Parallel Attraction (Midnight Warriors, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Deidre Knight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2006

Exiled alien king Jared Bennett is fighting for his people's freedom. Now his rebel force has the one weapon that can turn the tide against their enemy: the key to the secrets of time. With victory at hand, only one human, Kelsey Wells, has the power to change everything. Kelsey is unable to deny the fierce attraction to Jared Bennett, but is unaware of the truth: although Jared is exactly what he says, he hasn't told her everything. And when the future crashes into the present, Kelsey must decide if his deception will cost them the love that should have been their destiny.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An alien king and a human geologist discover the wonders of love at first sight in this unusual debut, which fuses elements of science fiction and the paranormal into a palatable cocktail. Jared Bennett isn't your average hero. As king of a race of people known as Refarians, he can shape-shift into numerous forms, primarily a ball of energy and a handsome, dark-skinned human. He first meets Kelsey Wells in the guise of the latter in the midst of Yellowstone park. Their encounter is brief and innocent, but enough for them to fall in love. Even the memory-erasing efforts of Jared's guardian can't keep the two from recognizing each other years later when Jared, wounded and bearing vital information, turns to Kelsey for help. Her agreement sparks a series of events that draws them together—and leads an adversary from the future to travel back in time. The story barrels along at breakneck speed, with little focus on character development but a good deal on world-building. Although Knight succeeds in giving readers a reason to pick up the next book in the series, this tale lacks the depth that distinguish, the best romance novels. (Apr.)
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Review

A fantastic and riveting new voice in paranormal fiction. (Karen Marie Moning, New York Times bestselling author of Spell of the Highlander)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451218116
• ISBN-13: 978-0451218117
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Deidre Knight is proud to answer to the titles of literary agent, mom, wife, southern woman and novelist. She founded The Knight Agency in 1996, and has grown it to national prominence, shepharding clients onto every major bestseller list.

Deidre began her writing career at age nine, when her award-winning essay on Barbie was published in her hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and she has been writing in one form or another ever since. Her dream of writing romance came true in the form of her debut series The Midnight Warriors, which launched with PARALLEL ATTRACTION in 2006.

Reviewers have described Deidre's acclaimed contemporary romance, BUTTERFLY TATTOO as "a rare and different gem," and her paranormal romance series, Gods of Midnight, as "powerful, sensual and mind-blowing." She received an Epic Award for BUTTERFLY TATTOO, and the Holt Mediallion Award of Merit for her second Gods of Midnight book, RED KISS. Her novels have also been nominated for a plethora of accolades including the PEARL, the PRISM, the NOR, the JABIC and the STRCA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal New World - Riveting Read, April 4, 2006

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parallel Attraction (Midnight Warriors, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Without a doubt this is a compelling and absolutely phenomenal read! Knight's opening foray into the paranormal world is both intensely erotic, passionate, and riveting, introducing a new race of aliens determined not to invade but to protect earth and it's human inhabitants.

The leader of the aliens is the exiled king of the rebel Refarians - Jared Bennett who has unselfishly given almost everything in the fight for freedom from the vicious enemy. He had visited earth once before but the events of that visit had been wiped from his mind. Many years later the war has escalated and he holds the one weapon that can turn the tide for his people. Under attack his ship was forced down and he was gravely wounded when a young human woman geologist came upon him in his natural state. Kelsey Wells should have been frightened but instead was mesmerized and completely overwhelmed by the beauty of the being and of the man. Kelsey was fiercely attracted to him intuitively knowing that he would never harm her and his kiss, his very essence seemed to scream to her of `knowing'. As Jared began to feel a very powerful attraction for Kelsey to make her his lifemate, he tried his best to fight it knowing how dangerous it would be for Kelsey to be around him. Before they could embark on a life together the secrets of time that were locked in Kelsey's mind would have to be released and a traitor would be the one to make the ultimate sacrifice in granting them a future.

*** Fast paced and full of creativity, this author has created a wonderful new world. I was instantly caught up in the heart wrenching betrayal of a precious love that was taken from two innocent young people. Jared is a complex character, a hot and totally enthralling hero who is projected as both a fearsome warrior and a tender, kind and loyal friend and lover. Kelsey was fun, fearless with a dynamite sense of humor. I am so looking forward to seeing more stories of these bold Refarian men and women from an author who introduces a highly imaginative and provocative breath of fresh air into the paranormal realm! Brava!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great start, weak finish, flawed, June 15, 2006

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parallel Attraction (Midnight Warriors, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed the first 50 pages of this novel. Then I felt the plot became sort of muddled. The writing up to this point was quite clear, interesting and intelligent. Then, Suddenly Jared blindfolds/absconds with Kelsey and takes her to his hideout where he is fighting a war with other people on his planet. Only the war is being fought from inside a mountain on earth? Its not very clear. Then a crew of secondary characters are introduced (who will no doubt get books of their own in future stories). Jared insists he is a 'good guy' and he is fighting a 'war' that will save his people and humanity, but the author does not demonstrate this. Instead we are told this by Jared. It was very confusing, especially because these freedom fighters, their base, the world-building seemed to be cast aside in favor of pages of dialog between Jared, his cohorts and Kelsey.

The author employs the 'pre-destined lifemate' theme in a safe way. Kelsey has not other attachments and is free to bond with Jared. At first I liked this idea when it was employed in other novels I have read. But it always raises a lot of ethical questions for me. The idea of forcing someone (perhaps against his or her will) to be his mate is a complex one which I always seem to be glossed over in this type of novel. What if Kelsey had a steady boyfriend? What if she wasn't interested? Jared claims he finds it necessary to safeguard valuable information, but why Kelsey? I felt the author missed an opportunity to create romantic tension between the two leads by making her so compliant to Jared's demands.

Overall, I enjoyed the character of Jared, was lukewarm about Kelsey and found the introduction of Marco, and the sci-fi elements awkward. As a romance, I didn't feel much of a spark between Kelsey and Jared, and found the last half of this book failed to keep my interest.

3 Stars

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenally Brilliant Sci-Fi Romance, October 25, 2006

By 

K. Montgomery (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parallel Attraction (Midnight Warriors, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

For a science fiction romance set on Earth, I was increasingly impressed with how imaginative and engaging the storyline is. Many have wondered are aliens amongst us even now as we drive to work, shop or play in the park. In Ms. Knight's brilliantly penned debut novel, it's an all out alien war that threatens to engulf not only the two opposing cultures involved, but the unsuspecting residents of oblivious Earth too.

Jared Bennet is a king in exile, strategically removed from the frontlines of his people's war against a conquering race. With the development of a powerful weapon though, the war is coming ever closer to him and an intriguing human woman he cannot let go of. Kelsey Wells has seen first hand the alien "otherness" that is Jared. It's clear the handsome alien needs something from her, but seductive kisses and heated exchanges soon cloud not only Jared's mission, but Kelsey's heart as well. Just as their relationship begins to take shape, Kelsey will undergo a terrifying journey at the hands of a traitor. The only question is will hers and Jared's love be given a second chance--or will all that Jared's people have fought for be lost? Maybe more importantly, can they have both at once?

This is a detail packed roller coaster of a romance, and it doesn't slow down from the moment it starts. Torn between duty and the chance at love, Jared is portrayed as a king without country, humble and achingly sexy in his attraction to Kelsey. Both have been searching for something, someone, their whole lives and when they meet it's a classic "meant to be" feeling. Their relationship is beautifully drawn out and wonderful to read. In addition, Ms. Knight creates two thoroughly intriguing race of aliens with unique abilities that turned a possibly normal science fiction romance into one of spectacular possibilities and endless need-to-know-more details. Look to the sequel, Parallel Heat, starring this one's resident bad guy, to find out more about the passionate aliens Ms. Knight has created.