Genre: Sci-Fi, Romamce
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
In an infinity of starlight, through anguish and betrayal, can love still shine?
Raphael Lewis of the Mars Colony wanted nothing more than to fly his ship, Agatha, and to remain with his family.
Lord Teo of the Chi’NoSa had other ideas.
On a routine trip to the asteroid belt, Raphael and Agatha are injured by a Chi’NoSa ship. After healing, he is held prisoner by the Chi’NoSa Lord Teo. Unsure what is wanted from him, and unfamiliar with Chi’NoSa protocol, Raphael only wishes to return home.
Lord Teo’s curiosity about the Mars colonist he inadvertently injured is a new emotion for him. So are the inappropriate lust and confusion. When his temper gets the best of him, he finds he needs Raphael’s forgiveness so he may learn why this man evokes such feelings in him.
Through misunderstanding and politics, Raphael and Teo must learn how to bring together two such disparate species, all while navigating their own love story. Will the Chi’NoSa ever accept Raphael as Teo’s? Or will their love be destroyed in a supernova?
PLEASE NOTE: On page whipping, noncon/dubcon, aliens with questionable ethics, and man-on-alien love. If these are triggers for you, please choose another wonderful book!
The Review
Raphael Lewis of House of Lewis lives with his loving family and the inhabitants of the Mars Colony. His Grandmother Saoirse is matriarch of the planet. Raphael has plenty to keep him busy, but he loves going out with Agatha, his scout ship, and they have a special connection. Agatha calls Raphael “My Archangel”.
Feeling restless, Raphael undertakes a mission to the Belt to seek out minerals for various needs of his Colony. An accident occurs, Agatha is damaged, and Raphael is rendered unconscious.
He awakens to find himself on the Chi’NoSa ship that caused the accident, unbeknownst to him. The ship is run by Lord Teo. One of the natures of the Chi’NoSa is curiosity, and Teo becomes very curious about the human now aboard his ship. Besides being human, Raphael has some special mental gifts. As Raphael recovers, with care from Dasa the ships physician, he finally faces Lord Teo.
Lord Teo just isn’t curious but cruel, and his anger rules him. He doesn’t accept that Raphael doesn’t know the formalities of the Chi’NoSa, and makes Raphael suffer. Raphael would rather die before letting Teo take over his heart and feelings.
Raphael does have a growing friendship on board. The physician Dasa watches as Raphael goes through punishments and experiences that a human can’t survive without damage to their physical and mental state. He’s in Raphael’s corner and tries as he might to care for him. But he can’t protect him from the wrath of Teo. Teo makes Raphael a hostage as he threatens Raphael with danger to the Colony and his family.
There is no escape for poor Raphael – his heart is with his family, and he craves the love that they all feel for one another. The only path left to him is forgiveness. Can that forgiveness and his strength to express himself change the tide between him and Lord Teo?
When the news comes that they will be going to Chi’NoSa Prime, Teo advises Raphael that he has to let Agatha go back to the Colony. He also tells Raphael that he is now his consort. Ownership of Raphael must be made very clear, or he might be put to death on Chi’NoSa Prime.
C.J. Dragon creates a story of turmoil with a planet that uses cruelty to over power others. The Chi’NoSa believe in punishment and destruction, if it’s not their way and they do not believe in compromise.
Even though Raphael is very understanding he’s a strong character. It may seem he relies on The Lady to guide him through his endeavors but his own strength in what is right really sees him through his dilemmas. He also has the ability to make others feel good about themselves and what they do. His will to forgive is also a tremendous factor in his personality.
Dragon has created an excellent portrayal of the cruelty and anger issues within Lord Teo. Even though the connection between Raphael and Teo gradually changes, it’s very difficult to like Teo.
But Dasa’s a different story. He understands and cares for Raphael, amd it’s never a burden for him. At some point he is going to stand up to Teo, and that’s going to be very interesting.
The world building very well done, depicting two very different societies and planets. Chi’NoSa Prime is based on hierarchy, politics and domination – their way is always the right way and emotion is restricted. The Colony, on the other hand, has so much freedom, and the most important principles for them are love and respect.
Raphael’s Rescue is the start of the “Archangel” series – and it’s both intriguing and unpredictable. I’m sure there’s much more to come with the second novel in the series, Raphael’s Redemption.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.