Review: 5 stars = I freaking LOVED this book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2014
I am a fan of sci-fi romance, but unfortunately I have not found many authors who are able to successfully combine the right amount of romance, action, and sex. After reading the blurb for Turbulence I was looking forward to reading it. Upon reading the Dedication, my excitement over reading it skyrocketed. I am a huge Firefly fan and Jayne has always been my favorite character, so the idea that Ms. Gala's character Jacqs was inspired by Jayne ... well that was just shiny. Not only did I get to enjoy the inclusion of Fireflyisms, but I got to imagine Adam Baldwin getting all hot and sweaty with Zeke. But the nod to Firefly is only a part of what made this an amazing read.Turbulence sets the stage for the series and it is through Jacqs and his coming to terms with his sexuality that we learn about the universe in which this series is set. Jacqs's universe is much more accepting of sexual differences than ours. He has spent his entire adulthood as a het (heterosexual) man and never once had doubts as to his sexuality until it was pointed out to him several times that the newly arrived Commander Zeke Waters was attracted to him. So often I read books in which the main character’s epiphany (i.e., love at first sight, maybe I do like guys) comes immediately upon them setting eyes on the soon-to-be object of their affection. But not Jacqs. Nope, it wasn’t until several different crew members pointed out Zeke’s attraction to him that he began to consider Zeke as a potential sexual partner. But our dear, dear Jacqs doesn’t go through the angst and long, drawn out self-evaluation that most characters experience. He’s had a hard life, there’s a war going on, and he is a VERY practical man, so after an enlightening conversation (for both him and the reader) with Zeke regarding the various sexual classifications that crew members must register as, he accepts that he is not a het after all. Thus begins Jacqs’s exploration of an M/M sexual relationship with Zeke. While Jacqs might not be an educated man, he is a very dedicated student and his willingness to learn makes for many sizzling scenes between two testosterone-fueled, alpha male soldiers and all I can say is “Thank You Lyn!”Obviously there is more to Turbulence than the sexual relationship between Jacqs and Zeke. Not only do we get to watch their relationship grow and deepen, we also get to go on the wild ride with them as they are called into action in the war that they’ve been fighting in for years. Both of these men are soldiers who are willing to do whatever it takes to save others and they do, more than once in the book. Suffice it to say, this is where Ms. Gala combines the right amount of action and romance with a liberal amount of hot sex to create a truly enjoyable read and I now have a new addition to my re-read list. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Drift, and learning more about some of the characters I met in Turbulence.I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!