become an outliner of sorts. It’s messy and no one really understands it but me, but it’s definitely helped with this series for sure. Not that I always stuck to it!
8.How do you get past writers block or distractions like Facebook?
- I walk away. Sounds simple, right? It’s not always so. If I’m stuck on something I will usually try and push through until I’m so annoyed I get mad, throw a tantrum, and THEN walk away. As for Facebook, the trick is checking once in the morning, and once in the evening, and really even then sometimes I have to take time-outs to make sure everything gets finished on time.
9.What is your favorite book from childhood.
- Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta. This is such an amazing book about finding out who you are, and being proud of it. I also got to go and listen to the author speak as a teen which was phenomenal.
10.What’s on your desk? Can you see your desk? Describe what you see when you look around.
- I usually sit at my kitchen table first thing in the morning at 4:30a.m. when I get up. I know I’m insane. That’s actually where I am right now, and there is an unopened bottle of wine, waiting for tonight and my headphones to block out all noise. Later when the rest of the world wakes up, I will move to my actual desk which is a varidesk! Sometimes I sit, and other times it folds up so I can stand. I love it.
11.What's the weirdest thing you've Googled?
- Well, it wasn’t weird so much as unexpected for a woman to be searching it. I write in the m/m genre and considering I am a female I had to research quite extensively through videos and words and also chatting with people, the sexual interactions and situations I wanted to use. Now I just imagine it all in my head and go from there. But you always want to be as accurate as possible.
12.What is your favorite line from any of your books?
-That’s hard! Like making us pick our favorite child. I have a couple that come to mind.
“You are going to ruin me.”
She placed her palm over my heart and tapped 1,2,3. 1,2,3—before whispering, “You’re going to save me.” ~ Veiled Innocence
“Before this, I didn’t know you were essential for me to feel alive.” ~ Trust
When did this story morph? When did it change from a tale of two to a tragedy of three? ~ Blind Obsession
13.Do you believe in love at first sight?
- Not really! I believe in lust at first sight. I think you can be very attracted to someone as soon as you see and meet them. But usually it takes a few conversations to find that deeper connection. It might only be one or two conversations, but there usually needs to be some talking. However, in some books it totally works! After all, it’s the fairytale and it’s fiction, where anything is possible!
14.What do you do when you are not writing?
- I love movies, reading, TV and relaxing with good food and wine.
15.What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
- It’s always tough to hear that someone doesn’t love a character you may particularly love writing or feel a connection with. That’s always the toughest for me. It’s almost like you want to defend them like they’re your blood relative. But in the end, you are putting your work out there to be read and enjoyed (or sometimes not). That comes with the territory, you just have to develop a thick skin and not let it mess with your head.
About the Author
Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”
A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary, M/M romance and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR. You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author
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Isadora is immensely erotic. It has a sex scene or two for everyone (M/M, M/F, F/F, M/M/M, etc.). Well played, Ms. Ella Frank, well played. I savored them all.
The storyline to Masters Among Monsters grows substantially in this book. Alasdair was über seductive. Isadora is just as sexually provocative, but it also lays major foundation in the mythology and exudes powerful feelings. The relationship between and background stories of Isadora and Diomêdês gave me heart pains. Their love is so deep and so different from the others.
I enjoy when puzzles, symbols and mysteries need solving within a series. Where is this plot headed? *big smile* I can't wait to find out.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
