The Portal

Interstellar #1

by Kaitlyn O'Connor

Dr. Alexis Conyers is among the scientists sent from the near future to find a new home for mankind, but once she and her crew members erect the Portal, none of the colonists they're expecting arrive. When they decide to use the Portal to return to Earth they discover that nearly a thousand years have passed and the world they return to has changed drastically. Mankind, except for a small enclave, has fled Earth and humans are despised by those abandoned - the beast folk.

It's a Liger-man, Torin, who rescues her from the Bear Clan but, although he knows she belongs with her own kind, he doesn't really want to let her go and Alexis finds herself torn between her love for three very different men - Lord Torin of the Lion Clan, Lord Joel of the human clan, and William Long, Joel's second in command - all Alpha males determined to claim her for themselves - - when she doesn't want to be 'owned'.

Rating: Carnal Adult situations, adult language, graphic violence, multiple sexual partners, ménage à trois.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Aliens, Erotica, Menage, Time Travel, Futuristic

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Stats:
■Kaitlyn has written and completed nearly 140 intellectual properties under several pen names in different genres.
■She has written over 8,000,000 (yes, more than 8 million!) words in published works.
■She has nearly 50 partials in various genres in various stages of completion. :0
■In 2004 she wrote 27 different stories which, together, amounted to nearly a million ‘printed’ words.
■However her most productive year was 2009 when she completed 17 projects totaling well over a million words.
■Second runner up was 2007 when she completed 14 projects at just over a million.
■The year 2008 was a close tie to 2004 in number of words written.
■Her least productive year was 2011. Sorry!
■At 500 to 750 words per hour, the 8+ million written words constitute 10,666 to 16,000 hours, or 20 to 34 hours per week, devoted to Kaitlyn fans over the past 9 years!
■One title had over half a million copies pirated. She decided not to count anymore.

Kaitlyn O’Connor’s Bibliography

Liar’s Poker—romantic suspense; 1993; 93k

Lord of Chaos—historical suspense; 1993; pen name Goldie McBride; 98k

Moonlight Surrender—historical; 1993; 100k

Bond Unbroken—romantic suspense; 1993; 98k

* * * *

Bride of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP March 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 47k (overall light/humorous)

Sexphiles: Haunting Melody—paranormal/erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; novella (overall light/humorous)

Four Play—erotica; published NCP Apr-June 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k

The Lion’s Woman—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 58k (drama)

Thief of Hearts— erotica; published NCP April 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k

Thief of Hearts: The Return— erotica; published NCP May 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k

The Claiming—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; (drama)

The Assassin’s Blade—science fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Lyssa Hart (drama)

Blood Moon—paranormal/fantasy; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Sylvia Kincaid; 59k(drama)

Doctor, Lawyer … Police Chief—erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k

Neptune’s Daughter—paranormal; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 35k (overall light/humorous)

SexPhiles: The Howling—paranormal/erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name (overall light/some humor)

Yar & the Orgasmizer9000—Science Fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 23k (overall light/humorous)

Below—science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; novel(drama)50k

fantasy; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored ; (overall light/humorous)

The Prey—erotic suspense; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 33k(dark)

science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored 41k (overall light/humorous)

* * * *

The Djinn—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 29k(overall light/humorous)

The Fairy Ring—fantasy; published NCP Mar 2004; pen name Catherine Paige; 42k (overall light/humorous)

urban fantasy; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored ; 29k(drama)

Goldilocks—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 8k (overall light/humorous)

Guardian of the Storm—science fiction; published NCP Jan 2004; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 61k (overall light/humorous)

The Invitation—erotic romance; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k(drama)

Maiden of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 40k(drama)

Noccio—science fiction; published NCP Feb 2004; pen name Veronica Chase; 9k (overall light/humorous)

science fiction; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored 51k(drama)

The Shaman—erotic suspense; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 32k(drama)

Thief of Hearts: Stolen—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 200

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me The Planet of the Apes with a touch of The Island of Doctor Moreau. There are experiments by the humans to the humans and there is the sci-fi factor with a little time-traveling and a little space-travelling.
At the earth, we will find the bear clan and the lion clan and the human clan, while space traveller Alexis has frog DNA.
The book is definelety a sci-fi romance but with so many interesting elements that you can actually bypass the romance and focus on those.

The trip had been long and tedious, but it would’ve been a lot more boring, and, truth be told, probably impossible, if not for the frog DNA.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was way better than I expected it to be and that's surprising considering I have always liked KO'Cs books in the past.

This is the story of a woman who goes on a space voyage to open a portal on another world so that humans can have a new home since Earth is suffering climate related difficulties and crowding. Somehow more time passes than is expected and when she returns to Earth, 1000 years have passed. Scientists have used gene tampering to make mutant strains of humans with tiger, lion, bear DNA etc. Then most of the humans left leaving only the disadvantaged humans and the mutants behind. The humans are being out survived by the mutants as they don't have the built in strengths of the animals.

The heroine has no idea how to survive in this post apocalyptic world. The way that she knew some things and was hopeless at others was actually very well written. The things she did and didn't know how to do were well thought out. The way that her societal rules did not mesh well with the system in place on Earth now was well done and interesting. The deterioration of the world after the climate problems and the removal of the humans was well thought out and well drawn. The whole sci fi aspect was great. The characterizations were pretty good.

This was a multiple partner book. I'm not saying menage because the erotic intent was not really there I don't think. I liked the relationship with the first guy so much that I had trouble accepting the second guy. The second guy, while okay, was in fact was not all that well developed. The third guy was pretty well done though. All the guys were very distinct from one another. The multiple partner thing was well explained and well justified.

One aspect of the multiple partner story line that I really thought was realistic and well done was that the guys did not like each other and did not want to share. There was jealousy and fighting.

One thing that I will mention however is that while the story and the writing was overall very well done, the sex scenes were pretty 'meh.' The only actual menage scene was in fact pretty poor and I wish I could unread it.

Over all a very solid SFR read.

(Could I use the words well thought out and well done more times? I don't think so, but I'm too lazy to change it.)

[Cheesecake]

64%
I usually LOVE this author. But this one just drags.
The h is like a girl version of Forest Gump. She's an idiot that somehow manages to survive while others drop like flies around her. She attracts all the alpha guys with her sweet little lady in distress routine and seems almost bewildered about it.
The attraction seems more like mating heat than anything real. And I like that kinda thing but I still need to know why she likes these guys.
I loved the set up for the story. It's such a great idea and the first 20% just flew by, with a kinda 'Planet of the Apes' feel to it.
Then It just seemed to drag and I would pick up different books rather than finish this one.

Anyways, I can't really say why I can't finish this one when I've read worse books by KO and enjoyed them to bits.

oh well...

Maybe I'll finish it some day

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

- Some of the sex language (turgid member, flowery folds) was a bit off putting

- I never felt like the third mattered as much and was just added to lighten the alpha maleness of the other two

- The world building and new colony aspect I loved

- 85% is the heroine's inner monologue, which surprisingly wasn't boring like I expected

[Niki {Still a Widow but reading more} · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was a little too drawn out. There also wasn't that much relationship building at all. I gave it the rating I did because I liked Torin, Joel, and William. How did Alexis have doctorates in Robotics specializing in nanotechnology, space shuttle engineering, and anthropology but she was TSTL. In fact she was soooooo TSTL she had to have 3 big strong men to take care of her. Also why is KO's endings so abrupt. Dang we can't even get a couple chapters to see how everything works out and everyone settles in to the new world. At least give us better epilogues sheesh!!

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book! I like a little sci-fi and this book had just enough with some not quite shifters, more like Lora Leigh-ish extra DNA.

Alexis and a group of scientist are sent into deep space to find another habitable planet for people on earth. They know it'll take 10 years to get there, 200+ earth years, but when they receive no reply from earth they go back and find out it's been 1000 years. Scientists went a little crazy and added human DNA to animals and animal DNA to humans, which made some of the people look a lot like an animal. When earth was eventually on the brink of destruction a bunch of people were left to fend for themselves. There are humans and animal/people left with the human being systematically dying through war and illness. Now throw in these people who know none of this. I thought this was a great book. Mostly one-on-one sex with a menage a trois at the end.

[ValerieC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good action/sci-fi adventure/romance book. The 'girl' ends up with 3 guys (and a baby of course - this is Kaitlyn O'Connor), so don't read this is you aren't into sex scenes. I will read it again someday.

[HJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-read 10/2013

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the concept of this book. however I don't think it was executed as brilliantly as it could have. the ending seemed rushed, like did William ever meet Dr. long? how did the two races react to being in close proximity to each other? the male lead characters left much to be desired, yes they were honorable men but we still didn't know much about them. personally I would have likes the relationship between the men to be more mature and less macho. this female mc was disappointing. for a person who studied past civilizations she didn't seem to know a lot, also she seemed detached and clinical toward the men. for the majority of the book she only looked at the "rec" part of the relationships. I was disappointed b/c Kaitlyn's books are usually much better than this.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this books I liked the concept, the liger, the togs and the first few chapters but it fell apart after that and the ending was rushed and not satisfying. I did not like Joel or William especially William. Some really cringe inducing dialogue and yes there are old school relics like ‘turgid member that give one second hand embarrassment for the authoress. I hope I never have to endure anyone offering ‘’rec” in a book ever again.
Despite all this I would give the writer another try.

[Megan Fall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more stars! I really, really enjoyed this book. The length was long too, which I loved. The story was pretty fast paced, but it threw me off half way through when Torin left her at the compound. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the introduction of Joel and William, but it worked really well. Three hot guys on an apocalyptic world...worked for me!!

[Susan Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

completely different from what i thought it was going to be, but in a good way. as usual her world was awesomely thought out.

[Ivie dan Glokta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love O'Connor's writing but this particular book got my eyes rolling. The world building was better then expected and it was more action filled then most but the heroine was a disaster.

SPOILERS BELOW!
She is a scientist sent away on a mission to set up a portal on a new planet connecting it with Earth so that the good people of earth can cross over and save themselves from the natural disasters that were bombarding the planet.

Well something in space went oh-so-wrong and when they cross trough they realize it's been over a thousand years. The people of Earth have fled, and left behind genetically engineered half-breeds, crosses between human and animal. That part was good. Now the shit part. The heroine was so stupid that i honestly thought she should have been the goddamned cook or a laundry attendant with the amount of knowledge she possessed about anything. She kept making rash decisions witch were more spur of the moment, pulled out of her ass thing then anything useful that kept placing everyone else in danger. All that made me want to step in and bitch-slap her a few times. She kept whining about every single thing, witch honestly i couldn't say surprised me since her ability of processing the situations around her were powered by a single celled amoeba she calls her brain. Ah well, you can't win em all i guess.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say... this is a Kaitlyn O'Connor book.
Unfortunately, in this case all it means is it's the same stew all over (rec, sci-fi setting, three guys and a baby, etc).
I'm starting to think she is writing the same story over and over again.

[Mikaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great overall story :)
although i must say that the use of the word ''rec'' is rather annoying, i do not see the reason why the word should be used at all!! irritates the hell out of me every time i come across it.

[Stephanie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

The world and character building is fantastic!
The only thing that annoys me is the author seems stuck in an historical writing style, for example "Turgid member" or flowery folds. Yes, i know, annoying.

However, i would read this authors books any day, if she puts a touch more effort in the covers, editing and writing style, she will rival the huge RH authors.

[AlexandraB95 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave it up at %70.it was good the first half .1300 page after page tedious read with inner monologues and the slutty idiot magic vagina heroine.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually pleasantly surprised about this one. Minus the two alpha males sharing because THAT'S not realistic, the 'story' was very entertaining and enjoyable.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love its so good

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 2/3 of the book was actually very good. I thought the writing was well done (not unbelievable but still good). There were several times in the first 20% or so where it was jumpy though - like in the middle of reading I would have to check and make sure I didn't skip four or five paragraphs. So then after I was getting into it the heroine became hypocritical, clingy, pitiful and annoying. Sex is no big deal for her at all (fine whatever) but she knows that it is meaningful to the guys that she is sleeping with and just continues to sleep around on them because eh whatever. That's rude. Also she literally fell in love with any one that wasn't mean to her.. this is not an exaggeration. As long as they weren't mean - she fell in love. They didn't even have to be nice.. It just got annoying fast. The heroine was a slutty, whiny, callous, pitiful, hypocritical brat.
Bottom line - I have read SO many menage/scifi books and this is just not a good one.
BUT the writing was good so hopefully the next book will be better. Im going to try.

[Digital · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually can see how someone could end up being with the guys the heroine ends up with
in this book


The whole "Do you want rec?" crap was super annoying and made the heroine seem vapid.

I know the author wanted us to understand the harsh conditions these people were under but when it's time to get sexy I'd like to think you'd want to be halfway clean

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wavered between a 3 and 4 but ultimately went for the later.

A fun, engrossing scifi romance. I've read books that were little more than an excuse for space porn but not this story. There was quite a bit of world building and culture differences between the heroine and her leading men were well done. Alexis irritated me at some points with her constant insistence that she could take care of herself, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Torin was my favorite guy and it some effort to warm up to the others. Though the ending did feel a bit rushed. I wouldn't have minded getting to know more about the tiger clan. There was a particular scene at the end that felt sort of meh to me. Overall I enjoyed this story and this author is still an auto buy for me.

[Scooper Speaks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending was rushed big time. Heroine was "programmed" to be submissive. She was constantly asking if people needed rec, aka recreational sex.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but incredibly rushed ending.

[Rachel Selwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! Long book, great characters... but you gotta be ok with all the hotness!