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JM Link
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Saving Askara: A Sci-fi Romance Kindle Edition

by J.M. Link (Author), Maria Spada (Illustrator), Aquila Editing (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,826 ratings
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Victoria's day starts out like any other aboard the transorbital ship, Phoenix. Such is the life of an emergency medicine specialist in the age of "post-discovery". Sure, she had always dreamed of interacting with intelligent extraterrestrial life- the real thing, not those microbes on distant moons. Who wouldn't? She was still happy with her career, however mundane and demanding it might be. That's what it took to run a ship the size of a small city smoothly. Monotony. But all that changes one morning, and suddenly she's not so sure she didn't stick her foot in it...

Be careful what you wish for.

***
Escape had been their only drive, and even death was preferable to the alternative. But they never thought their flight for freedom would put them in an uncharted system. Forced to interact with an isolated world and its inferior, albeit curious people. When it affords them an unforeseen and unprecedented opportunity to take back their world from those who seek to destroy them, however, Aderus begins to wonder if it wasn't fate. Earth's proposal is shocking and uncomfortable for a fierce, independent race that relishes in their solitude. The more he learns of humans, however, the more he comes to admire and respect them. One, in particular.

*PLEASE BE ADVISED: SAVING ASKARA IS A PART I OF II* The author strongly recommends purchasing both parts together (Saving Askara and Chasing Earth) for the complete story. Enjoy!
WARNING: Not intended for readers under 18. Contains explicit sexual content.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Saving Askara
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    Feb. 5 2018
  6. File size
    3901 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Total Price: CDN$13.37
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Sold by: Amazon.com.ca, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079MGCYN3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Canterbury Rd LLC (Feb. 5 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3901 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,826 ratings

About the author

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JM Link

JM Link

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JM is a part-time writer, full-time dreamer, who was raised in rural upstate New York where she still resides with her wonderful husband, their son and two four-legged fur children. She loves anything to do with Space, and is forever searching for the perfect chai tea latte.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,826 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

TGSEdAbCa
5.0 out of 5 stars I hate cliffhangers
Reviewed in Canada on September 2, 2023
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I hate cliffhanger’s yet I still gave this five stars. For me the most important thing is the world building without new ideas new worlds to New planets, that’s what good science fiction is, add the spice of sexual encounters between different species again world building, and you truly have a new experience. Many books have aliens that are green or blue but otherwise they’re human and those stories are incredibly boring. There’s so many of them.

The sex scenes are quite different, then normal human relations which makes it interesting, JM has a wonderful imagination that just doesn’t stop what the next books will bring that being said, I truly believe that this book is worth your time and money, even though it is a cliffhanger, and as such, I recommend this book to anyone who truly enjoys science fiction. The fact that this fabulous book is also on Kindle unlimited makes it wonderful for me as I am on a disability Kindle unlimited affords me thousands of books for a simple cost per month. I’m already downloading the next book and can’t wait to see what happens next.Take Care & Be Safe TGS
One person found this helpful
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Susan Johnston
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2018
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This was a unique perspective on an alien romance. I enjoyed it.
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Retired-Rose56
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly amazing
Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2021
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What a great new innovative idea about first contact with an alien species who are truly alien in the way they look at things and respond to human contact. This is no ordinary romance and has many twists and turns as the H and h navigate their attraction and growing relationship. Shades of M.K. Eidem’s Torrians in the fact that Earthers will impact them causing possible societal change. Fantastic, in-depth , realistic first contact senecio, praise for author JM Links your book is fantastic, well done.
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Heidi
5.0 out of 5 stars good world building
Reviewed in Canada on December 19, 2022
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This is a well written book with an interesting plot. The characters are likeable and realistic! I’ll be reading the next book in the series.
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Tracey
5.0 out of 5 stars So good!
Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2018
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I got this as a KU and loved it so much I then bought a copy. Really awesome and can't wait for #2. It ends on a cliffhanger but it was so good I don't even care (especially as the author promised not to do that again=)
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Shelley
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good book.
Reviewed in Canada on August 11, 2019
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The world building and alien/human interactions in this book is why I read scifi-romance. Very well done and I'm going to now hunt up part 2.
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Jasmeena
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
Reviewed in Canada on April 11, 2020
An interesting read. The aliens are very alien but still Hawt. Can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.
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And don’t call me Shirley
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular debut! Enthusiastic 5 stars.
Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2018
OH, wow! This book may just set a new standard in Sci fi romance. This is not another 'you are my mate' or insta-love story, filled with endless amounts of gratuitous sex and/or adoring aliens just longing for some human touch. The aliens in this book are just that: ALIEN. They don't look like us, don't act like us and definitely don't think like us. They share a few, general similarities to humans, but their physiologies, temperaments, philosophies and culture, etc. are vastly different. Having little common ground presents very realistic and, at times, uncomfortable obstacles between the characters in general, and the H/h specifically. It should be noted that this is only the first of two books giving us Tori and Aderus' story, and that this book does not end in a HEA. I did not realize that myself until I finished reading (when I read the author's note at the end) but I was relieved when I discovered it. I say that, because I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of 'romance' here. As mentioned, the numerous differences between the H/h made a professional relationship difficult enough and a romantic relationship near impossible. Tori and Aderus are struggling to overcome trust issues and confusing cultural hurdles, so their relationship was/is developing very slowly. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a more realistic pace/development of the relationships between the characters. They shared moments of curiousity, fear, excitement and a tentative trust, as well as various misunderstandings/uncertainties, frustration, disquiet, reluctance and sometimes even repugnance. Even when 'seeing' things from his POV, there were occasions when I barely liked Aderus. He was just SO different and seemed unable, or unwilling, to compromise in his way of thinking. Even so, I really appreciated that the author ensured that the Aderus and the aliens were not depicted as the 'bad guys' simply because of their differences. She did a fair job, I think, in showing just how strange/offensive humans could/would be perceived as by an altogether alien race. The differences and tensions here seemed realistic and made for an interesting, suspenseful and sometimes thought provoking read. Though I am expecting a HEA , it appears it will be hard earned.....
Incredibly, this is a debut novel! While neither the writing, nor the editing, was perfect (though FAR from awful either), the story was unique, imaginative and thoughtfully delivered. I say, kudos to the author on a job very well done! If you are a fan of sci fi romance and are looking for something serious, not simply silly, then this is the book for you. I found this a thoroughly entertaining read and imagine it would appeal to fans of Penelope Fletcher, Michelle Diener or Sandra Harris. I am very eager for the next book.
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Top reviews from other countries

Cazabell
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2023
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I love an alien romance and this book was so refreshing in that it's not just your standard trope and different to a lot I've read before.

Really good and intriguing story with great characters.
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Catherine
5.0 out of 5 stars PERFECT!
Reviewed in Brazil on September 12, 2020
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I simply loved (and was the author's first book!!!) I'm jumping on the sequel right away, hungry for more! Higly recommend the read!
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Desert Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars It is extremely difficult for me to find good writing in one of my favorite genres - alien ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2018
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It is extremely difficult for me to find good writing in one of my favorite genres - alien or paranormal romance novels. Whether the genre is romance, political thriller, or mystery, the writing should still be good. I loved this book so much, I was absolutely shocked when the author casually remarked at the end that this was her first published work. Her writing was excellent and I was on the edge of my seat at the end.

I absolutely cannot wait to hear what happens next. No, really, I can't wait. How many days do we have to languish in despair?

Here are my general thoughts on Saving Askara. (SPOILER ALERT)

The male lead is an alien who, despite being generally humanoid in appearance, is most definitely an alien. This is not one of those novels where the guys look exactly like big humans except with different colored skin or sparkly eyes. You could imagine meeting just this sort of creature somewhere out in space. His planet is dark, cold, and violent, so they have dark skin to blend into shadows. Their society consists of barely tolerating each other for a common good, while violence is always simmering just beneath the surface. Threat displays are an integral part of their social structure. There is no, or very little, sexual dimorphism; their females are the same size or even bigger than the males. I am still not entirely sure how to tell them apart. Their only goal in coming together is to create the strongest offspring, so it's a battle for mating privileges. This is understandably very concerning to the human doctor, Victoria, who has felt herself drawn to him.

However, (Ms?) Link expertly walks the fine line between strange savage customs and actual abuse. The Askara culture would seem like one big brawl after another, even in dating, which could lead to some very serious misunderstandings or consent issues. However, Link cleverly wrote the society so that the females have all of the control, and initiate every encounter. Aderus is violent among his brethren, but protective of her from the start. He always does his best not to hurt her. That is very important to me, as a reader, because I have no interest in a male main character who actually abuses his love interest.

What is also believable in this complex world is that neither one is attracted to the other at first. They both find each other strange and unsettling. The bond and interest very gradually begins, and it is very confusing to Aderus. In his society, females briefly seek out males when they are in season, and then they immediately drop kick them with disdain. These are also solitary creatures, rather like bipedal panthers in behavior. Even the way they mate is done very, very carefully, because death is on the line every time you even breathe near one of their females. This does not in any way indicate that all females of their species are bad; but the culture is definitely geared towards isolation and emotional distance.

Can the Askari even participate in a fully bonded, loving, protective forever bond?

When the two finally do get together, they are definitely both very careful and cautious around each other. There are moments when they lose their inhibitions, and then they are circling around each other again, unsure what to do.

Another aspect of the series is that the author inserted a strong science basis to the world she created. I loved the Epo-pen, which I assume injected Epogen to stimulate red blood cell production. Each ship had its own decontamination process. This would be absolutely vital to any realistic space travel. We would have zero protection against any alien viruses, bacteria, or other infections organisms. The tragedy of Small Pox decimating native tribes would be exponentially worse if the infectious agent wasn't even terrestrial. Life can take on so many forms. It is ingenious that the suit, and even the ship, would be made of self-aware organic malleable metal. I don't know how, but with very little interaction, the biosuit Henry became a charming, protective, integral part of the story. I am just as concerned with hearing how Henry fares as anyone else in the story. I suppose sentient can apply to many different forms. This is like a fantastic twist on the AI in the Ironman suit. Well done, Link.

I am consumed with angst over what is happening at the end. Is Askara a play on the Ascaris worm, and their physiology uses some kind of transmittable symbiont? Or is it a parasite? Is it a virus that uses a technique similar to CRISPR? A retrovirus expressing itself? Something completely alien and unique that is an entirely new lifeforms? And will it harm its host? The ending felt like we've all been climbing the final hill on a rollercoaster, and the bottom just dropped out as the car crested the hill. And then...nothing.

In fact, the ending brings to mind that I have just a few suggestions to this talented writer. Many of her scenes seemed to end abruptly. Someone will say something, or an event will occur, and suddenly it's a different day and setting. We have to readjust and realize that the last scene has wrapped up. I think that his was deliberate to build suspense. Or perhaps she wanted to keep interest in the pacing. I would have enjoyed more of a bridge between scenes, so they end more smoothly. In the same vein, I think she could still have written the cliff hanger without the ending seem so abrupt. It's as if she just needs an editor to go over the creases with a finishing iron.

Overall, this is a fantastic read. I do so hope that the sequel is already written and in cue for release. We have been introduced to very different characters. Another bar that I have for good writing is if each character has his or her own idioms and speech patterns. You should be able to tell who is speaking just by the text. Will Link flesh out these amazing characters into their own, unique personalities and story arcs? I cannot wait to find out.

What a find. This author is a gem.
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NatashaW4554
4.0 out of 5 stars 4
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2021
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1 Star = DNF.
2 Star = Finished. Didn’t really enjoy.
3 Star = Finished. Story was neither good nor bad.
3.5 Star = Finished. Story was good. Will maybe pick up next in series if there is one.
4 Star = Finished. Enjoyed story & will definitely pick up next in the series!
5 Star = Bloody Loved it! ♥
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Terry Z
4.0 out of 5 stars This [soon to be] series has potential
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
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Plot is good - Aliens form an alliance with Earth to help save their people.

Character definition - good. Each character has their own mannerisms. However, I didn't really care for the author introducing the reader to so many of the aliens all at once. I immediately knew there was going to be a series and I felt this introduction of characters pulled the reader away from the original story.

World building - good. I liked the author's ideas for the ship walls and the body suits worn by the aliens and Tori.

Initially the story moved slower than I would have liked. I think part of that was the author's desire to introduce the reader to these aliens and create a baseline for the future stories in the series. The downside to this is that the reader is inundated with tons of details and characters and the existing plot falls to the sidelines.

Unfortunately I did not care for the ending. If you're a good author and your story is strong, you don't need to end with a cliffhanger. I would prefer to buy the next book in the series because I enjoyed the previous book(s), NOT because I need closure to the story.

So why 4 stars?
Despite this story moving slow and the poor ending, it was good. I was pleasantly surprised to see that editing was completed. (Refreshing to see that in a "first published book"!)

I would love to see the future books be more independent and have an actual ending versus a cliffhanger to pull you into the next purchase.

Will I purchase the next book? Yes - However - I need to add that I will stop buying them if they consistently have poor endings i.e. Cliffhangers. I don't care to constantly re-read previous books in a series before I start each new one due to not remembering what initially happened.
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