TITLE: Alien In The House
SERIES #: Katherine “Kitty” Kat #7
CHARACTERS: Kitty Martin, Jeff Martin & Crew
AUTHOR: Gini Koch
PUBLICATION DATE: May 7, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini have learned the ins and outs of Washington politics, not to mention how to prevail in intergalactic war and foil dangerous plots. But, in the aftermath of Operation Destruction, the Gower girls’ powers are burned out, the entire A-C population has been “outed” as the aliens living on Earth that they are, and, worst of all, ACE is nowhere to be found.
Then murder and mayhem are served up at an important dinner party at the American Centaurion Embassy, and when the dust settles Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have more problems than just a dead Congressman.
Is there a single criminal mastermind—or multiple enemies—behind all the conspiracies that want Kitty dead and the A-Cs gone or co-opted to become the War Division?
The return of the best assassins in the business, the reappearance of two individuals long-presumed dead, Agent Malcolm Buchanan felled by something no one can identify or cure, and new technology that can block even the most powerful empath on Earth … all of this means the game’s officially afoot.
Then Vance Beaumont comes to Kitty with a wild theory that someone is systematically killing off the House of Representatives…
It’s up to Kitty and the rest of the gang to find out what’s really going on and why. But will they be able to stop the killer or killers before the rest of the U.S. House of Representatives become casualties? And will the replacement Representative for New Mexico’s 2nd District, who happens to be Jeff Martini, be the next to die?
REVIEW:
I just love this series. Love the characters, love the world and could tell you so much about this book. But you all know that I don’t do spoilers. Since I don’t want to give too much away let’s say that Kitty again has to implore her brilliantly, witty mind, ask for a little help from her friends, and live on a wing and a pray that they make it out of this one in one piece.
It was so good to be back in the A-C world. I love to see the whole cast of characters and how much the grow and change. And sweet little Jamie is getting so big 🙂
But I do love this series. Although I would highly recommend that you read this series in order. There is a lot of history that leads up to this books and if you just job into Alien in the House you might be a tad lost. But the whole series is worth reading.
I can’t wait to see what is in store for Kitty, Jeff and crew next!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Top 10 Ways to Tell if Your Parents Are Actually Leading Secret Lives
By Gini Koch
Katherine “Kitty” Katt-Martini thought her parents were average. Mom was a consultant and Dad was a history professor. Right. Turned out that her mother was in charge of a high-level, super-secret anti-terrorism unit reporting directly to the President, and her dad actually worked for NASA in their Alien Encryption department. Which worked out, because once Kitty discovered aliens were actually living on Earth, she got to find out these secrets and a whole lot more.
In honor of the release of Kitty’s latest exploits, chronicled in Alien in the House, here’s her good go-to list for how to figure out if your parents are hiding their true callings.
10. Does your mom travel a lot for business? It’s a sham. Oh sure, she’s traveling, but she’s spending time on Air Force One. Snoop around and really take a close look at those airport baggage tags.
9. Your dad’s a professor? But he has his TA’s teach all his classes? Sure tip off that he’s not an academic. See if you can find where he hangs out. It won’t be his office, at least not his office at the university. He’ll be hanging out with NASA or one of the other Alphabet Agencies.
8. Your mom always knows when you’re lying. Always.
7. Your dad is infinitely suspicious of any guy (or girl) you bring home. He claims it’s because he doesn’t think they’re good enough for you. In reality, the background check hasn’t come back yet.
6. Your mom suggests you take a martial art and other self-defense classes, participate in track and field, and can best you at all of these.
5. Your dad gives you and all your friends psych evaluation tests “for fun”.
4. Your mother is a better shot with a gun than Annie Oakley.
3. Your father does encryption decoding as a hobby.
2. Your mother telling someone to back off means they not only do it, but they wet themselves at the same time.
1. Your parents learn you’ve discovered aliens are living on Earth and that you’re dating one of them and instead of freaking out, calmly add this to their list of things they think sets you apart as a great daughter.
AUTHOR BIO:
Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, the Necropolis Enforcement Files series, and the Martian Alliance Chronicles series for Musa Publishing. As G.J. Koch she writes the Alexander Outland series. She also writes under a variety of other pen names (including Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch), listens to all kinds of music 24/7, and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business. She is also the Lead Editor at Raphael’s Village, an online, nonpaying ’zine. Because she wasn’t busy enough, Gini’s added on featured guest columnist, reviewer, and webcaster for Slice of SciFi and It’s Comic Book Day. She can be reached through her website at www.ginikoch.com.
Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini have learned the ins and outs of Washington politics, not to mention how to prevail in intergalactic war and foil dangerous plots. But, in the aftermath of Operation Destruction, the Gower girls’ powers are burned out, the entire A-C population has been “outed” as the aliens living on Earth that they are, and, worst of all, ACE is nowhere to be found.
Then murder and mayhem are served up at an important dinner party at the American Centaurion Embassy, and when the dust settles Alpha Team and the Diplomatic Corps have more problems than just a dead Congressman.
Is there a single criminal mastermind—or multiple enemies—behind all the conspiracies that want Kitty dead and the A-Cs gone or co-opted to become the War Division?
The return of the best assassins in the business, the reappearance of two individuals long-presumed dead, Agent Malcolm Buchanan felled by something no one can identify or cure, and new technology that can block even the most powerful empath on Earth … all of this means the game’s officially afoot.
Then Vance Beaumont comes to Kitty with a wild theory that someone is systematically killing off the House of Representatives…
It’s up to Kitty and the rest of the gang to find out what’s really going on and why. But will they be able to stop the killer or killers before the rest of the U.S. House of Representatives become casualties? And will the replacement Representative for New Mexico’s 2nd District, who happens to be Jeff Martini, be the next to die?
The Night Beat
AUTHOR: Gini Koch
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The majority of Prosaic City’s residents don’t know that their town exists on top of another place — Necropolis, City of the Undead. For the most part, the two planes of existence manage to remain separate. And when they don’t, Necropolis Enforcement has beings in place to ensure the general human population remains blithely clueless.
Victoria Wolfe is more than just a policewoman. She’s an undercover werewolf assigned by Necropolis Enforcement to work Prosaic City Police’s Night Beat. Victoria’s comfortable working the shift where all the weird comes out to play, especially since her partner is also her perfect man. Or would be, if Victoria could ever work up the nerve to tell him she isn’t like other girls.
It’s hard enough being a werewolf in disguise, but when a creature from the Depths of Hell shows up in an alley preferred by junkies, bums, and hookers, it’s going to take more than just Victoria’s special gun and werewolf skills to subdue the ancient Sumerian demon. Especially when the demon is merely the start of what appears to be a major takeover attempt by the Prince of Darkness.
Soon all of Necropolis Enforcement’s Undead Brigade is involved in the fight to stop the Prince’s Major Minions from taking over Prosaic City and the rest of the human plane. But it’s Victoria who has to face the Adversary and figure out what intricate plan Lucifer has up his wings before everyone she cares about is destroyed.
In other words, it’s just another day on the Night Beat
REVIEW:
A new book and a new series from the wonderful Gini Koch. Okay I have to be honest. This book was hard for me. I am not sure if it is just the Urban Fantasy genre that messes with me. But I have tried reading multiples of them in the last few months and I just have a hard time connecting with the story and characters.
That being said The Night Beat has all the classic Gini humor, twist, and bet you need to re-read that one more time moments. If you are a Urban Fantasy fan I believe that you will love this book. Gini Koch fans will surely enjoy this new book too. I didn’t summarize the book, I felt the blurb gives you a great idea of what might or might not happen. Please I know Gini lives spoiler free. So it was hard for me to try to summarize without giving out spoilers.
Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have the WONDERFUL G.J. Koch on the blog today… We are going to be chatting about her newest adventure in to the world of Space Pirates…. So buckle up and hang one.. Oh and don’t roll down the windows!!!!!!!
Bnk: G.J., so excited to have you here. I have had your other personality on the blog a few times and she is always great. I am looking forward to learning more about you and what makes G.J. tick.
G.J.: I’m motivated by booze, chocolate, Coca-Cola, deadlines, the voices in my head, and the need for speed (going fast, not the drug, for any authorities who might be reading this). So, pretty much the same things my alter ego’s motivated by.
BnK: For those who don’t know your other persona can you please tell them who you are.
G.J.: I’m part of the mental collective that includes Gini Koch, she of the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books/Penguin. (Our mental collective also includes Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch, but that’s not important at this precise time.) (Of course, THEY think it’s important. And they’re whining. So check out what they write over at Musa Publishing http://musapublishing.com/ )
Of course, I’m the most important part of the mental collective, regardless of what anyone else tells you.
BnK: Tell us a little about G.J. Koch
G.J.: I write science fiction. Not the hard stuff, though. Because that requires actual scientific knowledge or at least actual scientific research. Knowledge may be power and research may be cool, but they take time away from writing jokes, action, and romance, and being witty in the face of death is what it’s really all about.
Bnk: How does G.J. differ from Gini?
G.J.: I’m taller and slightly better looking.
Oh, fine, fine. Well, in my mind when I’m writing, I actually see G.J. as Gini’s twin brother, who’s even crazier than she is. And yes, they’re in competition. (Isn’t it always the way?)
In terms of the books themselves, G.J.’s have more humor (it’s true!) and less visual sexy times.
BnK: How are G.J. and Gini the same?
G.J.: They both write SF/F, they both have skewed worldviews, they both have a lot of action and humor in their books, and they’re both funny.
And, sanity has reared its ugly head and is insisting I share the most obvious: They’re both me, myself and I. (There, sanity. Happy now? Good. Take off for a bit, will you?)
BnK: Okay let’s talk about books…. Tell me about Alexander Outland:
Space Pirate.
G.J.: Surely! In Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, trouble’s brewing out in space, and Alexander Outland — the least likely hero in the galaxy — and his eccentric crew have to save the day, despite the fact they’d prefer to take the money and run.
Alexander Napoleon Outland is the best pilot, and ladies’ man, in the galaxy. But Nap, as his friends call him, is more than that — he’s a schemer with a heart of gold he desperately wants to hide, a soft spot for other people’s cargo and his exotic weapon’s chief, and the unerring ability to find the biggest misfit on any planet or space station and somehow join that person onto his crew.
Nap’s not your classic hero, but that tends to make him the right guy for the job…whatever the job happens to be. He’s a little bit Han Solo, a little bit Malcolm Reynolds, a little bit Captain Jack Sparrow, and a whole lot of fun to fly with.
