Random Review: Modified and Sacred by Jana Denardo #Review #Giveaway

Title: Modified and Sacred
Author: Jana Denardo
Publisher: NineStar Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Publication Date: April 29, 2019
Length: 35,000 words

Reviewed by Morningstar


Synopsis

Lieutenant Addison Hunt is proud to serve the Confederation even if he still feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Addison was illegally genetically modified as a child, leaving him burdened with a sense of shame. Emotionally isolated from his fellow crewmen and recovering from injuries from his last job, Addison is happy to have light duty transporting an esteemed diplomat to a peace conference.

Deveral is one of the Sacred Kin, possessing a psychic ability that his people consider a spark of the divine. Like all the Sacred Kin, he’s led a sheltered life as a temple priest, but his heightened empathic ability makes him the perfect diplomat. Nervous to leave his home, he’s curious about his new companion, Lieutenant Hunt.

Not everyone wants the diplomatic mission to succeed, and a rebel faction poses a real threat to Addison and Deveral. Finding themselves cast adrift on a “lost” colony, they’ll have to fight to stay alive.

Purchase Links

NineStar Press

Amazon

Review

Not only was this book captivating, but it was also unique and well executed.

This is a sci-fi novella that is very much character driven which takes a bit away from the world building but the characters, the humanoid empath, Deveral, and the modified human, Addison, were so eye-catching in their interactions, it was easy to immerse myself in this book. In a novella, which this was, that aspect isn’t typically as fleshed out and detailed as it is in full-length books, so it was not something that bothered me.

What started out as a simple trip took a turn for these two men into danger and survival. The sexual tension between them was intoxicating to watch. Sometimes when that part is done as well as it was here, I almost hate when the characters finally have sex, breaking it. Their relationship was a little rushed in terms of time frame since it was a novella but overall, I think the author built them up well within the confines of their word count.

There were a few references to the things these men had in common that threw me since they seemed so opposite in culture and lifestyle.  It seemed implausible for those shared interests, but not enough to stop me or take me out of their story. It was kind of cut in an overall suspenseful ride.

There was almost something intangible in this book that made me not want to put it down. I think it was the combination of the world they were in, the characters the author created, and the unique story that I got out of it in the end. I didn’t want to see it end, and for that alone, I wish it was longer. But this author knocked this sci-fi out the park in my opinion.

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Random Review: Two Fates by Kari Gregg #Review #Giveaway

Title: Two Fates
Author: Kari Gregg
Self Published
Publication Date: April 4, 2019
Length: 207 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

Jamie and Ian recognized they were destined mates as teenagers. Heedless of their pack’s objections, they loved fully and recklessly. When Ian perished in a senseless accident a decade later, Jamie’s grief was so consuming he almost died too, but in the years since, Jamie learned to cope. Though his heart is empty, he finds purpose in teaching shifter craft to pack whelps and carving bone to offer for trade. His is a quiet life, his peace hard-won. The pack seer’s alarming prophecy at Jamie’s birth assured Jamie he would love again, but what he shared with Ian...That magic only happens once.

Kenneth—pack newcomer and presumptive alpha—disagrees. Instinct led him to Kentucky after Ian’s death tore Jamie’s world apart. While Kenneth would’ve done anything to spare Jamie the agony of Ian’s loss, Kenneth will also never deny what drove him to Burnt Fork in the first place: Jamie is his destined mate.

Can one man have two fates? The pack lore Jamie teaches suggests that is possible, but Jamie alone must decide if finding the courage to love again is a blessing...or his curse.

Purchase on Amazon

Review

One of my favorite things as a reader is coming across a blurb that makes me stop and say wow. Even better when it is a type of book I normally don’t read. That’s what happened with Kari Gregg’s Two Fates. I’m not much of a reader of shifters and the paranormal, but when I read the blurb for Two Fates I knew I wanted to read it right away, and boy I’m so glad I did. Two Fates grabbed me from the first page and kept me enthralled for every page. Since I’m not much of a shifter reader, I’m not up on all the cannon and lore that goes along with it, but I found myself thoroughly entertained and captivated for the whole book.

