Prophecy by Lea Kirk #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Prophecy (Book One in the Prophecy series)
Author: Lea Kirk
Genre: scifi romance
Publisher: self
Available: Amazon (pre-order price) $0.99 (Kindle) 342 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
One normal day turns into a nightmare when Earth is attacked. Now ER nurse Alexandra Bock is imprisoned aboard an alien slave ship with no way out. She deems all aliens untrustworthy, including the handsome blue-skinned Matiran captain who shares her cell.

One night of betrayal leaves Senior Captain Gryf Helyg a prisoner of his enemies. Because of him, Earth’s indigenous people face extinction and his home world is threatened. But his plans for escape are complicated by his inexplicable draw to the Earth woman imprisoned with him.

One ancient prophecy holds the key to free Alexandra and Gryf’s war-ravaged worlds. Can two wounded souls who have lost everything learn to trust and forgive in order to fulfill the prophecy, and find a love that will last for eternity?

What I liked:
I've never been a fan of alien abduction or contemporary (ish) settings, which just goes to prove what a fabulous book this must be to win past my prejudices. Kirk's greatest skill lies in crafting her characters, winning you over to them, and writing even secondary romances in such a way that not only tugs on your heartstrings but completely reels you in, rips you apart, and leaves you with the warm fuzzies and tears in your eyes afterward. Prophecy also offers a different twist on the alien abduction trope by making both main characters abductees imprisoned together - one alien and one human - a variation that helped win me over (I'm not a fan of female abductee falls for alien abductor). It also plays on the Atlantis mythology, and two of my favourite themes: Soul mates and psi powers. The sex scenes are sensual and hot yet surprisingly quite non-explicit. This story packs some serious emotional punch.

What I didn't like:
While the story jumps straight into events, the first few chapters dragged just a fraction with all the main characters held prisoner. In some ways I suppose it accurately reflects their own frustrations at being trapped in a cell, but I would have liked it to move on a bit quicker. That said, it didn't put me off reading or impact my overall thoughts on the book.

In conclusion:
I LOVED. This. Book. While it's a little light on the SF elements for me, it's a stunning debut that reads like the work of a long-term professional author. The writing is smooth and highly polished, with great sensual intimacy in the sex scenes without a lot of explicit wording. Wonderfully three dimensional characters and perfectly written primary and secondary romances that will leave you longing for a Matiran of your own. Recommended for fans of alien abduction/invasion stories, gut-punching sensual romance, those who don't like their SFR too tech-heavy, and especially if you're looking for a variation on the alien abduction theme.

I received an ARC from the author for an unbiased and honest review.

Awake My Soul by CE Kilgore #spaceopera

Title: Awake My Soul
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space Opera/Scifi Romance
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 71 pages
Rating: 3*
Rater: Pippa



Blurb:
Bred to be a perfected example of Xen'dari genetic code, Hark had always known that something about him was slightly askew when compared to the rest of the Xen’dari in line. He could tell that there was a slight variation. He could feel it, but there was still something missing. Something within him that remained slumbering, awaiting the spirit that would awaken his soul.

Zasi was not certain what to make of the blue-eyed man found nearly dead in space, but one thing became quickly clear. He was not the typical Xen'dari that she, a proud Ruisk, had come to loathe and fear. Something about him called to her spirit and asked her to see past what he was to help him discover who he could become.

What I liked:
This is a book that deals with discrimination, subjugation, and diversity. All things even our civilized Western society still suffers from, and it was great to see it tackled so head on and so well in this story. As always the world building is well done and interesting, and continues to build on the Corwint universe.

What I didn't like:
The romance was too rushed and not believable for me. I also found the conflict at the end resolved too quickly and easily. Much as I'd love years of intolerance and cultural brainwashing to be stamped out so instantly and with no bloodshed, but even in fiction I find it unbelievable. Not for the central characters so much, particularly Hark, as we see their understanding grow and know their background, but for all the secondary characters to just fall in line with a short speech didn't ring true. I would like to have seen this acceptance and understanding take place at a more natural pace and with the inevitable conflicts.

In conclusion:
I don't normally post reviews for books that I rate three stars, or review or rate anything less than that, but since I've reviewed all the other books in the series so far I couldn't really skip one. Although well written and enjoyable, the rushed romance and too pat resolution spoiled it for me and left me dissatisfied with this particular title. Still worth reading as part of the universe to learn more of the races, cultures and characters making it up, but not the best of the bunch.

Breathe Into Existence by CE Kilgore #spaceopera #scifi #romance

Title: Breathe Into Existence (Corwint Central Agent Files, #4)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space opera/scifi romance
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $3.80 (Kindle) 246 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Asha journeys to the Vesparian homeworld, breaking the laws of her sisterhood in a hope to save the life of Merik - the Trexen who nearly lost his mind in his attempts to protect her from herself. As she seeks reconciliation for her past and a reason to hope for the future, she must accept responsibility for Merik's condition at the possible cost of her heart.

Merik awakens to an alien world and the silver eyes that have come to haunt his dreams. Fighting against his Trexen nature, his heart begs him to protect Asha while his carnal spirit calls him to claim her as his and no one else's.

Bonds will be forged and broken. Trust will be lost, love tested and the strings of Fate pulled taught. The universe will tilt as two Vestrasa collide and Ethan learns a truth that has the power to change everything.

What I liked:
This is a hard one to do without spoilers: be warned! So, my new favourite character got what I was hoping for. Despite the head hopping and multiple POVs, I found this one far less confusing to follow than book three. And wowzers, was there was a huge surprise with massive, universe changing potential at the end! Lots of tension culminating in what would be a completely satisfying conclusion as a final book, but intriguing threads that promise more to come. I much preferred this one to book three.

What I didn't like:
There are still another four books to come, and none of them are available yet! I felt that after all the build up the fate of the 'villain', though expected, was a bit of a damp squib. And yet, in some ways, we understand his drives so much better that some may feel sympathy for him. The head hopping remains an issue, but less confusing in this installment.

In conclusion:
Classic space opera with real emotion that made me cry. Loved the ending, loved the romance that was resolved in this book, and in some respects this would be a great finale to a series, while still leaving openings for more books (which the back matter promises there will be). Who is the mysterious fourth player?! Oh, and I'd recommend skipping the side stories to make it easier to focus on the main books as it's less confusing. Those can stand alone so you can always come back to them later.

Tracing the Stars by CE Kilgore #spaceopera #scifi #romance

Title: Tracing the Stars (Corwint Central Agent Files #3)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space opera/scifi romance
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $3.80 (Kindle) 251 pages
Rating: 3.5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Hankarron Eros has loved Tara since she had pigtails, but his fear of losing the strength and support that their friendship provides leads him to keep his heart's desires locked away. When the truth about his family is exposed and leaves him grasping to hold onto his ship, his crew and his sanity, words are spoken that can't be taken back and the presence he had grown so used to having at a convenient reach is gone.

Tara Flint has never denied her heart's attraction to the floppy-haired, brown-eyed Hankarron, even if he can be a stupid limik sometimes. Her strong will falters as she is forced to decide between a promise she made to her father, a boy she has loved since she had pigtails and the possibility of finding out what her life might be like without the presence of Hankarron always by her side.

When you get knocked down, you get back up and hit the other guy harder. Trip 'Wild Fists' Weston is a Runata'ji combat fighter at the top of his career with a fame and fortune he doesn't want and a Lucky Clover tattooed across his heart to remind him of the girl who is always just out of reach. When Tara's luck lands her in his lap without Hankarron on her heels, Trip wonders if this is his chance to capture his Clover, or if Tara's luck has other ideas in mind. Fate doesn't always give you want you want, but it will always give you what you need.

Jennadri Szina doesn't have time for matters of the heart or trying to get two wayward agents back on track. She's got a mission to run, a Director who is dying and a mother who isn't easy to impress. When Jehdra sends her to save Hank and Tara, Jen takes her mother's mission on at full speed, but she isn't prepared to manage 'Wild Fists' Weston and his damn dimple.

They say that the stories of our time will one day be traced into the stars to help guide others home. Fate strings intertwine with skipping stones across the stars of the universe, pulling it forward and writing new lines in the night sky as the Corwint Central Agent saga continues to lead Ethan, Orynn and Jarren towards a collision that holds the power to change everything.

What I liked:
The plot thickens and the tension and intrigue continue to rise. This one, perhaps more than the previous two, starts to hint that there's much more going on than anyone realized, and way more at stake than just Orynn's safety and freedom. The depth of the world building and differing cultures, plus more behind the existence of both the Vesparians, Trexens, and the Mechatronic Automatons, grows ever more complex. The situation between Asha and Merik is becoming increasingly tense. The secondary romance was more satisfying than the main romance.

What I didn't like:
The main focus of this book is the first romantic couple listed in the blurb, and to my mind it is the least satisfying and most overly drawn out 'will-they/won't they' romance of the series. Painfully so. It made me flinch rather than ramping up the tension, and it was more a case of 'hurrah, that's over' rather than them getting their HEA.

In conclusion:
In terms of the main story arc - the two skipping stones or Vestrasa Jarren and Orynn - and the developing conflict on a cosmic scale, this was an improvement on book two. There's much more of the search for Orynn, more revelation on Jarren's scheming coming together and the realization that he has manoeuvred so many people while keeping his hand well hidden. In terms of the primary romance, it really fell flat to me (and I will admit to skipping ahead because I wanted more Merik and Asha). I actually preferred the fiery secondary romance between Trip and Jennahdri despite it happening too fast. However, the bigger storyline that started in book one is certainly building up tension and impetus, so I would say I rate book three more for that than the romance (though it is still most definitely a romance). Again, the very many POVs made it harder to follow. I will mention, however, that I have an older version of this book so some of it may have been tightened up since (as I know the author has updated them), and the few typos/errors I spotted have probably been remedied. This is not my favourite of the series so far. I also skipped the side stories so as to focus on the main books in the series, and I found that made it less confusing moving from book two to book three.

Whispers from Exile by CE Kilgore #spaceopera #scifi #romance

Title: Whispers from Exile (Corwint Central Agent Files #2)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space opera/scifi romance
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 292 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
A love forbidden, and some would say impossible, forged between two friends as one struggles for the freedom of his people, and the other struggles for freedom from the confining construct of his mechanical existence.
The Ruisks were once a fierce and proud race with courageous spirits, but after over a century of being held captive under the oppressive leash of the Xen'dari Empire, they have become defeated, hollow shells that bow their heads in submission. Larx fights to help his people find their courage again as he seeks the courage to be true to the callings of his heart.
Torque has been a Central Agent for over one hundred and thirty years. Each day is defined by the protocols embedded into the subroutines of his Mechatronic mind. Orders are followed without question and his personal life is never put before the directives of the agency. After learning a groundbreaking truth, he fights to hold on to Larx and a bond that threatens to change his directive-driven world forever.
In Book 2, the rippling effects caused by Orynn's existence continue to move through the universe in unforeseen and unpredictable ways. Whispers of her aura linger, and the lives she touched continue to move the story of the universe forward. Follow the stories of the Central Agents as they continue to search for the truths about their universe and about themselves.
*This book is intended for mature readers and contains mild violence, coarse language and romantic scenes of intimacy.

What I liked:
As always, a well-paced, emotional story, this time with several romances of varying gender and/or species pairings threaded through it (there is something for everyone!) while also going back to the main story for Ethan and Orynn. It progresses the overall series arc, while also focusing on intertwining characters with their own stories. I've developed a sudden obsession with bad boy Merik, because here we see hints that there's more to him under that twisted, murderous exterior.

What I didn't like:
This book didn't gel so well for me. While I bought this as part of the Corwint series rather than as a m/m SciFi romance, the latter is what I expected from the focus of the blurb and the excerpt on the author's website. Instead it was straight back to Orynn and Ethan. While I adore them and was very happy to get back to them after the two side stories between books one and two, it felt like I'd picked up the wrong book to begin with! It took until the end of chapter four to get my bearings when it became the story in the blurb, but it then took several more chapters for it all to come together. I also found the head hopping during the m/m sex scenes very confusing. I almost wonder if it might have been better to have Larx and Torque's romance as a separate story in its own right. There were just too many characters to keep track of and maybe, just maybe, too many romances happening at once.

In conclusion:
A great continuation of the series, full of heart-wrenching romances and tension, though somewhat confusing with the dual main storylines and numerous character POVs. If you like m/m romances, and especially non-human with human or android interactions, this is for you but you need to have at least read book one (the side stories aren't required reading though). As always, Kilgore writes the emotional turmoils of her characters with real impact - if you don't cry at least once you are as heartless as the Xen'dari make out the Mechas to be! Debating whether to go straight to book three or read the side stories first.

Girl from Above: Escape by Pippa DaCosta #spaceopera

Title: Girl from Above: Escape (The 1000 Revolution #2)
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Genre: Space opera
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 193 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Caleb Shepperd knows Fran has her own motives for helping him escape prison, but he’s not about to let a little thing like past betrayal stand in the way of his next paycheck. Until he’s forced to meet with the sexy and psychotic pirate, Adelina Cande. They’ve met before. When he seduced her, cleared out her credit account, and left her for dead in-the-black.

Caleb figures Adelina holds a grudge when she plants a bomb on his ship and demands he steal a fleet freighter for her, that is, if he ever wants to fly again. Get him drunk enough and he’ll try anything once, but this time, he has to balance his own greed, with the needs of a vengeful pirate and the scheming of his dubious second-in-command, Fran. What could possibly go wrong?

In the heart of Chitec headquarters, #1001 enlists an eager young technician to aid in her escape. But it’s not freedom she wants. It’s revenge. The memories of a life that don’t belong to her demand she finishes what she started. She believes she killed Caleb, now she's targeting Chitec CEO Chen Hung, and not even the hopeful technician can dissuade her.

What I liked:
Again, well-written, action-packed, and gritty, with an extra few 1000 words taking book two into the novel-length category. A good twist that gave me the shivers and explained a lot. There's a new secondary character that has all kinds of alarm signals going off, but I could just have a suspicious mind. The plot thickens!

What I didn't like:
Caleb is still a jerk. Actually, I'm trying to decide if he was even more of a jerk or not, but either way I really don't want him getting a happily ever after. And this time around, I struggled to reconcile his sensitivity to certain violent events having spent a second term in Asgard where he does all sorts to survive, which seemed abruptly out of character for him.

In conclusion:
Overall I'm enjoying these books, though they are not for the sensitive. Dark, gritty space opera that doesn't hold back, lots of tension, good twists, and the story and characters continue to develop (even if in Caleb's case this means him becoming even more of a jerk). I guess the ending is still a bit of a cliff hanger, though maybe not leaving as much in doubt as the ending of book one. Still no obvious romance, though again elements are hinted at. I'm hooked into reading book three, but disappointed that the release day has had to be pushed back to next year.

Warning: Contains revenge sex, frequent expletives (sometimes in Spanish), and varying levels of violence and gore.

Blood Siren by Michael Formichelli #scifi #spaceopera

Title: Blood Siren (Chronicles of the Orion Spur Book 1)
Author: Michael Formichelli
Genre: Scifi/Space Opera
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 451 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Cylus Keltan wants nothing more than to stay out of the poisonous bed of greed and politics, but when his surrogate father throws himself from a mile-high window, he is forced back into the corrupt world he swore never to return to. With the help of Nero Graves, a cybernetic agent, he uncovers a plot to cripple the government and deploy an alien super plague with the potential to kill billions known as "Siren."
Can they discover the link between his friend's death and Siren before it's too late?

What I liked:
Where do I start?! Warring dynasties, political intrigue, murder and mayhem, cool tech, aliens, virtual reality - this is a scifi/space opera of epic proportions and multilayered complexity, with something for pretty much every fan of science fiction. The descriptions are glorious, the characters fascinating and very individual, and the various cultures both alien and 'human' each have a very distinctive and well-thought out uniqueness. The world building alone was A+ for me.

What I didn't like:
While I loved the in-depth descriptions and complex politics, it did make the story on the slow side for me (sorry, I'm not as patient as I used to be!), especially at the midway point. It was also slightly lacking on emotional punch (one reason I tend toward SciFi romance rather than straight SF these days). It ended rather abruptly, but since this is clearly labelled as book one of a series, this was not a huge negative.

In conclusion:
This is not a quick or particularly easy read. It's definitely one more for the classic/epic SF fans who enjoyed books such as Dune or Asimov's Robot series, but with a shinier makeover. This story is what I hoped Jupiter Ascending would be like from the film's appearance, but everything that the film sadly failed to deliver. I'd read the next one for Nero Graves alone.

A Mirror to Life by Jaine Fenn #scifi #postapoc

Title: A Mirror to Life
Author: Jaine Fenn
Genre: Scifi
Publisher: Daybreak Magazine
Available: Free from author's website (pdf)  18 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa

Blurb:
I could tell you a few stories about Jaine Fenn (don’t mention the “Sex and the Singularity” panel), but I’ll refrain and concentrate on the story at hand: “A Mirror to Life”.
There are quite a few tentative links between “A Mirror to Life” and a certain story in the SHINE anthology (I’m intentionally being a bit coy: if you read the antho you’ll know which story I mean) that also involves Artificial Intelligences and religion.
In both stories, the Artificial Intelligences seem to have the best with both humanity and the Earth in mind. One major difference being, that while in the SHINE story the AIs wish to prove themselves as benign, in “A Mirror to Life” the AIs supposedly know what’s best for us.
Humanity, though, might disagree…

What I liked:
Another powerful short story to get you thinking. It reminded me of the film version of I, Robot, where the AI decided what was best for humanity was to keep us imprisoned in our homes to prevent any harm to us, with a touch of The Matrix.

What I didn't like:
At first I didn't quite understand the jumps in perspective, but it becomes apparent why as the story progresses.

In conclusion:
Another story to tug at the heartstrings. Post apocalyptic SciFi with a dark edge but also a glimmer of hope for humanity triumphing over the machines.

The Path to the Sun by Jaine Fenn #alternativehistory

Title: A Path to the Sun
Author: Jaine Fenn
Genre: Alternative History
Publisher: N/A
Available: Free from author's website (pdf)  16 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa

Blurb: none available.

What I liked:
Wow, so this is not something I would have read before but picked up because I'm a Fenn addict and I've finished the Hidden Empire series. Very intriguing short based on the idea of the Aztecs being the victors against the Spanish instead of being wiped out, and a precursor to WWI. There's a heck of a lot of detail and emotion packed into these 16 pages, centred around an Aztec defector seeking sanctuary with the British government and offering flight technology to aid in the upcoming great war prophesied by his people.

What I didn't like:
Nothing. It just left me stunned.

In conclusion:
I'm honestly not sure who to recommend it to, so I'm just going to recommend it to everyone - it's short and it's free, so what do you have to lose by trying it?! I don't generally read historical or alternative history stories, but I loved this. Not only a great short but an intriguing idea, and very British in tone - if you don't like the idea of something written in early 20th century tone, then this might not be for you.

According to Plan by C.E.Kilgore #spaceopera #scifirom

Title: According to Plan (Corwint Central Agent Files) 1.2
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Scifi Romance/Space Opera
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 52 pages
Rating: 4.5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Meticulous calculations, weighing the odds, setting up the pieces in proper order and making sure each step had a failsafe and an alternate path should things go unexpectedly. That was Jehdra Szina's forte, her prime skill and her true enjoyment from life. It was challenging, invigorating and empowering.
By the boasting of her superiors, she knew she was damn good at it too. Maybe too good. Maybe so damn good that she had become complacent and her subconscious had slipped on purpose in order to offer her up a real challenge for a change.
How else could she possibly explain the existence of the snoring smuggler next to her? Everything had been planned and accounted for. Everything but Trent.

What I liked:
Again, this is a side story in the main series, but is fine to read as a standalone. Unlike To Even Have Dreams, this one is a romance, which came as a relief after the total heartbreak of TEHD. I adored the super-snarky Jehdra and the razor sharp, flaming dialogue and interaction between her and Trenton. While I twigged the plot twist just before it happened, it was nonetheless delightful. The 'pigeons', despite their role, were bizarrely adorable.

What I didn't like:
Ugh, the head hopping. This is a recurring thing which I can generally ignore in Kilgore's writing simply because the characters are so indepth and the stories so compelling. However, it was more noticeable to me in this one and therefore just a smidge more annoying (hence the smidge under 5* rating on this one).

In conclusion:
Once again, a fast paced, totally beguiling SciFi romance with great characters, interesting aliens, extra fiery interactions, tension, and heartbreak, though with a satisfying (if surprising) HFN.

To Even Have Dreams by C.E.Kilgore #spaceopera

Title: To Even Have Dreams (Corwint Central Agent Files Side Story) 1.1
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 52 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Dreams. Friendship. Love. As a Mechatronic Automaton, these elusive constructs maintained a barrier between Brel and his Organic crewmates aboard the Telasari. A single moment of connection threatened to tear that barrier down and expose him to the raw biting nature of emotions he had no way to logically define. As he fights to hold onto that connection to the very end, it leaves him doubting his preconceptions about the world around him, and about himself.

What I liked:
For a short story, this little space opera has the depth and emotional punch of a much longer work. You don't have to read the previous story (Ghost in the Machine) but I'd recommend you do. I adore Orynn, but I learned so much more about her from this story and the reason for some of her future reticence. Brel is the kind of hero I adore, and all the more admiral because he isn't human and therefore human emotions and values are not expected of him. Yet he has those qualities far more than the actual humans.

What I didn't like:
A smidge of head hopping - my major bug bear - but the majority is told from Brel's POV and the head hopping is minimal.

In conclusion:
This short story totally broke my heart. If you love stories about mecha/artificial humans/androids, but want emotional depth rather than it being based purely on sex, this is for you. Just don't hold your breath for even a happily for now as this is a tragedy, not a romance.

Queen of Nowhere by Jaine Fenn #spaceopera

Title: Queen of Nowhere (Hidden Empire #5)
Author: Jaine Fenn
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: Gollanz
Available: Amazon $6.99 (Kindle) 341 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa





Blurb:
When paranoia is a way of life, trust doesn't come easily.
The Sidhe look like us. They live amongst us. What they lack in numbers they make up with their fearsome mental abilities and the considerable physical resources at their disposal. And their biggest advantage? No one believes they exist.
Almost no one.
Bez, the best hacker in human-space, is fighting a secret war against them. Always one step ahead, never lingering in one place, she's determined to bring them down. But she can't expose the Hidden Empire alone and when the only ally she trusted fails her she must accept help from an unexpected quarter.
Just one misstep, one incorrect assumption, and her Sidhe trap - her life's work - could end in vicious disaster. Worse, if Bez fails then humanity may never have another chance to win free of the manipulative and deadly Sidhe . . .

What I liked:
As always, the complexity and depth of the world building and technology are SciFi heaven to me. At first Bez irritated me with her apparently paranoia fueled obsession with every detail of her situation, but it soon becomes understandable why this is such a big deal. The broad mixture of cultures she has to integrate herself into makes for a believable and diverse universe. Nice twist at the end.

What I didn't like:
I missed Taro, Jarek, and especially Nual, with all three having been cast in much smaller roles in this after being the main characters previously. While the story mostly stays with the central character Bez and in her POV, there are odd jumps to other significant but fleeting characters that threw me out. Toward the end their significance becomes more obvious which makes it easier reading, but some readers might find it jarring. Also, this is apparently the last book. Wah!

In conclusion:
This is my favourite kind of space opera. I have loved all the books of the Hidden Empire, and I'm sorry this appears to be the final one. This was probably the less explosive and action packed of the five - more tension and intrigue - but nevertheless an entertaining and compulsive read. One for those who want SF with a different twist. It can be read as a stand-alone, but personally I think it's more enjoyable if you've read the rest of the series.

Iron Admiral: Conspiracy by Greta van der Rol #spaceopera

Title: Iron Admiral: Conspiracy (Ptorix Empire #1)
Author: Greta van der Rol
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 207 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Politics. Hatred. Star systems on the brink of war. A species under threat of extinction from a deadly virus.

Ex-Admiral Chaka Saahren goes undercover to discover the truth. Systems Engineer, Allysha Marten, takes one last job to rid her of debts and her cheating husband. On Tisyphor, deadly secrets about the past explode, as Allysha and the undercover agent scramble to prevent the coming holocaust and xenocide.

When the ex-Admiral’s identity is revealed, she must come to terms with her feelings for a man she thinks caused the death of innocent civilians, including her father.

In a race against time, Allysha must set aside her conflicted emotions and trust a man she barely knows. Saahren must convince the woman he loves to find the truth as he once more assumes his position as … The Iron Admiral.

What I liked:
Excellent world building, technology, and I love the non-human Ptorix - a concept underdone in the SFR I've read so far. I especially enjoyed the alien planet Tisyphor with its deadly fauna and interesting flora, and the almost poetic descriptions of Ptorix architecture, plus the complex, well-thought out politics and inevitable friction between two species (bearing in mind how difficult it is for human beings alone to get along with one another as it is). And while I didn't buy the hero's insta-love, nor that he was the notorious(?) Iron Admiral, he wasn't a jerk and he cared about her in a way that wasn't totally focused on having sex with her as soon as possible.

What I didn't like:
A bit disjointed and rough at the start, and I really didn't buy the main hero's insta-love for the heroine. I liked Allysha: a bit naive, a little bit 'helpless maiden' at times, but also a tech nerd and unassuming. I was also slightly disturbed by the hero's continued conviction that she would marry him eventually even when she was saying no. Love his conviction but found it rather stalkerish/obsessive.

In conclusion:
A book for those who like the ST/Firefly kind of SF with a romantic element, and providing the insta-love thing doesn't prove too big an obstacle. I would read them more for the SF concepts and the action than for the slightly less than believable 'romance' - the ending is more a dubious status quo than the HEA/HFN required to be a true romance. However, as this is only book one I'm assuming there's an overall romantic arc to the series to satisfy the romance fans by the end.

Even Villains Have Interns by Liana Brooks #superhero #romance

Title: Even Villains Have Interns (Heroes & Villains 3)
Author: Liana Brooks
Genre: Superhero romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Formerly Breathless Press/now Inkprint Press
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 160 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa





Blurb:
It's Chicago's favorite city son vs Delilah, daughter of Dr. Charm. America's second city will never know what hit it.
Bootleggers, drug dealers, crooked cops, and dirty politicians... Chicago has always had a reputation for indulging in the finer vices of life. That’s why Doctor Charm’s favorite daughter found America’s Second City so appealing; criminals are never boring. As second in command for the powerful Subrosa Security group, Delilah Samson finds opportunities to use her superpowers at every turn. Whether it’s stealing a priceless French painting from a mobster or stopping a drug deal, she’s game.
In fact, the only thing she doesn’t care for is Chicago’s favorite native son, Deputy Mayor Alan Adale, the man who made Lucifer jealous. Sinfully handsome, or possibly just sinful, Adale has been pursuing Delilah since she first arrived, and she’s been dodging.

When she finds ties between the new kingpin in town and a drug The Company wants to buy so they can create more superheroes, Delilah takes the gloves off. Teaming up with the spooky Spirit of Chicago, she aims to take down the dealers, the mobsters, the kingpin, and The Company. All without falling in love with the one man capable of capturing her heart.
*Originally published by Breathless Press


What I liked:
I've loved all three books in this series so far, but this one broke my heart the most. The 'will they/won't they end up together' romance really teetered on the edge right up to the very end, and I really wasn't sure which way it might go. The other great thing about these books is you can read them as stand-alones, although the underlying plot continues to build with each book. It's also great to read books set in the POV of...well, maybe not quite the supervillain, but certainly not the more conventional superheroes featured in them.


What I didn't like:
A couple of the location/settings had me confused - I struggled to imagine the lay out or where people were standing/what they were doing in a couple of places.

In conclusion:
Anyone who loves superheroes, and likes their romance on the sweet and sensual side rather than explicit will adore this. There's plenty of action, a hint of comedy, snarky repartee, and intrigue, all packed into this delightful novella. Buy the series!

Ignition Point by Kate Corcino #postapoc #anthology

Title: Ignition Point: A Progenitor Anthology (The Progenitor Saga)
Author: Kate Corcino
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Kate Corcino
Available: Amazon $0.99 (Kindle) 108 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

A collection of three related short stories, Ignition Point offers a glimpse into the early lives of characters from the upcoming book, Spark Rising. (rater's note - Spark Rising is now out).

Two hundred years after the cataclysm that annihilated fossil fuels, Sparks keep electricity flowing through their control of energy-giving Dust. The Council of Nine rebuilt civilization on the backs of Sparks, offering citizens a comfortable life in a relo-city in exchange for power, particularly over the children able to fuel the future. The strongest of the boys are taken as Wards and raised to become elite agents, the Council’s enforcers and spies. Strong girls--those who could advance the rapidly-evolving matrilineal power--don’t exist. Not according to the Council.

“Ward” introduces Thomas, a thirteen-year-old boy rescued from Scavengers, marauding slavers who murdered both his biological and foster parents and sold the highly-powered boy to the highest bidder--the Council of Nine. Dumped at the Ward School to train his abilities, Thomas must learn to survive among a new breed of savages…the boys who have been training there since they were five and the men who must hone them into weapons.

“Blood and Water” is the story of Lucas, a young man who has spent his childhood shunned by his powerful, religious family for the crime of being born a Spark. On the cusp of discovering his power and place in the world his grandfather intends to re-shape, Lucas will discover the heavy price of belonging. Will he pay it, or will he count the costs and deem them too high?


“Ghost Story” shows how lives lived on the edge--of society, of safety, of sanity--can intersect. Lena, a highly-powered runaway, fled a life of hiding from the Council. Elias is one of the so-called New Barbarians, those who choose to live free lives outside the comfort of cities relying on comforts that should have died with the old civilization. Wounded and dying, he hunts the Scavengers who killed his people and took his brother to sell. A chance meeting in the desert of what was New Mexico may save them both.

What I liked:

Ward - 4*. I loved seeing this peek into the early lives of two main characters from Spark Rising, but I think it might read better for those who've read the novel already. It explains the history behind their quest for a better world.

Blood and Water - 5*. Even though I got a terrible sense of where this was going, it still didn't ease the real gut punch of an ending. This little short will leave you chilled, but shows how easy it is for someone to be emotionally manipulated into actions that they may have thought themselves incapable of, and of how we can even mislead ourselves.

Ghost Story - 5*. I loved seeing a snippet of Lena's live before Spark Rising, and really this is the best intro to SR if you read IP first.

What I didn't like:

Ward - the main character referred to his tragic recent past just a little too often and I lost some of my sympathy simply from the repetition. In a short story it really didn't need it.

Blood and Water - nothing to criticize.

Ghost Story - again, I really don't have anything bad to say about it.


In conclusion:

If you love apocalyptic/dystopian fiction with a punch, but are looking for something with a new twist, this is for you and gives you a brief introduction into the world explored more fully in Spark Rising (although I'm tempted to say read SR before IP). This may be something for fans of the TV series The 100, or Dan Wells's Partials books. Quick, easy reads that will leave you thinking afterward. I loved these three little bonus stories showing more of the same world as Spark Rising, especially in terms of Alex and Lena. It explains so much of their characters in the follow-on novel.

The Trouble with Pixies (Edinburgh Elementals Book 1) by Gayle Ramage #urbanfantasy

Title: The Trouble with Pixies (Edinburgh Elementals Book 1)
Author: Gayle Ramage
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 17 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Michael has just moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to make a fresh start with his three children. While they're out exploring the city, he's relaxing with a glass of wine.

That is until a knock on the front door leads to a bizarre revelation from a strange, red-haired woman, and an encounter in the attic with some grumpy, swearing pixies.

Book 1 - The Trouble With Pixies
Book 2 - Tears of Gold
Book 3 - Land of the Ice Giants

What I liked:

A cute, fun quirky UF short story that I would have loved more of. Kind of Douglas Adams-esque humorous urban fantasy NOT set in London if you're looking for a more unique UF setting. There's also a lot of unique ideas and touches in this. Definitely for fans of such things as the Spiderwick Chronicles, Labyrinth, and UF that focuses on more unusual mythical creatures than angels and vampires.

What I didn't like:

Although I knew it was a short story, this was waaaay too short. I could easily have devoured a full length novel of this. On the technical side, my main issue with this was I didn't quite buy how Michael just let a strange, and at initial meeting quite deranged woman into his house when he has kids.

In conclusion:

If you want something different in your urban fantasy, this is for you. It's short, so you get a quick taster, and it's free, so it's not costing anything other than a few moments of your time to try it out. 

Inherit the Stars by Laurie A Green #scifi #romance

Title: Inherit the Stars (The Inherited Stars Series)
Author: Laurie A Green
Genre: scifi romance
Publisher: Array Press
Available: Amazon $6.99 (Kindle) 401 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

STEAMY SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE...JUST WHAT THE GALAXY ORDERED! 

To escape the merciless Ithian Alliance, Sair, a fugitive slave, makes a desperate deal with Drea Mennelsohn, captain of the prototype ship, Specter. But putting his life in the hands of a woman as mysterious as she is beguiling could turn out to be the biggest mistake of his life, especially when the price on his head begins to escalate. 

Drea seems to want far more from the fugitive than just payment for his passage on her ship. Though neither can deny the sizzling chemistry and growing bond between them, Sair must soon make an agonizing decision that could result in the loss of the remarkable woman he has fallen in love with—and their chance to inherit the stars.

This is also available in three serialized parts:
Inherit the Stars Part 1: Flight (The Inherited Stars Science Fiction Romance Series) $0.99 125 pages
Inherit the Stars Part 2: The Network (The Inherited Stars Series) $2.99 170 pages
Inherit the Stars Part 3: Sacrifice (The Inherited Stars Science Fiction Romance Series) $2.99 126 pages

What I liked:

Sair is exactly my kind of hero. Despite his subspecies' reputation for ferocity and aggression matched by large, muscular build, Sair is a tortured hero with a soft  heart, lacking the arrogance and testosterone-boosted ego of the typical alpha male. Not sure I'd rate him as a beta either though.  He's strong, loyal, caring, devoted to his women (yes, you did read that as plural but no spoilers!), and sexy as heck. Given into slavery at a young age, he's done what he's had to to survive and prosper, and it's given certain skills in the bedroom. This comes in useful since he has little else to offer for help in his escape. The story is told entirely from his point of view, and I have absolutely no issue with this since we remain in the one perspective for the entire serial/novel. 
Drea is a strong, complex woman, and we get to know her in a very natural fashion over the three parts. The secondary characters are also fully fleshed and well developed, and the romance intense. The conflict fuels the story and the action, with a good dose of thorough and intriguing world building (including the horrifying Ithian culture), plot twists, action and adventure. 


What I didn't like:

I'm not a fan of serials, but since all three parts were released in quick succession and swiftly followed by the full novel, it didn't keep you waiting (full disclosure: I read the full version prior to it being contracted and published). Part one gives you a good introduction if you're not willing to pay out for the full novel from a new author,but personally I find big books  released in parts a bit frustrating. Both part one and part two end on cliff-hangers,hence much of my irritation with serials. I am not a patient person! To me, the full novel falls more naturally into two parts, the first focusing entirely on Sair and his predicament, then moving on to his and Drea's joint quest for freedom and happiness.

In conclusion:

This, to me, sums up a lot of what I love most about science fiction romance - the two main elements are perfectly woven together to produce a heart-twisting, exciting romance adventure in a futuristic, technologically-advanced setting. For those nervous about paying out for the full novel from a new author, the serialization is the place to start, providing cliff-hanger endings are okay by you (though all three parts are available to curb any impatience!). I loved the technology and the characters, and can't wait to read more by this author. 

Deep Deception by Cathy Pegau #scifi #romance

Title: Deep Deception
Author: Cathy Pegau
Genre: SciFi Romance (f/f)
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: Amazon $1.99 (Kindle) 208 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Colonial Mining Authority agent Natalia Hallowell doesn't always play by the rules, but she wouldn't compromise a case either. Put on administrative leave under a cloud of accusation, with no support from her boss, Natalia seeks a little anonymous companionship at her favorite bar. But she's surprised when the woman who catches her fancy starts buying her drinks.

Desperate, Genevieve "Gennie" Caine has no choice but to seduce, drug and tie Natalia to the bed to get her attention. With the Reyes Corporation after something she has, Gennie needs Natalia to open an investigation and distract them long enough for her to get off Nevarro.

Natalia doesn't trust Gennie—despite the growing attraction between them—but the corporation's suspiciously high profits and abnormal business dealings convince her that they must be hiding something. She has no idea just how deep the deceptions run…

What I liked:

In this one the romantic tension was much higher and in far more jeopardy than Caught In Amber and Rulebreaker, with both the main characters having issues and secrets that could do far worse than simply make a romance difficult.

What I didn't like:

I didn't find either heroine as likeable as those in other Pegau books I've read, so I had a harder time connecting and emphasizing with them, despite the justification in Gennie's case. I also think that Natalia's 'illness', having been made out as something deadly, abruptly became a minor factor when I felt it should have been more pivotal.

In conclusion:

This is not my favourite of Pegau's books, but still an exciting, heart-wrenching SFR worth reading. Light on the SF but with plenty of tension, emotional and action-wise, with thriller and espionage elements.

Rulebreaker by Cathy Pegau #scifi #romance #ff

Title: Rulebreaker
Author: Cathy Pegau
Genre: SciFi Romance (f/f)
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: Amazon $1.99 (Kindle)  247 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Liv Braxton's Felon Rule #1: Don't get emotionally involved.

Smash-and-grab thieving doesn't lend itself to getting chummy with the victims, and Liv hasn't met anyone on the mining colony of Nevarro worth knowing, anyway. So it's easy to follow her Rules.

Until her ex, Tonio, shows up with an invitation to join him on the job of a lifetime.

Until Zia Talbot, the woman she's supposed to deceive, turns Liv's expectations upside down in a way no woman ever has.

Until corporate secrets turn deadly.

But to make things work with Zia, Liv has to do more than break her Rules, and the stakes are higher than just a broken heart…

What I liked:

I loved the development of the romance between the two heroines, Liv and Zia. It was sweet, sensual, and felt very natural. I'm also a sucker for a redeemed thief. There was plenty of angst and heartbreak, which are top of my wish list for a story with real emotional punch. The world building was solid, though a little lacking in SF elements for my usual fare, and very smooth and believable character development. I also like how the story fitted in with Caught in Amber and Deep Deception, but without requiring you to read either in order to follow the setting and characters.

What I didn't like:

The SF elements were a touch on the light side for my tastes. This, however, is a plus for anyone put off SciFi romance by the prospect of heavy scientific or technical description that might bog the story down.

In conclusion:

This is an ideal starting point for those new to SciFi romance while still delivering a satisfyingly romantic thriller/action filled story for long-term SFR fans. Fans of industrial espionage might also enjoy this story, as will f/f readers.

Queen of Starlight by Jessa Slade #scifi #romance

Title: Queen of Starlight (Sheerspace 1)
Author: Jessa Slade
Genre: scifi romance
Publisher: Red Circle Ink
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle)  167 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Her body is his prize, but he'll risk the stars for her love... Transformed by empathic crystals into the perfect paramour, Benedetta Galil is the last treasure of her fading world. When raiders attack—seeking to corrupt the crystals and conquer all of charted space—she gives herself as a prize to the one man in the universe who values freedom over power. Mercenary sheership Captain Corso Deynah left oppression behind him on a burning planet and has no use for a sex slave, even one as seductive as Benedetta. But while he stubbornly resists her body, her fierce spirit tempts him, and he will risk everything—his ship, his seclusion, the very stars—to win not just her passion but her love. 


What I liked:
Beautiful lyrical writing and descriptions that I adored. Also sex scenes written along the same vein, that managed to be hot and sensual without lots of explicit wording, some of which I often finds spoil the overall descriptions with words that jar me out of the scene. The world building was awesome and intriguing (I have a thing for crystals anyway, so to have these used to enhance a body's sensitivity and enable an empathic kind of union totally grabbed me). Despite the hero's insistence that he was a jerk, he really wasn't, and though I'm not a huge alpha fan I was won over by his devotion to a cause that he hadn't really wanted to take up.


What I didn't like:
The hero calls himself a jerk or similar several times at the start, to the point where I almost stopped reading. It was done too many times and really wasn't necessary after the first couple of mentions. Also, despite the beautifully written scenes, the couple had sex at what seemed totally inappropriate times and places, as if the author had felt compelled to force them in to avoid them being missed out completely. Both times this totally pulled me out of the story. I felt these could have been put elsewhere and broken the flow a lot less. I also didn't like the heroine as much as the hero - in some respects she almost came over as a bit of a wet blanket but just about avoided that label.

In conclusion:
This is a good book for fans of scifi romance, especially those who prefer the sex scenes hot and sensual rather than full out explicit, if you can excuse the weird timing and settings.  Some SF purists might dislike the science behind the crystals bonding to humans (in that respect, I would point to Anne McCaffrey's Crystal Singer). I would probably read the rest of the books in the series and more by this author.

The Ships of Aleph by Jaine Fenn #spaceopera #scifi

Title: The Ships of Aleph
Author: Jaine Fenn
Genre: Scifi/space opera
Publisher: Tower of Chaos Press
Available: Amazon $1.99 (Kindle)  42 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Lachin is a dreamer. He's just too curious for his own good. When he gets the chance to be part of an expedition which will allow him to escape the confines of his village, of course he takes it; he wants to see the world. But the world is not what he thought it was... 

The Ships of Aleph is a fantastical adventure set on a world like no other, which fits into Jaine Fenn's popular Hidden Empire universe.


What I liked:
I'm always eager for another Jaine Fenn story, so I picked this up as soon as it released. I love the depth and scope of her writing, how I'm immersed not just in another world but another culture. This had an almost daydream like quality, which reflected the central character's state of mind for much of the story perfectly. I'm also a fan of stories set at sea, and that have a fantasy setting. It's told in first person - not my favourite POV, but written well it works. In some respects it reminded me of a Sir Terry Pratchett story where the incompetent wizard Rincewind sails to the edge of the world. But what Lachin finds there is nothing he expected, and neither did I! This is a story that will make you think about what else might be out there. I should also mention that the main character is crippled, and uses his intelligence to compensate for his physical disability.


What I didn't like:
The story didn't feel complete to me, not just because of being part of set universe - as stated in the blurb, this is part of the Hidden Empire universe, most of which I've read so I know most of the surrounding story - but even then I felt the ending to be abrupt and that it left me hanging.


In conclusion:
This story reads like a fantasy at the beginning, switching to a very scifi feel toward the end, and the jump might jar with some readers (not me, because I was expecting and hoping for the scifi part, and having read Guardians of Paradise - which also has a similar fantasy opening leading to a science fiction ending). For those who like to question the meaning of existence, this might be a good book, but to most readers I would suggest reading the rest of Fenn's Hidden Empire books to really follow the latter part of the story. As a stand alone, it might leave some readers confused. I would recommend this to fans of Fenn who have, or plan to read, the Hidden Empire books, but perhaps not as a first taster of her work.

(You can read my reviews of the other Hidden Empire books at Fantasy Book Reviews HERE).

Girl From Above by Pippa DaCosta #spaceopera

Title: Girl From Above: Betrayal  (The 1000 Revolution #1)
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher:
Available: Amazon $0.99 (Kindle) 179 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Pippa





Blurb:
"My name is #1001, and I am not ready to die." I’d only just begun to live."
When Captain Caleb Shepperd is released from prison, all he wants to do is keep his head down and earn a living smuggling illegal cargo through the nine systems. So when a synth stows away on his ship, and brings with her a crap-ton of problems, including guilt-ridden secrets he thought he’d escaped, he’d prefer to toss her out the airlock. The problem is, she’s priceless tech, and he’s fresh out of credit.
#1001 is not meant to exist. Created for a single purpose, she has one simple order: to kill. But not everything is as it seems. Buried deep inside, she remembers... Remembers when she was human. And she remembers what Shepperd did to her. She’s not ready to die, but she is ready to kill.

WARNING: 18+ only. Contains graphic adult content, including sex, drug use, violence, and a plethora of curse words. Not for the easily offended.


What I liked:
For 43K, the author has certainly packed a huge punch into this space opera novella. It had the depth of world building, character development and necessary back story without info dumping that I'd normally only expect from a longer work. And the action did not stop - there wasn't a slow moment in it. As a huge fan of androids/artificial humans, I was fascinated by 1001 and the theory and technology involved in their creation. I would have loved the entire story told solely in her POV. *possible spoiler follows* Francesca had me intrigued, though I figured her out before the revelation.


What I didn't like:
In a word, Caleb. Sorry, but I do not like jerks, and he has to be the biggest a-hole I've ever encountered in my reading history that is supposed to be the 'good' guy. I can tolerate one for a chapter or two if he's redeemed or shows signs of being redeemable but by the time the story showed any indication of it happening for him, I couldn't care less, regardless of what had driven him to be like that. I think his intention of letting a certain character *no spoilers* die was the final straw. Because of him, I'm not sure I'd read the next in the series. I also wasn't too happy with the cliff hanger ending because it makes the story feel incomplete and left me feeling somewhat cheated. I would expect this to therefore have been listed as first book in a serial rather than book one of a series.


In conclusion:
The author has packed a hell of a lot of action, character and world development into an explosive, often violent and sexually charged 43K. I would probably read more by her, but Caleb has potentially put me off reading the rest of this particular series even though I'd have loved to reach the end of 1001's story - if it had been told solely from her point of view, I would definitely kept reading. Sadly Caleb was not the 'hero' for me. If you like your space opera along the lines of Firefly and Farscape, with a hint of Bladerunner (and foul language, sexually explicit threats and casual violence don't put you off), this could be the space opera series for you. Not for the easily offended.

The Gods of Probabilities by Liza O'Connor #scifi #humor

Title: The Gods of Probabilities (The Multiverses 1)
Author: Liza O'Connor
Genre: Scifi Humor
Publisher: New Authors Online
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 352 pages
Rating:  5 stars
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
The Gods require a time shifter to ensure the Path of Light reigns during the final collapse of possibilities. To speed the process of finding an Oceanic with the specific talents needed, God DNA is induced in several batches of Oceanic eggs, resulting in a generation of brilliant tiny blue Oceanic children.
One charming boy named Drogan has the ability to manipulate quantum reality in ways that will strengthen the Path of Light. Only trouble is that his gift runs a high probability of killing him and wiping out the path for good.
While the bureaucratic Gods will try to assist, in Quantum all possibilities not only can, but do happen, so the future is never certain.

Releases 1st July 2015

What I liked:
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, having not read any of Liza's non-SF titles, other than knowing she had a reputation for being humorous. I wasn't disappointed. I had a smile on my face for much of the book due to her Douglas Adams-esque humor throughout, tempered by some intriguing science (quantum theory and multiple parallel universes), theories of evolution, and comic theology. While humans are mentioned very briefly, the story focuses on an ocean dwelling intelligent life form and their struggle for survival while overseen by a superior race (whom legends describe as gods). I loved the twist on Greek mythology and basing the story around a non-human race. The science isn't so heavy that even a non-SF reader would struggle with it and woven in carefully throughout so not to overload a reader with facts to remember. The world building is also nicely layered in. This is a story that will make you laugh, but keep you thinking about it long after you finish.

What I didn't like:
Because it wasn't told in what I think of as deep 3rd POV, some of the more serious emotion was lacking for me. However, the story, the characters, and the comedy more than made up for this. I can live without emotional punch if it's made up for with comedy that has me chuckling every few pages. Not to say this doesn't have its serious elements and moments of tear-inducing sadness, but not to the level I'd normally seek from a story.

In conclusion:
If you're a fan of Douglas Adams (re the Hitch-Hikers' Guide and Dirk Gently's Long Dark Teatime of the Soul) or Sir Terry Pratchett's SF novels (The Dark Side of the Sun and Strata) you should definitely read this. Even non-SF fans who like humor (including some grumpy gods and sassy goddesses along with the SF) will enjoy this book. Can't wait for the next in the series!

Farewell Andromeda by Laurie A Green #scifi #romance

Title: Farewell Andromeda (The Inherited Stars series)
Author: Laurie A Green
Genre: Scifi Romance
Publisher: Array Press
Available: Amazon $0.99 (Kindle) 62 pages
Rating:  5 stars
Rater: Pippa 





Blurb:
STEAMY SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE...JUST WHAT THE GALAXY ORDERED! 

Fresh off a painful jilting, the last thing deep space pilot Tiharra Bell needs is another romantic entanglement. Certainly not with the galaxy’s most famous astronomer-who also happens to be single, inconveniently handsome, and a resident of the remote Andromeda Station. But Tiharra soon discovers two terrible truths about Dr. Dante “Donner” Dane 1) he’s not the man he appears to be and 2) he doesn’t have long to live. Before her fourteen day layover is complete, she’ll put her life and career on the line to protect his heartbreaking secret. 

What I liked.
The world building was strong and in-depth, no mean feat for a short story. I really didn't see a way out of the situation that could possibly result in the happily ever after required for a romance, which added to the heartbreaking overtone that ran for most of the story and really added to the HEA at the end. The hero was adorable, the villain suitably evil, the secondary character interesting and the heroine a complex, well drawn woman. Beautifully lyrical writing and scene descriptions.

What I didn't like.
If I really dig deep to find something to complain about, perhaps I got a tiny bit tired of the heroine feeling sorry for herself. But as she'd just had her heart completely broken, then the possibility of happiness snatched away in one of the most heart-wrenching, inhumane of ways, a little self pity is more than understandable!

In conclusion.
Prepare to have your heart ripped to pieces, along with some great character building and enough tech for the space enthusiast without being overwhelmed by science. A short, more than satisfying scifi romance that will leave a smile on your face. Fans of ST: Deep Space Nine would definitely like this.