Grim

Tornians Book 1

By: M.K. Eidem

Narrated by: Commodore James, Laura Jennings

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

King Grim Vasteri is the strongest and most feared warrior in the Tornian Empire. He is the King of Luda, blood brother to the Emperor, and his line will die with him. He will have no offspring for no female would join with him for once he was scarred he was considered "unfit". The Tornian Empire has been dying ever since the great infection caused the birth of females to become a rarity. Since then they have been searching the known universes for compatible females. The Emperor's discovery of a compatible female on a slave ship changed that. He'd ordered Grim to find his Empress's home world so more "unprotected" females could be obtained, knowing Grim would never be allowed to Join with one.

Lisa Miller is a widowed mother of two little girls, Carly and Miki. Her husband died just a year ago, after a long battle with cancer and she misses him immensely. Friends want her to start dating again but in her heart, she knows there isn't a man on the planet she could love like her Mark. Who could love their girls like their own. Therefore, she'll stay alone.

When Lisa is discovered "unprotected" at her husband's grave, she wakes on an alien ship heading for an alien world. Refusing to accept this she confronts the large males, demanding she be returned to her children. Seeing his chance to have a female, Grim agrees to accept and protect her offspring, if she agrees to Join with him and only him. Realizing this is the only way she can retrieve her children Lisa agrees, and the Tornian Empire changes forever.

©2013 M.K. Eidem (P)2015 M.K. Eidem

SO DANG GOOD!!!

Wowza! This book was so dang good....

Ok... if you have ever read one of my reviews...you know I hate dual narration.... UNLESS it is done like this book... Female reads female parts and male reads male parts... This was so good... but this book had a little something extra that I am just not use too... SOUND EFFECTS!!!!

I must admit at first...I hate it... the birds chirping and the hum of the spaceship was driving me batting...but by chapter two...when someone knocked on the door and you hear the knock first then the narration...well I must admit, it really made this book stand out... I fell in love with it... It was amazing... so kudos for this brilliant version of narration and sound effects...

No on to the review... GRIM... I so want a GRIM... Although he was scarred from a battle he won against 8 other warriors, Grim was looked upon as "not worthy" to mate due to his scars... Oh, did I mention he is KING GRIM... but nope, he got scares so the snoody women of his planet didn't want him. So when Grim has to go find mate(able) Earth women because his brother the emperor's new wife accidentally told of her home planet...Grim is in luck! He forces Lisa to mate with him in order to pick up her girls which were left back on earth... She does, because there is no way she was leaving her girls...

OK.. this is when the story picks up, because WOMEN are special, as they are rare on Grim's planet... Now King Grim has got three!!! Man this book was so darn good... I can't wait for book 2 to come on Audible...

Narration was Amazing!! So enjoyable... Credit well spent...

This is a buy, sale or credit... Great book!

Wow, just WOW!

Would you consider the audio edition of Grim to be better than the print version?

Definitely yes, even though I've not read the print.

Any additional comments?

I got this audio book based on a review from a member I follow. It popped up in my email as a raving review. As I do like a good sifi romance, and the book sounded pretty cool I bought it for a credit. Boy, am I glad I did!!!

Admittedly this is my first full scale audio book with sound effects. And all I can say is WOW! It is/ was absolutely the coolest thing! Lol, now I want all my audio books to have sound effects!

I noticed on Good Reads this book had a lot of typos and mistakes in the writing that turned people off. This being an audio book that's not really a problem. Although there where a few glitches in the performance that should have been fixed during production. It wasn't enough to turn me off the story.

I greatly enjoyed the interchanging male/ female narrators for male/ female characters. And given the huge amount of different characters in this book I believe they did an excellent job of giving them all different voices. I think Jennings did a slightly better job then James did though. As a few of James male voices sounded too similar and a little funny sounding (almost lisped). I really wasn't sure I liked Grims whisper/ growlish voice either, because I found it harder to discern emotion in it. But it's sound is explained so I was fine with that.

Like I said the sound effects where awesome in the background. As there is very little world building in this story (much to my disappointment), they bring a level of description to the story that it would suffer greatly without. It helps you to build the setting in your mind, through sound, that let's your imagination fill in the rest. I could buy a recording of the ship background noise and listen to that all the time! I'm not sure why but I loved that noise! The only time it bothered me was when they where inside and you could hear birds. On the planet I could deal as I imagined the palace as more open like, but on earth in the house it was just irritating. But only for the 5 min. they where there. All else was amazing!

The story was refreshingly different. Still an instalove romance (a little weird as they are kidnapped), but there was plenty of relationship building so it made it less weird, I think. Lol, that probably doesn't make any sense but at the moment I'm sick of the instalove romance thing. BUT I really liked this story, SO I just delt with it. It does get better, and better as it goes on. I can't wait for the next book to be released as well as more of this author's work!

Definitely worth a credit!

Well Worth the Credit!!

Color me impressed with this book. The author took their time with letting you fall in love with the characters. Instead of wham bam thank you ma'am romance, you get well developed characters that make you want to invest the time in getting to know.

This is the first dual narrator audio book that i have listen to that I have enjoyed. Usually you are jarred between two different ways the book is being read it feels like you have to constantly readjust to the narrators. This was done in a way that you hope is done every time you see that there will be two narrators. With one doing all the male voices and perspectives and one doing all he female voices and perspectives it comes out perfect. And with the man doing the general narration it is truly the best dual narrated books I have ever listened to..

The story is good with strong male and female characters that have just enough sense and empathy that you don't feet the need to scream that someone is stupid or smack them upside the head ( you know there are some characters you want to do that to sometimes). The plot is interesting and not predictable and will definitely keep you interested.

The only thing that was kind of distracting were the background noises. In some areas it was a little annoying and others made me think I was hearing things or something was wrong with my headphones.

i don't want to explain the story or the characters because I think the book is good enough for you to buy and explore for yourself and fall in love with the book with your own impressions, i will just say I loved the good guys and strongly disliked the bad. The author made everyone 3-dimensional in a way that even when the crazy comes you can kinda see why.

All I can really say is that the series should be interesting and i can't wait for the next book.

BEAM ABOARD FOR AN ENTERTAINING SCI-FI LOVE STORY

The action and tension kicks in right from the start and doesn't stop until the very end and, if you're a sci-fi fan, you will have been captivated by all the world-building of this new alien species and, if you're a romance fan, you will have been ensnared by a sweet and tender love story. With it's hunky colorful alpha Warriors (who outnumber females 200 to 1) which is why feisty Lisa finds herself captured, along with other women, and on board a spaceship heading for deep space and far far away from her small children. But help is at hand when the giant bronzed and scarred Grim steps in to offer her his protection and to go back and get her children but there's a catch..... she must 'join' with him and no other.

From there the layers build and build to create an entertaining, fascinating and hypnotising storyline that will have you transfixed on this new Warrior species with their strange culture, pride and honor, expectations, strengths and vulnerabilities. Then they'll have you swooning at their humble gentle caring attitudes towards women and their hopes and dreams to become protectors and fathers.

Unfortunately, Lisa's transition into their world isn't an easy one as behind the scenes are greedy enemies whose plans and deeds have been deadly in their bid to overthrow the Emperor. Angst, drama, sex, loving touching scenes, a loveable H & H and various other secondary characters make this and exciting listen. Told from both POV's but the true genius is the dual narration because it comes across as actual conversations between the male/female leads and the sound effects, which I didn't think I was going to like in the beginning, actually grew on me in the end.

Worth a credit? Yes definitely, although I did think a previous book was missing as Wray (the Emperor) and his human mate Kim were actually the first couple to find the 'compatibility' between species and their difficult story was hinted at many times during this listen. So I went on to the authors website to see if there was a book missing and I am happy to report that their story is actually book 2 in the series. I don't know why they did it this way round (maybe the reason will become clear after I've listened to that book) but I think I would've preferred it to have been Wray and Kim's love story first. This is an author I'll be watching out for from now on.

Male Alien Warriors Desperate for Women

Not bad strong storyline. Good characters and descriptive. I am new to the alien things but I'm liking them. The narration was tolerable. The background noise threw me off. It did not really bring quality to the book. The male narrator I found poor on his reading. He made most of the men sound as though the had speak impediments.
I really loved the strength of the Heroine in this story. She had a wisdom and kindness of found endearing. The author in my opinion made a mistake as casting her as a 24 yr old. The character was much too mature for 24. While being a widowed mother of 2 of a man who died of cancer will age you. It does not make you able to become a nurturing Queen of a Alien race of males able to rule with assertion and diplomacy. That was people willing to follow you rule. That comes with age and experience. So 24 is a little unbelievable for me. Plus the narration leads you to think the heroine is in her mid to late 30's.

