Before humanity met the Budo, before humans were sold for breeding compatibility experimentation to the Agraak, there was a crash landing on an unknown world—Earth. If a male wasn’t born into the upper tiers of Forad society, he would never know the comfort of his own mate. Ehmhy was not such a fortunate male, he was a trader of a long line of traders. Resigned to his lot in life, he never … expects to be stranded on an isolated primitive planet with his nephew whom he’d recently become guardian of. Separated in the crash, Ehmhy is desperate to find his nephew and get back home. What he doesn’t expect is to meet a local female who does what no offworld female ever has done before—make him yearn to make her his mate.
Gerry works in the French Quarter and while her life isn’t glamorous, she enjoys her simple lifestyle. Things become complicated quick when she helps a stranger during Mardi Gras wearing a complicated cat-man costume who’d become separated from his nephew. When he is revealed to be a stranded alien in need of help, she couldn’t, in good conscience, retract her offer. Without the government on their trail and a Forad boy in need of rescuing they become closer as passions stir and something more blooms. But they have no future—or maybe they do.
more
Crash landing on primitive planets isn’t ideal. Being separated from family is just rubbing it in, especially when they are captured. Ehmhy’s already worried about his nephew, but he can’t help but find himself strangely attracted to the human female offering her help.
THE BLURB
Ehmhy’s only recently become the guardian to his nephew. Returning home, he doesn’t expect to become stranded on an alien primitive planet. When his space ship crash lands he is separated from his nephew. He has one goal, to reunite with the boy and then activate the emergency beacon for rescue. Soon a simple meetup turns to a rescue mission as his nephew is captured, and Ehmhy’s finding himself lost among the primitives that call themselves human.
Living in New Orleans, Gerry is getting a bit tired of the Mardi Gras celebrations. On a day off from work she stumbles across a man in a wonderful cat-like costume. He’s appearing a bit overwhelmed so she offers to help him find his missing nephew. It doesn’t take too long to discover this man isn’t wearing a costume.
TONE OF THE BOOK
First Contact is relatively light hearted. There are a few jokes spread through out the novel, and the tension level is written to be a fun adventure. There are a few moments of tension, introducing some sensitive topics, however they are short lived and written as a means of moving the story forward.
SENSITIVE TOPICS
This novel is aimed at mature readers. It features erotica scenes.
There are also a few scenes of physical abuse and violence against the characters, although somewhat mild.
SERIES SYNOPSIS
First Contact is the first novella in The Mate Index series. It precedes the first full novel The VaDorok as a quick means to introduce the universe prior to the events of the first novel.
First Contact is only 118 pages long, making it a much shorter read than the standard full-length romance novels (at 300 pages average).
Each novel in the series follows a different couple. The characters and events of this novella are briefly mentioned in the A Mate for Oigr, which is set between the fifth and sixth book in the series, although prior knowledge is not necessary. You can read more about the series on The Mate Index Series Review page.
REVIEW
First Contact is set prior to the events of the first novel in The Mate Index series. It gives a very brief view to the universe that Sanders has created, leading it to be seen more as a complementary novella rather than a thorough introduction. It’s almost a shame that the novella was so short as the plot has plenty of action, drama and tension to keep you hooked. You’ll finish the story fast since its a novella, and find yourself wishing for more.
I enjoyed the characters. Gerry is a kind-hearted female that strives to help others. She doesn’t anger quickly, and so often sees the good in others. It’s refreshing to read of a character that has a calmer approach to situations as many authors tend to write strong-willed women that are quick to anger and argue.
FINAL WORD
First Contact is an excellent, albeit brief, introduction to The Mate Index series. It’s filled with fun adventure and action that keeps you hooked, and will leave you wishing for more.