Amy Redwood, Alien Surrender

Title:  Alien Surrender

Author:  Amy Redwood

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Erotic Science Fiction

Keywords:  BDSM Elements, Futuristic, Ménage, D/s

Page Count:  Novella            

ISBN E-Book:  978-141-9949388    

Price:  $4.45

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link:  http://www.ellorascave.com/alien-surrender.html

Reviewer:  Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Alien Surrender is a standalone sequel to Alien Best Man; To read Kyra and Garrett’s story, check out Alien Threesome.

Jana is happy. After all, it's her wedding day, also known as the Joining of the Three. Her mates are two alien males who couldn't be more different. One is loving while the other has a cruel streak and dominates her in the bedroom. In love with one, in lust with the other, she expects to live the rest of her life in blissful ecstasy. If it weren't for an alien envy that threatens to destroy her relationship with her two mates.

Inside Scoop: Dominance and submission, pain that hurts so good, sexy aliens, threesomes and a loving relationship for a human girl who gets not one but hot TWO hot alien males.

A Romantica® Futuristic, ménage erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Review:

Alien Surrender is a wonderful sequel to Alien Best Man.  The story can definitely be read on its own, but either way as a sequel or standalone you won’t be disappointed.  In this story the author is able to develop the characters further and give us some insight as to how the three of them will work as a family unit.

Jana is human, now married to two Dezrian aliens, and living on their planet.  She is the only human on the whole planet and is feeling lonely, homesick, and out of place.  She is also unaware that her two husbands are dealing with issues of their own.

Zyn is Dezra’s King and Qay is Dezra’s elected ruler, but both are Jana’s husbands.  In this story we get to find out how each of the men deals with Jana and helping her assimilate to her new life.  There are plenty of insecurities for Jana and her men to overcome and each husband has his own approach.  The one thing that Zyn and Qay both have in common is their love for Jana.

The story sucked me in at the beginning and spit me out at the end wanting more of these characters.  It’s a page turner that will have you engrossed so that you don’t realize the end is coming.  It’s always sad when you are enjoying a good story and it has to end.  Hopefully there will be more about Jana, Zyn, and Qay in future books.

Tabitha Rayne, A Clockwork Butterfly

 Title:  A Clockwork Butterfly

Author:  Tabitha Rayne

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Erotic Romance

Sub-Genre:  Futuristic

Keywords:  BDSM, Graphic Sexual Content, M/F, F/F, F/F/M    

Word Count:  62,000        

ISBN E-Book:  978-1937325282

Price:  $5.50

Publisher:  Beachwalk Press, Inc.

Buy-Link:  http://beachwalkpress.com/a-clockwork-butterfly/

Reviewer:  Kristin B.

Tagline:  Lovers torn apart by duty…will Angelo and Lena be reunited?

Blurb/Summary:

Mankind is close to extinction. Toxins have all but wiped out the male population. The remaining fertile men are housed in manors where their seed is collected. Lena Lee is a new collector with a rare pheromone believed to reignite human fertility. She's assigned a male who's predicted to be her perfect match. Angelo, a clockwork butterfly maker, is held captive, his essence harvested daily by Lena. Over time, the couple begins to fall in love, something which is strictly prohibited. When their forbidden love is discovered, Lena is banished from the manor. Torn apart by the duty that brought them together, Lena and Angelo must find a way back to each other. But even if Angelo manages to escape, he doesn't know where to find Lena. Will following the path of the clockwork butterfly lead him to his true love?

Content Warning: strong language, BDSM, and graphic sexual content, including m/f, f/f, and f/f/m sexual interaction

Review:

Lena begins as a naive girl, ignorant to the ways of the world around her.  Socially and sexually awkward, she enters her role as a collector with bitterness towards the enormous responsibility before her.  Mae is cunning and sensual, the perfect balance to Lena’s naiveté.  Taking Lena under her wing to teach her quickly becomes more than her job, as their relationship blossoms.  Lena is just another assignment, right?  Mae has others with whom she’s assigned to “teach” and Lena is a collector now and her duty is to Angelo.  Feelings are forbidden, but can they be restrained?

Angelo, one of the last men on the planet, a prisoner in a lush cell. Angelo is Lena’s perfect match, chemically.  Together their essences are the key to the repopulation of the male species.  Their encounters are brief and purposeful, but the attraction between them is undeniable and soon they discover they are perfect for each other more than chemically.  They put everything on the line, including the repopulation of the earth, to be together but when Lena is sent away will all hope for happiness be lost to all three of them?

Sexy.  Erotic.  Emotional.  A Clockwork Butterfly by Tabitha Rayne is a creative tale of a future where men are nearly extinct.  Crisp and descriptive, Tabitha has made it easy for the reader to become immersed in the world she has created while the explicit sexual interactions paired with the author’s ability to convey the passion shared by the characters keeps the reader engaged.  The gravity of the situation (the extinction of the human race as well as the eventual rescue of Lena) could have been more developed creating a more intense feeling of urgency.  The open ended conclusion definitely leaves the reader to wonder where this threesome is headed next and wanting more of the sexy trio. 

Alien Slave, Tracy St. John

Title:  Alien Slave

Author:  Tracy St. John

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:   Erotica

Sub-Genre:  Futuristic/Science Fiction

Keywords:  Futuristic, Aliens, Kalquor Series

Word Count:  82,144       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-60394-678-0

Price:  $5.50

Publisher:  New Concepts Publishing

Buy-Link:  http://store.newconceptspublishing.com/tracy-st.-john/kalquor-series-book-5-alien-slave/

Reviewer:  Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Clans of Kalquor 5.  Dani Watson is a sex slave on the planet of Dantovon.  Having escaped post-Armageddon Earth, she’s resigned to spending several years working in a brothel to pay off her slave contract.  Her one consolation is that she avoided being captured and enslaved by the Kalquorians.  When a Kalquorian clan buys her contract, Dani attempts escape.  Crashing on a remote moon puts her life in jeopardy, leaving her and the clan of Gelan, Wynhod, and Krijero fighting for survival in a hostile environment.  Worse still, they’re being hunted by a group of brutal Tragooms who are determined to capture Dani and subject her to a fate worse than mere slavery.

Review:

Alien Slave is a captivating, futuristic, erotic romance story.  If you like science fiction, fantasy, and lots of hot alien sex, this story has it all.

As a reader, it was easy to connect with the characters.  I found myself really enjoying their differences and similarities.  In the beginning, the feeling you get is that the Kalquorians are so different from Earthers they couldn’t possibly be compatible.  As the story progresses and the character’s pasts are revealed, it’s hard not to see that love, belonging, and feeling protected are universal things needed by all.

Dani is a young heroine that came from a privileged background.  She’s made a lot of mistakes along the way trying to survive and find her own way.  She shows strength and courage while still remaining vulnerable.  Dani is one messed up heroine that was fun to read.

The three heroes, Gelan, Wynhod, and Krijero all have something unique to bring to the relationship that evolves between the four.  It was a pleasure getting to know them as individuals and how they worked as a clan.  Tracy St. John does not leave the reader wanting for an alpha male.  She provided three fantastic specimens.

This is a very imaginative and descriptive story where the author has created different worlds and beings.  I found it a little hard in the beginning to follow the naming of the Kalquorians.  It took a while to realize that the first part of the name is actually their job description.  The excerpt and cover drew me to this book, but I didn’t realize that it is number five in a series.  Alien Slave reads fine as a standalone book, but I’m betting there is some back story to be had in the other books.  It just makes me want to pick those up now too.

Overall, it was a great story with lots of action and a plot that kept me turning the pages.  Not to mention the hot, erotic love scenes that will leave you wanting more of these characters.

Nina Croft, Chosen

Title: Chosen

Author: Nina Croft

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Erotic Romance

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Futuristic, Sci-Fi

Word Count: 16,276

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-926930-24-4

Price: $2.99

Publisher: Breathless Press

Buy-Link: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/289

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Tagline: Unlikely allies in a strange new world, Tallon and Shayla work to tie Witches and Warlocks as one.

