Thunderstuck

by Laura DeLuca

Taranis, the Celtic god of Thunder, has spent an eternity longing for the touch of a single mortal woman. He has followed her through incarnations, but always his powers were too much for her to bear.

Tara is a deaf woman, struggling to fit in the hearing world. She hides a gentle heart behind a tough exterior. Will she let down her defenses when a handsome mute tries to win her heart?

And even if she does, can Taranis’ love come without a death sentence?

Genres: Short Stories

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2013

About the author

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her four children and multiple cats. Her works include romantic thrillers, paranormal fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult. Visit her website at www.authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com for more information.

Reviews

[Michelle Cornwell-Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Author Laura Deluca, I first became aware of her work with the Dark Musicals series, which I loved. Now Ms. Deluca has entered the world of New Adult fiction with Thunderstruck, one of the featured stories in Ishtar Press For The Love of the Gods Anthology.

Ms. Deluca has made an incredible transition from more of the Young Adult fare to a tale with an adult edge:)

Thunderstruck tells the story of the Celtic God of Thunder Taranis ,and his soul searing love for a mortal woman. This same woman he has watched over and loved from afar for several lifetimes. But each time he attempts to make contact, she dies due to being unable to bear the sound of his voice.

Heartbroken Taranis never gives up, and is determined to find a way to his love again, and also a way to be with her.

Fast forward to present day and now the woman has been reborn as Tara, a strong, independent young woman working her way through college. She is a deaf woman attempting to find her way in a world that at times disregards and rejects her.

But Tara reflects the fiery passion that she exhibited in each incarnation; but Taranis notices that within this modern society which encourages and nourishes this independence, Tara has fully blossomed into a formidable young woman.

He once again hesitates to make contact, concerned of the outcome, so he takes his time. In this life, he is known to Tara as a friendly fellow student that has become a friend. But unable to contain himself he does make contact and shows himself to Tara in all his powers, hoping that she would survive and accept him.

I loved this story! Beautifully written in a lyrical prose in the opening scenes that evoked a mystical quality, it flipped and had a very edgy, modern evolution as the story progressed.

Tara was fierce, a fantastic protagonist that was funny, tough and very likeable. I laughed out loud at certain parts, especially when Taranis first showed himself to Tara, and she pulled out a gun! That was a great scene:)

The story flowed well, and both characters were well-developed even though this was a short work. These were characters you rooted for and I also simply felt my heart-strings being pulled when Taranis realized that, (not fully knowing or understanding why) Tara’s soul had chosen this form (being a deaf woman) in an instinctive response to being with the one her heart longed for through time.

But regardless of why her soul made the choice, Tara was proud of who she was in the present– her heritage and being deaf. Both characters complimented the other and as I stated Ms. Deluca did it again! Made a winning story, leaving me wanting more:)

I recommend this for story for Adults only due to sexual content and language.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story which is part of an anthology, For The Love of The Gods, published by Ishtar Press. There are a total of 9 stories which are being published seperately for now but will eventually be put into print together.

Thunderstruck is the story of Taranis, God of Thunder, and his quest to find his soul mate. The story starts in Ireland in the year 1462. Taranis spies on a mortal woman, desperate to make contact with her, but is held back by past failures. His fellow gods have given Taranis terms to abide by, and thus far he has failed in his quest to get past those terms.

The story jumps forward to the present day and Taranis, in human form as Taran, converses with a young woman in a coffee shop. Could this be his soul mate? And if she is can he manage to pass the very strict terms he has been set?

This is a quick read but it has so much in its pages. I love the idea that a god can find a human woman attractive and want to change his life to be with her. And I love how feisty the woman he wants becomes by the end of the story!

This is a good short read with just the right amounts of love, sex, and storyline to keep the readers attention.

[A.R. Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I've read quite a few of Laura DeLuca’s works and have never been disappointed. Yes, I’m still a VERY happy camper! She’s an amazing writer that brings us very entertaining and amazing stories to escape with. Thunderstruck is this author’s first adult story and it’s original, sensual, romantic and emotional. A short that many fans of the genre will enjoy & crave more of!

Taran has been awaiting the other half of his soul for a very long time. It seems each time they meet, something goes completely wrong and they never get together. Will the next time (with more care and planning) be the last and finally successful time? Will Taran soul finally be complete? Read away to find out ;)

I hope there are more adult themed stories in the works from Laura! I know I’ll be snatching them up once I set eyes on them :)

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tara she was feisty, "she would rather have shoved the cup up the blond bimbo's a**, but she controlled the urge." Taran he's a good looking thing, "he had the whole package - thick blond hair tied back in a ponytail, brilliant emerald eyes, perfectly manicured goatee, and a rock-solid torso." I liked their interactions, they were entertaining as hell:
"Eff," Tara repeated. "Eff me."
I wish, Taranis thought."
I would have liked this to had been a little longer than the 35 pages like when they first met, and what they did on their dates, the book seemed to have gone by so fast that it was just a tease to me.

[Erica Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting story! This short story would make for an awesome full book. The characters and the premise were really really good. I love the idea of the god trying to be mortal. Also it is always nice to see strong female heroines.

Tara is a deaf and she is trying to fit in but also likes to be alone. In each life see lives Taranis, the Celtic god of Thunder loves her.

This book is a short but really good read!

[Gloria Defeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taranis is a god longing for a mortal touch. Tara is a deaf woman with a lot of spunk and a colorful vocabulary. When the two get together, the sparks really fly in this steam paranormal romance. Its a short story that only takes about half an hour to read but worth every minute!

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is filled with magic and romance. Loved Tara and her spunk. Highly recommended.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

Obstacles too easily overcome, forgiveness too easily obtained, much more boring porn than interesting story with erotic elements, but if that’s your alley up…

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tara is an appealing feisty character. A girl who certainly knows how to kick-ass! The story based on a historical/mystical god is also very interesting and I liked the fantasy dreamy quality. I felt as though I did not know the characters well enough, therefore could not connect with them fully. Also the story felt stagnant at times where it focused on the attraction and obsession of the Thunder god and left me wanting a little more. It is definitely for a 18+ reader. And the first of a series of short stories so I am interested to read and discover more.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review