Alien Contact for Idiots Review Tour

Blurb:

When American Indians from the future move their entire island nation to our Earth, Ell Harmon makes the first alien contact. The take-charge Seattle biologist has yearned to find intelligent aliens, and her dream comes true when she meets Prince Tro Eaglesbrood.

Ell and Tro are quarantined together, while the fearful world wonders whether the newcomers are friends or foes, neighbors or conquerors. Ell knows Tro is honorable and Kwadrans are peaceful … but how to convince the world?

They broadcast a show, which she flippantly titles Alien Contact for Idiots. Every day, Ell interviews Tro and tries to humanize Kwadrans. The show is wildly popular, and the romance developing on-screen between Ell and Tro reassures the world. If a smart woman like her can fall for a Kwadran, they must not be monsters, right?

But Tro’s duty lies with his people, and soon that duty threatens not only the show but Ell’s heart -- as well as the peace and survival of our world.

Excerpt:

"Your vice president reports that your world fears Kwadra's arrival," Tro said. "People panic, envisaging the end of the world, or war, or plague."

"And me going in front of a TV camera is supposed to help?" Ell rubbed sweaty palms on her skirt as she popped to her feet, searching for a way out. There was none. "I'll do anything else, but not this. I can't!"

"You wish peace between our peoples, no?"

"More than anything," Ell said, "but—"

"Then you must do this thing."

Hugging her arms, she paced around the long table. A memory of Alki Point Beach sprang to pungent life. At the mention of aliens, the crowd had throbbed with terror and hostility, assuming an extraterrestrial invasion. So Tro was right, but still … her, on TV?

"Okay." In case he didn't understand this use of 'okay' she added, "I'll try."

"Not merely try. Achieve!"

"You sound like Yoda," she muttered.

"This Yoda is a wise man. Together, Ell, we can do anything."

His gaze warmed her and roused thoughts of some of the things she wanted them to do together. Banishing the thoughts with regret, she said, "He's a puppet."

"Pardon?"

"A puppet. Yoda is just a darned puppet."

Grinning, Tro urged her toward the Arbutus Room. "My role is to reassure and seem friendly. Yours is to ask questions specified by your government and to look, they said, like the girl next door."

"Girl next door, I can handle that. No, wait. Next door to old Mr. Applebaum the baker, or an alien from another world? Huge difference."

My Review:
4 stars

It took me a while to get into the story as it slogs along at first, but once the story picked up, I couldn't put the book down. This was an interesting sci-fi read for me. Native Americans from the future are considered aliens? I got a laugh out of that for sure. There was humor spread throughout, along with impressive world-building. I loved how the author tied in Native American culture while also adding a futuristic element to it, rather than just say these are Native Americans and then do whatever he wanted. He actually researched their culture in order to include it accurately in the book, which I admired and liked. 

I also absolutely loved Ell. She cracked me up. I mean come on, she names her show Alien Contact for Idiots. That tells you a lot right there. She was a strong, impressive female character, and didn't just fall over at Tro's feet like a damsel in distress, which I really liked. I enjoyed seeing these two interact with each other, as it worked well with the humor in the story, making this an enjoyable read.

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Author Bio and Links:

What kind of guy writes romance? A guy who married his high school sweetheart a week after graduation and still lives the HEA decades later. A guy who’s a certifiable Harlequin hero—he inspired Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Rita Award finalist Mr. Valentine, which is dedicated to him.

Ed started out writing contemporary romances for Silhouette Books, but these days he concentrates on science fiction romance. He’s been a teacher, principal, technical writer, salesman, janitor, and symphonic oboist. He and wife Judi live in Tucson, Arizona. They have three sons, a daughter, a mutt, and the galaxy’s most adorable grandson. Visit him at http://eahoornaert.com.

Buy Links:

Alien Contact for Idiots will be $0.99 during the tour.

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