As a reader who's become captivated by the fight against injustice and the heroes fighting this war as seen throughout each installment in the Cy-Ops Sci-Fi Romance, today's a happy day. Keep reading to get a tempting glimpse of Trapped With the Cyborg by Cara Bristol, along with my impressions of it, and learn even more through an interview with the sexy hero. In honor of this fourth installment in the series make sure to fill out the form for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SONNY MASTERS...Sonny Masters, first introduced to the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series as a secondary character, stars as the hero of Trapped with the Cyborg. Cara Bristol sat down with him for a frank and open interview.
Cara: Could you tell me how you became a cyborg and what special abilities you have?
Sonny: I had enlisted in the Terran military. A microexplosive device blew up in my face, blinding me, and ending my military career. I underwent the transformation to cyborg at the Cybermed facility. My eyes are implants. I can see sharper than humans and even other cyborgs. Nanocytes—tiny robotic cells injected into my bloodstream—give me greater strength and endurance than ordinary males. Nanos also speed healing if I’m injured.
Cyborgs can communicate telepathically with each other—which comes in handy on missions in enemy territory.
Cara: Excuse me for asking, but if nanos speed healing, what happened to your face?
Sonny: [Fingers a long scar cutting from his temple to his chin]: Nanos can’t heal injuries predating the transformation to cyborg. The scar is a souvenir of a misspent youth.
Cara: Misspent how?
Sonny: I was a criminal. A street thug. I acquired the scar in a fight. I probably would have ended up dead or in prison, but one day, I attacked the wrong man. I’d pegged him as an easy mark. [He laughs]. He beat the crap out me and then rescued me from the streets.
That’s one reason why I joined Cy-Ops—to try to do some good and repay a debt.
Cara: What can you tell me about your current Cy-Ops mission?
Sonny: Not much.
Cara: Classified?
Sonny: Yes, but even I don’t have the details yet. I’m supposed to meet my cyborg partner Manny, who will fill me in. All I know is we’re infiltrating the terrorists’ home planet, which makes it extremely dangerous. According to the Cy-Ops director, ‘the odds are against success.’ That’s code for a “suicide mission."
Cara: So you might not make it home alive?
Sonny: That’s correct.
Cara: So you came to the Darius 4 Pleasure resort for one last sexual fling?
Sonny: Darius 4 was a convenient rendezvous point to meet Manny. But as long as I’m here…I do have one night before we leave. [He grins a wicked smile and his whole face lights up]. I’ve had my eye at the blonde on the bar.
Cara: Her? She just about took off the Malodonian’s arm when he made a pass at her.
The only thing more dangerous than a suicide mission is falling in love...
Amanda Mansfield has faced challenges in her life: the disapproval of her critical father and the near-fatal accident that ended a promising military career and resulted in her transformation to cyborg. Now a Cyber Operations field agent, she volunteers to lead the most dangerous Cy-Ops mission ever: infiltrating enemy territory to find the secret hideaway of a terrorist mastermind. The last thing she needs is an added complication.
Like him. Sonny Masters. Her partner. A streetwise former thug turned cyber operative with a lethal grin. He can’t seem to understand she’s in charge and does not require his protection. He’s everything she dislikes—and everything her body wants.
If they can keep their hands off each other long enough to complete the mission, they might just get out alive…
EXCERPT:
He signaled the android and motioned to their empty glasses. “Bill these to my room."
“I’m more than capable of paying for my own drink.” She huffed.
He confirmed with the android. “My tab.” He motioned for Amanda to lead the way out of the lounge. “We’ll work out the details later. We can arm wrestle for it."
“Don’t think I couldn’t win."
“If let you."
“There’s a word for men like you."
“Gentlemanly?"
“Chauvinist."
“Why are you coming with me, then?"
“I didn’t say you don’t exude a certain raw, he-man charm."
Amusement rumbled up from his belly in an explosion of genuine enjoyment. Son of a bitch, he wished he had more time. A rare pang of regret shot through him. Cy-Ops had been good to him, and he didn’t regret this career path, considering what his alternatives might have been. The lives of those he’d helped—were better for it. But, yeah, sometimes he wished he had a woman waiting for him. He had a hunch from this point forward, when he pictured that imaginary wom
“Thank you,” he said, and rubbed the scar cutting a bare swath through facial stubble.
“What happened?” she asked.
“The scar?"
“Yes."
“I didn’t grow up in the best part of town. A gang of thugs who thought they were hot shit roamed the neighborhood, spoiling for a fight. They rarely had trouble starting one."
“You were attacked?"
He shook his head. “I was one of them.” He traced the thickened, puckered skin. “I deserved this.” He’d omitted he’d started the fight in defense of his sister. It mattered little his motives had been inculpable that time. One good deed did not undo a multitude of bad ones. With his disreputable background, he hadn’t sought medical attention. His facial wound hadn’t healed properly, and he’d been left with a significant scar. Still, he’d survived life on the streets and emerged less scathed than some. Than his sister.
He fingered the souvenir of a misspent adolescence. “I’d like to say this ended my association, but I can’t. I was a slow learner, I guess.” Not to mention a thug. A gang member. A criminal.
“So, what got you out of it?” She halted and peered up at him. The top of her head would graze his chin if he were to hold her.Which he wanted to do. Horizontally, while she clenched around him. “I assume you’re out of it?"
“Yes. You’re not in any danger with me."
“You don’t worry me."
“Because you think you can kick my ass like you did the Malodonian?”
“Because you think you can kick my ass like you did the Malodonian?”
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
The Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series continues to entertain and enthrall as the war rages on. Spies and infiltration is becoming more important as a tool to victory which adds to the excitement and puts the good guys even more in harm's way. In this fourth installment in the series a woman trying to prove herself in a man's world finds herself drawn to a man full of guilt over his past who has her seeing herself in a whole new light. As their relationship heats up so too does the danger as friends and foes lead them on a journey full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Amanda's always tried to prove herself. With a demanding father pushing her she's always tried to be the best and be better than every man. After an accident led to her becoming Cyborg she's now more than ever out to prove she's the best as she's surrounded by men who are her equal in every way. With her father's continuous criticism in her head she concocts a plan that will set her apart from her teammates, giving her recognition, but might lead to her death. Meeting the man who's to be her back-up ends as a memorable one-night stand that changes her life, and her view of herself, irrevocably while complicating her plan. Sworn to do whatever necessary to get information from the son of a terrorist becomes more difficult as her heart wages war with her duty. Through a nefarious twist of fate she and Sonny end up running for their lives having to rely on each other which deepens their connection and has her dreaming of a future that might not happen if they're caught. Amanda is a likable character whose self-esteem has been bruised by her overly demanding father. She knows she's capable but is starting to realize nothing will ever be enough for him. Being with Sonny shows her that she's more than enough though, worthy of being loved just as she is. Being with him she's allowed to be a soldier as well as a woman and I enjoyed their burgeoning partnership.
Sonny grew up in a gritty neighborhood where war waged between gangs. His part in it made him feel important at first but tragedy soon led to guilt and set him on a new path. When a mission went awry he was made into a Cyborg and as he has no ties he's always the first to take on the dangerous missions. His latest mission has him thinking the worst though and embracing one last night of sexual delights. In the morning light everything changes as he discovers who his new partner is and realizes how much affect she's had on his heart. For the first time he's found a woman who matters and it complicates the mission as his jealousy has him wanting her all to himself. He respects her abilities and need to prove herself which had him standing aside and endeared him to me for that decision. When the unexpected happens they have to rely on each other to get to safety and complete their assignment and it's a true give and take as they support each other every step of the way. Sonny's an immensely likable man who's been weighed down by guilt. He's got strong protective instincts which have him wanting to protect Amanda at every turn, willing to sacrifice himself for her, but lets her be the one to take the lead as his equal when necessary. He's sweet, sexy, and charming with a gentlemanly way of talking dirty that put a smile on my face. They're a formidable couple and I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve amidst all the danger and twists and turns that made their romance even more intense.
With such an unconventional first meeting you know that the romance to follow will be just as memorable...and thanks to Sonny and Amanda it is. From their steamy and erotically-charged first encounter theirs is a relationship constantly put to the test as the mission comes first. But as their hearts become embroiled the mission takes on a new purpose. With them running for their lives through exotic and barren scenery they discover new friends and foes while deepening their connection. As their journey comes closer to the end the suspense ramps up and leaves you on edge. The impact of this story on the overall story arc might not be as important as the other installments, but it was an exciting thrill ride that nicely balanced action with steamy erotic interludes. The main characters were likable and their pairing was perfection. Ms. Bristol has crafted another engaging tale full of political intrigue that leaves readers ready for more!
Amanda's always tried to prove herself. With a demanding father pushing her she's always tried to be the best and be better than every man. After an accident led to her becoming Cyborg she's now more than ever out to prove she's the best as she's surrounded by men who are her equal in every way. With her father's continuous criticism in her head she concocts a plan that will set her apart from her teammates, giving her recognition, but might lead to her death. Meeting the man who's to be her back-up ends as a memorable one-night stand that changes her life, and her view of herself, irrevocably while complicating her plan. Sworn to do whatever necessary to get information from the son of a terrorist becomes more difficult as her heart wages war with her duty. Through a nefarious twist of fate she and Sonny end up running for their lives having to rely on each other which deepens their connection and has her dreaming of a future that might not happen if they're caught. Amanda is a likable character whose self-esteem has been bruised by her overly demanding father. She knows she's capable but is starting to realize nothing will ever be enough for him. Being with Sonny shows her that she's more than enough though, worthy of being loved just as she is. Being with him she's allowed to be a soldier as well as a woman and I enjoyed their burgeoning partnership.
Sonny grew up in a gritty neighborhood where war waged between gangs. His part in it made him feel important at first but tragedy soon led to guilt and set him on a new path. When a mission went awry he was made into a Cyborg and as he has no ties he's always the first to take on the dangerous missions. His latest mission has him thinking the worst though and embracing one last night of sexual delights. In the morning light everything changes as he discovers who his new partner is and realizes how much affect she's had on his heart. For the first time he's found a woman who matters and it complicates the mission as his jealousy has him wanting her all to himself. He respects her abilities and need to prove herself which had him standing aside and endeared him to me for that decision. When the unexpected happens they have to rely on each other to get to safety and complete their assignment and it's a true give and take as they support each other every step of the way. Sonny's an immensely likable man who's been weighed down by guilt. He's got strong protective instincts which have him wanting to protect Amanda at every turn, willing to sacrifice himself for her, but lets her be the one to take the lead as his equal when necessary. He's sweet, sexy, and charming with a gentlemanly way of talking dirty that put a smile on my face. They're a formidable couple and I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve amidst all the danger and twists and turns that made their romance even more intense.
With such an unconventional first meeting you know that the romance to follow will be just as memorable...and thanks to Sonny and Amanda it is. From their steamy and erotically-charged first encounter theirs is a relationship constantly put to the test as the mission comes first. But as their hearts become embroiled the mission takes on a new purpose. With them running for their lives through exotic and barren scenery they discover new friends and foes while deepening their connection. As their journey comes closer to the end the suspense ramps up and leaves you on edge. The impact of this story on the overall story arc might not be as important as the other installments, but it was an exciting thrill ride that nicely balanced action with steamy erotic interludes. The main characters were likable and their pairing was perfection. Ms. Bristol has crafted another engaging tale full of political intrigue that leaves readers ready for more!
My rating for this is a B+/A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol writes contemporary and science fiction romance and has topped the Amazon sales charts in science fiction and fantasy romance and erotica. No matter what the romance subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven, seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.
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ReplyDeleteThank YOU for stopping by and for your kind words! Any tidbits regarding what comes next in this series?
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