Shielder

Rating:
Summary: REVIEWS: What people are saying about SHIELDER
Review: "With a stunning debut novel, SHIELDER, Catherine Spangler has shown she is a brilliant new voice in futuristic romance!" -- New York Times best-selling author Janelle Taylor

Affaire de Coeur, Five Stars ***** "SHIELDER is more than just a futuristic romance as it has cross genre appeal to speculative fiction readers. The non-stop story line is filled with action and suspense. The obviously gifted Catherine Spangler scribes a sensational space story that will leave fans of SF and futuristic romance seeking out her previous titles even as they await her future novels." -- Harriet Klausner

Bookbug on the Web (5) ***** "SHIELDER, Catherine Spangler's debut novel, is a captivating futuristic romance. She creates her new world and draws the reader into it with a heart-touching portrayal of two very special people, then surrounds them with exciting characters." -- Jolene Ehret

Bell, Book and Candle, 5 BELLS ***** "Ms. Spangler's words are so powerful, you can feel, see, and hear her characters as she brings about a STUNNING story. FANTASTIC!!!" -- Yvone Cantwell

CompuServe Romance Reviews ***** "Catherine Spangler has created an unforgettable world of chaos, revenge, redemption, and passion, set among the stars. SHIELDER is a captivating tale that you won't want to put down . . . . a fast-paced, action-packed romance that will leave you wanting more. Ms. Spangler is a new star on the romance horizon."--Lisa Hamilton

WCRG on AOL Reviewer Board ***** "Shielder is a wonderful tale, rich in action, emotion, and detail, and an exceptional debut book for author Catherine Spangler. Nessa's and Chase's struggle to believe in themselves, and their fight to overcome the forces against them, will keep the heart pumping, and the pages turning." -- Lisa Ramaglia

The Saratogian ***** "A gifted writer has the ability to pull you into the story and make you feel the emotions right along with the characters. Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy this experience while reading SHIELDER . . . . Catherine Spangler writes a sensual, fast moving story that will keep you turning the pages. She is a rising star that has already captured the attention of many . . . . has already proven she will be one to watch." -- Katherine Scacchetti

Old Book Barn Gazette ***** "Ms. Spangler has written an exciting and engrossing story of the love that grows between two people in a desperate situation. Her heroine is both clever and resourceful. The societies depicted are well thought out and original. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future works by this author." -- Nichole Williamson

"SHIELDER sweeps you into a whirlwind of passion, betrayal, and transcending love." -- award-winning author Nancy Cane

"Catherine Spangler has crafted a fast-paced, emotion-packed romance that delivers a tender and satisfying ending. SHIELDER is an excellent example of everything we love about romance." -- award-winning author Victoria Chancellor

AUTHOR CATHERINE SPANGLER, COMMENTS AND SYNOPSIS

When people ask me what I write, I answer, "Futuristic romances." That gets some strange responses, as many readers either don't know what a futuristic is, or have a preconceived idea, not necessarily an accurate or positive one. So let me tell you what I really write. Stories about love, conflict, passion, and redemption. Stories set on exotic, unforgettable worlds. Stories about flesh-and-blood men and women who face challenges and overcome them through determination, courage, and--most of all--love. People like Nessa and Chase from my debut book, Shielder. They both have heart, despite the hardships they've endured.

Nessa dan Ranul is a Shielder, a member of a unique race on the verge of extinction--and an outcast among her own people. Suffering from frightening and unexplainable seizures, and a resulting leg injury which left her with a limp, she has been denied the chance to fight for her people. Ostracized, alone, she's never received the opportunity to develop her potential, to reach for her dreams. She no longer believes in herself.

Chase McKnight is a Shadower, a bounty hunter hell bent on vengeance against those who destroyed his life. Trained as a physician, he was a skilled healer who had found his calling. He had it all--fulfilled potential and realized dreams--until the betrayal and murder of his entire clan. Now he's turned his back on his achievements, choosing hatred over healing. He no longer believes in humanity.

When fate throws this unlikely pair together, sparks fly. Yet, as they struggle against mounting odds and evil antagonists, they ultimately learn that the key to their future is each other.

Even before it's publication, Shielder garnered praise and awards. It was a 1998 Romance Writers of America "Golden Heart" finalist. It won the prestigious "Emily" award, the RWA Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter's "On The Far Side" award, as well as placing the in the "Maggie".

Thank your for your interest in SHIELDER, and happy reading

Rating:
Summary: Futuristic romance and SF fans will relish this tale
Review:

A decade has passed since her Shielder community shunned Nessa because she was imperfect. Anyone suffering deformity like her bad leg and her seizures normally means death because the people believe any handicap drains their survival. Only her beloved brother kept her alive as even Nessa's parents reject her. Now Nessa has a chance to be accepted by her people. The Shielder enemy, the Controllers has developed the Orana virus, which is destroying Nessa's people.

Nessa has volunteered to be a guinea pig, working for a cure at a lab. However, something goes wrong during her space trip to Sonoma and she is left stranded with the clock ticking towards her death. Shadower Chase McNight rescues Nessa. However, Chase is a bounty hunter employed by the Controllers to destroy the Shielders. Though clearly on opposite sides of a stellar struggle, neither one expected love to blossom even if the emotion has no chance of success.

SHIELDER is more than just a futuristic romance as it has cross genre appeal to speculative fiction readers. The non-stop story line is filled with action and suspense. The lead protagonists are a fantastic duo, struggling with forces beyond their understanding such as love and the fight between the Controllers and the Shielders. The obviously gifted Catherine Spangler scribes a sensational space story that that will leave fans of SF and futuristic romance seeking out her previous titles even as they await her future novels.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Add this one to your keeper shelf -- Very highly recommended
Review: Absolutely memorable! Very highly recommended

With the future of her entire race at stake, outcast Nessa dan Ranul volunteers to become a live host to a deadly virus. Her mission is to make her way to the Shielder colony in the Sonoma galaxy because they would most likely to be able to create an anecdote. Shielders have long been the targets of Controllers because they have the ability to shield their minds from the Controllers telekinetic control. When the Controllers failed in other methods of eradicating her people, they developed the deadly Orana virus to their dirty work. Now Nessa has only four weeks before the virus will manifest itself. She takes nothing with her except a meager store of supplies and Turi, her affectionate and protective Lanrax pet.

Only two days in space, and her decrepit spacecraft breaks down, leaving Nessa at the mercy of whoever passes by. A Shadower, or bounty hunter, grudgingly comes to Nessa's rescue. Nessa fears that if Chase McKnight, the ship's captain, learns her true identity, he will turn her over to the Controllers. She claims to be on a religious pilgrimage to Zirak, a planet system close to the Sonoma galaxy. Despite their mutual attraction, Nessa does not dare tell Chase the true reason for their journey. Intent upon his own agenda of revenge, he continually deviates from their flight path in pursuit of those who destroyed his own colony. Desperate to reach Sonoma before the illness becomes active, Nessa continually attempts to escape, building Chase's distrust of her.

With a remarkably complex, yet seamless woven plot, SHIELDER will delight futuristic romance fans. Author Christine Spangler creates a horrifying and believable background with strong motivations for these memorable characters. In addition, Nessa's love for her Lanrax its endearing protectiveness add an endearing sparkle - be sure to keep the hankies close. While Spangler's novel is futuristic, with the sci-fi toys that make such reading fun, it is also marvelously original and markedly different from the traditional fair. Both the hero and heroine's growth as characters, Chase as he learns to accept his gifts and Nessa as she gains self-acceptance and self-love, brings the novel both sensual heat and the reader's empathy. Destined to become a classic, SHIELDER comes very highly recommended.

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Summary: Extraordinary Futuristic Novel - Romantic &, Suspenseful!
Review: Catherine Spangler's "Shielder" is The Best!! Of course, I haven't read "Shadower" yet, but am about to begin the novel right after I write this review. If you like futuristic romance, or time travel, you will love this book. Not only is it extremely well written, but the plot is fresh, complex and very unusual. The characters are so realistic they jump right off the page. They sure found a place in my heart!

Leonessa dan Ranul is a Shielder, a race of people hunted all over their quadrant of the universe by Controllers. Shielders are able to block brainwashing and programing that the Controllers have performed on most inhabitants of the quadrant. Nessa and her people are immune to telekinetic control. However, Shielders are becoming extinct because Controllers and their minions are exterminating them at a rapid rate. A new deadly virus has been developed which only Shielders are vulnerable to. Nessa, is slightly handicapped and therefore shunned by the entire colony on Liron, including her parents. The dwindling colony does not have sufficient resources to share with anyone who is not perfect. She volunteers to be inoculated with the virus. She is willing to become a live host, and travel to the larger, better developed Shielder colony on Sonoma, where someone might be able to create an antidote. She has only four weeks before the virus will manifest itself. With only a small store of supplies and Turi, her affectionate Lanrax pet and only friend, Nessa takes off in an old, outdated transport shuttle.

After only two days in space, the decrepit lemon breaks down, leaving Nessa and Turi stranded. They are vulnerable to any passersby, including Shadowers, a group of space bounty hunters who hunt Shielders and criminals to deliver to the Controllers. Chase McKnight is a Shadower, expert bounty hunter, and ship captain, who reluctantly stops to assist Nessa. She disguises herself as a Pilgrim, and he agrees to eventually take her to a planet near Sonoma where she can get transportation to her destination. She must keep Sonoma's location a secret because she fears that McKnight will turn the colony's inhabitants, along with Nessa, over to the Controllers. Nessa is behind schedule and the deadly timeclock within her body is ticking.

There is as much suspense as romance here....and the romance sizzles. Ms. Spangler has created a grim universe where technology, progress and education do not prevent evil. She peoples her story with all kinds of fascinating creatures, and two fabulous secondary characters, who are featured in her next book, "Shadower." Nessa is an extremely courageous young woman, who has steeled herself to live alone, always. McKnight is her polar opposite, tall, strong and muscular to Nessa's small delicate form; he's an alpha-male, allergic to Lanraxes, she's calm, patient, accepting - no allergies; he is world weary, she is an innocent; he is physically strong, she is disabled. They are both very intelligent and Nessa is a computer wiz. But opposites do attract.

The author won the 1998 Emily Award for "Shielder" and she certainly deserves it. I am addicted to this series. Highly recommended!!
JANA





Rating:
Summary: Best of the trilogy
Review: I really liked this book. Nessa, the heroine, is a cripple and for that she is banned by her own people, including her parents! She is a shielder, a race on the brink of extinction. The shielders are hunted down and killed by an evil dominion that rules the galaxy. When her help is needed for a dangerous mission, Nessa takes off in an old spaceship and encounters Chase. The story is really heartbreaking sometimes and also very original (I loved her pet). The love story between Nessa and Chase is convincing and there is enough action in the novel too. I liked this first book even better than the second book, Shadower (which actually takes place before this one)and the third, Shamara. But they are all 3 very good!

Rating:
Summary: An emotional tour-de-force!
Review: In SHIELDER, incredibly talented newcomer Ms. Spangler has created the ultimate story about the healing power of love. Though technically a futuristic, SHIELDER transcends the boundaries and speaks to the dreamer in all of us. This is a must-read story about two strong but lonely people who discover that through love, anything is possible. Outcast Nessa dan Ranul has nothing left to live for. Knowing ths, she willingly accepts a dangerous mission to try and save her people from a devastating illness, even if it means sacrificing her own life in the process. Her strength and courage will tear at your heart! Chase McKnight is a renegade on a deadly mission of revenge. He doesn't have time for distractions, but when he discovers Nessa stranded in space, his long dormant honor mandates he help her out. Thus begins Nessa and Chase's action-packed adventure. As they travel the limits of the galaxy -- and emotion -- Nessa longs to tell Chase of her dilemna, but she can't let herself trust him, not when doing so in error could spell the end of her race. Every day brings her one step closer to her demise, and one step closer to finding the courage to trust this incredible stranger who makes her long to believe, just once, that love does indeed, conquer all. Ms. Spangler has blazed onto the scene with a gripping and emotional page-turner. SHIELDER is a story not to be missed! In addition to the appealing main characters, Ms. Spangler has created an enticing alternate world, populated by stunning locales and a cast of intriguing secondary characters. Might we get treated to a glimpse at Sabin and Moriah next? One can only hope! Bravo, Ms. Spangler.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, fast paced and sexy romance.
Review: Ms. Spangler has moved the romance out into the Universe. Shielder is everything a romance reader is looking for plus much more. It is fast paced and Ms. Spangler's strong character development keeps you reading.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking! I can't wait for Ms. Spangler's next book!
Review: Shielder is a must read for romance fans! I fell in love with Nessa and Chase from the get go. This book has it all: Non-stop Action. Emotional intensity. And sizzling passion. I anxiously await Ms. Spangler's next release!

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Summary: Passionate and action-packed!
Review: Shielder's non-stop action and explosive passion will leave your lungs gasping for oxygen and your heart racing! Two characters so right for each other, and yet with so much to overcome before they can accept each other's love, and give their own in return, have never been written. Ms. Spangler has done a beautiful job pairing up a reluctant hero, a heart-wrenchingly courageous heroine, and vivid secondary characters. The emotional roller coaster she sets them on will take you to other worlds...and make you feel right at home. People, after all, are still people, no matter what galaxy they come from. Don't miss Shielder!

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Summary: A good futuristic romance
Review: The thing I liked the most about this book was the heroine and hero, Nessa and Chase. They were not perfect but you could definitely relate to them. The story was good, and the way the characters deals with their personal shortcomings was well written. A very good first futuristic novel for this author.