Don't you ever pars-scan your comnet?
The Blarmling Dilemma
S.C. Mitchell
Hearts in Orbit, book one
ebook, 242 pages
Published December 2nd 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing
Read for Free with Kindle's Lending Library
Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
- or just buy it because it's awesome!
“They’re not animals. They’re people!”
Phoebe Callista’s pleas fall on deaf ears and she’s forced to rescue two helpless Blarmlings from certain death. Fleeing across a backwater sector of the galaxy, with Galactic Marshals in hot pursuit, Phoebe falls into the hands of a handsome but determined bounty hunter.
Rigel Antares has captured wanted criminals throughout the galaxy rim, but he’s never come across anything like Phoebe Callista. The gorgeous blonde is playing the innocent, and something deep inside wants to believe her, but Rigel has problems of his own—a ship that’s falling apart and an unscrupulous Galactic Marshal looking for any excuse to send him back to the prison planets of the Theiler System.
An intergalactic circus, vicious space pirates, and a planet full of backtechers cross their paths as two hearts go into orbit to save a pair of adorable Blarmlings.
Hearts in Orbit — Volume 1: THE BLARMLING DILEMMA is a science fiction romance set in the far-flung space traveling future, and sets a new course across the galaxy that leads to love and adventure.
Yes, yes, and oh yes! This is a book with such sweetness and so many unexpected turns that I could not put it down after picking it up when it became obvious that my then current read wasn't giving me what I needed. This sure as hell did!
Recently employed by United Research & Technologies, Phoebe is a biomechanic at the research facility where plans are in motion to breed two Blarmlings in hopes of giving the population a new pet source now that cats and dogs have nearly become extinct. When the pair fail to produce satisfying results, they are slated for execution and dissection. In response of which, soft hearted Phoebe has no choice but to free the two-Lart and Oolo-and see them safely home to the planet of Blarm.
It's a plan that lands her a bounty that Rigel desperately needs in order to keep his ancient ship from falling apart.
Born of a thief who was tried and sentenced to the prison planets, Rigel may be called a spacer but he's lived by the law all of his life despite the stigma of his upbringing. When he was released at the age of fifteen, he joined the circus and earned enough credits to buy himself a ship, soon finding his way into a bounty hunting career.
And that brings us to the beginning of BD as it kicks off in the heat of a starship battle between the two. When Rigel first meets Phoebe, he's in awe of her. Leaving me to be in awe of him.
I loved Rigel's personality. Here's a guy with images of a blonde hair, green eyed beauty in his mind, with memories of her panty drawer riding the edges, and his first fantasy is simply of her holding him while he sleeps. Romantics out there, prepare to swoon. This guy's a keeper.
[ SPOILERS ]
Locked up on Rigel's ship, Phoebe takes the opportunity to debug his mainframe while he searches her ship for the specimens she's been charged with stealing. Never does he find them, until they reveal themselves while trying to get Phoebe free. And surprise, surprise- turns out, Rigel spent a year on Blarm when his ship crashed there and left him stranded. In that time he learned their language and grew to love and respect their species. Had he known the truth of Phoebe's crime, he would have let her go.
Rigel and Phoebe find love rather quickly, and then the true adventure begins.
A corrupt marshal puts most of the heat on the duo, having had Rigel in his sights for years and guilty of stealing many a bounties from our hero. Then they fall into the clutches of space pirates only to emerge as saviors to a community of backtechers. It's here where the author had a good time twisting into the story characters inspired by the notorious Robin Hood with names like Ryan Loxley, Mirin, and Tucker Frye.
With time running out as Lart (yes, Lart) is due to give birth to five babies very soon, Phoebe is reluctantly forced to turn herself in. The sacrifice gets Rigel the necessary credits to fix his ship and see the Blarmlings safely home.
From there, Rigel and Phoebe spend six months apart. She, on Theiler 5, serving her sentence and bonding with Rigel's mother. Meanwhile, Rigel aids the Blarmlings in having them declared a people, therefore ending the threat of a future pet status and ensuring their quality in the eyes of the rest of the galaxy. This, in turn, earns Rigel the status as Blarmling Ambassador and with it, diplomatic immunity from all crimes. For him, and his immediate family. A happy ending for his mother and, by Blarmling law, for his wife.
It's a light-hearted read carried by an easy romance, the perfect mix of humor and action, and cuddly bear-like Blarmlings. Upon finishing it, I immediately returned it to the Lending Library and purchased my very own copy for the collection. It's truly a must have.
5 out of 5 stars. And kudos to the cover artist for the beautiful, complimenting image.
Book two, Pirates of the Dark Nebula, has a possible release in June and will feature Phoebe’s sister, Luna, and an under cover galactic marshal named Rik Mazer.
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