Close Liaisons

The Krinar Chronicles, Volume 1

By: Anna Zaires, Dima Zales

Narrated by: Kathleen Godwin

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A dark and edgy romance that will appeal to fans of erotic and turbulent relationships....

In the near future, the Krinar rule the Earth. An advanced race from another galaxy, they are still a mystery to us - and we are completely at their mercy.

Shy and innocent, Mia Stalis is a college student in New York City who has led a very normal life. Like most people, she's never had any interactions with the invaders - until one fateful day in the park changes everything. Having caught Korum's eye, she must now contend with a powerful, dangerously seductive Krinar who wants to possess her and will stop at nothing to make her his own.

How far would you go to regain your freedom? How much would you sacrifice to help your people? What choice will you make when you begin to fall for your enemy?

WARNING: This book contains strong sexual content and explicit language and is not suitable for listeners under 18.

©2013 Anna Zaires (P)2013 Anna Zaires

Critic reviews

"If you're looking for some sexy summer reads, you'll want to check out the new book series, Krinar Chronicles. Author Anna Zaires brings you a kind of 50 Shades of Grey meets Star Trek tale...." (Marie Claire)

"For diehard fans of the paranormal romance genre, author Anna Zaires's risqué new book could be your next guilty pleasure. Zaires's most recent read, Close Liaisons, combines a love story with science fiction in the tale of Mia, an unassuming college student whose life gets suddenly entangled in a dangerous, otherworldly affair." (Woman's Day)

Blown Away

What did you love best about Close Liaisons?

The entire story..it was fresh and original

What other book might you compare Close Liaisons to and why?

It is an erotic tale .. So if you are like reading erotica then you will enjoy this story

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed it so much, part 2 is out in print and I picked up a copy .. yet to read but can hardly wait

RESISTANCE TO THIS ALIEN/HUMAN ROMANCE IS FUTILE!!

It all started with a walk in the park…..but things on earth were different now. It had been about 5 years since earth was peacefully invaded by the Krinar alien species, an advanced race from another planet. So, for Mia Stalis, a college student at NYU, what else could she possibly derive from a simple, yet somewhat awkward run-in at the park with one of the "K's"….a beautiful specimen of man named Koram who eyed her like a predator and left her with unsettled feelings. Well, Mia wasn't far off from her first impression, what might have been considered an innocuous walk in the park become the beginning of a life, destiny and epic romance she couldn't have begun to fathom. And, I could not have begun to fathom what an awesome series I stumbled onto with the Krinar Chronicles!!!

Wow! This book was on fire with passion, strong themes of capture, inner-conflicts and racy twists and turns at every corner. This is considered to be a dark, erotic romance, and certainly the way Koram initiates and fosters a relationship with Mia evokes a balance of chills, dread, and excitement. Throughout this book you will feel Mia's visceral response to Koram and his maddening need for her, and vice versa. For the sensibilities of a 21st century reader, well some of the themes are downright creepy, but never far from exciting.

In this book, the intelligent, decisive, gorgeously-masculine, Korum is still somewhat of a mystery. We will learn more about him and his motivations/life in the next few books. I really liked Mia's responses and the way she dealt with her situation as I thought it was realistic and honest. She's one of those sweet girls who is not aware of her attractiveness/beauty/intelligence and overall allure, and the effect she has on others. What can I say?-Mia is beautiful inside and out and Koram detected this the first nano-second he laid eyes on her..LOL…The ending was crazy-amazing and I was left automatically downloading the entire series.

Some of the really cool aspects was learning about this advanced world of the Krinar's that we only get a glimpse of in this book. Their technology, way of handling conflict, and culture is definitely interesting and keep you wanting to know more. Also, their mandated food diet and it's effects across the earth was also keenly interesting. I felt like eating more veggies and salads like ASAP…lol

Narrator: Kathleen Godwin was superb. I loved her voicing, cadence and inflections for Mia and Koram, alike. Her pacing was great and she made it an overall excellent audiobook experience.

Having listened to all the audiobooks in this series, it's like peeling an exotic, unknown fruit from Krina…..you want more and each peel is more and more revealing!!! LOVED IT!!!

Romance Cliches and Sexy Aliens

What to say about this one. Well, It has a lot of cliches, but I loved the science fiction alien elements. So I have a few warnings, but I'm definitely picking up the next book.

First with the cliches. This is a story of some studious average looking virgin girl who is swept off her feet by a some alpha overly controlling rich gorgeous man with a giant man part. And what do you know, he buys her a new wardrobe and she transforms into a beauty. Also, she kind of hates him, but he's irresistible and he won't let her go, so she accepts her fate. Or does she!? I won't give anything away (not that it's a super secret), but in the midst of the intrigue that develops, our heroine fails to ask a few obviously important questions, and is oddly naive and trusting. Personally, I prefer a more savvy leading lady, and I couldn't stomach her lack of common sense. I was rolling my eyes at her all over the place. Perhaps if more explanation of her thought process was given, I wouldn't have been so bothered, but you'd think as a psychology major, she'd have more insight into explaining behaviors or motives. And last but not least, I got seriously tired about hearing about what the characters ate, and the reader was meh (if you like the sample, that's about as good as it gets). End rant.

Okay, I'm done complaining. Now for the good part. The Aliens!! They are like some advanced race of vampire-like humanoid creature. I loved hearing about their culture, planet, technology, etc. The author did a great job of creating the alternate reality where we have some sexy aliens living along side the humans on Earth. This aspect of the story is really fresh and interesting. Although there wasn't a real cliffhanger at the end of this book, I am so curious about what happens next! I think this is the first published work by the author, so I'm sure the books will keep getting better and better. Overall, it was a fun listen, and I definitely think this book is worth a try.

Can't believe I like an alien romance so much!

Wow, so I've been expanding my normal romance genre and glad I did. This is a really great listen. Very much worth a credit. Our handsome K you want to hate because of his dominant attitude (but that's also kinda what I like) he's persistent in his pursuit of Mia she doesn't want him. Because he is a K and her feelings get jumbled because in the beginning all she wants is to run away but hey sometimes curiosity can pull you in. The plot thickens when she's approached by the human resistance and asked to spy on him. Will she or won't she? It's a roller coaster ride of emotions a lot of hot yumminess and I can't wait for the next one.

Amazon customer

Loved this book and excited to listen to the rest. Highly recommended to all. Bravo.

Mixed feelings

I believed there is a second book after this one and it’s needed. I liked the overall story but didn’t like the Korum, “the hero”. I didn’t like how arrogant and high handed he was. He never seemed like he actually liked her or cared about her input or feelings. I’m not sure if I will read/listen to the next book. This seemed to be missing the connection.

I took off on performance because the narrator used different words than the book. I’m not sure why, but when using whisper sync, the words on audio were different?🤷‍♀️

What a crazy twist to an alien invasion story!

What made the experience of listening to Close Liaisons the most enjoyable?

Although Korum got on my last nerves with his autocratic behavior toward the shy and innocent Mia, I really found myself enjoying the banter between a naive 21 year old and the alien who was thousands of years old.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Close Liaisons?

Near the end of the book when Mia realizes she is falling for Korum and is still not willing or interested in being his pampered sex toy. She makes some stupid mistakes in handling a "man" who clearly had vast years of experiences behind him to think she could pull the wool over his eyes.

Which character – as performed by Kathleen Godwin – was your favorite?

Korum was an arrogant, arbitrary and capricious man/alien, but he's swag so I can't wait to read the next book. He also outlined some concepts regarding Earthling behavior that was nothing but true.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Korum gives Mia a choice that could win her freedom from him, her actions were not unexpected.

Any additional comments?

A great start to a really engaging series, Anna Zaires is talented and smart for collaborating with good editors and her husband on the details of the book.

Took time to hook me, but so good.

I love these authors, but I'm more familiar with their mafia-esque series. I found this only kinda interesting at first and the narrator was iffy for me but as the story progressed, I'm invested. The concepts, while not new in sci-fi, is dark and ominous. I know this is going to end on a cliffhanger 😖
Why is the combined trilogy narrated by a guy and 3.5 hrs longer???

Interesting Series, Hot Storyline

If you could sum up Close Liaisons in three words, what would they be?

First in a series of three fantasy books about a human-alien love affair. Lots of sex scenes, so tender ears, beware.

What did you like best about this story?

I don't read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy, but this series had great reviews, so I decided to try it.

Any additional comments?

Male character is a bit one dimensional, more of a cipher than a fully realized character. However, the male character is revealed in more depth, in later books.

Futuristic

Would you try another book from Anna Zaires and Dima Zales and/or Kathleen Godwin?

I don't really know, it depends on the story

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kathleen Godwin?

Yes I would listen to another book narrated by Kathleen Godwin

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

I was not to into alien vampires. The story was so involved with explaining scientific stuff which also doesn't interest me at all. The romance part to me was more toward stalker tendencies for my tastes. If you are into futuristic and sci-fi romance this is the book for you.