Blessed (Chosen by the Gods, Book 1), by Ann Mayburn

Title: Blessed (Chosen by the Gods, Book 1)

Author: Ann Mayburn

Sub-Genre(s): Paranormal

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: May 2, 2011

ISBN #: 9781595788238

Format: eBook from Author

Reviewer: Sherri

Rating: 5 Cups

Blurb:*

Eliana Shay is an ordinary college girl with an extraordinary birthright. Handsome professor, Aiden Klemenson, singles her out as a potential Chosen of the benevolent gods of Creation. He tries to convince Eliana that she is born to do the work of the gods, but her upbringing hasn’t given her much trust in religion or having a magical destiny. The daughter of atheists, she has been raised to believe that faith in gods is for the foolish and weak.

Aiden must employ all of his considerable charm to break through her defenses, while trying to keep their relationship strictly platonic. A difficult task when the lush and curvy co-ed's obvious desire and seductive aura shreds his self-control. Despite his best efforts, desire burns between them with an enchantment all its own.

The gods of Destruction will stop at nothing to keep Eliana from becoming a powerful force against evil. Cunning and deceitful, they send demons and magical serial killers to exterminate her before she can become a Creation god's Chosen hand on earth. In order to survive, Eliana will have to learn to have faith in her own strength and Aiden's love.

Review:
Welcome to the wonderful world after the Religious movement in which all magic (and Gods) are possible. This book begins with Eiliana starting her junior year of college. Being raised by atheists didn't really prepare her for the outside world, so she takes an entry level class to brush up on her knowledge of the other entities in this new world. She spends her first day catching up with friends and trying not to be late to her classes. As she’s about to enter in her only freshman level class she bumps into a girl she had met last semester and is heartened that she has a familiar face to talk to. Then the professor walks in and gives a whole other meaning to the phrase hot for teacher. Wow! Eiliana can barely keep her eyes off of him and it gets worse when his eyes come to rest on her. She feels in slowly soaking all the way to her. You get the picture! Not good. First day back and already developing a monster size crush on her teacher!

Aiden is blown away at the first look at Eliana and senses at once that there is something special about her. He is a high priest of Odin and after that class contacts his God on what would be the best course of action. Odin tells him to mentor the girl even though it will prove difficult because of the attraction he senses is already there. So Aiden begins to seek out Eliana and bring her into the world of the Chosen. But keep his hands to himself? Not looking likely.

This is a delightfully creative tale that involves interactions with various Gods and their familiars. It keeps you asking through the whole book...Who does Eilana belong to? Just when you think you may have narrowed it down, you get thrown for a loop and it ends up a complete surprise. Eilana is a delightful character with a wickedly sarcastic sense of humor to which she falls back on when she’s nervous or unsure. The passion between her and Aiden is hot and gently develops into love. But I can't wait to see what Devon is going to mold into. There certainly is a lot of chemistry between those two even though Aiden has her heart. This book was enjoyable from start to finish and hooks you in right off the bat! Mayburn has my vote!

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*Blurb Courtesy of Goodreads

**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to C&R Romance eBook Reviews free of charge by the author. No money has been exchanged for the review of this eBook. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other C&R reviewers or this blog’s administrator/editor.