Tag Archives: Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Protected

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These first chapters have just wet my appetite for more. Once you meet Grab and Leah you know they are perfect for each other, now they just need to figure it out. Take a look and find yourself hooked on their story. Love the Alien Mate Index!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Protected
(Alien Mate Index #2)
by Evangeline Anderson

This second book in the Alien Mate Index is just as great as the first book. Having met the big blue guy in the first book you knew it was going to be an interesting ride when he got off on his own. The characters continue to be fun and interesting as they take you along on their various missions.The story while centering around a couple still manages to give you more than just their drama by incorporating various subplots that keeps things from getting stale. The language is perfect because you know they cannot be speaking English all the time but the phrases are so right that you really don’t care. The main thing is that the backgrounds of the characters and that of each new race that is introduced gives you more depth and insight into what and who they all are.

Gravex N’gol is a murderer and escaped convict but he also a protector of females who would give his life to protect theirs. When he is given the task of going to Earth and making sure that Zoe’s friends are alright and to give them a message from her, he is more than happy to do it. While checking on them he becomes enamored with Leah, who is living in a bad situation but embodies everything Grav finds attractive. When he sees her being abused it is more than he can stand so he goes to her rescue and so starts an adventure he had not planned on.

Leah lost her friend Zoe under mysterious circumstances that had her and Charlotte using every avenue possible to find her. When they found nothing she lost her friend Charlotte as well when she moved away to grieve her loss alone. Leah marries her boyfriend who promptly moves her away from her family where he can do what he wishes without interference. When he goes to far one night Leah is surprised to be rescued by a stranger who just appears in her home. This stranger delivers news that her friend is alive and well, he is also willing to take her to her. She leaves because it is the best course though she cannot see what will happen as she travels so far from home.

I love Evangeline Anderson and the imagination that can deliver such great aliens and worlds so strange you cannot help but be pulled into them. This has everything you could hope for when traveling the galaxy, evil computer programs bent on domination, alien females with murder on their minds, palace intrigue, and much more. I totally recommend this to anyone who loves sexy aliens who can stoke a fire like nobody else. I would love my own if it were possible.

** Listening is an experience that everyone should have in regard to their favorite books and authors. I enjoyed this just as much or maybe even more than the first time I read it for myself, the only slight drawback is William Martin who sounds a bit the same when doing the male alien voices. They come off a little monotone, though I know its an inner dialogue that does not mean it has to be so bland. He does however do well when it is a conversation between the characters. As for the female half, Mackenzie Cartwright brings life and light to all the characters, including the male ones. Still very recommended by me.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me tell you, if you’ve never run flat out for your life with an Imperial Guard thrown over your shoulder, well, I don’t recommend it. There are easier ways to get your cardio in.

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Birthright Trilogy

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the arrival

The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy #1)

I am giving this 4.5 stars, not amazing but as close as you can get without being there. This story unfolds slowly but moves along to lay out what is important so that you can see it all tie together. The characters get a chance to develop in a natural way without having having to wait until the end to feel like you know who they are. Even the pets are allowed to have personalities that need a chance to get to know. The foundation is set to allow you to see that the girls are being prepared for all the things that they are going to encounter during their adventure and beyond. The thing that made this just a bit dizzying for me was the fact that it is told from the perspective of all the characters, even though they let you know at the beginning it is sometimes hard to be sure who is speaking/thinking until a name is given. It does make for more interesting however because you do not wonder about what they think about situations.

Catherine, Sian, Kassandra, and Laura are best friends and have known each other for years. They do everything together and support each other in all their separate and joint endeavors. Before the girls attend a costume party Sian convinces them to perform a spell to find their soul mates when they return home. When they arrive home they perform the spell and then all fall asleep on the floor right after never believing it would really work. When they wake up they find themselves in another place and confused as to how they got there, and also to how they can find their way home.

These girls found themselves in a land very different from the one they left behind but a place of magic, myth, and technology. They have a destiny that they would never have dreamed possible and the love that they sought.

I don’t know what I was expecting but this was way more than I thought I would get. Once The story started moving I found I did not want it to end because I was coming to really like all the characters. The idea that all those creatures we think of as only existing in fairy-tales and as part of mythology are real and can be a part of your life. The romance is sweet and romantic, not just a sexual attraction but that kind where you want it to be special. I flew through this book because I was just completely entranced by the whole thing. And now I need to get to the next book because it left me on a cliff and I want to know if things work out.

 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

 

 

awakening-birthright

Awakening (BirthRight Trilogy #2)

I fell in love with this trilogy with the first book and am glad to have continued. After being a bit confused with the writing style at first, changes between character pov was hard to follow, I was ready this time and it was much easier to follow who was being focused on. The main characters have grown and are becoming even more real for me. The situations are getting more tense and the side characters are starting to come more into focus as they start to interact more with the girls. The relationships are deepening and coming to mean more to everyone. I really appreciate that they are growing into their love for each other and not simply in the midst of instant love.

The story begins 2 months after the attack at the end of book one with Cat and Alek both asleep after stopping Jenviet, while everyone waits for them to Awaken. The other girls have been given the whole truth about their situation and have chosen to deal with it in their own ways. Loi ( Laura) has stayed at the castle to wait for them to wake up, while Sian has gone to stay with Citaan and Gredel to help the soon to be parents, and Kassie has gone to the home of her man, Rumal, to get away from the pressure. No matter where they are though, they still want their friends to finally wake up.

When Catherine finally wakes she is told something which changes her way of thinking about her past and present. She at least has a little time to assimilate it all while she waits for Alek to wake up as well. When he finally does it is time to start training in earnest for the attack to destroy an enemy who has no conscious and would do anything to gain their powers. But as they train they are also aware of the fact that they all may not come back, including the men they have grown to love.

I really appreciated the attention to detail, but could have done with fewer training sessions and trips to the practice room. But since we were there so often it would have been nice to get more background on Patel and Rashid since we got so much more into Ignatius and his warped thinking. I do not like Iggy, he is a creepy guy who thinks he is better than everyone and is a nasty kind of voyeur. Once again we end things with a cliff-hanger (not my favorite thing)but it was a good one and I just have to know what happens next. This left me in tears because I so wanted things to be different. I say, go for it.

 My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I started this series with a one click free book and found myself loving the world that it took me too. The characters became friends that I wanted to see get everything that they wanted, I worried about them and did not want to have anyone hurt or killed. I am totally caught up in the lives of the four girls and their soul mates. While I was waiting for the conclusion, I don’t think I am really ready for it to end. With that said I still find that things drag a great deal with a little more description about nothing filling up when we could use more about what they are feeling or actually doing.

Alek and Yakov have been kidnapped by Jenviet and presumed dead or broken. Cat’s link to Alek has been severed by Elena in order to keep her sane and spare the death of the man she loves. They are finally sailing to confront and destroy the evil that has tried to take over their world for centuries, she has only fueled their hatred by her actions of taking those they love. The girls are as ready as they can be for what lies ahead.

Ignatius is taking full advantage of Cat’s loss and hopes to worm his way into her affections and find himself as her King. But what they find at the end of their journey will surprise them all and bring back the hope they thought was lost.

I do love a happy ending and was afraid I was not going to get it this time. This is a great ending that ties everything up wonderfully and gives each of the characters a chance to shine in their own right. Good action, good romance, great villains!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Soldiers and allies of Elion, denizens of Gar’nyse, today we gather to do battle. Today we make a stand for those who can’t, for the innocent lives snatched, for those who stood against her and lost. For our loved ones in far away realms. I can’t guarantee any of us will make it home, but I can promise that victory will protect those loved ones and realms we left behind. Freedom from tyranny is a luxury few on Gar’nyse know. Here today we make a stand against the tyrant. Against those who desire to possess our world. Whether we rise or fall, all will know of this battle, of this stand we make. We will shake the ground. We will topple the castle and we will bring about the end of the DeNaga line!”
― Nicole MacDonald, Feel the Burn
“They said you’re an Elemental. You don’t look like an Elemental, more like a cheap maid from Slemnask.’ She spat the words out, the inference obvious. My rational voice had a field day while I observed her costume; a belt for a skirt and a belt for a top. ‘Pot, meet kettle,’ I replied in a pleasant tone.”
― Nicole MacDonald, The Arrival
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The Andromeda Strain

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27426010

The Andromeda Strain

I have found a book I liked less than the movie adaptation. The book was good but I found it to be bogged down with things that did not seem important to the story really, though the added detail was good. This was a purely male story with women present in support roles like nurse or secretary. It was definitely written during a time when women and people of color would not have been represented as being intelligent and able to contribute. The characters were well defined for the most part, though they could have been fleshed out a bit more. I saw both movie versions, but I preferred the 70’s version better without all the fancy special effects. The fact that they made one of the scientist a woman and the nurse was a black woman, it made it more in keeping with the times really. This book worked better visually than it does on the page for me.

A space probe falls back to earth and lands near a small town. The inhabitants find it and instead of calling the government decide it is a good idea to open it up. What they get for their lack of intelligence is death for them all, all except two souls who are far apart in age and lifestyle survive. Four scientist have been assigned to Wildfire to track and find a cure for something that has never been seen on this planet. It kills fast and silently in most cases not giving them time to even say goodbye.

I did like the book and think that it should be read because it does give you some more background if you have seen the movies.  

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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The Mall

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14759820

The Mall

There is a lot going on in this novel and it made for a hard read because of it. Its like everything was being thrown in to make it more interesting but what it did was keep me confused. There is science fiction with an automated Mall with robots and a central intelligence running things. Then we have a revisionist history which has figures alive and kicking who died in the original timeline, a paranormal leaning with psychic individuals and ghosts running around. With all of this I was still actually kind of bored while reading it. I never really felt anything much for any of the characters, though I did want them to survive if only because they were children. The mother was kind of unsympathetic and annoying for the most part. It felt like it was to long and could have been concluded sooner.

Lara is the mother of two children, Cora and Owen, the widow of Ben and not a great planner at all. She has been evicted from her home and finds herself homeless with her children and no backup plan. Lara is going to the one person she hoped not to have to ask for help, her mother-in-law who blames her for the death of her son. She lives in the residential section of the Mall, Lara hopes that she will allow the children to stay with her until she can make arrangements for a new place to live. But she wants to take the children and to brand Lara an unfit mother, so she leaves and decides to stay in the Mall.

Owen is ten years old and blames his mother for everything and anything. When she falls asleep in the movie he decides to sneak off and do something he wants, even though he is leaving his sister as well. Not surprisingly there is a power outage and he is cut off from his family, a killer is roaming the Mall, the robots are all offline, and Lara is panicking. There is an evil presence in the Mall and reuniting is more difficult than anyone could have expected.

When I read the blurb I was really excited about reading this book because it sounded good. I am not quite so enthusiastic about it now. It took me 8 days to read a book that should have only taken me three at the outside. This did not work for me but maybe it will for someone else. Just to much going on and not enough action or scares to keep me engaged. I finished it because I do not like to quit and find that I missed something.

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
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Devoured

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22433773

Devoured (Brides of the Kindred #11)

My rating: 4.3 of 5 stars

This was another great entry in a series that I have come to love so much. The characters are ever-changing and yet still manage to allow time for characters which had been established in earlier books. The stories seem simple but have a complexity that makes them more interesting than if you had something just totally straight forward. The narrative flows very well though there are sometimes things that hold it back a little. The characters speak and act as you wold expect them to in most instances, though sometimes they seem to do things just to make the story progress.

Garron has been banned from his home-world, Pax because of his siding with his half-brother Truth when he had visited with his twin and mate. Garron is Rai’ku but his father was a twin Kindred who had lost his twin and mate. He is living on the mother ship and trying to come to terms with the new feelings that he has been having as well as the fact of his ‘other’ possibly coming out. Tess is running from an abusive spouse who could end her life and make it seem like an accident or something someone else did and has nowhere she can really hide. Her friend takes her to live at the Pairing House (pleasure-bots) for the unmated males where they figure her ex would never look for her. She has lived there for a week with no problems when Garron comes to choose one of the pairing bots and accidentally chooses her. Neither of their lives is ever the same after this.

I liked the story between Tess and Garron because they were both kind of lost. Tess because her ex had beaten her down so much she could not see the good in any man and Garron because he had loved and tried to protect someone he couldn’t and sought to punish himself forever. There was the requisite trip off-world which I have come to expect and look forward to since you never know what type of place it will be. I got to catch up with my girls from previous books to see what was happening in their lives. And we got to meet the next couple who will be brought together, and see what the malevolent entity in their midst will cause to happen. Really want that wrapped up because it just annoys me a bit.

Overall I would recommend this along with all the series as a must read!

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Divided

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21457590

Divided (Brides of the Kindred #10)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been in love with this series from the very beginning and it just continues to get better. While each story has a different couple or trio, you are still able to check in with the couples that started it. The story is always interesting with an element of danger or something to be overcome in order for our people to get together. The planets that are visited are well constructed and fit in with what you would expect to find out in the big black of space. Cultures that are different but in many ways similar to ours make it easy to feel for what happens with them. And everything always moves forward and creates more story to follow.

Truth and Far are Twin Kindred who were separated at birth and grew up without their other half, something that is bad for this type of Kindred. While Far was raised on Twin Moons by an adoptive family he was still alone, without his brother or other real family. On the other side of the galaxy Truth was being raised on Pax in a society that frowned on everything that he and his father were. Far finds his brother but is disappointed when he does not seem to care for him or want a connection.

Becca stumbled into the middle of these two after eating a piece of bonding fruit cake at Kat’s wedding to her twin warriors. When she has an experience with the Truth and Far in the Sacred Grove she decides that she cannot take her vows to become a nun. Because of her upbringing she wants to choose between the brothers not realizing that she is doing harm to them by making it easy for them to stay apart. When they share a vision of the unmated males and a threat to the mother ship they must work together to keep it from happening. In the process they find that being together may be what they all need.

Another great book that gave plenty of tense moments where anything could have happened. There are some very hot encounters between our reluctant trio that made me wish I could participate. You cannot go wrong with the Kindred, these warriors are everything you could possibly want. Start with Claimed and read on through.

“Kat sighed. “Well, the first thing you’re going to need to do is keep in contact with both of them. Touch them a lot—and I do mean a lot—or you’re going to start getting sick.” “What? But I can’t,” Becca protested. “That’s what got me into this in the first place. And besides, every time I touch them, especially together, I keep wanting to…to…” She broke off, blushing. “Get down and dirty again?” Kat said sympathetically. “Yeah, I get it. Your body wants the full bonding experience. In fact, that’s probably what you ought to do.” “I don’t want to,” Becca said stubbornly. “I mean, Truth is on board with it and Far has always wanted the three of us together. But what happens when I have to tell my parents?” “Ask yourself this—who would you rather spend the rest of your life with?” Kat said. “Your parents or your guys? If you’d really rather move back home and never see Truth and Far again…” “No, I…” Becca put a hand to her throat. “I couldn’t. That…that would be awful.” “See?” Kat said. “Your heart knows who to choose even if your brain doesn’t.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Divided Evangeline Anderson
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Serenity: Better Days and Other Stories

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11279472

Serenity: Better Days and Other Stories (Serenity, #2)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s the crew of Serenity in more stories. Firefly was a great show and anything that let’s me continue following their exploits is a good thing. Brown coats unite!
This continues the story of our anti-heroes as they continue to go around the verse doing things only they can do in their own crazy way. Mal and his crew do not know how not to get into trouble and they would not be as entertaining if they did. This show was taken off the air much to soon and not given a chance to grow, but here you have a chance to see what could have been
I say enjoy!
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Hers To Command

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18482950

Hers to Command (Verdantia #1)

My rating:  5 of 5 stars

I got this book a while ago when it was suggested to me but never got around to reading it until now. It may have taken me a while to read but it was well worth the wait. I totally loved this and cannot wait to get to the next one! I fell into this world from the moment I stepped into it and did not want to have to leave. The world was so richly drawn with a planet which had a personality and love for those who lived on it. I liked all the characters including the bad guys because they were all so well fleshed and compelling. The story is told from various points of view not just that of the central characters and because of this you get a fuller look at what is going on with everyone involved.

Verdantia was settled long ago by a group of people who found out that the planet they had chosen to live on was itself alive. Verdantia is sentient and reacts to certain genetic traits by aiding in the protection of the people. But because some had become lax in their rites all the planet must suffer after they were invaded by the Haarb, a warlike race which wants to possess and use the bounty that exists on Verdantia.

Ari stayed away from his home for 15 years because he could not stand the thought of marrying someone not of his choosing, but returned to fight for the planet and people that he loves. Doral is a spy and assassin who is assigned to Ari and fights for and with him. Queen Fleur will do anything to keep her people safe, even risk her life in a ritual. Three people who have no idea that together they may be the only hope for their home.

I was so surprised by the concept but it actually made sense to me. I am not always comfortable with MM relationships in books but this not only had me comfortable I think I enjoyed it almost as much as the characters. The scenes were scorching hot but held a lot of tenderness as well. The combination of heat and real love made this a great read. The relationship between our three main characters drew you while the intrigue kept you guessing. Looking forward to the next one! Recommend highly!

“Madam, you can’t be more desperate than I.” He wound his arms around her and grunted. “The evidence is drooling on your stomach. I have not lost this erection for five days. Doral looks at me and winces. You have obliterated my dignity in front of my staff. I have become a laughingstock, a by-word for ‘pussy-whipped male’. Every time I walk into a room, the conversation dies. I entered the mess hall, yesterday—530 officers and enlisted men. Silence, Fleur. Dead silence.” She sniffed. By the gods, this must be a unique experience for him. I’m certain he has never been the butt of the joke before. “I don’t think you appreciate the torture and humiliation you inflict. Do you know how uncomfortable it is to ride a horse when I’m like this? Do you know how disconcerting it is to discuss cavalry deployment with Major Truillo while I’m sporting a cockstand to rival a stud horse? I couldn’t get the man to look me in the face. Worse, he thought I reacted to him.” She nuzzled her face into Ari’s chest and tried to contain her amusement. Her imagination supplied the picture of the very handsome, very homosexual, very short Major Truillo standing with covetous eyes riveted to Ari’s substantial erection, all the while discussing the dry topic of cavalry placement. “For half an hour all I saw was the top of his head.” He paused for a moment then threw out, “He has a bald spot.”
― Patricia A. Knight, Hers to Command
“Fleur to Doral:
“My love for you and Ari cannot be measured in words. It can only be measured by what I will do for you. Absolutely anything. By what I want for you. Absolutely everything. I would move Verdantia from her orbit to defend you from all that would hurt you.” She rose and crossed to him, sliding into his lap and snuggling into his broad chest. She hugged him fiercely.”You are mine, Doral, every bit as much as Ari. Those who hurt you do so at their peril.”
― Patricia A. Knight, Hers to Command

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Under by Treaty

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23013422

Under By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection 0)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read anything from this author before but am very happy that I have at this time. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and started to form a liking for the characters right then. All the characters were very dynamic with strong personalities that made you want to follow and find out what they would do next. The language seems perfect for the world that they inhabit and for the characters. Considering the fact that this is science fiction the earth they live on and the galaxy they travel to are real enough to truly visualize. The fact that the story is told from the point of view of both main characters is the perfect way to have the story told.

General Jaden has been fighting the war against the K’lahn for many years since the deaths of his parents at their hands. He hates them and wants nothing more than to destroy them. But when he is given to them for their Empress he learns that there may be things that he never knew about this species. Ambassador Sonil comes to Earth in order to broker a treaty that would give her Jaden as a consort in exchange for Earth retaining its freedom. She wants his devotion, he wants to strike a blow to the empire. They both get more and less than they bargained for.

I got some of everything I like in this story with sex, aliens, war, undercover operatives, and a lot more. I am totally into this story and am happy to follow along as it unfolds. I think everyone should give this a try. There is some explicit violence and torture scenes which might not be for everyone. This is pretty hot also! Highly recommend!

“Do not presume to judge the Qui, Mr. President. Your society aspires to an ideal that exists only at levels like the United Regions. Analyze your world’s history and you find pockets of feudal life that continue to exist today. Cultures where rape victims are killed so as not to dishonor their family; countries where the male of your species has so little self-control, the female is obliged to hide behind cloth for fear they will tempt them into carnal acts; regions where children are slaughtered for no reason. And this was all before our invasion.”
― Kayla Stonor, Under By Treaty 
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Angel 6.0: Enslaved

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25470834

Angel 6.0: Salvage (Angel 6.0 #3)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a free advance reading copy for my honest review.This was a great adventure with a girl that I am coming to like more and more. I had thought of Angel as childlike, which she was when this started, but she is maturing the more she is exposed to the world outside of Nugene. I like that the characters are becoming more clearly drawn as things go forward from book to book. The world they inhabit is more complex than you would at first think, but as you jet across the galaxy you see that not only the humans have a strange culture happening the Gran have their own way of viewing the world that may seem different but is actually quite similar to human culture in many respects. Everything is continuing to move forward smoothly giving a great trip through the cosmos as well as into how Angel is able to survive.

Captain Cronin comes for Angel on Cesar’s ship and is not planning on leaving her behind. Angel has had nice respite from dealing with overbearing Cat but has no choice but to return to him if she wants Cesar and his men to live. Before they depart Angel helps Cesar set up negotiations for trade and gives herself another chance to see him. Then it is the long ride to the Gran home world she must endure as Cronin continues to use her.

The Emperor and Empress are very impressed with Angel and invite her to stay with them while she is on their home world, keeping her away from the depraved Cronin. She becomes close to both their daughter and son who make her separation from Cesar at least bearable. But then she is once again on the ship for the trip for the negotiations and though she looks forward to seeing her man she still must deal with the insatiable Cat on the journey. Angel has endured a great deal since being taken from her home, how much more will she need to endure.

Angel has become a strong character who is able to work through whatever is tossed her way. The sex is usually very hot, whether inter species or just straight. The story pulls you in every time because you really have to find out what is going to happen with this woman as her intergalactic odyssey continues. It just keeps getting better and better. Do not miss this series!

**The title of the book  on Amazon is Angel 6.0: Enslaved, the title was changed after the I received my copy.