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Portals of Destiny #1
Bedeviled
A dark man with a soul that is doomed for all eternity finds hope in the presence of a beautiful fae of light.
Darium Blackseed is convinced his destiny has been determined from birth. Being the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura. Taking on the sins of the dead isn’t a hard job, but it dooms one’s soul to The Dark Abyss for all eternity at death.
Everyone fears a Sin Eater. Darium has accepted that he will never have a chance to find love in this lifetime, since no woman would purposely go anywhere near a man like him. When a tear in the veil between two worlds appears, a portal opens to the Land of the Dead. Spirits and dark entities start to emerge, and Darium must do whatever it takes to close it.
Talia-Glenn is an Elemental of the Earth. With her race at risk of dying out, she seeks out the help of a sage. But when a Sin Eater gets in her way, she is forced to face the feared man. Sure, he saved her life, but now he refuses to help with her request. She needs him to enter the Land of the Dead through the portal, to seek out her dead father and bring back valuable information that is detrimental to the Faes. A Sin Eater is the only one who can do this and survive.
Will a plan that goes awry doom more than just a Sin Eater to a destiny where happiness can never exist? Or will the love between a dark man and a fae of light, heal a dreaded fate that was never meant to be?
Darium Blackseed is convinced his destiny has been determined from birth. Being the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura. Taking on the sins of the dead isn’t a hard job, but it dooms one’s soul to The Dark Abyss for all eternity at death.
Everyone fears a Sin Eater. Darium has accepted that he will never have a chance to find love in this lifetime, since no woman would purposely go anywhere near a man like him. When a tear in the veil between two worlds appears, a portal opens to the Land of the Dead. Spirits and dark entities start to emerge, and Darium must do whatever it takes to close it.
Talia-Glenn is an Elemental of the Earth. With her race at risk of dying out, she seeks out the help of a sage. But when a Sin Eater gets in her way, she is forced to face the feared man. Sure, he saved her life, but now he refuses to help with her request. She needs him to enter the Land of the Dead through the portal, to seek out her dead father and bring back valuable information that is detrimental to the Faes. A Sin Eater is the only one who can do this and survive.
Will a plan that goes awry doom more than just a Sin Eater to a destiny where happiness can never exist? Or will the love between a dark man and a fae of light, heal a dreaded fate that was never meant to be?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2022
About the author
Elizabeth Rose
223 books1,272 followersElizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.
Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:
Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award.
Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest
Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest
RONE Award finalists include:
Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles
Tristan - Pirate Lords
Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart
Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude
Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist:
Highland Secrets
Forgotten Secrets
International Digital Award finalist:
Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude
Golden Palm Finalist:
Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme
Raven Awards Best Cover finalist:
May Queen - Holiday Knights
Raven Awards Runner-Up:
Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales
Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice:
Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Sapphire Award Finalist:
Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice:
Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Seen on the History Channel:
The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series
And More!
Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:
Below the Salt Series
Highland Outcasts
Portals of Destiny
Legacy of the Blade
Daughters of the Dagger
Elemental Magick Series
Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Seasons of Fortitude
Secrets of the Heart
Second in Command
Pirate Lords
Highland Chronicles
Barons of the Cinque Ports
Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme
Holiday Knights
Dark Encounters
Cowboys of the Old West
Working Man Series, and more!
Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.
Visit her website to view her latest books and to read excerpts of her work. http://elizabethrosenovels.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 10, 2022
The start of a new series by this talented author, who writes in all genres, and in this case fantasy.
Thus begins a journey in a different world, where various characters exist, including the Fae, who mainly stay to themselves and even humans.
Talis is a fae who is desperate to save their population from vanishing, who goes through a realm called Mura. There she meets Darium, who has his own agenda to fulfill, but really wants so much more than he is destined to do.
As these two end up together, she tries to help him find another way and together, they find many surprises, unusual characters and even a little humor and hopefully love!
Thus begins a journey in a different world, where various characters exist, including the Fae, who mainly stay to themselves and even humans.
Talis is a fae who is desperate to save their population from vanishing, who goes through a realm called Mura. There she meets Darium, who has his own agenda to fulfill, but really wants so much more than he is destined to do.
As these two end up together, she tries to help him find another way and together, they find many surprises, unusual characters and even a little humor and hopefully love!
September 5, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This inviting, love-at-first-sight romance will pull readers into a dark world of mystical creatures and steep connections.
Read full review in the 2022 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This inviting, love-at-first-sight romance will pull readers into a dark world of mystical creatures and steep connections.
Read full review in the 2022 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 20, 2022
Elizabeth Rose’s “Bedeviled” (Portals of Destiny Book 1)
I have read and loved most of Elizabeth Rose’s medieval romance. This is my first time reading one of her fantasy tales and I must say this is a intriguing, magical story.
Darium Blackseed is the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura. A job that dooms one’s soul to The Dark Abyss for all eternity at death. Certain no woman would ever love a Sin Eater he has given up hope.
Not knowing much about sin eaters or the myth behind them I was not prepared for how much I was going to enjoy the story. Elizabeth Rose’s medieval stories are always incredibly written but I was thrown by just how good this story was. I enjoyed it immensely!
The characters were wonderfully written and well defined. The author brings to life magical portals, an array of fantasy characters, mysteries, adventure and a beautiful romance. I am looking forward to the next story in this exciting series.
Thank you so much for this magical love story Ms. Rose.
I have read and loved most of Elizabeth Rose’s medieval romance. This is my first time reading one of her fantasy tales and I must say this is a intriguing, magical story.
Darium Blackseed is the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura. A job that dooms one’s soul to The Dark Abyss for all eternity at death. Certain no woman would ever love a Sin Eater he has given up hope.
Not knowing much about sin eaters or the myth behind them I was not prepared for how much I was going to enjoy the story. Elizabeth Rose’s medieval stories are always incredibly written but I was thrown by just how good this story was. I enjoyed it immensely!
The characters were wonderfully written and well defined. The author brings to life magical portals, an array of fantasy characters, mysteries, adventure and a beautiful romance. I am looking forward to the next story in this exciting series.
Thank you so much for this magical love story Ms. Rose.
May 2, 2022
Elves, Fae, Sin Eaters, Lots of Imagination in This Book
The story being a fantasy has very unusual characters throughout with
a thrilling yet intriguing plot.
I became more fascinated as I kept reading and finished it in one day.
Darium and Talis's journey to save the fae population from disappearing
took us through the realm of Mura.
They had a difficult task to find answers and close a portal of evil.
We come across a big cast of characters. Some good, some not so good.
Elric the sage was a hoot, and the shapeshifter brothers promises more stories ahead.
Many surprises, shocks, humor, wonderful romance, heartfelt confessions.
I was captivated by the authors imagination and skill to put a story like this together.
I suggest you read the authors note at the end. Extremely interesting.
I did receive and early copy for my honest review.
The story being a fantasy has very unusual characters throughout with
a thrilling yet intriguing plot.
I became more fascinated as I kept reading and finished it in one day.
Darium and Talis's journey to save the fae population from disappearing
took us through the realm of Mura.
They had a difficult task to find answers and close a portal of evil.
We come across a big cast of characters. Some good, some not so good.
Elric the sage was a hoot, and the shapeshifter brothers promises more stories ahead.
Many surprises, shocks, humor, wonderful romance, heartfelt confessions.
I was captivated by the authors imagination and skill to put a story like this together.
I suggest you read the authors note at the end. Extremely interesting.
I did receive and early copy for my honest review.
May 13, 2022
Darium Blackseed is the oldest of 3 brothers. He has grown up to believe he is a "sin eater". A "sin eater" is someone who eats and drinks off of a dead person who has died without confessing their sins. Darium goes to all of the 3 castles in his country. At one castle he sees Talia-Glenn being accused of witchcraft and they want her dead right away. He manages to save her life and thus starts the beginning of their relationship. The story has twists and turns enough to delight any reader.
If your a fan of Elizabeth Rose, this story doesn't start out like her regular romances. As you start reading, you can recognize her style and great writing.
This story is a slight change but a great change from her regular story telling adventures.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If your a fan of Elizabeth Rose, this story doesn't start out like her regular romances. As you start reading, you can recognize her style and great writing.
This story is a slight change but a great change from her regular story telling adventures.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2022
Bedeviled by Elizabeth Rose is the first book in a new series titled Portals of Destiny. Set in a world where both humans and Fae live, there is conflict between the two races. Three greedy kings rule the land of Mura and have outlawed all magic. So the Fae tend to keep to themselves and shy away from most humans. Darium is a man who has a destiny he must fulfill, but longs for something else. Talia is the Fae who wants to show him that his destiny is not set in stone. Rose creatively weaves together Fae culture, politics, and family loyalty with just the right amount of magic to make an interesting tale.
June 6, 2022
My first read by Elizabeth and this one wasnt that bad. Plan to check out more.
May 11, 2022
Bedeviled is the beginning of an exciting new fantasy series. Portals of Destiny follows the adventures of the three Blackseed brothers, Darium, Zann, and Rhys. Each of the brothers has a special gift and a story of his own. This first story centers around Darium, the eldest of the brothers. Darium is a Sin Eater, a rather morbid job that ensures its practitioner will spend eternity in the Dark Abyss paying for the sins of others. Talia-Glen is Fae. Actually, she is an Earth Elemental which allows her to call on nature to help her. When she meets Darium, she on a mission to find a way to save the Fae from extinction. Darium needs to find a way to close the rip in the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead. Is there a way for each of them to help the other?
This is the ultimate in opposites attract. Darium is dark, gloomy, and resigned to, but not happy with, his destiny. Talia is bright, happy, determined, and full of hope. She tries to convince Darium that he can have something better. He can decide his own destiny. Exciting, entertaining, and bit scary at times, this is a story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. There are unusual places and events, odd characters, big surprises for the brothers and the Fae, and a happy ending. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Zann and Rhys. Great story!
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.
This is the ultimate in opposites attract. Darium is dark, gloomy, and resigned to, but not happy with, his destiny. Talia is bright, happy, determined, and full of hope. She tries to convince Darium that he can have something better. He can decide his own destiny. Exciting, entertaining, and bit scary at times, this is a story that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. There are unusual places and events, odd characters, big surprises for the brothers and the Fae, and a happy ending. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Zann and Rhys. Great story!
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.
May 23, 2022
Love the return to the Elementals!
Ms. Rose has once again written an amazing and absolutely enthralling tale. Seamlessly blending an actual medieval job no one wanted with themes of magic, destiny, and above all choices. The familiar appearance of an elemental from a previous series was like visiting with an old friend. A welcome little bonus. If magic and Fae are your thing, I 100% recommend giving this start to her new series a try. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting more in this series!
Ms. Rose has once again written an amazing and absolutely enthralling tale. Seamlessly blending an actual medieval job no one wanted with themes of magic, destiny, and above all choices. The familiar appearance of an elemental from a previous series was like visiting with an old friend. A welcome little bonus. If magic and Fae are your thing, I 100% recommend giving this start to her new series a try. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting more in this series!
November 28, 2022
A great supernatural series, that shows no one is just good or bad, but usually a mix in between. Conflicts between the human race and Fae, makes a great series and I can't wait for the next book. I like that Elizabeth Rose doesn't just write historical romance set in one time and one place, but writes about supernatural, contemporary, middle ages, pirates, etc. She has a book for anyone, that you will love. Trust me you can never go wrong with any one of her books.
May 10, 2022
A great fantasy of light and darkness. A sin eater and a kind hearted fae join forces to close a portal to the dead. Love finds its way in but a the sin eater wonders if he is worthy of it. Great characters and descriptions of the world they live in.
May 11, 2022
Awesome beginning of a new series
I loved this story! Fae, elves, elementals, suspense, and of course a touch of love. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
Portals of Destiny is a series I'm looking forward to reading.
I loved this story! Fae, elves, elementals, suspense, and of course a touch of love. I can't wait for the rest of the series!
Portals of Destiny is a series I'm looking forward to reading.
February 12, 2024
The author has a bit of a quirk with their writing style, which is evident even from the book’s blurb, in sentences like this:
“Being the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura.”
Wouldn’t the sentence flow a lot better like this?
“The eldest of three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as the Sin Eater of the land of Mura.”
This kind of awkward wording and excessive comma usage happens a lot in the text:
“Continuing forward with caution, Darium rode into the courtyard that was paved with round, colored, cobbled stones.”
“The strongest emotion he could pick up was fear. That is, the fear of dying from the wounded person just before they perished. That, and also grief from the family members who were left behind.”
There is also a lot of repetition, for example:
“You kissed him?” snapped her mother, having read her mind.
“Yes, Mother,” Talia admitted. “Now, please stop reading my mind.”
Various plot points are repeated many, many times, e.g. the fact that Sin Eaters go to the Dark Abyss is mentioned nearly 20 times. I eventually just started skimming to get through it. The plot was fine, but the prose was just too inept to really get into the story. The romance was meh, and most of the characters’ problems could’ve been solved by simple communication.
“Being the eldest of the three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps, being the Sin Eater of the land of Mura.”
Wouldn’t the sentence flow a lot better like this?
“The eldest of three brothers, he is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as the Sin Eater of the land of Mura.”
This kind of awkward wording and excessive comma usage happens a lot in the text:
“Continuing forward with caution, Darium rode into the courtyard that was paved with round, colored, cobbled stones.”
“The strongest emotion he could pick up was fear. That is, the fear of dying from the wounded person just before they perished. That, and also grief from the family members who were left behind.”
There is also a lot of repetition, for example:
“You kissed him?” snapped her mother, having read her mind.
“Yes, Mother,” Talia admitted. “Now, please stop reading my mind.”
Various plot points are repeated many, many times, e.g. the fact that Sin Eaters go to the Dark Abyss is mentioned nearly 20 times. I eventually just started skimming to get through it. The plot was fine, but the prose was just too inept to really get into the story. The romance was meh, and most of the characters’ problems could’ve been solved by simple communication.
July 29, 2022
Vapidly Stupid Female MC
I was expecting to like this as it had a good premise, but the vapidly stupid female MC ruins it for me couldn't get past the halfway point. Both ma's are kissing shortly after meeting confessing love to each other when they barely know the most basic of facts about each other. The female MC constantly giggling and putting both of them in danger because she absolutely must stay by his side. It just became too much for me. Very disappointed in this book.
I was expecting to like this as it had a good premise, but the vapidly stupid female MC ruins it for me couldn't get past the halfway point. Both ma's are kissing shortly after meeting confessing love to each other when they barely know the most basic of facts about each other. The female MC constantly giggling and putting both of them in danger because she absolutely must stay by his side. It just became too much for me. Very disappointed in this book.
October 12, 2023
Darium's job is a sin eater. He takes on the sins of the dead so they can go to the Haven, knowing that he will eventually go to the Dark Abyss because of all the sins. On he last job he see a fae girl who is about to be killed and he couldn't let that happen, so her rescues her. They find out a portal is opening to the Land of the Dead and they decide to work together to close it to save the land.
September 7, 2024
Portal to Love!
I'll it has been quite some time since I've read a fantasy story. So first I did enjoy Elizabeth Else's tale. Each character has strong will and determination to go forth in the fantasy World the reside in and work to overcome obstacles that tried to destroy their lives. She introduces you many characters that will part of the series. I look forward to the next story in the world she has created.
I'll it has been quite some time since I've read a fantasy story. So first I did enjoy Elizabeth Else's tale. Each character has strong will and determination to go forth in the fantasy World the reside in and work to overcome obstacles that tried to destroy their lives. She introduces you many characters that will part of the series. I look forward to the next story in the world she has created.
