Hostage to the Stars by Veronica Scott Series: The Sectors #6
on June 7, 2016
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 145
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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He rescued her from space pirates … but can he keep them both safe from the far greater evil stalking a deserted planet?
Space travel without Kidnap & Ransom insurance? Not a good idea. University instructor and researcher Sara Bridges can’t afford it, so when pirates board her cruise liner, she’s taken captive along with the mistress of a wealthy man, and brought to a deserted planet. When a military extraction team sent to rescue the mistress refuses to take Sara too, she’s left to the mercies of a retired Special Forces soldier, along as consultant.
Reluctantly reactivated and coerced into signing up for the rescue operation to the planet Farduccir where he once was deployed, Sgt. Johnny Danver just wants to get the job done. But when the team leader leaves one captured woman behind, he breaks away to rescue her himself.
As Johnny and Sara traverse the barren landscape, heading for an abandoned base where they hope to call Sectors Command for help, they find villages destroyed by battle and stripped of all inhabitants. A lone survivor tells a horrific tale of the Sectors’ alien enemy, the Mawreg, returning after being pushed out …
Living a good life in retirement on his homeworld, a Special Forces sergeant is recalled for one last mission and he becomes an imprisoned woman’s only hope. This latest The Sectors series installment is as intense as ever and brought me along for the exciting ride.
Hostage to the Stars is a standalone story in The Sectors sci-fi romance series, but it is also a follow up story to the earlier Mission to Mahjundar. Johnny Danver was a minor character and cousin to the previous hero. I read them in order and appreciated that Johnny was getting his own story, but newcomers would have no problem reading this one standalone.
Hostage to the Stars opens with an innocent university archivist being taken hostage by pirates when she is on the wrong ship at the wrong time. When a high profile woman is meant to be taken with the ship’s cargo because her ransom will be huge, Sara is brought along because she didn’t know she needed Kidnapping and Ransom insurance. She is also the one left behind when The Sectors sent in an extraction force. Her hope has dwindled to nothing when daily abuse from the pirates and knowing that no one will come looking for her. That’s when Johnny Danvers refuses to leave behind the ‘other prisoner’ the extraction team refuses to take. He now has a vulnerable Sara with him as they make a dash across a world that was abandoned by the military and left to be ruled by lawless warlords and pirates. He knows the location of a hidden secret base that will have an operational com and that becomes their goal.
As with previous books in this series, this latest is high octane adventure in a futuristic sci-fi environment, one of the main figures has special forces training, and the odds are stacked against them. There is also an added emotional element because the heroine had to tough out being held hostage and abused by the space pirates while simply trying to survive it all. The after effect of such treatment is explored a bit and Johnny is just the guy to help her through because he was once imprisoned and tortured by the enemy. He survived and he makes Sara believe that he will protect her and get her off this scary world. Naturally there are some surprises along the way and Johnny’s training came in handy though Sara held her own. I loved seeing Johnny find his own romance and get a brief check in with Mike and Shalira from Mission to Mahjundar.
Another stellar installment in the series and I’m left chomping at the bit for the next rush of a story. Sci-fi Romance lovers really need to take a gander at this series.
About Veronica Scott
USA Today Best Selling Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance author.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
MISC FACTS ABOUT VERONICA
Seven time winner ~ SFR Galaxy Award
Proud recipient ~ NASA Exceptional Service Medal but must hasten to add the honor was not for her romantic fiction!
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – I’ll improve your process (mwahahahaa)!
Elvis Presley’s best friend once serenaded Veronica on a local TV telethon…now that could be a novel…
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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Poor Sara! I’m happy that Johnny insisted on helping her when the others were just going to leave her behind! I’m happy to hear this can be read as a standalone. I may give it a shot. Wonderful review, Sophia!
Yeah, I was appalled that those guys were planning to leave her behind, but it did lead into a good adventure with Johnny so there is that.
I must remember to get Kidnap & Ransom insurance next time I travel! This sure sounds fun. Nice review, Sophia.
Haha! For sure, Wendy, don’t travel through space without it.
I heard of this author but I don’t think I’ve read one of her books yet
You’ll have to try one when you get the chance, Melliane. 🙂
They are brilliant
Yes!
I’m listening to Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik right now and I remember how much I enjoy a good sci-fi romance. I need to keep this author/series in mind and try to read more sci-fi. Thanks!
Oh yes, that is an author I enjoyed recently for her first trilogy. Veronica Scott’s The Sectors should definitely be on your SFR list, Jen. 🙂
I will have to try this series at some point. I like the books of hers that I have read.
You really must, Mary. 🙂
I’ve read Mission to Mahjundar but haven’t read this one yet. How fun it features one of the side characters from that book. That seems rough the heroine gets abused and kidnapped, but nice how Johnny goes back to rescue her. Sounds like another good one in this series.
It was a fun surprise to recognize Johnny and get an update on the previous pair. Yes, she really had it rough.
You always make her books sound so good. I really need to give her books a try.
Glad to tempt you, Carole. 🙂