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The Forgotten #1
Aphrodite's Secret
Kaira, still reeling from the loss of her younger sister in a tragic boating accident, lives in the dark world of exotic dancing for survival. When one man enters her life, her world is turned upside down and inside out, where reality and fantasy seem to intertwine.
Kaira feels the eyes of a striking man watching her every move on stage. Zane is a scarred man with many secrets, one of which is the knowledge of who and what Kaira really is and the danger she will face.
While Zane fights a subconscious battle about what to tell her and whether he cares enough to get involved, another has noticed her as well. An Ithacan, sent to destroy her for what she is and take her powers to the God that has commanded all Forgotten be exterminated. The God intends to absorb her powers and rule absolutely.
Before Kaira realizes what is coming for her, she finds herself tumbling into a world where a scarred man that she is inexplicably attracted to will become her only hope. A hideous creature, one such as she’s never seen, is hunting her and trying his best to destroy everything and everyone she knows to get what he wants for his Master, and only Zane knows why.
While Kaira thinks it coincidence that Zane shows up at the club the girls like to frequent after work, Zane uses the planned interception to explore the pull that he feels towards Kaira, when he has cared for no one but himself for so many years. After finally meeting, Zane notices that the Ithacan has also followed and as their eyes meet, they both know that the battle for her soul will come; who will win is less important as the insistence Zane feels to tell Kaira who and what she is before she ends up like her sister.
Kaira feels the eyes of a striking man watching her every move on stage. Zane is a scarred man with many secrets, one of which is the knowledge of who and what Kaira really is and the danger she will face.
While Zane fights a subconscious battle about what to tell her and whether he cares enough to get involved, another has noticed her as well. An Ithacan, sent to destroy her for what she is and take her powers to the God that has commanded all Forgotten be exterminated. The God intends to absorb her powers and rule absolutely.
Before Kaira realizes what is coming for her, she finds herself tumbling into a world where a scarred man that she is inexplicably attracted to will become her only hope. A hideous creature, one such as she’s never seen, is hunting her and trying his best to destroy everything and everyone she knows to get what he wants for his Master, and only Zane knows why.
While Kaira thinks it coincidence that Zane shows up at the club the girls like to frequent after work, Zane uses the planned interception to explore the pull that he feels towards Kaira, when he has cared for no one but himself for so many years. After finally meeting, Zane notices that the Ithacan has also followed and as their eyes meet, they both know that the battle for her soul will come; who will win is less important as the insistence Zane feels to tell Kaira who and what she is before she ends up like her sister.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2013
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 1, 2013
Kaira is a stripper, all alone in the world, enchanting and striking to all that see her.. she has purposfully removed herself from the dating scene after some crazy stalker like boyfriends.
Her family are all gone, all she has is her friend and fellow stripper Jasmine. When someone starts asking around about Kaira, weird things start happening.
Zane is a warrior thrown out of Olympus, he is also very alone in the world. In a strip club one night he notices a stripper with a difference, she has a silver aura, one that links her with Olympus, one that makes her a Forgotten.
During there first meeting, Zane notices that Kaira's existence as the daughter of a goddess has not gone unoticed and that she is infact being hunted.His protective instincts kick into gear. From here the game is on and all sorts of suprising things come to the surface.
I wasn't sure how this book was going to be, but I always love a book with gods and goddesses and how they mingle with us mere mortals so I was a little excited to start it.
The idea was a good one, I love the idea of the children of the goddess and gods being hidden on earth and their title, the forgotten. Kaira was and interesting character, but at some parts I wanted to slap her in that whole "you are to stupid to live" way. Zane was an equally interesting character, I just wish we got a little bit more of his back story, just like I wish we got a bit more of all the back story. More info on Olympus, more info on why Kaira had been sent to hide amongst the mortals rather than stay with her mother, Aphrodite. The connection and relationship between Zane and Kaira was of the instantaneous variaty, but I didn't quite feel it. The whole time while reading Aphrodite's Secret I just wished for more info, more preparation. Not to say that this wasn't a good, interesting read, because it was and I did enjoy it. It just could have been so much more with a bit more plumping up.
I hope to get more of that in the next in the series....maybe Jasmine's story?
Her family are all gone, all she has is her friend and fellow stripper Jasmine. When someone starts asking around about Kaira, weird things start happening.
Zane is a warrior thrown out of Olympus, he is also very alone in the world. In a strip club one night he notices a stripper with a difference, she has a silver aura, one that links her with Olympus, one that makes her a Forgotten.
