Adrift – Sci-Fi action thriller cheepie

Synopsis:

In this science fiction romance action novel, Jasmine is a journalist running from some military types that want her dead. After the bad guys killed most of the passengers on the aircraft on which she was travelling, Norik, a half-Lyrissian, half-human male, saved her. He is a commanding office of a Space Corp ship and is on leave.

There is some chemistry between the two of them that they explore in between trying to figure out how to resolve their situation without dying.

Opinion:

This story was entertaining but there were some points that annoyed me.

Considering that Jasmine was on the run, she did little to keep a low profile while in transit.

Norik was trying to mind his own business and Jasmine kept bothering him. And she kept provoking him to the point he lost control.

I do not mind interspecies-human romances, but the Lyrissians were not a particularly amorous race or tender in their affections. The one love scene was borderline violent and painful sounding. Norik tried to warn Jasmine off, but she would not be deterred. She wanted him to lose control and he did.

Despite those issues, the action in the plot-line gave the story promise and by the end I was looking forward to reading more books in the series. When I looked on Amazon and found other books, the next book in the series was a prequel. No matter how great that story might be, in Adrift, the reader finds out what happens to Norik’s parents and it is not a happy ending. For the one book that is supposed to be after the time period in Adrift, I was disappointed that it appears that Norik and Jasmine were no longer together. That was a letdown for me.

Note to Author Erica Conroy if you are reading this: Once the book ends, there is a supposition of a “happy ever after” ending if the main characters are together. It is not a good idea for those same characters not to be together in future books. That cheapens the ending of the original book because that means their love did not last. It is a warm, fuzzy feeling to read sequels where the I know the history of the secondary characters, how they got together, and their quest to find love.

Overall, Adrift (Callisto Series – Book 1) is a great story on its own. I think it is a one-hit wonder for this series. As long as you remember that it is mostly sci-fi action than romance, you will enjoy the story.

Full Circle by Mona Ingram

Jun10

Full Circle ♥♥

Synopsis

This book covers a time period of 20 years. Unwed mother Bella moves to California to make a life for herself and her daughter. To earn some extra money, she sells clothes with her friend in Santa Monica. Because their business is so successful, it catches the attention of Rafael. He becomes a partner in their growing business.

Fast forward to the present. It is implied that Bella and Rafael have been fighting their attraction to each other the entire time. Meanwhile the business is booming to such an extent that they need a manufacturing plant. It is decided that the perfect location is Bella’s hometown. Here Bella has to come to terms with all of the reasons why she left in the first place.

Opinion

The story was okay. After reading it, I felt like saying “Meh”.

For me, there is something about Mona Ingram’s style of writing that makes me think of news reporter’s delivery. She gives the facts. She tries to describe the feeling and emotion, but to me it falls a little flat. Maybe I am used to a more animated style of writing.

In this story, I do not know why but it annoyed me that it took so long for Bella and Rafael to get together. Neither one of them could have a serious relationship since they were in to each other. It seems that the main characters put their love life on hold in the time it took them to figure out that they wanted each other. It took them 2 decades to figure it out!

I am a BIG fan of open communication even it if is “I like you. Do you like me? No pressure if you do not.” The loving-from-afar gets old after a while. Thinking about all the lost years of emotional limbo is depressing to me.

facepalm animated GIF

So much of the main conflict for the plot was internal. However my personality is more of a grab-the-bull-by-the-horns and face your problems head on. I believe that life is too short to let chances at happiness pass us by because we are afraid of rejection. Wondering what could have been is far more miserable to me than rejection.

All that being said, there are probably people that will find Full Circle wonderfully romantic.

Cyborgs need love, they just do not know it yet

Jun5

C791: Cyborgs: More Than Machines ♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

X109GI (named Joe) is a cyborg being held by the military. There is a war going on that began when the cyborgs decided that did not want the military to tell them what to do. Their free will from when they were 100% human was reawakened but the military wants to silence them as if they are just robots that need to be shut down.

While incarcerated, Chloe is assigned to collect body specimens from Joe. At times, Joe seems really human. Though Chloe cannot stop herself, she begins to have feelings for him. Logically, Joe does not understand how Chloe causes him to react irrationally. Maybe his humanity is not all lost.

Opinion

When I think “cyborg”, I think of “resistance is futile” from Star Trek: Next Generation. In this book, the military implants electronic chips and nanobots in humans to cause them to be more like bionic, super soldiers.

Joe is hot, buff, and super sexy. His logical brain makes him say some outrageous things at times. Good thing that Chloe does not hold it against him. While he is not that great when it comes to speaking with tact, the robotic side of him is good when it comes to memorizing how to pleasure his lady.

The twist the author put in the story at about 65% was TOTALLY unexpected. Loved it. I was screaming “WHAT? REALLY? OMG!”

I am not usually one who always appreciates a twist in a story, but this one was so unexpected and a delight at the same time. While I was in shock, I also wondered why didn’t I see that coming.

Overall, the steamy cyborg love scenes are more human than robotic. I like Joe’s alpha male struggle to come to terms with his ability to love even though he did not think it was possible. Chloe was a strong woman dealing with facts that challenged all her preconceived notions about what was true. Together they made a good team against the villainous military that threatened to strip people of their humanity and lives of those they deemed undesirable.

After reading C791: Cyborgs: More Than Machines, I was so pumped for the next in the series. I want all these hunky cyborgs to meet their love match.

Caveat: This book does have some graphic language and love scenes. Since he is a cyborg, he has robotic like stamina.

A short story that can steam up some of your time

May30

Just One Night (Decadence Creek): ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis

Chase owes a lot to Addison’s father since he helped him get his life together when he had a jail record. So he knows a relationship with Addison is out of the question.

If only she was not so desirable…

Two years ago, Chase turned Addison down when she wanted a relationship with him. With Addison back in town for a wedding, Chase’s self-control is not as strong. Addison is trying to come to terms with her attraction for Chase as well.

Opinion

Since this was a short story, there was not much to review. The couple has history which is alluded to many times. It is the love-lost-the-first-time trope. Chase does not think he deserves someone like Addison even though it is obvious that he is head over heels in love. Addison has a way of breaking through his resolve. Overall, I liked how the story ended. Happy. It is great that the villains attempt to separate the couple backfires and results in them coming together. This is a very short novella and will probably take about an hour or less to read. Hence, the review is very short as well.

Note: the love scenes are steamy and there is some profanity (more than a few F – bombs)

If you do not mind steamy love scenes or profanity, this is really cute short story.

To buy Just One Night (Decadence Creek) on Amazon click any of the links in this post

She’s not in it for the money

May20

The Substitute Millionaire (Silhouette Desire) : ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis:

Julie loses rock paper scissors with her sister and has to go on a blind date with Todd Ashton III. Her previously estranged grandmother set it up and sweeten the deal by offering $1 million. Ryan agreed with his cousin Todd to go in his place to teach gold digging women a lesson because he assumed Julie was in it for the money.

Ryan did not anticipate the instant strong attraction he felt. Sparks flew and although both agreed it was a bad idea, the blind date quickly led into a one night stand. Once night turned into morning, Ryan’s conscience began to bother him because he realized Julie was not what he expected. She was honest, straightforward, and sincere. He admits to his deception and all those warm fuzzy feelings Julie had are extinguished.

Understandably, she is hurt. But after dealing with an absentee father and unfaithful ex fiancé, she would rather never see him again. Julie’s father is a jerk. Of course, you can guess this love story hasn’t happy ending because I gave it four stars. The plot thickens considerably and circumstances are created so Julie and Ryan are forced to spend time together. In which time, it gives Ryan plenty of opportunity, through trial and error, to convince Julie that she is the one for him.

My opinion

I love this story! Julie’s grandmother is a major meddler in everyone’s lives. However she is also the catalyst that brought them together. Julie and Ryan have valid reasons for their behavior, but it is good that they were empathetic enough to see and understand the other person side. Julie sisters were loving and supportive. Todd was extremely skeptical of Julie’s intentions but came around when he realized he was mistaken.

Words that come to mind when thinking of The Substitute Millionaire : Fun. Cute. Smiles and laughter. Entertaining with a really sweet, unexpected ending.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

To buy on Amazon click any of the links in this post