Can't Forget by Colleen S. Myers ~ Cover Reveal and Excerpt

Is it better to be safe or loved?

Title: Can’t Forget 

Series: Solum Series #2

Author: Colleen S. Myers

Publisher: Champagne Books

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance

Release Date: June 6, 2016

Four months have passed since the E’mani destroyed the Earth and scooped up the remains. Elizabeth “Beta” Camden was one of those taken. With the help of their enemies, the Fost, she escapes and confronts her prior captors successfully. Though she knows she should remain vigilant toward the E’mani, she follows her heart instead and falls in love with Marin, the sexy Fost warrior.

She should have trusted her first instinct.

This time the E’mani don’t come in force--they slip in silently. And any hope Beta had of a peaceful life is lost. She leaves in the dead of night to find the E’mani stronghold and end them once and for all. But love is a tricky bitch.  It takes a threat to Marin’s safety to make Beta realize, if she can’t forget her past, she won’t have a future. 

About the Author:

Colleen S. Myers was raised in a large catholic family in the outskirts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she grew up on Harlequin teen romances and stories from her mother’s days as a paramedic. She went on to attend Allegheny College majoring in Biology and English.

After college, Colleen spent a year in service in the Americorp giving back to the community at a local Pittsburgh Women Infants and Children Clinic (WICC) before attending Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine on a military scholarship.

Upon completing medical school, Colleen attended residency at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and was on base in Washington, DC during 9/11. She earned three meritorious service awards from the military. After serving seven years of active duty, she promptly landed a position at the VA to provide fellow veterans with optimum medical care. Still an avid fan of romances into adulthood, her love of the genre inspired her to hone her craft as a writer, focusing on contemporary romance and science fiction. Her background in medicine and the military provides an inspiring layer of creative realism to her stories and characters.

Her first book, Must Remember, the first book in the Solum series, is published by Champagne Press. 

The sequel, Can’t Forget, coming in June 2016, is the recipient of the 2015 RWA New England Readers Award.

Colleen currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and son, and spends her spare time writing. She is also working on a new contemporary romance.

Look for her at Three Rivers Romance Writers, at Facebook 

Colleen Myers, and at @ColleenSMyers.

You can also visit her online at the following places: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Google + | Pinterest

Excerpt:

The snowball hit the back of my head dead-on. Bam.

I stumbled forward from the force of the blow. The flakes created a halo of white powder around my head in the cool, crisp air then settled all over my face and neck.

What the…oh no he didn’t. A growl rose in my throat. I turned to confront my foe. I creased my eyebrows and I glared at him, mean-like.

With a smug expression on his face, Marin stared back, tossing another snowball between his hands.

“Elizabeth, you appeared distracted. I wanted to help.” His voice was smooth, deep like aged rum, and echoed in the unique way of his people, the Fost, almost like he was being dubbed. The sound got me every time causing me to shiver, or maybe it was the snow dripping down my back.

“That was helping?” My ass.

“Yes, you were about to walk into a tree,” he said dryly, dropping his ammunition.

I whipped around. Sure enough, a tree loomed in front of me. Dark-gray bark, feathery fronds interspersed with lethal spikes, blue moss climbing its trunk. Yep, that was a tree. Well for here anyway, not like on Earth.

I glanced back at Marin, who stood so trustingly under the boughs of another nearby tree laden with snow. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. See, I could help too. He looked hot, literally and figuratively.

“Okay, thanks.”

With a thought, my power twisted deep inside, and I sent out a burst of air through the branches. They shuddered in response and unloaded their cold, wet contents on Marin’s head with nary a sound.

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Cover Reveal: Adam (Cyborg #6) by Eve Langlais

Title: Adam (Cyborg #6)
Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Release Date: March 17, 2015

On Earth, when a rebel cyborg leader is drawn into a search for answers, he doesn’t expect things to blow up. And he’s not just talking about his house. Somehow his heart explodes, too, with the last thing he ever expected—love.

Adam survived the great cyborg purge because the military made a mistake, a mistake they lived to regret. They crossed the line when they decided to take away his free will and turn him into a machine. They erroneously thought him a slave they could command. However, their biggest screw up of all was when they didn’t terminate him at the first sign cyborgs were regaining sentience.

As the rebel cyborg leader on Earth, Adam is doing everything he can to rescue others of his kind. Part of his current, undercover mission involves infiltrating a top secret military facility where he comes in contact with a human scientist. A sexy scientist whom he’s ordered to protect.

What should have been an easy job turns into a fight for his life because it’s not just bullets and hit squads he’s got to worry about, but his heart.

How can one fragile female mean so much? It’s almost too much for a rational-minded cyborg to understand. When the choice is given, escape or let her die, he lets his heart decide, and after that, things start to explode—literally.

The Cyborgs: More Than Machines series can be read as stand alone stories, however, for total reader enjoyment and world immersion, it is recommended you read them in order.

Excerpt

How can you not have a television in your living room?” He couldn’t help blurting his incredulous query.

“Because I don’t need one.”

“Don’t need one?” He practically sputtered the words, his disbelief overwhelming. “But what do you do to entertain yourself? How do you play video games? Watch movies?” While it should be noted, he could technically do all these things wirelessly, there was a tactile enjoyment in flopping in a comfortable chair or couch and munching on dietary useless carbs while visually enjoying the antics of good cinema or challenging his dexterous skills as he manipulated a video game controller.

“I work most of the time, and when I’m not working, or researching, I’m sleeping.”

“Surely you do something for relaxation? Your entire life can’t revolve around the lab?”

“I like my work, but if you must know, I do also like to read.” At his raised brow, she blushed, the pink in her cheeks enticing. “Non-fiction books usually about my work.”

“But what about having fun?” As she shifted her stance, adopting a defensive posture, he realized how his accusation might sound. I just accused her of being boring.

“Who says I’m not enjoying myself?”

“Me. Don’t forget, I’ve been watching you for some time now, and with the exception of tonight, when the director left you that mysterious cooler, your heart rate has never spiked, your eyes haven’t shone with excitement, and I’ve certainly never heard you laugh.”

“How would you know if my heart beats faster? For all you know, I’m in a constant adrenaline rush when I’m working. I’m a scientist. I get a kick out of discovery.”

A snort escaped him. “What a load of crap.”

Spine straight, she fixed him with a glare. “Would you mind not insulting me in my own home? What business is it of yours anyhow how I entertain myself?”

“It’s none of my business. But I’d hate to think you’re missing out.”

“Missing out? On what? Fictional creations about absurd situations?”

“Forget television for a moment. What about the simple rush you get out of doing something for pleasure? Like hiking up a scenic mountain. Scuba diving and observing the beauty of nature on a coral reef.” Things that even he, with his analytical mind, could appreciate. “What about the enjoyment that comes out of sharing an adventure with a friend, or a lover…” Why was it, when it came to Doctor Laura, his mind always revolved back to more intimate matters? She drew him like no other.

Her expression turned sad for a moment before tightening. “My work is important. Time enough later for me to indulge in frivolous activities.”

“Or you could squeeze time in for them now.”

“Says the guy assigned to watch over me. Don’t tell me you think us going out to paint the town red is a good idea, given the threat supposedly to CyberGlys employees.”

“You don’t have to go out to have fun.”

“So what do you propose we do? Play a board game? Cards?”

“I’ve got something better than that.” Before she could question him some more, he showed her what he meant.

Reeling her into his arms didn’t take any thought, or weighing of the pros and cons of his actions. He’d wanted to kiss her all evening. Weeks even. Pretty much from the first moment he’d begun observing her he’d wanted to see if her lush lips would prove pliant under his.

They were. Soft and welcoming.

For so long, he’d wanted to draw her against him and see how she molded to his frame.

She fit perfectly, her lush curves a perfect complement to his hard body.

He’d wanted to see if, beneath her prim and serious exterior, there lurked passion.

By all the nanos in his body, she practically melted him with the heat she unleashed with just one long, and sensual, kiss.

With his senses tingling, their lips separated, and they stared at each other, her bright brown eyes behind her glasses meeting his gaze with wonder. A wonder he understood. Her breath, already coming faster, brushed warmly against him.

The moment stretched, fraught with anticipation and desire. The cognitive part of his brain suggested he step away. Getting involved with the doctor, however pleasurable, wasn’t part of his mission. It could prove a danger, especially given her scientific background. What if she recognized what he was? She could jeopardize more than his life. It was an unacceptable risk.

And yet…

The man within said fuck it.

He crushed her to him, his arms wrapping around her tight, his mouth claiming hers with intensity and determination. She will know excitement.

Already her heart raced. It pounded, the blood in her coursing frantically as it brought all of her nerves alive. At the same time, her body went limp in his arms, a languorous arousal weakening her muscles. But she needn’t fear falling.

I have her, and I’m not letting go. I will show her pleasure. With me. And only me.

He could no more help the possessive feelings than he could resist her allure.

Her desire for him rose in a musky perfume, the layers of clothes separating them, unable to hide the evidence, not with his enhanced senses.

It served only to heighten his arousal. Hard. Harder than the steel they’d strengthened his bones with. Harder than the locks on the firewalls guarding his electronic secrets. So hard…it hurt?

Pain wasn’t something he needed to feel unless he chose to, yet with her, he let the agony of wanting her and holding back fill him. The wild urgency was intoxicating. Not ruled by programming or rational thought, he just felt. Felt on a level he’d not imagined.

It made him forget where he was, who he was, and the danger his very existence posed. But lucky for them both, he was capable of faster-than-human reaction because, when the window shattered, he knew enough to spin his body and present his back in the split second before the deadly shards blasted them.

But more ominous than the deadly rain of glass was the thump and ticking of the metallic ball with its flashing red warning.

A bomb. Ah, hell.

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About the Author:

~ A New York Times & USA Today Bestseller
~ #1 Amazon Paranormal Romance Bestselling Author

~ Top 10 AllRomance Bestselling Author 2013

Hello, my name is Eve. I’m a stay at home mom who writes full time in between juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I write really raunchy stuff–usually with werewolves lol.

I am a bestselling Amazon author, ranking often in their to 100 romance authors. But I’m not just popular with Kindle readers. I was one of the top ten selling authors on AllRomance for 2013 and have had numerous of my books hit the top 20 books over all on Barnes & Nobles as well.

I am the first person to admit I am totally boring and lead a mundane life. Seriously. My idea of fun is shopping at our local Walmart lol. I like to play video games, cook, and read. My inspiration, hmm, I guess you could say hubby as he is a total alpha male which means I often want to club him over head with a frying pan. But, despite his ornery, ‘I-am-man’ nature, I love him dearly.

I’m writing romance, my way. I do have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. I like strong alpha males, naked chests and werewolves. Lots of werewolves. In fact, you’ll notice most of my multi partner stories revolve around great, big, overprotective Lycans who just want to please their woman. I am also extremely partial to aliens, you know the kind who abduct their woman and then drive them insane…with pleasure of course.

My heroines, they kind of run the gamut. I have some that are shy and soft spoken, others that will kick a man in the balls and laugh. Many of them are chubby, because in my world, girls with curves ROCK! Oh and some of my heroines are a teeny tiny bit evil, but in their defense, they need love too.

Some of my work does push boundaries and cross lines. Good and evil aren’t always clear in my tales, and in some cases, I’ve stomped on well known religious ideologies. Have I mentioned my imagination is a tad bit warped?

I tend to have a lot of sexual tension in my tales because I think all torrid love affairs start with a tingle in our tummies. And when my characters do finally give in to the needs of their flesh? Well, let’s just say, you shouldn’t be reading my stuff at work. The door is wide open, explicit and hot. Really, really hot.

I love to write, and while I don’t always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a happily ever after.

Find Eve Langlais at

Website/Facebook/Twitter/Google+ 

ARC Review: Riding the Odds by Lynda K. Scott

Title: Riding the Odds
Author: Lynda K. Scott
Source: Entangled Select Otherworlds
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 2, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 5
Sexual - 2

An act of desperation

and the beginning of seduction...

Spaceship captain Tara Rowan has her secrets. One is her Rider, Zie. Zie is an organic symbiote—like a living tattoo—that enhances Tara's physical abilities, including superhuman strength and reflexes. The other is the past she's tried so hard to leave behind her. But it's not until oh-so-sexy Trace Munroe decides to blackmail Tara that she realizes her secrets aren't so secret after all...

Trace is a Holy Knight who does everything by the book. Desperate to find a missing princess, he'll do whatever it takes to rescue her and bring her kidnappers to justice. Including blackmail. Yet something about the feisty ship captain draws Trace in and stirs his desire—even if she is a wanted criminal. Because the last thing he needs is any complications...especially when he has his own secrets to hide.

This was an amazing sci-fi romance.  It had everything!!!  We had spaceships and distant planets, strange and deadly native animals, and riders.  I really want to have a rider - if I say pretty please will someone go find me one?  This was a great addition to the story and allowed it to really blossom and go in so many great directions.  A rider is a creature - sort of like a 2 dimensional mini-dragon - that lives on your skin.  And they bond with you and talk to you and make you stronger and better.  How awesome is that!

Tara is an independent trader.  She doesn't work for one of the big families so she struggles to make ends meet and stay out of trouble.  But it seems to find her.  In this case, trouble comes in a really nice looking package named Trace.  Now, he doesn't tell her the whole story when they first meet or she would have turned tail and ran in other direction.  Instead they find themselves caught up in a search for Trace's sister that uncovers a much bigger plot that could have serious consequences for the universe overall.

Their journey was a very interesting one.  Trace has a huge handicap that I don't want to say too much about because it's a pretty big deal.  It almost ruins everything when Tara finds out the whole truth, but I forgave him for the lies and deceit because he really did have a good reason for them.  Their romance was an odd one, with both taking a long time to truly trust each other.

The world building was amazing and the history of the characters was so developed that you couldn't help but just believe in them.  I wish there was more to this story because I just don't want to let it go.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Accidental Abduction (Alien Abduction #1) by Eve Langlais

Title: Accidental Abduction (Alien Abduction #1)
Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: May 22, 2011
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 3

Abducted by a space pirate, she fights the temptation to let him plunder her goods.

A boyfriend’s attempted murder leaves Megan floundering in the ocean. Sinking without hope, the bright light she sees in the night sky isn’t her doorway to heaven, but rather the beginning of her accidental abduction by a space pirate. While thankful of his rescue, Megan stays true to form and just can’t keep her mouth shut, even when he keeps threatening to kill her--or auction her off to the highest bidder. Even odder, despite her decision to not get involved with her wickedly hot captor, she can’t help craving his touch.

Tren retired from his job as a mercenary so he could enjoy life, but he never counted on the boredom of normalcy. The acquisition of rare items has somewhat filled the void, but his accidental abduction of an outspoken earthling, who doesn’t know when to shut up, turns his life upside. Her fiery spirit draws him while at the same time drives him insane. Struggling with his urges, he must decide-- throttle her barbarian neck or ravish her delectably lush body?

Despite what his heart tries to tell him, he’s determined to sell her to the highest bidder even as he seduces her body. However, despite his best intentions, he discovers he can’t let her go. And when a foe from his past thinks to steal her, he’ll do anything to get her back.

Eve's purple aliens are something most of her fans know about - I'd heard of them, seen the covers, read the reviews, and finally decided I should just get started.  This is one of the few science fiction romance authors that seems to do so much right.  Her aliens are purple - they are not made up quite the same as a human male - but they work in all the right spots.  Tren is a great introduction to the purple aliens (I'm not sure if their species was ever given a name).  He is tough, protective, knows how to get the job done, and isn't too hard to look at.  Although the purple probably took some getting used to.

Megan is unlucky.  Not only did her boyfriend just leave her in the ocean to drown, but now she's been abducted by an alien.  She tries to take it all in a stride - and she's a little too successful.  I would expect at least a few break downs along the way, but she is one tough cookie.  She mouths off to him every chance she gets and soon he finds out that he actually enjoys her nagging!  The part that did bother me a bit was her casual nonchalance when other aliens were killed by Tren.  I know they weren't human so she may have been able to separate herself a little, but she didn't seem to care.

Megan and Tren fall in love by arguing with each other until they decide that having sex is the best way to keep the other quiet.  It works quite well until several blasts from the past come back to haunt Tren.  His protective instincts were fantastic and I loved how devoted he was.  This was a great introduction to the series, and I know it will only get better.

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More Posts About Eve Langlais
We all love Eve's stories here and there are so many posts, I can't list them all.  Instead click on the button below to view a search result for her on the blog.
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Review: Encounter at Shalana (Adventures of Kristy Ryan #1) by Angelia Almos

Title: Encounter at Shalana (Adventures of Kisty Ryan#1)
Author: Angelia Almos
Source: Contest Win
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 12, 2011
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 2

Space pirate Captain Kristy Ryan grew up the only daughter of a notorious privateer
in the Border Planet Region. She learned her trade the hard way - there were no free rides on her father’s ship. Now, she has her own ship, the Unicorn, and successfully works in the shadows, the fringes of legitimate trade. Her life is just how she wants it even on those days when her pilot and lover, Andrew Bennet, drives her crazy. But an unexpected visit from the Military Space Alliance changes everything. Her father disappeared while working a dangerous mission for the MSA. Now, she’s being blackmailed into finishing his mission.

Encounter at Shalana got off to an amazing start.  We have exciting characters, cool technology and spaceships, a mystery, and smugglers (gotta have smugglers).  However, about a third of the way through it got very repetitive.  Kristy breaks into several planets headquarters, and while each planet was very different (kudos to the imagination of the author), the way of piecing the scenes together was too much alike.

Kristy and Andrew seem to have quite the on again off again type of relationship, but they still obviously love each other - while also annoying the crap out of each other.  At times I wanted to bash their heads together and tell them to kiss and make up, and others I wanted to gag because they were way to love dovey.  This is how the book went for me.  It was very I love it - I hate it - I love it.

This book was heavier on the science fiction than the romance, but there was still some love to be found between the pages.

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Review: Seth (Cyborgs: More Than Machines #5) by Eve Langlais

Title: Seth (Cyborgs: More Than Machines #5)
Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchase
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 28, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 3

His mission: Blend in with the humans. Save the cyborgs. And seduce the only woman
he ever loved, without getting killed.

Cybernetic spy models are different from other humans turned machine. For one thing, they never completely lost touch with their humanity, or their memories. But retaining their identity doesn’t mean the military didn’t mess with their lives. Seth lost the woman he loved because of their web of lies. When the chance arises to make things right, he relies on his superior intellect—and irresistible charm—to prove his innocence, and make Anastasia his again.

Anastasia might possess upgraded parts and programming, but the scientists never could cure her of her biggest weakness, jealousy. The volatile emotion made her walk away from love once. Can she overcome it and recognize the truth? Or will she continue to let the military manipulate her emotional strings?

Book 1 - C791: CarolDee's Review - Ollie's Review - Review
Book 2 - F814: CarolDee's Review - Review
Book 3 - B785: CarolDee's Review - Review
Book 4 - Aramus: Review

Eve Langlais wrote this one with a bit of a different style.  We are taken back in time to Seth's creation as a cyborg several times throughout the story.  While Eve did a fantastic job with the time transition, it just isn't a big favorite of mine to have it broken up as much as she did.  She did an excellent job of making sure I knew if I was in the past or present, and both parts of Seth's story were very very interesting.

Seth is the most human of the cyborgs - programmed as a spy model he needed to be able to blend in with humanity to get the job done.  This makes him very unique amongst the cyborg men (and women) we have met so far.  He's incredibly obnoxious (on purpose) and likes to push peoples buttons.  But when push comes to shove he's amazingly loyal to those he cares about - yes he readily admits he cares and it drives Aramus nuts.

Anastasia is also a spy model - she's acutally Seth's ex-partner.  Things blew up in a really bad way and she's hated him ever since.  But she needs him for her mission and is willing to put up with his crap and attitude if it will help get the job done.  She's more machine-like than Seth is and much more mission-oriented as well.  I loved watching the two of the bicker.  This is a dialog type that Eve Langlais has mastered.  It flows so naturally and makes the characters so much more fun to read.

The two pats of the story are woven together nicely - as I said earlier, it's just not really the style I prefer to read.  What Eve reveals about their past has a direct effect on their present relationship.  It was brilliant the way it all seemed to weave together to form a really cohesive history and story for these two.  This doesn't seem to be the last of Eve's Cyborgs as a new mission is decided on near the end that has a lot of potential for drama and, or course, love.

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Eve Langlais is an attending author at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention and will be the Mistress of Ceremonies at the 2015 Indie Romance Convention.  This means she'll be at the book signing and hanging out during the convention - possibly hosting some reader sessions as well.  I had a chance to sit down with her in a couple sessions and for dinner in 2013 and she is a total riot.  I can't wait to get a chance to talk with her again!  And Eve, if you're reading this - I promise I won't go all fangirl and scream when I see you :)

Review: Aramus (Cyborgs: More Than Machines #4) by Eve Langlais

Title: Aramus (Cyborgs: More Than Machines)
Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 5
Sexual - 3

Wiping out humanity is his number one objective—until he meets her.


Aramus has no patience or sympathy for the excuses humanity uses to hunt cyborgs down and eradicate them. He’s put up with too much at their hands to ever forgive and forget. But all that changes when he rescues a fragile human doctor who refuses to see him as a machine. She teaches him that perhaps not all emotions are a weakness and that love can make even a cynical cyborg like him stronger.

And for those who’d mock his change of view or threaten his female? Go ahead. His iron knuckles could use some exercise.

Book One: C791 - Reviews: CarolDee - Ollie - Jasmyn
Book Two: F814 - Reviews: CarolDee - Jasmyn
Book Three: B785 - Reviews: CarolDee - Jasmyn

As you can see - we sort of like these hot cyborg romances here at Bitten by Romance.  In book four, Aramus, Eve Langlais delivers once again with an amazing (and at times humorous) story of these special men.  For the first time in the series, our female lead is not a cyborg but a human - so it was pretty amazing to see her paired with Aramus.  Aramus is a self-proclaimed hater of anything non-Cyborg.  While he may not indiscriminately kill any and all humans, he really doesn't care too much if they end up dead.

As a military fighting unit his emotions are buried very deep.  I love his tough shell and watching him struggle to even admit that he might just possibly be feeling something - anything - was very fun to watch.  He even goes to the doctor to try and "cure" his "malfunction" and gets some very excellent advice that had me chuckling.

Eve also delivers on the action in this one.  We get to watch Aramus and his team as they storm the gates of a secret compound and engage in a few good old fashioned brawls (he prefers to use his hands you know).  The people behind the original Cyborg project are also making plans and there are a lot of new little twists introduced in this book.  It walks it's way right into the story of Seth (book 5) very nicely and it will definitely be on my reading block in the near future - it's already calling to me from the bookshelves.

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Review: B785 by Eve Langlais

Title: B785 (Cyborgs: More Than Machines #3)
Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: April 11, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 5
Sexual - 3

When cyborg intelligence meets sensual robotics circuit boards sizzle.

Einstein was probably the only cyborg in existence with no interest in the opposite sex, until he discovered B785. With her sensual nature and quirky sense of humor, she draws this cybernetic geek out of his scientific shell and teaches him the one thing he’s never understood – passion.

Tired of being a slave to the military, Bonnie went to sleep one day with the intention of never waking up, but she didn’t count on a cybernetic prince charming bringing her back to life. Coming to terms with her past isn’t easy, but harder still is the realization that even a bionic princess can fall in love.

However, all fairy tales have a villain, and despite the fact the military wrote them both off as a loss, they soon discover they’ll need to fight to have their happily ever after.

GO METAL!

Book One - C791 Reviews: CarolDee, Ollie, Jasmyn
Book Two - F814 Reviews: CarolDee, Jasmyn

Ok - so Einstein has to be my favorite Cyborg so far.  I know lots of people are raving and excited about Seth coming out recently, but I'd been wondering how Einstein's love was going to come about.  He is such a nerdy little guy (ok not so little maybe) and I love his logical approach to everything.  When Bonnie throws his circuits out of whack he wants to go get checked for computer bugs.  It was great.

Bonnie on the other hand, while very smart herself, has quite the little attitude.  She's snarky and just a bit annoying and a whole lot of fun.  I love her verbal sparring matches with Aramus (and they made me wonder about what his book is going to be like) and I think I even chuckled out loud at some of her antics a few times.

Their romance is pretty fast and a lot of the book is about getting her back to the Cyborg home safely.  There was plenty of space fighting action - and plenty of action between Einstein and Bonnie as well.  I love this series more and more every book I finish.

Other Reviews on Book Three - B785: CarolDee

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Review: Kissed by Kim Knox

Title: Kissed
Author: Kim Knox
Source: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: February 3, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 2
Sexual - 4

Every princess should be kissed. And by a man who knows what he's doing. Beatricia had been enjoying just that with Farris Turner when she was caught.But running only drives her into the arms of a stranger. A man who wants to offer her one night together, to offer her the experience her life and duties in the city of Sun-Airor--a place set out of space and time--have denied her.It'll be her only chance before she's forced to enter a loveless marriage...but who exactly is her stranger? And what will kissing him reveal?

This one just didn't hit the spot for me.  While there were quite a few very hot scenes, there just wasn't enough storyline.  The story that was presented seemed to be an afterthought to the sex.  Because of this I just didn't sync with either character.  Beatricia is out for what seems to be a one night stand, but I never really understood why.

The ending was sweet, and it would have been nice if I had felt more about what was going on throughout the story.  If you're looking for more of an erotica book with a little extra backgrough though, this would be right up your alley.

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Best of 2013 - Being Amber by Sylvia Ryan

Title: Being Amber (New Atlanta, #1)
Author: Sylvia Ryan
Genre: Futuristic/Dystopian Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Rating- 5
Sexual- 2

Jaci Harmon was born a Sapphire, but after she’s summoned to receive her final designation, the testing reveals she carries a gene slated for eradication. Within a day, she’s sterilized and dumped in the Amber Zone, where the damaged are corralled away from the rest of New Atlanta. Scared and alone, Jaci would rather die than face her future as an Amber.

Born in the Amber Zone, Xander Dimos is a product of a lifetime spent under the oppression of the Repopulation Laws. Decades of suffering have taught the Ambers to make the zone a place where touch, sex, and unconditional acceptance ease the pain of their fate. Jaci has a lot to learn about her new home, and it’s Xanderís responsibility to guide her through the differences and the dangers safely.

With the simmering undercurrents of sexual chemistry growing between them, and in the midst of discovering the Gov’s true motives, Jaci and Xander must overcome his secret and accept their love as undeniable...even if the time allotted to share it is short.

What an amazing ADULT Utopian/Dystopian book!

In a world where everything rides on your color being deemed an amber spells out a horrific future.

It means you're undesirable to the top rings of society. Whether it be a lower than average IQ, or an untreatable medical condition hiding within the strands of your DNA.

YOU ARE UNWANTED.

To be thrown out of the only home you've ever known, whisked to the futuristic equivalent of a WWII ghetto, told what your profession will be, and ,on top of it all, have the choice of having a child ripped away from you. It's horrifying. But believable. The government candy-coats the Amber's situation by providing them with food, alcohol, and housing. The Ambers placate themselves by indulging in the 'live in the now' method. Using physical touch, even sex, as a coping mechanism.

Following Jaci accept her new future was a ride. (Yes, I cried more than once) Luckily, her roommate Xander is there to help, but he's got secrets of his own.

Seriously, do yourself a favor and read this book. I LOVED it! Definitely re-read material. The author has stated that she expects this to be a series and I can't wait to find out what the future holds for some of the characters introduced in Being Amber.

Review: F814 by Eve Langlais

Title: F815 (Cyborgs: More Than Machines #2)

Author: Eve Langlais
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: April 15, 2012
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 5
Sexual - 3

F814 exists to serve the humans until they decide to terminate her. An instinct for survival makes her fight, but when she achieves freedom, she discovers she cannot throw off the chains of habit. Everything changes when another flesh covered droid arrives, a cyborg he calls himself, who teaches her she is more than a machine. Solus hates humanity, and even though he was born as a flawed human, he strives to eradicate all traces of it from his persona-until he meets F814. Meeting and touching her releases something in him. Has him yearning for things he doesn't understand. Makes him long for...affection. Before he can learn to love though, he must first tackle the task of reminding F814 that she is more than the sum of her mechanical parts. But of course, when dealing with an illogical thing like emotions, there is no sure plan for success.

Jasmyn's review of Book One: C791 
Ollie's review of Book One: C791
CarolDee's review of Book One: C791

As you can see, Eve Langlias' Cyborg series is popular around here.  In book one we are intruduced to a futuristic world where Cyborgs have revolted and regained their free will.  We met a team of them that rescued Chloe and now they are searching for her "sisters".  Solus and his team don't really expect to run into one of them at the abandoned asteroid mine, but now that they have, they will do anything to keep her safe and help her remember who she was.

F814 isn't really interested in all that.  After she revolted she decided she was just fine continuing to mine on the asteroid, after all, that is what she was programmed to do.  But her recent malfunction has given her strange new dreams and nightmares, and she finds Solus strangely interesting.  But the humans won't give up their prize so easily, making for a few great combat scenes as well.

Solus and F814 are both afraid of their emotions - they aren't logical - they don't make sense (does not compute).  They both fight them tooth and nail, but the emotions are stronger than their programming, but can either of them admit it when they both think emotions are flaws?  This was a fantastic addition to the series and I loved it.  It's hard to imagine that two cyborgs could be such dynamic and interesting characters, but Eve pulls it off wonderfully.  Eve's snarky humor is present throughout and is perfectly placed to really make a few scenes.  If you love Sci-fi, you must read this series.

CarolDee's review: F814

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Epic review for an Epic book! Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith

Last Hour of Gann

Author: R. Lee Smith
Source: Self purchase
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance/adventure
Length: Frickin' long (600+ pages)
Reviewer:  CaroleDee







Amber Bierce had nothing left except her sister and two tickets on Earth’s first colony-ship. She entered her Sleeper with a five-year contract and the promise of a better life, but awakened in wreckage on an unknown world. For the survivors, there is no rescue, no way home and no hope until they are found by Meoraq—a holy warrior more deadly than any hungering beast on this hostile new world…but whose eyes show a different sort of hunger when he looks at her.

It was his last year of freedom:

Uyane Meoraq is a Sword of Sheul, God’s own instrument of judgment, victor of hundreds of trials, with a conqueror’s rights over all men. Or at least he was until his father’s death. Now, without divine intervention, he will be forced to assume stewardship over House Uyane and lose the life he has always known. At the legendary temple of Xi’Matezh, Meoraq hopes to find the deliverance he seeks, but the humans he encounters on his pilgrimage may prove too great a test even for him…especially the one called Amber, behind whose monstrous appearance burns a woman’s heart unlike any he has ever known.

From R. Lee Smith, author of Heat and Cottonwood, comes an epic new story of desire, darkness and the dawn that comes after The Last Hour of Gann.

WARNING: This book contains graphic violence, strong sexual content and explicit language. It is intended for mature readers only.

 

So, I've been in a some-what hiatus, but had to drag myself out for this one.

The Last Hour of Gann caught my attention while I was waiting for the newest Tracy St. John book to release. I thought, 'Well, I'm waiting for a sci-fi romance, so I'll pick this one up to pass the time.' Little did I know that my random book buy was going to take me on one of the most thought provoking, odd, and memorable rides of my life. EVER.

It's future earth and the population is out of control. After her mother's death Amber and her sister are being evicted from their home. Their resources and choices are limited.
They can:
1. Prostitute themselves
2. Sign up for the country's welfare system, where they'll work for menial wages and be housed in dorms with 100's of other women.
3. Be part of the first voyage to a new planet to colonize.

Amber makes, what she thinks is the best choice, and signs her sister and herself up to be pilgrims to a new world. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and the ship crashes on an unknown planet. (Thus starts the 'human' story in this saga)

Uyane Meoraq is a certified bad-ass ordained by God. (No joke. The guy gets to kill people based what he feels is 'god's word') The whole planet are religious to the point of being zealots. It hasn't always been that way. There are ruins of cities and towns much like the Earth that Amber and her fellow humans left. An unknown amount of years ago the sin and debauchery of his people brought on the 'Wrath of God'  heralding in the Hour of Gann. After seeing a great fire in the distance Meoraq sets out on a pilgrimage to the holiest of cities. (where he's been told he will actually get to speak to God in the flesh)
Along the way he meets up with Amber and the other human survivors. When he sees the strange, flat face, hair covered beings he decides it's God's will that he take them along on his pilgrimage.
It's a long, and arduous journey that the modern day humans are NOT prepared for. Lack of food, stress, disease, and *really evil* raiders are  a few of the things they encounter along the way.

That's where I'm going to end my summary. Honest truth? That's not even a 10% of what happens in this book.

So where do I start on my actual review?
I LOVED this book. It's been a week since I finished. I wasn't going to write a review, BUT The Last Hour of Gann dug it's way into my subconscious. I just kept thinking about it. If a book can resonate with me like that I feel like it needs to be talked about.

It's not an easy book to read. There are far more unhappy moments than there are happy. (I do want to say right now that there IS a HEA! So don't be afraid!)  BUT getting to it? WOW!

Let's start with the humans:
UGH, Amber couldn't have been stuck with a weaker, more annoying, and conniving lot. She and Meoraq worked their butts off for them, but they never showed a smidgen of gratitude. The best I can figure is that it is a representation of the extreme entitlement that everyone seems to have acquired over the years.

Amber and Meuraq's relationship:  It's VERY slow to build. And heck, it should be. They're alien to each other, literally. Neither one finds the other attractive. But there is a spark that slowly builds. When it finally culminates you can tell it's actually love. Not lust. And it's a beautiful thing.

The setting: Fairly early on I started to realize that the planet used to be much like earth. The cities are almost identical with their towering structures and robots . After the Wrath of God, it's forbidden to live in the cities or to use the machinery, but they are still there. Ghost towns (today) are creepy enough, but imagine that on a city scale with half-functioning robots roaming around. Very scary

The raiders: I'm not going to throw punches. These guys are EVIL! They work outside of the word of God. They rape, kidnap, and murder. This book is realistic. The main characters are not shielded from these evils. It can be hard to read, but is necessary to the story.

The end: I'm not going to spoil anything, but once again I want to point out that there is a bitter-sweet HEA. I don't think it could have ended any better than what the author gave me. I was on pins and needles for the entire book to find out what the holy city and the 'meet up' with God was going to be like. It was just as amazing! Definitely not something I will forget for a long time.

So, obviously, I loved this book. While thinking of writing this review, though I started to have doubts if everyone would share my optimism. I'm going to sum up my thoughts easily enough so you can make the choice:

Pros:
Fantastic world building

Wonderfully written characters. Whether you love them or hate them you will feel something for these people.

Thought provoking plot. (No way you'll walk away from this without questioning our way of life)

Great romance

Realistic circumstances (It's a hard world and that's not hidden)


Here are the cons that I think might turn some people away :

Length: This book is LOOONG. I read fast. I usually devour a 350 page book in a day. The Last Hour of Gann took me four days to read.

Content: Scenes of rape and violence.
And, obviously, there is different species sex going on. While similarly built there are differences that may be a bit shocking to some.

Religion: There are many questions and answers about religion in this book. Let me clarify it is not 'preachy', but it is there and a very large part of the story.


The best summary I can think of is that this is a very heavy book. Metaphorically and literally (if I had this sucker in hard back it would probably be big enough to knock someone out with. lol)
This isn't a 'light beach read'.
It does not fall in the erotic 'mars needs women' troupe.
I can honestly say The Last Hour of Gann stands by itself.
I've never read anything like it and I doubt I will again for a long time.
Simply put: It was absolutely wonderful.

Review: A Surefire Way by J.T. Bock

Title: A Surefire Way
Author: J. T. Bock
Source: Author Request
Genre: Science Fiction / Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: April 1, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

UltraAgent Surefire's plan is simple: Capture the transhuman thief Raven.  Win back the respect of her father.  Get a raise.

Easy, right?

Except Surefire just broke the number one rule of her employer, UltraSecurity, a niche security firm that solves crimes committed by genetically enhanced humans like Raven.  She trailed Raven into a warehouse without any backup.  And something more powerful than any transhuman is waiting inside.

Raven's plan is simple: Atone for his past crimes.  Return stolen spiritual artifacts to restore the world's balance.  Don't get caught by UltraSecurity.

Easy, right?

Until a spunky UltraSecurity agent is suddenly on his tail, although Raven wishes she was on ... well, never mind ... he can't get distracted from his mission.  Because she's followed him into a warehouse filled with his reclaimed relics, and Raven's ex-partner is crime is about to unleash a supernatural-sized complication into his plan.

His old partner has accidentally summoned an Aztec god who will destroy the world unless Raven stops this spirit with a superiority complex.  To do this, Raven must team up with Surefire and reveal the truth about his powers, exposing her to a force that can either save the world or destroy them both.

Following Raven into that warehouse throws Surefire into a surreal world filled with moody gods, day-glo skulls, dizzying dimensional portals, maniacal half-roach magicians, and a sexy thief who is more than he appears under his snug t-shirt.  Is Raven a criminal, or is he working for a higher power?  Surefire needs to be certain, because if she joins him on this mission, she's have to surrender everything she believed in for a surefire way to save the world, discover her destiny and find true love.

Review: Catch the Wind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Title: Catch the Wind - WindVerse #10
Author: Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Source: Author Request
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: September 2, 2009
Reviewed by : Jasmyn

Riezell Guardian Major Doninia Alamaine has heard about the celebrated sexual prowess of Jaeger Rosakaris.  The an Tuirc prince's manhood is legendary and she's anxious not only to see for herself what all the fuss is about but to experience it firsthand.  But the mating doesn't quite go as she plans.  Her love 'em and leave 'em attitude won't work this time for Fate throws a monkey wrench in the gears by bonding the two as eternal mates.

Jaeger isn't that upset about the bonding.  As a matter of fact, he's rather pleased with the situation.  Domi is a gorgeous woman with a laser-hot body, sultry lips, and a mind as sharp as an assassin's dagger.  With her at his side, he won't mind taking over the rule of his home world even though his mother has very lethal plans of her own for the woman he wants to be his bride.  Though love has hit Jaeger hard, it will be hatred that will ruin his young life and make it a living hell.

Book Review: Demon of Synar by Donna McDonald

Title : Demon of Synar

Author : Donna McDonald
Punblished: February 27, 2012
Source: Kindle free ebook
Length : Novel
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Reviewer : Jasmyn

Book One of the FORCED TO SERVE Series

Being captain of his own rescue ship is the kind of life Captain Liam Synar always dreamed of living. Being a master of his family’s hereditary demon was never in his plans because his brother had been trained for the purpose. Yet what choice did his father have when Conor's evil came to light? None. So reluctant or not, Liam is the only Synar left to rule Malachi. Now his exiled brother hunts him to capture the demon while Liam stays on the run and saves Peace Alliance ambassadors in his spare time--except for one. Ambassador Ania Looren unknowingly hosts his family’s demon inside her body. He sent Malachi into her to save her life after Conor’s men almost killed her. And though Liam hadn't wanted to, there had been no choice but to abandon her two years ago. His plan of keeping both her and the demon safe from Conor has mostly worked, but his ability to hide the truth has finally reached an end. His next rescue has to be his estranged mate before Conor finally figures it out.

After accepting only one mate in her extremely long life, Ambassador Ania Looren is now wishing the number had remained at zero forever. Mating Captain Liam Synar is turning out to be the worst mistake she has made in nine hundred years. Something happened after Liam abandoned her, something more than just the pain of losing her chosen male from her life. Something about his absence has stripped away the peaceful enlightenment she struggled years to achieve. Now Ania can’t meditate or pray, and her compassion for other creatures seems to be lessening. She is becoming again the kind of person she’s spent her most of her existence trying not to be. On top of that, she’s been accused of murdering three males who attacked her and her family. She doesn’t even remember what happened that day. Now Liam is back and demanding she go with him to his ship. What choice does she have? It's a better fate than being arrested and put through social reconditioning on her planet. The half life she’s been living for two years is no more worth keeping than her mating commitment to a male who obviously hadn’t wanted her after all.