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Dear Reader,Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day.
As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a show more tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.
But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace—the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse?
Julian of Macedon
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Fantasy Lover is the first full-length novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon that I have read, and I absolutely loved it. It was packed with thoroughly romantic moments and beautiful sensuality that was sheer perfection for me, and that was even without the hero and heroine actually having sex until the very end of the book. I consider myself to be a very girly girl, and I find that Ms. Kenyon's writing style has a very feminine quality that is very appealing to me. I like the balance that she finds between the serious side of life and finding humor even in dark circumstances. I thought that the use of Greek gods and goddesses as secondary characters was a very unique element that made me want to go brush up on my knowledge of Greek mythology. Some show more people seemed to think that the ending was too rushed, and while I could in some ways see where they're coming from, I really didn't mind. For me it was full of unexpected twists and turns that engaged my attention so much that I completely lost track of time.
I loved both Grace and Julian. They were just as perfect for me as the story was as a whole. Julian is the classic tortured hero, completely gorgeous on the outside but feeling unworthy of true love because of his past. Grace was just as sweet as could be and very relatable for me. While some readers thought her to be weak because of her tender-heartedness, I thought that she had a quiet inner strength and determination that was endearing. What I liked most about Grace and Julian's relationship is how they gave so freely and unselfishly to each other. When Julian sold his most precious possession to replace Grace's most precious possessions that were destroyed, my heart just did flip-flops. Also, being the book lover that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where Julian derives so much pleasure from Grace reading to him. Sometimes it's just the little things that make a character or a story special for me. I know I probably sound like a gushing fan-girl, but I really did love this book, and can't wait to read more of the Dark-Hunter series. I borrowed this book from the library, but I will definitely be getting my own copy to place on my keeper shelf. It is very rare for me to place an author among my favorites when I have read so few of their works (I've only read one other novella by her), but I relate to Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing style so much, I couldn't imagine that I wouldn't enjoy almost anything she's written. show less
I loved both Grace and Julian. They were just as perfect for me as the story was as a whole. Julian is the classic tortured hero, completely gorgeous on the outside but feeling unworthy of true love because of his past. Grace was just as sweet as could be and very relatable for me. While some readers thought her to be weak because of her tender-heartedness, I thought that she had a quiet inner strength and determination that was endearing. What I liked most about Grace and Julian's relationship is how they gave so freely and unselfishly to each other. When Julian sold his most precious possession to replace Grace's most precious possessions that were destroyed, my heart just did flip-flops. Also, being the book lover that I am, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where Julian derives so much pleasure from Grace reading to him. Sometimes it's just the little things that make a character or a story special for me. I know I probably sound like a gushing fan-girl, but I really did love this book, and can't wait to read more of the Dark-Hunter series. I borrowed this book from the library, but I will definitely be getting my own copy to place on my keeper shelf. It is very rare for me to place an author among my favorites when I have read so few of their works (I've only read one other novella by her), but I relate to Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing style so much, I couldn't imagine that I wouldn't enjoy almost anything she's written. show less
Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn’t. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior’s day.
As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander’s sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.
But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found show more Grace--the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse? show less
As a love-slave, I know everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all, how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander’s sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She alone bothered to take me out of the bedroom and onto the world. She taught me to love again.
But I was not born to love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found show more Grace--the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two-thousand-year-old curse? show less
I have been a longtime fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon since middle school. (For the mothers out there, don’t leave your smut out where impressionable tweens can learn about sex and become addicted to HEAs like I did . . . though my addiction probably started after finishing the Harry Potter series, my mom’s Nora Roberts collection did not help.) During my blogging hiatus I decided I wanted to go back to a few old favorites, and *finally* read them in order, because it still bothers me, years later, when I don’t go in chronological order. . . I know, I need to seek professional help. But who has the money for that shit?
If you’ve ever delved into Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series, it is so flipping hard to figure out what book is numero uno, show more so I decided to start with the companions that began before the series starts, so I don’t feel guilty about not reading them first. Kenyon, I love your work, but it drives me fucking crazy that nothing is in order properly. Please let me organize the shit out of your books. Please?
Fantasy Lover features Grace Alexander, a sex therapist who has sworn off sex forever . . . until one night of drinking accidentally conjures up Julian of Macedon, once a mighty Spartan leader, and now cursed to be a sex slave for whomever calls him up. One Grace learns he’s not some perv running around her house naked, and that it’s her fault a naked stranger is in her living room, she is not pleased. I love Grace as a character, but these are the times I have to question her sanity. If a naked, perfectly built stud graced my living room, I would not be making him wear clothes . . . I can’t be the only one who feels this way!
You should pick up your own copy of Fantasy Lover if . . .
If you like your smut with a heaping spoonful of humor
If you’ve ever wanted your own sex slave
You’ve ever wanted a big, hunk of love to rescue you from your self-esteem issues
You heart sarcastic heroines just as much as I do show less
If you’ve ever delved into Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series, it is so flipping hard to figure out what book is numero uno, show more so I decided to start with the companions that began before the series starts, so I don’t feel guilty about not reading them first. Kenyon, I love your work, but it drives me fucking crazy that nothing is in order properly. Please let me organize the shit out of your books. Please?
Fantasy Lover features Grace Alexander, a sex therapist who has sworn off sex forever . . . until one night of drinking accidentally conjures up Julian of Macedon, once a mighty Spartan leader, and now cursed to be a sex slave for whomever calls him up. One Grace learns he’s not some perv running around her house naked, and that it’s her fault a naked stranger is in her living room, she is not pleased. I love Grace as a character, but these are the times I have to question her sanity. If a naked, perfectly built stud graced my living room, I would not be making him wear clothes . . . I can’t be the only one who feels this way!
You should pick up your own copy of Fantasy Lover if . . .
If you like your smut with a heaping spoonful of humor
If you’ve ever wanted your own sex slave
You’ve ever wanted a big, hunk of love to rescue you from your self-esteem issues
You heart sarcastic heroines just as much as I do show less
This is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously, and you shouldn't either. It's a lot of fun, and Julian is definitely one of the better PNR male leads I've met. Grace falls flat sometimes, but that's part of the fun if you are willing to see her as a flawed and failing character trying to do what is right while hiding from her own past. Like-ya know-most of us. She says stupid things, makes assumptions, is in absolutely the wrong job for her, has some massive denial issues, and is just very human.
The world is fairly original (Greek gods crop up from time to time in PNR, but not nearly as often as vamps and shifters) and the gods are (in their own way) just as human as Grace.
If you are willing to laugh and cry along with show more characters who are muddling their way through a REALLY fucked up situation as best they can, and in the process falling in love and learning how ot make some things right, you'll enjoy this read. show less
The world is fairly original (Greek gods crop up from time to time in PNR, but not nearly as often as vamps and shifters) and the gods are (in their own way) just as human as Grace.
If you are willing to laugh and cry along with show more characters who are muddling their way through a REALLY fucked up situation as best they can, and in the process falling in love and learning how ot make some things right, you'll enjoy this read. show less
One of the biggest things that annoyed me about this book is how easy everything seemed to be solved for Julian and Grace. It just seemed like whenever the two of them found themselves in a bind, some god or goddess would throw something at them to help. I wanted to see Grace and Julian work through the curse more by themselves and not with all these random gods throwing them helping hands along the way. But the way Grace and Julian interacted with each other more than helped make up for that. I loved how much quiet time they spent together and it made their developing relationship seem much more believable. By the end of the story I was convinced that Julian and Grace’s relationship would last and that they wouldn’t be trying to show more curse each other into a book after a week.
Grace was good character and she managed to hold her own in the book, but I have to say that I really really liked Julian. One of the main reasons I liked Julian so much was that despite the fact that he was a Spartan general back in the day, he manages to see Grace as an equal and doesn’t go into “Me Tarzan, You Jane” mode.
This book doesn’t go very far into the dark hunter world, but you could see that Kenyon was starting to set up things that will be addressed in later books in the series when we start to get deeper into that world. Her site says that you don’t have to read the books in order and I don’t doubt that at all, but in my opinion I think it might be better if you did start from the beginning. So you can see the world building evolve instead of just being thrust into everything like I was in Unleash the Night. All around though this was a great story and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. show less
Grace was good character and she managed to hold her own in the book, but I have to say that I really really liked Julian. One of the main reasons I liked Julian so much was that despite the fact that he was a Spartan general back in the day, he manages to see Grace as an equal and doesn’t go into “Me Tarzan, You Jane” mode.
This book doesn’t go very far into the dark hunter world, but you could see that Kenyon was starting to set up things that will be addressed in later books in the series when we start to get deeper into that world. Her site says that you don’t have to read the books in order and I don’t doubt that at all, but in my opinion I think it might be better if you did start from the beginning. So you can see the world building evolve instead of just being thrust into everything like I was in Unleash the Night. All around though this was a great story and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. show less
Grace is a therapist, a sex therapist to be exact, her best friend a tarot reading gypsy-blooded Selena has decided Grace needs to heal from her first disastrous time with a total tool and she tricks Grace to summon a Greek Love-Slave from an old book.
Julian of Macedon, a Spartan general, has spent near two thousand years in the book, cursed there by his half-brother, and summoned out only by women who want him for his body - and what a body! Being a demigod he's a sight aphrodisiac to human women, so much so that he is irresistible. As Grace summons him he figures out something is different this time, first Grace doesn't want to sleep with him, and second her treating him like a man awakens weird feelings in him.
As more of who Julian show more is revealed feelings blossom between the couple but neither one wants to admit them, better yet acknowledge them - but as it comes out that there might be a way for Julian to be free from the book things take turn to worse. It's not easy to choose life after over 2000 years of emotional torture.
I loved this book! It sure is a hot read! I can't help but love books where the hero sets out to seduce the heroine, especially when the hero is rugged gorgeous Spartan Warrior! *SWOON* Alright let me get it together... there we go... no wait, okay, I got it.
I loved the plot, sure it was simple but with great twists! It was easy flowing to read and Kenyon writes in a way that you feel close connected to the characters, which helps so much to see the world and get immersed in it.
Fantasy Lover was deliciously sexy, dark and tempting and a surprise very funny quick read! Julian's out-of-place-ness, if one can use that as a word is hilarious, but at times heartbreaking, and this book is a perfect mix of both.
I loved Julian, he was so dark and conflicted, but sexy as hell. I loved that he didn't like public places where women swooned over him, it gave him just what the doctor ordered to be a great male lead.
Could not help but to love Grace as well, she saw Julian as a human being and not as a mystical creature, a love-slave. She wanted to help him adjust to where he was, and this is bit heartbreaking; she was the first women in 2000 years who wanted to give him the dignity to wear clothes, which he didn't know how to handle...
I did not expect this book to be so good! I was very pleasantly surprised! This book works well for you if you want a break from vampires and werewolves, but still want your Paranormal Romance kick! show less
Julian of Macedon, a Spartan general, has spent near two thousand years in the book, cursed there by his half-brother, and summoned out only by women who want him for his body - and what a body! Being a demigod he's a sight aphrodisiac to human women, so much so that he is irresistible. As Grace summons him he figures out something is different this time, first Grace doesn't want to sleep with him, and second her treating him like a man awakens weird feelings in him.
As more of who Julian show more is revealed feelings blossom between the couple but neither one wants to admit them, better yet acknowledge them - but as it comes out that there might be a way for Julian to be free from the book things take turn to worse. It's not easy to choose life after over 2000 years of emotional torture.
I loved this book! It sure is a hot read! I can't help but love books where the hero sets out to seduce the heroine, especially when the hero is rugged gorgeous Spartan Warrior! *SWOON* Alright let me get it together... there we go... no wait, okay, I got it.
I loved the plot, sure it was simple but with great twists! It was easy flowing to read and Kenyon writes in a way that you feel close connected to the characters, which helps so much to see the world and get immersed in it.
Fantasy Lover was deliciously sexy, dark and tempting and a surprise very funny quick read! Julian's out-of-place-ness, if one can use that as a word is hilarious, but at times heartbreaking, and this book is a perfect mix of both.
I loved Julian, he was so dark and conflicted, but sexy as hell. I loved that he didn't like public places where women swooned over him, it gave him just what the doctor ordered to be a great male lead.
Could not help but to love Grace as well, she saw Julian as a human being and not as a mystical creature, a love-slave. She wanted to help him adjust to where he was, and this is bit heartbreaking; she was the first women in 2000 years who wanted to give him the dignity to wear clothes, which he didn't know how to handle...
I did not expect this book to be so good! I was very pleasantly surprised! This book works well for you if you want a break from vampires and werewolves, but still want your Paranormal Romance kick! show less
Grace Alexander didn't believe her friend, Selena, when Selena claimed the book should had just given Grace for her birthday contained a Greek love slave. Feeling ridiculous, Grace performed the incantation under the full moon and was very, very surprised to discover a totally naked - and gorgeous - man in her living room. Grace is also the last thing Julian of Macedon expected when summoned into the 21st century. She sees him as a man rather than a sex object and, once she learns there is a way to end his curse, is determined to help him.
Grace finds herself in a new world from her usual, boring one; a world where Greek goddesses can be summoned with a call, divine mistakes have terrible consequences and Cupid and Psyche are bikers show more walking (or riding) the streets of New Orleans. Breaking the curse of a vengeful god isn't easy and Grace and Julian have a hard time ahead of them before they can maybe win a happy ending.
Fantasy Lover is both a stand alone novel and the unofficial beginning of Kenyon's popular Dark Hunter series. This is not a Dark Hunter book, but it introduces the world and a number of recurring characters, including Julian and Grace themselves. With my terrible memory, I was having trouble remembering some of the main points and hints of the later Dark Hunter books, I decided a reread of the series was in order. Being totally crazy, I also decided to try to take notes of the important points that tie into the overall story. How long that will last, I don't know, but I managed it for this book.
Despite having a notebook and pen to hand the whole time, I really enjoyed my reread of Fantasy Lover. Kenyon has a deft way with characters and here, shows the early creation of what has become a complex, detailed and fascinating world. Julian is a strong character without being totally alpha, as can be a common fault with heroes in the general romance genre. His attempts to adapt to the modern world and risk opening himself up to emotions again if well handled and Grace is a perfect match for him.
This is a fun read on its own as well as the start of what becomes an excellent paranormal/romantic series. show less
Grace finds herself in a new world from her usual, boring one; a world where Greek goddesses can be summoned with a call, divine mistakes have terrible consequences and Cupid and Psyche are bikers show more walking (or riding) the streets of New Orleans. Breaking the curse of a vengeful god isn't easy and Grace and Julian have a hard time ahead of them before they can maybe win a happy ending.
Fantasy Lover is both a stand alone novel and the unofficial beginning of Kenyon's popular Dark Hunter series. This is not a Dark Hunter book, but it introduces the world and a number of recurring characters, including Julian and Grace themselves. With my terrible memory, I was having trouble remembering some of the main points and hints of the later Dark Hunter books, I decided a reread of the series was in order. Being totally crazy, I also decided to try to take notes of the important points that tie into the overall story. How long that will last, I don't know, but I managed it for this book.
Despite having a notebook and pen to hand the whole time, I really enjoyed my reread of Fantasy Lover. Kenyon has a deft way with characters and here, shows the early creation of what has become a complex, detailed and fascinating world. Julian is a strong character without being totally alpha, as can be a common fault with heroes in the general romance genre. His attempts to adapt to the modern world and risk opening himself up to emotions again if well handled and Grace is a perfect match for him.
This is a fun read on its own as well as the start of what becomes an excellent paranormal/romantic series. show less
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Author Information
261+ Works 96,635 Members
Sherrilyn Kenyon was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1965. She attended the University of Georgia. She has written novels and nonfiction works using both her real name and the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor. The name was created when she started writing historical romances. She writes several series including The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of show more Avalon, BAD Agency and the Chronicles of Nick. In 2018 her title, Death Doesn't Bargain, made the bestseller list. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Awards
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Series
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Fantasy Lover
- Original title
- Fantasy Lover
- Alternate titles
- Julian of Macedon
- Original publication date
- 2002-02-02
- People/Characters
- Dr. Grace Alexander; Selena "Lanie" Laurens; Gerry; Jamie; Tony; Sunshine (show all 70); Harry; Julian of Macedon; Bill Laurens; Paul; Alexandria; Priapus (Deity); Penelope; Rachel; Dave/Davida; Chico; Lisa; Ms. Thibideaux; Athena (Deity); Eros/Cupid (Deity); Steven; Ares (Deity); Psyche (Deity); Aphrodite (Deity); Zeus (Deity); Hephaestus (Deity); Mary; Livius; Tisiphone (Deity); Nemesis (Deity); Dion; Bacchus (Deity); Hades (Deity); Dr. Luanne Jenkins; Dr. Beth Livingston; Rick Glysdale; Rodney Carmichael; Iason; Kyrian of Thrace; Bobby; Tommy; Katie; Allison; Mania; Emily; Clotho (one of the Fates); Officer Allred; Dr. Ben Lewis; Dione (Deity); Hesiod; Clio (Muse); Charon the Ferryman; Diokles of Sparta/Diokles the Butcher; Scipio the Younger; Atolycus; Callista; Officer Reynolds; Zephyros (Deity); Terpsichore (Muse); Amber; Tom; Hermes (Deity); Apollo (Deity); Thetis (Nereid); Achilles (Deity); Tiyana; Thanatos (Deity); Niklos James Alexander; Vanessa Anne Alexander; Trish
- Important places
- New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Sparta, Ancient Greece; Macedonia, Ancient Greece
- Important events
- Macedonian Wars
- Dedication
- As always, this is for my wonderful family who supports me unreservedly.
For Nancy Yost, who believed in an idea that was completely different, and for all the faith you had, and encouragement you gave.
Jennifer... (show all) Enderlin and Kim Cardascia for sharing my vision, and allowing me to explore the outer reaches of my imagination.
For my friends who are always there to share my laughter and my pain: Rickey Mallory, Celeste Bradley, Cheryl Lewellyn , Valerie Walton, Diana Hillock, Rebecca Baum, and Kim Jones (thanks for the psychologist insights). And for Lisa Rich, who was the original Moon Mistress.
And most of all, to you, the reader, for wanting to take a stroll with me on the Wild Side, where with a little faith, imagination, and love, all things are possible.
Hugs to all! - First words
- "Honey, you need to get laid."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And she loved him that way.
- Publisher's editor
- Enderlin, Jennifer
- Blurbers
- Medeiros, Teresa
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