Zonaton

by Linda Mooney

A hundred years ago, the last people of Earth landed on planet AR617b. It was their only hope after being forced to flee the dead planet that was once their ancestral home. The native inhabitants of AR617b, known as gerons, are sentient creatures that resemble a cross between dragons and griffins of old Earth lore. When they initially tried to destroy the settlers, a deal was made to ensure both species' survival. It was decided that each year, every five-year-old human child must take The Walk across a hundred meter field. If they don't stop or run, they will arrive safely on the other side, and be allowed to grow up and have families of their own. But if they break the rule, the gerons will kill them. Unless, by a strange quirk of fate, a geron decides to Pair with the child, taking and raising the human as its own. Emmala took The Walk, and found herself adopted by one of the older gerons, an immense silvery-white creature named Zonaton. For the next fifteen years, he cared for her, protected her, and loved her. But now Emmala's real family wants her back, and they will do everything they can to have her returned, even if it means killing Zonaton, and starting an all-out war with the gerons. What neither the settlers nor gerons realize is that there is another alien species watching and waiting for the two combatants to go into battle. Because when they do, that will be the aliens’ cue to destroy everyone and claim AR617b for their own.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction Romance, Aliens, Paranormal, Science Fiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2014

About the author

Linda loves to write sweet and sensuous romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair, and is the author of over 150 books. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel.

A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love.

She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. She’s been named Author of the Year, and her book Lord of Thunder is an Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance.

She also writes naughty humorous romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith, Christian romances as Lynn Gayle, and elementary teacher workbooks as L. G. Mooney.

For more information about her books, up-coming and new releases, contests, and giveaways, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website: http://www.LindaMooney.com

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Science Fiction Romance..


Zonaton, the male lead, chooses to pair, a rare action, with Emmala, the female lead, during her time for the "Walk".

As Emmala grows older, she and Zonaton develop feelings for one another.

I liked Emmala, she was a strong well developed character.
I wasn't to sure about Zonaton in the beginning but he grew on me.

The book was interesting but there was more focus on the villagers than the growing relationship between the two leads.

The story was not as carefree and fluffy as I had originally thought, there is some violence and references to child abuse.

Despite being a bit different from what I was expecting, the book left me curious, wanting to be provided with an update on the main characters and whether or not they can have children of their own. Is there a book two?


Audrey Lusk did a good job with the narration.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."

[Via_the_Book_Faerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the hero is a virgin. From what I picked up on in the book, he also could not be a virgin; however, I'm leaning towards virgin considering that he'd never had a mate or children and that his kind did not seem to be sexual beings.
I did not like the heroine. She killed the ratings on this one for me. I get that she wasn't raised with others of her kind or what not; however, she sets into motion and does things that I can not forgive or get over.
She recognizes that she is in love with Zonaton in a romantic sense; however, she feels that she can't have that kind of relationship with him as he is an alien species and that he couldn't give her what she needs or love her in that respect. So, she has a lover that she hides behind Zonaton's back (or so she thinks) that she also seems to have feelings for. She then meets up with a villager to talk with Zonaton's consent (but without Zonaton), allows intimacies, and unknowingly consents to sex. She is raped until she contacts Zonaton, and he saves her. She then hurts him once he tells her some truths after tending to her by saying that she wants/needs someone of her own kind.
Personally, I just can't jump this hurdle. I would've enjoyed this so much more without the villager incident.

[Charity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zonaton is a geron, one of the indigenous species of an unnamed planet that several human survivors have sought refuge on. In exchange for the right to live on the lands granted to them by the gerons, human children have to take “The Walk” at the age of five. The gerons can eliminate children, allow the children to finish the walk unharmed or, in rare instances, “Pair” with the child. Emmala is a troubled human child who Pairs with Zonaton during The Walk. As Emmala reaches maturity, she and Zonaton fall into a forbidden and heretofore unknown love. The happy life that Emmala and Zonaton share is threatened by enemies and strife from both of their pasts.
Linda Mooney sometimes writes her leading ladies as teary-eyed whiners (e.g. Runner’s Moon: Simolif). Thank goodness this wasn’t one of those stories. Emmala was a resilient, well-developed character with backbone and heart. The story line was unique and interesting – a rarity in science fiction romance.
I found a few mistakes in my copy of the book but, all in all, I really don’t have anything I didn’t enjoy about this book. Of course, I always wish for more steamy sex scenes (because I’m fun like that) but this was a really sweet story.
Warning: this book contains references to child abuse, a scene of near rape, and a bit of violence. If you are sensitive to these subjects, read with caution.
I recommend Zonaton to fans of sweet, sci-fi romance with a little sex thrown in for good measure.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i first read the synopsis, i was hooked. Dragons or gerons doesn't matter, just count me in. I enjoy reading it. It is short and simple, of course not to mention the conflict but i really like to romance between them more.

The love between Zonaton and Emmala is so beautiful and pure...my gosh! i can't stop smiling. My heart just melt.

Worth read for me.

[Dawn Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The synopsis of this was interesting so I requested this for review and I was given this audiobook in exchange for that, an honest review.

This is the first book from Audrey I've listened to, and I think she did a great job with the character voices, actions and reactions. The guys were pretty gruff and distinguished, like Zonaton, I do think the only thing that got to me was sometimes the squeak on the women was a little high especially when over excited, I hated Emmala's mother for that... but it did give her a good trait I wanted to kill her for. haha horrid woman.

The world building and fantasy elements in here, were really interesting. There wasn't a lot of back story, or info dumping, and as Emmala grew up things were explained then when we were ready to know about it.

I did sometimes think the relationship between Zonaton and Emmala was a little creepy. Its difficult to understand how you can grow to love something like that, that isn't human, but as the story developed and the care, devotion and love they both shared deepened, it was more obvious to me, the reasons why and I understood it a lot more. I thought the Geron elders were right to be worried over Zonaton loving her as much as he did, but it was a very sweet love in the end.

There were a couple of parts that I cringed at, the berry field scene, it's not my first abuse scene, but it wasn't something I had expected in the novel. It really did evoke some strong emotions, I was horrified for Emmala. But it was very well written, it wasn't that explicit, and there was a good resolution from it, even if there were consequences for Zonaton and Emmala.

I would have liked more to the ending here. After all there was a lot going on, there's a lot to still go on for the world. Is it over? Is there any more in this series? I hope so. I'd defo pick up the next one, by both narrator and author.

Thank you for letting me listen, very entertaining....

[Lelouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

The incestual theme was slightly awkward, but I'm not going to judge it. It feels a little bit like a sitcom, where the characters all work on a misunderstanding that arises from miscommunication. The Gerons rescue human children who were abused and give them better lives, but the humans see them as monsters who steal their children. The humans make excuses to wage war despite invading the world to begin with. We know humans and Gerons can communicate, so I don't know why they didn't communicate more. There are a few semi-explicit sex scenes. I like how the Geron made a snide comment on human religion about their lack of afterlife. There were some unanswered questions, but nothing that irritated me. I'll give the story 3.5/5

The narrator did a great job portraying the hysterical mother. She's also capable of using a very deep voice for male characters, which is difficult for a lot of female narrators. I think she added an effect for the geron voices, but I don't recall off-hand.

[Nenya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a theme I'm not very fond of: raise it up from a child, and then marry it... especially, in real life, (aka Woody Allen) yikes! But... this is fiction, and I thought it was done with very good explanation and circumstances.

Oh, and the second life scenario was lovely as well.
Not necessarily unique, but it was quite an original story.

I thought it was short for a novel. Or maybe that was just me wanting more :D

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zonaton

I really enjoyed this story. The love between Zon and Em was so beautiful. The world building was great and I loved the HEA. Thank you Linda Mooney for another great sci fi romance. I highly recommend.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. A tear jerker, a love for all seasons, conflict, death, life, and the greatest thing of all - love.

I highly recommed this book. Linda Mooney is one of my favorite authors.

[R *is for Relentless* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book leaves me a bit conflicted on if I liked it or not. It kept seeming to build towards something but I'm still not sure if we reached it.

[Mystique · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars...abrupt ending