The Starlight Rite

by Cherise Sinclair

BDSM Futuristic Science FictionHer voice is known throughout the galaxy; her face is completely unknown.Fleeing her monstrous husband back on puritanical Earth and the police assassins he's hired, singer Mella Archer becomes stranded on the frontier planet of Nexus. Desperate to survive, she picks the wrong target--Dain, the head of planetary security.Dain is amused by the attempted theft, and when Mella is sentenced to serve time indentured as a bedroom slave, he buys her contract. As he introduces the repressed Earther to the pleasures of sex with a dominating warrior, he slowly comes to realize that the little thief has stolen his heart.When the monster arrives on Nexus and has lunch with Dain, Mella is panic-stricken. Her owner must be part of the conspiracy to kill her, and it will only be a matter of time before the monster discovers that she’s still alive. She attempts to escape. She fails. Embittered by her lies and mistrust, Dain returns her to Indenture Hall to be sold again.Now the monster has found her. And she has nowhere left to run...Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements (including/not limited bondage, caning, spanking), dubious consent.

Genres: BDSM, Science Fiction, Erotica, Romance, Aliens, Paranormal, Science Fiction Romance

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2010

About the author

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she’s renowned for writing heart-wrenching romances with laugh-out-loud dialogue, alpha males, and absolutely sizzling sex.

I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually since he stood over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although we were together less than two days and lived on opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.

We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)

Nowadays, I live in the west with this obnoxious, beloved husband and a seventy-pound lap-puppy. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, collecting eggs from the chickens, and visiting the local brewery for the darkest, maltiest beer on tap. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading my books, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires.

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Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cherise Sinclair's writing style.
I have read Masters of the Shadowlands which is a BDSM romance series and I have read The Wild Hunt Legacy which is a paranormal romance series. And I loved them!
The Starlight Rite is a sci-fi romance series with a few light BDSM elements and I have to say that I am quite impressed.

There is life after death and love after mourning.

Singer Mella Archer is a fugitive. She managed to escape her husband's attempt to murder her and now she tries to hide on the frontier planet of Nexus. She trusts noone and she is desperate to survive. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), she picks the wrong target to rob. Dain is her target to rob and he is also the head of planetary security and soon her master.

Mella will try to hide her identity and she will succeed, but she will lose her heart in the process. Nexus and Earth have different customs and Mella will need to adapt and learn to enjoy her body. Dain will be a good teacher. Sadly he does not trust his little thief.

I overall enjoyed the book, but I definitely needed more grovelling by Dain towards the end of the book.

[Jenncw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yet another BDSM romance disaster confusing Stockholm syndrome with love. He is supposed to be very honorable, and, honestly, I liked him through the first quarter of the book. After that, though, he is absent except for sex, readily admits that he knows nothing about what she likes or what interests her, does nothing to help, interest, court, or stir her. Basically, at best he is disinterested, at worst, he is an a$$hole, and yet the TSTL heroine seems to find that attractive and safe. After the events on the night of the Starlight Rite, and the morning after...what he does is UNFORGIVABLE! Worst of all, he knows it is wrong, but he has his pouty little "she hurt me. She doesn't trust me" fit, when he did nothing to earn her trust, never expected or offered her anything more than sex. Oh, and his so-called honor comes back into play, supposedly excusing what he did. SPOILER: date rape drugs are date rape drugs (and he knows it, because he tells his friend that she will still suffer), no means no, and gang rape is gang rape. It is not okay. It isn't even proper BDSM, as it wasn't consensual, clearly not consensual. After all of this, though, I kept reading because I though he would at least feel a little guilty, and she would get to voice how it made her feel, but after everything, she embraces him with no recrimination, and he doesn't even regret anything or apologize. Good lord, I really hate this crap.

[Kay (❦ ᴗ ❦ ✿) BooksandMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Little thief, you’ve stolen my heart.”

Before I go on ranting and rambling and whatever, if you want to read this book, be prepare for some new word and a new world. Well, okay maybe you already expected that by reading the synopsis, so here’s another one, read the Nexan Glossary so you won’t be lost! Okay, now go on enjoying the book! [winking gifs]

I had a hard time with keeping the info at first because I have to wrap my mind around the fact that Earth is now a conservative planet and passion and being intense is not allowed. *Shudders I admit, I have cringed to that fact. What a catastrophe. Hahaha

Okay, getting back with the novel, I actually like the Nexans. They perform a Planetary Orgy people! Did you read that statement? I repeat, Planetary Orgy . But, this book is not all about fucking, well I was still excited about the planetary orgy and the rites and festival that was performed in the sake of fucking. I think I can’t get over with the planetary orgy. LOL

Mella and Dain are exact opposite of each other. Soft and hard. Fair and dark skinned. An Earther and a Nexan. Naïve and worldly. Their difference with each other is what drew me to them and to the story. I love the passion in them. Most of all, I love how Dain is a touchy-feely man. Always hugging or holding Mella’s hands or kissing.

I like how I dive into an adventure that seems familiar and yet, all too different altogether. I enjoyed the heart-stopping moments where you’ll sigh with longing and pleasure and smile at those instants where the sweet moments were. Also, I love how Mella found her voice again. I love her journey, and enjoy it. I felt her hardships and her being torn with indecisions, just about everything.

[Le · Rating 2 out of 5]

4 stars for story. 1 star for the following reality check:

This isn't dubious consent, it's non-consent. More importantly, it's unacknowledged non-consent.

At one point, the heroine says, "This is rape!" and the "hero" says, "No, it's not! Because horrible things happen to the genitals of rapists here on this planet. Oh, and also you begged me to buy you." And then the heroine feels guilty. GUILTY.

After being given an aphrodisiac (without her consent or knowledge), electrocuted, informed that she would be beaten if she tried to run away, and publicly chained to be fondled by a gathered crowd, she still turned the "hero" down. It wasn't until a sadist hurt her and started seriously bidding on her that she decided the "hero" was a lesser evil. A lesser evil... but still an evil!

The sad part is, aside from the whole "delusions of consent" issue, this was a decent story. The male MC could 'fess up to the fact that she was completely unwilling, and it wouldn't change the plot at all. Replace his little rapist-genitalia speech with, "Yes, it's rape. I know this isn't voluntary on your part. I'm hoping that it won't always be that way, though." and voila! Exactly the same story, but without the spectre of unacknowledged rape hanging over the whole thing.

I can tell by the reviews that this didn't bother most people, but this conversation took place around the 25% mark. I was absolutely convinced there would be a reality check somewhere in the remaining 75% of the story, and kept wincing while waiting for the MCs to come to their senses. He goes on and on and ON about honesty, but NEVER acknowledges that their first few sexual encounters were rape. That's all I'm asking for. He doesn't even need to be sincerely apologetic (although it would be nice, especially when he finds out why she was behaving criminally in the first place...).

It was a decent plot, excellent world-building. I was too frustrated to accurately gauge the sex scenes.

[The Glassed And The Furious · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ehm no... I enjoyed other Sinclair books but this one is just wrong. Stockholm Syndrom alert, confusing it with love, date rape drug, gang rape.... No no no no no. This is just not okay.

[Mspink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a different type of background setting for CS than we are used to. Very sci-fi. But also laced with that delicious D/s flavor. A tough as nails hero with a heart of gold. A stubborn yet vulnerable female who falls reluctantly for him but very sweetly. Yummy dominant lovin. And of course, a nasty bad-guy who we all hate.

Once again, another well written story by CS. I admit I'm looking forward to more of the "Masters" books but this very different book was just proof she can pull it off in many different settings. I can't really give any criticism. I don't think I really liked how much she actually had to endure before they finally figured out the truth of the situation and trusted each other. But thats just me. Not the author. This was her vision of how the story resolved itself and I honestly loved it all. I hate that its over now and I have to wait for the next one!!

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

**Spoilers**

I had mixed feelings about this book.
It made me uncomfortable to say the least.
Mella was stranded on a foreign planet, the Nexan world, due to her horrible monster of a husband wanting to murder
her and inherit her money.
Due to the circumstances, Mella is hungry, dirty, alone and without a cent to her name.
This causes her to make the biggest mistake of her life, to rob someone for money for a safe passage Home to Earth.
Dain is her chosen victim and the story goes Down Hill from there.
She is caught, imprisoned, humiliated, and then auctioned off as a sex slave.
Dain bids on her and takes her home as a sex slave.

I find it Horrible that a person would be forced to be a sex slave for stealing.
That is a case of the punishment definitely NOT fitting the crime.

Mella doesn't trust Dain and with good reason.
Her husband has several law men in his pocket
and she doesn't know if Dian is a part of it or not.
She is alone, barely survived her husband's attack on her,
why should she trust anyone,
especially someone in law enforcement, and especially Dain who has done nothing to warrant that Trust ???


I was interested in Dain's character in the Beginning of the story but soon came to Resent him.
I will list three reasons why I did NOT like Dain and did Not want Mella to stay with him by the end of the book.
I felt at the end, that Mella should have returned to Earth...
1.)
He whipped her for trying to escape and he had the nerve to pull the
"it hurts me more than you" crap..
Please stop with the Dramatics, he whipped her and it hurt her way more:
“After your first escape attempt, I could have caned you until my arm wouldn't rise. I could have whipped you all night, as long as I didn't break the skin.”
He was furious.
“Mella.” He cupped her cheek in one hand. “You will receive ten strikes with a cane.”

Dain is supposed to be this Honor Bound law man, but as soon as he gets her alone he is having his way with her. He doesn't even try to help her out in any way nor does he try, just talking with her in the beginning to question her circumstances.
It was more like, No, We must establish our master / sexual slave relationship first !

2.)
When she tries her second attempt to escape, because, who wants to be a slave?
He returns her back to the Indenture Hall to be resold,
not caring that she would be in an even worse situation and having to start all over again with being a slave:
"I'm returning you to the Indenture
Hall. Perhaps your new master will prove more to your liking.”_Dain Chapter 18
Seriously? Dain is such jerk!

3.)
Mella is FORCED to participate in the Starlight Rite.
Because Dain felt bad for beating her, She was given the option to:
“You have two choices. You can be the avatar of Artema tonight—touched by everyone, but taken by only one. Or you can be a guest and
join the regular rites, and every man here will touch and take you. Choose.”

Dain knew that she did not ask to attend the Rite because she wanted to participate, he knew that was only and excuse to escape and yet he forced her to participate:
"And neither did the realization that she’d conned him into coming to this Party just so she could escape. His mouth tasted bitter as he used the comunit to call the Indenture Hall." _Chapter 15

I can Not believe he referred to the Starlight Rite as a "Party".
I thought Parties were Voluntary, however, the author basically stated that the Starlight Rite was Mandatory and even went as far as to say if a person didn't participate, they would be cursed by the goddess and gods:
"Cernun—it was his LastDay—removed the man’s ability to procreate for an entire year."
“I've also heard of a woman who lost the capacity to enjoy shulin.”
- Gee, what a way to Manipulate people...

So, Mella chose Goddess, was then tied up, accosted and fondled by numerous men for hours against her will.
The whole time Dain watched from the bar and he was aroused:
"Dain held his hands out, he'd already been hard all evening from watching Mella being pleasured.
He'd wanted her then; he still wanted her"
"Sitting at the drink table, Dain watched the little thief be roused and then satisfied, again and again. With the lighting focused on the stage,
he could see her every expression. Satisfaction, yes, but
humiliation and anger also."

Those are the reasons why I do NOT like Dain.
It takes him forever to get a frickin CLUE when
All of the Signs were right in front of him about who Mella was..
He should have put it together sooner:
"Much of the fear had disappeared from her eyes over the past few days. Not all, though. His mouth tightened as he remembered the terror that flashed across her face at times. No woman should be afraid,
not even a thieving one. Although he had to admit, a woman stranded on an unfamiliar planet might have more reason to fear than most."

He was looking for a Earth woman who was "supposedly" killed.
- An Earth Woman tries to rob him for money.
And, this was AFTER he stated that his planet did not get many people from Earth.
Duh Dain, just... frickin Duh !
Dain was just.. too slow and too stupid for someone having twenty years in law enforcement.

The Reader kept being Told that Dain had so much Honor but
I didn't see it at all in his inner dialogue, deeds and actions.


I also didn't get the full meaning of the Starlight Rite, when it was explained,
it was a bit vague in certain parts.

I mean, was it only for unmated people?
"Bred? The clanae and Blackwell had used that word also. Surely she misunderstood. “You…breed…for certain things?”

"The clanae leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “The Zarain kinline breeds for leaders and warriors. For courage, strength, intelligence, and the ability to command. We select our mates according to those criteria. Only under moonless nights during Starlight Rites are our requirements
relaxed.”

I sent an email to the author and she replied about the Starlight Rite, her response:
"Because the population was so small and because the clans were trying to focus on breeding in certain traits
(which tends to lead to inbreeding),
the Rites are for every single fertile person, mated or not. However,
the planet is no longer isolated. With the influx of new people,
the Rites will undoubtedly change and couples' attendance would be voluntary."_ Cherise Sinclair Feb 2016


I really had an issue with this story.
The book description sounded ok but it fell a bit short.
Dain was upset that Mella tried to escape, who wouldn't?
He seemed to want her to care for him but he did not act caring towards her.
I mean he bid on her at the slave auction when he did not have to but..
no one forced him to bid.
And, at the end of the story he asked Mella to "marry" him,
But what does that mean to Him ???
Marriage is an earth term and he is not from Earth..
And, would he force her to participate in the Starlight Rite AGAIN the next time even if they are married ?

Dain's behavior throughout the novel was disappointing and something just did not sit right with me about this story line.
I'm just glad that this book did not have a sequel.


I will try other books by this author to see if her style is for me.

[Mrs. Missive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay...officially a Cherise Sinclair addict. I will read any book she puts out now. While she does have strong themes that run through her books (strong Dom characters, a woman reluctant to submit or new to the scene, and HOT steamy spanky sex), there is enough diversity in her character choices and story lines that I don't feel bored.

This book was the first Sci-Fi tale I have read from Sinclair. In this tale Earth has gone through the "Moral Wars" and sex is deemed for procreation only. Well poor Earthling singer Mella finds herself running for her life from her dick hole husband on a planet that punishes people by selling them for slave labor.

Of course she has to steal to try and get food, so she just so happens to get caught and sold as a sex slave. The one thing that I could have done with less of was the "alien" terminology. Renaming every sexual part/act, and every animal species and social class was a little much. I did discover (after I finished the book) that there was a glossary of the terms in the back. Would have been much more useful had I known it was there.

Even though the terminology had me scratching my head from time to time, the story flowed fantastically. There was action, hot sex, an alien orgy, and a HEA. It was great. Can't wait to read her next book out. And if this book turns into a series....oh I am so there.

[lynn❤️lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved this book. I don't normally do sci fi, but this is just wow...I want me a Dane. The relationship between Mella and Dane is soooo hot, even if she is an enforced slave to start with. I loved the mystery, the story line kept me hooked throughout. The story is well written, and I found myself lost to another world. This world was so different and yet so similar to our current world.
I found the explanation for the new world at the back, but for me this was not needed as the story was so clear I worked this out for myself. This story was interestingly different,but not stupidly bizarre. Fantastic. Going to read more by this author

[Chappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I was quite impressed with Cherise Sinclair' foray into the sci-fi genre.

Earth has become a crazy religious place where sex is only allowed for breeding. While trying to escape her evil husband, Mella ends up stranded on a far away colony planet, Nexus. Things are very different here. Sex is not only encouraged but celebrated and oh yeah...you can buy indentured sex slaves.

Mella gets caught trying to rob Dain and gets sentenced to 39 days as a slave. Thank goodness that Dain purchases her contract and he manages to coax her sexuality back to life.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably more like 2.5 stars. But the main concept of it just brought it down for me. I had some issues with the slave/no choice thing and as that was continuously shoved in my face through different scenarios I couldn't get over it.

Still, I enjoy Ms. Sinclair's writing, and look forward to her next book.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a well-crafted, well-written story with great characters.

Other reviewers described this book as BDSM-light. This was my first such book, and after reading it, I can say for certain that the BDSM realm is not for me at all. But, I did not factor that into my rating, because I wanted to do the book justice - it was a great story!

[Melanie♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I do hope Ms. Sinclair plans to spin more tales in this world of Nexus.

[TINNGG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Under the heading of "books I have no idea why I bought them" comes this - a love story with a side order of Stockholms. I mean; I guess that it's believable given the apparent chemistry and feels but you know, if I'd been aware that the h spends the better part of the book as a sex slave, I don't believe I would have bought it.

So our h is in a pickle. Her husband paid a couple of what passes for local law enforcement to kill her. Only, the ship she was flying on was a former smuggler's ship, and the captain had clued her in on the smuggler's hatch. So she was able to escape the assassination attempt. Now she's hiding, and through what seems to me to be a massive oversight on the part of the smuggler/captain, broke (what? No bag of coins stashed in there for emergency?). She attempts to rob what looks to be a cripple only to find herself face to face with the leader of the local law enforcement. Punishment for robbery plus managing to cause his injury to flair up is a total that equals 38 days of indentured servitude. Since she has no marketable skills, that translates to sex slave. He buys her. I mean; she could have ended up in a brothel...

Over the course of a week or so, there's a discussion about rape in which he informs her that sex slaves can't say no, much sex, a couple of escape attempts - all following seeing something about her apparent death on the news. That last one was a doozy - he was having lunch with her husband *and* the two killers. So she has a damn good reason for not telling him who she is.

And of course, there's the starlight rite - a planetary orgy. She got him to take her to the place his clan would partake in the ritual, then tried to escape. She's caned, and gets to participate in the ritual whether she wants to or not.

After he has her sent back to the indenture hall for resell, he gets around to doing some serious investigating, manages to find the video was altered, find footage of her leaving the terminal, etc. Meanwhile, he's also inadvertently let her husband know she's alive and where she is, so when he figures out what's what, there's the mad rush to save her.

Things that bugged me:
The setup obviously
The lack of emergency funds - you'd think a smuggler might hide something as backup
The rite taking place at the clan one of the killers belonged to (yet he apparently was a no show. Hmmm)
A professional singer (the h is famous) that has never performed publicly, and in fact, nobody knows what she looks like. I mean; I can't imagine that being pulled off *today* and this book is set in the future. Nobody took a snapshot of her at a studio or something? Eh? This conveniently to explain why she was not recognized by anyone until she sang in an attempt to cause a distraction when her husband was trying to drag her off planet.

[carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherise Sinclair has done it yet again, written a BDSM romance that appeals to the romantic in me, as much as the stories BDSM elements appeal, and which, in my opinion are so erotically portrayed. This story has a Sci fi setting, futuristic and set on the planet Nexus, one of a number of planets where humans migrated and settled in the past. It portrays Earth and Earthers, post moralistic wars, where through controlling organised religion people no longer are allowed to experience sexuality as a pleasurable bonding between two lovers, but as an overly repressed people where sex is for procreation only, touch and contact kept to a minimum and seen as dirty and a sin. Nexans are the opposite they explore and enjoy their sexuality in all it's forms and seeing the need to widen their gene pool they see sex as a sharing gift, again within the religion of being supported by their gods and goddesses. Mella, escaping an assassination attempt by her husband finds herself fending for her survival on which to her is an alien planet and culture. Sentenced to a short term as an unshuline or sex slave for a crime committed, she finds herself in the temporary ownership of Dain. His treatment of her, her experiences of opening up and exploring her sexuality and peace of mind within his clan family home are beautifully thought out and told by Cherise Sinclair with all the detail one has come to expect from her lovely stories. I have become an avid fan of this writers work. Two stories evolve here, one is the underlying crime story that adds conflict, of a husband bent on his wife's death and acquisition of her assets, the other of a young woman who finds despite marriage has no knowledge or understanding of the beauty of a sexuality shared with a dominant but caring and powerful man. For me it was one of these stories that has everything and therefore has to be five star.

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the first book in the Shadowlands collection (for now the only one i've read) but reading this one made me smile for about an hour after i have finished it.
I have always liked alpha males but regrettably they more often then not turn into jerks bending their heroins to their will against their wishes for usually their own selfish means however the hero in this book was anything but that. Kind, patient, protective, teasing, always giving priorities to her needs before his own, sexually dominant and he never forced the heroine into anything because he even POSSIBLE SPOILER bought her as his slave because she chose him and let her go because he thought being with him made her unhappy. SPILER END
The heroine also was everything i could hope for (determined, independent, courageous and vulnerable person with a good heart).

If you are looking for BDSM books with sadism/masochism this one is not for you because it focused more on d/s relationship and a bit of bondage and discipline.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Mella's husband has tried to kill her and she's stuck on the streets on a planet that doesn't have any kind of help for the indigent. She tries to steal from Dain who happened to be a cop. One of the punishments is you're sold as a slave during your sentence, to be used in any way they see fit as long as it's not lasting pain. Dain feels bad for her and buys her as a sexual slave. He's going to take advantage of it too. Mella's husband had hired some of their type of cops so she can't really trust anyone and when she sees Dain talking with her ex-husband, she positive she can't trust him.

There was a lot of that back and forth - I trust him, no I don't - going on. A little too much I think and Dain acted like a hurt puss toward the end. It has a HEA, but I'm not sure it or rather he deserved it.

I like this author's books, but this one not as much as the others. It's still good though.

[Demi Idle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the erotica in this book, and the narrative is excellent. I liked the setting, and the premise. I also don't have a problem with fantasy rape, per se. What I found problematic is unrealistic response of the characters to the supposed huge cultural difference.
A prudish woman from Earth where sexual pleasure is not allowed, and even a kiss is considered a sin could not have possibly enjoyed being raped, drug, or no drug.
I also find the justification of sexual slavery by a supposedly honourable man questionable. "I will have nightmares if I caned you, but raping you is perfectly OK, because you are a slave. And, no, raping women who are not slaves is a crime. Ah, and I would later decide to marry you, even so I did not consider you an equal human being before."
As a result of this incongruity I could not relate to the characters, and only started to get into the book at about half-way mark.

[Booklover, Indianapolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

(April) Pretty good, but needed length to add depth to the story. I felt like I've read this before - it wasn't all that original, and I didn't understand or particularly like the Starlight Rite scene in the book - seemed like a convoluted reason for people to have an orgy a few times a year (and I wonder about siblings/parents/etc. being there together - even if they are not together, they still see each other but supposedly everyone has to be there!). When Mella was singing to the little girls, it reminded me of the Ann Margrock episode of the Flintstones, and when Dain told her "all men have a preference on a woman's body shape and her's happens to be his" (ok, not a direct quote, but close enough!) it reminded me when Jack said the same thing to Amanda in Lisa Kleypas's Suddenly You. Anyway - the sex was good, the ending a bit abrupt, but overall a good read.

[B.E.Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, The Starlight Rite is my first Cherise Sinclair book and I think she is a great author. I flew through this book really quickly and I was surprised how fast I finished it. I would have liked this book way more had **SPOILERS** there been no public lovin and free touching **END SPOILER** with that being said this was still a great book. The world building was fantastic and transported me right along with the characters. Dain was a great hero and I loved how possessive he was of Mella even when he thought she was a thief. I know a lot of people don't like what Dain did to Mella( I didn't either) but I felt bad for him it was obvious that what he was forced to do caused him almost as much pain. Mella was a great heroine she was strong but vulnerable and I liked her a lot. I will defiantly be reading more from Cherise Sinclair in the future.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Consent. It's a THING! A verrrry important thing. Though I do like to read alien romance and BDSM novels, this idea to just fuck them into complacency is grrrrr >:( Slightly better than another book I recently read, only because this has an actual story going on and isn't (only) simply porn, it is still lacking. Even if you crave to submit, that does not mean you want to be forced. Another stockholm syndrom case (does this apply when you're not kidnapped ? I mean she's still a prisoner. By law. ).

Is there never a novel where the woman just says 'fuck off. no.' and leaves? :( Women don't leave behind all their senses just because they have finally an orgasm. *stinkeye* grrrrr

Otherwise, as I mentioned, nicely written and nice world building - I might just pick up another novel from this author, but maybe in a different genre.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was amazing, the characterisation was intriguing and the world-building was nothing short of brilliant. The only reason I won't give this story five stars is because of the rape connotations. Despite the attempts at justification, and the planet's laws, Mella does not consent to some of the sex, and Dian basically steam rolls her refusal by claiming that rape is rare on his planet, and any male who attempts it is castrated and tossed into the mines to be used in much the same way by prisoners. While this was an interesting, and brutal, way to look at such a crime, I wasn't comfortable with the way this story depicted a D/s relationship. It felt like the dynamic was too unbalanced and unequal for the relationship to be a healthy one, even when Mella gained her freedom.

[KristenReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 to 3 stars
What do you get when combining erotica, BDSM, and Sci-fi together? A very strange read. This book was just a little too out there for me.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Delight
Ever had one of those books you really enjoy and there aren't more because it wasn't a series? This is the one. I loved it so much and wanted more of this world only to find out it was a one time event. Cherise dips her toes into Sci-Fi and does so much justice to it. This was a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much the second time.


Review
Singer Mella Archer is known across the galaxy for her voice, but her face is known by few. When her murderous husband on the pure religious Earth puts a hit on her head, Mella escapes, but is stranded on a strange planet with no means to get back home or pay for food. Thinking to mug someone, Mella picks a man limping thinking him an easy target, but she picked the wrong man to assume was weak.

Dain is the head planet security, injured, but healing. When a meek woman tries to rob him, it isn't hard to put her down. When Mella is indentured for her crimes, Dain purchases her services. Only Mella isn't aware that by services, it means anything he wants, including sex.

Dain introduces Mella to sins of the body, hoping to gain some pleasure with the little thief while also keeping her from the hands of others who would do her harm. The planet is beautiful but also has an edge that could kill a person easily. Rules are put in place, but also violating some rules means punishment and a return to the auction block. Dain starts to care, but Mella starts to betray him with her secrets.

Faced with a fear that Dain is working with her husband, Mella must decide if she believes Dain is innocent or willing to turn her over to her murderous husband. But also can she risk letting everyone know she is the singer everyone is enthralled with? Can she be honest and forgiving.

The story wakes up a prude raised on Earth where sex is only for having children. Her husband isn't the greatest, but she believes he only has her interest at heart. The betrayal she feels also hampers her willingness to trust let alone let go to her body's need.

I love the world that was build. The slightly super powers, the rituals of seasons, the acceptance of sexuality and the people who you learn more about. I really wished this was a series with more books, but I guess I was one of the rare people who loved this one. I will continue to cherish it as one of my favorite Sci-Fi Romances.


Challenges Met

Review Writing Challenge #67
Literary Pickers #52 - Space cargo or transport ship

Preview

This review was originally posted on Delighted Reader

[ML Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very meh. Not up to her usual standards imo.

[SusanAhh · Rating 4 out of 5]

His "Laria"

I drew enormous pleasure from reading this book! This is the first sci-fi alien/human romance I have read and I certainly was fortunate in my choice. Ms. Sinclair creates a brand new galaxy to place her out of this world futuristic tale. A world describing interplanetary travel with the planets colonized by humans eons ago. The book has sort of a frontier flavor with sci fi technology sprinkled in the wild untamed alien city scenery and strange rural landscapes. Of course the "piece de reistance" is the all-consuming, at times, mind blowing sex and sexiness of our main characters with a little BDSM sprinkled in to up the hotness factor.
Mella, an "Earther" is a famous intergalactic singer even on the planet upon which she finds herself stranded, incognito, running away from a murderous husband. Dain is a General of the security forces on this planet, Nexus. Mella has the misfortune, or it is more appropriate to say, "good fortune" to end up his sex slave for trying to mug him steal from him while hiding out in the alien city, living on the streets.
Dain could not be written any sexier. He is a beautiful tall slender muscled Nexan with stormy grey eyes and dark hair. He is magnificently Dominant, overwhelmingly sexy and principled.
Mella is short, measured by " Nexan" standards, softly voluptuous with fiery red hair and soft fair skin. A real contrast to Nexan females who are dark, tall and slender. Of course, her exotic looks to a Nexan eye make her intriguing and a novelty for "coupling".
The societies of Earth and Nexus, while vastly different, both involve a paternalistic culture, with neither world seemingly ideal.
The society of Earth in which Mella was raised viewed woman as weak, even "sin-infected". There was a "Prophet" who proclaimed sex to be solely for procreation and never for recreation or even communication. This society was entirely male dominated with elders and the like. For me, this was sorely depressing to think after eons, the society remaining on earth would still be this dull, colorless, hierarchical world that put its belief and faith in all things in the hands of some puritanical bastward (my spelling of a familiar word). I know, I know it's fiction. Yet, in societies of our nation and world the fight to throw off the chains of paternalism is a sustained and continuous struggle. I pray for a more equal and democratic society with empowered men and women in the future.
(In my view, the only place a man should have permission to dominate a woman is with their woman in the bedroom. This permission should be earned every day with their loving care. Aren't you glad you asked? 😀)
Which brings me to the seemingly opposite situation in the "clanae" society of the planet, Nexus. Here hedonism rules the day for many reasons. One of the reasons given in the story is the need for genetic variety. I am not sure how yearly orgies contribute to the the genetic variety? This could've been accomplished by carefully screening the mates in private. Even with their albeit healthier attitudes toward sex, men still "rule the world" Again, an intergalacticly depressing thought.
I did get some consolation in that the festival involving the huge annual orgy was in honor of a goddess...And that the psychic lie detector judge was a female.
Of course the best part of the whole read was the love. The love between Dain and Mella and the tension of this relationship will appeal to any romantic at heart.
I also enjoyed the idea of the walk of the soul through the desert sands for purification. The length of the walk depending upon how much of the world's sins the soul carried with it before entering into another realm or heavenly rest.
That...and the beautiful word (one of many) the author created for "sweetheart". His "Laria".

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

So...this book was interesting. Different--from other books I've read and from my expectations. It wasn't bad, persay. I enjoyed the read and got through it fairly quickly. But what I enjoyed was not what I expected to.
Erotic BDSM futuristic science fiction. Not a phrase I hear every day. I'll admit. I enjoyed the world settings and found them interesting for the most part. Earth becoming a repressive Puritanical religious bastion was not as much of a stretch as I'd like to think it is. I did get a little tired of the constant Earth/ morality/ sexual fidelity=bad, new planets with relaxed sexual morals and standards=good. Yes, Earther culture, as described was pretty awful, but there was a time or two in the book where I felt like Sinclair was beating me over the head with her not-so-subtle anti-Puritanical message. But most of the time that didn't cause a major distraction for me. The Nexan world Sinclair created might not have been incredibly original or sophisticated, but it was coherent and interesting, and as such kept my attention. Religion, culture, sexual mores, biology, criminal justice system, and even an evolved language or at least dialect, etc--all were pretty comprehensively covered.
The sex was covered too, in the usual detail. and there was the usual Sinclair BDSM themes. I don't mind those in her other books; I actually generally enjoy them. But one thing I'm discovering that I am very much not OK with is blurry lines of consent. there were a lot of "reasons" why Mella had to have sex in this book, but most of them made me very uncomfortable. Sexual slavery as punishment? Ick. Date-rape type drug that requires sex for release? really ick. "You came to this sexual religious rite, so now you have to perform. with everyone." ugh. just ugh. not poorly written. Not even necessarily wrong. Just not my thing, at all. I didn't find the sex scenes sexy at all. I was too busy being distracted by the not-really-consensual nature of those sex scenes (and the lack of safety word/ procedure).
All that said, I still found the story interesting and read it the whole way through fairly quickly. Dain as a character really grew on me. Obviously, I didn't like some of his choices at the beginning (consent. sexual slavery. no.), but I think more than any of Sinclair's other characters that I've read, Dain felt real and flawed. he was some perfect telepathic master. He had his own demons and scars, and they affected his relationship with Mella and made him more vulnerable to/ with her. Mella was a little more difficult to relate to, since she was so uptight and repressed/ suppressed. But she wasn't unlikable. Secondary characters were not very detailed, but they were interesting and diverse and served their purposes well. Blackwell seemed like a candidate for a companion novel starring him, much like Jake was in Master of the Mountain. And if that happens, I'd give the book a try. Maybe he'd be a little more concerned about consent and I could really fully enjoy story, setting, characters, and ALL their interactions.

[jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me say that I don’t read sci-fi, I can watch the occasional alien movie but the books- pure snooze fest. That being said, I finished Starlight Rite in two days and stayed up till midnight to finish it. I really enjoyed it. I didn’t love, love, love it. Wha? I know, I know…it is sacrilege to say that. I generally love Cherise Sinclair books so much that I will read ANYTHING she writes, hence moving out of my comfort zone with this erotic sci-fi.

The book is Sinclair’s first and you can tell. It’s not as tight as her Shadowlands and Dark Haven series which I can’t help but compare them to. Those books are so awesome, I always feel like I am in the book and am usually on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens and talking to the characters as if I know them (no..I’m not crazy, I’m perfectly aware of what I’m doing and they don’t talk back). This book was not that way for me.

The story involves Mella, a human from puritanical Earth that goes to the planet Nexus to escape her horrible husband. While there, her ship is blown up and she is assumed dead but she has escaped. Starving and in need of money to get back to Earth, she decides to steal from someone. That someone is Dain, his leg is busted and he is using a cane while it heals. Unfortunately for Mella, he is also head of planetary security. She is arrested and is sentenced to being his ushiline (sex slave of sorts) for the next 39 days. He turns out to be a really caring and honorable guy and she is given a great deal of freedom. He also teaches her the joy of sexual pleasures. That bit is really hot! Especially the scene of The Starlight Rite, which is basically a planetary orgy (our couple stays monogamous in a REALLY creative way that I enjoyed). Of course, there are feelings for each other with both people afraid to express them. Stubborn doms.

On the positive, I really liked the couple. Cherise writes realistic characters with flaws and makes them very relatable. I cared about Mella and Dain and wanted them to be together. The sex was smoking hot and there was good conflict. The negative…it took me a while to get into the terminology and the planet Nexus. I pictured the beginning of Star Wars for my vision of their world, and some of the language reminded me of Yoda. I’ve read paranormal where I was consumed by the book and lived in it for days after I finished it. This was not that book.

Would I read a sequel? Hell yes! I think there could be one with Dain’s best friend. Do I prefer her contemporary BDSM books, 100%. To me, Cherise is the “Master” of BDSM. I’ll read whatever she writes but this wouldn’t be at the very top of my pile.
Book: 4

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

After escaping an assassination attempt ordered by her husband, singer Armelina Archer finds herself stranded on the planet Nexus. Starving, penniless, and terrified of going to the authorities for fear of her husband finding out she’s still alive, Mella is forced to steal to survive. One night, however, she picks the wrong target: Dain, head of planetary security.

Dain has no choice but to turn Mella over to the Nexan justice system where she is sentenced to serve time as an indentured sex slave. Dain takes pity on the lovely thief, however, and buys her contract. He’s quickly captivated by the little Earther and relishes unwrapping the sensuality the repressed Mella hides. But his instincts tell Dain that the woman who is fast claiming his heart is keeping secrets from him. Secrets that could cost her everything…even her life.

Cherise Sinclair boldly takes this reader where she’s never gone before: to a fascinating, unique planet filled with intriguing characters and explosive passion. The Starlight Rite is all about sensuality and discovery (and sometimes the two combined). It’s engaging and wholly entertaining, chiefly because its protagonists are so endearing. Mella is a genuinely kind, warm woman who has not only suffered great loss, fallen victim to betrayal, but has also been raised on a puritanical version of futuristic Earth. I loved watching her break out of her shell, move past the pain she’s suffered, and open her heart and mind to Dain, his loved ones, and the Nexan way of life. She makes mistakes, out of fear and because of the lessons life has taught her, but those mistakes only serve to humanize her. Dain, in turn, is both dominant and caring, warrior and lover, perfect match for Mella and…perfect hero to make a reader wish she could toss Mella aside to claim him.

The Starlight Rite is different from any of Ms. Sinclair’s books I’ve read before, yet one factor remains the same: I loved it. The Starlight Rite is fast-paced, original, and wholly delightful. I’m crossing my fingers Ms. Sinclair will take readers back to Nexus one day; Dain happens to have a cousin that is just begging for a story – or perhaps it’s me that Ms. Sinclair has left begging for his story.

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been trying to figure out this books and how to review it. First I want to say I liked the book. It was a beautiful love story. I loved the world Cherise Sinclair created. I've love all of her Doms of Dark Haven series. But although this had BDSM elements, I'd classify this as BDSM light. Dain, the hero was a natural dominant, and the heroine Mella was a natural submissive. The hero and heroine seem a couple that would be perfectly happy with light bondage and mild spanking.

There are "harder" BDSM elements which were all mandated by the planet's laws/culture and neither the hero or heroine enjoyed them. The heroine was auctioned off because she committed a crime, and the hero bought her because he didn't think she deserved the cruel people who'd buy her. Or the hero had to cane her because she ran away from him, it hurt her and made him sick. And then the big sexual feast "the Starlight Rite" where she's masturbated by the whole clan, didn't really do it for me because she was given an aphrodesiac and it was forced on her (granted better than the alternative). It wasn't something she'd be comfortable with under normal circumstances and the hero didn't seem happy about it as he wasn't participating in the night's events either. So I really couldn't kink on any of these because neither character seemed to enjoy them either. Despite these instances, this was a sweet love story and a good read.