Starflight - Melissa Landers

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe... 

My thoughts:

It started good enough, ok who am I kidding. It was a decent start filled with plotholes, crappy worldbuilding and more. But it was cheesy light and so YA. So I read on. But then the next day all those annoying things got to be too much. But then I had already read half the book and was all fffff! So I finished it, or more or less skimmed since it got to be more silly. The romance grew between the bully and the one he had bullied and I was all, how are these suddenly in love? Also their personalities suddenly sure change. 

The ending was fast and srsly...srsly...*snorts* No.

I guess the author tried to go for a cool firefly vibe. That did not work for me, I could see none of these people on the ship, well except for the captain and that thief I guess.

It just went bad fast for me. It would have been a dnf, but when I have read too much of a book it's just too hard to go back and admit defeat. 

Conclusion:
Yeah, I would not recommend it. But if you want silly YA with a bit of fighting and romance, then go ahead.

Cover
This one was actually nice

Hardcover, 369 pages
Published February 2nd 2016 by Disney-Hyperion
Starflight #1
YA sci-fi romance

Alien Separation - Gini Koch

The Mastermind has finally been identified, but before Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini can take him down, they, their daughter, Jamie, Charles Reynolds, Paul Gower, Christopher White, and several others are zapped out of their solar system and into another. Landing them on an alien planet – and not together...

My thoughts:

Honestly, how can I possibly write a review? SO much is going on, so many cool lines. Kick-ass stuff and you know, the usual stuff. This is book 11 after all. Omg, book 11?! When did that happen? I still remember when I read book 1, awww, the memories.

This book mostly took place off planet, and I loved that. It felt refreshing you know. But then the last one was cool too since it mostly took place in a parallel universe...anyway.... Yes most of the gang gets transported to an alien planet. Everyone scattered in different directions. Kitty has Christopher and Chuckie with her, but the rest? Her daughter? Jeff? Everyone? Well she has to find them all and save the day. Oh not to mention figure out why they are there.

Yay alien planet!!! It was one weird and colorful planet. Lots of weird ..things lived there too. "Birds" "other lifeforms" "flying snakes" oh you just have to read it to get it. Most were sentient, and has a bronze age society. Seriously, freaky things lives in that part of the galaxy! And trust me, freakier things show up at the end.

There is running, fighting, building friendships, naming things (Kitty you ;), getting to see the planet and saving the day. Saving the day in a big time at the end.

I took a peak at the next book too at the end, I had to after that....thing...was said ;) Looks to be interesting.

Conclusion:

Fun times :)

Cover

awesome

Paperback, 544 pages
Expected publication: May 5th 2015 by DAW
Katherine "Kitty" Katt #11
Sci fi romance
Own

Universal Alien - Gini Koch

Being the wife of the Vice President isn’t easy. Especially when your talents lie in kicking butt and rocking out . . .

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini find out just how easy it is for the wife of the Vice President of the United States to unintentionally insult an ally. Now they have to smooth things over with the Australian Prime Minister, pronto, or risk creating an international incident the worldwide anti-alien coalitions will be able to use to force Jeff to resign and the A-Cs to leave the planet.

But before Kitty can make things worse, a cosmic congruence and a little help from some powerful beings shoves her into another world -- one where she’s been married to Charles Reynolds for years and aliens don’t exist. She’s also landed in the middle of a huge conspiracy and is marked for death . . . but at least that’s business as usual.

Kitty’s not the only one confused, because the Kitty from that world has taken her place in this one. Now Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have to make sure that no one spots that there’s been a switch, while keeping World War III from happening. And they have to do so while keeping this new Kitty in line, because she has views about what to do and how to it, and time is running out.

Can both Kittys save their respective days before it’s too late to go home to the universes they belong to? Or will one Kitty decide to keep the other’s life . . . forever? 

My thoughts:

In this book you do not have 1 Kitty, you have 2!! The more the merrier.

We have 2 parallel worlds (there are more, multiverse and all). But 2 Kittys change place and you can only imagine what will go down.

I do prefer the real Kitty world. The other one was sad, and omg NO MARTINI. That is beyond sad. Instead she is married to Chuck. But Other Kitty shakes things up cos things are never perfect when Kitty is around. Someone is after them in that world. It was fun to see Kitty alone for once, but it was also sad...

Right and in our normal Kitty world Other Kitty comes in and is all wtf? But she adapts cos she is Kitty. And she is helpful with a scandal other Kitty caused.

Omg, are you confused yet? Lol. 2 Kittys, 2 worlds. 1 Martini. 2 Chuckies. I have used the name Kitty was too much in this review ;)

A fun ride, it worked eventhough it jumped from Kitty to Kitty. And I do prefer our Kitty, she is kick-ass.

The hunt for the Mastermind is still on too, and we get some answers. I look forward to the next book. The title has me a bit concerned .  I can't wait.

Conclusion:

FUN! 

Paperback, 525 pages

Published December 2nd 2014 by DAW

Katherine "Kitty" Katt #10

Sci-fi romance

 For review

Review: Alien Research - Gini Koch

When rumors of a new super-drug surface, the FBI comes to Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini for help. It becomes quickly apparent that the drug is merely the tip of a deadly iceberg and a much more insidious plan is underway involving Titan Security, Gaultier Enterprises, and YatesCorp.

As newly discovered A-Cs and hybrids begin to surface, each with expanded and deadly talents, more and more signs point to a new evil genius who’s using the A-Cs and their enemies both as guinea pigs. Then Area 51 and the Dulce Science Center go silent while Alpha Team, Airborne, and most of the worldwide A-C Security team are there for training. And if that’s not bad enough, Centaurion Division is hit with more bad, and deadly, news: Chernobog the Ultimate, isn’t a hacker myth, he’s a real person -- and he’s on the bad guys’ side.

Now Kitty and company must find the real Dr. Feelgood and stop him or her before the latest version of Surcenthumain hits the streets and more people they love are harmed, or worse. But when the inconceivable happens, Kitty’s focused on two things only: reviving the ACE entity before their enemies realize Earth’s best protection isn’t actually active…and revenge.

My thoughts:

Will Kitty ever get a quiet day? The answer is no. There are always plots out there to take them down. 

Now how to review this book? Omg, you can't review a Koch book properly. I can't begin to explain all the things going on, it has to be experienced. You know what, I just realized what an awesome tv-series this would be..ok back to the point now.

Stuff is going down! Evil guys are back. Plans are made. Crazy religious nuts are protesting. ACE is still missing. There are struggles, there is pain. 

This book felt darker than the rest, I will not tell you why, but it was. ..

Non-stop action and good things at the end that made me want to read more at once. Oh oh! I almost forgot about a certain revelation, I did not see that coming! Very cool.

Conclusion:

See, the review makes no sense. Just go and read this series!

Would I read more? 

Of course

Cover

Love

Paperback, 521 pages
Published December 3rd 2013 by DAW
Katherine "Kitty" Katt #8
Sci-fi romance
For review

Review: A Spy to Die For - Kris DeLake

Agent: Skylight

Profile: Seasoned Assassin Guild Super-Sleuth. Talented enough that she can write her own rules. 

Budget: Unlimited.

Agent: Jack

Profile: Main investigator for the loosely federated Rover Assassins. Guided by a strict moral code, fierce loyalty, and a sense of duty.

On opposite sides of a high-stakes game, lust lures two spies together in a passionate encounter. Little do they know that the heat of the moment would bind them, turning their worlds upside down. Hunted by deadly assassins, can the pair and their love withstand the onslaught?

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages, Published July 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, Assassins Guild #2, Science-fiction /romantic suspenseFor review

My thoughts:

I am jumping straight in. Ok girl eats at a shady burger joint, in comes hot guy. Girl is a bit lonely, she is a spy after all without any friends. Girl and boy ends up in bed. Boy is a spy too from another organization. Soon boy and girl are running and falling in love and lust. Now that is what this book is about.

Sky is a bad (that means she sucked at it) assassin who turned spy. Jack is good at finding things so he turned spy too. Set in a distant future where assassins are for hire and nothing wrong with that. Which makes this into a sci-fi romantic suspense story. If you are not into sci-fi then do not worry, you can take a few ships and sonic showers. If you like sci-fi then good, you will get some romance too thrown in. And of course the suspense part as something fishy is going on and someone is unhappy. Which means run you fools!

It was interesting to see them fall cos they fitted each other well but Sky had her issues. A lone wolf. While Jack, oh I do like when I guy falls first.

It made me wonder about book 1 too, sounds quite interesting too.

Conclusion

A spy novel set in space and a promise of passion.

Cover

Nice

Rameau Reviews: Dark Space - Lisa Henry

Are you interested in reading an M/M, scifi, military, mind connection, mostly character study book with creepy angels aliens? 

That’s how I recommended this book in a tweet the day after I finished reading it. I threw after a warning about sibilant hisses galore but forgot to mention the rape triggers. I also might have persuaded someone by saying “you’ll like the ending” vaguely implying I was less than satisfied. And I was, but it didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying everything else.

Dark Space is set in an unknown future where humans fight a terrifying alien race called the Faceless. There are space stations that orbit the Sun (presumably) at the edges of our solar system and keep watch. These stations are manned—quite literally—only by human men because women are too precious to be put in danger like that. This was the world building detail that most annoyed me, but if the alternative was reading about poorly constructed female characters I’d suspend my disbelief for a short book any day.

Some of the world building details I liked were every single thing that made Brady Garrett the nineteen-year-old conscripted recruit three years into his ten year military service—fifteen should he choose to become an officer—trying to keep his head down, and out of trouble while helping out at the medical bay. I loved the idea of stark class differences, refugee camps, factories, and all the problems that were only implied instead of infodumped on the reader. That includes the alien race, which—as creepy as they were—was nothing compared to the Weeping Angels.

Cameron Rushton is an officer—three or seven years older than Brady depending on how you look at it—and a prisoner of war who has just been returned to home. Or as close to it as Defender Three, Brady’s space station, is. The doctors make a mistake and Brady becomes a temporary human pacemaker to the man who no one trusts. They’re locked together in a room and have to spend prolonged periods of time together adapting to this new situation. Their connection forces them to learn much about themselves and about each other. 

Because it’s an M/M novel, sex is a big part of that learning process. And because I liked it, you can expect to read about dark themes, and horrible things being done to the characters. 

The pacing is pretty much perfect. Whenever I started to think “that’s a bit much” the author would make shift that not only made sense within the story but also advanced the overall storyline. There weren’t any unnecessary scenes or exposition for the sake of exposition. The repetition that was there—like Brady thinking of his home and family—felt natural to the cycle of human psyche and the way humans think. We get stuck on something, move on, and come back to it when the time is right again. Brady also didn’t accept the mind melt connection unreservedly. He had doubts and he fought it, but he also learned to trust his own judgement about the connection. 

And the heartrending goodbye… Well, I’ll let you read about that on your own.

4 stars

Series: N/A

Pages: 216 (ebook)

Publisher: Loose ID LLC

ISBN: 9781623001124

Published: December 4th 2012

Source: Bought

Review: Alien vs Alien - Gini Koch

Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the American Centaurion Diplomatic Corps are still recovering from their introduction to Washington D.C. politics, parties, and conspiracies. So when compromising pictures arrive, no one’s too surprised. They’re also the least of anyone’s worries.

Evil androids running amok, birds of all kinds and from all places creating havoc, a Senator trapped in an ever-tightening web of intrigue, and escalating international tensions all seem tough but manageable. But the disappearance of Jeff Martini and Charles Reynolds during the International One World Festival signals more than the usual nastiness — and it looks like even ACE can’t help them.

Then new trouble arrives in old packages and even with the best hackers in the world, beings from near and far, the full might of Earth’s military, and the Wonder Twins on their side, Centaurion Division’s outmanned and outgunned.

Now Kitty’s racing against the clock to find not only Jeff and Chuckie, but to keep the peace between Middle Eastern countries, all while searching for the bases of super-soldier operations — to stop them or die trying.

My thoughts:

As I have reviewed many Kitty books before I will try not to go into details  I just feel I have said it all already. But I will try.

The book is crazy, but if you have read Koch's books before you already know this. If you haven't then what are you waiting for? Crazy stuff is happening all over the place, Kitty is as smart (in her weird way) as ever. She has a new talent that you will get to see in action. Non stop action.

I do not know what to say, I enjoyed it. There was quite a mystery about who is bad, who is after them, what the &%& is happening? There will be aliens, androids and new freaky things to get to know. Things does not cool down in Kitty's world.

The romance, well someone will find romance. Martini seems to be cooling down on the jealousy (lol, well sort of). I missed Reader. Christopher and Amy are happy. Not much of Mama Katt. White, yay (he is so cool), Chuckie..eh, sorry but I just do not like him. Oh and there is someone..."bitchy", oh you will laugh when you see what I mean.

And the end makes me want more!

Conclusion:

Crazy action, hidden secrets and evil baddies. Koch never fails to surprise.

Cover:

Dos Santos!

Series. Katherine "Kitty" Katt #6
Genre: Sci-fi romantic humour
Pages: 432
Published: Dec 4th 2012 by DAW
Source. For review

Review: Alien Diplomacy - Gini Koch

Being newlyweds and new parents is challenging enough. But Jeff and Kitty Martini are also giving up their roles as super-being exterminators and Commanders in Centaurion Division while mastering the political landscape as the new heads of Centaurion's Diplomatic Corps. Enter a shadowy assassination plot and a new set of anti-alien conspirators, and nothing will ever be the same.

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt #5, Genre: Sciene Fiction UF romance, humor Pages: 425, Published: April 3, 2012 by DAW, Source: Bookshelf

My thoughts:

The book is as crazy as ever. What more can you expect from this series. There are conspiracies, strange taxi drivers, and all while trying to find a nice dress for the President's Ball.

The last review I did I made a bit differently and honestly after 5 books it's hard to say something new. I mean Kitty is cool, though I did feel at one time that she should have know better. I mean I knew better and all thanks to my Kitty schooling. But other than that she was on top of things.

Martini was actually a bit less jealous than usual, made me a bit sad, I like jealous Martini, cos I am weird like that. Mr White, aww, hihi, I do love him. I fear Christopher's dad is taking spot 2 of my fav Kitty men. Then comes Reader and sadly Christopher is now on spot 4 cos he found a girl.

The poofs are adorable as ever, honestly, please get me one!

How Koch makes these plots are beyond me. Things are coming at me from every corner, I can't figure out the baddies (well one), or who to trust, and what on earth is going on.

And last, there is an excerpt from book 6 at the back and let me tell you, it is pure evil! The way it ends in the middle of something juicy makes me want to get book 6 at once. I think it will be a amazing one.

Conclusion:

I do recommend this fun series. READ BOOK 1!

Cover:

I kind of love it and do not love it at the same time cos Kitty's neck and arms are so thin, she looks a bit anorexic. 

Review: Wanderlust - Ann Aguirre

1.) Reasons you chose this book 

I read book 1, perhaps 2 years ago and enjoyed it.

2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book 

I disliked it for the stupid reason that it was just too long ago I read it. I remembered what had happened but who and what everyone did was another thing. And I felt kind of confused. Because if this I can't say if it was only that or if there was something else that bothered me too.

I also felt that the Jax I remembered from book 1 was not around, and I did not like March either in this one.

I liked it because it felt different, sci-fi, a bit of romance, evil aliens, and new things for our Heroine to do.

3.) Reasons you are recommending this book 

Even if I did not have the best of times with it I would still recommened it to Aguirre fans and readers who want to try sci-fi that aren't that sci.fi. I mean it is girly sci-fi with romance in it.

Blurb:

Sirantha Jax doesn’t take chances…she jumps at them… 

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. Jax has worked for the Farwan Corporation her entire career. But now the word’s out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and their stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled—which means that Jax is out of a job. 

She’s also broke, due to being declared dead a little prematurely. So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax takes it. Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince them to join the Conglomerate. 

But Jax’s payday is light years away. First, she’ll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body. She’ll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive

Pages: 312

Published: 2008

Publisher: Ace

Source: My own

Genre. Sci-fi, romance

Series: Sirantha Jax #2

Review: Alien Proliferation - Gini Koch

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt #4
Genre: Sci-fi romance
Pages: 448
Published: December 6, 2011
Publisher: DAW
Source: Won :D

Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who's behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty's secret agent mom and what caused Kitty's transformation into a superhuman-and they've got to do it all before the baby shower...

My thoughts:

These books are insane. I think Gini took everything she liked, mixed it together, went a bit crazy, wrote it down and made a freaking marvelous books. I think all authors should just run with it like she does. But then I am sure if someone else did it, I would think "come one, please", but here, here it works.

What to say then, I am a bit lost for words. Ok, I will try to put my kind back together. Kitty is awesome as always, I really need her as my bff. She kicks ass and saves the day. Martini, her hubby, is to die for. I really need a Martini for my own. Even his jealousy is adorable. Together they are meant to be. A true power couple, and one that gets a baby in this book.

The rest, well I love Christoper, I still do not like Chuck *shifty eyes* (trying to steal Jeff's woman!), the poofs are wonderful, I really liked the pontifax in this one, James is great, ACE is cool, and you know the rest. You have to love these people.

The action is nonstop, from her giving birth, to trying to understand who is behind it all. There is a big conspiracy underfoot, and just when you think it is solved you see that there is lots of pages left, aha, more things to come. It's not as easy as it looks.

Conclusion:
In the end what more can I say than that it's a series that I recommend. It even had me dreaming about aliens :)

Cover:
Awesome as always

Blog Tour: Paradise 21 review and guest blog by Aubrie Dionne

First up is a guest blog by the author of Paradise 21, Aubrie Dionne.

Bad Guys in Sci fi and Why We Love Them

#1. Darth Vader

There are so many reasons to love and hate Darth Vader. At first we think he’s purely evil, but when we learn of the backstory in Episode three, we pity him. He has so much power, but nothing he can do can change Padme’s destiny. In the end, he does a complete one eighty and turns back to the good side. We don’t see this in every villain, and it’s hard to write in a character, but when Luke Skywalker is calling for his father’s help, and Darth Vader decides to turn good, we believe it. He is an excellent, three dimensional bad guy with reasons for his evilness.

#2. The Borg

The Borg in Star Trek the Next Generation really creeped me out. They were relentless, and the idea of losing your identity to join a collective mind is chilling. Not only do you buy into their hive mind philosophy, but you become one physically as well. Jean Luc Picard is taken by the Borg and assimilated. He still has nightmares of his time with them. They aren’t evil, they’re just another species trying to survive. They can’t make their own offspring, so they must assimilate those around them. Very scary, cool bad guys.

#3. Ra in Stargate

The coolest thing about this bad guy is that he’s actually an alien who has taken the form of a young boy. When he’s angry, his true colors shine through and you can see the alien eyes beaming out of his head. He isn’t evil, he’s just greedy and lazy. The last one of his kind, he’s found a way to live forever by mining a particular mineral. Only, he doesn’t want to do it himself, he want to enslave the people on Earth and make them mine the mineral for him.

#4. The Body Snatchers

The scariest thing about the body snatchers is that they look just like the people you love. They come from space and grow into giant pods. When you fall asleep next to one, they steal your body by creating another you, then go about living your life as an emotionless zombie. Pretty scary, and very cool if you ask me.

Who is your favorite sci fi bad guy? Have I left any great ones out? 

 

About the Author:

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications.  Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school. 

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

---------------------

Title: Paradise 21
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-02-2
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-03-9
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/paradise-21/

Book Trailer:

Ebook review copies available at NetGalley.com 

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans. When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price. The life of the man she loves.

-------------------------

Review by Lis:

Don’t you just love Sci-Fi? It’s a genre where everything and anything is possible. Romans in space, killer mice which can travel the speed of light, alien invasions and so on. While not quite so drastic, Paradise 21 is interesting in that: ‘what-have-they-gone-and-done-now’ kinda way, cause let me tell you, if you think humans are stupid now, just wait what they are going to do in the nearby future.

With Paradise 21 Aubrey Dionne has created a setting where humans are big on genetic purity. So much so in fact that when they’ve offed earth they gathered the best and brightest – the best genetically predisposed humans (gah, writing this makes me ashamed of being human ;-)) – and put them on Noah’s ark – erh – space ship and set off for a habitable planet. They go a little further.  Aries, and no we’re not talking god of war here, is one of the lovely colonists aboard the ship. She is forced to marry whoever is best genetically compatible to her. Poor girl, especially because her best match is an overbearing, dictatorial and manipulative bastard to put it mildly. However, she doesn’t lie down and thinks of England or Earth or whatever and escapes and that is where the real story starts. 

She crash-lands on Sahara 354 a planet that rivals its contemporary counterpart where she encounters Strikers and oh so genetically impure but very very yummy human who is everything she shouldn’t want but likes very much. Did I mention he is a pirate? No? Well, he is! From there on out it’s all adventure, challenges and romance.

The above makes this book sounds a bit gloom and doom, but all is not as dire as I make it seem. The story is well written, but has a few of the romance traps. If you think Aries intended let’s her escape just slide, you got that wrong. So be aware the vengeful scorned partner to be. 

Aubrie Dionne created quite the story with Paradise 21. It’s a bit of Star Wars meets Pirates of the Caribbean if you look past the genetic holocaust. The characters are round and interesting, definitely not your stock romance characters. Aries is every bit the stubborn, independent, yet vulnerable woman. Striker is every bit the macho pirate who’s afraid to let a woman get close to him. Add to that some pretty interesting aliens and you got yourself a crew. Well sort of!

Despite me not really connecting to this story it was in no way a bad one. Objectively it’s good and it has everything you need for a fast-paced space romance.  All in all not a bad book to review. 

----------------

PS from Blodeuedd. My flash fic for the week ;)

Joint review: Galaxy Girls - Edie Ramer

Genre: Sci-fi romance
Pages: 304, ebook
Published:  2011
Source: For review

Review by Blodeuedd & Lis 

Genetically created to be broodmares, Phyrne Galaxy and her mother, aunt and cousin don't need men, they need freedom. They escaped from the warring planet of Kergeron to Earth, where they run into crooks  with guns. But Phyrne has her own weapon, more powerful than bullets. She's ovulating.  Phyrne turns up the heat, taking out more than the crooks in her wave of sexual torture. FBI Special Agent Hawk Higgens, running to protect the women, is brought to his knees, too.  Being seduced by an alien changes Hawk's life. He joins the Foundation, a privately funded agency that hunts aliens. Six years later, the reason for his career change pops back on the radar in a tea shop in Kentucky. The woman whose face still haunts his dreams has an addition to her family – a five-year-four-month-old daughter.

At the same time, two Kergeron warriors are sent to Earth bring the women back to their home planet. With an ex-FBI agent and two alien warriors on her trail, Phyrne's calm life running the Tea & Comfort shop is about to get shaken, stirred and screwed.

The review is done interview style each answering up to five questions about the story.

Questions:
1.    So this is an unusual book. Can you tell us what this story is about?

They are from one hellish planet where men are warriors and women are only breeders. If the children are defected (not fertile or warrior enough they are aborted, or if they man just do not want a girl child.) The men are brutal. There is no love so you can understand why our four heroines travel across space and comes to earth. But Phyrne gets pregnant trying to save them (you just have to read that to get it) and 6 years later the hunky FBI agent has not forgotten her and neither has their home world. This book is about them trying to live heir life but secret agents and warriors from home does not want that. And it also about love since not all men are as creepy as those back home.

2.    What did you did think of the romance setting in Galaxy Girls?

Well, it’s most definitely not your everyday boy meets girl romance. I mean how many heroes do you come across who can use pheromones and ovulation as a weapon? Apart from that, there is definitely a spark between our two heroes, but as I said it’s not your typical romance. Phyrne and Hawk spend a great deal apart from each other, both after they first meet and later on in the story. While it worked for the story, I would have loved to see them together more. However, that wasn’t the main goal of this story. There are several other men in the story that would do for a good romance too. Yum!

3.    Galaxy Girls is quite the funny story, which scene had you doubling over in your seat?

Owh hell, I have to choose? Hmmm, alright…well. I guess it would be the start of the book. Reading about Phyrne using her –erh – weapon to take down the nasties was just hilarious. I was actually sitting in the train while reading that and my face must have been very comical to my fellow travellers: wide eyes, open mouth and then laughing like a loon! I can most definitely say that while I’ve read a lot, I never read anything quite like that before! 

4.    Out of the four gals who did you like best and why?

That would be Phyrne. I just loved her from the get go. Hard not to. I like her strong, independent and caring nature.

5.    Did you think this story has depth or is it a comical airy romance?

There is nothing airy about Edie Ramer’s stories, though while this story is definitely not a Donna Tart novel (thank the gods of books for that) it’s also not a fluffy bodice ripper. There is some depth too it, but more it’s just a fun adventurous story with strong independent women. 

6.    What are your thoughts on Galaxy Girls, did you like the story?

I liked the story because I am fascinated with new worlds. Sure we did not get much of their home world but we got enough for me to know that I would never want to visit. It was also fun to see these aliens settle on earth, which they had only seen on tv. It was also hard, ok not hard, but to know who to trust. Did Hawk really want the best for them? What about the rest? We all know that when agents and aliens meet it does not end well and I would not want my new favourite family dissected. And of course there was a bit of romance/passion and I never say no to that.

7.    Are there any underlying themes or (romance) tropes in this story?

This is one of Lis' questions and I am trying to wrap my head around it. Let's see if I can figure it out. Ok, there are the damsels in distress theme, but these damsels wants to take care of themselves, but it is still there. And sometimes you just have to ask a man for help (or a woman for that matter). It does not matter who you are if you got the skills.

I can pull out the lost lover card, ok so it was just a one quick heated session but he sure never forgot her. There is also a bit of a beauty and beast theme, and I can't say more about that either. And how about the secret baby trope! Oh yes I almost forgot about that. And a bit of enemies turned into lovers. All in all making it one fun ride.

 8.    How are the men/man in this story? Do they actually partake in the story or are they just there for decorations?

The men, who to start with? I liked the creeps from Kergeron the best. Why? Well cos they were scary! The only thing that is on their mind is war and getting good babies out of their women. Even the sex is quick and no fun. I can't say too much about the pursuers but they do give an insight into the mind of the baddies.

Hawk, our good guy, oh he is just good. Filled with feelings of sex and revenge. But when he sees the kid, awwww. Still sure he could be a part of the decoration, but in a good way. He have to be there, but at the same time it is Phyrne's story.

9.    What is your overall conclusion of Galaxy Girls?

My overall conclusion would be that you’d be crazy not to want to read this book! Even if the title sounds a bit tacky, it draws you straight into the story from the first chapter!

10.    Who was the writing style of this book?

As always, Edie Ramer’s writing is solid, strong and inventive. She doesn’t just tell a story, she spins it. With her writing she manages to draw you right into a story.

Review: Alien in the Family - Gini Koch

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt 3
Genre: Sci.fi romance
Pages: 457
Published: April 2011

Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt and the Alpha Centaurian she loves, Jeff Martini, should be finalizing their wedding plans. But that was before she discovers Jeff is in line to become Emperor back on his home world. Kitty knows she is everything a royal family wouldn't approve of, and is bracing herself for the worst. As it turns out, the royal family is just the beginning. Especially when extraterrestrial Amazonian terrorists are determined to start and end Kitty and Jeff's nuptial festivities with a bang.

My thoughts:

I adore this funny series. Everything about it is utterly silly and amazing. Maybe I should just write a review why I like the series instead of going in to "analyse" (not that I truly do that either;).

You know what, that sounds like an excellent idea.

Reason why you should read Alien in the Family.

1. Jeff Martini.
He is just so so, awww hug attack! Yes he is really jealous and he really wants her. But I love him even when he thinks she flirts with someone else. The poor guy has a lot of emotional trauma since he is an empathy and can feel everything.

2. Kitty
She is funny, sassy and just everything. She says the strangest things, she does the strangest things. She became a commander of the airborne just cos she is so freaking cool. The aliens love her and I would love to have her as my bff.

3. Reader
Kitty would totally run away with him if he was straight. Sadly he is not and therefore they are best friends and he is lovely and funny.

4. Poofs
In this book you meet poofs. What they are, well on the cover you can see something scary. One of the scary things are the poofs I think. So adorable and scary pets.

5. Funny!
I have mentioned it before but this series is just so funny. There is one scene that had my giggling. I will not tell you what happened but it was hysterical. Kitty is the best.

6. Christopher
I have to mention him too. Jeff's cousin and sometimes I am a tiny bit team Christopher too. If she only could get them both. And he glares! I love this glares. I think the only one I did not like was Chuckie, back off Chuckie. Kitty is only for aliens.

Conclusion:
There you have it. This series is funny, cute, there is romance, danger, freaky aliens and you will never sit there and say "I have seen that". Nope it is fresh and weird.

Rating:
I recommend it. So read it


Cover:
Perfect :D The aliens, Kitty, the cat, lizard and dogpeople and a poof

Review: Alien Tango - Gini Koch

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt 2
Genre: Oh man, sci-fi romance perhaps
Pages: 428
Published: 2010

It's been five months since marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty's high school boyfriend. And that's all before evil masterminds decide Kitty's extermination is vital.

My thoughts:

This series continues to be utterly amusing. There is lots of stuff happening and there is lots of humour promised.

How to write a review of this strange book, that is the question. First let me start that Kitty is an amazing heroine, she can kick ass, she is funny and when it comes to men she can be somewhat clueless. It is also impossible not to like her. She is now the commander of the Airborne and fights uglies together with her man Jeff. Aww Jeff, he is devoted to her, totally crazy about her and knew he wanted her from day one. I do like when he becomes all jealous too. He is my kind of alien. Together this couple is great.

The rest of the crew, nothing bad to say about them. I love how she banters with them, I like Christopher's glares and they are just one fun bunch.

Action, yes all the time. There is a conspiracy, and evil people want to take down the aliens. Not to mention that she gets a crazy stalker after her. What can I say a lot of crazy in this book and it made me like it even more. Hot sizzling romance too. I did not forget about that.

Why is it funny? Well there is always humour even in the darkest of times. Just look at the cover and you get the feel of the book. Cos yes there will be alligators and space shuttles in it.

Conclusion:

I read the book really fast and still it took me longer than normal. It is a mystery. But anyway the book is just that  good. I kept on reading, I smiled and went woot woot. This is a fun series that I would recommend to PNR, UF and sci-fi lovers. I sure enjoyed it and will read more.

Rating:

Hard to put down

Cover: 

Perfect for the book

Review: The Legend of Michael - Lisa Renee Jones + guestposting

Note:

This is the Lost Blogpost of Thursday and I am tired of waiting for blogger to get it back. So here it is. I have the comments that  were posted saved so I will post those I have. If I missed one, sorry

Series: Zodius 1
Genre: Sci-fi paranormal suspense romance
Pages: 416
Published: May 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Casablanca

One of an army of human soldiers injected with alien DNA, Michael is a legend within this new race, split between good and evil. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side and returned to the light. Feared and misunderstood, he leaves everything behind, including the one woman destined to be his mate.

Fate leads Michael back to Cassandra Powell, for she holds the key to defending his comrades. With their loyalties divided between duty and the people they love, only together can Cassandra and Michael overcome insurmountable odds to save humanity from the wrath of a madman. But no ordinary woman can control a creature such as Michael, and only one thing is clear—the world will never be the same

My thoughts:

Not an easy book to find a genre for. The world is the same, present day, but there is one thing that is different and that is that aliens did crash and the US government hid the fact. Then later they injected soldiers who become something more. Strength, the ability to travel with the wind and other things is what they gained. But the soldiers split into two groups, the bad and the good. So there is sci-fi paranormal, romance and suspense.

There was a lot of suspense in this one, and the whole book felt like a starter to something more. Things gets explained, why they are fighting, what lifebounds are (the men and their women connect in a special way), and how the Renegades (the good guys) build something new. We also meet Michael, the dark one. I am never sure what to think about him, but I am sure drawn to him. Cassandra is the daughter to the man who was there to start this whole mess of these extraordinary soldiers, and I do grow to like her.

I have heard some complaints about that the romance was short and so, but I did not mind. Things moved forward and then when these two were together it was passionate.

The men are out of this world. It was a fastpaced moving book.

Conclusion:

A book for those who like suspense in their books. There is danger, plots, conspiracies and interesting men. When the book ended I did feel that this series might have something to offer. A battle is coming.

