Erato's Tears Category:  Romance Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Type: Fiction Pages: 107 Copyright: 2008 A powerful love is cut tragically short. Beyond Hades domain their destiny burns eternally bright. Two lost souls search through time to discover their hidden passion. In Delphi, Mathias, an outcast Spartan finds a reason at last to abandon his wanderlust in the vulnerable Ambrosia. With the unseen aid of Erato, he tries desperately to conquer her hatred of warriors and bring peace to his unsettled soul. A tenuous hold on love develops, but will their untried bond endure? Can the Muse of Love overcome the destructive power of one god's revenge, and right the wrongs of history? Only ERATO'S TEARS will determine. Excerpt Turning to the slim, curvaceous female he spoke gently. “You are safe now.” “I will never be safe with men such as you free to roam.” She hurled the accusation at him. Mathias was certain his ears must have heard wrong. Did she truly just insult him? After he, mere minutes ago, saved her life, not to mention virtue? “Forgive my bluntness, but you, my dear, would have shared your father’s fate after you had been repeatedly used by those men. If you’ve a complaint against my methods, you should remember that. And had you not been foolhardy enough to put yourself between us, it may not have been necessary to end his life.” “How dare you place blame on me! I would rather be dead than the cause of bloodshed. You are as despicable as they are. Violence is your way of life.” “Violence is part of life. A babe is brought forth through the labor of violence. We are birthed in violence, you cannot hide from it. Speak to me not of the righteousness of peace, when ‘twas violence that kept your virtue and your life safe.”

Long and Short Of It Reviews
Erato's Tears - Review by Snapdragon

Reece Herring’s “Erato’s Tears” in Song of the Muses series is notable for its thorough use of imagery, and near-poetic descriptions. At times, readers will find themselves visualizing the finest of Greco-Roman artistry; indeed you will feel that you have slipped into life in one of the paintings. The fantasy and fantastical quality throughout never get in the way of a simply super romantic tale.
In “Erato’s Tears,” the never-ending quality of love is explored, even celebrated. Through the struggles of mere mortals, Mathias and Ambrosia, the impact, power and belief of the gods is exposed. Apollo may be bent of revenge, but Aphrodite will never give up the fight for love.

The two main characters are quite human. Mathias is who he is: Spartan, warrior, and a determined protector of women. Lovely Ambrosia is no wilting flower, and neither needs nor wants the help of such as Mathias. Having such spitfire as the female lead here is certainly a surprise – and makes Ambrosia pivotal throughout. The relationship of the two will be tempestuous… and likely they both would have preferred to have avoided the interest of a certain god and goddess. Ambrosia’s grief threatens to engulf her whole personality, but she is a far deeper character than might at first be imagined. In fact, all the main characters prove interesting and multi-faceted.

Although some descriptions slow the storyline, beautifully written historic and architectural details enhance the feeling and setting of this story: “The city of Delphi was sculpted on multiple plateau-terraces along the slope of Mount Parnassus. Huge stone pillars sat far up onto the mountain where the stadiums and Temples of Apollo resided. Other structures of different heights and widths all linked together to form homes and places of business, creating a gleaming majestic display. It was a city worthy of Apollo and Hestia…”

Those who select this story because of the setting will thoroughly enjoy the descriptions, while romance lovers will find that the quality of the descriptions enhance the evocative quality of the tale. Very enjoyable.


Review by Ashlyn Chase - multi-published author
This compelling and beautifully crafted story by Reece Herring captured my attention quickly and held it all the way through. At only 109 pages, you’d think some part of storytelling would have to be sacrificed, but that was not the case. A complete and vividly described world was built, characters you felt you knew and cared about came to life and a plot you couldn’t predict unfolded flawlessly. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost interest in a book because I knew exactly what was going to happen next. Ms. Herring gave me an unexpected treat. An afternoon of indispensable fantasy, complete with ancient Gods and Goddesses, plus Erato the Muse of Love herself, come to life. Erato must have inspired Ms. Herring since she told this story so perfectly.