Jamie and Ian were young and in love and despite the wishes of both their packs, mated and shared their life together. Things weren’t always easy for these two, but they were together and that was all that mattered … until Ian was killed, and Jamie was left alone. From the time he was little, Jamie was told that there was a mate for him, one who was not Ian, but Jamie loved Ian and that was all that mattered to him. When Ian died, Jamie was buried under his grief and anger and unsure of how to live without the mate he loved with all his heart.

Kenneth is the wolf who has always been supposed to be Jamie’s mate. When Ian dies, and Jamie is in pain, Kenneth rushes to his side because he can’t stay away. Oh, he’s not exactly welcome and it takes a lot of one step forward and two steps back before Jamie and Kenneth begin any sort of friendship, let alone relationship. Jamie is bitter and still grieving and as the wolf who will take over and be the alpha, Kenneth has a lot on his plate, but nothing is more important to him than Jamie’s happiness and healing.

Two Fates is an emotional, intense, and often heart-breaking story of second chances. Kenneth is amazing and so swoony and patient. Jamie is rightfully hurt and sad and angry but once he warms up to Kenneth, really grows as a character. I really enjoyed the pack dynamics at play and how they followed their own traditions but there are modern influences as well. I found this an interesting aspect of the story. But of course, the eventual romance between Kenneth and Jamie is what really got to me. They were wonderful together. I hope to see these two again because I would love to read more about them and be a part of their world again.

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Random Review: Ostakis by Angelica Primm #Review #Giveaway

Author: Angelica Primm
Title: Ostakis
Publisher: NineStar Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Publication Date: February 18, 2019
Length: 52,000 words

Reviewed by Truus


Synopsis

The Human Planets Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees Kaj's arrival as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj’s powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath’s son, Arlan does not smooth relations.

Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears in his body the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide. Born Cursed and inherently sinful, Arlan lives without legal rights or property. It enrages Thyenn Sharr Arlan’s father defiantly refuses to submit his son to a cruel act to "redeem” Arlan’s soul. The stakes ratchet when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the legal power of his Church.

Can Kaj navigate the treacherous currents of Ostakian politics and religion to save these human descendants of Earth? And must he chose between Arlan or his mission to do so?

Buy Links

NineStar Press

Amazon

Review

Sci-Fi fantasy stories always give me a humble feeling. They make me feel aware of the infinity of the universe and how small and void we are.

Kaj Deder, ambassador of planet Earth, is sent by the Human Planets Collective, to planet Ostakis, a former colony planet. Ostakis runs out of resources which will ultimately end the human life on that planet. Kaj has to make a business of trading sources to prevent this.

Not everyone on this planet welcomes Kaj, The Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the high priest of the (very conservative) Faith Progressive Church certainly does not. He wants all the power and present their nation as the purest, in other words he only accepts two genders and one kind of connection, all others are cursed and will be denied.

Arlan Klath is the son of Aulkus Klath, the Trademaster of Ostakis. He is one of the Cursed.

When Arlan turns into heat he has only eyes for one man as ‘mine’.

Arlan’s wonderful father gets arrested by the Church, for protecting a Cursed one and now Kaj has to protect Arlan and rescue Aulkus Klath.

Thyenn Sharr, hateful as he is has vicious plans for the whole Klath house.

First I went to the glossary of Characters and Terms, for me this is necessary because I’m a mess with unusual names and titles. This was clarifying so I was quickly into this story.

It was a charming read even with the sharp parts. The main characters were engaging and they interacted with an appealing light sensual flow.

This journey had a good portion of thrill and angst but also a lot of love and true kindness.

The whole scenery was attractive and all the various characters well developed.

A sci-fi fantasy story just how I like them!

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Blog Tour: Angel's Feather by Alina Popescu #Excerpt #Review #Giveaway

Recently released gay science fiction novella Angel’s Feather, the first book in the Flyer Chronicles series.

Angel’s Feather Synopsis

How far would you go for the one you love? How much of yourself would you sacrifice?
Trapped on a decaying Earth and cut off from the rest of the Universe, humans are no longer allowed to leave their planet. Break this one law and you die: a penalty enforced by flyers, aliens who look like angels of long-lost religions. Michael, the flyers’ leader, is the Punisher who carries out every public execution.
Adam, a young human with near-perfect memory, is committed to rebuilding Earth and a true believer in the flyers’ dominion. While Adam’s support for flyers isn’t a secret, his deep love for Michael is. Not even Michael knows, for his kind never take human lovers, and to Adam, they are too far above him to reach.
In his broken and unwelcoming world, Adam’s love can only lead to pain, loss, and disaster. Yet there is no force in the huge expanse of stars and galaxies that can stop Adam from following Michael to the end of existence. Not even Adam’s own beliefs.

Buy now:

Angel’s Feather is free to read with Kindle Unlimited subscriptions.
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y6BWX9V
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y6BWX9V
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B06Y6BWX9V
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B06Y6BWX9V

 

 Review

The first book of a series is so vital. Between character development, world building, plot, all of it. It's preparing you for a journey. Angel's Feather is a sci-fi love story that was really constructed beautifully. There is always a nervous energy to the beginning of a series but fortunately, all the nervousness here was angled toward anticipation as the story grew.

Earth is dying. This isn't really a hard thing to believe. Adam is the MC of this story. It's a first person POV. Through this entire book, I was riveted. I don't want to spoil anything about this book. I'll say it's got suspense, emotion, intrigue, and a really amazing plot. It is a cliffhanger and I may or may not have beat my kindle to death. 

I do very much recommend this book. It is a novella but it truly feels longer. But in the good way! Of course, I wanted longer because I needed to know things!!!! But yes, read it!

 

 

Excerpt

 

My enthusiasm at seeing Michael again quickly faded when he arrived. He seemed cold, uncaring. There was no trace of feeling in his eyes, no expression on his beautiful face. He wore his usual leather trousers that I was sure he had to cut off his body to undress. The new addition was a metallic looking… something. It looked like a sleeveless shirt or some sort of body armor, but it kept me from seeing his strong upper body and watch the stray rays of sunshine reflected by his glorious skin.

All in all, he looked like a true warrior, a right enforcer. And did he ever act like one! Michael had never been a man of many words, but he was eerily silent this time. He did not offer a glance or a word to anyone. Even when it came to the other flyers, he only communicated through mysterious nods and gestures. To make it worse, two of the other flyers that had come with him, the ones who had taken over his patrolling duties, were stabbing me with their glares. He’d told them? Or maybe they’d figured out his mood had soured after coming to see me…

Either way, not seeing Michael was a lot easier than having him ignore me like this. With a deep sigh, I turned around and made to leave, but one of the other flyers stopped me.

“Where do you think you’re going? Everyone healthy and able is required to attend the executions.”

I slapped his hand away and then pressed my palm to his naked chest, pushing him back. The crowd around me gasped in unison, then went deadly silent.

“What is the point, angel? I’ll just watch your broadcast later. They never learn, nothing changes. There will be another execution soon enough.”

I left the village square without ever looking back. I heard the flyer calling my name once, but for some reason he did not try to stop me again, nor did he say anything else. I went straight back home, trying to keep myself together until I was safely hidden away in my room. I could not afford to fall apart out in the open, I couldn’t have any of the other villagers see me like that, see how weak I truly was.

 

 

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About the author

Writer, traveler, and coffee addict, Alina Popescu has been in love with books all her life. She started writing when she was ten and she has always been drawn to sci-fi, fantasy, and the supernatural realm. Born and raised in Romania, she finds her inspiration in books of all genres, in movies, and the occasional manga comic book. She is a proud geek who needs her fast Internet and gadgets more than she needs air.
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