Liquid Lies (The Elementals, #1)

Jul 29, 2012 Alexa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Alexa by: Goodreads First Reads winner

Shelves: adult, first-reads, own, signed, 2012-reads

My review can also be found on my blog Collections.

Liquid Lies is about a Secondary, an Ofarian, named Gwen Carroway. It's her story of growth and finding the strength to help and protect the lives of others. And also, following her heart no matter what she has been told to believe her entire life. Through it all she falls in love with the dangerous, alluring Primary or human known as Reed Scott, who helps her along the way even though the secrets between them threaten to break the connection th...more
My review can also be found on my blog Collections.

Liquid Lies is about a Secondary, an Ofarian, named Gwen Carroway. It's her story of growth and finding the strength to help and protect the lives of others. And also, following her heart no matter what she has been told to believe her entire life. Through it all she falls in love with the dangerous, alluring Primary or human known as Reed Scott, who helps her along the way even though the secrets between them threaten to break the connection they share.

There was something about Liquid Lies that made it seem a little different, in a good way, from other paranormal romances I've read. Maybe it's because Gwen and Reed met and were attracted to each other before Reed found out he had to kidnap her, which made their interactions afterwards tense and exciting. It helped that they had interesting and likeable personalities. Or maybe it was because I thought the history between and about the enemy alien races of Ofarians and Tedrans was fascinating and even heartbreaking. Whatever it was, it was easy to become absorbed into the story.

Another thing I appreciated about the book was that some of secondary characters really stood out, but at the same time, managed not to take the spotlight entirely from Gwen and Reed. One was Genesai, another was Griffin (who I thought would get annoying, but actually, I ended up sympathizing for him. I hope that he'll eventually get his own story with a happy ending!). The secondary character that mainly stood out for me was Xavier, a Tedran. He truly shined in the novel, and I couldn't help but to take notice. There was so much depth to him. It wasn't hard to feel for him, to see how much the trauma he's had to endure affected him greatly. I wanted to comfort him! I'm so glad to know the next book in the series, A Taste of Ice, is about Xavier. And just from the sneak peek at the end of Liquid Lies, I know I'm going to like that book.

Liquid Lies was definitely a promising start to The Elementals series, and I'm looking forward to reading more. Thank you to the author & Goodreads for the chance to read Liquid Lies!(less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Joshua Burns rated it 2 of 5 stars

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Liquid Lies probably could have done with some cuts. It takes awhile for the passion we all know is going to happen to happen and it takes stars for Gwen, our diplomatic protagonist, to make the critical decisions. This tremendous delay comes with some benefits.

When Reed and Gwen finally do connect (I hope that isn't too much of a spoiler), it feels like much has passed between them and not just a lot of dialogue, mainly a lot of tension. Even with all the space the t...more As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Liquid Lies probably could have done with some cuts. It takes awhile for the passion we all know is going to happen to happen and it takes stars for Gwen, our diplomatic protagonist, to make the critical decisions. This tremendous delay comes with some benefits.

When Reed and Gwen finally do connect (I hope that isn't too much of a spoiler), it feels like much has passed between them and not just a lot of dialogue, mainly a lot of tension. Even with all the space the two characters are given to be fleshed out, Reed and Gwen still come off as caricatures. Not to mention Griffin and Gwen's father, her family, who quickly disappear into the organization they briefly stuck their heads out of.

Gwen, a bit of a Daddy's girl after losing her mother a little ways back and having her sister banished due to her fraternization with a Primary, works under her father and the Board at the Company where they as aliens that appear human sell magical products that alter people's appearances. If this all sounds a little too corporate, it is.

Reed, also known as the Retriever (a complete joke of a title, please tell me it's a joke), "retrieves" important people. Surprise, surprise Reed's path crosses Gwen's. It is unclear who should trust who.

The alien backstory gradually becomes more and more of the interesting centerpiece in this otherwise predictable world until about a third of the way through when its imagery and imagination completely steals the show in one stunning scene, then it is forced to succumb to our original Reed/Gwen truststory. From what is shown in that one scene, it feels like the author has much more to offer rather than this hokey - not even worthy of the defamation B-plot tag - story. The first few pages of the next book in the series also direct our attention to more quirky protagonists.

Perhaps the feeling here is that the author could have gone out on more of a limb than she has? With stories like these, when entirely new cultures are introduced, there should be opportunities for inserting more totally alien fixtures, colors that our eyes cannot see, things that completely defy human communication and certainly there is a bit of that with the fact that Gwen can speak twenty + different languages but that is all handled in a minimal, nearly offscreen way.

Although I begrudged the beginning and the end of this book (and had some sort of hope three quarters of the way through) I will hold out hope that the next book, Alien in Ice Land, will deliver.(less)

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Apr 16, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, paranormal

อ่านหนังสือไปหลายเล่มมาช่วงหยุดสงกรานต์ที่ผ่านมา แต่เล่มนี้ (หรือพูดให้ถูกก็คือชุดนี้) ของฮันนา มาร์ทีนโดนใจที่สุด ท่ามกลางหนังสือชุดแนวพารานอมอลที่ออกขายดาษดื่น สำหรับเราหนังสือชุดนี้โดดเด่นชัดเจน ทั้งในแง่ของพล็อต คาแร็คเตอร์ การดำเนินเรื่อง ที่สำคัญคนแต่งทำในสิ่งที่หนังสือชุดแนวพารานอมอลส่วนใหญ่ทำไม่ได้ ก็คือ การเขียนสรุปประเด็นให้ (ดูเหมือน) จบในตอน

Liquid Lies เป็นหนังสือชุดแรกในชุด The Elementals ซึ่งในเล่มนี้คนอ่านอาจจะยังไม่เข้าใจนักว่า ชื่อชุดหมายถึงอะไร เพราะเรื่องราวเล่าเกี่ยวกับกลุ่ม...more อ่านหนังสือไปหลายเล่มมาช่วงหยุดสงกรานต์ที่ผ่านมา แต่เล่มนี้ (หรือพูดให้ถูกก็คือชุดนี้) ของฮันนา มาร์ทีนโดนใจที่สุด ท่ามกลางหนังสือชุดแนวพารานอมอลที่ออกขายดาษดื่น สำหรับเราหนังสือชุดนี้โดดเด่นชัดเจน ทั้งในแง่ของพล็อต คาแร็คเตอร์ การดำเนินเรื่อง ที่สำคัญคนแต่งทำในสิ่งที่หนังสือชุดแนวพารานอมอลส่วนใหญ่ทำไม่ได้ ก็คือ การเขียนสรุปประเด็นให้ (ดูเหมือน) จบในตอน

Liquid Lies เป็นหนังสือชุดแรกในชุด The Elementals ซึ่งในเล่มนี้คนอ่านอาจจะยังไม่เข้าใจนักว่า ชื่อชุดหมายถึงอะไร เพราะเรื่องราวเล่าเกี่ยวกับกลุ่มคนพิเศษกลุ่มนึงที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับน้ำ (แปลงกายเป็นน้ำ และบังคับให้น้ำทำตามความต้องการได้) เท่านั้น กลุ่มคนที่ไม่ได้มีต้นกำเนิดเดียวกับมนุษย์ และเรียกตัวเองว่า Secondaries เพราะพวกเขามาถึงโลกมนุษย์ทีหลัง (หรือพูดให้ถูกก็คือพวกเอเลี่ยนนั่นเอง)

คนกลุ่มนี้อาจจะเป็นแค่กลุ่มเล็ก ๆ และหวาดกลัวความจริงจะเปิดโปงว่าพวกเขามีที่มาจากที่ไหน แต่พวกนี้ก็ทรงอำนาจ และอยู่ร่วมกันเป็นกลุ่ม แต่ละคนมีหน้าที่ของตัวเอง ดั่งเช่นมดที่รู้หน้าที่ และหน้าที่ของเกวน คาร์โรเวย์ ก็คือนักแปล ในฐานะของผู้มีความสามารถในการเข้าใจทุกภาษาในจักรวาล เกวนเกิดมาพร้อมความสามารถพิเศษที่ทำให้เธอเรียนรู้ภาษาไหนก็ได้ด้วยเพียงแค่การฟัง นั่นคือความสามารถที่ทำให้เธอไต่เต้าขึ้นสู่ตำแหน่งสำคัญใน "บริษัท" สถานที่ที่สภาแห่งเผ่าพันธุ์ของเธอใช้ในการปกครองทุกคน บริษัทที่มีสินค้าสำคัญเพียงหนึ่งเดียว เวทมนตร์ เพียงหยดเล็ก ๆ ก็จะสร้างภาพหลอกลวง บิดเบือนความเข้าใจ และทำให้ทุกคนเชื่อในสิ่งที่ตาเห็น (แต่ไม่ใช่ความจริง)

เกวนก็เป็นหนึ่งในมดงานผู้ภักดี ทำตามหน้าที่เป็นสื่อกลางในการขยายตลาดขายเวทมนตร์ไปยังต่างประเทศ (เพราะความสามารถทางภาษาของเธอ) จนกระทั่งวันนึงเธอถูกลักพาตัวไป โดยมนุษย์ คนที่ไม่ใช่คนแปลกหน้าด้วยซ้ำ รีด สก๊อตบังเอิญเจอเกวนถูกทำร้าย (จากลูกค้าของเธอ) ในวันนึง ช่วยชีวิตของเธอไว้ การพบกันที่ทั้งคู่ไม่อาจลืมเลือนได้ สำหรับเกวนที่รู้ว่า มนุษย์ไม่ใช่คู่ครองที่เหมาะสม และสำหรับรีดที่ไม่เคยคิดจะผูกพันตัวเองไว้กับใคร เมื่อสถานการณ์บีบบังคับ รีดอาจจะลักพาตัวเกวนไปส่งให้ผู้จ้างวาน แต่เขาไม่อาจเดินออกจากชีวิตของเธอได้ เขาตัดสินใจทำงานให้กับผู้ลักพาตัวต่อ เป็นผู้คุมของเธอ และพาตัวเองเข้าไปพัวพันกับเรื่องที่มนุษย์ธรรมดาอย่างเขาไม่ควรจะต้องเข้าไปเกี่ยว

เราได้ยินหลายคนพูดถึงเรื่องนี้อย่างชื่นชม (รวมทั้งเพื่อนสนิทของเราคนนึง) แต่ก็ลังเลไม่กล้าอ่าน เพราะอ่านพล็อตปกหลังแล้วก็ไม่รู้สึกว่า จะมีอะไรพิเศษ แตกต่างจากพารานอมอลอื่น ๆ แต่พอเริ่มอ่านเข้าจริง พบว่าตัวเองหยุดอ่านไม่ได้ โลกที่ฮันนา มาร์ทีนสร้างในหนังสือเล่มนี้มีความชัดเจน มีเหตุผล และไม่ยากเกินกว่าที่จะทำความเข้าใจ บางคนอาจจะบอกว่า ง่ายไปด้วยซ้ำ แต่เราว่าลงตัวในกรอบของเรื่อง ซึ่งถ้าอ่านเรื่องชุดนี้ต่อเนื่องไป ก็จะพบว่า มันมีอะไรมากกว่านี้อีก จุดนี้ทำให้เรานึกถึงวิธีการเล่าเรื่องของนลินี ซิงห์ที่เขียนชุดไซได้อย่างแยบยลที่ไม่ยัดเยียดข้อมูลให้คนอ่านเกินเหตุ เรื่องนี้ก็เช่นกัน

เหตุการณ์ที่เกิดในเรื่องนี้สามารถเป็นเรื่องราวของหนังสือหนึ่งชุดได้เลย แต่ไม่มีความรู้สึกว่า คนแต่งรวดรัดเรื่องราวนะคะ จังหวะการเล่าเรื่องดีมาก ทำให้เมื่ออ่านจบ เรารู้สึกถึงความสมบูรณ์ของเรื่อง ชนิดที่ไม่ได้ก่อให้เกิดความรู้สึกคาใจ ต้องตามอ่านเล่มสองในชุด (จุดนี้ไม่รู้นะคะว่า ดีหรือไม่สำหรับตัวคนแต่งเอง)

สิ่งที่ชอบมาก ๆ นอกจากเรื่องราวแล้วก็คือ พระเอกและนางเอก เราลังเลไม่อ่านตอนแรกเพราะดูคาแร็คเตอร์ของนางเอกจากปกหลังแล้วกลัวจะเจอนางเอกที่ทำทุกอย่างตามคำสั่งของครอบครัว (เรานึกถึงเหลียงนางเอกในเรื่อง Jade Island ของอลิซาเบ็ธ โลเวลล์) แต่เกวนไม่ใช่เลย เรื่องนี้เธอก็เหมือนคนอ่านได้เรียกรู้ "ความจริง" ที่เกิดขึ้น ที่พิเศษไปกว่านั้น เกวนไม่ได้ยอมรับชะตากรรม หรือโชคชะตาที่กำหนด เธอหาทางออก และเลือกทางที่ดีที่สุดสำหรับทุกคน

รีดเป็นพระเอกตามสูตรเล็ก ๆ ชายผู้โดดเดี่ยวที่พบว่าตัวเองผูกพันกับหญิงสาวที่เขาพยายามปฏิเสธ หนังสือเล่มนี้ไม่ได้เปิดโอกาสให้คนอ่านได้รู้จักรีดอย่างลึกซึ้ง (เท่ากับเกวน) แต่เท่าที่เราเห็น เขาเป็นพระเอกที่คู่ควร ฉากที่เขาบอกกับพ่อของเกวนว่า เขาเป็นของเธอ ได้ใจเราไปแบบกรี๊ดสนั่นหมอนมาก

เราไม่แน่ใจว่า สำหรับคนอื่น ประเด็นนี้อาจจะเป็นจุดที่ไม่ชอบกัน แต่เราว่า แปลกดีนะคะ ที่นางเอกไม่จำเป็นต้องดึงพระเอกเข้ามารับรู้ทุกความลับของเผ่าพันธุ์ของเธอ ในเรื่องจนเกือบฉากสุดท้าย รีดไม่รู้ด้วยซ้ำถึงความ "พิเศษ" ของเกวน และเมื่อเขารู้ รีดก็ไม่ได้รู้สึก หรือปฏิบัติต่อเธออย่างแตกต่าง จุดนี้เองทำให้เรารับรู้ถึงความมั่นคงที่เขามีให้กับเธอ

ความพิเศษอีกอย่างในหนังสือเล่มนี้ก็คือ นี่คือไม่กี่เล่มที่เรารับรู้ถึงความรักที่เกิดขึ้น ชนิดที่เมื่อมีการบอกรัก เราถึงกับคิดไปว่า "อ้าว ยังไม่ได้บอกกันอีกเหรอว่า รัก" เพราะคำพูดไม่จำเป็นเลยในความสัมพันธ์ครั้งนี้

เรื่องนี้อ่านจบแล้วให้ความรู้สึกว่าจบสนิทมาก ทั้งประเด็นในเรื่อง และคาแร็คเตอร์หลัก นี่จึงเป็นหนังสือชุดที่แตกต่าง ไม่ได้ทิ้งปม หรือประเด็นอะไรมากมายที่กระตุ้นให้คนอ่านต้องตามซื้อต่อ แต่ด้วยฝีมือการเขียนแบบนี้ เราตามอ่านต่อแน่นอนค่ะ

คะแนนที่ 83(less)

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Jan 23, 2013 Sandra rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a paranormal/alien romance story and while I found the underlying story reasonable the "romance" angle was abysmal and basically ruined what could have been a good book. The hero Reed was completely unlikable. I do not understand why Grace would have any feelings for him at all. He KIDNAPPED her for MONEY, and because he liked the adrenalin rush, even after he found out it was the woman he was interested in. I think we are supposed to think he was ok because he stayed afterwards to 'prot...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

With all the books I have on my TBR shelf I try not to pick up anything random at the bookstore. I must admit it was the cover that drew me in and then the blurb on the back convinced me that this book might just be right up my alley.

This book was terrific! It is an ambitious multi-layered tale and while Ms. Martine doesn’t always succeed she hits more than misses.

If President Barack Obama could have any "super power," it would be the ability to speak any language. Gwen Carroway has that gift....more

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Aug 20, 2012 Sonali rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm going to just come out and say this. I loved this book, truly TRULY loved it. I loved the world. I read a lot of paranormal romance but this world was totally unique. And yet it was completely relatable and relevant to our own world and prejudices. I LOVED the author's voice and style (lyrical and insightful). And the hero, Reed-- hello! spoon and bib hot! Who can resist a mountian of muscle who's a big warm softie on the inside? The heroine was great too, although I was a little jealous of...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-kristie

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Dark alien romance set on earth that involves kidnapping, blackmail and an almost cult-like alien group.

Opening Sentence: Deals always went down near water.

The Review:

Gwen Carroway is good at her job. She has expanded the family business and any day now she knows she will be accepted onto the Board, the ruling council under her father the CEO. When she is accepted, she will finally know the secrets to mendacia, which is how her family/race m...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-kittyangel, publishersent

Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

This is not your normal paranormal book. It is so much more than alpha male meets female, the chase and seduction of said female and the realization that love can be found at “first sight”. Hanna Martine weaves a story filled with trust, mistrust, love, hate and suspense that had me turning the pages and wondering what twist or turn would be happening next, where the story was going, how it would get there and, would there be an HEA for Gwen and Reed.

Gwen...more Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

This is not your normal paranormal book. It is so much more than alpha male meets female, the chase and seduction of said female and the realization that love can be found at “first sight”. Hanna Martine weaves a story filled with trust, mistrust, love, hate and suspense that had me turning the pages and wondering what twist or turn would be happening next, where the story was going, how it would get there and, would there be an HEA for Gwen and Reed.

Gwen, the daughter of the chairman of the Ofarian race, can speak 23 languages. This is part of her gift along with being able to command water as all other Ofarian’s. She is the first “translator” born to the race in 150 years and is a great commodity to them. She’s convinced that leading her people in the world of “Primaries” is her reason for her gift and will stop at nothing to help and protect them from being exposed to the humans. She has heard the stories of the war between the Ofarian’s and Tedran’s since she was a little girl. She was raised knowing that her husband would be chosen for her. She was brought up believing that “Mendacia” was the answer to all their problems and would keep her race strong and profitable.

Reed, the “Retriever” is a Primary. A fine specimen of a Primary but off limits to Ofarian’s. They can succumb to the “Allure” but can never stay with them without being banished and having their magic taken away. Reed has a sketchy past and a dual personality – Reed the man, Retriever the son-of-a-bitch. A paid mercenary whose only goal is getting in – getting out – getting paid. Until Gwen. There is something “off” about this mission and he decides to alter his contract, stay and protect Gwen. But, his past is starting to catch up with him and Nora is threatening to expose him to his enemy. There are so many facets to Reed that it is hard to put in words the kind of man he really is. When you turn the page you do not know who is going to be there….the man falling in love with Gwen or the man paid to do a job.

There are so many other characters in this book that play a vital part in Gwen and Reed’s story. Nora, Xavier, Aline, Griffen and Genasai. And, of course, the Board of the Ofarian’s. They all bring this story together and it would not have been as compelling of a book without getting to know each of these characters.

Hanna Martine is a very talented writer. This story flowed – there was no down time at all. There was such a smooth transition between characters and scenes, there was no choppy ending of one story line to bring in another. The story built upon itself as it went on and, as each character was brought into the story, you knew the reason they were brought in and their purpose in completing the story. The love scenes were very well written and fit in the book. They weren’t thrown in for “shock” value or to just spice up the book. When Gwen and Reed finally made love, you knew it was the right time – it’s how it would have naturally happened. What you didn’t know was how everything was going to play-out in the end. I literally was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see how Gwen was going to keep all her promises, how she was going to keep the secret of the other-worlders from the Primaries, who her allies were and who really were her enemies. There was so much more to Liquid Lies than the under-lying love story of Gwen and Reed (yes, to me the love story was secondary) and the possibilities for this series are endless. I was surprised with how the book ended but understand why she ended it that way. You have no choice but to wonder and question where she will be going with the story-lines that were left open. I cannot voice my questions here since it would only lead to spoilers. I am looking forward to seeing where she brings this cast of characters, how she transitions them into the human world and what’s next for the Ofarian’s and the Tedran’s.(less)

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Jul 29, 2012 Melindeeloo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: shapeshifters, alien-romance

4.5 stars - The talent that makes Gwen so valuable to her "family's" global corporation has made her a target, but when she is kidnapped by the dangerous and intriguing Reed, with whom she's shared a forbidden attraction, and discovers the price the family business has extracted for their success, Gwen will struggle to make things right for everyone concerned, but she will need Reed to move beyond the 'job' if she has any hope of succeeding.

Even though I generally am not fond of kidnapping roman...more 4.5 stars - The talent that makes Gwen so valuable to her "family's" global corporation has made her a target, but when she is kidnapped by the dangerous and intriguing Reed, with whom she's shared a forbidden attraction, and discovers the price the family business has extracted for their success, Gwen will struggle to make things right for everyone concerned, but she will need Reed to move beyond the 'job' if she has any hope of succeeding.

Even though I generally am not fond of kidnapping romances, I really really liked Maritne's The Elementals series starter. To Martine's credit, LIQUID LIES didn't have that Stockholm/Lima Syndrome 'feel' that normally makes me want to shake the 'kidnappee'. Instead, the starring pair have a compelling preexisting connection before the kidnapper-for-hire leading man, Reed, discovers that the woman who fate seems to have put in his path is his next "retrieval", and the attempt by the pair to stay in their respective roles of captor/captive actually allows the sensual tension between them to build nicely. And on top of the good chemistry, I liked both of the leads, Reed, who tries not to have a conscience - but fails - and Gwen, who instead of being a stupid-and-in-need-of-a good-shaking heroine, is smart, likeable and works hard to not remain a victim - even though some vulnerable moments make her reactions to the situation believable.

With some 'magical' elements including the heroine's ability to immediately learn any language and the water-shifting talent of her race, LIQUID LIES has a very PNRish feel even though Gwen is a member of an alien race - and not a supernatural one. While I would have liked a couple hinted-at elements of the world building clarified just a bit, I thought that the Maritine's concept for the alien race who have kept their presence on Earth hidden and the dirty secret behind their wealth to be an interesting framework which added the 'icing' to the background romance. And I am always happy when a well developed conflict with insurmountable odds builds to a big finish and a satisfying resolution, and the story and the romance definitely fit the bill in those departments.

So, I am so much more than pleased to have stumbled on Martine's debut, novel and I've already wish-listed the next book A A TASTE OF ICE) - which stars one of the two guys who won my sympathy in LIQUID LIES - and I was also happy to discover that there is a connected short story, "No Surprise More Magical", to look forward to next year as well in UNBOUND, an anthology that also includes Angela Knight's final Time Hunter story ("The Enforcer"), a Jennifer Ashley Shifters Unbound short ("Perfect Mate") and an offering from Jean Johnson. (less)

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Jul 05, 2012 MandyM rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, scifi-romance

2.75 stars. I'm not having much luck with these Dear Author recommendations. I can see why it appealed to them though because the book does have a fairly unique premise. A mix of Paranormal Romance and light Scifi. Gwen is an Ofarian, a race of people who have power over water. They have lived on Earth, masquerading as human for centuries, their prosperity tied up with a profitable substance called Mendacia. Her whole world comes crashing down and the Ofarian leaders' lies are exposed the day sh...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Melinda VanLone rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked up this story Hanna Martine on a "you might also like" recommendation by Amazon. I hate to admit it, but they were right. I really liked this story. I was fascinated by the concept of elementals embodied in a race called Ofarians. The main character, Gwen (a surprisingly normal name for someone so exotic) can literally become liquid. Is she the Lie? Maybe, maybe not. The title really refers to a bottle of magic which they sell secretly across the world. Their entire race has blended int...more I picked up this story Hanna Martine on a "you might also like" recommendation by Amazon. I hate to admit it, but they were right. I really liked this story. I was fascinated by the concept of elementals embodied in a race called Ofarians. The main character, Gwen (a surprisingly normal name for someone so exotic) can literally become liquid. Is she the Lie? Maybe, maybe not. The title really refers to a bottle of magic which they sell secretly across the world. Their entire race has blended into our society and become rich by selling this magic, which basically is bottled Glamor. Want to look young without Botox? Take a drop of Mendacia (lies). It hides your age. It doesn't fix it, it merely conceals it from everyone else. I bet it would sell really well in certain circles.

Gwen has never asked how the stuff is made. She hopes to find out one day, because it'll mean she's finally accepted as a top leader among her people. This story is a classic case of be careful what you wish for, because when she finds out it rips her world apart. Through every hardship, though, she's a strong person who sticks to her moral code no matter what the personal consequences. She's a person to admire.

First Line:

At 3 a.m. Gwen Carroway and the chairman of the Company waited in an idling limo on the Embarcadero. To the left, the bay curled around a sparkling San Francisco. To the right, water poured incessantly from Vaillancourt Fountain’s hulking mess of squared concrete tubes. Water everywhere—soothing her, whispering to her, offering her protection.

She peered through the tinted windows. On the opposite side of the fountain, two male figures in dark suits appeared between a line of palm trees. Their steps slowed as they started across the angular half-moon of the plaza.

“They’re here.”

I loved the opening. It hooked me and took me right into the story. I also loved the twists and turns along the way. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it went somewhere else. And just when I thought I couldn't handle one more obstacle... well, read it, and find out what happens! If you're a fan of light science fiction and romance, you'll like this. It's well written, with a solid plot, great pacing, nice romantic steamy moment or two and a heroine to root for.

Oh, and who wouldn't like to be able to turn into a puddle? It's fun to imagine just what I could do with that sort of power.

This is first in a series. I'm adding the next to my TBR list now.(less)

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Jun 30, 2012 Dahlia (yadkny) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Urban Fantasy Lovers

Gwen has had to lead a double life. From the outside, she is a successful business woman with the outlook of not a care in the world. It is from the inner sanctum of her people that Gwen is revered as the “Translator”, a rare gift which has greatly helped her people stay profitable and above all remain hidden. The water elemental powers the Ofarian people possess are what sets them apart from their human counterparts known as Primaries. However, the Ofarian funding source is a closely guarded se...more Gwen has had to lead a double life. From the outside, she is a successful business woman with the outlook of not a care in the world. It is from the inner sanctum of her people that Gwen is revered as the “Translator”, a rare gift which has greatly helped her people stay profitable and above all remain hidden. The water elemental powers the Ofarian people possess are what sets them apart from their human counterparts known as Primaries. However, the Ofarian funding source is a closely guarded secret and only the wealthiest of Primaries can afford this most coveted magical component. Gwen is at the center of this relatively small populace of people and is on the cusp of obtaining a position within the Ofarian Board, which will allow her the freedom to take her peoples success to the next level. With her father's legacy at stake, Gwen knows she must do whatever it takes to secure her people's future even if that means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Unfortunately, the makings of her success come from disturbing truths that leave her questioning the existence of the entire Ofarian race and the consequences from such actions could mean their downfall. Now it's up to her to set things right, but to do that she will need to place faith in the one person she shouldn't possibly trust – her kidnapper.

Reed has chosen to lead a double life. As Reed Scott, he is a big, caring guy with slightly scary looks and a tattooed past who would do anything for his family. As the “Retriever”, it is his job to find and deliver people who have wronged the wrong person. The “Retriever” is uncaring and cold, which makes him highly effective and successful at what he does. However, his latest assignment tests his resolve in keeping the two personalities and lives apart. When the part of Reed who longs to be something more than a cold-hearted person wants what he can't have he knows he's in trouble and when he finds out the truth of exactly what he's dealing with, his situation escalates to life or death.

The story begins with a pivotal Ofarian business transaction and sets the tone for a tension filled and surprising storyline. The author writes the plotline in a way that commands the reader to follow along with avid interest while it delivers suspenseful developments on the characters and the situations they must navigate through. The story is creative and complex, but can easily be followed along. The interjected romance scenes offer just the right amount of believable developing lust, but Gwen and Reed's relationship is extremely hot and cold. It is frustrating to read at times and during others it is romantic and sad for their situation. At the same time, I very much enjoyed reading Gwen and Reed's personal character development as they look beyond their roles of “Translator” and “Retriever” where vulnerabilities are exposed.

An unusual and interesting take on love, tragedy, and the aliens among us. This debut will surely be devoured by urban fantasy readers and I look forward to seeing where the next adventure will lead.

Review soon-to-be posted @ Night Owl Reviews(less)

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Apr 27, 2013 Matty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I had no real idea what this book would be like and I started it primarily because of a reading challenge. I totally enjoyed it, which is something I did not really expect. I'm glad I've read it and am certainly going to get my hands on the next instalment. It would be a shame not to know that my weakness for hurt souls is fully engaged. (The sequel is centred on Xavier, who has gotten really interesting the more we got to see of him in this book - I am dying of curiosity here now - evil, evil b...more I had no real idea what this book would be like and I started it primarily because of a reading challenge. I totally enjoyed it, which is something I did not really expect. I'm glad I've read it and am certainly going to get my hands on the next instalment. It would be a shame not to know that my weakness for hurt souls is fully engaged. (The sequel is centred on Xavier, who has gotten really interesting the more we got to see of him in this book - I am dying of curiosity here now - evil, evil blurb at the end...)

The magical aliens we get to see are interesting and something I've not come across before, so I really liked that aspect of the story. It certainly was not predictable to me like the lycans, shifters, and other creatures of the night, or fairytales have become. The powers and weaknesses were handled really well too, so we never saw one side completely in control or being at a clear advantage outright. This is one of the reasons this story works so well - there's always some inkling of a power-shift in the future.

The heroine Gwen is competent enough on her own and while I did not buy into the instant and overpowering lust between her and Reese, I liked the overall story enough to push aside my feelings about the way their relationship is handled. I get that romance is written this way pretty much all the time, especially when we have some supernatural or alien force mixed in, but I hoped to have it done in a more believable way. The big plus here is that it's the heroine with the powers, not the man. This makes them more equal and I can disregard some things that bothered me - that she fell for a man who kidnaps her is troubling enough, but I won't go there...

The author handles tension and conflict really well; it was a pleasure to turn the page and find out more. I did not feel the story drag or pause; it was really smooth reading for me. I was emotionally invested in Gwen's survival and the mystery behind her abduction. When all is revealed, even more tension and conflict is added - I loved it. You're not sure if the heroine will ever manage to save herself or anyone else, so that is a big plus. No one enjoys entirely predictable storylines (well, most of the times, anyway). I should have guessed how it would all end but I was sucked into the story and lost my higher reasoning. I let the author take me for a ride.

This is a 4 stars book, easily.
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May 12, 2012 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-shelf, first-reads

4.5 stars. Thank you Goodreads and Hanna Martine. I loved it!!! I can't wait for the next in the series to be published. Well-written, really likable characters, nicely paced and intriguing storyline. I found it to be more sci-fi than paranormal but I highly recommend as a romance.

Magic is corporate America's best-kept secret, and Gwen Carroway is the best at selling it...

With her ability to pick up any language in an instant, Gwen Carroway is taking her family business global. As dutiful futur...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Whoooh! Trained from birth to do what is best for her people, Gwen Carroway finds herself in an impossible situation. Confined, and with lies and betrayal on all sides she must find a solution or risk losing everything she values, including herself. Reed wears his life story wrapped in a tattooed vine around his body and the sex is very, very hot but his split personality keeps him confused, and Gwen as well.

Stories, within stories, within stories; only the best writers can do it and Hanna Marti...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Laura Duval rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had the honor of winning this free book from Goodreads and author Hanna Martine.

This isn't the normal alpha male routine stories that I usually read but found it to be really refreshing. It was definitely a different story line than other books I have read. The intricate and complicated relationship between Gwen and Reed kept me glued to the book every chance I could find time to read this weekend. I think Gwen made the right decisions as well as Reed as they are both good people at heart and...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book unsolicited in the mail for review, read the blurb and knew I had to try it out. It is a fresh take on a PNR world. There are no vamps, shifters, or fae…but aliens. Let me set up the world.

About 150 years ago, two sets of aliens came to earth, the Ofarians and the Tedrans and are enemies. They currently live on Earth and no humans or as they call them, primaries, know of their existence. I don’t want to really go into why they came to Earth or their relationship with each ot...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Hanna Martine's debut is one book you do not want to miss! It was hot, unpredictable, and completely original! Liquid Lies was a thrilling ride I didn't want to put down.

I was first drawn into this one when I met Ms. Hanna Martine at WorldCon and she read from her book - I was absolutely captivated and I knew I needed to read more. I started on the train ride home and finished it up the very next day, nothing was able to pull me away from the intense read I had started.

I love Hanna Mar...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Angela Carr rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

4.5 Stars

Review also posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

“Liquid Lies is an amazing start to The Elementals Series and one I recommend to readers of PNF,UF and Fantasy genre.” ~Under the Covers

I’m not one to read books of the SciFi/Rom genre. And honestly, I was a bit nervous about this book but this is what’s good about being on the blog, it pushes me out of my comfort zone. I really
had no idea that this “out of this world” type of book would be my cuppa. But to my surprise, and a very pleasa...more 4.5 Stars

Review also posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

“Liquid Lies is an amazing start to The Elementals Series and one I recommend to readers of PNF,UF and Fantasy genre.” ~Under the Covers

I’m not one to read books of the SciFi/Rom genre. And honestly, I was a bit nervous about this book but this is what’s good about being on the blog, it pushes me out of my comfort zone. I really
had no idea that this “out of this world” type of book would be my cuppa. But to my surprise, and a very pleasant surprise, I ended up loving it.

Gwen Carroway grew up knowing exactly what she is and the history of her people who have lived on earth in peace. But what she didn’t know is that her people are not the only ones until she meets the mercenary hired to kidnap her. Reed Scot has only one purpose, to finish the job he is hired to do. Unfortunately, with this last charge, he will not be able to walk away. Call it attraction or conscience but he knows the woman he made a connection with will need his help.

I thought the story flowed. Both the world building and romance kept me glued from one page to the next. As I mentioned, alien type of books are not my usual but Ms. Martine did an incredible job with the world building. I was neither overwhelmed or bombarded with information, instead, I was intrigued.

As far as the love story, I thought there wasn’t any insta-love between Gwen and Reed. Though their attraction was definitely immediate and intense, I thought they had time to get to know each other. Other circumstances, and many may even call it Stockholm syndrome, but I really felt that their relationship was more than that. My only complain is that I wish there was more of Reed’s back ground. I wanted to get to know him more. Speaking of which, Xaviaer is the next hero of this series. I know, his story is not to be missed.

Overall, an enjoyable read. Liquid Lies is an amazing start to The Elementals Series and one I recommend to readers of PNF,UF and Fantasy genre.
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Oct 15, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Liquid Lies is the first book in the Elementals series by Hanna Martine.

Blurb:

Magic is corporate America's best-kept secret, and Gwen Carroway is the best at selling it...

With her ability to pick up any language in an instant, Gwen Carroway is taking her family business global. As dutiful future leader of water elementals, she'll do anything to protect her people's secrets and bloodlines--including enter an arranged marriage. Inside, however, she yearns for the forbidden.

Reed is a mercenary addi...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Ellie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Liquid Lies, The Elementals #1, by Hanna Martine
Grade: C+

“It means ‘lies’ in Latin. Did you know that? You’re selling liquid lies. And there’s more than one lie in that bottle, other than how it’s made.”

Reed Scott is known as the Retriever and he find anything or anyone for just the right price. On a new job in San Francisco, Reed comes across a woman being attacked in an alley and he swoops in to rescue her. The sparks between Reed and the woman are electric and he’s pleasantly surprised to run...more Liquid Lies, The Elementals #1, by Hanna Martine
Grade: C+

“It means ‘lies’ in Latin. Did you know that? You’re selling liquid lies. And there’s more than one lie in that bottle, other than how it’s made.”

Reed Scott is known as the Retriever and he find anything or anyone for just the right price. On a new job in San Francisco, Reed comes across a woman being attacked in an alley and he swoops in to rescue her. The sparks between Reed and the woman are electric and he’s pleasantly surprised to run into her again while meeting his contacts for his new job. Reed never imagined the beautiful woman who knocked his socks off is his next gig and it will take every ounce of strength he has to keep his feeling and work separate.

