Terms For Surrender by CE Kilgore #spaceopera #scifi #romance

Title: Terms for Surrender (Corwint Central Agent Files)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space opera
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 119 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
((Includes Free Short Story "Mechanics Of Survival"))
Ogrridannes is leading her Central Strike Team on the hunt for the fugitive Lucas Ardos. Ardos is wanted for betraying his Central Agent partner and the murder of twenty-eight civilians. She must track him deep into dangerous T'jaros territory, but she isn't the only one who's after Ardos.

Cassien is not what he appears at first glance. He's on a desperate mission to preserve the research done by his adoptive parents and save the future of his people. Ardos has stolen their research and Cassien is willing to do whatever it takes to get it back, even learn to trust a woman who could either open his heart or break every bone in his body.

Ogrridannes isn't looking for love. She's been burned before, and she gets that to most, her bulging muscles, mohawk and orange, scaled skin is nothing more than a curiosity. Being just one of the guys, however, is starting to get depressing. When Cassien shows up, needing her help, she has to decide if she's going to let him in or keep him away to save her mission and her heart.

What I liked:
In this side story we learn more about the T'jaros, who have come across as drug-crazed pirates until now. My heart bled for Ogrridannes and her hesitation in giving her affection to anyone because of her traumatic past. Lots of action, and a super cute romance between two unlikely lovers.

What I didn't like:
The number of characters and rush of events left me somewhat confused. I'm also not entirely convinced by Cassien--I felt he fell a little too hard and fast.

In conclusion:
Another great short that expands the Corwint universe. More action packed with a super cute romance between two unlikely characters who appear at opposite ends of the spectrum. Perhaps not the best place to start if new to the Corwint series as the characters and action come all at once, but definitely a worthy addition.

Mechanics of Survival by CE Kilgore #spaceopera #scifi #romance #short

Title: Mechanics of Survival (part of Terms for Surrender, Corwint Central Agent Files)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $2.99 as part of Terms for Surrender (Kindle) 24 pages
Rating: 3.5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
A free short included in Terms for Surrender. 
Stranded on an uninhabited planet, an ambassador for the Xen’dari Empire and a Mechatronic Central Agent must overcome their differences and accept their similarities if they hope to survive.

What I liked:
I adore Kilgore's Mechatronic Automatons and her universe, and even though the heroine was one of the hated Xen'dari, I loved Veira's character and how she learned to unbend and think beyond the strictures of her upbringing. This was great in terms of character growth and development.

What I didn't like:
While I love the enemies to lovers/forbidden love tropes, this one just did not work for me as a short. As a novella/novel, it might have. But the Xen'dari are supposedly not only xenophobic and obsessed with racial purity as well as their superiority to all other sentient races, they also regard the Mechatronic Automatons as not even living beings. They are things. So for Veira to fall so quickly and completely for something her race considers little better than a kitchen appliance, even if it did save her life in extreme circumstances, just didn't work in such a short piece for me.

In conclusion:
An enjoyable, quick and sweet scifi romance short, but much as I love Kilgore's work and her universe, this went outside my believeability limits. Well worth reading as part of the Corwint Central Agency Files, but not the best play on the enemies to lovers/forbidden love trope for me. A good introduction to the Corwint universe if you've not read her work before.

Scarred (Sapphire City #2) by Erica Hayes #superhero #urbanfantasy

Title: Scarred (Sapphire City 2)
Author: Erica Hayes
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Superhero Romance
Publisher: HarperImpulse
Available: Amazon $ (Kindle) 321 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:

Superpowers don't make you a hero…

Verity Fortune's crime-fighting days are over. In exile, defeated by her smug supervillain nemesis, her shady past exposed—even her own superpowered family condemns her as a traitor. Whatever it takes, Verity's determined to prove she can still be a force for good.

Now, Sapphire City faces a new threat: a delinquent duo with extraordinary powers and a terrifying talent for destruction. Outmatched and on the run, her telekinetic powers faltering, Verity can't defeat this menace alone—but whom can she trust, when the only person who believes in her is her arch-enemy?

What I liked:
Action and angst packed, two of my favourites. Verity borders on the line between good and evil, and hero and anti-hero, forever questioning herself, while some of the superheroes in the story behave less than heroically. I love that there's no clear divide sometimes. Vincent also makes for one twisted, complex, evil to the bone villain. But Glimmer...what a hero, in all senses of the word. This dude has had his life wrecked and gets saddled with the most conflicted super 'hero' in the universe, and yet holds it together and sticks with her despite all the mean stuff she says to him. Despite all the stuff dumped on him. He stays loyal, honorable, and so adorable I'd fight Verity for him. Want smexiness? You get one dose hot, and another sweet. I prefer the sweet but both were beautifully done. And the ending? Grab your tissues. If the truth about Sophron doesn't slay you, the finale will.

What I didn't like:
While I enjoy the first person POV and Verity's self torment, sometimes I felt it went on a bit too long/too much and slowed the pace of the story. Also I guessed the twist way before it happened (again) but that's probably because I read too many Agatha Christie books as a teen. I also wanted to bang Verity and Glimmer's heads together.

In conclusion:
I loved this book and I'm addicted to this series. Verity's constant doubts that she's a good woman, a superhero, or in any way beautiful or worthy of even friendship make for some great inner angst and romantic tension. There is action aplenty, smexiness, and interesting twists and turns. While this wrapped up its own story and some of book one, there is still plenty unresolved for at least one more book (hopefully more). For those who love superheroes, sassy repartee, sweet heroes and dyed to the bone evil villains with lots of action and some nicely done smexiness. Oh, and for those who think body count in a superhero book should be more realistic than Hollywood.

I was provided with a copy by the author for my honest and unbiased review.