Fantasy Lover: He Was Everything She'd Ever Dreamed Of

(In the event the Chapters/Indigo website deletes my rating, I mention here that I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars/leaves.)

Overall I enjoyed this one. It was a bit 'kooky' but fun.

Good points: It was a light, fun romp. I liked the characters and could therefore relate to them sufficiently to be able to root for them. The world building was fun and did not seem to be completely innacurate in terms of the history, although I'll admit that I'm no historian (a person more knowledgeable about the history and mythology of ancient Greece may have more negative things to say about this aspect).

Bad points: I will say that, while I enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars, this is because I didn't expect it to be more than 'fluff'. I would venture to guess that anyone expecting more than that from this novel would be quite disappointed.

That said, it was quite good fun.

Other books I recommend:
-Dragon Bound, by Thea Harrison
-Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh
-The Demon In Me, by Michelle Rowen
-The Shadow Reader, by Sandy Williams

I was recommended to try reading Kenyon's stuff, so I decided to give her a try. I found the beginning to be a little slow. Julian is sexy, yes, but I think the sexual tension was a little overdone. I probably would have liked his character better if there was a more normal interaction between him and Grace. PROS: sexy main character, ok plot. CONS: a bit of a shallow story, too much sexual tension over character development. OVERALL: I started to enjoy the book towards the end, so I may read the next book in the series just to give it one more try.

This is the first book by Sherrilyn Kenyon I have read and it won't be the last I really enjoyed this book I thought the storyline was interesting and the characters were also really great and the concept was great as well. Something else I enjoyed was all the Greek history I found it really interesting, this was a great book and I'll be checking out more to this series. :0)

I had to force myself to finish this book. It was brutally bad. I enjoy supernatural romance and someone suggested this book to me. I won't be listening to their suggestions again.
The time line of the book was all over the place. One day takes fifty pages to talk about, they go to bed and suddenly it's weeks later! It made no sense and was annoying to follow.
There were incorrect and bizarre usages of words all over the place. Ridiculous situations that, unlinked to anything supernatural, were stupid and unrealistic. The mistakes in reference to history and mythology were glaring and impossible to ignore.
The characters were one dimensional and boring. Their dialogue was pointless and uninteresting. Even the sex scenes lacked steam.
Overall, a terrible book that I do not recommend to anyone.

Julian is a demi god that ticked off the wrong people. His punishment is that he lives in a book and is only allowed out when called to be a sex slave. Julian has lived this way for 2000 years. Grace is a sex therapist who needs a life. Her best friend gives her a book as a birthday gift thinking that if she got some loving then she would get out of her rut.

Both have been hurt in previous relationships, but when they figure out that Grace can help Julian break the curse the couple vow to do just that. For one month the couple cannot have sex. Grace and Julian learn about each other and their pasts come out. Each find that they are drawn to the other in a way that they have not for anyone else. In the end to break the curse both will have to learn to trust and love again.

This is the first book in the Dark Hunter series and it was my first Kenyon. It was great! I sat down and devoured it in a couple of hours. I thought it was great that they two had to get to know each other before actually falling in to bed, not that they don't find other things to do. It was a great love story and very hot. I had this book for quite a while before I picked it up, now I am wondering why I waited so long. Loved it! I have the next three here, guess what I am reading next. ;)

What more do I need to say? A Spartan general trapped into an enchanted book after pissing off a Greek God. Now he is only able to come forth from the book one every full moon and until the next full moon is destined to be the love slave of the woman who summons him until the next full moon. Gotta love it. I did!

Fantasy Lover is a prequel to Kenyon's wildly popular Dark Hunter series. Although the male lead, Julian, is not a dark hunter himself, the story introduces some characters that are later seen in subsequent DH novels. I have read a few books in the DH series and have truly enjoyed them all. Sure they may be a bit formulaic, but they are always an entertaining way to spend a few hours.

Julian of Macedon was a great warrior and general. Born the son of a goddess and a Spartan warrior, he was destined to live a life never quite fitting in anywhere. In a cruel twist of fate, Julian is bound for eternity in a book . His only freedom comes when a woman finds him and calls him forth at midnight on a full moon. Once called, he can spend until the next full moon free from the confinement of the book. The catch? He must perform the duties of a sex slave for his summoner. Blessed with a touch no female can ignore and no male can compete with, Julian is driven to satisfy his summoner or risk being driven insane. But what happens if the women doesn't want his touch?

Grace Alexander is a sex therapist who hasn't "practiced" her craft in years. Hurt by the first and last man to touch her, she's unwilling to lose herself to anyone again, especially someone who is only going to leave her. On a drunken lark, and at the insistence of her eccentric friend Selena, she calls Julian forth from his book. Of course, she didn't really expect it to work. Now she's stuck with a drop dead sexy love slave that just wants to please her. Too bad that she wants nothing to do with him.

As far as I'm concerned, Kenyon wrote a winner here. Yes, it's a bit of predictable fluff, but who cares? It's sexy and a lot of fun but even so, the lightheartedness of the plot gives way to a rich, interesting and heartbreaking story of love and loss. Kenyon does a great job of pulling you along through a complex web of tangled emotions. The tension surrounding Grace and Julian is quite palpable and I liked that the book actually portrays the building of their relationship over time. Sure there might have been instant lust, but the love they eventually feel has a more realistic vibe to it because it wasn't any of the usual 'fated love' or 'love at first sight' drivel you often get in this type of book.

All in all, Fantasy Lover is a fast-paced read that will tug at your heartstrings with its wonderfully romantic couple, Julian & Grace, and a delightful supporting cast of gods, goddesses, and best friends. I plan on reading the entire DH series (in order if possible) over the course of the next few months.

2010-063

This is one of the rare books that you would read over and over again.
Julian is Fabulous
Grace is funny and a very believable character.
Kenyon is very inventive with combining the world of Greek Gods with our world, she makes everything flow together which makes you want to keep reading.
This is a romance novel like no other...and the sexy scenes where hot, (lord what Julian could do with food) it just made you crave more.

Fanasty lover is the first book in the dark-hunters seris and the first book that I have read by Sherrilyn Kenyon. After reading the first 5 chapters I was skeptical of this book being any good, but after that 5th chapter, well let me tell you, things really picked up!

Grace Alexander is a woman with a firm head on her shoulders. She is a sex thearpist and all day she listens to peoples sexual problems and all the while she is thinking she wish she had sex problems because it's been 4 long years for her. Enter her best friend selena, selena is a fortune teller who has a little booth in the trendy part of New Orleans and let's just say she's a little out there! Selena is worried about her friend, ever since she was humiliated by her long last boyfriend she has never been sexual again but that is all about to change.

It's Graces birthday and selena arrives at her house with a bottle of wine and a book. This is a very special book (one I would love to get my hands on)(just saying!) The story goes that if you say the guys name in the book 3 times on a full moon he pops out of the book and becomes your personal sexual slave for 30 days, well grace doesn't buy it but after more wine and the pushiness of selena, she goes outside, looks at the moon and says "Julian of macedon" 3 tmes AND.....nothing happens!

Disappointed, selena goes home and when she does grace is just about to go to sleep when she see a flash of light and then a naked man in her living room, a VERY naked man!
Once grace recovers from the shock and releaises that this huge,hot man in front of her is the very man from the book the questions start flying. She asks him how it's possiable and if he could please go back into the book which makes Julian cringe. He can't understand why grace doesnt want him, in over 2 thousand years all the woman that have summoned him have jumped his bones as soon as he arrived but not her. Julian keeps trying to please grace but when she set's down the ground rules he obeys. So first thing first, julian need's clothes, so when they go to the square to get some and a flock of woman attack him grace know's that he is going to be a problem, but at the same time she is secretly gasping with joy that he is with her.
Over the next few weeks julian continues to play with grace. a hot kiss her a little bit of that there but that's it which is a good thing too because when they find out from julians brother,none other than cupid that the curse can be lifted if he doesn't have sex with grace until the full moon and then upon that day they must stay inside one another until sunrise well easier said than done.
Julian and grace have fallen in love with each other but not one of them dares to tell the other for they have both been so hurt in the past, and to hope does them nothing but hurt.

So now while they are trying to resist each other grace learn's more about Julian's life, what he was, what happened to his famil and how he ended up in this book and so on and when time comes down to the wire, well you'll just have to read it to find out!!

This was a funny book with some tear shedding moments, if your are planning to read this book just remember what I said, the first few chapters are dull and you will probably want to put it down, but don't, trust me it is well worth reading it, it's very,very hot,steamy and making you want more of yummy Julian.

