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Veslor Mates #1
The Gorison Traveler Incident
Vivian is a cultural specialist on the United Earth fleet ship Gorison Traveler. It’s the perfect job for someone who wants to learn everything about aliens. The only problem? The commander won’t let her anywhere near the visiting Ke’ters aboard the ship. The only way she gets a peek at the lizard-like race is when her brother opens a live camera feed during a meeting—a meeting that turns tragic when the Ke’ters attack the crew.She’s horrified. Scared. The Ke’ters are murdering her people. Rushing from her quarters to get help from a control center, Vivian finds the station abandoned. It’s all on her to try to rescue the crew. Brassi is a Veslor trader who picks up a distress signal from a nearby space vessel. The attractive female who contacts him looks terrified, and needs his help. He’ll board the Gorison Traveler with his crewmates, and fight the Ke’ters, but the longer he spends on the huge Earth vessel, the greater distraction Vivian becomes. Brassi will do whatever it takes to save her…and to discover if Vivian’s his mate.
219 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2019
465 people are currently reading
1998 people want to read
About the author
Laurann Dohner
82 books8,726 followersI had a rather short area here telling a little about me but then I had more than a few people ask me to expand it so... here goes. LOL. I'm a full time home 'supervisor' which is a nice word for saying I'm a housewife. I'm married happily, I met my dream guy 20 years ago, and we have 4 children. I live in Southern California and I can't function without iced coffee. I believe in romance, I've always been a daydreamer, and I'm a HUGE fan of books, always have been.
No, I didn't know that I always wanted to write. I inhaled books as a child. I read entire series (Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, The Borrowers, etc) in a matter of days at a time. By the time I was nine years old I had an adult library card where I visited often. I moved on to John Saul, Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, and then found romance. I was hooked. I wrote poetry in my teens and then moved on to short stories. My first book was started after I read a real bomb of a book that ticked me off with really horrible characters and a plot that was shabby at best and I thought... I could do better. LOL.
I wrote my first book which will probably never see the light of day in the early 90's. I wrote a series of a few books from it. I'm a series fan! I kept writing for fun, wrote MANY books and then in 2009 I decided to try to get published. I wrote my first Sci Fi romance and Ral's Woman came to be. I submitted it and with a little tweaking, Ellorascave sent me an acceptance letter. It was kind of a 'Cinderella' experience for me. It's been a terrific ride so far and I'm really happy that I finally had the time to commit to writing full time. It's a dream come true.
No, I didn't know that I always wanted to write. I inhaled books as a child. I read entire series (Pippi Longstocking, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldon, The Borrowers, etc) in a matter of days at a time. By the time I was nine years old I had an adult library card where I visited often. I moved on to John Saul, Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Agatha Christie, and then found romance. I was hooked. I wrote poetry in my teens and then moved on to short stories. My first book was started after I read a real bomb of a book that ticked me off with really horrible characters and a plot that was shabby at best and I thought... I could do better. LOL.
I wrote my first book which will probably never see the light of day in the early 90's. I wrote a series of a few books from it. I'm a series fan! I kept writing for fun, wrote MANY books and then in 2009 I decided to try to get published. I wrote my first Sci Fi romance and Ral's Woman came to be. I submitted it and with a little tweaking, Ellorascave sent me an acceptance letter. It was kind of a 'Cinderella' experience for me. It's been a terrific ride so far and I'm really happy that I finally had the time to commit to writing full time. It's a dream come true.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 485 reviews
June 2, 2019
“L.O.C.K.,” she quickly spelled out. “D.O.W.N.
“I repeat, L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N. The Ke’ters are attacking the crew. This is not a drill. Find S.H.E.L.T.E.R now! I repeat. Find S.H.E.L.T.E.R now. Total L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N in T.W.O.”
Star Treck newest edition... LOL
Well, I was really impressed with this book. This was definitely the best book I have read by Laurran Dohner lately. If you are a junkie of sci-fi romance with a large portion of sci-fi adventure on the side, you will not be disappointed with book.
To be more precise...
...two thirds of the book feature hand-to-hand combat between human-eaters lizard-lookalike aliens (Ke’ters) and shifter panther-lookalike aliens(Veslors).
A human girl will be the hero who will take all the hard decisions and save the day.
....and one third of the book will feature an introductory 101 course on alien- human copulation. Thankfully both sides do not have any problems with experimentation.
I can see this book developing into an awesome scifi erotica/romance series and I can even see it connected to the Vorge Crew series.
It has every potential to be flourished into a space saga.
“I repeat, L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N. The Ke’ters are attacking the crew. This is not a drill. Find S.H.E.L.T.E.R now! I repeat. Find S.H.E.L.T.E.R now. Total L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N in T.W.O.”
Star Treck newest edition... LOL
Well, I was really impressed with this book. This was definitely the best book I have read by Laurran Dohner lately. If you are a junkie of sci-fi romance with a large portion of sci-fi adventure on the side, you will not be disappointed with book.
To be more precise...
...two thirds of the book feature hand-to-hand combat between human-eaters lizard-lookalike aliens (Ke’ters) and shifter panther-lookalike aliens(Veslors).
A human girl will be the hero who will take all the hard decisions and save the day.
....and one third of the book will feature an introductory 101 course on alien- human copulation. Thankfully both sides do not have any problems with experimentation.
I can see this book developing into an awesome scifi erotica/romance series and I can even see it connected to the Vorge Crew series.
It has every potential to be flourished into a space saga.
July 1, 2019
It's been awhile since I last read a book from this author and since I love her New Species series I thought to give it another try with this book. And boy was I glad I did. I wasn't a fan of her VLG series but this book reminded me of why I fell in love with her New Species series. The plot, writing and characters really grab your attention and I loved that there was just the right amount of action and romance. I cannot wait for the next book and I really hope it will feature Abby's story. She's was really a fun character. To be honest, almost all of the characters in this story were great. Well, all but the ones who created the mess Vivian and Brassi's crew had to clean up. But apart from that, everything just fit perfectly. I'm definitely a fan of this new series and hope we get the next book soon.
April 1, 2019
A great start of a new series! :)
I loved everything about this book, but most of all the new world!
I loved Vivian. She was honest and logical in everything. She didn't try to manipulate anyone and she was ready to face charges even if she didn't do anything wrong - all the contrary she saved the day!
I also loved Brassi. He's a Veslor, a shapeshifter, but he doesn't change shape into any of the usual animals. He's unique blend between human and something that resembles a panther, but it's not quite like that! I also liked the little detail that he had fur in his human form, but didn't in his animal form. Clever!
Their relationship is egalitarian. She listens to him and he listen to her. They talk! And they evaluate who's idea to follow! Lovely!
Obviously they're destined mates, but it is not stressed as much as in the other similar novels and I appreciated it!
Their love story was born in the middle of a war situation with plenty of action!
I'm really looking forward to the next book!
I loved everything about this book, but most of all the new world!
I loved Vivian. She was honest and logical in everything. She didn't try to manipulate anyone and she was ready to face charges even if she didn't do anything wrong - all the contrary she saved the day!
I also loved Brassi. He's a Veslor, a shapeshifter, but he doesn't change shape into any of the usual animals. He's unique blend between human and something that resembles a panther, but it's not quite like that! I also liked the little detail that he had fur in his human form, but didn't in his animal form. Clever!
Their relationship is egalitarian. She listens to him and he listen to her. They talk! And they evaluate who's idea to follow! Lovely!
Obviously they're destined mates, but it is not stressed as much as in the other similar novels and I appreciated it!
Their love story was born in the middle of a war situation with plenty of action!
I'm really looking forward to the next book!
March 22, 2019
Fun sci fi romance. Good world building and characterization. The ending was a bit short. Looking forward to more in the series.
March 23, 2019
4 stars.
Definitely better than the last couple of series she's written. Heroine wasnt a complete dope and there was no pushing away from the hero. One reason why I couldn't rate it higher was because of the long drawn out explanations of e v e r y t h I n g. Literly everything. I dont need to read paragraphs and paragraphs of how the control center of the spaceship worked. Little stuff like that bugs me. This book wasnt that long and I didnt get it to learn a space lesson. Luckily there was a long, very detailed sex scene that made all the other stuff worth it :)
Definitely better than the last couple of series she's written. Heroine wasnt a complete dope and there was no pushing away from the hero. One reason why I couldn't rate it higher was because of the long drawn out explanations of e v e r y t h I n g. Literly everything. I dont need to read paragraphs and paragraphs of how the control center of the spaceship worked. Little stuff like that bugs me. This book wasnt that long and I didnt get it to learn a space lesson. Luckily there was a long, very detailed sex scene that made all the other stuff worth it :)
March 21, 2019
4.5 ⭐️
December 7, 2020
Just fabtastic, definitely worth a read!
