Alien Nation by Gini Koch (Spotlight and review)

Alien Nation

by

Gini Koch

Blurb:

Sci-fi action meets steamy paranormal in Gini Koch’s Alien novels, as Katherine “Kitty” Katt faces off against aliens, conspiracies, and deadly secrets. • “Futuristic high-jinks and gripping adventure.” —RT Reviews

It’s a typical day of bureaucracy and stress for President and First Lady Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini, made more stressful when alien spacecraft are spotted making a beeline for Earth, none of them from the Alpha Centauri system.

Then a cryptic request from an old adversary pulls Kitty out of the White House and into an explosion—and an even more explosive situation. Not only is the Mastermind back in the game, influencing the Club 51 True Believers to find and destroy all Centaurion bases, but he’s also found a dangerous benefactor and created some frightening new cloning abilities.

And, just to make things a little more challenging, those alien spacecraft are coming to ask Kitty for protection, and asylum on Earth. Police stations being blown up and war helicopters in play aren’t enoughto keep Kitty down, especially when she’s got some new alien friends helping out.

But what these aliens share will rock the world—the other aliens on theirway to Earth are fleeing an enemy so terrifying that even a Z’porrah ship is trying to get to Earth for safety and protection. And if Earth isn’t able to stop this threat, there may not be anything left of humanity.

Now Kitty and Company have to figure out where the Mastermind is and stop him, before any new aliens land. And then they have to save the world from a deadly invasion. Or, as Kitty calls it, Thursday.


Amazon link


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My review:

4.75 out of 5 stars

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Alien Nation by Gini Koch is part of the genre-twisting ‘Alien’ series, this story combines science fiction, fantasy, paranormal romance, and adventure elements into another suspenseful tale as mostly human Katherine (Kitty) Katt-Martini and her hunky Alpha Centauri hubby Jeff marshal friends, family and allies to deal with an alien invasion that is fleeing an horrific menace that will literally change every being it comes into contact with. Finding a way to cozy up to those who definitely look different from what she is used to will be only one thing that Kitty needs to conquer but she’s never backed down from a challenge yet and she is definitely not going to start now…when EVERYONE’s life is at stake.

This book features another delightful and exciting adventure with First Lady Kitty Katt-Martini and the rest of the larger-than-life folks in her circle. The FLOTUS is learning the ‘power of the paw’ in addition to a few other perks of the office, but the crises are still arriving fast and furious, and problems are increasing astronomically. With her usual inimitable style and aplomb, Kitty kicks butt with enthusiasm accompanied by an impressive playlist that represent not-so-subtle clues from one of her allies, working around constraints imposed.

It’s always amazing to me how this author can address current issues with such flair and provide a wondrously entertaining story with her portrait of the dangers of bigotry and the importance of acceptance and appreciation for the contributions that can be made by those who are very different from us. I am always vastly entertained by the creatures who populate these stories, and wow, the images of the Turleens swooping around doing their Gamera imitation while helping Kitty save the day had me laughing out loud. The amazing thing about Gini’s stories is that they are SO outlandish and chock-full of pop culture references and musical clues that one can spend hours captivated by the imagery. Add in an exciting story…who can help being nervous when the BAD GUYS are FLEEING something…plus a few puzzles (like who is Patricia and what did she do to be featured as such a horrible alien race, lol), cameos by some of one’s favorite characters, and the ongoing love affair between the main characters, and one can disappear into one of these hefty books for days.

Those who are unfamiliar with the series should definitely start at the beginning (one of these days, these thick books need to be made even thicker by a list of characters to help us keep track of who’s who) but be advised that only those who love sarcastic wit and wonderfully exciting larger-than-life adventures will appreciate these comic-book-on-steroids tomes that combine humor, self-honesty, loyalty, and the excitement of an ongoing struggle for identity in a world that is getting smaller but no less important in terms of the universe. I have to wonder how the author is able to keep raising the bar in her ability to combine wacky with relevant but I definitely appreciate her talents and look forward to more tales in this fantastic series even though it apparently has a planned endpoint that is rapidly approaching.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review, a version of which was submitted to Night Owl Reviews

And...to show how far behind I am...the sequel has just released! I am looking forward to reading it...but unfortunately there are (quite) a few in line ahead of it, drat!

 

Amazon link

Alien in Chief by Gini Koch (review)

Alien in Chief

by Gini Koch

Blurb:

As Kitty can tell you, it’s not easy being the wife of the vice president—especially not when he’s an alien from the Alpha Centauri system. But she and her A-C husband, Jeff, have learned how to roll with whatever life and the bad guys throw at them—they think.

When the Alpha Centauri Planetary Council requests a visit with the president and vice president, things look politically dicey. When the most dangerous prisoners in the most secure supermax prison escape with ease, things look bad. But when the Mastermind releases a virus that kills people in a week, things go to Defcon Worse fast.

Now it’s up to Kitty to save everyone important in the U.S. government—including her mother, her husband, and herself—before the virus spreads through the rest of the country, and then the world. Plus she’s facing invisible attackers, crazed assassins, a teenager in hiding, the most dangerous train ride ever, the disappearance of her beloved flyboys, and a mysterious alien who could be an enemy or the ally she needs.

And this time, the Mastermind’s made it very personal. Either he’s going down...or Kitty is.

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My review:


4.5 out of 5 stars

Alien in Chief by Gini Koch is book 12 in the ‘Alien’ series.  Kitty and her husband are settling into the vice-presidency roles so of course additional challenges have to disrupt everything!  A mysterious bow-wielding assassin, a train trip to Florida to greet a visiting alien delegation, and all of the mayhem and chaos that goes with thwarting the Mastermind and other enemies provide plenty of opportunity for moves and counter-moves that mobilize allies and enemies alike.  

The wonderful blend of reality and fantastical science fiction adventures provide hours of entertainment in this series that continues to ramp up the excitement while exploring how aliens can get well-assimilated into Earth politics.  The hints being delivered through song choices, the escalation of events that will alter the tenor of human and alien relations, the challenge of trying to defeat the Mastermind without losing allies, the fortuitous provision of an essential piece of equipment that didn’t even require discussion with the refrigerator, plus the use of Poof Approval for vetting folks all add up to another wacky and exciting chronicle of the adventures of Kitty Katt-Martini and hubby and VPOTUS Jeff. 

A train ride to rival any trial under fire, enemies galore, and biological warfare add up to a plethora of changes and unexpected events that aren’t all resolved by the end of this book.  One definitely needs a quick breather to catch up on things, and woe betide you if you forget who is on which side.  Of course, what was true yesterday may not be true tomorrow, so the best thing is to dive in and hang on for a totally wacky ride…but better if you have read the rest of the series so you don’t have such an intense case of whiplash.  This is another fun and hair-raising set of adventures featuring an intrepid and occasionally klutzy but loyal and protective woman who finds a way to utilize all of the resources at her command in order to save the day.  Warning, tissues should be close at hand…if only to deal with the fallout of infectious disease…and I am very relieved that I already have the next book in the series waiting to be consumed!

A copy of this title was provided to me for review which has been offered to Night Owl Reviews 


Previous title in the series:

Alien Separation

Next title in the series



Camp Alien


 

Universal Alien by Gini Koch (review)

Universal Alien by Gini Koch is part of the imaginative 'Alien' series that features Katherine (Kitty) Sarah Katt-Martini, but this particular tale involves a glimpse of the occupants of another corner of the multiverse and showcases the talent of Kitty's daughter, Jamie. A serious political error, combined with a severe head injury, thrusts Kitty into an alternate universe that provides a look at a plethora of situations that explore the results of a different pathway chosen. Unfortunately, there are still villains who have very dangerous agendas that will escalate the danger to Kitty and her loved ones, but no matter what the challenge, Kitty and her doppelganger will rise to the challenge.


The science fiction genre can occasionally overwhelm one with esoteric concepts and an overabundance of facts until one is almost bored to tears. That is definitely NOT the problem with this rollercoaster ride of a story. It is already remarkable to think of a world with Kitty in it, especially given the amazing situations she gets into...having a story that answers some of the 'what-if's' from the series in an alternate universe is even more fascinating. 


The trademark sarcasm and humor that characterizes this unique heroine is given the foil of a world that lacks aliens and their superpowers, which is contrasted with a version who has only her quick intellect, innate practicality, and boundless loyalty to arm her in a bewildering environment. I am fascinated by this author's ability to offer an entertaining story that still manages to offer commentary on the misunderstandings possible when different cultures interact, and the added insight into the fears that any parent deals with is given an inventive twist that naturally adds to the mystique that is Kitty---whether her last name is Martini or Reynolds.

I adore the fact that these stories highlight both the mind-expanding possibilities of a world that accepts aliens and remarkable scientific advances even as they show the wonderful relationships, romantic, interpersonal, and professional between all of these charismatic folks.

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.