Narrator: Kirsten Potter

Review: The Segonian by Dianne Duvall

Posted August 1, 2022 by Holly in Reviews | 3 Comments

Review: The Segonian by Dianne DuvallReviewer: Holly
The Segonian by Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Series: Aldebarian Alliance #2
Also in this series: The Lasaran, The Segonian
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Format: eBook
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 435
Length: 12 hours and 31 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the second stand-alone novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action, humor, and happily-ever-afters.
Eliana's life has never been what one might term ordinary. At least, it hasn't been for a very long time. As a powerful Immortal Guardian, she spends her nights hunting and slaying psychotic vampires that most of humanity doesn't even realize exist. Then an opportunity arises that instantly makes her extraordinary existence seem downright boring. The leader of the Immortal Guardians asks her to guard a group of mortals who are embarking upon a voyage across the galaxy to the planet Lasara. How could she possibly say no?
In no time at all, Eliana is hurtling through space on board a Lasaran battleship and getting to know not one but two alien races. It's the most exciting adventure of her long life... until the ship is unexpectedly attacked. Amid the chaos and destruction that follow, she valiantly helps everyone she can before an explosion renders her unconscious. When Eliana awakens, she finds herself alone, floating in space, clad only in a spacesuit, with no ship in sight. Alone--that is--except for the warm, deep voice that carries over the comm in her helmet.
Commander Dagon and the crew of the Segonian battleship Ranasura respond to a distress call from their Lasaran allies and join a massive Alliance-wide search-and-rescue mission. He quickly achieves communication with a lone Earthling female and races toward her. Every time they speak, his fascination with her grows and he becomes more desperate to reach her before her oxygen supply runs out. Her strength, bravery, and humor entice him, even more so when she defies all odds and they meet in person.
As he and Eliana embark upon a quest to find her missing friends, a bond swiftly grows between them that deepens with every laugh and smile and tender touch they share. But they are not the only ones searching for Earthling survivors. When Eliana herself becomes the hunted and their enemies begin to close in, can the two of them fight their way to victory, or will their enemies take everything?

The Segonian by Dianne Duvall, the second book in the Aldebarian Alliance series, a spinoff of Duvall’s Immortal Guaridans series, features Eliana, a character we met in the previous series. She traveled in space to protect the Gifted Ones who chose to go to Lasara with Prince Taelon in the hopes of finding a quieter life. When their ship is attacked on the way there, Eliana ends up floating in space in a space suit. For weeks her only lifelines are Captain Dagan and the other Segonians on his ship. She’s never met them, but they become the most important beings in the world to her.

The early chapters where Eliana were floating in space were so gripping and heart-wrenching. Her strength and humor really came through, but I felt her loneliness and fear in a visceral way. I really love Eliana and Dagan. They had a great dynamic when all they could do was talk via comms. I also liked how they came to know one another once she was onboard his ship.

Their quest to find the others who were missing from the Lasaran ship was interesting, but I enjoyed their life on the ship more. Especially Eliana training with him and his men.

This is my favorite book in this spin-off series, and my second favorite of Duvall’s books to date.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

Aldebarian Alliance

four-half-stars


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Review: The Segonian by Dianne Duvall

Posted July 20, 2022 by Casee in Reviews | 3 Comments

Review: The Segonian by Dianne DuvallReviewer: Casee
The Segonian by Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Series: Aldebarian Alliance #2
Also in this series: The Lasaran, The Segonian
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Format: eBook
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 435
Length: 12 hours and 31 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the second stand-alone novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action, humor, and happily-ever-afters.
Eliana's life has never been what one might term ordinary. At least, it hasn't been for a very long time. As a powerful Immortal Guardian, she spends her nights hunting and slaying psychotic vampires that most of humanity doesn't even realize exist. Then an opportunity arises that instantly makes her extraordinary existence seem downright boring. The leader of the Immortal Guardians asks her to guard a group of mortals who are embarking upon a voyage across the galaxy to the planet Lasara. How could she possibly say no?
In no time at all, Eliana is hurtling through space on board a Lasaran battleship and getting to know not one but two alien races. It's the most exciting adventure of her long life... until the ship is unexpectedly attacked. Amid the chaos and destruction that follow, she valiantly helps everyone she can before an explosion renders her unconscious. When Eliana awakens, she finds herself alone, floating in space, clad only in a spacesuit, with no ship in sight. Alone--that is--except for the warm, deep voice that carries over the comm in her helmet.
Commander Dagon and the crew of the Segonian battleship Ranasura respond to a distress call from their Lasaran allies and join a massive Alliance-wide search-and-rescue mission. He quickly achieves communication with a lone Earthling female and races toward her. Every time they speak, his fascination with her grows and he becomes more desperate to reach her before her oxygen supply runs out. Her strength, bravery, and humor entice him, even more so when she defies all odds and they meet in person.
As he and Eliana embark upon a quest to find her missing friends, a bond swiftly grows between them that deepens with every laugh and smile and tender touch they share. But they are not the only ones searching for Earthling survivors. When Eliana herself becomes the hunted and their enemies begin to close in, can the two of them fight their way to victory, or will their enemies take everything?

The Segonian is not only a SF romance masterpiece, it’s my favorite SF romance ever. I’m not always a huge fan of SF, but I used to read it back in the day. This book had me from the first sentence to the last. I found that I couldn’t put it down, I was so invested in the story. I think that is the hallmark of a good book. While Dianne Duvall isn’t the best author I’ve ever read, she sure tells a hell of a story.

When Seth, the leader of the Immortal Guardians, comes to Eliana with a choice to travel to another planet, she jumps on it. Watching all her friends fall in love has left Eliana feeling like the odd man out. She’s more than excited to be going on such an amazing adventure. Her only job is to protect the gifted ones that are onboard the ship.

Quite unexpectedly, the ship is attacked and Eliana ends up floating in space. Her saving grace is a man’s voice that tells her he’s coming for her.

Dagon and his crew are on a search & rescue mission. When he finds Eliana, he immediately knows that he will not find her in time. He doesn’t know what or who she is. As a powerful Immortal Guardian, Eliana has capabilities that humans don’t have. One of those capabilities keeps her alive long enough for Dagon to find her.

Now that Eliana is on board, they resume their search & rescue mission. As the days, then weeks go by, both Eliana & Dagon lose hope. Then they learn that one of the gifted ones is alive and in danger. They race to the closest habitable planet, hoping against hope that they find who they are looking for.

Eliana was such a joy to read about. She has been alive for centuries, but she still appreciated the little things in life. I loved how she interacted with the crew & with Dagon. I loved when she finally convinced the men to fight her. I loved her love of spicy foods and her genuine love for the sun. I loved Dagon too, but Eliana stole the show with this one.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5.

Aldebarian Alliance

four-half-stars


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Review: The Lasaran by Dianne Duvall

Posted July 18, 2022 by Casee in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: The Lasaran by Dianne DuvallReviewer: Casee
The Lasaran by Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Series: Aldebarian Alliance #1
Also in this series: The Segonian, The Segonian
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: April 21, 2020
Format: eBook
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 460
Length: 11 hours and 23 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
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four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi series full of action, intrigue, humor, and romance.
Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.
After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.
Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

The Lasaran is the first SF romance that I have read in a long while. I have somewhat of a mental block for this genre, though I don’t know why. After reading the Immortal Guardians series, I decided to give The Lasaran a try. I am so glad that I did.

Taelon is headed to Earth from Lasara to find his sister. After leaving on a peacekeeping mission, Amiriska goes missing. Taelon is determined to find her. When he arrives on Earth, he is taken captive and experimented on for months. During one of his torture sessions, he hears a woman telepathically screaming. He has no idea who she is or even if she’s part of the group that took him.

Lisa only volunteered for the psychic study to make a little extra money. She had no idea that there was a nefarious plan afoot. While at the research center, Lisa is abducted. She wakes up seven months later to find that she is pregnant and has no memory. Her savior ends up being the man that ran psychic tests on her. When he comes in to help her, Brad tells her that she has been impregnated against her will. Not only that, but she is carrying an alien baby.

After their escape, Lisa & Taelon go on the run. They don’t know who to trust, nor do they know how they will find Amiriska. It’s only when Roland (Darkness Dawns) shows up at a motel that they’re hiding out in that they realize they might have options after all. I thought the pacing was great in this book & I really loved how excited Taelon was for the baby. Women on Lasara haven’t been able to have children so Taelon is especially please though he is incensed that it was done again Lisa’s will.

When Amiriska and Taelon eventually reunite? OHMYHEART. It was so sweet. I loved seeing their relationship, specifically how excited Ami was to see Taelon.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Aldebarian Alliance

four-stars


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Lightning Review: Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

Posted July 11, 2022 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Lightning Review: Darkness Dawns by Dianne DuvallReviewer: Holly
Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Series: Immortal Guardians #1
Also in this series: Darkness Dawns, In Still Darkness
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited, Library
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
Content Warning: View Spoiler »
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 345
Length: 10 hours and 39 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
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three-half-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts…where passion can last forever, if you’re willing to pay the price…

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect...

Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall is the first book in the Immortal Guardians series. I read the spinoff series, The Aldebarian Alliance, first, then picked this up to see what I missed. I listened to the audiobook, which narrated by Kirsten Potter, a favorite of mine.

Sarah is a professor on break for the summer. She’s leaving electronics behind and focusing on growing a garden and decompressing. She’s doing some late night gardening when she comes across a man being attacked. She comes to his aid and brings him home. Roland is a centuries old Immortal Guardian. His colleagues and friends call him “anti-social”, but he has good reason to keep away from people and trust no one. Except Sarah gets under his skin. He doesn’t want to want her, but he can’t stop himself. When it becomes apparent that Sarah may be in danger for her part in helping him, he knows he’ll have to keep her with him. If only he and his brethren weren’t Immortal Vampire Slayers she knows nothing about.

I liked this story, but I thought the romance came on pretty fast. Sarah learned about the existence of paranormal beings and fell in love with one in like a day. That aside, the world building was good and I’m excited for the next book.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5

Immortal Guardians

three-half-stars


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Review: A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne Duvall

Posted June 22, 2022 by Casee in Reviews | 2 Comments

Review: A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne DuvallReviewer: Casee
A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne Duvall
Narrator: Kirsten Potter
Series: The Gifted Ones #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 347
Length: 11 hours and 18 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

From the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Immortal Guardians series comes an enchanting new series full of romance, danger, and loyalty: The Gifted Ones
Since the day Lord Dillon earned his spurs, rumors of his savagery on the battlefield have preceded him into every room, stilling tongues and sparking fear. Weary of battle, he wishes only to find a woman he can wed who will approach him not with fear, but with the tenderness that has been absent from his life for so long. Yet only the wisewoman seems invariably at ease in his presence. Perhaps because she garners the same fear in others that he does himself.
For seven years, Alyssa has been by Lord Dillon's side, counseling him from the shadows, healing him with her hands, and staving off the worst of his loneliness while his fearsome reputation keeps others at bay. Blessed--or cursed--with gifts that label her a sorceress, she is forced to conceal her youth and the love she harbors for him beneath umbral robes that lead Dillon and his people to believe she is the same aged wisewoman who served his father.
All is revealed, however, and passions flare when an enemy threatens Dillon's life and Alyssa sacrifices everything to save him. When Dillon discovers that the wisewoman is far from elderly, he is instantly entranced. And, as he and Alyssa work together to defeat an enemy bent on destroying them both, Dillon will risk anything--even the wrath of his king--to be with her.

Alyssa has been in love with Lord Dillion for years. Although they can never be together, Alyssa has found a way to be there for Dillion. Taking her grandmothers position as Dillion’s healer & advisor, Alyssa will do anything to keep Dillon safe. She hates keeping her true self from Dillon, but she’s knows it’s necessary. Dillon has one confidant; his sorceress. The woman that heals him, helps him, and keeps him safe. Without her, he would probably be dead and he knows that. Over the seven years he has been an Earl, Dillon has developed a relationship with his sorceress.

Alyssa knows that they can never be together, even if Dylan did know who she truly was. Then she heals Dillon from a fatal injury, taking that injury on herself. While Dillon always thought she was an old woman, she is also his closest friend and confidant. He’s finally seeing his sorceress for who she truly is and he knows that he will never let her go. Damn the king and damn the rules. Alyssa is not a noblewoman and she knows that Dillon will lose everything if he tries to stay with her. She’s taking the time she has with him because she knows that it has to come to an end. Dillon is determined to find a way because he won’t give up the woman that he’s been looking for. Alyssa is everything he wants in a woman and more.

I loved both Alyssa & Dillon. I loved the banter, I loved how there were no games between the two. This is a true love story. I enjoyed every minute spent reading it.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5.

The Gifted Ones

four-stars


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