Enslave Me Sweetly

I thought it was great! I enjoyed this book just as much as the first edition to this series. I read it in two settings-only because I needed to sleep. Gena Showalter has a way to make the imagined believable. A very refreshingly different escape from everyday realism, to the world of Gena!

This was my first Gena Showalter - and I have to say, I was very impressed! Basic Synopsis: Aliens and Human, after many years of war, co-exist on Earth together. However, despite the cease fire between the races, there are some Aliens (and Humans) who still desire to abolish or ruin the other race. In Enslave Me Sweetly, the main conflict deals with the enslavement of Humans; this is where Eden Black comes into the picture. It is her mission to infiltrate the slave trade, and kill the main proprietor. Eden Black has to be one of my favorite characters of all time. She is a walking oxymoron. The following are some examples of these contradictions: 1.) She is a part of a race of aliens (Rakans) that is hunted (almost to extinction) by humans for their skins and hair. However, because she was raised by a human, she views herself more human than alien. In her mindset - aliens are the enemies, not humans. 2.) Her appearance is one of sweetness and gentleness. Her alien heritage is known for its peaceful nature - however, despite this nature, she works as an assassin. Her job is to seek and kill those who threaten the peaceful co-existence between Aliens and Humans. She is quite violent and arrogant. She looks like a "pretty" rich girl, yet she's not afraid to sweat and get dirty. 3.) Everything about her oozes sensuality; she loves the flesh, luxury, decadence, and sugar. But again - she acts with restraint and self-control. She's not one to over-indulge or to have promiscuous relationships, despite her desires. In all aspects... Eden is a contradiction, and I just love that. This character really challenges the theory of "nature vs. nurture." She's fantastic - a great creation by Gena Showalter. As for Lucius, he kind of gets the short end of the stick - due in part to the fact that the book is written primarily in the first person. And although that point of view is not my preference, Showalter really pulls it off. I didn't feel that the perspective was skewed in favor of Eden. She manages to integrate an author's omnipotent knowledge into the first person so to balance the story line. It is very well done indeed. Lucius is very much an Alfa character. He is in the beginning quite arrogant (justifiably so; he's good at what he does); there many times where he is a complete jerk to Eden. But Eden is tough - and she doesn't let him defeat her. She's the queen of one-upmanship, and eventually, Lucius learns that appearances don't mean anything. Eden is not as soft as she seems; and in reality, she is a legitimate challenge to him every step of the way. The union of these two characters is one of mutual respect, friendship, desire, and love. This book really is a great buy; a must read. I know you will enjoy the action-packed story, the thorough characterizations, and the thrilling romance as much as I did. I can't wait to read it again!

This book was probably the best one I've read by Gena Showalter. It encases a sufficient amount of action with just the right amount of sex. The chacacters are in your face and you can't get enough of them. An alien hunter, Eden, has a mishap during one of her missions to knock off a top alien predator and is assigned a condescending man as her new partner. The two have to work together and overcome their hate to finish the mission successfully. Though Eden tells herself she hates her patner, she can't help but to fall madly in love with him. Things take quite a twist when Eden and her man start caring too much for each other. It's a fabulous book that anyone who loves fantasy romance novels will most definitely enjoy.

Gena Showalter has quickly become one of my favorite authors. 'Awaken me Darkly' was recommended to me and sat on my to be read stack for a little while before I actually picked it up and read it. Once I had I quickly went and read her entire backlist. I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel and wasn't dissapointed. I like that Eden managed to save the day and rescue her lover, while relying on her own strengths and wits. We are also introduced to new characters that I have a feeling will be seen in future books. I was completely absorbed in this world and was unable to put it down once I started. Whatever world Ms. Showalter introduces the reader to, whether it be paranormal, contemporary, or science fiction romance, it is always satisfying.

Once a Raka princess, Eden Black is one of the deadliest Assassins on earth. She is assigned to kill EenLi, but the target escapes and Eden is injured. To assist her, Eden, already humiliated by her failure to accomplish the mission, is outraged when she is assigned a partner and making matters worse, a human male. Her new partner Lucius Adaire finds it amusing that a female assassin allegedly exists, but is assigned to work with the beautiful golden skined alien. As a team they are expected to infiltrate and end the human slave trade that sends earthling to other planets. As they work this impossible mission, Lucius and Eden are attracted to one another. As the danger mounts, they begin to fall in love, but first completing the assignment must be achieved before they can explore their feelings. This sequel to the delightful police procedural romantic sci fi AWAKEN ME DARKLY is a terrific tale due to the respective attitudes of the new teammates. Initially he scoffs at a female doing his line of work and she ridicules a human especially a male keeping up with her. As they work the case together respect and admiration take root along with their attraction which turns to love. The investigation grips readers while Gena Showalter makes her world filled with aliens seem genuine because of it. Fans will appreciate this superb science fiction investigative tale. Harriet Klausner