Desperate Housewives of Olympus

By: Saranna DeWylde

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A riotous romp through Olympus with goddesses for the 21st century. When a new goddess moves to Ambrosia Lane, Hera decides she's finally had enough of her philandering husband. She offers herself and the crown of gods to Hades. Hades doesn't want the crown, but he'll take Hera. (Often and twice on Sunday.) He's a heartless bastard - having had Aphrodite rip it out so he'd stop loving Persephone after he set her free. Persephone is scheming to get back to Tartarus with the aid of Thanatos, who trips on his leather trench coat and falls in love with her. Thanatos' titan mother, Nyx thinks she's past all the drama until she turns up pregnant. Demeter has secrets of her own and the new goddess Abstinence lands in a steaming centaur pile when she falls for the King of the Gods himself whose own dark needs could tear them apart. Come along for the ride as these goddesses take control of their Fate (or so they think) and find their happily ever afters.

©2011 Saranna DeWylde (P)2013 Saranna DeWylde

LOVED IT!!!

Any additional comments?

This is the 2nd book I've read/listened to by Saranna DeWylde. Love the sense of humor and romance. I'm definitely going to read more books by her.

OHH THE DRAMA OF BEING A GODDESS

The Desperate Housewives of Olympus is probably exactly as you would imagine a book with this title to be about. It is filled with back-stabbing friends, cheating spouses and drama that fills the streets of Ambrosia Lane. Author Saranna DeWylde, provides a hilarious outlook on what really happens on Mt. Olympus.

The story is about Hera, Abstinence, Nyx, Demeter, and Persephone. Hera is finally tired of Zeus’ philandering way and decides it is time to teach an old god a new trick. Since Hades has finally released Persephone from the curse, he is alone again. Hera decides to take this chance to “get her groove back” within none other but mister tall dark and gloomy. But something that turned out to be a plot for revenge because something more.

Abstinence is the new goddess on Ambrosia Lane and immediately, Zeus sets his eyes and wanderlust upon the goddess. But if he thought his sweet words and killer good looks would win him any favors with this goddess, he is sadly mistaken. Abstinence must abstain from over indulgence and that definitely means avoiding the King of the gods at all cost or risks the chance of dying.

Nyx is a titan, older than all of the gods on Olympus. She doesn’t have time for dating or emotional attachment until she becomes pregnant with Apollo's child. Now she must juggle being older than dirt and starting over again with a new baby and her growing emotions for her new “baby daddy”.

Persephone is crushed when Hades released her from the curse and brings her top side to live, once again, with her mother. She realizes too late her feelings for Hades and decides to stop at nothing to win his affection and love again. She using her very good friend Thanatos, god of death, to assist her in making Hades jealous, never realizing that Thanatos is also in love with her.

Demeter is Persephone’s mother and is fighting her own demons. She afraid to love until love itself, Eros the god of love, decides to open up his heart and reveal his true feelings for the goddess. Demeter is afraid to lay bear what she has harbored inside for eons because the truth of her secret will devastate Eros and she believes she will loss his love.

This book is a light hearted, comedy romance read that captured my attention from the first chapter when Hera got mad at Zeus for giving Abstinence her champagne grapes. I know then this book was going to be as if I was watching a soap opera and I loved every moment of it. If you are looking for intensive, detailed romance scenes, this is not the book for you. Yes, there are romance scenes but they are light and passionate but not very detailed in description. It was sometimes difficult distinguishing the voices within the book because the narrator’s male voice weren’t exactly different from the female voices. But I liked the book just the same.

Final question, should you buy this book. Sure, if you are in the middle for a light heart romance book that is quite funny, than this is the book for you.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Original but

It was a very original take on Greek Mythology and the Abstinence angle was clever. I also enjoyed Hera's journey. However, I wasn't as keen on it as a lover of Greek myth. I was waiting for the characters to assume their traditional roles once the shenanigans were over, with a new found wisdom and appreciation for the parts they play in the greater scheme of things. Alas, they didn't. I enjoyed listening to it though. The narrators were great!

Saranna DeWylde may now be one of my new fav's

What did you love best about Desperate Housewives of Olympus?

First I have to say I listened to "Ride of the Darkyrie" which was an amazing par-normal novel. Since I enjoy Hollie Jackson's narrations on many books I had a feeling these would be exceptional. I wasn't wrong. Desperate Housewives of Olympus was FUNNY, Thought provoking, and really put a spin on those crazy Olympians. I think those goddess were really just waiting for a chance to push their way past those bossy gods.......

What other book might you compare Desperate Housewives of Olympus to and why?

Can't really compare to another book but maybe another author. A cross between Molly Harper and Charlaine Harris. If you enjoy either of these authors I think you'll enjoy Saranna DeWylde.

Which scene was your favorite?

One of my favorites and there are many, is when Abstinence is first visited by Zeus. I laughed out loud.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of catharsis for many of the characters and many laughs as well.I like the fact that the characters do actually learn something about themselves and maybe grow a bit.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to listening to more of these stories. Saranna DeWylde has a flair for writing humor and story lines that really are quite useful when you realize even the "gods" have relationship problems.

jumps around a bit

This book was ok the latter ones in the series are far better. Ares is my favorite.

I want to move to Ambrosa Lane

If you could sum up Desperate Housewives of Olympus in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Sexy, enjoyable

What was one of the most memorable moments of Desperate Housewives of Olympus?

Hades, oh the dark tortured, hunk of a God. How do I love thee

What does Hollie Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hollie Jackson makes the characters come alive/

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This book was so much fun, I listened to it two times.

Deliciously Dramatic

This kind of book is not my usual cup of tea, but I was able to enjoy it for the farcical romp it is.

Soapy Intrigue with Gods & Goddesses

Would you try another book from Saranna DeWylde and/or Hollie Jackson?

Absolutely I would buy from this pair again and again ... but perhaps not this genre.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I found it difficult to find a character I could relate to at all. Each character is very well presented, and you already know them all from your mythology in High School. The difference being, in this presentation, they come off as more high school than you'd expect.

Have you listened to any of Hollie Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ms. Jackson's voice lends itself, once again to the story without overpowering it. Her tone ranges from light to dark, drawing the listener along with the story itself and enhancing the writers subtle nuance. A brilliant performance once again.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

The dramedy and sexmance in this piece is heavy and very abundant. Each character jumps from one scene to the next, as one would expect in a soapy style romance.

Any additional comments?

While I enjoy the story for what it is, I found it simply wasn't my cup of tea. I'd purchased the book because I'm familiar with Ms. DeWylde's other works and wanted to give this one a go.

While the idea is original and the storyline itself is quite comedic in nature, I found it was hard for me to enjoy because I simply don't get into the soap-opera style of storytelling. I was never a fan of the premise as a television show and I couldn't get all the way through this one because of the same style. Hera as a catty, vindictive and long suffering wife, I can buy ... but the almost high school quality of her personality left me flat.

For those who enjoyed the television series or soap opera style romance, this is absolutely the book for you. It's entertaining, to be sure and draws you in but I just couldn't get past it. I'll look forward to her other works, as she is a gifted and brilliant author.