Rogues

There is nothing quite like a book that starts out with a hot sex scene in the very first sentence. "Rogues" makes promises with that first line, and mostly delivers on them. The story opens with Thomas, a slightly self-absorbed vampire, and Rick, his psychic human companion, on their space ship "Sleepwalker." Though they are happy lovers, they both think they want a woman to share their life. But, not just any woman will do--they want the person who has been sharing their recent sexual encounters via a psychic link. That woman is Harriet--a bounty-hunter werewolf. When she shows up, it's to take them in for defaulting on the bank loan for their ship. But they've been paying. It isn't long before Harriet is helping the boys to discover who set them all up, and why. This was a fresh paranormal-meets-science fiction tale with a hot ménage á trois at center stage. Very hot--the sex is explicit and varied. Every single orifice gets filled at some point! Yet, it remains hot throughout, without getting repetitive or boring. In fact, there is an extra spiciness to the sex since the three of them have a psychic bond. Thomas says, "Rick had taught him the benefits of a psychic lover. If she could hear his thoughts, it would save them both time and effort. Nothing like just thinking about what you want and having your lover respond." Also, the authors put some effort into making their futuristic setting as realistic as possible, and applying it to their characters. For example, people who spend too much time in space require regular exercise to keep their muscles from becoming weak. Thomas is a vampire, but how would that factor into traveling through space where there' s no sunlight? How would he feed? The authors tackle such questions head on while keeping the story flowing smoothly. Rogues is formulaic, but the authors poke fun at the very clichés they are using to great effect. One of the villains is named Christina Smerkish, and the three main characters are called Tom, Rick and Harriet, after all! Before the story begins, the reader sees the following passage: A vampire, a psychic and a werewolf walk into a bar on Alpha Prime..."--1001 Stellar Jokes. What makes this note-worthy is that that is exactly what will follow. Add to this mix a jealous Artificial Intelligence who may want to be human, genetic engineering, embezzlement, assassins, and an accounting conspiracy of galactic proportions. Cheesy? Definitely. Hot and sexy? Oh, yes. Will Rogues win the Hugo Award? Not likely. But, readers will have a rip roaring good time with this steamy threesome as they have their adventures in, and out of, bed.

Thomas and Rick have been together for thirty years. Thomas is a vampire and Rick is a psychic. Rick's neck bears the marks that designate him a vampire's companion. They've become lovers over the years but they still can't help but feel like something is missing or someone. Both men desire a woman to join them as a long-term third, and Rick's senses have picked up on a particular woman who would be perfect. They just have to find her. Harriet hates her job as a bank repo officer. What she really wants is a desk job in accounting but as a werewolf with unusual abilities her options are rather limited. While she's at the Sedilous Tavern looking for a couple of specific deadbeats she'll check for other marks that could earn her a bounty. To her surprise someone in the bar also has psi power and is using it to try to draw her toward him and his companion. What Harriet finds most disturbing about the psi's `touch' is the fact it's familiar. She'd felt it less than twenty-four hours ago. When she finally caves in and allows herself to look at the man, she realizes she's seen both him and his vampire `friend' before - in a file. There's a bounty on them which she fully intends to claim. Only things start to go very wrong. The reason for there being a bounty on them, defaulting on loan payments, appears to be bogus. Harriet can't help but be attracted to both men despite their ship, the Sleepwalker's computer, Elvie. Is there any hope for a lifetime relationship among the three of them once the truth behind the disappearing payments becomes known? ROGUES is a thrilling novel of intrigue, hot sex, lots of laughter, and unforgettable characters. Thomas, Rick, and Harriet form a bond which is very easy to envy. Each one plays a vital part in their relationship, not just sexually but as a team outside of bed as well. Even Elvie will touch readers hearts with her obvious jealously of Harriet in `her' men's life. As if the mind-boggling goings-on between these four isn't enough to keep you reading, there's the question of where did Thomas and Rick's loan payments disappear to, how did they do it, and why? If you enjoy futuristic/paranormal storylines then Liddy Midnight and Cricket Starr have penned the perfect novel for you to indulge your need for something extraordinary. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)