Misty Vixen

This is the first book I have read from Misty Vixen. From her vast backlist I picked "Exploration" because it is short and I wanted to get a feel for the author's work.

I like the story. John and Ithy sign up for a deep space surveying mission after suffering disastrous ends to their respective relationships. Each of them feels the need for something new. They have never met before and encounter each other for the first time while waiting for their assigned ship to dock and take them on board. Lynn is the owner/captain of their ship. She chose her line of work because she likes meeting and interacting (intimately) with new people, and rocketing off into deep space with a different small crew every mission gives her ample opportunity to pursue her interests.

John is human. Lynn and Ithy are not, but as seen in that popular sci-fi franchise, they closely resemble humans with their major differences being in skin hues, facial features and size.

Once our three protagonists have given us their interesting backstories and are alone in deep space, Lynn sets about trying to seduce her two temporary crew members. And this is where I was less than enthralled.

I feel that the sexual interaction between characters is too voyeuristic. I know who did what to whom, but I never got more than a glimpse of how the participants feel, emotionally or sensually. This was particularly apparent when the story was told from John's point-of-view, as most of the intimate scenes in this story are, even while he is not an active participant.

I would have enjoyed this story just as much if it had featured "closed door"/"fade to black" sex scenes, which is a very valid way to tell a story, but it isn't what I thought I was here for, nor is it what I believe the author intended.

I may have done myself a disservice in selecting such a short book as an example of the author's work. I enjoyed enough of this work that I'll be back to try something longer from the author at a later date.

Final rating based on 3½/5 for story/characters and 3/5 for erotic scenes.… (mehr)