Blurb/Summary:

On the world of Arroway, Witches have been persecuted for a thousand years. Now, Tallon, Enforcer for The Order of Warlocks has been sent to hunt and destroy Shayla, a powerful, young Witch. But when he sees her, she awakens something inside him—some connection forgotten in the years of persecution. And when he starts his spell, she counters with magic so strong it rips them from their own world and into a new one—Earth. Drawn together as unlikely allies in this strange new world, Tallon and Shayla must work as partners to find a way home. They relearn the bond that once tied Witches and Warlocks as one, and in doing so discover not only their futures at stake, but the future of their whole world.

Review:

Chosen by Nina Croft is a wonderful story that will capture your imagination. Nina Croft pens a great alternate world of witches, warlocks, and magic. The conflict between the witches and warlocks, fuelled by politics, drives the story.

The plot is packed with action and emotion. Tallon is the reluctant hero that needs his heroine, Shayla, to draw out his gallant side. The two of them together spark their own magic. Together they will save each other and might just be able to save their planet.

Chosen is one of those stories that you just can’t put down. The pages seemed to turn themselves. Nina Croft left some wiggle room with her ending so that we might revisit these wonderful characters. Until then, I will be looking for other creations by Nina Croft.

Victoria Miller did a wonderful job on the cover art by making it seem to accurately portray the characters in the story.

Marc Vun Kannon, St. Martin's Moon

Title: St. Martin's Moon

Author: Marc Vun Kannon

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Futuristic

Sub-Genre: Paranormal

Keywords: Werewolves, Lunar Colony, Ghosts

Word Count: 66,585

ISBN E-Book: 978-159080-685-2

Price: $2.69 (Kindle)

ISBN for Print: 978-159080-684-5

Price: $13.99

Publisher: Echelon Press

Buy-Link: http://www.amazon.com/St-Martins-Moon-Marc-Kannon/dp/1590806840/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307500639&sr=8-1

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Tagline: The Moon is haunted, but the werewolves don’t know that!

Blurb/Summary:

Joseph Marquand didn’t want to go back, he really didn't, but duty called and curiosity beckoned, and besides, it's not like his nights could get any worse. A werewolf attack on the Moon itself was something of a novelty, especially for Earth's greatest werewolf hunter, and if he could lay a few of his own unquiet ghosts to rest at the same time...Well, one ghost. Cynthia's ghost. The reason he'd quit space. The people of Coventry Base definitely didn't want him there. Except for Candace, who was definitely in the minority. They'd found shelter there for a reason, and they were more afraid of the werewolf hunter than they would ever be of a werewolf. Then the nightmares began, and the wolves of Coventry Base found that they were haunted by far more than just their curse. They were being haunted by Marquand's curse as well. The werewolf hunter had become the werewolves' only hope for salvation, but Marquand's only hope for salvation was in one woman with no hope, and another who didn't even know she existed.

Review:

St. Martin's Moon by Mark Vun Kannon takes werewolves to the moon. The premise behind this story is that a werewolf should be unable to change on the moon as there is never a full moon in the sky to trigger the metamorphosis. But then, a werewolf killing occurs on the moon and an ex-military werewolf hunting specialist is called in to answer the how, what, when, where and why's of this unusual situation. Major Marquand has skeletons of his own in the closet. He is suffering from a case of PTSD due to the gruesome loss of his partner and lover several years before on the moon. Because of this, he really has no wish to go to the moon again but the case is to intriguing to pass up.

The story takes us through the odd behaviours of the moon colonists, who are definitely hiding something, and Major Marquand's surreal ghostly nightmares. As such, I found the story slightly disjointed. The sections of 'wolfspeak', if that is what they were, never fully explained who was doing the speaking. It seemed to me that it was meant to be wolves speaking mind to mind but the wolf names never coincided with any of the colonists and as such I was unable to relate the conversations to the story. They also were written almost like a chat room, with people leaving the conversation, so maybe it was meant to be a chat room dialogue instead. Aside from that, I found this to be an intriguing story.

The characters were likeable and well defined. The descriptions of the sports that they had invented upon the moon, using both the moons gravity and their extraordinary abilities, to alleviate the boredom of life on the moon were quite amusing. The setting, of a colony on the moon, peopled by werewolves in a self inflicted, secret, leper style colony was a novel take on the old theme of werewolves verses hunters.

On the whole, I applaud this take on the werewolf theme. This is a suitable story for fans of sci-fi and the paranormal alike. None of the scenes were particularly offensive and as such I feel this would also be a suitable read for a teenage reader of the sci-fi paranormal genre. Possibly, this story should even be marketed specifically to that category of reader. I enjoyed this story and it was fairly easy to read and absorb with only the dreamworld and the chat sections requiring some slight re-read. A fun read with a unique perspective Mr. Vun Kannon!

Jill Knowles, Concubine

Title: Concubine

Author: Jill Knowles

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM, LGBT

Sub-Genre: Futuristic, Fantasy

Keywords: Bondage, Tethering, Gagging, Exhibitionism, M/M

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-587-6

Price: $6.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Concubine.aspx

Reviewer: Elizabeth Hyder

Blurb/Summary:

Scholar, captain...war prize. Prince Kael of Korai is stunned when his father gives him to an enemy warlord in a desperate attempt to salvage Korai’s reputation. With his country’s honor at stake, Kael resolves to submit to Warlord Taren’s every debauched whim.

But life in Zandria isn’t anything like what Kael imagined. Instead of pain and cruelty, Warlord Taren seduces Kael until the bewildered prince craves his Master’s every intimate caress. As he sinks into the decadent, sensual life of a concubine, Kael makes a powerful enemy, one who wants him removed from Zandria by any means necessary.

Betrayed by his body, trapped by his honor, Kael must learn to trust his Master or get them both killed.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM theme and elements (including/not limited to bondage, gagging, tethering), dubious consent, exhibitionism, male/male sexual practices.

Review:

Once again, Loose Id delivers beautifully on another trope. The prince-turned-slave trope is one I've always enjoyed, and I loved the author's use of demons here. It added a little twist and some mysteriousness to the usual storyline, making it less typical but still enjoyable.

I did not enjoy the sex scenes as much as I wanted to, which is what kept this from being a four stone review. They weren't bad, but they weren't as hot as they could have been considering the content.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous, bright and colorful and full of life in a way I don't often see on covers for this genre! The editing is also good; I didn't catch any stray typos or anything like that.

Overall, a good book and I will probably be seeking other books by this author to review.

Mechele Armstrong, Settler's Mine 6: The Rogue

Title: Settler's Mine 6: The Rogue

Author: Mechele Armstrong

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Futuristic

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Ménage, M/M, M/M/F

Length: Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-855-6

Price: $7.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Settlers-Mine-6-The-Rogue.aspx

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Princess Arianna's brother is missing, lost in the dangerous brothels on Chombay. She can't find him alone so she hires a legend to help. When they meet, their heartstones glow. The legend -- the Rogue, a man called McTavish -- is her mate. Decker's been studying McTavish from behind a desk for years. Catching him is his chance to earn a much-desired promotion in the Union Alliance. Then the Queen, Arianna's stepmother, who is responsible for the prince's disappearance, contacts him with a deal: find her son before McTavish does and use him as bait, and she'll make sure he gets that promotion. Except... Decker can't stand her actions against her son and turns on the Queen. He contacts McTavish and Arianna to make a deal. The biggest surprise when they meet isn't that he plans to go through with it. It's that his quarry and the princess are his mates. On the run from a vicious queen, the three must learn what can bond a princess, a law man, and a rogue...in order to save their lives and the throne.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, ménage (m/m/f).

Review:

Settler's Mine 6: The Rogue is action packed from beginning to end. This is an extremely sexually charged story with hot, steamy love scenes.

As a reader, you will not have any problem connecting to the characters and just falling for them. Arianna is sweet and loyal. McTavish is strong and capable of taking charge and getting things done. Decker is the straight laced guy just trying to do what he has been born to do. Together they each bring something different to the relationship that helps to balance them all as a unit. It was an enjoyable read getting to watch them accomplish this feat.

The evil queen is very easy to loath. She has a hand in the dark story line that surrounds Arianna’s brother. I thought the psychological aspect of that story line was handled very well.

As this was my first visit into Mechele Armstrong’s world, I felt she did a nice job of not leaving me, as the reader, in the dust. Instead, it just spurs me on to want to read the previous books.

The story overall leaves you hopeful that they will have their happily ever after.

Christopher Newman, Deviant Ark

Title: Deviant Ark

Author: Christopher Newman

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Erotic Romance

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: BDSM, GLBT, Interracial/Multicultural, Ménage, Futuristic, M/M, M/F/M

Word Count: 81,158

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60435-728-8

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy-Link: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?products_id=623

Reviewer: Sally Sapphire

Blurb/Summary:

It is the near future and Earth has vastly changed. Political, social, and religious reforms have melded the vastness of humanity into one voice and world. Deviant Behavior isn't permitted. An underground movement has sprung up to free humanity from terrible persecution, blind prejudice, and false progression. Marlene Strombella, a native of the Mars Colony she hides her lesbian passions from the general public. She lives a lie, a false marriage, to avoid detection by the government. A starship of alien refugees has been granted political asylum from their home planet. Nicknamed "Dualies" for the tall, elegant aliens possess both set of genitals and are shunned by most humans. Marlene finds herself attracted to one of them. A willowy and elegant creature named C'est'a. She strives to come to grips with her fascination. But between her regular job, her role in the Resistance, and the "re-genderization" of her last lover Marlene cannot cope with it all. Does she have time to uncover the truth of her feelings for C'est'a, break through the distrust her would-be lover's race have for humans, and still carry out her covert operations? Or will Mars erupt into possible interstellar or inter-species war first?

Review:

Deviant Ark is one of the most near-perfect reads I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in a very long while. I went into it with such high expectations that I was actually reluctant to begin reading it and risk disappointment. Much to my surprise, it fulfilled all of my expectations, and even presented a few wonderful surprises.

Much of the book revolves around the various conflicts between the ‘straight’ authorities, the ‘deviant’ human resistance, and the equally ‘deviant’ alien refugees of I’leana. In a future where the world has been homogenized under a single government and a single religion, deviance is not tolerated in any form. Gays and lesbians are hunted down, abducted, and forcibly ‘reconditioned,’ all broadcast live on TV as a form of state-sponsored entertainment. Meanwhile, the dual-gendered alien refugees are mocked as much for their gender as for their blue skin and pointed ears, confined to the worst human slums, and treated like slaves.

While a covert Martian resistance cell does exist, operating as much for political as for sexual reasons, they’re simply incapable of driving the kind of change needed to allow the ‘deviants’ to find acceptance. There’s a sense of hopelessness to their efforts, although you can’t help but admire their perseverance.

What holds the story together and provides us with hope is the budding relationship between Marlene and C'est'a. It’s a wonderfully awkward love affair, with Marlene unsure she can handle being attracted to a woman with a penis, and C’est’a exploring her first feelings for a human woman. Her parents are divided in their opinions of the relationship and end up presenting Marlene with a challenge to prove herself. It is through this challenge that Marlene not only wins their respect, but takes the first steps towards orchestrating cooperation between the resistance and the I’leana.

If the story has a failing – and it may have been intentional on the part of the author – it’s that morality is so closely tied to sexuality. With one or two minor exceptions, the ‘straight’ population is portrayed as a bastion of cruelty and negativity. Similarly, despite a few rough edges, the ‘deviant’ populations, both human and alien, are almost portrayed lovingly and positively.

Ultimately, Deviant Ark is a serious science fiction story first, an LGBT romance second, and an erotic romp third. The story starts and ends with well-orchestrated space battles, and the climactic confrontation in the streets between the resistance and the army is as horrific as it is heroic. As for the sex scenes, they’re sporadic, but inventive and exciting in their intensity. More importantly, the sex plays a key role in the story, exposing the alliances and deceptions upon which the fate of the world rests.

Recommended for anybody with an interest in the human condition.

Christine D'Abo, Mistress Rules

Title: Mistress Rules

Author: Christine D’Abo

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Futuristic, M/M, Ménage, M/M/F, BDSM

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 978-1419925581

Price: $4.45

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8377-mistress-rules.aspx

Reviewer: Sally Sapphire

Blurb/Summary:

When Faris steps into his friend and mentor’s inner sanctum, he doesn’t expect to find Stella—a leather-clad Dominatrix. He can only watch as Ulric, the most powerful man in the sector, drops to his knees and throws himself at Stella’s mercy. Faris must decide whether to walk out the door, leaving his friend behind, or to put himself into the hands of a woman who demands nothing less than his absolute surrender.

Ulric knows Faris holds himself responsible for the devastating attack on the colony outpost. If Faris doesn’t learn how to forgive himself, the young man will be on the road to emotional disaster. His only hope is to convince Stella to bring Faris into their lives as another submissive. Ulric must now put his feelings for Stella on the line while holding tight to the man he desperately wants beneath him.

Review:

This was a surprisingly deep, intelligent piece of science fiction erotica. Christine delves deep into the roots of BDSM relationships, looking at both what the domme and the sub takes from their roles, and from the interplay between one another.

Set in a future where sex outside of procreation has become quite taboo, relegated to seedy pleasure colonies, any relationship between Stella and Ulric is already an anomaly. The kinky nature of that relationship makes it even more of an anomaly, and introduction of Faris further complicates matters.

For Stella, being a dominatrix is what she was always meant to be. She revels in the power it grants her, and appreciates the sexual gratification it provides. She also cares deeply for her submissive, who needs the emotional release she provides. A highly placed negotiator, Ulric wields a lot of power, and lives under constant stress. Being with Stella allows him to give up that power, and to be freed from responsibility.

It also provides him with an opportunity to not only free his protégé, Faris, from those same stresses, but to justify exploring his lust for the handsome, virile young man.

The key to this story is the interplay between the three characters. The introduction of Faris to the well established BDSM scene unsettles everyone. It forces Stella to re-break her sub, even while she trains their newbie. It forces Ulric to relearn his place at not only Stella’s feet, but Faris’ as well. Finally, it forces Faris to not only learn the role of a switch, submissive to Stella and dominant to Ulric, but to accept the reality of sexual arousal.

The bondage scenes here are well played, elaborate, rehearsed, and very sensual, and the rediscovery of sexual arousal and gratification is extremely rewarding. Definitely recommended.

Jessica Freely, Amaranth & Ash

Title: Amaranth & Ash

Author: Jessica Freely

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Fantasy

Sub-Genre: LGBT

Keywords: Futuristic, Intersexed Characters, Violence

Page Count: 151

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-594-4

Price: $6.99

ISBN For Print:

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Amaranth-and-Ash.aspx

Reviewer: Elizabeth Hyder

Tagline: In a world where everyone has their place, Amaranth & Ash belong together.

Blurb/Summary:

Amaranth is a vasai, born with both male and female characteristics, and a soul that can reach out and touch the souls of others in order to heal them. But a vasai’s services are only for the Elai, and they demand sexual satisfaction as well as healing from their beautiful servants. Frustrated with these constraints, Amaranth wants to use his talent to help those who really need it.

Ash is a chel. Considered devoid of souls, chel are the lowest of the low. Not content with his lot, Ash steals from the middle class pel. One night he’s caught and brutally punished.
A soul in agony calls out to Amaranth from across the city. When he discovers that it belongs to a chel, it only confirms his worst suspicions about the lies of the Elai. Amaranth takes Ash home and heals him, an act of rebellion that could cost both their lives.

Amaranth's compassion for Ash soon turns to passion. Ash treats him like a person, not an instrument of sexual gratification. Neither of them have much experience with mutual pleasure but together they embark on an exploration of intimacy and desire that carries them to the heights of passion and love -- and shakes the very foundation of their world.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations some readers may find objectionable: Intersex relationships, violence.

Review:

Amaranth & Ash exemplifies what the publisher is all about: Id-fantasy made into stories. As such, it follows a predictable sort of pattern if you're familiar with that particular Id-fantasy, but the way that Freely weaves the story is what makes it unique and worth reading.

The universe she creates is very different from our own, and almost steampunk-ish in that it's an industrialized society. The caste system is fascinating, and throughout the book Freely shows, and doesn't tell, you all parts of the caste system.

