Rating: 
Summary: Bravo, Ms. Spangler
Review: Catherine Spangler does it again! Reading Shadow Crossing is a wonderfully exciting adventure. The characters are rich and vivid. The unfolding relationship between Celie and Rurick is done masterfully. I couldn't wait to read a page so I could turn to the next. Ms. Spangler seems to effortlessly take you in one direction and then, once you think you know where you are going, take you in a completely different one. If you enjoy futuristic romance this is a must read. Shadow Crossing is well worth the read. Bravo, Ms. Spangler!! Let's just hope there is an encore.
Rating:
Summary: The lastest Shielder adventure was well worth the wait.
Review: I credit my new found love of futuristic romance in large part to Catherine Spangler. Ms. Spangler's Shielders have been the downtrodden determined underdogs everyone loves to route for. But what now? The Shielders have escaped tyranny through a wormhole to settle in a new quadrant, one where everyone is equal. Or are they?Celie Cameron had used the excitement of her illegal smuggling ventures to keep her mind off her personal hell, now her life is dull and gives her much too much time to think about her past. That is until she delivers a shipment to the ninth sector. Something is very wrong there. The foul air and poor conditions on Joba remind her of Calt, a hell-hole in the old quadrant. Following her instincts she looks for her employer, Max, in a seamy bar, and finds him there. After feeling him out to ensure that he is not responsible for the deplorable conditions on the planet, Celie leads him and his android, Rurick, to her ship to transfer the goods. While making the exchange, they are attacked. Out numbered and out gunned, they barely escape in Max's craft, leaving Ceilie's behind. Max had been injured in the attack, leaving Rurick to pilot the ship and see to its repairs. Celie finds herself intrigued by the android, Rurick. Though obviously designed to be his master's double, he has far more personality than the human man. Warmth just seemed to radiate from him. Perhaps he was the answer to the questions that burned in her on long lonely nights. With him she could experience what she would never allow herself to experience with a real man? Rurick too has secrets. His deception had been perpetrated for his own protection. Max is the real android and Rurick is the Crown Prince of his people. He had been in search of his late mother's relations when he had stumbled upon the deplorable conditions in the ninth sector. The attraction Celie feels for him is definitely mutual, but his mission of mercy has to take precedence. She could not discover who he was. -- Easier said than done. Though often at cross purposes, both Celie and Rurick are determined to right the wrongs in the ninth sector. Can they fight the attraction that would be disasterous for both? SHADOW CROSSING is a grand adventure, filled with intrigue and incredible passion. It is a tale of greed, ignorance, and betrayal, of self acceptance, and of love. Ms. Spangler just gets better and better. I can't wait for the next installment!---Leslie Tramposch ~ PNR Reviews
Rating:
Summary: I wish I could give this book more than five stars!
Review: I've been a huge fan of Catherine Spangler's since I devoured her first two books SHIELDER AND SHADOW CROSSING. I eagerly and anxiously look forward to each and every one of her fabulous futuristic romances. These books are simply brilliant! I only wish she would write faster! Of course, I read these books in one sitting. I had been waiting for Celie Cameron's story for ages and was so glad for it to finally have been written. She was paired up with the perfect hero in Rurik. This book couldn't have been more adventuresome! I know I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. Keep on bringing 'em on, Catherine Spangler! I'll be here to read and enjoy them!!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting futuristic space adventure
Review: Life was boring for Celie Cameron--one milk run after another. While she wouldn't go back to the problems she's escaped, she wouldn't mind something interesting--at least that was what she thought before she found herself in the middle of a firefight. Celie learns that the sector is not as sedate as she had imagined--and that someone is systematically denying some people basic food and medical requirements. When Celie finds herself on a spaceship with an arrogant prince and a handsome cyborg, she decides that she can finally indulge in the sexual desires she's repressed for so long. After all, while she could never trust a man, she has nothing to fear from a cyborg--does she? Rurick has uncovered evidence of a plot against justice and the legitimate authorities of the sector--but it couldn't have happened if some of those authorities weren't deeply involved. He's got to find the truth--and help the innocent people who are suffering. When Celie walks into his life and starts demanding sexual satisfaction, he is torn between his desire for her and the secret he holds. Celie can't trust men and she really shouldn't be trusting Rurick either. Author Catherine Spangler writes an exciting saga of space ships, sabotage, secret identities, and cuddly aliens. Rurick is a powerfully alpha hero, a man who can keep up with a woman who has smuggled--and worse. If any male can break through the tough shield that Celie has built, it is Rurick, but she's determined not to let him. SHADOW CROSSING is a true romance, but it offers cross-over appeal to fans of the STAR WARS genre. SHADOW CROSSING is a part of Spangler's SHIELDER universe, but each of the books stands alone.
Rating:
Summary: An out of this world sizzler...
Review: Ms. Spangler has woven a fabulous tale that kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of morning. SHADOW CROSSING has it all: action, adventure, humor and plenty of romance. Rurick is the ultimate hero, and Celie Cameron is a heroine you won't soon forget. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed....another bad futuristic romance
Review: Out of the 4 books from Spangler, "Shamara" was the best book in the series. In "Shamara", Spangler creates a very detailed futuristic world full of oppression from Mind Controllers. Not only that, she builds a world and descriptions about Enhancers, Shielders, Leors, Pleasure Dome, the Shen aliens from Aldon, prostitutes, Eirene's home world of Travern where the woman are all but slaves & chattel, friendship, loyalty, and alien enemies. In "Shadow Crossing", Spangler starts the story in the world where the Shielders escaped to, Shamara. But in this book, there was an obvious lack of detail in the world. I believe if you swapped the space ships for horse carriages, and the different worlds to cities, you would just have another historical romance novel. As a futuristic romance, the sci-fi element was poorly written. The plot was weak and the characters were very 2 dimensional. It would probably have been more interesting if the plot was in the old galaxy of the previous novels and Celie were saving Shielders, Enhancers, or still smuggling merchandise. Instead, the only new element in this world are the Toggles--some sort of non-violent flying fur ball, and a machine that can heal broken legs. Beyond those 2 things and the concept of androids, not much is detailed in this world. I was very diappointed, since "Shamara" was such a richly detailed futuristic. Celie, came off as a petulant little girl. She is after all pretty young, early 20s or so, but just imature and always running away. Rurick, was an interesting concept on having an android body double, but he might as well have been the android anyways--he was so generic as a hero. Neither character evoked any sympathy or emotions for. As for the plot, Rurick, the heir to the throne, and trying to help some worlds that others in the Council are attemting to eliminate because they're at the bottom of Society. Because of that, his line to the throne is threatened, and several assasination attempts are created. The whole, "give up the throne" for you, was so contrived it made me roll my eyes. The book seemed to drag on. I was able to finish it in about 2 hours, because there really is not much detail or much happening in the book. The whole conspiracy appears to be revealed in the last couple of chapters, so that it's just quickly wrapped up. Even the guest appearances of the previous couples in the first 3 books were so one dimensional, I kept thinking, why bother? They visit, say a couple of greeting lines, and decide to help, then that's about it. Would have been more interesting to see this new world just afraid of the Shielders and Enhancers as the Controllers from their old world. You would expect some of that type of prejudice & fear to show briefly. There was none of that. For some reason, I would have thought also, that Raven, Nessa's adopted daughter, would have been able to tell that Max was an android because she is a Shielder. You would think a Shielder could read the energies between Rurick and Max. As a romance, the relationship was just bland for me. Because I didn't care for the H/H, I could care less about their relationship; which didn't explain much why they fell in love at all in the first place. It kind of reminds me of Spangler's first 2 books. If you didn't like either of those books, you're not going to like this book either. I actually had problems looking for this book when it was supposed to be released in the beginning of April. I finally found it in a book store a week later, and thank god I read it before I bought it. Because I ended up not buying it, and I don't recommend others this book either. I hate to say this but there are so few well written futuristic romances, this book is just one of those forgettable futuristics that get dropped off at the thrift store or used book store.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Futuristic!
Review: SHADOW CROSSING is an absolute must read! The futuristic is a wonderful romance, a true page-turner, and a book I will place on my Keeper Shelf. Anytime an author creates a smuggler heroine (Celie Cameron), a sexy android-disguised hero (Rurick), a wise-cracking android named Max, along with adorable Toggles...the story line sizzles. Well done, Ms. Spangler. Very well done!
