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Lords of Kassis #3

Jo's Journey

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Jo Strauss was committed to two things in her life – her family and her life as an acrobat/high-wire performer. She takes both very serious. Her life was orderly, in control, and she was finally settling down in one place so she could spend more time with her parents instead of moving all over the world every few weeks. To celebrate her and younger sister, Star’s, one year anniversary away from the circus they had grown up with, she and Star were meeting River Knight, their childhood friend and sister of the heart, for a vacation in the mountains in North Carolina.

Everything goes as planned until she and her sisters are kidnapped. Now, she finds herself transported to another world. Aliens, warships, battles, and a certain male were not in the carefully detailed plans she had mapped out for her life.

Manota Ja Kel Coradon is the second son of the ruling House of Kassis. He is known as the dark brother, a reputation that he lives up to. He has fought hard to protect his family and the people of Kassis, sometimes sacrificing parts of his soul to do so. His knowledge, skills, and development of weaponry are legendary. His skill as a warrior bring shivers of fear to his opponents who know he never gives mercy to any who stand in his way.

Manota is in total control of his world until one slender, feisty alien female crashes through the shields he has placed around his heart. She is fearless, determined and stubborn. She absolutely refuses to cower before him, no matter how much he growls! He is determined to protect her and claim her as his own but there is one little problem – she will not agree to accept his claim unless he returns for her parents.

Now, he has even bigger problems – that come in all different shapes, sizes, and species! The return trip is fraught with enough dangers but Jo and Star’s parents aren’t the only ones coming back to Kassis - so is the circus family who had gathered to help look for their missing family members.

Traitors, pirates, and Mimes are just the tip of the iceberg of trouble gliding through warp speed to his home world. Manota is about to learn that the prophesy that was foretold centuries before is true. His mate is just as much of a warrior as he is and she comes with backup when an old enemy attacks!

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First published September 12, 2013

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About the author

S.E. Smith

259 books2,573 followers
S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5

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5 stars
1,225 (49%)
4 stars
768 (31%)
3 stars
374 (15%)
2 stars
68 (2%)
1 star
21 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
May 5, 2016
I love the way that the beginning of this novel is written. The main characters are involved in their current predicaments and they flash back to previous events to give context and an in-depth backstory. It’s a fantastic feeling. But Smith doesn’t stop there. Suspense, romance, and comic moments all vie for centre stage as we travel the galaxy with this unlikely crew of characters. Vibrant descriptions are woven throughout the intensely captivating plot to create an epic whole that I couldn’t put down.

Manota may just be my favourite of the brothers in this series. His overreactions were priceless. At the same time, his strength and past made him so easy to fall in love with. I also loved seeing Jo come into her own, showing her inner strength as she battles to save those she cares for. The surrounding characters were also a lot of fun. I had a blast with all of them.

This novel was absolutely hilarious at times and frightfully suspenseful at others. It was a fantastic addition to Smith’s fantastic collection. But let me tell you, I’ll never look at sword swallowing the same way again.
Profile Image for Tamye Whitener.
850 reviews22 followers
August 25, 2022
I love this series. The women are feisty as all get out. While the men are yummy but antiquated in their beliefs that women should be protected and sheltered.

Jo Strauss has no problem letting Manuto know what she will and will not accept. It's a grand adventure. Battles, pirates, and popcorn.

I highly recommend this book if you like your Sci-Fi mixed with humor and heart.
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews150 followers
August 2, 2021
ᑌᑭᗪᗩTᗴᗪ ᖇᗴᐯIᗴᗯ ᗷᗴᒪOᗯ :

I adored this 3rd installment, the romance is more diluted in the storyline.
This book is more about how they learn to live together, trust the other, have enough confidence to not cage the other.
It was also full of fun to watch those great b@d@ss of warriors being overwhelmed and having to surrender to a group of circus performers with a three feet and an half high boss.
The interactions and banters were great, I smiled a lot during my reread.
At the opening of the book, Manota, 2nd son of the House of Kassis and Jo’s are turning around each other since 6 months but Jo refuses to give in her own feelings afraid to lose her heart if she has to leave.
If not for Manota’s fear to lose her, never she will have been able to return to Earth, and with this proof of his caring for her, she was finally free to let go her love for him.
This book brings more surprises as many of the Warriors on board of the warship were able to find their own mates, I do not know if their stories will be told later, but it was fun to see those big guys fall down like flies when faced with these strange human women. Plus the circus people are amazing, a big crazy family.

🎪 Jo's Journey 🎪
Science Fiction Romance
Lords of Kassis Series #3
✒️ S.E. Smith
https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5/
Release Date 04/24/2013
Publisher Montana Publishing
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F5EPITO/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

Aliens, warships, battles, and a certain alien male were not in the carefully detailed plans Jo had for her life. 

Manota Ja Kel Coradon is the second son of the ruling House of Kassis. He is known as the dark brother, and he lives up to his reputation. He has fought hard to protect his family and the people of Kassis, at times sacrificing parts of his soul to keep others safe, but even so, Manota was in total control of his life until one slender, feisty alien female crashes through the shields he has placed around his heart. 

She is fearless and stubborn, absolutely refusing to cower before him, no matter how much he growls, and he is determined to claim her as his own. There is just one little problem – she will not accept his claim unless he returns to Earth for her parents. 

And Jo's parents won't be the only ones coming back to Kassis – so is her entire circus family! Traitors, pirates, and Mimes are just the beginning of the surprises on this journey. Manota is about to learn that the prophecy foretold centuries ago is true. His mate is just as much a warrior as he is and she comes with backup! 

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

One more reread from this much entertaining author. I just reread the first book and skipped to the third as its setting was so different from the other three in this series.
The love story is quite underway when the book opens as we had some glimpses of their struggles in the first two books.
Why I love it, as it as much a tale of family love than a romance.
Jo refuses to give in her attraction and feelings for Manota because she fears once she surrenders she will say goodbye to any hope to return to Earth.
And while Manota tried to give her space to make up her mind, he has enough to wait for her taking the first step.

So their chemistry finally explodes in the first pages of the story, but Manota and his siblings sickly understand for the peace of their homes, they must go backwards and retrieve their women’s parents.

From there starts the silliest funniest part of the book, as each member of Jo’s circus is a case in itself. From elephant handler with a death wish, to lion tamer who welcomes them in her home or a sweet dog trainer and the infuriating overwhelming little in height but great by his charisma boss, those aliens are no match with The Circus of Magic troop.
From a warship turned circus carrier to space pirates attack then catching an interstellar threat, the heroes are in a for a rollercoaster journey.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed lovemaking scenes

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

Profile Image for Laz the Sailor.
1,761 reviews80 followers
September 30, 2013
Well, the stories just keep getting better. This was more fun than a bunch of clowns in the middle of a war zone. Oh wait...

The only downside - the story got in the way of the sex. Yes there is great longing, and the guys are huge and muscular, and the gals are strong and sexy - but can we please have some serious climb-the-walls scream-to-wake-the-neighbors sex!?!
Profile Image for Black Ink Riot.
193 reviews49 followers
Read
August 14, 2023
Who ever did this horrible photoshop job needs to be forbiddn from designing any other covers.

What the designer (I say this so loosely) did stitching that oversized head on that body - is a crime against humanity.

Please burn their computer so this can never happen again
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
368 reviews35 followers
January 9, 2016
Wow! Circus magic plus hot alien men, dogs, cats and elephants.

Subjectively, it feels as if I've waited FOREVER for the third story of the prophesied female warriors. Objectively, it's only been a bit over 2 years since River's Run and 9 months since Star's Storm. (FOREVER). But, Jo's story is finally here and I celebrated its arrival by racing through it non-stop. Now I have the pleasure of going back and re-reading slowly to catch more details, interact with new and old characters and hope that the next book is 9 months or less away.

Jo and Manota's story doesn't disappoint. Scenes with the two together scorch the page. Manota immediately recognizes that they belonged together and eventually so does Jo. Each also realizes that some major compromises are needed for them to stay together and thus Jo's Journey begins. Nonstop action, an interesting plot, memorable characters, suspense, humor...as always these are constants in an S.E. story.

The trek to meet and move Jo and Star's parents doesn't go as smoothly as Manota hopes. For friendship and adventure, Cirque de Magik members decide to take the show "offworld" and things will never be the same for them or the universe. Glimpses and interactions with circus members become an enjoyable, anticipated aspect of the story. The Kassians first visit to the circus is particularly delightful. And, of course, the villains have their plans.

Reading River and Star's stories is not required to enjoy this story but recommended. Major plot threads running through the first three books are resolved but new surface to take their place. As always, characters from previous books appear as do future heroes and heroines. Definitely looking forward to Riki and Risteard's story followed by others, like Katarina and Ajaska.

While you wait for book 4, Ristéard’s Unwilling Empress (Go Ricki!), and if you're not quite ready to leave the circus back on Kassis and return to reality, Rescuing Matti is available to continue the magic for just a bit longer.

cross-posted amazon, goodreads, shelfari
Profile Image for Raine.
2,462 reviews52 followers
September 21, 2017
I think this book was the best of this series that I've read so far. Not as steamy as the first one, but was very entertaining and funny. I like that the author put all the relationships at the end of the book. I also can't wait for the next book with Ricki and Risteard.

*****Re-read for the 3rd time*****
Last read on 12/31/2014

I'm changing my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars. Just because I really liked the whole circus getting on the ship and moving to another planet thing. This was was the most entertaining of all 3 of the books so far. I'm thinking it is because how cranky Manota is and how Jo is a really strong-willed woman - not that the other two aren't, but I feel like she is more so than her sister Star and her honorary sister River.
Profile Image for Jess.
1,537 reviews99 followers
November 28, 2014
Loved this series! Definitely one of my favorites from this author so far. I'm so bummed that I have to wait for the next one to be released, I was really enjoying just being able to binge read them.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
91 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2018
Jo's Journey is book 3 in the Lord of Kassis series by S.E. Smith. This story also has adult content. This is also the last story of the three sisters. Jo's well-ordered life changes when she and her sisters are kidnapped. Now her life is filled with Aliens, warships, and dangerous battles.

Manota Ja Kel Coradon is the second son of the ruling House of Kassis. He is known as the dark brother, who likes to be in control of all aspects of his life. However, once he meets Jo his well-ordered life is thrown into chaos and now it feels like nothing is in his command.

Ms. Smith did it again and brought us another exciting adventure filled with Alien intrigue, dangerous battles, HOTT Alpha Males, (yes that's right, two T's), drama, suspense, comedy, and romance.

Another well thought out addition to the Kassis series that put me in the shoes of Jo. This story was just as wonderful as the last two and I am in no way disappointed.

Well Done S.E. Smith!

This review can also be read at my blog: https://crazyobsessionbookclub.blogsp...
213 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2020
Circus performers team up with alien warriors - SO FUN!

Book 3 builds on the two previous books in the Lords of Kassis series. This one is so much fun! It focuses on Manota- warrior and second born Lord, and his mate Jo- former flier for the circus. I like that although each book has a running theme with action, adventure and fun, each person’s character is well developed and unique, so you don’t get that ‘cookie cutter’ feel while reading. That is the beauty of S. E. Smith’s writing. Our heroes go to Earth to retrieve Jo’s parents but return with the whole circus! On an alien war ship. Add in space pirates, a new baby and a big top finale and you’ve got a really fun read. Of course there are deeply intimate moments that are for the 18+ crowd only.
Profile Image for Livey.
1,393 reviews
November 6, 2021
more complicated plots

Although the arrogance of the aliens never fails to make me laugh, the female characters more then make up for it and even forgive the behavior from the males. They fall in love so fast but considering these women have been traumatized by earth living also and the alien males are muscles and brawn - what’s not to love? Jo was smart enough to get her man to go back to Earth to get her parents. When she gets there Manota Ja…long name gets a huge surprise- more coming back than he planned. The missing enemy counselor is still at large so attacks are imminent trying to stop the prophesy from coming true. I am loving the spirit of the humans - I rated it a 4 because I just get irritated for the female characters who are usually accosted with “I claim you…” at first encounter okay maybe the second lol. I rolled on the floor laughing at the funny scene at the circus performance.
Profile Image for JodyL.
1,644 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2018
I liked this book best out of this series. There are many cute and funny parts as well as a couple of fights for survival.
Jo wants to go back to Earth in order to let her parents know that she, her sister and River are all fine. Manota takes her back to see her parents but things don't go as planned. As you know if you read the previous book, the whole circus decided to go to Kassis and live there.
They have to deal with circus animals, space pirates, castaways, and love sick Kassisians all on the way. Plus they still have the traitor to deal with when they reach the planet.
I loved this series so far and I hope that you will give it a try!
Profile Image for Icu2qtpi .
411 reviews6 followers
March 5, 2018
Lions, Tigers and Alien Mimes. Oh, My!

Lions, tigers and alien mimes! Oh, my! Add in space pirates, a universal conspiracy to overthrow the Alliance, clowns, aerial high jinx, elephants, alien warriors falling 'head over heels' in love and you'll just be scratching the surface of all the fun awaiting you as you read this series. I haven't read a more entertaining space opera in a long time. A colorful and eccentric cast of characters will have you laughing your a$$ off as you turn the pages.
Profile Image for Shan ~A~.
3,179 reviews63 followers
May 21, 2020
Manota is finally ready to claim his mate. The problem is that Jo is getting homesick and wants to go back to Earth to be with her parents. She's also blaming herself for getting them all (Star, River, and herself) in the predicament.

Instead of her being sent back to Earth to never see her love or her sister and friend again. She gets to journey back, with Manota, to bring her parents to Kassis. Hence, the title.

Things don't go exactly as planned, but we do get some of that signature action I've come to expect from this series.
Profile Image for Vivien.
780 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2017
Tai Tek is finally dead, Yeah!! About time but I wonder if his partners have also been killed since he wasn't working alone or do they escape capture to wreck havoc once again.
I hope there is a short story of the Ceremony that the girls are supposed to attend, the aftermath of the battle and more scenes of Ricki & Risteard before the next book.
425 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2018
Man, this author creates masterpieces in the literary sense!

This book will pull you into the pages where secrets and fairytales live! Adventures aplenty are on the menu and the characters take you right to the edge of your seat! You got to get this particular book and series for your own personal library!

One of Your Greatest Fans,

Lena deLeon
[email protected]
Profile Image for Adellis.
653 reviews13 followers
November 10, 2023
What to say...! Real circus, literally!
If for a group of people somebody can assume that they would really do something like packed up everything and went to another galaxy, it might really be a traveling circus!
So this sequel brings a lot of interesting, funny and exciting moments!
Especially when it comes to circus performances! Great book!
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,682 reviews8 followers
March 31, 2018
Jo's Journey

Manota and Jo's story. They headed back to earth to see Jo's parents. Somehow ended up returning with so much more. Wonderful series, plenty of action. Alpha men and strong women.
Profile Image for Becky Olesnevich.
36 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2018
Jo's Journey

absolutely great book, love the action combined with the great love stories, and the humor , the interaction between the emperor and Mattie are superb. Can't wait to read their story
111 reviews
December 13, 2021
This was fantastic!

I loved this story! The circus was just as imaginative and entertaining as I had hoped. They were such a fantastic addition to the story of Jo. Going into my reread list!
1,195 reviews4 followers
April 17, 2024
great book

I love this series so much that I’m reading it again for the 4th time. Jo’s story was such fun and suspenseful. I just couldn’t put the story down. I can’t wait for what happens next. Great writer
4 reviews
December 2, 2018
Very entertaining, had me laughing and smiling at then I antics. Would love to read more of SE Smith's books I've read 9 books so far and am looking for more
Profile Image for Tristen.
374 reviews
January 29, 2019
This is more like Susan's work. I love how this time you knew there's at least three more titles coming. Some real moony moments that were gag worthy .
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,252 reviews27 followers
January 31, 2019
Although there is humor to be found at times through it, the whole ‘circus thread’ is starting to get very very annoying!
39 reviews
March 9, 2019
I did not say it in my last review because their interlude in the story was so brief like this one, but I have to say I lo e the two characters Numnuts and IQ. They have me laughing at every turn
Profile Image for ZJ Book  It And Read .
163 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2019
Very much enjoyed this story and would advise just to read the series.

I loved these characters and the story is amazing and so far is my top 5 in favourite series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews

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