Nightflyers

by Isabel L. Martens

Dr. Tess Lockhart doesn’t believe in extraterrestrials—until she becomes the latest attraction in an alien zoo. To ensure her safety, she undertakes the role of official zoo doctor as she and Arnie, a friend and fellow detainee, make plans for an escape. Their plans take a complicated turn when Arnie brings her an injured creature. Tess warily nurses the virile, winged humanoid back to health, knowing too well that aliens aren’t to be trusted. Too bad she can’t convince her heart. As the months pass, Tess finds herself drawn to her charge, Roan. In this world, though, Tess is the alien…and their fragile love may not be able to survive their differences.

Genres: Aliens, Romance, Science Fiction

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2009

About the author

I grew up swinging through the jungle on vines, sailing pirate ships, and riding black stallions across the western plains. I slayed villains and befriended dragons all without leaving my own back yard. In due time I relocated to my bedroom with a portable typewriter which, over time, morphed into a computer. (What an marvelous invention.) Lurking in the back of my mind was the golden prize; getting published. Having the chance to share my stories with others. That time is now. Hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoyed the writing them.

contact: ilscott500@yahoo.com

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable read from a new author.

complete with slow burn romance and well developed romance.

[Galateea · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I just gotta ask...

WHY THE HELL IS THIS NOT WILDLY POPULAR?



I remember when I first read this book years back and I was shook!

Like, never mind that it is vastly superior to easily 90% of the alien porn books which I've read so far, but it actually has a plot and world-building and characters with an actual personality.

I need someone to explain to me once again like I'm an idiot, why damn good books are not even 1% as popular as other ones of the genre who look like they were written in under 2 weeks by a bored university student who wants to try writing fanfiction for the first time.



I don't get it. This book has a plot, real characters, realistic reactions, and damn good descriptions. And it barely has 30 something ratings and 2 - 2!!!??? - tiny reviews. While my personal dark cloud of hated piece of paper, has over 100 times more.

OK, fine. I admit to having this intense hatred for uncharacteristically weak and stupid FL, but still!



...by how unpopular this book is when compared to how brilliant it is. You have a hot alien, cultural differences, actual things going on, and people reacting how people should react in those situations. Cause let's be honest here, no one looks at a bigass, scary motherfucking alien who looks obviously alien and thinks "Hmmm, You know what I should do now? Bang him." upon first seeing the extraterrestrial. The first thing one does is probably:

A. faint

B. flight

C. fight

Yes, my darlings, the 3 Fs and no, as you can see I have not included fucking among them because unless one is part of a select Tumblr community, we don't just have our brains go into bangey mode for an ET.

I... think?



See? ⬆ This is what I'm talking about.



People kidnapped by aliens do not just go around thinking about spontaneously screwing those aliens - unless they super pretty, been a couple of dry months and they desperate, or some weird biological mating instinct suddenly kicks in.

I'm betting my money on the plants being the first. I'm being serious here.



This is why Tess seems like a real person with real problems, most of which are pretty damn serious: being stuck as a being that is classed somewhere between a pet and a slave on a distant planet taking care of other beings in an alien zoo. No escape, no freedom, no certainty that your very-not-kind and-nice-master won't just cut his losses and decide to feed you to any of the highly dangerous species of weird creatures stuck in cages in this very-not-nice zoo.

As for Roan...



You get brownie points for taking care of your gurl while she was hurt and not sure that she would make it, but you could have made an effort to accommodate her better, you stubborn mule.

Aaaa...

Stubborn flying bat fox alien male.

Gosh, I wish this hidden gem had a sequel or two. Unfortunately for everyone - me especially - the author has been mia for more than a decade.

I know...

I tried...

Still suffering...

Same thing happened with the author of I mean... how can I properly stalk my favorite, obscure, vanished authors if they're obscure and unreachable?

I need answers over here...

And more books.

*Violently bangs fist on the table*

"BRING ME THE AUTHORS! ALIVE! BRING THEM TO ME!"

*Ends roar*

But seriously... can we get more Tess and Roan after more than a decade? Sometimes I think I'm too patient for things I know will never come...

[Book Utopia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The really strong world building overwhelmed any sense of consistent characterization. The romance felt secondary, and though I could buy her feelings, I needed more from Roan. I understood his reticence - and felt his grief - but I didn't see why he would ever change for Tess.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting story. I enjoyed the emotional conflicts.

I would like to see her write a similar book or a sequel.

[Bebe Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read with interesting aliens. There was some graphic violence in the first part. It was a little jarring but not out of line with the story.

[MockeryMock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really quite good, definitely deserves to be better known. I wish the author had written more.