Shadow Fires

Rating:
Summary: A great addition to the series -
Review: This is a story to reckon with. Jenna is a Shielder rescued from the Dark Galaxy who now lives on Shimera, a haven from annihilation from the Controllers. However, she is isolated from her own people by the visions she sees. So when the Leors demand a bride, or they will not provide passage (only the Leor have ships large enough for transporting a whole colony of people) for two recently discovered Shielder colonies, Jenna steps forward to marry the Leor, which she had seen in a vision. Arion is a Leor Comdar in firm control of all his emotions. The matter of taking a mate is only a necessity to propagate their species. He will not yield to anything, even his non-Leor mate. However, with the interference of Lani "the blue echo bird" and a meddlesome android, he discovers there could be more at stake than just begetting a child.

As a Shielder Jenna knows of the Leor and has heard rumors regarding their lifestyle. But nothing prepared her for her new life as the mate to a Leor male; for the actuality of trading the isolated security she had on Shimera for his way of life. Jenna has blindly agreed to live on a hot desert planet where nothing is explained to her. Life for Jenna is one hardship after the other as the Leors expect her to know their ways, while at the same time they treat her worse than a slave and with mistrust. Because of Lani, Arion is worried that stress will hinder her ability to conceive a child. Thus he finds himself getting to know and admire his tiny, fragile, human mate. Although he is clueless on practically every aspect of dealing with her, the tenderness is still there as well as the growing attraction, which leads to desire. Thus leaving the big bald guy at a loss because it is contrary to the nature of a Leor. Arion does make small concessions with Jenna and in their case this more than works. As the couple faces getting broken apart, can Jenna see her husband not for a beast, but someone she would give her life to protect?

This is a really well written novel. For starters - yippee!! Lani's back! I love her, she cracks me up and - 'see how the mighty will fall' comes to mind, with her help. SHADOW FIRES is an intense novel that is a little different. It seems most weddings are with other humans, where as now we have a human and humanoid marriage. We get to learn about the Leor, a race of reptilian humanoids that are all in 100% control of everything they do and have a very deep mistrust of outsiders.

The relationship between Jenna and Arion is tender, and I was surprised at how gentle he was with her, even though it went against his own nature. Jenna is a remarkable woman. I think if placed in her situation, most people would lack the determination, strength and desire to succeed under the conditions. At the same time this was also an intense novel. I loved the android Maxine who helped to lighten the tone almost as much as Lani. The way the aura is used is ingenious, although embarrassing, also lends moments where you can't help but laugh. If you have read the rest of Ms Spangler's books, you will get to revisit couples from previous stories, including Lani. I really enjoyed SHADOW FIRES, and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: The books keep getting better and better!
Review: This is a story to reckon with. Jenna is a Shielder rescued from the Dark Galaxy who now lives on Shimera, a haven from annihilation from the Controllers. However, she is isolated from her own people by the visions she sees. So when the Leors demand a bride, or they will not provide passage (only the Leor have ships large enough for transporting a whole colony of people) for two recently discovered Shielder colonies, Jenna steps forward to marry the Leor, which she had seen in a vision. Arion is a Leor Comdar in firm control of all his emotions. The matter of taking a mate is only a necessity to propagate their species. He will not yield to anything, even his non-Leor mate. However, with the interference of Lani "the blue echo bird" and a meddlesome android, he discovers there could be more at stake than just begetting a child.

As a Shielder Jenna knows of the Leor and has heard rumors regarding their lifestyle. But nothing prepared her for her new life as the mate to a Leor male; for the actuality of trading the isolated security she had on Shimera for his way of life. Jenna has blindly agreed to live on a hot desert planet where nothing is explained to her. Life for Jenna is one hardship after the other as the Leors expect her to know their ways, while at the same time they treat her worse than a slave and with mistrust. Because of Lani, Arion is worried that stress will hinder her ability to conceive a child. Thus he finds himself getting to know and admire his tiny, fragile, human mate. Although he is clueless on practically every aspect of dealing with her, the tenderness is still there as well as the growing attraction, which leads to desire. Thus leaving the big bald guy at a loss because it is contrary to the nature of a Leor. Arion does make small concessions with Jenna and in their case this more than works. As the couple faces getting broken apart, can Jenna see her husband not for a beast, but someone she would give her life to protect?

This is a really well written novel. For starters - yippee!! Lani's back! I love her, she cracks me up and - 'see how the mighty will fall' comes to mind, with her help. SHADOW FIRES is an intense novel that is a little different. It seems most weddings are with other humans, where as now we have a human and humanoid marriage. We get to learn about the Leor, a race of reptilian humanoids that are all in 100% control of everything they do and have a very deep mistrust of outsiders.

The relationship between Jenna and Arion is tender, and I was surprised at how gentle he was with her, even though it went against his own nature. Jenna is a remarkable woman. I think if placed in her situation, most people would lack the determination, strength and desire to succeed under the conditions. At the same time this was also an intense novel. I loved the android Maxine who helped to lighten the tone almost as much as Lani. The way the aura is used is ingenious, although embarrassing, also lends moments where you can't help but laugh. If you have read the rest of Ms Spangler's books, you will get to revisit couples from previous stories, including Lani. I really enjoyed SHADOW FIRES, and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Another brilliant Shielder book!
Review: This is the fifth book in Spangler's Futuristic Shielder series and it is another strong tale, leaving us waiting for more!
Jenna dan Aron, a Shielder seer. Worse, she is one who has envisioned her own terrible fate. In her farseeing, she saw herself mated to a Leor, a man from a cruel race of people. In a Vulcan style, they suppress any emotion and they mate for life. Even knowing this ahead of time, she fears she cannot stop fate, so she embraces it. When the Comdar of Saura, Arion, comes to Shamara seeking a mate, Jenna, resigned to her destiny, volunteers.

Arion is not thrilled to be marrying outside his race, but he as no other choice. He fears Jenna will not adjust the barbarian ways of the Leor, thinks her too weak and feeble to survive. However, Jenna is stronger than even she knows, and along the way she finds Arion is not the distant man he shows the world.

Once again, Spangler builds a strong Futuristic World, that grabs the reader and pulls into the marvelous land.

Keep them coming, Catherine! The all time leader of Sci-Fi Romance, long before it was popular!

2004 Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Finalist


Rating:
Summary: Spangler shines!
Review: This is the fifth book in Spangler's Futuristic Shielder series and it is another strong tale, leaving us waiting for more!

Jenna dan Aron, a Shielder seer. Worse, she is one who has envisioned her own terrible fate. In her farseeing, she saw herself mated to a Leor, a man from a cruel race of people. In a Klingon style, they suppress any emotion and they mate for life. Even knowing this ahead of time, she fears she cannot stop fate, so she embraces it. When the Comdar of Saura, Arion, comes to Shamara seeking a mate, Jenna, resigned to her destiny, volunteers.

Arion is not thrilled to be marrying outside his race, but he as no other choice. He fears Jenna will not adjust the barbarian ways of the Leor, thinks her too weak and feeble to survive. However, Jenna is stronger than even she knows, and along the way she finds Arion is not the distant man he shows the world.

Once again, Spangler builds a strong Futuristic World, that grabs the reader and pulls into the marvelous land.

Keep them coming, Catherine!

Rating:
Summary: Spangler shines!
Review: This is the fifth book in Spangler's Futuristic Shielder series and it is another strong tale, leaving us waiting for more!

Jenna dan Aron, a Shielder seer. Worse, she is one who has envisioned her own terrible fate. In her farseeing, she saw herself mated to a Leor, a man from a cruel race of people. In a Klingon style, they suppress any emotion and they mate for life. Even knowing this ahead of time, she fears she cannot stop fate, so she embraces it. When the Comdar of Saura, Arion, comes to Shamara seeking a mate, Jenna, resigned to her destiny, volunteers.

Arion is not thrilled to be marrying outside his race, but he as no other choice. He fears Jenna will not adjust the barbarian ways of the Leor, thinks her too weak and feeble to survive. However, Jenna is stronger than even she knows, and along the way she finds Arion is not the distant man he shows the world.

Once again, Spangler builds a strong Futuristic World, that grabs the reader and pulls into the marvelous land.

Keep them coming, Catherine!

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable read in the sci-fi/futuristic romance genre.
Review: This one is a winner in its genre. I read it in one night and enjoyed it very much. Delicate Shielder Jenna must toughen up when she mates with alien warlord Arion and has to learn to live in his barbaric world. The fierce Leor leader Arion must learn compassion if his delicate bride is to survive in his world. Highly recommended.