Unleashed (Futuristic Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

C. J. Barry (Author)

Book Description

Series: Futuristic Romance | Publication Date: May 2004

It’s New Year’s Eve on a planet called Earth, and all computer programmer Lacey Garrett wants is to design her software in peace.

It’s just another day in interstellar space, and all fugitive Zain Masters wants is to map the stars in peace.

Unfortunately, they are about to become the only thing standing between a ruthless villain and mass pandemonium on a galactic level. Can two outsiders learn to trust each other before the most powerful force in the galaxy is UNLEASHED?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

"Unlucky in love" is a bit of an understatement for programmer Lacey Garrett. Her ex-fiance Bob didn't just jilt her. He stole her half of their software design and most of her clients. She has one last chance to regain her professional footing but, one lonely night, can't resist answering one last e-mail. Little does she know that at the other end of the seemingly harmless message is planetary surveyor and interstellar fugitive Zain Masters, who, trapped on a desert planet, thinks he's stumbled upon the being with the knowledge to help him escape before the bounty hunters find him. Before Lacey can say, "Beam me up, Scotty," she's on an alien planet, in a sentient alien spaceship, with its alien captain who is all heart-stopping man. This sequel to Unearthed (2003) and Unraveled (2003) shows off Barry's flair for romantic comedy that's literally out of this world. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Barry’s third novel announces she is here to stay and one of the brightest voices in Sci-Fi Romance today! -- Deborah MacGillivray

This is without a doubt the best other-worldly book that C. J. Barry has written thus far. -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0505525739
• ISBN-13: 978-0505525734
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

C.J. grew up reading science fiction novels, comic books, and her brother's Cracked magazines. In high school, a creative writing teacher told her she should be a writer, but she decided to go to college instead. In college, a writing professor told her she should be a writer, but she decided to be a computer programmer instead. A husband, a cat and two kids later, an adult education teacher told her she should be a writer. She finally gave in, and after selling the first novel she ever wrote, decided that all those teachers were right. Nine novels later, she continues to bring her unique blend of high adventure and sizzling romance to her novels.

C.J has won numerous awards for her novels, and is a member of the Romance Writers of America.

By day, she works as a web developer. By night, she dreams up adventures and pens the books she was destined to write.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable!, June 23, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unleashed (Futuristic Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lacey Garrett is a computer programmer. Her fiancé steals her program wipes out her savings, and then runs off with everything. Lacey ends up picking up Oliver, the cat he abandoned, and moving to a secluded area. She only wants to be left alone so she can try to salvage the one client she has left.

When Lacey read a post on one of the "geek" boards asking for help identifying some images, Lacey answers. Her good deed did not go unpunished. Lacey finds herself and Oliver transported to another planet.

Zain Masters is a former advance scout for InterGlax. (Think space law enforcement.) He has been on InterGlax's Wanted List for about ten years now for the death of his partner. Zain and his sentient ship, Reene, were simply exploring a planet when they came upon a camouflaged section and found themselves being shot out of the sky. From the looks of nearby debris, it is obvious that someone is hiding something worth killing over. Reene needs repairs fast. His energy cells are failing. But even if Reene gets patched up they cannot leave without turning off the weapons that shot them down. In a nearby dome, Zain finds odd images and needs help figuring them out. Help came from a "juvenile planet" (one who still believes it is alone in the universe). He did not expect the female he beamed aboard to be so lovely or have a cat in her arms. He also did not expect for Reene to lose more power and be unable to send her home. They team up in hopes of figuring out the images and getting off the planet. But it turns out the dome is only the tip of the iceberg, literally.

Things go from bad, to worse, to impossible. It is up to a man, a woman, a cat, a small brain ship, a few lasers, and a crustacean (yes, you read that right) to take down the biggest and deadliest corporation in the galaxy.

***** When author C. J. Barry sets out to give readers an action packed romance, she does not hold back any punches! Just like her other space adventure novel, titled "Unmasked", I began reading and could not stop until the last page had been turned. Barry is causing me to lose too many hours of sleep. I may need to take some time off work just to catch up on my bed rest. UNPUTDOWNABLE! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have to describe this book as AWESOME!, September 21, 2004

By 

Darkcat_ak "darkcat_ak" (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unleashed (Futuristic Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to describe this book as AWESOME!

Lacey Garrett has answered an email requesting help from "zainman" only to find herself in the strangest dream she's ever concocted. Only, it's not a dream.

Zain Masters, an intergalactic planet cartographer had his ship shot down while trying to check the planets surface, and is now stuck under a force field. He needs help translating pictures and text to hopefully turn off the lasers and force field, Zain has beamed Lacey into his life-threatening predicament.

Stuck in an unknown environment, Lacey rises to the challenges threatening her life in the form of "Bobzillas" - Godzilla like creatures that look remarkably like her ex-fiancee Bob. But what Lacey fights the most is the woman within. After all, how can she fight the attraction that has been UNLEASHED for an alien?

Ms Barry has a phenomenal ability weave a paranormal action packed romance that spans the universe. I am blown away with her creativity. I was amazed at how the story plot sucked me in as a reader and yet the bulk of UNLEASHED revolved around only Zain, his sentient space ship Reene, Lacey and her cat Oliver. The "UN" series has me hooked, and with the introduction of Zains' sister, I'm hoping for another story.

As for our heroine, Lacey has had several rude awakenings in the last couple years of her life. And while she was already very likeable, it was amazing to watch her bloom with Zains love. Her fuzzy bedroom slippers cracked me up - what a mortifying way to get kidnapped by an alien!

Zain, a man of mystery from UNEARTHED and UNCHAINED, finally has his story told. Used to working by himself, he has an ego (that gets him nowhere), but at the same time, has the ability to recognize he needs help. The help he gets is from a human, who seems worldly but has normal fears that he takes the time to help Lacey through. It melted my heart and I wasn't disappointed at all!

While the Bobzilla initially instilled fear in me, the way Lacey used them turned them into a major source of belly laughs. I don't think I will ever think of Godzilla the same thanks to Ms Barry!

So, if you haven't read a book by Ms Barry yet, I highly recommend picking up this story. Lacey falls into the category of a kick-butt and rescue her man heroine! (Note: This is part of a series. Yes, you can read it alone without any confusion. But, in the first two novels, he is single...)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars C.J. Barry is the BEST, May 20, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unleashed (Futuristic Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I just loved this book. It is as good if not better than the other two, but the whole series is great. Lacey and Zain are terrific, sexy, interesting and complex characters. I hope Barry continues to write futuristic novels. Read all three in this series and you won't be disappointed.