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Love and War #2
Antigen
She made a blood vow to save him.
But first, she’ll have to save herself.
Ryder isn’t a stupid woman, and she knows better than to volunteer for things. Volunteering always gets you into trouble. So it’s really no surprise when her undercover operation to retrieve Temple Akenzua from the belly of a Regime prison goes tits-up in fairly short order.
With Ryder stuck on the wrongs side of the bars, the rescue mission has now become a mission of survival. Her only hope—and Temple’s—lies with her comrades in the Shadow Wing. Ryder just needs to stay alive until they come up with a plan.
Of course, that would be quite a bit easier if her former bondmate wasn’t dead-set on seeing her, well… dead. And, as a Regime official, he has the clout to make sure she disappears without a trace.
When all hell breaks loose, the human Ryder was supposed to rescue suddenly becomes her only ally as they fight to protect each other and make it to freedom.
Ryder was supposed to be the one doing the saving in this scenario.
It never occurred to her that she and Temple might be able to save each other.
* * *
From USA Today bestselling author R. A. Steffan comes a sizzling sci-fi romance series, perfect for fans of J. R. Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Strap in tight, because all's fair in LOVE AND WAR.
But first, she’ll have to save herself.
Ryder isn’t a stupid woman, and she knows better than to volunteer for things. Volunteering always gets you into trouble. So it’s really no surprise when her undercover operation to retrieve Temple Akenzua from the belly of a Regime prison goes tits-up in fairly short order.
With Ryder stuck on the wrongs side of the bars, the rescue mission has now become a mission of survival. Her only hope—and Temple’s—lies with her comrades in the Shadow Wing. Ryder just needs to stay alive until they come up with a plan.
Of course, that would be quite a bit easier if her former bondmate wasn’t dead-set on seeing her, well… dead. And, as a Regime official, he has the clout to make sure she disappears without a trace.
When all hell breaks loose, the human Ryder was supposed to rescue suddenly becomes her only ally as they fight to protect each other and make it to freedom.
Ryder was supposed to be the one doing the saving in this scenario.
It never occurred to her that she and Temple might be able to save each other.
* * *
From USA Today bestselling author R. A. Steffan comes a sizzling sci-fi romance series, perfect for fans of J. R. Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Strap in tight, because all's fair in LOVE AND WAR.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
39 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
R.A. Steffan
85 books502 followersUSA Today bestselling author R. A. Steffan lives in New Mexico, where the sunsets paint the mountains purple, and roadrunners roam the desert endlessly in search of their coyote victims. When she’s not busy writing stories about people loving each other in all sorts of different and interesting ways, she can be found taking care of her small menagerie of critters.
A rebel to the core, she is currently sticking it to the man by illegally harvesting graywater from the kitchen and bathroom sinks to water trees outside. This fearless disregard for societal norms extends to her writing, as well. There, you will find polyamory along with straight, gay, bisexual, and non-gender conforming love of all flavors. You will also find families of choice, profound friendships, adventure, danger, and good triumphing over evil.
That, and sex. Lots of sex. Most of which is not the vanilla variety.
If any of that appeals, sign up at http://www.rasteffan.com/ to get a free starter library featuring the first books in several of her series. You can also follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RASteffanAut..., or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RA_Steffan.
A rebel to the core, she is currently sticking it to the man by illegally harvesting graywater from the kitchen and bathroom sinks to water trees outside. This fearless disregard for societal norms extends to her writing, as well. There, you will find polyamory along with straight, gay, bisexual, and non-gender conforming love of all flavors. You will also find families of choice, profound friendships, adventure, danger, and good triumphing over evil.
That, and sex. Lots of sex. Most of which is not the vanilla variety.
If any of that appeals, sign up at http://www.rasteffan.com/ to get a free starter library featuring the first books in several of her series. You can also follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RASteffanAut..., or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RA_Steffan.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 16, 2018
4.o Stars
Temple, Skye's adopted brother, is in trouble. He sacrificed himself to help Skye get away so she could get the Antidote into the hands of the right people. People who would stop the genocide of the humans by introducing the antidote before the mass killing. Now Temple is in a maximum security prison where inmates are abused. This whole story is about a recon mission that went all wrong. The mission was for Ryder to get in and see what options Skye, Hunter, Ash, Pax, Kade and Ryder had to get Temple out. But it all goes to hell in a hand basket.....
Temple, Skye's adopted brother, is in trouble. He sacrificed himself to help Skye get away so she could get the Antidote into the hands of the right people. People who would stop the genocide of the humans by introducing the antidote before the mass killing. Now Temple is in a maximum security prison where inmates are abused. This whole story is about a recon mission that went all wrong. The mission was for Ryder to get in and see what options Skye, Hunter, Ash, Pax, Kade and Ryder had to get Temple out. But it all goes to hell in a hand basket.....
July 9, 2023
Series: Love and War #2
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This was an excellent sequel to Antidote. This takes place shortly after the events in the previous book. Ryder has gone undercover as one of the prison doctors to try and rescue Skye’s brother Temple who was captured during Skye’s escape. But her undercover mission quickly goes belly up and she finds herself a prisoner as well.
Like the previous book, I really enjoyed this one. Ryder was a very interesting heroine. We know she is an experienced doctor but she instantly denies her status as a doctor and that she is a criminal. Ryder’s history was heartbreaking but she has become a strong and dangerous woman. I loved how badass she was and that she has used her heartbreak to do some good. Also, the Vithii culture and mating practices are kind of terrible but I am glad Ryder still let herself open up to love.
“I don’t care what anyone else says, or what they think….You’re mine, and I’m yours. I’m not letting you go. Society can go fuck itself.”
Temple was a very interesting hero who was honorable, brave, and protective. While I really liked Temple, he is still a bit of a mystery by the end of this book. We know very little about his past and his family history, outside of the fact he is Skye’s foster brother. These two had a very emotional relationship that built over their harrowing time escaping the prison. While it was a fast paced relationship, I still loved seeing Ryder slowly learn to trust Temple and embrace her feelings for him.
Overall, I am loving this world and the characters within it. I have so many questions about what is happening in this world that I can't wait to jump into the next book.
Trigger Warnings: references to the death of a child; grief; imprisonment
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
This was an excellent sequel to Antidote. This takes place shortly after the events in the previous book. Ryder has gone undercover as one of the prison doctors to try and rescue Skye’s brother Temple who was captured during Skye’s escape. But her undercover mission quickly goes belly up and she finds herself a prisoner as well.
Like the previous book, I really enjoyed this one. Ryder was a very interesting heroine. We know she is an experienced doctor but she instantly denies her status as a doctor and that she is a criminal. Ryder’s history was heartbreaking but she has become a strong and dangerous woman. I loved how badass she was and that she has used her heartbreak to do some good. Also, the Vithii culture and mating practices are kind of terrible but I am glad Ryder still let herself open up to love.
“I don’t care what anyone else says, or what they think….You’re mine, and I’m yours. I’m not letting you go. Society can go fuck itself.”
Temple was a very interesting hero who was honorable, brave, and protective. While I really liked Temple, he is still a bit of a mystery by the end of this book. We know very little about his past and his family history, outside of the fact he is Skye’s foster brother. These two had a very emotional relationship that built over their harrowing time escaping the prison. While it was a fast paced relationship, I still loved seeing Ryder slowly learn to trust Temple and embrace her feelings for him.
Overall, I am loving this world and the characters within it. I have so many questions about what is happening in this world that I can't wait to jump into the next book.
Trigger Warnings: references to the death of a child; grief; imprisonment
September 4, 2018
In the previous book, Antidote, I really liked the characters of Ryder and Ash. Steffan does not disappoint because this book concentrates on Ryder AND we get more Ash page-time. All of that is a win for this reader.
The main plot is how Ryder infiltrates a prison to help get Temple, Skye's brother, out of prison. All those delicious questions get answered. Why was she formerly a doctor? What happened? We learn of her sad past as the emotional internal journey. The outward journey has fights in the prison yard, an ambassador who is not quite what she seems, and a prison break that is magnificent chaos.
The elements of the story include a small group fighting the big guys, inter-species cooperation (and copulation), medicine and nano-technology, and a blistering-hot romance where you just can't wait for the leads to get together. You probably could start this book as a stand alone without Antidote, but you'd get more out of the experience if you read/listened to them in order.
I listened to this as an audiobook. There is little I could say of the narrator that I haven't already pointed out in other reviews. She's fantastic. Druyor has deft skill with male and female voices and various accents. I may particularly enjoy how she handles her snarky Brits (Ash here, Xander in the Circle of Blood series). Her performance with this one was wonderful, and I can't wait until the audio of book 3 drops.
The main plot is how Ryder infiltrates a prison to help get Temple, Skye's brother, out of prison. All those delicious questions get answered. Why was she formerly a doctor? What happened? We learn of her sad past as the emotional internal journey. The outward journey has fights in the prison yard, an ambassador who is not quite what she seems, and a prison break that is magnificent chaos.
The elements of the story include a small group fighting the big guys, inter-species cooperation (and copulation), medicine and nano-technology, and a blistering-hot romance where you just can't wait for the leads to get together. You probably could start this book as a stand alone without Antidote, but you'd get more out of the experience if you read/listened to them in order.
I listened to this as an audiobook. There is little I could say of the narrator that I haven't already pointed out in other reviews. She's fantastic. Druyor has deft skill with male and female voices and various accents. I may particularly enjoy how she handles her snarky Brits (Ash here, Xander in the Circle of Blood series). Her performance with this one was wonderful, and I can't wait until the audio of book 3 drops.
June 15, 2023
Way better than book one. Ryder is a far more interesting character than either of the MCs from Antidote. Plus, every POV character in this book is more active in shaping the outcome than either POV characters from the previous one. It was really nice to finally see some backstory for Ryder and Temple too, even if it did take far too long for the author to actually tell the whole backstory.
This book also had more action and much better pacing in those action sequences.
The fact that the bit with the ambassador was just left hanging would be frustrating if I didn't know there are more books in the series. As it stands, it's just something I'll have to assume is cleared up later.
The accents the narrator used for the audiobook were still not my favorite, but they're getting better. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. The overacting was a little toned down as well.
Spoiler-ish things below
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The romance between Ryder and Temple was... maybe rushed along by trauma bonds. Sure, they're both accepting of each other, but to go from wanting to pursue some sort of relationship to life pledges after a single night together... It was too rushed for me.
This book also had more action and much better pacing in those action sequences.
The fact that the bit with the ambassador was just left hanging would be frustrating if I didn't know there are more books in the series. As it stands, it's just something I'll have to assume is cleared up later.
The accents the narrator used for the audiobook were still not my favorite, but they're getting better. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. The overacting was a little toned down as well.
Spoiler-ish things below
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The romance between Ryder and Temple was... maybe rushed along by trauma bonds. Sure, they're both accepting of each other, but to go from wanting to pursue some sort of relationship to life pledges after a single night together... It was too rushed for me.
January 20, 2019
A Good Fast Paced Second Book
I really enjoyed this second book in this series. Right from the start it was fast paced, and didn't really slow down until almost the end. The violence is in the first half, and the one and only sex scene is about two thirds of the way through. Talking of, it wasn't too graphic either, suites my tastes.
The characters were all there, but it mainly revolved around Temple"s and Ryder's POV. We got to find out more of the sticky red haired intimidating Vithii., as well as Skye's foster brother Temple.
Overall, I was pleased I purchased this second book, after reading the first in the Other Worlds anthology. I'm not one for sci-fi, and this doesn't read like one. It has good world building, and the characters are not flat and shallow. I will be buying the next book.
I really enjoyed this second book in this series. Right from the start it was fast paced, and didn't really slow down until almost the end. The violence is in the first half, and the one and only sex scene is about two thirds of the way through. Talking of, it wasn't too graphic either, suites my tastes.
The characters were all there, but it mainly revolved around Temple"s and Ryder's POV. We got to find out more of the sticky red haired intimidating Vithii., as well as Skye's foster brother Temple.
Overall, I was pleased I purchased this second book, after reading the first in the Other Worlds anthology. I'm not one for sci-fi, and this doesn't read like one. It has good world building, and the characters are not flat and shallow. I will be buying the next book.
June 13, 2018
Slightly better than the first...
...but the complaints I have from the first book remain. The only saving grace is the depth explored for Ryder’s character development, her backstory. Temple’s backstory, though, is non-existent, which is a shame. So many missed opportunities here. The action scenes are good and well thought out, but for me the lack of background information is bothersome. So much so that it detracts from the over-arching story being told in this series. I understand if it’s set in a world already built in a previous series, but so far I haven’t found mention of said series, and that seems unfair to those coming in blind. Overall, pretty good but only if you don’t value world development & character exploration.
...but the complaints I have from the first book remain. The only saving grace is the depth explored for Ryder’s character development, her backstory. Temple’s backstory, though, is non-existent, which is a shame. So many missed opportunities here. The action scenes are good and well thought out, but for me the lack of background information is bothersome. So much so that it detracts from the over-arching story being told in this series. I understand if it’s set in a world already built in a previous series, but so far I haven’t found mention of said series, and that seems unfair to those coming in blind. Overall, pretty good but only if you don’t value world development & character exploration.
October 9, 2018
I loved all of the action in this book. There is great world building. We learn more about the Vithii anatomy and why the women are ostrisized when their mate dies or kicks them out. We learn about Temple's background with gangs and Ryder's past with her bonded mate.
There is several heart felt moments in this book. I look forward to reading more! I love the characters of Pax and Ashe, they are my favorite. I can't wait to see what surprises they will have in store for the Premiere. I suggest that you start with book one so that you understand what is happening. I completely recommend anyone who loves a true sci-fi romance to give this series a try!
There is several heart felt moments in this book. I look forward to reading more! I love the characters of Pax and Ashe, they are my favorite. I can't wait to see what surprises they will have in store for the Premiere. I suggest that you start with book one so that you understand what is happening. I completely recommend anyone who loves a true sci-fi romance to give this series a try!
November 28, 2018
This is the second book of a future/alien series from an author I have recently stumbled upon. Very well written (as all I have read so far) and a very good story about love, friendship and the damage prejudice can do for a society as well as the power of acceptance. The book starts with a rescue operation and it finishes with a completely different kind of salvation. I don’t want to tell much of the story to prevent spoilers but it’s a reading I truly recommend as I recommend the Circle of Blood series from the same author.
June 14, 2025
Listened to the audiobook. Pretty sure this is the first space romance I’ve read with a male human and female alien species, and I want more of that! My favourite thing was the way the two communicated openly and clearly about whether they would have sex and precisely how they would given their bodies were different from the bodies of past partners. It wasn’t the most intense book, and they seemed to fall in love quite suddenly, but I love a prickly woman and a man who falls first and immediately.
May 1, 2019
Temple
Human males in most of this genre are pure rat shite. They are not as big. Not as strong. Not as sexy. Not good lovers. In most books, pretty useless. Not in this series.
Temple is the half/step/foster brother of Skye. He has been imprisoned for political matters. Ryder is sent in to rescue him. She is not human.
All the characters are well developed. The story is well written. I really like this book.
Human males in most of this genre are pure rat shite. They are not as big. Not as strong. Not as sexy. Not good lovers. In most books, pretty useless. Not in this series.
Temple is the half/step/foster brother of Skye. He has been imprisoned for political matters. Ryder is sent in to rescue him. She is not human.
All the characters are well developed. The story is well written. I really like this book.
December 4, 2019
Rider & Temple
I enjoyed the 2nd book in the series. Rider was mysterious to me, and I'm glad to see her side and understand where she comes from. I understood that this was about Rider and her growth, but I wish I could've seen more of Temples past. I do like them as a couple though. I feel like the series is losing steam, I'm not for sure if I'll continue the series, but at the same time I'm nosey and I want to know if they end up saving the world.
I enjoyed the 2nd book in the series. Rider was mysterious to me, and I'm glad to see her side and understand where she comes from. I understood that this was about Rider and her growth, but I wish I could've seen more of Temples past. I do like them as a couple though. I feel like the series is losing steam, I'm not for sure if I'll continue the series, but at the same time I'm nosey and I want to know if they end up saving the world.
September 8, 2018
Great read
I loved this second book in the series. I loved the charismatic characters and how they jumped off the pages and pulled you in to the story. I liked the way the aliens were unique and their was a bond still there with the humans.
I loved this second book in the series. I loved the charismatic characters and how they jumped off the pages and pulled you in to the story. I liked the way the aliens were unique and their was a bond still there with the humans.
March 22, 2019
Great book
I really like this series so far, am looking forward to the next book . Was not familiar with this author previously, and really enjoy his style. Will be looking for more books from him from now on.
I really like this series so far, am looking forward to the next book . Was not familiar with this author previously, and really enjoy his style. Will be looking for more books from him from now on.
October 9, 2019
Yikes. I didn't like this book as much as the first and it seemed to end so suddenly! Also, I really dislike the audiobook narrator, she is much too dramatic and it makes me roll my eyes frequently with how melodramatic she makes certain scenes.
May 7, 2021
Temple
Ryder decided she would be the best person to infiltrate the prison where Temple, Skye's adopted brother, was held. She was wrong and the team needed to figure out a way to rescue the two of tgem.
Ryder decided she would be the best person to infiltrate the prison where Temple, Skye's adopted brother, was held. She was wrong and the team needed to figure out a way to rescue the two of tgem.
Read
May 6, 2021Trigger & Content Warnings:
Death of a child mentioned
Imprisonment
Death of a child mentioned
Imprisonment
October 14, 2021
ANTIGEN was a great follow up to ANTIDOTE and takes place immediately after the end of the last one. We knew Temple was being held in prison but now we see the horrible conditions he's enduring and we know that he could easily be killed if he's not rescued soon. I really liked Temple as a hero but I felt like his past was still a bit of a gray area by the end of the book. After all, Temple is actually Skye's foster brother but there are still a lot of holes in the family history. Other than that, Temple is honorable, brave, and not afraid to protect those who need it. Of course, the action kept me gripped in the story so I didn't really notice the lack of backstory until the very end. Part of it comes from Ryder's history, which is so richly revealed throughout that the missing parts of Temple's past were more noticeable.
The majority of the story takes place in the prison, which I was not expecting, but still really enjoyed. That does mean that Ryder and Temple spend a large part of the book apart or running for their lives but that also creates tension as the attraction grows. However, Ryder is used to keeping people at arm's length because she believes she doesn't deserve anything. Her past is quite tragic and I really felt for Ryder and what she's been through, especially because Vithii biology and culture has led to her being ostracized. The last book showed us a bit of the mating practices of the Vithii but this one showed us a deeper, and darker, look at Vithii culture and it's overwhelmingly patriarchal ways. It takes Ryder a bit to accept her self-worth but Temple is there to help her and love her. They fall in love quickly but after everything they've been through, they truly deserve it.
Even though we see a more vulnerable side of Ryder, she's still her usual kick-ass self and I loved every second of it. This woman clearly knows how to take care of herself and she doesn't need a prince charming to rescue her. Of course, the rest of the Shadow Wing is present but Ash plays a particularly strong role in the book and I'm dying for his story but I just know R.A. Steffan is going to make us wait. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I'm loving all that we're learning about these characters and this world as we go. I still have a lot of questions and I would love a better understanding of how the humans and Vithii came to be living on the same planet, but either way, this series has completely grabbed me and I can't wait for more!
Content Warning: References to the death of a child
The majority of the story takes place in the prison, which I was not expecting, but still really enjoyed. That does mean that Ryder and Temple spend a large part of the book apart or running for their lives but that also creates tension as the attraction grows. However, Ryder is used to keeping people at arm's length because she believes she doesn't deserve anything. Her past is quite tragic and I really felt for Ryder and what she's been through, especially because Vithii biology and culture has led to her being ostracized. The last book showed us a bit of the mating practices of the Vithii but this one showed us a deeper, and darker, look at Vithii culture and it's overwhelmingly patriarchal ways. It takes Ryder a bit to accept her self-worth but Temple is there to help her and love her. They fall in love quickly but after everything they've been through, they truly deserve it.
Even though we see a more vulnerable side of Ryder, she's still her usual kick-ass self and I loved every second of it. This woman clearly knows how to take care of herself and she doesn't need a prince charming to rescue her. Of course, the rest of the Shadow Wing is present but Ash plays a particularly strong role in the book and I'm dying for his story but I just know R.A. Steffan is going to make us wait. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I'm loving all that we're learning about these characters and this world as we go. I still have a lot of questions and I would love a better understanding of how the humans and Vithii came to be living on the same planet, but either way, this series has completely grabbed me and I can't wait for more!
Content Warning: References to the death of a child
December 5, 2018
I normally read or listen to cozy mysteries but read the synopsis for book one and it sounded interesting so I got it and loved it. When I saw the author had a second book in the series I jumped at it and so glad I did. I loved it, the characters are so much fun and I like the interaction between then all. The book has a romantic theme to it so I hope the author has plans for each character to find his or her mate, especially Ash he is so funny.
This book sees Ryder go under cover in a prison to help rescue Temple (Skye - the first books -step brother) but things don't go to plan and it is soon Rider that needs rescuing. What I like is even though it is a romance there is plenty of action to keep the adventure reads happy.
This book sees Ryder go under cover in a prison to help rescue Temple (Skye - the first books -step brother) but things don't go to plan and it is soon Rider that needs rescuing. What I like is even though it is a romance there is plenty of action to keep the adventure reads happy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews