Not Quite Terran: Scifi Alien Romance

Written by Celia Kyle

Narrated by Alex O' Toole

Rebecca’s job is to keep unsanctioned aliens off Rilli Space Station. Aliens like Karru C’Hali. He’s heavily muscled, gorgeous, seductive… and unsanctioned. And he wants her!

As an intake officer for six years, nothing surprises Terra-born Rebecca Varda anymore. Nothing. Except the arrival of Karru C’Hali, Overlord of Palia. He’s nearly seven feet of honey-skinned, heavily carved and deliciously muscled male, and his presence has her heart racing with apprehension. Not because he’s unsanctioned, but because Palia—and their people—are a myth. Maybe.

Even if they aren’t, he can take his unsanctioned alien ass off Rilli. When he doesn’t, she decides that if he wants to run afoul of the station director and end up in a federation holding cell, it’s no concern of hers. Until it is. Rebecca finds herself wrapped in Karru’s arms and embroiled in the drama surrounding Palia, Rilli, and a long lost royal family line that ends with… her.   

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094449906

Celia Kyle

Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile collectible doll salesperson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Celia Kyle now writes paranormal romances for readers who: 1) Like super hunky heroes (they generally get furry) 2) Dig beautiful women (who have a few more curves than the average lady) 3) Love laughing in (and out of) bed. It goes without saying that there’s always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.

Reviews for Not Quite Terran

[Natale Michaud · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It wasn't bad. I knew right away she was not full Terran as soon as the part about her not having a normal human clitoris was explained.

[J Plested · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thought the beginning was a little slow but it did get better. Over all a good listening.

[Stephanie Radloff · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narrator is too robotic, she doesn't put enough life into her characters, so the comedic phrases sound dull.

[dawn patterson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book sounds like one id enjoy but the narrator is horrible it's like a robot assaulting my ears I can't stand it.

[Susan Grunner · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm very confused, the cadence in the narration is that of someone reading a third-person narrative out loud to children. But it's written in first person and the random pauses mid-sentence are not where people would naturally stop. It sounds robotic, not natural.

If this is AI generated the settings are all wrong. AI can do a much better job than this. If it's a real person then they need to adjust how they read for the type of book they're reading. First person narratives should feel like the narrator is speaking directly to you, not telling a story for an audience.

I can't critique the writing, as the issues with the audio were too distracting. I legit only read about a half hour before I gave up. Sorry to the author, I don't think this is their fault.

[Meredith Rymer · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The narration sounds like it has spliced in pieces of AI audio.

[Kerra D Wagener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Had to rate this as middle of the road primarily because of the narrator. The story is good, not exceptional, but enjoyable.