Katherine L. Hunt: Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Joy Calderwood: Reviewer for Reviewer's Choice Reviews
Linda L.: Reviewer for The Romance Studio
Gina: Reviewer for Love Romances
Amanda: Reviewer for Fallen Angel Reviews
A.J. Caywood: Author of STAY IN THE LIGHT, published by DLSIJ Press
Katherine L. Hunt: Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Rating: Five Review Cups
Sunscapes Trilogy: Last Chance, chronicles the business rivalry of the Shay twins,
owners of Shay Corporation and Webster Griffin, owner and founder of Quasicore.
Sinsudee Shay and her brother Manakai are honor bound to right a wrong inherited
from their father while Adelmo Givliani is an indentured employee with Quasicore for the
same reason.
When Sinsudee Shay pays off Adelmo’s debt and offers him a job with the Shay
Corporation for his piloting services, he accepts with trepidation and suspicion.
Unbeknownst to either of them, they have a mutual enemy and a need for justice.
The working relationship and the blossoming attraction between Sinsudee and Adelmo
develops into a love initially denied because of their respective positions in the
company. But when they are thrown together in a life and death situation that forces
them to face their feelings, they give into their emotions.
Michelle O’Leary has written an exciting, edgy and smart space adventure. The
development of both the major characters and the supporting cast makes clear the
motivations of all involved over time. I enjoyed the way I became caught up in the story
line, which was thought provoking and logical in its progression. I absolutely loved this
book and cannot wait for book two: Here There Be Dragons. Could this one be about a
certain genius? I will have to wait along with everyone else. Thank you Ms.O’Leary for a
wonderful ride!!!
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Joy Calderwood: Reviewer for Reviewer's Choice Reviews
Del has done a lot of bad things under the orders of Quasicore, a corporation dominant in the Federated Planetary Alliance, but murder is too much. Still bearing the scars of Quasicore torturers, he escapes. Del knows he will have to run forever, so he plans to make a living in slicer races. He is an expert in the tiny, ultra-maneuverable spaceships called slicers, which connect directly to the pilot’s brain and run off his brain impulses. Del doesn’t know that someone he has never met has plans for him.
On an out-of-the-way asteroid on the Fringe of civilized space, Del’s assessment of his fellow racers is telling him that he can count on winning this race. He is dismayed to see a couple of Shadow slicers touching down to join the lineup. Shadows are the top-of-the-line slicers, too expensive for anyone on the illegal slicing circuit, and these pilots are the sinister Shadow Twins, gorgeous Sin Shay and handsome Kai Shay, who always win their races. They move with the arrogance of successful predators, outclassing everyone around them.
In a bit of complicated dealing, Del finds himself bound by contract to Last Chance, a company owned by Shay Enterprises, Quasicore’s competitors. Sin Shay is so seductive that Del can’t make himself object. His brother’s warnings go unheeded. A Shadow slicer of his own, a team to bond with, pirates to out-fly, and the irresistible presence of Sin Shay – Del will even risk being caught between Shay and Quasicore when the gargantuans clash, to keep all this.
LAST CHANCE is a thrill ride and a half. Back and forth we leap from the instant ignition of Del and Sin, to the deadly stalking of corporate CEOs, to the roaring exultation of space flight. As Del falls deeper in love, there are things he needs to know. What is it about the Shays’ elite pilots, that made the Shays choose them? What is Sin doing in secret meetings where Del is not allowed to go along and protect her? What does she feel so guilty about?
Author Michelle O’Leary continues to hone her talent as a writer. Her novels are light stories to read for fun and excitement, but written with the skills of classic adventure. The subtleties of a sculpted glass gift raise the warning hackles on your neck; the sizzle of a love scene lights up the room; the twists and dodges of a desperate space run give the sensations of experiencing the rush along with the pilot. I’m not claiming perfection: there are still the bizarre romantic misunderstandings that seem to be obligatory in romance novels. But this high paced adventure is the kind of science fiction romance that readers pass around among themselves with anticipation.
O’Leary’s THE HUNTRESS was my Favorite Adventure Read of 2002, and LAST CHANCE has a good chance at this year’s title. I didn’t care how late I had to read, I was caught in the spacewind and I was not going to put the book down until I had it finished. I came off the ride lit up with exhilaration. It’s good to know that the second in the Sunscapes Trilogy, HERE THERE BE DRAGONS, is being written now.
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Linda L., Reviewer for The Romance Studio
Rating: Four Hearts
The corporation of Quasicore has dominated Adelmo for ten years as they used his father's debt and brother's safety as hold for their bidding. Adelmo is tired of their shady and criminal acts and agrees to rebel and kill if necessary. With only one solution left, he flees to Core only to become entangled with the Shays, another enterprise he considers most dangerous. When Sinsudee offers him protection he wonders about her motives. Is it a legitimate gesture or has he just fled one dangerous situation to enter another?
When Sinsudee Shay pays off Adelmo's debt and offers him a job with the Shay Corporation for his piloting services, he accepts with a bit of skepticism. Unbeknownst to either of them, they have a shared enemy and a need for justice. Adelmo knows if he accepts the offer of freedom he will be closer to Sinsudee, a woman whose beauty bewitches him. After he joins the partnership he and Sinsudee develop a lasting love but due to their positions in the company must deny their feelings for the other. After being faced with a life and death circumstance, they find themselves giving into their passion.
Sunscapes Trilogy: Last Chance records the competition of the Shay twins who are the owners of Shay Corporation and Webster Griffin, owner and founder of Quasicore. Adelmo Givliani is an indentured employee with Quasicore who along with Sinsudee Shay and her brother Manakai are out to right a wrong inherited from their father. Sinsudee pays off Adelmo's debt then offers him a job with their corporation, neither realizing the feelings that will transpire between them on this incredible space adventure. Ms. O'Leary delivers a romance that seizes the elements of love and hate. Her flare for writing sends the reader on a journey that mesmerizes and enthralls while anticipating the next installments to follow. It is fast-paced action at its best with an adventure sure to please. The story captivates and draws the reader into a space travel that is completely riveting. I could practically visualize the space environment that Ms. O'Leary created making it unique in every way. She gives all her characters depth with a plot that doesn't stop. There were times I wanted to say, 'take me along.' An excellent read.
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Gina, Reviewer for Love Romances
Rating: Five Hearts
Like a Slicer Pilot running the rim the reader’s imagination will soar from the outset of author Michelle O’Leary’s newest book Last Chance: Book I of the Sunscapes Trilogy.
Dark haired, green eyed twins Sinsudee (“Sin”) and Manakai (“Kai”) Shay not only own Shay Enterprises, one of the largest businesses in their time, they also run a very lucrative side business doing off lane courier runs utilizing one of the products of their legit business: Shadow Slicers. The Shadow slicers are extremely fast ships that can traverse space at record speed. Unique to the slicers is that through a port into their pilot’s head they enable the pilot to become one with the ship. In their pursuit of a highly secret goal, Sin and Kai fine one Del Givlani.
For at least ten years Del has tried to pay off a debt originally owed by his father to Quaiscorp (“Core”). Core is Shay Enterprises largest competitor and they are less than ethical in their dealings. While the Shays have rescued many that Core has turned to their own evil machinations until Sin meets Del she has managed to keep her dealings on a professional level. Del’s darkly sexual looks start a fire in Sin that turn her world upside down. As Del, and his brother Nick work to uncover what could be corruption of the highest level at Shay Enterprises Del finds himself more and more attracted to Sin. Their joining erupts into a brilliant conclusion that leaves the reader waiting with baited breath for Book II.
Known for her earlier science fiction based books Angels and Ministers of Grace and The Huntress author Michelle O’Leary takes her considerable talent to a higher level that ever. Last Chance is a bold attempt that this talented author carries off as brilliantly as a supernova’s explosion. Her “good guy” characters have a vulnerability that reach out to the reader for compassion and understanding while at the same time have the reader rooting for their fight to bring about justice. The character of Sinsudee is extremely complex ranging from a hard driven co-owner with her brother of a megalithic corporation to a caring and protective sister to a good friend to a woman in the first bloom of her first real love. Sin’s brother Kia is the kind of man who any woman could want – funny, commanding, caring, and oh so very sexy. Del’s angst over what he feels is his own betrayal of his younger brother Nick some ten years earlier and his emerging attraction to Sin are palpable. Through the supporting characters of Cassie, Jinx and the others Ms. O’Leary paves the way for the other stories that will follow.
As with her prior books this creative author vividly creates worlds and life on those worlds that are so believable this reviewer could see them in her minds eye. The main complex of Shay Enterprises with its many futuristic amenities aids in building the intrigue of the story.
Most exciting for this reviewer were the Slicers – the small space craft driven by the characters in the story. Fast ships that become part of the person’s mind as they merge together. Like a well run auto race the reader comes away with the feeling that he or she too have been at the controls of the ship.
While DLSIJ Press’ is a “women’s” publisher for stories about and for women, Last Chance is one book that both men and women will totally enjoy. The cutting edge excitement of the aircraft will appeal to anyone who has been to a Blue Angels Air show and had their heart race at the turns and twists of their precision flying.
This reviewer eagerly awaits books II and III of the Sunscape Trilogy.
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Amanda, Reviewer for Fallen Angel Reviews
Rating: Five Angels
Michelle O’Leary has delivered a Sci-Fi Romance that captures love, hate and Machiavellian schemes of epic proportions. Her fluid style takes readers on an unforgettable journey that will have fans waiting impatiently for the next installment in this series.
Out of duty and desperation Del made a deal with Quasicore, never expecting that the company would come to control more and more of his life. As the Core’s machinations ensure that he will never be free, he is ordered to commit increasingly immoral acts. Deciding that running is better than murder, he runs and is shortly found by Sin. Sin offers him a job working for Shay Enterprises, the Core’s biggest rival. Del is enticed to join, not only by the prospect of freedom, but also by the chance to look at the beautiful Sin. However, his first mission shows him a side of Shay Enterprises he never expected and he begins to question whether he left one evil for another.
Last Chance is the first book in the Sunscapes Trilogy and it definitely starts this series with style. The author’s use of words is visually compelling; she captures the sometimes stark existence of this new world and balances it with technical, futuristic wonders and the characters’ elemental appreciation of life. The space environment is unique and as the author starts to weave the web around Del and Sin readers are helpless to stop reading. The character development in this work is outstanding. The depth of both the main and secondary characters gives readers plenty of people to cheer for. I appreciate that the heroine is a uniquely strong, independent woman that despite her attraction to Del, is steadfast in her dedication to her company and her employees. This is one woman that is committed to her ideals and morals, even when her beliefs cost her own happiness. Readers come to care about not only Sin and Del but also the rest of the players in what promises to be a magnificent battle. The plot moves quickly, but with a balance between the humor and levity of the characters at play and the much more serious mission they are undertaking. The intensity of the plot never falters and just when you think you know where the author is taking the story, she shifts it slightly. The main plot is gripping, but the author doesn’t stop there. Ms. O’Leary has complimented the primary mission and the developing relationship between Del and Sin with additional subplots that are sure to keep readers enthralled. Whereas this work ends in a logical and rewarding fashion, the author has already set the stage for the next phase in the battle between Quasicore and Shay Enterprises, and more importantly the fight against Griffin. This reviewer can’t wait to see what happens next.
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A.J. Caywood, Author of STAY IN THE LIGHT, published by DLSIJ Press
I've read the newest release, LAST CHANCE, by Michelle O'Leary and I
love it. This is one amazing story and once I started reading it I
couldn't put it down. My favorite of her work so far. I've always
been in lust with Stone from THE HUNTRESS but I think Del has edged
his way to the top spot on my list. The story itself was interesting,
full of intrigue, twists and turns and plenty of action. The
attraction between Del and Sin had me squirming in my seat and aching
for them to get together. There are a multitude of characters to get
to know, but Ms. O'Leary brings such life to them that they hold
their own as she seamlessly weaves them into the story.
I really enjoyed the "Slicers" – the hot rods of the space lanes. The
details of the ships themselves were very well done, and the action-
packed race scenes had me on the edge of my seat. Sin was such a
strong female character, yet we could see her weaknesses that
ultimately fueled that strength. Del is a tortured hero, struggling
to right the wrongs of a past that haunted him, straining to reach
the dangling strings of redemption. LAST CHANCE is an excellent story
that should not be missed. This is definitely one of those books that
I'll be reading over and over again!
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