Wyvern’s Warrior (Dragons of Incendium #3) by Deborah Cooke-a review

WYVERN’S WARRIOR (Dragons of Incendium #3) by Deborah Cooke-a review

Wyvern's Warrior

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About the book: Release Date December 27, 2017

A mysterious stranger arrives on Incendium in secret, but is intercepted by princess Thalina when he tries to break into the palace. Abducted and held captive, Thalina finds herself intrigued by the dangerous mercenary who seems to have no heart at all, and strangely sympathetic to his quest. Has he cast a spell over her, or is she the only one to see his hidden truth?

••••••••••

REVIEW: WYVERN’S WARRIOR is the third full length installment in Deborah Cooke’s DRAGONS OF INCENDIUM adult, paranormal, sci-fi romance series focusing on the twelve royal princesses of Incendium. This is princess Thalina, and Acion’s story line. WYVERN’S WARRIOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order as the author adds a short story between each installment revealing some background information about the preceding story.

SOME BACKGROUND: For fans of Cooke’s previous series about dragons, THE DRAGONS OF INCENDIUM is NOT connected to, or a spinoff from, her best selling Dragonfire series. The current series focuses on female dragon shifters of Incendium searching for their ‘HeartKeeper’-their mate- and the ‘Carrier of the Seed’.

Told from several third person perspectives including Thalina and Acion, WYVERN’S WARRIOR follows princess Thalina as she believes she has found the ‘Carrier of the Seed’. When an unknown and unwelcome visitor arrives on the planet Incendium Thalina knows immediately he is the ‘Carrier of the Seed.’ But something is different about Acion, and if her suspicions are true, Acion will become the victim of an ancient law that will destroy the man with whom she is falling in love. What ensues is a the building relationship between Acion and Thalina; Acion’s ascension into cognition and his humanity; and the struggle to stay one step ahead of two colliding forces determined to destroy Acion and everything he represents.

WYVERN’S WARRIOR is a story of determination and love; specieism and a millennia’s old law that warrants a look into the possibility of change; of heartbreak, falling in love, and finding one’s ‘HeartKeeper’. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sexy and imaginative; the characters are fated and animated. WYVERN’S WARRIOR is a story of action, adventure, and romance where two individuals find one another against the odds.

Reading Order & Previous Reviews
Wyvern’s Mate
Nero’s Dream
Wyvern’s Prince
Arista’s Legacy
Wyvern’s Warrior

Copy supplied for review.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Titus / Justice (Six Saviors #9 & #10) by Carly Fall-a review

TITUS / Justice (Six Saviors #9 & #10) by Carly Fall-a review

Titus

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 16, 2016

Titus, a former member of the Platoon, has been nursed back to health by those of Rescue One, and now lives with them and the Saviors. An SR44 male without his mate, he struggles every day to find the will to live.

Macy, an SR44ian Healer, has worked relentlessly to help Titus move on with his life, but has been met with rude behavior and ingratitude. He responds by continually driving her away, until one night she forces him realize that perhaps he does want to live.

To the surprise of them both, their unexpected friendship becomes something more, and the two become lovers. However, it is understood that Titus’ dead mate will always have his heart and their relationship can never move beyond friends with benefits.

When a series of events leaves Macy in the tortuous hands of a Colonist, Macy finds strength she never imagined she had. Titus realizes his true feelings for her, and just how desperately he needs her in his life … and he’ll stop at absolutely nothing to get her back.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: TITUS is the tenth installment in Carly Fall’s contemporary, adult SIX SAVIORS sci-fi/paranormal romance series. This is former member of the Platoon, and SR44ian Titus, and SR44ian healer Macy’s story line. TITUS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although for cohesion and backstory I recommend reading the series in order.

BACKGROUND: There were 6 original Savior warriors from planet SR44. The warriors were sent to earth over 212 years ago to stop and eradicate the 12 murderers who escaped from one of the moon colonies of planet SR44. The Colonists, as they were soon called, made their way to Earth, took the human body form, mated with the females and populated the earth with Colonist DNA. The earthly descendants will either manifest good or bad qualities; the savior warriors are part of the elite military from planet SR44, commissioned to remove the Colonists from Earth including the descendants with bad DNA. The beings on planet SR44 are incorporeal bodies of mist and smoke, each bearing a different color, but in their corporeal bodies on Earth, their eyes will glow their familiar- planet SR44 color each evening.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Titus and Macy) TITUS focuses on our hero’s recovery-both mentally and physically-after finding himself alone and dying in the desert following the murder of his mate by a SR44 Colonist. Titus is one of the original members of the Platoon-the remaining survivors of planet SR44 who went in search of the original Saviors. Rescued by one of his own ‘species’ Titus spends months in recovery wishing he had died along with his mate. Enter Macy-a SR44ian healer-who has fallen in love with the broken male but has come to the end of her patience when Titus continues to withdraw further into himself. Macy will point out he is not the only SR44ian to lose someone close, and that while the others struggle to stop the Colonists from their nightly rampage, Titus remains behind wallowing in his own hatred and pain.

The relationship between Macy and Titus is slow to build while Macy spends months ‘healing’ Titus through psychic power. Titus is a man so broken that he is incapable of feeling anything beyond the pain of losing his mate, and doesn’t realize that his salvation will come at the hands of the SR44ian healer. The $ex scenes are provocative and seductive without the over the top erotic imagery.

The world building continues to focus on the hunt for the Colonists who have ravaged a city believing itself to be a victim to a serial killer. The violence is more graphic than in previous installments, although we are witness to the aftermath in most of the cases.

I want to add that I did have a difficult time with Macy (near the end) as it pertained to her inability to stay strong in the face of what had happened, and what was meant to be. Her ‘lack of self-confidence’ threatened the lives of several members of the SR44 family, and with it came my disappointment for her as a strong, female character or heroine.

TITUS is an entertaining and emotional story line that focuses on love and loss; heartbreak and grief; looking forward and letting go. Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles; the Saviors prepare for the birth of a new member of their group.

Carly Fall’s incredible and passionate SIX SAVIORS is a series about hope-a hope for the future of a species who know that home is no longer a planet millions of miles away, but on a small planet called Earth.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

_________________

JusticeJUSTICE
Six Saviors #9
by Carly Fall
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, sci-fi romance
Release Date: September 18, 2015

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 18, 2015

Justice, head of SR44’s Rescue One, and his crew are enlisted by the Six Saviors to join the fight against the Colonist offspring that terrorize the city of Phoenix, leading to tension about leadership between Justice and the Saviors.

US Army Corporal Holly Lewis has dedicated her adult life to caring for her elder brother, who suffers from PTSD and severe depression. When she is framed for his violent murder, her world falls apart and she flees, causing her to unwittingly collide with Justice and the Saviors.

As Justice and Holly work together to find who killed her brother and prove her innocence, an unexpected attraction between them sparks and grows. However, Justice knows the relationship has been built on lies.

When the stress between Justice and the Saviors reaches critical levels, he knows he must share his secrets with Holly—it’s the moral thing to do. However, by doing so, he could put her or the Saviors in danger … and end up completely alone in his new world. Once Holly knows the truth, can their relationship survive the deceit?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: JUSTICE is the ninth full-length installment in Carly Fall’s contemporary adult Six Saviors sci-fi/paranormal romance series. This is SR44 Rescue One Leader Justice, and US Army Corporal Holly Lewis’s storyline. JUSTICE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for cohesion, backstory and enjoyment I suggest reading the series in order.

Told from several third person points of view JUSTICE follows the Six Saviors as they endeavor to stay one step ahead of the Colonist’s murderous rampage sweeping the city of Phoenix Arizona. While on patrol, the Saviors will be introduced to more of their kind-the crew of SR44’s Rescue One-including their leader Justice, and another SR44ian whose previous history with the Saviors is nothing less than murderous and volatile.

Two years earlier, Justice and his crew had answered a ‘call’ from Earth requesting immediate retrieval as the Savior’s mission was complete, but upon arrival they were stunned to realize nothing was as it was supposed to be and the Savior’s were unaware of the request for help. Holding up in an abandoned bunker in the middle of the desert for two years, Justice and his crew had grown restless and were hoping to meet with the original Six Saviors. But a frequent visitor to the bunker-US Army Corporal Holly Lewis-would push the meeting a little closer when Holly uncovers the crew’s hiding place.

The relationship between Justice and Holly begins as acquaintances but soon escalates when Holly finds herself on the run, accused of her brother’s murder and seeks out Justice and the bunker as a place to hide. Enter the Six Saviors who will be tasked with uncovering the identity of the person responsible for Holly’s brother’s death as Justice believes the truth may focus on a Colonist descendant. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense; there is an expiry date on their developing relationship when the Saviors push Justice to walk away.

All of the previous storyline couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles-the ensemble cast of characters brings a sense of familiarity and cohesion to each additional story. The original Six Saviors have all mated and found love; their expanding families are making for some loud and fun times in the Silo. With the introduction of Justice’s Rescue One crew, there are more storylines on the horizon for the SR44ians. The world building continues to focus on the extermination of the original Colonists and the growing number of half-breeds (half human/half Colonist) with the volatile DNA although the Saviors’s continue to struggle in locating those responsible for the increasing number of attacks and murders. The SR44ians now call Earth their home but some new comers are having a difficult time with the realization that SR44 is no more.