2010-004

Officially Fantasy Lover is the first book of Kenyon's Dark Hunter series (I'm going by what it says on the inside of the book flap which I deem official), however, Kenyon readers have also told me that it is unnecessary to read this book first if at all - although why you would purposely choose NOT to read this and its wonderful sexy time, is beyond me! That being said, this book is definitely directed towards those who enjoy paranormal romances even though this particular tale is knee deep in Greek mythology!

For the most part, this book has three characters: Our lead lady Grace, a sex therapist whose been through a few hurdles, one being of a sexual nature, and who is reluctant to really put herself out there; then we have Julian of Macedon, the son of Aphrodite who was a brave warrior who fought in many wars successfully in Ancient Greece but who has since been cursed as a love slave who is forced to pleasure a woman for a month before being sent back into the darkness of the book he is summoned from by said woman; and finally our quirky little side character Selena, the best friend of Grace who finds the book and convinces Grace to summon Julian as a means to get Grace back into the dating/sexual game. Selena also provides a good portion of comic relief. There are other characters as well, some being human, and some being immortal and of a god/goddess type nature, all playing there parts well.

Essentially Grace is convinced to summon Julian via Selena, but of course she thinks all this magic stuff is a bunch of mumbo jumbo as she likes to call it, and doesn't believe that it will actually work. Well fortunately for us readers, the summoning does work and now us readers get the joy of having Julian join the modern world and stir the pot a little! Of course Grace is more than a little shocked at finding this super hot gorgeous naked man standing in her living room, but Julian proves to be even more shocked when Grace essentially doesn't totally cave to his seduction and pushes him away. Julian refused by the woman who summoned him… Huh, whaaaaa…Let's just say he's not used to it.

Clearly not willing to simply jump his bones and stuck with the man too for a month, Grace decides to get to know him and treat him like a human being, which clearly he hasn't been in a REALLY long time. In doing this she also wants to free him of his curse (especially after learning some of the details and consequences of his curse), but to do so proves to be quite challenging. This book doesn't have a lot of action action, but spends its bulk building their relationship from strangers with crazy insecurities and issues on both sides, to a comfortable couple-type place where there is a clear show of love and support for one another even though they can't technically have sex (read the book to know why). They also refuse to acknowledge their feelings to one another for the longest time and (in my opinion) for dumb reasons. And let me tell you that as the month nears its end, more and more complications arise, all of them coming from every which way possible. Those last fifty pages, I began to wonder whether they would get a HEA or not. I was feeling anxious and stressed, thinking to myself, "What now? Come on now! More hurdles, what the hell…" It almost drove me bananas!

Overall, it was a really good read. I wouldn't call it a favourite, but it is a solid romance that most should enjoy. There was solid humour, and drama, and when there were fight/action scenes they were good and not too drawn out. I am definitely encouraged to continue reading the series and get into the thick of Kenyon's Dark Hunters.

Enjoy

10*2

Book 1 in the Dark Hunter Series, by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Oh. My. Goddess! Sherrilyn Kenyon is a master of the written word! This author has an amazing talent for drawing the reader into a story so thoroughly that you can actually "feel" the emotions with such intensity! Burning anger, passionate desire, tragic sadness, Ms. Kenyon's words made this reader feel every moment!

Her touch was his salvation; her kiss had the power to drive him over the edge into uncontrollable madness....

Grace Alexander: A 29 yr old sex therapist without an romance to call her own, doesn't have much of a social life. Hurt beyond measure by the loss of her parents and the brutal treatment at the hands of a man she thought she loved, Grace has no desire to trust her heart to anyone. She just can't face the thought of have it ripped out of her chest and stomped on again.

Julian of Macedon: Son of Aphrodite; renowned Spartan General; and, because of a viciously jealous brother, cursed to be nothing but a love slave for 2000 years, sentenced to always be sued to pleasure but those who summon him, but to never find a release of his own. Full of desperation, intense hunger and thirst, Julian never wanted anything but someone to love and who would truly love him, not his body, in return.

For her birthday, Grace, is duped into an "itty bitty" chant by her best friend, Selena. Did I mention that this itty bitty chant was supposed to bring Grace her very own God-Like Love Slave that she could have for a whole month?! Woot woot! Hot tamales it worked! Julian of Macedon, cursed to serve those who summoned him for the past 2000 years, popped into Grace's living room and turned her world upside down! So beautifully masculine, Julian is the epitome of every woman's sexual desire and it takes every ounce of Grace's control to NOT make love to him. You see, Grace was brutally used the night she lost her virginity and she just couldn't bring herself to treat another that way, no matter how hot he was or how much she wanted too! For Julian, not being able to pleasure a woman as his curse demanded, was a very dangerous thing, indeed. The intense physical and emotional pain of this rejection has the power drive him beyond madness into an eternity of lunacy in darkness, never to emerge again. But, no matter the cost, Grace and Julian decide together to fight the curse. With help from Julian's brother "Eros" aka Cupid, they find the way. It's a long and sexually torturous way, but they have got to try!

With Greek Gods and Goddesses, Gypsies, and everyday "Joes", this story has many twists and turns that promises to keep the reader turning page after page, well into the wee hours of the night!

Fav Comical Quote, Page 46:
"Because I'm not some alley cat with her tail up in the air waiting for the nearest Tom to come over, stick it in, and leave!"

Fav Emotion Filled Passage, Page 306:
Julian: Closing his eyes, he remembered the night Grace had summoned him. He remembered what it felt like to have no real identity. To just be the anonymous Greek love-slave.
Long ago, he had lost himself in a painful place of dark obscurity, and yet Grace has found him.
Through her strength and kindness, she had braved the worst of him and brought him back to humanity. She, alone, had seen into his heart and found him worthy.

Couldn't put this story down! 5 Gold Stars to Ms. Kenyon!

I use this term lightly, but I feel that this novel was bottom-of-the-rung writing. It was cheesy, fluffy and a little boring. Although it did have some "hot-collared" scenes.

This isn't really a darkhunter story, but it's an excellent start as the characters are mentioned in future books. This is such a unique idea for a story and what woman wouldn't fall in love with such a great sounding guy. Good looking, protective, kind and one heck of a history... what's not to love.

This book had me laughing, lusting, and crying. Julian and Grace are both great character's who you hope will both have a happily ever after. With Julian cursed as a love slave and Grace who summons him but doesn't want what he offers because she was hurt in the past. They start to get to know each other and both like what they find.

This was my first Kenyon novel (first in the Dark-Hunter series) and now I'm a fan! It was so unique and romantic. The suspence kept me reading non-stop. Julian is hot! Can't wait to read the next in the series.

I will applaud this book on it's excellent for the simple fact that this was the first book I read after discarding reading for well over 10 years. I found it well written, creative and imaginative. Grace, the main character was very skeptical on the process of summoning Julian and when he actually came to form, her reaction was priceless and very believable. If you need something interesting, and something that makes you believe in literature again, this is for you. :)

I absolutely loved it. It exceeded my expectations to the max! The book was very well written and everything in it had a purpose. And the tie-in with Greek mythology was superb. The descriptions of Julian made me want him even more even though I realize he is a fictional character. This book is so good!!

This book got me hooked on the Dark Hunter Series ! I loaned this book from a friend and then decided I needed to have my own!

I could not put the book down - Each chapter left me wanting to know more!
I even went back through some pages to read a selection of the book again!

I have never been one for the romance genre, but when a friend gushed on about Kenyon I decided to give her a try. I have to admit the title threw me and I wouldn't let anyone see the cover when I started reading it. unlike what I thought romance was about this book had a great story line and even drew on some mythology. I was impressed and by the middle to end of the book I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep. After I finished the book I moved on to another and another. I became the friend who gushed about this author. All I have to say it is definitly worth reading, caution can be addicting.

Cursed into a book as a sex slave, Julian of Macedon has spent 1,500 years pleasing women and if he can't find an out clause he'll spend eternity never getting any pleasure himself. Enter Grace Alexander, his out clause. This wonderful story has everything you want from a Romance and more. Plot, Characters and sex are all served up on a platter dying to tasted. This is officially the first book in Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series and although the Bad Boys of Immortality don't make an appearance, I wouldn't skip this one over. I love the DH's but Julian is the ultimate hero. Sexy and charming, masculin and prederatory there is just something about him that will have you reading and re-reading his sultry story. Grab some chocolate and make a date with your ultimate Fantasy Lover!