Haunting Blackie (Cyborg Seduction) (Volume 8)

Laurann Dohner cyborg series is a great read. I am always impatient for the next book in the series. Her cyborg's have heart. and her heroine's are sassy and interesting. I hope this series continues for along time just like her Species series

The plot is that the heroine helps the cyborg people escape the planet, but her people are left behind. The woman then watches as her own people are betrayed. The two main characters support each other and are well developed characters. If you like lora Leigh you will love this book.

In reading some of the reviews, I noticed people describing this story as cyborgs meets new species and called it unoriginal. Quite frankly, I loved that aspect of the story and felt it brought a fresh new and believable element to the series. If humans could create cyborgs, why wouldn't they have created another breed as well? Having said that, there were elements to this new installment that I loved, and others that were just bland. I'm amazed by how far Cyborg behavior has changed from the first book which I couldn't even tolerate, to where we are today. This story is better than most of the authors that you'll read out there, but if you're used to reading Ms. Dohner's series, this one isn't up to the same standard of conflict, tension, and emotions that her other books have. If you're new to the series, this can be read as a standalone without missing a beat, even with already established characters, but I wouldn't recommend it. This is not the best of the series so why start here? That being said, don't start with the first book either. That story is downright offensive in my opinion and could put you off the series forever.

Eve and Danica are gentically created beings who ultimately escape from earth and become bounty hunters. They were a critical element and alliance to Cyborgs originally escaping, but for some reason, were forsaken when the ships fled the planet. When Eve and Danica are attacked by space pirates, things finally begin to look bleak, but they are surprisingly rescued by Cyborgs. Blackie will never forget the woman who rescued him so many years ago, but he knows by now that woman is either old or dead. When he helps to rescue a ship in distress, he finds the woman haunting his dreams is not only still alive, but much the way he remembered her. Through this, Eve and Blackie work together to uncover the truth of what happened to that alliance so many years ago and how his own people could betray the only woman he would love.

As I mentioned before, I found the storyline refreshing and the overall premise was fantastic. It was the execution that fell a little flat. The relationship was very flip a switch, and the enemies were not only predictable, but way out of their element causing the story line to be virtually tension free. For me, I didn't feel the danger or the sparks that come with Ms. Dohner's stories. Instead of battling Markus models or pirates, we find ourselves involved in the political espionage of the Cyborgs themselves. This is a natural progression to this series and progresses the change that is so badly needed to their society, but it's a small blip of change, as opposed to opening the floodgates to new possibilities. It's a solid installment to be sure and it introduces us to future pairings, but overall, I wasn't glued to it the way I usually am.

The characters continue to become stronger. The Cyborg world is interesting and the addition of a new type of cyborg opens up new opportunities for us to enjoy. I always thought Blackie had a back story, so I really enjoyed this book.

But there are better books in the Cyborg series from Laurann Dohner. I agree that it did feel like like a cross with the New Species series and that's a shame. The book felt too short and not as well developed as some of her previous work.

Usually I love Laurann Dohner books and buy them the minute they come out. I started this book with the usual preparation, plenty of uninterrupted time to enjoy the story. The beginning was intriguing until I got to the part where Eve turns into what appears to be a new species knock off. It ruined it for me, I tried to carry on because I paid a decent price for this book and normally I love this author. However, I returned it for a refund without finishing it and only a few chapters in because I found the female lead to annoying to continue. This book did not resonate with me at all I found it flat. The whole "mine" thing that happens in every other paranormal story was just too clichéd. I love Laurann for her originality and fun/interesting storylines and this one was just not worth my time in my opinion.

Possible spoilers
This book was a weird hybrid cross of the Cyborg Seduction/New Species books but the end result is not so great. I don’t want to give too much of a spoiler so I am just gonna say that the heroine, Eve, has some canine DNA but not exactly like the New Species characters. I think Donher was trying to make sure that there were not too many similarities to her other series, but the results were not ideal. While I always felt that the New Species were humans with something extra about them, Eve and Danica felt like a couple of stray dogs to me. I immediately got this feeling and it just kept getting more enforced in my mind the further along in the book I went. When I was reading how Eve and Danica were the only surviving littermates the first thing I visualized was a litter of dogs taken to the pound where 2 got adopted and the rest were euthanized…. And talks of preserving their bloodline was like a breeder making sure the best golden retriever lines stayed alive.

There was no period of falling in love in this book. The hero and heroine have 10 minutes together when he escapes earth, decades later they have 1 night together and then are in love the following morning..wtf? It reminds me of my cat, I found her as a stray kitten and that night we slept curled together and the next day I was already in love. This just reinforced my feeling that Eve was basically a pet. Laurann Dohner is such a great writer that I did feel the love between the 2 main characters despite this, but it just felt almost like a chunk of the story was missing since they were instantly in love.

The book was decent and I probably wouldn’t have cared enough to write a review if this was written by some other author, but I eagerly await anything written by this author so I felt the disappointment more keenly and I am probably more judgmental about it than I should be. I liked the book enough to finish it, but I was disappointed enough that I had to force myself not to give it 2 stars. I don’t doubt that a lot of people will still give it 5 stars.

Ive never returned a book written by Laurann, until now. I only read about 5 pages and could tell it was too different from the rest. Blacky was not exciting like the other hunks. The girl was annoying to me, didn't like where the story was going.

It was not very exiting to read,almost boring . I have noticed this in all of her newer Books I have been reading. Sorry only 3stars . I loved all her series. There is nothing that gets the heart pumping like the first 5 books

So this is book eight in the 'Cyborg Seducation' series. It really isn't a standalone. Not that I have read them in order, originally I think I skipped to book two or three. By book eight, as this is sic-fi all the world building is already done. It would cover a lot of ground to go over it all again. No problem. I have read a few books in the series so I didn't mind jumping straight in.

Blackie and Eve meet while both are being detained in testing facilities, Eve helping Blackie escape. They have a brief encounter that stays with Blackie for many years to come. No, no quick sexy times just a 'hey your handsome, wait for me on the escape shuttle.' Eve never makes it to the shuttle. Decades later, Blackie is amazed to run into Eve again. She hasn't aged a day. It comes out pretty quickly she was the result of splicing canine and human DNA.

So apparently Eve had some 'link' to Blackie when he was a captive, but that was never really explained or explored. The upshot being that she had identified him as her 'mate'. Yes, really. Cue, Eve is instantaneously in love. Blackie finds out straight away and is more than fine with it. Of course. There was no getting to know you, stage. I normally love that part of romance. It's not enough to just tell me they love each other I want to know why. How do they complement each other?

The usual prejudices abound and of course Blackie and Eve have bad guys to face. My big issue was that 'Haunting Blackie' seemed to be written on autopilot by Laurann Dohner. She wrote almost this same story in 'Redeeming Zorus' which I really enjoyed. She used all the same main concepts from that book in 'Haunting Blakie' to much less effect. This was an expensive book when I felt I had read it before.

Laurann Dohner is a good author she has proved it time and time again. Her books when good are action packed and hot. I just really think she could use a bit of new inspiration at this point.

I normally love Laurann Dohner and have read all her available books. There was only one I didn't care for until now. it had crossed my mind what if her cyborgs ever met up with new species. Well in a way that's what happened here and the result wasn't all that great. I'm not saying this book was horrible but compared to Dohners normal caliber of writing the storyline really fell short.

These have been starting off with some seriously intense scenes. Hellfire saved Blackie's life when he refused to step into an incinerator and decided to fight the guards instead. The guards decided the only thing to do was to beat and abuse him until they feel he sufficiently paid for his insubordination before ending his life. Hellfire walks in and releases him. Promising him safety and to meet up with him once he was safe. Blackie is haunted by the past and has major regrets at not being able to go back for her when she didn't make it to the shuttles.

I think intense is the only way to describe these books. I'm super sad I caught up to the end already but I know that Gene will be getting his own story as well. I have been enjoying them tremendously. Laurann Dohner has definitely become my favorite author with her New Species series and Cyborg Seduction. I love the worlds she builds and definitely the alpha males that come along with them. Not to mention, I'm loving the self sufficient women as well. The last few heroines have been able to kick major butt and take names later. My kind of girls. I'm loving the new Canine Unit that was introduced into the series in this story. Disappointed by their numbers though. That could have been fun.

As much as Zorus needed to redeem himself Blackie got to do that as well. I especially, enjoyed the scene with Steel. I'm glad Dohner is working on New Species but it's been almost two years. Where's my Gene! HAHA

Laurann Dohner’s New Species series is an amazing read and a year or so ago, I decided to try some of her other books. I quickly became hooked on her Cyborg Seduction series about the race of Cyborgs who escaped from their earth creators / captors and made a new home on Garden.

Each of the books features a different Cyborg (and, in full disclosure, sometimes two). The Cyborgs are usually not only highly sexed, but very Alpha males. Their introduction to human (i.e. Earth women) was not an easy one, but now by the eighth book, an obviously successful one.

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, was that there are very few female Cyborgs and the ones who do exist, aren’t terribly nice (though there are some exceptions to that rule). Instead of one to one pairings, the Cyborgs have to live (by law) in family units (usually two to three male to one female Cyborg, who holds all the cards). Not surprising then that when these Cyborgs were introduced to Earth women that their hearts (and other parts) went ping.

HAUNTING BLACKIE, book eight in the series, tells the story of Blackie, a Cyborg who’s toed the ruling Council line, even to terrorizing some of the human mates chosen by his fellow Cyborgs without questions. But what is his back story? Laurann Dohner weaves a compelling tale and soon we’re all rooting for Blackie, whose heart might not be quite as dark as it appeared.

When Blackie and his fellow Cyborg rescue Eve and her sister they discover not only another race they didn’t know existed (the canine one), but also a cover-up that resonated to the highest level of the Council.

Along the way there is some HOT and steamy Cyborg sex, but that’s not the big draw for me here. Instead it’s seeing that hardhearted and cold Cyborg, Blackie, encounter the woman who’s haunted his dreams (and he hers). Their story is a keeper. But as I mentioned there’s a cover-up and all is not smooth sailing.

Whether or not there is a HEA for Eve and Blackie, I’m not going to say. You’ll just have to read the book to find out. Please note that while this could be a stand-alone title, this is a series that really, really should be read in order.

Awarding five stars to HAUNTING BLACKIE by Laurann Dohner, a fast-paced, fun, and steamy read!

As posted on The Smutty Kitty reviewed by Jelly Kitty

4 out of 5 Licks

Haunting Blackie is the eighth Cyborg book, and I really recommend they be read in order, it was nice to get more of the background on the whole escape from Earth part. I also loved some of the new twists added to the series.

Blackie and Eve were refreshing because there wasn’t a lot of time spent trying to convince Eve to love a Cyborg. She knows what he is, and is all on board with loving him. It was nice to Blackie fall in love, especially since in past books he’s been a bit of a jerk.

With the new twists, the story keeps up the same fast pace I’ve come to expect from the series, and I also loved the little bit of a secondary romance between Gene and Eve’s sister Danica. Eve gets major points for being a seriously capable and strong heroine. Possessive and very Alpha males than Blackie is a great hero.

This is definitely a great story, and I will keep an eye out for the next Cyborg story. I really love the futuristic and character driven stories.

I bought audiobook version. By Chapter 4 I realized that I am bored and could not care less about Blackie, his prolonged inner monologues, and his K-9 girlfriend. In previous books Blackie almost raped one woman, was ready to kill another. And all that time he was in love with Eve. Ha-ha.. I am returning it.

Wow, another great story from Laurann Dohner.
I just loved Eve and her litter sister Danica, they were kick ass females, and we learn they are from a Canine unit, apparently the rest of their race were killed, as a result of their helping Cyborgs escape earth.
Eve had helped Blackie escape, she had bonded to him and he never forgot the women who saved him. When they meet again it's like the years are swept away their attraction and connection so powerful. Blackie really redeems himself. They have battles to fight, after all who betrayed the Canines all those years ago, will they be welcome and safe.
You'll have to read it to find out, loved it and i highly recommend.

Even though the story borrowed from the New Species series, I thought the storyline was still good. Bringing in different elements to the series has given it more life. I also appreciate the series (and all the other series) maturing with the focus more on storytelling with steamy romance than constant sex with a thin and predictable plot. I agree with another review in regards to the book being longer. The story was a bit short. Kudos to Ms. Dohner for the Danica/Gene tease in the last chapter. Danica's feisty attitude and Gene's determination will undoubtedly provide one of the best reads in this series. I hope we don't have to wait too long, and the story is longer.

Favorite Quotes:
“I need you.”
She stared into his eyes and cupped his face with one hand. “You have no idea how much I want you too. I’ve never rescued anyone who tempted me more, Handsome. I’ll make you a promise. I’ll meet you when we leave the planet in three weeks. We’ll finish this then. Don’t you dare hook up with anyone else. It’s going to be me and you, okay? We’ll be bunk buddies.”

“Tell me when we’re on Titan.” Eve tore open the bag and stared at two big replicas of men’s penises.
“That was supposed to be a joke. I thought you’d get a laugh out of it the next time you recharged the weapons during the three-month maintenance schedule.”
Numb fingers dropped the bag as she turned to gape at Danica.
Danica had tears in her eyes. “I didn’t know we were going to end up like this. You’re always a bit bitchy and I picked them up at that last outpost we stopped at to buy supplies. It was meant as a hint for you to, um, maybe use one of them to chill out. I got two different sizes because I didn’t know what you’d prefer. Thick or regular girth.”

Blackie, face mask in place, raised his weapon to aim at the door as Gene, kneeling in front of the electrical panel, turned his way and nodded. Gene stood about the same time that the bulkhead doors slid open.
The sight of a brunette with bright green eyes, wearing a blue jumpsuit, was the first thing Blackie spotted. She blocked his view of the woman behind her but there was no doubt of her fellow crewmember’s sex since he got a glimpse of rounded breasts contained inside a small shirt before something hit his chest. The one in front had pitched an object at him.
Instinct made him catch it before it bounced off, instantly assuming it was an explosive device. He glanced down to gauge the type, hoping there was a clear path to throw it far enough to avoid being killed. His mind blanked for a second as he gawked, freezing.
“Is that an artificial phallus?”
Gene’s deep-voiced question jolted Blackie from his stunned stupor as he dropped the nonthreatening object and aimed his weapon at the woman. She held a second one as if it were a weapon, waving it back and forth. Part of him wanted to laugh, the sight so absurd it seemed impossible.
“Drop the…” Gene hesitated. “It is a fake—”

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book!!! From the beginning this book has plenty of entertaining, exciting parts. Laurann Dohner has done it again!!! If you loved her books this one won’t let you down. Blackie aka Handsome was held captive and was being tortured and getting ready to be terminated when a woman he thinks is human releases him from his chains and says she will be his bunk buddies when they leave Earth. But when the ship let Earth he was unable to find her. He thought she had died and he would never see her again.
Eve aka Hellfire was not human she was part canine and cyborg. Eve agreed to help rescue as many if not all the cyborgs she could but when she met Blackie she decided she he was her mate and she would do anything to keep him. When she was to meet the ship they had already left. She believed she would never see her mate again. So she and her littermate find a way to escape Earth and became bounty hunters but now she has another problem and that was pirates trying to capture them and hurt and rape them. So Eve and Danica her littermate rammed the ship and disabled them.
Blackie and the crew of his ship heard their transmission and went to save them. In the process of breaking the seal to the ship, Danica opened the door to the main cabin and shocked Blackie and Gene. Imagining the look on their faces was would have been priceless. But what made it even more fun was reading what Eve through and hit Blackie in the chest. OMG!!! She hit him with an artificial penis. Can you imagine one of them as a weapon? I can picture his face and Gene’s when the look at Blackie’s hand to see him holding it. I laughed and laughed. Throughout the story you have sarcasm, laughter, anguish, heartache and true love.