Audible Book Review: Gracie’s Touch by S.E. Smith

This is spicy sexually but a very warm romance in a space sci fi.

Gracie’s Touch
By: S.E. Smith
Narrated by: David Brenin

Series: Zion Warriors, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of science fiction and paranormal romance brings another action, adventure, and suspense-filled story to transport listeners out of this world. Gracie Jones was little more than a child when Earth was invaded by an alien species. Escaping into the subway tunnels of New York City, she hid in fear of being captured. Discovered by four men who became her protectors, she fought alongside them, and they became known as the Freedom Five. At 17, she made a decision that turned the tide in the war between Earth and the Alluthans, but in exchange, she gave up all that she knew. Kordon Jefe is a Zion Warrior and the commanding officer in charge of the Confederation of Planets' military. When an unknown species begins attacking some of their outer settlements, he is assigned to discover who they are and stop them - at any cost. Gracie finds herself stranded millions of light years and hundreds of years in the future in a distant galaxy on an undeveloped moon. When an old enemy threatens once more, she does not hesitate to use her knowledge to try to stop them once again. Only this time, it is not just Earth she will be saving, but the Confederation itself. When their two worlds are thrown together, Kordon is unsure what to do with the strange, delicate creature who fights and behaves unlike anyone he has ever encountered before. One thing he does know - he plans to keep her.
©2016 S.E. Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Gracie was just a child when she survived the invasion of a brutal alien attack that decimated humanity on earth. Gracie hid in the subway tunnels until she was brought under the protection of a group of young men. The five rebels became known as The Freedom Five who led a revolution against the aliens. The only way to defeat the enemy was for Gracie to risk infiltrating the enemy mothership. She succeeded but instead of returning to earth the stolen ship she was on was hurtled deep in space to an “unknown” planet. Gracie survives on the planet and after three years despairs of ever hearing another voice. To her surprise her radio outreach attracts a lead military ship of the Confederation of Planets'.

Gracie’s gentle voice pulls in captain Kordon Jefe, a strong, usually unexcitable, Zion Warrior. Kordon becomes obsessed with finding the woman behind the voice even as his team warn him that it might be a trap as the ship is similar to a recent mysterious enemy who has been attacking isolated mining worlds.

Gracie has linguist and technical knowledge that can help the Confederation. The time travel changes the situation for Gracie. Her joy at being rescued soon turns to devastation. How can Kordon and his crew convince Gracie to fight the common enemy? And how can Kordon convince Gracie to forget her first love and take a chance on a current love? He’ll figure a way to woo her since he isn’t going to give her up.

I enjoyed the space sci fi elements, the danger and the action. In addition to the threat of the Alluthan enemy, there is an enemy closer to home who poses a threat particularly to Gracie. Not all of the plot threads are realistic so some of that has to be overlooked to enjoy the rest of the story.

All of this is a setting for a strong romance between an emotionally hurt human and a normally unemotional warrior. Kordon wants to be this big, protective mate, but of course, there is no real way to control an independent human female! Part of the fun of the story is watching (listening to) the couple grow in their relationship. (There is a secondary romance between other crew members too.) The sex elements are a little to heavy for me – Audible labeled “hot d..n”.

The world building and writing is clean and strong. The action story is still engaging but the romance takes over the story. I recommend this to sci fi readers who like heavy romance… or even more to heavy romance readers who like sci fi elements.

Audio Notes: David Brenin does a very good job with the narration. He provides believable female voices as well as strong male voice. He carries the story plot lien with appropriate pacing and energy.

Source: August 2017 Audible sale $4.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook Goals.

Audio Book Review: The Protector by Marliss Melton

This is a solidly good romantic suspense.

The Protector
by Marliss Melton

Narrated by: David Brenin
Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
Series: Taskforce Series, Book 1
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:11-05-13
Publisher: James-York Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eryn McClellan teaches ESL in Washington, D.C., until the day she's targeted by terrorists avenging her father's actions in Afghanistan. The FBI has stepped in, but when it looks like they are using her for bait, General McClellan enlists the aid of the only man he knows he can trust: former Navy SEAL Ike Calhoun.
Embracing solitude in his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ike thought he'd left the War on Terror behind. Now he's stuck shielding a blue-eyed beauty from ambitious federal agents and crazed jihadists. More disturbing still, the charming Eryn seems intent on shattering his self-imposed isolation. Ike does his best to resist her welcoming ways, but he can feel his restraint eroding like a mountain in a mudslide.
With the FBI hot on their heels and the terrorists not far behind, Ike willingly wages a one-man war in defense of the woman whose passion and faith have given him the strength to rise above his past.
©2011 Marliss Meltlon Arruda (P)2013 Marliss Melton Arruda

Review:
Eryn was accustomed to traveling with her military dad. But a time came when her mother Eryn went off to college and then she had to establish a life and home for herself while her father, now a General, led his troops in dangerous lands like Afghanistan. Eryn is pleased to help teach ESL, English as Second Language, but one evening she barely escapes a kidnapping. Apparently Eryn has become the target of a jihadist who seeks revenge against her father.

Eryn is taken into protective custody by the FBI, unaware that a career climbing agent is using her as bait. Eryn’s father will only trust her safety to specially trained men who used to be under his command. He has called Ike out of his guilt ridden seclusion to rescue Eryn and keep her safe. Eryn has heard her father mention this man but that doesn’t mean she is simply going to walk away with him...that is until the safe house blows up behind her and she realizes that she is not safe with the FBI.

Ike whisks Eryn and her faithful dog away to his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He has a security system and escape routes mapped out. Soon he will need them as the FBI somehow follow Eryn to the remote location and try to get her to return with them. When Eryn and Ike refuse to cooperate the FBI raise enough ruckus to bring the press and lead the terrorists straight to Eryn.

Eryn is a fairly pampered young woman, a ‘princess’ as Ike dubs her. He is a dark, moody and bossy body guard. They don’t seem to have much in common but they are drawn to each other. She wants to pull him out of his solitude and she needs a protector. He tries to resist the temptation of his former commander’s beautiful daughter but he is fighting a losing battle, especially when she throws herself at him.

I really enjoyed the action of this story and, although there were moments when Eryn was bratty and annoying, I came to like both Eryn and Ike and their somewhat reluctant attraction. Their encounter does get to a steamy point but it is well on into the story and is secondary to the suspense and danger of the plot. Caution: There is some swear language. I recommend this to readers who like romantic suspense. I’ll be on the look-out for more titles to read by Ms. Melton.

Audio Notes: David Brenin does a decent job with the narration. He does infuse excitement and emotion even though there is not a lot of accent shift. This was a solid, enjoyable listen.

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.