Vaginal Fantasy Book Club discussion

You voted for space, you're getting it! (And this guy might be a bit alpha, I can't remember, but whatever, just read it).

Our next book is "Gabriel's Ghost" by Linnea Sinclair.

After a decade of piloting interstellar patrol ships, former captain Chasidah Bergren, onetime pride of the Sixth Fleet, finds herself court-martialed for a crime she didn’t commit–and shipped off to a remote prison planet from which no one ever escapes. But when she kills a brutal guard in an act of self-defense, someone even more dangerous emerges from the shadows."

Our Alt book is Anne Aguirre: "Grimspace"!

We also have an IRC set up for chatting:
http://niven.freenode.net #VaginalFantasy

I suggest a client called "Snak" for Mac to connect, it was easier for me than alts.

What's with the Alt Book? Is that like... if we can't stand getting through the suggested read... then we move on to the Alt? ;) ???

I chose the alt, on purpose, just this last go, simply because the premise seemed to catch my attention more. Glad I did, I must say.
The difference, as far as I can tell, is that first choice will get the majority of chat time, come the 28th, and the alt choice will get some tag on, at the end.

Alt pick doesn't seem to be on Kindle for the UK :( if anyone finds it please shout!

SAHMwIssues wrote: "What's with the Alt Book? Is that like... if we can't stand getting through the suggested read... then we move on to the Alt? ;) ???"

That or if you're a quick reader. Also, I think they pick an alt book because it's the same genre. Get a better feel for how a similar world is handled by a different author.

Or...Library has Alt book but doesn't have primary book club read. That made my reading decision.

I cannot get my hands on the primary book but I can the Alt book.

Well since I read Grimspace in January, I guess I'll be reading the other one then. Is it really smutty? I hope it’s really smutty!

The primary book sounds steamier! :)

Neither of these books are available as e-books at my library. To Amazon I go.

Both are available as ebooks in Germany this time, so I might read both.
Will start with Gabriel's Ghost.

I'm a couple chapters in and so far I like it. But come on, who doesn't love space.

Ended up missing the last live hangout *sob* but after watching it on youtube I'm all caught up and ready to go! Since I just joined about 2 weeks ago, I'm looking forward to actually read along and be able to participate actively this month. I just got Gabriel's Ghost for my kindle. As soon as I finish the books I'm currently reading I'm starting this and hopefully I'll find some extra time to read the alt book as well.

its a fun read so far. i am only a few chapters in though.I'm finding myself relating to the way the Sully dude acts. and Chaz is my kinda girl!

Excited to read both these picks- this month is Sci-Fi heavy as its a "laser" read over at Sword & Laser. These books will probably be refreshing after Hyperion by Dan Simmons.Hyperion

Tara wrote: "I'm a couple chapters in and so far I like it. But come on, who doesn't love space."

Honestly I hate space novels and I dread reading this. I hope I'm surprised.

Tara wrote: "I'm a couple chapters in and so far I like it. But come on, who doesn't love space."
Jeeez Tara, overachiever, I gotta download it still :D

SAHMwIssues wrote: "What's with the Alt Book? Is that like... if we can't stand getting through the suggested read... then we move on to the Alt? ;) ???"

Alt is for all these reasons people have posted. It also gives the forum members more to talk about that we might not get to, since some people eat these books up (like me) and some don't have time for even one.

Okay, looking at the covers that Goodreads puts up for both of May's novels... The main book LOOKS like a romance novel (big long neck, obvious passion in the couple, arcing and leaning back... as well as that sort of phallic spacecraft entering the HOLE), whereas the alt looks like more of a Sci-Fi novel (which probably happens to have some romance in it). Is this actually the case? Last month with Iron Duke and Soulless it seems to be (from the discussions I've read here on the forum)... Was this intentional? (I haven't yet read the synopsis for either of them.)

Just... kinda wanted to point that out. I find it a bit amusing, and a little odd. Especially if my inclination is correct.

Felicia wrote: "Tara wrote: "I'm a couple chapters in and so far I like it. But come on, who doesn't love space."
Jeeez Tara, overachiever, I gotta download it still :D"
yup still waiting on my book to come from amazon! geeze louise people slow down and wait for me! ..oh wait maybe not then you'll only just have finished in time for the next hangout lol

Okay, wait, what?! I just read both synopses, and they have almost the exact same line in them at one point. The lead is in prison, and a guy shows up to save them "for a price" both times! What is up with that? The ability Jix has sounds interesting, but the synopsis makes me feel like we'd only be reading the aftermath, and none of what actually happened in the crash, which makes me sad. And Chasidah is a terrible name that just makes me go "ugh!" and repulses me. Chaz is better, but... I know that as a man's name. Also, it sounds like the lead for that is an alpha - it's in the synopsis.

I'm confused, ladies! I thought we were taking a break from Alphas. And/or why did you pick the same book twice? (Or rather, incredibly similar plots twice...?)

So far it's a great choice. Slowly brought back memories of walking around the space stations in Space Quest. Looking forward to V.F this month!

@ Christine - I love the name Chasidah! D= However, in Gabriel's Ghost, you do start the book with the escape from prison which I found rather disappointing. As to the lead being an alpha - sorta. He's domineering, a bit, but nothing like the Iron Duke.

I bought and read the book yesterday, and I'll probably read the alt. read today. I hadn't realized they had similar plots. I'm interested to see how they compare.

Christine wrote: "Okay, wait, what?! I just read both synopses, and they have almost the exact same line in them at one point. The lead is in prison, and a guy shows up to save them "for a price" both times! What is..."

Well I had a few beta guys picked but the category poll sort of trumped it. HOWEVER by definition I think SF ladies are stronger than other romance so i think you'll like these.

The plots are a BIT similar but not really at all, totally different experiences. Yes, Grimspace is more SF than romance, but some people seem to enjoy that.
And I had to make the primary one primary because there's more sex in it and Bonnie will revolt if we don't have scenes to get it on haha.

Well lets see you announced the books on Monday and I've already killed Grimspace. I LOVED it. I chose to read the alt book first this time so that the actual pick will be fresher in my mind but this plan may not work out as well as I hoped...

I had the primary book in a list of things to read for around a year so it's great to actually get a kick in the behind to read it. Also I only found the group a week ago so I'm really excited to read along with everyone.

Just signed up for the group and downloaded the book to my iPad. Like Felicia says "who doesn't love space!?". Here we go....

Felicia wrote: "Christine wrote: "Okay, wait, what?! I just read both synopses, and they have almost the exact same line in them at one point. The lead is in prison, and a guy shows up to save them "for a price" b..."
I thought the plots sound familiar in the prison side of things and then meeting a rougish guy but the other sides of the story sound different enough for me to want to read both books! And I will put up with the extra naughties for bonnies sake, I dont want her to revolt! thats my story and im sticking to it! haha

FYI... This book is under 2 authors. Same author, different names. Linnea Sinclair is the real name of the author, however I found this book under her pseudonym Megan Sybil Baker. Confused the hell outta me at first, I thought I bought the wrong book, but after thumbing through the first few pages, the names of the characters where the same... Soooo... I'm assuming this is the right book! LOL

Christine wrote: "Okay, looking at the covers that Goodreads puts up for both of May's novels... The main book LOOKS like a romance novel (big long neck, obvious passion in the couple, arcing and leaning back... as ..."

The way I understand it, Bantam re-did the covers to make them look more "romance-y." The original cover looked more like it belonged in the SF/F section and they thought romance readers weren't giving it a chance because of that.


I've read the book and I think it's a good balance of science fiction world building and romance. I haven't read the other book (though it's on my to read list), so I can't compare the two.

I'm looking forward to the discussion of this book. I love Linnea's books!

Couldn't get "Grimspace" electronically, and is a tough find in the libraries near me. Sometimes it sucks having to wait for Amazon or Book Depository to deliver all the way out to Australia...
Thankfully "Gabriel's ghost" is downloading to my Kindle now.

I had already read Grimspace before the annoucement and I have to say, the Sirantha Jax series is great! I can't wait for End Game to come out later this year, though it'll be sad as it's the final book of the series. I really want to know what happens with Sirantha, March, and Vel.

I just purchased Gabriel's Ghost for the Kindle and will be starting on it!

Signed up for Audible.com via twit.tv's promo. Looking forward to the 4 hours on the road tomorrow with this book.

Randi wrote: "FYI... This book is under 2 authors. Same author, different names. Linnea Sinclair is the real name of the author, however I found this book under her pseudonym Megan Sybil Baker. Confused the hell..."

I was confused at first too. But there is a review on Amazon from someone who read both versions, and it seems that the author did some revision when it was re-released. Probably close enough in the storyline, though.

Liz wrote: "Christine wrote: "Okay, looking at the covers that Goodreads puts up for both of May's novels... The main book LOOKS like a romance novel (big long neck, obvious passion in the couple, arcing and l..."

I didnt notice the two different covers to the book and I really wish i had ordered this one as it looks more sci-fi, my friend teases me about the cover of the one im getting saying it looks sci-fi mills and boon!

@Jane, I think the more sci-fi looking cover is out of print, so you probably wouldn't have been able to find it anyway. It's a really good story; tell your friend she should know better than to judge a book by it's cover. :)

Liz wrote: "@Jane, I think the more sci-fi looking cover is out of print, so you probably wouldn't have been able to find it anyway. It's a really good story; tell your friend she should know better than to j..."
ah ok thanks, glad I didnt spend time trying to find it! I love the sound of the story cant wait for it to arrive, and yes I will tell her! thanks liz :)
this is such a great community :)

Considering my iPad has been giving me headaches after reading it for a long period or time I decided to take a break from that for a little bit. And of course the month I decided to take a break NONE of my book club picks are available at my local bookstore or the library. So this morning I ordered all the books and now I have to wait for them all to come in. Gr. But I'm kind of excited to read Gabriel's Ghost just because of the cover. Haha.

@Jane, I'm new to the Goodreads community, but it seems great so far! And I can't wait for this book discussion!

I just downloaded the book from Google Play for $6.99 http://goo.gl/ZzuB1. Google Play has a nice integration with GoodReads. I look forward to reading and discussing this book!

"Google buys GoodReads.com for a billion dollars", he says with the back of his pinky pressed to the corner of his mouth. /Called it! LOL

But on topic, enjoying the listen so far.

i did the same thing Tau-Mu did. works nicely.

Well, just finished Gabriel's Ghost and really liked it!
I'll give the Alt a try now, if it is really as similar to this one as some people are saying I'll drop it lol if it isn't I'll try reading it before the discussion =)

Finally made room on my books on hold list - and yay! chicago public library has both!

I'm really excited to read both these books. I missed the alt book last time so i hope to get through both of these books this time! Even though the male hero in Gabriel's Ghost appears pretty alpha, after reading 4 or so chapters he doesn't seem nearly as bad as Rhys from Iron Duke,I dont forsee any rape in the near future lol. To me Sully just seems like a handsome, slightly arrogant scoundrel. I for some reason can't stop picturing him as Han Solo when i read though lol, which is a little distracting.

Melinda wrote: "Couldn't get "Grimspace" electronically, and is a tough find in the libraries near me. Sometimes it sucks having to wait for Amazon or Book Depository to deliver all the way out to Australia...
Th..."

Megan - See if you can get this?
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Gabrie...

Otherwise:
If you're in Melbourne let me introduce you to the best Romance bookshop in the city - Rendezvous - 118 Lonsdale Street, bwn Russell & Exhibition St
http://www.rendezvousbooks.com/catalo...

If you're in Sydney try Galaxy, in York Street behind the QVB - (level 1 above Abbey's Bookshop at 131 York Street, in the Sydney CBD, just a couple of minutes' walk from the Town Hall)
http://www.galaxybooks.com.au/book/ga...

If you're not, they both ship. Hope you get to read it in time, I really enjoy Linnea Sinclair.

Sorry, that was meant to be Melinda, not Megan!

Thank you to Liz and Felicia (I had more to say, but my browser ate it when I went forward and back to look at the original cover for Gabriel's Ghost). I believe I'll give Gabriel's Ghost a try as well, but I'll probably start with Grimspace still because of the portalling - which sounds neat. I like the idea of the "killer race" being made in Ghost, though. I'm seeing a lot of positivity about the main book... so yeah... I think I'll try to read both if they're both available in my library circuit. (And I finally finished Soulless last week... I think I will read the next one or maybe all of them...)

Simian - Oh! Well, you can have the name... I'll leave it. XD

Allrighty, I just finished Gabriel's Ghost and I definitely liked it. I was a little worried because space was not my first choice, but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I really, really liked Sully and his "obsidian eyes". I don't think he was the same type of Alpha that we saw in the Iron Duke. I could definitely tell, almost from the beginning, that he truly cared for Chaz...not just that he wanted to bed her.

Well, for fear of spoilers I am moving onto Grimspace now and will hopefully come back around for some discussion later in the month when more people have finished the book.

I wish Kiala's sound could be higher in relation to the other ladies for the next hangout - I feel as though she would start to speak and someone else would start a second later and the hangout would auto-switch to the other person because they were louder.

I finished it last night (wow, the end was super fast-paced!) I liked it a lot surprisingly. I too didn't think he was the same kind of Alpha. I enjoyed their relationship and trust (though it kept going back and forth).

I haven't read a space book in quite some time, but thoroughly enjoyed this one! Great pick and I can't wait to see what the ladies thing of this one.

And what are we drinking for honeylace? I for one pictured the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey.