Yours to Uncover: ES Siren 1

Well this is a different take on sci fi romance I must say. This is the first in a series written by three established authors Mel Teshco, Shona Husk and (new to me) Denise Rossetti. These talented authors have decided to create a series of short and very sexy stories set in a possible and turbulent future. Earth is dying and without its natural resources humanity is on the brink of extinction. A chance at a fresh start on a planet far away for some is a blessing and yet for others a curse. Three space ships are launched in the desperate hope of establishing a new colony but not all aboard are there from choice. These travellers are composed of a mixture of military and civilians with skills needed to create a new world but there's also prisoners who are there to do the back breaking work that will be needed. It's a small hope that these people cling to but they have no other choice.
Rita is a career soldier who has worked her ass off to get where she is, now on board the Siren she begins her journey to the planet they have named Unity but leaving her family behind to face certain death is not easy for her to do. She's heavily involved with Kane her lieutenant but it's a relationship that is quickly turning sour. He's a brute and it's clear to Rita that breaking up with him is the sensible thing to do but Kane is not the sort to go quietly.
Rita is fascinated by one of the prisoners Tristan known as prisoner 1588 but his crimes are heinous and he is categorised as a "white" prisoner meaning he is one of the most dangerous on board. Yet when Rita looks at him she sees a man with the soul of an artist and seeks him out whenever she can. Life on board the Siren is fraught with danger and corruption though and as Rita gets closer to prisoner 1588 her secret fantasies are about to come true but there's one man on board who will stop at nothing to hurt Rita. Kane doesn't share and he doesn't give up what he thinks is his, if he uncovers the truth there's no way he will walk quietly away. Rita is well and truly caught in a situation that's getting worse by the minute with nowhere to turn but in space anything can happen!
So this book which is admittedly short had quite a lot happening in it. There's a sense of immediacy about it that I liked and from the start this reader felt empathy for the heroine Rita. She's never going to see her parents again and has thrown her lot in with Kane in the faint hope that in this new world they are being thrust into he will protect her. I guess some will see her as weak for that but I think I can understand that she is trying to be practical and choose strong allies. Unfortunately what Rita hadn't realised was the fact that it might be Kane himself who she needs protection from. He is a bully and a bit of a sadist but he is in a privileged position on board ship and there's none who would seek to challenge him. The character of Tristan or prisoner 1588 felt a little less realistic to me. He has been convicted of murder and it's either agree to join the fleet traveling to a new world or face certain death. As a highly thought of artist his paintings will be a valuable record of the journey and transition and so he is forced to paint what he sees. I just kept asking myself why they just didn't take photographs ? Although I do understand that valuable talents and skills would be in great demand as a new colony of humans emerged on their new planet. I have no wish to ruin the story with lots of spoilers but the crime he has been convicted of is far more complicated then it seems at first .
So it's well written although it did seem to speed up towards the end. I hated Kane and thought he was a most obnoxious and twisted individual. If you are in the mood for a quick and sexy read then this would certainly fit the bill but it has quite a rushed ending which for me let it down slightly. The next book is Shona Husks offering so it will be interesting to find out what she contributes to this journey.