TBR Challenge 2009: The Down Home Zombie Blues & An Accidental Goddess

Since I was a slacker last month, I'm doing two review this month to make up for it.

So first up is...
Title: The Down Home Zombie Blues

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: 2007 by Bantam Books

Number of Pages: 516

Genre: Sci Fi Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

Why This Book: It was the only Linnea Sinclair book I hadn't devoured yet.

From the Author Site:In this steamy, suspenseful new thriller from RITA award-winning author Linnea Sinclair, a dangerously sexy space commander and an irresistibly earthy Florida police detective pair up to save the civilized galaxy…but can they save themselves from each other?

Bahia Vista homicide detective Theo Petrakos thought he’d seen it all. Then a mummified corpse and a room full of futuristic hardware sends Guardian Force commander Jorie Mikkalah into his life. Before the night’s through, he’s become her unofficial partner—and official prisoner—in a race to save the Earth. And that’s only the start of his troubles.

Jorie’s mission is to stop a deadly infestation of bio-mechanical organisms from using Earth as its breeding ground. If she succeeds, she could save a world and win a captaincy. But she’ll need Theo’s help, even if their unlikely partnership does threaten to set off an intergalactic incident.

Because if she fails, she’ll lose not just a planet and a promotion, but a man who’s become far more important than she cares to admit.

Cast:
Sergeant Theo Petrakos: A recently divorced homicide detective for Bahia Vista Police Department in Florida. He is trying to get his life back together while avoiding all the helpful people intent on getting him a date. While investigating an unusual homicide, he get involved with the Guardian Force, who were also investigating the same homicide. Since "nils" - people from low tech worlds - aren't supposed to know about the Guardian Force, he is kidnapped and is placed on the transfer list to Paroo (a paradise planet). Theo doesn't want to leave earth, and his friends and family, so he makes a deal that allows him to help out in the current investigation.

Commander Jorie Mikkalah: Being a Guardian is all she wants to be and she enjoys her work. She has been promised a promotion to captain if she successfully solves this Zombie problem. With the death of her contact on the ground, she turns to Theo to get the information on about local.

Review: I've really enjoyed all of Linnea Sinclair's stories, so I had high hopes for this one. Even though the plot devise is not one I generally enjoy. The whole advanced aliens from out space come the earth and fall in love with an earthling. And it didn't work for me here either, I'm sad to say. Most of the time there is some translation do-hicky or something that allows everyone to understand (minus the idioms of course) but in this version, one of the numerous alien languages is almost like english to allow communication between the Guardians and the locals.

The worlding building was okay. There are two factions in space, one that naturally wants to obliterate the other. Zombies were created as border guards. But someone from the enemy faction stole the operating codes and now are breeding a superior Zombie breed as a first line of attact. And they've chosen the love state of Florida in which to do their breeding tests. Because it's an out of the way world with the perfect temperature for breeding Zombies and has very litte interglactic travel.

The Zombies aren't the fleshing-eating-living-dead zombies that most would automatically think about. Instead these zombies suck all the juice of their victims leaving mummies with moist eyeballs. And a person cannot be converted into a zombie. Since the zombie is a genetically engineered being. All zombies are a part of a herd, each herd is control able the C-Prime zombie. Reprogramming or killing the C-Prime zombie is the best way to kill the herd.

What I liked best: There really wasn't much I like about the story. It was well thought out but none of the characters really clicked for me. I think it asked me to suspend my belief and bit too far for it to be truly enjoyable.

What I least liked: The over use of the word "bliss". Couldn't the aliens learn the word nice, good, delicious, and happy so that "bliss" didn't have to take the place of those words. *sigh*

Keeper?: No

Recommendation: I would recommend Linnea Sinclair to all readers, just not this book!

Grade: D


Next...
Title: An Accidental Goddess

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: 2006 by Bantam Books

Number of Pages: 434

Genre: Futuristic Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

Why This Book: I picked the book up originally due to a review I read on The BookSmugglers blog.

From the Author Site: Being divine has never been more dangerous...

Raheiran Special Forces Captain Gillaine Davré has just woken up in some unknown space station, wondering where the last three hundred years have gone. The last thing she remembers is her ship being attacked. Now it seems that while she was time-traveling, she was ordained a Goddess…

Gillaine’s only hope of survival rests with dangerously seductive Admiral “Mack” Makarian, who suspects her of being a smuggler—or worse. But he can’t begin to imagine the full extent of it. For Gillaine is now Lady Kiasidira, holy icon to countless believers, including Mack—a man who inspires feelings in her that are far from saintly…feelings she knows are mutual. But when their flirtation is interrupted by a treacherous enemy from the past, Gillaine’s secret—and secret desires—could destroy them both….

Cast:
Gillaine, Kiasidira, Ciran Rothalla Davre: She wakes up in the sick bay of Cirrus One after her ship had suffered some damages during her last battle with the Fav'lhir which inadvertantly threw her 342 years to the future. Where she discovers, much to her dismay, that she has been elevated to goddesshood, with temples, worshipers and the like. And all she had ever wanted to be was "just Gillie" who likes Devil Breath neat with a twist and a good game of billards at the local pub. But she is a Kiasidira, a high ranked Raheiran sorceress, which comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of which led her into that faithful battle. Now that no one know who she truly is, she tries to build a life as "just Gillie Davre", feighter captain. But fate is not done with her, just when things seem to be settling down and working for Gillie, old enemies appear that puts Gillie in a difficult position.

Sentient Integrated MObile Nanoessence aka Simon: Gillie's sentient ship, teacher and friend.

Admiral Rynan "Mack" Makarian aka "Make it Right" Makarian: Admiral of the Khalaran Fifth Fleet and responsible for converting Cirrus One from a civilian station into a military station. Nothing is going well for Mack. First the civilian run operations are making it difficult as possible for him and his team to make the necessary upgrades, he has parrots flying all over his atrium, he's been giving an office that doesn't allow him to interface with any of the stations systems and he has a mysterious (a beautiful, even though he does want to think about it) woman in his sick bay that may be a pirate. On top of that, he has to deal with the Temple of the Lady Kiasidira which seems to have it agenda.

Lieutenant Tobias Finch: Mack's right hand man and a devoted worshiper of the Lady Kiasidira.

Review: Linnea Sinclair has once again created and wonderfully colorful world and engrossing story where a not so average woman ambassador, who just wants to have fun and share technological knowledge, saves the galaxy as they know it by sacrificing herself and her ship. But she didn't die. She's thrown into the future where to her great disgust and dismay, she is now a Goddess. Lucky for her they didn't get her name right. Unlucky for her there is someone on the station that can identify her and it seems that the enemy was not complete defeated.

The world building is done seamlessly. Althrough there was a lot information to portray, nothing got lost in the translation. All the historical bits were well woven through the "present" day facts. All the lovely world making details are there so there is no need to fill in the gaps. This world has a bit of magic thrown in with all the usual space exploring technologies. A bit of Sword and Sorcerer mets Star Trek.

What I liked best: Simon. He's smart and a bit of a smarty-pants too. All those teasing remarks, the humming of the wedding song in the background. The banter between Gillie and Simon are a crack up.

What I least liked: The really strange teenage fashions. But then I don't care for them much in the real world either.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: If you've enjoyed other Linnea Sinclair books, you will definitely enjoy this one. It a lite and witty story about

Grade: A

TRB Challenge 2009: Games of Command

Title: Games of Command

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: February 2007

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

From the Author Site: Can she trust a man who is half-machine?

The universe isn’t what it used to be. With the new alliance between the Triad and the United Coalition, Captain Tasha “Sass” Sebastian finds herself serving under her former nemesis, bio-cybe Admiral Branden Kel-Paten—and doing her best to hide a deadly past. But when an injured mercenary falls into their ship’s hands, her efforts may be wasted …

Wanted rebel Jace Serafino has information that could expose all of Sass’ secrets, tear the fragile Alliance apart—and end Sass’s career if Kel-Paten discovers them. But the bio-cybe has something to hide as well, something once thought impossible for his kind to possess: feelings...for Sass. Soon it’s clear that their prisoner could bring down everything they once believed was worth dying for—and everything they now have to live for…

Hero: Biocybernetic Admiral Branden Kel-Paten, aka Tin Soldier, of the Triad. As a biocybernetic being, he is programmed not to feel and to be completely ruled by logic. But he goes against his programing and falls in love with Tasha Sebastian. But having these feelings can have him completely reprogrammed or destroyed if anyone finds out. So he has to hide them from everyone else while trying to get Tasha to see him as a real person who loves her. It doesn't help that Tasha's best friend is an empath and is currently serving as his Chief Medical Officer.

Heroine: Captain Tasha Sebastian, aka Lady Sass, of the United Coalition. An United Coalition captain with a shady past that she must keep hidden, especially from Kel-Paten. She has been transferred to Kel-Paten's flagship, the Vaxxar, as a part of the peace agreement to unite the Triad and the United Coalition against a mutual threat. What she doesn't know is that Kel-Paten has other reasons for her being on his ship. With the appearance of Jace Serafino on board the Vaxxar, Tasha's shady past is catching up to her.

Review: Another brilliant read from Linnea Sinclair. Tasha and Kel-Paten are an unlikely pair that create a perfect romance. Tasha with her intuitive style and Kel-Paten with his logic. Together they are unbeatable. You can feel Kel-Paten's longing for Tasha as he follows her around his ship just so that he can be in her company as well as his frustration at trying to be emotional while with Tasha and unemotional the rest of the time to avoid getting caught and reprogrammed or destroyed. Meanwhile, you can see Tasha's confusion as to why Kel-Paten is "spying". Kel-Paten's straight military bearing is a perfect foil for Tasha's more relaxed and rougish style. You have to love her "My name's No, No, Bad Captain! What's yours?" T-shirt and Kel-Paten's reaction to it as well as their "Sabastian", pause, "Kel-Paten" routine.

Linnea Sinclair has given us a second love story to enjoy in book. The love story of the rascally outlaw Jace Serafino and Vaxxar's CMO, Eden Fynn. Their story is a bit more intertwined with the storyline and is hard to discuss without giving away the plot. So I'll just say that it is fun to see Jace the outlaw try to steal Dr. Fynn's heart but ends up reforming to earn her love.

And let's not forget the lovable furzels, Reilly and Tank (although he is just a fidget)! All would have been destroyed had it not have been for these two furry, lovable and loyal champions. I want a furzel of my very own (I know my furry baby definitely has the furzel quality of loving her food and always wanting her food). The book just wouldn't have been the same without them and their furry commentary.

Keeper?: Most definitely.

Recommendation: I loved it. A great story with wonderful, memorable characters. I can't think of anything that would make this better. It's perfect as it is written.

Rating: A+

Review: Finders Keepers

Title: Finders Keepers

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: April 2005

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Stand Alone

From the Author Site: Now that they found each other, the universe won't know what hit it...

Blending hard SF with sizzling romantic suspense, Linnea Sinclair brings readers this red-hot adventure of two space outcasts on a collision course with destiny. Now that this star-crossed couple have found each other, the universe won't know what hit it...

Trilby Elliot is a barely legal independent trader. Rhis Vanur is the arrogant Zafharin military officer she rescued from a crash landing. It would have been a miracle if they survived each other's company on Trilby's slapdash starfreighter even under the best of circumstances. And these are far from the best of circumstances. For Trilby's best friend is missing and the warlike 'Sko are hunting both Trilby and Rhis. Suddenly they're in it together, for better, for worse--or until death blasts them to oblivion...

There are very minor spoilers ahead. To read with the spoilers, highlight the text.

Hero: Lieutenant Rhis Vanur aka Senior Captain Khyrhis Tivahr of the Zarfharin hunter ship Razalka aka Tivahr the Terrible. Rhis is having a really bad week. First he was captured by the 'Sko, then he escaped only to crash land on a middle of nowhere inhospitable planet. But to his luck begins to change when he is rescued by Tribly Elliot and her envoy droid Dezi. In his hurry to return to the Razalka, he gets on the bad side of Tribly by trying hijack her ship only to find the ship inoperable and in the middle of repairs. He quickly sees that the only way he can get back to Zarfharin space is to fix Tribly's outdated ship. The only things he hadn't counted on was to fall "ass over teakettle" for Tribly. He's Zarfharin military arrogance slowly melts away to show a lonely man in dire need of love and understanding.

Heroine: Tribly Elliot, Captain of the Careless Venture, and an independent Conclave trader who is down on her luck. With her only crew, and best friend, Desi - an old DZ-9 envoy droid - she is attempting to fix/upgrade her ship on the sly because she can't pay port fees. So she has set up a temporary shop on a uninhabited and mostly unwanted plant. Part way through her repairs, a 'Sko fighter crash lands practically on her door step. Unable to pass up a good salvage opportunity, Tribly and her faithful Desi head to the crash site and get more than they wanted. Tribly is a gutsy trader who just wants to make an honest and decent living, but time and money are not on her side. Tribly is attracted to Rhis but is afraid to risk her heart since it was recently dealt a harsh blow. Her character reminded me of Beka Valentine from the TV series Andromeda.

Review: Another wonderful story from Linnea Sinclair. She has managed to create a very believable world and situation. Just enough detail is given to give this universe life and delightful food for our imaginations.

In this universe, the war between the Conclave and Zarharin Empire has just ended and peace between the two is still fragile. Tribly is a citizen of the Conclave, but they are more of an annoyance to her rather than anything else. While Rhis is a member of the Zarharin Imperial Fleet and is used to rules and regulations. So difference between the two makes for delightful times as Tribly pokes fun at Rhis's imperial arrogance and Rhis being constantly caught off guard with the unexpected, such as having to hit or wack a tool to make it function or start.

Although the Zarharin Empire and Conclave are peace, there is something shady going on with the Ycsko, an aggressive non-human group that share this part of the galaxy with the Zarharin Empire and the Conclave. This increasing tension between all the factions makes a very exciting story.

Once again Linnea Sinclair has delivered an action packed story with two very delightful lead characters. Strong, independent, loyal Tribly and arrogant, lonely, sexy Rhis. As well as a slew of others.
My favorite secondary character is Desi. He just like C3PO from Star Wars. Always willing to help but overly verbose on whatever topic is being discussed. Poor guy is doing a job outside his original programming but does it without complaint. And at times very literal, I suppose that is the way of droids and in particular, envoy/protocol droids.

One two this seem bother me about this book. First is the first love scene. It just seemed to jump out of no where. Sure they liked and were attracted to each other, Rhis had already tried kissed Tribly, but Tribly had rebuffed him. Then out of the blue she jumps him and they go on to have steamy sex. Sure she found him attractive and quite yummy to look at, but there didn't seem to be any build up to that scene. The second is that the book ended without answering some questions that were presented in the book. Although the book was written as a stand alone, I felt like it was set up for a sequel. One that would explain or wrap up all those annoying little sub-plot lines that were still hanging around as loose threads.

Keeper?: Yes

Recommendation: An excellent read. This a stand alone novel that is screaming for a sequel!

Rating: B+

Come Visit with Linnea Sinclair

Come over to DIK and chat with award winning author Linnea Sinclair!

You don't know what your missing if you haven't read any of her books. They are a must read for me. Go check them out!
Gabriel's Ghost (book 1) See my review here
Shades of Dark (book 2) See my review here
Hope's Folly (book 3) See my review here
Games of Command (my review will be up next week)
Finders Keepers (review also coming soon)
Accidental Goddess
Down Home Zombie Blues

Excellent book day!

Today is an excellent book day and just in time for mom's birthday... I get presents on my mom's birthday... right?!

Anywhoo... Released today are three must-have for me:

The next exciting chapter in the Gabriel's Ghost universe, Hope's Folly!

This is Phillip's story. I was lucky to get an ARC copy awhile ago. See review here.

I have to say that after reading Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark, Phillip wasn't exactly hero material to me, but after reading Hope's Folly I've had to change my mind. He's a totally hawtie!


Also out today is the sequel to Anton Strout's Simon Canderous debut book Dead to Me, my review of Dead to Me here.

Okay so poor Simon is in for even more trouble than before as he continues in his job at the DEA (that the Department of Extra-ordinary Affairs!). What exciting new adventure await for Simon? Here's the blurb from Amazon.com:

It’s been 737 days since the Department of Extraordinary Affairs’ last vampire incursion, but that streak appears to have ended when a boat full of dead lawyers is found in the Hudson River. Using the power of psychometry—the ability to divine the history of an object by touching it—agent Simon Canderous discovers that the booze cruise was crashed by something that sucked all the blood out of the litigators. Now, his workday may never end—until his life does.


Last, and definitely not least, is Nalini Singh's e-book Angels' Pawn, the bonus novella in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter world.

Check Nalini's blog for where to buy. A nice little appetizer to get all ready for Angel's Blood which will be out in early March (the 3rd to be exact!).

So many books... it's so hard to choose which to sink my teeth into first!

ARC Review: Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair

Title: Hope's Folly

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: February 2009

Genre: Romance, Science Fiction

Stand Alone/Series: Book 3
Book 1: Gabriel's Ghost
Book 2: Shades of Dark

From the Author Site: Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a rag-tag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be, if he can reach his command ship—the intriguingly named Hope’s Folly—alive. Not much can rattle Philip’s legendary cool—but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She’s the daughter of his best friend and first commander—a man who died while under Philip’s command, and whose death is on Philip’s conscience.

Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly-minted rebel leader, who it seems has just become her new commanding officer? And will she still be willing follow him through the jaw of hell once she learns the truth about her father’s death?

Plot: The story opens with Admiral Philip Guthrie getting ready to assume command of his new flagship, Hope’s Folly, once known as the imperial Styker-class cruiser the Alric Stockwell turned fruit freighter after decommissioning, as the new and only admiral of the Alliance. Admiral Guthrie arrives at Kirro Station and runs into former ImpSec Sub-Lieutenant Rya Talyor Bennton and with her help escapes on board a shuttle bound for Seth Shipyard and Hope’s Folly. Once aboard they must get Hope’s Folly up and running and get to Ferrin in order to have hope for the future Alliance. While battling the endless number of system problems on the ship, both Phillip and Rya fight a more personal battle of attraction.

Hero: Admiral Philip Guthrie was totally not what I expected. After reading Gabriel’s Ghost, I thought stodgy was the best description for him. After Shades of Dark, he was a bit more interesting but not hero material to me. But in reading this book he became the "long-lost always-forever dream hero" one always hopes for but very rarely encounters.

Heroine: Rya “the Rebel” Talyor Bennton is a no nonsense, ass kicking, and stubborn weapons toting woman. There is so much to like about her, her constant internal thoughts about her weight (would like to drop 30 pounds, like who wouldn’t), her no nonsense attitude and pride in her work makes her very easy to relate to.

Review: Those who have enjoyed Linnea's many other wonderful books will definitely enjoy this one as well. She, once again, has written a wonderful hero, a strong heroine and a suspenseful action filled story that grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go until the very end. I just don't know how Linnea Sinclair does it but this is sure to be another best-seller.

The romance was a slow burner with an explosive finale. For most of the book, Rya and Philip fight their rising attraction. For her, he is her “long-lost always-forever dream hero” from her youth but now is her commanding officer whom she is determined to protect from all harm and besides that she thinks that he does not find her attractive. For him, she’s the daughter of a friend who’s death sits heavy on his soul and a subordinate who is 16 years his junior that he has sworn to protect even from himself. But as they enter a life or death struggle, their attraction bursts into flames. Their burning looks and intense attraction has the “paint peeling off the walls”!

In addition to writing a wonderful hero/heroine pair, Linnea has included many wonderful secondary characters. Captain Folly, the ship’s namesake, plays a supporting role but is definitely a star that shine. Lieutenant Constantine Welford is another that I hope we will see more of in the future along with Sparks, the chief engineer. And let’s not forget “Mr. Nice Ass” Alek Dillon on the list of hoped for future appearance.

Keeper?: Definitely

Recommendation: Would recommend that reader read Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark first, but isn't necessary to follow the storyline or to enjoy this wonderfully crafted tale.

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Review: Shades of Dark

Title: Shades of Dark

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: September 2008

Genre: Science Fiction / Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Sequel to Gabriel's Ghost

From the Author Site: Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from the “justice” of a corrupt Empire. Along with her lover, the former monk, mercenary, and telepath Gabriel Ross Sullivan, Chaz hoped to leave the past light-years behind—until the news of her brother Thad’s arrest and upcoming execution for treason. It’s a ploy by Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke to force them out of hiding and it works.

With a killer targeting human females and a renegade gen lab breeding jukor war machines, Chaz and Sully already had their hands full of treachery, betrayal—not to mention each other. Throw in Chaz’s Imperial ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and a Kyi-Ragkiril mentor out to seduce Sully and not just loyalties but lives are at stake. For when Sully makes a fateful choice changing their relationship forever, Chaz must also choose—between what duty demands and what her heart tells her she must do.

Review: Linnea Sinclair takes us back aboard the Sully’s Boru Karn. It’s been three months since the destruction of the jukor lab and subsequent escape from Marker. And the crew has come to respect Chaz and accept her as one of their own. What riffs were caused by Sully’s mind-probe of the crew have been mostly mended. And Chaz is slowly adjusting to the ky’saran bond between her and Sully. Now its just the matter of finding the second mobile jukor lab and destroy it.

Or at least that what it seemed, until word reaches the Boru Karn of the arrest of Chaz’s older brother, Commander Thaddeus Lars Bergren, for treason and for aiding and abetting the dangerous terrorist, mercenary Gabriel Ross Sullivan escape Marker after his terrorist attack. Along with the arrest comes the alarming news that Thad is cooperating and telling all he knows about Sully. Mainly that Sully is one of the feared and much hated kyi-ragkiril.

With that information hanging over them, Sully and Chaz make the meeting with the mysterious Del, who turns out to be a Stolorth kyi-ragkiril prince in exile. As a lesser of two evils, they agree to bring him on board so that he can help them find and destroy the jukor lab. But it seem Del has other plans. He helps Sully gain control over his powers and shows him how to use them but he wants something in return.

Again this is an action packed adventure with a lot of twists and turns to keep the reader flipping the pages to see what happens next. Again Chaz is presented with a seemingly endless series of problems with her ex-husband on board (after being rescued from the Fleet ships out to kill him), a Stolorth kyi-ragkiril that seems to want to add her to his list of conquests, and a husband who can’t control himself or the Stolorth and is simply trying to keep the crew together and save the empire from disaster.

This wasn’t as light-hearted as Gabriel’s Ghost. This book definitely takes a darker turn. Sully struggles with what he is as his powers grows. Chaz has to deal with Sully’s fears of turning into the monster everyone thinks kyi-ragkiril are and keep him balanced while Del is pushing and testing both of them for mysterious purposes of his own. A definite page-turner but is not for someone looking for a HEA all wrapped up and pretty at the end.

Keeper?: Oh Yeah... For sure.

Recommendation: Yes. But you MUST read Gabriel's Ghost first or the first book will be mostly spoiled for you. Also will make this terminology used in this book easier to grasp.

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Review: Gabriel's Ghost

Title: Gabriel's Ghost

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: October 2005

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance

Stand Alone/Series: Book 1

From the Author Site: After a decade of cruising interstellar patrol ships, former Captain Chasidah Bergren, onetime Pride of the Sixth Fleet, finds herself court-martialed for a crime she didn’t commit—and shipped off to a remote prison planet from which no one ever escapes. But when she kills a brutal guard in an act of self-defense, someone even more dangerous emerges from the shadows.

Gabriel Sullivan—alpha mercenary, smuggler, and rogue—is supposed to be dead. Yet now this seductive ghost from Chaz’s past is offering her a ticket to freedom—for a price. Someone in the Empire is secretly breeding jukors: vicious and uncontrollable killing machines that have long been outlawed. Gabriel needs Chaz to help him stop the practice before it decimates imperial space. For Chaz, it’s a matter of survival. For Sully it means facing the truth about who—and what—he really is. The mission means putting their lives on the line—but the tensions that heat up between them may be the riskiest part of all.

Review: From the very first page, the story grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. The book opens with our heroine, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren, the former pride of the 6th Fleet, standing over the lifeless body of a Takan security guard who had just tried to rape her on the prison planet of Moabar on which she is serving a life sentence for crimes she did not comment. While trying to recover her balance from that attack, a ghost from her past appears in front of her in the form of a very live and very sexy Gabriel Ross Sullivan aka Sully. Though he has been thought dead for the last two years, he appears very much a live and is offering Chaz a way of the planet if she’ll help him. From there this “little” mission blossoms into something that could create a civil war within the Empire. And as they get closer to their goal, the danger increases and so does the passion between Sully and Chaz.

Gabriel Ross Sullivan aka Sully, the poet, and mercenary on a mission to stop the illegal breeding jukors (monsters designed and breed to kill anything that moves). But he needs the information on the Fleet and their protocols. So he rescues Chaz from Moabar (against the advise of his advisors) or that least that is the story he tell Chaz. But the truth of his unshakable trust, love and lust for Chaz soon becomes apparent. While there are many mysteries about Sully, even those that scare him, Chaz finds that she can’t resist Sully (and his wicked Sully grin)

Captain Chasidah Bergren aka Chaz, the once pride of the Sixth Fleet, and according to Sully, the best interfering bitch in the universe. Chaz is no faint flower. She is used to being in command knows what has to done in order to get the mission accomplished. Besides the luscious distraction of Sully, she does maintain her control and uses cool logic to solve problems. But when push comes to shove, she’ll shoot first and ask questions later.

I have to say I loved the story. The action was nonstop and it was one surprise after another as Chaz discovers things about races and people that she thought she knew. All the characters are quite complex and that makes them seem more alive. Sully, the mostly time flamboyant gambler hero also has a deep streak of self hate and fear of discovery, especially when it come to letting Chaz know what and who he is. Chaz spends most of the book being frustrated with Sully’s tendencies to hide facts from. The whole dynamics of the growing relationship was fascinating.

Keeper?: Yes. And since I borrowed it from a fellow lovely DIK lady (thanks Sarai), I had to go out a buy my own copy.

Recommendation: Yes. A lovely story full of action and romantic tension. Super yummy hero and a kick ass heroine. What more can you want.

Rating: 5 of 5