The Down Home Zombie Blues by Linnea Sinclair

Jorie Mikkalah is hunting a group of biomechanical organisms also known as zombies who’s sole purpose is to destroy living beings. She’s tracked them to a village on a backward planet called Earth and finds herself and her team pursued not only by the zombies, but by Bahia Vista police detective, Theo Petrakos. Theo and Jorie team up after he finds a mummified body and Jorie loses touch with her ship and working together sends off all kinds of sparks between them. But while Jorie is really attracted to Theo, can she open up her heart knowing than their love is forbidden?

Another great book from Linnea Sinclair. This one offers a familiar setting for readers who do not enjoy stories set in a completely different universe. I really liked how she handled the language differences between Theo and Jorie, it made the story much more believable. If you like action and paranormal books, then you really should give this one a try.

Details: Bantam Spectra, December 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

Filled with action and adventure, Linnea introduces a heroine who finds herself serving underneath a cyborg, with whom she previously fought against during the war. Now a more insidious enemy invades their universe forcing the couple together. Can love be far behind.

Great story with a complex plot and very believable characters. A must read if you like science fiction and romance.

Details: Bantam, March 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

An Accidental Goddess by Linnea Sinclair

Raherian Special Forces Captain Gillaine Davré wakes up to find she’s surrounded by strangers in a place she’s never been before. While this has happened before, especially after drinking heavily, it’s the first time she loses also loses 300 years. More distrubing, Gillaine also learns the people of this system now revere her as the Goddess, Lady Kiasidira.

At first Admiral Mack Markarian believes the sexy lady who woke up in his sickbay is a smuggler, but then he realizes Gillaine is full of secrets, including her uncanny resemblance to the Lady Kiasidira. While Mack finds himself growing closer to Gillaine, he learns a former enemy has returned to conquer his system. The same enemy the Lady Kiasidria defeated in the past. Now can Gillaine put aside her feelings for Mack to perform the same job she did 300 years earlier or will she risk the future of billions of people to secure her own happiness?

One of the speakers at the RWA conference used this book as an example of new direction for romance novels. To me this book seemed mostly a hybrid of traditional science fiction and with a strong romantic subplot. It was extremely well done. Though I doubt Nora Roberts has anything to worry about . Still as a long time fan of science fiction, I really enjoyed the change of setting and I'm looking forward to reading more of these types of books in the future.

Details: Spectra, January 2006

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy