Beloved Captor by Jez Morrow

Title: Beloved Captor

Author: Jez Morrow

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: Novella (146pgs)

Publisher: Torquere Press (11th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Desdaine has fallen hard for space fighter ace, Jess Laren. The trouble is, Laren is a hero on the wrong side of the interplanetary war.

As a senior intelligence officer in the Ilzec Empire, Desdaine thinks his attraction to other men is his own secret. But when Laren is shot down in Ilzec airspace and found guilty of spying, Desdaine receives orders to carry out the execution. Desdaine didn’t think his outlawed desire was obvious, but apparently someone sees through him, and wants to know where Desdaine’s loyalty truly lies. Shamed and furious, Desdaine makes the only choice he can…

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=3494

Review: Desdaine and Laren are two men on opposite sides in the war.   during a brief cease-fire they meet for the first time and Desdaine is rebuffed and it hurts him terrible. Weeks later Laren is captured and his fate lies in Desdaine’s hands.

An interesting book that in parts had me feeling sorry for Desdaine, thinking Laren was a cocky git (he just hasn’t a clue sometimes) and had me laughing because of the humor. Desdaine has admired Laren from afar for a while and has a major crush on him.  He can’t let anyone know though and thought he had hidden it well.  But when Laren is captured he has hard choices to make and he doesn’t think Laren will ever forgive him. Laren might like Desdaine but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to escape or keep trying to anyway.

I really enjoyed this book and I found the captor/captive scenario to be well-played out and not overdone.  Laren’s escape attempts are humorous and Desdaine’s fears understandable. I liked how both characters were portrayed… Desdaine cold, calculating, yet vulnerable and unsure.  While Laren was cocky, confident and a typical fly-boy. I enjoyed how these two reacted to each other even while both of them knew in the backs of their minds that it might not be real.  Until Laren has a revelation.

I must admit that for two planets at war there wasn’t much action.  but the story pulled together and there was never a sticking point about how things happened so it flowed smoothly to give us an ending that worked really well. The sex was really hot between them and Desdaine’s feelings always showed even when he tried to mask them.

So I recommend this to those who like sci-fi, star-crossed lovers, a great story-line, hot sex and a happy ever after.