Freely also gets points in my book for having a main character, characters even, who is intersexed-- has both male and female parts. I found the sex scenes captivating and evocative; the emotion between the characters was very present, but not forced, and served to make the scenes even hotter.

Overall, a very enjoyable book! Well-written, well-paced, and no editing mistakes that I noticed. I'm not sure how people who aren't into this particular Id-fantasy would take to it, but I adored it. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lynda K. Scott, Heartstone

Title: Heartstone

Author: Lynda K. Scott

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Fantasy

Sub-Genre: Romance, Science Fiction

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, Futuristic

Page Count: 229 Pages

ISBN E-Book: 1-60659-233-5

Price: $4.99

ISBN For Print: 978-1-60659-233-5

Price: $13.95

Publisher: Mundania Press, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Heartstone

Reviewer: Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Eric d'Ebrur is out of time. He must find the legendary Heartstone and fulfill the ancient Gar'Ja bond he shares with the Stonebearer. But when he finds her, he discovers that love can be more dangerous than the Gawan threat. Eric can defeat the mind-controlling Gawan but will it cost him the woman he loves?

After terrifying episodes of hypersensitivity, Keriam Norton thinks she's losing her mind. When handsome shapeshifter Eric d'Ebrur saves her from the monstrous Gawan, she's sure of it. But insane or not, she'll find the Heartstone and, if she's lucky, a love to last a lifetime.

Review:

Heartstone is an exciting, well written science fiction romance. The story begins in a small town on the Earth of today, but quickly moves into the realm of foreign galaxies and transportation portals. With an enemy so evil, it could reasonable be referred to as a mind controlling parasite, bent upon universal domination, our heroes have their work cut out for them.

Eric d'Ebrur has been sent from his planet to retrieve a woman known as Keriam Norton from Earth. She is the key to stopping an invasion in their home galaxy. Keriam is an unknowing expatriate who was bonded to Eric in infancy and has no memory of other worlds. The Gawan have also been sent to find Keriam, but for elimination purposes, as she is the only being in the universe that may have some hope of stopping the Gawan advance. Once our heroes meet, their childhood Gar’Ja bonds kick in and then all bets are off.

Ms. Scott’s tale was woven in such a manner as to draw the reader in. As each chapter progressed more secrets were unveiled pulling the reader on. Heartstone was an enjoyable story from start to finish. A wonderfully subtle example of science fiction romance that I would definitely recommend.

Jennifer Leeland, Marked for Desire

Title: Marked for Desire

Author: Jennifer Leeland

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: BDSM

Sub-Genre: Science Fiction

Keywords: Futuristic, F/F, Voyeurism, M/F/F/M

Length: Short Novel

ISBN E-Book: 978-1-60737-812-9

Price: $5.99

Publisher: Loose Id, LLC

Buy-Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Marked-2-Marked-for-Desire.aspx

Reviewer: Cia

Blurb/Summary:

If Leo Eyler had any other way to find his enemy, he would use it. A stubborn princess doesn't suit his plans. Unfortunately, Princess Sera Placido is his only clue. The last thing she wants to do is cooperate with a Nyral Dominant who can’t keep his hands off her. When Leo insists on running her security against the deadly Brotherhood, Sera realizes that assassins and a life-sucking planet may not be the most dangerous thing she has to deal with. Her growing passion for Leo is. For although they clash, he intends to win both her body and her heart, and she's having a hard time resisting. If they're going to survive, Sera has to learn to submit. Leo teaches her that she's marked for desire.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements, female/female interaction, moresome (m/f/f/m with homoerotic interaction), voyeurism. Review: Being a Princess is hard work, and in this story a dangerous duty. Pair that with a stubborn mindset and a potty mouth and we have Sera, a powerful deity in her own right. She needs dominance to bring balance to her life and save her from a religious faction set to kill her. Leo is that man, and when fate transpires they can’t ignore the passion or need that inflames them to their core. Neither is prepared for the third piece in their relationship, or how he came into play, as a needed piece. The domination and submission play in this story kept my cheeks heated. The sorrow and deaths of loved ones by masked cruelty tore at my heart. Through it all the hero and heroine kept my rapt attention with the villains running rampant. I loved the ending and can’t wait to read more of this series.