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Alien Persuasion #1
Counterfeit Human
An alien with a literal silver tongue claims me—a widowed mafia princess—is a threat to him.
Damn right I am.
I’m the Syndicate’s Boss’ favorite daughter-in-law and he's just an oddly handsome, sulking enforcer hiding amongst the ranks of the Syndicate. Oh, and he swears he has otherworldly powers that I’m immune to.
What? Excuse me, Sir, this is EARTH, and aliens aren’t real!
We exchange hot glances and then hotter glances along with sharp conversations. I try to stay away because this rule-breaking enforcer spells trouble. But then he turns up with a gunshot wound and I quickly notice why he can’t go to a normal doctor. I jump into action to save his life. He’s pissy but thankful.
And suddenly this sullen alien reintroduces me to feelings I thought long buried.
But the Syndicate Boss is watching my every move. We can only play pretend in the shadows of the night, but—with or without the Syndicate’s strict rules—there’s no future for us. But that won’t stop me from indulging in his touch and his extra features.
Counterfeit Human is an alien romance that ends on a cliffhanger (book 1 of 2). This book contains dark themes and elements that some may find disturbing. It is intended for adult audiences. Please see the author's website for a more detailed list of themes.
Damn right I am.
I’m the Syndicate’s Boss’ favorite daughter-in-law and he's just an oddly handsome, sulking enforcer hiding amongst the ranks of the Syndicate. Oh, and he swears he has otherworldly powers that I’m immune to.
What? Excuse me, Sir, this is EARTH, and aliens aren’t real!
We exchange hot glances and then hotter glances along with sharp conversations. I try to stay away because this rule-breaking enforcer spells trouble. But then he turns up with a gunshot wound and I quickly notice why he can’t go to a normal doctor. I jump into action to save his life. He’s pissy but thankful.
And suddenly this sullen alien reintroduces me to feelings I thought long buried.
But the Syndicate Boss is watching my every move. We can only play pretend in the shadows of the night, but—with or without the Syndicate’s strict rules—there’s no future for us. But that won’t stop me from indulging in his touch and his extra features.
Counterfeit Human is an alien romance that ends on a cliffhanger (book 1 of 2). This book contains dark themes and elements that some may find disturbing. It is intended for adult audiences. Please see the author's website for a more detailed list of themes.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2023
About the author
Hazel Jonas
13 books79 followersHazel Jonas lives in rural New England with her husband and a gaggle of cats. She loves to write about the creatures we’ve been told not to lust for. In late 2022, Hazel switched to writing spicy slow-burn romance.
With a background in bench chemistry and chemical manufacturing, Hazel writes part-time while working contract jobs.
She takes part in a wide variety of hobbies. Each of which depends on what direction her neurodivergent brain decides to drag her in.
With a background in bench chemistry and chemical manufacturing, Hazel writes part-time while working contract jobs.
She takes part in a wide variety of hobbies. Each of which depends on what direction her neurodivergent brain decides to drag her in.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 3, 2023
This book is part one of a two-part series. It ends in a cliffhanger.
Lilly Vale is a Mafia princess widow who has a day job as a coroner’s assistant. Rex “Silver” Woods is an alien-human hybrid hiding in plain sight as a mafia enforcer. The weird mafia subculture was not very interesting and thankfully not dwelled upon by the author. The story focused mainly on Lilly and her narcissism and Silver’s two-dimensional character. Of the two, I was mostly interested in Silver’s origin story. That story was not revealed in this installment of the two-part series. Silver has the power to persuade people to do whatever he wants just by asking. The only person immune to his power is Lilly.
The romance aspect of this story was underwhelming. Lilly is supposed to be a naïve virgin because her husband died on their wedding night before they could consummate their marriage. In this day and age, it is hard to believe that a twenty-something year old mafia princess would be naïve about anything but I’ll bite and go with the fantasy. She has this thing about not wanting her hair touched. The author made a big deal about it several times. That phobia was not adequately explained in this or the next installment of the story.
