Overall Rating: 4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆In a galaxy far from Earth there are many different races that live within an alliance of worlds. Within this coalition there are groups that want to do away with the order of the present leadership and take control for their own purposes. These factions are moving below the radar and testing the boundaries of the established leaders in the alliance. In S. E. Smith’s, Challenging Saber, the fourth book in The Alliance series, we have the resolution of Taylor Sampson and Saber’s story. Their relationship began in the first book when Saber helped rescue Taylor and her two sisters from a war ravaged Earth. Throughout this saga, old friends from previous series are revisited and new friends are made as they come together to protect their home planets and the known universe. As far as Saber is concerned he is no longer a warrior worthy of claiming a mate. He knew from the moment he saved Taylor that she was his mate, but too young to claim and he would have to wait for her. While on a mission, he was wounded and almost lost his leg. A Trivator Warrior that cannot fight and protect his own is unworthy of life, he is damaged. As determined as Saber is to deny Taylor, the more his heart bleeds for his mate. When evil forces begin to show themselves by capturing Saber’s mate, nothing will stop him from rescuing her. Even a damaged Trivator can still take care of business! Taylor loved Saber and claimed him from the time he saved her and her sisters on Earth. She has finally reached an acceptable age for Saber to claim her as his mate, but he refuses and is constantly trying to push her away. With only one final assignment before she completes her course of studies, Taylor goes off world on a relief mission. While working to help relieve those in need, Taylor is taken prisoner and held as leverage against the Alliance. In her heart she knows that nothing will stop Saber and her family from coming for her, but a girl can always rescue herself. This remarkable book will keep you reading until the end and then have you asking for the next addition in this enthralling series. The characters are well developed and the story is woven intricately with other series by Ms. Smith. Each page is action packed, sizzling hot and filled with alpha maleness. This is a must addition to everyone’s library and will not disappoint readers that love a science fiction romance. ***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***Challenging SaberS.E. Smith
Hmm...This unfortunately for didn't go where I expected it too so it's only a 3.5 star:( I was expecting this to be more about Taylor and saber, after being teased throughout the series with glimpses of there funky relationship, banter and bickering I was super excited about it being solely about them. Unfortunately their relationship seemed to be overrun with all the background plots like the war coming and unnecessary drama if I'm honest.Another thing that was extremely frustrating was that the beginning was again the same stuff from previous books just in their point of view and after hearing it many times before it just got annoying.Saber also pissed me off with his self pity party, I just wanted to jump in and slap him stuiped. Although when he did finally get a grip I enjoyed him, his protectiveness over Taylor was hot and his gruff alpha attatuide was definetly sexy.Taylor for me was the only thing I really enjoyed in the book and I'll say it again there wasn't enough of her, her snarky sarky attatuide and mischievous smirks had me chuckling. She was always up to something which was entertaining and her threats of gnomes and net curtains were hillerous.I'll definitely read the next book but I won't hold it to the standards I was hoping from this one ...that way I'm not as disappointed.xo
What do You think about Challenging Saber (2015)?
Loved this sci-fi romance!I was so excited to read this story. Finally young Taylor has grown-up and is ready for Sabre to claim her as his Amate. But Sabre is mentally in a bad place as he has a severely injured leg that is not healing. Being a big tough Traviator warrior, Sabre no longer feels worthy of Taylor. This was a fantastic story of one Human woman's determination to be with the alien she loves, and what she does when he refuses her. The Sampson girls are notorious for getting into and out of dangerous situations. Taylor is in the midst of a really life threatening situation. The book is full of action, adventure, peril, death, and of-course love. Fantastic book!
—Rhonda Jones
I liked it, in general. The author reviewed the previous circumstances between the H and h, which is good if anyone forgot the previous books, and it offers a different character's POV on it.It seemed like a lot of time passed between the H and h with nothing happening (she was growing up) and he spent several years with a bad wound, in pain, and doing the whole 'woe-is-me-she-deserves-a-whole-man' shtick that's overly common in rom novs. Oh, just a note... if you hate H's that bed the h (her fi
—ValerieC
I was waiting for Saber and Taylor's story forever. Theirs journey started in the first book after all. And a little snippets was given through the others two. So, to say I'm happy is understatement.I loved this journey. It was fun, dangerous and full of adventures. I'm impressed by Taylor. She's smart and sweet and loyal. And her patience with Saber was endless. I thing most would have given up long time ago. After all she was fighting for him and his stubborn ass for about 5 longs years. And in all those years Saber kept pushing her away. It did stung and hurt her to be rejected over and over. But she never give up. Taylor was always by his side. Sporting, loving and cheering for him.I'm happy that Saber finally is in the better place after he hit a bottom and was lost for a while. At first I was so frustrated by his continue rejection of Tylor. But happy when he pulled his head from his ass and understood what a gift he was given.But I have to confess, that I'm a little disappointed. Why? Because the Alliances journey just begun. Enemy is preparing for the war. There will be a lot of damage and loss. The would be a need to fight for the good, for the innocents, for what they believe in. And for all of that to 'see' I will need to wait for the next book. See, obstacle to my HEA here. lol. I'm not really patient. Oh, well. It's worth waiting for the good stuff.
—Neringa Neringiukas
