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Refuge #5
Dark Cure
A warrior seeking forever faces a medic living in the moment.
Gisella, the Refuge’s medic, is dedicated to her role. She doesn’t have the space in her lifespan for love, a mate, or children. Healing is her entire focus.
But she’s also a female in her prime. She has needs, wants, cravings…especially for a scarred, long-haired barbarian warrior temporarily residing in the settlement. One fierce, soul-blasting, passion-filled encounter is all she is willing to give him before she returns to her duties.
Oghul, a Chamele Warlord’s Second-In-Command, has waited his entire lifespan to find his gerel, the being fated to be his. He’s thrilled to discover she wants him as savagely as he yearns for her.
His little human medic appeals to his primitive possessive side. Greatly. He wants to stamp his ownership all over her bountiful curves, take her back to his home planet, claim his fiery female permanently.
When Carinae E’s solitary sun rises, two determined beings with very different desires find their lifespans entwined. Their battle for emotional supremacy will span systems and alter destinies.
The universe will never be the same.
Dark Cure is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.
Gisella, the Refuge’s medic, is dedicated to her role. She doesn’t have the space in her lifespan for love, a mate, or children. Healing is her entire focus.
But she’s also a female in her prime. She has needs, wants, cravings…especially for a scarred, long-haired barbarian warrior temporarily residing in the settlement. One fierce, soul-blasting, passion-filled encounter is all she is willing to give him before she returns to her duties.
Oghul, a Chamele Warlord’s Second-In-Command, has waited his entire lifespan to find his gerel, the being fated to be his. He’s thrilled to discover she wants him as savagely as he yearns for her.
His little human medic appeals to his primitive possessive side. Greatly. He wants to stamp his ownership all over her bountiful curves, take her back to his home planet, claim his fiery female permanently.
When Carinae E’s solitary sun rises, two determined beings with very different desires find their lifespans entwined. Their battle for emotional supremacy will span systems and alter destinies.
The universe will never be the same.
Dark Cure is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2018
118 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Sax
169 books1,513 followersUSA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes steamy cyborg and alien romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, on TV, and numerous romance top ten lists.
When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.
When she isn't writing, she's traveling the world with her Dear Wonderful Hubby, meeting new people, visiting new places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 14, 2018
Refuge, an autonomous settlement on Carinae E, is a sanctuary for mercenaries, killers, and all manner of criminals who are safe from justice's long arm as long as they keep to the one law the settlement's sovereign Kralji will not allow. That being no killing within the walls of Refuge. Anything and everything else is on the table.
Healing is Gisella's sole motivating purpose in life. Having lost her mother to an illness that could have been cured if only Gisella had had the right equipment, she now dedicates her life to treating anyone who seeks out her services with a success rate that has made her the Lead Medic. Luckily Kralji has given her a safe haven to live and makes sure she gets the newest and best medical equipment and expertise known to exist to do her job.
Oghul, Chamele Warlord's second in command, is ending his visit with his brother at the Refuge, celebrating one last time st a popular bar when the improbable happens. His fated mate, his gerel, enters his life. Badass and well equiped to deal with even the strongest of warriors, Oghul knows only that she is his. His to love, his to protect, his to lay down his life for.
Gisella & Oghul can't keep their hands off each other but they come from two different worlds with two different cultures. To stay together, one will have to sacrifice their personal happiness and career. That is if one doesn't cross the line and break Kralji's one cardinal law which would result in being horribly killed and eaten to sustain the Refuge's ongoing need for flesh.
* * * *
In this the 6th installment in the "Refuge" series which the author has indicated will end this series, the author has provided another strong installment that does seem to be a bridge for the series to take into another direction OR a spin off series beginning. Not sure which but this book can still be read as a stand alone and provides the beginning world building with an eye to the future.
I can't and won't continue without doing a shout out regarding Kralji & Dita, power couple extraordinaire, who is able to read minds while simultaneously knowing the past, present, and future. In earlier installments I had thought Kralji had lost his blood thirsty disposition, only to find in this installment that the old Kralji is back with a vengeance. Good times.
Gisella & Oghul. I appreciated and enjoyed this couple. Strong female lead character who doesn't take a passive role in the adult content scenes. I am a big big fan of women who give as much as they get so Gisella really worked. To be clear, this is an erotic driven romance so for those readers who have a need to know expect HAWT toe curling fun.
Secondary characters. While Kralji & Dita make a brief appearance, the cast of secondary characters is multi faceted which will increase individual appeal for readers. I do think and feel Yesum will have a large fan base though my personal heart was thinking/hoping to see more of Ada-758 & Qulpa. hint hint wink wink.
What I liked about this story is the author provided a strong female lead character who lived in a dangerous male warrior driven society yet was able to hold her own AND be a force to be reckoned with. The stance to portray females as viable bad ass characters is one I wish other authors would embrace.
My issues are directed towards the predictability of the overall story. While there were a few surprises, for the most part I predicted the outcome which may or may not have been accurate. Guess you'll have to read the story to see if you match up to the author's ending.
I am a big fan of this author as she consistently provides strong story line/plots in her world building and characters who are diverse yet believable. Along the way the author brings in moral issues that the reader has to reflect on not to any obvious or overt degree.
I do recommend taking a look at this book especially if you're a SciFi erotic romance fan who enjoys action/adventure story lines.
Healing is Gisella's sole motivating purpose in life. Having lost her mother to an illness that could have been cured if only Gisella had had the right equipment, she now dedicates her life to treating anyone who seeks out her services with a success rate that has made her the Lead Medic. Luckily Kralji has given her a safe haven to live and makes sure she gets the newest and best medical equipment and expertise known to exist to do her job.
Oghul, Chamele Warlord's second in command, is ending his visit with his brother at the Refuge, celebrating one last time st a popular bar when the improbable happens. His fated mate, his gerel, enters his life. Badass and well equiped to deal with even the strongest of warriors, Oghul knows only that she is his. His to love, his to protect, his to lay down his life for.
Gisella & Oghul can't keep their hands off each other but they come from two different worlds with two different cultures. To stay together, one will have to sacrifice their personal happiness and career. That is if one doesn't cross the line and break Kralji's one cardinal law which would result in being horribly killed and eaten to sustain the Refuge's ongoing need for flesh.
* * * *
In this the 6th installment in the "Refuge" series which the author has indicated will end this series, the author has provided another strong installment that does seem to be a bridge for the series to take into another direction OR a spin off series beginning. Not sure which but this book can still be read as a stand alone and provides the beginning world building with an eye to the future.
I can't and won't continue without doing a shout out regarding Kralji & Dita, power couple extraordinaire, who is able to read minds while simultaneously knowing the past, present, and future. In earlier installments I had thought Kralji had lost his blood thirsty disposition, only to find in this installment that the old Kralji is back with a vengeance. Good times.
Gisella & Oghul. I appreciated and enjoyed this couple. Strong female lead character who doesn't take a passive role in the adult content scenes. I am a big big fan of women who give as much as they get so Gisella really worked. To be clear, this is an erotic driven romance so for those readers who have a need to know expect HAWT toe curling fun.
Secondary characters. While Kralji & Dita make a brief appearance, the cast of secondary characters is multi faceted which will increase individual appeal for readers. I do think and feel Yesum will have a large fan base though my personal heart was thinking/hoping to see more of Ada-758 & Qulpa. hint hint wink wink.
What I liked about this story is the author provided a strong female lead character who lived in a dangerous male warrior driven society yet was able to hold her own AND be a force to be reckoned with. The stance to portray females as viable bad ass characters is one I wish other authors would embrace.
My issues are directed towards the predictability of the overall story. While there were a few surprises, for the most part I predicted the outcome which may or may not have been accurate. Guess you'll have to read the story to see if you match up to the author's ending.
I am a big fan of this author as she consistently provides strong story line/plots in her world building and characters who are diverse yet believable. Along the way the author brings in moral issues that the reader has to reflect on not to any obvious or overt degree.
I do recommend taking a look at this book especially if you're a SciFi erotic romance fan who enjoys action/adventure story lines.
November 13, 2018
Intense and sexy
Though there was a distinct lack of bloodshed in this story (lol), and there was no crazy cyborg trying to catch missiles, Lead Medic Gisella and Oghul’s story was intense... filled with drama, fights, steamy sexy-fun-Times, and humor. I loved it, though I’ve loved literally every story I’ve ever read by this author.
Though there was a distinct lack of bloodshed in this story (lol), and there was no crazy cyborg trying to catch missiles, Lead Medic Gisella and Oghul’s story was intense... filled with drama, fights, steamy sexy-fun-Times, and humor. I loved it, though I’ve loved literally every story I’ve ever read by this author.
December 27, 2022
I love a strong heroine. Gisella has a space-age stun gun and the physician's skill to use it effectively.
November 14, 2018
Oghul, a Chamele warrior, is lonely. Soon he will go back to his home planet – Chamele 2 – and he still doesn’t have a gerel, a fated mate. But when he sees Gisella, he knows his quest is over: she is the one he has been looking for all his lifespan. Convincing her will be another matter. Gisella is the Refuge’s Lead Medic, that is her life, and she will not do what her mother did: sacrifice her career for love. She is taken right away with Oghul, but it cannot be for more than one rest cycle … or maybe a few…
Even if Oghul and Gisella hadn’t been fated mates, I don’t think anything would have stopped them from being together; they are an amazing couple. He, the barbarian warrior; she the fierce, dedicated little human medic are incredibly perfect for each other. I also loved the brilliant and unique spin Ms. Sax gives the fate mates trope; it even helps advance the story. I love that Cynthia Sax understands perfectly the difference between protective and smothering, and between domineering and bullying. How they thrive together! They love savagely, ferociously, and the sex scenes are amazingly well-written. And the beauty of showing, not telling: I didn’t need to be told anything; it was all there for my eyes to see. We also get to see some of our favourite characters from books past, and amongst the new ones in this book, I absolutely adored young Yesun and what to say about the fabulous ending; I almost teared up!
DARK CURE is officially (unofficially?) the last book in the Refuge series, and it saddens me to see that captivating world go, however I cannot wait to see what Cynthia Sax has in store for us next; she never fails to surprise and impress with her imagination!
Even if Oghul and Gisella hadn’t been fated mates, I don’t think anything would have stopped them from being together; they are an amazing couple. He, the barbarian warrior; she the fierce, dedicated little human medic are incredibly perfect for each other. I also loved the brilliant and unique spin Ms. Sax gives the fate mates trope; it even helps advance the story. I love that Cynthia Sax understands perfectly the difference between protective and smothering, and between domineering and bullying. How they thrive together! They love savagely, ferociously, and the sex scenes are amazingly well-written. And the beauty of showing, not telling: I didn’t need to be told anything; it was all there for my eyes to see. We also get to see some of our favourite characters from books past, and amongst the new ones in this book, I absolutely adored young Yesun and what to say about the fabulous ending; I almost teared up!
DARK CURE is officially (unofficially?) the last book in the Refuge series, and it saddens me to see that captivating world go, however I cannot wait to see what Cynthia Sax has in store for us next; she never fails to surprise and impress with her imagination!
November 14, 2018
Outstanding entertainment!
I love this series: this book is one of the best! We get a taste of The Refuge’s residents once again, along with a fine - but unique - romance! Lead Medic Gisella presents quite a challenge for Oghul, our Chamele Warrior, but he’s patient, insistent, thoughtful, and inventive in his pursuit. He appreciates the kind of woman who takes charge of her destiny and can hold her own in a battle of wills. It seems warriors and take-charge women both enjoy a good struggle now and then!
As for Gisella, she’s the most dedicated and determined woman I have seen. When the odds for success seem impossibly small, she perseveres without regard for the cost to herself. Outstanding entertainment - enjoy!
I love this series: this book is one of the best! We get a taste of The Refuge’s residents once again, along with a fine - but unique - romance! Lead Medic Gisella presents quite a challenge for Oghul, our Chamele Warrior, but he’s patient, insistent, thoughtful, and inventive in his pursuit. He appreciates the kind of woman who takes charge of her destiny and can hold her own in a battle of wills. It seems warriors and take-charge women both enjoy a good struggle now and then!
As for Gisella, she’s the most dedicated and determined woman I have seen. When the odds for success seem impossibly small, she perseveres without regard for the cost to herself. Outstanding entertainment - enjoy!
November 16, 2018
Another awesome book in this series!!!
I love this series. It’s a perfect balance of dark and romantic . That being said this story is probably my second favorite in the series . The H is strong minded and willed just like all the others but she is also in need of someone to lean on but just does not know it. Our guy in this one is sooo sexy and patient and a total alpha at the same time. Fast burn and hot ! HEA also .
I hope there are many more to this series . ❤️❤️❤️
I love this series. It’s a perfect balance of dark and romantic . That being said this story is probably my second favorite in the series . The H is strong minded and willed just like all the others but she is also in need of someone to lean on but just does not know it. Our guy in this one is sooo sexy and patient and a total alpha at the same time. Fast burn and hot ! HEA also .
I hope there are many more to this series . ❤️❤️❤️
November 13, 2018
Oh yeah babyyyyyyyy
Cynthia, you’ve blown this one well out of the stratosphere but I’m not surprised cause each one gets better than the last. You blow me away.
Cynthia, you’ve blown this one well out of the stratosphere but I’m not surprised cause each one gets better than the last. You blow me away.
November 20, 2018
Loved loved loved Dark Cure.
Very entertaining.
I love the message I got from reading this book.
Highly recommend this book.
Very entertaining.
I love the message I got from reading this book.
Highly recommend this book.
January 25, 2021
Series: Refuge #5
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Gisella, the Refuge's medic, is dedicated to her role and refuses to give it up for anything. Unfortunately she still has needs and wants, especially for the Chamele barbarian who is temporarily staying in the settlement. But he doesn’t plan on their relationship only being for one night.
I have been wanting a Chamele warrior story and we finally got one! Oghul has been pining for a mate he has yet to find. His youngest brother, who has barely any fighting experience, has already found his mate which makes him feel like he will never find her. He instantly knows Gisella is his mate when he meets her but she refuses to give in wanting only one night. Ohgul doesn’t give up though. He is a determined barbarian male who will give up everything for his mate, which I really liked. It was nice to see the hero willing to give up everything for the relationship because that doesn’t usually happen.
This fated mate relationship takes some work for these two. They don’t instantly fall in love with each other and they have a lot of things to work out with their careers and lives. I liked that we actually had a relationship that they had to figure these things out for it to work. Gisella is a tough cookie who refuses to give up her career because she saw what it had done to her mother. I love a heroine who is career driven and knows what she wants.
Overall, this was a good story with some good characters. I am interested in learning more about the Chamele warriors and their culture, which seem to be pretty sexist so far.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
Gisella, the Refuge's medic, is dedicated to her role and refuses to give it up for anything. Unfortunately she still has needs and wants, especially for the Chamele barbarian who is temporarily staying in the settlement. But he doesn’t plan on their relationship only being for one night.
I have been wanting a Chamele warrior story and we finally got one! Oghul has been pining for a mate he has yet to find. His youngest brother, who has barely any fighting experience, has already found his mate which makes him feel like he will never find her. He instantly knows Gisella is his mate when he meets her but she refuses to give in wanting only one night. Ohgul doesn’t give up though. He is a determined barbarian male who will give up everything for his mate, which I really liked. It was nice to see the hero willing to give up everything for the relationship because that doesn’t usually happen.
This fated mate relationship takes some work for these two. They don’t instantly fall in love with each other and they have a lot of things to work out with their careers and lives. I liked that we actually had a relationship that they had to figure these things out for it to work. Gisella is a tough cookie who refuses to give up her career because she saw what it had done to her mother. I love a heroine who is career driven and knows what she wants.
Overall, this was a good story with some good characters. I am interested in learning more about the Chamele warriors and their culture, which seem to be pretty sexist so far.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
November 15, 2018
Great story
Perfectly awesome. That's the best description I can come up with for this book. It's a great addition to the Cyborg universe.
Gisella is such a great heroine. Cynthia Sax writes such strong females. It makes the males have to step up to match, and I think that's awesome. I love how Oghul never tries to change her, and does everything he can to support her.
Perfectly awesome. That's the best description I can come up with for this book. It's a great addition to the Cyborg universe.
Gisella is such a great heroine. Cynthia Sax writes such strong females. It makes the males have to step up to match, and I think that's awesome. I love how Oghul never tries to change her, and does everything he can to support her.
December 3, 2021
Good but I liked book 1 the best.
November 13, 2018
I found this to be an awesome book! Gisella and Oghul are great together...both fierce, loyal and open to each other - they create a love unlike that which most see or have. This series and it's sister series with cyborgs are two of my "must haves".
November 22, 2018
Gisella was a skilled medic and one of the best. She put medicine and healing of her patients above all else. She had no time for love. Oghul was a skilled Chamele warrior. When he sees Gisella, he knows she is his mate. But he will have to break through her heart to win.
I love that Oghul was never taking Gisella too seriously when she kept trying to push him off. He knew she was the one and wasn’t going to be swayed. Gisella is smart and strong. I can understand why she wanted to dedicate all her time to the job and not get swayed by love, feeling that she would be lost like her mother. But Oghul showed her that love is what she needs. Ok, the sex is really hot and helps. These two are perfect and meet the Refuge members group. I love the Refuge and wish that it could go on forever but I know that things will not last.
I love that Oghul was never taking Gisella too seriously when she kept trying to push him off. He knew she was the one and wasn’t going to be swayed. Gisella is smart and strong. I can understand why she wanted to dedicate all her time to the job and not get swayed by love, feeling that she would be lost like her mother. But Oghul showed her that love is what she needs. Ok, the sex is really hot and helps. These two are perfect and meet the Refuge members group. I love the Refuge and wish that it could go on forever but I know that things will not last.
November 18, 2018
Great Book
I love the characters in this series. They are strong people, those that survive adversity. The heroine in this book Gisella, is the head medic in a city of criminals. She is tough because she has to be tough to deal with the violence. But she is doing what she dreams of doing, healing people with the best equipment available. Then along comes a man, a sexy warrior. A warrior from another planet, visiting, soon to return to his home planet. A warrior who also is doing what he loves, and going home to the planet and people he loves. Something or someone has got to give. Great story, wonderful romance.
I love the characters in this series. They are strong people, those that survive adversity. The heroine in this book Gisella, is the head medic in a city of criminals. She is tough because she has to be tough to deal with the violence. But she is doing what she dreams of doing, healing people with the best equipment available. Then along comes a man, a sexy warrior. A warrior from another planet, visiting, soon to return to his home planet. A warrior who also is doing what he loves, and going home to the planet and people he loves. Something or someone has got to give. Great story, wonderful romance.
March 10, 2019
Dark cure
Excellent story . Gisella has a small parts in past Refuge books as the grumpy snarlly medic . In Cure Giselle is the star along with Oghul her Chamele mate with cameos from characters from last books in the series. I hope that Cynthia continues to add books to her Refuge series . The genetically engineered waffles are fascinating.
Excellent story . Gisella has a small parts in past Refuge books as the grumpy snarlly medic . In Cure Giselle is the star along with Oghul her Chamele mate with cameos from characters from last books in the series. I hope that Cynthia continues to add books to her Refuge series . The genetically engineered waffles are fascinating.
April 9, 2021
Learning life can have more than one Goal
Incredible sexy romantic emotional love story,just reread this beautiful series and found I haven’t left a review on this book. Thank you for another awesome read,look forward to rereading the next series 🌹🌹♥️♥️😊😊
Incredible sexy romantic emotional love story,just reread this beautiful series and found I haven’t left a review on this book. Thank you for another awesome read,look forward to rereading the next series 🌹🌹♥️♥️😊😊
April 14, 2020
I liked the main characters a lot, especially through the first half of the book. I liked how Gisella could handle herself and the dangerous environment that she's chosen to live in, and how she knew what she wanted and what she wanted was a hot one-night stand and nothing more. I liked how Oghul was fairly taciturn about the whole thing, trying to be respectful even while he was calmly not doing what she said. It was a nice setup and clash of personalities.
The second half of the book, though, included some plot points that seemed random and increasingly didn't quite make sense to me. Most of these turned on points about medical/scientific work and culture as the plot focused on Gisella's work.
To be fair, some of the headscratchers are obviously there to provide plot points and points on the characters' emotional arcs - they serve a purpose, it's just that the logical flaws make them seem capricious. And I know that all of my gripe-ables are probably just because the author's not a doctor/scientist and isn't familiar with the culture and probably didn't expect someone to gripe about the scientific/medical accuracy of her sci-fi erotica, but...welp, I am that person, I admit, and some of it irked me.
Scifi stories about doctors/scientists, of course, always involve some level of handwaving, but the constant lack of specificity coupled with some downright plot holes related to how doctors work threw me out of the story. Gisella is a doctor, and parts of the book are from her POV. When she looks around her medbay, she should know the specific name and use of every tool, implement, and machine in it. But she calls every medical tool a "machine" or "the machine(s)", even in her own thoughts, where I'd expect a doctor to refer to things more specifically by their names. (This works in settings like in Doc's Orders, where there's a language barrier, or when the person is unfamiliar with the items in question, like where Oghul can't really give an accurate assessment of his peoples' medical knowledge, because he's not a doctor, but Gisella isn't in these situations.) More minor things: Gisella refers to needing to gather information on Chamele anatomy through scans/in person, where I'd expect an interstellar doctor to have access to medical textbooks and reference libraries which would provide far more info than what an individual person could provide. She carries around a small medical kit, but yet at one point instead of just asking for specifically what she wants, she has Oghul read her the ingredients before choosing what she needs. Also, a not-so-minor thing: the "my bonded can't touch any other males without her hands burning/corroding" was...inexplicable, and Gisella has a remarkable lack of WTF reaction to this. I mean...how does this work? How does her skin determine whether what she's touching is male vs. female? How does it identify Oghul? Human skin is not set up to genetically identify individuals through the dead layer of skin cells we're covered with. I get that it's supposed to be a plot point, as Oghul then thoughtfully gives her a pair of gloves so she can still practice medicine and she's delighted...but any doctor should have access to the space equivalent of latex gloves, so she doesn't have to touch her patients all the time, right? And she'd be constantly changing them so she doesn't cross-contaminate herself or her environment, so one pair of gloves that she wears all the time would be incredibly impractical.
Overall, though, I liked it! Just could have wished that the author had run it through a health practitioner beta of some kind to catch some of the above.
The second half of the book, though, included some plot points that seemed random and increasingly didn't quite make sense to me. Most of these turned on points about medical/scientific work and culture as the plot focused on Gisella's work.
To be fair, some of the headscratchers are obviously there to provide plot points and points on the characters' emotional arcs - they serve a purpose, it's just that the logical flaws make them seem capricious. And I know that all of my gripe-ables are probably just because the author's not a doctor/scientist and isn't familiar with the culture and probably didn't expect someone to gripe about the scientific/medical accuracy of her sci-fi erotica, but...welp, I am that person, I admit, and some of it irked me.
Scifi stories about doctors/scientists, of course, always involve some level of handwaving, but the constant lack of specificity coupled with some downright plot holes related to how doctors work threw me out of the story. Gisella is a doctor, and parts of the book are from her POV. When she looks around her medbay, she should know the specific name and use of every tool, implement, and machine in it. But she calls every medical tool a "machine" or "the machine(s)", even in her own thoughts, where I'd expect a doctor to refer to things more specifically by their names. (This works in settings like in Doc's Orders, where there's a language barrier, or when the person is unfamiliar with the items in question, like where Oghul can't really give an accurate assessment of his peoples' medical knowledge, because he's not a doctor, but Gisella isn't in these situations.) More minor things: Gisella refers to needing to gather information on Chamele anatomy through scans/in person, where I'd expect an interstellar doctor to have access to medical textbooks and reference libraries which would provide far more info than what an individual person could provide. She carries around a small medical kit, but yet at one point instead of just asking for specifically what she wants, she has Oghul read her the ingredients before choosing what she needs. Also, a not-so-minor thing: the "my bonded can't touch any other males without her hands burning/corroding" was...inexplicable, and Gisella has a remarkable lack of WTF reaction to this. I mean...how does this work? How does her skin determine whether what she's touching is male vs. female? How does it identify Oghul? Human skin is not set up to genetically identify individuals through the dead layer of skin cells we're covered with. I get that it's supposed to be a plot point, as Oghul then thoughtfully gives her a pair of gloves so she can still practice medicine and she's delighted...but any doctor should have access to the space equivalent of latex gloves, so she doesn't have to touch her patients all the time, right? And she'd be constantly changing them so she doesn't cross-contaminate herself or her environment, so one pair of gloves that she wears all the time would be incredibly impractical.
Overall, though, I liked it! Just could have wished that the author had run it through a health practitioner beta of some kind to catch some of the above.
January 17, 2026
Gisela is the cities head medic. She's a tough woman and she has to be because she works around the very rough criminals. Gisela takes her job very seriously because she's doing what she loves, healing people. She has no time in her life for love or family right now. She doesn't want to end up like her mother.
Oghul, the leader of the Chameles, comes to where Gisela works to see his brother, and the sparks fly between the two of them because Oghul knows right away that Gisela is his mate/gerel. Now he has to find a way to break through her tough outer shell and show her that things could be great between them if only she'll give him a chance.
After an encounter in a bar like establishment where Oghul stands up for Gisela, she invited Oghul back to her quarters. She believes that a quick one night stand is all she's about to get because she knows Oghul is going back to his own planet soon. So this was meant to be a one time thing even though Oghul knows she's his mate and changes his plans about leaving when he finds her. But because she was impatient to be with him, he didn't have the time to explain to her what being together would mean that they were bonded forever. Only after their encounter did he try explaining what has just happened between them.
To say that Gisela wasn't taking the news well, is an understatement. She didn't realize that their bonding was a forever thing for a little while, but she slowly came to realize that not only did she want to be around him, she actually wanted to compromise her strict rules about not finding someone to love because of him.
He was able to slowly show her that being with someone was not an all or nothing type situation, that they could compromise on things and still do what made them happy. Oh and I love Oghul, what an alpha warrior he was. But underneath it all, he was a real marshmallow for her.
I had so much fun reading this book and getting to know Oghul, his warriors and later on his family.
The pace was rapid, and the tone is quite intense with so much fighting, killing and needing a medic to re-attach body parts. This has a very character driven storyline that has quite a few steamy scenes. The characters are very engaging and at times funny.
Oghul, the leader of the Chameles, comes to where Gisela works to see his brother, and the sparks fly between the two of them because Oghul knows right away that Gisela is his mate/gerel. Now he has to find a way to break through her tough outer shell and show her that things could be great between them if only she'll give him a chance.
After an encounter in a bar like establishment where Oghul stands up for Gisela, she invited Oghul back to her quarters. She believes that a quick one night stand is all she's about to get because she knows Oghul is going back to his own planet soon. So this was meant to be a one time thing even though Oghul knows she's his mate and changes his plans about leaving when he finds her. But because she was impatient to be with him, he didn't have the time to explain to her what being together would mean that they were bonded forever. Only after their encounter did he try explaining what has just happened between them.
To say that Gisela wasn't taking the news well, is an understatement. She didn't realize that their bonding was a forever thing for a little while, but she slowly came to realize that not only did she want to be around him, she actually wanted to compromise her strict rules about not finding someone to love because of him.
He was able to slowly show her that being with someone was not an all or nothing type situation, that they could compromise on things and still do what made them happy. Oh and I love Oghul, what an alpha warrior he was. But underneath it all, he was a real marshmallow for her.
I had so much fun reading this book and getting to know Oghul, his warriors and later on his family.
The pace was rapid, and the tone is quite intense with so much fighting, killing and needing a medic to re-attach body parts. This has a very character driven storyline that has quite a few steamy scenes. The characters are very engaging and at times funny.
March 2, 2019
This is not a rehash of the publishers blurb, but a review of the writing.
This was the first book in the series for this author for me. It was okay and I did seek out other stories in the series.
However, after reading three including the first, not going to bother with anymore.
These are cookie cutter stories with characters that were flat, not all that interesting, and not all that "dark". Sex was vanilla with no real excitement either.
Story lines were intriguing and the world that was built for them to live in was done well, which was why I did try, three times, to like the series.
This was the first book in the series for this author for me. It was okay and I did seek out other stories in the series.
However, after reading three including the first, not going to bother with anymore.
These are cookie cutter stories with characters that were flat, not all that interesting, and not all that "dark". Sex was vanilla with no real excitement either.
Story lines were intriguing and the world that was built for them to live in was done well, which was why I did try, three times, to like the series.
December 7, 2021
Through the whole book i was calling the heroine “medic bad ass” i loved her take no shit personality.
The hero and heroine both making their relationship work by setting their expectations and compromises, shows a realistic and healthy partnership. Definitely loving this couple, i just wished the author had devastated a bit more on the heroines physical description. Pretty much all of the heroines in this series are a physical “copy & paste” of each other. Looking forward to seeing some tall chamele warrior women. I’ll be binge reading the chemele barbarian series next.
The hero and heroine both making their relationship work by setting their expectations and compromises, shows a realistic and healthy partnership. Definitely loving this couple, i just wished the author had devastated a bit more on the heroines physical description. Pretty much all of the heroines in this series are a physical “copy & paste” of each other. Looking forward to seeing some tall chamele warrior women. I’ll be binge reading the chemele barbarian series next.
October 26, 2019
Another Great Hit
Wow! You can't go wrong in reading this series and you won't be disappointed with this book in any way. It has everything you want in a romance about aliens, action,drama adventure, passion, and hot steamy scenes that are not over the top with awesome characters? Waiting anxiously for the next book and highly recommended series.
Wow! You can't go wrong in reading this series and you won't be disappointed with this book in any way. It has everything you want in a romance about aliens, action,drama adventure, passion, and hot steamy scenes that are not over the top with awesome characters? Waiting anxiously for the next book and highly recommended series.
November 8, 2019
Dark Fire Refuge book 6by Cynthia Sax
This addition has it all,dramatic,heartbreaking,plenty to have you turning the pages to see what happens next for them!😍 I recommend this whole series Refuge by Cynthia Sax.I have enjoyed reading them all! I know you will too! So don't hesitate to get this wonderful series!💖
This addition has it all,dramatic,heartbreaking,plenty to have you turning the pages to see what happens next for them!😍 I recommend this whole series Refuge by Cynthia Sax.I have enjoyed reading them all! I know you will too! So don't hesitate to get this wonderful series!💖
August 11, 2022
Dark Cure
Oghul was about to head home to his planet when he comes across his gerel. He knows what it would mean for his gerel to leave her position of Head Medic but he wants to make her happy. Can they compromise or will they go different ways? Recommend this book and series
Oghul was about to head home to his planet when he comes across his gerel. He knows what it would mean for his gerel to leave her position of Head Medic but he wants to make her happy. Can they compromise or will they go different ways? Recommend this book and series
December 6, 2018
Great Story
I have to admit...I didn’t care for The h in the previous books. However, true to form, Ms Sax made her into a relatable character. Bravo!
I have to admit...I didn’t care for The h in the previous books. However, true to form, Ms Sax made her into a relatable character. Bravo!
December 10, 2018
Loved
Another dark and edgy love story that you won't want to miss! Cynthia Sax has an amazing storytelling ability and I'm so glad I found her!
Another dark and edgy love story that you won't want to miss! Cynthia Sax has an amazing storytelling ability and I'm so glad I found her!
January 7, 2019
Loved reading the coming together of this couple. All men should cherish their mates with the same devotion. He let her fly and be herself regardless of the status quo.
July 9, 2019
Gisella & Oghul.
One of my favorite Books from the Refuge series. I really do love fated mates stories, but ones that really want more than fate to determine their love 💘. Gisella is the tough no nonsense medic of the Refuge. She has the respect of its ruler and the warriors and citizens who reside within its walls. Oghul is a Chamele alpha warrior highly trained and at the Refuge to see his brother. This is where he meets Gisella and realizes she's his Gerel aka soulmate. Gisella's mother had to choose between love and the job that was part of her soul. Oghul loves Gisella and admires and respects her calling as a medic. He is ready to make whatever sacrifices he must for her love. Together they embark on a journey of adventure, passion and true understanding. This journey will be a realization that a bond like true love also means total acceptance! 💖
One of my favorite Books from the Refuge series. I really do love fated mates stories, but ones that really want more than fate to determine their love 💘. Gisella is the tough no nonsense medic of the Refuge. She has the respect of its ruler and the warriors and citizens who reside within its walls. Oghul is a Chamele alpha warrior highly trained and at the Refuge to see his brother. This is where he meets Gisella and realizes she's his Gerel aka soulmate. Gisella's mother had to choose between love and the job that was part of her soul. Oghul loves Gisella and admires and respects her calling as a medic. He is ready to make whatever sacrifices he must for her love. Together they embark on a journey of adventure, passion and true understanding. This journey will be a realization that a bond like true love also means total acceptance! 💖
July 3, 2019
Lead medic
Every story in this series has strong, intelligent and worthy females and unique passionate alpha males trying to keep with the lights I. Their lives.
Every story in this series has strong, intelligent and worthy females and unique passionate alpha males trying to keep with the lights I. Their lives.
August 1, 2019
Fantastic addition to the series - I read this ended the series, so that's a bummer. Funny, violence, gore, Twue Wove....all the great ingredients.
October 16, 2020
Dark cure
What a great ode to women's abilities under duress. Giselle is a healer second to none and proved her worth to a bunch of narrow minded Chameles.
What a great ode to women's abilities under duress. Giselle is a healer second to none and proved her worth to a bunch of narrow minded Chameles.
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