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The Darvel Exploratory Systems #3
Snows of Aturia
All Vanessa Williams wanted for the holidays was to escape the demands of her parents’ social schedules and comfortable place to work on her book. Having the opportunity to do so while enjoying the comforts of a cabin on an alien world seemed like the perfect way to pass the season. Plans change, however, when her shuttle crashes in the inhospitable mountains, and she finds herself waiting out the storm in an alien castle with a male whose burning gold eyes promise forbidden pleasures. Mating with an alien would be the ruin of her career and guarantee that she can never go home, and yet the more time she spends with him, the more she can’t imagine any other future.
Jor’ytal has waited many revolutions to feel the call of the a’talynal, the heartsong between himself and a compatible female. That it has happened so close to the Hashavnal, the Day of Joy, feels like destiny calling. His a’talyna is small and human, and although he dislikes the species who have colonized the southern continent of his world, he cannot help but to feel a need to protect her and desire to care for all her needs. With the storms keeping her within his estate it is the perfect opportunity to court his mate, even if he must evade her escort to do so. In mixing the human customs of Solstice with Hashavnal, and a solstice tree that goes terribly wrong, he is on the path to win her heart and not even a human delegation whose very presence can steal her away will deter him.
This novel contains a bonus 14.5 k short story Aturian Gifts of Yule.
Jor’ytal has waited many revolutions to feel the call of the a’talynal, the heartsong between himself and a compatible female. That it has happened so close to the Hashavnal, the Day of Joy, feels like destiny calling. His a’talyna is small and human, and although he dislikes the species who have colonized the southern continent of his world, he cannot help but to feel a need to protect her and desire to care for all her needs. With the storms keeping her within his estate it is the perfect opportunity to court his mate, even if he must evade her escort to do so. In mixing the human customs of Solstice with Hashavnal, and a solstice tree that goes terribly wrong, he is on the path to win her heart and not even a human delegation whose very presence can steal her away will deter him.
This novel contains a bonus 14.5 k short story Aturian Gifts of Yule.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2021
186 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sanders
86 books1,008 followersS.J. Sanders is a mom of two toddlers and one adult living in Anchorage, Alaska. She has a BA degree in History, but spends most of her free time painting, sculpting, doing odd bits of historical research, and writing. While she has more research orientated writing under another pen name, her passion is sci-fi and paranormal romance of which she is an avid reader. After years of tinkering with the idea, and making her own stories up in her head, S.J has began to seriously pursue writing as an author of Sci-fi Romance utilizing her interests in how cultures diversify and what they would look like on a extraterrestrial platform to humans interacting with them and finding love.
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 28, 2021
Unfortunately I didn't like the story although I love the rest in the Darvel series. The building of the story is good but it felt lacking in passion. I could hardly finish and always jumping from a section to another. I will wait for the serpents of the night and I hope it is as good as serpents of the abyss. This one though I didn't enjoy as much.
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June 29, 2022Bring me forced proximity, bring me a snowed-in castle in the woods, bring me Beauty and the Alien Beast. But don't you dare bring me a romance where the ONLY conflict is the rich heroine's slight shyness about having sex with the rich winged hero. Je refuse!!!
On a narrative level, of course, it isn't a persuasive obstacle to the HEA ending. But my real problem is the lack of realism, honestly. Do you even know what I would give to achieve orgasmic bliss with my millionaire fated mate, who has wings, in his castle? Are you kidding me?! I wouldn't give you one of my chihuahuas because they are my children and they'd love moving to our new castle, but I might give you something small, like a pinky finger. Or one of my 1,651 quarter-filled notebooks. Or that pair of designer ankle boots I have because I found them in a thrift store for "no money" and still bought despite knowing they were 1/2 too small the entire time. You may have one of those precious treasures, I suppose.
Did not finish -- too unrealistic!
On a narrative level, of course, it isn't a persuasive obstacle to the HEA ending. But my real problem is the lack of realism, honestly. Do you even know what I would give to achieve orgasmic bliss with my millionaire fated mate, who has wings, in his castle? Are you kidding me?! I wouldn't give you one of my chihuahuas because they are my children and they'd love moving to our new castle, but I might give you something small, like a pinky finger. Or one of my 1,651 quarter-filled notebooks. Or that pair of designer ankle boots I have because I found them in a thrift store for "no money" and still bought despite knowing they were 1/2 too small the entire time. You may have one of those precious treasures, I suppose.
Did not finish -- too unrealistic!
January 26, 2022
Well this was delightful. I'm glad I continued to read this series after the second book.
Really interesting look into life in different settings and exploring life from the differnt class levels of humans.
Really interesting look into life in different settings and exploring life from the differnt class levels of humans.
January 7, 2022
Started off strong, I always enjoy Sanders’ style. However I got extremely bored with this one and was so close to DNF after the 40% mark. Maybe because my focus was shot because I’m kinda unwell at the moment, regardless I didn’t blast through this one and was bored.
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January 14, 2022DNF 48%
December 22, 2021
An excellent sci-fi holiday romance.
I loved the fact that this sci-fi holiday romance was a full length novel. The world building was great, with the snowy, stormy winter weather and beautiful castle coming to life. The physical description of the hero and his species and culture was also vibrant. The hero was deliciously alpha, in a sweet, protective, caretaker way. The heroine was deeply sympathetic, though I found her waffling a bit irritating. However, it is understandable given everything that she would lose by staying with the hero. I probably would have enjoyed a little more action or danger earlier in the novel, but this was more of a sweet holiday romance, which is perfectly valid. The scenes with the “Christmas tree” were hilarious! I also really enjoyed the short romance included at the end featuring side characters from the novel. I will probably re-read the short plenty, it was so good.
I loved the fact that this sci-fi holiday romance was a full length novel. The world building was great, with the snowy, stormy winter weather and beautiful castle coming to life. The physical description of the hero and his species and culture was also vibrant. The hero was deliciously alpha, in a sweet, protective, caretaker way. The heroine was deeply sympathetic, though I found her waffling a bit irritating. However, it is understandable given everything that she would lose by staying with the hero. I probably would have enjoyed a little more action or danger earlier in the novel, but this was more of a sweet holiday romance, which is perfectly valid. The scenes with the “Christmas tree” were hilarious! I also really enjoyed the short romance included at the end featuring side characters from the novel. I will probably re-read the short plenty, it was so good.
December 30, 2021
Again, solid solid writing. An entirely new world with new aliens and yet the world building was good. Lots to enjoy here. There were some missing words again, but that was all in terms of editing issues.
June 23, 2025
I enjoyed both the novel and the short story. They were both cute holiday stories that I chose to read when it was 30 Celsius outside lol
Vanessa was a rich citizen with famous parents. She wanted to distance herself from the glitz and glamour to write her newest book, so she decided to spend a few months on a human colony on Aturia. Unfortunately her shuttle crash-landed on the wrong continent in frozen mountains. Luckily a hunky local lord saw the crash and rushed to look for survivors. As soon as Vanessa took his hand she was entranced by the beautiful, winged giant.
Jor'y was a leader and guardian of his people, but his work for the community made him isolate himself from potential partners. As a last one of his line he was sad and worried that in the years he lead his people he didn't find a mate to love and have children with. When he found the unfortunate humans that crashed on his land and held Vanessa's hand he knew that she was meant to be his. She was his a'talyna, a person that matched his energy perfectly, which was a rare and precious gift for his people. Jor'y's prayers were answered and he began courting Vanessa.
I loved Jor'y, he was such a sweet gentleman, but turned bloodthirsty when his mate was in any danger. The lengths this male would go to make Vanessa happy, he was the perfect alien hubby. Vanessa wasn't very believable, she pretty much hated her mother's behavior and the society she was forced to interact with, because of her parents, yet she was sooo torn up between that life and life with Jor'y. Who would even think twice in that circumstances? I wouldn't, the guy was perfection, loved her to bits and had a beautiful castle, what else could a girl need? Foolish woman, there wasn't any other choice to be made ;)
The short story was cute, it was so sweet that Da'yel didn't mind that Lucy worked in the adult film industry before she met him.
Vanessa was a rich citizen with famous parents. She wanted to distance herself from the glitz and glamour to write her newest book, so she decided to spend a few months on a human colony on Aturia. Unfortunately her shuttle crash-landed on the wrong continent in frozen mountains. Luckily a hunky local lord saw the crash and rushed to look for survivors. As soon as Vanessa took his hand she was entranced by the beautiful, winged giant.
Jor'y was a leader and guardian of his people, but his work for the community made him isolate himself from potential partners. As a last one of his line he was sad and worried that in the years he lead his people he didn't find a mate to love and have children with. When he found the unfortunate humans that crashed on his land and held Vanessa's hand he knew that she was meant to be his. She was his a'talyna, a person that matched his energy perfectly, which was a rare and precious gift for his people. Jor'y's prayers were answered and he began courting Vanessa.
I loved Jor'y, he was such a sweet gentleman, but turned bloodthirsty when his mate was in any danger. The lengths this male would go to make Vanessa happy, he was the perfect alien hubby. Vanessa wasn't very believable, she pretty much hated her mother's behavior and the society she was forced to interact with, because of her parents, yet she was sooo torn up between that life and life with Jor'y. Who would even think twice in that circumstances? I wouldn't, the guy was perfection, loved her to bits and had a beautiful castle, what else could a girl need? Foolish woman, there wasn't any other choice to be made ;)
The short story was cute, it was so sweet that Da'yel didn't mind that Lucy worked in the adult film industry before she met him.
December 26, 2021
Lovely Christmas story!
SJ Sanders does it again. Admittedly, her alien characters are literally out of this world. Her commitment to making them truly alien is amazing. I believe the reason her many of her stories work so well is because of her ability to create a world that we can understand and relate to in some ways. She does not bother with too much internal dialogue and when she does, she pairs internal dialogue with actual action/movement so there is an actual story to lose oneself into.
For this story, the main characters are well developed, we get to have some background on them before they meet. Their romance blossomed nicely, it’s somewhat instalove but they go through the cutest awkward flirting stage before going all in.
There is a flood of badly written romances on KU but SJ’s novels are not one to miss, even if many of them challenge my sense of comfort.
SJ Sanders does it again. Admittedly, her alien characters are literally out of this world. Her commitment to making them truly alien is amazing. I believe the reason her many of her stories work so well is because of her ability to create a world that we can understand and relate to in some ways. She does not bother with too much internal dialogue and when she does, she pairs internal dialogue with actual action/movement so there is an actual story to lose oneself into.
For this story, the main characters are well developed, we get to have some background on them before they meet. Their romance blossomed nicely, it’s somewhat instalove but they go through the cutest awkward flirting stage before going all in.
There is a flood of badly written romances on KU but SJ’s novels are not one to miss, even if many of them challenge my sense of comfort.
January 17, 2022
Another win for team Sanders! If you enjoyed books 1&2 from the series, this third novel won't disappoint! Highly recommend, I always look forward to a new world from SJ--they're always so unique and the creature love interests are always so dynamic.
The pace of this one is more in setting, so I can see why other reviewers tapped out at the 50% mark. It's not because of poor writing though. This Sanders story isn't chalked full of danger and desperate situations--so if that's your stick for her series, nevermind, maybe you won't like this installment. But while this story is written in the span of about a week--it's detailed and really takes the time to develop the cultures. So. In a nutshell: seemingly slow-burn in an insta-love culture may not be for you.
The pace of this one is more in setting, so I can see why other reviewers tapped out at the 50% mark. It's not because of poor writing though. This Sanders story isn't chalked full of danger and desperate situations--so if that's your stick for her series, nevermind, maybe you won't like this installment. But while this story is written in the span of about a week--it's detailed and really takes the time to develop the cultures. So. In a nutshell: seemingly slow-burn in an insta-love culture may not be for you.
January 29, 2022
O. M. G. 😯😯😍🥰😍🥰
Maaaaaan…..
I just got through ready this book in full. Short story and all. And I have ever single intention of reading it again after this review. I’ve loved most all of this authors books. And with good reason. The emotions in this story had me hooked. Matter of fact I want one of these males for my own. I could not put this down especially when out two main characters started their interactions! I don’t typically give reviews on books. I just rate them and keep going. This time I can’t say enough about this. After I re-read this I’ll do a more through review. But yes baby, by all means please read this beautiful story. You will not be disappointed 💕💕❤️💕❤️
Maaaaaan…..
I just got through ready this book in full. Short story and all. And I have ever single intention of reading it again after this review. I’ve loved most all of this authors books. And with good reason. The emotions in this story had me hooked. Matter of fact I want one of these males for my own. I could not put this down especially when out two main characters started their interactions! I don’t typically give reviews on books. I just rate them and keep going. This time I can’t say enough about this. After I re-read this I’ll do a more through review. But yes baby, by all means please read this beautiful story. You will not be disappointed 💕💕❤️💕❤️
May 6, 2022
¿Cómo describir este libro en general? Es estilo la Bella y la Bestia, con aliens y definitivamente te ayuda a pasar el tiempo. Sin embargo, hay un momento, en los últimos capítulos que simplemente pasé rápido, solo quería saber el final jajaja. Hubo buenos momentos en el libro, pero siento que hubo muchos momentos dramáticos que fueron demás.
Habiendo dicho lo anterior, la pareja es buena, la idea alrededor de la pareja también y el llegue que le dan al racismo son buenas reflexiones. Sin embargo, en algunos temas se queda muy corto y en otros simplemente pasa de largo.
Es bueno para pasar el tiempo.
Proceda con precaución.
Habiendo dicho lo anterior, la pareja es buena, la idea alrededor de la pareja también y el llegue que le dan al racismo son buenas reflexiones. Sin embargo, en algunos temas se queda muy corto y en otros simplemente pasa de largo.
Es bueno para pasar el tiempo.
Proceda con precaución.
December 20, 2021
An excellent story!
If I could pick one outstanding point to this story, it would be to be true to yourself. Don’t change to please others.
Vanessa is stranded in a snow storm in the care of an Aturian. Jor’y is a leader and a traditionalist. Their love story is outstanding. I love Vanessa’s easy acceptance of Jor’y and his unique abilities. Such an exciting story - danger narrowly avoided, changes for a better world, true love celebrated! An extra added bonus - Da’yel and Lucy’s story. It’s sweet as can be!
If I could pick one outstanding point to this story, it would be to be true to yourself. Don’t change to please others.
Vanessa is stranded in a snow storm in the care of an Aturian. Jor’y is a leader and a traditionalist. Their love story is outstanding. I love Vanessa’s easy acceptance of Jor’y and his unique abilities. Such an exciting story - danger narrowly avoided, changes for a better world, true love celebrated! An extra added bonus - Da’yel and Lucy’s story. It’s sweet as can be!
December 26, 2021
4&1\2fabulous 🌟s for the 3 book in this series 💖
What a fantastic story ! I love the Davel exploratory system books. The world building is terrific and the characters are so well developed you can't help but loose yourself in their story. This was the perfect holiday read that left me smiling . There was even a bonus story of two other characters at the end of the book that was absolutely wonderful! Highly recommend you won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading more in the series.💖🔥💖🔥🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥
What a fantastic story ! I love the Davel exploratory system books. The world building is terrific and the characters are so well developed you can't help but loose yourself in their story. This was the perfect holiday read that left me smiling . There was even a bonus story of two other characters at the end of the book that was absolutely wonderful! Highly recommend you won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading more in the series.💖🔥💖🔥🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖💖💖🔥🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥💖💖🔥🔥💖💖🔥💖🔥💖🔥
January 15, 2022
Sweet romantic story
Overall I enjoyed Vanessa and Jor’y’s story as well as the short for Da’yel and Lucy at the end. The first 50 percent, was informative but slow. The two lead characters, Vanessa and Jory, were not good with their communication skills, and it was difficult to read. There was a lot of circling around their budding relationship but no claim. However once we passed the 50 percent mark, the lead couple finally got together and the storyline started to reveal itself. The short between Dayel and Lucy was cute. Read On!
Overall I enjoyed Vanessa and Jor’y’s story as well as the short for Da’yel and Lucy at the end. The first 50 percent, was informative but slow. The two lead characters, Vanessa and Jory, were not good with their communication skills, and it was difficult to read. There was a lot of circling around their budding relationship but no claim. However once we passed the 50 percent mark, the lead couple finally got together and the storyline started to reveal itself. The short between Dayel and Lucy was cute. Read On!
February 4, 2022
This is genuinely hilarious bc it’s a typical romance book and plot but with ✨aliens✨.
You literally have this “normal”, upper-middle class, typical girl next door type who meets the equivalent of a Lord and they rapidly fall in lust together where things then spiral from there.
It’s very funny. Bc there’s no differences here in this story from anything else a reader could pick up from highland barbarians to work place romance. It’s exactly identical… but again, 👽alien👽.
So this isn’t anything to write home about.
You literally have this “normal”, upper-middle class, typical girl next door type who meets the equivalent of a Lord and they rapidly fall in lust together where things then spiral from there.
It’s very funny. Bc there’s no differences here in this story from anything else a reader could pick up from highland barbarians to work place romance. It’s exactly identical… but again, 👽alien👽.
So this isn’t anything to write home about.
January 28, 2022
I love every visit
I love every story in this world. All so unique and exciting. The small hint of politics and real world issues mixed into the stories give it a beautiful and believable vibe. The steam and angst is awesome, along with danger. Thank you for Lucy's story. Pleasant surprise. Your characters are full bodied and lovable. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
I love every story in this world. All so unique and exciting. The small hint of politics and real world issues mixed into the stories give it a beautiful and believable vibe. The steam and angst is awesome, along with danger. Thank you for Lucy's story. Pleasant surprise. Your characters are full bodied and lovable. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
January 31, 2022
Another Great Story by S. J. Sanders!
Jor’ytal and Vanessa’s story is another classic written by a very creative, talented author! I love the way Sanders shows that people from different cultures and worlds can come together and influence the prejudice of bad people. Their story is romantic to the core. I loved it! Thank you again, Samantha J. Sanders, for another intriguing, romantic story!
Jor’ytal and Vanessa’s story is another classic written by a very creative, talented author! I love the way Sanders shows that people from different cultures and worlds can come together and influence the prejudice of bad people. Their story is romantic to the core. I loved it! Thank you again, Samantha J. Sanders, for another intriguing, romantic story!
May 28, 2022
Hero and heroine spend a lot of time "sneaking around" because relationships between aliens and humans are forbidden. I didn't like that part of the book at all.
The "civilized" Aturians cut off their wings and pluck their feathers to look more human. I can't imagine a species that can fly voluntarily giving it up. Seems really unrealistic.
Then hero's cousin shows up and he's mated to a human. Their short story is at the end of the book, after the main story.
The "civilized" Aturians cut off their wings and pluck their feathers to look more human. I can't imagine a species that can fly voluntarily giving it up. Seems really unrealistic.
Then hero's cousin shows up and he's mated to a human. Their short story is at the end of the book, after the main story.
December 22, 2021
Loved it
Another fantastic read by one of the best authors in sci-fi romance. Jor’y and Vanessa's story was a wonderful read that I could not put down. I love the novella at the end explaining Jor’y's cousin Da’yel's story with his mate Lucy. I definitely recommend this and the rest of the Darvel exploratory systems series.
Another fantastic read by one of the best authors in sci-fi romance. Jor’y and Vanessa's story was a wonderful read that I could not put down. I love the novella at the end explaining Jor’y's cousin Da’yel's story with his mate Lucy. I definitely recommend this and the rest of the Darvel exploratory systems series.
January 13, 2022
Another plus
Same vibe as the previous installments. Darvel bad, aliens good, though it's nice to see some good humans involved. The impact of peer pressure really was an astounding addition that I think runs deeper than the superficial idea the book conveys, adding a deeper element to the stress placed by human intervention. As for me, I enjoyed this one.
Same vibe as the previous installments. Darvel bad, aliens good, though it's nice to see some good humans involved. The impact of peer pressure really was an astounding addition that I think runs deeper than the superficial idea the book conveys, adding a deeper element to the stress placed by human intervention. As for me, I enjoyed this one.
February 1, 2022
EXCELLENT as Always 😁
This is the third book of this series and although great, I didn't think it was the best one of the three 😃. I'm not sure why it just wasn't as captivating as the other two, but to me it wasn't 😕. Thanks again S.J., I always Love your stories and can't wait to read more 🤓.
This is the third book of this series and although great, I didn't think it was the best one of the three 😃. I'm not sure why it just wasn't as captivating as the other two, but to me it wasn't 😕. Thanks again S.J., I always Love your stories and can't wait to read more 🤓.
May 16, 2022
While I usually want books of this sort to be longer, in this case I wish it was a novella. I found this too long and I ended up skimming chunks the farther I went. I do like that this series doesn’t recycle the same plots and they’re all different. I appreciate that. If there are more books in this series, I plan on reading them.
June 14, 2022
The world building for Aturia was excellent, the imagery of the winter scenes made it easy to see. Jory was great hero with just the right amount of gruffness and gentleness with his mate Vanessa. Vanessa was open and curious, loved that about the character. Hopefully there is more to come in the Darvel world
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
2.5 stars -> The premise seemed so perfect for me, but alas the execution was just meh. There was no real conflict or angst here and the story dragged a lot. The only thing I really enjoyed was the worldbuilding, as the alien culture of Aturia was complex and compelling. The bonus story Aturian Gifts of Yule was even worse than the main story because it was 100% just instalove.
April 13, 2025
I just couldn’t get into it.
The plot was not catching my attention. The mcs were lacking real chemistry/angst, other than the twitches in their genitals. The monologues were kind of pointless additions to the story — like the many flashes we get of the fmc’s fantasies. Not enough functional dialogue.
So far I’ve only liked the first book in the series, so this may be the end for me.
The plot was not catching my attention. The mcs were lacking real chemistry/angst, other than the twitches in their genitals. The monologues were kind of pointless additions to the story — like the many flashes we get of the fmc’s fantasies. Not enough functional dialogue.
So far I’ve only liked the first book in the series, so this may be the end for me.
December 27, 2021
Awesome awesome awesome!!!!!
Love love love sj! You are too too good. This series as with all your others is so good! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and just waiting on more!
Love love love sj! You are too too good. This series as with all your others is so good! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and just waiting on more!
January 9, 2022
2 stories in 1
I really enjoyed this story of Vanessa and Jory. It was really sad seeing how the humans treated Jorys species but I'm glad for the people that spoke up for them and also really loved Lucy and Daraks story at the end.
I really enjoyed this story of Vanessa and Jory. It was really sad seeing how the humans treated Jorys species but I'm glad for the people that spoke up for them and also really loved Lucy and Daraks story at the end.
April 2, 2022
Another winner
I have read just about every book by this author and love them all. She does an amazing job with world building and I love that her alien males look alien, not just humans with different colors.
I have read just about every book by this author and love them all. She does an amazing job with world building and I love that her alien males look alien, not just humans with different colors.
April 22, 2022
Sweet story
It was a good story. A bit more dull than this authors other work but it is still good. Everything kinda just worked out a little to perfectly but if you want a sweet story with a diabetes sweet ending this is your book. 0 angst and very little drama. Definitely a HEA
It was a good story. A bit more dull than this authors other work but it is still good. Everything kinda just worked out a little to perfectly but if you want a sweet story with a diabetes sweet ending this is your book. 0 angst and very little drama. Definitely a HEA
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews