Overload Flux (Central Galactic Concordance Book 1) by Carol Van Natta #spaceopera #scifirom

Title: Overload Flux (Central Concordance Book 1)
Author: Carol Van Natta
Genre: Space Opera/Scifi Romance
Publisher: Chavanch Press
Available: Kobo, B&N, Amazon (272 pages $3.99)
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Brilliant investigator Luka Foxe must act fast if he's going to save the civilized planets of the Central Galactic Concordance. For as a pandemic sweeps across the galaxy, someone is stealing the vaccine. To make matters worse, Luka's hidden mental talents are out of control, leaving him barely able to function in the midst of violence and a rising body count. The convoluted trail leads to a corrupt pharma industry and the possibility of an illegal, planet-sized laboratory. In the face of increasing threats, he must rely on an enigmatic, lethal woman who has secrets of her own.

Mairwen Morganthur hides extraordinary skills under the guise of a dull night-shift guard. The last thing she wants is to provide personal security for a nova-hot investigator, or to be plunged into a murky case involving sabotage, treachery, and the military covert operations division that would love to discover she's still alive. Worse, she knows that two more deaths won't bother their enemies one bit. Their only hope for survival is to share their darkest secrets. With everything in their universe at stake, can they learn to trust one another?

What I liked:
I liked that the protagonists were older, almost my age, though that isn't clear until quite late in the book. I grew fond of both characters though connected with Mairwen more with her social awkwardness softening her mostly hard ass female persona. I also liked the slow burn romance, which was sweet rather than adding to the tension, plus I'm a huge fan of stories with psychic/superhuman talents. The setting was detailed and interesting enough to hold my attention without being overwhelming.

What I didn't like:
I'm not a fan of criminal investigation/thriller style stories, and this dragged the pace of the story right down for me, with not quite enough action to compensate. The two chapters featuring Hildree especially didn't seem to add to the narrative, since we later get her 'perspective' via Foxe/Zheer (unless she's going to feature later on in the series) so I'd happily have skipped them. There's also way too much introspection/inner monologues, which again slow the story down.

In conclusion:

If you like CSI style space opera and a sweet, slow burn romance with an older couple, this is for you. If you prefer action, it's there but not quite the amount that would have scored that fifth star from me. However, I found the main couple adorable and their special talents interesting. I definitely want to continue with reading this series.

Disclaimer: All information correct at time of posting. Book purchased by the reviewer from a legitimate retail site for their own personal enjoyment.

Salvation (Prophecy #2) by Lea Kirk #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Salvation (Prophecy Book Two)
Author: Lea Kirk
Genre: SciFi Romance
Publisher: Lea Kirk
Available: Kobo, B&N, iBooks, Amazon (231 pages $3.99)
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa

Blurb:

A blessing and a curse…

Seven years ago, a single moment changed the course of Nicholaus Bock’s life forever—the moment his preternatural Gift to heal awakened in him. A gift that made him an invaluable commodity to the known galaxy. Now his mentor’s intriguing and secretive new student goes out of her way to challenge his loyalty to everything he values.

A dark secret…

After facing death and destruction during the Anferthian invasion, Sakura Yamata revels in her new-found Gift to heal. Helping Earth’s survivors keeps her mind off the loss of her family, and the memory of the terrible choices she made. Nick could penetrate her defenses and discover what she’s hiding. She must not let the handsome healer close enough for that to happen.

A race facing annihilation…

When a mysterious disease strikes the hidden sanctuary of the Anferthian dissenters, Nick and Sakura are called in to help. But someone is going to great lengths to ensure the dissenters don’t survive. Nick and Sakura must set aside their differences and work together to save them before the fragile peace between three worlds is shattered.

What I liked:
The two MCs are adorable! This is a play on the 'enemies to lovers' trope (one of my favourites) though not quite the 'kill on sight' variety. While Nick might first come across as a grade a jerk, I understood his frustration and his rejection of an unwanted gift and position forced upon him. But he swiftly rose to the challenge, and his sensitive handling of the heroine later in the book will melt the frostiest heart hardened against his preceding jerk-ish behaviour. The heroine - Sakura - is quite justified in her initial assessment of him but I felt a touch too much jealousy over his position and talent coloured her behaviour. However, as we learn how broken she is, I admired her strength and resolve, supported by the hero, as she fought to find her own path. Those nervous of the SciFi tag should be reassured - other than being on an alien planet and some simple (and in places humorous) detail on alien anatomy and customs, this is light on the SF element and much more character driven romance and adventure that any romance reader should enjoy, more like ER/CSI set off world.

What I didn't like:
The opening sex scene, while certainly hot and well written, made me wince a couple of times. Haesi is clearly a masochist but it might leave some readers flinching. Please trust me that this is a very small proportion of the book and later sex scenes are far more sensual! I would also have preferred more SF elements, but then I'm an addict for my scifi.

In conclusion:
While this wasn't the same 'tear out your heart and stomp on it' rollercoaster of book one (or maybe I was just better prepared) it is a worthy successor in this series. You will need to have read book one to follow this as I don't think it would stand well alone even if it focuses on different main characters. A heartwarming sexy romance between two characters struggling to overcome troubled pasts and really be the saviours of the title for an alien race depending on them. Both make a journey of discovery and find ways to heal themselves as well as their alien allies. Recommended for those who like medical/adventure romances in exotic locations as it may be a little light on the SciFi elements for the SFR fans.

Zero Flux by Carol Van Natta #spaceopera #scifi #murder #mystery

Title: Zero Flux: Central Galactic Concordance, Novella 2.5
Author: Carol Van Natta
Genre: Space Opera/SF murder mystery
Publisher: Chavanch Press
Available: Kobo, B&N, Google Play, iBooks, Amazon (69 pages $0.99)
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
A dangerous ice cave with a frozen crime scene, a secret lab, and the find of a lifetime—any one of them would be worth killing for... 

Luka Foxe and Mairwen Morganthur (Overload Flux) take on a very cold case, a secret lab, and the find of a lifetime. Which one of them is worth killing for? Forensic investigator Luka had gladly left his troubled past far behind, so only a plea from his old friend and mentor to investigate a violent crime scene frozen in an ice cave could have lured him back. Unfortunately, his old friend knows far more than he's telling, which could get them all killed, even with extraordinary security specialist Mairwen on their side. An unexpected icefall reveals a hidden lab buried deep in a mountain and the find of a lifetime. Now someone is trying to make sure those secrets stay frozen in time, even if it means more deaths..

What I liked:
Although I mistakenly took this mid-series side story to be a prequel, I didn't feel lost or out of depth. There was enough back story and strength of character for this to be read as a standalone/out of sequence story, though probably better read in its correct series order. I'm also a sucker for psi abilities/genetic and/or mechanical enhancements, so those elements in this novella had me hooked. The tech was a comfortable level for those who don't want a shedload of science but enough to interest me and leave me wanting more ie to read the other books.

What I didn't like:
Despite the MCs precarious position, the tension was lacking. I didn't really feel the full sense of danger and possibility of death. It also felt a touch abrupt/incomplete at the end but as part of a series I didn't have a huge problem with that particular issue.

In conclusion:
This is a murder mystery for fans of space opera along the lines of Star Trek/Farscape, and who like a reasonable level of tech but are willing to find their SciFi smexiness in the other books (since there was only a hint in this particular story). Also for those who like ice planets, and for those who want a quick SF mystery fix. While it can stand alone, I would probably recommend reading it in correct sequence.

Willing Skin (Space Grit #4) by Ella Drake #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Willing Skin (Space Grit #4)
Author: Ella Drake
Genre: Scifi Romance/Space Opera
Publisher: self
Available: Amazon $3.99 (Kindle) 207 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa


Blurb:
Sylla Viola has never put down roots. When she's forced to abandon her life, she leaves everything behind. Nothing to miss. Nothing to regret. Not even the loss of her body. Using a DNA mod that changes her into a male half-human Scoriah, she's poised to get away from the hunter on her trail. Until she runs into the one man who can see through her disguise.

Docked at Station Viesel, Echtei Bronson helps a lost male Scoriah. One minute in his company threatens Echtei's control. One glimpse of the woman inside and he can't keep his hands off. One heated touch and he gives in to the need to wreak havoc on anyone who touches Sylla--a woman who could never stay with a man forever tied to family and home.

But even Echtei can't defeat what's chasing Sylla--a ruthless cyborg hunter who has shown that a Scoriah is no match for him. Echtei won’t give Sylla up without a fight. It's face the impossible or die trying, even if survival means war.

Willing Skin is a full-length science fiction romance, standalone novel in the Space Grit series with a happily ever after ending.

Warning: This novel is intended for readers 18 and older. It contains explicit female/male and (female as male)/male scenes, language, violence.

Keywords: f(m)/m, explicit sex, violence, alien romance, space opera, Twelfth Night trope, What you Will, disguise, gender swapping, woman disguised as man, android, cyborg, romance, genes

What I liked:
I wasn't sure if I would like this but I decided to take a leap of faith, and I'm glad I did. Take a deep breath because the tension and action never let up for a second! It didn't feel at all like 95K, in a good way because of the seat of your pants pacing. The tech elements were intriguing and appealed hugely to my SF side without being overwhelming for anyone who isn't that into SciFi - the concept of the skin suit for the heroine and all the mental and physical conflict it involved was hugely original and completely fascinating to me. Plus the author excels at writing explicit sex scenes but in a way that doesn't set me cringing at the words used. I was also fascinated by the cyborg bounty hunter.

What I didn't like:
Some of the phrasing got a bit repetitive toward the end, and the constant to-ing and fro-ing to the same places got a bit wearing. Also the amount of time the central couple spent snogging, fondling, and/or more involved pushed my believeability limit considering how much danger Sylla was supposedly in. These were very minor niggles overall though.

In conclusion:
While a bit heavy on the sex scenes for my personal taste, this is one hot, exciting, tense, and all-round fun romp on a space station, with some uber fascinating tech including the heroine's ability to gender-flip. I'm still thinking about the story and the characters weeks after reading. If you find the idea of switched gender sex offensive, this is not for you. About the closest comparison I can make is maybe an X-rated version of Farscape where the Scarrans are more human and sexy rather than scary, and with a Terminator-style assassin. Although book four of this series, it reads perfectly fine as a standalone so you can jump in mid-series without feeling lost.

Girl from Above 0.5: Falling by Pippa DaCosta #spaceopera #scifi

Title: Girl from Above 0.5: Falling
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: self
Available: Amazon $0.00 (Kindle) 40 pages
Rating: 4.5
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Warning: Adult content.

Caleb Shepperd is a fixer. He'll do anything for credits.

When he's hired to track and kill a woman who's muscled in on a dangerous smuggler's territory, he figures it's just another day in the black...Until he's trapped in a silo with his mark.

'Just another day in the black' could turn out to be his last day alive.

A short story prequel to the bestselling science fiction series 'Girl From Above ~ The 1000 Revolution'.

Can be read at any time before, during, or after any of the main books in the series.

NOTE: This is a short story of approximately 35 pages.

*Originally published in The Galaxy Chronicles 2015 (since modified for re-release).

4.5*
What I liked:
More Girl from Above? Yes, please! Although this didn't feature One - my favourite character of the following series - having forgiven Caleb and still having a question mark over Fran I was more than happy to spend more time in their universe and learn something more about them. Gritty, tense, and action-packed with flawless writing. Just what you need for something to occupy your coffee/tea/beverage of choice break.

What I didn't like:
One of my personal bug bears - too much back matter! Getting to 74% and finding that was the end of the story left me feeling a little cheated. Yeah, I understand that authors want to include stuff to get you to read their other works, and it being a free story, but 25% of it is pushing it for me. Maybe I'm just greedy in wanting it to have been at least 90% story...

In conclusion:
A quick, action-packed fun read that gives some background to the events in the Girl from Above series or a taster to get you started.

Chain Reaction (8th Wing #2) by Zoe Archer #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Chain Reaction (8th Wing #2)
Author: Zoe Archer
Genre: Scifi Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 139 pages
Rating: 4*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Elite 8th Wing pilot Celene Jur was taken captive after a mysterious device temporarily disabled her ship's controls. Three solar months later, when Celene receives intel on the man who built the device, she's ready to get the bastard. Only problem is, the higher-ups think her mission partner should be Nils Calder, a tech-head who can understand the disabling device. The attraction between them is electric, but Celene needs a soldier who can watch her back as she exacts her revenge.

Nils knows his department is nicknamed NerdWorks. Pilots like Celene think the closest tech geeks come to combat is all-night Nifalian chess tournaments. But behind the NerdWorks insignia on his sleeve Nils is an able fighter, ready to prove himself and gain Celene's trust.

The desire between them is unexpected, but with the fate of thousands hanging in the balance, the hotshot pilot and the tech genius must succeed in their mission—no matter the cost.

What I liked:
Some great sensual descriptions, as well as great snark. Beautifully paced tension, especially on the sexual side, and the actions scenes were full of energy. I really liked the character of Nils and how he broke the nerd cliche. There was also nothing heavy about the story.

What I didn't like:
I didn't really connect/empathize with Celene, although perhaps that's because I hadn't read the previous book. There weren't any scenes to emphasize how the whole hero worship thing was actually crippling her love life other than being told backstory. The pace was good until it dropped and became a bit fragmented midway and never quite picked back up for me, especially at the finale. There also wasn't anything ground-breakingly new or different about the story overall.

In conclusion:
This was a quick, light, and fun military SFR story that can be read as a standalone despite being book two of a series. On the downside, it was lacking on the emotional intensity side of the romance for me and missing an explosive final confrontation. If I'm honest I was left a bit disappointed by it. For fans of military scifi romance who aren't into a lot of emotional angst as part of the build up or lots of techy descriptions, and along the lines of a lighter Battlestar Galactica (reboot)/newer Star Trek.

Girl from Above 4 by Pippa DaCosta #spaceopera #scifi

Title: Girl from Above: Trust (The 1000 Revolution #4)
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Genre: Space Opera/Scifi
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 172 pages
Rating: Pippa
Rater: 5*



Blurb:

“I didn’t sign up to die a hero.” ~ Caleb.

Chen Hung closes in.
The nine systems hang perilously close to a second fatal Blackout.
The lives of billions of people are at stake.
Does Captain Caleb Shepperd have what it takes to save the nine systems, or just himself?

Caleb never wanted to be a hero. That was his brother’s dream. Keep it simple, get away clean. Flying a ship packed with explosives into Janus orbit station isn’t simple, and there ain’t no way he’s getting away clean.

He knows the Fenrir Nine have sent him on a suicide mission, but he’s not about to lay down his life for them. He’s not a hero, and he sure ain’t no fool despite what the Nine must think. There’s another way, he just has to figure it out before the bomb he’s carrying ticks down to zero.

One survived; against the odds, the brutality, and the betrayal, she survived, but inside, in the part of her that’s real, she’s broken. Broken in ways that cannot be fixed.

She’s going back to where it all began, to Janus—to Chitec, to the ‘man’ who made her. It will take all that she is, all that she was, and all that she could be, to save the nine systems from the synthetics.

She will not fail.

“I am One, and I cannot be stopped.”

What I liked:
Grab some tissues and hold on tight! This final installment packs some serious emotional punch (one reason I generally go for SFR over straight SF, but here you get it without the romance), as well as a real adrenaline-laced ride through violence, more betrayal, sacrifice, and emotional awakenings. Basically all hell breaks loose. I finally forgave Caleb for being such a jerk as this a-hole of a reluctant hero has finally turned himself around from someone I hoped would die long before the end of the series to one I could cheer and feel for. Clean, crisp and gritty writing, with a couple of good twists towards the end, plus a satisfactory conclusion that wraps up the four books but leaves intriguing openings for more. Frankly I would love more of One's adventures, but could let Caleb fly off into the sunset because I can only see him reverting after all the character growth in the four books (and I don't want to see that).

What I didn't like:

*spoiler alert! Don't read this section if you don't want the ending given away* 

Well. It's a minor niggle, but the ending didn't sit entirely right with me. I think it's more because I'm perfectly willing to kill all my characters at the end of a non-romance, so maybe I expect other authors to do it (and there's really no reason why they should!). And the vague hints of romance/light romantic elements throughout weren't exactly resolved either - there's still an opening there for potential future books. Maybe I'm just too set into the SciFi romance groove to accept a non-romance ending when I felt the story was heading that way. That said, it wasn't enough to even justify taking off a half star, and didn't spoil my overall enjoyment.

In conclusion:

I feel like One ripped out my heart and squished it, before giving me a hug! This was a seriously good conclusion to the series, and a real tear-jerker, as well as providing some dark, acidic humor and high-adrenaline action. Those hoping for a romantic ending might be disappointed, but for fans of scifi action adventure who aren't offended by the sex and foul language, this is perfection. Recommended for those who like Firefly/Farscape.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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.

Violet Haze by CE Kilgore #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Violet Haze (Corwint Central Agent Files)
Author: CE Kilgore
Genre: Scifi Romance
Publisher: Tracing the Stars
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 96 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
Caleb finds himself evolving beyond the boundaries he was programmed with as Corwint struggles to find stability during the Mechatronic Automaton rights movement. Meeting Violet, a rare female Mecha, encourages him to follow the evolution to its fullest potential, while violent events surrounding the rights movement pushes them both to stand up for acknowledgment of their existence and their right to live equally.

Author's Note: The events of this story begin 32 years prior to the events in Book 1: Ghost In The Machine, and end after Book 3: Tracing The Stars, but it can be read as a stand alone story.

What I liked:
I have a serious thing for Kilgore's mecha, and in Violet Haze it's pretty much ALL mecha. A beautifully written short that follows the sentient development of the mecha, from emotional awakening, their fight to be recognized as sentient beings with the rights of individuals, and the terrible consequences they and their supporters face. Wonderfully done, it questions what it means to be alive.

What I didn't like:
I wish it could have been longer. The story is fully complete, but I wanted more! Also, because the Mechatronic Automatons live so long, this covers a much longer time scale than some of the other characters in the Corwint Universe, and as such I felt a tad lost. It's difficult to adjust my personal sense of time to that of the mechas in the story. Not a complaint, just a niggle.

In conclusion:
This is a wonderful, sweet and thought-provoking story of the sentient awakening of the mechas, and what the people who support them also sacrifice to help them reach their full potential and gain their rights as free thinking, feeling individuals. Less explicit than some of the others in this series if you're sensitive to sexual content, light on the SF elements, and a sweet, slow burn romance. Loved it.

Girl from Above: Trapped by Pippa DaCosta #spaceopera

Title: Girl from Above: Trapped (Book 3 of The 1000 Revolution)
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Genre: Space Opera
Publisher: Self
Available: Amazon $2.99 (Kindle) 182 pages
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa




Blurb:
"When are you going to stop running, Caleb?"

Taking the synth to the casino capital of the nine systems seemed like a great idea at the time, but as Caleb Shepperd's many enemies close in, he only has one way out. He must betray #1001.

Caleb can't make the same mistake twice. Can he?

#1001 has a price on her head. The Fenrir Nine and Chitec will stop at nothing to secure her secrets. The very same secrets that riddle her synthetic mind with faults.

Her systems are failing.

And the one man she's come to trust may prove to be her enemy.

The sizzling, fast-paced, and action packed science-fiction continues in Trapped.

Reading order:
Girl From Above 1: Betrayal
Girl From Above 2: Escape
Girl From Above 3: Trapped
Girl From Above 4: Trust (coming soon)

WARNING: 18+ only. Adult content. Including sex, drug use, violence, & swearing.

What I liked:
Okay, okay, so I've finally stopped hating Caleb (though I still don't like him much). However, his total and utter remorse is finally winning me over, although I'd like to see him stop thinking with his libido (unlikely, I'm sure). Chuffed to see my suspicions about a certain character proved correct. Again, this is superbly written, fast paced and tension packed space opera. There are still the merest hints of a potential romantic HEA, but nowhere near enough for me to label this as a romance of any kind. The SF elements aren't too heavy for those afraid of being blinded by futuristic science, but enough that it satisfies my need for SF world building and the futuristic, advanced tech feel I prefer.

What I didn't like:
Caleb is still a jerk. But that's about all I can put under this heading.

In conclusion:
A tense and exciting penultimate book that has me anxiously awaiting book four with almost the same level of anticipation as going to see The Force Awakens. And that's high praise from me. This one also squeezed that extra star from me to make the 5, which my previous dislike for the 'hero' prevented me from giving. So there you go. Even a jerk can win me over if he's redeemed enough. Not for those who don't like explicit sex, violence, and lots of swearing but definitely for those who like flying by the seat of your pants action SF, and this one has quite a cliff-hanger ending.

I was given a copy of the book by the author for an unbiased and honest review.

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.

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.