The start of an interesting new science fiction romance series
359129
Galen Tasker is chasing the terrorist who murdered his parents ten years ago. That killer is Halcyon, a Siren, a female Mer. The chase has brought him to the Complex, a daring new experiment in peaceful living, an end to war between Humans and Metas--an array of what appear to the reader to be genetically modified descendants of Humans. Humans and Metas, though, appear to believe they are unrelated. The many varieties of Metas that exist are an added complication for Meta-averse Humans, like Galen.

Galen's an engineer, the new chief engineer of the newly completed Complex. He really, really wants to end the violence, and support the peace that the Complex is supposed to be the beginning of, but he doesn't see any contradiction between his desire to kill Halcyon, and his desire to end the violence.

Once he arrives at the Complex, he meets one of his subordinates, Allie, a female engineer whom he assumes to be Human because he sees nothing Meta about her, despite her unusual beauty.

Neither Galen nor Allie knows what they're headed for.

Galen is determined to find the sadistic killer, Halcyon. He knows she's headed here, to destroy the peace. That can't be Allie, because she's not Meta and she's certainly not Mer.

Allie knows an agent of the terrorist organization Humans First is coming to the Complex to destroy it and destroy the peace. That can't be Galen, the very peaceful manwho wants an end to the violence, despite some discomfort with Metas.

This is a novella, solidly written even though this is Carlton's first venture into  science fiction and it shows in some clumsiness in handling some of those elements. It's a good introduction to Carlton's new Complex series.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the author and am reviewing it entirely by my own choice.
3663939
A great start for this new world. From the start I thought the characters would be typical young woman running from a unwanted fate, saved by a male hero. But, it was exceptional world building, wonderfully flushed supporting characters, and a unique take on paranormal/sci-fi/steam punk (?). You can tell it's gonna be a good series with the many characters hopefully getting more fully developed stories as the series goes on. Now, I do wish the two main characters' story in this book was completed. I still get like I didn't quite know them by the end, but this may have been because they come across as very young. The ending definitely is set up as a continuation, our cliff hanger.
558405
I have read several books in this series and have enjoyed them so thoroughly that I felt the need to go back and give them a review.  I waited to review them assuming they would become formulaic and therefore not worth my time.  However, I have been  pleasantly surprised that each book, while having some recurring themes which are necessary for a series, has been an exciting adventure.  This is the first sci-fi romantic series that I have really gotten into and now I understand the concept of "world building".  Each book has the hook up between characters that one expects in a romance novel that are sexy and passionate and are enough to make a good story .  But the way the author then adds new layers to the alien world whether it be flora, fauna, or other insights make this series absolutely fabulous. Add to that an overall well written and edited story and you've got a great set of books.  Well done Ruby!
1189055
This is a good alien Scifi romance, and a good start to the Dragons of Preor series. I didn't really like Jarek at first, because he was just such a hard, seemingly unemotional warrior. But he changed for Melissa, because she was his mate and he would do anything to make her happy. They had a rough time getting to their HEA, but they made it.

This story does have a steamy scene, but only one, and it is very near the end -- If you are looking for lots of sexy times, this is not a good choice for you.
4385846
While there are some typos and usage errors which mar this book, overall this intriguing new space opera is well worth reading. There are some nice philosophic minor elements, along with plenty of fighting. It is adult oriented only due some sexual content, psychopaths and more.
4676897
Great and sassy heroine and wonderful hero. The world building could use a little work, but overall it was a fast paced space adventure and a quick, but satisfying romance. This is a story about rescuing family and about about love spanning the stars. I am looking forward to more stories in this universe.
2690334
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Annabel is forced to face her nightmares and try to protect the new life shes been given. The action sequences are good and like I mentioned before, the pacing is quick.
I have to say, the premise of the story is good. Resettlement on a new planet, new humanoid species who become enemies, love and family; these are all qualities I like in a Sci-Fi book.  The book is a little rough around the edges. It makes for a good first edition, but I found the characters to be a bit robotic and hard to connect with.  It felt very much like I was being told a story and not reading the story (sounds confusing I know, but Im not exactly sure how to describe it).  I think with some editing and revision this could be a really good book.  I don't know what the authors plans are but, there are a few openings within the manuscript to create a series. One should note that this is not only the authors debut novel, but its her first one in English! So kudos for that!  I have to say based on the technical stuff, I would give it a 3 out of 5 Stars
4820715
The mix in genes in Alphas Unleashed was 50/50  - two sci-fi romances and two paranormals. While I do read the occasional sci-fi romance, paranormal romances are my staple and I liked those the best. That said, it might be that since the sci-fi stories jumped straight into fairly complex, and apparently established worlds, they will probably work better for the fans of these series dying to get a peek at favorite supporting characters.

It is rare for me to read an anthology in order - and I actually bought this for the My Immortals short -but I missed the table of contents when I looked, so first to last it was.

