Demons Are Forever by Julie Kenner

When Kate Conner’s daughter tells her she wants to grow up to be just like her mom, Kate’s not sure she wants her little girl hunting demons. But with the number of demons creeping into her life lately, Kate might just welcome the help. Secrets abound as mother and daughter must keep their secrets from Kate’s husband, while Kate’s former husband appears to be inhabiting the body of her daughter’s teacher The research her former husband did just prior to his death now holds the key to the safety of the world. With the latest threat upon them, will Kate manage unravel the mysteries in time or will she watch as the demons destroy everything she values.

Julie was kind enough to autograph a copy of this book at the RWA Literacy book signing and I finished it long before the conference was over It’s a great book, though you really need to read the previous books to fully appreciate the story in this one. Julie also said that there’s a definite end to the overall story, which is good since I hate to see a story like this never end.

Details: Penguin, July 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

The Good Ghouls’ Guide to Getting Even by Julie Kenner

Beth Frasier was looking forward to her senior year in high school. Even with her grades, winning the science fair competition and being editor of the school’s newspaper, she felt she needed just one more thing to get into journalism school. So when she was invited to try out for the cheerleading squad, Beth knew that getting accepted would cinch her college application. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that the next morning she’d be hiding from the sun and Stephen Wills the football hero was also Stephen Wills the vampire. And now that he’s taken her life away the only thing that Beth wants is getting even.

This isn’t really a young adult story as much as it’s a story about young adults. While there isn’t a hint of sex in the story, the pacing, the humor and the tone is much more like Julie’s other stories like California Demon than a normal YA story. If you’re a fan of Julie Kenner, especially her Demon books, you need to add this one to your shopping cart. I think you'll enjoy it.

Details: Berkley Jam, April 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Friends

Nobody Does It Better by Julie Kenner

In order to hide her writing, Paris Sommers adopted the pseudonym of Montgomery Alexander because his name fit the edgy, action novels she created. Then she became Montgomery’s front person and allowed absolutely no one to meet her alter ego. But when her publisher started talking book tours and multi-book deals, knew her days were numbered. Then Devin O’Malley stepped into her life and become Montgomery Alexander for the tour. Devon O’Malley learned how to run a con from this father and while he had retired from the game, he needed some fast money and picking up a gig as the famous author was pure luck. But the number one rule of running a con is not getting emotionally attached and Devon is falling for Paris big time. Now it’s up to Paris to decide if she wants to spend the rest of her life with her fantasy man, Montgomery or with Devon despite his flaws?

This is the first of four Harlequin re-releases featuring some of my favorite Temptation and Blaze authors. I disappointed at first when I realized this wasn’t a spy novel (The Spy Who Loved Me is my all-time-favorite James Bond movie {except for possibly the original Casino Royale, but that’s a whole ‘nuther story }). I loved the way this book puts a reverse spin on my attempts at writing romance novels. Maybe I should adopt the name of a sexy chick, who hopelessly attracts men of all shapes and sizes. And then when that magnificent creature walks into my life, I’ll be spell bound and unable to function. But wait, it already happened (right Jill ). Anyway, this story reminds me of an old television show, Remington Steele, where the heroine is a private detective but can’t get any work because no one believes she can do the job, so she creates a boss shrouded in secrecy, Remington Steele who’s reputation is incredible. (hmmm…Wonder if they re-released this series on DVD yet?) Anyway, if you can’t tell I really loved this book. So if you hadn’t read it the first time around, you’d better get this edition before it’s too late.

Details: Temptation, February 2000

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

The Cat’s Fancy by Julie Kenner

Maggie persuades her mentor to temporarily release her from her cat’s body because she fell in love with her human. Nick Goodman is shocked to find a naked woman standing outside his door, especially when she appears to have no past and wants nothing more than to share his bed. While Maggie was certain Nick loved her, she never realized that Nick already was engaged to be married. Now can Nick come to his senses and dump his fiancé before Maggie runs out of time?

