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The Martian Alliance #1
The Royal Scam
Things aren’t what they seem to be when Princess Olivia of Andromeda jumps aboard a spaceship to escape a loveless marriage.
Join the crew of the Hummingbird as they take on the rich, famous and sleazy of the galaxy. They're also on a long-term secret mission, so it's a good thing they're the best con artists, spacers, and roughnecks in the Milky Way, because they need all their skills to pull off this particular Royal Scam.
***The Royal Scam is the first installment in the short story series The Martian Alliance.
Coming this winter the second short story in the series Three Card Monte.***
Join the crew of the Hummingbird as they take on the rich, famous and sleazy of the galaxy. They're also on a long-term secret mission, so it's a good thing they're the best con artists, spacers, and roughnecks in the Milky Way, because they need all their skills to pull off this particular Royal Scam.
***The Royal Scam is the first installment in the short story series The Martian Alliance.
Coming this winter the second short story in the series Three Card Monte.***
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2011
6 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Gini Koch
80 books911 followersGini Koch lives in Phoenix, Arizona and writes the bestselling fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series. Alien in the House, Book 7 in her long-running Alien series, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award as the Best Futuristic Romance of 2013. Book 14, Alien Nation, won the Preditors and Editors Reader's Choice Award for Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel of 2016. Alien Education releases May 2, 2017, and DAW Books has just contracted through Book 20 in the Alien series.
As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series and she’s made the most of multiple personality disorder by writing under a variety of other pen names as well, including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch.
In addition to her upcoming Alien Series releases, she has stories featured in a variety of anthologies available now and coming soon, writing as Gini Koch, Anita Ensal, J.C. Koch, and Jemma Chase. Writing as A.E. Stanton she will have an audiobook release in 2017, Natural Born Outlaws (The Legend of Belladonna Part 1) coming from Graphic Audio.
For full details on all releases, all the news about Gini's books, signings, events, excerpts, and more, visit her website: http://www.ginikoch.com.
As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series and she’s made the most of multiple personality disorder by writing under a variety of other pen names as well, including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch.
In addition to her upcoming Alien Series releases, she has stories featured in a variety of anthologies available now and coming soon, writing as Gini Koch, Anita Ensal, J.C. Koch, and Jemma Chase. Writing as A.E. Stanton she will have an audiobook release in 2017, Natural Born Outlaws (The Legend of Belladonna Part 1) coming from Graphic Audio.
For full details on all releases, all the news about Gini's books, signings, events, excerpts, and more, visit her website: http://www.ginikoch.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 16, 2017
Short story
Although I had liked the author's other sci-fi series it started to grate on my nerves. But this looked different enough that I thought I'd give it a try. This was action-packed for such a short story, but was good. Not over the top. 3-1/2 stars.
Although I had liked the author's other sci-fi series it started to grate on my nerves. But this looked different enough that I thought I'd give it a try. This was action-packed for such a short story, but was good. Not over the top. 3-1/2 stars.
January 2, 2012
The Royal Scam, the first book in the Martian Alliance series, follows the crew of the spaceship known as the Hummingbird. The crew, made up of Danielle Daniels (also known as DeeDee), Ciarissa, Doven, Bullfrog, Willy, Dr. Wufren, Tresia, Kyle, and Roy, the captain of the ship, are involved in a con they refer to as the royal scam. The scam consists of shape-shifter DeeDee impersonating a princess of the Royal Family from the planet Andromeda who then appears to die while attempting to escape her fate, which includes an arranged marriage to someone the princess doesn’t love.
After the crew uses their unique talents to make the con work, they head to Roulette, a planet dedicated to gambling, to collect their winnings. While it’s never point-blank said, bets have apparently been taken on whether or not the princess of Andromeda would live to see her wedding day, and DeeDee and the others have some substantial winnings to collect. While in the process of getting their money, it becomes necessary to create a diversion and DeeDee reveals that she’s very good at creating chaos. Actually, she reveals a lot more than that but to tell any more would be robbing of you of a truly hilarious moment.
Of course, in a fashion similar to the cons they pull, there’s more to DeeDee and the others than meets the eye, especially where Roy and his younger brother Kyle are involved, and I get the impression that money isn’t being raised just to live the good life. There’s a plan floating around just beneath the surface that’s certain to stir things up on Mars when the right time comes.
That time doesn’t arrive in The Royal Scam but the book does a great job of introducing us to the main characters and setting up future stories, which could cover anything from other scams the crew is involved with to something on a much grander scale that hints at destinies being fulfilled.
With the eBook containing a total of 27 pages, The Royal Scam is a short, fast-paced, and entertaining read that hints at great things to come in future installments of the Martian Alliance series, and I’m looking forward to another adventure with Captain Roy and his crew.
After the crew uses their unique talents to make the con work, they head to Roulette, a planet dedicated to gambling, to collect their winnings. While it’s never point-blank said, bets have apparently been taken on whether or not the princess of Andromeda would live to see her wedding day, and DeeDee and the others have some substantial winnings to collect. While in the process of getting their money, it becomes necessary to create a diversion and DeeDee reveals that she’s very good at creating chaos. Actually, she reveals a lot more than that but to tell any more would be robbing of you of a truly hilarious moment.
Of course, in a fashion similar to the cons they pull, there’s more to DeeDee and the others than meets the eye, especially where Roy and his younger brother Kyle are involved, and I get the impression that money isn’t being raised just to live the good life. There’s a plan floating around just beneath the surface that’s certain to stir things up on Mars when the right time comes.
That time doesn’t arrive in The Royal Scam but the book does a great job of introducing us to the main characters and setting up future stories, which could cover anything from other scams the crew is involved with to something on a much grander scale that hints at destinies being fulfilled.
With the eBook containing a total of 27 pages, The Royal Scam is a short, fast-paced, and entertaining read that hints at great things to come in future installments of the Martian Alliance series, and I’m looking forward to another adventure with Captain Roy and his crew.
September 13, 2018
It was okay the plot is set, the rest should be interesting.
December 27, 2021
Very simple light easy story. Nice read.
August 26, 2024
Ha ha ha transphobic punchline. Hilarious.
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October 5, 2011
I owe Gini Koch a debt of gratitude. Before I read her Kitty Katt Series I really did like books with aliens in them all that much. Martini and gang changed all that, and I've been happily reading sci fi romance books ever since I read Touched By An Alien. When I heard that she had a new series coming out, I knew I had to read it. Now onto the review...
Gini Koch has done it again. She has created another series that I fell in love with with the Martian Chronicles. She has created a world filled with rich characters and non stop action. Make no mistake-this novella is very different then the Kitty Katt series, while the humor is there that it where the similarities of the two series end. This novella is much more geared to the science fiction fan-but there was just enough of a romance in it to make the romance reader in me happy.
For such a fast read, I was able to get a good grasp of all the characters and I really loved the crew of the Hummingbird. There were a few surprises that came along that I should've seen coming but didn't, and I just love it when that happens. I was afraid that this would be to sci fi in nature, but once again my fears were for nothing, because the world created is explained in a way which didn't leave me frustrated. The only problem I had with this novella was that I wanted more. I loved the captain of the ship and his relationship with a certain crew member. This was just a fun entertaining read that I had read in under an hour.
If you've been like me, afraid to give Science Fiction a try, then I highly recommend you give this book a try~you can't go wrong with a book by Gini Koch.
Gini Koch has done it again. She has created another series that I fell in love with with the Martian Chronicles. She has created a world filled with rich characters and non stop action. Make no mistake-this novella is very different then the Kitty Katt series, while the humor is there that it where the similarities of the two series end. This novella is much more geared to the science fiction fan-but there was just enough of a romance in it to make the romance reader in me happy.
For such a fast read, I was able to get a good grasp of all the characters and I really loved the crew of the Hummingbird. There were a few surprises that came along that I should've seen coming but didn't, and I just love it when that happens. I was afraid that this would be to sci fi in nature, but once again my fears were for nothing, because the world created is explained in a way which didn't leave me frustrated. The only problem I had with this novella was that I wanted more. I loved the captain of the ship and his relationship with a certain crew member. This was just a fun entertaining read that I had read in under an hour.
If you've been like me, afraid to give Science Fiction a try, then I highly recommend you give this book a try~you can't go wrong with a book by Gini Koch.
January 26, 2012
I have two complaints about The Royal Scam. First and foremost it just was not long enough. It is listed as a short story and it is. Thankfully there are to be more to follow. My second is unusual. After I bought The Royal Scam from Musa and downloaded it to my computer I tried to side load to my Nook (the only way to get it there if I did not buy from Barnes and Noble) I was told I did not have permission to load the story to that location. It took me a long to read because I had to read on my computer and I kept forgetting it was there.
Now to the story: It is fast paced, full of action and humor. Gina managed great character development in a short number of words. By the end of the story I felt like I knew most of the crew of the Hummingbird. There are no wasted words in the story; each is used to convey something important to the reader. Things are not as they seem at the beginning of the story and there is a lot of room for future adventures with the crew of the Hummingbird.
I don’t want to give any of the story away so just let me urge you to buy and read The Royal Scam. If you were not a Gini Koch fan before you read it you will be after. I consider it to be a must have for Space Opera/SFR Fans.
Now to the story: It is fast paced, full of action and humor. Gina managed great character development in a short number of words. By the end of the story I felt like I knew most of the crew of the Hummingbird. There are no wasted words in the story; each is used to convey something important to the reader. Things are not as they seem at the beginning of the story and there is a lot of room for future adventures with the crew of the Hummingbird.
I don’t want to give any of the story away so just let me urge you to buy and read The Royal Scam. If you were not a Gini Koch fan before you read it you will be after. I consider it to be a must have for Space Opera/SFR Fans.
October 12, 2011
The crew of the Hummingbird really are the best of the best when it comes to pulling scams and making money. The Royal Scam focuses on a Princess that boards a spacecraft to get away so that she doesn't have to marry the Prince of another royal family. There is more than meets the eye and Gini Koch does a great job entertaining the reader with the storyline in the book. I felt I was a member of the crew as they embark on a mission of doing what they do best, making money.
I also enjoyed learning more about the different members of the crew since there are only a few humans aboard. There is a Shape Shifter, Humanoids that are Martian, an Anachnidan, yes you read that correctly, and a Polliwog. They all work well together and I can just tell that their future escapades are going to be a lot of fun to read.
Although I'm still new to reading Science Fiction, I can say that Gini Koch has a knack for writing them. She always makes them fun and interesting. The characters are memorable and make you wish you were a part of the gang. I'm looking forward to see what they are going to pull of next!
I also enjoyed learning more about the different members of the crew since there are only a few humans aboard. There is a Shape Shifter, Humanoids that are Martian, an Anachnidan, yes you read that correctly, and a Polliwog. They all work well together and I can just tell that their future escapades are going to be a lot of fun to read.
Although I'm still new to reading Science Fiction, I can say that Gini Koch has a knack for writing them. She always makes them fun and interesting. The characters are memorable and make you wish you were a part of the gang. I'm looking forward to see what they are going to pull of next!
July 15, 2012
Originally posted at: http://lasrsff.blogspot.com/2012/06/r...
The Royal Scam is a fairy tale set in space with a twist. A young princess betrothed to a scion of a neighboring planet is really in love with a member of her father’s household. A plot is hatched for the princess to escape into space but the groom gives chase. Will he catch his bride, or will she escape?
Don’t yawn and give up on this story thinking it’s an old tale. This is only the beginning. Various psychic entities are involved in this escape, space chases, disappearing spaceships and planet intrigue are all there. The author left me reeling with how much she packed into 27 pages. Well done Ms. Koch.
Another planet, devious collections from various houses of pleasure - all this enriched the story. Add to this the sub-plot where the bad guys were outwitted by the good guys and I found quite a gripping tale. Short but attention grabbing. Do you like science fiction with a hint of fantasy? Then this is a book for you.
The Royal Scam is a fairy tale set in space with a twist. A young princess betrothed to a scion of a neighboring planet is really in love with a member of her father’s household. A plot is hatched for the princess to escape into space but the groom gives chase. Will he catch his bride, or will she escape?
Don’t yawn and give up on this story thinking it’s an old tale. This is only the beginning. Various psychic entities are involved in this escape, space chases, disappearing spaceships and planet intrigue are all there. The author left me reeling with how much she packed into 27 pages. Well done Ms. Koch.
Another planet, devious collections from various houses of pleasure - all this enriched the story. Add to this the sub-plot where the bad guys were outwitted by the good guys and I found quite a gripping tale. Short but attention grabbing. Do you like science fiction with a hint of fantasy? Then this is a book for you.
October 12, 2011
Honestly I can't say much since it was really short. But I will try my best.
I would not say it was much like her other series about Kitty. No, the tone was different and the laughter, fun and sexiness was not here. It was just more sci-fi, which is a good thing.
The crew are con artist, and what their big con is in the end we do not get to know. But we learn what the smaller con is and it surprises me. I did like that. As for the crew, there are humans, not so human like beings, shapeshifters,, just your regular sci.fi crew really.
Even if the writing was good, for me the novella was just too short. It was like I rushed in and then out again. Still for Koch fans it is a must.
I also found myself more interested in another storyline that will not be looked at. Too bad cos the Princess one could be interesting.
Rating:
Too short for me
I would not say it was much like her other series about Kitty. No, the tone was different and the laughter, fun and sexiness was not here. It was just more sci-fi, which is a good thing.
The crew are con artist, and what their big con is in the end we do not get to know. But we learn what the smaller con is and it surprises me. I did like that. As for the crew, there are humans, not so human like beings, shapeshifters,, just your regular sci.fi crew really.
Even if the writing was good, for me the novella was just too short. It was like I rushed in and then out again. Still for Koch fans it is a must.
I also found myself more interested in another storyline that will not be looked at. Too bad cos the Princess one could be interesting.
Rating:
Too short for me
October 7, 2011
A more than promising start of a new SciFi series.
Koch's writing is breezy, funny and witty as always and in this short story full of action, intrigue and cool aliens she shows once more she's a master at storytelling and world building. Although a perfect stand alone as well, this story is full of promise as to the upcoming stories in this series and I can't wait to learn more about all the cool characters that are introduced in this story.
As always with books by Gini Koch there's only one negative thing to say: I finished it much too fast and now I'll have to wait again for my next fix ;-)
Koch's writing is breezy, funny and witty as always and in this short story full of action, intrigue and cool aliens she shows once more she's a master at storytelling and world building. Although a perfect stand alone as well, this story is full of promise as to the upcoming stories in this series and I can't wait to learn more about all the cool characters that are introduced in this story.
As always with books by Gini Koch there's only one negative thing to say: I finished it much too fast and now I'll have to wait again for my next fix ;-)
January 1, 2017
Meet the crew of the Hummingbird: Bullfrog, Ciarissa, Deedee, Doven, Kyle, Roy, Tresia, Willy, and Dr Wufren. This starts out with Princess Olivia fleeing an arranged marriage. But, it is really Olivia. You soon find out. There are a variety of alien species and abilities. There is an underlying story-line and end game- retribution. This was fun!
December 1, 2011
Good set up for a new series.
December 22, 2012
Too short, but an intriguing world. Hopefully a full length novel is in the works :)
March 7, 2013
This is a fun short story involving a shapeshifter, a pair of exiled princes from Mars and a high-stakes kidnapping.
July 22, 2014
I started reading this and it was a pleasant read, the major surprise was how short it was, one and a quarter hours later I'd finished.
August 3, 2015
was a little short and a bit confusing
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews