Starkissed

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely amazing. I cannot praise this book enough.
Review: Awesome! Not to be missed! Incredible! Proof that Love transcends any obstacle! Lanette Curington's Starkissed has received much praise in the past. I add my voice to the chorus. Yes, I'm a believer.

Standing in for her bed-ridden father, Leith McClure concludes a shady business deal in a backwater dive on the butt-side of the universe. Her father's trusted partner had set up the deal, so Leith felt no need to ask too many questions. She just wanted the deal done so she could return to her sick father's side.

Leith would later regret her disinterest.

The well-being of his people rested squarely on J'Qhir's shoulders. Guardian of his world, indeed his people's greatest hero, J'Qhir was uncomfortable with this transaction. Yes he needed the supplies and yes he trusted Cameron McClure absolutely, but this "Steve Hancock" caused all of J'Qhir's inner alarms to ring. And the youngling...? There was something about her that disturbed him on many levels. Nevertheless, he had business to conclude. The offer to tour one of McClure's spaceships was a bonus. If Cameron trusted his daughter and this "Steve," then surely so could J'Qhir?

Betrayal and trickery were talents long mastered by the race called "human." The Zi had no concept of it, but Steve was quite happy to instruct him on the finer points. A few lies told, a booby-trap or two, and Leigh and J'Qhir are abandoned on a planet called Paradise.

As the only sentient being on Paradise, Leith and J'Qhir must learn to work together, to maximize their strengths and support each other's weaknesses. Cooperation brings familiarity... familiarity brings friendship... friendship brings trust and intimacy... and intimacy brings love.

Starkissed is amazing. It did not matter than Leith and J'Qhir come from two incredibly diverse cultures-or that they were not of the same species, let alone race-for they found a common thread. Two lonely hearts who wanted to love. For all its alien-ness, Starkissed is surprisingly sweet. Even during their first sexual encounter, ripe with humor and social confusion, received and "awwwwwwwwwwwwww" response. It was also amazingly intense and thoroughly enjoyed by this reader.

I opened Starkissed late one night to begin the reviewing process. I didn't put it down until it was almost done, when dawn caressed the sky and work called. My first response was to post my recommendation of this book to my author's lists. It garnered a lively discussion there. Although Starkissed is a mixture of "Enemy Mine" and "Star Trek," it stands powerfully alone.

Absolutely amazing. I cannot praise this book enough. Fans of Futuristic Romance should consider this a "must read".

-Brenda Thatcher

Rating:
Summary: Starkiss-s-sed Indeed
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. Curington is an accomplished storyteller, grabbing your attention from the first page and never letting go.
The main characters are well drawn and fully developed with perhaps the most fleshed out being the Zi, J'Qhir - the Commander. Never has "I will build a lair for us" sounded so romantic!
And speaking of romance, from the "ss" in its title to the signature s-speak of J'Qhir, this book sizzles! The sexual tension between the alien male J'Qhir and the human female Leith is all the more intriguing for their differences. Here Ms. Curington charts an original course in exploring their love. They truly discover one another and in so doing, define themselves.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone whether they are fans of science fiction or, like me, just enjoy a good old-fashioned love story - with a new twist!

Rating:
Summary: Kinky futuristic romance.
Review: Leith McClure is reluctant to leave the safety of Earth and her studies, but some off-planet family business must be seen to during her father's illness. While delivering some cargo to Commander J'Qhir, Warrior of Zi, a crooked co-worker absconds with the payment and the cargo, dumping Leith and J'Qhir on an uninhabited planet. While trying to survive the harsh conditions of "Paradise", they succumb to their mutual attraction, until rescue threatens the forbidden relationship.

Finally, an author who differentiates between a human and an alien! When there is a romance involved, most authors seem to be afraid to make the alien character too far from humanoid.
J'Qhir has hairless, leatherlike skin and his "equipment" is internal until the mating act is performed. It makes for some interesting and kinky sex scenes, which (by the way) are surprisingly humorous. Kudos to Ms. Curington for having the [courage] ... to write it.

Overall, the book is a fast, easy read. There is not very much depth to the plot, so I can only go 4 stars; but, I do recommend it for entertainment purposes.