Gwen Carroway is an Ofarian, a being that landed on Earth in the late 1800’s and has the ability shift water with her mind and body. Gwen is the first translator born in generations to her people and she has the ability to pick up languages in minutes and she uses this gift to help the company that provides for her people. After a work transaction gone bad, Gwen is saved by a handsome stranger who sparks the Allure which is highly dangerous for her people. The Allure can make an Ofarian forget everything and only focus on one person and the pleasure they can give them. Gwen is shocked to learn her mystery man is now her kidnapper and soon both of their worlds are turned upside down.

Liquid Lies is the first in a new series by Hanna Martine called The Elementals. Liquid Lies is more science fiction romance then paranormal romance but I really enjoyed how different it was from anything that I’ve read in a really long time. Mrs. Martine introduces us to the world of the Ofarian and their golden child Gwen who also happens to be the daughter of the Chairman who heads the board. The board and the Chairman run and control every detail of their company that financially supports their people with the development and sale of Mendacia. Mendacia can create an illusion for anyone who can pay the enormous price tag and it’s Gwen’s job to sell it to wealthy clients all around the world.

I found the world of the Ofarian fascinating and I wish that I could have gotten more information about them and their culture. The Ofarian are painted as both good and evil in this book and at times I found it had to figure out who I was rooting against. I really enjoyed Gwen and she is an amazing heroine who isn’t afraid to challenge things that are wrong and to try to make things better for not just her people but everyone she comes in contact with. I wish that we could have learned more about her sister and what their relationship was like, along with her relationship with her mother before she died. I liked Gwen but I never felt that I really knew her and I was always wanting more information then I was being give.

As i mentioned it was very hard to know who to hate and who to cheer on which was a pleasant surprise in my opinion. There is a lot going on in this book and it seemed to take a little while for things to get moving. I think it was a little slow at the beginning which made it very hard to get into but halfway through things were happening left and right especially with Gwen and Reed. I had a hard time with Reed and as much as I wanted to like him I just didn’t. I found it hard to believe that he would stick around to make sure Gwen was okay when he is the one who put her in the situation where she might be hurt or killed just for a paycheck. I never felt that his intentions were good and he just rubbed me the wrong way for most of the book.

I wasn’t blown away by this book but I didn’t hate it and found it getting much better towards the end. I hope the momentum can be carried over to the sequel which comes out in December and tells Xavier’s story. I’m very interested to get to know him better and I think his book is going to be much better than Liquid Lies. I really hope we get to see some of the characters we were introduced to like Griffin who I really hope gets his own book in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in the crazy world of aliens, primaries and secondaries we’ve been introduced to. (less)

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Nov 04, 2012 Carien rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr

This book is the perfect example why an author should take care not to make a secondary character more interesting than one of the lead characters.

Don't get me wrong: this is a very nice Paranormal Romance, but the hero, Reed, wasn't half as interesting as Xavier, one of the other male characters (and one of the 'bad guys' of course). I kept wishing this story had been about Xavier instead of Reed.

Reed was ok, but I didn't feel he and Gwen made a great match, even though he was bald and sounded...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Judi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: july, 2012, sci-fi, rom-suspense

I saw some really good buzz about Liquid Lies and since I’ve been on a bit of a paranormal kick lately I decided to give it a try. Besides that, I’m a sucker for the kidnapper-falls-for-victim troupe. I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m not sure paranormal is the correct term to describe Liquid Lies. I definitely would classify this book more along the lines of light sci-fi - kinda like the TV show V except the primaries (humans) have no idea about the secondaries (aliens) living among them. Do you believ...more I saw some really good buzz about Liquid Lies and since I’ve been on a bit of a paranormal kick lately I decided to give it a try. Besides that, I’m a sucker for the kidnapper-falls-for-victim troupe. I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m not sure paranormal is the correct term to describe Liquid Lies. I definitely would classify this book more along the lines of light sci-fi - kinda like the TV show V except the primaries (humans) have no idea about the secondaries (aliens) living among them. Do you believe there could be aliens living undercover on earth? I personally wouldn’t rule it out and I think the way the author set up the premise for Liquid Lies was believable.

Gwen Carroway believes 100% in her purpose as a translator for her people, the Ofarians and takes her responsibilities within the company run by her father, the chairman very seriously. She has dedicated her life to her people until she’s kidnapped and held for ransom and learns that her life as she’s known it has been nothing but a lie. She’s been deceived and everything she’s believed about the history of her people and the invaluable product produced by the company has all been nothing by a web of lies.

Reed doesn’t do personal. He’s called The Retriever for a reason. He's a cold-hearted, mercenary for hire. Get in, get the job done, get out, get a pay check no questions asked. He didn’t plan on meeting a beautiful, blonde damsel in distress one day or the feelings she ignited in him. He certainly couldn’t have predicted that the woman he’d been hired to kidnap was the same blonde who’d gotten under his skin - Gwen Carroway. He didn’t know why he was her jailer and didn’t care - to him she was just a job...initially. Gwen's not at all what she seems and she was so much more than Reed bargained for.

As the story unfolds in Liquid Lies, it was heartbreaking as Gwen learned the truth about what her people were really doing to manufacture the product Mendacia, that brought them all their wealth.

I really thought the characteristics of the Ofari people was unique with their ability to use water to transform themselves. Very cool!

I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series. I am intrigued by the thoughts of aliens living amongst us *cue the scary sci-fi music*.
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May 17, 2012 Lady Lioness rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-paranormal-romance, read-april-2012

I don't know how Berkley executive editor Cindy Hwang does it. Does she have a crack team of interns/junior editors who lurk on the internet or rifle through unguarded piles of queries? Does Cindy sit at the head of a long table, hands folded, as nervous agents pitch her their clients' books in wavering voices? Does she have a hidden room containing a sentient supercomputer? Did she get a letter from an owl when she was ten? Did she fall into nuclear waste while clutching an e-reader loaded with...more I don't know how Berkley executive editor Cindy Hwang does it. Does she have a crack team of interns/junior editors who lurk on the internet or rifle through unguarded piles of queries? Does Cindy sit at the head of a long table, hands folded, as nervous agents pitch her their clients' books in wavering voices? Does she have a hidden room containing a sentient supercomputer? Did she get a letter from an owl when she was ten? Did she fall into nuclear waste while clutching an e-reader loaded with romances? Whatever the origin of her superhuman ability, Cindy's name in the acknowledgements of a book is practically a guarantee that I'm gonna like it, and Liquid Lies is no exception.

The book isn't scheduled for release until July 3rd, just in time for that long holiday weekend. This is a debut, though, so I don't think Berkley will be too mad if I tell you a little about it. Basically, in a nutshell, this is the story about a heroine who's trying to make her daddy happy, unwittingly aiding in bad things happening, and the hero who forcibly kidnaps her, delivering her to the people who want to stop those bad things.

Liquid Lies does suffer a bit from first book-its where a lot of time is devoted to educating the reader about the world we have found ourselves in. For this reason, the book really picks up at Chapter 22. By the end, I was salivating for the sequel.

I'm going to refrain from telling you anything about the paranormal aspect because the book's blurb only tells you half the story. I was all, 'la la la, I know what she is-wait, what? Ooooooo.' I will say that while I can think of other books that would fit into this subgenre, it's not one of the more common ones. Also, while I'm not a tattoo person, per say, I kinda want the hero's tattoo for myself. I think it's such a great idea.

Oh! There's one more unique thing about Liquid Lies. As it says right on the cover, it's the "first in a new series," BUT it could have easily ended here. There's no cliffhanger, no real loose ends, nothing. There's an excerpt for the second book (which is why I needs it) and it looks like rather than confining her characters to a few square miles, Martine is going big. It wouldn't surprise me if we don't see the hero & heroine of Liquid Lies in the next book at all. I'm a fan of how Thea Harrison sets up her Elder Races series and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Martine has a similar format in mind.

Also, that is a perfect cover. (less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Hbeebti rated it 5 of 5 stars

I so enjoyed this book. You know when you open a book by a new author and you hope that it will be great? That is what happened here. I cant explain how much I enjoyed it. I was hooked from page one and had a hard time putting it down to cook dinner. There were so many twists and turns. I think the romance was secondary but it felt right. Reed was so frustrating at times. Mr whiplash I swear. One moment sweet and fierce and the next ice cold. I hated The Retriever that he became. But by the end...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Minsma rated it 5 of 5 stars

A completely original story, engaging characters, and lovely smexy writing. What's not to like?

Gwen Carroway is a water elemental with the ability to pick up any language instantly, and she's using that talent to help the family business become a global power. When she's accidentally thrown into the company of the hunky mercenary, Reed, their attraction sparks as instantaneously as Gwen's language ability. As fate would have it, Reed soon learns Gwen is his next target: he's been hired to kidnap...more

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Jul 02, 2012 All Things Urban Fantasy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: july-2012-hotp, reviewed-by-kristina

Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

LIQUID LIES, the first book in The Elementals series, is a blend of paranormal and light sci-fi romance that despite its enticing description didn’t grab me as much as I expected. I enjoyed learning about how Gwen and her race of aliens called Ofarians came to Earth. I was a little curious about how they could have remained hidden on Earth for so long and was amazed at how easily they seemed to infiltrate the human world becoming so rich and powerful by sellin...more Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

LIQUID LIES, the first book in The Elementals series, is a blend of paranormal and light sci-fi romance that despite its enticing description didn’t grab me as much as I expected. I enjoyed learning about how Gwen and her race of aliens called Ofarians came to Earth. I was a little curious about how they could have remained hidden on Earth for so long and was amazed at how easily they seemed to infiltrate the human world becoming so rich and powerful by selling a magical “cure all” to humans.

Gwen’s loyalty to her family and race is tested throughout LIQUID LIES and what was most admirable about her was that she never lost sense of her own morality even when faced with dire consequences for her and her family. While I enjoyed Gwen’s growth and determination to fight for what she thinks is right, I was at a loss about my feelings for Reed. I understood the physical attraction but I couldn’t buy the intense love these two supposedly felt for each other after such a short time together, especially considering that Reed was acting as one of her captors most of the time.

One of the other issues that bothered me was the concept of “Allure” which is something Ofarians experience and define as desiring what you can never have. For instance, the Ofarians do not allow intimate relationships with humans to protect them from the off chance that their alien nature might be discovered. So if someone feels an attraction to a human they should fight the attraction. That’s it. There is no destined soul mates or bonding concept that Gwen has to fight with when she feels an attraction to Reed. Allure comes off as simple sexual attraction and I didn’t get why they needed a specific word to define something that doesn’t even present a trait unique to the this alien race.

LIQUID LIES succeeds in the slow build up to a major revelation that has lasting implications for all of the characters, but failed on building a solid relationship between the two main characters. The next book in The Elementals series is called A TASTE OF ICE and comes out December 31, 2012.

Sexual Content: Some sex scenes(less)

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Aug 06, 2012 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was a breath of fresh air in a genre over saturated with the typical PNR characters (vamps, were's, fey, dragons) I loved the world Hanna Martine built and they were ALIENS!! I was extremely conflicted between the two heroes, even though you know Griffin was going to lose out to Reed. I truly hate the love triangle trope. I did think the Author did a good job handling it. Great world building, phenomenal cast of characters and I'm looking forward to Xaviers book but I was kinda hoping...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes paranormal romance

Shelves: paranormal

I loved the book!

Throughout the struggle between two distinct alien people, Gwen's unique gift makes her the perfect tool needed to dominate or take revenge on the other. As she strives to do what is right and stay sane she has Reed, a mere human, to be her protector/lover.

In the end, she and her people must rethink their future. This is very much the same for any culture from time to time, even ours.

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Sep 23, 2012 Crowkingmama rated it 4 of 5 stars

A friend passed this book to me and I am glad she did. It was an entertaining and easy read. I think the cover would have led me to think it was more focused on building up some sort of relationship. There is a good romance story but I like the framework for the story. It is a good sci-fi read. I will look for the next book in the series as well as other books by this author.

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Liquid Lies (The Elementals #1)

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