Tag: Jessica Freely

His Own Devices by Jessica Freely

jf_hisowndevices_coverin_1Title: His Own Devices

Author: Jessica Freely

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

Length: Novella (133pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (20th November 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Cam still has the scars from his time as a slave mining malleum, a metal as strong as steel and as pliable as human flesh. His talent for fixing machines was his ticket out of that hell, but when he’s ordered to repair a malfunctioning android and instead falls in love, Cam discovers it’s his own shattered spirit that needs mending.

Sunshine’s “flaw” is that he has a personality and free will, traits that interfere with his role as the perfect, obedient worker. They also make him smart, sweet, and sexy as hell. Sunshine is determined to pursue a relationship with Cam, no matter what it takes. No penis? No problem! He’s made of malleum, and he can modify his anatomy to meet Cam’s deepest desires. The hard part is getting Cam to admit what he really wants.

Meanwhile, Cam’s boss expects him to complete repairs on the new worker prototype. It’ll be the mines for Cam and the scrap heap for Sunshine unless they can outwit a corporation founded on slavery and prove that even in the most unexpected places, love flourishes, transforming not just one wounded man, but also a whole world.

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/his-own-devices.html

Review: Cam is a slave who has been rescued from the mines only because of his mechanical acumen. He is now all alone on a moon where he fixes, invents and updates whatever his jailers send him. When he is sent a malfunctioning android, he makes a startling discovery and he begins to want something that scares him to death. Sunshine (SNSH1.9 android) doesn’t want to die again. He isn’t malfunctioning he is just fine. When he meets one of the Olbrans and begins to learn new things, he discovers that he will do anything for Cam.

This is a great science fiction story where a corporation has taken over the universe, enslaving entire planets for their own financial gain. Cam suffered for four years in the mines, before it was discovered that he would be more useful working as a technician and inventor. When Sunshine is sent to him for repair, Cam discovers that he wants to forget the fear and abuse and have something more. Sunshine just wants to live. Discovering Cam isn’t like any of the Hanovan, he begins to trust him, and it isn’t long before he discovers new feelings. Between Cam and Sunshine they have to work out a way to give the Hanumans what they want.  But, when they do Sunshine finds out the truth, and it’s down to Sunshine and Cam to save an entire planet.

This is a story that gives the imagination food for thought. What happens when a greedy company decides to take over the Universe? What happens when you program an android, but the programming takes on a mind of its own? And what happens when a brilliant technician and an android falls in love? This is a great storyline. It has wonderful world building and a fantastic romance and while some of this book is quite funny. There is also a serious aspect with Cam’s mental and emotional recovery after years of abuse. The storyline of how Cam’s and other races were taken and forced into servitude is interesting and Cam and Sunshine’s solution is brilliant.

Sunshine is a sweet loveable character and watching him grow as a person as he learns more and discovers more about himself is a wonderful experience. Seeing how he is with Cam is beautiful. Cam is a great character who has a lot going for him. He has a lot of scars both on the outside and the inside, but with Sunshine’s love he begins to heal. The sex between them is hot, but watch out for the detachable penis *snigger* (no, I am not twelve, but it is funny). I really did enjoy this book, but I did feel like the end was over very quickly. It all happened so fast, but saying that nothing was missing… I just wanted it drawn out more.

I am recommending this to those who love science fiction and space opera’s, android loving, cute technician’s, hot sex, slavers getting what they deserve and a very happy ending.

 

 

Dharma Cafe by Jessica Freely

Title: Dharma Cafe

Author: Jessica Freely

Genre: Paranormal, Multicultural

Length: Novel (232pgs)

Publisher: Loose Id (17th January 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½Heats

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Welcome to the Dharma Café, a restaurant like no other. There is no menu. The waiter, Samura, uses mystical powers to read what each customer needs, and the cook, Agatha, prepares the food with ingredients like love, hope, and courage.

The café is a refuge for the new busboy, Charlie, who was kicked out of home on his eighteenth birthday. Irresistibly drawn to Samura, Charlie soon discovers that the stern, formal waiter harbors a heartbreaking past and a dangerous secret.

Samura lives in fear that one day, the darkness inside him will burst forth to destroy all he loves. Now that includes brash, infuriating, delectable Charlie, who has broken through all Samura’s defenses and taught him to trust himself.

Just when Samura thinks it might be safe to reveal the truth, his worst nightmare walks back into his life: His father, Akio, the evil food sorcerer who runs the burger stand on the other side of town. Akio’s business is expanding and he wants his son to manage his new location, where the Dharma Café now stands.

It will take the combined resources of an ancient cook, a novice dishwasher, and a cursed waiter to fight Akio and protect the café. But when Samura succumbs to Akio’s magic, will it be enough?

Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Dharma-Cafe.aspx

Review: Samura was taken in by Chef Agatha when he was eight, after he ran away from his father Akio.   Now he is eighteen and although he tries his best, he can still feel the darkness inside sometimes. Charlie has been thrown out by his parents on his eighteenth birthday.  He’s roaming the streets when he comes across a dumpster full of gorgeous food, he can’t resist and dives in head first.

This is a… I have to say slightly whacky, but thoroughly enjoyable story. Samura is haunted by his past and although Chef Agatha has spent the last ten years working her magic on him, it still has the power to make him doubt himself. Charlie finds it hard to believe that his parents threw him out, but he starts to get back on his feet with the help of Chef Agatha.  Surprisingly, even though he has a fear of sorcerers, he doesn’t notice the magic at work in the café until he goes with Samura to collect ingredients and he makes a startling discovery about himself when he has to save Samura.

I have to admit that I was intrigued by the food magic and how there was good and evil.  The good working to give a customer what they truly need and the bad making customers starvelings who will do anything the Sorcerer wants for another burger (okay, so I am suspicious of McDonald’s now). The instant antagonistic reaction that Samura and Charlie adds a bit of spice , as you never know how they will react to each other because all the while you know that they are both hiding the fact that they are wildly attracted to each other.

The characters are brilliantly portrayed and I loved Chef Agatha.  The story-line was really good and I liked how both Samura and Charlie acted like eighteen year olds and not all grown up and adult.  their relationship progressed quickly once they admitted how they both felt and I will never look at bread dough in the same light again.

I will recommend this one to those who want a paranormal magic story with a twist, humor, great sex, food magic, a hunger demon battle, hordes of starvelings and a cheerful happy ever after.