This part of the story ends with a plot twist that brings a sliver of clarity to why Lilly might be immune to Silver’s powers of persuasion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lilly Vale is a Mafia princess widow who has a day job as a coroner’s assistant. Rex “Silver” Woods is an alien-human hybrid hiding in plain sight as a mafia enforcer. The weird mafia subculture was not very interesting and thankfully not dwelled upon by the author. The story focused mainly on Lilly and her narcissism and Silver’s two-dimensional character. Of the two, I was mostly interested in Silver’s origin story. That story was not revealed in this installment of the two-part series. Silver has the power to persuade people to do whatever he wants just by asking. The only person immune to his power is Lilly.
The romance aspect of this story was underwhelming. Lilly is supposed to be a naïve virgin because her husband died on their wedding night before they could consummate their marriage. In this day and age, it is hard to believe that a twenty-something year old mafia princess would be naïve about anything but I’ll bite and go with the fantasy. She has this thing about not wanting her hair touched. The author made a big deal about it several times. That phobia was not adequately explained in this or the next installment of the story.
This part of the story ends with a plot twist that brings a sliver of clarity to why Lilly might be immune to Silver’s powers of persuasion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2023
Counterfeit Human is a unique slow burn alien romance that stays Earthside. Lilly is the widow of the son of the local mafia don. Since her husband’s death, she has been allowed to exist in a strange limbo within the mafia family. As a possible deal develops between her father-in-law and another mafia boss, Glen, she meets Silver, Glen’s enforcer. Silver is different and appears to be able to control others with simple commands. Lilly’s immunity to him intrigues and frightens Silver, but as circumstances keep forcing them together, a relationship develops.
Lilly is an extremely interesting character. Groomed and raised to be an appropriate mafia wife, she struggles even understanding and acknowledging her desires and goals. Silver challenges her world view, and as the relationship develops, Lilly slowly comes into her own. Silver has his own secrets and abilities that have warped his thoughts about relationships. As their connection grows, he, too, has to confront his own assumptions and desires.
An excellent book that ends on a moderate twist and cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the final book in the duet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lilly is an extremely interesting character. Groomed and raised to be an appropriate mafia wife, she struggles even understanding and acknowledging her desires and goals. Silver challenges her world view, and as the relationship develops, Lilly slowly comes into her own. Silver has his own secrets and abilities that have warped his thoughts about relationships. As their connection grows, he, too, has to confront his own assumptions and desires.
An excellent book that ends on a moderate twist and cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for the final book in the duet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 22, 2023
Lilly, the female lead, has been raised in the mob world, taught to live by mob rules, and has been making her own way after her husband was murdered in a way that has left others looking at her like she brings a curse.
Silver, the male half-alien lead, is an enforcer for another family. His inherent abilities allow him to manipulate others and have them do as he wants, though the effects wear off over time.
Their interactions aren’t necessarily positive but, over time, the attraction between them starts to burn, even as the mob world becomes more complex and convoluted.
This story is dual POV, well written, and very definitely slow burn. It moves slower than I would prefer, though the blurb had me hooked and an intense need to see what would happen with the plot kept me hooked. I enjoyed the significant character development, particularly for Lilly. I enjoyed the banter of their interactions. I enjoyed their intimate scenes, and especially Lilly’s dawning awareness of her preferences. I don’t generally care for cliffhanger finishes but this is rapid release and I was intrigued enough to go with it, and now I’ll get to the second part!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Silver, the male half-alien lead, is an enforcer for another family. His inherent abilities allow him to manipulate others and have them do as he wants, though the effects wear off over time.
Their interactions aren’t necessarily positive but, over time, the attraction between them starts to burn, even as the mob world becomes more complex and convoluted.
This story is dual POV, well written, and very definitely slow burn. It moves slower than I would prefer, though the blurb had me hooked and an intense need to see what would happen with the plot kept me hooked. I enjoyed the significant character development, particularly for Lilly. I enjoyed the banter of their interactions. I enjoyed their intimate scenes, and especially Lilly’s dawning awareness of her preferences. I don’t generally care for cliffhanger finishes but this is rapid release and I was intrigued enough to go with it, and now I’ll get to the second part!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
March 24, 2023
This was the first time reading this author. It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I did, it was good. The storyline was ok and made somewhat sense. There was talk about the mafia and mafia ties, but nothing concrete about it in the plot. It was mentioned and forgotten about until it was brought up again. I didn't much care for the personality of Lilly, she was abrasive and full of herself. I guess she was written like that to contrast her counterpart, Silver, and how opposite he is from her. I was honestly more interested in Silver's character and his backstory...which I hope comes in book 2. Also, what's up with the weird hair phobia Lilly has? She didn't want it to be touched but it was never addressed as to why. Overall, this was a good book that was a quick read and filled the time perfectly.
I received a copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 24, 2023
The sex scenes make this a 4-star and not a 3-star book.
Compared to the author's other slow-burn series, I'd consider this slower despite the sex happening much sooner (at ~50% as opposed to ~85% in The Celestial Stranger).
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story and loved the characters. Once the relationship took off, I was hooked right in and zoomed through to the end.
Silver's *ahem* extra features AKA his added to the spice and watching him give in to Lilly and "teach" her how to have and enjoy sex was panty melting.
Compared to the author's other slow-burn series, I'd consider this slower despite the sex happening much sooner (at ~50% as opposed to ~85% in The Celestial Stranger).
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story and loved the characters. Once the relationship took off, I was hooked right in and zoomed through to the end.
Silver's *ahem* extra features AKA his added to the spice and watching him give in to Lilly and "teach" her how to have and enjoy sex was panty melting.
March 10, 2023
Unique Sci-Fi Mafia Romance
Lilly is a dutiful Syndicate daughter, abiding by the rules and keeping her head down. Until Silver… Silver is a self-proclaimed monster, able to control everyone with his words. Everyone, except Lilly… These two shouldn’t work, and are pseudo-enemies initially, but somehow, together, they are better. Until, they aren’t… I was completely taken up with this story, both Lilly and especially Silver were such unique characters. Plus that surprise, at the end… whoa, just whoa. I can’t wait to jump into Authentic Imposter.
Lilly is a dutiful Syndicate daughter, abiding by the rules and keeping her head down. Until Silver… Silver is a self-proclaimed monster, able to control everyone with his words. Everyone, except Lilly… These two shouldn’t work, and are pseudo-enemies initially, but somehow, together, they are better. Until, they aren’t… I was completely taken up with this story, both Lilly and especially Silver were such unique characters. Plus that surprise, at the end… whoa, just whoa. I can’t wait to jump into Authentic Imposter.
February 28, 2023
An awesome story… I couldn’t put it down! A story of the Syndicate! Of family, of promises kept. No matter the cost! Lilly is finally married and the wife of a high ranking Syndicate member. She was raised for this! Trained by her parents to step into this position! But that night everything changes, because her husband is brutally murdered, leaving her without her anchor!
Great story line, with lots of backstory and strength of character! I loved it Immensely? Perry
Great story line, with lots of backstory and strength of character! I loved it Immensely? Perry
March 2, 2023
OMG!!! This book grabs the reader's attention from page 1. The premise is of an alien who is on earthand who has aligned himself with the mafia. He can control any human until he meets Lilly, the widow of the don's only son. Both are intrigued by the other but that makes anything between them dangerous. Why is he on earth? What can or will Lilly do or not do??
Fantastic story that will keep the reader enthralled!
Fantastic story that will keep the reader enthralled!
February 17, 2023
Wooo Boy that is quite the cliffhanger at the end and I did not see that coming. Lily Vale is a mafia widow who is a coroner's assistant by day. Silver is a mafia enforcer with a big secret. These two dance around each other initially and finally give into the chemistry between the two. Smoking sex scenes….
BTW I really need Silver's backstory b/c of the hints given in this one.
BTW I really need Silver's backstory b/c of the hints given in this one.
February 17, 2023
I was waiting for something else... The FMC didn't do it for me... I don't know... She is very naive, even being on the mafia and being twenty something years... She is also a coronor.... I don't know, its not very realistic... The story is not that bad but still couldn't get into it...
February 1, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book, it is filled with action and adventure, the interaction between the characters is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author.
February 22, 2023
Not my typical genera, but the alien/human romance angle is what hooked me. The spice level is 🌶🌶 and can only go up in the second book of this series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews