ENEMY OVERNIGHT - Robin L. Rotham

Ellora’s Cave - www.ellorascave.com 

ISBN: 978-1-41992-256-5

June 2009

Erotic Futuristic Romance - BDSM, ménage, M/M & F/F interaction    

California, Montana, and aboard the Heptoral, a Garathani vessel orbiting Earth - Present Day

Jasmine King knew going up against the alien Garathani wouldn’t be easy, but to save her friend Monica, she was willing to do anything. Unfortunately, it seems her intel was wrong and she was just being used. In fact, she put Monica in greater danger than any she’d been in before! Having earned herself the enmity of a powerful male who can hold a grudge like no other, Lieutenant Shauss, Monica now finds herself in real jeopardy. She’s nearly out of the pheromone blocker that prevents the physical transition that would give her true identity away, and she’s just been given to Shauss, and two other Garathani males, as their mate.

Shauss was happy enough with Monica as his bondmate, sure, they’d never have the connection that she shares with his best friend Commander Kellen, but it could have been enough. Okay, so it never would have been. Monica is just too obstinate. Well, there’s that, and then there’s the undeniable urge he has to claim Jasmine as his own, make her admit that she’s never wanted anything or anyone as much as she wants him. If only he hadn’t been required to take two other males as their second and third. Hastion seems to have some mysterious malady that won’t let him do his part in the mating, and Tiber seems determined to pry into Shauss’s thoughts. It’s a good thing he’s a Dom, because really, someone needs to teach all three of his mates who the boss is.

Even a mating that starts out under ideal conditions can be complicated, but this one is really under some serious stress. What with Jasmine’s secret, terrorist attacks on Earth that are being blamed on the Garathani, and the Heptoral itself, which is being sabotaged by a mysterious enemy, it’ll be a miracle if they survive long enough to enjoy any kind of future together.

You can’t help but identify with Jasmine as she becomes an ENEMY OVERNIGHT. What true friend wouldn’t do everything in her power to prevent another friend from being forced into taking on two burly alien mates? She’s definitely not the type of woman who would try to hurt anyone, it’s just not in her nature. Confused, insecure and stuck with a dominant male whose love she wants even more than she ever wanted her remote father’s, Jasmine is in a state of flux for most of this book. But don’t worry, Jasmine will know who she is by the end and, in finding herself, she’ll surprise everyone. Shauss is most definitely a Dom, and although he enjoyed his time with Monica, the big guy is just never going to enjoy being less than top in any relationship, though with the right persuasion, he may bend on that, briefly. He’s puzzled by how irresistible he finds Jasmine, but despite that, he’s certain she’s meant to be his and he’ll prove it to all challengers. A warrior through and through, Shauss’s intense sexuality and passion could make any woman think that a pair of cuffs and a flogger might not be all bad. ;-)

Jasmine’s friend Monica hasn’t changed much since she was claimed by Kellen and Shauss in the prequel to this book, ALIEN OVERNIGHT (May 2007, I’d read it first if you haven’t yet). Still stubborn and strong willed, she’s a fierce woman and a great one to have on your side. Tiber, a Garathani doctor, is a sincere and loving man who thought his chance for love had died with his mate by the Narthani biowar attack that cost them the lives of most of their women. Hastion isn’t exactly known for being awkward about sharing his sexuality, in public or otherwise, so his present inability to claim Jasmine is disturbing for the poor guy. Shelley, a human nurse and friend to both Monica and Jasmine, is unhappy to be so near the birth of her twins and stuck on the Heptoral for her own safety. However, she is pleased to have her husband, Mark, with her. Zannen, unlike most of the Garathani males, doesn’t give the impression of fierce, masculine beauty - something that could be overlooked since he’s a fine warrior, but his attitude leaves much to be desired, especially by Jasmine whom he seems determined to disturb. Empran, the ship’s computer, probably shouldn't be considered a secondary character, however she rates as one, her interactions with Monica are hilarious! Lastly, there’s Ragan, Jasmine’s father. If anyone defines the meaning of cold, unfeeling and totally dedicated to doing what he thinks is right, it’s him.

Full of unexpected twists and turns, characters who start out interesting and evolve into even more complex and realistic ones, this passionate and well-written story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what comes next (or sometimes, who). If you like futuristic stories with a decided erotic bent, you’ve got to get a copy of ENEMY OVERNIGHT.

Lori Ann