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.

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.

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. 

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).

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.

Erasure by Misa Buckley #mm #gaylit #LGBTLit #scifirom

Title: Erasure
Author: Misa Buckley
Genre: M/M Scifi Romance
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle)
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Pippa 





Blurb:
When Malik Foster crashes back into his life after a three year absence, Damaris wants nothing to do with his ex-lover. Especially once he learns that Malik has cybernetic implants - something made illegal by the Restoration. Dam does not want a Purity Squad beating down his door. Yet neither does he want to leave Malik to their less than tender mercies. He agrees to use his surgical talents to remove the tell-tale tattoo that's been branded on to Malik's wrist. 

As they reignite their past relationship, Dam learns about the life Malik has led since the Restoration came into power. He has to face the fact that his future as a plastic surgeon is increasingly insecure in a city that's becoming ever more obsessed with "natural" bodies. Then the Purity Squads come looking for Malik, and they know an escape is now or never. 

But can there be an escape from a regime that wants to erase anyone not falling into their definition of human?

What I liked.
The world building was concise, summing up a bleak, and scary setting with a quasi-religious group forcing the populous backward in terms of technology. The relationship between the two central characters was taunt and touching, and beautifully played out. I don't think a single word was wasted. The sex scenes were tastefully done (and in detail if you're worried they might have been glossed over), and the inner turmoil of both characters were believable and engaging, without being OTT on the angst.

What I didn't like.
This was only my second m/m story, and I can't say I'm a huge fan - my preference is definitely for m/f or f/f. Having said that, this was a short, snappy and emotionally satisfying read, and I'd come back for more of it. I did feel their escape could/should have been done in more detail.

In conclusion.
If you're a newbie to m/m romance (like me) and/or a newcomer to scifi romance as a genre, this is a great place to start. Tight world building that won't overwhelm even the least technically minded, well done sex scenes, well balanced between the two characters, and emotionally satisfying. Be warned though - this is a short story, not a novella or novel.

Collateral Damage by KS Augustin #scifi #romance

Title: Collateral Damage 
Author: KS Augustin
Genre: science fiction romance
Publisher: Sandal Press
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle)
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Pippa 





Blurb:
No good deed ever goes unpunished.
Meyal Lit has been alone on an orbital for the past six months, analysing the remote planet of Falcin V. It’s a lonely job but, if it means financial security for herself and her family, Meyal is happy to grit her teeth and do it. That is, until a rival exo-geologist on a station on the opposite side of the planet contacts her.
Even though they work for competing companies, loneliness drives Meyal and Waryd together. In between work shifts, they indulge in small talk and chat-sex, knowing nothing can come from their liaison. Then Meyal gets confidential news that could change the entire way she and Waryd operate. If she does nothing, Waryd dies; on the other hand, if she saves her rival, she can kiss her dreams of financial independence goodbye.
What’s a smart, introverted geologist to do?

What I liked.
Good characters, though perhaps Waryd wasn't as rounded out as Meyal - probably down to the length of the story and being told mostly from her POV rather than half and half. Good tension, with some action/adventure, which I didn't expect from the blurb and setting. I thought this would be more psychological than action (and that aspect of it, the whole dealing with long term isolation in space was well done), so that really added to it and kept it interesting. Nice world building. I'd love to see more set in this universe, and with these characters.

What I didn't like.
After some nice tension throughout the story, I felt this really dropped off at the end. I'd really like to see this as the opening of a novella/novel - as a short it felt somewhat unfinished. Or perhaps as the first of a series/serial. The opening *no spoilers* made me wonder if the whole story would be nothing but the sexual fantasies of a solitary woman in space - very pleased that wasn't the whole of it.

In conclusion.
Enjoyable and interesting short with good tension, but somewhat let down by the ending. A quick read for those with limited reading time with a decent blend of tech, characters, action, and a thought-provoking setting.

Beyond Forever by M.W. Davis

Title: Beyond Forever
Author: M.W. Davis
Genre: Romance/Short Story
Publisher: Champagne Books (April 1, 2013)
Available: $.99 at Amazon
Rating: 5 stars
Rater: Dihanna


From the publisher:
Hanna’s organized life has been fractured by one mistake, one incredible night with a stranger, and now her world has descended into unbearable solitude. Days burning sunlight in a mind numbing haze, nights staring into the black void enveloping her empty bed, until a peculiar man lost within his own shadows, offers a path to resolution. To purge the memories that hound her thoughts and block her return to a normal existence, she must circle back to where it all began.


What I liked: Sweet, well written, and satisfying are the three words I’d use to describe this short story. The plot flows, you’re pulled along, and you don’t want it to end. Not terribly trite either, which was refreshing.

What I didn’t like: Can’t think of a thing!

In sum: Here’s a good one for us romance junkies. Pick it up.