Simply Irresistible [Paperback]

Kristine Grayson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Dexter Grant, the inspiration for the greatest superhero of all time, lives in reduced circumstances. Now he runs a pet store in Portland, Oregon, and privately calls himself a Kitten Superhero because he saves stray animals. He aspires to something greater, but his magic has been restricted—by the Fates. The Fates, three women who control the magical universe. Only they’ve lost their position, and they’re on the run. They’ve turned to an old friend for help, but that friend is dead. Her niece, Vivian Kineally, runs her estate. Vivian, who doesn’t even know magic exists. Vivian, who loves comic books. Vivian, who also happens to be psychic. The Fates steer Vivian to Dexter Grant. They want his help. He’s not willing to give it. But now that he’s met Vivian, he’s not willing to give her up either. Dexter Grant must save the Fates—and discover his own fate, all at the same time. “With her series of magical romances, Kristine Grayson has carved out her own special and unique place in the romance genre.” —Romantic Times “The reigning queen of paranormal romance.” —The Best Reviews

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like a comic book adventure, this witty confection is stuffed with nonstop action, superhuman heroics and a hasty helping of romance. Psychic Vivian Kinneally loves comic book superheroes, but it isn't until she becomes embroiled in a fiasco involving three women who call themselves the Fates, a humanitarian pet store owner and a villain intent on world domination that she begins to believe that comics can have a factual basis. The novel hits fever pitch the moment Vivian opens her door to three damsels in distress who claim to be the Fates, chief justices of a magical otherworld. Having temporarily relinquished their powers, the Fates are now on the run from an unknown person intent on harming them. They seek shelter with Vivian, but when they learn Vivian is untrained and unaware of her powers, they send her to fetch pet store owner Dexter Grant, a sexy, century-old man possessing Superman's face and form as well as some of his superpowers. The pair meet up briefly with the protagonists from Grayson's previous novels (Completely Smitten, etc.) but, ultimately, it is Vivian who must save the day. All the events occur within a few days, which makes for a slim, speedy but surprisingly believable romance. Zany and over-the-top, this playful novel is a delight.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

When the three Fates suddenly appear at her apartment door seeking her recently departed Aunt Eugenia and asking for protection from an unknown enemy, psychic Vivian Kineally discovers there is a lot of magic out in the world she never knew about. Because she is new to her powers, the Fates ask Vivian to locate Dexter Grant, a more experienced mage, who should be able to save them, but because his past experiences with the Fates have been difficult at best, Dexter is reluctant to become involved. Once he meets Vivian, however, Dexter immediately agrees to help, certain that she's the woman he has been waiting for all of his life. The fourth in Grayson's series of contemporary fantasy romances is an enchanting blend of sweet romance, mythology, and magic as she puts her own unique magical stamp on figures from Greek myths and fairy tales, including a deliciously over-the-top supervillain and a hero who inspired the creation of Superman. And Grayson's clever, humor-tinged writing is absolutely delightful. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821771485
• ISBN-13: 978-0821771488
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,689,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars simply awful, January 16, 2003

By 

lovestoread "aquacies" (Springdale, AR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply Irresistible (Paperback)

I read the first 3 books in this series, and this one fell woefully short compared to the others. As I read this book, I felt increasingly that Ms. Grayson was under a publishing deadline for this book and rushed through. There were loose ends left EVERYWHERE! We never find out the Fates' fate. Which, by the way, was the whole reason that Vivian and Dexter get together anyway! We never learn what really happens to Aunt Eugenia, who also played a part in the "evil scheme". Speaking of "evil scheme", the villan is captured too easily. There is no real "romance" shown between the characters - mostly in their heads. The one "love scene" we get cut out of. I wasn't even sure that the characters had actually consummated their realationship until it was mentioned later. Go figure. Vivian's nephew is alluded to in that he may have knowledge of Vivian's and Dexter's situation and/ or that he may have abilities like Vivian's, but we never learn anything else about it. And if that's not enough, the whole book takes place over the course of ONE day! (Boy they slept together awful fast!) There's no real ending either. This book just screamed for an epilouge, but we don't know what happens to the characters. We also get to briefly see the characters from the previous books, but they are also quickly discarded. This one was a bummer all around.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars whimsical fantasy romance, January 18, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Irresistible (Paperback)

The three Fates (Lachesis, Atropos, and Clitho) arrive at Vivian Kinelly's Portland home seeking help from her Aunt Eugenia who recently died. The trio was stripped of their magical power for one year in an effort to bring some competition into the magical realm in an effort to revitalize it in the age of scientific skepticism. Now someone is trying to kill them while they lack the ability to perform magic.

The threesome realizes that Vivian is not ready to be their champion so they ask her to find master magician Henry Baron, owner of a local pet store under the name of Dexter Grant. Vivian explains to Dexter what is going on and he knows she is the soul mate he has waited an eternity for. Sparks fly between them even as they intercede in an effort to keep the "retired" Fates from harm.

Readers will find SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE simply irresistible because the whimsical story line contains characters that make magic so real that it feels more like a branch of science. The story line never takes itself seriously while providing sub-genre fans with an amusing war of the magicians (reminiscent of the Corman's movie The Raven). The lead couple is a charmed pair who one does not need a crystal ball to feel they belong together. However, the three Fates and the new wave substitutes turn Kristine Grayson's fun plot into a jocular joyful experience.

Harriet Klausner

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not able to finish, February 8, 2006

By 

C. Christakos "howtowriteachildrensbook.com" (www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply Irresistible (Paperback)

I hate to say this but I couldn't finish this book. Normally a book this size takes me an hour and a half to read. This is my fourth day with this book and I simply can't get through it. I simply can't seem to make myself care what happens to these characters. The concept is good. The delivery needs a tiny bit of work.