Aphrodite's Flame

I love the idea of this series: Protectors among us, undercover as mortals. Julie Kenner has a wonderful sense of humor and her characters are very likeable. Even Mordi, who I loved to hate in previous books, I came to love in this book. It was easy to identify with Izzy and her claustraphobia and on the job dilemas. I highly recommend this book, but if you haven't read the others in the series, don't start here. It would spoil the others, and after reading this, you would definitely want to read the others!

The Protector bureaucracy keeps humans safe from misuse of power by Outcast Protectors. When an Outcast pleads for reinstatement they typically are sent to Re-Assimilation Counselors like empath Izzy Frost even though she is only a half-breed and has limited powers. Her current client is the baddest of the bad Hieronymus Black, who insists he has seen the light. Concerned High Elder Zephron knows how law breaking Hieronymus has been so he assigns his cleanest agent, Mordi Black to assist Izzy. Mordi's record of finding traitors is perfect perhaps because of his reaction to his evil traitorous father to stay 100% pure and law abiding. Reading his mind, Izzy believes Hieronymus has reformed. Also a Halfling Mordi refuses to believe that Hieronymus has changed; he thinks either Izzy went rogue or the Outsider has pulled a brilliant ruse. Already in love with Izzy, Mordi investigates Hieronymus' claim of reformation, but someone wants him and Izzy dead; he concludes that his sire is behind this, but has no proof tying his dad to the crime. The fourth Aphrodite's tale is a terrific romantic fantasy with intertwining amateur sleuth elements and will be recognized as one of the sub-genre's top novels of the year. Readers will feel that love is all around them yet also experience the suspense of what about Black and the attempts to kill the lead couple. Besides a great romance and a fabulous investigative tale, Julie Kenner makes the fantasy elements seem real whether it is Izzy's sense of smell or her freezing skills let alone the abilities of the purebreds who appear genuinely walking along side us fans. Harriet Klausner

Mordichai "Mordi" Black could spot a traitor easily. Since he was his evil father's son, he knew what to look for. Therefore, Mordi has been helping to ferret out the traitors within the Protectors. Mordi's track record was impressive! The High Elder, Zephron, decided Mordi would be the perfect assistant for Izzy, who was beginning sessions with a new client. Isole "Izzy" Frost is a Level V Re-Assimilation Counselor. When an Outcast (bad guy) want to prove s/he has had a change of heart and wishes to rejoin the Protectors, a counselor is sent to give tests and decide if the Outcast is sincere or not. Izzy's primary Protector trait is empathy. She can read minds of those she touches, smell the emotions of those she does not touch, can shoot freeze beams (which makes her name so perfect), and those are just a few of her minor Protector traits. But, like Mordi, she is a Halfling. Being half mortal and half super hero means she CAN'T do some of the things that the full blooded Protectors can do easily, such as levitate. Izzy's new client is Hieronymous Black, the most notorious Outcast of the entire Protector race! Izzy's powers have never failed. Therefore, when her powers tell her that Hieronymous HAS changed, she believes it. Mordi does NOT! No way. No how. It has got to be a trick. If so, why? And how could Hieronymous fool Izzy's empathy powers? It is impossible! Mordi (and some characters from previous books in this series) begin investigating. Sure enough, Mordi is on someone's hit list quickly. But nothing points to his vile sire. **** Since the plot needed a big synopsis, I left out the information on Mordi and Izzy's relationship, romance. But trust me on this, the two are very attracted to each other and love is in the air! Author Julie Kenner has done another outstanding job. Somehow the author makes these people with super powers seem totally normal. In fact, reading this series is as good as, if not better, than watching a new X-Men video. If I could give this novel more than the full five stars, I would. Highly recommended! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.