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Starfall
Ash is looking for his sister, Tria. He's come halfway across the galaxy in search of her and the vital information she had obtained on those who wiped out half their family and a Vyan colony. He refuses to accept she is dead, but he has only partial coordinates for her possible landfall site - a lake somewhere in America's northeast. He has had to hunt and stay undiscovered in an alien, potential hostile environment, as well as keep his differences hidden from the native inhabitants. After a year of searching, he has reached Amassol, Vermont.
Conn and his partner, Faye, are PIs with an uneasy working relationship. Conn is gay but deep in the closet. He is restless, unsettled in his life, a situation not helped by the tension and animosity between him and Faye. They have been assigned to track down Angi, an underage runaway whose parents want her back before she reaches her eighteenth birthday. But Angi is a wild child with a mile-wide streak of stubborn independence and she has no intention of going back to Florida with them. She is involved with the leader of a street gang in Amassol, and though she has discovered Ash's secret, she has become good friends with him.
They all meet up in Amassol, and when Ash and Conn encounter each other, the attraction is immediate and almost overwhelming. And impossible. Ash's mission and Conn's assignment, as well as rival street gangs, make sure of that.
Conn and his partner, Faye, are PIs with an uneasy working relationship. Conn is gay but deep in the closet. He is restless, unsettled in his life, a situation not helped by the tension and animosity between him and Faye. They have been assigned to track down Angi, an underage runaway whose parents want her back before she reaches her eighteenth birthday. But Angi is a wild child with a mile-wide streak of stubborn independence and she has no intention of going back to Florida with them. She is involved with the leader of a street gang in Amassol, and though she has discovered Ash's secret, she has become good friends with him.
They all meet up in Amassol, and when Ash and Conn encounter each other, the attraction is immediate and almost overwhelming. And impossible. Ash's mission and Conn's assignment, as well as rival street gangs, make sure of that.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2011
9 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Chris Quinton
46 books99 followersChris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was about ten, and it was probably the best gift she'd ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this story overall. I Loved Ash and Connor were great together. I would highly recommend this as a fun sweet read.
It took me awhile to get into this story because of all the POV changes. I didn’t like the way the story opened with Rose’s POV and it confused for a while. Then when I started to get into the story it would switch POV again. I liked both Rose and Angie but I didn’t care for their POV or to be inside their head, they were great side characters but every time it switched to their POV it pulled me out of the story. Fey
The story was well developed and I loved the characters, they were all great and believable. I didn’t really understand what was going on with the gang war it was just kind of there and the whole section were they were discussion territory lines and what they were fighting over confused me.
I also don’t really understand the role Zack played. Besides being the reason they found Angie in the beginning he is mentioned a lot but we never know what happened to him.
I want my own Ash.
It took me awhile to get into this story because of all the POV changes. I didn’t like the way the story opened with Rose’s POV and it confused for a while. Then when I started to get into the story it would switch POV again. I liked both Rose and Angie but I didn’t care for their POV or to be inside their head, they were great side characters but every time it switched to their POV it pulled me out of the story. Fey
The story was well developed and I loved the characters, they were all great and believable. I didn’t really understand what was going on with the gang war it was just kind of there and the whole section were they were discussion territory lines and what they were fighting over confused me.
I also don’t really understand the role Zack played. Besides being the reason they found Angie in the beginning he is mentioned a lot but we never know what happened to him.
I want my own Ash.
March 16, 2011
I am lucky enough to have read this book before release.
Ash, an alien, a Vyan, is looking for his sister, Tria - Conn is a PI on the trail of a runaway. When they meet in Amassol, Vermont, sparks fly. With elements of science fiction woven into a contemporary setting, and a story that features adventure, romance, street gangs, and the beautiful scenery in Vermont, Starfall is a book I would highly recommend... and you know me, I dont rec books very often.
Rj x
Ash, an alien, a Vyan, is looking for his sister, Tria - Conn is a PI on the trail of a runaway. When they meet in Amassol, Vermont, sparks fly. With elements of science fiction woven into a contemporary setting, and a story that features adventure, romance, street gangs, and the beautiful scenery in Vermont, Starfall is a book I would highly recommend... and you know me, I dont rec books very often.
Rj x
March 21, 2011
I enjoyed this book but had a hard time reading it. The characters were well fleshed out and Ash and Conn were perfect. It took until page 186 for me to get into the story though. There were many unnecessary subplots going on in the book that I kept putting the book down then picking it up again. I don't see where the whole gang war was necessary or the funeral scene. I think the book would have read much better if it was 100 pages shorter. The Ash-Conn story was great.
June 10, 2011
4.5 stars
I really liked this one. It caught my attention from the very beginning. I fell in love with both Ash and Conn and the way they were both so different but still had things in common. The sci-fi aspect of the novel was great and appealed to me a lot because of the way Ash was physically different from Conn (he is an alien after all). He even had his own language and I found it fascinating when he spoke about his world and everything associated to it and his ship sounded totally awesome! I was riveted to it.
The only thing I hated about this book was Faye and Angi. They annoyed the shit out of me. Faye I just wanted to bitch slap because she was a jealous bitch (even if she acted like, and pretended, she wasn't jealous because she totally WAS!). Angi was just a spoiled little shit. Her screeching and shrieking made me want to plug my ears (yes, I realize there's no actual sound from her) and close my eyes. I wanted to put a muzzle on both of them.
Overall, I really did like the book. I hope there's a sequel one day because I'd love to see what Ash's world is like and how Conn is coping with living there. Definitely recommended.
I really liked this one. It caught my attention from the very beginning. I fell in love with both Ash and Conn and the way they were both so different but still had things in common. The sci-fi aspect of the novel was great and appealed to me a lot because of the way Ash was physically different from Conn (he is an alien after all). He even had his own language and I found it fascinating when he spoke about his world and everything associated to it and his ship sounded totally awesome! I was riveted to it.
The only thing I hated about this book was Faye and Angi. They annoyed the shit out of me. Faye I just wanted to bitch slap because she was a jealous bitch (even if she acted like, and pretended, she wasn't jealous because she totally WAS!). Angi was just a spoiled little shit. Her screeching and shrieking made me want to plug my ears (yes, I realize there's no actual sound from her) and close my eyes. I wanted to put a muzzle on both of them.
Overall, I really did like the book. I hope there's a sequel one day because I'd love to see what Ash's world is like and how Conn is coping with living there. Definitely recommended.
September 27, 2015
3.5 rounded up. This is a very different book than what I thought it would be. I expected action and sci fi elements and hot alien love. I didn't get that exactly but still enjoyed this a great deal. At times I tended to forget this was a sci-fi book. A great deal of the plot focused around the more mundane gang related troubles and the run away girl Angi. Ash and Conn's relationship wasn't hot and passionate but had a slower burn to it which I liked as well. The only thing that irritated me was Faye's character that rub me the wrong way for being a bitch most of the book.
June 3, 2015
DNF 68%
This is a great book based on friends/follow rating and comments. However this just isn't the book for me. I just cannot seem to connect to the story at all and I've really given it all I can. I just didn't like it. I found myself watching reruns on TV just to avoid reading the book, so I'll stop now and find something else to read.
This is a great book based on friends/follow rating and comments. However this just isn't the book for me. I just cannot seem to connect to the story at all and I've really given it all I can. I just didn't like it. I found myself watching reruns on TV just to avoid reading the book, so I'll stop now and find something else to read.
April 9, 2011
I love sci-fi, this is a wonderful book with fantastic characters. Good plot, well paced and very hot. I highly recommend it.
October 26, 2015
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
November 30, 2011
I had to give this book 2 stars, which means it was just OK.
The synopsis indicated that it would be an adventure about an alien, Ash, who came to Earth to find his sister. In reality, the book was about a couple of PIs, an alien and a 'hippie' running around in Vermont getting kidnapped by a couple Vermont street gangs. The main plot thread was put off to the last 25% of the book. Somehow it just didn't gel. Maybe there are street gangs in rural Vermont, but I just couldn't picture it. I would have been more realistic to have set the story in the back hills of Kentucky with feuding families.
I never really fell into the story. It was sweet and innocent, but somehow falling in love with an alien had a certain 'yuk' factor I just couldn't get over. Guess I'm racially prejudiced against carbon-based life forms from other planets. Sorry.
I always go back to some of the old classics. There is the old adage about writing from your own experiences. I know this may be hard in a SciFi, but still, much of the story would have been greatly enhanced if the author had spoken from her own personal feelings. When I compare this...and I know it's pulp fiction...to Hemingway, Cather, Steinbeck, who wrote so beautifully about what they saw, felt, and experienced there is no comparison. It just lacks that vividness that comes from writing from your own senses. If you have read the opening pages of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" you will understand what I am saying--you are dropped into the story with vivid images and sounds and the satin flow of his writing.
There were some grammar errors and a few type-o's. Other than that, the editing was fine.
The synopsis indicated that it would be an adventure about an alien, Ash, who came to Earth to find his sister. In reality, the book was about a couple of PIs, an alien and a 'hippie' running around in Vermont getting kidnapped by a couple Vermont street gangs. The main plot thread was put off to the last 25% of the book. Somehow it just didn't gel. Maybe there are street gangs in rural Vermont, but I just couldn't picture it. I would have been more realistic to have set the story in the back hills of Kentucky with feuding families.
I never really fell into the story. It was sweet and innocent, but somehow falling in love with an alien had a certain 'yuk' factor I just couldn't get over. Guess I'm racially prejudiced against carbon-based life forms from other planets. Sorry.
I always go back to some of the old classics. There is the old adage about writing from your own experiences. I know this may be hard in a SciFi, but still, much of the story would have been greatly enhanced if the author had spoken from her own personal feelings. When I compare this...and I know it's pulp fiction...to Hemingway, Cather, Steinbeck, who wrote so beautifully about what they saw, felt, and experienced there is no comparison. It just lacks that vividness that comes from writing from your own senses. If you have read the opening pages of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" you will understand what I am saying--you are dropped into the story with vivid images and sounds and the satin flow of his writing.
There were some grammar errors and a few type-o's. Other than that, the editing was fine.
March 21, 2013
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I recommend that EVERYONE reads this book. It has everything that you could possibly want;
two sexy alpha males both with a sweet side snuck in, a great story that pulls you in (enough that I didn't even realise my husband had gone to bed),
secondary characters that you like (and in one case someone who you love to hate or bitchslap, yup that's Faye everybody!),
some bits that will make you chuckle and some that will make you a little sad, rival gangs, paranormal entities, smokin' hot sex and even a car chase thrown in.
Conn and Ash are the two main characters. Two gorgeous manly men who you can't help but like. Watching these two fall in love from the first time they meet until the end is great to read. You get the story from both points of view plus a few paragraphs from the secondary characters that shows the story from other peoples eyes, which I loved. And the sex ... ... yum!
Loved the story and felt it moved at a great pace with enough information to keep you wanting to read on and learn more. Even though the world Chris Quinton has built is paranormal it was close enough to the present to be believable.
I will be reading this story again and again it was such a good book I wish it was three times longer.it definitely gets 5/5 stars from me.
two sexy alpha males both with a sweet side snuck in, a great story that pulls you in (enough that I didn't even realise my husband had gone to bed),
secondary characters that you like (and in one case someone who you love to hate or bitchslap, yup that's Faye everybody!),
some bits that will make you chuckle and some that will make you a little sad, rival gangs, paranormal entities, smokin' hot sex and even a car chase thrown in.
Conn and Ash are the two main characters. Two gorgeous manly men who you can't help but like. Watching these two fall in love from the first time they meet until the end is great to read. You get the story from both points of view plus a few paragraphs from the secondary characters that shows the story from other peoples eyes, which I loved. And the sex ... ... yum!
Loved the story and felt it moved at a great pace with enough information to keep you wanting to read on and learn more. Even though the world Chris Quinton has built is paranormal it was close enough to the present to be believable.
I will be reading this story again and again it was such a good book I wish it was three times longer.it definitely gets 5/5 stars from me.
March 23, 2013
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I recommend that EVERYONE reads this book. It has everything that you could possibly want;
two sexy alpha males both with a sweet side snuck in, a great story that pulls you in (enough that I didn't even realise my husband had gone to bed),
secondary characters that you like (and in one case someone who you love to hate or bitchslap, yup that's Faye everybody!),
some bits that will make you chuckle and some that will make you a little sad, rival gangs, paranormal entities, smokin' hot sex and even a car chase thrown in.
Conn and Ash are the two main characters. Two gorgeous manly men who you can't help but like. Watching these two fall in love from the first time they meet until the end is great to read. You get the story from both points of view plus a few paragraphs from the secondary characters that shows the story from other peoples eyes, which I loved. And the sex ... ... yum!
Loved the story and felt it moved at a great pace with enough information to keep you wanting to read on and learn more. Even though the world Chris Quinton has built is paranormal it was close enough to the present to be believable.
I will be reading this story again and again it was such a good book I wish it was three times longer.it definitely gets a 5/5 stars from me
two sexy alpha males both with a sweet side snuck in, a great story that pulls you in (enough that I didn't even realise my husband had gone to bed),
secondary characters that you like (and in one case someone who you love to hate or bitchslap, yup that's Faye everybody!),
some bits that will make you chuckle and some that will make you a little sad, rival gangs, paranormal entities, smokin' hot sex and even a car chase thrown in.
Conn and Ash are the two main characters. Two gorgeous manly men who you can't help but like. Watching these two fall in love from the first time they meet until the end is great to read. You get the story from both points of view plus a few paragraphs from the secondary characters that shows the story from other peoples eyes, which I loved. And the sex ... ... yum!
Loved the story and felt it moved at a great pace with enough information to keep you wanting to read on and learn more. Even though the world Chris Quinton has built is paranormal it was close enough to the present to be believable.
I will be reading this story again and again it was such a good book I wish it was three times longer.it definitely gets a 5/5 stars from me
July 28, 2011
I started out very lost learning several characters and reading multiple POVs, but once we started to get to know Ash and Conn, and the quest that drives Ash's every decision, the story sucked me in.
There were a couple of odd moments that confused me (For example, how does a guy get the crap beat out of him by gang members and never lose his sunglasses?) but when such things happened, they weren't a part of the overall theme (nor were they frequent), so I still enjoyed the story itself -- a theme of honor, family, and tough decisions for love.
Because there were a lot of subplots going on, I didn't quite get everything -- for example, I didn't understand Zach's purpose to the story. It was hinted at that Angie had him run out of town for a reason other than boyfriend/girlfriend nonsense, but I didn't figure out why.
For the most part, the side stories weren't important to me anyway. I found Ash -- his culture, personality, and how he assimilated into human life -- a very enjoyable read. He was smart and sexy, but also prone to flying off the handle when trying to protect his loved ones. His character was well fleshed out, and I'd love to read more stories about him, and what happens after The End of Starfall.
There were a couple of odd moments that confused me (For example, how does a guy get the crap beat out of him by gang members and never lose his sunglasses?) but when such things happened, they weren't a part of the overall theme (nor were they frequent), so I still enjoyed the story itself -- a theme of honor, family, and tough decisions for love.
Because there were a lot of subplots going on, I didn't quite get everything -- for example, I didn't understand Zach's purpose to the story. It was hinted at that Angie had him run out of town for a reason other than boyfriend/girlfriend nonsense, but I didn't figure out why.
For the most part, the side stories weren't important to me anyway. I found Ash -- his culture, personality, and how he assimilated into human life -- a very enjoyable read. He was smart and sexy, but also prone to flying off the handle when trying to protect his loved ones. His character was well fleshed out, and I'd love to read more stories about him, and what happens after The End of Starfall.
May 23, 2012
After a rocky start - the first few chapters left your head reeling with the introduction of quite a lot of characters and maybe the writing was less than perfect - the story settled down to a most enjoyable adventure. The main story throughout was of Ash (an alien from the planet Vyan) searching for his sister whose spacecraft had crash landed on Earth set against the local background of gang wars involving which gang controlled a Roadhouse run by Rosie and her father. Enter two private investigators looking for a runaway seventeen year old girl - Connor and Faye. Connor, an ex marine and deeply closeted after losing his marine lover to a roadside bomb has an immediate connection to Ash and thus gives the novel its' human and alien romance.
Others have commented that certain scenes were superfluous to the story but I would argue that every scene had its' "raison d'être". Characters both main and secondary were fleshed out well (I especially like Rosie) and side stories interesting, the only thing not being fully explained was why Angie had her boyfriend beaten up.
In all a nicely rounded story with a believable alien.
Others have commented that certain scenes were superfluous to the story but I would argue that every scene had its' "raison d'être". Characters both main and secondary were fleshed out well (I especially like Rosie) and side stories interesting, the only thing not being fully explained was why Angie had her boyfriend beaten up.
In all a nicely rounded story with a believable alien.
July 18, 2012
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
All the characters were well fleshed out and the main characters were especially appealing.
The (off-)world building was convincing, and the aliens were attractive and different though similar enough to humans to be convincing as passing unnoticed in rural Vermont.
The book was the ideal length, and Chris Quinton keeps you reading from chapter to chapter with a plot that's well paced.
I'm in England, but I found the descriptions of the Vermont countryside good enough to make me feel as if I knew the place. It sounds beautiful, by the way...
And yet, et in Arcadia ego, as the saying goes, and even in this peaceful area there is the added complication of biker gangs, which seems a hell of a shame. It makes our heroes' task more difficult, but of course, they get through in the end.
Well written and edited throughout, so a well-deserved 5-star read for me as I found no issues at all and thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
All the characters were well fleshed out and the main characters were especially appealing.
The (off-)world building was convincing, and the aliens were attractive and different though similar enough to humans to be convincing as passing unnoticed in rural Vermont.
The book was the ideal length, and Chris Quinton keeps you reading from chapter to chapter with a plot that's well paced.
I'm in England, but I found the descriptions of the Vermont countryside good enough to make me feel as if I knew the place. It sounds beautiful, by the way...
And yet, et in Arcadia ego, as the saying goes, and even in this peaceful area there is the added complication of biker gangs, which seems a hell of a shame. It makes our heroes' task more difficult, but of course, they get through in the end.
Well written and edited throughout, so a well-deserved 5-star read for me as I found no issues at all and thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
June 5, 2013
This is a character driven story, with a great plot that flows smooth as silk from beginning to end. The author has built a very solid and richly detailed book that is packed with enough interspecies sex, gang wars, loyal siblings, hard science, and pure wonder to satisfy even the most diehard reader. Chris's style of writing is solid, simple, but very concise and displays a very well researched and in-depth knowledge of her subject. I really enjoyed reading the unique HEA ending, and would recommend it to anyone looking for something definitely beyond the ordinary.
Trish's complete 4 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.... on June 6, 2013
Trish's complete 4 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.... on June 6, 2013
September 6, 2011
I may write a review later but the blurb covers the story pretty well. Suffice to say, this story of alien Ash who comes to earth to search for his missing sister & in the process, meets his soulmate Conn, could have benefited from eliminating some of the POV of the minor characters in the story. Also before when I thought of Vermont, I think maple syrup & fall colors. Apparently I missed the gang problems. I did end up liking this story mainly due to Ash & Conn.
For more coherent reviews see Nikyta & Bubbles reviews which pretty much covers it.
For more coherent reviews see Nikyta & Bubbles reviews which pretty much covers it.
March 15, 2012
It felt strange to have the beginning of a m/m romance revolve around 2 women, but once Ash finally stepped on stage, the story warmed up. I liked seeing the budding relationship, in fact, the story could have just dumped all the whiny women and drug dealers and focused on the two guys.
Was hungry to learn more of Ash and his world. Maybe a sequel...?
Was hungry to learn more of Ash and his world. Maybe a sequel...?
April 20, 2016
4.5 Stars Rounded Up. The book ended just fine but I would love a sequel. It's not really a but it does sort of give away the ending.
March 19, 2011
I must confess to being confused as to what the heck this book was about at first. The beginning didn't mesh with the blurb and it was really quite slow going. But it got better! Man, did it get better! I'd love to read a sequel to Ash and Connery's story! *nods*
August 17, 2012
This book was definitely different, but shew, was it steamy and unique! I recommend this book without a moment of hesitation. I really like this author and he seems to have a vision when writing...I recommend it!
October 27, 2012
Wonderful story of a romance that develops between an earthling and an extra-terrestrial. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is some of the back situations.
Come on, gangs in a small New England tourist fishing village? hard to grasp. But a wonderful stroy in spite of some of the tropes.
Come on, gangs in a small New England tourist fishing village? hard to grasp. But a wonderful stroy in spite of some of the tropes.
October 11, 2013
Took a bit to orientate to the plot, but then, simply awesome. Complicated, intriguing and compelling. Lots of well drawn characters. The only irk was the two, very large, violent gangs in a small Vermont tourist town. Just couldn't buy into that, but I'll still look for more of this author's work.
March 20, 2011
4,5 star. I want more Ash and Conn!
April 8, 2011
It's good to read an alien romance that ends well ^^
June 8, 2011
Rating 3.5
July 28, 2011
3.5 stars
There's a lot going on in this interesting sci-fi story. Aliens, biker gangs, runaways and a surprisingly sweet love story.
There's a lot going on in this interesting sci-fi story. Aliens, biker gangs, runaways and a surprisingly sweet love story.
June 9, 2013
not my cup of tea
March 31, 2013
You can find my review of Starfall at my web site.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews