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Alien Contact for Idiots #3
Newborn
Jo Beaverpaw is born fully dressed, well-armed, and impatient to tackle her Destiny. Namely, killing her alien nation's most wanted fugitive. Her programmers want her to live a few hours, kill, then die.
But something goes wrong.
Darby Lapierre has the thankless task of protecting Jo’s target while the woman heals from gunshot wounds. It's a hard job, but not impossible for a skillful bodyguard like Darby.
Until, that is, Jo shows up at the private hospital after an accident. Beautiful, naive, young Jo knows nothing about life and love, and wants Darby to teach her. Just until she's well enough to attack her Destiny, of course.
And then Darby will be in her way . . . .
But something goes wrong.
Darby Lapierre has the thankless task of protecting Jo’s target while the woman heals from gunshot wounds. It's a hard job, but not impossible for a skillful bodyguard like Darby.
Until, that is, Jo shows up at the private hospital after an accident. Beautiful, naive, young Jo knows nothing about life and love, and wants Darby to teach her. Just until she's well enough to attack her Destiny, of course.
And then Darby will be in her way . . . .
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 11, 2017
A woman suddenly wakes and knows only two things with certainty. She's just been born and she has a destiny driving her to kill a specific person then she would die. Yep, from the opening lines, I was right there and desperate to find out what was coming next.
Newborn read easily as a standalone, but it is part of an ongoing alien's from a parallel earth in Alien Contact For Idiots series as book three. Those who read the first two books likely will recognize a few mentions and cameos as well as need no explanation about the world building though there is a steady explanation as the mystery is unraveled so that newcomers who pick up Newborn will do just fine.
I enjoyed the novelty that the 'aliens' in this one are Native American/First Nation peoples who use their superior technology in the future to find their way through the dimension to earth. In their dimension, the big variable is that Napoleon beat Wellington at Waterloo so the world unfolded quite differently. Now, the familiar earth must get used to sophisticated and advanced 'aliens' living among them.
This one had an interesting premise from the start. It's told first person point of view from the 'newborn' Jo's perspective. At first, she is confused on one level, but has a clear direction on another. She calls it her 'destiny', but an assassination against an alien rebel who has sought sanctuary on Vancouver Island is a mission that she can't seem to deny though regular encounters with skeptical former cop turned bodyguard, Darby, distract her.
There is an intrigue going on and it slowly is revealed just as the gentle pace and relatively calm tone at the beginning builds and builds on the tension and excitement through to the end. The romantic conflict is a constant struggle for Jo- fulfill her mission or keep Darby's respect and affection. She is confused about what is her most honorable alternative even as she discovers the shocking truth about herself.
I love it when a story pleasantly surprises me and this one did. I liked it from the beginning, but it was a moderate feeling that I didn't expect to grow as riveted as I became by the end. I am enthusiastically on board with going back for the earlier stories. Sci-Fi Romance lovers who enjoy a blending with romantic suspense are a good bet for this one.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Newborn read easily as a standalone, but it is part of an ongoing alien's from a parallel earth in Alien Contact For Idiots series as book three. Those who read the first two books likely will recognize a few mentions and cameos as well as need no explanation about the world building though there is a steady explanation as the mystery is unraveled so that newcomers who pick up Newborn will do just fine.
I enjoyed the novelty that the 'aliens' in this one are Native American/First Nation peoples who use their superior technology in the future to find their way through the dimension to earth. In their dimension, the big variable is that Napoleon beat Wellington at Waterloo so the world unfolded quite differently. Now, the familiar earth must get used to sophisticated and advanced 'aliens' living among them.
This one had an interesting premise from the start. It's told first person point of view from the 'newborn' Jo's perspective. At first, she is confused on one level, but has a clear direction on another. She calls it her 'destiny', but an assassination against an alien rebel who has sought sanctuary on Vancouver Island is a mission that she can't seem to deny though regular encounters with skeptical former cop turned bodyguard, Darby, distract her.
There is an intrigue going on and it slowly is revealed just as the gentle pace and relatively calm tone at the beginning builds and builds on the tension and excitement through to the end. The romantic conflict is a constant struggle for Jo- fulfill her mission or keep Darby's respect and affection. She is confused about what is her most honorable alternative even as she discovers the shocking truth about herself.
I love it when a story pleasantly surprises me and this one did. I liked it from the beginning, but it was a moderate feeling that I didn't expect to grow as riveted as I became by the end. I am enthusiastically on board with going back for the earlier stories. Sci-Fi Romance lovers who enjoy a blending with romantic suspense are a good bet for this one.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2017
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Having not read the previous books in the series it was slightly confusing but was a reasonable quick read.
Having not read the previous books in the series it was slightly confusing but was a reasonable quick read.
July 14, 2017
And now for something completely different! For some reason, the word ‘romp’ comes to mind after I read Newborn. The dictionary defines romp as “a spell of rough, energetic play” and yeah, that sort of fits! If you’ve read any of the other books in the Alien Contact for Idiots universe, you’ll know what I mean. And if you have not read at least the first book is that series, you will find some spoilers here.
When I first picked up Newborn, I didn’t realize it was part of the Alien Contact for Idiots series. As I was reading, I kept seeing names for people and places and thinking, why do these sound familiar when I know I haven’t read this book! It finally struck me, doh! While Newborn can be read standalone, there is definitely some background that will be better understood if you read at least the first Alien Contact for Idiots book. Which is also a refreshing romp, lol!
The story starts out with a first-person perspective where we don’t really know whose eyes and mind we are getting the story through. But that’s okay, because this person doesn’t know either! There’s a ‘newborn’ or ‘just woke up for the first time’ awareness of existence and of a purpose, but no who or why. Just know that ‘I’ am here, in a forest, and have a mission to assassinate a particular target. Fortunately, unlike a real newborn, ‘I’ am clothes, with a backpack, and weapons. Also an awareness of where my target is located, so off in that direction ‘I’ go to fulfill destiny.
Of course ‘I’ can’t go on a hike without being accompanied by my own thoughts. ‘I’ realize I know things that I don’t know how or why I know. And come to realize Destiny isn’t a straight path, and it’s ok to make some small detours. At some point, I also realize that ‘I’ am not of this Earth. But ‘I’ am human and of Earth. Oh yeah, alternate Earth brought into this version of Earth. So not alien, whew! But at the same time, a bit alien, as every tree, creek, etc., seems new to me. But then so does my own emotions and reactions. Oh cool, that’s a smile! ‘I’ see people and animals from a distance. I’m near my target. And after I kill her, I’ll kill myself.
‘I’ make a mistake. I fall down a rocky slope and then fall into unconsciousness. I awake later to find that people have taken me into the nearby lodge, which is also a place of recovery, but not quite a true hospital. My target is here – a woman, a soldier — but I’m too broken and bruised to complete my mission. And my weapons have been taken from me. But there is a man’s voice talking to a woman near me. His voice is deep and intriguing. Sexy? Yeah, that’s the word. Maybe a detour from destiny would be nice to explore while I’m healing. Especially with this man nearby.
‘I’ am healing too fast. Am I not human after all? The woman here is a bit suspicious. ‘I’ am female, and the name ‘Josette’ seems familiar, so I say that is my name. The man guards me, but he also guards my target. He will not let me see her although I learn she is also a ‘guest’ in this lodge. I want to make him happy, and get to know him much, much better – preferably without bandages or even clothes in the way — but he stands between me and my destiny. How long can I delay?
Ok, back to being KJ here! I don’t want to give away more of this story. It’s got some definitely interesting twists! As you can probably guess, the main character, Josette, is a walking contradiction of innocence and experience, a mix of naiveté and knowing far too much of how to deal death. Her identity is gradually revealed. The man with the sexy voice is even sexier and more fascinating as time goes on. The roles of other people in the lodge become clear. The path to fulfill destiny becomes murky. Why is Josette supposed to kill her target? Who gave her this mission? Can she complete the assassination mission without the added directive to kill herself? Why does she have to kill herself anyway? Why can’t she remember anything before waking up in the forest?
Yes, it all makes for a hard-to-put-down read. The pacing is quicker than it seems from what I’ve written here. There is some good tongue-in-cheek humour, although I didn’t think it was quite as humourous as the original Alien Contacts for Idiots story. Experiencing the story though Josette’s eyes is fascinating, although you remain torn between her compulsion to fulfill her assassination-suicide mission and hoping Mr. Sexy Voice will stop her. No, you really want him to find a very interesting and potentially mind-blowing way to stop her! So read this book and find out!
Disclaimer: An ebook of Newborn was provided in exchange for an honest review.
When I first picked up Newborn, I didn’t realize it was part of the Alien Contact for Idiots series. As I was reading, I kept seeing names for people and places and thinking, why do these sound familiar when I know I haven’t read this book! It finally struck me, doh! While Newborn can be read standalone, there is definitely some background that will be better understood if you read at least the first Alien Contact for Idiots book. Which is also a refreshing romp, lol!
The story starts out with a first-person perspective where we don’t really know whose eyes and mind we are getting the story through. But that’s okay, because this person doesn’t know either! There’s a ‘newborn’ or ‘just woke up for the first time’ awareness of existence and of a purpose, but no who or why. Just know that ‘I’ am here, in a forest, and have a mission to assassinate a particular target. Fortunately, unlike a real newborn, ‘I’ am clothes, with a backpack, and weapons. Also an awareness of where my target is located, so off in that direction ‘I’ go to fulfill destiny.
Of course ‘I’ can’t go on a hike without being accompanied by my own thoughts. ‘I’ realize I know things that I don’t know how or why I know. And come to realize Destiny isn’t a straight path, and it’s ok to make some small detours. At some point, I also realize that ‘I’ am not of this Earth. But ‘I’ am human and of Earth. Oh yeah, alternate Earth brought into this version of Earth. So not alien, whew! But at the same time, a bit alien, as every tree, creek, etc., seems new to me. But then so does my own emotions and reactions. Oh cool, that’s a smile! ‘I’ see people and animals from a distance. I’m near my target. And after I kill her, I’ll kill myself.
‘I’ make a mistake. I fall down a rocky slope and then fall into unconsciousness. I awake later to find that people have taken me into the nearby lodge, which is also a place of recovery, but not quite a true hospital. My target is here – a woman, a soldier — but I’m too broken and bruised to complete my mission. And my weapons have been taken from me. But there is a man’s voice talking to a woman near me. His voice is deep and intriguing. Sexy? Yeah, that’s the word. Maybe a detour from destiny would be nice to explore while I’m healing. Especially with this man nearby.
‘I’ am healing too fast. Am I not human after all? The woman here is a bit suspicious. ‘I’ am female, and the name ‘Josette’ seems familiar, so I say that is my name. The man guards me, but he also guards my target. He will not let me see her although I learn she is also a ‘guest’ in this lodge. I want to make him happy, and get to know him much, much better – preferably without bandages or even clothes in the way — but he stands between me and my destiny. How long can I delay?
Ok, back to being KJ here! I don’t want to give away more of this story. It’s got some definitely interesting twists! As you can probably guess, the main character, Josette, is a walking contradiction of innocence and experience, a mix of naiveté and knowing far too much of how to deal death. Her identity is gradually revealed. The man with the sexy voice is even sexier and more fascinating as time goes on. The roles of other people in the lodge become clear. The path to fulfill destiny becomes murky. Why is Josette supposed to kill her target? Who gave her this mission? Can she complete the assassination mission without the added directive to kill herself? Why does she have to kill herself anyway? Why can’t she remember anything before waking up in the forest?
Yes, it all makes for a hard-to-put-down read. The pacing is quicker than it seems from what I’ve written here. There is some good tongue-in-cheek humour, although I didn’t think it was quite as humourous as the original Alien Contacts for Idiots story. Experiencing the story though Josette’s eyes is fascinating, although you remain torn between her compulsion to fulfill her assassination-suicide mission and hoping Mr. Sexy Voice will stop her. No, you really want him to find a very interesting and potentially mind-blowing way to stop her! So read this book and find out!
Disclaimer: An ebook of Newborn was provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2017
4.5/5.0
This tense science-fiction thriller is a delightful surprise from beginning to end.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This tense science-fiction thriller is a delightful surprise from beginning to end.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 1, 2017
Alien contact for idiots, that is such a sarcastic title… I love it.
The most intriguing part for me was to all of them (characters) to have a pre-downloaded destiny, everyone is created for an specific purpose and they must do exactly just that.
The book is fast paced which is awesome but is also very long, which makes it even more awesome because there are going to be moments when you thought: ‘this can’t get any better than this’ and right after that it gets way too much better than expected. I love science-fiction so is no surprise for me to be so attach to this book.
But love aside, there are some valuable lessons here, once again I find interesting all those concepts of pro-create beings for one purpose only and them killing them off, if you really think about it (And I’m probably thinking way too much into this) in our world, with so much technological advance, it won’t be long for a time when someone invent a device for specific people with specific purposes. Let us decide our own path and choices and face the consequences of it with no regrets, no one can tell you how to live your life, so even if you don’t like the genre, I insist, give it a try to this book.
The most intriguing part for me was to all of them (characters) to have a pre-downloaded destiny, everyone is created for an specific purpose and they must do exactly just that.
The book is fast paced which is awesome but is also very long, which makes it even more awesome because there are going to be moments when you thought: ‘this can’t get any better than this’ and right after that it gets way too much better than expected. I love science-fiction so is no surprise for me to be so attach to this book.
But love aside, there are some valuable lessons here, once again I find interesting all those concepts of pro-create beings for one purpose only and them killing them off, if you really think about it (And I’m probably thinking way too much into this) in our world, with so much technological advance, it won’t be long for a time when someone invent a device for specific people with specific purposes. Let us decide our own path and choices and face the consequences of it with no regrets, no one can tell you how to live your life, so even if you don’t like the genre, I insist, give it a try to this book.
March 10, 2017
Sci-fi romance is not something I am usually into, but the premise of this book and right amount of sci-fi, action and romance elements make it a really good and enjoyable read.
Jo is basically a killing machine, born with an adult body, brain and everything she needs to accomplish her mission, and that is killing her target. But, she doesn't know very much about anything else because she has a limited time of existing, until she completes her mission.
On the other side is Darby, who protects Jo's target. Of course, their paths cross eventually and Jo learns a lot about life from Darby, including sweet, sweet love. It maybe sounds a little corny, but I like it, the idea about beings with single purpose who die when they complete it is very interesting. Characters who develops and learns to be human is nothing new, in fact it has been done probably hundreds of times, but Jo is likeable and it is fun and moving to learn with her and watch her develop from beginning to end.
It is not a groundbreaking novel, but it is certainly hard to put down once it grabs you. Give it a try.
Jo is basically a killing machine, born with an adult body, brain and everything she needs to accomplish her mission, and that is killing her target. But, she doesn't know very much about anything else because she has a limited time of existing, until she completes her mission.
On the other side is Darby, who protects Jo's target. Of course, their paths cross eventually and Jo learns a lot about life from Darby, including sweet, sweet love. It maybe sounds a little corny, but I like it, the idea about beings with single purpose who die when they complete it is very interesting. Characters who develops and learns to be human is nothing new, in fact it has been done probably hundreds of times, but Jo is likeable and it is fun and moving to learn with her and watch her develop from beginning to end.
It is not a groundbreaking novel, but it is certainly hard to put down once it grabs you. Give it a try.
November 15, 2016
Fascinating story, an enjoyable read. Fast paced with well-developed characters. The story is told through Josette's point of view, so the reader learns, as she does, who she is/what she is. Mr. Hoornaert does a great job with describing her awareness--of her surroundings and, more importantly, her self. Newborn is part of a series but is a standalone book. Even though I hadn't read the other stories (I will now), I found the background of Newborn easy to pick up.
March 20, 2017
Newborn written by Edward Hoornaert is well written novel with a very different plot. The beginning was very unique, as the author sets up the scene. The story is told from the main character’s point of view. The reader learns more about the plot little by little, just as the main character, Jo, learns. Jo is born into existence as a full grown, adult human, with a mission; she must fulfil her destiny and assassinate Scritt, the leader of a rebellion that comes from a future time and different dimension. This novel is complete with a romance between Jo and Darby, Scritt’s bodyguard. Although the story is one that is very unique, I found the writing was spot on and that the author has an incredible talent to hook the reader. I found it impossible to put down and had to finish the novel. Although this novel is part of a series, this book is able to stand alone, as I had no issues picking up the background to this novel. I highly recommend this novel for those who enjoy sci-fi with romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2019
Enjoyable it's just...
Enjoyable but on a different plane to the first two books. I wasn't expecting it to be so atomic, isolated from the mainstream theme. More thinking aka philosophical. Nonetheless an enjoyable standalone read.
Enjoyable but on a different plane to the first two books. I wasn't expecting it to be so atomic, isolated from the mainstream theme. More thinking aka philosophical. Nonetheless an enjoyable standalone read.
March 1, 2017
Newborn is a beautiful book with an interesting story line. The book is about a clone who finds love and life even when the basic purpose to create her was hate and death. While the story is interesting in itself, I loved the book because it showed me the blessing of life. We humans are blessed with such a wonderful nature and with such perfect bodies, yet we fail to see the beauty of it all and destroy it with our lust, greed, jealousy and other sins. For me the highlight of the book was hero's proposal, although there were many funny and sexy stuff. I recommend this book to all adult readers.
Read
January 3, 2017I was introduced to this sic-fi romance by Ed’s excerpts of it through Weekend Writing Warriors. Over the course of a few months of 8- to 10-sentence snippets, I became totally intrigued with Jo Beaverpaw, the heroine.
Jo is born fully grown in the woods, knowing that she has a mission: to assassinate Squitt, the leader of a rebellion in Kwadra (an island nation that splashed down next to Vancouver Island in our world, but was originally located on a parallel earth in a future dimension). She knows just enough to complete her mission, and then end her life. But things do not go according to plan.
The most interesting parts of this character is how she accumulates knowledge, and how she yearns to be a normal human being–but is that even possible? There’s so much she, and we readers, don’t understand.
In the beginning, the other characters (and I) were very suspicious of Jo and her intentions. Although committed to her Destiny, as time passes she becomes attracted to Darby, Scritt’s bodyguard, and longs to be a person with a future. She considers what is good and what is evil, and how to discern the difference between the two.
Hoornaert’s writing is suspenseful and fast moving. Both Jo’s life and Darby’s are in just as much danger as Scritt’s, and Jo’s reprogramed to ensure the success of her mission.
The book is a fast read, and very satisfying. Although a stand-alone, it is Book 3 of the Alien Contact for Idiots series, which I am now going to have to read in its entirety.
Jo is born fully grown in the woods, knowing that she has a mission: to assassinate Squitt, the leader of a rebellion in Kwadra (an island nation that splashed down next to Vancouver Island in our world, but was originally located on a parallel earth in a future dimension). She knows just enough to complete her mission, and then end her life. But things do not go according to plan.
The most interesting parts of this character is how she accumulates knowledge, and how she yearns to be a normal human being–but is that even possible? There’s so much she, and we readers, don’t understand.
In the beginning, the other characters (and I) were very suspicious of Jo and her intentions. Although committed to her Destiny, as time passes she becomes attracted to Darby, Scritt’s bodyguard, and longs to be a person with a future. She considers what is good and what is evil, and how to discern the difference between the two.
Hoornaert’s writing is suspenseful and fast moving. Both Jo’s life and Darby’s are in just as much danger as Scritt’s, and Jo’s reprogramed to ensure the success of her mission.
The book is a fast read, and very satisfying. Although a stand-alone, it is Book 3 of the Alien Contact for Idiots series, which I am now going to have to read in its entirety.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews