Customer Reviews

Parallel Attraction (Midnight Warriors, Book 1)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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!

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

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.

Parallel Attraction captures all the great themes of battle, love and betrayal, the possible extinction of a great race with original, intriguing variations. The Wyoming setting suffused with alien worlds and technology entice the imagination. Knight creates a wild, hot passion that far surpasses earthly romance in its pure energy. Her writing style itself romances the reader by slowly and seductively adding pleasure upon pleasure. Just when the reader thinks they have reached the height of reading pleasure, she gives more... humor, a perfect unexpected twist that opens the heart and imagination, a unique shift. Although alien, the great Refarian king recalls to the reader the literary legends of great earthly kings but Deidre Nights adds a new perspective and new twists to delight. A stunning debut novel! An exquisite paranormal romance! The very language and imagery intoxicate with a sense of beauty.

"Green is the new red." I read that after I read this book, but darn, I hope it's true. I love, love, love the combination of science fiction and romance. In fact, it's that combination that got me started reading romance in the first place, even though it's been distressingly rare--at least up until now.

I had no idea what to expect from Parallel Attraction when I started reading it, other than that it was paranormal romance, but I was hooked from the first sentence of the prologue: "It wasn't every day you managed to lose your king while on a security mission to an alien planet." More reinforcement for never reading back cover copy--I'd have missed out on that lovely jolt of excitement.

"Jared Bennett" is an exiled king directing his rebellion from a hidden base on Earth. The result of that initial sentence was that the teenaged king meets a human girl, Kelsey Wells, and spends time with her, connecting on several levels, until his advisors catch up to him and wipe both their memories. Fast-forward several years, and Jared crashes near a geologist's camp. He's injured, and is saved by Kelsey, now a geologist. In the process, he transfers secret information to her brain--a secure hiding place, as long as no one suspects where it is.

There are several things going on--the information in Kelsey's head is key to winning the war, and Jared knows he has to retrieve it and remove her from his life, both to protect the information and to keep the Refarians' existence a secret from humans. Then too, as king, Jared's under pressure to provide an heir, preferably with his cousin, so as to preserve his rare, dual-form bloodline. Logic and duty both demand that he sever ties with Kelsey, but their connection and their growing love for each other are impossible to deny.

For her part, Kelsey is surprised but not alarmed by the alien revelations, and instinctively knows she's safe with Jared. The more time she spends with him, the more strongly she feels.

Until she's kidnapped by a time-traveler.

It's hard to know where to draw the line on describing the plot--usually, just explaining the first quarter or so of the story will give a good idea of what's going on, but this one takes a sharp turn in the middle. Parallel Attraction is not a straightforward ride. It's one of those rollercoasters that dip and loop and swerve and don't let you relax for a second.

The characters felt very real to me--Jared's self-sacrifice and inherent nobility; Kelsey's intelligence and courage. I particularly appreciated Kelsey's reaction to learning Jared's secrets--in less deft hands, it would have degenerated into one of those pointless conflicts about trust that irritate me so much but are distressingly common. She's a geologist--a scientist--and she's as intelligent and independent as that implies.

Likewise, the science fiction details felt real. Granted, I never figured out exactly what the "mitres" were, but I didn't need to. I could believe that they were important because of the context, and that was all I needed. The time travel was just a fun bonus. I've always loved the paradoxical nature of time travel, and the things that changed--and didn't--as a result of it were enough to feed my inner puzzle-lover.

There were only a couple of things that kept this from being a perfect read for me: the pre-prologue, which had my attention wandering. It was important information, but I'd have preferred learning it in a different way. And I wondered what happened to Kelsey's partner, and why she didn't wonder about him herself. Of course, I was so caught up in the story that I didn't remember him until after I'd finished the book, either, so that's not a very big complaint. The prologue itself, by the way, felt absolutely necessary. It's one of those rare times when we could have learned the information in bits and pieces in the "now" of the story, but the impact would have been lost.

All in all, I'm very glad I read this, and I'm even happier that Parallel Heat is waiting on my TBR pile.

Piece of advice to people....

the perfect time is NOT right before bed because you kind of forget to sleep. Deidre Knight has crafted an incredible universe for her readers, and once you step into it, you are reluctant to leave. The plot is compelling, the characters are so well written that they are "alive." Ms. Knight has taken a stellar plot and characters and woven them together with incredible skill to create a book you never want to end.

Definitely above average. It is listed as a paranormal romance, but this isn't what I consider paranormal. It is more alternate reality, or even sci-fi rom. The plot development was good, the pacing better than average, and the character development solid. I loved the intersecting (parallel) time lines. What could have been an overworked storyline was used quite effectively. Plus the romance was wonderful. Overall a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series.

This kept me glued. Great characterizations, twists of plots, unique universe. Couldn't wait to get the next in the series. Combines the best of sci fi and romance. Alien characterization totally unique.

Even if you've never read o series before or never plan to, you must read this one because Deidra has really wrote romance for the future. I predict many awards going her way.

Kelsey Wells, geologist, meets Jared Bennett, the Refarian alien king in Yellowstone when they are both teenagers. They spend time together on earth before Jared's mentor, who wipes the memory of their meeting from their minds, takes him back. Years later they meet again and thus ensues a romance and adventure.

I thought this science fiction romance had a beautiful love story. We actually see more of Jared's character as a great deal of the book is from his viewpoint. I agree with one of the reviewers that this book does not really take off until the middle and once it does, it throws a completely new spin on the action. It took me quite by surprise after the first of the book deals mainly with their growing relationship. There were some very touching scenes that made me cry. The love scenes were beautiful. I absolutely enjoyed this book and will definitely read the others in this new Novel of Midnight Warriors series.