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A Dark Genetic Manipulation Romance

334 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2021

94 people are currently reading
45 people want to read

About the author

Sandra R. Neeley

68 books885 followers
I write Paranormal, SciFi and Fantasy Romance. Why, you may ask? Romance, because who doesn’t love a good romance, and the lack of reality in the story lines - because, well, normal is highly overrated. I’m 55, I have two kids, one 32 and one 12 (yes, God does have a sense of humor), one grandchild, one husband, and a menagerie of animals. Literally, too damn many things that eat wandering around our property. I love to cook, and I am a voracious reader, though since I started writing I don’t get as much time to read as I once did. I am a homebody and prefer my writing/reading time to a crowd. I have had stories and fictional characters wandering around in my head for as long as I can remember. I started letting them out into the real world and surprisingly, people have loved them. I am a Self-Published Author, and I like it that way because I can decide what and when to write. I am by no means a formal, polished, properly structured individual and neither are my stories. But people seem to love the easy emotion and passion that naturally flow from them. A bit of a warning though, there are some “triggers” in them that certain people should avoid. I’m a firm believer that you cannot have light without the dark. You cannot fully embrace the joy and elation that my people eventually find if you do not bear witness to their darkest hours as well. So please be sure to read the warnings supplied with each of the synopses about my books before you buy them. I've got three series published at this time, Avaleigh's Boys - PNR, Whispers From the Bayou - Fantasy PNR, Haven - a SciFi, and three more in process. I’m a bit sarcastic, scathing actually, and a smartass to boot, so if I offend you, it is most likely not intentional. But be prepared because it probably won’t be the last time. I’m always glad to hear from readers; those who have followed me from the beginning, and those who have just found my people. So feel free to look me up and say hello, or just follow along; either way, I’m glad to have you.

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5 stars
287 (68%)
4 stars
92 (22%)
3 stars
33 (7%)
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5 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️.
2,982 reviews2,687 followers
March 10, 2024
Sin and Celia!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💚💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌎
Character development: 😔😅😂🤣

The Hero: Sin - He is a Variant (part human, part animal DNA). He was former military and put into an experimental research program to create super soldiers. He was rescued and now lives at Alliance Ranch with other rescued Variants and females that were used as rewards while in captivity. He works as a driver and is a playboy. He loves the ladies, and they love him. He loves being a driver because he is able to hook up with local ladies when he is in town. They always know it isn’t anything more than a hook-up and he often doesn’t even get their names.

The heroine: Celia - she was recently rescued from a particularly bad site, where a geneticist was experimenting on the Variant males, but also on the females. The females were raped, abused and experimented on. Celia says the doctor was trying to make them sick. She now lives at Alliance Ranch and has some severe health problems. She has trouble breathing, her oxygen saturation rate is very low, and she has some spots on her lungs.

The Story: Celia is friends with Steel from SOT Team Alpha, he is the one that rescued her and carried her out of the facility where she was being held. He has accompanied her to all of her doctor appointments at the med center on Alliance Ranch, but when the Doctors there refer her to a pulmonary specialist in town, Steel is on a mission, so Sin drives her to her appointments.

The story was good, especially with Celia being sick due to experiments Dr. Scarborough did on her. They eventually had to go back to the Dr. for help. This was the doctor that really did some terrible torture and abuse against the Variants and the females so despite the fact that in reality, I really hate the thought of torture against anyone for any reason, I didn’t mind at all the scenes where Sin was torturing Dr. Scarborough. If anyone deserved it, it was her (and Dr. Waller, of course, since he started everything).

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Profile Image for Charlotte.
2,121 reviews80 followers
July 6, 2021
This book made me angry at the unfairness of all that's been done to these once humans. My heart broke for what Peace had to endure. I was sad for Celia and Sin because her death would take them both out. This story had me on the edge of my seat and heart clenched....just waiting! Waiting to see if she lived. Waiting to see if he had to be put down. Waiting for Two to get his information. That waiting keep me turning the pages! I couldn't put this down from beginning to end. I think this is the best one of the series and that's saying because they're all GREAT.
Profile Image for Jannie Cv.
1,082 reviews29 followers
July 6, 2021
Richly told, full of surprises!
Sin’s reputation as a one and done kind of guy isn’t exactly what I’d call a stellar draw for a mate. I am impressed by him, though, when he makes radical changes to court and care for Celia. He has competition, though. As always with this author’s books, we encounter many persons within the group, expanding on their stories, their wants, their worries, their joys. We meet newly located families, discover true mates, with all the difficulties this might entail. Fascinating reading, all the way!
Profile Image for Allie Angi.
223 reviews13 followers
September 7, 2021
By now we have been blessed with 3 books of this series- and this last one was a wonderful addition to the series. We get to know Sin- a man who knows what he wants - and is oh so popular with the ladies. He doesn't get attached and doesn't want to. For him it is all simple straightforward hook ups, nothing more. He carries with him a great weight and hides behind all the meaningless sexual encounters because facing what is really troubling him will gut him. Then comes along Celia, who has no interest in Sin or anyone. She is also dealing with consequences to the brutal experiments they were all exposed to and soon learns she is getting more and more sick. The chemistry between them is slowly built and I was instantly captivated by the surrounding characters' storylines. One thing I enjoy about the series is that while we get to focus on one pair each book, we also get to know more about the other characters which have become a family unit. I loved how talented the author is in creating layers upon layers without losing our interest and focus on the main pair. I hope we get to read more about these wonderful characters soon!
Profile Image for SC.
810 reviews27 followers
August 4, 2021
Ok, ok,, not too shabby

I mean it's like a 3.5 but I gave it 4 stars anyways. I liked Celia and Sin. I liked their relationship. I thought it was great that the author made the decision to point out Sin's selfishness and made it part of his personality, as opposed to it being blatant and not addressed at all. The scenes with the doctor ? Holy cow, Vicious is right. As per the usual, POVs of side characters left and right. Working a couple of story lines into this one along the way. Can't wait for Steel, and of course, Two.

I think so far this one is a bit less cringe than the other ones. We get her trademark over use of "ya'll" which you can find in basically all her books. I am forever torn, since I like the premise of the plots, parts of the execution, but have yet to love a book of hers and call it well written. Am I going to stick it out with this series? Yup, along with anything else she writes lol
Profile Image for Nancy Reads Romance.
1,106 reviews35 followers
July 6, 2021
Just wow! This story was a rollercoaster from the very beginning. Sin turns out to be so much more than I thought he would be when we first introduced to him in book 3! Celia is struggling with a mysterious ailment after being held captive and experimented on. She has two Variant males interested in her, Sin and Steel. This book has more than just the romance between Sin and Celia. Be ready for that! And there’s a heavy family theme. I would classify this story as slow burn. Neeley will keep you guessing until the end. This book is fantastic and you definitely don’t want to miss it! 5 stars!!!
Profile Image for Mary.
520 reviews46 followers
May 16, 2022
There’s no villain; no conflict. Ugh, I need the characters to overcome more than just their personal issues. The story was good and is well written, and I even like all the characters, but I need more. Also not a big fan of how the story focuses on multiple peoples stories. The main story was our two main characters, but we also had two others meet their fated mates and a bunch of other peoples stories evolved too. Overall the main characters didn’t go through all that much. It’s a lot of filler. Good filler, but still filler.

The likability of all the characters is all that keeps me going with this series.
Profile Image for LuDena .
2,415 reviews4 followers
August 22, 2021
Wow

I don't know if this is Sandra Heels yes way of dealing with the pandemic and its chaos but the variant series is pure torture. Her story telling has entered the next stratosphere. I laughed I've cried I've been pissed but I couldn't put the book down. Now I am anxiously awaiting the next book and see out Two and Steel's lives play out. I am so worried for Josie and Steel I just hope she continues to believe in HEA for her couples.
20 reviews
April 22, 2024
Another excellent book

I’m truly enjoying the stories, I’ll aspects of the story or well done, world building, characters, romance, adventure.

These stories are truly worth your time and money and I’m getting mine and Kindle unlimited which makes it even better. There are several stories out now and so you can indulge a little, which I think enhances a series when you can read one book after another and I can’t wait for the next one.
Take Care & Be Safe
Profile Image for Cherylbestlife.
477 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2021
This was good!

This was so good! I really enjoyed the layers in this book. I loved Celia and Sin and Steel’s story. I also loved getting more of Lethal, Nina and the rest of the team. I love their strong bond. There were a few potential new relationships. I look forward to Two’s story I have liked him since the first book.
Profile Image for Kristen.
31 reviews
July 15, 2021
GREAT STORY! I WANT MORE!

These Variant males are fascinating and when they find their mates they can be unpredictable, scared, beyond human and they love like no other. Sins story was beautiful, sometimes a beautiful disaster, but I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to read the next one. This series is easily becoming a favorite of mine.
Profile Image for Corren Evans.
20 reviews
July 20, 2021
Another cautionary read for some but couldn’t stop reading!

The continuous story of the Variant is focused on not 1, but 2 main Soldiers. However, so much is revealed in other characters’ lives. Moral questions are explored further in this Story, begging the questions, “What would you do?” Can’t wait for #4!
496 reviews
May 16, 2022
Better and better!

Oh my damn! This series just gets better and better the characters the storyline and how they come together, you will find it hard to put it down you will also find it a bit emotional with all the feels, from passion to pain to love and vengeance… so worth the read!!
Profile Image for Kerry Pruett.
630 reviews10 followers
July 5, 2021
This is the best series I have ready this year. I think that the next book can't get any better and it does. There is nothing like reading about an alpha male that is a ladies man, and finds his mate. Awesome Read!
Profile Image for Tina.
725 reviews6 followers
Read
July 7, 2021
Sin

Oh my I just loved Sin and Celia. They were a great couple. The overall story line remains awesome and intriguing. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I would highly recommend this book and this series.
Profile Image for Tanya Thomas.
4 reviews
August 3, 2021
Surprisingly heartfelt romance, but not.

Variant series isn’t something that I would have read. The cover caught me and the characters had my emotions all over the place. Great storyline. Can’t wait for the next book; there will be another one , right?
Profile Image for SirLadyLott.
30 reviews
March 19, 2024
A round of applause

This series has me in a choke hold. This book, Sin's, has got to be my favorite so far. So much happened in this one and the epilogue, chefs kiss. I'm diving into the next one!
Profile Image for TIERN.
521 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2024
💥🎸This rocks , cannot get enough.

Sin is a bad ass through and through but he has a heart bigger than Texas. His trial and tribulation with Delia made him an exceptional male.
I truly enjoy everyone story , it’s so refreshing .this series turnout to be banging💯🎸💥💥
23 reviews
July 9, 2021
Gets better

This series keeps getting better as it progresses. Looking forward to the next one in the series. Bravo my dear.
187 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2021
Sandra has done it again. Sin's story is so touching. I almost cried. And to see families coming together. Incredible. I can not wait for the next book. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Melissa.
90 reviews
July 17, 2021
I am really enjoying this series. I can’t wait for the next installment. I hope it’s going to be Two story.
Profile Image for Michelle.
693 reviews2 followers
August 3, 2021
Fantastic

Oh my word these books just keep getting better and better. Loved Sin and Celia's story. My heart broke for them. I'm so glad they got their HEA.
305 reviews
August 9, 2021
Great Book

I really enjoyed the Variant books and all the other books by MS. Neely. Looking forward to any books by this author.
9 reviews
August 23, 2021
Hopeful

Great book can’t wait for the next one hopefully it’s coming out soon have read all her books so far but I love these want more
39 reviews
October 10, 2021
Tears everywhere.

I really enjoy all your books. Even though I cry a lot for made up characters ( for both the good and the bad). this should be a tv series.
3 reviews
April 17, 2022
I enjoyed the books.

I really enjoyed a number of your books,
but the cliff hanger ending for the variant series is extremely frustrating. Please post a eta for more in the series.
1,196 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2023
good book

I really enjoyed the storyline of this book and the characters. Celia was a strong female character that just wasn’t taking it. Good writer
Profile Image for Angela.
3,548 reviews16 followers
September 26, 2023
I really have enjoyed jumping into this world of Variants. Their struggle for survival against those who made them less than human has created a place where they become more than human. Sin's past using his easy charm has made him an irritant to those who only see the surface of his hurts. But finding Celia, whose own hurts are so physical, brings out the man he really is.
standout characters: Peace. His reasons for calling himself that make absolute sense
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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