Review: Heart of the Serpent (Hades' Carnival #5) by N.J. Walters

[Eva Millien]

What the book has to say:

Just when you thought the Devil had gotten his due, he’s back for more.

Hades’ Carnival, Book 5

Now that the five-thousand-year curse that kept him and his fellow shapeshifting warriors trapped in animal form has been lifted, Mordecai doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. He is free—in theory.

Hell left its stain on his soul, and his relationship with the warriors who once trusted him is uneasy. The only bright spot in his life is Jessica, whose shining innocence he dare not taint with his inner darkness. But it’s getting harder and harder to stay away from her.

Jessica longs for the days she and Mordecai shared an easy friendship. Now he seems as distant as the stars. He denies there’s a problem, but she’s determined to penetrate his shields.

Hades has been plotting his revenge from his prison. He can’t harm Mordecai without harming himself. But there’s nothing to stop him from wreaking havoc by hurting the one woman Mordecai would give his life to protect—Jessica.

Warning: Vengeance, hot steamy sex and heart-melting romance.

What I have to say:

Jessica stole the serpent’s heart, but Mordecai dare not taint her with the stain that Hell left on his soul and even though he’s in prison Hades isn’t through wrecking havoc in this thrilling paranormal romance.

Though he denies there is a problem, Jessica knows he’s pulling away from her but she’s determined to penetrate his shields and the reader can’t help but get drawn into the story as Mordecai fights his attraction to Jessica. The chemistry sizzles between these two strong bewitching characters and the sex scenes are steamy but the relationship is on shaky ground due to Mordecai’s past. The fast paced and smooth flowing plot keeps readers on their toes with lots of suspense, excitement and romance.

Expectation and excitement catch the reader in a web of suspense and refuse to let go as Hades sets a deadly plan of revenge in motion and Jessica becomes the target. The story is brought to life by well written scenes and details that capture the imagination and the fascinating world ensures that the readers come back for more.

The story could be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading them in sequence to get the full impact of the overall plot and all the different major events that take place in each one. I was completely caught up in this story from the very beginning and I can’t wait to find out what Hades’ comes up with for next.

Purchase Links:

SP: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5306/heart-of-the-serpent

A: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Serpent-Hades-Carnival-Walters-ebook/dp...

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartoftheserpent-1716757-...

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Heart-Serpent/NJ-Walters/Q581738314?...

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-the-serpent-nj-walters/112...

K: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/heart-of-the-serpent

Samhain Publishing, January 13 2015, 95 pages, ebook

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23270085-heart-of-the-serpent?ac=1

Series Links:

http://www.njwalters.com/hadescarnival.html

https://www.goodreads.com/series/86042-hades-carnival

Introducing N.J. Walters

I discovered writing later in life. Like most teenagers, I dabbled with poetry, pouring my insecurities and angst onto pages of blue-lined school notebooks. In my twenties, I tried my hand at children’s stories, even going so far as to take a course in it. 
It was only in my thirties that I began to even contemplate writing romance. The odd thing is that I have been a voracious reader of romance most of my adult life. For many years, I read at least one book a day—category romance, paranormal, romantic suspense, historical—I read it all. 
With my husband’s encouragement, I wrote two mainstream romance novels. But after several rejections, I put my stories away for over five years. Then I had surgery. It was only gallbladder surgery, but it changed my life. Being laid up for a month, due to several minor complications, I began to think about my writing and wondered what I was waiting for. 
Based on some comments on a rejection letter, I rewrote both novels. It was a fantastic learning tool and I sharpened my writing skills. I also noticed a contest for an erotic romance novella online. The contest closed the next day, so I dashed off the five pages that I needed to enter and submitted them. 
I didn’t get anywhere with the contest, but I couldn’t stop writing about the characters—Annabelle Lee Murphy and Mike Sloan. I finished the manuscript, edited and revised it over and over and then started looking for a place to submit it. 
I was thrilled when Ellora’s Cave asked to see the manuscript and overwhelmed when they offered me a contract. Annabelle Leewas published by Ellora’s Cave in October 2004, one month before my fortieth birthday. I’d finally found my writing voice and now there’s no stopping me. 
My husband and I spend our days living, loving and writing. I enjoy walking and love the beach. Over the years, I have tried just about every craft known to womankind—knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, embroidery, cross-stitch, quilting, ceramics, leatherwork and heaven only knows what else. I am master of none, but I enjoyed them all. Right now, all my spare time is spent writing and I hardly have any time to read anymore, but I still manage to sneak in at least two books a week. 

N.J. can usually be found at:

http://www.njwalters.com/

http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/709041.N_J_Walters

For more books by N.J.:

http://www.njwalters.com/books.html

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/709041.N_J_Walters