Review: For a novella, this was a wonderful short read.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 19, 2013
Written by FashiontaOriginally posted on confessionsfromromaholics dot comARC provided kindly by Bewitching Tours for reviewing purposesThe Heracian Affair is a story built for love that is beautifully written. It captures the level of insanity love can bring along with an unquestionable amount of humor.Rizzo is hiding behind failed attempts at relationships in hopes of pushing back loneliness. His heart was lost long ago when his love was taken from him. Only his snarky, confident and aggressive attitude holds him together through all his numerous one night stands. His latest date, like so many others, has failed in every way to snare Rizzo for the night."Okay, lay it on me. Did he come wearing a clown nose?""Very funny. Khakis, Gena. Freaking khakis! And he's a nature freak. Whatever were you thinking?"After waking up in a strange place and being referred to by a number instead of a name, Rizzo truly wasn't having the ideal fantasy dream he was hoping for! Instead, he finds out he's just been kidnapped by an alien race desperate to save its species, their only hope for survival is all they need is eggs, sperm and a willing alliance to remain with them to raise the young. Sounds positively humane, right? Well, they're still working out the kinks.The Heracians are determined. Their race is dwindling, dying, and they have been reduced to asking--no, begging--for help from other species. Captain Conrad D'Ollet, aka Sparky, so lovingly named by Rizzo of course, has just captured Rizzo and is tasked to be his recuperator while en route back to base for Rizzo's assessment. Too bad for Rizzo, as Conrad is his fantasy come to life. He also has a knack for bringing out the best in Rizzo's self-confidence or is that overconfidence?It's a battle of the wits for them, both attempting to surpass the other, in hopes of breaking down their defenses. One wrong move lands Rizzo to be captured by Conrad. For now it seems he's foolishly proclaimed him and Conrad to be a couple! Whoops! Conrad, however, walks away with a smirk, positively enjoying Rizzo's discomfort."Rizzo Berg, your quarters have been moved. Follow me."Can't help but laugh here, as Rizzo, for all his cleverness, fell right into that one! I thoroughly enjoyed the play-by-play between Rizzo and Conrad. It's very comical, and yet sweet how they are most undoubtedly attracted to one another and yet they can't seem to help themselves in trying to provoke the other. They are both sharp witted. Conrad holds the court, though, with his air of command. He became wise with what he's been through and experienced. And he knows how to handle Rizzo's little temperaments.At first Rizzo only agrees to remain a while, just enough time to donate his sperm and be returned back home. That all changes as Conrad strives to conquer his heart and tries to convince Rizzo to remain on in an alliance to not only help the raising of their children but to also stay with him. They have both gone through great losses, having a love taken from them, in much the same way, dying in wars. Together they could maybe heal these wounds, while creating an unbreakable bond.Just as they establish the connection between them, they are together taken prisoners by the Zax, the Heracian's mortal enemy. Confused by the relationship between a Heracian and Human, the Zax proceed to run them through the ringer. And just before all hope is lost, they are rescued ... but at what cost? Conrad is hurt, badly and his body needs to be repaired, but to do so means he'll forget everything between himself and Rizzo. Is their love strong enough to survive this? Will Conrad be the same when he comes back? Or will Rizzo take his losses and return home? One can only hope that the two hearts which have found the same rhythm will beat together again."You're mine now, human. And I will have you, all of you, you understand? You won't hold back from me something that is mine."For a novella, this was a wonderful short read. I was left wanting more, so much more! It ended far too quickly. I would have liked the dance between Rizzo and Conrad to have been longer than it was. This was too close to Insta-love; a longer courtship would have been greatly welcomed! The Heracian Affair while a great story on its own, I feel could also stand to be a start to a wonderful series. I enjoyed this immensely and give it 4 couples! Definitely Recommended!