Showing posts with label Sci-Fi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sci-Fi. Show all posts
Dark Thoughts is a STAND-ALONE SciFi Romance. The hero might be tall, dark, and scarred but don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s truly a monster. This story is not for readers with delicate sensibilities.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
This post includes reviews for Knowing Zip and Dark Arsenal, books #8.5 & #9.5 of the Cyborg Sizzle series.
Find more information HERE.
Dark Thoughts by Cynthia Sax
Rating -
Book 1 of the Refuge series
Genre - Scifi Romance / assassin
POV - dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Amazon ebook
Length - 232 pages
The Refuge is home to some of the most violent beings in the universe. Kralj, its leader, reigns over the remote outpost with terrifying ease, ruthlessly squashing any rumors of rebellion, killing anyone who breaks his rules. Primitive, deadly, powerful, he’s a monster, scarred both on his face and his soul. He has never met a being he couldn’t control.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
Until he meets her.
Dita has one mission—to kill the three targets claiming sanctuary within the Refuge. Or so she claims. For the first time in his long lifespan, Kralj isn’t certain of another being’s intentions. The tiny assassin is immune to his powers, her thoughts unreadable. He can’t predict her movements, can’t control her, can’t stop wanting her.
Dita is rare, as unique as he is, and, to keep the residents of the Refuge safe, Kralj will have to kill her. But first, he’ll touch her, taste her, show her how passionate the beast inside him can be.
This was such a great read! It was darker than I'm used to from this author, but I loved every moment I spent with Kralj and Dita.
Kralj was a unique being, possibly the most deadly being in the universe, and he thought he was destined to live his long life alone, protecting those in his refuge with a code of honor and deadly intent. Then Dita makes her presence known, constantly crawling up the wall of his oasis, a human assassin determined to keep her word and take revenge against three men who reside in the refuge. She's immune to his most lethal power and suddenly his life doesn't seem so lonely.
I enjoyed both the dark and light elements of their relationship. The author did a wonderful job of capturing their lethal beauty and their vulnerabilities. My only real complaint was that I wanted to spend more time with these two.
Knowing Zip
dual pov, explicit heat, 42 pages
Knowing Zip is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Seeking Vector. It is also a BBW Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Surrounded by his brethren, their females, and their offspring, all Zip wanted was a female of his own. A future like the ones he had to bear witness to. When he finally finds her after diligently searching every database he had access to, he immediately sets off to find her. Lucky for him, Ryssa had always dreamed of being kidnapped by a cyborg. This book definitely had tons of instalove vibes and with an edge of danger, it was very entertaining.
___________________________________
Dark Arsenal
dual pov, explicit heat, 65 pages
Dark Arsenal is a short companion story in the Cyborg Sizzle series and is meant to be read after Taking Vengeance. It is also a Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes violent universe.
Arsenal has seen himself as disposable. He's got no female, no offspring, no future. He signs up for dangerous missions, taking risks that those with families should avoid, and almost invites death. His future starts looking up when his latest mission brings him in close contact with the one woman meant for him. Vicuska is beautiful and determined and the perfect match for him. Their adventure together was scary and fun. I wonder if the Nora A.I. will feature in any other books?
These reviews will be short and sweet, but if you're someone who enjoys mushy scifi romance, these stories are for you.
This collection gave me a sample of some of this author's series and a glimpse of how much I'd enjoy them.
I did skip one of the books, Mated to the Cyborgs, because I knew right away that it wasn't for me.
Enjoy!
Assigned a Mate
dual pov, explicit heat, arranged marriage
When a potential threat against her life forces Eva Daily to seek shelter on another world, she has only one option available to her. She must offer herself to the Interstellar Bride Program. After a deeply humiliating assessment of her suitability, Eva will be assigned a mate and transported to his world to become his bride.
Upon arriving on the desert planet Trion, Eva soon learns that things are quite different than she is used to on Earth. Her assigned mate, the powerful, handsome High Councilor Tark, makes it clear that she will be expected to submit to him completely, and she quickly discovers that disobedience will earn her a painful, embarrassing spanking on her bare bottom.
An intimate examination from her new mate leaves Eva blushing crimson, but to her surprise Tark’s mastery of her body arouses her beyond anything she could have ever imagined. Soon enough she finds herself naked, bound, and unable to resist the urge to beg for more as his skillful lovemaking brings her to one shattering climax after another.
It doesn’t take long, however, for Eva to realize that there is much more to Tark than just a dominant brute who will not hesitate to take his misbehaving wife over his knee and redden her bare bottom thoroughly. But just as her passion for him begins to blossom into love, events back on Earth threaten to tear her away from him forever. Can Eva find a way to remain at Tark’s side and in his bed, or will she be left with nothing but memories of the man who has claimed both her body and her heart?
Rating -
While this was heavy on the smut and not so much the romance, I enjoyed it. It's a short and dirty read, perfect filler when you're done with a plot heavy book. I liked both Eva and Tark and would have loved to spend more time with them. That's a good sign.
While this was heavy on the smut and not so much the romance, I enjoyed it. It's a short and dirty read, perfect filler when you're done with a plot heavy book. I liked both Eva and Tark and would have loved to spend more time with them. That's a good sign.
His Virgin Mate
dual pov, explicit heat, instant connection, arranged marriage
Twenty-one and single, Alexis Lopez hopes her lackluster response to men is a problem she's eager to solve by volunteering for the Interstellar Brides Program. One look at the large, dominant alien who claims she belongs to him sets her body on fire. When he tells her, in explicit detail, how he'll claim her in every way, she is eager to give her mate everything, body and soul.
Von of Everis is a ruthless and high ranking Hunter who's spent years fighting in the Hive wars. But his bed, and his life, are empty until Alexis arrives. One look at his innocent little bride and he knows she belongs to him.
Simple, right? Nope. The match is challenged by one of the most feared warriors on the planet and stolen kisses and mind-numbing pleasure won't save Von from a deadly duel. But Von is a Hunter, a warrior, a protector, and someone is trying to take what belongs to him. Only him. He will do whatever it takes to protect, save and claim his virgin mate.
Rating -
I liked that Alexis held all the power when it came to deciding how far she would take things with Von. If she wasn't really feeling him or found someone more enticing, she could simply walk away. So cool. Lucky for Von, he was everything she could possibly want in a man and the shared dreams and experiences only served to cement their bond. There was just enough juicy bits (aside from the sex) to keep this story interesting.
I liked that Alexis held all the power when it came to deciding how far she would take things with Von. If she wasn't really feeling him or found someone more enticing, she could simply walk away. So cool. Lucky for Von, he was everything she could possibly want in a man and the shared dreams and experiences only served to cement their bond. There was just enough juicy bits (aside from the sex) to keep this story interesting.
Maid for the Beast
dual pov, explicit heat, fated mates
An Atlan Warlord in Mating Fever with two choices: Be the latest bachelor beast on an Earth reality television show to find his perfect mate or face certain death in an Atlan prison. Braun's not sure which is worse... until a female enters his hotel suite with towels and cleaning supplies.
She isn't part of the television show.
She isn't available.
She isn't interested in mating with an alien.
She isn't his.
Try telling that to his beast, because one look at the maid and Braun knows he will do anything... anything, to claim her.
Rating - 1/2
Okay, if you read this book and don't immediately fall into instant like with Braun... I don't even know what to tell you. This alien was amazing and Angela got really lucky. Hot and entertaining, if all of Goodwin's books are like this, I'll be reading her entire list.
1/2Okay, if you read this book and don't immediately fall into instant like with Braun... I don't even know what to tell you. This alien was amazing and Angela got really lucky. Hot and entertaining, if all of Goodwin's books are like this, I'll be reading her entire list.
The First Starfighter
dual pov, descriptive heat, instalove
It was just a game. The newest, hottest video game release of the year. Choose a role. Build the perfect hero who joins you on missions to save the Vega star system from the evil Queen Raya and her merciless Dark Fleet.
Play for hours? Check.
Obsess over the in-game romance between your avatar and the sexiest alien you've ever seen? Check.
Win? Beat the heck out of the game? Check and check.
Open your door at 3:00 in the morning to find that smoking hot alien you thought you made up in your head standing there? Um... okay.
Wake up on the other side of the galaxy with that same alien insisting you're his... and that you haven't been playing a video game, but completed the training program to become the first Starfighter from Earth?
Holy sh$t.
Rating -
This story stretched my imagination too far and I've got a pretty great imagination.
Jamie plays a video game with some online friends. She created her online companion, they go on missions together, and she beats the game. Then her online companion shows up at her place because he's actually a real person (alien) and the game she was playing was actually a training simulation. She's this alien world's best hope of beating back their ruthless enemy.
Are we being for real?
She's supposed to be able to fly and fight based on a game. And she excels at it.
BFFR.
This story stretched my imagination too far and I've got a pretty great imagination.
Jamie plays a video game with some online friends. She created her online companion, they go on missions together, and she beats the game. Then her online companion shows up at her place because he's actually a real person (alien) and the game she was playing was actually a training simulation. She's this alien world's best hope of beating back their ruthless enemy.
Are we being for real?
She's supposed to be able to fly and fight based on a game. And she excels at it.
BFFR.
“I can’t fight this world without you. It’s you and me, remember?”
“Not sure what’s going to happen in this life, but it’s you and me.”
“Not sure what’s going to happen in this life, but it’s you and me.”
Knight Awakening by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating -
Standalone - Scorpius Syndrome #6
Release - February 25, 2020
Genre - SciFi Romance / apocalypse
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 372 pages
The Line Between Obsession and Love has Disappeared
The world has changed. Any rules that might’ve been in place before the Scorpius bacterium ripped through civilization and decreased its population are no longer in place. Obsession and survival are the new reality. So, Marcus Knight, after a hellish time in captivity that stole most of his memory and all of his soul, has one focus, and that’s keeping Dr. Penelope Kim safe in the aftermath. She’d risked her life to save him once, and she’s all that matters. For months, he’s kept his distance, protecting her from afar, because he knows that one touch—one sigh—one kiss—from her will never be enough.
Passion is a Dangerous and Deadly Temptation
Penny Kim is one of the few doctors still living, and she alone holds the key to ensuring the human race continues. Several of her friends are pregnant, and the clock is ticking down on their survival. Her days are filled with experiments and hope, while her nights are consumed with visions and dreams of the hard-bodied and powerful soldier who’s made her safety his one and only mission. She should be wary of him; she should be terrified of him. Yet all she feels is an unreal craving for his touch that gets stronger every day. Life is short, and she’s unwilling to wait, unaware of the danger already hunting them both. Some risks are worth it, even in this new and dangerous world.
The world has changed. Any rules that might’ve been in place before the Scorpius bacterium ripped through civilization and decreased its population are no longer in place. Obsession and survival are the new reality. So, Marcus Knight, after a hellish time in captivity that stole most of his memory and all of his soul, has one focus, and that’s keeping Dr. Penelope Kim safe in the aftermath. She’d risked her life to save him once, and she’s all that matters. For months, he’s kept his distance, protecting her from afar, because he knows that one touch—one sigh—one kiss—from her will never be enough.
Passion is a Dangerous and Deadly Temptation
Penny Kim is one of the few doctors still living, and she alone holds the key to ensuring the human race continues. Several of her friends are pregnant, and the clock is ticking down on their survival. Her days are filled with experiments and hope, while her nights are consumed with visions and dreams of the hard-bodied and powerful soldier who’s made her safety his one and only mission. She should be wary of him; she should be terrified of him. Yet all she feels is an unreal craving for his touch that gets stronger every day. Life is short, and she’s unwilling to wait, unaware of the danger already hunting them both. Some risks are worth it, even in this new and dangerous world.
I loved Marcus. He was such a damaged hero, who had forgotten who he was and wasn't sure who he could be. All he knew was that he had to protect Dr. Penelope at all costs. I was entertained by every moment that he allowed himself to feel, the time he spent with his brother, and the budding intimacy that he was sharing with the other inhabitants of Vanguard. He was dark and deadly and there was so much to him buried beneath the surface. I had fun being in his head and he made me laugh, which is always great.
I hated Penelope. Seriously, I really disliked her so freaking much. I haven't liked any of the heroines from this series and was hoping the best was saved for last. Nope. She was the worst. Aside from being on call to help with injuries, she had nothing to recommend her. She was pushy, rude, abusive and manipulative. If her characteristics were attached to a male character, I'm sure many of us would not approve. So why should I be a fan because she's a woman?
Jax sighed. "The Ripper has to go, Marcus. Either I do it, or Penny does it, and I vote for me."
"Me, too," Marcus said quietly.
"No." Penny held up a hand. "I need your help. Get your brother out of her, please." She kept her gaze on the prone man.
Marcus didn't move.
"Marcus?" Penny asked, partially turning to look at him.
"Me, too," Marcus said quietly.
"No." Penny held up a hand. "I need your help. Get your brother out of her, please." She kept her gaze on the prone man.
Marcus didn't move.
"Marcus?" Penny asked, partially turning to look at him.
Girl, are you serious? Jax is the LEADER of the group. The leader. You're being a part of the group is compliments of his courtesy. And honestly, you're there because he wants his brother there and you happen to be part of the deal. Where do you get off?
She kept talking about how she had to find a cure for Scorpius. How? When Scorpius hit, she had just finished medical school. And she thinks she's the best option when the leader of the CDC (Lynne), who had been working on Scorpius, is there looking for a cure? Is this girl for real?
There were so many examples of how horrible this heroine was, but Marcus was so great that I took my time enjoying him and he and all of the other characters and the plot were the only reason this story worked for me.
Previous books in the series:
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.
Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!
“It may take you a while to get settled into it, but you’re covered, April.
I’m not letting anything happen to you.
That’s a promise.”
I’m not letting anything happen to you.
That’s a promise.”
Winter Igniting by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating -
Standalone - Scorpius Syndrome #5
Release - February 20, 2018
Genre - Scifi Romance / apocalypse
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 374 pages
His only goal was survival until he met her...
With nothing to lose, former cop Damon Winter agrees to an undercover op, infiltrating a cult in the dangerous post-Scorpius world. After one look at his new partner, he knows she belongs far away from not only the cult, but from him. She's sweet and kind and has no business being in peril, but she's determined to help. Suddenly, the part he's playing as her man explodes into a passion neither of them had expected.
She hadn't purposefully faced risk until she met him...
April Snyder has survived loss, pain, and uncertainty. Now she's ready to live again. There's nothing left but to make a difference for others, so why not go undercover in the cult? Now all she has to do is keep it professional and ignore her handsome, deadly, overbearing partner, who's too sexy for her peace of mind. Intrigue, risk, and danger make for an irresistible temptation--until enemies close in, threatening everyone they've sworn to protect.
With nothing to lose, former cop Damon Winter agrees to an undercover op, infiltrating a cult in the dangerous post-Scorpius world. After one look at his new partner, he knows she belongs far away from not only the cult, but from him. She's sweet and kind and has no business being in peril, but she's determined to help. Suddenly, the part he's playing as her man explodes into a passion neither of them had expected.
She hadn't purposefully faced risk until she met him...
April Snyder has survived loss, pain, and uncertainty. Now she's ready to live again. There's nothing left but to make a difference for others, so why not go undercover in the cult? Now all she has to do is keep it professional and ignore her handsome, deadly, overbearing partner, who's too sexy for her peace of mind. Intrigue, risk, and danger make for an irresistible temptation--until enemies close in, threatening everyone they've sworn to protect.
There's something about the men in these books, who would risk it all to keep people safe, that really makes this series work for me. Survival is paramount, but along the way, these men are rediscovering their humanity and their hearts. The romance is definitely key for each story and Damon was no different.
He lost it all when Scorpius hit. His entire family was wiped out by the virus and he found a new one with the Mercs. He and Grey had turned a group of men just trying to get by into something really special. Now that they've allied with Vanguard, the goal is to lead all of their people and provide hope in this new world.
He and April are tasked with infiltrating the Pure church to make sure that all of the members are there willingly. Things didn't seem right with this cultish group, which was obvious in the previous books. It only became clearer here and I was actually really scared for what April might have to face. Thankfully Damon had her back. Their fake relationship for their undercover op turned into something real. April was understandably afraid because she had lost it all too. But what they shared was precious in a world full of loss.
There's talk of moving everyone to Wyoming and I'm guessing the plans and the actual trek will happen in the next book, which is for Marcus. Hmmm... that man is something else. Big and scary, he makes his brother Jax look like a nice guy. I'm excited to dive into his story.
Okay, so I did have an issue with this book and it almost made me stop reading.
In previous books and this one, Damon was described as a Shemar Moore lookalike.
The man on the cover looks NOTHING like Shemar Moore.
Is this because a black man was created for our reading pleasure by a white woman?
Do all black men look basically the same?
Can you not see the difference? The only thing they share is a strong jaw line. Even their color is different.
So yeah, this is an issue I typically have when reading a black character that wasn't created by a black author.
As a romance reader who happens to be black, it does bother me.
Previous books in the series:
Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.
Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!
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