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Future Wars #1
Buffer Zone
A full moon hung over the Mississippi's dark waters, meaning this was the time for hunters to arrive and take whatever they could capture. A device would be clamped to the backs of our necks and we'd never be able to shift back to human again. It was how they justified their enslavement of us; that we were only animals instead of sentient humans.
The Krelk had killed more than two-thirds of the human population, too, but they made the excuse that they'd thought them animal as well, until their High Council, wherever that was, decided otherwise.
When I heard the first yelp, even underground, I couldn't breathe. Was that a shifter? Few shifters could take on a Krelk and their weapons and either survive or avoid being stunned. That's how we were captured—frozen and only barely able to breathe while we were caged, tagged and hauled away from the buffer zone.
Another yelp—followed quickly by a third.
This was no shifter—the Krelk were the ones screaming. Terrified but still curious, I dipped into the watery entrance and slowly made my way out of my cave to peek at the river bank above my head.
A dead Krelk dropped into the water nearby, making me jump and squeak in terror.
"An otter?" Someone leaned down to look at me.
Not a Krelk—I knew their scent. This—I'd never scented someone like this before. I scrabbled backward, afraid of this newcomer, too, even if he did appear humanoid.
"Don't be afraid—I killed all of them."
I backed all the way into the water and scrambled to swim to my cave before he could grab me. Once there, I refused to come out.
"I understand," he said, loud enough that I could still hear him. "Be safe. I'll patrol farther down, tonight."
I listened, my heart beating so rapidly I feared it would burst while his footsteps, light as they were, faded as he walked southward.
He'd killed six Krelk, and I'd never heard one of their weapons fire.
Who could do that?
Earth wasn't alone it its suffering. We were just another planet in a large group of suffering worlds, and help was either non-existent or difficult to come by.
There'd be no Marines landing here to save us; that hope had died years ago. What we had was a handful of people with unusual talents, helping a few of us stay alive against impossible odds.
--Clare Coquina
The Krelk had killed more than two-thirds of the human population, too, but they made the excuse that they'd thought them animal as well, until their High Council, wherever that was, decided otherwise.
When I heard the first yelp, even underground, I couldn't breathe. Was that a shifter? Few shifters could take on a Krelk and their weapons and either survive or avoid being stunned. That's how we were captured—frozen and only barely able to breathe while we were caged, tagged and hauled away from the buffer zone.
Another yelp—followed quickly by a third.
This was no shifter—the Krelk were the ones screaming. Terrified but still curious, I dipped into the watery entrance and slowly made my way out of my cave to peek at the river bank above my head.
A dead Krelk dropped into the water nearby, making me jump and squeak in terror.
"An otter?" Someone leaned down to look at me.
Not a Krelk—I knew their scent. This—I'd never scented someone like this before. I scrabbled backward, afraid of this newcomer, too, even if he did appear humanoid.
"Don't be afraid—I killed all of them."
I backed all the way into the water and scrambled to swim to my cave before he could grab me. Once there, I refused to come out.
"I understand," he said, loud enough that I could still hear him. "Be safe. I'll patrol farther down, tonight."
I listened, my heart beating so rapidly I feared it would burst while his footsteps, light as they were, faded as he walked southward.
He'd killed six Krelk, and I'd never heard one of their weapons fire.
Who could do that?
Earth wasn't alone it its suffering. We were just another planet in a large group of suffering worlds, and help was either non-existent or difficult to come by.
There'd be no Marines landing here to save us; that hope had died years ago. What we had was a handful of people with unusual talents, helping a few of us stay alive against impossible odds.
--Clare Coquina
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2018
57 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Connie Suttle
76 books806 followersConnie Suttle lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three cats.
Connie holds an MFA in Fine Art (film production and animation) and taught courses at the university level before moving on to bookstore management. Nowadays, if she isn't writing or editing, she's dreaming up her next book.
Connie holds an MFA in Fine Art (film production and animation) and taught courses at the university level before moving on to bookstore management. Nowadays, if she isn't writing or editing, she's dreaming up her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 20, 2018
Connie Suttle delights in torturing me!
Every single time I pick up a book by Connie, I know I’m in for a long wait for the next book. She simply cannot write fast enough to satisfy my addiction! Her stories tug on your heartstrings, engage your emotions from fear and anger all the way to the sublime ecstasy of love. I want more, and Ms. Suttle. Unfortunately, Connie can only write so fast… And so I resign myself to waiting for the next book, and the next one, and the one after that. She always leaves me wanting. This book, indeed all of Ms. Suttle’s books, are worthy of my highest recommendation. You will not be disappointed.
Every single time I pick up a book by Connie, I know I’m in for a long wait for the next book. She simply cannot write fast enough to satisfy my addiction! Her stories tug on your heartstrings, engage your emotions from fear and anger all the way to the sublime ecstasy of love. I want more, and Ms. Suttle. Unfortunately, Connie can only write so fast… And so I resign myself to waiting for the next book, and the next one, and the one after that. She always leaves me wanting. This book, indeed all of Ms. Suttle’s books, are worthy of my highest recommendation. You will not be disappointed.
May 3, 2018
Once again Connie Suttle delivers a page turning, explosive, edge of the seat journey into the Lissaverse! I have yet to find one of her books that I don't reread frequently. You'll find old friends and new shifters and Pod l'morphs! I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment!
May 8, 2020
A very good start to a new tangential series, same old big bad (again!?) but new evil henchmen who sure are nasty pieces of work.
May 2, 2018
Future Wars book 1
Love Buffer Zone!! We get to meet new characters and get reacquainted with ones in passed storys . And beavers how awesome!! Love how Connie Suttles adds different types of shifters so everyone gets to be a fighter;). This series is another thread of the other series. One rogue God that put the different threads in other timelines and our much loved good men and ladies have to try and figure out what kind of plan was put into place. Can't wait to read more of the Future Wars. I highly recommend this book and author.
Love Buffer Zone!! We get to meet new characters and get reacquainted with ones in passed storys . And beavers how awesome!! Love how Connie Suttles adds different types of shifters so everyone gets to be a fighter;). This series is another thread of the other series. One rogue God that put the different threads in other timelines and our much loved good men and ladies have to try and figure out what kind of plan was put into place. Can't wait to read more of the Future Wars. I highly recommend this book and author.
February 23, 2021
Connie Suttle does it again
Wow, I could not stop reading and enjoying the action and adventure in the Buffer Zone. The different types of shapeshifters on Earth in a time zone that allows them to be known to humans was different than the original stories began in the Blood Wars series. I love the cameos of Zaria, Queens Lisa and Quin as well as warlocks and poly’morphs. Really am looking forward to the next in the series.
Wow, I could not stop reading and enjoying the action and adventure in the Buffer Zone. The different types of shapeshifters on Earth in a time zone that allows them to be known to humans was different than the original stories began in the Blood Wars series. I love the cameos of Zaria, Queens Lisa and Quin as well as warlocks and poly’morphs. Really am looking forward to the next in the series.
August 9, 2018
Great read!
Didn’t even need to see the synopsis as I always read Connie’s books-some times several times. Love the authors writing style. Inhaled this in a day. Great characters you hate to part with and really evil bad guys. I can see more great stories as old friends put in appearances. Waiting for more.
Didn’t even need to see the synopsis as I always read Connie’s books-some times several times. Love the authors writing style. Inhaled this in a day. Great characters you hate to part with and really evil bad guys. I can see more great stories as old friends put in appearances. Waiting for more.
May 27, 2018
I really liked this book and the start to this new series. I love her imagination. The idea of poly-whatever was pretty cool. I went back to finish up the books I had missed so saw their origins.
Good deal
Good deal
June 5, 2018
Another series that I'm hooked on
I liked this alternate world with ties to Connie's other worlds. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Yeah for otters and the strength of character to keep on going. Liked learning more about the pod morphs.
I liked this alternate world with ties to Connie's other worlds. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Yeah for otters and the strength of character to keep on going. Liked learning more about the pod morphs.
June 5, 2018
Intriguing
I have been a fan since I pick up the first vampire book about Leesa. I have never been disappointed with any of her books and look forward to the next one. 🌟🌟🌟🌟They are just to short. Lol.
I have been a fan since I pick up the first vampire book about Leesa. I have never been disappointed with any of her books and look forward to the next one. 🌟🌟🌟🌟They are just to short. Lol.
November 3, 2018
Tears of joy!!
Action and more action in this one!! Clare and her Mother along with others in their town have no idea what is coming and they met a stranger that came to town. Earth has been invaded and they must fight to survive. Read to find out what happens!!
Action and more action in this one!! Clare and her Mother along with others in their town have no idea what is coming and they met a stranger that came to town. Earth has been invaded and they must fight to survive. Read to find out what happens!!
March 26, 2020
Exhilarating
I wasn't sure about this book at first. But after the first chapter I was hooked. Connie has a way of drawing you in and keeping you reading no matter what you should be doing. Like cooking dinner! Oops so we ate a little late. Can't wait for the next book!
I wasn't sure about this book at first. But after the first chapter I was hooked. Connie has a way of drawing you in and keeping you reading no matter what you should be doing. Like cooking dinner! Oops so we ate a little late. Can't wait for the next book!
April 30, 2018
Brilliant read
Another brilliant book from this author. I am in awe of how Connie's mind works. Just a shame it's a stand alone.
Another brilliant book from this author. I am in awe of how Connie's mind works. Just a shame it's a stand alone.
April 30, 2018
Great new series
A great start to another series. New characters with a few old friends. Looking forward to anything Me Suttle writes.
A great start to another series. New characters with a few old friends. Looking forward to anything Me Suttle writes.
May 2, 2018
Amazing!
I loved this book! Connie did an amazing job starting a new series that will tie into the Lissaverse! Can’t wait for the next installment!
I loved this book! Connie did an amazing job starting a new series that will tie into the Lissaverse! Can’t wait for the next installment!
May 9, 2018
Twisting time
I enjoyed the complexity of the various characters and their roles within the story. I am glad that it was happy ever after for Clair and Raveon.
I enjoyed the complexity of the various characters and their roles within the story. I am glad that it was happy ever after for Clair and Raveon.
May 13, 2018
Beautiful
Beautiful story, like always. Hope there are more like this in the future. I always look forward to anything she writes.
Beautiful story, like always. Hope there are more like this in the future. I always look forward to anything she writes.
May 17, 2018
Love it
This is a new series or just a branch off one of the other. It is so good. I can’t wait to see where it goes and what will happen.
This is a new series or just a branch off one of the other. It is so good. I can’t wait to see where it goes and what will happen.
June 15, 2018
Five Stars
I can’t get enough of these connecting series. This author is always a must read for me. I highly recommend them.
I can’t get enough of these connecting series. This author is always a must read for me. I highly recommend them.
July 13, 2018
This wasn't one of my favorites from the author. I had a hard time getting into the book but I did finish it.
August 8, 2018
Wonderful
This author never disappoints, love her books, very exciting, great story, always love the characters, keep them coming!! I try to read them all!
This author never disappoints, love her books, very exciting, great story, always love the characters, keep them coming!! I try to read them all!
July 31, 2023
The goght for the universe continues.
I love how the characters remain the same even in different time lines.
Book 2 next.
I love how the characters remain the same even in different time lines.
Book 2 next.
July 10, 2025
This was great. I like that the next generation of power welders will have their story told. This is in the Lissa-verse but fits with the Blackwing Pirates. Cle-Anne Black is grown up and I'm sure that her dad, Caylon, must be proud of the warrior that she has become. I wondered if we would ever meet other pod'l-morphs. We also get to see more of Nyarr & Loor Blackmantle. Sadly, there are still wars to fight. I'm hopeful that Zaria will be the help that is needed to be victorious, this time.
Connie Suttle has a great talent for character creation, world building and time hopping. Just when I think that I know where she is taking us, she throws in a surprise or two.
I am perfectly content if this world with these people that I've grown attached to, through several linked series, continues for generations.
Connie Suttle has a great talent for character creation, world building and time hopping. Just when I think that I know where she is taking us, she throws in a surprise or two.
I am perfectly content if this world with these people that I've grown attached to, through several linked series, continues for generations.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews