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Cybershock
Zero Factor
"Armed and dangerous "
A "Cybershock" Story
Born a psionic a rare human prized by the government for her gifts agridome worker Via Brede lives by two simple rules: slip into stealth mode whenever the cybernetic-enhanced militia is near. And never remove the gloves that block her psychic ability.
During a routine delivery, a tear in her glove connects her with what should be her worst nightmare. A meched-out soldier with bulging muscles and a scarred face that makes her heart pound like a pneumatic drill. She also envisions his death in an attack that happens "now."
Locke s typically ho-hum mission goes sideways when the stunning, green-eyed bubble farmer plants a sensual kiss that sets fire to every one of his remaining man-nerves. He also sees her vision. His own commander is about to kill him.
He needs Via to find out why. First step is to get her to Old Las Vegas without succumbing to a raw, sexual need that burns in him like fever. Getting there will be a snap. Getting out alive and winning her trust might be a little tougher.
Warning: This title contains mild violence, blow-your-mind Psionic sex, buns of steel (literally) and the usual hanky-panky at a bordello. Author is not responsible for side effects, including locked-and-loaded hunks taking your dreams by force.
A "Cybershock" Story
Born a psionic a rare human prized by the government for her gifts agridome worker Via Brede lives by two simple rules: slip into stealth mode whenever the cybernetic-enhanced militia is near. And never remove the gloves that block her psychic ability.
During a routine delivery, a tear in her glove connects her with what should be her worst nightmare. A meched-out soldier with bulging muscles and a scarred face that makes her heart pound like a pneumatic drill. She also envisions his death in an attack that happens "now."
Locke s typically ho-hum mission goes sideways when the stunning, green-eyed bubble farmer plants a sensual kiss that sets fire to every one of his remaining man-nerves. He also sees her vision. His own commander is about to kill him.
He needs Via to find out why. First step is to get her to Old Las Vegas without succumbing to a raw, sexual need that burns in him like fever. Getting there will be a snap. Getting out alive and winning her trust might be a little tougher.
Warning: This title contains mild violence, blow-your-mind Psionic sex, buns of steel (literally) and the usual hanky-panky at a bordello. Author is not responsible for side effects, including locked-and-loaded hunks taking your dreams by force.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 23, 2011
Stacy Gail's Zero Factor, like most cyberpunk stories, takes place in a grim future where much of society has collapsed, political borders have been redrawn and technology has changed the landscape. The book is set apart by the introduction of psychics, a rogue military-industrial complex and a villain who is entirely too plausible in his belief that his actions are above the law.
Our heroine, Via Brede, is one of the aforementioned psychics. In a fascinating premise for a romance novel, she receives and transmits psychically, but only through physical touch. At the opening of the novel, when she foresees a catastrophic attack, she uses this gift to warn a career soldier, Locke, who recognizes the attack as the profound betrayal that it is. The two escape together and go into hiding, intent on discovering the truth behind the explosion and the key to unlocking the true potential of Via's power.
First off, I'm a big fan of the world Gail has created. It's full of political intrigue and seems like a fairly natural extension of our current police state should consolidation of power continue to go unchecked, which is a big plus for me in speculative fiction.
Second, I love when a romance author creates a vaguely-supernatural world that specifically lends itself to, well, romance. The physical contact part of Via's power makes the eroticism of the book 100% integral to the story. And wow, does the story ever get hot.
Third, I loved her characters. Locke with his steady, self-sacrificing leadership. Via with her vulnerability and her fears… but also with her extraordinary abilities and strengths. That said, my favorite character was a supporting one, Madame Citrine, who gives our heroes sanctuary and the tools they need to get to the bottom of the many mysteries before them … and to the heart of their romantic connection. That she's gender-bending to the extreme is just a bonus.
That said, I would have liked a little more space for the connection between Via and Locke to play out. The two are almost literally thrown together, and their alliance is not an easy one. Considering that this is a fairly short novella, the author did forge a believable, compelling relationship between them. It just felt a little rushed in places.
On the whole, I give Zero Factor a solid thumbs up. It's an intriguing premise with a unique cast of characters that provides a hot romance and a lot of food for thought.
Our heroine, Via Brede, is one of the aforementioned psychics. In a fascinating premise for a romance novel, she receives and transmits psychically, but only through physical touch. At the opening of the novel, when she foresees a catastrophic attack, she uses this gift to warn a career soldier, Locke, who recognizes the attack as the profound betrayal that it is. The two escape together and go into hiding, intent on discovering the truth behind the explosion and the key to unlocking the true potential of Via's power.
First off, I'm a big fan of the world Gail has created. It's full of political intrigue and seems like a fairly natural extension of our current police state should consolidation of power continue to go unchecked, which is a big plus for me in speculative fiction.
Second, I love when a romance author creates a vaguely-supernatural world that specifically lends itself to, well, romance. The physical contact part of Via's power makes the eroticism of the book 100% integral to the story. And wow, does the story ever get hot.
Third, I loved her characters. Locke with his steady, self-sacrificing leadership. Via with her vulnerability and her fears… but also with her extraordinary abilities and strengths. That said, my favorite character was a supporting one, Madame Citrine, who gives our heroes sanctuary and the tools they need to get to the bottom of the many mysteries before them … and to the heart of their romantic connection. That she's gender-bending to the extreme is just a bonus.
That said, I would have liked a little more space for the connection between Via and Locke to play out. The two are almost literally thrown together, and their alliance is not an easy one. Considering that this is a fairly short novella, the author did forge a believable, compelling relationship between them. It just felt a little rushed in places.
On the whole, I give Zero Factor a solid thumbs up. It's an intriguing premise with a unique cast of characters that provides a hot romance and a lot of food for thought.
December 26, 2011
So I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately, but I really really liked the idea behind zero factor...with a bit more work...smoothing out some, IMO, roughened edges this could have been a really good book...
My issues...and I don't think there were that many of them stem from the over all length of the book...it was just too short....we don't really get any of the neccessasry build up or back story to really get into the book...we're sort of just thrown into ms Gail's world with little to no info...we get bits and pieces along the way, but I never felt like I really got what was going on...and imo, thw world building in only marginally touched on....we're told a bit about the world, but we're not really shown it...
As for the language....I read a review (on amazon, I think) for this mentioning the slang....shyte, dayum and zero factor...and yes there a tad irritating, but the first two are only used occasionally so they didn't bug me too much....but the phrase zero factor popped up a lot, especially at the end... so if that's the sorta thing that bothers yo, I'd stay clear.
As for the characters....we don't seem to learn a whole lot about them...i dont remember if there was any introspection at all by either leading character, but it's what I think was missing the most ..Like a lot of
So as it is, Zero Factor reminds me of a bad made for tv sci fi movie...the idea's interesting, but needs polishing to reach its potential.
3 stars.
January 2, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Short, intense and - as the warning at the beginning states - blow-your-mind Psionic sex. This is a great description for this book.
Via, a psionic, must hide her true nature from everyone as the government rounds up people with her talent to use for their own unpleasant ends.
Charles Locke, a mechanically adapted soldier, is forced to save Via when her talents reveal a threat to his life.
Set in old Las Vegas, the movement is fast and furious after Locke races off with Via on the back of his strike-bike.
Locke’s aim - to keep her safe from his commanding officer who is out to kill them both. Via’s aim - to escape from this man and return to the safety of the agridome where she works.
Although the concept of this book is simple, the attention to detail and convoluted turns the story takes had me cheering the pair on at every turn. Locke’s actions and reasons confuse Via, but when she realizes how right he was, it is Locke who starts to doubt if he’s done the right thing. The sex in this book is sizzling and definitely needs a “Hot” rating. It is also an integral part of the story, not just chucked in to make it more interesting. Without the sex the characters would appear shallow. Instead they took me to a corrupt future and showed me a world that is a definite possibility.
As I said at the beginning of this review Zero Factor is short and intense. I would also add it is definitely worth reading and would be a great introduction to reading futuristic and science fiction books.science fiction books.
Short, intense and - as the warning at the beginning states - blow-your-mind Psionic sex. This is a great description for this book.
Via, a psionic, must hide her true nature from everyone as the government rounds up people with her talent to use for their own unpleasant ends.
Charles Locke, a mechanically adapted soldier, is forced to save Via when her talents reveal a threat to his life.
Set in old Las Vegas, the movement is fast and furious after Locke races off with Via on the back of his strike-bike.
Locke’s aim - to keep her safe from his commanding officer who is out to kill them both. Via’s aim - to escape from this man and return to the safety of the agridome where she works.
Although the concept of this book is simple, the attention to detail and convoluted turns the story takes had me cheering the pair on at every turn. Locke’s actions and reasons confuse Via, but when she realizes how right he was, it is Locke who starts to doubt if he’s done the right thing. The sex in this book is sizzling and definitely needs a “Hot” rating. It is also an integral part of the story, not just chucked in to make it more interesting. Without the sex the characters would appear shallow. Instead they took me to a corrupt future and showed me a world that is a definite possibility.
As I said at the beginning of this review Zero Factor is short and intense. I would also add it is definitely worth reading and would be a great introduction to reading futuristic and science fiction books.science fiction books.
June 19, 2016
In the future, anyone who has psionic abilities is considered property of the government. They are taken from their home and family to serve the government. Via is one such person who has, so far, lived her life in fear to the point she's just surviving, not really living. She part of a transport ship to bring food to a military base. While there, she accidentally touches Locke and see his death at the hands of someone he trusts.
I thought Locke was overbearing at first, but realizes it later. His upbringing was so different from Via's. Fynn was the perfect villain who thought none of the rules applied to him. The romance is quick, but this being a novella, I expected that.
I liked the world. Cedrine is an interesting character that I would like to read about. I also really liked who the Lady Pirate turned out to be. The title of the book plays into the story as well and I liked that.
I thought Locke was overbearing at first, but realizes it later. His upbringing was so different from Via's. Fynn was the perfect villain who thought none of the rules applied to him. The romance is quick, but this being a novella, I expected that.
I liked the world. Cedrine is an interesting character that I would like to read about. I also really liked who the Lady Pirate turned out to be. The title of the book plays into the story as well and I liked that.
May 8, 2016
Can I use wow again....
The first book I read of Stacy Gail's was a copy for a review, I loved it so much I went into Amazon and bought a heap more, this is the second book of hers I have read and let me tell you I am hooked. This story has the basics of hot fun and love but the surrounding storyline is very creative and one I have rarely stumbled across in the whole time I have been reading. Don't get me wrong each book ever written is individualistic and created by someone talented, I loved this for the surprise factor alone. Well written and creative doesn't begin to describe how much I loved this book. I hope Stacy writes more in this series.
The first book I read of Stacy Gail's was a copy for a review, I loved it so much I went into Amazon and bought a heap more, this is the second book of hers I have read and let me tell you I am hooked. This story has the basics of hot fun and love but the surrounding storyline is very creative and one I have rarely stumbled across in the whole time I have been reading. Don't get me wrong each book ever written is individualistic and created by someone talented, I loved this for the surprise factor alone. Well written and creative doesn't begin to describe how much I loved this book. I hope Stacy writes more in this series.
January 16, 2012
This was fabulous. Stacy writes smart characters with brilliant backstories, bringing them into conflict right from the start. This sci fi romance had elements of thriller as well--running for their lives and thrown together. She also perfectly nails the sex scenes and her humor is just the icing on the cake.
March 18, 2015
It started off very promising. Set in the future where the gov't collapses then the military takes over and after radioactive warfare alters humans to have some psychic abilities. it then turns into a sexual book after the first expected plot twist. The ending was very cliche and i expected more out of this.
April 6, 2016
It would have been better if it had been a little longer so some things could have gotten a little more in depth then they did but I still enjoyed it. It had an interesting premises and a few surprises tossed in there.
February 1, 2012
This was a fun read with interesting characters. I'll be looking for more of her books.
February 26, 2013
Really liked it!
February 28, 2014
Nice little novel, good H/h and a completely unpredicted plot twist to wrap it up nicely. Will read more if this becomes a series.
March 8, 2015
I loved it!
May 18, 2016
Nice story, a bit short...but maybe it's because I got into the characters and wanted to know more. The H was very protective and the h was not a whiny female in distress.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews