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.

Caught In Amber by Cathy Pegau

Title: Caught in Amber 
Author: Cathy Pegau
Genre: science fiction romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Available: Amazon $1.99 (Kindle)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Rater: Pippa 




Blurb:
Recently out of rehab, Sasha James is determined to keep her head down, complete her parole and never touch amber again. The chip in her neck controls her cravings for the highly addictive drug, but also tracks her every move. Not that she goes anywhere other than work and the halfway house she calls home—a far cry from her luxurious former life as lover of the mining colony's top drug dealer, Guy Christiansen.
Agent Nathan Sterling has no desire to see Sasha fall back into amber, but his sister has become Guy's latest conquest and the unexpectedly attractive Sasha is the key to getting her back. So in exchange for an introduction, he offers Sasha the one thing she can't refuse—her freedom. From the chip, her parole and even the planet if she wants. Though he would be sorry to see her go…
Torn between her growing attraction to Nathan, fear of Guy and the allure of amber, Sasha accepts. But who will save her if Guy refuses to let her go a second time?

What I liked.
Sasha, despite her dark past, is an immediately likeable and sympathetic character. Even after being broken and having to rebuild herself from the drug-addicted shambles she's become, she's strong, intelligent, and a warm human being who doesn'twallow in self pity but lives with her regrets. She had every reason to tell Nathan Sterling where to stick his request (and frankly I'm not sure what he was offering was good enough a prize), yet she knows what Nathan's sister is heading for and wants to help.
I liked the world building and the idea of Amber, but felt that it wasn't as in depth as I'd like. It was the character and plot that prompted the five star rating for me.

What I didn't like.
Nathan - despite his good intentions and desire to protect Sasha, I'd like to give him such a slap. He still put her in serious danger for his own ends, and ultimately I found that a little too selfish. I felt he used her, no matter how sorry he was about it and how he fretted over her. From a personal perspective, I really hate to be used. Guy - I've no doubt he was a bad man, but I found myself conflicted over him. He genuinely appeared to care for Sasha and *potential spoiler* dealt with the real creep of the piece, so I actually found it hard to hate or understand him.

In conclusion.
This reminded me of a Humphrey Bogart thriller/detective story but in a futuristic setting. Not something I'd normally go for, but the author won me over with Sasha and the lovely dark, slightly Bladerunner-esque feel. The tension was good, both romantic and plot-wise, and the one sex scene was done well. I'd like to have seen more on the world building side. If you like spy thrillers along the lines of James Bond in the future, this is for you.