Hercules

Twelve Labors #1

by Cree Storm

[Siren Classic Erotic Alternative Fantasy Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, gods, public exhibition, HEA] Hera and Aries have taken over Olympus. The other Gods have one chance to free Zeus, however in order to do so the other Gods must be willing to sacrifice their freedom for his. Twelve keys will release Zeus from Icarus and those keys are each a mate to the chosen ones, and the stones will lead the way. Each obstacle is a labor Hercules is all too familiar with. Can they succeed before their time runs out or are they all doomed? Hercules's first labor was to slay the Nemean Lion. Drawn to a Cat Shifter village Hercules finds his panther mate, Micah. The Alpha has been promised strength and stamina in exchange for Micah's death. Micah had accepted the fact he will die until he is saved by his mate. However, when Hercules's life is threatened Micah willingly gives himself up to save his man. A war is about to begin and the question is, who will survive? ** A Siren Erotic Romance

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Gods, M M Paranormal

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2014

About the author

Cree Storm lives and works in Southern New Mexico. The only thing she loves more than reading about gorgeous men and love is writing about them. Spending time with her friends and family is very important to her. When she is not writing or spending time with the love of her life you can find her watching the Oregon Mountains with a nice hot cup of coffee and her laptop or on face book with her many friends.

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't pinpoint exactly what I didn't like about his book just that it didn't really hold my attention and I didn't care about the MCs. It might be because it was the first in the series and spent a lot of time building the plot for the rest of the books. We did meet all the Gods and learned 12 of them will have to meet their mates and get keys to release Zeus from captivity because the evil Aries and Hera have taken over Olympus. I might read the next one just to see if I enjoy it more.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading author Cree Storm, and I know it will not be my last. I really could not stop reading Hercules. There is action, adventure, and I really like the chemistry between the characters. There is a lot of good world building too that I appreciated. What happens after Hercules saves the world is just the beginning of this story. I liked Micah he had some good back bone that Hercules needs in his life. There are a lot of demi gods too introduced. I liked this for a beginning of a series. There are many twists and turns that kept me reading. It also left me wanting more so I hope there are many more books in this series I know I would be in line to get them.



Four Twinkling Stars!

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve love mythology since I learned about it grade school, and oh boy does Cree Storm take a different route in this storyline, and I so enjoyed it!

Hera and Aries try to take over Olympus by taking Zeus and locking him up. It will take Twelve keys to release Zeus and to find those keys it will take the Chosen Ones finding their mate. First up is Hercules, who meets Micah and is very surprised to find his mate is a man and a shifter. He finds him being cruelly beaten by the Alpha of the pride. Hercules finds that the Alpha is very manipulative and his intentions are to actually kill Micah in order to stop Hercules from mating with him.

Things move pretty fast at this point, won’t go into too much as I might give spoilers. But I have to say that the storyline flows really well, love the interaction between the Gods. One of my favorite parts is when Micah brings them down just a notch and justly deserved I have to say. If you like reading paranormal or mythology stories, then I highly recommend the beginning of the series, I can’t wait to read about the next God and see what adventures they run into.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercules combines these 4 genres surprisingly well: Erotica, Romance, Paranormal, and Greek mythology. I won this book during a Facebook contest and, starting it, had no idea what I was getting myself into. I'm really impressed with the author's ability to successfully meld Greek Gods and modern day erotic romance! The story begins on Olympus, where Hera and Ares are attempting a hostile takeover. They've locked Zeus away in Icarus. The chosen gods must each find their mates if they are going to free Zeus. Hercules finds true love with Micah, a panther shifter. The two men feel instant attraction upon meeting, and pretty much instantly fall into bed. There are a few steamy sex scenes, but not over-poweringly many. The bulk of the story is romance with a liberal dash of suspense. I'll definitely be reading the rest of this series.

[SiKReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another series that takes what we know of Greek Mythology and spins it into a wonderful love story. We all know the story of Hercules, but what happened to him after? This book tells us. Now that Hera and Aries have imprisoned Zeus in Icarus, it is up to the other Gods and Demigods to find the keys that will free him. Those keys happen to be their mate.

Hercules is the first to find his mate. Being married before, he falsely assumes his mate is female. It isn't. It is a shifter named Micah. Together they go through the labor and return to Olympus to find who is to find the next key. This is a fascinating storyline and I look forward to see how they will all free Zeus and how they will defeat Hera and Aires.

[Nikko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so tired after reading this book. Not bad..

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hercules was the start of an interesting and exciting series involving Gods and their mates. This is the first time I have read a M/M romance so it was a little weird for me. I really enjoyed the storyline though and had no problem getting caught up in the action. That being said the characters were kind of childish to me, especially the Gods. There were a times that what the character's actions and dialogue didn't sit well with me. I'm not sure how to put it into words.
The romance was awkward for me as I said I haven't read a M/M before. Getting past that it developed a little too quickly for me. I could feel the love the characters had for each other and thankfully for me, there wasn't too many sex scenes so it wasn't the whole basis of the book.
Overall, not bad and I am interested to see where the story goes.

Merged review:

Hercules was the start of an interesting and exciting series involving Gods and their mates. This is the first time I have read a M/M romance so it was a little weird for me. I really enjoyed the storyline though and had no problem getting caught up in the action. That being said the characters were kind of childish to me, especially the Gods. There were a times that what the character's actions and dialogue didn't sit well with me. I'm not sure how to put it into words.
The romance was awkward for me as I said I haven't read a M/M before. Getting past that it developed a little too quickly for me. I could feel the love the characters had for each other and thankfully for me, there wasn't too many sex scenes so it wasn't the whole basis of the book.
Overall, not bad and I am interested to see where the story goes.
3/3.5

[Andrea Goodell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book one of the Twelve labors series. Hercules and Micah’s story, Hercules is a demigod on a quest to find one of the twelve keys that will free Zeus. Micah is a Panther shifter, living under an Alpha that has been abusing him and ruling the pack with an iron fist.
We start the story with Olympus is an uproar; Aries and Hera have captured Zeus and taken over. We find out that the only way to set this all right is to discover the Twelve Keys, and certain Gods are given stones to help them start the quest. Hercules being the first, as he sets out on this journey, Clotho, one of the fates is helping him. As the stone leads him through a forest, he comes upon a small village and falls in insta-love, GFY to a guy tied to a pole that is about to be whipped. Hercules calls upon the other demigods, Gods, for help to release this guy, who we find out is Micah, and Hercules mate. Once Micah heals from his wounds, he also falls in love with Hercules but will it be an enough?
I really wanted to love this book, but found it only okay. Too many characters, to modern, to unusual match, just didn’t work for me. When reading about God’s, demigods and shifters and the the story was unfolding I was expecting more ancient times, then all the sudden, we are given a sentence that has a microwave in the kitchen. Just didn’t fit. However, I did enjoy the back story of Hercules and the other God’s and demigods. I liked the quick one liner thrown out between them.
I was given this book for an honest review by Crystals many reviews

[Crystal Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this book caught me off guard! I wanted to read this because I am a huge mythology nut, and I love reading stories about that time frame, so I couldn’t wait to start reading this one.
I have really mixed feelings as to how I feel about it after finishing it though. I do want to say, that this book ISN’T set in ancient times, which I was given the impression that it was. So the mention of internet and a microwave kinda threw me for a loop big time. But I was able to move past that because I was drawn into the story.
I think that the twists that Ms. Storm added about the God’s needing to find their mates was really cool. I just wish it wasn’t as insta-love as it was. Even though you could tell that Hercules felt strongly about Micah, I couldn’t help but wonder at times if he really did love him, or if he was just mating him because of what was needed.
I do think that Ms. Storm as a great start to the series, and that is the reason that this book gets a 4 star instead of 3, because I do want to read more and find out what happens next.

Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*

[Crystal Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Oh no Olympus is in trouble Zeus has been imprisoned and Hera and Aries is taking over. But Cronus knows away to stop them they have to complete the twelve labors and those choosen must find and keep there mates safe, oh yeah and mate them. Hercules is the first choosen he finds his mate tied to a poll beaten nearly to death by an alpha that isn't what he seems. Micah is a panther shifter who's no longer able to heal himself he thinks he's all alone in the world and that he's going to die never knowing love. That is until he wakes up to see the most sexy man he's ever seen. Hercules must protect Micah at all costs but Hercules isn't sure he can mate a man he's never been with a man before. With Hera and Aries and the pysco alpha breathing down there necks will they ever get a moment to find out. I don't know but you can go get your copy today. This story was base wonderful I loved every minute of it. You will to. Cree does an excellent job on the characters and the story line. Honestly I didn't no if I'd like this series I didn't think there was away to spin it. Boy was I wrong.

[A C · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction into Twelve Labors series! This was a unique take on Greek mythology. When I first read the blurb I instantly knew I was going to dive right into the book. I mean Hercules!! Come on talk about hott!! Add in the M/M and this book was truly out of this world! We start with all of the Gods and Goddesses meeting in Olympus awaiting to hear news from Zeus. Little do they all know that Hera and Aries have taken over Olympus. The solution?? Find 12 mystical keys that will unlock Zeus and save Olympus as they know it! But there's a catch! They only have a limited time to do this and..... The only way to succeed is to find their mate and the keys. Hercules was the first up to find his mate and it wasn't as cut and dry as that. He fought for his mate and was so lovingly possessive of Micah! The sex?? Well you know how I love sex!!! It was amazing and fueled some very naughty masturbation later on!! Will they succeed and free Zeus in time or will Hera win??? Read this and find out!

[Nardia Barnes]

This was the first I have read from this author as well as this genre. I must say I was surprised, I really didn't think I would enjoy, but I was proven wrong.

With the faith of the gods in the hands of Hercules, he sets out to find his soul mate that will then lead them to the path of fighting the evil that is taking over their world. Now this is a modern take on what you would think would be set in a particular era, to me that was a great move in the author.

It had it all, love, deceit, drama and suspense; the makings of a great book.

There is more to come in this series and I look forward to reading the rest.

[Jennifer Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Action, Suspense, Drama!
Sometimes the Fates can not only lead you to your destiny but also help you find it.there is mutiny on Mount Olympus and Aries and Hera are trying to seize all the power. Hercules, along with the rest of his siblings and friends, have all got to take a journey that will not only help them to free Zeus but also help them to find their mates and defeat Aries and Hera. Hercules mate is not who he would've suspected but is exactly who he needed. This is book one in the series.it is a passionate story full of action and suspense. It is an amazing new spin on the classic stories of the Greek gods. A definite must read.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in return for an honest review. This was a quick read, and I enjoyed the interaction between all the Gods. This is the story of Hercules and the finding of his mate so that Zeus can be rescued. Micah, the mate of Hercules, is a good man. He puts others before his own safety willingly. He also fully understands what his role in this new world that he has become a part of. Micah's strength helps Hercules accept him as his own and helps the others accept him as a main character in the rescue plans. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Annette Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the execution of this story. Having read other books by this author, my expectations were pretty high. Just did not hold my attention. The story line was not compelling. Characters were not very complex. I found that a bit disappointing as they are based on the Greek Gods. The steam level was not very high. Overall an ok story.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Cree Storm and it will not be my last.. I loved this story and the interaction between the main characters Hercules and Micah was beautiful.. It takes Greek Mythology to a whole different world. I can't wait to dive into the next book of this series....

[Jodi Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. I have to tell you this book is hot. Hercules and his mate together are very hot. Greek Mythology is very interesting to read about, and this author has nailed it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning for a new serie! Loved it

[Sonja Houk-Foos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first MM I have ever read. I was highly impressed and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Lilladii · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.15 stars. It was an alright read. I will hold off on reading the others for a while. I feel these are books to read to pass the time, as well in moderation.
4/22 to 4/23

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book from Cree at Tall, Dom and Dirty. FaceBook.. I've not read any of her books before, I found it to be ok, it was hard to get into, I'm not sure why.

[Sharon Gatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I really liked this MM book with the Greek mythology characters being the focus. A fast paced page turner with a hot love story too. Am off to get the next one.