Forced Mate

Rating:
Summary: Forced Mate is a great read
Review: As a long time science fiction reader, I was prepared to suspend disbelief for the short time it took to establish the world in which this story takes place. And a fascinating world it is. The heroine is a 'lost' princess. She is half human and was raised on Earth. Unfortunately for her, she is also the only legitimate candidate to marry the heir to a vast space empire - her father's most hated enemy. The heir locates and kidnaps her, then attempts to get her to fall in love with him by not revealing his identity. The worldbuilding is complex, the characters realistic, and the adventure intriguing. And at the center of it all is a great love story. I highly recommend this read.

Rating:
Summary: A great beach read that you can't put down!
Review: Forced Mate is a highly original story with a fun twist. Aliens live on Earth, but only a few know of their presence. Djinni is a Saurian warrior knight living in present-day England. She is intent on someday killing her family's sworn enemy, the god-Emperor, Prince Tarrant-Arragon, the Tigron dictator and slayer of her people. She also plans to marry the Prince's replacement, just as soon as Tarrant-Arragon is assassinated. Unfortunately, she hasn't actually seen either the Prince or her betrothed as adults, and so a whirlwind of mistaken identity ensues. Tarrant-Arragon, for his part, knows everyone -- or, at least, thinks he does...

His one goal is to find some way to trick Djinni into marrying him, and consummating the marriage, before she can kill him. And Djinni is intent on staying close to the man she calls Tigger (actually Tarrant-Arragon) so that she can get close enough to kill . . . well, Tarrant-Arragon!

This book was a lot of fun. The subterfuge engaged in by all parties keeps you guessing until the very last page. The secondary characters are wonderfully drawn, and one can only hope that Ms. Cherry will continue on with more books in this same series! A terrific romp of a book! Cathy Clamp


Rating:
Summary: great read
Review: I don't read much science fiction, but this book referred to me by a friend and I'm glad I read it. The characters are great, and the story line had enough twist to hold my interest. This book will make you imagination soar, hopefully the author will write books similar to this one.

Rating:
Summary: Just not up to snuff
Review: I found "Forced Mate" in a used bookstore in perfect condition. This is never a good sign. I'm selling "Forced Mate" back to that used bookstore in perfect condition.

I really enjoy futuristic romance, but this book was just plain poorly written. All bluster and no follow through, inconsistent personalities, borring hero, and bland leading lady.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing addition to a great genre.
Review: I hate to give a bad review to any new futuristic romance since it is my favorite genre and new ones are hard to find, but (you saw it coming, didn't you?) I simply didn't care for this one.
The plot was confusing. I never figured out where the characters were coming from and; thus, none of them could ever really "grow" on me. It's not the worst I have ever read and I DO like this genre, so I give it 1 extra star.

Rating:
Summary: fails on several levels
Review: It's muddled, confusing and rambles on and on about things that slow the story down. The writer obviously have a sense of humor, but cannot translate that well to a story.

Rating:
Summary: Power & politics are their world, but love may change life
Review: Prince Tarrant-Aragon, the god-Emperor of Tigron, discovers the only woman who could be his Mate has been hidden on the planet Earth. He is all-powerful and ruthless and has come to acquire her. That his Earthling limo driver dares to make sly observations along the way was unheard of -- but intriguing. Not being a foolish human, Greg, a cynical mercenary known as Grievous, tactfully keeps his mouth shut about things like the little miss naming the boss `Tigger'.

Djinni's father is the Saurian Dragon, leader of the Saurian Knights and she has trained extensively. Feeling secure while hiding on Earth, she has been betrothed to 'JJ' since childhood and is an integral part of a plan to enthrone him as the new god-Emperor of Tigron. Although she is suspicious when first approached, the stranger appeared to be a Saurian Knight; so she followed trustingly. Too late Djinni finds she has been abducted. Despite several escape attempts, she is now on Tigger's ship and in danger of breaking her Saurian vows.

Djinni does not realize that the poem she read was actually a wedding ceremony and that Tigger is the prince she has been taught to dread. He was forced to abduct her and wed her, but Tarrant-Aragon does not want a battle-ground for a marriage as his father and grandfather before him. As Prince of Tigron he is considered all-powerful, but how to make his half-Earthling wife accept him? Her lack of respect and different perception of him and their universe is something he finds perplexing and frustrating. He hopes to win her heart, but who can he go to for such an unheard of advice? Among his choices is the Earthling limo driver, who has been bold enough to voice unasked for opinions but declares women are difficult.

There is a good balance between action and romance with subtle and outright humor adding to the main plot instead of distracting. The political intrigue brings unexpected plot twists that will keep you guessing who is on what side. The characters stay true and the changes as their relationship grows are believable.

In chess the term 'Forced Mate' is where the two kings race to make a pawn their queen. So the title is fitting and through-out the story there are several chess references. You will not find Djinni a mere pawn, though she is naïve and Tigger takes advantage of that to force changes in her life. Will his desire to have her love brings about changes that will be felt throughout their worlds and stop a revolution? This futuristic romance is one that you won't want to miss!

REVIEWERS NOTE: I read the e-book and now the paperback (Unique! Available from different publishers). It felt like seeing a movie in theatre and then edited for TV. Some scenes were edited for Mass Market and were excellently rewritten, rephrased, etc. Some violence and sexual reference was toned down - I EMPHATICALLY state that the Mass Market paperback showed NO noticeable lack because of the different editing and was still an enjoyable, complete story.

I was reading for enjoyment; not to compare the differences. It was things left out that I noticed having read the NBI edition first.

SO, if you want ALL the relationships and motivational details explained, get the e-book or trade paperback edition. If you are not a compulsive futuristic/sci-fi fan, but enjoy a good paranormal romance, then the Mass Market edition is for you.

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Great potential that dies....
Review: Prince Tarrant-Arragon of the Tigran Empire always gets his way it is his destiny as the future Emperor. When it is found that there is a remaining virgin Djinn it rests on his shoulders to mate with her to protect the royal race. The problem is that he is on earth, is the daughter of a rival and a human and doesn't want anything to do with him.

The prince also wants to have a mating with someone who doesn't loath him in fact though it is his "right" he has never "deflowered" a virgin to date. So he cooks up a plan and with a couple of trusted guards as well as a few hired people sneaks onto Earth and kidnaps Djinni-vera. He doesn't tell her who he is and just goes by the name Tigger. Even though, he knows she loathes the prince. The story follows their growing love and the shock when Djinni-vera finds out who her Tigger really is.

I thought I would love this book. But, after 2 tries I still haven't made it past page 80. Just could not keep me interested!

Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: This is a fast-moving, well plotted, and excellently characterized novel. The romantic tension between Djinni and Tarrant-Arragon is maintained until the end, the secondary characters are equally well drawn (I especially liked Grievous), and the plot has some nice twists to keep the reader's interest. The chess analogies and political manuevering add greatly to the tale. There are a few unresolved issues at the end, which I can only hope indicate that the author intends to write a sequel, and soon!

Highly recommended, must read for fans of futuristic novels.

Rating:
Summary: Avid Reader
Review: This was the worst book I have ever read. I bought the book because of the five star ratings and because fresh fantasy romance books are hard to find. The story, I think there was one, was muddled and made no sense what so ever. There was no charachter development. I didn't care what happened to them. I feel cheated. Words can't describe how bad this book was.