Jacinda's Challenge (Challenge Series) Paperback – August 4, 2015

Taking too long for Barek and Amina but so fun to revisit this terrific series! The one problem is the horrific editing! I think it may be the fault of on line publishing. Nothing professional about it. This writer is a great storyteller.

This was a lot more story than a typical romance has, so despite having way too many repetitive sex scenes that you can skip over, there was a lot of story development and I felt I definitely got my money's worth. I liked the main and side characters and felt they had their strengths and weaknesses. I definitely want to read about the rest of the characters to see them get their HEA.While the POV alternated between the two main characters, various paragraphs showed you other people's thoughts which let you get inside all the characters' heads at some point, including the villains'. While the glimpses of the villains tended to be a bit overly dramatic, I did like the approach overall.I also found it an interesting choice to have an older guy - so many of these are about the young, awesome commander who realistically would still be wiping down corridors. It made the character feel more believable that he'd be in his position in the fleet at the age he was. I also liked that the age difference wasn't a problem with the couple involved, only some of their enemies. Too many times it's used as a crutch to keep the couple apart. This story was different. Oh they had their fights and disagreements, but the majority of strife was about external factors trying to pry them apart. It was nice to see strong unity - that whole defy the world to be with my true love kind of thing going on.The true love did start too early for my liking, but at least they were both unsettled at first, then denying it for a few chapters before the inevitable lust at first sight happened - longer than most romances like this anyway. There wasn't a stupid dumbstruck moment when they first set eyes on each other or the shock when they touch clichés either which was refreshing.There was plenty of action and intrigue as to who dunnit and I liked the extra complications thrown in. There were quite a few characters in the story - both protagonists and antagonists - which made it read more like a sci-fi story rather than simply a romance with a little side action tossed in. While the villains might have resorted to a bit too much cartoony bwahaha, they did have reasonable reasons for why they did what they did which I always appreciate rather than just being evil for evil's sake. I felt all the characters were fairly believable, though perhaps the heroine was a bit too strong (though it was really fun watching her put everyone in their place, so I was definitely enjoying it).The sci-fi is a bit cheesy at times and borrowed from Star Trek in spots but in other ways it had unique world building - I especially liked the rainbow rain. Much of the alien culture is similar to Earth's which is explained, but I rather wished the author had gone full out and developed an entire culture instead of borrowing ours and simply tweaking it since the author has a really good imagination.I definitely ended with a desire to read the other books in the series and will check out the author's other works. I hope they are all beefy since I really do enjoy story with my romance. If you aren't bothered by a few scattered grammar issues and are looking for a lot of story then you may want to check this story out.

Third book in the Imperial Series, Jacinda’s Challenge is all about second chances at love and at life. But WOW…….. what a story!Jacinda Michelakakis has been “summoned” by King Jotham, of the House of Protection. Jotham had noticed at the Union of Victoria Chamberlain and Lucas Zafar, that his son and heir Barek, any was interested in a beautiful girl. And being the Father and King he was, Jotham wanted to know more about Amina. So he did what any nosy King would normally do. Go to someone who would know more. You see Jacinda is Amina’s Great Aunt. And who would know more about someone then family? But Jotham was in for a shock…….Jacinda shot him down!!!!! She said “How dare you!” Jotham replied, “I dare because this woman might one day be the Queen of this house….I dare because Barek is my son!”King Jotham had been given his comeuppance! Not many had the temerity to tell King Jotham NO! But Jacinda did. She was someone who had known him for a long time, since they were young going to the Academy. Someone who had been friends with Lata, his Queen, his late wife who had died 20yrs previously. Jacinda is the widow of one Jotham’s old friends, Assemblyman from the House of Protection, Stephan Michelakakis. She has raised children of her own, has grandchildren, but she knows politics as she was raised in the House of Healing, daughter and granddaughter of an Assemblyman. But does she really want to get back into what she fled in the first place?Why did the ancestors decide to throw these 2 together? Why toss their families together now? The story continues with Jotham and Jacinda being tossed together, seeing another side of the other, growing closer, having anxieties, finding love after life mates? There are family fights, friend issues, twists and turns, side plots galore! I also love the small unfinished snippets that show there is more the story. I would love to read about Amina and Barek next!This is the 3rd story of the Imperial Series which began with Cassandra’s Challenge, the story about Cassandra Chamberlain and Admiral William Zafar……then continued with Victoria’s Challenge about Victoria Chamberlain and Lt Lucas Zafar. To be honest this is an Epic series with deep complex characters, some that continue from book to book. While Jacinda’s Challenge can be read as a stand-a-lone, I highly suggest reading the series from the beginning to capture and understand the rich background and characters the Author has created. I love everything Michelle Eidem has written, I was hooked reading GRIM. I have only one complaint! I wish she wrote faster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for our next glimpse into the world of Carinia!

I truly love this authors imagination, yes people are moaning about the editing, but from my experience of reading books over the last 30yrs, you don't really notice it and if you do, well you probably would of found something else to grip about, i mostly forget to give any reviews, the fact that i remembered to do so, should probably prove to you that i love this and all the rest of her books, (which i went and downloaded half way through this one)i would love to be able to write a book but i don't have the nerve, or the imagination and for some people to try to shoot down a fantastic writer like this makes me so mad, get a life, if you don't like something you don't have to tear it to shreds, just don't buy another of her books, i'm not going into detail about any of the books because i don't want to ruin it for anyone, lets just say if like me, you love SE Smiths books. you'll love MK Eidem, i'm going to post this to all the book I've bought of MK Eidem, because this applies to all of them, and Ms Eidem if you are reading this please write Barek's book next i absolutely love the imperials... if anyone wants to moan about my review go ahead i don't give a toss....

Book three in the series. Following the launching of a new ship, now commanded by Lucas as captain and Victoria leading a team of doctors.Jothem, King of the House of Protection having seen the new flagship of the fleet off encounters Jacinda, the widow of his assemblymen. Concerned with his son Barek's future and possible wife, he asks Jacinda about her niece.As both of them reflect on memories and events from the past. Jothem learns that Jacinda served in the fleet at the same he and William were, as were her sister and Lata, the late Queen. With plots, misunderstandings and snobbery before all becomes clear.

M.K. Eidem is going from strength to strength with her world she has created. This story is about a king who doesn't think he can have love again. He tries to do what he can to investigate his Son's potential choice of wife and in the end faces off with a strong women who is willing to defend her family and make him realise that his Son much choose his own life mate. The developing relationship between the characters follows many twists and turns and I know you will be hooked on the story. Old characters return and we see the influence this women has because of her determination to stand up for what's right and her compassion and love. I loved the interactions with Brett a child from earth who worries he won't live up to the legends of his family. The imperial series ideally needs to be read in order but you could get by without. But I advise to read them all well worth it. Promise you will not be disappointed!!!! Loved it!!!

I enjoyed reading Jacinda's Challlenge. The Imperial Series world is really well built and the characters are interesting. This book continues to tell the story of characters seen in the previous books. Recommend it to anyone who enjoys the alien romance genre - it could be read standalone or as part of the series.

Another brilliant story kept me hooked form page on to the last, it is all about family, love and those who are no more. Jus like life all wrapped up in a wonderful tale of two people finding love again. I hope there are many more stories coming will all the characters as well.