The Passionate Queen

Dark Queens, Book 2

By: Jovee Winters

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Once upon a time a dragon dared to fall in love with the Queen of Hearts.

Zelena Hermosa wants only one thing, to be free. But for a morphling like her freedom will never be possible. Bought by a witch as a baby, she's been raised in a household that knows no kindness or love. She's a broken, dirty child the day she meets her prickly little dragon boy.

Ragoth Nur, heir to the throne of Drakon, has just stolen a golden apple from Zeus's favored orchard. In order to make sure he doesn't have to face the wrath of the gods (but especially his mom) he runs off to wonderland to enjoy his treat and there bumps into the human girl who will change the course of his life forever.

There's so much more to the Queen of Hearts than the stories. So much more than the vindictive woman who shouts, "Off with her head."

This is the true story of the woman, the legend, and the myth.

©2014 Jovee Winters (P)2016 Jovee Winters

WeOfd with her head and on with the Romance

Would you listen to The Passionate Queen again? Why?

Yes, I love Jovee Winters dark queen series. The passionate queen gives us a chance to see the red queen (zelena) and the circumstance that make her the feared monarch she is

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Passionate Queen?

When Zelena and Ragoth start their romance as innocent children

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

You get to here the characters talk which adds depth and layers to their personalities

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

Yes and I did I played it while I cleaned up my house and even though I have read the book no less then five times I loved this version just as much

Any additional comments?

Zelena destined to become the red queen, for she had a magic inside her that would grant who ever married her great and powerful. This is not a life she wanted raised by a cruel witch who only wants her for money she yearns for real love.

Ragoth, dragon warrior of Olympus has grown bored w his life and ventures out and finds his greatest treasure. Upon meeting Zelena in the forest he knows that she is his and will do anything to have her.


With Zelena promised to another with no way to keep her he must let her go only to find her years later a broken dark women. Will their love fr their childhood be enough to bring her back and will Ragoth ever get his treasure.

Jovee winters does it again with another great installment to her dark queen saga.

Wonderful!

An amazing story for Incredible characters! I LOVED this book. I enjoyed this one even more than the first book of the series!

engaging, enchanting and full of hope and promise

AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 4 Story: 5

I adore this series, a nice twist and turn mix of fantasy and fairy tale mixed up just for adults. Jovee Winters has taken her unique view on love, ever after and the struggles to get there, deconstructing the wicked queens to show us their softer underbellies. The Queen of Hearts never really wanted her role, as we meet Zelena, raised without love or kindness, the witch who purchased the infant did so only to use the magic buried within her. And from early days, Zelena has been living a half-life, without love or kindness until she meets Ragoth.

Ragoth is heir to the throne of Drakon, and alternately favored or punished by the gods. After stealing an apple from Zeus’ orchard, he runs off with the treat to wonderland, where he meets a very angry, boastful and dirty Zelena. As children are wont to do, the two reveal their secrets in several successive meetings over the years, and form attachments that are based in friendship and some tender feelings of love. But Ragoth is a temperamental boy, and his reluctance to be steered in productive directions often lead to his changing form into a dragon, all the better to rain fire on that which displeases him. But Zelena is not even remotely cowed by his change, or his anger – in fact the two have a rather prickly relationship that is peppered with boastful dismissals and statements.

Years pass and the two become very different people from what their early connection would indicate. Zelena is cold, calculating and more than self-aggrandizing. Taught by example to become the worst version of herself, when widowed Zelena is barely recognizable as the girl Ragoth once knew. But he’s not had an easy time – since claiming her as a child his lack of another mate and pointless existence without one have made him cynical and untrusting – most of all, he wants to punish Zelena for leaving, for changing, and truly for hurting him.

Can these two find a better version of themselves than the ones that send people running in fear? Winters answers that and many other questions in a story that is engaging, enchanting and full of hope and promise.

Narration for this story is provided by Shiromi Arserio who presented the characters with flair, both as adults and children, with the perfect undertone of hurt, angst, flippancy and daring that was required to capture their personalities as the story moved along. Distinct tones and delivery made distinguishing the characters easy, and the variations in tone revealed moments of reflection, bravado or quiet conversation clearly. Not overworking dialogue, she presented the back and forth with flair, and never missed a beat, keeping the story flowing nicely to the end. A solid performance from this new to me narrator.

I received an audiobook copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

love it.

love it. a great beginning middle and end. Lots of action, drama and love.

Our Queen of Hearts finds her heart!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

For sure this story is amazing and the narrator is perfect for the characters.

What other book might you compare The Passionate Queen to and why?

no I wouldn't compare this book to another. I haven't heard of a another about the Queen of Hearts.

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

I was able to see the characters better. to see the small things you miss when reading yourself. the rolling of eyes or sighing. It add more attitude to them.

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

Not just in one sitting, but again.

Any additional comments?

I'm in LOVE with all this Wonderland and when I heard about this book being about the Queen of Hearts. I had to read it.
Truly amazing. I love this take on her. Plus she finally gets her happily ever after, because of this book I will now be adding Jovee Winters to my list of favorite authors. PLUS I will be reading the other Dark Queen books, everyone needs their other half and Jovee is giving it too us!!!! Thank you My Dear!!!! Keep writing and we will keep reading.

THE QUEEN OF HEARTS

THE PASSIONATE QUEEN is the second book in the Dark Queens series. I had not read the first book and was not lost for one minute. In fact, I had to research to find out who the queen was in the first book. (I was wrong when I guessed.)

I have always loved Disney’s version of Alice in Wonderland and I was captivated by the scenes portraying the Queen of Hearts. So, imagine my delight when I could recognize some of those scenes in this book (painting the roses red and playing croquet in the gardens) along with the Cheshire Cat, Alice, and the Mad Hatter.

The storyline was beautiful. I have fallen in love with a character I have always hated in the past. Zelena is so much more than a queen hollering, “Off with her head!” I loved seeing her with Ragoth, her dragonboy, first as a child and then later. As adults, they prove that they want what is best for Wonderland and for each other. For being “dark,” their story is actually sweet.

Narration: Shiromi Arserio command of narration is beyond superb. She has excellent diction, articulation, enunciation, and artistic expression. I would love to listen to her again.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audible copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: THE PASSIONATE QUEEN
Series: Dark Queens #2
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Jovee Winters (as a gifted Audible copy)