Rating: 
Summary: A geat sci-fi romance
Review: Air Force Lieutenant Jasmine Boswell was flying her fighter jet over Saudi's no-fly zone when the missile coming out of nowhere hits her plane. She bails out of her disabled jet, but lands on an alien-looking desert with spaceships flying overhead. She also encounters an injured Romlijhian B'Kah, whose starfighter crashed killing his brother. Only his vision of the angel Jas saves his life. Two decades later (in earth time), Jas has divorced her spouse, has two young adult children, and struggles with a mid-life crisis. Due to Rom's injuries and his failure to save his people on that fatal day, years ago, he no longer leads. Instead he is a minor smuggler, estranged from his own family. Rom and his people make first contact with earthlings. Will Rom and Jas find each other to follow up on that dream and if they do will each take the necessary steps to embrace their love?
THE STAR KING is an exciting science fiction romance or perhaps a better label might be a realistic romantic science fiction that will strongly appeal to fans of both genres. The story line is loaded with action that is augmented by an understanding of the lead characters and several of the key support players. Little things about Rom (try saying his full name three times fast) and Jas make the novel ring true even as Susan Grant flies her audience through her book in a faster than light speed. Science fiction and futuristic romance aficionados will welcome Ms. Grant into the fold and demand sequels starring several secondary cast members.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Overall a Typical Read
Review: Although I will probably try Ms. Grant's other books, I can only classify this one as decent. The romance seems flat at times, even though the characters are at least passably interesting. There are some refreshing ideas thrown into the mix of standard fare, though the plot line takes some typical outlandish leaps. On two occasions I groaned at cheesy scenes within the romance, and one of the dogfight sequences found me laughing though the author never intended humor.
In short, this is an easily read story with a typical plot and an under-developed romance with potential. My recommendation would be to buy it used.
Rating:
Summary: Galactically Smart and Tender
Review: As a hopeless romantic about flying, I needed to check out the media buzz surrounding Susan Grant--an elite pilot (U.S. Air Force and now global 747s)who writes highly-original, exotic, and steamy adventures about aviatrix heroines.
It's not just buzz. Grant is the real deal, and performs aerobatics of the heart like no other author.
The pacy, passionate Star King concerns Jas, a no-nonsense USAF fighter pilot struck by a missile and forced to leave her jet the hard way by ejecting to earth. Hurt on an arrid desert, she prepares for anything but what occurs--a transcendent encounter with another wounded warrior. His name is Rom, a starfighter pilot from a distant universe. Now this golden demigod lies dying with the awful knowledge that he has just killed his brother in the skeleton of their burning ship, beaten by an enemy warlord. Painfully, Jas and Rom save each other, with a shared passion that will leave you limp. Is it real, or just the theater of Jas' delerious mind?
You won't know where you are at every minute in this book, but that's a very good thing because you're in skilled hands.
Abruptly, twenty years later, Jas' youthful fire has been extinguished. Now she's a dutiful mother stung by divorce who long ago gave up victory rolls in an F16 for a minivan, a surprisingly-talented artist who paints promising but only half-finished paintings. Then earth receives visitors from an advanced civilization. Among them, Rom re-appears, and Jas' real life could begin--if her golden, aristocratic ET weren't as hardened as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, by cruel fortune and a fruitless search over time and space for the mythic desert angel who once saved him.
How Grant brings Jas and Rom together, and the glory is definitely in her details, can involve sly humor (e.g. in Rom's world, all the men stand when a woman enters the room and, as a lover, he admires the artistry of her stretch marks.) But she's also capable of snap-turning you from light-as-a-feather giddy to a sudden plunge into emotional despair. You will not guess the twists and turns before they unfold, but you will root mightily for this couple to survive and fulfill the promise of their long-ago stolen moment in time.
This is just a wonderful novel that combines passion and writerly control in a fresh new way. I hope Rom has more family, because you can feel a series here.
Rating:
Summary: Galactically Smart and Tender
Review: As a hopeless romantic about flying, I needed to check out the media buzz surrounding Susan Grant--an elite pilot (U.S. Air Force and now global 747s)who writes highly-original, exotic, and
steamy adventures about aviatrix heroines.
It's not just buzz. Grant is the real deal, and performs aerobatics of the heart like no other author.
The pacy, passionate Star King concerns Jas, a no-nonsense USAF fighter pilot struck by a missile and forced to leave her jet the hard way by ejecting to earth. Hurt on an arrid desert, she prepares for anything but what occurs--a transcendent encounter with another wounded warrior. His name is Rom, a starfighter pilot from a distant universe.
Now this golden demigod lies dying with the awful knowledge that he has just killed his brother in the skeleton of their burning ship, beaten by an enemy warlord. Painfully, Jas and Rom save each other, with a shared passion that will leave you limp. Is it real, or just the theater of Jas' delerious mind?
You won't know where you are at every minute in this book, but that's a very good thing because you're in skilled hands.
