April RAK wrap-up

Hello to all,

                  Now it's time for our monthly Random Act of Kindness wrap-up. April wasn't a good month but i still enjoy this adventure and concept a lot so we will see what May will be but first, a RAK of March that i wasn't able to put in the last wrap up.

March, RAK received from Mary @Sweeping Me


Thanks you so so much again










In April i've sent two handmade bookmarks. One to Kat at  The Aussie Zombie, she chose a bird and you can have a look of it in her vlog ( it's the last item of it)  Happy Birthday again

I've also send one to Amada from the Hippies Beauty and Books Oh My!  for her birthday and it was a dolphin.        

And in April, i've received no RAK.

Thanks you to all participants and to Booksoulmates for this great idea.

Did you participate in April? What did you receive?

Alien Proliferation ( Katherine « Kitty » Katt Book 4 ) by Gini Koch

Hi!,

          last day of April already.So for the last time during the science-fiction romance month we will meet Kitty and co in Alien Proliferation, book 4 of the series written by Gini Koch.

Enjoy!

Editor : DAW BOOKS

Publication : 2011

ISBN:  0756406978

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: strong
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodread :

 Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who's behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty's secret agent mom and what caused Kitty's transformation into a superhuman-and they've got to do it all before the baby shower...

My opinion:

          I don’t know why I keep to be afraid before starting a book of this series, Gini Koch is a prolific author yes but she doesn’t put the quality at the second plan quite the opposite ( thanks also to her support team ).

Kitty and Jeff have a baby girl and with such parents, we can imagine how she is and will be. But, this isn’t a sappy romance, how could it be when kitty is involved? Even just after giving birth she is confronted to new super megalomaniac and big scheme to control the world but it’s a new Kitty that will face these hardships with her friends and the poofs’ help ( I still want one by the way ^^,,)

The plot is deeper than before and we discover that the A-c can be very, very naïve sometimes and that they can be very happy to have kitty and her family and Chuckie on their side. The story is also deeper, while there are still the witty banter, the humour, the full action package, the romance and all; there was also some very deep emotional part and I couldn’t stop being moved by it, nearly crying. Now, don’t be afraid Gini Koch didn’t change her writing style and the book didn’t become dark and sad, not at all but in this one more that the other for me she used emotional leverage so the transition instilled in this book could move properly in the next one.

Kitty is discovering more reasons to protect the A-C like she is, it’s not only because she love an Alien or because now her baby is a target too. No, she is starting to understand to what end and by what means some can go to achieve their dream of conquest, power and domination. Yes she has read some in comics but in real life, it hurts a lot more. She knows what is at risk and what has to be done. She also discovers how good her team is.

New characters are introduced, like in each book, and she keep the recruitment going at a high rate and we love that. We can see Christopher at a deeper level too. He is more fragile and you could have thought and Chuckie isn’t as lost as we could have expected. Serene is more secondary but will perhaps have a bigger role in the next book being in the team and respected.

So really a great addition to the series and like Gini announced in several interview, the main focus of book 5 will change and how the characters adapt to it. It could be very funny and I can’t wait to see how Kitty will learn to keep her cool and be diplomatic while still being so honest with tongue lashing.

Score:  5/5

Challenges:

Book read for the Reading Challenge 2012

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Ce livre s'intègre dans le challenge de Natasia



Book read for the 2012 TBR reading Challenge

Gangbusters ( I- Marshal Stories Book3) by Michele Hart

Happy Sunday to all;

                                Like i told you before, today i will write about science-fiction romance with my review of the third book of the I-Marshal Stories by Michele Hart called Gangbusters. I'm really fan of this series and i love the writing style of Michele. I could have posted this review before this month but i wanted to make it special so only one post today but a really great book deserve this. I'm so happy to have been lucky enough to get a copy to review and i hope i will be able to offer you the review of the futur books of the series ( still 4 more at least) when they get published.

Enjoy!

author: Michele Hart

Publisher: Bookstrand-Siren Publishing

Publication : 2011

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: strong
Langage: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: Pdf received from the author in exchange for an honest review
 


Short description from goodread :

 Daniel Tierney and his fellow I-Marshals take down the organizations producing the most dangerous substance in the Alliance. But reporter Faith Vedder turns up at the worst times, including Danny’s near-assassination. He’s had enough of her interference and requires her source of information.

 Faith won’t tell him anything that compromises her Pulitzer-worthy story, not even under the magic of hot attraction. She doesn’t know she’s surrounded by fallen angels at war. Danny’s not finished making demands. She doesn’t understand until a giant, snorting, winged monster slobbers down her back, threatening to flay her.

 The gangbusters can’t delay in their mission to shut down gangs until Danny learns the new criminal kingpin of their world is a man who once held Faith’s heart. In the guise of a gangland executioner named Heretic, Danny will destroy him. Even if it destroys Faith.

Angels are watching. Demons are plotting. Faith is the key.

My opinion:

          Michele Hart did it again. This story was so captivating that i couldn’t put it down and it was read in record time. I really love her style of writing and her universe. In this book we learn more about the i-Marshals and the link between angels, demons and Nephilims and that really interesting and well written.  We see also that these super cops can work in team and no only in solo like in the first two books.

The story focuses on the romance of Daniel, under cover as Heretic, and Faith a reporter really too stubborn and curious. While as a hit man he must kill her because she is writing about the new drug’s market, Daniel protects her again her will and by doing so he is slowly falling.  However, the rules are clear I-marshal and witness can’t be in any relationship or the i-Marshal looses his job. Daniel is a strong character who has seen both sides of this war since he didn’t grow up in a cops’ family he didn’t learn of the existence of demons and such until he was confronted to them and he killed to protect himself at the time at that occasion the i-marshal saw his special ability to manipulate time and he got the choice to spend his life in prison or to endure the training to become i-marshal. He lost faith in accepted to kill demons because it must be done and hoping perhaps to gain back in the good grace. His Angel is an important one too, a chief Metatron. The problem is that Daniel is slowly loosing his soul when he take pleasure by torturing the demons before killing them and Metraton informs him of that fact and that he must find faith and balance.

Faith is a reporter and set on getting the Pulitzer first by discovering this new drug and revealing her existence, then by writing about the “special” thing she witnesses and even by writing about the angel after a visit of Metatron. She is really stubborn about that and doesn’t hesitate to keep some information secret, manipulate and lie to Daniel and co. However we learn that it’s her honesty the reason behind that more that greed. She loves the truth and wants to share it, she wants justice and in her quest she too often let herself be blinded and manipulated. Fortunately, her heart is true and she can see the story with its possible repercussions when it’s needed.  So she can be infuriating a lot but she really is touching.

The story takes his strength from the secondary characters too because while the couple Faith/ Daniel is predominant we also discover two other I-Marshals Kasey whose power is telekinesis and a good thief and Sean, whose angel Raphael is specialised in science and Healing.  Even better, while we have a fiery and hot romance with Faith and Daniel, we have another more peaceful, full of abnegation and devotion with Sean and Isabella. It’s a secondary romance, yet so moving. Sean is a healer and has found Isabella at the mercy of a demon because adopted in a mob family she is just a property to pass along. He heals her but her soul calls to him and in secret, again the mission order he saves her and in the same time himself. So romantic and chivalrous. Isabella has lived hell and survived without loosing her soul, she is fragile and in the same time she doesn’t hesitate to step to save a life when she can even if it means confront her worst fear.  She is very different from Faith in the way that she trusts more easily even after what she lived and she already knows the existence of demons and such.

I loved to see these two aspects of a romance with a I-Marshal

Sean and Daniel are a really good binome and they complete each other when Daniel is hurting and fighting, Sean is calm and collected and always ready to save his life. Kasey hasn’t worked with them as much so at first they are a bit weary of him since they are breaking rule after rule but he is part of the team and growing on the reader.

The plot is really well done and the villains interesting but I won’t make spoilers here by telling too much on them. Oh yes, these books can be read out of order and if you start by this one it won’t be a problem at all but for the one who have read them in order and loved book 2 Vigilant, Weber make a small apparition in this one it was really cute to see him act how he did as you will see. Love did him good.

So far it’s one of my favourite and I’m so happy to have discovered this series. Michele told me that there will be 4 more books and I’m looking forward to discover them too. Really you should try these books if you want a good science-fiction romance full of love and action, danger and introspection.

Score:  5/5

If you want this book you can buy it On amazon or on Bookdepository

You can find more informations on the serie and Michele on her website

Source: a copy in exchange for a honest review, no compensation was received.

Challenges:

Book read for the Reading Challenge 2012



This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge





ebook read for the 2012 ebook Challenge



Alien in the Family ( Katherine « Kitty » Katt Book3 ) by Gini Koch

Hello again,

                    Like i told you in my last post, i will now post a review about a book from a series i really love now the problem was which one to choose the next one in the I Marshal Stories or one by Gini Koch...hard choice really since there are all in my favorite. Finally, i've decided to go on Kitty Katt book 3 why? Simply so i won't post book 4 directly following book3. So Today we continue with the great series written by Gini Koch

Enjoy!

Editor : DAW BOOKS

Publication : 2011

ISBN:  0756406684

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodread :

 Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt and the Alpha Centaurian she loves, Jeff Martini, should be finalizing their wedding plans. But that was before she discovers Jeff is in line to become Emperor back on his home world. Kitty knows she is everything a royal family wouldn't approve of, and is bracing herself for the worst. As it turns out, the royal family is just the beginning. Especially when extraterrestrial Amazonian terrorists are determined to start and end Kitty and Jeff's nuptial festivities with a bang.

My opinion:

          Each book is bigger than the last and still I hadn’t enough. Gini Koch’s writing is really a pearl, we are immersed in the story without any difficulty and we are part of the team one way or another.

The only part I loved a bit less is the numerous characters , it’s a wedding so even distant relatives are there and believe me if Kitty is feeling overwhelmed and lost, I was the same while trying to remember who is who. It was also fun because I think all the characters were in the same disposition.

We have the pleasure also to discover new kind of aliens, all from the system of Centauri and not all friendly but they are great in their own way and Kitty will discover one soulmate.  ( another one yes but not what you think^^;;;) oh and let’s not forget I WANT A POOF. So great, so cute  so arg… I want one as you will too but they are rare so not easy to get but perhaps I could ask Christopher?

But, more aliens means also more troubles and CIA on the way and that’s a promise for at least verbal fight. Thankfully Kitty can still see the bigger picture and do what is needed to save the day…while trying to keep up with the preparation of her marriage.

We could have thought Gini was going to give them a break but the ending is full of promises so the next book will certainly is as filled with action, romance and humour or perhaps we will discover a new side of kitty. Who Knows?

Score:  4,5/5

Challenges:

Book read for the Reading Challenge 2012

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Ce livre s'intègre dans le challenge de Natasia

Book read for the 2012 TBR reading Challenge

Enslaved by Starlight by Jessa Slade in the anthogology Hotter on the Edge

Happy Saturday,

                     Nearly the end of the month but i'm far from having finished with the subgenre of science-fiction romance because i've discovered several really good authors and series which i 'm a fan of. So, this month isn't the only one where you will get some review on that genre. However no need to wait so long, today you will again have a review about a novella and one post about a book and before May at least two others books of that genre will be reviewed and posted so enjoy!

First, we start with the last enovella published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge, called "Enslaved by Starlight" and written by Jessa Slade.

Published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Author: Jessa Slade

Publication : 2012

ASIN:  B00757WOT6

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: free pdf ( special offer)

Short description from goodread :

 Transformed by empathic crystals into the perfect paramour, Benedetta Galil is the last treasure of her fading world. When raiders attack—seeking to corrupt the crystals and conquer all of charted space—she gives herself as a prize to the one man in the universe who values freedom over power. Mercenary sheership Captain Corso Deynah left oppression behind him on a burning planet and has no use for a sex slave, even one as seductive as Benedetta. But while he stubbornly resists her body, her fierce spirit tempts him, and he will risk everything—his ship, his seclusion, the very stars—to win not just her passion but her love.

My opinion:

          For a novella, the world seemed well constructed for me and the story complete even if the ending opens a door for a sequel if needed. I enjoyed the concept of the crystal and even more the way Corso tries to make Benedetta more self conscious and willing to fight for her freedom too. Even it’s also true that the plot isn’t very original you can spend a good time reading this story. No background is needed to enjoy it. The violence is there yes but the story isn’t dark. Also the romance isn’t immediate, but it’s perfect with the psychology of the characters

Corso is a mercenary because of his honor and the choices he made. It’s also the reason why he resists entering a new conflict before the threat to loose his ship. Benedetta has grown in the perspective to be sold one day and thus when she is “given” in exchange for the safety of her planet and the population she agrees to it without any doubt until the captain refuse her and call her a sex slave.  Together they learn that there is more to it and that while the link created by the special ceremony binding is special and can be great, the choice to choose this life is also important.  Both want to save lives and both are attracted to each others while they try to understand what freedom really means.

I wouldn’t mind a sequel with a bit more of Icere, he would be a great addition to the staff on the ship.

Score:  3,5/5

Challenge:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Daemon Invasion

Over the last couple of weeks, you’ve heard us talking about the upcoming #DaemonInvasion and we’re so excited to finally share with you what is going on.

Really excited.

The beautiful and uber cool models, Pepe Toth and Sztella Tziotziosz, who grace the Lux covers, will be joining us in the United States! You heard right. They are flying here, from Hungary to spend a few days as Daemon and Katy! While they are here, they will be working with Vania, from VLC Productions (the team behind Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments, Melissa de La Cruz, Kimberly Derting, Moira Young, Kami Garcia and Margret Stohl, Hillary Duff, Lauren Destefano, and many, many more authors’ book trailers), to film book trailers for the Lux Series.

 

During the filming in Atlanta, they will be accompanying us on tour! What does that mean? You get to meet them. In the flesh. They will be participating in the signings and events. At those signings, we’ll be giving away signed posters, photos, and other swag. There will also be meet and greet events you can join in on.

At each signing, there will be advanced copies of Onyx given away!

And to top things off (as if this isn’t enough, but we don’t do anything small), there’s something very, very exciting in the works! It involves advanced copies of Opal, water, and a little destination known as the Bahamas.

I am not kidding.

This will be epic.

Aare you excited? I am! This tour is going to be so, so much fun, and I’m so thrilled that Pepe and Sztella are a part of it. We owe them a huge thank you and a giant welcome making the 16 hour flight to meet the readers of the Lux Series. You!

Daemon Invasion Signing and Event Schedule

June 8^th
FoxTale Book Shoppe
Woodstock, GA
3:00pm

June 10^th
Barnes and Noble
St Johns Town Center
Jacksonville, FL
3:00pm

June 13^th
Barnes and Noble
Waterford Lakes Town Center
Orlando, FL
3:00pm

June 14^th
Barnes and Noble
The Palladium at City Place
West Palm Beach, FL
4:00pm

There are several #daemoninvasion street teamers out there and if you want to join a team to win exclusive prizes, search down the #daemoninvasion hashtag to join one of the teams!

 

Don’t forget to visit Jennifer L. Armentrout's blog to win a signed set of Half-Blood and Pure in celebration of her adult romance release, Tempting the Best Man, under pen name J. Lynn. It can be purchased here. )

 

 

 

And i have a really good news, i'm now part of the team called Team Major Swoon with as our leader Valerie from Stuck In Book. I'm really happy and i hope we will succeed, good luck to all participants.

 

Alien Tango ( Katherine « Kitty » Katt book 2) by Gini Koch

Hello again,

                       For this month i've decided to post review about a novella and just after another about a book from i science-fiction series that i've discovered. Today i will present you the second book in the Katherine "Kitty" Katt Series " Alien Tango" written by Gini Koch

Enjoy!

Editor : DAW BOOKS

Publication : 2010

ISBN:  0756406323

Genre: science fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: strong

Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodread :

 It's been five months since marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty's high school boyfriend. And that's all before evil masterminds decide Kitty's extermination is vital.

My opinion:

          I admit at first I was a bit afraid, the first book was so great how could the second one be as good…it’s not. This second book is even better than the first one. Full of action, romance, suspense and humour everything is there and so well written. It’s really a good book when your mood is a bit down or when you are tired because chapter after chapter I just went better and better with a huge smile.

In this book we finally meet Chuckie, Kitty best friend and also Jeff’s parents or all family in fact. Those situations are hilarious. Kitty can have a really great intuition but she has none concerning her love life  or the diplomacy she could need because she understand Jeff’s father and mother but still she keep a big mouth even exhausted. Sometimes, things have to be said and she is very honest about her thoughts that for sure.  Now I admit I still have a problem how Jeff “read” her thought while not being telepathe but empathy however I guess that’s all interpretation and psychology after all his life he get some experience at least.

I was really fond of ACE, proof that Centaurions made a lot of errors in the past but can also do great. So powerful but lonely and sad, difficult not to like him on the spot. He will do great so I hope we will see more about him. Also Kevin is a great agent liaison even if he is married ( or perhaps thanks to that fact^^;;)

Kitty is the same as always but we also see a more sensitive side of her. Claudia is so funny, I could easily picture her with the heavy rocket launcher. Jeff is a bit more jealous but this book give us a lot of informations about what his life was and thus we understand his insecurities better. I loved that part of the story

I think I won’t be able to wait before reading the next one even if part of me would like to slow down because once I will be on the last one I will have to wait at least 6month before the new publication because we get only two books a year…what a dilemma

Score:  5/5

Challenges:

Book read for the Reading Challenge 2012

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge



Ce livre s'intègre dans le challenge de Natasia

Book read for the 2012 TBR reading Challenge



All that Glitters by Erin Kellison in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Hello to all,

                    first today i introduce you to another novella from the Anthology " Hotter on the Edge" with "All that Glitters" written by Erin Kellison, an author that you will see even more during the fantasy romance month  but first her science- fiction romance that's only her second novella.

Published in the anthology Hotter on the Edge

Author : Erin Kellison

Publication : 2012

ASIN:  B00757WOT6

Genre: science-fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: free pdf ( special offer)

Short description from goodread :

 Cheated out of a fortune by the Sol royal family, lowborn Simon Miner will do anything to get his revenge, no matter how ruthless. When Princess Mica Sol, a terraforming expert, is shot out of the sky on the way to her sister’s lavish wedding, she fears the worst—scavengers—and flees into an alien jungle to avoid capture. But the man who pursues and captures her is none other than Simon, her former lover. Passions reignite as violence rocks Sol City, and Simon and Mica must fight for love, family, and their world… or lose everything.

My opinion:

          I’m a bit disappointed. The premises are good, the plot interesting but I don’t think it was the right choice for a novella where it would have be a good book. There are a lot of aspects that are initiated in the novella but not complete so I had some difficulties to immerse myself in the story.

I got that the scavengers are kind of genetically modified by evolution or illness but who are they exactly? Are they part of the first humans or are they natives of the planet? It wasn’t clear.

The Sol are an important family that control the “civilized” part of the planet…yes but why exactly? Were they elected at a time or did they just took the power and control of this society not equal?

Erin Kellison concentrates her story on the romance part between Simon and Mica, she offers us some background for it too and I liked this however with all the partial information about the universe and planet I was still this feeling of missing. I wanted more; I would have preferred either have the complete info or no info (like only there is one power in place and other are rebels that’s it) because one touch here and there doesn’t help the understanding at all and that’s becoming confusing.

The characters are interesting but I would have loved more example of how she was before her departure of the planet.  In the end I can say I like this novella but not that I loved it. I understand that a novella must be short by definition but still I want to feel complete after reading a story not full of question unanswered. Yes these weren’t the focus of the story but when mentioned it should have been completed.

Now, I really like her writing’s style and I won’t hesitate to read her other books

Score:  3,5/5

Challenge:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

Centauri Midnight ( Centauri series book3) by Cynthia Woolf

Hello again,

                 today i will introduce you to the end of the Centauri trilogy written by Cynthia Woolf. I really appreciated the trilogy even if i liked more part of the trilogy but as a whole it's a great science fiction romance. So if you have the opportunity try the complete trilogy that has been published in one volume.

all the best,

Publisher : Cynthia Woolf

Publication : 2012

ISBN:  9780983937241

Genre: science- fiction romance
Violence: mild
Langage: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: won

Short description from goodread :

 Kitari ‘Kiti’ Dolana wants justice for her murdered brother. She’s trailed the man responsible to a distant planet where swords outmaneuver blasters.

Garrick Marcus, Spaceship Captain, is on a mission to hunt down a ruthless killer. The same man Kiti is after.

But Kiti and Garrick discover an explosive attraction that makes it hard to keep their minds on their goals. As they try to bring down the killer, they find that love and vengeance are a volatile mix.

My opinion:

          For the last part of the trilogy I admit I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m not disappointed at all. This story is less dark than book two, there is nearly none violence at all. The humour is also back something I really appreciate. The romance is predominant and still the product of a courtship and work only it’s really hotter than the first two books and that took me by surprise. It’s the only point that bothered me; I would have preferred softer descriptions but so well done like in Centauri Dawn. The rhythm is rapid but not too much and the writing’s as pleasant as before

This book is centered on Kitari, called Kiti, the best friend of Audra and Garrick the friend and second in command of Darius. They know each other since a long time being both Dragonera and friends of Anton. Kiti is a warrior yes but first she is an anthropologist and linguist, a Tensign, reason for which she was on the team to fetch Audra. In this book, she is grieving her brother, dead with all the other members of Anton’s squad. Also we discovered in book 1 and two that she had a special relationship with Anton so she also lost him when he married Lara. For all these reasons she wants to be part of the team whose mission is to arrest Tybold. However what Kiti doesn’t know is that Darius always loved her from afar waiting his time and a lot more awaits her on this mission to Gregara.

Kitari is a good character, strong, intelligent and honourable. We saw her lost, grieving but also discover that she fight for justice not revenge.

Garrick Marcus is a trusted friend of Darius, and when Kiti asks to go on his mission he can’t denied her. Knowing her more that she could guess, he also counts on this travel to court and win her. Thus he takes the time to meet with her to speak about her job on the mission but also to have meals with her. However, when Kiti start to answer too quickly to his advance he steps back not wanting to take advantage of her vulnerability and he gives her the time she need until she says that she really is ready for that step with him. I adore that. These times together are also a great way for the reader to learn more about Gregara, the world they will be on for the mission so we aren’t lost at all.

It’s a great sci-fi romance for those above 18 and for the ones who like hot romance, that’s even better. It could be read alone too since the book explains what it’s happening but still I would recommend you to read the complete trilogy in order.

Score:  4/5

Challenges:

This book enter in the Romance and Me Challenge

ebook read for the 2012 ebook Challenge