Two Against the Stars by Veronica Scott Series: The Sectors #11
on July 25, 2017
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 134
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Empathic priestess Carialle has escaped the evil Amarotu Combine, but she's hardly out of danger. Not when she risks everything to rescue a drugged man from a crooked veterans' clinic. By lulling the clinic staff to sleep, she reveals her powers. And once again, criminals are after her and her rescuer.
Marcus Valerian, a wounded Special Forces veteran, never expected to have his life threatened by the clinic that's supposed to help ex-soldiers like him. But when he wakes from a drugged state to find a lovely woman urging him to run--he does. In his family's remote fishing cabin, he suffers the agony of withdrawal, soothed only by her powers.
The last series installment introduced a new conflict for The Sectors in the form of a criminal organization and a new alien people with psychic abilities coveted by the criminals. It was suspenseful and exciting so I was glad Two Against the Stars presented a new alien psychic on the run from the Amarotu Combine and a new fierce Special Forces hero to partner her.
Two Against the Stars is the eleventh book in the series with loose ties to Star Cruise Stowaway #8.1 and Danger in the Stars #10, but it will work just fine as a standalone.
Carialle was taken from her home world and sold as a slave to the Combine. She thinks she’ll be stuck as their psychic instrument for good until a surprise situation leads to her chance at escape. Knowing the gang will try to get her back and maybe the police won’t help, she tries to hide out and start over on the Sectors’ planet as a night janitor at a care clinic. Then she sees that something underhanded is going on at the clinic and she chooses to rescue a military guy supposed to be in treatment for PTSD, but now in danger. Between the pair of them, they must stay out of the wrong peoples’ hands and get to the proper authorities. Meanwhile, they forge a connection while on the run.
I really liked Carialle, the way she is finally free and struggles to get involved, when she knows it could land her back with her captors, but she still does the right thing by Marcus. And, wow the villains in this one, especially Trang, are incredibly evil with what they are doing to the military veterans. Marcus was also very engaging. He has no trouble treating Carialle as a partner and I love the way this big, gruff soldier falls for her and opens up to her with his vulnerabilities caused by PTSD. He was great the way he saw the lack of communication starting to happen and he sorted that out quickly too.
I knew they would eventually have to face the enemies closing in and it got pretty exciting when it all went down. I liked the way this one wrapped up and what the future would bring for this pair. As usual, I am eager to pick up the next installment and see what new sci-fi adventure awaits in The Sectors.
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.
- Pets in Space 5 @paulinebjones @RegineAbel @j_c_hay @lchasewrites @CarolNatta46374 @MDiener77 @kyndrahatch #CassandraChandler @sesmithfl@SFRLaurie @vscotttheauthor@sophiarose1816 - January 19, 2025
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I always try to find a twist for the next book in a series and I thought it would be interesting to have an empath who did escape the mob, was in hiding and then confronted with a stark choice whether to help another person. So pleased you enjoyed the book and thank you for taking the time to do this fun review!
I’m so glad you explored that thought. I could appreciate how much character development was going on as she had to make a decision to help him. Thanks for stopping by, Veronica!
This sounds really good and I like that it is short enough to read in a single sitting.
Yes, this is an easy, exciting series to read here and there b/c their standalones and when you’re pressed for time b/c they aren’t hefty in pages. 🙂
I really enjoyed this book too, Carielle and Marcus were great to read about. And I agree the villains in this one were really evil. I am glad Carielle saved Marcus from that fate.
I thought it was fun that we read this one so close together. Yes, she really had the worst luck to land with those villains right after her escape, but it was the best luck for Marcus. 🙂
This sounds right up my alley. Of course the anal side of me wants to begin at book one …lol
LOL, and I would actually urge to not skip the prequel because its a Titanic in space retelling and so exciting. 🙂
This sounds exciting. I have this series on my list.
It will be quite exciting, Role’! 🙂
That actually sounds really good, I think I would like this one. I’ve read this author before and really liked her books.
Oh yeah, this was fab, Mary. You know exactly what her writing is like then. 🙂
Cool it can do well as a standalone.
Yes, it’s nice that this series is so flexible.
I haven’t been reading a lot of Sci-Fi lately. This books sounds fun though!
Lovely review Sophia 😉
I have been on a sci-fi mood lately and this series is great.
Nice and short! I really need to try this series. Glad to hear you’re still enjoying it, Sophia!
You said it, Rachel! I love the short action-packed and sexy romances in this sci-fi world. I will be so sad to read the last one next month. Fortunately, there are quite a few spin-off books. 🙂