During there first meeting, Zane notices that Kaira's existence as the daughter of a goddess has not gone unoticed and that she is infact being hunted.His protective instincts kick into gear. From here the game is on and all sorts of suprising things come to the surface.
I wasn't sure how this book was going to be, but I always love a book with gods and goddesses and how they mingle with us mere mortals so I was a little excited to start it.
The idea was a good one, I love the idea of the children of the goddess and gods being hidden on earth and their title, the forgotten. Kaira was and interesting character, but at some parts I wanted to slap her in that whole "you are to stupid to live" way. Zane was an equally interesting character, I just wish we got a little bit more of his back story, just like I wish we got a bit more of all the back story. More info on Olympus, more info on why Kaira had been sent to hide amongst the mortals rather than stay with her mother, Aphrodite. The connection and relationship between Zane and Kaira was of the instantaneous variaty, but I didn't quite feel it. The whole time while reading Aphrodite's Secret I just wished for more info, more preparation. Not to say that this wasn't a good, interesting read, because it was and I did enjoy it. It just could have been so much more with a bit more plumping up.
I hope to get more of that in the next in the series....maybe Jasmine's story?
March 9, 2013
Aphrodite's Secret is a cross between Pretty Woman and Clash of the Titans then wrapped up into a great little story. The pages just flew by! I thought the characters were developed well and interesting. I liked Kaira and her feisty friend Jasmine. Zane was strong and endearing in his role of tortured soul bad boy.
It's kind of like an Adult-20-Something's Percy Jackson and the Olympians - where high school is instead an exotic dancer place called Diamond Darlins. I'll be looking for the next adventure awaiting Kaira and Zane.
Note to friends: some adult language
It's kind of like an Adult-20-Something's Percy Jackson and the Olympians - where high school is instead an exotic dancer place called Diamond Darlins. I'll be looking for the next adventure awaiting Kaira and Zane.
Note to friends: some adult language
August 5, 2017
Good book
Totally worth a read. I like the mythology. The love story was very sweet. Still have questions though but they aren't overly relative to the plot.
Totally worth a read. I like the mythology. The love story was very sweet. Still have questions though but they aren't overly relative to the plot.
April 24, 2013
I read this book over a course of a few days. The reason it took me longer than normal is that I had some trouble getting into the story. I knew it had some appeal because I didn't want to stop reading it; I just had trouble really getting involved in the storyline. That said, I think it ended up being a great story and I did enjoy it.
Kaira is the main female character. I wasn't sure what to think about her at the beginning of this story. She seems to be almost immune to the situation she is in with men and women alike being interested in her. She seems to not want confrontation but welcome it (as is the case with Honey). I wasn't sure on the whole Honey storyline but felt that it did give the reader an insight into the strength of Kaira and for that I was glad. I didn't want her to be weak and let life just happen around her. I wanted her to stick up for herself. I was a bit irked with her though when things mysteriously started happening (broken objects for instance) and she just blew it off. Seriously, if I was angry or scared and something like my best friend flying across the room happened, I would be freaked out. I don't care that she didn't know that her powers were present or not... that would be cause for some serious soul-searching to figure out why and if I was CRAZY! HA!
Zane is the main male character... well the main male character you want to know about. I loved Zane. Tortured by his past and his perception of wrong-doing, he is a beautiful soul that deserves love even though he doesn't believe it for himself. I love that his attraction to Kaira was so strong and the bond he felt with her even before she realized it. The bonding of souls was amazing and his love and attention to her after that was even more beautiful than his love and attention before. He is a great boyfriend and one that is perfect for Kaira.
I was happy with the way the story spun itself, although there were times I felt a bit lost. Samantha wrote the story beautifully and the characters are likable so I think this is just my issue. I couldn't ever truly figure out why the Forgotten Ones are hunted (at least not until the end) and I think that would have helped me through the story better. I'm looking forward to more from this author in this series because the best friend is a very fun character! She doesn't quite know what is going on yet, but I can only assume any future stories will include her. I would give this story 3 stars and recommend that you grab it if you like paranormal romance stories.
Kaira is the main female character. I wasn't sure what to think about her at the beginning of this story. She seems to be almost immune to the situation she is in with men and women alike being interested in her. She seems to not want confrontation but welcome it (as is the case with Honey). I wasn't sure on the whole Honey storyline but felt that it did give the reader an insight into the strength of Kaira and for that I was glad. I didn't want her to be weak and let life just happen around her. I wanted her to stick up for herself. I was a bit irked with her though when things mysteriously started happening (broken objects for instance) and she just blew it off. Seriously, if I was angry or scared and something like my best friend flying across the room happened, I would be freaked out. I don't care that she didn't know that her powers were present or not... that would be cause for some serious soul-searching to figure out why and if I was CRAZY! HA!
Zane is the main male character... well the main male character you want to know about. I loved Zane. Tortured by his past and his perception of wrong-doing, he is a beautiful soul that deserves love even though he doesn't believe it for himself. I love that his attraction to Kaira was so strong and the bond he felt with her even before she realized it. The bonding of souls was amazing and his love and attention to her after that was even more beautiful than his love and attention before. He is a great boyfriend and one that is perfect for Kaira.
I was happy with the way the story spun itself, although there were times I felt a bit lost. Samantha wrote the story beautifully and the characters are likable so I think this is just my issue. I couldn't ever truly figure out why the Forgotten Ones are hunted (at least not until the end) and I think that would have helped me through the story better. I'm looking forward to more from this author in this series because the best friend is a very fun character! She doesn't quite know what is going on yet, but I can only assume any future stories will include her. I would give this story 3 stars and recommend that you grab it if you like paranormal romance stories.
April 24, 2013
Aphrodite's Secret grabbed me immediately. Samantha Ketteman kept me turning the pages. It starts out with the birth of our MC to the lovely goddess Aphrodite. The poor innocent babe is taken immediately and then we fast forward in time 24 years.
We now have Kaira (the baby) all grown up and working as an exotic dancer. It all seems so mundane and ordinary until we have the fact that she... nevermind I can't tell you, if I do then I will spoil the book for you, so what I will say is that enter screen right HOT MALES!!!
I loved Kaira, I loved Zane and I love the friendship between them. I love the paranormal aspect to this story, and the powers and the enemy in this story is... well can't tell you that either but he is one heck of a bad guy!
I give this book 4 stars and I recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romances or basically anyone who enjoys a fun story. By the way this author has definitely created a world which will suck you in. The world is so highly detailed that I could easily see the strip club and the people. Much love for this author for this work!
*Note to Author* I recommend a run through by an editor again, there are quite a few grammatical mistakes and double words or phrases. All in all, it did not detract from the overall story however. I just thought you would like to know my opinion on that issue.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review
We now have Kaira (the baby) all grown up and working as an exotic dancer. It all seems so mundane and ordinary until we have the fact that she... nevermind I can't tell you, if I do then I will spoil the book for you, so what I will say is that enter screen right HOT MALES!!!
I loved Kaira, I loved Zane and I love the friendship between them. I love the paranormal aspect to this story, and the powers and the enemy in this story is... well can't tell you that either but he is one heck of a bad guy!
I give this book 4 stars and I recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romances or basically anyone who enjoys a fun story. By the way this author has definitely created a world which will suck you in. The world is so highly detailed that I could easily see the strip club and the people. Much love for this author for this work!
*Note to Author* I recommend a run through by an editor again, there are quite a few grammatical mistakes and double words or phrases. All in all, it did not detract from the overall story however. I just thought you would like to know my opinion on that issue.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review
May 21, 2015
Aphrodite's Secret shines light on people forced to being a part of a damaged world, hushing the typical judgement, while at the same time providing entertainment through the snarky characters. Perhaps my initial failure to include Aphrodite's Secret to my TBR list was Kaira's profession as a stripper. I honestly wasn't sure this would be a paranormal romance that could stack up against my usual preferences. It took no time before I actually found myself excited to review this book!
Jasmine and Kaira felt like long, lost best friends I've been dying to catch up with. I enjoyed their humble yet strong personalities, witty dialogues, and the strength of their friendship.
As male protagonists go, Zane's vulnerabilities shattered my heart and I couldn't find out quickly enough of Kaira would subdue his insecurities.
And for the evil villain of the story: expect explicit, morbid details when he's involved. He's straight out of a horror story and I applaud the author's ability to paint truly horrific scenes.
SPOILER ALERT:
The ending did not suffice for me.
I am pro "Happily Ever After", but I am a cliffhanger loving kind of girl. I am glad that they aren't married and I'm hoping for a lot of drama and tension in the second installment. The kind that has me screaming internally to just tell the other person their feelings, resolve misunderstandings, and unnecessary jealousies while secretly basking in them.
