A scientist, Cort Hirsch, creates a robot, named Alpha, in the image of his unrequited love, Zoe Parker, film superstar.
Excerpt
Dr. Cort Hirsch hesitated before entering the ultimate command into the transceiver. This was the command that would expose his success or failure. This was the command that would synchronize all the robot's separate systems. This command would reveal the value of devoting himself to twelve years of near solitary existence, the wisdom of spending a large portion of his inheritance, the viability of his plans to develop and market a race of service robots. He pressed the key. "Robot...on."
The robot's eyelids flickered, closed, and re-opened. Her face animated, softened, smiled. She looked directly at Cort. "Hello, my name is 'Alpha.'"
Cort stared at her face and allowed himself to feel some excitement. She was perfect. The eyes were polished amber with fossil deposits perfectly emulating the pupils in human eyes. They are worth the years of searching for just the right stones. The ivory skin was soft and luminous. The lips were sensually full with their synthetic nerve endings poised on throbbing. The cheekbones were high-set and perfectly symmetrical. The hair was a fiery, passionate red. I have recreated Zoe Parker, Cort thought. ...To delight my eyes, to forever serve me. Thrice Cort had to tell himself to release the emotion before he allowed himself to speak, "Hello Alpha, my name is 'Cort. Cort Hirsch.'"
Professional Reviews
Review by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, originator of the cult classic Sime~Gen Universe
Review by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, originator of the cult classic Sime~Gen Universe ("...Science fiction in the grand manner." -- The New York Times Book Review)) and many other novels and stories.
Love’s Reflection is a nifty tale of a nerdy scientist who creates a robot to be the woman of his dreams, spitting image of his favorite movie star. Then the robot is mistaken for the star, and the star finds out about it. This is a good read about what defines humanity and individualities.
4.25 Hearts from Night Owl Romance Reviewer Vee
Wounded by past rejection, Dr. Cort Hirsch, a brilliant professor, creates Alpha, a female robot to meet his every need. Making her in the image of Zoe Parker, a movie star who'd publicly snubbed him, Cort purposefully denies her the ability to have sex.
Once she is activated, he soon realizes she is far more human than he'd ever imagined. And the chance that his robot could pass the Turing Test, the ultimate test of artificial intelligence, is within his grasp.
However, the fact that she is the spitting image of Zoe Parker soon causes him problems with her fans and the paparazzi. Just when Cort is about to change her appearance, he gets a call asking if Alpha would be willing to play Zoe Parker's double in a movie she is currently working on...But danger is afoot and before Alpha can pass the Turing Test and Cort can create a lasting relationship with Zoe, disaster strikes. Now Cort must choose between the project that has consumed his life and Alpha.
Love's reflection is a fun, fish-out-of-water book. It is obvious Ms. North has done a lot of research, which added dimension to the story. I also felt the dialog, particularly Alpha's was excellent.