Rating:

I do like suspense and romance mixed with sci-fi like aspects

Cover:

ok

.-----------------------

And of course with my luck I was guestposting on two places on Thursday. But they have been re-posted

I am talking about books and Finland over at About Happy Books

And I had written a steampunk pirate short story for VVB Reads for her pirate month

Review: Touched by an Alien - Gini Koch

Katherine "Kitty" Katt, book 1

Genre: Sci-fi romance

Pages: 389

Published: 2010

How can a sexy marketing manager join forces with an Alpha Centauri male in Armani to save the planet-using hairspray, a Mont Blanc pen, and rock n' roll?

Easy...

She's Touched by an Alien

Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt steps into the middle of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned ugly. And it only gets uglier when the man turns into a winged monster, straight out of a grade-Z horror movie, and goes on a killing spree. Though Kitty should probably run away, she springs into action to take the monster down.

In the middle of the chaos a handsome hunk named Jeff Martini appears, sent by the "agency" to perform crowd control. He's Kitty's kind of guy, no matter what planet he's from. And from now on, for Kitty, things are going to be sexy, dangerous, wild, and out of this world.

Plot:

Katherine sees a man turn into a monster and acts, she kills it. That is only the beginning. There are aliens on earth, super-model looking aliens who fight other evil aliens. And because of her quick thinking they want her to join them. And when everyone is super hot a girl is sure intrigued.

My thoughts:

I was a bit unsure in the beginning, but then Martini started to flirt, he was relentless, and I found him utterly adorable. He won me over and I enjoyed the rest of the book.

Kitty was cool, kick-ass, and very smart. I liked her, how could I not, she was fun and nice. Martini was, oh, how to describe him. He was her, smiled and told her that they were meant to be. Not in a creepy stalker way, but it was just perfect. There was something very funny over the whole thing too.

She came into the whole alien thing fast, sure some could say too fast, but this book was about humour too and therefore it worked like a charm. Some big secrets followed, and I liked those too. I wish I could talk about one amusing thing, but oh oh spoiler so perhaps I will leave that until my next review.

There is also Mr Glare, ok Christoper, but he does glare at her a lot. I didn't like him at first, then suddenly I melted into a little puddle. Kitty's mum is great, her dad, and the rest of the side characters.

What can I say, I was amused, and I did not want to put this book down. I am glad I read it.

Recommendation and final thoughts:

Do read it, everything takes place on earth, there are hunks in Armani and some bad aliens that they are trying to kill.

Reason for reading:

I saw it on so many blogs, and I was so curious, so yes pure peer pressure 

Cover:
I like it

Review: Beneath the Thirteen Moons - Kathryne Kennedy

Genre: Fantasy Romance with a hint of sci-fi
Pages: 384
Published: December 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

The book features a magical, watery world in which mammoth trees grow up from the ocean floor, supporting all life within their canopy. In spite of the beauty and abundance, the world is harshly divided into two classes: pampered royalty and struggling have-nots. In search of a Healer for her swampland village, smuggler Mahri Zin inadvertently kidnaps the heir to the throne, Korl Com'nder. As the two become lovers, they discover that not only are their fates intertwined, but the very survival of their peoples depends on them...

Plot:

Mahri needs a healer for her village and by mistake she kidnaps the crown prince, there is instant lust between these. But he is a royal that has everything and she is just a low water-rat.

My thoughts:

The world she creates is pure magic. Truly something I have not experienced in a while. I want to see it on a big screen, I fear my imagination could only take me so far. The world is hard to describe, 13 moons, trees growing out from the ocean and people living in them, beneath them the ocean beasts. A world is filled with wonders. I do confess that it was not as good as her last book, but then this is an old book that has been re-issued so she has become a better writer, but the book is still good.

Mahri is a strong independent widow who does not want to love and loose again. But she and Korl are meant for each other but she fights it with every muscle. He realizes his love and yields to it. But I understand her, she is not him, she lives in a swamp, he in a palace. And even a golden cage would be a cage for her. She is a runner, I will give out that. But I understand her. And I do love a man who will give up everything. Of course these two have one rocky romance, they are so different.

I have already told you the world is pure magic, what a creation. For some reason I thought of Avatar, well had to think of something even though they are nothing alike. It came more when Mahri got the information that her people came from the sky in fire. Therefore the hint of sci-fi, but the technology is long go. Now they use magic they get from a root found in the swamp.

Final thoughts and recommendation:

Ok yes there is the romance, but honestly, the world intrigued me more. So that was my fav part in this book. I am a sucker for good world-building. Cos of that I will give it a 3,25. It was interesting, and something for lovers of fantasy romance, and sci-fi since even if there was not any sci-fi in it I had that alien feeling all way through.

Reason for reading:

Liked her other book

Cover:

I like the colors but the man, I mean he stands there and saying come here look at my nipple...no.