"Amazing writer scores again!"

Five books in the 2176 series, four writers, and each bringing their own distinctive style! Patti 0'Shea absolutely blew me away with her debut novel Ravyn's Flight. I mean that book was so absolutely amazing! I have been waiting to see her next work. She did not disappoint me! Added to the task of trying to measure up to the knockout first book, she had to work within a "bible", a series of books set up where they have to stay within certain perimeters. So it was with anticipation - but a dram of trepidation - as I waited for this book. O'Shea delivers. Oh, does she deliver! All four ladies make this series from start to finish top drawer, quality rarely seen in "bible" set ups.

Cai Randolph is part of a Quandem Team. To say this gal is "plugged-in" to the computer is an understatement! She's been implanted with technology that lets her access and communicate with computers 24/7. She then relays this information to her "recep", a leader of a Special Ops team. Captain Jake Tucker is Cai's recap. He's in charge of leading an elite force and is used to getting information from Cai -- but thinks she's like Hal in 2001 - a computer. Cai keeps the team up-to-date. Jake is used to Cai feeding them data, sending them where they need to go. But he has no idea Cai is a real woman.

Several years ago, Cai's parents disappeared and were presumed dead. Cai has persisted in the belief they were not killed but kidnapped. When she has the information she is looking for, where they might be, she sets up Jake and his team to move into the area, determined to go along with them. The operation is supposedly to track down and capture Bree Macguire and her lover Commander Armstrong, but Cai could care less. She is after her parents and sees the insertion of the team as her chance.

Jake has to adjust his mindset when he is confronted with the very much in the flesh Cai. At first, he refuses to believe her, but she proves to him by sharing the intimate knowledge she possesses about him through the mind link. Jake does not like the idea of Cai being human instead of machine nor does he like the idea of taking her on the mission, but Cai is determined. As they work together, their connection only serves to increase their attraction to each other.

O'Shea's characters leap off the pages, they sizzle. As with Ravyn's Flight, O'Shea delivers strong male and female leads, remembers the romance, yet delivers one spellbinding tale of adventure.

Just top of the line futuristic/adventure writing, leaving you wanting more from this very talented writer.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted November 29, 2004

Book 1: The Legend of Banzai Maguire by Susan Grant (April 2004)
Book 2: Day of Fire by Kathleen Nance (May 2004)
Book 3: The Shadow Runners by Liz Maverick (June 2004)

Book 5: The Scarlet Empress by Susan Grant (December 2004)

Summary

Five women. One goal: Freedom.

CAI RANDOLPH

The UCE: In the 21st and 22nd Centuries, the United States changed and grew. Now the United Colonies of Earth dominate the globe. But a mysterious voice is broadcasting treason, inciting revolution and referring to the "ideals of 1776"— and to an enigmatic figure named Banzai Maguire.

To find Banzai, the UCE assigns Cai. She's the "anchor," the techie half of a Quandem: a pair of elite operatives intended for just such covert action. Neural implants allow her to sit back in a control chair and feed information to her partner, the dark-souled Jacob Tucker. He's as rigid as he is deadly...or handsome. But this time, it can't be business as usual. This time, Cai needs Jake to trust her completely. Whether he likes it or not, she can't sit back while he fights the bad guys. Wherever this mission takes her, Cai is gonna be the one kicking a little tail.