Linnea Sinclair Reviews

Page One

UPDATED! June 18, 2005

Gabriel's Ghost

Author: Linnea Sinclair
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 25, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction: Romance
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0553587978
Author Email/Website: www.linneasinclair.com
Reviewer: Robin Taylor

Chasidah Bergren (Chaz), wrongly convicted and sentenced to the planet Moabar. Moabar and death are comparable. Gabriel Ross Sullivan (Sully), forced to fake his death two years before. Sully the poet, the mercenary, the pedant. A very intriguing character. It is all Chaz can do to try and figure a way off of Moabar. Her opportunity presents itself when Sully rescues her and offers her a plan . . . a genetic experiment on the planet Marker has gone awry that he wants to destroy, with her assistance. She proceeds very cautiously.

Another part of Chaz's current problems is the attraction between her and her ghost, Sully. She was certain he was dead. But, no, he's there, on Moabar, offering her an escape. And, once he knows she is going to give his plan a shot, the attraction then becomes impossible to ignore. Sully's motivation for involving Chaz in his plan will shock and impress you. Then, there are things abut Sully that make Chaz afraid to trust him. But, can she afford to? Can she not?

One very amazing thing about Gabriel's Ghost is that Ms. Baker writes this in the first-person--from Chaz's viewpoint. It is incredible, because you don't for one minute wonder on the feelings and emotions of the other characters.

It suddenly becomes a race against time to escape Moabar in order to get to the planet Marker. There is such action at this point, my mind was racing and my eyes were flying trying to read as fast as possible! Then something happens which moved me to tears, and not for the last time in this book. This always amazes me in books that I read. For an author to draw a reader into a story is an art in itself. Then, when an author hits so many elements, and so very smoothly, such as drama, excitement, fear, anticipation and sadness, it shows tremendous talent. Then, for Ms. Baker to make me laugh in the middle of all the tension was extremely compelling.

About halfway through the story, our hero is referred to more and more as Gabriel, not Sully, which is appropro to the tile of the book Gabriel's Ghost. It speaks of definition of character. or characterization. During the journey to their destination, we enjoy watching the relationship between Sully and Chaz grow. It is very heart-warming. Another experience we have is to watch Chaz lose her prejudices and fears one-by-one. She keeps meeting people who just don't live up to her expectations. This fact rounds out Chaz's character. Yet, as much as Gabriel Ross Sullivan is an enigma to Chasidah, she loves him, moreso every day. You cannot help but to become emotionally attached to Sully, Chaz and other secondary characters, like Ren, a Stoloth, usually feared and despised.

I was ecstatic at the level of involvement I experienced with this book. While hurtling through the neverwhen, or space, or during a crisis, it was so very moving, and I ran the gamut of every emotion possible while reading Gabriel's Ghost. The action, romance, intrigue and more never ceased. Ms. Baker has an incredible talent, and I am very pleased to have read this book. Megan Sybil Baker also writes under the name of Linnea Sinclair. I strongly encourage readers to grab titles under both names to experience an incredible reading journey.

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UPDATED! June 18, 2005

Finders Keepers

Author: Linnea Sinclair
Publisher: Bantam Spectra
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2005
Genre: Science Fiction: Romance
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN:0553587986
Author Email/Website: www.linneasinclair.com
Reviewer: Lisa Lambrecht

Freighter Captain Trilby Elliot was on the jungle world of Avanar fixing her old, run-down ship, the Careless Venture, when she noticed a 'Sko high-powered fighter beginning to crash to the jungle floor. After determining that this fighter was alone she decided to go over and salvage whatever she could and determine if the 'Sko pilot was alive or dead. Either way this ship could possibly be her answer to getting a few of her debts paid or getting some updated equipment for her antiquated ship.

Once at the crash sight, Trilby found that the pilot was still alive and was not of the evil 'Sko race as she believed but of the Z'fharin Empire. This brightened Trilby, for the reward money for this Z'fharin pilot would surely be more than what she could get for the crashed 'Sko ship.

Once the Z'fharin pilot, Rhis Vanur, awakened, sparks of awareness flew between them. Trilby was just getting over a relationship that ended badly; she didn't need another man in her life. Especially an arrogant man like Rhis Vanur.

Khyrhis T'vahr, called T'vahr the Terrible by some, did not know what to do with the defiant air-sprite who rescued him. Trilby Elliot infuriated him and enchanted him and he needed her help to get him back to his Imperial ship. But what will she do once she finds out who he really is? The T'vahr the Terrible, a name that brought terror to some. This little air-sprite had turned his world upside-down and made him feel things her never thought he would feel.

The fate of the whole empire rested on T'vahr's shoulders. Someone in both the Empire and Conclave were helping the evil 'Sko to take over civilized space and it is up to T'vahr and Trilby to try to bring the person responsible and their plans out in the open before it's to late for them all. Before it's too late for Captain Trilby Elliot to claim finders keepers... for she had found the handsome and brave T'vahr the Terrible.... now she wants to keep him... If they make it through this mission alive.

Ms. Sinclair takes us on a wild ride filled with adventure, mystery and romance in Finders Keepers. Throughout the story, I found myself trying to guess who the evil traitor is and rooting for the hero to win over the very independant but lonely heroine. The hero and heroine and their plight instantly steals your heart in this wonderful story. Many thanks to Linnea Sinclair for creating a great and entertaining Science Fiction Romance. Finders Keepers is one story that will definitely be a "keeper" on my shelf.

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