LauraJ’s review of Dating Outside Your DNA (Planet Nerek, Book 4) by Karen Kelley
Contemporary Romantic Comedy published by Kensington Brava 24 Nov 09
Original Review posted 6 May 10
I have to admit right up front, I’m a bit disappointed. I have loved every one of these books. The characters are so fun and in each book there are several times I would laugh out loud (I did learn after the first one that these books are not good to read in public). I should clarify that I’m not disappointed in the book, no, not at all. I loved it, but I’m disappointed because this is the last book in this series. I’m going to miss Ms. Kelley’s quirky characters from this series. The heroes are all tough, seemingly alpha males brought to their knees by alien women who have a very low tolerance of both alcohol and chocolate.
In this latest book, Roan Hendrix is a special agent who is on leave after being shot in the line of duty. Thinking he is going to be put back on full duty, he is called in to his boss’ office only to learn that the only way to get back to duty is to train a half-human half-Nerakian woman named Lyraka. Grudgingly he accepts. While he knows that the women of Nerak have very different abilities, he is nowhere near prepared for Lyraka’s abilities. He’s much like the other heroes of this series – a tough guy, doesn’t need a woman, especially one as much trouble as Lyraka is, but he quickly falls for her.
Lyraka’s half human, half Nerakian, born on earth where she has spent her entire life, because her mother chose to be exiled rather than give up her daughter. Lyraka was raised in a commune and her mom was very protective of her, sheltering her and keeping her as far away from humans as she could. Because of her heritage, Lyraka’s abilities are different and stronger than full-blooded Nerakians. It’s Roan’s job to help her learn to control them so she can become an elite member of the agency. While Roan is pretty much like the other heroes, I do find Lyraka a bit different. Her struggles to fit in were different than the other heroines, because she didn’t really fit in on either side (human or Nerakian). I like her tenacity and the fact that she makes her own path. The worst kind of heroines, in my book, are the whiny, “woe is me,” too-stupid-to-live kind and Lyraka is none of these.
What I like most about this book and the others is taking the alpha hero and putting him up against a heroine who throws his whole world upside down. Roan is the most knowledgeable about what he’s getting into with Lyraka than the other previous heroes of this series, but, still, like the others his world is turned upside and inside out.
Now, this book did have more suspense in it than the previous books, and I’m not a fan of suspense, but Ms. Kelley still made it light and fun. And the villain was so dastardly (yeah, I’m using that word because he reminded me of Snidely Whiplash from the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon) and he got his due in a very comical way. While not my favorite in this series (that honor goes to the first book, Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind), I still really, really enjoyed this book.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Set Phasers To Sizzle…
Special agent Roan Hendrix is a straight shooter with weapons and women, so he doesn’t appreciate it when his boss throws him a curve. But what a curve. A half-human, half-Nerakian who needs a one-on-one crash course in how best to channel her powers. And while Roan’s usually a master at separating business from pleasure, one glance into Lyraka’s green eyes is enough to spark scorching fantasies of seriously close encounters with the tall, tanned temptress…
Lyraka’s trying not to mind the way Mister Macho Special Agent keeps barking orders, but it’s impossible to ignore Roan’s rough-and-ready appeal. The sensitive ponytail guys Lyraka grew up with didn’t have a clue how to handle her outsized sex drive, but Roan looks like he’d be up to the task in every way. Better still, he never got the memo that Lyraka’s human side makes her—ahem—”special talents” even greater than the average Nerakian’s….
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
