Customer Reviews

Aphrodite's Secret

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first of the "Mortal Protector" series. The next book is "Aphrodite's Passion". I thought the second book was better, and so did many people who have posted their reviews here. Because of the reviews, I almost didn't read the book (I read the second book first), but now I'm glad I did. It's still a very funny book with lots of action and adventure.

By the way, the publisher is publishing the third of the series -- "Aphrodite's (?)" -- this spring. Since Julie Kenner's writing gets noticibly better from one book to the other, I'm anxiously awaiting the new book!

This is the second book by this author that I've read and I loved it. Its not a direct sequel but two of the supporting characters from the first book "The Cat's Fancy" Deena and Hoop are just as wonderful in this book.

The heorine is a Superheroine, or at least a would be Superheroine. Zoe Smith is from a race of people that in ancient Greece were know as the Gods. She half human and half superhero. Her mother was human and her father a Protector(superhero).She has super powers like x-ray vision and telekinesis(she's still working on this). She has very heightened senses so that even eating is a challenge. Her mother doesn't know her secret and in oder to become a full fedged superhero she must tell her.

She has to do this before her 25th birthday which is approaching fast. If this wasn't enough pressure she soon meets up with a mortal man who drives her crazy. George Taylor P.I. is on a case that he despises. He is broke and needs the money so he accepts the job and meets Zoe. He is knocked for a loop. He is longing for a a normal woman who wants to settle down, he thinks he has met that in Zoe but soon finds himself choved into a world that he can barely comprehend. He has always been the protector and now has to let Zoe protect him and this causes some conflicts.

There is also a element of danger thrown into all of this by Zoe's cousin Mordi, who is also a halfing and approaching his 25th birthday. He needs something Zoe has but doesn't know she has and he will do just about anything to get it. The struggle over good vs. evil is wonderfully written and kept me at the edge of my seat.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, touching and action packed. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I hope there are several more.

I'm not usually a fan of romance novels but I decided to give Aphrodite's Kiss a try since it presented an interesting idea: a race of superhumans who are descended from Greek gods and goddesses (called Protectors). Zoe Smith, who is half Protector and half human, is faced with an important decision on her 25th birthday--she can either become an Outcast (a full blown mortal with no superpowers whatsoever) or a Protector. To become a Protector she must face several challenges, including saving the world from her evil uncle and cousin. In addition to having the fate of the world rest in her hands, she faces love problems: she meets the man of her dreams, George Taylor (an ex-cop who just wants to find a girl who is normal).

Although the romance started off a bit unrealistically, it got much better as the book progressed. The chemistry between the main characters was good, and the relationship seemed plausible (after the first meeting, of course). In addition, the other aspects of the story were very entertaining. A lot of comedy was thrown in. Also, the idea of the descendants of the superhuman Protectors was terrific--after all, who doesn't want to be a superhero?

Overall, Julie Kenner blends a perfect amount of fantasy, romance, and comedy into a delightful story. I can't wait to read more of her books, specifically the next one in this series, Aphrodite's Passion!

Wow, what a fun read! There's some fun silliness going on here - some of the hot and heavy thoughts pinging around in Taylor's and Zoe's heads might lead to some eyeball-rolling, though later in the story their feelings seem a bit more natural despite the little bit of time they've known one another - if you have a tough time believing in love at first sight that only grows deeper VERY quickly, you might feel like you've fallen into a mythological fairy tale. The story line isn't fluff and the characters have some substance - there are a wide range of feelings, easy-to-relate-to emotional challenges, and childhood memories emanating from mortals, halflings (Zoe's father is a Protector; her mother is a mortal), and Protectors (mythological-type superheroes). A few of the characters seem one-dimensional and they're easy to dislike or place in the "bad guy" catagory. But some of the bad guys have feelings, too, and you can't help but hope against hope that they manage to get their act together and join the "good" side. Some of the good guys frustrated me in a big way - Zephron's insistence that Zoe not receive any help from brother Hale or father Donis, for example. It didn't seem fair to leave her clueless to what was going on! But Zoe, with Taylor's help, does manage to unravel the events and her place in it all. But is she strong enough to do one-on-one battle with her cousin, who has always beaten her at skill challenges when they were children? Does Taylor have a place in the challenge to save the world? Can the love that she and Taylor share help when all else fails? And does Taylor, a mere mortal, really have anything to offer Zoe, who could kick his butt on her bad days? Reading to find out will be well worth your time!

Courtesy of Love Romances

On her 25th birthday, Zoe Smith has the chance of a lifetime. She gets the opportunity to become a superhero. All her senses are heightened and she has to learn how to handle it. She gets it all...super powers like flying ability and x-ray vision and preternatural speed and agility...except the one thing her heart desires above all else, George Taylor.

George is a private investigator. He turned to this career after his life with the police force was cut short by a sever injury to his leg. He hides all his feelings behind a gruff facade, never letting on how he truly feels about anything. Zoe is convinced he is looking for an average woman to share his life. He can never love a woman like her, who disguises her superhero tendencies behind the mask of a sedate school librarian. Or could he?

Ms. Kenner has done it again with this delightful tale. Her characteristic humor is evident throughout every chapter. This book is full of laugh out loud moments. Zoe and George fly off the pages of the book and right into the heart of the reader. There they hang on with a tenacious grip to fast become reader favorites. The relationship between them is very sensual and is absolutely electrifying.

The reader rides along with Zoe and George as they battle all manner of vile creatures. For they are in a race against her villainous uncle who schemes to eliminate all of Superhero Central and take over the world with his underlings made up of superhero "Outcasts" and evil henchman.

Through it all Zoe and George are drawn even closer as their passion grows. But each is convinced the other can never love them for who they really are. Will George and Zoe overcome all of the obstacles in their way? The reader gets sucked in to see if love truly can conquer all.

As is guaranteed in any novel by Julie Kenner, the entire cast is made up of fascinating characters, right down to the amusing talking ferret. She uses vivid detail in describing her characters so that the reader can picture them as if they are right here in front of them. Also to be expected in any Kenner story, humor abounds throughout. The reader will laugh, cry, and roar in frustration, right along with the heroes.

Ms. Kenner, already having proven herself in series romance, demonstrates that she can tackle the paranormal world with ease. She is a one of a kind author, on a steady rise to stardom.

Zoƫ Smith was considered to be a simple librarian of South Hollywood Elementary School. Only her best friend, Deena (a volunteer art teacher and Oreo cookie lover) knew the truth. Zoƫ was a Halfling. She was only half mortal. Her mom, Tessa, would freak whenever Zoƫ got around to telling her that she was not the normal person Tessa thought. Nope, Zoƫ inherited some of her Dad's special abilities. Problem was that Zoƫ was nearing her twenty-fifth birthday. In order to join the Council Of Protectors (her life long dream) she had to tell Tessa about her abilities, pass some tests by the Council, somewhat master the abilities she was showing, and (oh, yeah!) save the world from Hieronymous and her cousin Mordi! Hmmm, sounds simple for a super hero, right?

George Taylor gave up his police career because of the bullet in his leg. Now he was a private investigator, barely irking out a living. He had his eye on Zoƫ ever since they met (an embarrassing moment for him). But she would have nothing to do with him! Okay, she was after some ugly, green gem ... something called Aphrodite's Girdle? A legend? And okay, so her family was a bit strange. Hale thought he spoke to animals, her cousin thought he could turn invisible, etc. etc. But none of that could be true, right?

***** Now HERE is a new type of Romance! Sort of a Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor type love story! I have never read anything like this one! It is simply awesome! Julie Kenner may have tapped into a whole new gentry of romance! *****

The idea is so good, if only the author could have made it interesting. It is about a world inhabited by people with superpowers. The heroine has to take some tests in order to become a full blown superheroine, while trying not to fall in love with a mere mortal. It reminded me of the old Supergirl comics, except that the heroine was a very silly woman, the hero was uninspiring, and the only interesting person was the villainous cousin. The ending was a cop-out.... Now if this concept had been expanded upon by Nora Roberts or Jayne Ann Krentz, they'd have done a much better job.

I really liked this novel!! I found it quite entertaining and enjoyable.

Zoe Smith was born to a mortal mother and a father with who has "superpowers". The "halfling" Zoe is now in training to become a superhero. As Zoe's twenty-fifth birthday approaches, Zoe has a huge decision to make, will she become a superhero or give up her powers and live her life as a mere mortal.

Although she is just learning how to control her powers she has a long way to go but she is definitely learning. Zoe meets P.I. George Taylor under unusual circumstances but that one meeting has Zoe's heart racing and she wants to have a normal relationship with this man but she's afraid to take the chance as she is unsure how her super-sensitive powers will react.

There are many crises that pop up throughout the story especially when the lives of all mortals become at risk but in the end love saves the day. I had so much fun reading this novel and besides sometimes we need a break from reality and into the world of fantasy.

George Bailey Taylor, " was having a rotten day. The police department wanted to put him behind a desk just because he had a bullet in his leg; his private investigator job was going nowhere, and his love life sucked.. His foster sister, Lane, kept trying to play matchmaker with all her weirdo friends, but when he finally met "The One," he managed to anger her with his questions about her co-worker The first time Zoe Smith saw Taylor her highly tuned senses went into overdrive. He was gorgeous, exuded masculinity and had that protective air about him that made her feel all safe and loved when around him. He also made her want to look over her glasses and see what he looked like under his clothes. But until she had her super powers under control, the Council would not let her use them. She was a halfling, descendent of the goddess Aphrodite, and a mortal. This rollicking tale of supernatural powers, saving the world and falling in love all at the same time is nothing short of hilarious. And when the two of them finally start concentrating on each other, the fireworks literally explode! A wonderful tale of true love conquering all, in both worlds!

The story line was charming and fresh, the charectors likeable and believable. Unfortunatly the writing was not as engaging as the story. However, this was a fantastic mix of fantasty, and romance and I look forward to reading more from this fresh new author.