Julie created a very cute story with a number of other characters including a secondary romance. Her humor pops throughout the story and is a joy to read. If you believe that cats own a house and merely let the humans live in it, I know you’ll love this story.

Score: Great

Details: Love Spell, August 2000

California Demon by Julie Kenner

Like any other soccer mom, Kate Conner wants only the best for her daughter. So when she learns a demon has invaded her daughter’s high school with a scheme to wreak havoc on Earth, the retired demon hunter takes action. Unfortunately, Kate has to balance her search for the demons with her husband’s political aspirations, her daughter’s first crush and various attacks on her life. Assuming she lives long enough, will Kate unravel the demon’s plot in time to stop him, or will the world suffer the consequences?

This book combines Julie's brand of paranormal humor and her somwhat offbeat characters to create a great story. However, there are two flaws to this book. First, it’s only available in trade format, which I hate because of the extra weight and the price premium (however if you’re patient, this book will be released in paperback in June 2007 ). The second is that the ending of this book leaves a key story element open, which means I can’t wait for the next book in the series (due out in July 2007 ). While this book stands by itself, you really should read the first story in the series, Carpe Demon, in order to understand Kate’s recent history. If you love paranormal stories and chick-lit, this book is a must read.

Score: Great

Details: Berkley, June 2006

Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner

When Kate Conner, an average stay-at-home-mom with a husband, two kids, and a mortgage, finds a real demon in her neighborhood Wal-Mart, all hell breaks loose. What the demon doesn’t realize that Kate is a retired demon hunter and while she’s a little out of practice, she’s still as deadly as ever. Unfortunately her family doesn’t know about her past. Now Kate is on to the biggest challenge of her life (okay, second biggest challenge – coordinating the car pool is still number one ;) ), a high demon is interested in a holy relic stored in a nearby cathedral. So unless she finds a way to stop the demon and his minions, her family, her town and possibly the whole world may be destroyed.

This is one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while, but I guess it really doesn’t qualify as a romance novel, because there isn’t any romance :( . Julie painted an incredibly detailed picture of everyday life in a modern suburban community. But when you least expect it, she seamlessly drops you into a paranormal world that coexists with the one we’re familiar. For example, you’re shopping for dog food in your local Wal-Mart, and you notice a demon in a human body, shopping there too. This book is so good, it’s not going in my have-been-read-read pile, but going back in my to-be-read pile, so that when I get a copy of the sequel California Demon, I’ll read the pair together.

Aphrodite’s Flame by Julie Kenner

Despite his evil father, Mordi has decided to concentrate his efforts on becoming a model superhero. But little did he realize that his father decided to do the same thing. Mordi doesn’t believe his father really wants to be good, but Isole, his father’s empathic rehabilitation councilor, believes his intentions are sincere. Knowing his father is up to something, he attempts to convince Isole that she’s wrong, but instead he ends up falling in love with the woman of his dreams. Now, not only does Mordi have to convince Isole that they belong together, he has to foil his father’s evil plot before he can take over the world.

Bad boy, Mordi returns for the fourth and most recent volume of this series. Many of the characters from the previous novels also appear in this one making it even more enjoyable for fans of the series. Again the characterization is great and the ending is arguably the strongest of the four novels. In other words, if you like Julie’s other books, you better add this one to your to be read pile :) .

Details: Love Spell, August 2004

Bottom line: A great book

Aphrodite’s Secret by Julie Kenner

Jason Murphy and Lane Kent are in love, or at least they were in love before Jason spent six long years in captivity by one of the most evil people in the world – his father. Lane didn’t realize that Jason was a Protector with the power to turn change into a dolphin, she was just angry that Jason left her the night she told him she was pregnant - the same night that Jason was captured by his father. But when Jason’s father turned his evil intentions on his grandson and Jason knew must do everything he can to protect Lane and his son. Now it’s up to Lane. Will she chase Jason away to protect her heart or will she believe Jason’s story and let him back into her life?

In the third volume of the Aphrodite series, Julie dives into the history of one of the minor characters from the previous novels. Unlike her previous superheroes, Jason isn’t all that powerful, yet his struggles to regain Lane make for a very interesting story. It’s definitely worth reading the previous books before this one as it helps to understand much of the back story. Highly recommended.

Details: Love Spell, May 2003

Bottom line: A great book

Aphrodite’s Passion by Julie Kenner

Hale, the superhero whose secret identity is that of a romance novel cover model, was charged with retrieving Aphrodite’s Girdle. The ancient artifact gives its wearer the power to bend others to their will. Should this artifact fall into the wrong hands, someone could use its power to take over the world, leaving the Council of Protectors powerless to stop them. Tracy Tannin – a mortal – inherited what she thought was a belt after her grandmother’s death and while she noticed that people acted strangely while she wore it, she didn’t understand its true power. However when the guy that appeared on her favorite romance novels flew into her life, everything was turned upside down. When Tracy realized just how powerful the belt was, she had to choose between having all men find her desirable or giving up the belt to her favorite superhero, whom she may never see again.

This is Julie’s second Aphrodite novel and it was just as good as the first. I love the idea of the hero being a romance novel cover model. It reminded me of the villainous underwear model in Men in Black 2, only this time the character is on the side of goodness and honor. There is just so much opportunity for humor with such a character that I’m surprised at the amount of restraint Julie used in this novel. If you like paranormal stories with a touch of humor, then you'll love this one.

Details: Love Spell, April 2002

Bottom line: A great book

Aphrodite’s Kiss by Julie Kenner

George Taylor’s private investigative business is floundering as paying clients are few and far between. So when a mysterious stranger offers him a small fortune to locate an ugly piece of jewelry he readily accepts the case, especially when he’s recently seen the missing necklace around his sister’s neck. Unfortunately, his sister gave the necklace to Zoe Smith, who’s the assistant librarian at the local school. But what George doesn’t know is that Zoe is a superhero, or at least she will be when she passes the required tests by her twenty-fifth birthday. If she fails, she’ll lose her superhero status, but at least she'll have George to comfort her. However if she passes her test, she knows that she’ll never have George as superhero-mortal relationships never last. Finally to make matters worse, the jewelry is highly sought after by the evil outcasts, who plan to use it as part of their plan to rule the world. Now Zoe must choose between a normal life with George or to become a real superhero so that she can save the world.

This is the first of four novels set in this universe. I really enjoyed the lighthearted nature of this book with its colorful characters. For instance, who else could imagine a superhero disguised as a romance novel cover model :) . There is lots of conflict between the characters which makes for an interesting read. Also Julie managed to create a very sympathetic character in Zoe because her super powers have just enough drawbacks that leave you wondering if she really will succeed against the forces of evil. But then again, who needs Superman when you have Zoe?

Details: Love Spell, April 2001

Bottom line: A great book

The Perfect Score by Julie Kenner

Failing a slut test so shocked Mattie Brown that she was willing to do anything in order to up her score. Fortunately her next-door neighbor is Cullen Slater has a revolving door for beautiful women, all of whom look completely satisfied when the leave the next morning. A guaranteed score enhancer for Mattie. Unfortunately another neighbor, Matt Peterson, has set his sights on her and despite his great body, he's unlikely to improve her score as he's a computer geek. But as Mattie gets to know Matt better, she’s finding it hard to stay focused on Cullen. Now it’s up to Matt to convince Mattie that test scores aren’t that important in the real world.

This is the first book in the It’s All About Attitude that really feels like a chick-lit book to me. I liked how Julie managed to weave a conflict laden story filled with interesting characters and humor, yet remain within the guidelines for a Blaze. It’s a great story and one worth reading.

Details: Blaze #269, August 2006

Bottom line: A great book