Abruptly, twenty years later, Jas' youthful fire has been extinguished. Now she's a dutiful mother stung by divorce who long ago gave up victory rolls in an F16 for a minivan, a surprisingly-talented artist who paints promising but only half-finished paintings.
Then earth receives visitors from an advanced civilization. Among them, Rom re-appears, and Jas' real life could begin--if her golden, aristocratic ET weren't as hardened as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, by cruel fortune and a fruitless search over time and space for the mythic desert angel who once saved him.
How Grant brings Jas and Rom together, and the glory is definitely in her details, can involve sly humor (e.g. in Rom's world, all the men stand when a woman enters the room and, as a lover, he admires the artistry of her stretch marks.) But she's also capable of snap-turning you from light-as-a-feather giddy to a sudden plunge into emotional despair.
You will not guess the twists and turns before they unfold, but you will root mightily for this couple to survive and fulfill the promise of their long-ago stolen moment in time.
This is just a wonderful novel that combines passion and writerly control in a fresh new way. I hope Rom has more family, because you can feel a series here.
Rating:
Summary: Sinfully Sensual Romance
Review: As an avid reader of Romance, I was absolutely delighted by THE STAR KING. While I don't usually delve into the realm of Science Fiction Romances, I fell in love with the characters and the settings of this richly colorful story.
Susan Grant masterfully tackles sensual writing with scenes that appeal to all of the reader's senses, and are sure to leave you breathless. (I almost fell off my couch) From dinners where the hero and heroine slowly feed eachother exotic alien cuisine, or in one case a nice cold beer; to games that are played in complete darkness using only the tactile senses of the mind; and colorful alien worlds filled with shimmering detail, Susan Grant makes this delightful romance feel alive.
Add to that, a suspenseful plot where the hero and heroine often find themselves in mortal peril from an intergalactic cult leader; riviting secondary characters like a monsterous hulk of a bodyguard named "Muffin"; and a beautiful romance that brings to life a love in two mature and interesting people.
Any way you look at this story, its broad range appeal will captivate you. The range of emotions run from lighthearted humor, to gut wrenching tension, to heartwarming tenderness, blended together with masterful ease.
I personally can't wait for the sequel. Thank you Ms. Grant. I would recommend this story to everyone.
Chessie
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, wild ride!
Review: Drop everything and read this book! It's just what you need to bring sweep you away to romance and adventure. I particularly loved the 40something heroine, and the way she recaptures her sense of wonder and joy in the world through other-worldly things. It's a testament to the irrepressibility of the human spirit as well as a fun and sexy romance. This is SF Romance for people who don't "get" SF Romance, because the writing is so excellent the themes so universal.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable, well-written story
Review: I am a science-fiction fan, first and foremost, but I also enjoy a good romance now and again. So when I first discovered the sub-genre of futuristic romance, I was delighted. What could be better, I thought? Quite a lot, apparently. I have almost always been disappointed with these types of books, the plots generally being far too lame and hackneyed for me to enjoy them.
Not so with "The Star King"! This book was like a breath of fresh air. The characters are thoroughly enjoyable, the writing crisp and fresh, and the plot did not disappoint me! This author knows something about world-building. The universe she created in this novel feels multi-layered and real; Ms. Grant even paid attention to things like the language barrier and religion.
Science-fiction fans -- if you're expecting a new and original science-fictional premise, then you should look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a well-told tale with plenty of romance and adventure, then this is the book for you.
Futuristic romance fans -- All I can say to you is, buy this book immediately! It has everything I've ever wanted in a futuristic romance: excitement, a destined love, exotic locales, wonderful characters, and a well-thought-out universe to play in. Read this one; you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, well-written story
Review: I am a science-fiction fan, first and foremost, but I also enjoy a good romance now and again. So when I first discovered the sub-genre of futuristic romance, I was delighted. What could be better, I thought? Quite a lot, apparently. I have almost always been disappointed with these types of books, the plots generally being far too lame and hackneyed for me to enjoy them.
Not so with "The Star King"! This book was like a breath of fresh air. The characters are thoroughly enjoyable, the writing crisp and fresh, and the plot did not disappoint me! This author knows something about world-building. The universe she created in this novel feels multi-layered and real; Ms. Grant even paid attention to things like the language barrier and religion.
Science-fiction fans -- if you're expecting a new and original science-fictional premise, then you should look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a well-told tale with plenty of romance and adventure, then this is the book for you.
Futuristic romance fans -- All I can say to you is, buy this book immediately! It has everything I've ever wanted in a futuristic romance: excitement, a destined love, exotic locales, wonderful characters, and a well-thought-out universe to play in. Read this one; you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: MAGICAL!
Review: I am always impressed by this author's original take on things, her avoidance of cliches and her wonderful imagination. She didn't fail me here. There were so many neat "alien" things in this book, a very clever, well-thought-out world. The story was fascinating and exciting and very intense with an ending that was was brilliant and romantically poignant.
Star King is a magical, unique book and I highly recommend it.
