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If there was one thing billionaire financier Harrison Fairfax hated, it was flying; airplane or spacecraft, it didn’t make any difference. Ever since his family was killed in a plane crash, he’d been deathly afraid of flying. Four years ago, his wife and father-in-law were in a plane crash, their bodies never recovered, and that had only added to his fears. Unfortunately, if he was going to finance the new colony of Denahault, getting on a space shuttle was a must. As far as he could tell, the colony wasn’t having any financial problems so he wasn’t sure why EarthFed President Schumann had requested his help, but he wasn’t about to lose this perfect opportunity to intensify his private investigation into the military conglomerate EarthFed. Now, if only he survived the trip.
Captain Trieka Cavendish was not happy. She, her crew, and about 200 or so colonists were ready and waiting to board her colony ship, STARCHILD, and begin their new life on Denahault. Only now, they had to wait another twelve hours because of Admiral Derocher and the rich playboy, Harrison Fairfax. Ready to give him the once over and set him straight about who is in charge on her ship, Trieka is surprised by his not-quite-so-play-boyish looks and easygoing manner. He didn’t even make any demands like the wealthy normally do. He’d only made one request, to use the ships computers to download some information. Easy enough…his computer and the airsickness would keep him out of Trieka’s hair for the duration of the flight.
Fairfax is intrigued and physically attracted to Captain Cavendish, yet hesitant to pursue her in case she is involved in any of the underhanded dealings of EarthFed. Trieka prides herself on being able to maintain a distinct captain to passenger relationship, but Fairfax seems to effortlessly walk through those walls and the two form an “unofficial” friendship. A friendship that is tested when Fairfax is found to be missing shortly after they reach Denahault and the only clue Trieka has to go on is a puzzling note and some computer disks. Disks that contain information that will have Trieka questioning all that she holds true. Finding Fairfax is the first order of business, but that only serves to get them deeper into trouble. Running for their lives they come across dangers from all sides, EarthFed and the wild of Denahault. Despite those dangers, they form friendships with the unlikeliest of creatures and develop a deep and binding love for each other. Will EarthFed and its atrocities come to justice? Can Fairfax and Trieka’s love survive her sense of loss and his unending wealth?
A spellbinding tale of suspense, intrigue, and second chances, STARCHILD will more than satisfy any reader. Katriena Knights’ world is not too fantastical to be unbelievable, yet has just enough preternatural to keep your attention. A captivating story, STARCHILD will have you believing that love overcomes all odds.
Reviewed by Tina Burns
for The Road to Romance
June 3, 2004
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