Warrior's Heart -SE Smith - Smith's story was a twofer - two alien sisters each paired with one of two human brothers. This was a bit ambitious for the short space - I found one pair far more interesting and would have been happy with just their story instead of trying to squeeze into this story two sex scenes and two HEAs, plus cameos by characters who are obviously important in other books in the series. (Ok)

Sealed with a Kiss - Mina Khan - This story had all the right stuff  - with the Djinn chef leading man and the heroine with a magical problem. And although I did like this, I really wish it had been longer to take advantage of all that setup and to allow for a more solid transition from what essentially was enemies to lovers. I do have to admit that I had WTH moment near the end too <spoiler>when they've just crisped the bad guy and then they are kissing- that gave me pause.</spoiler> (pretty good)

Dead Drop - Carolyn Jewel - My Immortals -  Again this short had  a good enough setup that it could have easily been longer, but the transition in the relationship worked for me and Jewel still managed to deliver the intensity that made me a fan of her series even though I am pretty vanilla in my comfort zone  and the stories do have a touch of kink to due to inhuman/human 'couplings'. (I really liked it)

Chimera Born - Michelle Callahan - The world building here is pretty complex for newbie me. There were definitely things I liked about this story - the hero assimilating memories of an elderly man's life, loves and losses -and I liked the heroine, so this would have probably worked better for me if I'd been familiar with this series.(ok plus)
374703
This was an interesting alien romance story. MS. Cummings gives us new imaginative worlds to visit. The characters, Glib and Vera are believable. I really enjoyed their adventure while watching them try not to fall in love with each other. You'll enjoy this romance story. I received this book free for my review.
4786563
A good start for a series in this Star Wanderers saga. Take a young man thrust into his families profession in the outter rim of the known universe, add threatening advances by a foreign gov't with an efficient deadly brutal space fleet which makes him wake up in a hurry. Add mystery of a space station dead from unknown disease that leaves behind a cyhronic container with a beautiful stasis frozen woman and you have the start of a great scientific story. 4 1/2 Stars in my rating system...enjoy.
1810023
A very strong, likeable female main character in a healthy romance with an equally strong and likeable man. Hard to find in SF!  The main character, Dancer, reminds me of both David Weber's Honor Harrington and Diana Gabaldon's Claire Frazier.  The world is well-developed and interesting, but the plot focuses on figuring out the background of the main characters. The author can be a bit heavy-handed with the foreshadowing at times, but several plot developments did take me by surprise.
This book will be most enjoyed by those who like character development stories (think Mercedes Lackey's style). I got the impression that this was the "opening act" -- we're introduced to the characters, given their backgrounds, and given some reasons to like them.  I suppose the huge, sweeping plot would have started with the next book, except...well, there isn't one.  Yet.  Even so, this book stands on its own as an excellent read from a new SF author, and I will keep an eye on the "just published" stands.
1563752
I love space operas, and this is a fine intro to a series that has a lot of promise. I'm writing this just after reading the first book, so I can't speak for the rest of the series. My one criticism is that I can't help feeling like this whole book was a lot of process and exposition for a relatively small part of the overall bigger arc of what was going on. Still, the characters are reasonably believable and well developed for this genre, the political tension feels believable, and the ideas about morality, redemption, and connection are all present and vital without being overbearing. I am looking forward to learning more about the solar system as imagined in the series!
796260
Not quite as good as her others, but it is the first in a new series and shows great potential.
3761625
Disclaimer: I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rescue Her Heart is a fun debut novel featuring a mysterious disappearance of both father and fuel, space girlfriends and pirate battles. I would call it science fiction light, so if you are interested in a lot of word building, this might not be for you. However, if you are a fan of adventure romance and can go along with some space travel and blaster battles, you will enjoy this whirlwind romance.

I found this book true to my own life experiences in that the majority of the recurring secondary characters are friends of one of the main characters, Nat, and they are also queer.  It is so nice to see queer community and friendship reflected and I really enjoyed that.  That said, it is a romance between Catherine, a desparate 18 year old who is just finding out who she is (in more ways than one) and Nat, a 28 year old Space Ranger who doesn't know it yet, but is looking for love. Their age-gap comes up but is not the driving force behind the story. Finding Catherine's father initially drives the plot, but the trouble and fun they get into along the way is the entertaining part.

Through their many adventures, Catherine and Nat are constantly tested.  Watching their relationship develop kept me interested. Pick this one up and find out how all these mysteries resolve themselves.
2100457
Brian was married to Tessa he says but in another alternate universe .... And so our story begins.  This is a multi-layered story of romance and I guess self discovery plus throw in some old Science Fiction slightly reminiscent of The Time Machine and you have the making of a great romance.

The romance IS the main thrust of this short novel, make no mistake, the SCi-FI, the craziness, a poetry quoting bad guy and other things revolve around the connection between Brian and Tessa BUT things are never as they seem to be in these novels are they

This novel slowly leads us down a path where we get to discover the things that have led both of these people to this point in their life, you have moments where you have to decide who is really crazy (if anyone) and throw in a bit of self awakening and it all works together to make this an uplifting and enjoyable story with a bit of a twist at the end

Bottom Line:  This is a great story, a bit of craziness at the beginning to drop you into the story and a bit of everything a good romance needs with an ending quite satisfying on many levels.  4+ Stars and to many people this will be a 5 Star novel because it will touch some more deeply than the light story on the surface.
888344
This story was fun and a quick read. I would say the main focus was the alien story rather than the romance so if you're looking for hot 'n heavy this probably isn't what you're looking for. The story starts out a little slow, but by about half way through I was interested to know more about what was up with the aliens and how things were going to turn out. What I liked about this book was that the scientific aspects of the aliens and their research seemed to have been well researched by the author. This book seems like a start to an interesting series!
2784501
This could be the start of a great series. You will really like this book if you like romance and sci-fi all in one. The writer gets you hooked quickly on the two main characters so you want to keep reading to see what comes next.