Currently reading
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Dead Witch Walking
The Truth-Teller's Tale
For the Roses
Beneath the Thirteen Moons
Beneath the Thirteen Moons
The Safe-Keeper's Secret
The Virtuous Vampire
Sun, Sand, Sex (includes Pride, #2.5)
Halfway to the Grave
Re-visiting the Jones and their Coletti Warlords, the magic's still there
Four years ago, Kaylee Jones left earth, met her Coletti warlord and the universe hasn’t been the same. By the end of Just My Luck, it looked like Voss might have a Jones family member in his future. Unfortunately, for various reasons, Voss had to wait awhile for his story. Now the wait is over!
Zoey Jones may not be as much of a trouble magnet as her cousin Kaylee but it’s close. She uses a lot of ingenuity to try to stay ahead of the Coletti who are hunting mates. Voss has years of experience as an interstellar warlord and isn’t afraid to be ruthless to accomplish his goal of capturing Zoey. Keeping her safe and out of trouble might require more work on both their parts.
Vexing Voss is relatively stand-alone, reading the previous two Coletti stories adds some depth but is not essential to understand the major players and the action. However, characters from the two earlier books do make brief appearances, although Zoey would have probably liked a bit less interaction with Zarek, the Coletti Overlord.
Nonstop action, over the top plot, tongue in cheek dialogue and scenes, snarky heroine, alpha hero, unique sidekicks – all of the signature components of a Gail Koger story are there, just polished by her continued writing experiences of the last several years.
Cross-posted to amazon, good reads, shelfari, LooseID, booklikes
1
almost 5 starsI hadn't read anything by this author before but when I saw that this book was ranked similarly to sci-fi romance books I'd read, I decide to try a sample then ended up purchasing it. At it's heart, this is an enjoyable story if interactions between alien men and earth women are what you're wanting to read. Mars men want and need Earth women - favorite trope of mine. The characters, plot and details are strongly developed and come together well. Grim, Lisa and their daughters create their happy ending, learning about each other and their cultures as the book progresses. The secondary characters are appealing. I'd love to read Kim and Wray's story sometime and see some of the other women find happiness as they shake up alien culture.Word selection, grammar are not yet M.K.'s strength but will hopefully improve with time and practice. The main reason for the 4 stars rather than 5 stars is the use of present tense throughout the story. Prior to this story, I would have said that tense didn't matter and that I primarily read for well developed characters and plot. But I did find the present tense jarring, creating a barrier against more complete submersion in the story. Despite this, I have purchased M.K.'s other story, Cassandra's Challenge even though it also has the same tense issues. As long as plot and characters are interesting, I would purchase and read M.K stories in the future. cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
almost 5 starsI hadn't read anything by this author before but when I saw that this book was ranked similarly to sci-fi romance books I'd read, I decide to try a sample then ended up purchasing it. At it's heart, this is an enjoyable story if interactions between alien men and earth women are what you're wanting to read. Mars men want and need Earth women - favorite trope of mine. The characters, plot and details are strongly developed and come together well. Grim, Lisa and their daughters create their happy ending, learning about each other and their cultures as the book progresses. The secondary characters are appealing. I'd love to read Kim and Wray's story sometime and see some of the other women find happiness as they shake up alien culture.Word selection, grammar are not yet M.K.'s strength but will hopefully improve with time and practice. The main reason for the 4 stars rather than 5 stars is the use of present tense throughout the story. Prior to this story, I would have said that tense didn't matter and that I primarily read for well developed characters and plot. But I did find the present tense jarring, creating a barrier against more complete submersion in the story. Despite this, I have purchased M.K.'s other story, Cassandra's Challenge even though it also has the same tense issues. As long as plot and characters are interesting, I would purchase and read M.K stories in the future. cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
quick enjoyable read that adds more detail and fun to the seriesI love Susan's long novels but also enjoy reading short stories and novellas, especially when they're done well. Rescuing is Susan's second published short story and it is as enjoyable as any of her much longer stories. In less than 70 pages, Mattie and Jai reveal their backgrounds and personalities, meet, fall in love, experience danger more than once, survive, triumph and live happily ever after. Events in Rescuing Mattie closely intertwine with the events of Jo's Journey, Lords of Kassis book 3. Rescuing Mattie could possibly stand alone but reading both stories and the two proceeding stories, River's Run and Star's Storm, increases the involvement and fun.SE Smith is very good at taking secondary characters and creating a desire to see more of them and their story. Jai, Mattie and her dogs (and ferret) are no exception. cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
quick enjoyable read that adds more detail and fun to the seriesI love Susan's long novels but also enjoy reading short stories and novellas, especially when they're done well. Rescuing is Susan's second published short story and it is as enjoyable as any of her much longer stories. In less than 70 pages, Mattie and Jai reveal their backgrounds and personalities, meet, fall in love, experience danger more than once, survive, triumph and live happily ever after. Events in Rescuing Mattie closely intertwine with the events of Jo's Journey, Lords of Kassis book 3. Rescuing Mattie could possibly stand alone but reading both stories and the two proceeding stories, River's Run and Star's Storm, increases the involvement and fun.SE Smith is very good at taking secondary characters and creating a desire to see more of them and their story. Jai, Mattie and her dogs (and ferret) are no exception. cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
Wow! Circus magic plus hot alien men, dogs, cats and elephants.Subjectively, it feels as if I've waited FOREVER for the third story of the prophesied female warriors. Objectively, it's only been a bit over 2 years since River's Run and 9 months since Star's Storm. (FOREVER). But, Jo's story is finally here and I celebrated its arrival by racing through it non-stop. Now I have the pleasure of going back and re-reading slowly to catch more details, interact with new and old characters and hope that the next book is 9 months or less away. Jo and Manota's story doesn't disappoint. Scenes with the two together scorch the page. Manota immediately recognizes that they belonged together and eventually so does Jo. Each also realizes that some major compromises are needed for them to stay together and thus Jo's Journey begins. Nonstop action, an interesting plot, memorable characters, suspense, humor...as always these are constants in an S.E. story.The trek to meet and move Jo and Star's parents doesn't go as smoothly as Manota hopes. For friendship and adventure, Cirque de Magik members decide to take the show "offworld" and things will never be the same for them or the universe. Glimpses and interactions with circus members become an enjoyable, anticipated aspect of the story. The Kassians first visit to the circus is particularly delightful. And, of course, the villains have their plans. Reading River and Star's stories is not required to enjoy this story but recommended. Major plot threads running through the first three books are resolved but new surface to take their place. As always, characters from previous books appear as do future heroes and heroines. Definitely looking forward to Riki and Risteard's story followed by others, like Katarina and Ajaska. While you wait for book 4, Ristéard’s Unwilling Empress (Go Ricki!), and if you're not quite ready to leave the circus back on Kassis and return to reality, Rescuing Matti is available to continue the magic for just a bit longer.cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
Wow! Circus magic plus hot alien men, dogs, cats and elephants.Subjectively, it feels as if I've waited FOREVER for the third story of the prophesied female warriors. Objectively, it's only been a bit over 2 years since River's Run and 9 months since Star's Storm. (FOREVER). But, Jo's story is finally here and I celebrated its arrival by racing through it non-stop. Now I have the pleasure of going back and re-reading slowly to catch more details, interact with new and old characters and hope that the next book is 9 months or less away. Jo and Manota's story doesn't disappoint. Scenes with the two together scorch the page. Manota immediately recognizes that they belonged together and eventually so does Jo. Each also realizes that some major compromises are needed for them to stay together and thus Jo's Journey begins. Nonstop action, an interesting plot, memorable characters, suspense, humor...as always these are constants in an S.E. story.The trek to meet and move Jo and Star's parents doesn't go as smoothly as Manota hopes. For friendship and adventure, Cirque de Magik members decide to take the show "offworld" and things will never be the same for them or the universe. Glimpses and interactions with circus members become an enjoyable, anticipated aspect of the story. The Kassians first visit to the circus is particularly delightful. And, of course, the villains have their plans. Reading River and Star's stories is not required to enjoy this story but recommended. Major plot threads running through the first three books are resolved but new surface to take their place. As always, characters from previous books appear as do future heroes and heroines. Definitely looking forward to Riki and Risteard's story followed by others, like Katarina and Ajaska. While you wait for book 4, Ristéard’s Unwilling Empress (Go Ricki!), and if you're not quite ready to leave the circus back on Kassis and return to reality, Rescuing Matti is available to continue the magic for just a bit longer.cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
another S.E. rollercoaster of a storyAlthough I enjoy all her books, the Cosmos Gateway series has a special place in my thoughts and heart as Tink's Wonderland was the first S.E. story that I read. Meeting Tink and RITA and those prime warriors, I was hooked. Any spelling errors, word choices, grammar etc were heavily outweighed by the story and characters presented in Tink's Wonderland. The author's writing skills have grown with each book without losing the soul of the unfolding story. Cosmos' Promise continues the story of the Baade Prime Warriors and their interactions with earth, with the focus on revealing more of Cosmos and Terra's plans, thoughts and emotions and showing that they are really meant for each other. All the old favorites are back and as always, we get glimpses of other potential tales, either as a short story or novel - Runt, Avery, Rico, Garrett to name a few. Merrick's book is already planned and eagerly awaited. My desire to take time to savor the story and characters was derailed by my need to know more NOW once I started reading. Oh well, re-reading is fun too. cross-posted Amazon, Goodreads, Shelfari
Mars Needs Women.I'm a sucker for this trope - very long-lived alien men with female population shortage, earth women are definitely compatible.The story started out rough, the plot slow going, the wording stilted, more telling than showing and the characters hard to connect with, especially in the sample that amazon makes available. I read that sample several times before I decided that the book was cheaper than the iced coffee I got the other day and just bought it. Because this appears to be the author's first released book and since many similar writers that I've found also started as indies or small press, I wanted to give the story a chance and continued to read. The author eventually started to make the story her own and not just an echo of similar stories, pulling me into the action. Some jarring notes in plot and characters still occurred but were not enough to disrupt my "suspension of disbelief" as the story progressed. The main characters developed some personality, investing me in their actions and futures. The heroine seemed younger than her 26 years but admittedly did lead a very sheltered life. Characters, that I quickly came to care about, were introduced who will obviously have their own story, especially Jess.I've become attached to these characters and their worlds enough to want to find out what happens next and am looking forward to release of the second book. If you're like I was and debating about purchasing this book, I'd recommend giving it a try.cross posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari.
Mars Needs Women.I'm a sucker for this trope - very long-lived alien men with female population shortage, earth women are definitely compatible.The story started out rough, the plot slow going, the wording stilted, more telling than showing and the characters hard to connect with, especially in the sample that amazon makes available. I read that sample several times before I decided that the book was cheaper than the iced coffee I got the other day and just bought it. Because this appears to be the author's first released book and since many similar writers that I've found also started as indies or small press, I wanted to give the story a chance and continued to read. The author eventually started to make the story her own and not just an echo of similar stories, pulling me into the action. Some jarring notes in plot and characters still occurred but were not enough to disrupt my "suspension of disbelief" as the story progressed. The main characters developed some personality, investing me in their actions and futures. The heroine seemed younger than her 26 years but admittedly did lead a very sheltered life. Characters, that I quickly came to care about, were introduced who will obviously have their own story, especially Jess.I've become attached to these characters and their worlds enough to want to find out what happens next and am looking forward to release of the second book. If you're like I was and debating about purchasing this book, I'd recommend giving it a try.cross posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari.
The wonderful story that I was expecting. As this is book 6 in the Dragon Lords, reading it was like a visit with old, trusted friends - who can change shape.The hero Paul and heroine Morian are great characters, both strong, confident and mature. Their instant attraction to each other is something that we readers have hoped from since Paul's daughter's book, Tracking Trisha. SE weaves a story that answers some of the questions that have come from previous books but also gives us readers new ones. We also briefly see some of the characters that will be gracing further stories in this universe - Calo, Cree, Ha'ven, Pehr, Blaze. Justice occurs for Trisha and yes, more is revealed about one of the villains of the series. Fans of the Dragon Lords of Valdier series won't be disappointed, this book is everything we've come to expect from a SE Smith story. Those new to SE's world would probably enjoy this story, although much of the focus is on multiple characters from previous books as well as Paul & Morian. Already looking forward to Cree and Calo's book as well as others in the works. cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
Characters you love and hate, interesting world or time, plot that pulls you in and doesn't let go - another favorite read by SE Smith.
I haven't read a S.E. Smith story that didn't have me crying, laughing and cheering as I read. Choosing Riley definitely hit those emotions and kept me turning the pages for more. Riley and Vox are two "larger-than-life" characters who deserve each other. Poor, smooth Vox having to do all the chasing and always losing his cool around Riley. Riley who just wants to go home, by any means necessary, so that she doesn't turn into an alien and/or die, like the secondary character in an alien movie. By the end of the book, Riley realizes what we've known all along, she's the heroine not the secondary character. Speaking of secondary characters, appearances are made by familiar faces from the Dragon Lords of Valdier stories. And, as always new characters step from the pages, practically demanding that their story be told - Viper especially, although several other males deserve mates from earth. Plus someone Curizon, Sarafin or Valdier must be up the pleasure and pain of loving Riley's grandmother. Vox's brothers also need to be careful, payback will happen once he realizes what they're doing.Definitely looking forward to the next installments in the Sarafin Warriors and Valdier Dragons, and maybe those clever Curizons will get a series. Choosing Riley is a keeper that I'd already be re-reading start to finish if I didn't need a few hours of sleep. Cross-posted Goodreads, Amazon.
Book 1, River's Run was about 8 book releases earlier, but book 2 is finally here and going straight into my favorites collection. During River's Run, we meet River, Star and Jo and the three Lords of Kassis, four if you include their father. Star's Storm expands the story and reveals the strong personalities of Star and Jazin that were hinted at in book 1. Star is definitely nobody's doormat, more of an irresistible force. Jazin's the immovable object until he realizes that he has to change or risk losing Star. The trials they undergo deepen their relationship and move the story along very quickly. I reached the end and couldn't believe I had finished the story, I was so eager to keep reading more. I would like to see some of the native women step up as strong personalities in future books. Unlike some of S.E.'s female characters in her other universes, we really haven't seen much of the females of Kassis. Surely the interesting men had equally vibrant women somewhere in their lives. As with all of S.E.'s books, I'm also ready for stories about many of the secondary characters - Madas & Gril, Ristéard Roald & Ricki. Jarmen, Ajaska, Dakar and Armet also deserve happy endings. Jo and Manota's story is next in this universe and I can hardly wait. Although I think some characters from some of S.E.'s other universes are intending to have their stories released first. cross-posted GoodReads and Amazon
Mak & Tansy lived up to the picture I had of them in my head from the first 2 books. Actually they surpassed that image as soon as they started interacting. Definitely enjoyed them learning who the other really is and treasuring that knowledge.Some earlier characters from the previous books also make appearances as do new characters. Like all of the earlier S.E. Smith novels, primary & secondary characters have such vivid personalities that I want to see more of them. I really do want all their stories now, but will wait patiently as other earlier characters have been promised their spot in the limelight - Carmen, Star, Riley vs Merrick, Derik, Cosmos. Actually I would also like more with Teriff & Tresa and Tilly & Angus.The story and characters hold my attention completely throughout the book. Plus S.E. fine tunes her writing with each book. Overall, I definitely recommend Tansy's Titan as an interesting, appealing read that's over too soon. Off to read it again.cross-posted on amazon
