Review: Entertaining Sci-Fi Story With Delightful Protagonists!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 2, 2013
Jess's happy life turned into a nightmare the day the aliens arrived on Earth kidnapping many and leaving everything else in ruins.  Her father died during transport leaving her alone and subjected to life in a brothel, forced into performing for an endless number of aliens.  She was able to escape but the emotional scars remain as she's scared of being around aliens and carries the guilt of the acts she was forced to commit.  She knows other people regard her as trash and that she would've disappointed her family because of how her life turned out.  She now has the chance to start over on the planet Sonis working as an assistant to an alien who's sexy, makes her heart pound, and makes her hormones rage to where all she wants is to get him naked.  She's a strong-willed woman struggling everyday to put her past behind her.  She wants to learn different fighting techniques so she'll never be vulnerable again and butts heads with her new boss to get him to agree with her.  She's a tall woman with few curves and will never be seen as overly feminine which is fine by her as it too is a sign of weakness in her mind.  Just when her relationship with Rasha seems to be heading in the right direction a woman's petty jealousy has Jess running from her intense feelings and puts her life in jeopardy once again.Rasha was brought up a warrior so dealing with feelings and the wooing of women is confusing to him.  It's sweet and endearing watching him navigate the rites of romance as he's incredibly large and intimidating in his nature.  He also exudes sexuality and enjoys the act of lovemaking turning it into an art form.  His current relationship is becoming unsatisfying and being reunited with Jess gives him the jolt he always knew he'd get when finding his mate.  He uses unrelenting flirting, his sensual and smoky voice, and drool-worthy body to slowly win Jess over.  Through words and actions he shows her that she's a female of worth, unsullied by her past.  He becomes the protector she needs but didn't know she wanted.  I found him utterly delectable and their relationship is a fun battle between the sexes to watch.The worldbuilding isn't as thorough as I'd hoped for a sci-fi book, but as this is the third installment in the series that's to be expected.  Much of the visuals of this world likely came before and is a great reason to pick up the previous books (not that much encouragement is needed as this story is delightful).  There's a small cast of colorful and entertaining secondary characters who have been seen in the previous books and it's nice to see how they're faring.  I'm particularly intrigued by the charmingly funny and sexy JB, a friend to Jess who has seen her at her worse and continues to support her in times of emotional confusion.  He's a player and irritates the other males of Sonis as he dallies with the human women sent there to find mates and keep the planet from becoming extinct.  He deserves a HEA of his own and a hint is given of who he might end up with courtesy of his caring and supportive nature.  The relationship between Jess and Rasha evolves quickly but it just feels right.  Their banter is witty and playfully sexy with sexual encounters that are off the charts smokin' hot.  They're very equally matched both in and out of the bedroom and I was rooting for their HEA every step of the way.  The only misstep I found was the soap opera-ish roadblock that Rasha's former lover created.  It was stereotypical and over before it started with the ramifications quickly resolved as well.  All of this made for a slightly rushed ending that marred my enjoyment only slightly.  The protagonists more than made up for any lacks in the storyline.  They thoroughly entertained me and kept me fully immersed in the story.  All things considered, I'm now fully engaged in this series and plan to pick up the previous books and count down the days until the next!