Marked by Kane

Soulmates #1

by H.J. Perry

A monster of a man rescued me from a bleak, harrowing situation. He says I’m his missing slave and now he wants to keep me.

His personal slave. KWIM?
And he doesn’t just expect me to service his massive ego
He wants me to love him in the same way that he loves me.
And live with him in a world where clothing is entirely optional.
It sounds crazy to admit I feel I found my soulmate. My home. Where I belong.
I have little to lose. No parents, no job, no place in college.

And as for the bullies who’ve taunted me through high school, they are gonna think twice about what they’ve done if they ever see me with HIM.

But am I ready to sacrifice everything I know to live so far away that it is out of this world?

Time races on, and I have to decide.

This steamy new adult, low-angst romance is a rewriting of a fantasy book entitled Hunter, first published in 2017.

Can be read as a standalone.
No cheating.
A happy ever after guaranteed.
44,000 words.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance, M M Romance, LGBT, Smut, Contemporary, Ebooks

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2021

About the author

Approaching my mid-50s, and I'm not sure if which will get there first: my age or my stomach circumference.
I live in England.

I'm an avid wide-ranging reader. Mostly reads:
* YA
* SF
* M/M romance.
* Books with LGBT themes and characters.

Latest book ~ is a Poddlington Village Romance ~ published 2021.

Reviews

[peach]

DNF @ 59% There are some interesting story ideas in this book but the writing isn't doing them any favors. Too bored and uninterested in these characters to keep reading.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. The romance between was very cute and soulmaty, loved it. Pip always felt incomplete and the moment he met Kane he knew what was missing. Kane had been waiting for him for so long, that man was loyal and waited for his true love to return. I just wish the world building would have been better, there was almost nothing about it, it was weird

[Audi♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was thinking this was going to be an alieny in space romance...my bad.. They were just in a forest dimension, IG? idk. It was cute but pretty boring. Nothing really happened.

Kane rescues Pip after bullies tie him to a tree... For some reason, Kane feels like home to Pip... Like he's met him before 🤭

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/1/2022)! 🎁

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad that there was no science fiction in this book

I think that the blurb and series title are inaccurate and a bit misleading. The first ‘Sci-fi’ element to this book happened somewhere around 60% of the way in, and it’s merely a comment that Kane makes about intergalactic commerce. We don’t actually have any science fiction seen or experienced in this book. For most of it, we are told that the mists on the woods are magic. Then, even after Pip is convinced that the mists represent a space-time rift, we saw nothing about his life on an alien world, the technology, the people, or anything else.

[Shawn Cha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If was ok

The beginning of the book was really promising but going towards the middle and end the book just started falling apart from me. Throughout the book they talked about a danger from beyond Kane’s power and we never see or hear about it in the book. Pip is a free spirit like in his reincarnation he choose a life away from Kane. You may have the same soul but you are a different person. Kane living pip wasn’t the same as Kane loving his first time. We also never get to fully see Kane’s world besides his bedroom or from the quick things pip says.

[Trip]

55.0% "DNF - The synopsis is misleading. Involves a second chance romance and reincarnation, which rarely ever work for me. Pip is not the same person as Kanes former love, they may share a soul but Pips had a completely different life and not much memory of those events. So the fact Kanes only really interested in Pip due to their past/his soul is disappointing... I'm not interested enough to continue."

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes I read book 2 first and was obligated to read both books because I accepted from Booksprout. Don't know if I would have read both books after reading one. Pip is bullied for being himself and Kane comes to the rescue. This was way too predictable and frankly little too mushy at times. Again, there was not enough character development and not a ton of chemistry. But, you can try the read for FREE with KU and see for yourself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pip's Destiny . . .

Pip Underwood almost embarrassed himself at school when he couldn’t stop thinking of last night’s enjoyable dream. Only the graduation gown preserved his modesty from what those memories evoked. In the dream, he had been kidnapped by a monster who was actually a King who wanted only Pip in his life! Real life could never come close to this! Yet today, realizing it was finally freedom from high school, filled him with joy… and relief! Pip stared at Oli Stevens’ broad shoulders, only a few people in front of him but enough that Oli didn’t notice Pip, thankfully. He and his football buddies had made Pip’s life absolutely miserable. He must have stared too hard because Oli turned and their eyes met, then Oli came toward him spewing a verbal attack. Hopefully it wouldn’t turn physical. Instead he made painful caustic remarks about Pip’s deceased parents until a teacher ordered him back in line.

After the graduation party, Pip started walking to his friend Greg’s house to celebrate with him. Greg was recovering from an illness and didn’t get to attend graduation. Walking across the football field, he texted Greg that he was on his way – and was knocked down by something solid. Oli and his buddies stood over him. They dragged him deep into the woods where they had left a coiled rope and no one would be able to hear him. They tied him so tightly that he could not move, then took pictures as a strange mist moved in. The bullies were creeped out and left him there.

Trying to think through his dangerous situation, Pip heard a branch snap as something heavy moved toward him. Eyes flashed in the darkness – animal eyes. Several more eyes appeared as a pack of wolves approached him. They circled the tree and… SAT DOWN? The mist actually parted and the moonlight streamed in. A creature 8-feet tall walked toward him. Feelings of destiny and purpose flooded him as the familiar creature of his dreams stood on the path looking at him and the wolves rose and began to bite on the ropes. Was he hallucinating? Had he entered his dream? Then the man touched his cheeks and leaned down to kiss him, his very first kiss ever, filled with passion and love. He whispered, “Sleep,” and Pip gave in to the darkness. Was his mind playing tricks? Would he survive this night? Or had he found his destiny at last?

The bullies in this book went beyond mere bullying. Bullies are supreme cowards, compensating for their own weaknesses by harming those who can’t or won’t fight back. My heart went out to Pip for his horrible school experience. Yet Pip always kept hope and dreams and plans in his heart. You will be cheering for him all the way as he begins the journey of a lifetime. Grab your copy and see if it was worth the wait.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Soulmate Series and the first book that I have read by this author. I have to admit I decided to read this book on a whim. It is not the type of story I usually read. I am really glad that I took a chance. I loved this book. This is the story of Pip and Kane. Pip is an orphan living with his aunt and uncle. He has done nothing but overcome adversity since their death. He is bullied at school due to his small frame. He is unsure what he is going to do for his life when he graduates. Kane comes to Pip's rescue when the bullying reaches a new level of high. Kane is from another world/dimension. He has vowed to love and protect Pip forever. Pip is unsure of all these unusual things that are happening to him. But he does know that hallucination or not, he feels safe with Kane. This is their story. You will root for Pip to get the happiness he deserves. This book is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌿🍃An amazing surprise result from a scary trip to the woods!

I really loved the arc of Pip, the hero, in his transformation from a scared, bullied, orphan high schooler to a man confident enough to go for the future he desires, navigating hard choices and society's expectations. The bullying was a gripping part of the story and got me engaged with Pip and rooting for his HEA and the downfall of Oli and his jock sidekicks. I found the story well-written; the introduction of a parallel world and a love connection for the ages gave the plot a uniqueness I appreciated.:-)

I read both this new version and its previous iteration Hunter and can't really say that the introduction of a sci fi element in the new version changed my overall impression. Both are heavy on the steam and provide an interesting take on the mysteries lurking in the woods.😉

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! Talk about mystery and magic (the good kind 😊). Pip has been having this dream, about to graduate and his body (about to cause an embarrassment) has a mind of its own. Dreams about a sexy as all get out monster who takes him and wants to use him for satisfaction in every way. In a world where clothes aren’t required to be cared for and loved. But he was bullied daily and all he wants is peace but can the man of his dreams bring him peace, a little happiness is it possible, and who is the man of his dreams ?

[Bec See · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too shabby, but not a re-read

This is a well-written book. I don’t know that I would describe it as sci-fi, however. Different dimensions and thinning between veils is more of a paranormal twist, but I might be splitting hairs. I didn’t dislike the book, but I’m not sure I would re-read it. I can’t name exactly what I disliked about it. It was written in a very fantastical manner and I didn’t connect with the writing very well. I think it was probably Pip’s character that annoyed me most, though. He wasn’t particularly likable and the waffling back and forth at the end was frustrating. That alone almost made me want to put the book down and be done with it. I will probably try book two (I bought the Soul boxed set) as the reviews mention it’s the best of the series. I’m not much for ménage, so I missed that books 3 and 4 dealt with that.

[Danis ❤️ MM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was included my Everand/Scribd subscription.

The book blurb is pretty misleading, and so is the cover art. Basically its the tale of a bullied, barely legal gay young man who is harassed/bullied and a his savior is a huge, hunky, paranormal other world gatekeeper. It's more fantasy/paranormal than alien although at one point Pip, the young man, is told the gatekeepers are alien, they're presented more as near immortal spirits who manifest as men. Pip is the reincarnation of someone Kane (the gatekeeper) lost a long time ago.

It has a kinda fated mates vibes, without actually going into all of that. It's a sweet story, with some odd, quirky and frankly head scratching plot developments but for a free with my subscription book it was perfectly enjoyable. A solid 2.8. I'm feeling benevolent today so rounding up to a 3.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pip, an orphan, is living with his aunt and uncle during high school. He has been dreaming about a tall man in the woods for many years and one night after bullies tied him to a tree, wolves and the man appeared to rescue him and more. Kane is a head of the guards in another world and he has been waiting for Pip, his forever partner to return to him. Loved the characters and their backstories. The storyline was very entertaining and emotional between Pip and Kane as well as Pip and Greg. Loved the wolf pup that protects Pip. The ending was perfect.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading Marked By Kane. I love soulmates tropes. It was a plus that Kane was so possessive of Pip and he was very loyal and willing to wait for an eternity for his return. Kane wouldn't take another lover when Pip wasn't around. But at the same time, he wasn't controlling. It was such a sweet romance. Sigh

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was mysterious and mystical with just the right amount of magic to question what is real and what isn't. (But we all know it is *wink*) Great world building. I liked the history of the two characters. Kane and Pip really felt fated for each other and had great chemistry. I definitely recommend this book. 5 stars.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about an 18 year old boy who's a closeted gay that has been bullied for the past couple of years in high school. On the night of graduation, a drunken prank by the bullies which he is sure is going to result in his death, instead become something of magic and belonging. This is a little bit of finding oneself, of courage, and ultimately true love.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the damsel (dude) in distress saved by a strong capable guy, and this delivers. Some points were a bit fanfiction-y for my liking although the story was easy to follow and the soulmate trope was written well. It is only a short book so there's not a lot of world building but because of the spice and fated mates, world building isn't necessarily the main topic.

[Ruin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but should he fantasy

This was a cure and sweet story about soul mates and reincarnation. It's fairly low angst and low conflict.

There is very little interaction with what classifies this as a sci-fi. Honestly you could just swap out some terminology and this would make far more sense as a fantasy.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series!

I loved Marked by Kane by H J Perry. It's the first book in the Sci Fi Soulmates series. I loved Pip and Kane. I loved how Kane left Pip little courting presents and that Pip followed his heart.

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kane and Pip had great on page chemistry. Lots of steam, well developed characters and plot. Perfect soulmates!

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[BookLover1990 · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is the second book by this author that I read. I enjoyed this book better than the other. It flowed well enough but I think it could be better

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too simple?

The base idea seems good enough, but there ought to be more obstacles to making it work. True even if you don't question reincarnation and karmic justice for the bullies. It just seems a bit on the "lite" side to me.

[Amy]

DNF 15% - for heavy on-page bullying. The mysterious Kane was interesting, but the MC's narration did not do it for me. It went off in tangents. Like, I earned how to fillet and debone a fish while reading this, but did not learn more about Kane. I was honestly bored.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marked By Kane is a good story. I have never read a book from this author. I enjoyed reading their work. The premise of the story was interesting. I could read more of their work.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

I really enjoyed this book.
A tale of two lovers, bound together throughout time and space, destined to find one another ever after.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kane wore a clock? Mixed tenses, the dog's sex keeps changing and why decribe a meaningful conversation with your family when you can blow over it with just a reference. The synopsis is almost better than the story.
Not for me.

[Tenshisonnet · Rating 2 out of 5]

The teenage main character is very whiney, immature, and barely legal. Kane is two-dimensional and his “world” is so thinly described and explained, that the central mysteries the author presents lose their allure.

[Elesha's book fun gossip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Pip coming into his own after being bullied reportedly and finding of this month incredible man want to love him and take him away. This was sweet, emotional, intriguing and had drama. A great read with amazing characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.