by, Kat Martin. Mira, $7.99 (432p)
ISBN 978-0-7783-2554-3
Real estate Julie Ferris and her lovely sister, Laura,
were lounging on the beach attached Julie’s Malibu house
when strange happenings occurred. Laura’s watch
stopped, her radio stopped and the sisters fell into a
deep sleep. During their sleep, scientist Valence
Zarkazian probed for more data about Earth and
earthlings.
Both Julie and Laura reacted to the strange sleep they had experienced on the beach. Laura swore that aliens had abducted her and experimented on her body. Her outlandish claims urged Julie to consult a psychiatrist and make an appointment for her. Under hypnosis, Laura remembered more and more bizarre details. The remembrances were so detailed that her psychiatrist could not believe Laura but they greatly concerned Julie.
Julie could not accept her sister’s claims but she was now experiencing excessive migraines. She had never had them before. Could stress from her work and caring for her sister trigger them? Julie worked for Donovan Real Estate for Alex Donovan but Alex had been struck down by a stroke. Now his wastrel son, Patrick, was draining the company of its money and quickly putting it in jeopardy. Julie loved the old man and at one time had been attracted to his son.
Patrick Donovan was on the road to ruin. His body could not take much more of his daily sex, drugs and booze. Commander Valence Zarkazian jumped at the chance to inhabit his body and study the inhabitants of earth. He especially wanted to study the woman who resisted their probing, Julie Ferris. What made her capable of holding back information? Val sure hoped that the people who knew Patrick Donovan could understand the changes he was slowly going to make in what had been Patrick’s life without being suspicious. Could he convince the people closest to Patrick that Patrick had turned over a new leaf? Val just wanted to do his scientific research and then get back home.
Kat Martin has finished her paranormal series with a bang! She saved the best story for last! She has woven the information about alien abductions in a delightful, dramatic and dynamic novel. The novel concept is fresh and clever. Three cheers for this entertaining and exciting story. Give yourself time to read this from cover to cover because once you start it, you will not put it down. Kat Martin is a masterful writer in any genre. Do not miss her creative paranormal series that are filled with strong, unique women.
-Dawn Myers-Writers Unlimited
A day at the beach turns into a pivotal moment for two sister, Julie and Laura, especially Julie. For a moment, time freezes and they are taken from the world, but when the moment is over, they do not quite know what happened. In a seemingly separate event, Julie's boss, Patrick Donovan, the man she has loved from afar has a heart attack that should have killed him, despite his youth. Yet, somehow, he not only survives, but seems reborn. No longer is he a drunken, addicted playboy, but now lives cleanly and is exactly the right sort of man to love Julie and for her to safely give her heart to. Changed or not, Patrick has to face the consequences of his past, consequences that might prove deadly for both he and the woman he loves. However, since he is not truly Patrick, but an alien who has borrowed his body for a short time, he has little to risk, except to his heart.
Ms. Martin has written perhaps her most fascinating and complex novel to date. Adventure is mingled with heart touching and rending moments. I loved the movie Starman and even the novelization of it, and this not only compares to but surpasses it. Definitely put it on your TBR list, even if you don't normally read alien books.
-Amanda Killgore