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Men of Mettle #1
Stranded with the Cyborg
A duty to protect his sworn enemy…
Ten years ago the president’s teenage daughter, Penelope Isabella Aaron, had leveled false accusations against Brock Mann and derailed his protection officer career. Much has changed in a decade: “PIA” as he code-named her, has grown up. She’s an ambassador about to attend her first Association of Planets conference, and Brock has been transformed into a cyborg.
Now a secret agent with Cyber Operations, he gets called in, not when the going gets tough, but when the going gets impossible. So when he’s assigned to go undercover as Penelope’s husband and ensure she gets safely to the summit, he balks. But honor won’t allow him to shirk his duty, and he agrees to protect the woman he’d sworn to despise.
But if a terrorist bombing and a crash landing on a hostile planet aren’t bad enough, Brock soon discovers his unexpected growing attraction to his protectee makes Operation: PIA his most dangerous assignment yet.
Cyborg Protector (Men of Mettle 1) was originally titled Stranded with the Cyborg.
Ten years ago the president’s teenage daughter, Penelope Isabella Aaron, had leveled false accusations against Brock Mann and derailed his protection officer career. Much has changed in a decade: “PIA” as he code-named her, has grown up. She’s an ambassador about to attend her first Association of Planets conference, and Brock has been transformed into a cyborg.
Now a secret agent with Cyber Operations, he gets called in, not when the going gets tough, but when the going gets impossible. So when he’s assigned to go undercover as Penelope’s husband and ensure she gets safely to the summit, he balks. But honor won’t allow him to shirk his duty, and he agrees to protect the woman he’d sworn to despise.
But if a terrorist bombing and a crash landing on a hostile planet aren’t bad enough, Brock soon discovers his unexpected growing attraction to his protectee makes Operation: PIA his most dangerous assignment yet.
Cyborg Protector (Men of Mettle 1) was originally titled Stranded with the Cyborg.
141 pages, ebook
First published September 20, 2015
515 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Cara Bristol
109 books940 followersUSA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol writes science fiction romance about tough alien and cyborg heroes who fall hard for sassy heroines.
Cara is a homebody who married a wanderer. When she’s not writing or being distracted by squirrels cavorting outside her office window, she enjoys reading and traveling the world with her husband. Topping her bucket list is visiting all seven continents and petting a squirrel.
Visit her website to get a free sci-fi romance.
Cara is a homebody who married a wanderer. When she’s not writing or being distracted by squirrels cavorting outside her office window, she enjoys reading and traveling the world with her husband. Topping her bucket list is visiting all seven continents and petting a squirrel.
Visit her website to get a free sci-fi romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
June 26, 2017
3 Stars
Review later.
Review later.
January 27, 2018
I discovered this series when I found Mated to the Cyborg, book two, and loved it so I kept reading and anticipating each new release. But, guess what? I forgot to go back and read book one. The author made it free and I still managed to wait forever. I'm reading it now though. Yay for getting Brock and Penelope's story finally.
Stranded with the Cyborg begins with Brock Mann, a covert ops cyborg, getting assigned to the dreaded brat that he'd been forced to do protection detail aka babysit through her snits and teenage rebellion back in the day. Now, Pia as he called her is a grown woman and an ambassador on her first important mission. And, she might be hot to trot, but she's still impulsive, naive, and a touch bratty.
Penelope doesn't want or feel she needs a bodyguard against a terrorist threat so she attempts to just do her thing. Then, ugh, its the man she totally crushed on and was a total jerk teenager to, and he sees her latest action to ditch her bodyguard as proof that she hasn't matured at all.
This one started off iffy for me because I rather thought Brock had the right of it about Penelope. She is more mature in some ways, but her behavior and naivety for the first part of the book were dangerous. She knows better... she's on a mission... those terrorists aren't as bad as everyone says... and it can never happen to me... And how dare the highly skilled, trained, and experienced security expert try to do his job.
But, thankfully, she got a clue about the time she was in the middle of a terrorist attack and things progressed better. Part of the conflict was the sizzle of attraction between them and Brock trying to keep his cyborg side a secret. I loved it when they are stranded and working together on the alien planet. I really feel that one of the author's strengths is her creative backdrops and settings along with character development. Oh, and lets not forget some melty hot love scenes.
So, hoorah, I made it back to the beginning and loved what I got of Brock and Penelope's story. Sci-Fi Romance fans need to do themselves a solid and get going on this series.
Stranded with the Cyborg begins with Brock Mann, a covert ops cyborg, getting assigned to the dreaded brat that he'd been forced to do protection detail aka babysit through her snits and teenage rebellion back in the day. Now, Pia as he called her is a grown woman and an ambassador on her first important mission. And, she might be hot to trot, but she's still impulsive, naive, and a touch bratty.
Penelope doesn't want or feel she needs a bodyguard against a terrorist threat so she attempts to just do her thing. Then, ugh, its the man she totally crushed on and was a total jerk teenager to, and he sees her latest action to ditch her bodyguard as proof that she hasn't matured at all.
This one started off iffy for me because I rather thought Brock had the right of it about Penelope. She is more mature in some ways, but her behavior and naivety for the first part of the book were dangerous. She knows better... she's on a mission... those terrorists aren't as bad as everyone says... and it can never happen to me... And how dare the highly skilled, trained, and experienced security expert try to do his job.
But, thankfully, she got a clue about the time she was in the middle of a terrorist attack and things progressed better. Part of the conflict was the sizzle of attraction between them and Brock trying to keep his cyborg side a secret. I loved it when they are stranded and working together on the alien planet. I really feel that one of the author's strengths is her creative backdrops and settings along with character development. Oh, and lets not forget some melty hot love scenes.
So, hoorah, I made it back to the beginning and loved what I got of Brock and Penelope's story. Sci-Fi Romance fans need to do themselves a solid and get going on this series.
April 2, 2016
I rather enjoyed this one.
Okay so PIA was a little dumb at first because she thought she didn't need protection and so changed her travel plans. I'm sorry, but no ambassador in their right mind would ever do that.
Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading the next.
I liked Brock.
PIA wasn't annoying. (other than her first moment of stupidity.)
And the terrorism plot... well... considering what is going on in the world today... felt rather close to home, just on the planetary scale. I rather liked that.
Okay so PIA was a little dumb at first because she thought she didn't need protection and so changed her travel plans. I'm sorry, but no ambassador in their right mind would ever do that.
Other than that, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading the next.
I liked Brock.
PIA wasn't annoying. (other than her first moment of stupidity.)
And the terrorism plot... well... considering what is going on in the world today... felt rather close to home, just on the planetary scale. I rather liked that.
November 29, 2015
Decent sci fi romance. It was pretty short though. The story and world building were interesting. I wish that some of the sex scenes had been sacrificed to allow more story. There were four or five of them and one would have done it and left those15 or so pages for more action and plot.
May 24, 2016
3.75 stars!
June 18, 2016
Kindle Unlimited.
Cyborg lovers might enjoy this one more than I did.
I really didn't like the heroine. She made my "too stupid to live" shelf.
Recommended as filler.
Cyborg lovers might enjoy this one more than I did.
I really didn't like the heroine. She made my "too stupid to live" shelf.
Recommended as filler.
July 16, 2018
I read this with my book club and did not expect to love it, but I did. Brock and Pia were electric. The storyline was interesting. The suspense was intense. Once I started reading I could not stop. I’ll be reading more cyborg romance in the future!
January 18, 2016
I want to start off this review on a positive note, so I'm saying upfront this was an entertaining read, the writing was good and I like sci-fi romance. I tend not to delve too deeply into the science part of the sci-fi because I allow for the impossible and the suspension of my disbelief, after all I'm a mad keen Marvel fan and I love all the superhero movies and TV shows.
I love the idea Brock is man and machine, a cyborg. I would love to have his enhancements and have a wireless computer in my brain I could use to connect to anything, anytime. Very, very handy. And that database in his brain? Can I please have Wikipedia in mine? Better yet, how about the entire internet and a Google search engine without having to type and I can just think it? My heart ached for Brock, for his isolation and his loneliness, for him thinking he was unlovable because he was a cyborg instead of a full human. I'm thinking being a cyborg makes him extra special.
Pia on the other hand lives up to her codename: Pain in the ass. Seriously! She was annoying right from the get go and I have a special dislike for people like her, be they male or female. Instead of me ranting about her, I'll just let my status updates as I read speak for themselves.
15.0% "Should have known from the blurb that Pia would be a brat. I hate brats. Irresponsible. Selfish. Bratty. They have nothing to recommend them."
30.0% "So she's less of a brat now but I still haven't found anything to like about her."
52.0% "Way to finally realise the stupid!!"
69.0% "I don't hate her anymore."
72.0% "Well, there goes the little bit of like I had built up."
74.0% "Pfft! Stupid girl."
88.0% "Yep, that's right. Naive and stupid. Behaving like a rebellious teenager. I'm quoting here'"
95.0% "Sheesh! After all that, that was just a little too easy."
If you don't have a special dislike for heroines like Pia, you will probably like this book a lot more than I did, but even then, as I said upfront, it was entertaining. Ms Bristol didn't make their ordeal too easy to overcome and she threw in an interesting twist of what Urgak, the bad guy was. I did, however, take exception to how easy the relationship part of the story was resolved. That was a little too pat and a little too easy. Maybe she hit her word count and needed to resolve the story quickly, since this was not a particularly long story. I don't know. I just felt that Pia, for all the hurt she caused Brock, got an easy out.
One other thing which jumped out at me, and it's something I tend to notice, I don't know if others will, is Ms Bristol did not address the safe sex / protection / birth control issue. I don't know what it's like in the future, if they have managed to cure all disease and no longer have STDs and have some kind of universal prevention of pregnancy thing all women or men are inoculated with, but I totally noticed it. This is kind of a big deal for me, it's not a deal breaker, but I always notice it and it throws me out of the story a little while I'm reading when it's not there. I do understand when it's not necessary, like in a historical, or in most paranormals, though even for paranormals, if it's set in contemporary times, there tends to be a small mention of it.
I think this is the start of a series for Ms Bristol, and if the heroines are less like Pia in the other books, I am interested in reading more.
I love the idea Brock is man and machine, a cyborg. I would love to have his enhancements and have a wireless computer in my brain I could use to connect to anything, anytime. Very, very handy. And that database in his brain? Can I please have Wikipedia in mine? Better yet, how about the entire internet and a Google search engine without having to type and I can just think it? My heart ached for Brock, for his isolation and his loneliness, for him thinking he was unlovable because he was a cyborg instead of a full human. I'm thinking being a cyborg makes him extra special.
Pia on the other hand lives up to her codename: Pain in the ass. Seriously! She was annoying right from the get go and I have a special dislike for people like her, be they male or female. Instead of me ranting about her, I'll just let my status updates as I read speak for themselves.
15.0% "Should have known from the blurb that Pia would be a brat. I hate brats. Irresponsible. Selfish. Bratty. They have nothing to recommend them."
30.0% "So she's less of a brat now but I still haven't found anything to like about her."
52.0% "Way to finally realise the stupid!!"
69.0% "I don't hate her anymore."
72.0% "Well, there goes the little bit of like I had built up."
74.0% "Pfft! Stupid girl."
88.0% "Yep, that's right. Naive and stupid. Behaving like a rebellious teenager. I'm quoting here'"
95.0% "Sheesh! After all that, that was just a little too easy."
If you don't have a special dislike for heroines like Pia, you will probably like this book a lot more than I did, but even then, as I said upfront, it was entertaining. Ms Bristol didn't make their ordeal too easy to overcome and she threw in an interesting twist of what Urgak, the bad guy was. I did, however, take exception to how easy the relationship part of the story was resolved. That was a little too pat and a little too easy. Maybe she hit her word count and needed to resolve the story quickly, since this was not a particularly long story. I don't know. I just felt that Pia, for all the hurt she caused Brock, got an easy out.
One other thing which jumped out at me, and it's something I tend to notice, I don't know if others will, is Ms Bristol did not address the safe sex / protection / birth control issue. I don't know what it's like in the future, if they have managed to cure all disease and no longer have STDs and have some kind of universal prevention of pregnancy thing all women or men are inoculated with, but I totally noticed it. This is kind of a big deal for me, it's not a deal breaker, but I always notice it and it throws me out of the story a little while I'm reading when it's not there. I do understand when it's not necessary, like in a historical, or in most paranormals, though even for paranormals, if it's set in contemporary times, there tends to be a small mention of it.
I think this is the start of a series for Ms Bristol, and if the heroines are less like Pia in the other books, I am interested in reading more.
October 4, 2015
Ten years may have passed, but Brock doesn't believe Pia has changed her childish ways.
Pia has devoted her life to making a name for herself without help from her mother. She wants to prove that she is more than a name, plus in some ways, make up for a disastrous decision she made when she was younger.
Now thrown together, they must work together to find a way to survive after an attack on Pia's life. But all their time together brings feeling to the surface that Brock feels he can't act on. He's not the man that Pia thinks he is and he believes he can't give her want she deserves.
But Pia's defiance is strong and pushes Brock to the limits until the truth about his upgrades is revealed. Now Pia must decide if Brock is still the man she believes him to be or a machine. But even is she wants him, no questions asked, does he want her?
I really enjoyed this story. It's a fast paced story about two people that first meet under usual circumstances, parted after a misguided decision, and thrust back together years later. Brock is the same man he used to be, but with certain improvements that makes him believe a normal live will never be within his grasps. Pia wants to be wanted by the one man that she's always wanted. Both have their issues, but I love that even though it may never last, they take the risk. If it's just for the day or for a lifetime, they need to express their feelings.
In the end, this story proves that sometimes you have to take a risk, no matter the consequences. And you just get the one thing your heart desires.
I can't wait to see what Cara will bring us next in this exciting new series.
Pia has devoted her life to making a name for herself without help from her mother. She wants to prove that she is more than a name, plus in some ways, make up for a disastrous decision she made when she was younger.
Now thrown together, they must work together to find a way to survive after an attack on Pia's life. But all their time together brings feeling to the surface that Brock feels he can't act on. He's not the man that Pia thinks he is and he believes he can't give her want she deserves.
But Pia's defiance is strong and pushes Brock to the limits until the truth about his upgrades is revealed. Now Pia must decide if Brock is still the man she believes him to be or a machine. But even is she wants him, no questions asked, does he want her?
I really enjoyed this story. It's a fast paced story about two people that first meet under usual circumstances, parted after a misguided decision, and thrust back together years later. Brock is the same man he used to be, but with certain improvements that makes him believe a normal live will never be within his grasps. Pia wants to be wanted by the one man that she's always wanted. Both have their issues, but I love that even though it may never last, they take the risk. If it's just for the day or for a lifetime, they need to express their feelings.
In the end, this story proves that sometimes you have to take a risk, no matter the consequences. And you just get the one thing your heart desires.
I can't wait to see what Cara will bring us next in this exciting new series.
July 6, 2025
Purch Amazon May 22, 2017
Stranded with the Cyborg by Cara Bristol
Genres: Adult, Humor, Romance, Sci-fi, Suspense
3.75 Stars
Entertaining and amusing.
There are places in the story that are way to wordy. The author tends to get carried away with unnecessary minute details in some of her descriptions. There is also some repetition. Not much on either of these negatives, but they are there.
Fast paced and nicely written. There is some quick naughty humor that made me grin. Or maybe I smirked. Okay, I did both. 😲🤭😈
There is some nicely written suspense and action. Brock can kick butt, think fast and move just as fast as he thinks. His character is well written and I really liked him.
Pia's character is also well written but a little harder to like. She does & says some really stupid and insensitive things. She is always sorry once she rethinks her actions, but the damage is done. I couldn't decide if it was a character flaw or immaturity on her part. However, she becomes quite good at apologizing..... 🙏😔💔
The adult romance is steamy and sweet. This is mostly due to Brock, but Pia also had her 'bold' naughty moments. 😉
'All in all' is was a very delightful story & I will definitely be reading more of this author & this series.
Stranded with the Cyborg by Cara Bristol
Genres: Adult, Humor, Romance, Sci-fi, Suspense
3.75 Stars
Entertaining and amusing.
There are places in the story that are way to wordy. The author tends to get carried away with unnecessary minute details in some of her descriptions. There is also some repetition. Not much on either of these negatives, but they are there.
Fast paced and nicely written. There is some quick naughty humor that made me grin. Or maybe I smirked. Okay, I did both. 😲🤭😈
There is some nicely written suspense and action. Brock can kick butt, think fast and move just as fast as he thinks. His character is well written and I really liked him.
Pia's character is also well written but a little harder to like. She does & says some really stupid and insensitive things. She is always sorry once she rethinks her actions, but the damage is done. I couldn't decide if it was a character flaw or immaturity on her part. However, she becomes quite good at apologizing..... 🙏😔💔
The adult romance is steamy and sweet. This is mostly due to Brock, but Pia also had her 'bold' naughty moments. 😉
'All in all' is was a very delightful story & I will definitely be reading more of this author & this series.
October 7, 2015
Stranded with a Cyborg included plenty of adventure for such a short read and we knew Penelope was destined to be with Brock. They did have history after all, the history being the major road block in Penelope’s mind to a future since she did not know her now hot bodyguard is a cyborg.
I liked Penelope and Brock well enough and in the age of short sci-fi reads being more xxx and filter the opposites hold true for Stranded with a Cyborg. We are treated to romance, plot, XXX and a HEA. I would have liked to see the couple connect more but with the page count and action we were given a good solid read.
ARC provided for honest review
I liked Penelope and Brock well enough and in the age of short sci-fi reads being more xxx and filter the opposites hold true for Stranded with a Cyborg. We are treated to romance, plot, XXX and a HEA. I would have liked to see the couple connect more but with the page count and action we were given a good solid read.
ARC provided for honest review
September 22, 2015
Fantastic Sci-fi Romance!
Wow, seriously what a great book! I read it straight through and loved every second of it! Brock and Pia are smoking hot together, whew! Their journey is a wild ride full of danger and suspense in a well written plot with enough detail to help you envision their world. Pia has grown up and Brock takes a chance and together the sparks combust! I can't wait for book two!
Wow, seriously what a great book! I read it straight through and loved every second of it! Brock and Pia are smoking hot together, whew! Their journey is a wild ride full of danger and suspense in a well written plot with enough detail to help you envision their world. Pia has grown up and Brock takes a chance and together the sparks combust! I can't wait for book two!
October 6, 2015
Adored.
I ADORE Cara Bristol's writing. Everything I read by her is fab & this book was no exception. I LOVED it. Brock was hot & Pia strong yet endearing. Cute! The story was great and original. The world was intriguing and left me wanting more. I'm really glad to find out it's a series! I can't wait to read the next one! It needs to come out now!
I ADORE Cara Bristol's writing. Everything I read by her is fab & this book was no exception. I LOVED it. Brock was hot & Pia strong yet endearing. Cute! The story was great and original. The world was intriguing and left me wanting more. I'm really glad to find out it's a series! I can't wait to read the next one! It needs to come out now!
December 1, 2015
What I really loved about this book is the creative world building. The sci-fi aspects of this book had me at hello. While I liked the two main characters I wish there had been a bit more of a spark. A little extra umph in that department would have brought this from four star territory right into five star ranking.
January 1, 2016
This was a fun start to a new sci fi series. CB created an interesting world and I loved the chemistry between Pia and Brock. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
July 9, 2018
Quick, fun & Sexy.
March 8, 2023
I love enemies-to-lovers and add in them stranded together. I'll take it. This was a quick, sexy read.
April 1, 2016
After recently reading the second and third installments in the Cy-Ops series I thought I'd go back and see where it all started. I'm happy to report that this series starter is just as entertaining as the others, with action-packed sequences that keep you on the edge of your seat. With a strong-willed heroine out to prove herself, and the one-time bodyguard she betrayed who's still rebuilding his life after a mission gone wrong, the sparks fly in a sensual tug-of-war as they struggle to stay alive on an inhospitable planet.
Growing up the daughter of the Terran president meant a life under constant scrutiny and constant guard for which Penelope was left chafing and doing her best to run from. As an adult she's not proud of how she acted in the past, particularly when her lie about Agent Mann got him fired. She was attracted to him the moment she saw him and it had her acting out in hopes of gaining his attention. It all went wrong though and she's felt guilty ever since, hoping to make amends. Now that she's made ambassador their paths once again cross with her feelings for him just as strong which has her running. This time, when he catches her, the results will be more erotic yet hazardous after an assassin strands them on a planet full of danger. Since Brock last saw her she has matured a bit, but there were still a few incidents where she jumped to conclusions. Considering all the threats leveled against her I wish she'd been a bit more cautious too. When everything goes wrong though she rises to the ocassion, staying calm in the face of near-death, more than once. She and Mann finally communicated as adults and it makes for a bond forged amidst fear and desperation and is steamy yet sweet for what it means to Brock. Though she's not a perfect heroine she was an entertaining one with more to her than what you see.
Brock's dedicated to his job, sacrificed himself for it, which is why PIA's lie angered him so much. Looking at her back then had him thinking of the future, but her lie sent him straight to the mission that almost killed him and left him a cyborg to save his life. Expecting PIA to be just as spoiled and careless as she was years ago, he's pleasantly surprised by the composed and intelligent woman she's become. He fought his attraction to her back then, but now she's a delicious distraction that leaves them vulnerable to attack by a faction seeking to take over the galaxy. With so many changes to his body he doubts their connection will last beyond her need for him to keep her safe. With cyborgs thought of as less than human he worries that she'll turn away from him if she discovers the truth which leaves his heart warring with his mind. No matter what though, he'll die to protect her. Brock is a wonderful hero who's not too arrogant to acknowledge Penelope's smarts. He may be extremely strong too but it's his moments of vulnerability that endeared him to me and ultimately show a man with mechanized parts who still has the power to love.
From start to finish this is an exciting story that has acquaintances giving in quickly to their attraction when facing danger to add sizzle to an already combustible connection. Both Penelope and Brock are strong-willed in a crisis with sweet and playful interactions that are balanced with danger from a bloodthirsty faction that takes them from one heartpounding moment to the next. It's a fast-paced story overall that gives an exciting taste of what's to come in the exotic and erotic world of the Cy-Ops where the threats from an increasingly crazed faction become deadlier.
Growing up the daughter of the Terran president meant a life under constant scrutiny and constant guard for which Penelope was left chafing and doing her best to run from. As an adult she's not proud of how she acted in the past, particularly when her lie about Agent Mann got him fired. She was attracted to him the moment she saw him and it had her acting out in hopes of gaining his attention. It all went wrong though and she's felt guilty ever since, hoping to make amends. Now that she's made ambassador their paths once again cross with her feelings for him just as strong which has her running. This time, when he catches her, the results will be more erotic yet hazardous after an assassin strands them on a planet full of danger. Since Brock last saw her she has matured a bit, but there were still a few incidents where she jumped to conclusions. Considering all the threats leveled against her I wish she'd been a bit more cautious too. When everything goes wrong though she rises to the ocassion, staying calm in the face of near-death, more than once. She and Mann finally communicated as adults and it makes for a bond forged amidst fear and desperation and is steamy yet sweet for what it means to Brock. Though she's not a perfect heroine she was an entertaining one with more to her than what you see.
Brock's dedicated to his job, sacrificed himself for it, which is why PIA's lie angered him so much. Looking at her back then had him thinking of the future, but her lie sent him straight to the mission that almost killed him and left him a cyborg to save his life. Expecting PIA to be just as spoiled and careless as she was years ago, he's pleasantly surprised by the composed and intelligent woman she's become. He fought his attraction to her back then, but now she's a delicious distraction that leaves them vulnerable to attack by a faction seeking to take over the galaxy. With so many changes to his body he doubts their connection will last beyond her need for him to keep her safe. With cyborgs thought of as less than human he worries that she'll turn away from him if she discovers the truth which leaves his heart warring with his mind. No matter what though, he'll die to protect her. Brock is a wonderful hero who's not too arrogant to acknowledge Penelope's smarts. He may be extremely strong too but it's his moments of vulnerability that endeared him to me and ultimately show a man with mechanized parts who still has the power to love.
From start to finish this is an exciting story that has acquaintances giving in quickly to their attraction when facing danger to add sizzle to an already combustible connection. Both Penelope and Brock are strong-willed in a crisis with sweet and playful interactions that are balanced with danger from a bloodthirsty faction that takes them from one heartpounding moment to the next. It's a fast-paced story overall that gives an exciting taste of what's to come in the exotic and erotic world of the Cy-Ops where the threats from an increasingly crazed faction become deadlier.
May 30, 2017
Ambassador Penelope is in need of a bodyguard to get her to and from the Summit. The least person she's expecting is Brock due to his immense dislike of her. But times change and Brock is the perfect bodyguard because he's now a cyborg. Nothing's going to get through Brock to her... except maybe their intense attraction. The last thing either of them needs is to be stranded on a planet but that's exactly what happens. Will they be at each other's throat or in each other's arms?
I'm a huge fan of science-fiction romance and this one by Bristol doesn't disappoint. Filled with intense action scenes and sexual tension, Stranded with the Cyborg is a winner! I found some of the characters flat but overall, well-written.
My Rating: 4 stars
I'm a huge fan of science-fiction romance and this one by Bristol doesn't disappoint. Filled with intense action scenes and sexual tension, Stranded with the Cyborg is a winner! I found some of the characters flat but overall, well-written.
My Rating: 4 stars
June 27, 2017
2.5 stars. It was a pretty standard scifi romance. That is to say basically a romance with a futuristc setting and a cyborg hero where lust and a 2 day adventure mean true love. I found it difficult to engage with the characters or their romance because I just couldn’t get past what Pia did to him as a teenager. Sure she regretted it and seemed like a different person now but that was part of the problem. Someone who could do something so heinous isn’t suddenly going to be this sweet, giving wonderful person. I don’t care how young she was (15 or 16 for those that care) she
August 24, 2020
I received this series free as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pia and Brock. These two have history with a capital "H". She loves him but does everything wrong as a teenager and things don't change when she's an adult. She just can't seem to get it right. He is just as determined to not get involved. As a cyborg he can program himself to turn off his emotions. But....Fate has other ideas. I loved book one in this series and am immersing myself in book 2. The first book by Cara Bristol that I've read. I'm so glad I've got the set and will go looking for more by Cara once I've finished reading Men of Mettle.
Pia and Brock. These two have history with a capital "H". She loves him but does everything wrong as a teenager and things don't change when she's an adult. She just can't seem to get it right. He is just as determined to not get involved. As a cyborg he can program himself to turn off his emotions. But....Fate has other ideas. I loved book one in this series and am immersing myself in book 2. The first book by Cara Bristol that I've read. I'm so glad I've got the set and will go looking for more by Cara once I've finished reading Men of Mettle.
June 20, 2023
Cyborg romance
Well written, 3rd person point of view, and a human-cyborg male/ human female second-ish chance kind of romance.
She's an ambassador from Earth who's been targeted by a terrorist group, and refuses to acknowledge the danger. He's a cyborg who's been hired, again, to protect her. The first time didn't go well, she was a stubborn teenager who turned out to be a PIA (pain in the ass), but he's tasked to try again. Through the banter, and the danger, they manage to find a way to admit to each other (and themselves) that they're in love. Happy ending included!
Well written, 3rd person point of view, and a human-cyborg male/ human female second-ish chance kind of romance.
She's an ambassador from Earth who's been targeted by a terrorist group, and refuses to acknowledge the danger. He's a cyborg who's been hired, again, to protect her. The first time didn't go well, she was a stubborn teenager who turned out to be a PIA (pain in the ass), but he's tasked to try again. Through the banter, and the danger, they manage to find a way to admit to each other (and themselves) that they're in love. Happy ending included!
October 25, 2018
Good story. WARNING: explicit sex scene.
September 28, 2019
Short and sweet and just bloody fab. I really enjoyed this story. Brock’s Internal thoughts not only killed me with his humour but his self doubt. The ultimate cyborg/ass kicking big softie!
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July 30, 2017
3 stars.
A promising start to the series, albeit this is novella length. It will be interesting to see how the world building continues in the next books.
A promising start to the series, albeit this is novella length. It will be interesting to see how the world building continues in the next books.
March 19, 2018
This is my first ever Cara Bristol and I have to say that it did not disappoint. I have been wanting to listen to a Sci-Fi book recently. I have to say that sci-fi romance and paranormal romance on my two favorite genres to read and listen to. This book did not disappoint and I did get my fix in for sci-fi Romance. This was a very short listen however a lot of action and a lot of issues were resolved within this book.
Penelope Isabella Aaron has always done her way no matter who she needs to con, hurt, and manipulate. She and the hero, Brock, have a sordid history. He was tasked to protect her when she was 16 and like most spoiled 16 year olds she decided that she was too old for a protector. She ended up spouting some not so truthful accusations which ended up getting Brock terminated from his position. Fast forward a couple years in the future and Brock is again PIA's protector.
Pia and Brock have this connection with one another. It might not be a healthy connection but a connection none the less. Brock has had some, let's just say some enhancements done too his self and he does not see himself as worthy. I do not like when a hero feels as though he is never good enough for the heroine. Pia is not someone who can judge anybody and he does not get that.
There were moments where I felt as though Pia needed someone to shake her and let her know that she is not the center of the universe. When Brock and Pia actually got out of their own heads and accepted this connection that they have the romance was very sweet. Brock is a type of guy who would kill himself before he brings anybody he cares about harm. Even after Pia hurt his feelings and Brock was still trying to protect her and to take care of her. Brock to me is a perfect guy and if Pia doesn't want his cyborg ass I am all for it. 😍👫💏
I have to say the narrator Logan McAllister read this book like he was running a marathon. He was just reading too fast for me and never paused. It was as though he was trying to get this book over with. I just wish that he took his time and savored the book versus try to complete the book.
Penelope Isabella Aaron has always done her way no matter who she needs to con, hurt, and manipulate. She and the hero, Brock, have a sordid history. He was tasked to protect her when she was 16 and like most spoiled 16 year olds she decided that she was too old for a protector. She ended up spouting some not so truthful accusations which ended up getting Brock terminated from his position. Fast forward a couple years in the future and Brock is again PIA's protector.
Pia and Brock have this connection with one another. It might not be a healthy connection but a connection none the less. Brock has had some, let's just say some enhancements done too his self and he does not see himself as worthy. I do not like when a hero feels as though he is never good enough for the heroine. Pia is not someone who can judge anybody and he does not get that.
There were moments where I felt as though Pia needed someone to shake her and let her know that she is not the center of the universe. When Brock and Pia actually got out of their own heads and accepted this connection that they have the romance was very sweet. Brock is a type of guy who would kill himself before he brings anybody he cares about harm. Even after Pia hurt his feelings and Brock was still trying to protect her and to take care of her. Brock to me is a perfect guy and if Pia doesn't want his cyborg ass I am all for it. 😍👫💏
I have to say the narrator Logan McAllister read this book like he was running a marathon. He was just reading too fast for me and never paused. It was as though he was trying to get this book over with. I just wish that he took his time and savored the book versus try to complete the book.
January 5, 2016
Overall Rating: 4.25 Rockin’ ★★★★
Take a young woman finding her place in the universe and a former shunned soldier turned Cyborg and what do you get? Stranded with the Cyborg! The first book in the Cy-Ops Sci-fi series, by Cara Bristol. This entertaining story is fast-paced and full of action from the beginning. The universe created by the author draws you in and continues to hold your attention to the last page. This is Brock and Penelope’s story of forgiveness and love.
Penelope grew up in politics, her mother served as President of the Alliance of Planets. She suffered her teenage years with a security detail. Brock was assigned to protect her until she lied about him. She knew it was wrong but wanted a reaction from him instead of the typical nod or short one word phrases. Since then she has excelled in her career and is now an ambassador at the first Alliance of Planets conference. When her mother confronts her to insist on a bodyguard, she takes off to the summit earlier than planned without her security detail.
Brock is a Cyborg. After a mission gone bad, he was recruited by Carter to join the Cy-Ops and his body became enhanced through different medical procedures. When Carter requests that Brock handle Penelope’s security for the summit, old feelings resurface. When he sees her again, there are feelings he doesn’t understand. He also knows that he is no longer a man, but is now a machine. Brock believes that he doesn’t deserve love or happiness, because he’s not human.
When the two once again connect, their chemistry sizzles and burns the pages as their story unfolds. There are several twists and turns you don’t expect. If you are looking for a new twist on science fiction romance try this book today!
***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Stranded with the Cyborg
Cara Bristol
Take a young woman finding her place in the universe and a former shunned soldier turned Cyborg and what do you get? Stranded with the Cyborg! The first book in the Cy-Ops Sci-fi series, by Cara Bristol. This entertaining story is fast-paced and full of action from the beginning. The universe created by the author draws you in and continues to hold your attention to the last page. This is Brock and Penelope’s story of forgiveness and love.
Penelope grew up in politics, her mother served as President of the Alliance of Planets. She suffered her teenage years with a security detail. Brock was assigned to protect her until she lied about him. She knew it was wrong but wanted a reaction from him instead of the typical nod or short one word phrases. Since then she has excelled in her career and is now an ambassador at the first Alliance of Planets conference. When her mother confronts her to insist on a bodyguard, she takes off to the summit earlier than planned without her security detail.
Brock is a Cyborg. After a mission gone bad, he was recruited by Carter to join the Cy-Ops and his body became enhanced through different medical procedures. When Carter requests that Brock handle Penelope’s security for the summit, old feelings resurface. When he sees her again, there are feelings he doesn’t understand. He also knows that he is no longer a man, but is now a machine. Brock believes that he doesn’t deserve love or happiness, because he’s not human.
When the two once again connect, their chemistry sizzles and burns the pages as their story unfolds. There are several twists and turns you don’t expect. If you are looking for a new twist on science fiction romance try this book today!
***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***
Stranded with the Cyborg
Cara Bristol
October 1, 2015
I'm a fan of Cara Bristol's work, and thought I'd try this first installment of her "Cy-Ops" series.
Penelope (aka Pia) Aaron, newly minted Ambassador and daughter of a former Terra United President, is excited to have been given the mission to visit Xenia to try an induce them to join the intergalactic planetary union. She's not so excited at the prospect of having a bodyguard accompany her, especially when she finds out that the bodyguard is Brock Mann. He's not happy about his assignment either -- he remembers Pia's troublesome teenage antics when he was her bodyguard then -- but he reluctantly agrees as a 'favor' to his superior officer. When the pair embarks on their trip, their ship is hijacked, and they're forced to crash land on a remote and unfriendly planet. Pia knows her survival depends on Brock -- a suspiciously strong and forceful Brock -- but she's horrified when she discovers the extent of the changes she finds in the man she's come to care for, and runs away. Brock's devastated by Pia's desertion, but he knows that someone like her should only be with a man who's fully human....and Brock's not that...not anymore.
Pia and Brock have a history, and honestly....I was not a Pia fan. In a teen hissy fit about his refusal to 'notice her,' Pia had accused Brock of sexual misconduct with her. While he was completely exonerated, it had horrific unintended consequences, and even though Pia had apologized, and seems genuinely contrite, I just couldn't get past something like that. However, as the story develops, Pia does evolve somewhat, and eventually she seems to make the transition to an empathetic adult!
Despite Pia's shortcomings, Bristol manages to bring her and Brock together nicely. She's able to make Pia mature enough to recognize the damage she's done to Brock, and she makes him a battered-but-unbowed hero who loves her anyway.
So...good action and suspense, a nice romance, and a nice start to a new series...so 3 stars.
Penelope (aka Pia) Aaron, newly minted Ambassador and daughter of a former Terra United President, is excited to have been given the mission to visit Xenia to try an induce them to join the intergalactic planetary union. She's not so excited at the prospect of having a bodyguard accompany her, especially when she finds out that the bodyguard is Brock Mann. He's not happy about his assignment either -- he remembers Pia's troublesome teenage antics when he was her bodyguard then -- but he reluctantly agrees as a 'favor' to his superior officer. When the pair embarks on their trip, their ship is hijacked, and they're forced to crash land on a remote and unfriendly planet. Pia knows her survival depends on Brock -- a suspiciously strong and forceful Brock -- but she's horrified when she discovers the extent of the changes she finds in the man she's come to care for, and runs away. Brock's devastated by Pia's desertion, but he knows that someone like her should only be with a man who's fully human....and Brock's not that...not anymore.
Pia and Brock have a history, and honestly....I was not a Pia fan. In a teen hissy fit about his refusal to 'notice her,' Pia had accused Brock of sexual misconduct with her. While he was completely exonerated, it had horrific unintended consequences, and even though Pia had apologized, and seems genuinely contrite, I just couldn't get past something like that. However, as the story develops, Pia does evolve somewhat, and eventually she seems to make the transition to an empathetic adult!
Despite Pia's shortcomings, Bristol manages to bring her and Brock together nicely. She's able to make Pia mature enough to recognize the damage she's done to Brock, and she makes him a battered-but-unbowed hero who loves her anyway.
So...good action and suspense, a nice romance, and a nice start to a new series...so 3 stars.
September 26, 2015
SFR is my very favorite genre to read but for some reason very hard for me to find books to enjoy. When I was offered this story in exchange for a fair and honest review I was tickled. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't too technical though there were plenty of the required cool gadgets and tech in this story. The author didn't go into detail about how things worked they just did. Which works for me because just like in the real world I don't need to know how a car works just that it does.
Even though Pia and Brock have a prior history it works in this story because even though she acted like a spoiled brat when she was a teenager she has finally grown up now. Brock does have some issues in regards to that but quickly finds out that Pia is not the same person anymore. And who has time to dwell on the past when the future is coming at you fast and furiously. There is plenty of action adventure in this book. And these two do find time to fall in love. Brock saves Pia and Pia gets her job done. So they do manage to win over the bad guys this time at least. They won the battle but the war rages on. I don't know if this a series or not but if not it needs to be. This one worked well as a standalone but I was a little confused about the bad guys like why did they do what they did and what is their ultimate agenda.
All considered though this was a fantastic SFR story and from a new to me author so I am definitely going to check out her other stories. A few minor issues like figuring out the bad guy motive and agenda but nothing that seriously detracts from the story. So I am giving this book 4 1/2 stars.
And as a noted I was given this book in exchange for fair and honest review.
Even though Pia and Brock have a prior history it works in this story because even though she acted like a spoiled brat when she was a teenager she has finally grown up now. Brock does have some issues in regards to that but quickly finds out that Pia is not the same person anymore. And who has time to dwell on the past when the future is coming at you fast and furiously. There is plenty of action adventure in this book. And these two do find time to fall in love. Brock saves Pia and Pia gets her job done. So they do manage to win over the bad guys this time at least. They won the battle but the war rages on. I don't know if this a series or not but if not it needs to be. This one worked well as a standalone but I was a little confused about the bad guys like why did they do what they did and what is their ultimate agenda.
All considered though this was a fantastic SFR story and from a new to me author so I am definitely going to check out her other stories. A few minor issues like figuring out the bad guy motive and agenda but nothing that seriously detracts from the story. So I am giving this book 4 1/2 stars.
And as a noted I was given this book in exchange for fair and honest review.
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