Their lives are on hold…
Dr. Valda Bashan wakes to the inexplicable—a biosphere where she and four others are the only occupants. Before this place, she possessed a life and a career. A computerized voice welcomes her to the biosphere and the job she’s apparently accepted. The terms are clear, she and her companions have to survive there for a year, and only when the time is up, will they be … they be free.
Her companions trouble her on a deeply personal level…
Andreas, Hatch, Oz, and Dirk couldn’t be more different. Each man seems to be in the same predicament as her. No one remembers agreeing to the project or what task they have to complete. If they can’t work together, they may never be able to escape.
The first order of business: learn to get along. Though that task may be the most impossible of all, because everyone seems to be hiding secrets.
**Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the forward in her books. This is the first in a trilogy and the story will continue through future books.
***Previously published as Their Memoriam by Jazz Michaels, a pen name. Now re-edited and proofed for re-release.
more
This one was interesting it’s a trilogy and this is book one and this sets the stage with its mysterious and secretive vibe.
The parallel’s with this one are eerily surreal considering the pandemic status we are currently experiencing.
It’s a dystopian sci-fi reverse-harem and It takes place in the future sometime after a global pandemic.
According to the information available, it’s 2065 and Dr Valda Bashan awakens from her life-pod in a Biosphere with no memory of the past few years, she also has no idea where she is or even recalls volunteering for this current assignment.
There’s very limited information available to her other than she’s the lead researcher and that there are four other occupants also scheduled to awaken within the next 24 hours.
Valda is a bit of a loner she’s a scientist and definitely not much of a people person.
Andreas Kenton’s is a psychologist who’s a tad hostile and distrustful.
Hatch Benedict ex-pilot and Royal Air Force he’s a comedian and all-around wise-guy.
Dr Oz Morgan is serious and straight to the point and finally, captain Dirk Rossi special forces who comes across all alpha male and is also extremely protective.
Each individual has made a video expressing their consent to be here but it’s also apparent there are still secrets still being kept.
It’s all a bit mysterious and extremely intriguing, The biosphere seems to be self-sustaining with a whole section dedicated to an ecosystem.
So many secrets and answers waiting to be revealed, But as much as I liked the premise here this does take some getting into.
There’s an awful lot of medical jargon and the conversations between characters also come across as very wordy which I wasn’t a fan of, I persevered here just because of how different this was.
It also moves very slowly not much happens till just over halfway then it does get a bit more interesting.
I liked this mostly because of the whole unique idea but wasn’t so sure regarding the whole execution of it which could have been better.
There’s far too much talking and philosophical debates for my liking and myself I would have just preferred more action overall and far less lofty words.
So why the low star rating well it was the overall language and tone used here that I couldn’t quite gel with, the writing itself is fine just very intellectual and I found that quite offputting.
Overall though this really was such a unique concept and for that reason alone I’m glad I picked it up and gave it a chance.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
Possibly should have timed this read a bit better – set in the aftermath of a pandemic!
Valda, is the daughter of the person blamed for the pandemic. She is older than our usual heroines (over 40) and that’s a great refresher. Nice to read something with the heroine not some 20 something.
Valda awakes in a sealed biosphere with 4 males. None of them remember volunteering to participate in any so-called experiments. They have to survive a year together before they are allowed to leave. Andreas, Dirk, Hatch and Oz are all very individual characters, each with their own personalities and quirks (and secrets!) However, unlike other RH stories, these boys may all get on with each other usually but they do have to deal with jealousy – there doesn’t seem to be any agreement between them that they’ll just with the RH arrangement!
Plenty of twists along the way and you will probably find yourself scrolling backwards to find where you missed a clue or two!
I did not see that ending coming. This story is fantastic. Valda is a great heroine, I liked her scientific and logical approach. The guys are great and I like how they all prioritize Valda. I am looking forward to book 2!
Another great story and immersive experience from one of my favorite authors. There was suspense and sexual tension woven into the fabric of this storyline. It kept me guessing pretty much the whole time.The story takes place in a biosphere years after a plague that caused major harm to humans including genetic damage that affected the birth rate. I was hooked pretty much right at the beginning. The characters were interesting and unique but somehow they fit together perfectly. I can’t wait to continue this story and see where it leads
Now talk about different and you are looking for it just stop right there. This is also the first one in a trilogy so I was glad for that. Dr Valda sure has a challenge especially when she does not remember it. She does have other that are in this job with her and the 3 and her have to figure it out or else. Everyone also has a huge task in this since secrets seem to be the operation of the day and that can not continue or else. You might get distracted by the steam that escapes at times but the twists could make you lopsided. Never fear though after you are shocked there will be more to come.
When I started reading this I immediately thought, how apropos, a pandemic. I knew this book had been written a few years ago and once again marveled at how Heather Long can weave a tale that enthralls from the very first page.
From the first page I was intrigued and as each of the characters awaken from life pods my curiosity grew. Beginning with Valda the apparent Team Lead, and the next day her team. Each waking with the same needs but also differences.
I loved the vivid descriptions of the Biosphere and the gradual settling into a team rather than individuals. Although it took Valda longer to rach that point.
There is attraction between them that is undeniable but still no clue as the purpose of the sphere.
I have to say I wasn’t prepared for the answers given and was truly shocked but not appalled. There’s lots of suspense, intrigue, secrets and sizzling romance.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I’d say the first thing you should know (and the author is VERY up front about this) is that this is definitely a book one. I am anxiously waiting for what comes next, that’s for sure! Trying not to give any spoilers, Valda Bashan is…somewhere…along with four hunky men. Andreas, Hatch, Oz and Dirk are an enigma to her but strangely enough, they are all devoted to one another. I’d say that this first story sets up the overall storyline and I am hoping to continue this very wild ride and find out what is goin’ on! It is a very sexy story and each of the men is a different personality. Somehow, Valda rules it all. Action, suspense, intrigue, sexy times, futuristic technology – it has it all – and it is only book 1. Can’t wait to read more.
Paused (Time Captive Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Heather Long
Thank you to Heather Long for the complimentary eARC. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
Paused is the perfect book to read right now. It begins with a chillingly familiar scenario of a deadly virus outbreak. Valda, the 40 year old daughter of the woman blamed for the pandemic, wakes to find herself in a Biosphere, with little to no memory if agreeing to be there and no idea of why. She is a nice change to your average heroine. Four men are locked in the Biosphere with her: Andreas, Dirk, Hatch and Oz. In many RH’s, the men seem to constantly get along. In Paused, there is a friction of jealousy. The way the men fit in Valda’s life, as her heart, mind, body and soul is absolutely brilliant.
The beginning has a certain echo to Octavia Butler’s Dawn (Xenogenesis book 1), where a woman wakes up years after a nuclear Holocaust.
Much like the Butler classic, this story can work without the romance element. That makes the story so much better, must more complex and the twist at the end all the more shocking. The final twist will leave you swiping back to see what you missed. And then you will realize how wrong you were and how the many clues were laid out.
The steamy moments are exactly that, steamy as all get out. But the story doesn’t use these moments as a crutch. They are more like punctuation marks, marking the beginning or the ending of moments. These are moments of pleasure and of wonder.
This was originally written under Ms. Long’s pen name when she wanted to try something new. She truly succeeds with this amazingly complex and unique book.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Paused-Time-Captive-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0867MFF92