Cari Z.
Author of Risky Behavior
About the Author
Series
Works by Cari Z.
Soul Bound 6 copies
Under the Gun 6 copies
Reclamation 4 copies
Pandora: Liminal Space: Book One 3 copies
Cinders 1 copy
Stolen 1 copy
Panopolis 1 copy
Wanting More 1 copy
Rules to Live By 1 copy
Bonded (Liminal Space #0.5) 1 copy
Framed 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 20th century
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- writer
- Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Colorado, USA
Members
Reviews
I finished this with a strong, "HELL yes!"
Finally, the underdog, the villain, gets his day(s)! Whereas the heroes in this world are screwed up and the system in power is corrupt and seriously flawed, the Mad Bombardier is the real "hero." Yes, he's a Villain, yes, he steals; but he also doesn't hurt people on purpose, is like the only sane Super citizen in the place, is sexy, is a damn sweet and nurturing boyfriend, and just plain rocks.
At first I was annoyed 'cause I would have liked to see show more the relationship grow more instead of having that part largely skipped over, but the main conflict of the story came later, so it's definitely worth four stars, but because of that lack of strong basis and development in their relationship on page, it doesn't get five stars.
Very much recommended, though. A really great read, and now I am waiting really impatiently for the sequel. (Just look at the cover for it! GO VILLAINS!!!)
"Panopolis wasn't going to know what hit it." show less
Finally, the underdog, the villain, gets his day(s)! Whereas the heroes in this world are screwed up and the system in power is corrupt and seriously flawed, the Mad Bombardier is the real "hero." Yes, he's a Villain, yes, he steals; but he also doesn't hurt people on purpose, is like the only sane Super citizen in the place, is sexy, is a damn sweet and nurturing boyfriend, and just plain rocks.
At first I was annoyed 'cause I would have liked to see show more the relationship grow more instead of having that part largely skipped over, but the main conflict of the story came later, so it's definitely worth four stars, but because of that lack of strong basis and development in their relationship on page, it doesn't get five stars.
Very much recommended, though. A really great read, and now I am waiting really impatiently for the sequel. (Just look at the cover for it! GO VILLAINS!!!)
"Panopolis wasn't going to know what hit it." show less
ANOTHER ELF-GIFT! LUCKY OLD ME.
My Review: Six foul w-bombs. Six. Fie on this, this plague this dreadful and cornball and unnatural act! Real, actual ball-having testosterone-producing males do not w-i-n-k at...anyone, really, except the very, very young.
Still. The story. I am not against a good, solid iteration of an evergreen plot. Here we have one of those stories that's been Hallmarked and Lifetimed until we know it by heart, and that is why we consume them. It is comforting. It feels show more *right* to go all misty and dewy when reading about young men who are just figuring it all out, fighting battles that were passed down to them or were inflicted from without by force majeure. They are really, honestly like that, after all. And the young men here are good souls trapped into confining boxes by histories and expectations they didn't agree to accept.
When Dominic sees Maxfield for the first time in many a year, he is right back to his teenaged crush on his big brother's bestie. Said bestie is clueless...a decade between fourteen and twenty-four is a lot longer than almost any other...and just flirts with the hot young cop helping him out of the snowbank as he's on the way back to the hometown he fled.
When the hijinks do eventually ensue, it's not a moment too soon. Like almost halfway through the book before they get down to business. Now...that's not a *bad* thing, there's the whole "best friend's little brother has plutonium in his underpants" issue, but good lawsy me! One thing I'll give the author, she didn't exactly stint once the ice was broken. (And this is one of those NO STRAIGHT PEOPLE reads.) She even deals with the issue of PDAs several times, in several different situations; that was refreshing to me. All too often it seems as though there's a simple, blanket response to the issue, it's okay or it's not. I've never known anyone with that blanket an approach to that complex issue. It's refreshing to read something where it's multi-layered.
What also feels good to say is that the way the author breaks the OMG-conflict-therefore-run-away issue both men have came in such a realistic way. Just...flat-out blurting it. "I'm sorry, I fucked up, I really really want us to work on problems and there I went and did the wrong thing, and..."
I think there's nothing more real than the response of "shut up and kiss me" when someone's just given you their entire heart on a platter, yours to hurt or heal. This is a category romance. We know the choice before we get there. That's why we came on this ride! But so often the response to the resolution of the scariest thing you can do is...not very realistic. Sappy, soppy words, or a long, loving look...nope. Men are action-oriented. Feeling something? Do something about it!
So, yes, I ended up happy with the read. I'll definitely read another one from Author Cari Z. I'm sure she's got other good stuff to say, and her grasp of the actual workings of men sexing up other men is superior to many. That she made the effort to give them both serious thoughts about the what, the how, and the why of each act was a big point in the story's favor. show less
My Review: Six foul w-bombs. Six. Fie on this, this plague this dreadful and cornball and unnatural act! Real, actual ball-having testosterone-producing males do not w-i-n-k at...anyone, really, except the very, very young.
Still. The story. I am not against a good, solid iteration of an evergreen plot. Here we have one of those stories that's been Hallmarked and Lifetimed until we know it by heart, and that is why we consume them. It is comforting. It feels show more *right* to go all misty and dewy when reading about young men who are just figuring it all out, fighting battles that were passed down to them or were inflicted from without by force majeure. They are really, honestly like that, after all. And the young men here are good souls trapped into confining boxes by histories and expectations they didn't agree to accept.
When Dominic sees Maxfield for the first time in many a year, he is right back to his teenaged crush on his big brother's bestie. Said bestie is clueless...a decade between fourteen and twenty-four is a lot longer than almost any other...and just flirts with the hot young cop helping him out of the snowbank as he's on the way back to the hometown he fled.
When the hijinks do eventually ensue, it's not a moment too soon. Like almost halfway through the book before they get down to business. Now...that's not a *bad* thing, there's the whole "best friend's little brother has plutonium in his underpants" issue, but good lawsy me! One thing I'll give the author, she didn't exactly stint once the ice was broken. (And this is one of those NO STRAIGHT PEOPLE reads.) She even deals with the issue of PDAs several times, in several different situations; that was refreshing to me. All too often it seems as though there's a simple, blanket response to the issue, it's okay or it's not. I've never known anyone with that blanket an approach to that complex issue. It's refreshing to read something where it's multi-layered.
Being out was a big deal for me. I’d never ask a guy to come out, but I wouldn’t go into the closet to be with someone. Not that I was thinking about the future. At all.
What also feels good to say is that the way the author breaks the OMG-conflict-therefore-run-away issue both men have came in such a realistic way. Just...flat-out blurting it. "I'm sorry, I fucked up, I really really want us to work on problems and there I went and did the wrong thing, and..."
Before I could say another word, Max reached out, grabbed my jacket, and pulled me into a kiss. It was a cold, awkward kiss—our noses were freezing, his lips were chapped, and my mouth must have tasted like too-sugary frosting. But damn. It was still the best kiss I’d ever had. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer, warming him as best I could, welcoming him against my body. He could stay there forever, as far as I was concerned.
I think there's nothing more real than the response of "shut up and kiss me" when someone's just given you their entire heart on a platter, yours to hurt or heal. This is a category romance. We know the choice before we get there. That's why we came on this ride! But so often the response to the resolution of the scariest thing you can do is...not very realistic. Sappy, soppy words, or a long, loving look...nope. Men are action-oriented. Feeling something? Do something about it!
So, yes, I ended up happy with the read. I'll definitely read another one from Author Cari Z. I'm sure she's got other good stuff to say, and her grasp of the actual workings of men sexing up other men is superior to many. That she made the effort to give them both serious thoughts about the what, the how, and the why of each act was a big point in the story's favor. show less
~ ~ ~
WHY aren't you reading this series??? I can’t get enough of it! The chase is interesting, the mysterious backgrounds of Dev and Rio are intriguing, but this is ALL about the relationship between these two crazy, sexy men.
I could probably just tell you how I always highlight lines that I want to quote, but I was so riveted it seems I didn’t highlight anything. That NEVER happens.
THE CHARACTERS
Okay, so you have a Cambion - Devon – picture gorgeous, twinky party-boy - who has to show more have sex to survive (I love that by the way) and can use his allure to get all the sex he wants. And, oh boy, does he want Rio, a lot.
Then you have the one guy - Rio - seven feet of walking sex dynamite - who isn’t affected by this allure. But he is still so totally into caring about Dev that it melts your heart while at the same time being extreeeeeemly hot!
I’m just sayin’ that these guys a burning up the pages and I am in panting withdrawal waiting for each new episode.
THE STORY
Devon wanted to kiss him, except he really didn’t because he didn’t want the memory of any of the kisses they shared to be marred by his utter lack of sensation.
Dev and Rio are following leads to help them find their target, Porter Grey. One of their leads costs Dev his sense of touch. As in, he can’t feel ANYTHING. Imagine a person not being able to sense even their feet on the ground. Now imagine a person who depends on sensual stimulation for survival being denied touch perception. It turns out that it is absolutely torturous and Cari Z does a pretty admirable job portraying this. Now imagine Rio, this huge, tough-as-nails explosives expert being emotionally hurt by Dev’s predicament.
The two hole up with Dev’s mysterious parents where Rio gets new insights about Dev’s family. While they recuperate even more questions are presented regarding the history of both Rio and Dev. I actually have more questions than answers at this point.
It all culminates into a touching and exciting episode that it has me begging for more.
THE WRITING
Well, I think it’s pretty clear that I am completely absorbed by the character development in these books. Even the side characters are recognizable and memorable. But again, it’s the relationship that Ms. Z has built between Dev and Rio that is outstanding.
There are a couple of areas that could be picked apart regarding the description of lacking feeling, i.e., “his cheese sandwich was still warm”…but really these are minor blips and shouldn’t overshadow the rest of the experience.
4.5 Burning Hot Stars - Highly Recommended!
BONUS: Episode 3 comes with a mini-episode that is surprisingly complete and is worth the investment in the whole series just to see Dev dance on a Miami club tabletop. Mmmmmmyesssss!
~ ~ ~
I sincerely thank Storm Moon Press for providing me with an ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com show less
‘Changing Worlds’ contains all the elements that make up one of my favorite kinds of science fiction novel: one that I can dive into and discover an entirely new world, a human society that has moved on from where we are today, and an alien species with a civilization and rules all of its own. Add the fact that both main characters fall deeply in love even knowing that their love will not be accepted by the alien society, and the scene is set for an adventure full of discoveries, show more conflict, and hope for a happy ending no matter how hopeless it seems.
Jason is a starship captain of Korean descent, devoted to his job, and unwilling to enter another relationship since his last one ended in a bad breakup about a year before the story starts. But once he gets to know Ferran, who is a passenger on his combined freight/passenger ship, Jason begins to open up and falls in love before he can stop himself. He knows Ferran has to go back to his planet to enter an arranged marriage, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Only some creative maneuvering on the part of Ferran, his matriarch, and the human ambassador to Perel makes it possible for the two men to have a chance at living together.
The second part is much longer and utterly fascinating. It focuses on Jason moving to Perel, the xenophobia they both face, and how they deal with the various obstacles that keep popping up. The alien culture is run by matriarchs and political maneuvering for power is the order of the day. Some council members are more in favor of change than others, and the sheer existence of Jason and Ferran’s marriage has consequences very few people would have predicted. I was glued to the pages from beginning to end.
If you like stories that show how a very different society works, if two men who meet by coincidence but stay together because they fall in love – never mind what everyone else thinks, and if you’re looking for a read full of suspense, mystery, adventure, cross-cultural issues, and political shenanigans on all levels, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It is heartbreakingly emotional, fascinating in the way it looks at an alien culture, and I definitely won’t forget it anytime soon.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less
Jason is a starship captain of Korean descent, devoted to his job, and unwilling to enter another relationship since his last one ended in a bad breakup about a year before the story starts. But once he gets to know Ferran, who is a passenger on his combined freight/passenger ship, Jason begins to open up and falls in love before he can stop himself. He knows Ferran has to go back to his planet to enter an arranged marriage, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Only some creative maneuvering on the part of Ferran, his matriarch, and the human ambassador to Perel makes it possible for the two men to have a chance at living together.
The second part is much longer and utterly fascinating. It focuses on Jason moving to Perel, the xenophobia they both face, and how they deal with the various obstacles that keep popping up. The alien culture is run by matriarchs and political maneuvering for power is the order of the day. Some council members are more in favor of change than others, and the sheer existence of Jason and Ferran’s marriage has consequences very few people would have predicted. I was glued to the pages from beginning to end.
If you like stories that show how a very different society works, if two men who meet by coincidence but stay together because they fall in love – never mind what everyone else thinks, and if you’re looking for a read full of suspense, mystery, adventure, cross-cultural issues, and political shenanigans on all levels, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It is heartbreakingly emotional, fascinating in the way it looks at an alien culture, and I definitely won’t forget it anytime soon.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less
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