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sophiarose1816's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I adore the Pets in Space anthology series that always brings a stellar group of authors together both long-time favs and new to mes that find at the very least likeable, but generally fabulous. I've posted up mini-reviews as I went along. Most can standalone fine though they are from existing series. Clever worldbuilding, strong development of characters and romances, and most definitely well-represented by the fabulous pets!
Madas' Falling Star by SE Smith
#4.1 Lords of Kassis
4 stars
Set in a series world, this prequel tells the story of two side characters introduced in a couple of the earlier books. Fans will recognize and appreciate the characters of Gris and Madas with their pet companion while newbies to the series, like me, will appreciate a solid standalone adventure for a crashed pilot needed to repair his ship and leave to find out whose sabotaging him and a runaway eager to get out of a detestable mating by getting off world.
Loved the primitive and hostile forest adventure they were on separately and then, finally, together. Tender and heated getting to know you period, good action and intrigue. I definitely want to go back for the earlier parts of the series.
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett
#5.1 Galactic Gladiators- House of Rone
4 stars
Calla from Rella was rescued along with a human from the slave traders by the powerful cyborgs fighters of the House of Rone. But, now that she's free and safe, she is at a loss and feeling alone. She would gladly explore something with Zaden, a cold cyborg, if he would give them a chance.
Zaden's telekinesis talent destroyed his childhood and exiled him from his homeworld. Magmus took him into the House of Rone. He's buried his emotions along with his Tk, but a pert Calla and a mischievous cyborg cat work at tempting him to give up his stone cold cyborg persona particularly when Calla deliberately puts herself in the crosshairs of those who would gladly steal her back into the slave markets.
This is my second forage into the Galactic Gladiators world and cyborg fight action and steamy romance reminded me that I really wanted to get to the whole series.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts
#.5 The Infinite City series
4 stars
Meeting as children who ignore they are different alien races and form a deep friendship and more as teens, Volcair and Kiara, are wrenched apart by Volcair's father's ambassadorial work taking them to a new planet. Eleven years of silence go by and fate brings them a second chance. A shared alien pet part cyber and part shifting sentient animal acts as matchmaker and rescuer when needed.
I've read a few novellas from another Tiffany Roberts series so was anticipating seeing what they did with a different sci-fi world. Another hit. Tender and sexy romance pair, good action scenes, and well built sci-fi worldbuilding.
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse by Veronica Scott
#14 The Sectors
5 stars
Juli is the cruise director aboard the star cruise liner, Nebula Zephyr. An assignment to pick up an object a deceased former passenger asked to be returned to the planet it came from leads to Juli experiencing a bizarre series of events. She doesn't want to believe the rock- because the object to be returned is a mere rock- can be responsible. And, because it seems others really want the rock, she and Steve, the third officer and former military man along with his capable aunt and her dog companion, are now on a real mission to get the odd little rock to its former resting place on Tahumaroa's beach.
Exciting action, fun far future space cruise ship setting, and engaging sexy romance. Love this series.
Cyborg's Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones
#8.5 Project Enterprise #1 Cyborg Chronicles
4.5 stars
Rap was a robot with human sentience who is now placed in a human cyborg body with an onboard separate sentient AI and a BoaConstruct snake companion. Ale his partner on the mission had a similar transition experience though her original race comes with secrets. He's prepping a Forlorn Hope plan that will take his two person team back into the heart of enemy territory for a crippling cyber attack so their crew aboard the Najer and the humans who helped them will be free of the threat from the powerful Q'uy. Between their awkward shyness and an against all odds mission, can the two find a way through and find the words to say.
I adore cyborg sci-fi romances and enjoyed returning for my second short novella in the Project Enterprise world. A super-smart snake companion saves the day!!! Cyborg's Revenge felt like part of an ongoing story and I felt very lost in the first chapter, but the explanations untangled in my mind and I could then focus on a fabulous multi-layered exciting story. Definitely want more of the cyborgs in this new spinoff series.
Spy Dog by Laurie A Green
# Inherited Stars
5 stars
This was my second venture into the Inherited Stars world. Spy Dog is a standalone story set in the midst of a secret rebellion faction of races and people, The Network, working to topple a large and powerful enemy, The Alliance. A Network spy, Nigel, has vital intel stored in his Star Dog, Maura's databanks so he must get to Network command. His escape ship is blown up and he is also joined by Rathskilian female warrior who makes the unlikely claim that she's Network and she needs to get to Network command for her own top secret reasons. He can't quite trust her when her people side the Alliance, but Maura tells him Sona is good people.
Spy action, intrigue, a race across the galaxy, forbidden romance, and a cute pet operative made this a story that captured my interest and my emotions.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald
#5 Topper Witch - My Alien Romance, Magic NM world
3.5 stars
An interesting blend of paranormal romance and sci-fi romance, this was my first encounter with the Topper Witch series and my second visit to the overall Magic, NM world.
Topper is a powerful witch and she's mate with an alien who comes from an Ice World. Her current pregnancy is complicating matters right when she needs no extra complications. The Fates are messing with her when they send her teenage daughter and unusual Familiar and other strange events are occurring.
Light and easy to get into even though later in the series. I enjoyed the family dynamics and Jessica's 'Drop Bear' Koala with fangs talking familiar.
Doom by Regine Abel
#1 Xian Warriors
4.5 stars
First contact with aliens to earth was horrific. An insectoid alien race had come not to conquer, but to use and annihilate. Victoria, a doctor just out of her residency, is about to be captured when she personally learns that a second group of aliens are heroes and not more enemies. Doom and his amazing sentient animal companion rescue her, slaughter Khryptids and help the beleaguered humans along with his band of genetically-engineered brethren. An exciting, harrowing sci-fi adventure continues as they fight for their very existence together.
A fated mate romance set against an intense action plot hit the spot and now I want the rest of the series as well as try out this new to me author's backlist.
Winter's Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner
Starways Series 4.5 stars
A whole world dedicated to role-playing games based on Old Earth. A few individual gamers join together to search for the grail and then learn that some within the game are playing for keeps. With the help of a mysterious unicorn, a pair not only find a real life mission, but a chance at love.
What a fabulous job of world building and sending the characters on a suspenseful adventure.
Heart of the Spider's Web by JC Hay
#1 Tri-Systems: Smugglers 4.5 stars
The plotting gets real when a government spy is embedded with a ship of smugglers who stole an illegal shipment from a boss criminal. Trying to work a scheme that will protect the small smuggling crew and get her mission done, the government rep is stuck between a rock and a hard place, but no harder than the ship's security officer who is feeling the same attraction and conflict of interest.
Great suspense and action with attraction leading to something more at a good pace.
The Princess and Her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker 4 stars
Captured for a special kind of ransom from her royal father regarding a rare species of sentient and telepathic birds, a princess and her bird familiar despair of rescue until the dashing bodyguard she kissed and was fired comes to her rescue and helps her rescue her bird and another captured bird. A sparkling and fun class difference romance with good action and a delightful alien bird who the author gives plenty of delightful narration time.
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch 5 stars
#1 Before the Fall
Returning to a familiar world of two clashing peoples in space, this standalone highlights a shipwrecked human rescued by her Korathan enemy and his mogha companion. He discovers his mate is from the enemy race and she discovers that her enemies aren't the evil aliens war propaganda has led her to believe when she and her hidden pet are brought on board the sentient galaxy ship.
I've enjoyed two later novellas in this world. Wonderful sweet, but exciting enemies to lovers cyborg romances.
Import Quarantine by Cassandra Chandler
#11 Department of Homeworld Security
4 stars
I encountered this series once before and had a good time with the sci-fi romantic comedy tone of the book.
This time a hapless human vet, Caitlin, discovers there are aliens up there when one comes looking for a pet doctor for his support cat companion. The attraction is real between Caitlin and Marq even as she is hit by a startling amount of firsts of the alien encounter kind. Only some aliens are more friendly than others and there is a war going on and there are subversive agents on the ship.
Took me a while to get through these because I wanted to appreciate them a few at a time, but the talent represented in this sci-fi romance anthology is prodigious. Not a boring or disappointing read in the pack. A quality read from cover to cover.
Madas' Falling Star by SE Smith
#4.1 Lords of Kassis
4 stars
Set in a series world, this prequel tells the story of two side characters introduced in a couple of the earlier books. Fans will recognize and appreciate the characters of Gris and Madas with their pet companion while newbies to the series, like me, will appreciate a solid standalone adventure for a crashed pilot needed to repair his ship and leave to find out whose sabotaging him and a runaway eager to get out of a detestable mating by getting off world.
Loved the primitive and hostile forest adventure they were on separately and then, finally, together. Tender and heated getting to know you period, good action and intrigue. I definitely want to go back for the earlier parts of the series.
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett
#5.1 Galactic Gladiators- House of Rone
4 stars
Calla from Rella was rescued along with a human from the slave traders by the powerful cyborgs fighters of the House of Rone. But, now that she's free and safe, she is at a loss and feeling alone. She would gladly explore something with Zaden, a cold cyborg, if he would give them a chance.
Zaden's telekinesis talent destroyed his childhood and exiled him from his homeworld. Magmus took him into the House of Rone. He's buried his emotions along with his Tk, but a pert Calla and a mischievous cyborg cat work at tempting him to give up his stone cold cyborg persona particularly when Calla deliberately puts herself in the crosshairs of those who would gladly steal her back into the slave markets.
This is my second forage into the Galactic Gladiators world and cyborg fight action and steamy romance reminded me that I really wanted to get to the whole series.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts
#.5 The Infinite City series
4 stars
Meeting as children who ignore they are different alien races and form a deep friendship and more as teens, Volcair and Kiara, are wrenched apart by Volcair's father's ambassadorial work taking them to a new planet. Eleven years of silence go by and fate brings them a second chance. A shared alien pet part cyber and part shifting sentient animal acts as matchmaker and rescuer when needed.
I've read a few novellas from another Tiffany Roberts series so was anticipating seeing what they did with a different sci-fi world. Another hit. Tender and sexy romance pair, good action scenes, and well built sci-fi worldbuilding.
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse by Veronica Scott
#14 The Sectors
5 stars
Juli is the cruise director aboard the star cruise liner, Nebula Zephyr. An assignment to pick up an object a deceased former passenger asked to be returned to the planet it came from leads to Juli experiencing a bizarre series of events. She doesn't want to believe the rock- because the object to be returned is a mere rock- can be responsible. And, because it seems others really want the rock, she and Steve, the third officer and former military man along with his capable aunt and her dog companion, are now on a real mission to get the odd little rock to its former resting place on Tahumaroa's beach.
Exciting action, fun far future space cruise ship setting, and engaging sexy romance. Love this series.
Cyborg's Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones
#8.5 Project Enterprise #1 Cyborg Chronicles
4.5 stars
Rap was a robot with human sentience who is now placed in a human cyborg body with an onboard separate sentient AI and a BoaConstruct snake companion. Ale his partner on the mission had a similar transition experience though her original race comes with secrets. He's prepping a Forlorn Hope plan that will take his two person team back into the heart of enemy territory for a crippling cyber attack so their crew aboard the Najer and the humans who helped them will be free of the threat from the powerful Q'uy. Between their awkward shyness and an against all odds mission, can the two find a way through and find the words to say.
I adore cyborg sci-fi romances and enjoyed returning for my second short novella in the Project Enterprise world. A super-smart snake companion saves the day!!! Cyborg's Revenge felt like part of an ongoing story and I felt very lost in the first chapter, but the explanations untangled in my mind and I could then focus on a fabulous multi-layered exciting story. Definitely want more of the cyborgs in this new spinoff series.
Spy Dog by Laurie A Green
# Inherited Stars
5 stars
This was my second venture into the Inherited Stars world. Spy Dog is a standalone story set in the midst of a secret rebellion faction of races and people, The Network, working to topple a large and powerful enemy, The Alliance. A Network spy, Nigel, has vital intel stored in his Star Dog, Maura's databanks so he must get to Network command. His escape ship is blown up and he is also joined by Rathskilian female warrior who makes the unlikely claim that she's Network and she needs to get to Network command for her own top secret reasons. He can't quite trust her when her people side the Alliance, but Maura tells him Sona is good people.
Spy action, intrigue, a race across the galaxy, forbidden romance, and a cute pet operative made this a story that captured my interest and my emotions.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald
#5 Topper Witch - My Alien Romance, Magic NM world
3.5 stars
An interesting blend of paranormal romance and sci-fi romance, this was my first encounter with the Topper Witch series and my second visit to the overall Magic, NM world.
Topper is a powerful witch and she's mate with an alien who comes from an Ice World. Her current pregnancy is complicating matters right when she needs no extra complications. The Fates are messing with her when they send her teenage daughter and unusual Familiar and other strange events are occurring.
Light and easy to get into even though later in the series. I enjoyed the family dynamics and Jessica's 'Drop Bear' Koala with fangs talking familiar.
Doom by Regine Abel
#1 Xian Warriors
4.5 stars
First contact with aliens to earth was horrific. An insectoid alien race had come not to conquer, but to use and annihilate. Victoria, a doctor just out of her residency, is about to be captured when she personally learns that a second group of aliens are heroes and not more enemies. Doom and his amazing sentient animal companion rescue her, slaughter Khryptids and help the beleaguered humans along with his band of genetically-engineered brethren. An exciting, harrowing sci-fi adventure continues as they fight for their very existence together.
A fated mate romance set against an intense action plot hit the spot and now I want the rest of the series as well as try out this new to me author's backlist.
Winter's Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner
Starways Series 4.5 stars
A whole world dedicated to role-playing games based on Old Earth. A few individual gamers join together to search for the grail and then learn that some within the game are playing for keeps. With the help of a mysterious unicorn, a pair not only find a real life mission, but a chance at love.
What a fabulous job of world building and sending the characters on a suspenseful adventure.
Heart of the Spider's Web by JC Hay
#1 Tri-Systems: Smugglers 4.5 stars
The plotting gets real when a government spy is embedded with a ship of smugglers who stole an illegal shipment from a boss criminal. Trying to work a scheme that will protect the small smuggling crew and get her mission done, the government rep is stuck between a rock and a hard place, but no harder than the ship's security officer who is feeling the same attraction and conflict of interest.
Great suspense and action with attraction leading to something more at a good pace.
The Princess and Her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker 4 stars
Captured for a special kind of ransom from her royal father regarding a rare species of sentient and telepathic birds, a princess and her bird familiar despair of rescue until the dashing bodyguard she kissed and was fired comes to her rescue and helps her rescue her bird and another captured bird. A sparkling and fun class difference romance with good action and a delightful alien bird who the author gives plenty of delightful narration time.
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch 5 stars
#1 Before the Fall
Returning to a familiar world of two clashing peoples in space, this standalone highlights a shipwrecked human rescued by her Korathan enemy and his mogha companion. He discovers his mate is from the enemy race and she discovers that her enemies aren't the evil aliens war propaganda has led her to believe when she and her hidden pet are brought on board the sentient galaxy ship.
I've enjoyed two later novellas in this world. Wonderful sweet, but exciting enemies to lovers cyborg romances.
Import Quarantine by Cassandra Chandler
#11 Department of Homeworld Security
4 stars
I encountered this series once before and had a good time with the sci-fi romantic comedy tone of the book.
This time a hapless human vet, Caitlin, discovers there are aliens up there when one comes looking for a pet doctor for his support cat companion. The attraction is real between Caitlin and Marq even as she is hit by a startling amount of firsts of the alien encounter kind. Only some aliens are more friendly than others and there is a war going on and there are subversive agents on the ship.
Took me a while to get through these because I wanted to appreciate them a few at a time, but the talent represented in this sci-fi romance anthology is prodigious. Not a boring or disappointing read in the pack. A quality read from cover to cover.
eg_m's review
4.0
The Pets in Space anthologies are a great bargain. A wide range of stories and styles guarantees several 4 and 5 star reads no matter the reader's tastes -- and a portion of the profits goes to Hero Dogs.
Madas's Falling Star [a:S.E. Smith|6446003|S.E. Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1432593093p2/6446003.jpg] dnf
Dark Guard [a:Anna Hackett|2983829|Anna Hackett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1584017585p2/2983829.jpg] 3.5 stars
Part of a larger series, the backstory details tended to bog down the narrative in the early chapters.
Entwined Fates [a:Tiffany Roberts|14737283|Tiffany Roberts|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569540156p2/14737283.jpg] dnf
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse [a: Veronica_Scott|5428500|Veronica Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325916250p2/5428500.jpg] 5-stars.
I liked it so much, I went an read an early book that features characters from this story. [b:Star Cruise: Outbreak|29866676|Star Cruise Outbreak|Veronica Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460273732l/29866676._SY75_.jpg|50235549]
Cyborg's Revenge [a:Pauline Baird Jones|247227|Pauline Baird Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1450025097p2/247227.jpg] skipped.
Mid series installment of a series I want to read in order.
Spydog [a:Laurie A. Green|12519909|Laurie A. Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1421954826p2/12519909.jpg] 3.5 stars
Nothing Remotely Familiar [a:Donna McDonald|249590|Donna McDonald|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1410966068p2/249590.jpg] 4-stars.
Doom [a:Regine Abel|16289162|Regine Abel|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1531333434p2/16289162.jpg] 4-stars
Winter's Prince [a:Alexis Glynn Latner|726316|Alexis Glynn Latner|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438375449p2/726316.jpg] dnf
Heart of the Spider's Web [a:J.C. Hay|15727236|J.C. Hay|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1473111871p2/15727236.jpg] 4.5 stars
The Princes and Her Bodyguard [a:E.D. Walker|4335031|E.D. Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1465522756p2/4335031.jpg] dnf
Interrupting Starlight [a:Kyndra Hatch|7145461|Kyndra Hatch|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1566411487p2/7145461.jpg] 3.5 stars
Import Quarantine [a:Cassandra Chandler|13702745|Cassandra Chandler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519821647p2/13702745.jpg] 4 stars.
Madas's Falling Star [a:S.E. Smith|6446003|S.E. Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1432593093p2/6446003.jpg] dnf
Dark Guard [a:Anna Hackett|2983829|Anna Hackett|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1584017585p2/2983829.jpg] 3.5 stars
Part of a larger series, the backstory details tended to bog down the narrative in the early chapters.
Entwined Fates [a:Tiffany Roberts|14737283|Tiffany Roberts|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569540156p2/14737283.jpg] dnf
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse [a: Veronica_Scott|5428500|Veronica Scott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325916250p2/5428500.jpg] 5-stars.
I liked it so much, I went an read an early book that features characters from this story. [b:Star Cruise: Outbreak|29866676|Star Cruise Outbreak|Veronica Scott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1460273732l/29866676._SY75_.jpg|50235549]
Cyborg's Revenge [a:Pauline Baird Jones|247227|Pauline Baird Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1450025097p2/247227.jpg] skipped.
Mid series installment of a series I want to read in order.
Spydog [a:Laurie A. Green|12519909|Laurie A. Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1421954826p2/12519909.jpg] 3.5 stars
Nothing Remotely Familiar [a:Donna McDonald|249590|Donna McDonald|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1410966068p2/249590.jpg] 4-stars.
Doom [a:Regine Abel|16289162|Regine Abel|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1531333434p2/16289162.jpg] 4-stars
Winter's Prince [a:Alexis Glynn Latner|726316|Alexis Glynn Latner|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438375449p2/726316.jpg] dnf
Heart of the Spider's Web [a:J.C. Hay|15727236|J.C. Hay|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1473111871p2/15727236.jpg] 4.5 stars
The Princes and Her Bodyguard [a:E.D. Walker|4335031|E.D. Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1465522756p2/4335031.jpg] dnf
Interrupting Starlight [a:Kyndra Hatch|7145461|Kyndra Hatch|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1566411487p2/7145461.jpg] 3.5 stars
Import Quarantine [a:Cassandra Chandler|13702745|Cassandra Chandler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519821647p2/13702745.jpg] 4 stars.
jje121579's review
5.0
Had to read my favorite first...
Nothing Remotely Familiar brings another chapter in the life of Topper and Stark. Their first born Jessica is a teenager and it time for her to get a familiar, just when they’re going to Stark’s home planet of Glacier. Jessica is a perfect and annoying mix of Topper and Stark, and her assigned familiar is a cool change from the usual cat. Added to that, Topper is heavily pregnant, but it’s not time to give birth, right? Of course, hilarity ensues. I love seeing more of he Glacians. Their culture and their very physiology is fascinating. This is a really cool short read.
Nothing Remotely Familiar brings another chapter in the life of Topper and Stark. Their first born Jessica is a teenager and it time for her to get a familiar, just when they’re going to Stark’s home planet of Glacier. Jessica is a perfect and annoying mix of Topper and Stark, and her assigned familiar is a cool change from the usual cat. Added to that, Topper is heavily pregnant, but it’s not time to give birth, right? Of course, hilarity ensues. I love seeing more of he Glacians. Their culture and their very physiology is fascinating. This is a really cool short read.
nikiryther's review
5.0
Awesome anthology
I primarily purchased this compilation for Anna Hackett and SE Smith’s contributions. Both stories were fantastic, exactly what I expected from each author, and helped advance each storyline. I loved them. That said, I enjoyed all the stories in this anthology. Since I haven’t read the previous stories in those series, I did feel a little lost, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. And I even found a new author to read!
I primarily purchased this compilation for Anna Hackett and SE Smith’s contributions. Both stories were fantastic, exactly what I expected from each author, and helped advance each storyline. I loved them. That said, I enjoyed all the stories in this anthology. Since I haven’t read the previous stories in those series, I did feel a little lost, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. And I even found a new author to read!
lolasreviews's review
4.0
I love the Pets in Space anthologies! I discovered new favorite authors due to previous installments, read new stories by familiar authors and spent hours reading these scifi romance stories with pets. I love the concept and every year I am looking forward to the next Pets in Space. I bought Pets in Space 4 on release day and I plan to read this one through from start to finish. I hope to read a story when I can between arc reads and review obligations. I'll update my review below once I finish a story.
Madas' Falling Star by S.E. Smith
This was a great read. While set in the world of a series by this author, I had no trouble following this story as it tells the background story of two characters and how they fell in love. I liked how both characters looked a bit alien, with their tails, other strange physical differences and the green skin tone of Madas. I would've liked to learn a bit earlier that she had a tail and green skin tough as the first few chapters I thought she looked human.
It has a solid romance. At first they spent time apart while knowing the other is close by, but not directly interacting, which was interesting. Although I did wonder once or twice why Madas never asked Gril for help, but then again she thought his species were dangerous. I liked how they clear that misunderstanding up pretty quickly though. There is dangerous terrain and dangerous wildlife they have to survive and along the way battle their growing attraction. And someone is after Gril as well. The moment their romance progressed felt a bit sudden, but by the end of the story I could definitely feel their romance. I liked both characters, Gril could be a bit possessive, but also let Madas be her own person and trusted her, which I liked. Madas was very capable and I liked how she knew her way around the forest and how to survive and she knew what she wanted out of life.
I liked the pet in this one, it's a sort of combination between a lizard and chameleon with some special powers as well. There are even a few short parts from his point of view which were fun to read. I liked how this creature was a bit alien and the way the author had written him and his personality was fun. He really came to life.
I also liked how a lot of the story took place on this alien planet with nature and animals that are unlike our own. Then there are different plants and ways to survive and I enjoyed reading about this alien planet and how the aliens lived here. I liked how the world felt different enough from our own and I liked reading about it. All in all a solid start of this anthology!
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett
This was a nice little story, but I felt like I was missing something. It follows the romance of a women who has been captured and then saved, now she's save, but can't return home. And she falls in love with a cyborg who has to keep his emotions under control. Most of the backstory is in the past and I felt like I was lacking some information, we're told what happens, but it doesn't have the same impact as actually reading about it.
The characters were likable enough. I liked how she wanted to save the little girl she discovered and how easily she trusts the cyborg. And he has some interesting backstory with strong telepathic powers. I also liked Cat, a cyborg pet, which was a nice touch. There are some great scenes with cat.
The story progressed quite quickly, it didn't feel rushed, but very fast paced. the romance developed a bit quickly and while their romance felt real, I felt like we missed part of that getting to know each other part and understand why they fell for each other. The story is pretty straight forward too. All in all a nice read, but it all progressed a bit quickly and I think you would enjoy it more if you already are familiar with the series.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts
I really liked this one, it was a romantic story of two people from different species who meet when they are kids and slowly become close friends. They want to stay together, but the guy's father gets a different post and that separates them. For the years they don't see each other until a chance encounter brings them into contact again.
I liked how we got to see some scenes form them as a kid, so we better understood how close they grew and how even as kids they already knew they wanted to be together even though they didn't understand everything about relationships then. I liked how they both waited for the other, but I thought it was strange neither of them could've found a way to contact the other in all that time. It just seemed a bit weird. I also wish the guy would've tried harder to find her and it felt a bit out of character that he didn't.
I liked both characters, while we don't see a lot of their lives, there's enough to get a feel for them. I liked their romance and how clear it was how much they cared and it was heartwarming to see them reunited after years separate. The guy was an alien, which was interesting and there was enough to get a bit of a feel for these aliens. I also liked the pet in this story, who was a sort of machine pet, who could take on different forms. All in all a great story and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse: Veronica Scott
I really enjoyed this one. Having read a few of Veronica Scott's other stories set upon this cruise space ship it was a joy to return there. The story was engaging and fun to read when main character Juli received the task to return a rock to the beach it's former owner took it form. There's a lot more going on when the mysterious rock seems to have unexpected powers. Add in her love interest Steve, his aunt Dian with a cute dog in tow and a few familial side characters form previous stories and this one kept my attention and left my with a happy smile once I finished it.
I liked how the plot line with the stone was the main focus, but the developing romance between the two characters was a big part of the story as well. I liked seeing a bit about Juli's job on board the ship. I was pleased to see a few side characters I remembered form previous stories too. The pet in this one does not belong to the main characters, but Steve's aunt. It was fun to have the pet be involved in this was as Dian and her dog are a big part of the story. All in all a great read.
Cyborgs Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones
Sadly this one was a miss for me. It felt like we got dropped in the middle of a story and it was difficult to figure out what had happened to bring the characters here. The story also felt a bit rushed to me and as I had a hard time getting a feel for the characters and the story it was hard to be invested in what happened. I did like the idea of these humans who were in robot bodies now returning to human forms and the AI that they have in their heads.
Spydog by Laurie Green
This was a decent story, it took me a bit of time to warm up toward the characters. There was a lot of mistrust, not completely without reason, but it still felt a bit like a plot device to keep them on opposite sides. In my opinion this type of enemies to lovers romance doesn't work as well in a shorter read. Then quite suddenly their feelings change, but I did like them more after that as they seemed closer then. I didn't fully feel the romance and their emotions. I liked the stardog, but the male main character seemed a bit rude to her at times. They also seemed a bit too dedicated to the cause at times.
It's clear this is part of a larger universe and the events that happened there I remember bits from previous Pets in Space anthologies, but not everything, so it was hard at times to fully get the impact. There is a time skip which makes sense for this story, but feels a bit anti climactic if you haven't read any of the rest and don't know what exactly happens. All in all this was just an okay story for me and I think it would be more enjoyable if you know the rest of this universe and stories already.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald
Another okay read. I was in the mood for another Pets in Space story and picked this anthology back up from where I left off. This is another story that's clearly set in an already existing universe, but I found it was easy enough to get a grip on the world and characters. I felt like the author was trying to fit a bit too much into this story, from, Topper and Stark expecting their second child, to their daughter Jessica who gets her first familiar (the pet of this story), a visit to an ice world and a potential romance between Nia and Rigel on said ice planet.
There also was a fair amount of head hopping and switching point of view in the middle of the scene, which threw me off at first. I didn't really care for the part about the pregnancy as that's not my preferred topic to read about. I also feel that seeing more of Topper of Stark might be more fun to those already fans of this series. I didn't feel as invested in Nia and Rigel's potential romance as it felt like we were missing some of the background and with everything else going on it just felt like just another thing going on.
While I didn't enjoy this one as fully as some of the other I still had a fun time reading it. I liked seeing a bit of the worlds and the magic that works there as well as the aliens. I also liked the pet/ familiar in this story and there were some interesting scenes with him.
Doom by Regine Abel
At first I wasn't sure what to think of this one with the almost post apocalyptic vibe of the first part, but I needed up quite enjoying this one. I liked how alien the aliens were. There was this race of bugs that invaded earth and another race that came to help them. I liked the world building and set-up.
I did feel the romance developed a bit quickly, bu that's because of the fated mates trope as well, so it does make sense. I liked how committed these were, but I would've liked to see a bit of just them. This was quite story focused. The ending felt a bit off as it quite quickly spans multiple years to wrap things up. I still enjoyed it mostly and getting a glimpse of the world and aliens this author has created.
Winter's Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner
Heart of the Spider's Web by JC Hay
The Princess and her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch
Import Quarantine Cassandra Chandler
Madas' Falling Star by S.E. Smith
This was a great read. While set in the world of a series by this author, I had no trouble following this story as it tells the background story of two characters and how they fell in love. I liked how both characters looked a bit alien, with their tails, other strange physical differences and the green skin tone of Madas. I would've liked to learn a bit earlier that she had a tail and green skin tough as the first few chapters I thought she looked human.
It has a solid romance. At first they spent time apart while knowing the other is close by, but not directly interacting, which was interesting. Although I did wonder once or twice why Madas never asked Gril for help, but then again she thought his species were dangerous. I liked how they clear that misunderstanding up pretty quickly though. There is dangerous terrain and dangerous wildlife they have to survive and along the way battle their growing attraction. And someone is after Gril as well. The moment their romance progressed felt a bit sudden, but by the end of the story I could definitely feel their romance. I liked both characters, Gril could be a bit possessive, but also let Madas be her own person and trusted her, which I liked. Madas was very capable and I liked how she knew her way around the forest and how to survive and she knew what she wanted out of life.
I liked the pet in this one, it's a sort of combination between a lizard and chameleon with some special powers as well. There are even a few short parts from his point of view which were fun to read. I liked how this creature was a bit alien and the way the author had written him and his personality was fun. He really came to life.
I also liked how a lot of the story took place on this alien planet with nature and animals that are unlike our own. Then there are different plants and ways to survive and I enjoyed reading about this alien planet and how the aliens lived here. I liked how the world felt different enough from our own and I liked reading about it. All in all a solid start of this anthology!
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett
This was a nice little story, but I felt like I was missing something. It follows the romance of a women who has been captured and then saved, now she's save, but can't return home. And she falls in love with a cyborg who has to keep his emotions under control. Most of the backstory is in the past and I felt like I was lacking some information, we're told what happens, but it doesn't have the same impact as actually reading about it.
The characters were likable enough. I liked how she wanted to save the little girl she discovered and how easily she trusts the cyborg. And he has some interesting backstory with strong telepathic powers. I also liked Cat, a cyborg pet, which was a nice touch. There are some great scenes with cat.
The story progressed quite quickly, it didn't feel rushed, but very fast paced. the romance developed a bit quickly and while their romance felt real, I felt like we missed part of that getting to know each other part and understand why they fell for each other. The story is pretty straight forward too. All in all a nice read, but it all progressed a bit quickly and I think you would enjoy it more if you already are familiar with the series.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts
I really liked this one, it was a romantic story of two people from different species who meet when they are kids and slowly become close friends. They want to stay together, but the guy's father gets a different post and that separates them. For the years they don't see each other until a chance encounter brings them into contact again.
I liked how we got to see some scenes form them as a kid, so we better understood how close they grew and how even as kids they already knew they wanted to be together even though they didn't understand everything about relationships then. I liked how they both waited for the other, but I thought it was strange neither of them could've found a way to contact the other in all that time. It just seemed a bit weird. I also wish the guy would've tried harder to find her and it felt a bit out of character that he didn't.
I liked both characters, while we don't see a lot of their lives, there's enough to get a feel for them. I liked their romance and how clear it was how much they cared and it was heartwarming to see them reunited after years separate. The guy was an alien, which was interesting and there was enough to get a bit of a feel for these aliens. I also liked the pet in this story, who was a sort of machine pet, who could take on different forms. All in all a great story and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Star Cruise: Idol's Curse: Veronica Scott
I really enjoyed this one. Having read a few of Veronica Scott's other stories set upon this cruise space ship it was a joy to return there. The story was engaging and fun to read when main character Juli received the task to return a rock to the beach it's former owner took it form. There's a lot more going on when the mysterious rock seems to have unexpected powers. Add in her love interest Steve, his aunt Dian with a cute dog in tow and a few familial side characters form previous stories and this one kept my attention and left my with a happy smile once I finished it.
I liked how the plot line with the stone was the main focus, but the developing romance between the two characters was a big part of the story as well. I liked seeing a bit about Juli's job on board the ship. I was pleased to see a few side characters I remembered form previous stories too. The pet in this one does not belong to the main characters, but Steve's aunt. It was fun to have the pet be involved in this was as Dian and her dog are a big part of the story. All in all a great read.
Cyborgs Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones
Sadly this one was a miss for me. It felt like we got dropped in the middle of a story and it was difficult to figure out what had happened to bring the characters here. The story also felt a bit rushed to me and as I had a hard time getting a feel for the characters and the story it was hard to be invested in what happened. I did like the idea of these humans who were in robot bodies now returning to human forms and the AI that they have in their heads.
Spydog by Laurie Green
This was a decent story, it took me a bit of time to warm up toward the characters. There was a lot of mistrust, not completely without reason, but it still felt a bit like a plot device to keep them on opposite sides. In my opinion this type of enemies to lovers romance doesn't work as well in a shorter read. Then quite suddenly their feelings change, but I did like them more after that as they seemed closer then. I didn't fully feel the romance and their emotions. I liked the stardog, but the male main character seemed a bit rude to her at times. They also seemed a bit too dedicated to the cause at times.
It's clear this is part of a larger universe and the events that happened there I remember bits from previous Pets in Space anthologies, but not everything, so it was hard at times to fully get the impact. There is a time skip which makes sense for this story, but feels a bit anti climactic if you haven't read any of the rest and don't know what exactly happens. All in all this was just an okay story for me and I think it would be more enjoyable if you know the rest of this universe and stories already.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald
Another okay read. I was in the mood for another Pets in Space story and picked this anthology back up from where I left off. This is another story that's clearly set in an already existing universe, but I found it was easy enough to get a grip on the world and characters. I felt like the author was trying to fit a bit too much into this story, from, Topper and Stark expecting their second child, to their daughter Jessica who gets her first familiar (the pet of this story), a visit to an ice world and a potential romance between Nia and Rigel on said ice planet.
There also was a fair amount of head hopping and switching point of view in the middle of the scene, which threw me off at first. I didn't really care for the part about the pregnancy as that's not my preferred topic to read about. I also feel that seeing more of Topper of Stark might be more fun to those already fans of this series. I didn't feel as invested in Nia and Rigel's potential romance as it felt like we were missing some of the background and with everything else going on it just felt like just another thing going on.
While I didn't enjoy this one as fully as some of the other I still had a fun time reading it. I liked seeing a bit of the worlds and the magic that works there as well as the aliens. I also liked the pet/ familiar in this story and there were some interesting scenes with him.
Doom by Regine Abel
At first I wasn't sure what to think of this one with the almost post apocalyptic vibe of the first part, but I needed up quite enjoying this one. I liked how alien the aliens were. There was this race of bugs that invaded earth and another race that came to help them. I liked the world building and set-up.
I did feel the romance developed a bit quickly, bu that's because of the fated mates trope as well, so it does make sense. I liked how committed these were, but I would've liked to see a bit of just them. This was quite story focused. The ending felt a bit off as it quite quickly spans multiple years to wrap things up. I still enjoyed it mostly and getting a glimpse of the world and aliens this author has created.
Winter's Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner
Heart of the Spider's Web by JC Hay
The Princess and her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch
Import Quarantine Cassandra Chandler
mx_manda's review
2.0
Rating individual stories to get overall rating for collection. DNFs=1 star
1-3.5 stars
2-2.5 stars
3- Skipped because I have expanded version of the story to read
4- 3 stars
5-2.5 stars
6-3.5 stars
7-DNF
8-3.5 stars
9- 2.5 stars
10-4 stars This was my favorite of the collection. Fun dialogue. Multiple NB characters including NB pronouns. Lots of action.
11-DNF
12-DNF Because of problematic language choices and life's too short.
13-DNF
Because of all the DNFs, overall rating for the 12 stories I read or attempted to read is a 2.17 stars.
Lesson learned: I will be avoiding anthologies in the future.
-I do not like trying to jump into stories based on pre-existing series with no quick notes to clue me in on what's going on. Seriously, please take a single page to give a paragraph or two summary of the universe and peoples involved to help out those of us who are not reading all of your work. I should not have to spend so much effort trying to figure out if I'm reading about different groups of humans or non-humans.
-There can be some real gems in them, but most are Okay at best.
1-3.5 stars
2-2.5 stars
3- Skipped because I have expanded version of the story to read
4- 3 stars
5-2.5 stars
6-3.5 stars
7-DNF
8-3.5 stars
9- 2.5 stars
10-4 stars This was my favorite of the collection. Fun dialogue. Multiple NB characters including NB pronouns. Lots of action.
11-DNF
12-DNF Because of problematic language choices and life's too short.
13-DNF
Because of all the DNFs, overall rating for the 12 stories I read or attempted to read is a 2.17 stars.
Lesson learned: I will be avoiding anthologies in the future.
-I do not like trying to jump into stories based on pre-existing series with no quick notes to clue me in on what's going on. Seriously, please take a single page to give a paragraph or two summary of the universe and peoples involved to help out those of us who are not reading all of your work. I should not have to spend so much effort trying to figure out if I'm reading about different groups of humans or non-humans.
-There can be some real gems in them, but most are Okay at best.
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
3.69 stars
My overall rating is based on the average of the following stories ratings.
I did skip a few of these stories. They weren’t capturing my attention at the time and I plan to come back to them (if I don’t forget). The overall rating is just for the stories I actually read.
Madas’s Falling Star by S.E. Smith: 5 stars
Enemies to lovers. A pet lizard with mad skills. Stranded Hero. Heroine searching for freedom. Each race has horror stories about the other.
Madas is trying to get away from her planet to escape her mother and an arranged marriage. Gril Tal Mod crash lands on the planet and realizes his plane was sabotaged. With the help of L’eon these two realize there's more to their races than the stories say and that they might be able to help each other. This was a great story filled with great characters, humor, danger, and of course romance.
This story ties into with the Lords of Kassis series but can be read separately without any issue.
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett: 4 stars
Calla Ryss escapes the Edull and ends up with the cyborgs of the House of Rone. She is struggling to find her place and fight her attraction to Zaden. Zaden is a powerful telekinetic who uses cybernetic enhancements to control his powers. He is instantly attracted to Calla but is afraid his power will become a problem. Their relationship was quick and steamy and I loved it.
This is part of a series and I don't recommend reading this book unless you have read the rest of the series (Galactic Gladiator). I think it would be too confusing.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts: 5stars
After almost 20 years Volcair is getting a second chance to try and win over Kiara, the woman who has his heart. I was instantly entranced with Volcair and Kiara’s story. Their parting was heartbreaking and I came close to tears. Their reunion was intense and they had a lot to work through but their love shone through.
I loved this story. Volcair and Kiara were great. I loved their reunion. I think I need to read the Infinite City now.
Star Cruise: Idol’s Curse by Veronica Scott: 4 stars
This was quite an interesting story. A sentient rock. A matchmaking aunt and dog. Good luck and bad luck. Thieves and murder.
Juli Shaeffer, Nebula Zephyr’s cruise director, has been tasked with honoring a deceased passengers final wish of returning a cursed/lucky rock to the beach of Tahumaroa. After a lot of weird and unfortunate things keep happening Juli starts to think the owner might have been right about the rock. I liked Juli. She was smart, competent, and knew how to interact with people and make them happy (a skill I envy because I don’t like interacting with people).
Third Officer Steve Aureli is hoping Juli will finally give him a chance again. He finally gets his chance while helping her find the mysterious rock. I liked Steve because he was such a sweetie and never pushed too hard or too fast with Juli. Even though this story takes place over a few days it seemed like a slow building romance between them, which I loved.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more.
Cyborg’s Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones:
I am skipping this story because the blurb did not really capture my attention. I might come back to this at the end but we will see.
SpyDog by Laurie A. Green: 4stars
Rigel is making his way to the Network ship with sensitive intell when it explodes. He quickly hides but is found by Sona who says she is also Network but can he trust that. Maura, his spydog, says she is a friend so he reluctantly agrees to let her accompany him to their next pick up point. What follows is a wild ride of these two making their way to the Network base while dealing with their feelings for each other.
I quite liked this one. It was filled with love, heartbreak, and a cute spydog.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald: 4 stars
Another crazy Topper adventure, but this time it features the whole family. Jessica, her daughter, finally gets assigned her first Familiar and it’s not a normal one. Traveling to Glacier causes unexpected complications with Toppers second pregnancy. An enemy out to get the family. And of course a beautiful goddess.
I quite enjoyed this story. I have enjoyed Topper’s shenanigans over the years and I am glad to see that motherhood hasn’t changed the craziness. I can’t wait to see more from this family because I know they are always up to something.
Doom by Regine Abel: 5 stars
Victoria’s dream of being a small town doctor is destroyed with the Kryptids make contact with earth. As she is fighting to survive and save her patients she meets the alien, Doom. Doom was engineered to eradicate Kryptids. Together these two fight to save the humans and eradicate the enemies while falling more in love with each passing moment.
I loved this story. It was everything I look for in an alien romance. I really hope there will be more books because I really want to see all the brothers find love.
Edit: just saw that there are more books to this series and they are on Unlimited. I am totally going to read them!
Winter’s Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner:
Another skipped story for now.
Heart of the Spider’s Web by JC Hay: 1.5 stars
This story just starts in the middle of what is going on, which was extremely confusing for me. I never understood what actually happened in the world that this is taking place in because of it. I felt like I couldn’t connect with the characters because I didn’t understand the overarching story.
The Princess and Her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker: 4 stars
Princess Liana and her companion Pym has been kidnapped. If her father hadn’t gotten rid of her bodyguard Jacen this wouldn’t have happened. When her kidnappers don’t get the answers they want things escalate Liana fears for her life but before things get bad she is rescued by Jacen.
I quite enjoyed this one. Liana was smart, kind, and can kick some butt when needed. Jacen, her childhood friend and former bodyguard, was tough, smart, and perfect for her. I quite enjoyed their adventures saving each other and saving Pym. They really kicked some ass.
I really want to know more about this world as well. The caliba birds were fascinating and I want to see more of them in the future.
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch: 4 stars
Tessa has been stranded on a desert planet for two years. She is rescued by the Korthan who are at war with the humans. They offer to help her get home though. She is drawn to L'Den but doesn't understand why.
I enjoyed this one. I liked Tessa and Squeak alot, especially Squeak since he was so unique. I would like to see more stories about the Korthans.
Import Quarantine by Cassandra Chandler: 4 stars
Caitlin, a veterinarian, is woken from sleep for a house call to check on a sick cat. While following Marq to his cat she realizes there is something off with him. He talks weird and doesn’t understand some basic things. She quickly realizes that he is an alien and they have bases on Earth and the moon.
I quite enjoyed this short story. I liked Caitlin and Marq’s quick relationship and their working through the cultural differences. The pet is just a classic cat but it works perfectly for this alien species who has no experience with animals in general. I really hope we get Nika and Buddy’s story next!
My overall rating is based on the average of the following stories ratings.
I did skip a few of these stories. They weren’t capturing my attention at the time and I plan to come back to them (if I don’t forget). The overall rating is just for the stories I actually read.
Madas’s Falling Star by S.E. Smith: 5 stars
Enemies to lovers. A pet lizard with mad skills. Stranded Hero. Heroine searching for freedom. Each race has horror stories about the other.
Madas is trying to get away from her planet to escape her mother and an arranged marriage. Gril Tal Mod crash lands on the planet and realizes his plane was sabotaged. With the help of L’eon these two realize there's more to their races than the stories say and that they might be able to help each other. This was a great story filled with great characters, humor, danger, and of course romance.
This story ties into with the Lords of Kassis series but can be read separately without any issue.
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett: 4 stars
Calla Ryss escapes the Edull and ends up with the cyborgs of the House of Rone. She is struggling to find her place and fight her attraction to Zaden. Zaden is a powerful telekinetic who uses cybernetic enhancements to control his powers. He is instantly attracted to Calla but is afraid his power will become a problem. Their relationship was quick and steamy and I loved it.
This is part of a series and I don't recommend reading this book unless you have read the rest of the series (Galactic Gladiator). I think it would be too confusing.
Entwined Fates by Tiffany Roberts: 5stars
After almost 20 years Volcair is getting a second chance to try and win over Kiara, the woman who has his heart. I was instantly entranced with Volcair and Kiara’s story. Their parting was heartbreaking and I came close to tears. Their reunion was intense and they had a lot to work through but their love shone through.
I loved this story. Volcair and Kiara were great. I loved their reunion. I think I need to read the Infinite City now.
Star Cruise: Idol’s Curse by Veronica Scott: 4 stars
This was quite an interesting story. A sentient rock. A matchmaking aunt and dog. Good luck and bad luck. Thieves and murder.
Juli Shaeffer, Nebula Zephyr’s cruise director, has been tasked with honoring a deceased passengers final wish of returning a cursed/lucky rock to the beach of Tahumaroa. After a lot of weird and unfortunate things keep happening Juli starts to think the owner might have been right about the rock. I liked Juli. She was smart, competent, and knew how to interact with people and make them happy (a skill I envy because I don’t like interacting with people).
Third Officer Steve Aureli is hoping Juli will finally give him a chance again. He finally gets his chance while helping her find the mysterious rock. I liked Steve because he was such a sweetie and never pushed too hard or too fast with Juli. Even though this story takes place over a few days it seemed like a slow building romance between them, which I loved.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more.
Cyborg’s Revenge by Pauline Baird Jones:
I am skipping this story because the blurb did not really capture my attention. I might come back to this at the end but we will see.
SpyDog by Laurie A. Green: 4stars
Rigel is making his way to the Network ship with sensitive intell when it explodes. He quickly hides but is found by Sona who says she is also Network but can he trust that. Maura, his spydog, says she is a friend so he reluctantly agrees to let her accompany him to their next pick up point. What follows is a wild ride of these two making their way to the Network base while dealing with their feelings for each other.
I quite liked this one. It was filled with love, heartbreak, and a cute spydog.
Nothing Remotely Familiar by Donna McDonald: 4 stars
Another crazy Topper adventure, but this time it features the whole family. Jessica, her daughter, finally gets assigned her first Familiar and it’s not a normal one. Traveling to Glacier causes unexpected complications with Toppers second pregnancy. An enemy out to get the family. And of course a beautiful goddess.
I quite enjoyed this story. I have enjoyed Topper’s shenanigans over the years and I am glad to see that motherhood hasn’t changed the craziness. I can’t wait to see more from this family because I know they are always up to something.
Doom by Regine Abel: 5 stars
Victoria’s dream of being a small town doctor is destroyed with the Kryptids make contact with earth. As she is fighting to survive and save her patients she meets the alien, Doom. Doom was engineered to eradicate Kryptids. Together these two fight to save the humans and eradicate the enemies while falling more in love with each passing moment.
I loved this story. It was everything I look for in an alien romance. I really hope there will be more books because I really want to see all the brothers find love.
Edit: just saw that there are more books to this series and they are on Unlimited. I am totally going to read them!
Winter’s Prince by Alexis Glynn Latner:
Another skipped story for now.
Heart of the Spider’s Web by JC Hay: 1.5 stars
This story just starts in the middle of what is going on, which was extremely confusing for me. I never understood what actually happened in the world that this is taking place in because of it. I felt like I couldn’t connect with the characters because I didn’t understand the overarching story.
The Princess and Her Bodyguard by E.D. Walker: 4 stars
Princess Liana and her companion Pym has been kidnapped. If her father hadn’t gotten rid of her bodyguard Jacen this wouldn’t have happened. When her kidnappers don’t get the answers they want things escalate Liana fears for her life but before things get bad she is rescued by Jacen.
I quite enjoyed this one. Liana was smart, kind, and can kick some butt when needed. Jacen, her childhood friend and former bodyguard, was tough, smart, and perfect for her. I quite enjoyed their adventures saving each other and saving Pym. They really kicked some ass.
I really want to know more about this world as well. The caliba birds were fascinating and I want to see more of them in the future.
Interrupting Starlight by Kyndra Hatch: 4 stars
Tessa has been stranded on a desert planet for two years. She is rescued by the Korthan who are at war with the humans. They offer to help her get home though. She is drawn to L'Den but doesn't understand why.
I enjoyed this one. I liked Tessa and Squeak alot, especially Squeak since he was so unique. I would like to see more stories about the Korthans.
Import Quarantine by Cassandra Chandler: 4 stars
Caitlin, a veterinarian, is woken from sleep for a house call to check on a sick cat. While following Marq to his cat she realizes there is something off with him. He talks weird and doesn’t understand some basic things. She quickly realizes that he is an alien and they have bases on Earth and the moon.
I quite enjoyed this short story. I liked Caitlin and Marq’s quick relationship and their working through the cultural differences. The pet is just a classic cat but it works perfectly for this alien species who has no experience with animals in general. I really hope we get Nika and Buddy’s story next!
deannasworld's review
4.0
nikkisbooknook's review
5.0
Dark Guard by Anna Hackett
Zaden is one of the younger cyborgs. His implants were forced onto him by his father after a youthful outburst caused tragedy.
Calla was kidnapped by the Thraxians and saved by Zaden and the other House of Rone Gladiators. Now on the mend she feels useless. Her family didn't think much of her culinary talents but she wants to get back to what she excelled at.
Add in a cute, arrogant, nosy and not a little psychic robocat and you have yourself a surefire passionate adventure!
Zaden is one of the younger cyborgs. His implants were forced onto him by his father after a youthful outburst caused tragedy.
Calla was kidnapped by the Thraxians and saved by Zaden and the other House of Rone Gladiators. Now on the mend she feels useless. Her family didn't think much of her culinary talents but she wants to get back to what she excelled at.
Add in a cute, arrogant, nosy and not a little psychic robocat and you have yourself a surefire passionate adventure!
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