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Once Upon A Time In Space

by Heather Massey (Goodreads Author)

3.42 of 5 stars 3.42 · rating details · 26 ratings · 16 reviews

In the sea of stars, an epic love story is about to begin...

Earth is dying. Nick Venture, the last living descendant of Christopher Columbus, embarks on a dangerous mission to find a new planet and save humanity. This places him on a collision course with Raquel Donovan, the deadliest space pirate in the galaxy.

Raquel lives for one purpose: revenge against a horrible demon...more

Published March 1st 2011 by Red Sage Publishing (first published February 1st 2011)

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Best Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romance

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Mar 16, 2011 Laurie (Bitten by Paranormal Romance) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fantastic Sci-fi Romance Erotica! Star Track Move Over!

Wow, I really enjoyed this read. It took me a little to get into in the beginning but after about 30 pages the story took off and what an action pack adventure. Humanity’s survival is at risk on earth because of a greedy and corrupt government, however, there are pirates running around in space living the best they can by jumping other ships and stealing their cargo.

Nick Venture, an ordinary guy who has been rescued by some Corporate offic...more Fantastic Sci-fi Romance Erotica! Star Track Move Over!

Wow, I really enjoyed this read. It took me a little to get into in the beginning but after about 30 pages the story took off and what an action pack adventure. Humanity’s survival is at risk on earth because of a greedy and corrupt government, however, there are pirates running around in space living the best they can by jumping other ships and stealing their cargo.

Nick Venture, an ordinary guy who has been rescued by some Corporate official doctor who sets him on a mission to find a new planet called Eden in order to save humanity. Only thing is, Nick is not a computer/science guy who fly’s spaceships, but the Corporate Officials don’t care because his Christopher Columbus heritage singling him out to be the last survivor from that line is their only hope that the new world should be discovered by.

Queentutt review below.

Nicks journey and adventure begins with three spaceships and a great humorous crew. However, things get interesting when the pirate Raguel jumps his ship to steal his supplies; she is automatically sexually drawn to Nick’s sexuality radiating all kinds of sensual thoughts throughout her whole body. To make a long story short, Nick bargains with Raguel and convinces her to become their guide and protector from the corrupt government and other pirates in order to get to the New world to save earths people.

The adventure is fantastic and the sexual erotica between Nick and Raguel is pretty steamy teasing you and driving you crazy until the end when it explodes to a climaxing erotica of HOT HOT SEX scenes.

There was lots of fighting action between the other pirates and the government military. I loved all the characters different personalities, some were pretty humorous. I thought the story line was well written and thought that this would make a great series/Movie as in search for new planets. The writing was very visionary and I felt like I was right there within the story. Great Read!
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Feb 18, 2011 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review

In a last ditch effort to save the people of a dying Earth, Nick, the last living descendant of Christopher Columbus, and his crew set out to discover a new planet capable of sustaining life. However, when he runs into Raquel, known as the deadly pirate Siren, he knows he is in for trouble, as he is irresistibly drawn to her. Raquel has a mission of her own, but she is keeping her lips sealed. When she raids Nick's ships, the last thing she expects is for him to turn it around and entrap her. Sh...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Ronda Tutt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic, science-fiction, romance

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Mar 14, 2011 J.C. Hart rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book over a couple of days last week, also via NetGalley, and wow. It packs punch! I don’t typically read a lot of romance books, but when I read that this was science fiction romance, I had to give it a go.

We start the book from Raquel’s point of view, and she is portrayed as a rather scary character. I had to wonder whether I’d be able to identify with her, but it took very little time to learn that there are very good reasons for her actions. We don’t find out those reasons in dep...more I read this book over a couple of days last week, also via NetGalley, and wow. It packs punch! I don’t typically read a lot of romance books, but when I read that this was science fiction romance, I had to give it a go.

We start the book from Raquel’s point of view, and she is portrayed as a rather scary character. I had to wonder whether I’d be able to identify with her, but it took very little time to learn that there are very good reasons for her actions. We don’t find out those reasons in depth until late in the book, but they are there, and gratifying once detailed to the reader.

Nick on the other hand seemed a fairly likable character from the start. He works hard, and while he hasn’t really striven for success in life, we gather than pretty much, with the current state of affairs (you know, the whole world dying, everyone trying to survive below the surface thing) you get what you can and you’re happy to have anything at all.

Nick gets fired though, and things go from bad to worse very quickly when he gets into a brawl and ends up in jail. Then comes the offer he simply can’t refuse – to captain a mission to a new planet – despite his complete lack of skills for the job. I did have a little bit of difficulty suspending my disbelief here because it seems he is chosen for this role simply because he is the last known descendant of Christopher Columbus. I kind of feel like because the mission is such a big deal, those who are backing it would want to put someone with more skills into the role of Captain, but oh well.

To his credit, Nick knows he isn’t cut out for the job and feels incredibly out of his depth. This is a good thing, and let me buy back into the storyline. He feels like he is a figurehead more than anything else, though strangely, the crew do look up to him and seem to expect *something* more from him.

The contrast between the two main characters is great – when they meet there is obvious chemistry despite their differences. Nick plays the hero, and Raquel the villain, but by the end of their first few exchanges they are tied together on this mission, you can really see that they are going to have clashes, both mentally and physically and it makes you want to read on.

It is very much a romance novel, as well as a science fiction, the two sides being fairly well balanced. The explicit details of the fantasies each of the characters have, as well as the eventual sex, makes it feel closer to erotica than romance for me. Very well written erotica, but more detailed than I had expected to find – that said, the author does say that it’s a *hot* read and she isn’t wrong!

The plot is fast paced, and engaging, and for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mission to find a new planet in order to save human-kind is an important one, and the subplots involving pirates and crooked elite military forces were really enjoyable as well. I love reading stories where the underdogs are trying their hardest to succeed against huge odds and strong foes. The secondary characters are for the most part excellent as well, with their own storylines playing out in the background. I ran the gamut of emotions while reading this book, including sadness – I actually shed tears after reading one scene, and I’m sure you’ll know which if you decide to give it a read!

If I have any criticism of the book it would also be towards the end. I don’t want to include spoilers, but I got frustrated with some of Nick’s choices, and his self absorption on his troubles when there were bigger things at stake. Thankfully, he corrects those and ends on a good note.

All over, a very good book. The ending was wrapped up a little too fast for my tastes, but otherwise it was fairly evenly paced. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who likes some romance with their science fiction. I think there is enough of both to keep any reader satisfied.(less)

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May 05, 2011 Jody rated it 5 of 5 stars

With planet Earth on the cusp of dying it's up to the last known descendant of Christopher Columbus and a Lady Pirate bent on revenge to find a planet where the human race can start over again in this highly emotional, on the edge of your seat, futuristic read. Raquel Donovan was left scarred inside and out by a vicious military man trying to stop her family spreading the propaganda of searching for a new planet. She was forced into making the ultimate choice and it cost her family their lives a...more With planet Earth on the cusp of dying it's up to the last known descendant of Christopher Columbus and a Lady Pirate bent on revenge to find a planet where the human race can start over again in this highly emotional, on the edge of your seat, futuristic read. Raquel Donovan was left scarred inside and out by a vicious military man trying to stop her family spreading the propaganda of searching for a new planet. She was forced into making the ultimate choice and it cost her family their lives and her her eye. Guilt now drives her to find this man and exact her revenge which leaves her no time for romance no matter how attracted she is to the captain who steals more than her ill-gotten gains. Nick Venture only wanted a promotion but soon finds himself captaining a trio of spaceships to a planet believed to be humanity's salvation. Along the way he meets a sexy siren with a heavy heart who captures his attention like no woman before. Will the two of them survive the dangers of space or will the journey to salvation end in sorrow and death?

This is an incredibly exciting book with colorful characters and a sexual attraction that builds slowly and ends up being very worth the wait. The trip through space is full of battles and piracy and keeps you on the edge of your seat like the best episodes of Star Trek. The romance is gut-wrenching and steamy and the steady build-up makes for a very believable relationship. All of this makes for a perfect balance between action and emotions.

Nick Venture never planned on becoming humanity's hero but fate had other ideas and he soon becomes the quintessential hero. He's sexy and full of swagger and will sacrifice everything to find a new home. He and Raquel are incendiary together and she's the one thing that he won't sacrifice for the sake of the mission. Since he equates home with the love of a good woman, he refuses to have one without the other. This speaks volumes as to his feelings for Raquel and I ached for him as Raquel fought through her demons without him.

Raquel has been chased by demons and weighed down by guilt since her youth. Revenge is all that matters to her and she forsakes everything for that one goal. She doesn't concern herself with love or thoughts of the future since she's focused on this one goal. At least until she meets Nick, who's the first man to beat her at her own game. She finds his physical and emotional strength attractive and longs to let someone else carry the burden for awhile. These shared emotions are what brought them together and helped them weather the storm. Her character had horrible things happen to her, both emotional and physical, and it was tear-inducing seeing her struggle to put the past behind her to create a future with Nick and added to the believability of their relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! There was gripping action, steamy interludes, and colorful and unique secondary characters that added an extra element of fun to the story. The story brings together the best of sci-fi and romance and makes for a very satisfying read. I highly recommend it and would love to revisit this world again with so many larger than life characters left to tell their stories.(less)

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Mar 17, 2011 Jessica(Spinecracker) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally Posted at http://thespinecracker.blogspot.com/

I love a good sci-fi. There, I'm laying it all out; letting my inner geek out. And Massey's sci-fi is just that, good and fun. I enjoyed her believable version of space and future, and the on-going power struggle of good vs evil that humanity doesn't ever seem to evolve from.

After a slightly long set-up through separate point of views, our main characters are thrust together under intense and extraordinary circumstances that helps fuel the...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, arc, futuristic-off-planet-or-au, revenge-plot, pirate, space-opera, 2011-read, smuttastic, physically-imperfect-or-scarred, sci-fi, hero-in-pursuit, politics

This is a Quickie Review. Full review available at The Romanceaholic

I’m not sure if I was simply not in the mood for sci-fi erotica, or if there was actually something about the writing, but this book simply didn’t do it for me. There was an enormous amount of very steamy sexuality, which I admit is great, but it almost got to the point at times that I wanted to skim until they were done fantasizing in great detail about boffing each other.

Raquel kept throwing off such mixed signals that poor Ni...more

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Mar 29, 2011 Cleffairy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed at: Library of Lights

Date reviewed: 17th Feb 2011

Review link: http://mykindaland.com/?p=140

Looking for a hot, sensual read but pretty wary of the usual setting on the beach or secluded places? Well, look no more. Try reading ‘Once Upon A Time in Space’ by Heather Massey. This book is rather unusual for an adult fiction, but it is a very thrilling and sensual read nevertheless. The setting and the characters are very original. The plot guarantees to bring you out of your world, literally...more

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Apr 06, 2011 Colette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-romance

Sci Fi Romance is a new genre for me. I have to say that I am really starting to like this genre. The heroines are strong and kick ass and are very independent.

I have to be honest-I expected a tad more romance and a lot more of space smex; however, the story managed to hold my interest even when Nick kept acting like an idiot around Raquel. (He moaned quite a lot over why she didn't feel the same way about him that he did about her.) This is going to sound weird-but after awhile I realized I kin...more
Sci Fi Romance is a new genre for me. I have to say that I am really starting to like this genre. The heroines are strong and kick ass and are very independent.

I have to be honest-I expected a tad more romance and a lot more of space smex; however, the story managed to hold my interest even when Nick kept acting like an idiot around Raquel. (He moaned quite a lot over why she didn't feel the same way about him that he did about her.) This is going to sound weird-but after awhile I realized I kinda of liked Nick acting like an idiot about Raquel instead of the other way around. It's always nice when the guys do the chasing of the girl-and Raquel gave this guy quite a chase.

Nick was such a unique character. He was thrown into a leadership role in a job that he had no experience in. He started out being really unsure of himself, and felt like asking for help would diminish his role as captain. He gradually came to listen to his crew and they came to respect him much more for it in the long run. The crew members in this book are what kept me reading when I felt like Nick and Raquel should have spent much more time together then what they did. Their slang, like Uncle Goddamn had me rolling. I am somehow going to have to work that phrase into my vocabulary! While I loved the crew, Nick and Raquel were harder to like. Their stubbornness was just too much at times. I did gradually come to like them and understood why they acted the way they did-but it took awhile. I'm not sure how much of how I felt about Nick and Raquel is because I read this book on my computer and not my kindle, rather then the actual chemistry between the two. Sometimes I think reading ebooks this way makes it harder to enjoy the story being told.

The secondary storyline of saving Earth was an interesting one. I liked how it was thrown in there without being preachy. It's just goes to show what could happen in a not so distant future if we don't stop changing our ways and take better care of our planet. It was just a nice refreshing storyline then just having a romance happen.

Bottom line: It was a nice change of pace from the erotica novellas I usually read.

Favorite Quote:
Bewitched with pleasure, she gasped for air. Nick‟s lips pressed against the inner curve of her left breast—a warm, sweet nuzzling. She felt his body shifting as he tried to maneuver between her legs. The telltale rush of blood heralded an orgasm. It felt good.Too good, clamored the warnings in her head. Ecstasy she didn‟t deserve was clouding her judgment.

Curran Crush Meter: Low (sorry Nick)
Barrons Hero Hotness Meter: Low
Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: High
Martini Sigh Meter: Medium
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter: Medium (less)

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Mar 03, 2011 Carien rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi

A very tasty SciFi romance with just the right mix of adventure and romance. Massey creates a believable future that is gritty and bleak, but also gives it colour by writing a story that's full of action, hardship, heroics and hope. I really liked the cast of minor characters who made the story come further alive. My favourite has to be Twitch, Nick's pilot and practically his second in command. The romance between Nick and Raquel is steamy, intense and skirting the edges of frustrating, but tha...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Jeannie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm a little confused why everyone seems to think this is a good book. Not only is the plot banal and predictable, but the characters are ridiculous. Even the sex scenes are boring- and, for the most part, imaginary. I almost laughed every time the "red ascot" went flying in Nick's dreams. I didn't find him in the least bit sexy. I found him to be whiny and petulant. Not to insult women writers, because there are many who can give a good perspective on men, but this was so obviously written by a...more

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Jun 27, 2011 Wonderbunny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Single sentence summary: Nick has been given a mission to investigate an alternative planet for human since Earth is falling apart and the mission has only once chance of success that even space pirates won't be able to sway his determination to find the new home for mankind.

I liked many of the elements in this story. The main character, the space pirates and the quest to investigate a planet that may be the new Earth. What I didn't like about this story was how much it dragged for me. I kept t...more

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Apr 28, 2011 ♫♥✿LovLivLife Reviews✿♥♫ (Chasity) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, 2011-march, i-own

Pure pleasure of a read written with intense delicacy!

Heather Massey is not looking for an easy way out. Her writing tackles every angle in Once Upon A Time In Space and leaves me sated. The sentences and paragraphs flow like fresh water down my throat on a hot day. Romance matched the adventure head on. Hope battling with Vengeance. The need for something more rivals with the constant conflicts that stand in the way. Every aspect of an entertaining read is present and accounted for.

Each charac...more

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Mar 16, 2011 Deviant Divas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: red-sage-press

Not a fan of Science Fiction but Once Upon A Time in Space was a exceptional book. Heather Massey did an immense job of making this story flow from start to end. The descriptions of the environment from space ship to the dying planet of Earth. I didn’t feel overcome with terms which confused me. The action in this novel was fine but the love scenes were sizzling.
Reviewed by Novel Diva

Rating: 3 Divas
Heat Rating: Flame

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Mar 27, 2012 Lyndi marked it as dnf

Meh.

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Mar 21, 2011 Diane Dooley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: recent-reads

Really enjoyed this rollicking space adventure.

Full review on my blog. http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/2011...

1 like · like · see review

May 20, 2013 mrsbookmark marked it as to-read

Shelves: sglsf-books

Apr 13, 2013 Gabrielle marked it as to-read

Apr 01, 2013 Nenia Campbell marked it as indie-books-i-think-i-want

Mar 02, 2013 Gmc marked it as to-read

Feb 26, 2013 Maisha marked it as to-read

Feb 25, 2013 Brendan marked it as to-read

Feb 19, 2013 Caroline Moody marked it as to-read

Feb 16, 2013 Charlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-romance

Dec 04, 2012 Julianna marked it as maybe

Nov 16, 2012 Kellyflower marked it as to-read

Shelves: sci-fi-futuristic

Oct 20, 2012 Midnightsmelody rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 29, 2012 drowningmermaid marked it as to-read

Apr 04, 2012 Amy Gorski marked it as to-read

Apr 04, 2012 Jen marked it as to-read

Shelves: sci-fi-and-fantasy, space-opera

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About Heather Massey

Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for science fiction romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express.

And for European readers, she covers the subgenre for Germany’s premier romance magazine, LoveLetter.

When she’s not reading, she’s watching cult films and enjoying time with her husband and daughter.

(source:www.heathermassey.com)

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