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Protector Superhero #3
Aphrodite's Secret
Jason Murphy is a Protector--a man endowed with a ton of superpowers, none of which can help in his love life. The woman he loves no longer trusts him because he put his supercareer before her. Now, Jason vows to win her back at any cost. Original.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2003
15 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Julie Kenner
161 books1,242 followersJ. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit.
Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the CW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).
Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over over twenty countries.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit.
Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the CW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).
Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over over twenty countries.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 6, 2017
So this is an unusual book. I loved it, of course. Story is quite interesting. Superheroes, villainous fathers, kidnapped kid, romance, intrigue, and lots of drama. All in all an interesting mix of weird events. I enjoyed reading it and am sure to check out other books in this series.
June 4, 2025
I’ve never read a mass market paperback before, nevermind one that’s over twenty years old. The word “daddy” was a constant on every page as Jason, a superhero, reunites with his family after walking out on them—I mean, being captured by a supervillain for half a decade—and tries to reconnect with his new son.
This book is sweet and spicy and a bit long, but it’s vintage brain rotting romance. Yum.
This book is sweet and spicy and a bit long, but it’s vintage brain rotting romance. Yum.
February 26, 2017
I finally found book #3. (I've read the other three.)
It was okay. I didn't feel much of a connection although I enjoyed Davey and the critters. There was a brief glimpse of the other heroes from the other books which was nice but it wasn't really as much fun as some of the other books were.
It was okay. I didn't feel much of a connection although I enjoyed Davey and the critters. There was a brief glimpse of the other heroes from the other books which was nice but it wasn't really as much fun as some of the other books were.
April 26, 2020
This cover is incorrect and the descriptions is off. He is a protector with several superpowers, not tons. He can shift into a dolphin which is cool. The story is about him trying to redeem himself in his woman's eyes; his son's eyes; in the council's eyes; get revenge on his father.
July 15, 2017
Cute, quick read. Funny!
November 9, 2025
Sooo cheesy and corny, that it made it fun.
October 27, 2015
Jason Murphy has screwed his life up, big time. The day he found out who his father is, his girl friend told him she was pregnant. And he really did not deal with the as he should have. He wanted to confront his father and bring him before the Council of Protectors, but instead, he was captured and held prisoner in his dolphin form for 6 years. An earthquake helped him escape his father’s secret island lair.
The next year he spend under suspicion on Olympus, being interrogated as they suspected him from working with his father, instead of against him. So now his son is almost 7 years old, and he will come into his superpowers on his 7th birthday. Jason never told his girlfriend Lane about himself, and being a Protector, but he is now tasked with taking his son to superhero boarding school, where he can be taught to control his powers and develop them.
Only, his father is also after his son, and wants to steal his genius. So not only does he have to protect his son, he has to reunite with Lane again. A Lane who has moved on, who doesn’t trust him anymore and certainly does not believe him …
But Lane has learned about the secret world of Protectors thanks to her friends and their family. So she knows who Hieronymus is and is desperate when Davy gets kidnapped. Especially when the kidnapper takes Jason’s shape and Zoë has temporarily lost her own superpowers due to her pregnancy. Otherwise, she would have seen right through the disguise and seen Mordi underneath.
This was not have Jason has envisioned his reunion with Lane. He has to get his son back, while he is under suspicion from the other Protectors, and he has to get Lane’s trust back. He has to protect them!
Lane wants Jason to put her and their son first, and not his quest for revenge on his father. Can he do that?
I enjoyed this story very much. Jason really screwed up by disappearing without a word for 7 years. Could he not have contacted Lane from Olympus when he was finally free again?
Davy is a young genius and he has invented some very cool things, that help him escape on his own from Hieronymus’ prison. Elmer the ferret is a great side character in this book as well. He tries to tell Lane where Davy is, as Davy has invented a tracking device, but Lane doesn’t see anything in his strange behaviour.
So until Jason comes into Davy’s bedroom and the goldfish talks to him, they still don’t know where to find him.
And then there is Aaron, a lawyer who is really interested in Lane and in Davy. He is nice, and genuine, and Lane wants to love him, but there is just no spark between them. Of course, looking at how Jason treated her, sparks are overrated. She wants safe and security this time. Or does she? Will Jason be there for her for real now?
This is a fun series, and now I really want to find the first book in the series. It has to be somewhere on my shelves …
8 stars.
The next year he spend under suspicion on Olympus, being interrogated as they suspected him from working with his father, instead of against him. So now his son is almost 7 years old, and he will come into his superpowers on his 7th birthday. Jason never told his girlfriend Lane about himself, and being a Protector, but he is now tasked with taking his son to superhero boarding school, where he can be taught to control his powers and develop them.
Only, his father is also after his son, and wants to steal his genius. So not only does he have to protect his son, he has to reunite with Lane again. A Lane who has moved on, who doesn’t trust him anymore and certainly does not believe him …
But Lane has learned about the secret world of Protectors thanks to her friends and their family. So she knows who Hieronymus is and is desperate when Davy gets kidnapped. Especially when the kidnapper takes Jason’s shape and Zoë has temporarily lost her own superpowers due to her pregnancy. Otherwise, she would have seen right through the disguise and seen Mordi underneath.
This was not have Jason has envisioned his reunion with Lane. He has to get his son back, while he is under suspicion from the other Protectors, and he has to get Lane’s trust back. He has to protect them!
Lane wants Jason to put her and their son first, and not his quest for revenge on his father. Can he do that?
I enjoyed this story very much. Jason really screwed up by disappearing without a word for 7 years. Could he not have contacted Lane from Olympus when he was finally free again?
Davy is a young genius and he has invented some very cool things, that help him escape on his own from Hieronymus’ prison. Elmer the ferret is a great side character in this book as well. He tries to tell Lane where Davy is, as Davy has invented a tracking device, but Lane doesn’t see anything in his strange behaviour.
So until Jason comes into Davy’s bedroom and the goldfish talks to him, they still don’t know where to find him.
And then there is Aaron, a lawyer who is really interested in Lane and in Davy. He is nice, and genuine, and Lane wants to love him, but there is just no spark between them. Of course, looking at how Jason treated her, sparks are overrated. She wants safe and security this time. Or does she? Will Jason be there for her for real now?
This is a fun series, and now I really want to find the first book in the series. It has to be somewhere on my shelves …
8 stars.
January 16, 2016
Aphrodite’s Secret by Julie Kenner
Protectors/Superheros Series Book 3 (5th Story)
Jason Murphy is a Protector with bad timing. When his girlfriend gave him what should have been good news, he decided to take care of some other business before celebrating. Who knew he’d be held captive for six long years. By the time he was allowed back into the real world he had lost almost seven years of his life. He had vengeance on his mind.
Lane Kent had been alone for a long time. She did have her foster brother Taylor who watched over her and Davy, her son. And now she had a whole group of friends and secrets. Taylor’s wife Zoe and her brother Hale are Protectors and now she finds out the man who left her so long ago is also one. Even though Jason wants to be part of her life once again she just can’t do it. Being raised in foster homes all her life all she wants for her son is a stable home. And she found just the guy who can give them that. And it’s not Jason Murphy.
One of Jason’s unique gifts is talking with those of the fin family. And why not when he is most comfortable in the water himself. I enjoy the way the author brings back the previous characters and their unique personalities into each book, including Elmer the ferret. The fourth book in the series, which is actually the sixth story, is Aphrodite’s Flame. Mordi finally gets his story told.
**Sexual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Protectors/Superheros Series Book 3 (5th Story)
Jason Murphy is a Protector with bad timing. When his girlfriend gave him what should have been good news, he decided to take care of some other business before celebrating. Who knew he’d be held captive for six long years. By the time he was allowed back into the real world he had lost almost seven years of his life. He had vengeance on his mind.
Lane Kent had been alone for a long time. She did have her foster brother Taylor who watched over her and Davy, her son. And now she had a whole group of friends and secrets. Taylor’s wife Zoe and her brother Hale are Protectors and now she finds out the man who left her so long ago is also one. Even though Jason wants to be part of her life once again she just can’t do it. Being raised in foster homes all her life all she wants for her son is a stable home. And she found just the guy who can give them that. And it’s not Jason Murphy.
One of Jason’s unique gifts is talking with those of the fin family. And why not when he is most comfortable in the water himself. I enjoy the way the author brings back the previous characters and their unique personalities into each book, including Elmer the ferret. The fourth book in the series, which is actually the sixth story, is Aphrodite’s Flame. Mordi finally gets his story told.
**Sexual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
June 12, 2015
This was a fun summer read by the pool. I read book #3 first which I didn't know when I bought it that I was jumping right in the middle of a series. It's more of a spin off series since each book is about a different character. I will probably read the others in the series but not with as much anticipation since I already know the outcome of their romances. I like the premises of these book, superheroes living among us. In this story Jason was held captive for 6 years by an evil man who's an outcast of his kind, he just happens to be his father. Jason escapes and desperately wants to win back the women he loves, Lane. When he left she had just told him she was pregnant. He's missed out on so much time he doesn't know how to confront Lane or how to be a dad to their son. Jason's special talent is he turns into a dolphin. He spends his time at sea world with his friend shamu. He was on assignment for the council to try to stop his dad at sea world when his boy Davy shows up. when all hell breaks loose, literally, he has to save his son and is forced to confront Lane. Every body thinks Jason is working for his dad and they can't trust him. He has to prove his innocence and show Lane he never meant to leave her. And Jason has to face his evil father who has kidnapped Davy.
September 26, 2009
This is book three in this series, by Julie Kenner, at first I wasn't sure about it because I had never heard of Jason before but then when I found out that even though it was about Jason it was also about Lane and i got really happy because Lane so deserved her HEA. I liked Jason i thought he was very well rounded and knew where he was going. I loved that he wanted to connect with his Son and that after all these years he was still in love with lane. but even though I was very happy about this book I was very irritated once again with how all the issues seem to come to abruptly and then me be solved to easily and quickly and how it bounced not so seamlessly from one scene to the next. oh and the licking of the lips that happened every 5 seconds drove me insane couldn't there have been a throat clearing or a ringing of the hands or shifting of the eyes NO every time they had to lick their freaking lips. Even though this book was cute and a light read, defiantly the only reason I read this book was because it was part of the series and once I start a series have to finish it unless its truly awful. PLUS I really wanted to get to Mordi's story.
March 22, 2022
4.5 out of 5
Here we meet Lane's ex, Jason Murphy, the guy who left her when she was pregnant with Davy. He really didn't mean to abandon her. However, finding out that his father is the evil Hieronymous, he tried to right his life. He took off to try to apprehend his father and ended up being imprisoned for years, and missed almost seven years of his son's life.
Jason enters Lane's and Davy's life again when Hieronymous abducted Davy to steal the boy's smart before his 7th birthday.
I do not like the letter from Prigg at the beginning of the book, and I hate the coyness, the cliché. The ferret knows something, but everybody ignores him. Zoe tries to tell her husband what's wrong with her, but they keep getting interrupted.
Other than these, I love this book. I feel bad for Jason. He always felt marginalized, and when he found out why and tried to fix it, he was robbed of everything he had. When he was finally able to get to Lane, she doesn't trust him enough to take him back.
Here we meet Lane's ex, Jason Murphy, the guy who left her when she was pregnant with Davy. He really didn't mean to abandon her. However, finding out that his father is the evil Hieronymous, he tried to right his life. He took off to try to apprehend his father and ended up being imprisoned for years, and missed almost seven years of his son's life.
Jason enters Lane's and Davy's life again when Hieronymous abducted Davy to steal the boy's smart before his 7th birthday.
I do not like the letter from Prigg at the beginning of the book, and I hate the coyness, the cliché. The ferret knows something, but everybody ignores him. Zoe tries to tell her husband what's wrong with her, but they keep getting interrupted.
Other than these, I love this book. I feel bad for Jason. He always felt marginalized, and when he found out why and tried to fix it, he was robbed of everything he had. When he was finally able to get to Lane, she doesn't trust him enough to take him back.
August 26, 2016
Jason Murphy hasn't really lived the last seven years. Right after he found out his girlfriend was pregnant, he was captured by Hieronymous, the uber-bad-guy of the series, who is also Jason's father. He was trapped in fish form (oh, yeah, he's a Protector, superpowers good inventions, etc.) in a glass bowl for six years and spent the last year trying to get back into the good graces of the High Council as well as working up the nerve to meet his son.
Unfortunately, his introduction comes when Hieronymous tries to kidnap Davy (the son) from Sea World. The rest of the story is Jason and his friends and family trying to thwart Hieronymous' latest takeover-the-world-scheme and Jason trying to create a family with his son and the woman he still loves.
Maybe it's because this was a re-read for me but I knew I had to suspend quite a bit of disbelief, skim a lot of the story, and just enjoy the story for the light fiction that it is.
Unfortunately, his introduction comes when Hieronymous tries to kidnap Davy (the son) from Sea World. The rest of the story is Jason and his friends and family trying to thwart Hieronymous' latest takeover-the-world-scheme and Jason trying to create a family with his son and the woman he still loves.
Maybe it's because this was a re-read for me but I knew I had to suspend quite a bit of disbelief, skim a lot of the story, and just enjoy the story for the light fiction that it is.
April 23, 2015
"Aphrodite's Secret" is the third book in the Superhero Series by Julie Kenner. Up until this point in the series, Lane and Davy have been minor characters. Lane is a single mom, trying to do it all, raise her son, go to law school, and to find a man that would love to be Davy's dad. Little does she realize that Jason, Davy's biological father is back and wants to be a part of their lives again. Taken prisoner seven years ago, Jason was finally able to escape a year ago. Stuck on Olympus for about eleven months, he's spent the past month trying to figure out how to be a dad. Will Jason be able to convince Lane to take him back? Overall, I really liked this novel. I also love how Kenner keeps the characters from previous novels involved in the plot lines in the current novel. So, if you're looking for a new series, try this one. But remember all of the books need to be read in order.
February 17, 2008
When Jason abandoned her right after she told him she was pregnant, Lane's heart was broken. Now seven years later, Jason is back in their lives to protect their son and to get back his family.
I think I had to started to read this book years ago and never finished it. But now, I'm not sure why I had such a problem! I really enjoyed the story of love getting redemption, even if it sometimes bordered on fantastical. Jason got a bum rap, and now he has to fix what was broken. It doesn't help that Hieronymous is hatching evil plans and cackling like a demented cliched villain. Jason is very determined, and Lane is the one whose resistance crumbles. I don't always love prior love stories, but this one worked quite well and had a very sweet ending.
I think I had to started to read this book years ago and never finished it. But now, I'm not sure why I had such a problem! I really enjoyed the story of love getting redemption, even if it sometimes bordered on fantastical. Jason got a bum rap, and now he has to fix what was broken. It doesn't help that Hieronymous is hatching evil plans and cackling like a demented cliched villain. Jason is very determined, and Lane is the one whose resistance crumbles. I don't always love prior love stories, but this one worked quite well and had a very sweet ending.
January 10, 2011
This was a cute story. I am glad that Lane finally got her story, and that we finally got some info on Davy's father! I am glad that Lane and Jason, Davy's father, were able to get back together and have their happily ever after. It was nice that Jason grew as a character and got out of the revenge business. Also, the scenes between Davy and Jason were so sweet, especially when Jason told Davy that he could call him Daddy, and then when he finally did. Very sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2017
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this third installment of the series, but Ms. Kenner pulled it off. Again, likeable characters, a fun story line and a satisfying ending. Something I like about these books is that they don't end on horrible cliffhangers, she gets you to read the next in the series because you've come to like the characters and want to know whats going to happen for them next, not because you HAVE to.
November 10, 2009
This was one of my favorites of this series. Everybody is just so wonderfully (for a reader) conflicted and all of the other characters from the previous books are there in a very believable way. It's not like the "insert token entrance of former main character" like a lot of series do. This series is very well integrated, this book especially.
March 25, 2014
Third in the series.
This story revolves around Jason, a Protector who left his mortal girlfriend on the day she announced she was pregnant. Years, later he's back and she finds out he was held prisoner by the main bad guy in this series, Hieronymous. The gang is soon trying to stop Hieronymous from doing devilish deeds to Jason and Tracy's genius son.
Good fun.
This story revolves around Jason, a Protector who left his mortal girlfriend on the day she announced she was pregnant. Years, later he's back and she finds out he was held prisoner by the main bad guy in this series, Hieronymous. The gang is soon trying to stop Hieronymous from doing devilish deeds to Jason and Tracy's genius son.
Good fun.
September 3, 2012
I liked this book a lot, it was really, really good. The story was soooo funny I just couldn’t stop laughing; I enjoyed the part when the hero turns to a dolphin, only like wow. The concept was new and thrilling; the whole story was so very good.
Want to read
December 13, 2012Goodreads Synopsis:
Jason Murphy is a Protector--a man endowed with a ton of superpowers, none of which can help in his love life. The woman he loves no longer trusts him because he put his supercareer before her. Now, Jason vows to win her back at any cost. Original.
Jason Murphy is a Protector--a man endowed with a ton of superpowers, none of which can help in his love life. The woman he loves no longer trusts him because he put his supercareer before her. Now, Jason vows to win her back at any cost. Original.
January 5, 2016
Seem to be reading a lot of these random, average books lately! It was pretty decent for it's genre, but nothing unexpected, or amazing, so doesn't warrant more than 3 stars. Perfect fluff reading for the holidays, with a happy ending.
June 4, 2009
Haha I think this is the greatest romance novel I've ever read because it is absolutely ridiculous! Character with abilities to change into animals and such...I loved it!
September 4, 2010
Bringing gods and goddesses into the 20th century, dealing with superheroes...and having fun doing it!
June 19, 2011
Ms. Kenner interprets the Greek Mythology in a slapstick humourous way. I enjoyed all of the Aphrodite series. Fun, lighthearted and a good afternoon read.
September 18, 2011
This is just a fun series. In this book we get to see some new, crazy superhero powers.
February 26, 2012
This is just a fun series. In this book we get to see some new, crazy superhero powers.
May 15, 2015
Third book in the series was equally enjoyable and equally fluffy as the first two. Good summer holiday reading as long as you skip all the repetitive thinking sections and stick with the action.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews