Centauri Midnight

Centauri #3

by Cynthia Woolf

Kitari ‘Kiti’ Dolana wants justice for her murdered brother. She’s trailed the man responsible to a distant planet where swords outmaneuver blasters.

Garrick Marcus, Spaceship Captain, is on a mission to hunt down a ruthless killer. The same man Kiti is after.

As they try to bring down the killer, they find that love and vengeance are a volatile mix.

ebook

First published January 9, 2012

About the author

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-five works of romance fiction. Comprising sixty-six historical western romances, ten contemporary romance novels, two contemporary romance novellas, one historical western romance novella, and six sci-fi space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has also published twelve boxed sets of her books and two short stories.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband, Jim, and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.



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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

COLORADO BILLIONAIRES (sweet contemporary novels)
THE CEO
THE RANCHER
THE MAVERICK
THE TYCOON
THE ARTIST (coming soon)
THE QUARTERBACK (coming soon)


MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet western novels)
Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire


CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN (contemporary novella)
Cooking Up Christmas


THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE
The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)
The Gold Mountain Bride


THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)
A Bride for Ross
A Bride for Frank
A Bride for Tucker
A Bride for Clay
A Bride for Brodie



THE HEART WISH MAIL-ORDER BRIDES SERIES
Heart of Stone
Heart of Shadow


MARSHALS MAIL ORDER BRIDES
The Carson City Bride (Available in German)
The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)
The Silver City Bride
The Eureka City Bride


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY
A Husband for Victoria
A Husband for Cordelia
A Husband for Adeline


BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)
Hannah
Lydia
Bella
Eliza
Rebecca
Charlotte
Amanda
Emma Rose
Nora
Opal


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)
Mail Order Mystery
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mix-Up
Mail Order Moonlight
Mail Order Melody


CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)
The Dancing Bride
The Sapphire Bride
The Irish Bride
The Pretender Bride


HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES
Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride
Kissed by a Stranger
A Family for Christmas


HOPE’S CROSSING
The Hunter Bride
The Replacement Bride
The Stolen Bride
The Unexpected Bride


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO
Nellie (Available in German)
Annie (Available in German)
Cora (Available in German)
Sophia (Available in German)
Amelia (Available in German)
Violet


THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)
Mail Order Outlaw
Mail Order Doctor
Mail Order Baron


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Kate Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read this review and more like it check out my site www.ufreviews.com

I haven't read sci-fi in a long time, and this was a very pleasant and welcome return to that genre. Another reason why Centauri Midnight was out of my norm is because it's a novella. I don't tend to read a lot of novellas because one of two things happen, it's either really good and I want it to continue on (and I'm impatient for sequels) or I feel like there wasn't enough time to really like the characters and I feel kind of let down. Centauri Midnight falls squarely in the I liked it a lot and want to read more category. Thankfully this was book 3, so I can go back and read the prior ones!

First thing I want to mention is how easy it was to pick up on the world. Sci-fi and epic fantasy world building tend to be very complex that it takes a while to pick up on it, which I have to admit I was worried about since I was coming into this series on book 3. I think it shows the quality of writing by the author when a new reader is able to jump into the series and not feel lost and confused. Woolf gave just enough information as the story went along to explain the past but not enough to overwhelm me.

I really enjoyed the character of Kiti, you could tell from right off in the beginning she is in a lot of pain from the events of the previous books. And from the very first words in the book she is on a mission to get justice for her slain brother. As the story progresses you find out a lot about her past and you really start to identify with her and understand her more. After figuring out her past in the prior books all I wanted for Kiti was to find the justice she wanted and to find a way to allow herself to be happy. I was pulling for her the entire was through the book.

As a male lead, Garrick, is a pretty good character as well. I have said time and time again I hate when male love interest walk over the "being a protector" line and into the "controlling egomaniac". Garrick was the perfect amount of protector. He was there for Kiti whenever he needed to be, expressed concern for her safety but NEVER held her back, he walked with Kiti and not in front of her.

There were moments in the book that were funny or warm hearted, so it isn't just an all action all the time, yes Kiti and Garrick are on a mission, but the novella itself is not one dimensional. I would love to go into more detail about the novella but I feel like I would give away to many spoilers about it for future readers. I think this is a great novella for people who want a quick read. Paranormal romance and urban fantasy readers would also enjoy this novella even if sci-fi isn't their thing. And of course sci-fi readers who like romance should also enjoy this book. It was an enjoyable afternoon read for me that's for sure.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the last part of the trilogy I admit I wasn’t sure what to expect but I’m not disappointed at all. This story is less dark than book two, there is nearly none violence at all. The humour is also back something I really appreciate. The romance is predominant and still the product of a courtship and work only it’s really hotter than the first two books and that took me by surprise. It’s the only point that bothered me; I would have preferred softer descriptions but so well done like in Centauri Dawn. The rhythm is rapid but not too much and the writing’s as pleasant as before


This book is centered on Kitari, called Kiti, the best friend of Audra and Garrick the friend and second in command of Darius. They know each other since a long time being both Dragonera and friends of Anton. Kiti is a warrior yes but first she is an anthropologist and linguist, a Tensign, reason for which she was on the team to fetch Audra. In this book, she is grieving her brother, dead with all the other members of Anton’s squad. Also we discovered in book 1 and two that she had a special relationship with Anton so she also lost him when he married Lara. For all these reasons she wants to be part of the team whose mission is to arrest Tybold. However what Kiti doesn’t know is that Darius always loved her from afar waiting his time and a lot more awaits her on this mission to Gregara.
Kitari is a good character, strong, intelligent and honourable. We saw her lost, grieving but also discover that she fight for justice not revenge.


Garrick Marcus is a trusted friend of Darius, and when Kiti asks to go on his mission he can’t denied her. Knowing her more that she could guess, he also counts on this travel to court and win her. Thus he takes the time to meet with her to speak about her job on the mission but also to have meals with her. However, when Kiti start to answer too quickly to his advance he steps back not wanting to take advantage of her vulnerability and he gives her the time she need until she says that she really is ready for that step with him. I adore that. These times together are also a great way for the reader to learn more about Gregara, the world they will be on for the mission so we aren’t lost at all.


It’s a great sci-fi romance for those above 18 and for the ones who like hot romance, that’s even better. It could be read alone too since the book explains what it’s happening but still I would recommend you to read the complete trilogy in order.

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centauri Midnight is the third and final Centauri story. Kiti is a headstrong woman seeking justice for her brother's murder. Raised together by their grandmother, they were all the family each other had left. Accompanying Captain Garrick on his mission to pursue the guilty party, Lord Tybold, is the only way she can get vengeance. She is not on this mission to find anything but justice, but finds love and so much more that she never expected.

Garrick Marcus has been in love with Kiti for years- ever since he met her. He may not have the ability to KNOW his lifemate, as his friends Darius and Anton do, but he knows there is nobody else for him. He only has a few weeks to convince her that they are meant to be together, and he'll need every minute to woo her and show her how he feels. When they land on Gregara, they expect to find several very primitive cultures, and are shocked to discover something entirely different. Garrick knows that he'll stand beside Kiti, no matter what challenges she faces.

Centauri Midnight is a great ending to the Centauri trilogy. It is not necessarily a stand-alone book, but it is the perfect dessert to the first two "courses." If you read just this one, you may miss out on some background knowledge of the characters. There is a constant underlying tension between Garrick and Kiti that doesn't go away even after they consummate their relationship. Kiti plays a believable role in bringing justice to her brother's killer. The supporting cast of this story is full of quirk and fun. The very masculine characters, Peligro and Sunev completely balance the strong femininity of Melana. While one would expect the male villain, Lord Tybold, to be the main evil of the story, Zia takes the reins as my most-hated antagonist. She is vile and manipulative and I almost cheered when karma took her out.

If you're looking for some wonderful science fiction romance, the Centauri series by Cynthia Woolf is the way to go. I went into this series expecting love, sex, intrigue, action, and hunky hunky men. I was not disappointed, and you won't be either! I don't recommend getting just one. This is a series that makes you wonder what happened next. I'm so glad I didn't have to wait to find out!

[Lady Lioness · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this one closer to 3.5 stars. I read the first book in this series, but it didn't thrill me. I haven't read the second and that didn't really matter too much. I was able to fill in the gaps while reading Centauri Midnight. This book isn't perfect as there are multiple grammar issues and some odd phrasing. Still, if you are looking for a space romance to read while you wait for the next Gini Koch or Cheryl Brooks, check out this series.

[Regan Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Woolf has a sci-fi winner here. As a reader, I've been away from the genre for a long time, but I enjoyed this story on all counts. The far flung world and exciting adventure are well done and Woolf delivers the romance with multi-layered characters and tender emotional impact.