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Book Review Club: Launch Windows by @DebraCaldwyl

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Launch Windows coverLaunch Windows
by Debra Caldwyl
Young Adult Romance

Book Blurb:

Ysabela Mayorga McLain is the 17-year-old reigning “Math Queen” and food cart entrepreneur of Mesa High School’s junior class. Sharp-tongued with a razor-keen intellect, her spiky exterior hides a soft heart and nagging worry about her family and future. All the popcorn in the world can’t pay for college.

Omar de la Vega is the scion of the realty powerhouse DLV Enterprises, Los Arcos’ hottest real estate development firm. His family owns half of Los Arcos. But the ASB Vice President would give it all up for a chance to explore uncharted stars.

When a scholarship contest offers an opportunity to “Reach for the Stars,” sparks fly between the two rivals as they fight for the chance to overcome their own personal gravity wells. Can they escape the weight of financial and family expectations that hold them down?

Everyone needs a launch window.

Review:

First a disclaimer: Debra is the daughter of my friend, Barbara Clark, but I wouldn’t be reviewing this book if I hadn’t really liked it. I bought the Kindle version for my iPad.

Ysa and Omar are both sympathetic characters. Ysa is smart, really smart in math and science, but her potential exceeds her aspirations. Coming from a relatively poor family in an upscale California beach town colors her perceptions. After school, she mans her nana’s food cart, and makes plans with her best friend to expand the business after attending a state college. When the “find a planet” contest is announced, she has to adjust her schedule and get up earlier in the morning to find time on the school computers.

Omar, her intellectual match and nemesis, is always there, competing for all he’s worth, despite the fact that his father can afford to pay his attention. Barbs and sparks fly between the two science nerds, but Omar is dating mean girl Gloria, the queen bee of the school and another pain in Ysa’s behind.

Caldwyl is a teacher, so knows what she’s writing about. In an Author’s Note, she notes that the planet contest was inspired by Zooniverse.org‘s Planet Hunters Project, though her version of the contest “differs wildly from the real thing”.

I liked the fact that the characters reflect the ethnic diversity in Southern California. The romance is sweet and believable, and the reader roots for Ysa to succeed despite the odds. And the ending is very romantic. A well-written, enjoyable debut novel, recommended for fans of young adult romance.

As always, click on the graphic below for more great reviews in the Barrie Summy Book Review Club. This month, I have promised myself that I will get to everyone’s reviews.

What have you been reading? Feel free to share in the comment area.

Linda

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@Barrie Summy

A Space Battle Leads to a Sexy Starry Night ~ #MySexySaturday

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My Sexy Saturday bannerIt’s Week 57 of My Sexy Saturday! This week, we’re traveling the universe as we turn the spotlight on sci-fi romance. Today I’m sharing a seven paragraph snippet from my space opera, Alliance: Diplomatic Relations, published by Amber Quill Press. In the snippet, Shayan hears Rulik’s voice for the first time in the midst of a space battle.

cover for Diplomatic RelationsAlliance: Diplomatic Relations
by Lyndi Lamont
Science Fiction Erotica (M/M, M/F/M)

Blurb:

First in the Alliance series… a diplomatic delegation from the planet Mhajav arrives in Lodur, capital of the planet Zigan, with the intention of establishing diplomatic relations between the two worlds. Both planets seek an alliance because of raids on their merchant vessels by space raiders from both worlds.

But no two worlds could be more different.

When Rulik answers a distress call from a space ship being pursued by outlawed raiders, he meets the man he’s been waiting for all his life. An alliance between their worlds will bring them together, but the ensuing diplomatic crisis threatens to tear them apart. Only Rulik can solve the problem, but will it be at the loss of his hopes and dreams?

Excerpt:

“This is Captain Rulik of the Ziganese vessel Borivoy,” a voice announced in Ziganese.

The deep masculine tone sent a shiver down Shayan’s spine. Like many Mhajavi, he was bisexual, but, in truth, he preferred men. He wondered what this Rulik looked like. The Ziganese were as fair as the Mhajavi were dark, so his skin would be pale, perhaps with a ruddy tone, his eyes some variety of blue, and his hair blond or reddish in tone. Shayan’s heart rate increased with anticipation.

“Greetings, Captain Rulik,” Chaitani answered in the same language, mandatory for all Mhajavi venturing into space. “This is Chaitani of the science ship Anila. What are you doing in our space?”

There was a deep chuckle, sending more shivers through Shayan. “If all goes well, saving your hides. How long can you hold out?”

Just then a blast shook the ship. The raiders were within firing range.

“Evasive action,” Chaitani ordered, set her mouth in a grim line. “Captain Rulik, with rescue at hand, we will hold out as long as possible. If we do not survive, promise me you will fry the bastards.”

Rulik’s laugh had a reckless quality to it. “With pleasure. But I hope it won’t come to that. Over and out.”

Available from All Romance eBooks, Amazon Kindle Store, AQP/Amber Allure and BN/Nook.

Read a longer excerpt here.

I don’t know about you, but I love space opera. Which do you prefer: Star Trek or Star Wars. I enjoy both, though I’m more of a trekker. Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win my monthly drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card.

And click on the linky list below to keep hopping.

Lyndi Lamont