“Gravel and Grit (Khargals of Duras Book 1)” by Stacy Jones —BOOK REVIEW

About “Gravel and Grit” by Stacy Jones::

“Zaek is losing hope after waiting centuries for rescue, but the time has finally arrived. The lost emergency beacon has fallen from orbit and gone active. All he needs to do to get off this damn planet named Earth is find it and get to the pick up location in time. The problem? The beacon comes with an addictively confounding, Earthian female who makes his mating gland swell, marking her as his true mate. Zaek hasn’t been around a human who didn’t run away screaming monster in a millennium, so how the hell is he supposed to convince this smart, beautiful, sarcastic female to give him the opportunity to win her heart before he loses his chance forever?

Mira has always been obsessed with all things alien, but when one breaks into her lab at Area 51, first contact doesn’t go how she planned. Kidnapped and running for her life with a gruff gargoyle that definitely isn’t made of stone and has more than his share of quirks, Mira learns that sometimes plans are made to be thrown out the window.

With a black ops team hot on their heels, determined to kill or capture them both, time is running out and their fumbling romance isn’t the only thing standing in their way to happiness.”

I had the opportunity to meet Stacy Jones at the 2019 Local Author Day here at the Garland County Library. It was a brief encounter, but she seemed both kind and interesting. The ‘Khargals of Duras’ books, she told me, are a romance series revolving around Gargoyle like creatures in which each installment is written by a different indie author. After reading her part, I’m both excited for the next and fearful that it won’t hold up to her work.

Going into the story, I expected it to be more paranormal/supernatural, but it turns out to be a science fantasy. I wouldn’t have been disappointed had it not been, mind you. I just am a sucker for science fiction/fantasy; especially in regards to non-typical premises for the genre such as, well, gargoyles.

With relatable, realistic, and endearing characters, it’s easy to get sucked into the struggles, hopes, and of course, spawning love between Zaek and his new mate, Mira. Both are purpose driven, his to be reunited with his home and hers to discover the secrets surrounding the strange alien technology and creatures. That is, this seems to be their driving factors until readers find there is more fear behind their desires than what it may seem on the surface.

The last thing I will comment on is the story’s balance. The atmosphere is appropriate proportioned with action, romance, lust, meaning, humor, and was actually very cute. I particularly found the sensual and adorable romantic bits butterfly-inducing and the lore of the Khargals mating rituals fantastic and shall I say…sexy.

You can buy the “Gravel and Grit” ebook or paperback here: https://amzn.to/2KUpZYj

Stacy Jones can be found on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacyjonesauthor/
Instagram: @stacyjonesauthor
Website: stacymjones.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L9U0SN
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17528787.Stacy_Jones\

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~Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden