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Alien Gladiator Kings #3
Tempted by Tentacles
A female outlaw
I hate the Toth, the cruel aliens who rule our galaxy, and Caspe Tetrone does their dirty work.
He is my enemy, and any day I ruin his is a good one.
Sure, he’s just saved my life from that crazed alien gladiator who was ten hisecs away from goring me, but…this does not mean I’m grateful.
It definitely doesn’t mean I’m hot for his tentacles.
An alien pirate
I hate Sienne Dlach, and I want her dead.
Which is why, the minute she’s about to be ripped apart, I step in and save her, at much danger and inconvenience to my life and business.
It makes sense, though, I swear, because I, uh, you know, it’s a hate-attraction thing.
All I want to do is restrain her with my tentacles, shove the tips in every available orifice, and suction cup all her sensitive body parts until she—
Look, I really do hate her, but now we're on the run together from the Toth, engaging in firefights with police ships in space, fighting furry predators planetside, and the thing is... we're kind of a great team. I've never felt anything like this before. Some (idiotic) part of me wants it to be something more than hate sex and near-death escapes, but...
Well, that would make me stupid and vulnerable, and those are two things I'll never be.
This steamy enemies-to-lovers scifi romance is for readers who want squishy, sleek tentacles shoved deep into—ahem. There are tentacles in this book, and they are used in a variety of creative ways. You have been warned. Also, this story, like its predecessors, takes place in a galactic hellscape of trauma, triggers, and threat.
I hate the Toth, the cruel aliens who rule our galaxy, and Caspe Tetrone does their dirty work.
He is my enemy, and any day I ruin his is a good one.
Sure, he’s just saved my life from that crazed alien gladiator who was ten hisecs away from goring me, but…this does not mean I’m grateful.
It definitely doesn’t mean I’m hot for his tentacles.
An alien pirate
I hate Sienne Dlach, and I want her dead.
Which is why, the minute she’s about to be ripped apart, I step in and save her, at much danger and inconvenience to my life and business.
It makes sense, though, I swear, because I, uh, you know, it’s a hate-attraction thing.
All I want to do is restrain her with my tentacles, shove the tips in every available orifice, and suction cup all her sensitive body parts until she—
Look, I really do hate her, but now we're on the run together from the Toth, engaging in firefights with police ships in space, fighting furry predators planetside, and the thing is... we're kind of a great team. I've never felt anything like this before. Some (idiotic) part of me wants it to be something more than hate sex and near-death escapes, but...
Well, that would make me stupid and vulnerable, and those are two things I'll never be.
This steamy enemies-to-lovers scifi romance is for readers who want squishy, sleek tentacles shoved deep into—ahem. There are tentacles in this book, and they are used in a variety of creative ways. You have been warned. Also, this story, like its predecessors, takes place in a galactic hellscape of trauma, triggers, and threat.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2022
69 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Jove Chambers
39 books45 followersJove Chambers is the dark romance pen name for USA Today Bestselling author V.J. Chambers.
Under the name V.J. Chambers she writes mysteries, thrillers and horror.
Under the pen name Val St. Crowe she writes sci-fi and fantasy.
She lives outside Shepherdstown, WV with her husband, son, and their kitty cat.
Under the name V.J. Chambers she writes mysteries, thrillers and horror.
Under the pen name Val St. Crowe she writes sci-fi and fantasy.
She lives outside Shepherdstown, WV with her husband, son, and their kitty cat.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 23, 2022
Quite delicious
February 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Caspe and Sienne caught my attention in the last book. It was clear they didn't like each other- but I was pretty certain they secretly did. So I was delighted to get their story here. These two characters are so antagonistic towards each other. It's just their thing to hide the attraction. When Sienne needs credits for an expensive part for her ship to transport her dead brother's pregnant mate to her home planet for the birth, she signs up to be a reward for the winning gladiator in a brutal deathmatch. When Caspe saves her, they both find themselves on the run. A fun adventure with great world building and wonderful characters. 5 stars.
May 10, 2022
DNF @ 26%
So, it's well written and the concept was interesting but the characters are straight up gross and mean spirited. Maybe that'll make them falling in love even sweeter? I couldn't get through it to find out.
I'd consider another one of the author's books minus the enemies-to-lovers trope.
So, it's well written and the concept was interesting but the characters are straight up gross and mean spirited. Maybe that'll make them falling in love even sweeter? I couldn't get through it to find out.
I'd consider another one of the author's books minus the enemies-to-lovers trope.
March 13, 2022
All the Tentacles!!!
WHEW!! I love love love this series so far!!! Each book has been great!! But Caspe!! And those tentacles!! And the dirty talk!! Adventure, new worlds, new people….just wow. I cannot wait until the next book!!!
WHEW!! I love love love this series so far!!! Each book has been great!! But Caspe!! And those tentacles!! And the dirty talk!! Adventure, new worlds, new people….just wow. I cannot wait until the next book!!!
February 24, 2022
Surprised That I Really Enjoyed This . . .
Sienne Dlach, a scavenger of space trash, seems to pride herself on totally disliking the Toth, and most particularly Caspe Tetrone who worked for them. Caspe was a ccael, which meant that he looked like a Toth from the waist up but the bottom half of his body was a mass of tentacles. Ruining his day made hers a success. Even when he saved her life, he viewed it as a way to keep their fighting alive. They both seemed to rely on the aggression as a crazy part of their normalcy.
But now Sienne’s deceased brother’s mate is having a baby. He hadn’t even known about the baby before he was killed. But her species has to deliver on her home planet Taichh for the baby to survive. Sienne’s ship needs an expensive part or she can’t get Llana there in time. She asked Caspe to trade for the part since she could not afford to pay outright for it. He refused. So she offered to be one of the women who would be awarded to a gladiator who won in a deathmatch in the arena. It would give her lots of credits to get the part. But watching the gladiators literally rip each other to pieces was not what she signed up for. Her own survival would be very doubtful if the vicious Rrox won. But before that happened, Caspe grabbed her and headed for escape. Guards chased him and he fought them off as he carried her away from the roaring Rrox. The entire time he was transporting them to deep space in his ship to protect her, she was grumbling about the credits she needed and that she had to get back, instead of thanking him for saving her. And both of them breaching the Toth contract as they had could get them killed. Then Caspe told her Llana’s baby was fathered by Sienne’s cheating boyfriend, Jak! This was definitely not a good day for her. Would they survive? Would they be able to hide until Caspe could “pull strings” and get their names cleared?
I was surprised at how interesting the story line became as Caspe and Sienne had to outmaneuver the Toth police. We also learned more about the characters and got some assumptions cleared up. I also had time to get to like Caspe as he and Sienne worked together and got to know each other. He seemed somehow vulnerable and was sweetly confused that he had never felt that way about anyone before. He even felt guilty about hurting her feelings (after they had agreed not to have feelings for each other). And he called her “Babe” all the time because he knew how much she hated it. He surprised me in many ways.
Sienne Dlach, a scavenger of space trash, seems to pride herself on totally disliking the Toth, and most particularly Caspe Tetrone who worked for them. Caspe was a ccael, which meant that he looked like a Toth from the waist up but the bottom half of his body was a mass of tentacles. Ruining his day made hers a success. Even when he saved her life, he viewed it as a way to keep their fighting alive. They both seemed to rely on the aggression as a crazy part of their normalcy.
But now Sienne’s deceased brother’s mate is having a baby. He hadn’t even known about the baby before he was killed. But her species has to deliver on her home planet Taichh for the baby to survive. Sienne’s ship needs an expensive part or she can’t get Llana there in time. She asked Caspe to trade for the part since she could not afford to pay outright for it. He refused. So she offered to be one of the women who would be awarded to a gladiator who won in a deathmatch in the arena. It would give her lots of credits to get the part. But watching the gladiators literally rip each other to pieces was not what she signed up for. Her own survival would be very doubtful if the vicious Rrox won. But before that happened, Caspe grabbed her and headed for escape. Guards chased him and he fought them off as he carried her away from the roaring Rrox. The entire time he was transporting them to deep space in his ship to protect her, she was grumbling about the credits she needed and that she had to get back, instead of thanking him for saving her. And both of them breaching the Toth contract as they had could get them killed. Then Caspe told her Llana’s baby was fathered by Sienne’s cheating boyfriend, Jak! This was definitely not a good day for her. Would they survive? Would they be able to hide until Caspe could “pull strings” and get their names cleared?
I was surprised at how interesting the story line became as Caspe and Sienne had to outmaneuver the Toth police. We also learned more about the characters and got some assumptions cleared up. I also had time to get to like Caspe as he and Sienne worked together and got to know each other. He seemed somehow vulnerable and was sweetly confused that he had never felt that way about anyone before. He even felt guilty about hurting her feelings (after they had agreed not to have feelings for each other). And he called her “Babe” all the time because he knew how much she hated it. He surprised me in many ways.
February 24, 2022
Caspe and Sienne hate each other. Yes, yes they do! Caspe isn't a bad person he just hasn't really had anyone in his life to show him how to be kind, how to do things the right way and above all how to love. He might be a tad obsessed with Sienne but only because he doesn't like her. She steals jobs out from under him and when she comes to him for help with nothing to trade the only offer he can make is for her to go into the arena. That said, when it looks like the gladiator who is to claim Sienne as a prize is just as likely to render her dead, Caspe cannot sit by and watch. He has to save her. Sienne has no idea why she likes undermining Caspe the way she does but it might have something to do with the fact that she doesn't like him. She's not sure why she doesn't just that she doesn't. This seems to me to be rather a case of "methinks the lady (and male for that matter) doth protest too much". Still that doesn't change the fact that they are now his ship, alone just to the two of them with bounties on their heads dislike each other from closer quarters than they had planned on.
I loved these two. I did wish at times that Sienne would not blame herself so much for what happened to her brother as she did it to extremes. With Caspe also I wished he could see the relationship with his brother for what it was but then that's part of the story isn't it!
I loved these two. I did wish at times that Sienne would not blame herself so much for what happened to her brother as she did it to extremes. With Caspe also I wished he could see the relationship with his brother for what it was but then that's part of the story isn't it!
September 6, 2022
I love this book for several reasons, but primarily because the characters had such depth. They started out as strangers, as competitors, and since neither understood the other, their competition bread dislike and lead to hate.
It’s only after they spend time together, united when each of them performs a selfless act, that they started to get to know each other and understand some of the motivations behind the other’s actions.
I really liked how getting to know each other forced them to look internally as well. They both did a lot of personal growing while their relationship was changing. I especially appreciated how the author showed this change in their relationship by the way the word “hate” changed its meaning as the story progressed. In the end, the phrase “I really hate you” had come to mean “You drive me crazy, I adore you, I love you so much I can’t imagine life without you”.
These two wonderfully complex people have deep needs, lingering, trama-induced fears, and just enough hope to chance the galaxy.
It’s only after they spend time together, united when each of them performs a selfless act, that they started to get to know each other and understand some of the motivations behind the other’s actions.
I really liked how getting to know each other forced them to look internally as well. They both did a lot of personal growing while their relationship was changing. I especially appreciated how the author showed this change in their relationship by the way the word “hate” changed its meaning as the story progressed. In the end, the phrase “I really hate you” had come to mean “You drive me crazy, I adore you, I love you so much I can’t imagine life without you”.
These two wonderfully complex people have deep needs, lingering, trama-induced fears, and just enough hope to chance the galaxy.
February 25, 2022
This sci-fi romance had excellent world building. The details about the alien hero’s physiology and instincts were creative and vividly described. The characterization of both the hero and heroine were excellent, with both protagonists being a rainbow of nuance, in addition to being deeply sympathetic. The development of the romantic relationship was among the best I have seen in sci-fi romance, with their love growing naturally and organically. The heat level in this romance was also SIZZLING. I appreciated the deeply thoughtful exploration of kink, and the general level of sensitivity and s** positivity in this whole series has been fabulous. HIGHLY recommended. I would love it if the author continued writing in this world or continues writing sci-fi romance. I will read all of it.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2022
Steamy, tentacle love for Caspe & Sienne abounds throughout this story. Starting out as enemies the h/H have to help one another as they face challenges after Caspe rescues Sienne from death as a sexual prize in a gladiator arena. The two characters have to comes to terms with their changing feelings for one another, as well as face issues about their pasts. This was a fun, action-packed adventure with lost of twists and turns. Very hot tentacle steaminess, including special eggplant. Maybe something for Diirk would be nice?
February 24, 2022
These two have a history of being antagonistic. And yet they work so well together. There is something oddly sweet about how uncomfortable and awkward they are. There is a good mix of action and world exploring and heat. And plenty of feeling the feels is hard enough, but discussing feels is nearly impossible.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2024
So far, the second book has been my favorite. Wasn’t prepared for the MC to be a switch. It also seemed like every sexual encounter had no build up? They would come up so suddenly without much tension. FMC was kinda frustrating, too. The other books had made her seem like a badass pirate but that really wasn’t the case. Her self-sacrificing relationship with her shipmates and her guilt about her brother got to be annoying.
July 13, 2023
Apt title!!!
People are boring, give me aliens! If you’re a twisted duck like us, you’ll simply love this book. I think the tentacles are hot and the banter between the characters was really ironic and enjoyable. This was not an in-depth character development but I felt satisfied at the end of it so 5 stars, bravo for tenta-nal!
People are boring, give me aliens! If you’re a twisted duck like us, you’ll simply love this book. I think the tentacles are hot and the banter between the characters was really ironic and enjoyable. This was not an in-depth character development but I felt satisfied at the end of it so 5 stars, bravo for tenta-nal!
October 29, 2023
Sienna and Caspe
This is a very good, well written, unusual, SciFi, Alien/Human romance. The characters are new and adventurous. There are a few editing problems but they do not effect the story. This was a different story for me but I enjoyed it. There is plenty of heat and surprises. Read and enjoy.
This is a very good, well written, unusual, SciFi, Alien/Human romance. The characters are new and adventurous. There are a few editing problems but they do not effect the story. This was a different story for me but I enjoyed it. There is plenty of heat and surprises. Read and enjoy.
August 31, 2023
So they both hate each other (at first) because they compete for the same jobs. But he rescues her when he is worried the gladiator who won her is extremely vicious. Now they are on the run and having steamy tentacle sex. And falling in love.
April 1, 2023
I've really enjoyed these books and hope we get more form this universe
June 27, 2025
4.5 stars. Enemies to lovers isn’t usually a trope I care for but this one is well written and I enjoyed the way the characters engaged and the relationship developed. Be aware that if tentacle insertion is not your thing, you’ll want to avoid this book. I found the intimate interactions steamy, in line with the characters’ other interactions, erotic, and fun.
This story is dual POV and truly stands alone - I haven’t read any others in this series and didn’t feel I was missing out. Sienne, the human female lead, and Caspe, the alien male lead, were both interesting, working through their individual mental health issues, and had great chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is dual POV and truly stands alone - I haven’t read any others in this series and didn’t feel I was missing out. Sienne, the human female lead, and Caspe, the alien male lead, were both interesting, working through their individual mental health issues, and had great chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2024
This could have been better. It was great smut but very little actual character development and plot. Hated the male main character from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews