Warrior Prince

The Drift Lords #1

by Nancy J. Cohen

Meet the Drift Lords, galactic warriors sent to Earth to seal a dimensional rift opened by an ancient enemy. To defeat the evil beings, they must join forces with a special group of Earth women, whose legendary powers are just awakening.

When mythologist Nira Larsen accepts a job as tour guide for a mysterious stranger, she's drawn into a nightmare reality where ancient myths come alive and legendary evils seek to destroy her. She must awaken her dormant powers to survive, but the only person who can help is the man whose touch ignites her passion.

After a dimensional rift in the Bermuda Triangle cracks open and an ancient enemy invades Earth, Zohar—leader of the Drift Lords—gathers his troops to defend the planet. He doesn't count on a feisty redhead getting in his way and capturing his heart. Nira has the power to defeat the enemy but also to enslave Zohar’s soul. Can he trust her not to betray him?

“Nancy Cohen’s Drift Lord series is terrific. The world building as she meshes contemporary times with other planets and mythology is outstanding.” Traci Hall, author of the Scottish Shire Mysteries and By the Sea romance series.

“The author weaves scifi and ancient Norse mythology in this sexy tale of danger and love.” Alyssa Maxwell, author of the Gilded Newport Mysteries and A Lady and Lady’s Maid mystery series

“I'm a huge fan of Nancy Cohen’s Bad Hair Day Mysteries and was thrilled to discover her latest book, a terrific mix of science fiction, mystery, and sizzling romance.” Mary Kennedy, author of the Talk Radio Mysteries

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2020

About the author

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and the RONE Award, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Her nonfiction titles, Writing the Cozy Mystery and A Bad Hair Day Cookbook, have won the FAPA President’s Book Award, the Royal Palm Literary Award, and IAN Book of the Year. Nancy’s imaginative romances have proven popular with fans as well. These books have won the HOLT Medallion and Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews. Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. When not busy writing, she enjoys reading, fine dining, cruising, and visiting Disney World. Visit her at NancyJCohen.com

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen is back with another sci-fi/romance series and it’s every bit as good as her Light-Years series. It has everything: suspense, mystery, danger, excitement, non-stop action, romance, humor . . . but mostly it’s just lots and lots of fun. Cohen has a knack for creating characters that draw you in, keep you engrossed, make you want to follow their journey and see where it leads. But who aren’t always very likeable at the start. They can be prickly and difficult and downright exasperating. And irresistible. Nira and Zohar are two such characters. They are dedicated, brave, strong, but also stubborn, selfish, reckless, sneaky, and always bickering. When they aren’t almost unable to speak because they are overcome with lust! The aliens and situations are both over the top yet totally believable. And after a while Nira and Zohar are just a guy and a gal – with a steaming hot attraction, of course – instead of an Earthwoman and a galactic Drift Lord Warrior Prince with a mission to save the planet.

Such a delightful blend of history, mythology and serious studies with confounded humans and invasion by beings from other planets, all taking place at the beginning at a Florida theme park. At times I felt as if I had dropped into Guardians of the Galaxy or Galaxy Quest, or had maybe gone through the Stargate, and I was hooked anyway once Cohen compared Zohar to Captain Kirk on the original Star Trek show.

There is a bit more humor in these science fiction romances than author Cohen injects in her Bad Hair Day Mysteries (but read them, too; they are marvelous). Just when you start taking it a little too seriously, Nira thinks something like “She couldn’t worry about that now. First she had to get away from these guys.” or “If kidnappers competed for looks, he could win a spot in GQ Magazine.” The transition from scientific and serious to contemporary and funny is seamless. I bit my nails at the suspense and also laughed out loud.

What makes these books must-reads is that they always start out totally unreal and then just become normal stories that have you hooked. Guys show up, a building disappears, the visitors are in odd dress, with bizarre weapons and strange names. It all seems really out there at the beginning; you think how on earth (yes earth or anywhere ha ha) could she be taken in by this and think any part of it was normal? But even though there is danger you just roll along until you’re like, yeah, of course she hooked up with a guy named Zohar who kept insisting she had to go up in space with him. I would. At first you think – different species? – no way would I go for that. But she includes enough steamy attraction and bland interaction between them that pretty soon they are just Nira and Zohar, MFEO (made for each other). I don’t know how Cohen does it, but it is a real talent and makes for some fantastic books.

Warrior Prince is an adventure you don’t want to miss. The word building and character development are spectacular and the combination of strange scenarios with very real ancient Norse mythology is captivating. I received a copy of Warrior Prince from the author in exchange for an honest review. It is my pleasure to recommend this book, this series, and anything else Nancy J. Cohen has written without hesitation. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. All opinions are my own.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure. Nira just wants a job and to finish school. All that flies out the window when the person interviewing her tries to kidnap her. Zohar and the other Drift Lords come to the rescue. Who are these guys? Nira has been searching for clues about her birth parents, but Zohar gives her more clues. Zohar has trust issues and isn't sure he can trust this human. Not when he knows she isn't telling him everything. Will she discover her true heritage?

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people know award winning author Nancy J. Cohen due to her Bad Hair Day mystery series, which currently has its tenth book published. However, I first read Cohen a few years ago when I reviewed her intergalactic story Silver Seranade. Now, she is busy writing more sci-fi romance, with her touch of comedy included, and I've just recently read Warrior Prince (#1 in her new Drift Lord series) that came out this past Fall.

As always, her female characters are superb role models for women on how to be not a bit afraid of following your heart and taking a thrill ride of action and adventure. Fairly stubborn, these women know not only how to make the strongest man's heart weak, they also know how their stubborness and sheer will can always save that man and the day. I just love strong women like that who are more than a man's equal and valued for their advice and courage! Her protagonist, Nira, fits this evaluation with fiery attitude.

When I first started reading the book, I was a little worried about if I'd like the story or the structure of it. Cohen's comedy can catch you a bit off guard if you aren't fully ready and her romance always starts extra early, almost like love at first sight syndrome. However, once I got past the first two chapter and the book really started into the action, drama, and plot, I really couldn't put it down even if I thought I should. She really keeps the action moving, and with a time travel component to the book, morphing a mile every minute (and in a unique style I might add). It was pure fun and entertainment with some heated passion involved along the way.

Nancy's humor hit my geeky funny bone. She nabbed lines and inferences from Battlestar Galactica, Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Stargate, and Star Wars to name a few. They made me laugh along the way and I felt connected, probably due to my love of those shows and movies myself. I admired how she put her own twist on some of it to fit it into the story.

Also, she combined Norse God legends and mythology into her intergalactic writing. Of course, this means we're presented with Thor and his brother, Loki, which really fits smoothly into a sci-fi story for you if you're a Stargate SG-1 fan (I am). In legend, Thor supposedly is tasked with protecting humankind, so it is fitting when you read the story that Zohar, the Drift Lord king, fights to save Earth as well as other outer realms from invading space aliens. I think Cohen did a smooth job of mixing together the legend and sci-fi themes. It was the best part of the book in my opinion. The Norse God legend is one of my favorites though, so I might be partial, but I liked what she did with it. The other favorite part of my book involved dancing with elves. But I don't want to spoil your fun by givng away all the nutty details here.

Her insight on her character Nira was detailed and believable, as well as memorable, and the surrounding cast of characters were also vibrant enough to be admired, hated, and interesting. I can't wait to follow them further.

If you're looking for a light romance, with a few lustful scenes, but more on the action and adventure side then this might fit that criteria for you. I liked the sci-fi action and enjoyed their emotional romance evolving as the story brewed. It might just be their destiny to be to be together....what Nira finds out is very important to them both and when they find out they need each other more than for just pure partnership, it becomes very interesting. I can't wait to see where this story heads as their quest hasn't ended yet. So many questions still to be answered.

So because I'm left wondering, it's great to know that Warrior Rogue (#2 in the Drift Lord series) is out now in Kindle format with paperback coming in April!!

For a funny bone tingling non-stop action and adventure sci-fit thriller with a swirl of romance, Nancy J. Cohen's Drift Lords series is one you won't want to pass up. I encourage you to try Warrior Prince today if you are a reader of sci-fi romance. Cohen's writing is very entertaining.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Drift Lords series by Nancy J. Cohen. The book opens up with Nira Larsen heading to the employment office of an amusement park just for adults called Drift World. At this amusement park, you can role play any job you could possibly want. Nira is applying for a job as a cosmetician. But things start getting freaky when the woman holding the interview, Algie, can't get Nira to fall under her mind control spell and starts to take her hostage. Just as Nira is panicking, a group of warriors break in and scare off Algie and her goons. Then the building where she had the interview simply vanishes. All Nira was looking for was a summer job to help finance her investigation into who her birth parents are and why they left her with a watch with Rune type writing on it that no one could read. Now she is playing tour guide to a group of intergalactic warriors and wondering how she ended up caught in the middle.

Zohar is the leader of the Drift Lords, a group of Warriors dedicated to keeping the dimensional rifts that open naturally on Earth from being manipulated by the Trollecks. Trollecks are creatures who were displaced from their dimension by humans and are not happy about it. This time, the Trollecks have managed to get some kind of device that lets them manipulate the dimensional rifts and they are using them to not only gain mind slaves, but to try and bring down the Drift Lords. As the crown prince of the Star Empire and leader of the last group of Drift Lords, it is his job to find the device, close the rifts and stop the Trollecks.

There was a lot going on with this book. Between the dimensional rifts and spatial shifting, Phase rifles and dythium charges, Asgard and Ragnorok, if you don't stay on the top of your game and pay attention, you just might get lost. Luckily between the research that I have personally done on Norse Mythology as well as my love of Science Fiction, I was able to mostly keep up. But there were times that I would have to go back and reread sections just to make sure that I kept things straight. I did really like the mixture of two such divergent topics and how the author made them work, but it is a lot to keep up with. I felt that the story wasn't as tight and there were some holes here and there because so much time was spent on combining the scifi and mythology aspects into a believable story.

I am giving this book 3 stars on Goodreads. It was a good first book, we got introduced to the world, have the basic premise in place and are now track for the next book in the series. My hope is the next book doesn't recover all the same ground. It eats up a lot of pages explaining it and takes away from moving the plot forward.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warrior Prince
By Nancy J. Cohen
Copyright: September 2012
Publisher : The Wild Rose Press

When mythologist and Florida resident Nira Larsen accepts a job as tour guide for a mysterious stranger, she's drawn into a nightmare reality where ancient myths come alive and legendary evils seek to destroy her. To survive, she must awaken her dormant powers, but the only person who can help is the man whose touch inflames her passion.

After a dimensional rift in the Bermuda Triangle cracks open and an ancient enemy invades Earth, Zohar—leader of the galactic warriors known as the Drift Lords—summons his troops. He doesn't count on a redheaded spitfire getting in his way and capturing his heart.
Nira has the power to defeat the enemy and to enslave Zohar's soul. Can he trust her enough to accomplish his mission, or will she lure him to his doom?

My Review
This is the first in a new series by the author. It is a Sci/Fi Romance series and totally enjoyable. It features Nira Larsen a Grad Student who specializes in Mythology. Nira is taking a year off from school to earn money for school. After a few bad interviews, Nira Larsen hopes that this next one will go well. She enters the offices of Drift World, a new adult role playing park.
The first thing she notices about the office is how shabby it is. Considering how well done Drift World’s park is, she is a bit apprehensive about her interview. After waiting a few minutes she is introduced to Algie Morar and escorted into a back area for her interview. At that point Nira begins to feel like Alice after she fell down the rabbit hole. A person is brought into the interview room and she is asked to “make him appear more human”. ??????? Say WHAT?
She attempts to leave saying she’s changed her mind and heads for the door. While she is attempting her escape at this point the door blows open and a group of masked hotties enter the room and the battle begins.
If you grew (like I did) watching Flash Gordon on television you will absolutely love this book. The sense of action and adventure and the feeling that you truly have fallen down the rabbit hole will keep you enthralled until the very end.
FTC FULL DISCLOSURE: I received this book from the author who only expects a fair and impartial review.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

“Warrior Prince” by Nancy J. Cohen is the beginning of the ‘Drift Lords’ series and features Nira Larsen, an unemployed female who becomes ensnared in a struggle between beings whom she never realized existed. A rescue by a being named Zohar Thorald introduces her to the concept of interdimensional travel and a protective force known as the Drift Lords who are struggling to keep a race of Trolleks from invading Earth and enslaving its inhabitants. Nira is attracted to Zohar and believes the feeling is mutual but he has responsibilities that make him unwilling to deepen their relationship. She inadvertently becomes more central to their struggle and may end up being one of the six key women needed for a special ritual...if she can remain alive that long.

This science fiction romance is an interesting combination of imaginative concepts but it alludes to a bewildering number of conflicts and has a few too many coincidences and cliched outcomes for my tastes. The constant shift between science fiction and mythology becomes confusing as the main characters alternate between using typical motor vehicles or space shuttles that can become invisible and magic shoes that can transport one wherever one wants but aren’t necessarily used when needed. The special qualities that allow Nira to alter her circumstances seem to be erratically utilized and the lack of oversight displayed by Zohar with regard to the attacks upon himself and the administration of his home planet seem to conflict with the premise of him as an adept and capable leader. The attraction between the two main characters is also a little too contrived and difficult to believe as the sensual encounters alternate with suspicion about each other’s motives or commitment to establishing a relationship. There is a framework in place for a continuation of the series and perhaps subsequent tales will clear up some of the conflicts and confusion.

A copy of this title was provided to me in return for an honest review

[Patty Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nira Larsen inverviews for a job. She's not looking to save Earth, she just needs the money so that can continue her mythology education, keep a roof over her head and food on the table. During her interview she falls through a dimensional crack, where evil beings are unleased. Through powers she didn't know she had she escapes--right into a group of mysterious men. One man in particular, Zohar, sparks a passion she's never known.

She learns that Zohar and his men are galactic warriors--Drift Lords. They've come from another world to repair the Earth rift before the evil ones gain enough power to wreak havoc on the Universe.

Nira is requited to guide Captain Zohar's warriors through our modern world, so different from their own. Falling in love was not part of the plan.

This futuristic story is populated with fascinating characters, unending adventure and subtle humor. I recommend this lively read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful surprise this book was! I read a lot of paranormal, but I don't normally read books with beings from another planet. I did really enjoy this book and can't wait for the others in this series! I was excited to see that Ms. Cohen is going to do Paz's book next. She just can't leave him like that! The action was fast moving and the characters were ... in a word... wonderful! I loved that the conflict wasn't the same old, same old and the characters were able to resolve their issues in a timely manner, instead of the same problem/situation a constant grind on my nerves. Do yourself a favor and get started on this series at the beginning!

[Janice Sklar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful start to a great new series. I have enjoyed Nancy Cohen's Bad Hair Day Myseries and although I normally do not read sci fi, once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. It is a real page turner. A wonderful mix of exciting adventure, mystery and romance with science fiction and mythology. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab new futuristic series!

An ordinary tour guide job turns into an almost Wizard of Oz-like adventure for Nira Larson when she lands in the middle of an insurrection – to take over Earth! Mighty Zohar catches her eye and more as they team up to battle an ancient enemy.

Cohen’s Drift Lord series weaves science fiction, fantasy, and ancient Norse mythology in a sexy tapestry of action, adventure, and love. A fun read. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First paranormal book I've read. I enjoyed the suspense, inventiveness, and tension the author creates on every page. I'll be looking for the next in this series

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this first book of tne series we are introduced to Nira Larson. Nira is looking for a new job in hopes of making more money, money that will help her continue in her education. While at an interview she ends up in another dimension and life just gets crazy from there. She soon figures out that she has powers she never knew about and sets forth in learning g how to use them. Along the way she meets a man named Zohar and attraction like no other ensues. The two team up to save earth and the longer they are together feelings between the two grow. Follow along on this exciting adventure and see what the future holds for two people who couldn't be anymore different. This was a fun read filled with an enjoyable mix of a variety of genres, romance, mystery and science fiction.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Warrior Prince, the first in a series, comes across as a combination of stories. It starts out in the science-fiction realm, with a group of men from another planet trying to rid Earth of the bad guys from a very different planet. About halfway through, the story takes a leap into the ancient tales from Norse Mythology as the characters repeat ancient quests and reacquaint themselves with the Norse Gods.

This combination has potential to work well in a story. However, readers will have a hard time following along, especially when the main ‘alien’ characters’ dialects keep switching back and forth between their home country and the current Earth setting. Nira Larson and Zohar Thorald each have redeeming qualities of inner strength and humility that readers will be able to relate to and appreciate.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review – all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a mixture and once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. There are elements of sci-fi, fantasy, mythology, paranormal, and humor wrapped up in a steamy romance. There is quite a bit going on, but it works. Zohar is the leader of the Drift Lords and is trying to save Earth and everyone else and ends up getting involved with Nira who has special powers that she never knew about. A fun, action-packed, steamy read. The next book in the series is out now and I can't wait to get to it.

[NainaBug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! It was too much going on in the book for it too end like that. If it had a better ending I would of gave it a higher rating.