Exiled. Dishonored. Dangerous.
—Darling has created a hero to die for-BTS eMag
Ares, God of War, has been cast out of Olympus for a crime no one dares speak aloud. On his isolated island, he surrounds himself with mortal pleasures that no longer stir him—until a dying fey washes onto his shore.
Alena MacLeod is running from more than enemies. Ancient magic binds her. Prophecy shadows her. And Zeus wants her brought before him in chains.
Desperate, she offers Ares the only currency powerful enough to tempt a god: herself.
One night. His protection.
But Ares sees opportunity where others see weakness. If Alena is valuable enough for Zeus to demand, she may be the key to his return to Olympus. What begins as calculation ignites into something far more dangerous—an attraction that feels less like lust and more like fate.
And fate is something even gods cannot defeat.
As Olympus closes in and war stirs once more, Ares must decide what he truly wants: revenge… or the woman who has awakened his long-dead heart.
Love is rare among the gods.
And it never comes without sacrifice.
The first book in a sweeping, dark fantasy romance filled with myth, magic, betrayal, and a love powerful enough to shake Olympus itself.
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Epic. Dark. Romantic.
An explosive beginning to the For the Love of War series.
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Why readers love this book:
- Epic fantasy romance meets myth & magic
- Fierce heroes and unforgettable chemistry
- Award-winning storytelling
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Reviews for The Heart of War
Ares, the God of War, captures the imagination as a complex and charismatic protagonist. Darling masterfully blends his Greek God of War traits–strong, dominant, violent, and moody–with an incredibly sexy and passionate lover. In the end, she creates a hero to die for. The author provides the perfect complement to Ares with the strong-willed and compassionate Alena. Their chemistry is explosive, dramatic, and passionate. This couple will haunt you long after you have finished reading their tale.
— Lori for BTS eMag
The book was excellent. Everything was there and very well written. The emotions went from deep lows at times, to great highs. There was intrigue, danger, betrayal, and great romance. On that note, I will end my review with this, my favorite quote from the book:
“And still I am alone except when I’m with you. Then I am whole, no longer restless, and no longer weary.”
— Heather for Book Savvy Babe
In The Heart of War, Lisa Beth Darling delivers no-holds-barred erotica laden with extreme violence, attributed to a horrific curse, that carries out with the hope of an eventual romance. Ares is an absolute brute with a private harem full of women who are obsessed with him, and the resilient Alena, and they are the ultimate unlikely pair. Their chemistry unfolds and through alternating points of view, Darling develops a diverse cast that includes Ares’ Olympian family. Darling isn’t writing to please everyone, just genre lovers who will find this story ticks all the boxes.
— Jamie Michele for Reader’s Favorite Book Awards
Lisa Beth Darling 