Customer Reviews

Cherished Invader

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Leah Barrentin is a Forestal, a well-trained soldier who follows the dictate of the leaders of the United Sentients on missions that have her traveling throughout the universe. She is sent to the planet Aransis, where technology and conflict threaten to rip the world apart. With her is Sekrys'dalahr, a fellow Forestal and, for the duration of the mission, her partner.

Aransis is home to both Garth Treece and Brean Mitchell, men whose strange powers have brought them to the attention of Ian van der Jhome, the man who leads the United Sentients. They meet the Forestals by coincidence, and find themselves baffled by the mystery of trained women warriors. They set out to learn about the women, never expecting to find themselves fascinated by the Forestal's unworldly talents and knowledge.

Leah and Sekrys'dalahr are equally stricken by the men. The mission is their priority, but the men they encounter on the primitive (to them) planet are what capture their attention -- and their hearts.

CHERISHED INVADER is a romance-heavy futuristic novel with a lot of emphasis on the science fiction content. It features no less than three love stories braided into the story, two of which are major plot elements. The characterization is smart, and the world-building is very well done. At points Leah and Sekrys'dalahr reminded this reviewer of the kick-ass female stars of Charlie's Angels, though on a different planet and with telepathy. The romance itself was believably built and very natural, though there wasn't much focus on any one relationship because so much was going on with all the characters. The story didn't suffer for its sprawl, however, as Ms. Gail expertly controls all the different characters that populate the novel, making them all sympathetic and interesting. CHERISHED INVADER was, overall, a compelling and very intricate story. It even leaves enough threads hanging loose near the end to believe that there are sequels to the story -- or so this reviewer hopes!

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Paranormal Romance Reviewer

The Forestals of Janusia are a well-organized, military trained group of people sent throughout the galaxy to stop or avert disaster on various planets. Occasionally they may even have the task of altering history.

Sent to the planet Aransis to avert an escalating war between the Terakians and the Andoviars, Commander Leah Barrentin and her partner Dalahr start making plans to end the conflict permanently.

The first order of business is to free the kidnapped son of the man who is the best hope for this beleaguered planet. Leah frees the boy along with two other prisoners. The two men, Alpha-class Zojar warriors Garth Treece and Brean Mitchell are so much more than meets the eye as well.

Perhaps fate itself has brought these four together. Dalahr has found comfort with Brean but Leah has yet to open up to Garth completely. No matter what he attempts Garth just can't get past a secret horror Leah has never overcome. Will these women leave the Zojar warriors behind when the mission is complete or will Leah and Dalahr ask Garth and Brean to join them in the stars?

Cherished Invader is one part science fiction fantasy and one part pure romance. Excitement, intrigue and a slow burning intense romance add up to Cherished Invader. I enjoyed the concept of seeing two strong willed women in charge of a major government operation and two hot alpha men trying to figure things out. Author Samantha Gail skillfully keeps all four alpha balls in the air until the satisfying ending. I'm looking forward to what happens next in this entertaining series.

Lisa
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I LOVED this book! It is set in a science fiction world and is full of sensuality, telepathy and just plain hard-to-put-down action. The story hints at possible sequels and future characters. I hope so!!

OH MY GOD! Great book! Always a pleasure to read a sexy romance novel that has strong women characters! I enjoyed ALL the characters in the book, rooting for both the women and men alike. And the sex scenes...well, they curled my toes leaving me wanting more! I have read many romance novels, and this ranks right up there witht he best ones. Highly recommend it! Cannot wait to see what else Samantha Gail writes for us!

This is the most unusual romance novel I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Everything the previous reviewers have said about it is true; and understated, in my opinion. The author has set her course and will sail on to well-deserved fame and fortune. Thank you, Samantha Gail, and please keep writing!

I just discovered this book - a copy was given to me as a birthday present and I really liked it. It has all the elements of good romance combined with enough twists and turns to keep me thumbing through the pages to the end. My only complaint is that the story was over too soon:(

Elizabeth from Portland, OR -
I loved the complexity of the characters and the powerful heroine. I really couldn't stop reading until I finished it! A marvelous adventure and I can't wait for the sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts out kind of slow and then all of a sudden you are HOOKED and can't get loose.

The futuristic/sci-fi romance genre is my favorite, so I read all of it that I can find. This book is pretty good, but something holds me back from giving it my best rating, and I'm not really sure I can explain it. I certainly don't mean to discourage anyone from reading it, but the 5-star raves are a bit generous. Simply put--I LIKED it, not LOVED it.

Once I began this book, I could not put it down. "Cherished Invader" is so much more than a romance story set in a far off land. It doesn't fit the typical romance formula. The author leaves many unanswered questions that (hopefully) will be wrapped up in later books. The love/sex scenes are steamy. All in all, I found the story delightfully different! A.J. Robbins