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In The Hands of the Gods

IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS is set in 577 AD England. The hero Xanthos is the half mortal son of the Celtic god Cernunnos and is a shape shifter. Xanthos is sent to save the half mortal daughter of his goddess stepmother Ceridwen-- Zahinah. Though Xanthos isn't thrilled about his task of marrying her, he is willing to do so because he owes his stepmother his life. So to repay a debt he agrees to rescue Zahinah and marry. However, once he meets Zahinah he is confronted with the fact that she is able to control the elements and is a Druid Priestess and less than thrilled with the news that she is to marry him. At every turn she fights his attempts at friendship and love. What is a man to do?

Zahinah is not happy to discover that she is a child of the gods, and furious over the fact that the gods of her people are now demanding that she marry a complete stranger. But because of her powers over the elements, she is being hunted by the Celtic god of war Lugh, who will use her powers against humanity. To avoid her powers being taken as well as her life, Zahinah must marry before the festival of Samhain. Zahinah doesn't want her life dictated by others, much less a marriage not of her choosing. She is like every other mortal woman, she wants love. To her amazement though, Xanthos doesn't take no for an answer and to win her hand and heart takes on the gods he has hated for so long.

But it will take more than the power of a shape-shifter and a Druid Priestess to fight the gods of the heavens... it will take the power of true love.

From Romance Reviews Today

England ~ 577 AD

A Druid priestess who can control the elements, Zahinah is taken by a priest who intends to take her virginity and gain her powers. After being slipped a potion that will make her body respond without her consent, Zahinah resigns herself to the fact she is about to lose all she holds dear. But wait! She glances over to a corner and spots a priest who doesn't appear to be eager to touch her body like the others. Silently, she begs for his help. Just as she's about to be attacked, the man she pleaded with comes to her rescue, but drat the man, he tosses her into the ocean. So now, not only is she cold, wet, and madder than a hornet, it seems the potion has decided to take full effect. If Zahinah doesn't get relief soon, there's going to be major problems...like possible rainstorms, raging winds...

Son of Celtic god Cernunnos, Xanthos is half-mortal, half-shifter and has no love for his father, a man who abandoned him. Ridiculed by peers, he keeps his abilities hidden. When Xanthos is contacted by his stepmother, Ceridwen, and asked to rescue her daughter, Zahinah, he readily agrees. If it weren't for the love and acceptance of his stepmother, Xanthos would never have known the love of a mother. He isn't too happy about one part of her bargain though...marrying Zahinah. However, one look at Zahinah and the idea doesn't make him as ill as it once did. Convincing Zahinah of the wisdom of their joining is another thing entirely. The woman is headstrong, a powerful priestess, and has a body that fills him with desire.

Xanthos and Zahinah are constantly trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy. All the while Zahinah's birthday looms in the background, the deadline by which she must marry and share her powers or be destroyed. She must admit Xanthos isn't hard on the eyes, and he does take care of her. But marriage? And to a man who confesses it's not a love match? Bah! Not likely. It doesn't take Zahinah long to discover, however, that Xanthos is not going to give up.

IN THE HANDS OF THE GODS is a fascinating tale. From the moment you open the book and begin to read, you are immediately caught up in Zahinah and Xanthos's predicament. Both are evenly matched and willing to give up their powers to be totally mortal. Why? Because their whole lives have been filled with secrets, lies, loneliness, and pain. Xanthos grew up with others harassing him, making fun of him for his gifts. Therefore, he has never revealed his abilities unless absolutely necessary. His anger toward his father is well- deserved, and I cheered Xanthos on when he told his father off. I mean it's not often you tell off a god and get away with it. Zahinah grew up thinking her mother died giving birth, when in reality, her mother was a goddess and left Zahinah behind to protect her from the wrath of Lugh, the Celtic god of war.

Secondary characters, which include Cernunnos and Ceridwen and Lugh, add insight into the plight of our hero and heroine. The story moves along steadily and keeps the reader's interest throughout its entirety. Every time Zahinah and Xanthos come together, it's powerful, heated, and emotional.

With her debut novel, IN THE HANDS OF GODS, new author E.L. Hutchison writes a delightful romance about two people who are meant to be together, but don't see it. Xanthos and Zahinah are well- created characters who are both bullheaded. I really enjoyed watching their battles and waited anxiously to find out who would be the winner of each skirmish.