The storyline premise is well structured; the tone and imagery sets the stage for another potential happily ever after although I fear for one of the new members at the Silo. Justice’s future role with the Saviors has yet to be revealed; he is no longer living in the Silo with the rest of his ‘family’. The characters are colorful and engaging, although we know very little about the two years in hiding for Justice and his crew. The conflict is two fold as the Saviors have some issues with Justice’s relationship with Holly, and Justice’s need to help Holly when her world begins to spin out of control.

JUSTICE is another welcome and entertaining addition to Carly Fall’s SIX SAVIORS sci-fi, paranormal romance series. Carly adds some background information with each of her storylines to jog the reader’s memory-I applaud every author who isn’t afraid to rehash some of the previous information. For those who have issues with science fiction, the Six Saviors series reads more like a paranormal romance than the 50s & 60s sci-fi storylines. The setting is contemporary Earth where our heroes find love within the human population.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Gravity by Melissa West – a Review

Gravity by Melissa West – a Review

 

Gravity by Melissa West, is her debut novel, and a wonderful start in her sure to be a successful career.  Gravity is the first book in her The Taking series. This is Y.A. with a SciFi and Romance theme.  Yes, there are so many YA books out there now, but this one is a bit different, and has a real catchy promotional phrase…..Don’t. Ever. Peek.  Once you start Gravity, you will not put this book down.  Below is a description from the cover, and my review.  Since this is an early review, I will try to avoid spoilers, and yet give you my thoughts of this book.

Description:
In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

 

Review:

We learn early, that after a major war, with much destruction, an uneasy truce was made between the humans and Ancients, who are aliens that look human.  They live in peace, with the humans helping the Ancients; and the Ancients, who live off planet, will not hurt the humans.  But the agreement was that after many years, the time would come when the Ancients would become acclimated to Earth, and they want to coexist on Earth together.  But things are about to change. 

Ari Alexander is our heroine, and we meet her immediately, as she is in bed awaiting an Ancient to come to her and take the necessary nutrients/vitamins/immunity, they need to survive.  Each human is assigned an Ancient, who comes to them to take what they need to survive, at no harm to the humans.  As the story starts, Ari awaits her unseen Ancient for his taking, and right before the Ancient is expected, she moves to put on her eye piece that disables her ability to see what the Ancient looks like. Humans are not allowed to look at their Ancient….”Don’t Ever Peek”.  But Ari cannot find the eye patch, and when the Ancient comes, she does peek.  Did we doubt she would, after all just the tempatation of Don’t Ever Peek, is enough to peek. lol  We meet our hero, Jackson Locke, who surprisingly to Ari, is an Ancient. A surprise, since Jackson is the most popular guy at school, and he is a gorgeous hunk, nothing like a hideous monster she expected to see.  Jackson has never paid much attention to Ari, or at least he avoided her.  But now with his secret out, he confides to Ari that he wanted her to see him, and he needed her help.  The world as they know it, was about to change, and if she didn’t help him, humans were all in danger of losing their lives in another war. 

Melissa West has done an excellent job of this world building.  In the beginning, it took a short time to learn all the particulars, but as the story unfolds you totally get into the flow.  The Ancients are tired of the humans delaying the agreement of them to coexist and live together on Earth, especially now that they have become fully acclimated. Hence the danger that Jackson has explained to Ari.  But unbeknownst to them, the human hierarchy has been planning secretly for years to stop the Ancients.

West has also created some wonderful characters.  Ari is a great heroine.  She is not only pretty, but smart, tough, a brilliant fighter, as well being well liked & respected by her peers.  Her father is the Commander, under the President.  Ari is considered a legacy, destined to be trained to be his replacement in the future. She is also promised to Lawrence, the President’s son, who is also being trained to replace the President in the future.  Both Ari and Lawrence accept their destined future together, and are good friends.  Then there is her friend Gretchen, who becomes part of the behind the scenes fight to save the world.

This is an emotional story also, as Ari and her friends become aware of what is being done to secretly fight the Ancients, and the lies that have been told to all of them.  There a number of surprises, and twists along the way that will totally blindside you, especially the ending.

Gravity also has a very nice romance between Ari and Jackson, that has you rooting hard for them to make it together. There were a lot of dark moments during the action paced last half of the story, that were somewhat horrifying, but understandable in war.  This was a thrilling, fast paced and exciting book that I had to keep reading to find out what happens. 

Will Ari betray her family to save them all?  Does Jackson truly care about Ari, or is he using her?  Is there a future for Ari and Jackson? Will the humans unleash their surprise attack against the Ancients? Will the two species end up in a full scale war again? As I said before, Melissa West leaves us somewhat hanging a bit at the end, and I dare you to not come back for the next book.  Great debut for Melissa West.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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