There are aliens, explosions, telepaths, donkeys, space pirates of all kinds, and a galaxy-wide conspiracy. And the most horrifying “underwater” trip any crew’s had to face in a long, long while. But mostly, there are laughs.
Bnk: I have to say thank you for the pleasure of reading this book early. I LOVED reading about Nap and his crazy crew…
G.J.: I’m so glad! Nap says that he knew an attractive, discerning lady such as yourself would appreciate his charms and exploits.
*Kelly blushes*
BnK: Does G.J. live spoiler free like Gini? If not, want to share a little spoiler?
G.J.: G.J. lives potentially MORE spoiler free than Gini. Sad, innit?
I can share teasers, though. If I could only think of some… Nope, coming up blank. Guess your readers will all just have to buy the book and find out all the spoilers in real time.
*Kelly shakes heads…..*
BnK: How did you come up with the idea for Alexander Outland?
G.J.: I ran across the name, actually. It was a cool, interesting name, and it immediately struck me as being a super cool name for a space pirate. An interesting, fun space pirate. I tried to figure out what he’d be like and what his world would be like, and the rest is, as they say, coming to a bookstore near you.
BnK: Will we see more of Nap, Slinky, and the rest of the Sixty-Nine crew? *fingers crossed*
G.J.: I sincerely hope so, and my digits are crossed, too! I have at least a trilogy mapped out and, seeing as it’s me, probably more. But that’s up to Night Shade. They’re making their determination in August sometime, so everyone needs to buy Alexander Outland: Space Pirate and hopefully that means we’ll see more of Nap and his crew sooner as opposed to later!
Bnk: G.J., thank you so much for your time. Always love having you on the blog!!!
G.J.: Thanks for having me, it’s always great to be here, under any and every name!
Check out G.J.’s rollicking Alexander Outland: Space Pirate series from Night Shade Books and reach G.J. at Space…the Funny Frontier (http://www.ginikoch.com/GJKbookstore.htm).
BnK: I have one copy of Alexander Outland Space Pirate up for grabs. This contest is open to everyone.. But my international followers if you win you will be getting an e-copy of the book. US I have a paper copy up for grabs. So to enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck
Alexander Outland: Space Pirate AUTHOR: GJ Koch PUBLICATION DATE: 6/5/12 ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Captain Alexander Outland of the Sixty-Nine (short for Space Vessel 3369, of course) is the best pilot in the galaxy. He’s also a pirate, a smuggler, and loved and loathed by women in umpteen solar systems. His crew of strays and misfits includes an engineer of dubious sanity, a deposed planetary governor, an annoyingly unflappable Sexbot copilot, and a slinky weapons chief who stubbornly refuses to give the captain a tumble.
Outland just wants to make a decent living skirting the law, but when an invisible space armada starts cutting into his business, he soon finds himself in hot water with the military, the mob, mad bombers, and an extended family of would-be conquerors. And that’s not counting an occasionally telepathic spy . . . .
Like any sensible scoundrel, he hates heroics. They’re risky and they don’t pay well. But to keep his ship and crew in one piece, and make time with a certain hard-to-get weapons chief, he might just have to make an exception–and save the galaxy in spite of himself!
REVIEWED BY: Kelly 4 1/2 Stars
REVIEW:
OMG!!! I loved this story!!! I am so in love with Alexander Napoleon Outland aka Nap, or as he likes to call himself ‘The Outland’. Nap is to die for funny, witty, sexy and an all around good guy. There is no other captain I would want driving my pirate ship.
Alexander Outland: Space Pirate takes us on a wild journey. Nap is the leader of a pirate ship, well pirate spaceship that is, that finds themself in the middle of a plot to take over the universe. And for some reason everyone is aiming for them. Just when they think they know what and who their enemy is after they learn that they are wrong. It will take every trick in Nap’s book and a little luck for Nap to keep his crew safe, save the universe and hope to win the hand of his lady love. Along the way Nap finds himself new crew members, new allies, a few new enemies and in more then one very stinky situation .
Huge thank you to GJ Koch, for letting me read Nap’s book. I am totally in love with him. I am really excited to see what is next for Nap and the Sixty-Nine team.
If you are a fan of sci-fi you really need to order a copy of Alexander Outland: Space Pirate. If you are new to sci-fi you should check out Nap’s book. It is a fun, witty, twisty and turny read.
Hi Gini, I am SUPER EXCITED to have you back on the blog to talk about your newest release Alien Diplomacy book 5 in your Alien series.
Gini: Awesome to be back! Thanks so much for having me!
BnK: Gini, for the folks that don’t know you can you please share a little about yourself with my followers.
Gini: I write the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books. I live in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, Arizona) with my husband, 3 dogs (the Canine Death Squad) and 3 cats (the Killer Kitties), and one very spoiled daughter. Who admits to being spoiled, but wants me to tell you that she’s not as spoiled as the pets. And she’s probably right.
book 1
BnK: Can you tell us about your Alien Series.
Gini: It’s the best series ever written and a deal at twice the price! (Hey, you can not blame a girl for trying.)
The Alien series follows the exploits of Katherine “Kitty” Katt, who first discovers that the Roswell rumors are true, but with a twist — the aliens are here to help us and, as a side benefit, they’re all gorgeous. Kitty first gets involved helping save the world from parasitic superbeings. As the series progresses, Kitty gets deeper into Centaurion Division, and discovers that there’s a lot more evil out there to fight, and a wide variety of conspiracies to prevent and disrupt, with dangers both internal and extremely external to guard against.
BnK: How did you come up with the idea for this series?
Gini: I had a dream. I get at least 50% of my ideas from my dreams. This dream was dark, noir-ish, and scary. So I thought I’d write a dark, short, noir-ish horror story. Instead, Kitty’s voice and personality inserted itself, so by page 3 I realized it would be neither dark, nor short, nor horror. Martini breezed onto the page, charmed Kitty and me, and the rest is, as they say, history.
BnK: Do you see a little of yourself in Kitty?
Gini: Oh, of course. However, I see a little bit of myself in every character I write. Including the villains. Perhaps especially the villains. (Be afraid. Be very afraid.) I am the God, they are my creations, they all have me in them somewhere.
book 5
BnK: I know we have talked about this before, but for those who don’t know. Can you tell us how many books you have planned in this series
Gini: Well, right now I’m contracted through Book 8, so Alien vs. Alien will release December 4, 2012, Alien in the House will release April 2013, and Alien Collective will release December 2013. I’m mapped out, as much as I map, through Book 12. And right now I can “see” through Book 16. So, basically, DAW says that as long as people are buying the books, they’ll be glad to publish the books.
BnK: I know you live totally spoiler free, but can you give us a little something about Alien Diplomacy? Please.. just a little tease. How about a quote or your favorite line.
Gini: Sure. I live spoiler free, but not teaser free. ;-D
In Alien Diplomacy, everyone’s dealing with a lot of change, and most of them aren’t dealing with it all that well, Kitty in particular. We see the return of some of my personal favorite supporting characters from an earlier book, and they affect things in a big, big way. And, for those who’ve been wondering when, if ever, they’d get an answer about what’s going on in Paraguay, that answer begins in earnest in this book.
BnK: Do you think Jeff & Chuckie will ever get along?
Gini: Define “getting along”. LOL Seriously, though, yeah, they will. Just not saying when.
BnK: Speaking of Chuckie, I know he says only Kitty can call him that. But I have proof that he said I can call him Chuckie — >> See
Gini: Well, he’s okay with readers and fans calling him Chuckie. Just no one in the books, other than Kitty (and Kimmy) can call him that.
BnK: Oh back to my question. Will, uummm Chuckie ever get over Kitty? Maybe find a new love interest?
Gini: *cough*
BnK: *looks at Gini* What would that be spoilers??
Gini: Yes, we call that a spoiler where I come from. But yes, Chuckie will have a normal life progression just like everyone else.
BnK: How is the rest of the Team dealing with all the changes they have been thrown over the last year?
Gini: Well, that’s pretty much Alien Diplomacy’s main theme — how do you handle being moved into jobs you don’t want, weren’t thinking you were ready to move to, that turn out to be completely different than expected, or a combination thereof? Every character in the book is experiencing major change in some way, so they’re all dealing, and not everyone’s dealing with it well. But then, that’s the fun, isn’t it? If everyone handled all things perfectly, why would we want to read about it?
BnK: You know how much I love Christopher. How is he doing? Any chance we will ever get a story for just him? Maybe just a short… *drops to knees* PPPPLLLEEEAAASSEEEE!!!
book 2
Gini: I know I should never say never, but it’s really unlikely. I get this question a lot, in regards to Christopher, Reader, Chuckie, a variety of other characters, and I don’t always answer it fully. But because it’s you…
#1 – This series is told in first person, from Kitty’s point of view. If I’d wanted to write other POVs, um, I’d have written this in 3rdperson. LOL
#2 – Y’all have NO idea how hard it is to write a short story, do you? I’m a natural novelist. I do indeed write short stories, novelettes, and novellas (I refer you to what I have up at Musa — see answer to a question below — as well as other shorts published in a variety of anthologies). But they are HARD to do. HARD. So, when y’all ask for “just a little story”, what you’re asking me to do is to stop writing the next novel in the series, and to AGONIZE over something that, let’s be honest, is a throwaway.
I love all my fans dearly, but, seriously, ask yourselves this: What do you really want more? A short story about a couple supporting characters, or the next novel in the series? Because you can’t have both right now. (Oh, and my publisher votes for “next book in series”, and DAW has the deciding vote. ;-D)
#3 – This relates to #1. If I’d wanted to write things from Christopher’s POV, I’d have already done it. One of the things I enjoy about writing first person POV is that the reader can ONLY know what the POV character knows, sees, and experiences. Some readers may catch on to what’s going on FASTER than the POV character (which is, after all, part of the fun), but we don’t KNOW what’s going on in other characters’ minds. I enjoy that. I don’t really want to have to tell it all from another character’s POV. And, when I try, well, we usually end up with an entirely different book for an entirely new series, which is nice and all, but not what you’re asking for.
Can this answer change? Sure. Will it change any time soon. Magic 8-Ball says “unlikely”.
BTW, I do have a couple of characters I’m more than willing to do something with “outside” of the series. But not saying who and not doing anything with it right now. Because deadlines say I don’t have time to play.
book 3
BnK: Can you tell us what you have coming up next for Kitty and the Crew?
Gini: Well, in Alien vs. Alien, we have the return of some characters no one ever wanted to see again, as well as the culmination of the Paraguay situation, along with a whole lot of scary stuff going on. But I’d have to say Alien vs. Alien is all about the birds.
Bnk: Gini, I know you write under a multitude of pen names. Can you share with us a little about what your other pseudonyms? What they are, what they write. What is coming up next for them?
Gini: Sure! My pen names include (but are not limited to) Anita Ensal, Jemma Chase, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch — all of which have releases up at Musa Publishing (http://www.musapublishing.com/). As G.J. Koch I have a new series coming from Night Shade Books, Alexander Outland: Space Pirate, which releases June 5, 2012 ( http://www.nightshadebooks.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=240)
Alexander Outland: Space Pirate is science fiction set in the far future, with a lot of humor, action and romance. I think if you like Kitty & Company, you’re gonna love the Outland and his crew.
book 4
Pop Quiz:
Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi:Neither. I don’t drink Diet drinks, ever. I can taste fake sugar in anything and everything and I HATE the taste of fake sugar. It’s REAL Coca-Cola all the way, baby.
Rolling Stones or Aerosmith:Really? You have to ASK? Aerosmith, always and forever.
Pizza or Burgers:Both, with extra cheese
Bath or Shower:Shower at home, bath at nice hotels
Sun or Snow:I live in Phoenix, Arizona. SUN, baby. Sun.
Boxers or Briefs:Thong or commando
Christopher or Jeff:Both, and Chuckie, Reader, Gower and Buchanan, too (oh, look…a teaser…)
Ebook or Paper:Whatever the reader wants (for me, personally, it’s paper)
Romance Movie or Action Movie: Action
Batman or Superman:Wolverine
Bnk: Gini, thank you as always for being FABOUOLUS!! I love having you on the blog and love your Alien series. I can’t wait to see where you take Kitty and the crew next.
Gini: Taking them to infinity and beyond, and to a really good designer. (Oh, look…another teaser…)
Bnk: Gini, would you like to do a giveaway?
Gini: Sure, I’d love to give away any book from my backlist (Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, or Alien Proliferation), signed and personalized. And yes, open internationally.
BnK: Okay to be entered for a chance to win one of Gini’s back list book. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Gini Koch lives in Hell’s Orientation Area (aka Phoenix, AZ), works her butt off (sadly, not literally) by day, and writes by night with the rest of the beautiful people. She writes the fast, fresh and funny Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series for DAW Books, listens to rock music 24/7 (particularly, but not limited to, Aerosmith), and is a proud comics geek-girl willing to discuss at any time why Wolverine is the best superhero ever (even if Deadpool does get all the best lines). She also speaks frequently on what it takes to become a successful author and other aspects of writing and the publishing business.
Her interests include seeing how often she can ask, “So, have I told you about this plot twist yet?” of her husband before he goes insane, going to rock concerts with her daughter, and training her pets to ‘bring it’. Gini started writing to have an excuse to stay up late playing on the computer while listening to music and mooning over pictures of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.
Now she’s expanded her thinking — she moons over a wide variety of hunks in order to keep the visual creative juices flowing. So to speak.
BOOK SYNOPSIS: Being newlyweds and new parents is challenging enough. But Jeff and Kitty Martini are also giving up their roles as super-being exterminators and Commanders in Centaurion Division while mastering the political landscape as the new heads of Centaurion’s Diplomatic Corps. Enter a shadowy assassination plot and a new set of anti-alien conspirators, and nothing will ever be the same…
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars
REVIEW: First I have to say a HUGE thank you to Gini Koch for hosting the giveaway that allowed me to win an ARC of Alien Diplomacy. It was great fun and I enjoyed everyone that played.
Now, back to the review…. It is up to Kitty, Jeff and the whole Centaurion Division to again save the world. But this time the threat comes at them from all sides and no one know who is the true target is this time.
I have to say that I LOVE Gini’s Alien Series, but sadly Alien Diplomacy has been my least favorite so far in this series. I enjoyed this story, but was not in love with it. The book felt a little slow to me. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I should not start a book when I am sick. I am not sure, but for me it was not up to the high standard of a story I have come to expect from Gini. I still did enjoy getting back into the head of Kitty Martini.
Now don’t get me wrong I still love Kitty, Jeff, Christopher (the most), Chuckie, Reader and the rest of the crew and I am truly looking forward to their next big adventure.
Squeee!!!!! Books-n-Kisses is beyond excited to have Gini Koch here today… *jumping up and down* Gini is the author of the Katherine “Kitty” Katt series. Gini has made me fall in love with Sci-fi, when I never thought I would. I’m not sure anyone can hold a candle to Gini in my eyes. Her Aliens are to die for HAWT, her heroine can kick your butt with her eyes closed and her bad-guys are just Fugly!!
Gini: Aww, shucks, I’m blushing. Thanks so much for the warm welcome, Kelly! Very happy to be here.
Kelly: Gini, welcome, welcome, welcome finally to my blog…. Did you bring Christopher? *clapping hands* Did you? Because you know he is my favorite. Right?
Gini: ROFL, yes, yes, I brought him along.
Christopher: Hey Kelly. I brought you some gladiolas. Hopefully you’re not like Madonna and going to toss them into the trash while flipping me the bird.
Gini: Wow, way to make that first impression, there, Christopher.
Christopher: Whatever. I think they’re pretty flowers and it’s the thought that counts.
Kelly: *blushes* Hi Christopher, the flowers are wonderful……. *hehe* OMG!!! Kitty & Martini (Jeff) are here too… *fans self, looks at Christopher and mouths* “you are still my favorite” Anyone else joining the party today?
Kitty: Jeff, you really need to get past the Chuckie jealousy. Yo, Kelly girl! *fist bumps Kelly*
Kelly: *fist bumps Kitty*
Martini: Uh huh. Anyway, hi Kelly, you’re looking lovely today.
Christopher: Always.
Martini: Always what?
Christopher: You’re always Mr. Smooth. She likes me better than you.
Martini: I think she likes you because you’re not taken.
Kitty: Yet.
Gini: MOVING ON…
Kelly: Can I get you anything before we start? Water, coffee, Tea, Kisses for me from Christopher, Oops I mean Cookies?
Gini: Keep it PG! Geez.
Kitty: I’ll take a cookie! Or two. You have any Coke?
Martini: I’m good, thanks.
Christopher: I was all for the making out, but fine, water and a cookie’d be great.
Kelly: *Hands Kitty a plate of cookies & Coke. Hands Christoper some water & cookies* Okay let’s get started:
Q1) This one is for Kitty. Kitty for my followers who may not know about you can you please tell them a little about yourself.
Kitty: Sure! I’m a former marketing manager who was in the right place at the wrong time with the right skills. Now I’m a superbeing exterminator. I have the genetics to make that work, too, as I found out. Oh, and per The Creator, as we call Gini, I’m the world’s best accidental badass.
Martini: I think you’re the world’s best everything, baby.
Kitty: Isn’t he sweet? Christopher?
Christopher: I’ll give you “accidental” for sure.
Kitty: Humph!
*staring dreamily at Christopher*
Kelly: Oh where was I? Oh yeah, questions
Q2) Okay Martini, your turn…. Tell my followers a little about yourself.
Martini: I’m the Head of the Field for Centaurion Division, which is made up mostly by my people, those of us who were exiled to Earth from Alpha Four in the Alpha Centaurion system. I’m also the strongest empath we have.
Kitty: And you’re incredibly jealous.
Martini: Yeah? You try knowing what someone’s feeling before you tell me I’m overreacting.
Kitty: Whatever. He’s also far too modest to says so, but Jeff’s incredibly drool-worthingly hot.
Martini: Thanks, baby.
Kelly: I would have to agree with you Kitty. Jeff is drool worthy. *thinks to self Christopher is still my favorite*
Q3) Christopher? Would you like to share anything? *winks at Christopher*
Christopher: With The Creator here, not going to be sharing what you’d like, I don’t think. But I’m the Head of Imageering for Centaurion Division. Like Jeff, I’m the strongest we have, only my talent is with imageering — imageers can touch any image and we know all about the person, because the photo or video or whatever actually copies the person’s mind and soul, not just their image.
Kitty: So all the aboriginal tribes who think pictures steal some of their souls aren’t wrong.
Christopher: Well, the pictures don’t take parts of the mind and soul, just copies. So they’re kind of right and kind of wrong.
Kitty: Story of my life. Oh, and Christopher’s hot, too. All the A-Cs are. I have to admit, I love working with the most gorgeous people on Earth on a daily basis.
Kelly: *nodding head* I totally agree with you Kitty. All the A-C’s are beyond hot!! *winks at Christopher*
Q4) Martini/ Christopher: What is it like working with Kitty?
Martini: Great. If you ignore that she tends to fall from a great height far too frequently.
Christopher: And if you don’t mind that she never, ever follows orders.
Kitty: Orders are for other people.
Martini: See? And if you ignore the constant low-level lust for pretty much every guy we work with.
Kitty: Geez. My lust for you is far from “low level”.
Martini: Which is why I can deal with it.
Kitty: Good to know.
Christopher: They bicker like this a lot.
Kitty: Blah, blah, blah.
*Kelly daydreaming of Christopher, Kitty elbows Kelly in the side*
WHAT? Oh yeah, interview……
Q5) Kitty: What would you say is the hardest part about working with Martini & Christopher?
Kitty: The fact that they tend to look at things the A-C way, which is “how we’ve always done it”. They need my kind of out-of-the-box thinking.
Christopher: I don’t think you believe there is a box.
Kitty: And here I was thinking you never paid attention.
Martini: That’s your only complaint?
Kitty: That I’ll voice in front of you two, yeah.
Q6) To all: How do you feel about Gini telling your stories?
Kitty: Well, she really just takes the dictation from me, but I think she does a good job.
Martini: I wish she’d stop writing more books.
Christopher: Huh?
Kitty: Why?
Martini: Sure, you guys think it’s all fun. The book ends, I’m a HAPPY MAN. The next book starts, and look at all the torture The Creator puts me through. You think you’re dictating, baby, but trust me, I’ve looked inside her mind, and she has nothing but evil planned for me.
Gini: Wow, overdramatic much?
Martini: You take the next adrenaline harpoon to the chest and then tell me that I’m being overdramatic.
Gini: You do have a point.
Martini: Does that mean you’re going to stop making me your punching bag?
Gini: Hardly. But I’ll spread the love around a little bit, okay?
Martini: As if I have a choice in this? Fine.
Christopher: Who are you spreading that “love” to, exactly?
Q7) You guys have had quite a few incredible adventures trying to save the world, do you ever get tired of always being called in to dangerous situations?
Kitty: Nope. It’s all in a day’s work.
Christopher: It’s what we’re here for.
Martini: I’d like a vacation.
Christopher: Why? These are our jobs.
Martini: Right. I point you to the prior answer and mention that no one ever stabs you with anything, ever.
Q8) Kitty, What do you guys do when you are not trying to save the world?
Kitty: Jeff and I have sex.
Martini: I thought we were supposed to keep it PG?
Kitty: Whatever.
Christopher: I honestly can’t remember a time when we weren’t saving the world.
Q9) Gini, What is it like to work with Kitty and the gang?
Gini: They’re no more or less demanding than my other characters. But I do love all of them very much.
Kitty: I resent that you have other characters.
Martini: I think you should spend more time with those other characters. A lot more time.
Christopher: The Creator loves me. I’m her favorite.
Gini: *coughs*
Christopher: Come on! You know you love me.
Gini: I do. I love all my creations. Including the bad guys.
Christopher: Thanks a lot.
Martini: She can love you a little more if that means I get less torture.
Q10) Gini, rumor tells me that as long as Kitty & the Alpha team are still around fighting bad guys you will keep telling their stories. Is that true?
Gini: As long as readers want to read the books and DAW wants to publish them, I’ll be writing.
Kitty: I can guarantee that we won’t be leading boring lives. Ever.
Martini: Can I go whimper in a corner or something? I know what “not boring” means to you and The Creator. It means I’m going to get thrashed. Again.
Christopher: I don’t like the smirk The Creator just shot at me, either.
Gini: Blah, blah, blah. MOVING ON…
Q11) Can share with us the next big adventure the Alpha Team will be on?
Gini: Next book up is “Alien Proliferation” releasing December 6th. I live spoiler free, but I can say this — the term “We’ll always have Paris” will take on a whole new meaning for the team, and the readers.
Christopher: She smirked at me again!
Martini: See? She’s evil.
Kitty: I think she’s awesome. And let’s be honest…The Creator likes ME best.
Q12) Kitty/Martini: How do you feel about Kate Perry making a song about you?
Because I have to say, every time I hear it I think of you two.
Martini: I’m flattered, of course.
Kitty: I’m waiting for her to endorse the series!
Gini: Me too. Believe me, me too.
Kelly : Kitty, Martini, & Christopher: *tearing up a little thinking about Christopher leaving* Thank you so very much for taking time away from saving the world to sit down with me and talk a little. Is there anything else you would like to add before you take off?
Kitty: Great to be here, hope everyone picks up the books and enjoys our adventures!
Martini: Thanks for having us. Read the books, and you’ll see I have every reason to be jealous.
Christopher: I’m really the star of the series. Just saying.
Kitty: You are not.
Christopher: Guess they’ll have to buy the books to find out, won’t they?
*Kelly waves bye Kitty & Martini, runs up and gives Christopher a HUGE bear hug* Sorry Chris, had to do it. I don’t know when I will see the real you again. The clones are nice and all, but I am really happy to see the real you!! Oh and I promise if you come back I will not act like as teenage girl crushing on a boy….
*rolls eyes* Who am I kidding I will…
Christopher: Oh, it’s okay. I like it. Jeff gets a lot more attention these days than I do.
Martini: You get a ton of attention.
Christopher: You get more.
Gini: Boys…
Martini: Fine. See everyone later!
Christopher: Have a great one!
Kitty: Nice to see them so obedient. Must be because The Creator’s here. TTFN gang!
Q13) Okay, now that they are gone… Tell me the Truth about them… Are they as nice, sweet, SMOKIN HOT and can kick your ass if you look at them wrong as they seem?
Gini: Pretty much, yeah. They are as they’re written. And they’re very fun characters to spend time with, so I’m happy I get to write about their adventures.
Q14) How can I get Christopher to realize I am the girl for him?
What? A girl can dream right *wink, wink*
Gini: *cough* Enjoy those Clones babe.
Q15) So Gini, what is up next after book 4 Alien Proliferation?
Gini: Book 5, Alien Diplomacy, comes out April 3, 2011. Book 6, Alien vs. Alien, which I’m writing right now, releases December 2013. And, DAW has bought Books 7 & 8, Alien in the House and Alien Collective, which will release in April and December 2013, respectively. So, lots more of Kitty and Company coming!
Kelly: EEEEKKKK!!!!! I have to say thank you to the Gods of Random for allowing me to read Alien Proliferation early… I loved every minute of the book. My Spolier free review can be found HERE.. I can wait for Alien Diplomacy. And so EXCITED for books 6, 7 & 8!!!!
Q16) I really meant what I said at the very beginning of our interview. You have forever changed Sci-fi for me. If someone is on the fence about reading a Sci-fi book, what would you tell them? Because I would tell them to get off their duff’s and go pick up Touched by an Alien and then tell me they didn’t fall in love with you and your Aliens.
Gini: LOL, I think my first inclination is to let you do the talking.
I kind of look at my stuff as Sci-Fi Lite. I’m not a hard science fiction writer. I read it, but I’m not really going to get into the technical and scientific weeds when I’m writing. So, I’m sort of the entry drug for science fiction. Test the waters with the Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt series, and then branch out. My stuff will always be there to protect you from the rest.
Q17) I understand you have other series going. Can you tell us just a little about those?
Gini: Sure! I’m writing The Martian Alliance Chronicles for Musa Publishing. The first book in that series, The Royal Scam, released October 1. The second, Three Card Monte, is coming early in 2012.
I also write under a variety of pen names, and I’ve sold several things to Musa under those names as well. So, look for books by Jemma Chase, Anita Ensal, A.E. Stanton, and J.C. Koch — they’re all me, just different voices, characters, settings, and so forth.
Q18) Is there anything else you would like to add Gini?
Kelly: Gini, Thank you ever so much for stopping by and talking with me. I am so looking forward to reading about Kitty, Martini, Christopher and the rest of the gang’s next adventure.
Gini: Thanks so much for having me, Kelly! It’s been a blast.
Kelly: Please come back anytime Gini. You and the whole gang. Maybe next time we can get Chuckie here too. How do you feel about giving away a book?
Gini: I would love too. How about a signed copy of Alien Tango.
Kelly: Sounds good.
Ready for a Giveaway? Please feel out Rafflecopter for a chance to win….
Alien Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt is expecting her first baby. But the alien attacks are getting more dangerous, and now Kitty and her Alpha Centaurion husband, Jeff, have to find out who’s behind the conspiracy to kill Kitty’s secret agent mom and what caused Kitty’s transformation into a superhuman-and they’ve got to do it all before the baby shower…
My Thoughts:
First I have to say a huge THANK YOU to the Gods of Random’s and Gini Koch for having the ARC giveaway and picking me as one of your winners. I seriously went totally Justin Bieber fan girl when I saw I won.
To The Queen of Sci-fi Thank you for writing this series!!!!! I SO FLIPPIN LOVE YOU and YOU’RE ALIENS!!
My Review:
There is so much happening in this book that I will be very careful not to give any spoilers. I will say you that you HAVE TO READ the 1stthree books in this series to get a history of all the characters.
In Alien Proliferation we find Alpha Team again is threatened by an outside force. But this time multiple members of the team & Kitty’s family are threatened. It will take all the tricks in the book and a few new ones in order to save everyone this time.
There is so much emotion happening in this book. Kitty & Jeff have their normal banter about Kitty’s flirting. Christopher, Oh my sweet, sweet Christopher. I cried for you, was happy, and then cried again. Of course I can’t tell you what happened but Christopher fans will be happy. Chuckie is…… Well Chuckie, can’t wait to see what the future hold for our Conspiracy King.
Really, all I have to say is buy this series… SERIOUSLY!!!!! The Kitty-Alien series so rocks my world. I cried when I finished this book. I can’t wait for April for Alien Diplomacy. I am already thinking of bribes or sacrifices for the Gods of Random in hopes I may get lucky and win the next book too. If you are listening Gods of Random. I love you!!!
If you have not read Gini’s Alien Series what are you waiting for…. GO, GO, Now and buy them, read them, LOVE them!!!
Best line of this book: “This is the GREATEST! I’m Wolverine with boobs! I’m Wolverine with boobs! This is like the most exciting thing that’s ever happen to me.”
I am so extremely flattered that The ParaNormal Romanace Party has nominated Books-n-Kisses for The Harder,Better, Faster, Stronger Award. The award was created to honor those whose blogs who exemplify the qualities Katherine “Kitty” Katt has — those who always stay cutting edge, who always find the fun, the funny, and the cool, and who are always one step ahead of the competition.
I am so honored and totally & absolutely surprised. Thank you to the ParaNormal Romance Party Blog and a HUGE THANK YOU to GiniKoch for hosting this AWESOME award. So to show my love I am nominating 5 other bloggers who I think would live up to Kitty high level of standards.
Nominees, your mission if you choose to accept it is to go here http://ginikoch.com/winstuff.htm and follow the instructions listed at Gini Koch’s website.
I have changed my Fantastic Friday to SINsational Saturday Series…….. So here ya go. Each week I am going to share a book series with you. Most will be series that I have read. Some will be series that I want to read. Hope you enjoy. Last week we kicked this off with Jennifer Lyon’s Wing Slayer Hunter Series. This week I went Sci-fi with Gini Koch’s Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series.
How can a sexy marketing manager join forces with an Alpha Centauri male in Armani to save the planet-using hairspray, a Mont Blanc pen, and rock n’ roll? Easy… She’s Touched by an Alien Marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt steps into the middle of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned ugly. And it only gets uglier when the man turns into a winged monster, straight out of a grade-Z horror movie, and goes on a killing spree. Though Kitty should probably run away, she springs into action to take the monster down. In the middle of the chaos a handsome hunk named Jeff Martini appears, sent by the “agency” to perform crowd control. He’s Kitty’s kind of guy, no matter what planet he’s from. And from now on, for Kitty, things are going to be sexy, dangerous, wild, and out of this world.
It’s been five months since marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty’s high school boyfriend. And that’s all before evil masterminds decide Kitty’s extermination is vital.
Super-Being Exterminator Kitty Katt and the Alpha Centaurian she loves, Jeff Martini, should be finalizing their wedding plans. But that was before she discovers Jeff is in line to become Emperor back on his home world. Kitty knows she is everything a royal family wouldn’t approve of, and is bracing herself for the worst. As it turns out, the royal family is just the beginning. Especially when extraterrestrial Amazonian terrorists are determined to start and end Kitty and Jeff’s nuptial festivities with a bang.
A new set of conspiracies, old enemies, and a dangerous new drug being tested on unwilling subjects are more than enough to deal with, but new parents Jeff and Kitty Martini have an even bigger problem — the bad guys want their newborn baby.