August 1, 2022
Laurann Dohner me dejó un muy buen sabor con su saga New Species (que terminé hace poco), así que aquí estoy, probando con otra de sus series, la última que está publicando.
Como primera entrega me gustó, la disfruté, pero se me hizo increíblemente corta e introductoria. Igual lo entiendo, ya que tiene que dedicar un buen número de páginas para meternos en su nueva ambientación y personajes que, la verdad, encontré muy atractivos. Me gustó mucho como ha caracterizado a los Veslor y el entorno de ciencia ficción está muy bien desarrollado, tanto en lo futurista como en los conflictos políticos de una Tierra Unida donde claramente los seres humanos ya no están solos en el Universo.
Eso sí, tiene escenas bastante poco amigables para los lectores de estómagos débiles, ya que el conflicto principal gira en torno a unos seres extraterrestres medio reptilianos con una dieta algo asquerosilla. Pero el argumento es muy entretenido, tanto que eclipsa la relación de la pareja principal.
Igual me ha dejado un buen gustillo así que voy a continuar con la serie.
Como primera entrega me gustó, la disfruté, pero se me hizo increíblemente corta e introductoria. Igual lo entiendo, ya que tiene que dedicar un buen número de páginas para meternos en su nueva ambientación y personajes que, la verdad, encontré muy atractivos. Me gustó mucho como ha caracterizado a los Veslor y el entorno de ciencia ficción está muy bien desarrollado, tanto en lo futurista como en los conflictos políticos de una Tierra Unida donde claramente los seres humanos ya no están solos en el Universo.
Eso sí, tiene escenas bastante poco amigables para los lectores de estómagos débiles, ya que el conflicto principal gira en torno a unos seres extraterrestres medio reptilianos con una dieta algo asquerosilla. Pero el argumento es muy entretenido, tanto que eclipsa la relación de la pareja principal.
Igual me ha dejado un buen gustillo así que voy a continuar con la serie.
June 22, 2020
Nice plot, but I don’t like the new aliens’ other form.
March 19, 2019
I got what I expected. I can't wait to read the next one.
February 16, 2020
Both sides of me are lured by her.
A new series by Laurann Dohner, yes please!! This time a race of outer space shifters. I knew coming in I’d love it. And I loved it. There’s so much action and space adventure. I feel like all her space books follow a different race or group like Cathian, Dovis, York and the rest of the crew. At one point they might meet or not. Either way I love this woman’s brain.
Vivian and Briss fell in love instantly and I’m okay with that. The whole mate thing happened blah, blah, blah. If you hate it then please don’t read this. Insta lust/Love was strong in this one. But like I said I’m okay with it. Vivian was so strong and smart. Briss was heroic and honest. They were pretty good together. I also loved the other guys. Names are hard to remember because they are alien names. But I loved them. Especially the grumpy one. I loved him the hardest!! He was just worried and also a little jaded. It was a fun read and the sex scenes are always interesting and very hot.
Great start to a new series!
A new series by Laurann Dohner, yes please!! This time a race of outer space shifters. I knew coming in I’d love it. And I loved it. There’s so much action and space adventure. I feel like all her space books follow a different race or group like Cathian, Dovis, York and the rest of the crew. At one point they might meet or not. Either way I love this woman’s brain.
Vivian and Briss fell in love instantly and I’m okay with that. The whole mate thing happened blah, blah, blah. If you hate it then please don’t read this. Insta lust/Love was strong in this one. But like I said I’m okay with it. Vivian was so strong and smart. Briss was heroic and honest. They were pretty good together. I also loved the other guys. Names are hard to remember because they are alien names. But I loved them. Especially the grumpy one. I loved him the hardest!! He was just worried and also a little jaded. It was a fun read and the sex scenes are always interesting and very hot.
Great start to a new series!
March 20, 2019
4 1/2 stars.
Great start to a new series, and I'm guessing we will get more from this series pretty quickly. Which I'm excited about. If I was being picky I would say the bad guy in this book was just stupid. Yes he was bad but what some kept saying about the heroine just made them all look like idiots. I also think the ending situation was different but Lauren Dohner made it work. I can't wait for book two and I know who I'm hoping it's about already.
Great start to a new series, and I'm guessing we will get more from this series pretty quickly. Which I'm excited about. If I was being picky I would say the bad guy in this book was just stupid. Yes he was bad but what some kept saying about the heroine just made them all look like idiots. I also think the ending situation was different but Lauren Dohner made it work. I can't wait for book two and I know who I'm hoping it's about already.
dying-to-read-thud
March 20, 2019ANOTHER new LD series while New Species has not come out for ages..Interesting :/ I still want to read it though!
January 31, 2023
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Futuristic Sci-Fi Romance
Series : - 1st in series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3.5 ★
★Review★
An enjoyable start to a new series by Laurann Dohner.
The hero is an alien shifter who answers a distress call from the heroine who is on a spaceship that has been taken over by another race of cannibalistic aliens.
Bit insta-love but still an enjoyable read - intrigued enough to carry on with the series.
I liked both main characters and hope the rest of the hero's crew get a book, especially the grumpy one of the group!!
Not sure I particularly liked the fact that in order to officially become mates the MMC had to be in his alternate form or that when the FMC
All in however 3.5 stars
Genre : - Futuristic Sci-Fi Romance
Series : - 1st in series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3.5 ★
★Review★
An enjoyable start to a new series by Laurann Dohner.
The hero is an alien shifter who answers a distress call from the heroine who is on a spaceship that has been taken over by another race of cannibalistic aliens.
Bit insta-love but still an enjoyable read - intrigued enough to carry on with the series.
I liked both main characters and hope the rest of the hero's crew get a book, especially the grumpy one of the group!!
Not sure I particularly liked the fact that in order to officially become mates the MMC had to be in his alternate form or that when the FMC
All in however 3.5 stars
April 1, 2019
THE QUEEN IS BACK!
This is not a drill. I repeat. Not.A.Drill.
3.5 stars
I loved this and kinda hated it at the same time cause it's so freaking awesome, like homecoming and it's been too long but it was too short for my tastes and is only the first book in the series and it only just came out so it will be a while till the next books come along and I need them more than my next breath and it's just not fair cause I've waited so long for another New Species book that still isn't here but we get new books just the same and I shouldn't complain but gosh darn it, this just made me miss them more!
Breathe, Umaiya!
So pretty much as the blurb says, Vivian is a cultural specialist on a United Earth fleet ship where everything goes horribly wrong when the visiting alien race of Ke’ters attack the crew.
Totally out of her element, she sounds the alarm but the douchebag in charge doesn't believe her so she does what is necessary, breaking a lot of rules and laws.
But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Now the distress signal she sends out is intercepted but another unfamiliar alien race, the Veslors a shape-shifting species, who offer to help having run into the Ke'ters before. Now beggars can't be choosers so she has no choice but to accept.
Shit goes down and
.
.
.
.
Read the book.
Yup, I'm cutting you off. Lol.
It's worth it, believe me. I laughed at all the wrong parts but I'm dying for the next book and can't wait. My first born really has a lot to worry about at this point. xD
January 12, 2021
Amo a LD pero la 'parte animal' fue un poco mucho para mí gusto
The Gorison Traveler Incident
de Laurann Dhoner serie Veslor Mates libro 1
Mí humilde opinión:
Vivian es un especialista cultural en el barco de la flota Gorison Traveler de la Tierra Unida. Es el trabajo perfecto para alguien que quiere aprender todo sobre alienígenas.
¿El único problema? El comandante no la dejará en ningún lugar cerca de los aliens que viajan a bordo del barco. La única forma en que puede echar un vistazo a la raza lagarto es cuando su hermano abre una cámara en vivo durante una reunión, una que se vuelve trágica cuando los Ke'ters atacan a la tripulación.
Horrorizada. Asustada. Los Ke'ters están asesinando a su gente.
Saliendo de sus aposentos para obtener ayuda desde el centro de control, Vivian encuentra la estación abandonada.
Todo depende de ella para tratar de rescatar a la tripulación.
Brassi es un comerciante Veslor que recibe una señal de socorro de un buque espacial cercano. La atractiva mujer que lo contacta se ve aterrorizada y necesita su ayuda. Se embarcará en el Gorison Traveler con sus compañeros de tripulación y luchará contra los Ke'ters, pero cuanto más tiempo pase en la enorme nave de la Tierra, más Vivian es una distracción. Brassi hará lo que sea necesario para salvarla ... y descubrir si Vivian es su compañera.
Por fin puedo continuar leyendo las series pendientes de LD que tengo desde hace bastante y tocó la serie Veslor. Ya me habían advertido que tenía algo inquietante pero no me imaginé que fuera MUY inquietante.
Me encantó que empezó con acción, los hombres lagartos atacando, el peligro y toda la lucha espacial con la presentación al rescate de los Veslor, estos enormes alienígenas atractivos y honorables cambiaformas de panteras ya me gustaron a la primera junto con la heroína que también pateaba traseros, se forma un equipo entre Vivian y Brassi, hay atracción, momento de lujuria y entonces...
Brassi le dice a Vivian la manera en que los Veslor se aparean y yo lo encontré lógico, ya que sus mujeres también están en su forma animal cuando encuentran pareja pero... que él tenga que aparearse con Vivian en forma animal también no me lo podía creer! El solo imaginarlo era... No! Es no me lo quería imaginar! Por qué la autora pensaría que estaría cómodo el lector con una escena de sexo semejante!?
Me sentí súper incómoda al leerla porque obviamente fue raro y estaba tan mal. No fue muy gráfica, creí que sería brutal, gracias a dios no fue tan mala pero hubo suficiente para que sintiera rechazo.
La historia después de eso decae.
No hay nada más luego de que Brassi y Vivían se unen y ella queda embarazada de su cachorro... Si, no un bebé, un adorable cachorro de pantera.
Todo el conflicto del comienzo con Vivian siendo ejecutada por violar las reglas no se menciona hasta el epílogo de tres meses después dónde Abby le dice que están libres de cargo! Me hubiera gustado ver más interacción entre Vivian y Brassi, más sobre su raza y mundo, algo más de drama porque la historia por la mitad perdió emoción.
Y hablando de emoción... Dejando de lado el fetiche felino, sentí que las escenas de sexo carecían de sentimiento. Brassi le dice a Vivian simplemente que se siente atraído por ella pero como no saben si son compatibles van a intentar estar juntos físicamente y cuando no hay problemas con eso, ya está, son pareja. ¿Dónde quedó el romance?
Los personajes que más me llamaron fueron los secundarios. Me gustan las grandes familias en los libros y el grupo de la tripulación de Veslors fueron lindos y divertidos con su constantemente curiosidad.
En cuanto Alderson, comandante de la nave con su crueldad junto con sus conspiraciones, fue una decepción de villano. Me quedé pensando luego cual era el punto de este personaje, cómo pudo ser tan idiota de meter esos alienígenas 'come humanos' a la nave sin consultar lo que eran capaces de hacer. Toda esa situación fue estúpida. Si bien gracias a esto entran los Veslors para ayudar, también me pregunté por qué tenían que irse cuando ellos salvaron a todos.
Si dejo de lado la escena de sexo loca, este nuevo mundo de la autora fue diferente con sus puntos bajos, era breve para lo que presentaba y el final fue algo cortante PERO dentro de todo fue una aventura entretenida.
March 20, 2019
Vivian has earned her Cultural Specialist degree and is now ready to use her skills in profiling aliens.
Luck is on her side when her first assignment is aboard the Gorison Travler where her father and brother serve in security for the vessel. Though adopted, they're her whole world and all she has left which makes it all the more special.
When news that a Ke'ter delegation, a lizard like reptilian species, will be coming aboard the Gorison Traveler to negotiate a trade pact between the two planets, Vivian is surprised to be told she won't be an active participate. Her role will be to remotely observe via a camera feed and that's only because her family has made it possible.
All hell breaks loose when the Ke'ters reveal their true intent, that Earthers are a food delicacy for their species and all aboard will be eaten alive either now or later. It is only because of the training her family has instilled in her that Vivian is able to isolate herself in the ship's central control room to disable the ship's main engines and seal the survivor crew members in their cabins. That action prevents the Ke'ters from piloting the ship to their home planet.
Sending out a distress beacon, Vivian has all but lost hope in a possible rescue as the ship's main life support systems begin to deteriorate when out of the blue a Veslor trader vessel responds.