Rating:
Summary: Shadow Crossing: New Adventure
Review: Space is truly the final frontier, and it keeps expanding for Celie Cameron. Since they found Shamara, and Eirene had found the rest of the Enhancer population, the Shielders had settled. Life in the new quadrant is fairly dull now, for a pilot who was used to the dangers of the Controller's prisons, their Anteks, the Shadowers, and constant predation of the pirates that plagued their old quadrant of space. Here, the peace was almost boring, and the smuggling was no longer, but now the open trade was encouraged thought out this new sector. The term "smuggler" and Celie Cameron were not the same, not anymore. Mariah had taught her well though, and she is equipped to handle any thing this new quadrant of space has to offer. Maximilian Rurickko Riordan never counted on the pilot of the supply ship to be a woman, let alone the woman of his dreams. The tall, leggy, statuesque blond is different from the women he's used to having around. This ship's captain stirs something in him that he thought no one could. He is a man of experience, yet he feels as though she was made just for him. Too bad that it won't work. She thinks he is and android, and he cannot tell her any different. He is on a mission, and the loss of the supplies that they had to leave when they escaped from Joba is a big blow. Conditions in the ninth sector of the Verante quadrant were appalling and the secret well kept by higher authorities. Rurick is certain that members of the Interstellar Council are behind this, but he needs proof and he needs it fast. Once again, Catherine Spangler weaves a wonderful tale that takes us to the stars with Shadow Crossing. The Shielders have settled well into the Verante quadrant, and Celie has been kept busy shuttling supplies and delivering cargoes around the quadrant. The peace and prosperity of the places she visits are astounding, and yet her entire vision of the "perfect quadrant" is blown when she runs into Maximillian Rior, android extraordinaire. Mistaking the android for human and the human for android has been a ploy that has worked so often, but now Rurick, the "android" of the pair, finds himself wishing things could be different. Darn the promises made. Join Rurick and Celie as they explore their very own Shadow Crossing in the Verante quadrant. Come along as they seek the answers to the problems that plague the ninth sector and the House of Riordan. Follow along as they sail through the treacherous shoals of space, enduring ambush, shipwreck, Tobals, and betrayal, only to find a love that will transcend the problems. This April release from Dorchester publishing is a must buy for those who have the others and an excellent initiation into the future as written by Catherine Spangler. This definitely not one to be missed...5 Stars +
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Exciting, Wonderful, Sensual
Review: The third book set in a science fiction world. I loved them all. Read also Shadower and Shamara. There's a double romance here which makes it extra special. I liked the new little alien life discovered by Rurick and Celie although it didn't have much to do with the story -- it was just cute and did allow the main characters to make a point or two. Rurick pretends to be an android as a security measure since he is really a crown prince. Celie is a smuggler with a good heart. Never boring -- never slow. It was great from start to finish and it was good to see older characters again.
Rating:
Summary: Spangler shines in this her best tale!
Review: There are some hot names in Futuristic/Sci-Romance today, but to those who embraced the sub genre years ago, you will know one name was there leading the way: Catherine Spangler. She just gets better and better with each book in her Shielder series - Shielder, Shamara, Shadower, Shadow Crossing and Shadow Fires (Dorchester Publishing). Shadow Crossing, I think is my favorite of all her talented works. I just love the premise!
Celie Cameron was raised in a rough part of the Universe, saw horrors done to her family that have left their scars, deep scars. Now, after escaping through a worm whole with other Shielders, she is a smuggler, skirting on the edge of the law in Quadrant 9. In the past two years, she has been more legit - okay, boring. Her deliveries are almost always legit, there is no need for laser blasting, fights with The Controller ships. So when she lands, delivering her next shipment on time, she is caught off guard by the condition of the planet where she lands. The place are slums, and it smells of trouble. In fact, the whole place smells.
She has little time to consider this appalling condition, because she discover Raven, has stolen away and plans on having an adventure with Calie. Nineteen, Raven is a Shielder, an orphan, who had been sold into slavery by the Anteks. Nessa and Chase rescued her (Shielder; Lovespell 1999) and raised her as their daughter. With the apprehension over the planet's condition, and now the burden of worrying over Raven, Celie just wants to make contact with Max, her client, get her money and "get the hell out of Dodge" before something bad happens.
She meets Rurick, who she thinks is Max. The sexy man, with the golden eyes, turns out to be Max's android. One made to look just like Max. Max, Rurick, Calie and Raven and making the transfer of merchandise, when they are attacked. Max saves Raven, and Calie and Rurick escape into Max's ship. Calie is upset, leaving her ship behind means she has nothing, but Rurick and Max refuse to return Raven and her. Calie soon learns that Max and Rurick are on an important mission to fight an ever-growing evil.
I cannot reveal more without ruining the delightful tale. It's Spangler at her very best. Max and Rurick are both sexy, hunks, but with a great sense of humor that keeps you smiling at their antics, especially as Raven falls for the stoic Max, and Calie lets down her walls of fear to let Rurick near.
So if you love high-flying Sci-Romance, then don't hesitate. This is one super read.
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