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Not Another Hero
When porn stars make sexy movies in space, no matter what happens, don’t fall in love!
To help finance expensive voyages, space exploration has become a scripted, triple X soap opera. Trips are fully automated, controlled from Earth. The crew are not scientists but porn stars called Heroes. It's fun and lucrative, until someone tampers with the script.
Meanwhile, the playboy captain, Stirling Kane, who lives only for filmed hook-ups to bring in the royalties, finds himself falling in love with a new crew member who might not be a real porn star Hero, but an imposter. Worse, he might be an actual scientist!
Includes: Romance among the stars, assless chaps, frozen burritos, serious love, very little science and an HEA.
To help finance expensive voyages, space exploration has become a scripted, triple X soap opera. Trips are fully automated, controlled from Earth. The crew are not scientists but porn stars called Heroes. It's fun and lucrative, until someone tampers with the script.
Meanwhile, the playboy captain, Stirling Kane, who lives only for filmed hook-ups to bring in the royalties, finds himself falling in love with a new crew member who might not be a real porn star Hero, but an imposter. Worse, he might be an actual scientist!
Includes: Romance among the stars, assless chaps, frozen burritos, serious love, very little science and an HEA.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2019
6 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Rathbone
149 books351 followersWendy Rathbone has had dozens of stories published in anthologies such as: Hot Blood, Writers of the Future (second place,) Bending the Landscape, Mutation Nation, A Darke Phantastique, and more. The book "Dreams of Decadence Presents: Wendy Rathbone and Tippi Blevins" contains a large collection of her vampire stories and poems. Over 500 of her poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines. She won first place in the Anamnesis Press poetry chapbook contest with her book "Scrying the River Styx." Her poems have been nominated for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling award at least a dozen times.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 3, 2019
A sex ship.
Have you ever imagined a future when humans don't go into space to explore,but use spaceships for filming porn? You didn't? Well,neither have I. But Wendy Rathbone did. Intriguing concept, right?
But once you looked over the interesting choice of location, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 is basically the story of Sterling,a man afraid to get hurt again,scared to fall in love and be left heartbroken. Until Drac.
Who brings along a whole set of problems. And if I were Sterling,at the end of the book,I would have kicked Drac to the curb, or in outer space,as it were.
Ah,well.
I really liked 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨. Lot of it is erotica, but you actually get to know Sterling very well and care for his troubles.
Hot,intriguing,emotional. Pick it up and read it.
Have you ever imagined a future when humans don't go into space to explore,but use spaceships for filming porn? You didn't? Well,neither have I. But Wendy Rathbone did. Intriguing concept, right?
But once you looked over the interesting choice of location, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 is basically the story of Sterling,a man afraid to get hurt again,scared to fall in love and be left heartbroken. Until Drac.
Who brings along a whole set of problems. And if I were Sterling,at the end of the book,I would have kicked Drac to the curb, or in outer space,as it were.
Ah,well.
I really liked 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨. Lot of it is erotica, but you actually get to know Sterling very well and care for his troubles.
Hot,intriguing,emotional. Pick it up and read it.
September 30, 2019
Space Opera + Reality Show + Adult Entertainers = Fun Below Orion's Belt!😂
🌠💙✨💚💫💜🌠💙✨💚💫💜
Title: Not Another Hero
Author: Wendy Rathbone
Publisher: Eye Scrye
Release Date: 9/24/2019
Genre/ Trope(s): Gay Romance; Fantasy
Page Count: 119p.
SteaMMy Swordplay: 3 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4 out of 5✨
GoodReads AVG: 4.33🌟
MMy Thoughts and Review:
There was no way I could pass up a story about porn stars in space. I mean, c'mon! I kept hearing the intro to the Muppets skit in my head though, "Pigggggs innnnn Sppppaaaaacccceeee!" Only instead of Pigs my brain was drawing out the word, Porn. 😂😂😂😂
The characters were engaging, though I struggled twice with who was carrying the dialogue. The pacing was good and kept me flipping those pages.
This was cute, lighthearted, mysterious, romantic, and a nice escape for a couple of hours. Rathbone is/ was a new to me author, but I am looking forward to seeing what else she has on offer.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review. 💋
🌠💙✨💚💫💜🌠💙✨💚💫💜
Title: Not Another Hero
Author: Wendy Rathbone
Publisher: Eye Scrye
Release Date: 9/24/2019
Genre/ Trope(s): Gay Romance; Fantasy
Page Count: 119p.
SteaMMy Swordplay: 3 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4 out of 5✨
GoodReads AVG: 4.33🌟
MMy Thoughts and Review:
There was no way I could pass up a story about porn stars in space. I mean, c'mon! I kept hearing the intro to the Muppets skit in my head though, "Pigggggs innnnn Sppppaaaaacccceeee!" Only instead of Pigs my brain was drawing out the word, Porn. 😂😂😂😂
The characters were engaging, though I struggled twice with who was carrying the dialogue. The pacing was good and kept me flipping those pages.
This was cute, lighthearted, mysterious, romantic, and a nice escape for a couple of hours. Rathbone is/ was a new to me author, but I am looking forward to seeing what else she has on offer.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review. 💋
March 12, 2021
I’m not sure on this one. It does what it says in the blurb, so no real mystery. It’s simple, awkward and I felt a little sorry for Stirling falling in love the first time. So yeah. Porn stars in space as opposed to real scientists. Short with HEA and poetry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2019
A cynical porn actor posing as a ship captain meets an eager but naive new crew member. He wants to sleep with him out of curiosity but ends up entranced and in love. They have a falling out due to a misunderstanding, but soon patch things up, with the newbie now in charge.
It was very moving at times.
Typos: wall unit called all unit, the two started a date in the captain's cabin but in the middle and end of that scene they are in the new guy's cabin, incorrect placement of ending punctuation in h'." and O'.
The author subscribes to the annoying and incorrect belief that single quotes are treated differently than double quotes.
It was very moving at times.
Typos: wall unit called all unit, the two started a date in the captain's cabin but in the middle and end of that scene they are in the new guy's cabin, incorrect placement of ending punctuation in h'." and O'.
The author subscribes to the annoying and incorrect belief that single quotes are treated differently than double quotes.
October 16, 2019
Porn stars in space!
What if society cared so little about scientific development that the only way to get people interested and fund research was to send porn actors out into space, then record and sell all of their sexy antics, and scripted dramas? What if someone on board the ship wasn’t following the usual script? Not Another Hero is a fast and fun read, sexy and sometimes sweet, a little angst with a whole lot of heat. Space travel never looked so good.
What if society cared so little about scientific development that the only way to get people interested and fund research was to send porn actors out into space, then record and sell all of their sexy antics, and scripted dramas? What if someone on board the ship wasn’t following the usual script? Not Another Hero is a fast and fun read, sexy and sometimes sweet, a little angst with a whole lot of heat. Space travel never looked so good.
September 26, 2019
so this is def not my genre... im not huge on sci fi books but it looked kinda funny so i decided to try it. im glad i did.. still not my favorite ill admit but it made me laugh several times and was actually kinda fun to read. so im glad i did.
Read
September 30, 2019Dnf 50%
February 9, 2020
Reality science show becomes real
As the story starts, most of the presentation creates a jaded super-Hollywood-futuristic story with seemingly shallow characters, plot, setting, sex, etc.
However, as the story develops, so does the main character, and then the second main character. The plot thickens, dipping into a real, unstaged mystery.
The sexy times become more about feelings and less about body parts. The contrast between real and staged, faked and felt, control and uncontrolled leads to a delightful vindication of real over reality show - through real, deeply felt emotions in a fake, staged environment, leading to a questioning of the entire system, portrayed in the beginning as the only possibility to go forward.
Seemingly a light read, perhaps a bit cheesy, in the end there is a very real preoccupation about where the popularity/socially active/public lives culture developing in present times could lead.
As the story starts, most of the presentation creates a jaded super-Hollywood-futuristic story with seemingly shallow characters, plot, setting, sex, etc.
However, as the story develops, so does the main character, and then the second main character. The plot thickens, dipping into a real, unstaged mystery.
The sexy times become more about feelings and less about body parts. The contrast between real and staged, faked and felt, control and uncontrolled leads to a delightful vindication of real over reality show - through real, deeply felt emotions in a fake, staged environment, leading to a questioning of the entire system, portrayed in the beginning as the only possibility to go forward.
Seemingly a light read, perhaps a bit cheesy, in the end there is a very real preoccupation about where the popularity/socially active/public lives culture developing in present times could lead.
October 10, 2019
Space exploring is now an everyday occurance and it has y=turned into a reality show. Now viewers watch as actors pilot spaceships and enjoy themselves with lots of sex and drama. On this latest mission Sterling is confronted with the rumors that a true scientist has sneaked his way onto his ship. As Sterling mans his mission he is drawn to Drac but could he be the scientist that is rumoured to be on board? The two begin a heated relationship, not only do they mesh well in bed but also outside of it as well. When all the secrets are revealed what will happen to their relationship?
I was pleasantly surprised with the angst and emotions that were in this story. It was more than I expected and I enjoyed being along for the ride with Sterling and Drac. Seeing the feelings grow between the two made for a good read. It was nice to see the men find their way to each other and work towards their happiness. Each man is stronger than they think and as they support one another they find what they truly want.
I was pleasantly surprised with the angst and emotions that were in this story. It was more than I expected and I enjoyed being along for the ride with Sterling and Drac. Seeing the feelings grow between the two made for a good read. It was nice to see the men find their way to each other and work towards their happiness. Each man is stronger than they think and as they support one another they find what they truly want.
October 2, 2019
I give this book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
It was a fun, light-hearted romp through Space set in the sometime future when humans can travel between planets.
And it's a straight up (pardon the pun) porny book about space-style reality shows to the nth degree - or in this case the porn degree. The ship is manned by 'heroes' who are basically actors who have lots of sex and look pretty while the dull and boring 'scientific stuff' is done off camera. It was a way for the corporations to make money off of space exploration - think Love Island except on a space ship careening through the cosmos.
But - plot twist! - there may be a _real_ scientist on board masquerading as a hero.
This book was pure porny fluff and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A modern day Harlequin mashed with a cod-piece ripper and a touch of original Star Trek or 'Pigs in Space'... you remember that show from the muppets, don't you?
**Copy provided by Lescourt Author Services for an honest and unbiased review**
It was a fun, light-hearted romp through Space set in the sometime future when humans can travel between planets.
And it's a straight up (pardon the pun) porny book about space-style reality shows to the nth degree - or in this case the porn degree. The ship is manned by 'heroes' who are basically actors who have lots of sex and look pretty while the dull and boring 'scientific stuff' is done off camera. It was a way for the corporations to make money off of space exploration - think Love Island except on a space ship careening through the cosmos.
But - plot twist! - there may be a _real_ scientist on board masquerading as a hero.
This book was pure porny fluff and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A modern day Harlequin mashed with a cod-piece ripper and a touch of original Star Trek or 'Pigs in Space'... you remember that show from the muppets, don't you?
**Copy provided by Lescourt Author Services for an honest and unbiased review**
September 22, 2019
Stirling is a hero....not really, he’s just a porn star astronaut. The corporation controls most everything, including space missions. They discovered that they can get investors by beaming porn from space. The crew are basically actors with Stirling as the nominal captain. He loves his job as evidenced by his ratings.
His latest mission has him twisted in knots. One of the crew members, Drac, is not really following the “script”. Stirling wants him very badly, but Drac isn’t giving him a chance. When Drac is finally convinced to spend time with Sterling they both get much more than just sex in space.
The book started out a little slow but when I finally got into it I enjoyed it. The idea of sex in space for profit was a little strange. It seemed like the book was shorter than it actually was. I got through it very quickly. Not sure I’ve read this author before but I will definitely look for more of her books.
I received an arc of this book.
His latest mission has him twisted in knots. One of the crew members, Drac, is not really following the “script”. Stirling wants him very badly, but Drac isn’t giving him a chance. When Drac is finally convinced to spend time with Sterling they both get much more than just sex in space.
The book started out a little slow but when I finally got into it I enjoyed it. The idea of sex in space for profit was a little strange. It seemed like the book was shorter than it actually was. I got through it very quickly. Not sure I’ve read this author before but I will definitely look for more of her books.
I received an arc of this book.
September 27, 2019
I absolutely enjoyed reading this light-hearted space romp, the plot is entertaining & caught my attention from the first chapter. The characters are quite interesting with their unusual antics and/or shenanigans they get up to.