Captain Brassi has had run ins with the Ke'ters in the past so he's well aware of what they're capable of. His offer to come to the aid of the Gorison Traveler is met with suspicion as little is known about the Veslors other than they are a shape shifing species. Regardless he and his crew are the last hope which is why the female he's communicating with on the ship accepts his help.
* * *
New series by a fav author that features a planet of warrior shape shifters aliens. Shape shifters who are trying to adapt and encourage an exchange of commerce and technology with other planets.
This book has a fast paced story line that includes general world building aspects, characters who I'm sure will be featured in the series at some point, action-suspense, and a core romance story line to start the series. And. For those on a need to know basis, the author does include low intensity borderline erotic romance scenes .... though more on that later in my review.
Brassi & Vivian. From the beginning they had a mutual interest in each other. Felt it could only be a 'what if' sort of fantasy as there has never been an Earth/Veslor couple before, it's uncharted territory to consider the possibility. That's never stopped those who follow "if there's a will, there's a way" philosophy which leads to discovering what the alien hides under his battle armour coverings.
Secondary characters. Abby is Vivian's wing woman and I'm sure she'll come back in a future installment. Vassi (medic), Nessel (grump & pessimist), Kavs (flirt & comedian), Ruggler (gossip) or Yoniv (diplomat) provide variety so readers can pick/choose their favorite that appeals to them. Other characters interact to support and provide a foil to the overall story.
My issues. I love an action packed fast moving story as much as anyone but when the story is so fast that individual scenes are superficial and incomplete, the overall story fails to achieve meaningful content and believability. Picture this: Hi, my name is Rosebud, you look hot and have a nice bod. One night with you and your freaky alien anatomy is enough for me to give up my home and career and be your forever mate. Let's do it. OK. Maybe the right alien might lead me to feel that way but ....
Another issue isn't so much a concern as it is a sharing of something that might pose as a trigger for some readers, that being an isolated beastiality scene. Bassi is an alien panther like shape shifter so it's a no brainer that he has a human and animal persona. I'll just say that this story does therefore include some sexy time with Vivian in both forms and leave it at that.
I'm not a big fan of this book related to the fast paced story line that cuts from scene to scene abruptly and with little depth. Fully realizing that a first in series book has the added weight of providing the overall world building and core romance for a reader, the two should flow in a mutually supportive balance. End result, in addition to any issues I mentioned above, I was left with way too many unresolved questions making it difficult to really appreciate the story on the whole. That doesn't mean I won't continue with the series as I'm a sucker for aliens in general.
Luck is on her side when her first assignment is aboard the Gorison Travler where her father and brother serve in security for the vessel. Though adopted, they're her whole world and all she has left which makes it all the more special.
When news that a Ke'ter delegation, a lizard like reptilian species, will be coming aboard the Gorison Traveler to negotiate a trade pact between the two planets, Vivian is surprised to be told she won't be an active participate. Her role will be to remotely observe via a camera feed and that's only because her family has made it possible.
All hell breaks loose when the Ke'ters reveal their true intent, that Earthers are a food delicacy for their species and all aboard will be eaten alive either now or later. It is only because of the training her family has instilled in her that Vivian is able to isolate herself in the ship's central control room to disable the ship's main engines and seal the survivor crew members in their cabins. That action prevents the Ke'ters from piloting the ship to their home planet.
Sending out a distress beacon, Vivian has all but lost hope in a possible rescue as the ship's main life support systems begin to deteriorate when out of the blue a Veslor trader vessel responds.
Captain Brassi has had run ins with the Ke'ters in the past so he's well aware of what they're capable of. His offer to come to the aid of the Gorison Traveler is met with suspicion as little is known about the Veslors other than they are a shape shifing species. Regardless he and his crew are the last hope which is why the female he's communicating with on the ship accepts his help.
* * *
New series by a fav author that features a planet of warrior shape shifters aliens. Shape shifters who are trying to adapt and encourage an exchange of commerce and technology with other planets.
This book has a fast paced story line that includes general world building aspects, characters who I'm sure will be featured in the series at some point, action-suspense, and a core romance story line to start the series. And. For those on a need to know basis, the author does include low intensity borderline erotic romance scenes .... though more on that later in my review.
Brassi & Vivian. From the beginning they had a mutual interest in each other. Felt it could only be a 'what if' sort of fantasy as there has never been an Earth/Veslor couple before, it's uncharted territory to consider the possibility. That's never stopped those who follow "if there's a will, there's a way" philosophy which leads to discovering what the alien hides under his battle armour coverings.
Secondary characters. Abby is Vivian's wing woman and I'm sure she'll come back in a future installment. Vassi (medic), Nessel (grump & pessimist), Kavs (flirt & comedian), Ruggler (gossip) or Yoniv (diplomat) provide variety so readers can pick/choose their favorite that appeals to them. Other characters interact to support and provide a foil to the overall story.
My issues. I love an action packed fast moving story as much as anyone but when the story is so fast that individual scenes are superficial and incomplete, the overall story fails to achieve meaningful content and believability. Picture this: Hi, my name is Rosebud, you look hot and have a nice bod. One night with you and your freaky alien anatomy is enough for me to give up my home and career and be your forever mate. Let's do it. OK. Maybe the right alien might lead me to feel that way but ....
Another issue isn't so much a concern as it is a sharing of something that might pose as a trigger for some readers, that being an isolated beastiality scene. Bassi is an alien panther like shape shifter so it's a no brainer that he has a human and animal persona. I'll just say that this story does therefore include some sexy time with Vivian in both forms and leave it at that.
I'm not a big fan of this book related to the fast paced story line that cuts from scene to scene abruptly and with little depth. Fully realizing that a first in series book has the added weight of providing the overall world building and core romance for a reader, the two should flow in a mutually supportive balance. End result, in addition to any issues I mentioned above, I was left with way too many unresolved questions making it difficult to really appreciate the story on the whole. That doesn't mean I won't continue with the series as I'm a sucker for aliens in general.
May 19, 2020
.
Brassi, the Veslor and Vivian, the Human.
Vivian is a specialist in alien cultures travelling on a ship with her adopted father and brother, when all hell breaks loose and she is forced to make some hard choices.
Just when all hope seems lost, a ship of Veslors comes to the rescue.
I enjoyed it but I doubt I'll revisit it. There's very little tension between the MCs, and no real sparks.
The first third of the book was actually great. It rapidly moves into an action/suspense mode that kept me glued to the pages.
But the love was pretty insta and 'easy', considering that they are different species and have spent very little time together.
So it was cute, but the action/horror stuff was more interesting to me than the romance.
safety is fine
violence safety
Brassi, the Veslor and Vivian, the Human.
Vivian is a specialist in alien cultures travelling on a ship with her adopted father and brother, when all hell breaks loose and she is forced to make some hard choices.
Just when all hope seems lost, a ship of Veslors comes to the rescue.
I enjoyed it but I doubt I'll revisit it. There's very little tension between the MCs, and no real sparks.
The first third of the book was actually great. It rapidly moves into an action/suspense mode that kept me glued to the pages.
But the love was pretty insta and 'easy', considering that they are different species and have spent very little time together.
So it was cute, but the action/horror stuff was more interesting to me than the romance.
safety is fine
violence safety
April 13, 2019
Despite the 3 stars I enjoyed this story and will continue with the series.
Bad lizard aliens like eating anything that isn't themselves, Ke'ters, and good purring pantherlike shifting aliens, Veslors, like fighting & killing them.
That's lucky for Vivian Goss, newly minted cultural specialist who watches her father & brother be attacked by the Ke'ters, and she has the responsibility of saving 900 odd crewmembers from being eaten. The Veslors answer Vivian's distress call, and despite never interacting with Veslors before, she's desperate, so accepts their help.
I enjoyed Brassi & his grouping, think pack. And I'm sure they will feature in future stories, along with Abby, who helped Vivian with the tech of a disabled spaceship.
Bad lizard aliens like eating anything that isn't themselves, Ke'ters, and good purring pantherlike shifting aliens, Veslors, like fighting & killing them.
That's lucky for Vivian Goss, newly minted cultural specialist who watches her father & brother be attacked by the Ke'ters, and she has the responsibility of saving 900 odd crewmembers from being eaten. The Veslors answer Vivian's distress call, and despite never interacting with Veslors before, she's desperate, so accepts their help.
I enjoyed Brassi & his grouping, think pack. And I'm sure they will feature in future stories, along with Abby, who helped Vivian with the tech of a disabled spaceship.
April 5, 2019
Interesting combination of alien & shifter; these Veslors will make for a good series.
Some negatives are
-> I didn't like the alien names Brassi, Vassi
-> The bad guy had no redeeming qualities and was just stupid
-> I do wish miss Dohner would resume working of her New Species series...I'm in agony!
Some negatives are
-> I didn't like the alien names Brassi, Vassi
-> The bad guy had no redeeming qualities and was just stupid
-> I do wish miss Dohner would resume working of her New Species series...I'm in agony!
April 21, 2019
2 stars. Started off promising but ended being a very fetishy and incredibly implausible read. This book can be judged by its cover for sure.
February 11, 2020
Awwww....so good! I don't think there was any book that I've read of Mrs. Dohner's that I didn't enjoy, and this was no different. I love aliens that look like aliens and have alien parts (wink wink), so this was right up my alley. I loved Brassi and Vivian. I just wish they had conveyed deeper more intense emotion/love than they did. I can't wait to read Abbi's story next.
June 15, 2019
Loved it! 4.5 stars
March 20, 2019
Action, danger and super hot 🔥 alien shifters...What more could you ask for?!
Laurann Dohner has done it again with another great new series. The characters are easy to fall in love with. The action is fast paced. The love scenes manage to be steamy and sweet at the same time. The reader just can't lose with this story.
Laurann Dohner has done it again with another great new series. The characters are easy to fall in love with. The action is fast paced. The love scenes manage to be steamy and sweet at the same time. The reader just can't lose with this story.
November 3, 2021
CAWPILE rating: 0/10
STAR rating: negative 72 stars
so nobody in the reviews section is gonna mention the weird pseudo-bestiality with the alien shifter panther man, huh?? ok.
not like 'oh he's a furry, he's a bipedal panther, like a werewolf' no, he shifts into an actual panther just bigger and slightly alien-looking. and then the protag fucks him.
protagonist: i can't sleep with you when you shift into a panther, that's bestiality, that's gross
him: we can't be 'mates' if we don't :(
protagonist: ok sounds reasonable [sleeps with him after he shifts]
me: no no that's still gross that's still GROS-
that aside the story was basic and had the typical 'possessive male decides he wants to fuck small fragile petite human female that must be protected bc she's so small and can't protect herself' shit and for some reason the aliens have to refer to ppl that way, no use of man/woman here, only male/female 🙄
it's time to step away from this genre now, i'm taking this as a sign. if i want alien romance i'm going to the mass effect category on ao3.
STAR rating: negative 72 stars
so nobody in the reviews section is gonna mention the weird pseudo-bestiality with the alien shifter panther man, huh?? ok.
not like 'oh he's a furry, he's a bipedal panther, like a werewolf' no, he shifts into an actual panther just bigger and slightly alien-looking. and then the protag fucks him.
protagonist: i can't sleep with you when you shift into a panther, that's bestiality, that's gross
him: we can't be 'mates' if we don't :(
protagonist: ok sounds reasonable [sleeps with him after he shifts]
me: no no that's still gross that's still GROS-
that aside the story was basic and had the typical 'possessive male decides he wants to fuck small fragile petite human female that must be protected bc she's so small and can't protect herself' shit and for some reason the aliens have to refer to ppl that way, no use of man/woman here, only male/female 🙄
it's time to step away from this genre now, i'm taking this as a sign. if i want alien romance i'm going to the mass effect category on ao3.
September 8, 2019
I love this author on general, but was hesitant about this book as I do not care for paranormal and shifter books but love space opera. I liked this book but may not read more in this series as it does seem to center around the shifter theme. The sex scenes are central to the plot and story which I have always liked about this author's romance books. Although this couple's methodical approach to interspecies 'copulation' is substantiated in the writing, it left me less involved in the romance. All in all I could not get into this heroine's character nor the romance, both lacked passion and chemistry. What I liked best about this book were the components of non crew members being left to handle spaceship emergencies in space without training or nearby support. Also, I like in this book as in her others that both the good and bad 'Earthlings' are addressed.
June 25, 2020
I really liked this intro to this series. VERY good. I had to jump into the second book right away.
There are some shocking taboo, may cross a line for some, things in here too. You've been warned.
But overall it was a really interesting, sweet and sexy read.
Reading book 2 of this series right now and loving where this particular story is leading me.
There are some shocking taboo, may cross a line for some, things in here too. You've been warned.
But overall it was a really interesting, sweet and sexy read.
Reading book 2 of this series right now and loving where this particular story is leading me.
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