Lis’ Review Aliens, Smith and Jones by Blaine D. Arden

Blaine D. Arden

Aliens, Smith and Jones

Storm Moon Press, July 20, 2012 | 200 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
Connor Smith works for Primrose, an organization tasked with monitoring and tracking aliens and alien technology. It's a job that doesn't know the meaning of "nine-to-five". It also doesn't leave much room for a social life, a complication that Connor hasn't minded, until now. At the prodding of his best friend, Connor reluctantly puts himself back in the dating pool, even though it means lying about his remarkable life.
Elsewhere, Noah Jones has led a remarkable life of his own. Stranded on Earth in 1648, Noah was forced to transform himself permanently into human form to survive. He soon learned that in doing so, he'd become effectively immortal, aging only at a glacial pace.
Alone, with no way to contact his people or return home, Noah becomes a silent observer of human civilization -- always in the world, but never of the world. Then, hundreds of years later, he sees a face in a crowd and instantly feels a connection that he thought he'd never feel again. But he's too late: Connor's already taken.
Destiny is not without a sense of humor, though, and the two men are pulled inexorably closer, snared by the same web of dangers and conspiracies. Worse, Primrose is now aware of Noah, and they aren't ones to leave an alien unrestrained. So while Connor struggles to understand the strange pull he feels toward Noah, forces without as well as within are working against them to keep them apart.

Genre & Keywords: M/M Romance, Sci-Fi, Aliens, Crime, Secret Organization

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2 out of 3 flames
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Reviewed by Lis:

It’s no secret that I enjoy books by this author and I couldn’t wait to pick this one up. My only regret is that the review is very very late. *hangs head in shame*

Aliens, Smith & Jones is a step away from the fantasy that we’re used to from this author, but it’s certainly not less than any of her previous books. Aliens, Smith & Jones is a thrilling read with exquisite attention to detail and a well developed plot.

It would be a shame to give away more of the plot than the blurb, which gives a nice indication of what the story is about. All I’ll tell you is that the plot is well crafted, there were many things that worked well for me, such as the aliens and science (fiction) and technology aspects of the story and the attention to detail of the cases Connor is working on and Primrose as an organization. Also Noah’s character was nicely done. He is very original, but more on that later.

However, the ‘relationship’ between Noah and Connor didn’t quite sell me. It felt a little too easy as they spent most of the book apart. The same goes for the role Jason plays as a whole. It’s clear from the beginning that Noah and Connor are ‘meant’ to be together, so it didn’t quite sound believable to me. However, it wasn’t overly disturbing as it is part of the story as a whole.

Along with the plot, the characterizations are well done. Thought is put in each character and the author gave them their unique quirks so they are their own persons and stand apart. Especially the character of Noah is well worked out. As an alien who has lived a long time he doesn’t act like a love-struck teen. He actually acts his age. He is smart, thoughtful and caring. He is also very much an alien. While human (sort of) he has the mind of an alien and is way more advanced than us measly humans. There are quite a few features connected to his character, but those are all spoilers.

Connor is also a very well done character and very British. He made me laugh quite a few times. Along with the main characters there are a host of other characters. They are not fillers, but have their own voice and bring unique parts to the story. Like Connor’s best friend and his boss.

I believe that Aliens, Smith & Jones is definitely a book worth picking up. So my advice is, get to it if you haven’t done so already.
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