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The Gods of Oakleigh #1
Finding Paradise
From the shores of Mykonos to Melbourne Australia, Arian and Ajax find that sometimes in life or death true love is worth fighting for.
Arian Kendrick has always felt she doesn’t quite fit in. On holiday in Mykonos she rescues a little girl from drowning and discovers powers she didn’t know she had. As her long-dormant mystical talents blossom, so does her heart when she meets Ajax, the handsome, mysterious Greek-Melbournian who swears he is destined to be in her life.
After falling on his sword after the Battle of Troy, Ajax the Great is banished to Van Diemen’s Land where he must search for a way to redeem his soul. Two thousand years later, he is given a second chance when Zeus orders him to Mykonos to search out and protect the future Queen of the Faeries, Arianrhod. The last thing he expects is to fall in love.
But every romantic island holiday must come to an end, and the mysteries and fairytales of Mykonos fade into the suburban reality of Melbourne where Arian begins to doubt Greek lore and the magic in her veins.
Can Arian embrace her mythical legacy in time to save her people as Hades threatens to destroy Paradise forever, and will Ajax rise to fight by her side, or is he destined to fall on his sword for eternity?
The quiet suburb of Oakleigh may never be the same again. Not as long as the gods are in town...
Arian Kendrick has always felt she doesn’t quite fit in. On holiday in Mykonos she rescues a little girl from drowning and discovers powers she didn’t know she had. As her long-dormant mystical talents blossom, so does her heart when she meets Ajax, the handsome, mysterious Greek-Melbournian who swears he is destined to be in her life.
After falling on his sword after the Battle of Troy, Ajax the Great is banished to Van Diemen’s Land where he must search for a way to redeem his soul. Two thousand years later, he is given a second chance when Zeus orders him to Mykonos to search out and protect the future Queen of the Faeries, Arianrhod. The last thing he expects is to fall in love.
But every romantic island holiday must come to an end, and the mysteries and fairytales of Mykonos fade into the suburban reality of Melbourne where Arian begins to doubt Greek lore and the magic in her veins.
Can Arian embrace her mythical legacy in time to save her people as Hades threatens to destroy Paradise forever, and will Ajax rise to fight by her side, or is he destined to fall on his sword for eternity?
The quiet suburb of Oakleigh may never be the same again. Not as long as the gods are in town...
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2017
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Juanita Kees
21 books124 followersFinding love and hope in small towns with dark secrets …
Juanita escapes the real world by reading and writing Australian Rural Romance novels with elements of suspense, Australian Fantasy Paranormal and Small Town USA stories. Her romance novels star spirited heroines who give the hero a run for his money before giving in. She creates emotionally engaging worlds steeped in romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue, set in dusty, rural outback Australia and on the NASCAR racetracks of America.
Juanita escapes the real world by reading and writing Australian Rural Romance novels with elements of suspense, Australian Fantasy Paranormal and Small Town USA stories. Her romance novels star spirited heroines who give the hero a run for his money before giving in. She creates emotionally engaging worlds steeped in romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue, set in dusty, rural outback Australia and on the NASCAR racetracks of America.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 4, 2017
The holiday on the Greek Island of Mykonos was starting to feel like something Arian and Penny should have done a long time ago. But when Arian saw a delightful little girl swept out to sea by a rogue wave, she didn’t hesitate to rush to her aid. She fought the evil she felt with a long forgotten verse - saving Ermioni brought back memories that made her shudder. The gratitude of her mother, Helen was heartfelt; but it was the vision of Ajax which made her heart rate accelerate.
Unbeknown to Arian, she had mystical powers that hadn’t yet blossomed – her beloved Grandmother had passed over before she could explain Arian’s heritage. But when Ajax appeared, he knew his job was to protect her. She had a lot to learn; her cynicism and disbelief would make it hard for Jax. But Zeus had given Ajax a second chance to prove himself – his search had taken two thousand years…
The evil that Arian had sensed in the ocean was around them in the form of Hades, and he was determined to own Paradise if it was the last thing he did. He was also determined to be rid of Arianrhod and Ajax – but would he succeed? Or would the powers of the Queen of the Faeries be strong enough to defeat evil? And would Jax remain by Arian’s side forever – soulmates – or would he be sentenced to an eternity in purgatory?
What a fun read! Finding Paradise by Aussie author Juanita Kees blends Greek mythology in the form of Ajax the Great, Olympus, Helen of Troy, Zeus and Hades, with down town Melbourne, Australia’s Arian and Penny to create an entertaining and explosive mix. I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of paranormal with “everyday” life and congratulate the author on getting it just right. Finding Paradise is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Unbeknown to Arian, she had mystical powers that hadn’t yet blossomed – her beloved Grandmother had passed over before she could explain Arian’s heritage. But when Ajax appeared, he knew his job was to protect her. She had a lot to learn; her cynicism and disbelief would make it hard for Jax. But Zeus had given Ajax a second chance to prove himself – his search had taken two thousand years…
The evil that Arian had sensed in the ocean was around them in the form of Hades, and he was determined to own Paradise if it was the last thing he did. He was also determined to be rid of Arianrhod and Ajax – but would he succeed? Or would the powers of the Queen of the Faeries be strong enough to defeat evil? And would Jax remain by Arian’s side forever – soulmates – or would he be sentenced to an eternity in purgatory?
What a fun read! Finding Paradise by Aussie author Juanita Kees blends Greek mythology in the form of Ajax the Great, Olympus, Helen of Troy, Zeus and Hades, with down town Melbourne, Australia’s Arian and Penny to create an entertaining and explosive mix. I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of paranormal with “everyday” life and congratulate the author on getting it just right. Finding Paradise is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
May 2, 2017
The Gods
At first, I had a hard time getting into this book. About halfway, I seemed to become more interested in it.
At first, I had a hard time getting into this book. About halfway, I seemed to become more interested in it.
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December 25, 2018The moment he emerged from the waves, salt water dripping down a body the Greek Gods themselves would envy, Arian should have known he'd break her heart. A holiday fling was the last thing she wanted, but the odd sense of déjà vu that claimed her when their eyes met wouldn’t go away. Strong and silent, he seemed capable of handling anything, yet moments later he stood by, helpless, as she’d charged into the water and saved his little girl from drowning. At least, she thought the girl was his, just like she thought she’d seen something impossible in the water, something that wanted her dead. But what’s more confusing, the more she sees of Ajax, the harder it is to shake the feeling that together they’re meant to be so much more.
Ajax the Great, banished to Purgatory for falling victim to Athena’s treacherous ways, he’d spent more lifetimes than he cared to count trying to appease Zeus. When the King of the Gods offers him one last chance at redemption, it’s at a price he’s not sure he’s willing to pay. Protect a queen who doesn’t know she’s the ruler of mythical island paradise, a female whose beauty reminds him that women are not to be trusted, not to be fooled by, and not someone to whom he should give his heart; he should never have agreed to such a loathsome task. But if he doesn’t help her, he’ll never reclaim his soul from the treacherous Hades, and he’ll never reclaim his rightful place as one of Zeus’s chosen warriors.
When Arian learns the truth about Ajax’s identity, her own ancestry, and Zeus’ manipulation in their lives, they realise not only must they defeat the King of the Underworld, save the people of Paradise, and right the wrongs of the past, they must also battle each other’s hearts.
I love Greek mythology. (Okay, I love all mythology,) so I wasn’t going to miss reading this story and I wasn’t disappointed. Who doesn’t want their own Greek God to seduce? (My book boyfriend harem is growing.) Ajax was the perfect flawed hero, doubting his ability, wondering if he was worthy not only of the tasks he’d been set, but also of the love of woman he swore to protect despite his original motivations, yet still a man worthy of redemption. And Arian, heir to a magical world she didn’t know existed, stepping up to claim her inheritance from a dark mythical being intent on stealing it away, and learning to trust in her heart in another kind of eternal magic all its own.
When Jax walked out of the ocean and onto the beach and Arian saw him for the first time, I wanted to flick sand in her face as I elbowed her out of the way. He is the epitome of a Greek God and Ms Kees brought him to life with fan girl, lust-filled perfection. Ms Kees is a new author for me, so I’m pleased to have discovered the first book in her new series. And despite my knowing better about time frames for new books, (aka my impatience) I may have found a new writer to nag, er, encourage. In the meantime, enjoy!
Ajax the Great, banished to Purgatory for falling victim to Athena’s treacherous ways, he’d spent more lifetimes than he cared to count trying to appease Zeus. When the King of the Gods offers him one last chance at redemption, it’s at a price he’s not sure he’s willing to pay. Protect a queen who doesn’t know she’s the ruler of mythical island paradise, a female whose beauty reminds him that women are not to be trusted, not to be fooled by, and not someone to whom he should give his heart; he should never have agreed to such a loathsome task. But if he doesn’t help her, he’ll never reclaim his soul from the treacherous Hades, and he’ll never reclaim his rightful place as one of Zeus’s chosen warriors.
When Arian learns the truth about Ajax’s identity, her own ancestry, and Zeus’ manipulation in their lives, they realise not only must they defeat the King of the Underworld, save the people of Paradise, and right the wrongs of the past, they must also battle each other’s hearts.
I love Greek mythology. (Okay, I love all mythology,) so I wasn’t going to miss reading this story and I wasn’t disappointed. Who doesn’t want their own Greek God to seduce? (My book boyfriend harem is growing.) Ajax was the perfect flawed hero, doubting his ability, wondering if he was worthy not only of the tasks he’d been set, but also of the love of woman he swore to protect despite his original motivations, yet still a man worthy of redemption. And Arian, heir to a magical world she didn’t know existed, stepping up to claim her inheritance from a dark mythical being intent on stealing it away, and learning to trust in her heart in another kind of eternal magic all its own.
When Jax walked out of the ocean and onto the beach and Arian saw him for the first time, I wanted to flick sand in her face as I elbowed her out of the way. He is the epitome of a Greek God and Ms Kees brought him to life with fan girl, lust-filled perfection. Ms Kees is a new author for me, so I’m pleased to have discovered the first book in her new series. And despite my knowing better about time frames for new books, (aka my impatience) I may have found a new writer to nag, er, encourage. In the meantime, enjoy!
April 1, 2017
If you love paranormal stories, Greek gods, and football, this is for you.
An epic struggle between a pair of ancient Greek heroes and Hades, with Zeus sticking his nose in and manipulating the lives of mere mortals, the Faerie Queen, and her aggressive mortal ex-boyfriend. We travel from sun-drenched Mykonos (how I want to travel there for real!) to Melbourne, Australia as Jax (Ajax from the Battle of Troy) attempts to keep Arian Kendrick, the Faerie Queen, but she doesn't know it, from the clutches of greedy Hades, and win back his immortal soul.
True love is worth any sacrifice, and fighting for the right cause wins out in the end.
An epic struggle between a pair of ancient Greek heroes and Hades, with Zeus sticking his nose in and manipulating the lives of mere mortals, the Faerie Queen, and her aggressive mortal ex-boyfriend. We travel from sun-drenched Mykonos (how I want to travel there for real!) to Melbourne, Australia as Jax (Ajax from the Battle of Troy) attempts to keep Arian Kendrick, the Faerie Queen, but she doesn't know it, from the clutches of greedy Hades, and win back his immortal soul.
True love is worth any sacrifice, and fighting for the right cause wins out in the end.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews