Aphrodite Calling by Jennifer Lynne (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Please give a warm welcome to author, Jennifer Lynne, who is newly wed I might add (Congrats!) and joining us with her recent release of Aphrodite Calling! 

Non-traditional hero and heroine: Aphrodite Calling by Jennifer Lynne

Thank you, Crystal, for having me to visit yet again! Last time I was here during your mythological reading challenge to discuss my then recent release, Platinum Passion (Gods of Love #1).

My latest offering in the Gods of Love series, Aphrodite Calling, is quite different to its predecessor. While maintaining the common theme of the erotes (Greek gods of desire) transplanted into our own modern-day world, this erotic story is essentially about two lost souls seeking an acceptance and understanding that has eluded them thus far.

Gina is a post-surgery transsexual woman struggling to define her identity, and Himeros is an ancient god of sexual desire on the edge of burnout. If you like non-traditional heroes and heroines in your romance, then Aphrodite Calling definitely delivers!

I was extremely nervous writing this story, as I wanted to reflect my heroine without the stereotype that often accompanies the topic of transsexualism – especially in the erotic romance genre – and I wanted it to resonate with readers in an emotional way.

I also wanted to create a hero who would need Gina as much as she needs him, and when you're talking Greek god, that can be a difficult proposition. What does a god need? Hmm. Well, it seems everyone needs a little something in their lives! Here’s a short excerpt to illustrate:

Oh, God, it was loneliness she heard in his voice. He was lonely. She knew how that felt. She’d been alone on this journey of self-discovery for most of her life. Even her parents, supportive though they had been during her teenage years, through the hormones and the surgery, didn’t fully get it. They supported her, yes. But they didn’t get it. And outside of her parents, people neither understood nor supported her. They thought she was a freak. The “Amazon ball breaker” as they had called her at school. The boy who wanted to be a girl.

The boy who was a girl, deep down inside. Only she was buried so deep, no one else could see her.

It sucked, feeling lonely. Big time.

She cupped a hand around his jaw and leaned in to press a kiss to his chin. “When you’re with me, Himeros, you’re not alone. Neither of us are. Whether this is a one night only deal, or whether we see each other again, please, remember that.” She looked up into his eyes, not letting him pull away even when he stiffened. “I’m beginning to see you. Really see you.”

Gina wasn’t even sure what she meant by those words, but they felt right. It was almost as if someone were guiding her to say the right thing. And she could sense his essence. It was beautiful; a shimmering vitality that surrounded him, like an aura of golden light.

Was he a god? A real one? In that moment, with his features frozen in surprise and a sudden energy that had come out of nowhere snapping at her pores, she could let herself believe it was true. It was as if the woman inside had finally found her voice, and she was calling out to the man inside this god.

She felt empowered by the realization. “I see you,” she whispered again, brushing her fingers at the edges of the strange golden light. His aura. It was warm, all-encompassing, and its effect flowed through her veins like liquid fire. She gulped at the clout it contained.

“And I hear you,” he answered. “Aphrodite was correct. I hear you.”

The wonder in his tone swelled her heart. With that vista of twinkling lights spread out behind him, the purple blue of the night sky peppered with stars as a backdrop, and that joyous astonishment etched across his face, she could let herself believe that anything was true right now.
Her very own Greek god. For tonight, at least.

Some of the 5 star Amazon reviews for Aphrodite Calling:

“Having a child who is transgender is one of the most amazing experiences one can live with and I do it everyday…Ms. Lynne captured this perfectly. I can’t rave enough about how well the characters were portrayed and will be recommending this to as many people as I can.”

“A beautifully written, almost poetic novella…This little novel is so wonderfully graphic, descriptive and incredibly titillating that the reader is privileged to be able to ride to this experience, stroke by stroke, right along with Gina. ”

Aphrodite Calling is available at  Amazon,  Barnes & Noble  and  All Romance ebooks.

About the Author: Jen is a multi-published author who writes sensual and erotic romance from her home in Melbourne, Australia. She lives in hope that readers will continue to enjoy her novella-length tales of love and lust! Find her on the web at: Website/blog  - Twitter - Facebook  - Amazon

Giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post and fill out the rafflecopter below to go into the draw to win not only a digital copy of Aphrodite Calling, but also a copy of the first in the Gods of Love series – menage romance, Platinum Passion.

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