May 11, 2022
Wonderful story!
I have always been intrigued by the idea of sin eaters and Bedeviled has an interesting take on it. Elizabeth Rose has once again penned a fabulous story of magic and myth with love and fae interwoven in it making it almost impossible to put down. I am truly looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!
I have always been intrigued by the idea of sin eaters and Bedeviled has an interesting take on it. Elizabeth Rose has once again penned a fabulous story of magic and myth with love and fae interwoven in it making it almost impossible to put down. I am truly looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!
April 18, 2023
DNF 20%. Interesting start to the book but couldn’t get past the sexism. All Darius seems to notice is how sexy (and trope-y) she is and she almost immediately starts wanting to kiss him and getting bothered over his cheekbones and the stubble that “kissed his checks”. High fantasy piece seems solid but the romance and stereotypical depictions are way off for me.
April 22, 2023
sweet and exciting
I loved the story of Talia and Darium. There meeting was not a good one and they have so many adventures. They finally do fall in love and Talia
Help Darium to know he can be loved. It was great that the boys do meet their mother who they thought was dead.
I loved the story of Talia and Darium. There meeting was not a good one and they have so many adventures. They finally do fall in love and Talia
Help Darium to know he can be loved. It was great that the boys do meet their mother who they thought was dead.
May 1, 2023
Interesting love story
This was a different type of story. I am sure all our early ancestors faced many of these challenges. I will try to read the next but I am catching up on other’s first.
This was a different type of story. I am sure all our early ancestors faced many of these challenges. I will try to read the next but I am catching up on other’s first.
May 13, 2022
Wonderful
This is a fantastic first story. Can not wait for the other two. I learned something new about sin eating
This is a fantastic first story. Can not wait for the other two. I learned something new about sin eating
May 15, 2022
Good story with faes, magic, mystery, and a man with a dark soul
Shelved as 'added-it'
July 14, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/14/2022)! 🎁
February 29, 2024
I really enjoyed reading Bedeviled, and I'd highly recommend checking it out!
September 4, 2022
I don't usually like fantasy novels with portals, unless they're like this one by Elizabeth Rose. "Bedeviled" is the first in the new fantasy series "Portals of destiny", and the portals in question connected magical worlds in an universe plenty of medieval references. Elizabeth is a master storyteller in medieval romance so no surprise that her portals have won me over. But Elizabeth also writes good fantasy romance, the kind that tell a beautiful love story, with a lot of adventure and some humor, in addition to that whole list of magical beings that we love, like fairies, mermaids, elves, shifters, elementals and so many more. Darium and Talia are a delicious new couple to follow, with him being a novelty for me in fantasy heroes, a sin eater, something I didn't know and the author gracefully explains to us in a final note that there really existed in the historical Middle Ages. How interesting! Other thing I liked so much in the book is the characters of other series cameos: Portia, the sylph of Elizabeth's Elemental series appears prominently in the story, making the worldbuliding of Mura, universe created by the author for the Portals series, even more interesting. I can only say that this series hooked me and I'm already anxious to continue reading about Darium's brothers and their meetings with their matchs, in addition to the classic struggle of good versus evil that is never unwelcome in fantasy novels. And, please, Elizabeth, keep bringing your characters from the Elementals series to visit us in Portals. I'm always delighted to read about them.
I received an arc by Oliver Heber Books for an honest review of this novel.
I received an arc by Oliver Heber Books for an honest review of this novel.
July 6, 2024
Talia - A fae/element of earth
Darium- sin eater thought it was his destiny.
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is well written with magnificent characters. They work together to try to close the portal and doing so fell in love after many attempts on each other's life. Their story has a loving HEA.
Darium- sin eater thought it was his destiny.
I enjoyed reading this engaging story that is well written with magnificent characters. They work together to try to close the portal and doing so fell in love after many attempts on each other's life. Their story has a loving HEA.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews