Laura J’s review of She Blinded Me With Science Fiction (Vegas Ventures, Book 1) by Kally Jo Surbeck
Contemporary Romantic Comedy released by Samhain Publishing 4 Apr 08
I love romantic comedies. It’s what I want to read. So I decided to read this one thinking, based on the blurb, that it would be pretty funny. I’ve heard about Trekkie Conventions and know that these people take their roll playing seriously and after reading this book I thought Ms. Surbeck’s research for this book must have been interesting.
Best friends Bianca and Gertie are in Vegas to work a Star Trek convention. Bianca thinks that she will be playing the part of a disposable character so that will give her plenty of time for some fun. Sitting in a bar before the convention starts, Bianca tells Gertie she can pick up a guy without saying a word. Seeing the hot guy sitting at the bar, Bianca makes her move, but she doesn’t realize that this is a guy she knew in junior high school. Colby was a nerd and was constantly picked on by Bianca and her friends. He recognizes her and sees his chance to get a little revenge on the girl he liked years ago. He’s not the same geeky, awkward kid he was back then. He now a champion body builder and the head of security at the resort where the convention is being held.
When Gertie comes down with a bad case of food poisoning, Bianca has to take over Gertie’s role as a Klingon Commodore, officiating ceremonies from weddings to Ferengi christenings. Her “vacation” plans are severely interrupted and she finds herself very busy doing the role that was supposed to be Gertie’s, leaving little time to get to know Colby.
At first, I was wondering why I picked this book, but I really like to give the book more than a few pages to make my decision on whether or not to finish. I am so glad I stuck with this. I found myself enjoying the story and the characters (the main ones and the random ones that appeared throughout the story as Trekkies). I even thought at one point that I might want to actually check out one of these conventions. Since I know I most likely won’t be going to one of these conventions, Ms. Surbeck has written a book that I would say probably pretty accurately describes what goes on.
Bianca seems to be a very shallow, self-centered, party girl (think Paris Hilton) out only to have a good time. This is why at first I didn’t think I would like the book. But shortly into the story you learn why Bianca is like she is. Ignored and then practically abandoned by her career military father Bianca is “adopted” into her best friend Gertie’s family. She pretty much decides to use others (with the exception of Gertie, who she will do anything for and that includes becoming a Klingon Commodore) before they use and abandon her. She wants forever, but thinks for her, it will never happen. She wants and needs someone who will be loyal to her.
Colby is an okay hero. He is so bent on getting revenge on Bianca for past wrongdoings, it takes him a long while to see the real Bianca. He spends a good part of the book living in the past. At first, Colby thinks it is his looks that gets her to notice him. Initially it is, but when she spends time with him you can see that Bianca is really attracted but the guy underneath. For the first time she is able to open up to someone other than Gertie.
Gertie is a fun character. I like her loyalty to Bianca even when something happens that could threaten to break their friendship. They fight it out and seem to become even closer. Bianca and Gertie bring out the best in each other.
Like I said before, I’m glad I didn’t judge this book on the first few pages and kept reading.
Grade: C
Summary:
Klingons need love too.
bortaS nlvqu’ ‘oH bortaS’e’!
Bianca Kirkland comes to Las Vegas for a little R&R of the seriously sexy sort. But you know what they say about best-laid plans…
Spurred on by her best pal Gertie, she puts her move on the sculpted hunk o’ stud at the end of the bar. Little does she know, they’ve met before.
Chief of Security Colby James remembers all too well the bombshell who’s hitting on him. The way she dissed his younger, less-studly self left him seriously Bianca-burned. Now, he’s determined to get even.
Fiasco after fiasco plagues Bianca’s perfect vacation. First Gertie gets food poisoning. Then Bianca is forced to become a Klingon—and officiate (naked) at a Betazoid wedding. Just when it can’t get any worse, she’s named Commander of her very own Starfleet vessel.
And she discovers she’s falling in love.
Read an excerpt here.
