Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts

Written by Lyn Gala

Narrated by John Solo

Liam loves his life as a linguist and trader on the Rownt homeworld, but he has ignored his heart and sexual needs for years. After escaping the horrors of war, he wants a boring life. He won't risk letting anyone come too close because he won't risk letting anyone see his deeply submissive nature. For him, submission comes with pain. Life burned that lesson into his soul from a young age.

This fear keeps him from noticing that the Rownt trader Ondry cares for him. Ondry may not understand humans, but he recognizes a wounded soul, and his need to protect Liam is quickly outpacing his common sense. They may have laws, culture, and incompatible genitalia in their way, but Ondry knows that he can find a way to overcome all that if he can just overcome the ghosts of Liam's past. Only then can he take possession of a man he has grown to respect.

Contains mature themes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781515944751

Reviews for Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts

[CamillaTG · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have to be honest, the only reason I started this was out of curiosity. The cover and title had me thinking I wouldn't like it to be honest, but I thought: "What the heck, I gotta see what this is" and I'm really glad I did. I was totally invested in the story from the very start, and I loved the characters, the plot and the whole world. And I'm wishing I had a grandmother (I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm not going to say what that means :)

I'm so looking forward to the next stories in the series.

[Caitlin Meuser · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this. It was very interesting and the world building is great. I like the characters. Cant wait to see what happens next.

[akbouterse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a pretty cute story with the sort of dynamic I really like. Alien romance stories can be pretty hit or miss for me but I thought this one was very well done. The world building was really good and I liked that the aliens in this story were actually pretty different from humans instead of just being basically exactly like humans but on a different planet.

I thought the dynamic between our two main characters was really good. I liked that their linguistic differences were discussed while still including communication between the two by having Liam be a linguist. I don't like when these sort of alien plots have basically no communication the entire time because of the fact that they don't speak the same language at all.

If you like a more creative romance and are okay with inter-species romances, I think this is a really cute story and a really well built world.

[arecafe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Claimings, Tails, and other Alien Artifacts by Lyn Gala is a strikingly original take on the usual BDSM story in which the hero overcomes society’s prejudices and his own troubled past to get in touch with his deeply repressed desire to submit. The novella downplays sex scenes in favor of plot and character development. Even though the book does not offer traditional scenes of ritualized BDSM, it convincingly portrays the mindset of a submissive. The book’s other strength is in its portrayal of two lovers attempting to understand each other across the vast chasm of different cultures. Human Liam and alien Ondry may be traders (the most esteemed vocation on this particular planet), but their perspective is purely and rigorously anthropological. Liam sorts through linguistic roots for subtle shades of meaning and tries to avoid committing social offenses. Ondry earnestly pursues Liam with precise questions to unravel the nuances of Liam’s psychological makeup. It involves much negotiation, and it is a treat to read.

The story opens with Liam, a sergeant in the human military, worried about an incompetent new commander. The officer has taken a personal dislike to Liam. This is despite the fact that Liam is the best human trader in the garrison, who has made tremendous inroads with the native population. The commander has the power to rotate Liam back to the front lines of an ongoing war. But Liam has new problems to worry about when he and the commander attend a mysterious native ceremony that concludes with Liam being claimed as a prize by his favorite native trader Ondry.

~ Val for AReCafe

[vampkiss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars. Seriously just loved this! My first read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

[jdruskin1184 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked that the aliens were genuinely alien, and not just humans with purple skin. I wanted to know more about their culture. The story felt a bit rushed, but overall a fun read.

[vcious_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

the only think i can say is that i was depressed when i read "the end". Lyn Gala, if you ever read, please make a continuation or at least an online epilogue! :(