The New Frontier

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful blend of SF and romance
Review: I really like this novel. Really. Both the SF and the romance are well-developed and believable. The premise of the story doesn't feel artificial, although sometimes you want to shake some sense into a character or two! It has a very strong and well-done SF component, which I like. (Too many futuristic romances are romances placed in outer space instead of Brooklyn (or wherever) with no use of the SF features to enhance the story.)

However, the aspect of this story I liked best was the romance. There are no artificial misunderstandings - the conflict comes from a believable situation. Neither the hero nor the heroine overreacts to the conflict (although we sometimes think they might be going to). The love scenes are the most tender and gentle that I've ever read, but are hot and spicy at the same time. Whew!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful blend of SF and romance
Review: I really like this novel. Really. Both the SF and the romance are well-developed and believable. The premise of the story doesn't feel artificial, although sometimes you want to shake some sense into a character or two! It has a very strong and well-done SF component, which I like. (Too many futuristic romances are romances placed in outer space instead of Brooklyn (or wherever) with no use of the SF features to enhance the story.)

However, the aspect of this story I liked best was the romance. There are no artificial misunderstandings - the conflict comes from a believable situation. Neither the hero nor the heroine overreacts to the conflict (although we sometimes think they might be going to). The love scenes are the most tender and gentle that I've ever read, but are hot and spicy at the same time. Whew!

Rating:
Summary: Exciting!
Review: _The New Frontier_ is an exciting story of mankind's search to insure it's survival. Though listed as a 'Futuristic Romance,' it comes off as more of a sci-fi/futuristic story with a tad of romance thrown in for good measure. I would have given it five stars had it played up the romance more, since that was what I was looking for. Don't get me wrong, you'll get a good dose of romance spattered throughout the story and a good bit of heavy romance toward the end of the story, you'll just wish there had been more of it since the characters played so well off each other. Both Ashley and Garick are believable and very easy to care for. Building on a unique premise I haven't seen before, Ms. Casto paints a true-to-life picture of how our world could very easily end up. She also throws in some much needed lessons about how we should treat our planet while we still have the chance. Though, it's quite possible she's left it open for a sequel -- one can only hope -- _The New Frontier_ is a great book by itself and one that will go in my library for a future read if for no other reason than her highly interesting take on 'mail order brides.' Give it a read -- it's one of the better ones I've read from this genre.