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Colony: Holiday #1

Cowboys and Aliens: Un Romance Extraterrestre de Ciencia Ficción (Colonia: Feriados)

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Cuando su jefe la carga con la tarea de planificar una celebración adecuada para el primer aniversario de la Colonia, Rana opta por una antigua tradición el Día de Acción de Gracias. Solo hay un problema... ¿qué es un pavo y dónde puede conseguir uno?
Byron huyó de la Tierra tras una tragedia. Ahora, hará cualquier cosa para proteger su nueva granja en el espacio, incluso luchar contra alienígenas. No importa lo atractivos que puedan ser.
¿Podrán un vaquero y una alienígena dejar de lado sus diferencias, celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias Y encontrar el amor?

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2024

189 people are currently reading
352 people want to read

About the author

Demelza Carlton

935 books3,881 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.

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5 stars
123 (23%)
4 stars
136 (26%)
3 stars
142 (27%)
2 stars
77 (15%)
1 star
35 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
Profile Image for *❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆*.
414 reviews93 followers
November 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this story set in the Colony World. It is quick it is simple and yet it has a lot happening which doesn’t fell too rushed or packed. We meet a half alien half human called Rana, who can transform into a silvery skinned human who needs to organise a big celebration for her boss. During her preparation for this event she meets cowboy Byron, who has lost all his cattle except for one baby calf in his care. Together they find out much more about each other’s species and perhaps a little bit more ;)

Really enjoyed this and liked that I could read this in one setting and be satisfied at the end.

Received a copy from the author herself, for an honest review, and this does not affect my review or rating of the book, thank you!
Profile Image for MikeLikesBooks.
732 reviews79 followers
December 15, 2023
This is a short story of only 59 pages. Not a literary masterpiece but for what it is (an alien/human romance) it was cute. The assistant to the commander on this space colony is planning an anniversary feast. And wants to pattern after a traditional Thanksgiving meal from earth. There is an earthly cowboy with a ranch….. by the end they are both naked and doing what horny humans do. Not too explicit.
Profile Image for Claire Louisa.
2,107 reviews122 followers
November 9, 2020
3.5⭐⭐⭐ short and sweet, but sexy and fast-paced intro into a new new series set on a new planet where humans and aliens, all refugees from what I could gather, are learning to live together as one. The attraction between the two main characters was instant and it didn't take them long to act on it. A fun read.
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,681 reviews112 followers
March 7, 2023
The couple: Byron and Rana

Romance trope: alien
Series: Colony: Holiday
Length: 59 pages

Plot: Rana is an air elemental who has been tasked with planning and executing a holiday for the colony to celebrate. She settles on the old earth custom of Thanksgiving. But she needs a main dish, and so she seeks out a cowboy with a ranch. Byron is having a heck of a time with his animals though. Once he meets Rana, things start looking up.

Commentary: Cute story, with an interesting look at what ranching would look like in an alien world with genetic manipulation and advanced science. I loved that Rana got her happy ending because she seemed like such a lovely person. Alien.

Next book in the series: Ghost: An Alien Scifi Romance
Profile Image for Irene O'Brien.
315 reviews5 followers
November 14, 2022
Love transcends species

Byron is just a human cowboy at the colony. Losing his livestock was bad enough, but when an alien appears on his farm he reacts badly.
Rana is a sylph and an organiser for the colony. She needs some meat for the festival and heads down to the farm.
After a misunderstanding can Bryon and Rana overcome their differences?
A must read for all lovers of space and aliens.
Profile Image for Denise.
3,717 reviews
November 4, 2020
Loved this short story set in The Colony world. Rana is an air elemental who can take a human form. Byron is a cowboy with only one cow. You will love their story.

I was given a copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Shari.
288 reviews11 followers
August 26, 2023
To sum it up: There was Bessie the cow, who was the only calf on a particular farm in the colony, who proceeds to donate some tissue for them to clone in order to feed the entirety of said colony for their first Thanksgiving in space.
Oh and an alien and a human get to bone at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sara.
459 reviews
May 25, 2021
Starting off my quarterly alien kick with a rough start - DNR
Profile Image for Greyson.
585 reviews
June 23, 2025
2⭐️ Only plus side is how short the book is. Story was aimlessly written and boring to boot.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Connor.
1,463 reviews40 followers
November 13, 2020
When I receive an ARC of a book, I want to like it. If not, I wouldn't request it in the first place. Unfortunately, I found this book boring. The characters of Matteo and Marie were flat and I never felt connected to either of them. I had to force myself to finish reading because I found myself impatient for something, anything, to happen. It was slow-moving and lackluster.

As an author, Summer Cooper is capable of making her readers feel emotions. She creates memorable characters who are relatable and, usually, likable. Although they may engage in behaviors we don’t like, we eventually understand their motivations. I never did understand why Marie chose to stay and take care of her abusive mother when she was all set to leave for college. And I also didn’t understand why Marie felt Matteo tricked her into marrying him and thought that meant he didn’t care about her. He didn’t create the circumstance and he suggested marriage as a way to rescue her, but it was because he cared about her. For her to be angry and feel he tricked her into marriage was unreasonable.

The plot is slow-paced and predictable and ends with a cliffhanger. Sadly, I didn’t feel anything for Marie or Matteo so I don’t care enough to find out what happens to them next. I’m hopeful that Summer Cooper’s next series will be of the same caliber as some of her previous books (Billionaire Matchmaker series, Housekeeping series, Next Door series).

Prior to reading this, I was provided with a free look at the prequel, Mafia’s Obsession. I don't know if it is #1 in the series because that seems to have "Dirty Secret" added to the name (although the cover is virtually the same). Therefore, I will not add my review to Mafia's Dirty Secret, but will include it here instead:

Mafia's Obsession (#1)
2 stars
This is brief, and little more than an introduction to the characters in the sequel: Mafia’s Fake Bride. Ruby is a two dimensional monster with no redeeming qualities. Marie is an abused child who, when provided with an escape, instead chose to stay and care for her abusive mother. Matteo is a former abused child being groomed to take over mafia operations. The only character who garnered my sympathy was Matteo. I could not relate to Marie at all, could not understand her choices, and although I felt some sympathy for her, my strongest feeling was disbelief. I know it’s hard for people to leave abusive relationships, but the biggest impediment is usually fear. Marie had an escape plan in place and chose to stay when her mother no longer held any power over her. Supposedly, she felt guilty for any “bad” thoughts about her mother, but that held religious connotations and it was explained that she was not religious. On top of that, Ruby continued to be an absolute ghoul. It just wasn’t believable. I couldn't get past the fact that Marie had an escape plan in place, then decided to give up her dreams to care for a mother who insulted her and told her to leave. I hope the next book adds something to the characters because, at this point, they seem more like stereotypes than real, complex people.
Profile Image for Linda Mundorff.
Author 2 books6 followers
August 2, 2024
The Colony is a haven for so many that have lost so much from interplanetary war. The aliens that have left their homes to resettle on Altan are all welcomed, and their differences are accepted and embraced. Byron, for example, an earth rancher and cowboy came to Altan to start over and raise cattle.
Rena is one of the few shapeshifters that survived when her colony ship was destroyed. She has chosen to take on the humanoid form of an earth woman mostly because she enjoys the intensity of the feelings she experiences from the body. As an employee of the Community Watch, she has been assigned with the planning of the Colony’s one year anniversary. Thousands will gather to celebrate and after much research she has decided the theme will be based on the ancient earth holiday, Thanksgiving. However, since there are no turkeys available to clone for the festivities she settles on beef, and the only person who has cattle, is Byron.
This is book one of six of the Colony series short stories. The story starts off with a brief description of the alien invasion, development of the colony, and I was impressed at how well the story flowed. This is no easy task for a short story. The author’s two main characters, Byron, and Rena are written so well that I was able to get a visual of their initial awkward meeting. I loved the cover, but after reading the story became confused because Byron is a human, and the cover shows an alien cowboy. However, the newer cover has a human, but this cover is much more dynamic. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but the story was told, and it came to a satisfying conclusion.
Profile Image for James Garman.
1,781 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2024
Rana is an air spirit living on the planet Altan where she is the assistant to the chief of what amounts to the police force. Ira, the chief is a Titan. Apparently there has been a recent war with Humana beings and the titans on different sides but now there is peace and they are living together in peace on this planet.

Rana has given herself a birthday party and Ira decided she is the one to arrange the 1st year celebration of the colony. She spends the next several weeks working on arrange this holiday modeling it after Thanksgiving on Earth. The problem is that she can't find a turkey anywhere on the planet so has to settle for vat growth beef.

Byron is a human from Earth who lost his farm back home and is trying again on Altan but has lost all his cattle embryos to a disease and has to start over. He finds that air nymphs make good romantic partners even though Rana is very very busy.

i recommend this to those who like science fiction, inter-species romantic relationships and happy endings after some hard times. It is followed by another story which is partially given as a preview, but which I am having trouble finding a full copy of called Ghost.
Profile Image for Kathi.
753 reviews20 followers
February 12, 2024
Ich habe das Hörbuch gehört.

Irgendwie war dieses Buch gar nichts für mich. Grundsätzlich hat die Autorin da ein interessantes Weltenkonstrukt geschaffen, bei der es auch übernatürliche Aliens gibt. Es passiert aber kaum etwas, dafür ist die Geschichte auch einfach zu kurz.

Für meinen Geschmack ist das Buch schlicht und einfach zu langweilig. Die Charaktere sind mir zu flach und die Story ist stellenweise auch seltsam. Ich kann jetzt aber auch nicht sagen, dass ich es grottenschlecht finde. Deswegen vergebe ich auch 2 Sterne für die gute Idee.

Vermutlich war das dennoch mein letztes Buch der Autorin. Es ist vom Schreibstil her einfach nicht mein Fall. Begonnen habe ich es eigentlich nur, weil ich die Idee mit dem Cowboy im Weltraum witzig fand.

Die Autorin spricht ihr Hörbuch übrigens selbst. Das finde ich toll, ich muss aber leider sagen, dass ich ihre Sprechweise gewöhnungsbedürftig fand.
Profile Image for Stan Hutchings.
1,333 reviews21 followers
November 4, 2020
There was only one cowboy and one alien and one calf, but that was enough for an engaging, enjoyable, erotic Thanksgiving story. This follows the theme of the Colony series where seemingly incompatible people somehow get together and fall madly, desperately, completely in love with each other. The cowboy and the alien had lots to be thankful for, brought together by a quirky idea for a Thanksgiving event that required enough beef to feed the entire Colony. At least, those whose metabolisms could handle beef and whose taste could enjoy it. The alien had the idea, the cowboy had the only calf to supply the beef. When the celebration was over, the cowboy and the alien had their own personal celebration as the climax to the story.
1,814 reviews7 followers
November 6, 2020
Byron has his own new farm on a planet far away from Earth, in a Colony made up of Humans and aliens. He has seen too much death, with the war between aliens and Earth, and the loss of his parents, but he is determine to be a success with his farm. Rana turns up on Byron's farm, and at first he wants to chase her off, until he understands what she wants. They both feel an attraction to one another, can this possible work between them? I enjoyed this quick alien romance read, Rana is a hard working, determine alien woman who is likable, and Byron seems to be a nice fit for her.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received, and giving my thoughts and opinions on it.
1,896 reviews13 followers
November 8, 2020
Rana, an air elemental, suggested an idea to give thanks and the idea was accepted and in what way! In search of an uncommon meat, she met another piece of meat, prime meat! a sexy and appetizing cowboy who practically put her in orbit with the lust that overwhelmed her. A funny story with a lonely cowboy who had not been lucky, an alien who was going to change that and wrap him in heated passion and a tender cow looking at them with cow eyes, of course. Liked Byron and Rana's characters, hers amusing comments and her busy mode. Voluntarily reviewed this copy that made me chuckle and I enjoyed.
Profile Image for ESH read.
32 reviews
November 13, 2020
I received an ARC of this book and have done this review honestly and voluntarily.
Maybe there's another part of the series that give some contextualization about this Colony and how the mixed races ans especially the humans got there. It was a bit confusing in the beginning until I got ensnared by the story.
The technology in this Colony seems amazing!!! However, its structure and culture (the birthday celebration on the beginning and the drinking options at the festival, for example) seem too human for a place that's supposed to be alien.
Still, for such a short story, it developed nicely, and Rana did succeed in recreating Thanksgiving for such varied audience.
1,343 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2021
A bit short, but cute tale about a first Thanksgiving on a new planet settled by a combo of humans and Titans.

A human farmer finds out his entire gets of cattle embryos were meant for a testing facility and are contaminated for actual use, even his adult cows have been contaminated and all were destroyed. Only one calf remains, from a different strain, leaving him with no cash crop. A air fairy who is an assistant to a supervisor, gets the job of throwing a colony wide party to celebrate their first year in existence, with less than one month of notice. How do these two disparate folks meet and can they solve their problems?
Profile Image for Ashley.
304 reviews21 followers
March 17, 2024
What do you think when you see this title? Do you think the Harrison Ford and Danile Craig movie? well, this is not that movie and unique enough to stand out. And to my surprise there are more books with this title than I knew about.

This is a romance in space, we have the human farmer and an Alien traying to celebrate a human holiday the closest to the way humans do Thanksgiving and that leads her to the cowboy.

Was it interesting enough, was it something I am dying to move on to the next in the series, not really. Just based on the next book's blog, if it goes on sale, I would be inclined to read it being a quick read and I am curious/intrigued on this Sci Fi world she has created.
Profile Image for DMCechak.
1,790 reviews23 followers
May 6, 2024
Cowboys and Aliens - Fun Fiction

Cowboys and Aliens - Fun Fiction

"Have you ever ridden a cowboy before, my sexy sylph?" he asked. Warmth flooded her chest. He'd remembered. "I've never met a cowboy before you," she admitted. "How do I...?" He helped her sit up and straddle his hips, positioning her just so. Rana could feel the heat of him beneath her, ready for her, and she couldn't resist any longer.

Colony: Holiday book 1 by Demelza Carlton is a fun fantasy quick read.

Rana is a sylph administrative assistant who finds herself in charge of a huge holiday celebration when she meets a human cowboy who makes her feel all the feels!

Steamy and sensuous for readers!
2,868 reviews11 followers
November 3, 2020
A cute little story about a lonely, randy sylph, Rana, and her cowboy, Byron or Billy the Kid. I found it had a rather fast pace with days zipping by. Rana was simply too busy to even miscommunicate yet Byron seemed to feel either rejected or at fault. I found it to be rather enjoyable since the pace prevented any tension from interrupting the story.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Happily Ever After. Page-turner. Romantic. Steamy. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Shayay.
2,797 reviews54 followers
November 4, 2020
Fun alien romance! Cute connection between Byron and Rana! Human Byron is a cowboy/farmer, who is running one of the farms in space. Alien Rana has been tasked with planning a party; she decides to go with the theme of the human tradition of Thanksgiving. While she’s on the hunt for what to serve, Byron and Rana cross paths and have a connection. This is a pretty simple story; short too, but there’s some interesting ideas. Cool to have Rana be the alien, and fun that’s there’s some cultural differences that Rana and Byron need to contend with. Entertaining!
Profile Image for Brittany.
3,520 reviews27 followers
November 5, 2020
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is a very short quick read. This is a story about over worked Rana who bumps into a earth Cowboy and the sparks fly. I did like it but I did have a couple of issues. I think I just wanted more back ground on the world the author was trying to show us. I think it could be this was just supposed to be a short read and that maybe why not a lot of background information. Also, the end was really abrupt I scrolled back just to make sure that I didn’t miss anything. I just needed more.
Profile Image for Debbie.
281 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2020
A great story from the Colony. Rana wants to help unite the colony by implementing a holiday from old Earth times, Thanksgiving, but looking for food is proving to be difficult and brings her to Byron.
Byron has escaped Earth with his herd of cows after a family disaster and due to a bioengineering malfunction he ends up with one calf. His farm is very lonely until a sexy alien crashes through his loneliness wanting to use his calf. Their attraction is immediately recognised and a comedy of errors can lead it heartache or pleasure.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,111 reviews13 followers
November 17, 2020
This is a short enjoyable story about Rana, an alien, who’s trying to organize a Thanksgiving Day celebration for the Colony’s first anniversary, and Byron, an Earth rancher who is determined to protect his ranch and his calf (that’s right, just one). The attraction is there, and the desire, but what isn’t there is time to do something about it. Rana is BUSY. But when the party is over, hopefully a rousing success, she will have the whole weekend free. What will this Cowboy and Alien do with all that time and where will it lead?

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
137 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2020
Cute & Amusing!

This is a short, clever love story. Rana is a sylph, an air elemental. Byron is a rancher—a cowboy. They both are lonely in the Colony, an experiment in humans and Titans living together. They are attracted to one another, but they have to overcome some obstacles before they can make it work…..

You can read this amusing story in less than an hour. Forget your problems while you enjoy theirs!

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nedyalka Ivanova.
47 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2022
Никога не знаеш какво ти е подготвила Вселената.
Особено когато е рождения ти ден и си извънземно, което може да приема различни форми.
Обаче справянето с човешките хормони се оказва доста...м��м... голямо предизвикателство и е чудесно да имаш един каубой под ръка. Нищо, че притежава една единствена крава. Все пак тя е и последната, единствена на колонията, която се приготвя за Велико тържество - да отпразнува първата си годишнина като колония.
Въобще доста забавна история с една крава, един каубой, едно извънземно с прекрасни цици, и био инженер на име Лилит Зеленски.
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