I really enjoyed Aphrodite's Secret and with little to no clues what Nyx's Light will contain... I am impatient for it's release.
5 stars
Jasmine and Kaira felt like long, lost best friends I've been dying to catch up with. I enjoyed their humble yet strong personalities, witty dialogues, and the strength of their friendship.
As male protagonists go, Zane's vulnerabilities shattered my heart and I couldn't find out quickly enough of Kaira would subdue his insecurities.
And for the evil villain of the story: expect explicit, morbid details when he's involved. He's straight out of a horror story and I applaud the author's ability to paint truly horrific scenes.
SPOILER ALERT:
The ending did not suffice for me.
I am pro "Happily Ever After", but I am a cliffhanger loving kind of girl. I am glad that they aren't married and I'm hoping for a lot of drama and tension in the second installment. The kind that has me screaming internally to just tell the other person their feelings, resolve misunderstandings, and unnecessary jealousies while secretly basking in them.
I really enjoyed Aphrodite's Secret and with little to no clues what Nyx's Light will contain... I am impatient for it's release.
5 stars
December 8, 2013
First book in this genre and I am hooked. Fast read, not filled with too much fluff and I hate fluff! The characters have interesting dispositions that seem to tie them together in ways that blow your mind. Samantha has a way of tying ideas together that just make you go aha! I really enjoyed reading this new author with a fresh style of writing. She has talent. She has a unique style that keeps you interested in her characters.
I started reading and found myself picking up the book every chance I could to read more because I enacted to finish it. Now I am waiting to read the next in the series and awaiting more work from this new refreshing author.
I love the idea of the children of gods and goddesses being hidden on earth and look forward to finding out why. Maybe we'll find out how many others are hidden as well since it's a series. I love the unique new idea of how The main character sees past outward flaws of her love and finds his inner beauty, only to realize he is her soulmate. And what a new twist on bonding their love. Samantha truly has her own style and isn't afraid to write it her way.
I started reading and found myself picking up the book every chance I could to read more because I enacted to finish it. Now I am waiting to read the next in the series and awaiting more work from this new refreshing author.
I love the idea of the children of gods and goddesses being hidden on earth and look forward to finding out why. Maybe we'll find out how many others are hidden as well since it's a series. I love the unique new idea of how The main character sees past outward flaws of her love and finds his inner beauty, only to realize he is her soulmate. And what a new twist on bonding their love. Samantha truly has her own style and isn't afraid to write it her way.
May 8, 2013
I will admit that the paranormal/fantasy genre is not my usual read. Being that I don't usually read that genre, I was interested to read this book. The characters were compelling. Kaira is a stripper, all alone in the world, except for a couple of friends. She's shut herself off completely from any kind of romance because of some bad experiences. Zane is a bad boy type that is instinctively drawn to Kaira. But I don't ever quite feel the connection and I desperately wanted to. And I did feel that there was a lot of the story told in the narrative that could have been made more real by showing the reader through actions and dialogue. (But I am dialogue obssessed... it's just how I am.)
But overall, I enjoyed the story. It allowed me to suspend my beliefs and delve into parts of another world. Samantha Ketteman has beautiful prose. She can't paint a picture beautifully with her words.
But overall, I enjoyed the story. It allowed me to suspend my beliefs and delve into parts of another world. Samantha Ketteman has beautiful prose. She can't paint a picture beautifully with her words.
April 30, 2013
It was good till the end. Kaira mourned her sister before all the wild stuff started happening, then the bad guy gives her the option of hearing about her sisters encounter with him. She choses option B, and forgets all about her sister. There was no vow to find her or find out what happened. Instead it ends like a traditonal romance and a heartwarming scene with her mother. The sister and the best friend unresolved mysteries are never even addressed.
April 13, 2013
I received this book in exchange for my honest review as part of a book tour and blast. Review to come closer to my posting date!
October 3, 2013
OOps!! In the dark while on the road last night I apparently picked up the wrong book... hmmm...might read them in tandem...
March 28, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. I could not put it down until I finished the very last page. This book must be read, there is no doubt about it. You will not be sorry that you did.
December 9, 2016
Loved it
When is the next book coming I want/need to know what happens next!!! Such a great book and a fun read!
When is the next book coming I want/need to know what happens next!!! Such a great book and a fun read!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews