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Across Our Stars #1
Victor
In the distant future, the nations of Earth have merged beneath a single ruling body: the United Empire. Under the protection of Her Majesty's Galactic Navy, humanity has spread across our stars and entered a new Golden Age of prosperity and peaceful colonization.
Doctor Victor del Toro rose from nothing to escape poverty and a childhood on the streets. He serves the galaxy as one of the Navy's leading cyberneticists and views the Royal Marines as his family. Few know that his career is a comfort from his turbulent past.
Born to influential parents, Zoe Raines' childhood dream was to make a difference without her father's money. Her chance came when she sacrificed a limb to save a fellow marine. Now, Zoe's new prosthetic places her under Doctor del Toro's watchful eye - and his talented hands.
Age and rank should divide them, but Victor needs Zoe for reasons beyond their mutual attraction. Danger is on the rise in the galaxy, and the mass abduction of entire colonies leads to one staggering fact: someone out there has targeted cybernetic recipients. With Zoe as his empathetic ear and the gun to guard his back, the doctor must discover the whereabouts of the missing cyborgs and heal his own scarred soul.
Doctor Victor del Toro rose from nothing to escape poverty and a childhood on the streets. He serves the galaxy as one of the Navy's leading cyberneticists and views the Royal Marines as his family. Few know that his career is a comfort from his turbulent past.
Born to influential parents, Zoe Raines' childhood dream was to make a difference without her father's money. Her chance came when she sacrificed a limb to save a fellow marine. Now, Zoe's new prosthetic places her under Doctor del Toro's watchful eye - and his talented hands.
Age and rank should divide them, but Victor needs Zoe for reasons beyond their mutual attraction. Danger is on the rise in the galaxy, and the mass abduction of entire colonies leads to one staggering fact: someone out there has targeted cybernetic recipients. With Zoe as his empathetic ear and the gun to guard his back, the doctor must discover the whereabouts of the missing cyborgs and heal his own scarred soul.
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2015
About the author
A. Payne
15 books78 followersAlisha Payne is a Stay-at-Home-Mom with two wonderful children, a son and a daughter, and a husband serving in the United States Navy.
Her interest in writing started during her middle school years, beginning with poetry, and advanced to short stories. Later in high school, she enjoyed writing longer stories with a small group of friends, though none of their projects were ever finished.
Alisha is both an avid reader and, believe it or not, a video gamer. Her current favorites when it comes to games are Dragon Age, the Mass Effect series, anything Elder Scrolls related, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, and Fallout 3. She also likes a good hidden object style game and playing Skylanders with her son.
She owes her love of reading to her mother, who introduced her to the worlds of Pern and Xanth. She favors several authors and book genres but the following are among her favorite: Stephen King, Tolkien, Mercedes Lackey, Christine Feehan, J.K. Rowling, James Rollins, and Jim Butcher.
Her interest in writing started during her middle school years, beginning with poetry, and advanced to short stories. Later in high school, she enjoyed writing longer stories with a small group of friends, though none of their projects were ever finished.
Alisha is both an avid reader and, believe it or not, a video gamer. Her current favorites when it comes to games are Dragon Age, the Mass Effect series, anything Elder Scrolls related, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, and Fallout 3. She also likes a good hidden object style game and playing Skylanders with her son.
She owes her love of reading to her mother, who introduced her to the worlds of Pern and Xanth. She favors several authors and book genres but the following are among her favorite: Stephen King, Tolkien, Mercedes Lackey, Christine Feehan, J.K. Rowling, James Rollins, and Jim Butcher.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Doctor Victor Del Toro was ready to start on a new ship. Aboard the Jemison he was to be the lead cyberneticist. It was something he felt very passionate about. Everyone has a past and Victor was no different. Victor was doing well despite a recent event that left him broken. He had a couple of old friends, Ethan and Oshiro that were there for him. Then things changed when he met Zoe. Zoe was beautiful and kind. They start a friendship but is challenged when dangerous events are threatening the ship.
I’ve read my fair share of Sci-Fi books and I have to say that this books was one of kind. Not only did it keep my interest, it explained things and people in way that I understood. Usually some books take chapters to explain something and the authors didn’t do that and I appreciated it. If you’re a fan of Sci-Fi and are looking for a next read then check this book out! You won’t be sorry. I give this 5 stars
Doctor Victor Del Toro was ready to start on a new ship. Aboard the Jemison he was to be the lead cyberneticist. It was something he felt very passionate about. Everyone has a past and Victor was no different. Victor was doing well despite a recent event that left him broken. He had a couple of old friends, Ethan and Oshiro that were there for him. Then things changed when he met Zoe. Zoe was beautiful and kind. They start a friendship but is challenged when dangerous events are threatening the ship.
I’ve read my fair share of Sci-Fi books and I have to say that this books was one of kind. Not only did it keep my interest, it explained things and people in way that I understood. Usually some books take chapters to explain something and the authors didn’t do that and I appreciated it. If you’re a fan of Sci-Fi and are looking for a next read then check this book out! You won’t be sorry. I give this 5 stars
April 28, 2015
*** I received this book as an ARC(((
I am usually not a big fan of science fiction, but surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning, I was hooked. What was even better is the fact that this book took place inn space.
As we learned more and more about Victor, I found myself enjoying this book more and more. I really enjoyed the front row seat to the friendship Zoey and "Victor had.
I really loved the way the authors explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. If you are a fan of science fiction, you should give this book a try.
I am usually not a big fan of science fiction, but surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. From the beginning, I was hooked. What was even better is the fact that this book took place inn space.
As we learned more and more about Victor, I found myself enjoying this book more and more. I really enjoyed the front row seat to the friendship Zoey and "Victor had.
I really loved the way the authors explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. If you are a fan of science fiction, you should give this book a try.
April 9, 2015
I received this as an ARC, so I was aware of a few typos. *Warning: possible spoilers*
I love science fiction and I love books that take place in space. As the story follows Dr. Victor del Toro on missions, regrets, and finding a new life in crew mate Zoe, the story never lags. In fact, I found myself continuing on to the next chapter to see how the problem was fixed (or not). I felt sad for Victor in a way particularly regarding his childhood trauma, but also rather annoyed by his actions as an adult. During a rescue mission he mistook Zoe's caring for a fellow crew mate as a "lover's actions". It seemed more a means of personal damage control than anything, considering he felt in fear of losing yet another love in his life. Well if you're afraid of losing them, don't be an asshole. And don't pull rank! If you can't handle being on the same team, then YOU shouldn't be on the team. Zoe was well within her rights to act as she did.
If I were Zoe I wouldn't have forgiven so easily. I would have punched Victor in the face for his behavior. If he can't handle being on the same team with someone he was dating he should have been a man and admitted it, NOT requested her transfer - that almost got her killed btw! Zoe was not only his shoulder to listen, but also had his back. HE let HIS emotions get a hold of him. Men...sigh
I quite enjoyed the camaraderie of the ship mates as well as the battle scenes. They were well painted pictures and the entire book was reminiscent to Star Trek. I look forward to the next book in the series!
I love science fiction and I love books that take place in space. As the story follows Dr. Victor del Toro on missions, regrets, and finding a new life in crew mate Zoe, the story never lags. In fact, I found myself continuing on to the next chapter to see how the problem was fixed (or not). I felt sad for Victor in a way particularly regarding his childhood trauma, but also rather annoyed by his actions as an adult. During a rescue mission he mistook Zoe's caring for a fellow crew mate as a "lover's actions". It seemed more a means of personal damage control than anything, considering he felt in fear of losing yet another love in his life. Well if you're afraid of losing them, don't be an asshole. And don't pull rank! If you can't handle being on the same team, then YOU shouldn't be on the team. Zoe was well within her rights to act as she did.
If I were Zoe I wouldn't have forgiven so easily. I would have punched Victor in the face for his behavior. If he can't handle being on the same team with someone he was dating he should have been a man and admitted it, NOT requested her transfer - that almost got her killed btw! Zoe was not only his shoulder to listen, but also had his back. HE let HIS emotions get a hold of him. Men...sigh
I quite enjoyed the camaraderie of the ship mates as well as the battle scenes. They were well painted pictures and the entire book was reminiscent to Star Trek. I look forward to the next book in the series!
May 2, 2015
I am writing this after being up for the last four hours reading so excuse my gibberish!!The spellbound consortium writers have done it again! Excellent book,I loved Victor and Zoe. In every one of these books, I am always blown away by the attention to detail and world creation that goes into the authors writing. I loved this book, and usually I can take or leave sci fi. I loved that the came from completely different world but in essence were so alike. Victor was a great lead man, really enjoyed him the most.
May 7, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for sharing my fair and honest opinion*
Considering I love the Spellbound Consortium series by these two authors, I had been anxiously awaiting their debut scifi since it was first announced. The way they weave their plots and characters I knew I was in for a good book and they did not disappoint.
Victor has been through the wringer lately, and he doesn't think he'll ever love again. However, when he meets kind and tough Zoe the attraction is obvious. Zoe is my idea of what a female lead should be. She isn't just a pretty face, she works hard and isn't afraid to risk her life to do her job.
If you're looking for a great book about an exciting new world with interesting characters, humor and a killer twist or two along the way then I recommend you pick up this book today!
Considering I love the Spellbound Consortium series by these two authors, I had been anxiously awaiting their debut scifi since it was first announced. The way they weave their plots and characters I knew I was in for a good book and they did not disappoint.
Victor has been through the wringer lately, and he doesn't think he'll ever love again. However, when he meets kind and tough Zoe the attraction is obvious. Zoe is my idea of what a female lead should be. She isn't just a pretty face, she works hard and isn't afraid to risk her life to do her job.
If you're looking for a great book about an exciting new world with interesting characters, humor and a killer twist or two along the way then I recommend you pick up this book today!
to-read-asap
May 8, 2015
Free to borrow with KU "Consider this an action/adventure space opera with romantic science fiction." Across Our Stars: Victor
Read
May 27, 2015Just couldn't get into this book. DNF at about 43%. No rating.
November 18, 2017
good story . keep me in it the whole way,not like some;where it wanders all over.
March 7, 2018
My kind of science fiction
I enjoyed the universe in which the story occurs. The problems were good and the romance was a nice second plot line.
I enjoyed the universe in which the story occurs. The problems were good and the romance was a nice second plot line.
Did Not Finish
October 17, 2020DNF
June 9, 2016
I enjoyed this story. It took a while to determine where things were going, but the setup/world building is important to the series I'm sure. There is mystery at first in what is happening, and then in who is perpetrating the crimes against whole colonies. To me, it is very realistic, as in life we don't always get all the facts at once, so we don't always know that there is danger, much less that it is headed our way. Because the POV is mostly with our heroes, we learn as they do that all is not well Across Our Stars.
I like Victor and especially Zoe. They are definitely heroes, and they do seem to belong together. Their romance is sweet and gets a bit steamy, but it is not the primary focus of this story. When the action really picks up after the halfway mark, be prepared to hold onto your seat!
The ancillary characters are well developed, too. I felt like I really got to know the crew, and that they weren't all simply cardboard cutouts just there for window dressing. I felt like the Jemison could be a proper starship, run by capable and quirky crew.
Best of all, for me anyway, is that I didn't feel like I needed to be a rocket scientist just to read this. Frankly, I started drifting away from Sci-Fi when it became so technical that I had to skip whole paragraphs and sometimes scenes because I don't CARE about the Kelvins produced in a dwarf star, or whatever. If a reader likes that much detail, they might consider Across Our Stars a bit fluffy, but this hearkens back to my favorite character driven Sci-Fi novels, like John Varley's Steel Beach.
I am definitely interested in reading the next story, as Hamish will have quite a story to tell after all he's been through.
I like Victor and especially Zoe. They are definitely heroes, and they do seem to belong together. Their romance is sweet and gets a bit steamy, but it is not the primary focus of this story. When the action really picks up after the halfway mark, be prepared to hold onto your seat!
The ancillary characters are well developed, too. I felt like I really got to know the crew, and that they weren't all simply cardboard cutouts just there for window dressing. I felt like the Jemison could be a proper starship, run by capable and quirky crew.
Best of all, for me anyway, is that I didn't feel like I needed to be a rocket scientist just to read this. Frankly, I started drifting away from Sci-Fi when it became so technical that I had to skip whole paragraphs and sometimes scenes because I don't CARE about the Kelvins produced in a dwarf star, or whatever. If a reader likes that much detail, they might consider Across Our Stars a bit fluffy, but this hearkens back to my favorite character driven Sci-Fi novels, like John Varley's Steel Beach.
I am definitely interested in reading the next story, as Hamish will have quite a story to tell after all he's been through.
June 22, 2016
For the most part this was an enjoyable read. Sci-fi romance can go either way for me as I'm not a huge fan of romance. While there was more romance in this book than I usually care for, there was also a decent story line. The one thing I didn't like was the immaturity of the captain. It's difficult to picture any kind of true leader in a military type environment carousing in front of his subordinates. The whole gaming aspect of the story and the captain picking up a couple of women at a youngish dance club didn't fit the story (in my mind). It gave the story a bit of an immature feel which seemed contradictory to some of the more serious themes. Overall though, it was a quick and entertaining read which was enjoyable if you aren't expecting anything too in depth or scientific.
August 20, 2016
Well written story
The tale of Victor and Zoe, set in a distant future, provides many surprises. The SiFy setting is just a setting for the personal struggles of these two characters amidst a universe where the interstellar travel between the scattered colonies of mankind is commonplace. This is a good read for anyone.
The tale of Victor and Zoe, set in a distant future, provides many surprises. The SiFy setting is just a setting for the personal struggles of these two characters amidst a universe where the interstellar travel between the scattered colonies of mankind is commonplace. This is a good read for anyone.
September 16, 2015
Fairly slow paced book with short bursts of action. Really didn't seem to get moving until about 60% in. I liked the slow development of their relationship though I felt the resolution of their misunderstanding was tidied up a bit quickly considering the slow pace of the rest of the book.
Read
August 2, 2015stopped reading at 20%
December 10, 2015
I can't seem to get enough of Payne and Taylor's books! The writing is engaging and you're hard-pressed to put the book away! I for one am thrilled there's more to read.
September 10, 2016
This is more a scifi romance story than a scifi adventure/military story. I enjoyed it, even though it wasn't quite what I expected.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews