Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Salvation (Prophecy #2) by Lea Kirk #scifi #romance #spaceopera

Title: Salvation (Prophecy Book Two)
Author: Lea Kirk
Genre: SciFi Romance
Publisher: Lea Kirk
Available: Kobo, B&N, iBooks, Amazon (231 pages $3.99)
Rating: 5*
Rater: Pippa

Blurb:
A blessing and a curse…
Seven years ago, a single moment changed the course of Nicholaus Bock’s life forever—the moment his preternatural Gift to heal awakened in him. A gift that made him an invaluable commodity to the known galaxy. Now his mentor’s intriguing and secretive new student goes out of her way to challenge his loyalty to everything he values.

A dark secret…
After facing death and destruction during the Anferthian invasion, Sakura Yamata revels in her new-found Gift to heal. Helping Earth’s survivors keeps her mind off the loss of her family, and the memory of the terrible choices she made. Nick could penetrate her defenses and discover what she’s hiding. She must not let the handsome healer close enough for that to happen.

A race facing annihilation…
When a mysterious disease strikes the hidden sanctuary of the Anferthian dissenters, Nick and Sakura are called in to help. But someone is going to great lengths to ensure the dissenters don’t survive. Nick and Sakura must set aside their differences and work together to save them before the fragile peace between three worlds is shattered.

What I liked:
The two MCs are adorable! This is a play on the 'enemies to lovers' trope (one of my favourites) though not quite the 'kill on sight' variety. While Nick might first come across as a grade a jerk, I understood his frustration and his rejection of an unwanted gift and position forced upon him. But he swiftly rose to the challenge, and his sensitive handling of the heroine later in the book will melt the frostiest heart hardened against his preceding jerk-ish behaviour. The heroine - Sakura - is quite justified in her initial assessment of him but I felt a touch too much jealousy over his position and talent coloured her behaviour. However, as we learn how broken she is, I admired her strength and resolve, supported by the hero, as she fought to find her own path. Those nervous of the SciFi tag should be reassured - other than being on an alien planet and some simple (and in places humorous) detail on alien anatomy and customs, this is light on the SF element and much more character driven romance and adventure that any romance reader should enjoy, more like ER/CSI set off world.

What I didn't like:
The opening sex scene, while certainly hot and well written, made me wince a couple of times. Haesi is clearly a masochist but it might leave some readers flinching. Please trust me that this is a very small proportion of the book and later sex scenes are far more sensual! I would also have preferred more SF elements, but then I'm an addict for my scifi.

In conclusion:
While this wasn't the same 'tear out your heart and stomp on it' rollercoaster of book one (or maybe I was just better prepared) it is a worthy successor in this series. You will need to have read book one to follow this as I don't think it would stand well alone even if it focuses on different main characters. A heartwarming sexy romance between two characters struggling to overcome troubled pasts and really be the saviours of the title for an alien race depending on them. Both make a journey of discovery and find ways to heal themselves as well as their alien allies. Recommended for those who like medical/adventure romances in exotic locations as it may be a little light on the SciFi elements for the SFR fans.