It is about: a playboy space captain (Stirling) discovers to his dismay that he has fallen a new Hero crew member (Drav) who is not what he seems to be.
There is: some twists, drama, humor, mystery, secrets, rumors, attraction, longings, challenges, suspicions, confrontations, some conflict, prejudice, compromises, steamy scenes & strangely enough there is love with a happy ending.
It is about: a playboy space captain (Stirling) discovers to his dismay that he has fallen a new Hero crew member (Drav) who is not what he seems to be.
There is: some twists, drama, humor, mystery, secrets, rumors, attraction, longings, challenges, suspicions, confrontations, some conflict, prejudice, compromises, steamy scenes & strangely enough there is love with a happy ending.
September 29, 2019
The concept of porn stars in space was too fun to resist. The plot illuminated two points though.
Stirling’s been a Hero for 25 years, but after all of that time, this is the first time he falls in love and has to figure out a relationship. Seeing him trying to figure out a different dynamic was lovely.
More interestingly, the conflict of porn in space as a funding mechanism for science, but there not actually being scientists in space is intriguing. I thought it was exciting to see that science ended up being sexy in its own right.
I hope there is more in the series, especially if the author continues to explore the science versus sex as a subplot!
Stirling’s been a Hero for 25 years, but after all of that time, this is the first time he falls in love and has to figure out a relationship. Seeing him trying to figure out a different dynamic was lovely.
More interestingly, the conflict of porn in space as a funding mechanism for science, but there not actually being scientists in space is intriguing. I thought it was exciting to see that science ended up being sexy in its own right.
I hope there is more in the series, especially if the author continues to explore the science versus sex as a subplot!
September 27, 2019
Concept intriguing but somewhat one-note😕
🚀The concept - actors selling investment in space travel through producing steamy feeds of their activities in space - was intriguing. I just found the actual story meh, something to keep reading to see if there was better material further on. Not really. It seemed a bit one-note except for an action scene on the captain's deck. Some steamy parts and rampant prejudice against .. scientists?! 😕
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
🚀The concept - actors selling investment in space travel through producing steamy feeds of their activities in space - was intriguing. I just found the actual story meh, something to keep reading to see if there was better material further on. Not really. It seemed a bit one-note except for an action scene on the captain's deck. Some steamy parts and rampant prejudice against .. scientists?! 😕
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 29, 2019
Not My Cup of Tea
I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and I love m\m romance, but this book just doesn't do it for me. And you would think porn stars in space would be drool worthy but most of the book is stale, and boring all they keep talking about is scripts and ratings, which doesn't make sense if they are being video taped constantly, and being watched by the public.
It does have some decent naughty bits, but it didn't really peak my interests until the fight scene on the bridge and by then there were only two chapters left.
I'm a huge sci-fi fan, and I love m\m romance, but this book just doesn't do it for me. And you would think porn stars in space would be drool worthy but most of the book is stale, and boring all they keep talking about is scripts and ratings, which doesn't make sense if they are being video taped constantly, and being watched by the public.
It does have some decent naughty bits, but it didn't really peak my interests until the fight scene on the bridge and by then there were only two chapters left.
September 28, 2019
Interesting and the perfect length for a quick read
I don’t usually read fantasy/sci-fi, but the blurb of this story sounded interesting. Had it been longer, I don’t know that I could have stuck with it, but at this length it was great. Funny, hot, interesting, and thought-provoking. Hopefully science, real scientific research, will always be valued beyond just “ratings,” though you don’t need a fictional fantasy future to see where our society is already impacted in that way.
I don’t usually read fantasy/sci-fi, but the blurb of this story sounded interesting. Had it been longer, I don’t know that I could have stuck with it, but at this length it was great. Funny, hot, interesting, and thought-provoking. Hopefully science, real scientific research, will always be valued beyond just “ratings,” though you don’t need a fictional fantasy future to see where our society is already impacted in that way.
October 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this story, with it's theme of sex being used as a vehicle to fund space exploration. Except that no new discoveries actually result, and it just becomes porn in space. Kind of a little catch-22: science isn't sexy, so they spice it up with space porn to get money to fund a space program that doesn't really produce any new discoveries. I loved the play on Heroes versus heroes, and in the end who says science can't be sexy. After all, love is more than just a biochemical reaction.
I received a complimentary ARC and have voluntarily left this honest review.
I received a complimentary ARC and have voluntarily left this honest review.
September 26, 2019
Fun, sweet short story
This was a great book. Perfect space/soap opera combo.
It was fun at times, more thoughtful at others.
The relationship between Drac and Stirling is different than what you might expect, and it's great.
They were both very good for very different reasons.
It surprised me at times, made me smile and wonder what was next.
It was a great book, really enjoyed it
This was a great book. Perfect space/soap opera combo.
It was fun at times, more thoughtful at others.
The relationship between Drac and Stirling is different than what you might expect, and it's great.
They were both very good for very different reasons.
It surprised me at times, made me smile and wonder what was next.
It was a great book, really enjoyed it
September 28, 2019
This is a fun, hot steamy one to read, Porn stars in space!! Brilliant.
I found this to be sweet, fun and sexy with some more intense moments just like the soap opera-esque drama the actors within the book are supposed to be performing, the relationship between Drac and Stirling was deeper than expected which makes this a series I would like to read more of.
Overall verdict is read this you will have fun.
I found this to be sweet, fun and sexy with some more intense moments just like the soap opera-esque drama the actors within the book are supposed to be performing, the relationship between Drac and Stirling was deeper than expected which makes this a series I would like to read more of.
Overall verdict is read this you will have fun.
September 23, 2019
Not Another Hero by Wendy Rathbone is a standalone sci-fi/fantasy m/m romance with Porn stars in space.... yes, I said Porn Stars in Space! This is a fun, entertaining read that grabs your attention and keeps it with steam, humor and love. I havent read a book about porn stars in space before but now I want to read more of them
September 26, 2019
This is interesting and I enjoyed it but it’s not really a book I feel I can talk about. I still don’t get why being a scientist is such a bad thing but I guess to each their own. I hated that it felt like they all had to be completely fake but I guess that was the fact they were basically doing a live porn shown the whole time.
I received an ARC of this book and am giving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am giving an honest review.
September 29, 2019
This got me thinking.
What I loved most about this is the not so hidden lesson. It all depends on how deep you go. Even if you don’t dig in it’s still a delightful read. I also like that we didn’t see what happens when they get back to Earth. Makes sense since we still faint know the real life outcome.
What I loved most about this is the not so hidden lesson. It all depends on how deep you go. Even if you don’t dig in it’s still a delightful read. I also like that we didn’t see what happens when they get back to Earth. Makes sense since we still faint know the real life outcome.
October 1, 2019
This was really different than what I usually read. To me, it was like a reality show set in space lol. It was light hearted with interesting characters. The book was well written and flowed well, but just not my usual kind of book.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 28, 2019
This is definitely an interesting reading. Porn stars in space isn't something I have read before. This is a fun and entertaining read. I like the characters and the storyline is different that I like.
September 30, 2019
This was a fun story about a semi scripted soap opera/porn filmed on a spaceship.
Experienced actor and the ships captain Sterling falls for newbie Drac.
Theirs is an interesting and entertaining story with a bit of drama.
Experienced actor and the ships captain Sterling falls for newbie Drac.
Theirs is an interesting and entertaining story with a bit of drama.
October 1, 2019
I read this book because the premise was intriguing to me and I truly enjoy sci-fi.
It was an interesting read, but I felt it fell flat and was rushed.
There was a great story to be revealed but it was never properly explored.
It was an interesting read, but I felt it fell flat and was rushed.
There was a great story to be revealed but it was never properly explored.
October 7, 2019
Was a good book. Different elements, finding out how things in relationships..... almost spoiled it. All in all, this book got good flow and hotness. I thought it was good, but you pick it up and see.
September 25, 2019
I was all excited to read this one. Porn in space?!?! Heck yeah!!! This book had promise but was actually a bit dull. The characters were written well but the whole story just didn’t work for me.
October 1, 2019
Enjoyable feel-good bi romance as Reality TV, Porn, and SciFi fight for the future of space travel. Fun to read before bed for a smile on your face at lights out.
October 1, 2019
What’s more fun than porn stars in space? Nothing! This story is so funny and cute. Drac and Stirling are great together. The other characters are wonderful too. I hope there will be more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews