Star Kissed

by Lizzy Ford

When Mandy loses her job, she thinks she’s hit rock bottom – until her plane is swallowed by a strange storm that sends her and everyone else on board 10,000 years into the future. At first, she thinks the scary world is nothing more than a bad dream. The war-torn Earth is unrecognizable. Black fog blocks the sun, and the oceans are dry. Even worse: the planet is inhabited by half-human, half-alien creatures dying from a mysterious disease. Horrified at the thought of spending her life here, she clings to the knowledge that there’s one man who can open the star gate to send her home.

As the Naki prince who controls the star gate, Akkadi gets first choice of any human female that makes her way through the star gate. Only by breeding with purebred humans from the past can his race hope to remain immune to the disease and hopefully, develop an eventual cure. With shrinking resources and a raging battle for the human planet, dutiful, commanding Akkadi is less than thrilled at the idea of trying to figure out Mandy, a woman he views as wild with neither discipline nor respect for someone in his position.

He’s ready to write her off, when she offers him something too tempting to resist: her body for the chance to convince him by any means possible to send her home. Neither intends for the arrangement to be permanent or to fall for the other. Only when Mandy learns Akkadi’s secret and walks away does he realize he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her – even if it means losing his war.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, Aliens, Time Travel, Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal

358 pages, ebook

First published July 14, 2013

About the author

I breathe stories. I dream them. If it were possible, I'd eat them, too. (I'm pretty sure they'd taste like cotton candy.) I can't escape them - they're everywhere! Which is why I write! I was born to bring the crazy worlds and people in my mind to life, and I love sharing them with as many people as I can.

I'm also the bestselling, award winning, internationally acclaimed author of over sixty titles and counting. I write speculative fiction in multiple subgenres of romance and fantasy, contemporary fiction, books for both teens and adults, and just about anything else I feel like writing. If I can imagine it, I can write it!

I live in the desert of southern Arizona with a pack of spoiled dogs and Tubbs, the Godfather cat who rules them all.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LizzyFord2010
Email: LizzyFord2010@gmail.com
Radish: LizzyFord
Wattpad: LizzyFord

Lizzy’s books include:

Lost Vegas – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf

Spell Realm Series (coming summer 2017) – young adult fantasy
Water Spell (2017)
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)

History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2017)
South (2018)

Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles

Omega Series
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Theta Beginnings Miniseries (novelettes)
Silent Queen
Mercenary
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion

Non-Series – 2014 - 2017
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
White Tree Sound (2017)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door
The Fall of Esme (2017)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)

Super Villainess
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good

Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
Starwalkers – complete (#1-6)

Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope

Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger

Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption

Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)

War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God

Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God

Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (TBD)
Speak No (TBD)

Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
Unmade (TBD)

Omega
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)

Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun

Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter

Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart

Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain

Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World

Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed

As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Visit me at my blog: http://bookingthroughgradschool.wordp...

2 out of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would recommend this for those readers: who enjoy romance more than science fiction, who are fans of “opposites attract” plots, who will not mind a mash-up of plot devices that will be familiar from movies and TV series of the last 50 years.

I am not saying the novel was bad. What I am saying is that there was nothing that will make me remember having read this book a month from now. This is why I have started keeping detailed notes of all the books I read. I now read over a hundred books each year and there are scores of plots that have nothing to recommend themselves to my memory. Star Kissed is one of these books.

I think Ford's Witchling series is proof that she has far more potential than a book like this would seem to indicate.

PLOT: The plot is a mess. It is not that it is not workable, it is that it is a mash-up of about every science-fiction movie I have seen from the last 50 years. The plot revolves around time travel to the future. That sounds a lot like Planet of the Apes. Then there is a premise about the main character, Mandy, traveling back home through a stargate. That sounds a lot like the movie and the two (or was it three?) TV shows “Stargate.” The other main character, the Naki prince Akkadi, is caught between two worlds, the human world of passion and emotion and the Naki world in which he has been raised and whose customs dictate that he deny passion and rely on clinical rationality. The blood of both worlds struggle inside of him. This is, of course, nothing less than Spock’s familiar plight in Star Trek. Also, “Naki” sounds a lot like “Na’vi” from Avatar. Finally, the story of a woman who is lost in an unfamiliar world and beset by unfamiliar forces has a very Rod Sterling Twilight Zone-esque tone.

CHARACTERS: Taken together, these fragments of classic American sci-fi pop culture might have been successful, at least in creating a novel that could be read as a kind of nostalgia. Where the novel failed in making me feel any kind of nostalgia was in its portrayal of sympathetic and interesting characters. Mandy and Akkai are neither. About 40 pages into the book, I really couldn't care if either of them would be alive by the end. I only cared moderately more if either of them were alive by the end of the book. It wasn't as if I wanted them dead--I was just not invested in either of them because I was never really given a reason to care for either of them.

For example, Mandy is a model. At the beginning of the novel, we are told that she is shallow and selfish. What we expect is a novel of growth in which she discovers that there is more to the world than herself. Although Ford tries to provide this with her narrative, I wouldn't say I was satisfied that this happens. Akkadi, unlike Mandy, is ruled by duty. What we expect from his novel of growth is that he learns that sometimes the greater duty is towards oneself. I felt that by the end of the novel, Mandy remained stubbornly self-centered while Akkadi wildly alternated between the two extremes of selflessness and selfishness, never finding a centered medium.

VERDICT: This is a quick read that relies heavily on plot devices reminiscent of popular science fiction films and TV series. The main characters and their relationship are not unbelievable, but it is this inability to rise above their fatal flaws that seems perhaps too real.

[Borderstar]

I'm disappointed. Sounded intriguing initially, but I am surprised to say that I didn't feel the writing was very good. Some of Lizzy Ford's other books are among my favourite books, so I don't know what happened here - if this is the first book you are reading from Ford and were not keen, give her another try.

20% in and I didn't care for the characters, I felt like I was in the head of a silly 13 year old most of the time, everything was being spelled out to us, the writing was rather stilted in places, the connections between some of the characters felt very false - perhaps because the writing around these scenes were quite wooden. If it had been actors in a film, I would have said they were poor actors and you could tell they were reading from a script.

The plot was ok, and the way it started was quite good, but already it feels like a mix of bits of other major sci-fi stories.

In fairness, it isn't awful and if I had more time, I would probably read the whole thing, but I have such a big "to-be-read" pile and not much time to read these days, so although I hate to say it, I think this is going to have to be a "did-not-finish"... I haven't given a rating as I felt it unfair, having not read the whole book to see if it got better.

For some better sci-fi romance, try Linnea Sinclair's books, maybe Accidental Goddess (although this has less space travel and more magic) or Games of Command which I loved, although it was a pretty fantastical plot, hey its sci-fi, so just go with it and you will enjoy it.

[K.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I loved and enjoyed this book very much, I just really didn't like how damsel in distress Mandy was. She was great, mind you.. and I really loved her with Akkadi. She was just not the typical kind of heroine I liked. I really liked Akkadi too, he was very noble to his clause but he was really a fool. In fact, the whole relationship only happened because of his 'obligation'. If not, both Mandy and Akkadi would probably ended up in bed and there would be no story about them to tell. I really liked the world and many of the characters were very interesting. too bad there was no development to them. I really thought that this book had potential to be a series. It was a really nice read though.

4 stars

[Shéa MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast scifi romance with Space Twinkies! I hope she writes a sequel.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming tale of a young model whose plane gets transported 10,000 years into the future through a wormhole. In 10,000 years, the earth is in ruins. Humans (now hybrids) are ill and dying from a genetic disease they can find no cure for. The alien royal family knows that the more human a being is, the more immune they are to the disease. To continue a healthy bloodline, each generation attempts to open the wormhole hoping a craft of humans will appear and the royals get to use them as mates, continuing on a strong and healthy royal bloodline.
Yes, there are wormholes, space ships, aliens, plagues, wars and more that make it sound super sci-fi. However, I fear that sci-fi fans who love the above stuff will find an unsatisfying, watered down sci-fi story. Just because the elements exist, doesn't mean it fits totally into the sci-fi pie. In fact, I'd call this more of a romantic fantasy.

Now, for me, 'watered-down sci fi' totally works! I don't mind a little sci fi. I like the made up worlds, different species of people; there is so much creativity and endless imagination involved in a sci fi creation. What I hate about sci fi, particularly with sci fi involving aliens - is the so often ugliness of it! I am known to be particularly adverse to anything alien; books, movies, whatever. Aliens are always so hideously ugly and unrealistic to me. This is not so in this world! In fact, there is a non-purposeful focus on beauty...human beauty. The alien types try to make themselves appear more human. So, for me, the world building in this was perfect - there was war and destruction but it is not gory, aliens were ugly but we don't spend much time with them...plus there were cool things like healers, really neat bathrooms and clothing that just 'fits'.

If you love a good romance novel, then you will love this one! This offers something unique and different. I loved the characters and the made up world, the sorta constant sense of danger, and the hating on the villian. There is a truly good mean and ugly villain! I have placed this book among my favorites, given it 5 stars and would wholeheartedly recommend it to all romance and fairy tale lovers. If the reviews go low, I can ONLY see it being because sci fi fans aren't finding enough of the weird to satisfy them. We all like what we like. This was 'just right' for me.

This was my first Lizzy Ford novel. I will certainly now be on the look for more of her titles. Oh, and as a cover art freak, I must add that the cover of this book is beautiful and perfectly portrays the main character. This I didn't even have to make up myself in my mind's eye - the cover girl was Mandy!

[Cogito_ergo_sum · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
The plot and world-building were good. Set on a futuristic Earth that you wouldn't want to live on (the planetary ecosystem was killed by people--so it is a poison, dreary world), we follow the politics surrounding the situation.

That part of the novel was good, but the other part (I'm talking characters) was not so good. Our 2 main characters are flawless beauties (super handsome in the guy's case). We are reminded how physically perfect these two people are throughout the novel.

Now, I have nothing against beautiful people, but hearing "Why does he keep rejecting me? I'm perfect. I was a model. Men chased me back home" (paraphrasing) is a surefire way to show just how shallow the MC is.

Just keep throwing how beautiful you are in my face. I'm pretty sure that after a while you'll wear me down so much that it might actually be endearing to be reminded of your flawless genetics that you had no hand in picking.

What about the guy? Maybe he redeems the situation? No. "She's the most beautiful person ever, but lets act like an asshole because I've decided she's no good to me because she acts too human (as opposed to emotionally dead)." (paraphrasing)

All these two characters mention about each other is how flawless and arousing the other one is to look at.

I'm not seeing that much character depth. Sure the male MC follows through on his duty to save humans, but the question is does he actually care deep down, or is it only a sense of duty and honour to him because it's been ingrained in him since birth (as a blood-right obligation)?

This book could have been more, but...

Frankly, I'm insulted by the message it sends: Doesn't matter how you are on the inside because it's your DNA and looks that will ever matter.

[RNDK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been on my To Be Read List since 2014.
I've finally gotten around to reading it. Ok, well I upended my list, shook and this fell out.

Reading this reminds be of a sci fi movie I watched in the 90's.. where the plane entered into a time warp and the passengers were removed from the plane and replaced with cloned bodies before the plane crashed.

Millennium (1989)
An NTSB investigator seeking the cause of an airline disaster meets a warrior woman from 1000 years in the future. She replaces the people from airplanes before they crash with corpses with the same features.

So not the same, yet similar.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I vote that it will be a boy! The End

[Nicole Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic, what I loved the most was from the first page I was drawn in; I felt like I was a part of the book and going through everything that was happening to Mandy. It was almost as if I really wasn't getting into the book but I realized it was because Lizzy did such a great job that I felt like I was in the same dream state as Mandy.

The story as a whole is a little different than what I am use to when reading Lizzy Ford books, but that is what makes it so great too. It breaks up the monotony of reading the same style book over and over again. The book starts with a recently fired model Mandy is on an airplane heading home to L.A.. This is were the story gets a little trippy and you are wondering if you yourself are having some crazy flashback...LOL. Mandy awakens in a totally funky room where nothing appears to be normally, there is no reason for why things are the way they are. She encounters "alien" type creatures and just keeps telling herself that she will wake up soon and be on the airplane heading home.

Her first encounter complete wierds her out and just to move onto an even weird incident. Lizzy did an amazing job describing this "dreamscape"/Mandy's new reality. I love when I am able to truly get a feel for what things are suppose to look like from the authors description and this book had that. Mandy is sent to Akkadi to give him "energy cells" little does she know that she is suppose to end up being the mate of Akkadi. In this realm at this time there is a crazy plague that only purebred humans can fix and Akkadi royal family is suppose to mate with said purereds.

Akkadi is a very logical man who is part Naki and part human who has taught himself how to shut off his emotions. Mandy on the other hand is pure human and runs completely off of her emotions. When these two interact the chemistry is hot. Akkadi is keeping a secret from Mandy that can destroy all of her hopes and dreams of what she thinks is happening. Mandy is dead set on going home and living this crazy plague time. Deals are made through many characters of this book, people are manipulated and lied to in order to gain what they want. Poor Mandy and her human "friend" Cesar are at the mercy of all the royal family.

Akkadi has always chosen duty over everything else but this time he is questioning that decision, unfortunately his duty is prevailing and Mandy is left hanging or so she believes. There is a great fight brewing and you are left wondering who is going to win until the very end. There was no part during reading that I felt I knew what was going to happen or became bored, I just knew I had to know what Akkadi was going to decide and if Mandy would make it home or not. This is currently a stand alone novel so there is no cliffhanger the story is wrapped up. But if there was to be another book I would not complain there are many great characters in this book and I would love to read about their lives.

I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 17. There is not a lot of steamy scenes but the ones that are there are not meant for little eyes.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the stories are different in that Mandy does not go to another planet, the book did remind me of Kiera's Moon so if you read and liked that one, I think you'll like this one just as much. It did take me a bit of time to switch gears into a futuristic sci-fi type book, but once I got used to the fact we were 10,000 years in the future and Earth was pretty much destroyed, well, things pretty much moved from there.

For those of you who are grammar nazis, there are a few errors in the book that I'm sure will get corrected, so don't get held up by those. The book will grab your attention as you follow Mandy as she tries to get her head wrapped around the fact that she fell asleep on a plane and woke up to her worst nightmare. Strapped to a bed and trapped in a horrible reality of a future, where some would use her to breed disease free children or drain her of her blood in hopes to find a cure for the disease. Is it no wonder that she wavers between believing it is all just a dream and wanting to go "home" by any means necessary?

Then there is Akkadi...the only one she feels remotely safe with, who makes her a slave and is bound and determined not to get involved with her. So much so, he chooses another as his future wife. He is Naki and the Naki race is an unemotional bunch. Akkadi believes his sole purpose is to be dutiful and fight a war to protect humans and cure the disease killing so many people/species. Mandy is too human and he does not want to rely on his emotions.

I did get caught up in her manipulations to get home regardless of the cost to the whole of the planet, which is probably why I didn't love her. It is understandable that she wants to go back to a place and time that was more humane to people, but she was extremely selfish in wanting that given the repercussions to others. Now I said I didn't love her, that didn't mean I didn't like her. I had the same issues with Akkadi. His determination to find a cure, protect humans, including Mandy was second to none. His dishonesty with Mandy was what kept me from loving him. His blatant disregard for her feelings and that same determination that he displayed to find a cure, he applied to NOT being human. Drove me nuts. In fact, drove him to tie himself to a crazy, mean, and disloyal woman. I use the word loosely.

There are other characters that you love simply for who they are...there kindnesses (Gonor) and their ability to adapt (Cesar). Lots of room for more books, including Helen's story, Akkadi's siblings and cousins, including Urik and Vekko. If you have not read this, it is definitely worth the read. I would recommend it.

[Alicia Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I mainly give these 3 stars because the story kept me interested. I wanted to know how things were going to end and play out. Also, some of the secondary characters were interesting and fun. I'd like to see them explored more in a sequel. Particularly Cesar and Assaka.

But Mandy ... Oh, Mandy. Where to begin. This was one book where I literally could not stand the heroine. Since most of the book is told in her POV that made this book laborious at time. Mandy was the typical blonde, air-headed, vain, self-centered model type. As someone who used to model, I found the portrayal worthy of an eye-roll. Mandy had no redeeming qualities at all. There wasn't much development either. She remained vain, vapid, and selfish until the end. And I got so sick of hearing about how gorgeous she was. It was pretty much the only thing she had going for her. Oh, and how she could get any man she wants but is insulted by Akkadi spurning her. Newsflash, honey, not everyone wants you. For a book targeted toward women, this was such a huge turnoff and I had a hard time identifying with this woman at all.

While she annoyed, Akkadi intrigued. As a hero he was flawed but noble and sexy. I love a rigid man with passion boiling just under the surface. He had way more dimension than Mandy and made the story likeable.

The plot was a bit confusing at times, as far as the worldbuilding and background of the futuristic society. There were a few plot holes as well. The most glaring to me was the fact that Akkadi's mother was supposed to be from the human world, brought 10,000 into the future. yet it is stated several times that she came to Akkadi's father with a huge dowry. Where did this dowry come from? Her human father on earth 10,000 in the past???

Anyway, those little things had little bearing on the story. And while the characters behaved foolishly at times, the story progressed nicely. I appreciated the ending more and wish the pace had been that way throughout. The action and suspense in the end gave it that extra half star, that plus the fact that I liked Akkadi.

If this book had a sequel, I would likely read it, as the fate of the villain was kind of left hanging out there. Plus I'd be interested to see what happened to Cesar. That said, this was my first read by Lizzy Ford and she has a reputation for being a great writer. After reading other reviews, I was left with the sense that this wasn't her best work. I look forward to maybe checking out others she has written to get a true sense of who she is as an author.

[Theresea Wasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What can I say to Lizzy Ford's 2nd foray into the adult genre? Mandy is a model who lost her job. She goes on a flight to escape for a while. Suddenly through a freak storm she is thrown 10,000 years into the future. The Earth is nothing like she remembers. War torn, no blue skies or ocean to be seen anywhere, aliens, mysterious plague etc. She is rescued by Urik, a freedom fighter who is related to the ruling Naki race. From there she is rescued by Akkadi, one of the Naki royalty who thinks of nothing but duty. Duty to family, duty to race, duty to the humans. In this new world, currency is in the form of energy, and there is not near enough to be found. Akkadi enters into an engagement with the daughter of another ruling family in order to get the energy that his family needs to continue their war and a way to cure the plague. Besides, he wants nothing to do with Mandy. After all, she is wild and undisciplined according to Naki standards, so what would he want with her. Right? Wrong! He can't get this purebred human out of his mind. So he takes her as a consort, but then ignores her. Mandy in the meantime is very much your modern woman. She's not going to take sh** from ANYONE! Much less this prince who thinks he's above her. After all, she's been made a slave, a concubine, and has an alien princess who hates her, and who continually switches her when she gets the opportunity. After all, all she wants to do is go home! But she can't get this alien prince out of her head either. What is she to do?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though there are several spelling errors in this book, Lizzy Ford is the consummate storyteller yet again in this 2nd foray into the adult genre. Plenty of action, emotion, and several hot sex scenes. The Naki remind me of Vulcans from Star Trek and Akkadi reminds me very much of Spock. He denies his human heritage and feelings and lives as a coldly logical man. Once Mandy comes into his life his humanity tries to break through. I love Mandy. Her grit, her fire, and her refusal to take anything from anybody. I also love Akkadi's mother. She is another human who was brought forward from an earlier time, and married the king. She befriends Mandy, and tries to get her to ease Mandy's transition to this new life. Overall I rate this story 3.75 stars, but that's only because of the spelling errors. Hurry up and write the sequel Lizzy Ford!

[Aimeekay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say that I am always pleasantly surprised at Lizzy Ford’s ability to create new characters, as well as worlds, with each of her series? I mean this is the third series of hers that I have read and I am just blown away!
Specifically with Star Kissed I loved the whole book. Let’s start with the future Earth she has created. Yes, we find the characters 10,000 years in the future, but it is a future, that with the intervention of aliens is believable. Plus taking Mandy from present day Earth and throwing her into that world makes for a great read. For the beginning part of the story she is convinced she is still dreaming. I don’t want to spoil too much, but she even goes so far as to leap out a window, convinced it will wake her up. Her reactions to this future earth are also hysterical, especially once she realizes she isn’t dreaming. I’m torn on my favorite parts being her reaction to the futuristic bathrooms and her new favorite purse. I also liked how she worked the Naki in as the original founders of the human race. It helps to give foundation to the reason why the Naki are so committed to curing the plague.
I love the characters. As I said above Mandy is hysterical. Her views are sooo different than Akkadi’s and watching their outlooks clash kept me turning the pages to see if they would ever be able to find common ground. I also liked the supporting characters. I think I got even more of a kick out of watching Cesar tease Akkasha than Mandy did. Then there is Akkadi’s mother, Helen. She is from a time on Earth close enough to Mandy’s that she has similar view points. But at the same time, Helen has been with Akkadi’s father, and in the Naki’s world, long enough to see things from their point of view as well.

I do hope in future installments of the series that the author explores more of the Naki’s universe. I really enjoyed the Kini. I think they are a great counter point to the Naki’s logical views. However there really isn’t a whole lot revealed about them and I soooo want to know more! I can’t wait for book two to come out! If you are already a fan of Ford’s then don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed in her newest novel. If you haven’t yet been introduced to her work, then pick up a copy of Star Kissed and say hello! This is a great novel to start out with and a great romance with lots of adventure to pick up and read before the summer ends.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was great. I never really read Sci-fi books but this is one I will be reading over. I am a huge Lizzy Ford fan and I love all her books. I have not found one that was not amazing.

Mandy is a beautiful model. On her way home her airplane gets sucked threw a warm hole. She doesn’t remember much but there are plenty of people that help her and plenty of people that want her for her purebred human blood. She fights threw this book to stay alive and not to fall for the one Naki Prince that has saved her so many times.

Akkadi is the Naki Prince. Naki is half human and half Naki. He needs to find a mate and even though Mandy is beautiful he thinks they are not compatible. All Mandy wants to do is go home and since Akkadi is one of three people that can open a star gate she tries to convince him to send her home. Only thing is it takes a lot of energy cells to do that. If he sends her home it could put him behind for finding the cure to the plague.

Cesar is a big man that was sitting next to Mandy on the plane. He is spunky and I really enjoyed reading out him. Urik is a half human on the planet fighting for the rest of the humans. I liked him at first but then after a certain point all I could think was that sneaky little bastard. But apparently I am alone on this thought. Everyone seems to love him. Haha. There are a few other characters that I hate but you have to have a bad guy. I really enjoyed everything about this book. As I was reading I really couldn’t tell who Mandy was going to end up with. I had a feeling who but was never sure. The ending was good but I just wish there was more to it. If you are a Lizzy Ford fan or you like Sci-fi romances then you should definitely get this book. If you are just looking for something new and different this book is for you.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked 'Kiera's Moon' this book is definitely for you. I kind of like when Lizzy writes books like this, Akkadi he kind of had to grow on me I mean saying things like "you are healthy," he observed with some satisfaction. "Beautiful. What are you called?" Doesn't really turn me on I mean I understand the boy is kind of like a snob and doesn't really interact with humans but still. I mean he's kind of jerkish, it's like everyone is beneath him and he's like King Tut or some s*** like that, "we do here. Anything I want is instantly more of value to those around me. I paid to much for you." That is so what every girl wants to hear, hot damn he's so romantic NOT! Mandy that girl gives what's given to her and by that I mean she doesn't put up with Akkadi's bulls*** she calls him out on it, "you couldn't possibly let me stay here," he said and crossed her arms. "Wouldn't want someone like me sullying your world. You go to great lengths to keep me alive and then toss me out." And the way Akkadi and Mandy talk about sex is really just strange, "interrogate? No. I simply wish to establish your level of expertise," he replied without hesitation. "If it were your first, I would provide some sort of instruction. Since it's not, I need to know you're not...diseased." Well isn't that just sweet of him. Mandy she is just like a lioness when she's pis***, "you decieved me about pretty much everything! Hichele, the star gate, making love to me like I mattered when it's clear I'm just one last fling," she whispered, anger flaring in her eyes. "After all that you have the nerve to ask me to sleep with you?" My opinion people just need to buy the damn book and read it!

[Elizabeth Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall- Im not sure where to begin with this one. I REALLY liked this book overall. In fact, I read it in one day. I was drawn into the book by mere intrigue. The plot is so very different from anything Ive ever read. It had dystopian elements, lots of love, lots of angst, lots of sci-fi, and some action and adventure. A lot of great elements right?! And frankly I dont think the author did anything "wrong" it ended perfectly, there was enough of every aspect for me. What I didnt like was that I felt very confused about the world that the characters lived in throughout the book. By the end, I got it, and I was there. But it took me a while before I figured out the world building. This book in general though was extremely interesting with lots of twists. When I finished, I was very satisfied, the ending was perfect. I admit, I was not expecting certain aspects of this book. For one, there are sex scenes and sexual content through out. And there is also discussion regarding to race. (I put this in because I think readers should be aware of what they're getting into, while I do not see this book as a racial book in any way, one should be aware that the book may make references to a race being the best, but I do not in any way thing this was intentional or its purpose, this book reminds me more of the movie Avatar.)

See full review at http://beautysinbreakdown.blogspot.co...

[Marilyn Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say im a BIG LIZZY FAN! I'm not a huge fan of Sci-Fy, but this book was out of this world awesome!Beautiful Mandy Bennett, a recently fired model on her way back to L.A. on a plane, wakes up to what seems to be a dream. She humors it, but then realizes that its not a dream. Thrown 20 thousand years into the future through a worm hole in space opened by a prince called Nakkadi, a Naki Prince in search of a potential mate.In this future there is a virus that has taken over most of the near by galaxies, 100% purebred humans are need to mate with in order to insure healthy children, and to use thier blood to seek a cure.So, Mandy and Nakkadi's adventures begin, this book has such an awesome cast of characters, it made me laugh, and sad, and my ohh my its steaming hot love moments, never knew Lizzy had it in her to write such steamy romantic scenes, it had me hooked from beginning to end, I only hope that the book becomes a series, its that good!!!!!Loved it from beginning to the end had me wanting more.Thanks Lizzy once again for entertaining my reading needs as always you deliver an outstanding book.A MUST BUY!!!!!!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Lizzy is now writing Adult Genre.
This book got me hooked!

I read it in one sitting and could put it down!!!

The first part of it is pretty fast pace, you go from the present to
10 000 years in the future and everything happens really fast.
I like fast! no long description that goes on for ever.

Manda; Selfish hot ex-model wake up in a strange world after being on a plane. Convince she is in a strange dream she goes along with the strange creature that helps her escape.
his instruction are simple find Urik. But she finds Akkadi the Nakki prince who is action are dictated by logic and not emotions.

Manda need to decide if her pursue of going home is whats best for her and the human in the current world. Akkadi needs to come to grip with his human side and all the new emotions, the ones the beautiful human brings out of him.

There is nothing I didn't like about this book,
But I can tell you that I smell more books coming.
(Cesar/Akkasha) (Urik)

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I freely admit that futuristic sci-fi is not my thing, usually. Lizzy Ford, however, is. That got me to start this book, but the addicting storyline got me to finish it in about a day.

This story follows Mandy, a fired model who is transported into the future where Earth and its inhabitants are suffering. She meets Akkadi and gets thrown into royal drama and war from that moment on. Her romance was great to watch and really steamed up the pages. There was resolution at the end, even though I was skeptical of it being possible. I had this horrible thought that maybe this was going to be a trilogy or a series starter that didn't give me the happy cuddly ending I wanted. Boy, was I wrong. I got everything I wanted from this book and was happy that I broke my contemporary paranormal romance rule just this once.

The writing was the same as I've come to expect from Lizzy Ford, so if you've ever read one of her books and liked it -- check this one out, too!

[Emmanuelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. I love all of Lizzy Ford's books, but sometimes it's very nice to have a stand alone novel to read....simply because then I don't have to be impatiently waiting to find out what happens next! However, I would say that StarKissed certainly has the potential to become more of a series; there are many untold tales and adventures that are in Akkadi and Mandy's future. The story is complete in and of itself though.

I think this novel would make a wonderful movie too. It's got great character development, edge of your seat action, and a storyline that wants to make you swoon. The characters are all very believable and I love the futuristic environment. The emotional development of the characters, mainly Mandy and Akkadi, is very enthralling. There are times when one just wants to slap one or the other and yell at them to get over themselves.

Overall, great read, and definitely recommend to all.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 30% of this book was complete information overload. I was just completely lost. Honestly there is so much back story I think this should have been a series. Mandy's plane gets thrown through a star gate (worm hole in time-10k years in the future). Earth is now a desolate place where what is left of the human race battles not one alien race but two. Like I said, there was so much back story. What happened when the Naki first arrived, and then the second invasion. How did Earth get so polluted. I had so many questions it kept me completely sidetracked!

I finally could get into the story and focus about halfway through and then I wanted to kick the crap out of Akkadi. He was stubborn to beyond a fault. But he was too human and finally gave in to Mandy and they had explosive sex so I forgave him! :)

Second book?

[Ginelle Blanch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from beginning to end. It had lots of action, betrayal, sadness, fear, love, and finally happiness. The worlds Ms. Ford creates never fail to amaze me and, she writes in such a way that absolutely brings the world and characters alive for me! This story actually takes place on "the planet" (Earth), and the orbit around it, 10,000 years in the future (not a wonderful place to be, trust me!). I loved seeing the characters' internal struggles while finding themselves and learning to do the right thing. I especially loved the characters of Akkadi, Mandy, Urik, and Cesar. I even loved Akkadi's mother, Helen. I'm fascinated with the rest of Akkadi's Naki/human family, the Kini race, and finding out about what happens next with our plagued Earth. Truly hoping that Ms. Ford decides to make this a series! Fast paced, imaginative, explosive read. Job well done, Ms. Ford!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn't so bad. I don't believe it deserves all the hate and negativity it has in some of the reviews. I actually liked this book. It was a crazy Si-fi adventure. Th main character Mandy. Gets trapped in the future 10 thousand years ahead of her time. She soon learns she's either a slave or a consort or to be mated with one of the brothers to keep the bloodline pure. This book is full of lies cheats and scandalous behaviour. If you like Si-if then maybe you will give this a chance. You should never judge a book by its cover. Thank you Lizzy for for this creative book. Just because it's different doesn't make anything wrong with it.

[Natasha (books_n_dreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star kissed is a very different paranormal romance, but good. At first things tend to go a little fast and one can easily get confused, but as long as you keep going you get those hidden details to come out. I absolutely love the raw passion the two lovers have, how Akkadi tries to fight his human emotions but eventually all that built up that he was trying to hide even we him and Mandy did kiss had to come out done or later. I found Start Kissed to be refreshing and hot, with a mix of suspense. If someone needs something new and steamy to steamy to read, check this book out!!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off slow for me. I didn't really understand what was going on at first. However, once it became clear it captured my attention and held it tight. Mandy's new path has lead her to a strange time and place that she is unwilling to accept. Her fight to find her place is exciting and filled with joy, pain and love. Akkadi's path to finding his true self is one he doesn't want to accept. Confusion, joy, love and betrayal face him throughout the story. This turned out to be a book well worth reading.

[Jessica Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was fun, easy to read and I loved the world Lizzy created. It was so interesting and as I boarded a flight soon after reading that scene at the beginning (with a storm going too!) I couldn't help imaging what it would be like to wake up in that world. I love future books, so this one was great. It was a little frustrating how Mandy and Akkadi were with each other, it was understandable. For any Lizzy Ford fans out there, definitely worth a read! A great combination of action, romance and plot.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off slow for me. I didn't really understand what was going on at first. However, once it became clear it captured my attention and held it tight. Mandy's new path has lead her to a strange time and place that she is unwilling to accept. Her fight to find her place is exciting and filled with joy, pain and love. Akkadi's path to finding his true self is one he doesn't want to accept. Confusion, joy, love and betrayal face him throughout the story. This turned out to be a book well worth reading.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was pretty interesting and I would warmly recommand the author.
The romance is well thought of and pleasing To read but not completely fascinating as I have grown used to with Lizzy Ford ( I have become spoiled indeed ! ).
To put it in a nutshell,the book has what it takes To be a great read and it holds a lot of possibilities but I would have liked for the other characters To be more pronounced and To have a life of their own maybe in a subtle way , a glimpse of what they could be for example or what they think.

[Maria Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW!
If I loved Lizzy Ford's book, I love them even more now. I could not put this book down, it Was beyond amazing.

Mandy find herself in an unfamiliar place, the planet earth is nothing from where she is from, this planet is plagued with disease and aliens, but she only has one Hope getting home to her time. But then she meets a Naki Prince named Akkadi and finds herself attracted to him in a way she thought not possible.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of one-off books that tell a complete story and tie up all important loose ends. I feel like Star Kissed told a good, complete story. There is room for companion novels or even sequels, but I am satisfied and happy with the book. It is a fast read with good characters and an actually surprising twist towards the end. I recommend it to people who like futuristic romancey books. It definitely has smut.