Friday, May 1, 2026

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Sunshine and Sin: Echoes of Olympus by Anna Hawke

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Sunshine and Sin: Echoes of Olympus by Anna Hawke. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this no-spice reimagining of Greek myth. I loved it and am looking forward to more in this series. 

SYNOPSIS
A cursed human. A cynical god. A bewildering prophecy that binds them together.

Apollo loathes the life he’s forced to lead. After an Oracle ties the sun god to a human who doesn’t recognize him, he must grapple with a dangerous mission and a woman who challenges him at every turn. As dark forces attack his throne, Apollo will either claim victory with Cyrene at his side or find devastating defeat.

Cursed by Zeus, Cyrene has struggled to make ends meet. When she accepts help from a man cast in mystery, an unexpected passion begins to burn between them. Despite their connection, she realizes that truth isn’t always what it seems—and the gods have wronged her before.

With every attack against the pantheon, more lives are lost. If Apollo and Cyrene can’t uncover the danger that lurks in the shadows, it may devour them whole.

Echoes of Olympus is a non-explicit shared world of dark fantasy and paranormal romance reimagining classic Greek myths through shadow and desire. Each story follows different myths, different couples, and a different descent into danger—where gods and mortals collide.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
Apollo was the most beautiful god.

Friday 56
"If you intend to hurt me, I'll bury you in an unmarked grave."

What have you been reading lately?