Wow, didn't see that coming, couldn't put it down!

I did NOT have high hopes for this book. Within the first minute I realized there were sound effects inserted, such as a door opening or a siren, it reminded me of some cheesy B movie acting job with high school sound effects added, very amusing. However, then the plot began to unfold and you could have had 1000 more cheesy sound effects, I wouldn't have cared, I was hooked!

The emperor has found a mate but she is from another world, she was found on a slave vessel and the emperor claimed her for his own. It was soon discovered that she was compatible with their species because she became pregnant, something that rarely happened on their planet since the great infection. Once the nobility of the land discovered this they sent out ships searching for this planet called Earth. When it was found 12 random women were taken, women that had no scent of a man on them. They were brought aboard the ship.

Lisa was at the grave yard visiting her dead husbands head stone when she was taken. When she woke up on the ship she panicked, where was she and where were her children?!?!? When the other 11 women realized a woman with children had been taken they demanded the woman be returned to get her children. In order to accomplish that a warrior would have to agree to protect the children and claim them as his own. No warrior would agree, just as the situation was about to get out of control the Emperors brother, King Grim, agreed to get the children IF and only IF the woman agreed to mate with him. He has been deemed unsuitable for mating because he has scars on his face and body, so this would be the only way he could get a female of his own. Lisa had no choice but to agree.

Thus begins the tale of Lisa and Grim, it was kind of like beauty and the beast but with a great spin. I REALLY enjoyed this book and hope Audible gets more. The editing was a bit cheesy but the plot was so interesting I just didn't care. Very good story, lots of funky twists, this is a series I will visit again!

I'm Glad I Took A Chance On This One!

In the beginning, I was thinking "this is going to be a cheesy" but the story grew on me and by the end, I could not stop listening to it.

The narration was good, and the sound effects gave the story that something "extra" but did not overpower the narration.

Looking forward to the other books coming out in audio.

Tornian

I have listened to this book so many times I've stopped counting. This book rates 10 out of a 5 star high. It has every component necessary for a forever book. I hope M K Eidem gifts her reading public with sequels of all the other ladies residing on Luda. Wow! Would love to see how Grim handles his daughter's birth. How Callen wins Rebecca. Who the other ladies choose to join with, and love.
This story gives the reader every emotion, and allows you to feel the highs, lows, joys and sorrows and frustration and triumph of the characters. I absolutely love it.
Wray and Kim's story is waiting your reading now, as is Orion and lady Isis, and their son Yner and Abby. All great reads. But I hope more stories continue to follow. Montfort needs to find love, and Alger, and Agee, Hadar the healer, but I could go on forever as these characters have found their own special place in the hearts of the readers.
Please keep the stories coming. Your gift of writing is a God send. Thank you. All my heartfelt appreciation, Gabby Gibbs

Good Story if you can ignore the bizarre milieu.

Would you listen to Grim again? Why?

Yes, not sure really but I want to. I vary much want to see what happens next.

What did you like best about this story?

The duel narration, sound effects, overall storytelling of the book.

Have you listened to any of Commodore James and Laura Jennings ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Turn your brain off here, Ignore unbelievable mix of high and low tech civilization and take your S.O. to see it. You will get chick flick points for taking her and the fight scene's will keep you entertained enough to keep you awake.

Any additional comments?

If you are a retro 1950's monogamy is the only way to be happy brainwashed victim, you are going to love this.

This Was The Best Story!!!!

What did you love best about Grim?

I loved the sound effects in the background.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Grimm and Lisa

Which character – as performed by Commodore James and Laura Jennings – was your favorite?

Grimm and Lisa

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

I liked how they grew together as a family.

Any additional comments?

I liked how strong yet feminine Lisa was. Great storyline with lots of adventure and sizzle too.

WOW!!!

This is the first time that I have written a review but after listening to this book, 3 times, I just had.
The Tornian Empire where the story takes place and where women are few and far between and Earth women are much sought after. Enter our hero Grim, a 7 foot+, very muscular and extremely hot warrior and Lisa a 5ft nothing earth woman
Yes the sex scenes are explicit but very well done and there is actually a very good story as well.
I won't put any more as it would spoil the book but I have just bought the second book called Wray
A great story, sex romance, what more can a girl ask for

GET THIS BOOK IF YOU LOVE SCI FI

Would you listen to Grim again? Why?

Yes I would listen to Grim again it's a wonderful story and an amazing book. I've re-read the book every time a new one is release just to enjoy reading it again and again. Now that I've gotten the audiobook it just means I can sit back close my eyes and imagine this in my mind again and again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Grim?

When she stood on the floor of the claiming area and claimed him as hers ..... I wanted to get up and beat them myselves with how they treated them... Really made you feel for the characters in the book.

What does Commodore James and Laura Jennings bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Having a story read by a male and female narrator brings and added dimension to the story. You can actually hear the characters interacting and imagine the scenes taking place much easier.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes very definately. I love M.K. Eidems works and have all her books to date. She's an amazing author and I'm looking forward to the new releases.

Any additional comments?

M.K. Eidem is a relatively new Sci-Fi Romance author who I was introduced to when a friend bought me one of her books. I've bought everything she has released to date as her books keep you wanting more and you can't wait for the next installment of the story. My only complaint ..... she doesn't write them quick enough. But in all honesty what an amazing author and if this is just the beginning I can't wait to see what happens further down the road when she's more established.

Codswallop and soft porn

After listening to the audio summary don't expect the story to get any better. That's about as good as it gets. It begins with Lisa, a widowed housewife being abducted. She wakes up to find herself and a group of women on a spaceship heading away from planet Earth and on their way to an alien galaxy. The alien men believe all the Earth women to be unattached and therefore see no reason why they shouldn't take them to use as 'breeders' for themselves. The alien's own women are in very short supply and a scarcity of female births due to a virus has resulted in a population of two hundred and fifty males to one female. One of the alien males, Grim, who just happens to be a king and the Emperor's brother persuades Lisa to 'join' with him if takes her back to Earth and collects her two children. That night they 'join' and Lisa is happy to bag Grim, who just happens to be the King of one planet and the Emperor's brother. Then Lisa sets about transforming Grim's castle using her interior design skills before moving on to redesigning the warriors uniforms. By the end of the book she's managed to knock him into shape and win most of the warriors around to her way of thinking before putting the galaxy to rights. What utter nonsense with a liberal amount of soft porn throw in. Life's too short to waste on this sort of rubbish

Grim and Lisa

This is a story that will stay with you for a long time, Grim who was deemed Unfit by his fellow Tornians, finds love with his human Lisa an her children, she has her work cut out to teach Grim who is King of Luda what it is to love and respect, follow her as she not only does she find true love with her Grim, but also brings change to to all Tornian males, but uncovers plots to kill the ruling Emperior Wray and his Emperess Kim, you will not be able to put this fantastic story down,

A Bland Moderately Saucy Beauty and the Beast tale

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I'd have introduced the Lords of the noble houses earlier in the story and try to mislead readers a bit in order generate more suspense and interest. The story line was just too predictable and our heroine way too perfect and eager.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The description of the aliens and their different worlds was too brief and unconvincing. A little more detail about the power-struggles and political games between the noble houses would have added a multi-dimensional more complex approach to the main plot thereby intellectually stimulating readers as well as entertaining them.

What about Commodore James and Laura Jennings ’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the interplay of voices, the way each took turn to represent the male and female voices respectively.

Do you think Grim needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. There wasn't enough of a (interesting) story to build-upon.

Highly recommended

Excellent read, throughly enjoyed it, found it hard to stop listening! Lots of exciting things happening. Looks like book 2 is the back story for this but I’m buying it anyway.Thank you

Great story

I love the book . Amazing love story with hot alien male and very strong human women who change his whole world .

Cheesy but I still like it

Have to admit I have the whole series on my Kindle, and wanted to listen to something took a chance and download it. The female voice is pretty good, full of emotions, if a bit old for the characters. But the male voice ...I've own furniture that was more emotional. This guy was flat as a pancake. Dreadful.
Also the background noise, which was probably meant to enhance the story was incredibly annoying. These stories are pretty cheesy, with unrealistic males and brave, fiesty woman falling in love.
Still liked it.😃

glad I brought this one

story was good and a single mom being strong enough to face a crew of huge tornian warriors was Def entertaining.
having listened to a lot of other audio books this one was a nice change as there was sound effects which emphasize important parts of the book. more audiobooks should do this as makes u almost feel like you're there!
male narrators voice for some of the males had me chuckling more because I could see igor from Frankenstein's monster than tornian males but it was easy enough to get past.

Sound effects included

The sound effects are hilarious 😁 and bring the story to life. Enjoyed listening to this book.