Kiera Smith is not like ordinary Genetically Engineered Persons . . .
The Bureau of Alien Affairs needed a special GEP agent with empathic ... read full description
reviews
Jul 28, 2009
Brownbetty
rated it: 
This is a pretty dumb book. It frequently gave me the desire to enrol the author in a remedial tenth-grade science course. But at least it's inoffensively dumb?
So, Kiera Smith is a GEP (genetically engineered person, I think.) But unlike other GEPs, whose genes are drawn from the human population, hers are drawn from GEPs!one1! Which means she has all sorts of abilities normal GEPs don't have: super strengh, and super speed, as well as limited telepathy and enhanced healing. [Thi More...
So, Kiera Smith is a GEP (genetically engineered person, I think.) But unlike other GEPs, whose genes are drawn from the human population, hers are drawn from GEPs!one1! Which means she has all sorts of abilities normal GEPs don't have: super strengh, and super speed, as well as limited telepathy and enhanced healing. [Thi More...
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Mar 23, 2009
Ruby
rated it: 
Are you a fan of Anne McCaffrey with her ships that speak, and races that seem to mean more than meets the eye? How about a heroine that is genetically engineered to protect that which she is swore to protect and that was satisfied with traveling the cosmos with her ship until fate lad her to the burly arms of a tribal man? Well, look no further than the debut novel of Katherine Allred, Close Encounters.
Meet Kiera Smith, a GEP(Genetically Engineered Person) with her cocky ship, Max More...
Meet Kiera Smith, a GEP(Genetically Engineered Person) with her cocky ship, Max More...
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Aug 28, 2011
Kylie
rated it: 
I'm not usually a huge fan of first person romance novels (and this is the second one I've read recently that I've really liked).
Hat's off to Katherine Allred for her ALIEN AFFAIRS:CLOSE ENCOUNTERS novel. From the start I was gripped by her heroine, Kiera, and the world-building.
What caught me first was the blurb - I have an interest in genetic-engineering, nothing too scientific, more along the lines of how manipulating traits and giving a character certain talents or enhanc More...
Hat's off to Katherine Allred for her ALIEN AFFAIRS:CLOSE ENCOUNTERS novel. From the start I was gripped by her heroine, Kiera, and the world-building.
What caught me first was the blurb - I have an interest in genetic-engineering, nothing too scientific, more along the lines of how manipulating traits and giving a character certain talents or enhanc More...
Jan 06, 2011
Carien
rated it:
As a SciFi Romance this book was a pleasant enough read, but a bit too easy in my opinion.
First there's Keira:
she's just too much in my opinion. I like my lead characters to have some flaws, but Keira is just nearly perfect in every way. Ok, she has her emotional issues, but those are added to an otherwise complete and perfect package and didn't make me feel for her, instead it made her look whiny.
Then there are the Buri:
Why is it that in every SciFi Romanc More...
First there's Keira:
she's just too much in my opinion. I like my lead characters to have some flaws, but Keira is just nearly perfect in every way. Ok, she has her emotional issues, but those are added to an otherwise complete and perfect package and didn't make me feel for her, instead it made her look whiny.
Then there are the Buri:
Why is it that in every SciFi Romanc More...
Oct 01, 2010
Yune
rated it: 
I was pointed to this as a solid sf romance. I think the "sf" should be kindly removed, at least where "solid" is concerned. And we're talking a soft science, basic field anthropology.
Kiera is your typical genetically enhanced human with super strength and empathic psychic abilities, self-described as a "blonde bombshell" in this first-person-narrated tale -- yup, right on the first page. But of course she suffers from a terrible sense of loneliness, More...
Kiera is your typical genetically enhanced human with super strength and empathic psychic abilities, self-described as a "blonde bombshell" in this first-person-narrated tale -- yup, right on the first page. But of course she suffers from a terrible sense of loneliness, More...
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Dec 24, 2009
Laura the Highland Hussy
rated it:
I don't consider myself a fan of sci-fi, but after reading Gena Showalter's Alien Huntress series, I thought I'd try this one out.
Kiera is a GEP (Genetically Engineered Person) who is sent out to a planet to discover what a certain shady company is doing there. She meets the Buri and "connects" with their leader. They are later mated, but she doesn't fully understand the whole thing, until she realizes that she and Thor can now speak telepathically. Then she is told by Thor More...
Kiera is a GEP (Genetically Engineered Person) who is sent out to a planet to discover what a certain shady company is doing there. She meets the Buri and "connects" with their leader. They are later mated, but she doesn't fully understand the whole thing, until she realizes that she and Thor can now speak telepathically. Then she is told by Thor More...
Nov 17, 2009
Mishel
rated it:
I gotta admit that this was my first science fiction romance, but definitely not my last! Kiera Smith is a GEP(genetically engineered person) who only wants to be normal. She's not only different from her non-enhanced human counterparts, the Naturals, but she's different from other GEPs as well. It seems geneticist Dr. Gertz created her to be stronger, faster, and much more harder to damage than her fellow GEPs. Kiera works for the Bureau of Alien Affairs. After a new alien species is located an
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Apr 30, 2009
Katie(babs)
rated it:
Close Encounters takes place a few hundred years in the future. Science and technology has evolved and space travel is the norm. Cloning is also accepted and these clones are called Genetically Engineered Persons, also knows as GEPs. Natural Humans are called Naturals. When GEPs were created, there were some prejudices against them. But that stopped when the Galactic Federation Council passed the Equality Edict to stop the bigotry. But bigotry can not be erased, it just goes into hiding, so says
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Apr 18, 2009
Virgil
rated it:
Okay folks Katherine is a good writer. She has written mainly Romance stories as far as I can determine till this one. I'm basing this on the list of books on her web site. http://www.katherineallred.com/index.htm...
From reading her excerpts from her other works, and this one I'm reviewing I can determine that she writes well. She catch me the reader attention and hold it. Why then the three stars and not better?
One of the criteria a writter she stick with is write about wh More...
From reading her excerpts from her other works, and this one I'm reviewing I can determine that she writes well. She catch me the reader attention and hold it. Why then the three stars and not better?
One of the criteria a writter she stick with is write about wh More...
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Jan 21, 2011
Kelly
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 30, 2011
Borderstar
rated it: 
I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much but it was really quite a good story - the storyline was different to the usual sci-fi romance that I have read so far which was a nice break from the norm. And it was quite a nice and 'light' read as opposed to some I have read recently which are quite dark stories.
There was some action, mystery, adventure and fantasy set on a new alien world and mixed up with a love story/romance running through the majority of the book.
A nice lit More...
There was some action, mystery, adventure and fantasy set on a new alien world and mixed up with a love story/romance running through the majority of the book.
A nice lit More...
Oct 19, 2009
Cassandra
rated it:
I absolutely loved this book. It was hard to put it down. The premise should have been a recipe for "Mary Sue" fiction (uber-powerful heroine with a space-tiger companion), but somehow, the author never crossed that line for me. For instance, sure, she has a space-tiger, but she states early on that he'd rip her arm off if she ever tried to pet him. And yes, she's uber-powerful, but she can't let people know to what extent or her mysterious background will be called into question,
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Sep 22, 2010
Mike
rated it:
You have to go into this book being clear on what it is: a genial contemporary-style romance blended with a 1950s-style space opera of the H. Beam Piper type. If you know much science, particularly biological science, set it aside; you'll be much happier without it for the duration.
The slightly Mary Sue-ish Keira (beautiful and kickass, but what heroine isn't these days?) is an enjoyable narrator, and although she doesn't face much real opposition and it's always very clear where thin More...
The slightly Mary Sue-ish Keira (beautiful and kickass, but what heroine isn't these days?) is an enjoyable narrator, and although she doesn't face much real opposition and it's always very clear where thin More...
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Jun 25, 2011
Tez
rated it:
Aliens? They may not be on "Old Earth", but the Buri are more like another tribe than another species. They speak a different language and are more spiritual, but they're still human in my opinion. The flora and fauna on Orpheus Two are different, though.
The summary sounds a lot like Avatar (which in turn sounds a lot like other stuff): a big corporation wants to plunder a planet, mining all its resources and colonising it, but the natives stand in their way. Enter an agent w More...
The summary sounds a lot like Avatar (which in turn sounds a lot like other stuff): a big corporation wants to plunder a planet, mining all its resources and colonising it, but the natives stand in their way. Enter an agent w More...
Aug 12, 2009
Lorri-lynne
rated it:
A new to me author, Ms. Allred captured my attention from the first page. I love Science Fiction Romance, and Close Encounters was a great one.
Keira Smith is a GEP, a genetically enhanced person, who works for the Bureau of Alien Affairs. Her latest assignment has sent her to Orpheus II, to determine if the native population is actually dying out. The bad guys Dynatec have filed to have the planet turned over to them once the natives are gone. Unfortunately, that only gives Keira two More...
Keira Smith is a GEP, a genetically enhanced person, who works for the Bureau of Alien Affairs. Her latest assignment has sent her to Orpheus II, to determine if the native population is actually dying out. The bad guys Dynatec have filed to have the planet turned over to them once the natives are gone. Unfortunately, that only gives Keira two More...
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Aug 19, 2010
Angela
rated it:
I decided to re-read Close Encounters. I read Close Encounters last year when it released and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m a futuristic romance fan and I thought the worldbuilding in Close Encounters was superb, as was the development of both the romantic relationship and the heroine (who is really the main focus of the book). I liked it just as well in re-read, and was quite satisfied when I “closed” the book (I read digitally so it’s not quite the same as closing the book). Close Encounters is r
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Jun 27, 2009
Janice (Janicu)
rated it:
http://janicu.livejournal.com/65399.html...
This book is told from the first person point of view of Kiera Smith, a Genetically Engineered Person - someone who was created in a test tube out of various superior genes of other people. This process is extremely expensive so GEPs are usually created and paid for by a company and then throughout their lives they are expected to pay off the initial expense of their creation. Kiera however, is special even among GEPs. Rather than being made More...
This book is told from the first person point of view of Kiera Smith, a Genetically Engineered Person - someone who was created in a test tube out of various superior genes of other people. This process is extremely expensive so GEPs are usually created and paid for by a company and then throughout their lives they are expected to pay off the initial expense of their creation. Kiera however, is special even among GEPs. Rather than being made More...
May 15, 2010
Aaron
rated it:
Awful! This is one of the worst books I've ever read in my life. It's boring, uninspired, and generally reads like a draft. Numerous technical errors buffet the inconsistent "plot," all the characters are one-dimensional -- half of them obvious Mary Sues (the MC is an author self-insert) -- and there is a clear lack of skill on the author's part. DON'T READ IT! It's a huge waste of time. I'd sell it, but I don't want to do that to anyone.
Apr 27, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
Silly but engaging bit of romantic SF. Our heroine is supposedly a one of a kind super genetically modified human but she sure is one dumb bunny. But a very charming dumb bunny. Any observant reader will be one (or two or three) steps ahead of the action. But that's okay too. And those of us of a certain age will have a definite voice in our heads when her AI ship Max speaks (shades of KITT in Knight Rider). There will probably be another in this series and I will read it.
Jun 30, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
Excellent sci-fi romance - great characters and world building with an entertaining story and satisfying ending.
I enjoyed Close Encounters - with a GEP (genetically engineered person) Alien Affairs agent, her ship with artificial intelligence, her pet rock cat, a fabulously sexy hero from a dying race, evil doers trying to take over the planet and lots of great action. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, Close Contact.
I enjoyed Close Encounters - with a GEP (genetically engineered person) Alien Affairs agent, her ship with artificial intelligence, her pet rock cat, a fabulously sexy hero from a dying race, evil doers trying to take over the planet and lots of great action. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, Close Contact.
Jul 08, 2010
Felicia
rated it:
While the main character wasn't hugely appealing from page 1, she grew on me. Generally, the book was well written, the characters were likable and the plot was compelling. The main negative was that the main character seemed a bit dense to be superhuman. Still, I really enjoyed it and will read others of hers.
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Aug 23, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
The Buri world building and backstory was very interesting, I find myself wishing the series was following them rather than the GEP's (Genetically Engineered Persons) of the Alien Affairs bureau. As a uber-GEP I thought the heroine of this story had it a bit too easy. The rest of the characters were a bit flat (or maybe I was just hoping to get to know them better). I had this book tagged as sci-fi but I definitely have to switch this over to the futuristic romance category as there really wasn'
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Jun 29, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Loved, loved, loved this book. I've re-read it I'm not sure how many times. Great story about a strong woman who falls for a strong man but they compliment each other so well. And they best part of their love story begins with almost no communication between them.
Mar 18, 2011
Hmr28
rated it:
One of my favorite sci-fi romance series, right up there with my all time favorite series Star Doc by S.L. Viehl. This book reminded me a bit of Sharon Green's old Mida series (in a good way!) If you like sci-fi romance you'll like this book.
Jan 17, 2012
Kimberly
rated it:
I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't.
Characters were flat and one-dimensional, and the main character I found quite unlikable.
As far as SciFi Romance goes, I've definitely read better.
I won't be continuing this series.
Characters were flat and one-dimensional, and the main character I found quite unlikable.
As far as SciFi Romance goes, I've definitely read better.
I won't be continuing this series.
Jul 22, 2010
Joely
rated it:
The heroine was sort of a mix of Cherijo from Viehl's StarDoc series and Tedra from Lindsay's Warrior Woman. It took me a bit to get used to the "urban fantasy" snarky first-person POV--not my favorite--but a good solid story overall.
Apr 23, 2009
Tina
rated it:
This was a good book. Not fantastic. It appealed to all the emotions which women are inclined to seek stimulation of. There was love, lust, trust, safety, self-sufficiency, belonging, and hope. All in all.. I good warm fuzzy book! While I enjoyed it, I probably won't be seeking out other novels by the author.
Apr 27, 2011
AnnaM
rated it:
I thought this book was light and fun. I loved the rock cat, the dragon birds, and the sentient spaceship. The worldbuilding was really good, and the characterization good too.
A few of the things mentioned in other reviews did give me pause--that even after Kiera learned the Buri language she still called most of them by her nicknames and they didn't seem to care. Likewise, when she found out who they really were she still kept calling them Buri.
Despite this, I still en More...
A few of the things mentioned in other reviews did give me pause--that even after Kiera learned the Buri language she still called most of them by her nicknames and they didn't seem to care. Likewise, when she found out who they really were she still kept calling them Buri.
Despite this, I still en More...
Feb 07, 2010
Donna
rated it:
Read this for the ARRT Romance Genre Study. Imagine a romance taking place in the cantina scene in Star Wars combined with the trade federation war. Just too weird.
Jun 23, 2009
Susan
rated it:
This was a fun read. The environment was new and different. The plot was interesting and made me want to keep reading rather than go to bed - I liked it.
