Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
This is an alternate title/cover edition for B00NAFPRTG

The glory days of Ancient Greece are long gone, and the gods of the Old World are scattered across the globe. As their popularity dwindles, as their worshipers forget, their power fades. Luckily for Aphrodite, she’s a household name. After all, how could anyone ever forget the Greek goddess of Love?

Unfortunately, no one seems to know or care about her divinity. In a world of skeptics and technology-crazed mortals, loneliness and boredom have taken hold. Her life consists of romance advice columns, martini bars, and flings with empty-headed men—until she meets Loki.

She’s intrigued: it’s been decades—centuries even—since she laid eyes on another god, particularly one outside her pantheon. In their short time together, she realizes just how much she needs the companionship of one of her own. Loki, however, seems more interested in catching a murderous maenad than swapping stories about the old days.

Can she convince Loki to stay and make her life a little less lonely, or will he persuade her to join him on his quest for more worshipers? His questionable tactics make her uneasy, but how can she turn down the opportunity to live as she once did: freely, powerfully, and lustfully as Aphrodite of Olympus.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2014

19 people are currently reading
276 people want to read

About the author

Liz Meldon

33 books329 followers
Liz is a Canadian author who grew up in the Middle East. She has a degree in Bioarchaeology from Western University, and when she isn't writing about her own snarky characters, she is reading about other people’s snarky characters, babying her herb garden, loitering on social media, or taking care of her furbabies.

Liz dabbles in both paranormal and contemporary erotic romance. Her paranormals are usually dark and angsty, and her contemporaries are stress-free smutfests, but you'll find both riddled with feels. Most of all, she loves writing realistic characters in fantastical settings.

Follow Liz on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/authorlizmel...

Follow Liz on INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/authorlizme...

Follow Liz on PINTEREST:
https://www.pinterest.com/lizmeldon

Follow Liz on TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/lizmeldon2

BOOKS:

Serials:
THE HUNT (Paranormal Romance)
Predator by Liz Meldon Prey (The Hunt, #2) by Liz Meldon Stalker (The Hunt, #3) by Liz Meldon Killer by Liz Meldon The Uprising by Liz Meldon

ALL IN (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Finn (All In, #1) by Liz Meldon Cole (All In, #2) by Liz Meldon Skye (All In #3) by Liz Meldon

Duets:
DARK DAYS (Paranormal Romance)
Dark Days Semester 1 by Liz Meldon Dark Days Semester 2 by Liz Meldon

Standalone Series:
UNBOWED (Contemporary Erotic Romance)
Belle Part 1 (Unbowed) by Liz Meldon Belle Part 2 (Unbowed) by Liz Meldon

Standalones:
Happy Hour by Liz Meldon Holiday Hell by Liz Meldon Bliss (Erotic Short Shorts Book 3) by Liz Meldon

Complete Editions:
The Hunt The Complete Edition by Liz Meldon Belle (Unbowed Novels, #1) by Liz Meldon

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
33 (31%)
4 stars
42 (40%)
3 stars
21 (20%)
2 stars
7 (6%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Claire.
2,324 reviews738 followers
April 15, 2015
4 - No one can force anyone to fall in love... Stars!

Things have changed a lot for Aphrodite in the last howevermany years, gone are the days when the Gods and Goddesses were worshipped and revered, now a girl has to think on her feet, marry for money, take her thrills where she can, and work for a living!



Then one night while innocently sipping on her G & T in a bar, and watching the action unfold on the dance floor she bumps into Loki. Like her Loki has had to adapt somewhat with the times, and has turned himself into a mythological / paranormal Bounty Hunter if you will. It isn’t often that Aphrodite has the opportunity to have some sexy fun with a man who can match up to her in strength as well as stamina, and they both take full advantage of the opportunity presented to them.

She was far from home

This novella was a surprise and a bloody marvelous one at that, the synopsis piqued my interest in the fact that it was unique and unusual, and I like a little of both on occasion. The author, offered up something completely different and I loved every second of it. It is also the foundation and beginning of what I hope will turn into a really enjoyable series. Vampires are thrown into the mix in the next installment, and now that Loki has Aphrodite by his side I am hoping that there will be plenty of action, a lot of sexy times and loads more verbal sparring between the pair of them to come.

ARC generously provided in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Razzy Ron -- Hoh! Hoh!.
69 reviews
January 16, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal) and here it goes…
Maenad of Manhattan focusses on Aphrodite, goddess of love and lust and Loki, Norse deity known for his trickery, lies, and thievery. This book is set in an urban setting where Gods are nearly forgotten and are separated like an estranged family. To be honest, I am not too fond of this book. I felt Aphrodite was too shallow and desperate. To me her character was all about being bored and cute. The character I was drawn to in the book however was Loki. In fact, I wish the book was in his POV especially when his character can be so dynamic. I would love to pick his brain and see underneath all that deception. When I read the blurb, immediately I thought the MCs’ to be an odd pairing and after reading the book, I still stand by it. Maybe it’s because I think Aphrodite is a weak heroine but that’s where I think having sequels in the series allows the characters such as Aphrodite to grow. Overall, I do recommend this book for anyone who is looking to start a new paranormal romance series in an urban setting. I’m expecting to see more Gods in the upcoming books in the series. This pairing although odd, it will be interesting to see their interactions as long as it’s more than just sex.
With that said, here is my Aphrodite and Loki


Modern day Loki
Profile Image for Liz Meldon.
Author 33 books329 followers
Read
August 22, 2015
I felt totally awkward reviewing my own book, so I figured I'd just throw in a little text blurb--because that's what all the cool kids do. I had a blast starting this series off with a bang (literally), and I'm so excited to share it with my readers. Mythology has been a passion of mine since I first learned how to read, and weaving it into something new and exciting has always been my dream as an author.

I love angsty, devious, mischievous characters, so incorporating Loki as my male lead almost felt like a no-brainer. I've never felt any particular closeness with Aphrodite, however. The way I wrote her highlights many of the issues that I disliked in myth: her petulant behaviour, her materialism, her occasional selfishness. But, after I started writing her, I realized her flaws were why I love her so much now.

Anyway. I won't ramble on for too long. If you like smut, intrigue, and mythological characters in a realistic setting, you'll have a good time with Maenad.
Profile Image for Jennifer McDonald.
Author 4 books46 followers
January 14, 2015
The Maenad of Manhattan is a short, steamy read about mythologies colliding in the modern world.
Long after humanity has forgotten the old gods, Aphrodite is stuck in a lackluster existence. Then she happens upon a Loki in a chance meeting and adds a little supernatural spice to her life.
Meldon’s writing is beautiful. Her world building is imaginative, and characters memorable. I loved Aphrodite as a love columnist. She’s strong, smart, and knows how to handle her testosterone-fueled Norse God. I also liked Loki working as an immortal PI in effort to gain worshipers and rebuild his bank account. It is a fun twist on the rich, perfect god routine we usual see.
The love scenes are hot, and we get to meet a heroine who can stand on her own.
Recommended for romance lovers and fans of modern mythology tales.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review on Lovers of Paranormal.
Profile Image for Laura..devouring books like crumpets.
1,946 reviews110 followers
April 20, 2018
I Really really enjoyed this, i only wish it was longer, Loki and Aphrodite coming together from different houses of the old Gods and solving paranormal crimes.... along with the smut, unfortunately on that front although they need each other i don't actually feel they like each other more of a frenemies with benefits but still a great read.
Profile Image for Isabella.
Author 5 books67 followers
May 15, 2017
Actual Rating: 4.8 Stars
Soundtrack: Toxic (feat. Cheesa) by District 78

"Flatterer." He held a finger under her chin, tilting her up to meet his eye. “You’re the first I’ve seen in some time."
"First?" Her eyebrows shot up. "First what?"
"The first like me."


Clever, sensual, and so utterly captivating, Manhattan pulls from ancient mythologies and modern idiosyncrasies to craft an imaginative and lyrical adventure.

When I went into this, I expected a cheesy, disconnected mess of erotica and empty dialogue. What I got in return was a witty tale blending the elegance and whimsy of a fantasy and the quickness and charm of a contemporary. I could feel the rich history of each character, yet relate utterly to the modern lives they were being forced to live. Loki is sensual, dark, clever, and snarky, the trickster god with a motive that seemed to step out of the old texts and into my kindle app. Aphrodite is sassy, romantic, smart, and feminine, the powerful goddess of love that brings roses to Loki's ashes and then burns a fire over them. They are a perfect duo, full of intense chemistry.

How is this not insanely popular? If you have not read it, GO NOW. Download it, start it, savor it.

I am so glad I found this beautiful story. I was basically squealing inside from beginning to end, and I will 10000% follow this author's work from here on out. I feel like I have been waiting for a story like this for so long and didn't know it until it came to me. Brilliantly done, Liz Meldon.

Others in this Series:
1.) Vancouver - To Be Reviewed
2.) Westwick College - To Be Reviewed
Profile Image for Lakshmi C.
346 reviews107 followers
March 17, 2016
This book was a fantastic read and combined various elements in an inventive manner. Aphrodite is working as a romance advice columnist but she is restless and bored. She is living in luxury, on her own terms but misses the presence of other Gods. As humans grew in number, the gods scattered across the globe and have lost touch with one another. Gods who are still remembered and worshipped retain their powers, while the forgotten gods fade away or grow weaker. Loki is working as a supernatural detective and has hatched a plan to gather more followers. A chance encounter gives Loki the opportunity to work with a partner and allows Aphrodite to have some adventures. This book was a novella, I am trying not to reveal a lot. The author has a gift for creating complex characters, her writing is flawless and the pacing is great. This is the first time I have read a book with Gods playing lead characters. Usually, humans have to adjust to the supernatural but it was the Gods who struggled to make their way among humans. The book also combines Greek mythology and Norse mythology with some monsters thrown in. I enjoyed the fresh perspective and was sad when the book ended.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Rosanna Leo.
Author 42 books832 followers
September 6, 2014
I greatly enjoyed Ms. Meldon's foray into the world of the gods. This is a well-written novella, boasting some very sexy moments between Greek goddess Aphrodite and Norse god Loki. An inventive pairing, their romance sizzles as they pursue a murderous maenad in modern Manhattan. I will definitely look for more from this talented author.
Profile Image for KathyAnne.
570 reviews97 followers
January 5, 2015
I really liked this... of course it kind of helped that I had the bad boy image of Loki in my head the whole time... yep, that worked for me!

description

A creative modern tale of what happens when gods are no longer worshipped and they now have to find a way to live amongst the humans in modern times. Loki has resorted to being a sort of supernatural detective and Aphrodite is a love columnist! When they accidentally cross paths it's lust at first sight of godly proportions. No... these two are not Vanilla... and, they make the most of their godly talents between the sheets, or pretty much anywhere Loki wants! The Gods are slowly fading out of existence and even though Loki and Aphrodite are an unlikely match they make the most of a desperate situation. They are both struggling with the loss of power over the centuries and a sense of longing and loss.
This is a short length story but well written, steamy, entertaining and left me wanting more... I'll definitely be looking out for part two coming in 2015 as Loki and Aphrodite decide to join together as a supernatural team while on the hunt for a vampire...

This can be read as a stand alone and is a fun read for someone looking for something short and quick to fill up an afternoon.

Thanks to the Lovers of Paranormal group for the Advanced copy received for an honest review!


Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Profile Image for Sarina Langer.
Author 28 books124 followers
November 22, 2016
This was my first read by this author, and not my usual genre at all! After having interviewed Meldon here, I really wanted to try one of her books, and decided to start at the beginning. (I'm sure you can see my reasoning)

I went in completely unbiased since I haven't read this genre before, but fell in love quickly. It's the story about Aphrodite, who lives in modern day Manhatten and works as a columnist dishing out love advice under the pen name Rose. She's bored with her everyday life and mortals, and so, when she runs into Loki, she's excited to finally be in divine company again.

While this is an erotic novel first, there's more to it than that, too. Loki doesn't happen to be in Manhatten by coincidence, but he's there on business - dangerous business, made even more so by the fact that he has lost much of his power. Humans just don't prey to the old gods as much as they used to, and over time they have grown old, and weaker. Aphrodite, who's still revered at times by love-sick couples and around Valentines Day, isn't in as bad a shape as he is, but they've both suffered. Loki can't stop the threat he's come into town for alone, and needs her help.

This is a short story, and fast paced. There's love as well as action in equal measures, and the last chapter promises plenty of both in the sequel, too. If I'd had enough time I could easily have read this in one sitting!

The Maenad of Manhatten was extremely well written, with exciting characters, fast-paced action as well as intriguing lore regarding old gods. I definitely recommend it, but please be advised that the sexual content makes this unsuitable for younger audiences. I'm looking forward to Meldon's other books, which are now high up on my tbr list!
Profile Image for DebbieReadsBooks.
2,779 reviews51 followers
October 8, 2014
Aphrodite. the Goddess of Love is making a living answering lonely hearts emails, and is bored. Long ago, she was loved and worshipped, but those days, and her power, have long since dwindled and she makes her money as she knows how: collecting of ex husbands, and the lonely hearts column.

Until she runs into Loki, Norse God of Mischief. Not for an eon has she seen one of the Old Gods, and the attraction is instant and powerful. But Loki has ulterior motives, and when Aphrodite finds out, will she play ball, or will she use her power to send him packing?

A delightful little tale, of whats happened to the Gods of Old, in the modern world! Delighful, it really was. Thats the best word I can use to describe it.

Its short, only 70odd pages, so less than an hour reading time for me, but it packs quite a punch. It has hot and steamy but very rough scenes between Loki and Aphrodite, and thats the reason I;ve filed this on my over 18 shelf. Its not violent sex, not really, but borders on the edge. All agreeable between both parties, I might add!

What Loki is up to is, as a PI, he hunts those which pray on humans, so making his money, and Aphrodite helps him close the case. Loki doesnt get his say, its written from Aphrodite's POV, and I would like to have heard from him. THIS reason, and the fact that its so short, is the only reason that it gets 4 fangs and not 5.

There is a second book with these two, and I do hope I get the chance to read it, and its a longer tale. Cos this was really good, but too short.

Reveiwer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
1 review4 followers
October 14, 2014
This is not the first book to work itself around mythology. Nor it is the first Romance ever written about the Greek Goddess of Love. However, this is the first book I have read that weaves mythology, crime/suspense, romance, humor and the culture of today so seamlessly.

Long after the Gods have dispersed from Mount Olympus, Aphrodite finds herself in the Upper East Side of New York, trying to get through each day with some semblance of excitement among mortals. That is, until she encounters Loki, the Norse God of mischief and trickery, who happens to be drop dead gorgeous. Although they are recognized as fellow Gods by one another, they in fact have never met (something I find brilliant since their mythologies originate from two contrasting cultures). The result is all of the things and all of the feelings.

Meldon takes great care to incorporate characteristics historically attributed to each mythological being, and yet “translates” them wonderfully to the modern world. It’s almost as if classic mythology is our prologue and we are the Lucky Ducks that get to see how the story keeps unfolding!

My only complaint about this novella would be that I wasn’t ready for it to end. So immersed in her world, I was ready to stay for a while!

I’m totally hooked.
Profile Image for Elisa Carrillo.
1 review
August 24, 2014
Meldon has done it again. An excellent novella and a great way to start off her Lovers and Liars series. I've read Meldon's work for as long as two years, and she has never disappointed me on what she publishes. She has a way of writing that makes you become so intrigued with the story that you're dying to know what's going to happen next. You also love and become attached to her characters that their own happiness and sorrows affect you. What I love the most about Meldon's work is how much she tries to keep it realistic even if her work has to do with mythological figures. Apart from the gods and goddesses and creatures, her stories literally feel real as if it were your own life because of the real-life dilemmas her characters face. Once you start reading The Maenad of Manhattan you won't want to stop. It is a marvelous novella that instantly gets you hooked. I'm thrilled and can't wait to know what will happen next with Aphrodite and Loki on their adventure. Deities that love and lust and lie while protecting humans from deadly mythological creatures. I mean, who wouldn't want to read a tale that's going to have everyone on the edge of their seat?
Profile Image for Deirdre.
Author 45 books264 followers
August 26, 2014
The Maenad of Manhattan was overall well-written and well-edited, an excellent distinction for this indie. In this quick read, just seven chapters, author Liz Meldon blended various mythologies with the modern world lending to a fascinating and compelling page turner. I sensed that as the author tried to find the balance between the modern and the classical, the voice sometimes came off stiff and theatrical. I'm hoping as readers get to know the characters in future installations, Meldon will hit her stride and develop her authentic voice.

Aphrodite's job as an advice columnist was an inspired twist on the traditional love goddess role. And watch out, she's tough. I enjoyed the description of her ancient power. And Loki was SO Loki. Although I would have liked more character and plot development, this was a novella, meaning it's just a taste of what's to come. I look forward to the follow-up, A Vampire in Vancouver. For those who enjoy myth and contemporary, this is a must read! Note: the sexual content in this novella is for mature readers.
Profile Image for Ashley Carlson.
Author 13 books56 followers
September 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this novella; Meldon is fantastic at creating well-rounded characters in Aphrodite and Loki (the Norse god she meets).
I could absolutely envision her life as a goddess, and the feelings of boredom that went along with it--she was rich, gorgeous, and tired of it.
The only thing that I had a somewhat hard time with was "liking" Aphrodite. It is completely understandable that she would have the personality she does (and Meldon writes it incredibly well), but for me personally it can be hard to relate to someone WITH all of those material things. I think this is a true testament to Meldon's skills; she writes a character and lifestyle so completely detailed that you truly feel you understand the character. Also, Aphrodite does give giant tips to every service person she meets, and I liked that. :) Excited for the next installment; the little teaser at the end had me pretty furious when it didn't continue!
Profile Image for Clara Bishop.
1 review
August 31, 2014
A very interesting take on mythology in the modern age. This blend of European mythologies is not an easy task, especially when dealing with two strong figures from each pantheon. I would (and already did) recommend this book to anyone who wants an extremely compelling protagonist, who isn't afraid to show both extremes of her personality, while still being as fabulous as one would expect from a Greek goddess. What kept me from rating it five stars was the fact that the male protagonist didn't stand out as much as I would have liked. To me, Aphrodite needs someone who can be her equal in every sense of the word, and I felt Loki was just a millimeter behind.

I would read the rest of the series in a heartbeat. Exciting and worth the read. Among the sea of mumbling, tumbling, awkward protagonists, it's refreshing to see one who can stand on her own and lead such a story (and series). A great read. Thank you Ms. Meldon and looking forward to reading more.
Profile Image for S. Usher Evans.
Author 81 books523 followers
February 3, 2015
Does this count as a book? It's a novella...I feel like it's cheating.

But actually, I downloaded the book because Miss Meldon said it was free. And so I just opened it up and was like, "Oh, let's see...oh yes, this is interesting..."

If a book pulls me in from the first paragraph, then yeah, I'm definitely gonna start with a four star.

Having no experience with erotica (lolz), I can't speak to the steam, but I can speak to the fun-ness of it all. It was just fun. I didn't know Aphrodite for that long, but I enjoyed how the normally strong and stoic woman was taken aback.

Really, the only reason why I felt this one was docked a star is because we didn't actually get to any real plot-meat. I really wanted this to be a full novel, but h'alas. Really looking forward to seeing the next installment.
Profile Image for Laura Roberts.
Author 62 books142 followers
October 22, 2014
Not counting tentacle tales, this is my first Paranormal Erotic Romance review. So I have to admit that I’ve avoided paranormal romances in the past, as I’m not a big fan of the stereotypical vamps and werewolves that dominate the genre.

The Maenad of Manhattan, however, intrigued me from the start. Sex with a god? With Loki, the Trickster? Starring the Goddess of Love and Lust herself? BRING IT ON!

I mean, how could that not be hot, right?

To read the rest of my review, check out my blog post at The Buttontapper: http://buttontapper.com/2014/10/22/hu...
Profile Image for Heather.
1,023 reviews314 followers
March 20, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Lovers of Paranormal or LoP*

This was a great book! The story was completely original and really fun to read. Aphrodite is alive and kicking AND she writes for a romance column! I love that! But she's bored. She wants to be remembered for who she is. Then she meets Loki, another god. Then everything changes.

I haven't read anything else by Liz Meldon...YET. This is the first book shes written under this name. Reading this makes me want to read everything she's writes! This book says Lovers and Liars #1. I truly hope there's a #2 because I loved every single word. A Must read!
Profile Image for Helen Simpson.
1,223 reviews41 followers
April 22, 2015
I REALLY LOVED THE CONCEPT OF THIS BOOK. GREEK/NORSE MYTHOLOGY MEETS SUPERNATURAL BEINGS. I READ IN ONE SITTING WISHED THE BOOK NEVER ENDED CANT WAIT TO READ MORE. WHO THOUGHT LOKI COULD BE SO SEXY.
Profile Image for J. Dorner.
Author 6 books1,144 followers
May 19, 2019
Aphrodite is a love columnist and wealthy Manhattan socialite. (Like Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw, but with Mr. Big's bank account.) She hasn't seen many of the Old Gods in a long time. Then Loki shows up. The amount of humans who remember and worship the Gods has a direct impact on how powerful they are, and if they still exist at all, in this story.

It was good.
It's interesting within the paranormal romance/ erotica genre because it brings the heat early on (15% in has the first steamy kiss that leads to more), and it keeps up the heat. Aphrodite and Loki are into rough play, but they are immortals and it is consensual.

I would recommend it to those who enjoy reading erotica where the characters are from different pantheons. I don't read a lot of erotica, but I thought this was well written. I do greatly enjoy paranormal romance as well as urban fantasy. (With slightly different names and backgrounds, this could easily be an Existence novella of my own. And because it reminds me of how my characters feel about and approach certain things, I enjoyed it far more than I might have otherwise.)

Some of my favorite lines include:
"persons working in service positions were the people to flatter if one wished to get anything extra in this world." The line is thought by Aphrodite, and it explains why she's so very generous to drivers, bartenders, maids, etc.

"bodacious body" I haven't heard someone use that adjective, outside of surfer speak, in a long time. It was odd that the action paused for a lengthy description, but perhaps that's why I noticed the word. If not for passages that paused for description, I would have given this five stars.

"It's been pleasant to have someone by my side and in my bed who truly understands what I am." Another Aphrodite quote, which sounds exactly like something my Existence characters would say. Really, if emoji hearts could appear in my eyes, I would have had them at this line.

I also enjoyed the author's afternote, which suggests I can go have a baked good for being awesome and fantastic. And the quick and dirty guide to the gods mentioned was an extremely thoughtful addition. I appreciate that.

I read the whole book because I was curious about what Aphrodite would do next. It didn't end as I suspected it would. It did leave me wanting to read more from this author. This is the first book in a series, which seems to be a spin-off of another (non-erotic) series.

It's a happily-ever-after for the most part, erotic, romantic, controversial if you have feelings about certain pantheons, there was some action, a few plot twists, and it was fun and entertaining to read.

I hadn't heard of the Maenad before, so I learned about them.

There are several covers. I do like the one with the man (Loki) about to kiss the neck of the woman (Aphrodite), though I don't know how much it matches the characters.

The theme seems to be independence, knowing how to make your own way. I think Aphrodite was the author's favorite character, as the erotic scenes focus much more on her and her body.

Obstacles are difficult to write when your main characters are deities. Aphrodite's main one seems to be that she's lonely. Loki's main one seems to be that he was being forgotten, and thus fading. Those are the internal conflicts. The external one is the Maenad.
501 reviews
January 18, 2025
What a fantastic find! This is my first time (most likely since the author ghost writes) reading Liz Meldon's work. I believe this is her debut book and it's spectacular. I love the concept where the gods and goddesses of mythology are walking around with us today. It's what drew me towards the story in the first place because who doesn't love mythology? What I find most interesting is that the story combines mythology, not just one set of gods or goddesses from Greek or Egyptian but a combination of all in the world.

This is the "adult" version where the main characters are the actual gods themselves. I loved the contemporary feel of the story and writing, I could imagine myself there in New York (even though I've never been). I don't usually read too much contemporary but I found I enjoyed it and the little magical twists in the story. Just don't expect too much magic in this story.

I'm not sure how I feel about Aphrodite and Loki. I felt like I couldn't relate to them as much as I wanted. It probably was due to their arrogance and elitist attitude, which makes sense considering who they are, but for me, I didn't care for it too much. Still it wasn't so bad that I wanted to stop, instead it was interesting as I've never been friends with their type of personalities. They could be fairly flippant which also makes sense because they pretty much have all the time in the world. I don't think I'll ever be able to relate so I've accepted their personalities.

The plot was fairly straight forward and easy to follow considering it's a short and fast read. There wasn't too much going on subplot-wise which is fine. The pacing was wonderful so I didn't find myself skimming parts. Ms Meldon makes her word-smithery an art because I found the writing fairly flawless. I could lose myself in her writing. *sigh*

My minor complaints are that the love scenes weren't to my taste, but that's a personal thing. Don't get me wrong, they were extremely well written but some of the submissive moves that Aphrodite accepted from Loki were not something I'd personally enjoy. Still, they were hot and steamy and you'd definitely want to read about them. ^_~

I did find it interesting how Aphrodite and Loki would react as ageless beings in today's world and I think Meldon did a wonderful job expressing and showing us that. I liked how it showed how some gods survived while others vanished. The transitions between their flashbacks and present times were nearly seamless, I loved how we get a glimpse of their thought processes comparing the past and present.

I do wish that the story was a little longer but this is the first of a series of books which makes me excited. I'm glad I got to review this novella and I'd love to read more about the adventures Aphrodite and Loki get into and if they get to meet any other gods or goddesses!

If you like mythology with erotic contemporary twists then I highly recommend this to you! Aphrodite and Loki are fairly unexpected allies so throwing them together is a fun ride which I hope lasts for awhile. I'm looking forward to the next installments!


4.2 out of 5 rating for me!


(An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)
Profile Image for Samantha MacLeod.
Author 25 books117 followers
January 19, 2018
Sometimes you read a book that makes you say, “Damn, why didn’t I think of that?!?”

The Lovers and Liars series by Liz Meldon has three of those books.

Manhattan, the first book in Meldon’s Lovers and Liars series, opens with the Greek goddess Aphrodite, who is a bit bored with life in the modern world.

Sure, she’s got a fabulous apartment, a cushy job writing advice columns for the lovelorn (which provides a clever frame for all three books in this series), and any mortal man she could desire, but isn’t there something more to life with the humans?

Enter Loki, our very favorite Norse god.

Meldon's Loki in the Lovers and Liars series is spot-on — seductive, untrustworthy, at turns vulnerable, snarky, and defensive.

While Aphrodite has survived in the modern world by finding a job and, occasionally, marrying for money, Loki tries another tact. He’s solving supernatural crimes in exchange for human worship, and hoping to regain his former powers.

After several explosive sex scenes (thank you, Liz Meldon), Aphrodite is pulled into Loki’s world, which proves to be far more interesting than her advice columnist gig.

The first book in the series, Manhattan, has Loki and Aphrodite facing a maenad. It’s also FREE, so you have absolutely no reason not to one-click that puppy now.

The next two books, Vancouver and Westwick College, have the pair of gods traveling across North America and tracking down various mysterious entities. Each book in the series raises the stakes, both for Loki and Aphrodite’s relationship and for their very survival.

I suppose you could pick this series up in the middle and start with Vancouver, but I recommend starting at the beginning. Trust me, you won’t want to miss any of Loki and Aphrodite’s adventures. 🙂
Profile Image for R.S. Williams.
Author 14 books45 followers
June 26, 2017
This review was originally posted on www.littlenovelist.com

I AM SO GLAD I WAITED TO POST MY REVIEW. Now I get to use the stunning new book covers and come on. Doesn't it make you want to pick up the book? I mean those lusty eyes, almost closed, enjoying whatever that man is doing to her neck. It makes me want to get my hands on it. The blurb, gives just enough mystery to keep me from tearing the pages apart. I mean, apart from the fact it is an e-book.

This story mixes two brilliant mythological gods together, Aphrodite and Loki. The Goddess of love and the trickster. I mean could you want anything more. Even though this story is a short story, it bring all the great things from a fully fledged novel.

Aphrodite, known as Rose on her love advice column, lives in Manhattan and works for a magazine. She's bored of her life and takes to a nightclub to find another human to conquer. Little does she know Loki is there too, and thus begins their erotic affair. He's hunting down a threat that he just can't take care of on his own, not since human stopped praying to the Old gods.

This fast paced novella is definitely worth a read, and will no doubt captivate your mind. I would recommend it, but please note this is an erotic story and there are some graphic scenes.
Profile Image for Julia.
125 reviews39 followers
October 28, 2016
This was a quick, fun read.

I think some of my favorite bits were where Aphrodite and Loki were interacting outside of their sexual encounters. I'm really interested to read The Vampire of Vancouver to see how their dynamic continues to play out.

For such a quick read, I felt like maybe there was a little too much explaining to begin with, but it all also seemed necessary. I also found myself wishing it was a little longer, I felt like things were just getting started when it was over.

I'll definitely continue to read Liz Meldon's books.
1,062 reviews18 followers
July 13, 2017
I absolutely loved the new take on Greek and Roman mythology by the author, Liz Meldon. Now if I had this kind of mythology book back in my school days I most likely would have learned and remembered some of these Gods/Goddesses more. But seriously, this is a very sexy and entertaining read just made for the reader to enjoy. I absolutely look forward to how the other story lines in the other books in the series are going to play out. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of the book.
Profile Image for Becki.
541 reviews
October 26, 2017
Lovers and Liars: Manhattan

This is a nice quick read with a budding romantic/detective type theme. The new twist for me comes when using the Greek Gods as the main characters. I enjoyed reading this book.
Profile Image for Emily Wrayburn.
Author 5 books43 followers
March 31, 2018
A little too much "pounding into her" for my liking, but still a fun idea and I am thinking about checking out the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Shawna.
92 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2015
The Maenad of Manhattan is the first book in the Lovers & Liars series by Liz Meldon. In a world where all the old Gods are almost completely forgotten Aphrodite has succumbed to a boring lonely where she writes love advise for columns and goes to bars to watch humans fall in lust or love. No more wars, no more worshipers, life for her is dull and boring. That is until a mysterious God enters the bar she is people watching at. She can feel his presence as soon as he steps in the place and he can feel hers. This leads to an amazing night where she realizes just how lonely she was with no other Gods in her life.

Being forgotten and losing your worshipers means losing your powers and eventually losing your life. Loki is not having it, so he has devised a plan. If he can help mortals get rid of other pesky immortals that are causing problems he can make them not only pay him cash but also pay him with worship which will help him get his powers back and keep him alive. Working alone never bothered him, then he sees Aphrodite. After spending the night with her he realizes not only does she still have some of her power but she's smart too and after she helps him kill a Maenad he realizes she can help him greatly in his quest for power.

All I have to say is... Thor who??? If every story or movie had Loki being this sexy I would totally switch sides and drool over him. This is going to be a great series and very unique too. I haven't found any other books that are like this one, where you have the entire world of old Gods in one story that is not only funny and adventurous but sexy as sin as well. Loki with his sexiness and "I don't give a damn" attitude totally clashes with Aphrodite and her "lets make love not war" attitude but at the same time the go so well together and it makes this story so much more interesting and addicting.

A Danielle's Domain Review: http://daniellesdomainreviews.blogspo...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.