Novels Romancing the Gods

Folklore and classic stories are full instances where gods interfere in the lives of mortals. Several modern romance writers have embraced the concept of meddling deities and put them to work within their own stories. In these novels, gods and goddesses get involved in the lives of mortals, unintentionally or not. In some cases, the gods even find love for themselves. In all of these examples, love prevails, either because of the deity's interference, or despite it. I have read and enjoyed every one of these books, so I suggest sitting back with one or more of these titles for a look at what happens when higher powers meddle in human affairs.

Goddess Summoning series by P.C. Cast is a great selection of romances using the cast of characters that can be found in legend. Each of the stories features strong women that do not need a man to save them, rather end up doing the saving or simply want a strong man by their side. Every story can stand alone, but reading them as a whole paints a larger picture of the gods' interaction. The first book in the series is Goddess of the Sea, in which Air Force sergeant CC and the mermaid Undine switch bodies after a drunken plea to the gods and a harrowing plane crash. Two mermen, a knight in shinning armor, a shady abbot and medieval politics surround this modern woman dropped in ancient Whales with a part time mermaid tale. Other titles in the series use the mythical characters of Artemis and Apollo, the goddess Demeter, Venus and Hecate. I hope that the success of Cast's House of Night series will make these books easier to find.

Aphrodite's Kiss and the following books in the Protector series by Julie Kenner are zany and lighthearted tales centered on a super-human race called Protectors. The Protectors just happen to be descendants of Greek gods and goddesses, and carry some of the traditional powers and traits of those gods. Protectors work hard to save humans and guard them from the interference of members of their race that would use their gifts in less generous ways. Aphrodite's Kiss introduces readers to school librarian Zoe Smith. She is coming into her powers at the age of twenty-five, discovering her father's identity, and figuring out if a super-hero role is what she really wants. To make life even more complicated, Zoe is attracted to the handsome Private Investigator George Taylor. Should she even try to have a relationship with a full mortal, especially while her body is on complete sensory overload? The later titles in the series include Aphrodite's Passion , Aphrodite's Secret , and Aphrodite's Flame .

Ain't Myth Behaving by Katie MacAlister is another hysterical addition to this list. If you have read any of my book recommendation lists, then you know that I absolutely love MacAlister's work, and this book is no exception. In Ain't Myth Behaving, readers get two novellas One is about an Irish fertility god and the second is about a cursed Viking. Stag Party, introduces readers to Dane Hearne, whose goddess has run off with a salsa dancer. He must now find a bride and marry her within a week. If he does not find his bride then he will be turned into a human forever. Norse Truly is about the Viking Alrik Sigurdsson, who is cursed to sail the Scandinavian coast forever. He is distracted in his journey by Brynna Lund, the only person that can end the curse. MacAlister givers her fans the quirky characters, laughs, and steamy romance that they love.

Almost a Goddess by Judi McCoy is the first book in the Muse Trilogy. This lighthearted story is about the Muse of Good Fortune, better known as Kyra. She has been given a poor performance appraisal by her father, Zeus, and banished from Olympus for a year to work on Earth. She must go to the Acropolis Casino in Vegas in order to help mortals believe in good fortune. She is has only one rule to follow, Kyra must not get romantically involved with any mortals. As you might expect, that rule is broken after she meets Jake Lennox. Unfortunately, the professional gambler is there to discover why the casino is losing money, and Kyra is the prime suspect. The story is a fun, cute read. If you want to read about Kyra's sisters then follow this book with One Night with a Goddess , and Making Over Mr. Right.

A Greek God at the Ladies' Club by Jenna McKnight is another great example of new twists to old characters. Darius is a Greek god that has been in one bed too many. To avoid being caught in a compromising situation Darius turns himself into a statue. Unfortunately, for Darius, the suspicious husband breaks off part of the statue and he becomes stuck as a piece of marble until his statue is restored. Three thousand years later sculptor Alexandra de Marco recreates the statue to auction off in order to raise money for the orphanage where she grew up. Alex ends up with more than she bargained for when the statue that she has lovingly sculpted, and fallen more than a little in lust with, comes to life and offers to fulfill her every desire. What is a girl to do?

Dazzling Brightness by Roberta Gellis is a novel that remakes the common story of Persephone and Hades. While this story continues to be retold by authors, some, like Gellis, make the story new and worth revisiting. As the story goes, Hades gets permission from Zeus to steal away Persephone and marry her. Gellis uses her novel to explore the trials that Persephone and Hades must overcome in order to be together. The gods have different natures and aspects than one might have read in other stories, leading readers on a delightful journey rediscovering mythology. Gellis continues re exploring the gods in Shimmering Splendor, which is about Psyche and Eros, Enchanted Fire, which is about Orpheus and Eurydice, and others.