Naomi: Fallen Angel Reviews
Suzanne Marie Calvin: Author of FIONA'S FANCY & BEWITCHING THE BACHELOR
Diane T.: The Romance Studio
M. Parsons: M. Parsons Writes
Joy Calderwood: Reviewer's Choice Reviews
Brenda Gill: Timeless Tales
Kari Thomas: Love Romances
Jessica Jones: Women On Writing
Cindy Penn: WordWeaving
Deborah Hern: The Romance Reader's Connection
JaToya Love: A Romance Review
Terrie Figueroa: Romance Reviews Today
Doris Pannell: Gotta Write Network
Naomi, reviewer for 
Rating: Four Angels
Fate deals a lucky hand to a tortured soul, but is it asking too much for him to start over?
Seth Terrik has escaped from the pits of inhumanity and is now imprisoned by an inability
to let the human side of him override his survival instincts. He had been locked away for at least 15 years for several murders -
many to fellow inmates. Malthat was a lightless cavern where criminals were left to become predators or prey to each other.
Seth's ability to survive "the hole" had drawn the attention of authorities so he was being transferred to be executed. On
board the spacecraft a man went berserk, killing everyone he could. Seth was able to save a girl, Regan, before shooting
the madman. They escaped the craft minutes before it crashed into a small sun. Regan was now alone in the galaxy if not for
the man, whom she idolises. She knows that she is defenceless and sticks by his side. It is possible that she has seen some
of the humanity Seth thinks he no longer has.
Mea Brin, known as "The Huntress", is the most widely known enforcer in the Hunting Corp.
She has been genetically modified and has metal alloys in her bones to enhance strength and speed. Her own senses have been
honed to reach their peak during her rigorous training and experiences. Mea is searching a dingy moon bar for a small time
criminal she believes has some information. She notices the girl first. A child in this part of the planet is likely to lead
a short and painful life. As she reaches for the girl, Seth takes her unaware. Mea gazes into his eyes and can see the depths
of his soul. She senses a kindred spirit, awakening a part of Seth that is long forgotten. Mea lets him leave but keeps a careful
watch on him and the girl for a couple of days. She knows that he is a wanted man but needs to know more before she brings him
in. Seth has decided to live a solitary life; he doesn't trust himself around people and needs to avoid recapture. He recognises
by reputation who "the Huntress" is, so he is totally blown away when she says her aim is to get him on her spacecraft as a
partner not a prisoner. There is no way he will ever put his trust or his worthless life in the hands of an enforcer, no matter
how luscious.
The Huntress is an unforgettable, fast-paced action romance. Michelle O'Leary had this reader
enthralled right from the gripping barroom opening scene. Her characters are intense. Both are solitary survivors. They are drawn
to each other through lust but are aware that the other has a dark and dangerous side to be wary of. This creates a sizzling build
up of sexual tension. The sexual content is more implied than graphic, but the chemistry and friction is made very clear to the
reader. Regan, the tragic orphan, helps to keep Mea and Seth from tearing each other apart. She has found her new parents and
will do everything she can to keep the pair together and remain with them. Most of the light-hearted moments and humour come from
Regan. Michelle O'Leary is a very talented author. This reader would love to read a spin-off series based on some of the secondary
characters. Readers who have enjoyed the books of CJ Barry and Robin T. Popp should not miss this book.
Highly recommended reading!
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Suzanne Marie Calvin, Author of FIONA'S FANCY & BEWITCHING THE BACHELOR
I began THE HUNTRESS half-expecting it would take at least the first chapter to
hook me. After all, this wasn't my "type of read." Well, darn if I wasn't WAY
wrong. I was hooked with the first sentence. And hooked right up until the
very end. Since flipping that final page, I've been wracking my brain for a
great, interesting, poetic way to do Michelle and HUNTRESS justice, but I'm not
sure I can.
The main character, Mea, is the *ss-kicking women of all *ss-kicking women.
I like my heroine's strong, but Mea blows that image clear out of the water.
Normally, that amount of strength would turn me off, but it doesn't, because
Mea has a softer, more feminine, very human side to her that you glimpse, even
from the beginning, and this glimpse deepens as you read on. Plus, Mea's got
a great sense of humor, which I am a sucker for. Love those witty heroines
and Mea never let me down, not once. Wrap all that humanity, strength and wit
all up in a sexy package, and you've got yourself one helluva heroine.
The hero, well, from the beginning, 75% of him scares the shit out of you.
You never know what to expect from him, which is the very best way to keep a
reader on the edge of his/her seat. Michelle does this with Seth Terrick from
the get-go. You see him as an animal, propelled by instinct, and living on the
edge. He is, after all, an escaped con who'll kill, if he has to, for his
freedom. This makes for a great hook because you just know, at some point, he's
going to be faced with that situation. Where and when is what keeps you
turning page after page, even if it's two o'clock in the a.m. and you know your
kids and husband are going to be shoving you out of bed because, after all, you
ARE on vacation and there are things to see.... But I digress....
The book. And the hero. The way he evolves is so realistic and so
appealing, you can't help but fall for this guy. Not only does Michelle hook you with
these great main characters but she throws in a sweet, spunky young girl,
desperately in need of a "family;" an android who, in fiction land, I'd sleep
with; and a sweet, big ol' grizzly bear of a "pseudo-uncle." And those aren't
even the bad guys, who, are so disgustingly bad, you are practically cheering for
them to meet their bitter end.
This book has it all: action, suspense, sex, warm fuzzies, and, for those of
you who love futuristic gadgets, there are plenty of those, too. Michelle has
a great gift for taking you to "another world" (or, in this case, "other
WORLDS") and giving you strong, descriptive images you can see, smell, hear,
taste, and feel. The fight scenes were so visual, it was like watching them on a
screen. Michelle puts the reader right there, which is another one of her
incredible gifts.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a page turner. (In fact, I
already have). It grabs you from the beginning, it's well written, and Michelle's
got a great voice. I'm glad I went with my gut and picked this book up. I'd
read it again and again.
Michelle, you deserve more than kudos. This book was fabulous. Thanks for
the hours of enjoyment!
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Diane T., reviewer for The Romance Studio
Mea Brin is a bounty hunter, working for a group called Hunting Corp. She is their top enforcer and they call her the Huntress. Her parents were murdered by slavers when she was small. Mike Conley, a bounty hunter himself, found her holding her mother's head and singing to her lifeless body. He took Mea, raised her and trained her to be the best. She captains the star ship Starfire with Warren, an android, as her partner.
Seth Terrik was a escaped convict, convicted on eight counts of murder, three of which were done while in Malthat prison. While escaping ,Terrik winds up with a young girl by the name of Regan Freya. Kate, Regan’s older sister, took a shot that was meant for Terrik, so he took on responsibility for her. Mea is confused by Terrik’s actions, this is not how a harden criminal acts. Is there more here than meets the eye? Maybe Terrik isn’t what the law portrays him to be.
Mea decides to help Terrik and Regan get off the planet and to a safer place. She offers Terrik a new identity and a job as her partner. Regan wants Terrik and Mea to become her parents, she needs them and maybe they need her just as much. Seth, on the other hand, doesn’t trust anyone any more. Prison has hardened him into a cold heartless person, so he plans to leave Regan with Mea and take off. He doesn’t want to give in to the strong feelings he’s been having. Mea gives Terrik one last chance to stay, the choice is his. Mea couldn’t force Terrik to care, let alone love them, so when she and Regan returns to the ship and find him gone they leave… without Terrik.
As Terrik watches them take off, he knows he’s screwed up big time. Too late he realizes how much he cares for them. Terrik goes on a drunken binge. Days later Mike Conley finds Terrik to get his help in getting Mea and Regan back. They had been taken by slavers, and were being held for ransom. Mike doesn’t even want to think of what was happening to them. He couldn’t send in any of the Hunters to get them, because the metal alloy under a Hunters skin could be detected by the slavers' scanners. Terrik wasn’t equipped with this metal so he could slip in undetected.
Terrik knew he had to save Mea and Regan, and maybe once they were free, Mea would give him another chance. He never thought it could be possible for him to love, and now that he knew, nothing would stop him. Terrik would give his own life, even his soul to save them. Maulkin, leader of the slavers, would die for touching his woman and child, Terrik would see to that.
Mea is a high spirited woman, who goes after what she wants, whereas Seth Terrik wants nothing more than to be left alone to go his own way. Can these two find love and a chance at happiness? Can Regan help Terrik to open his heart to the possibility of becoming a family? Michelle O’Leary has written a very wonderful story set in a future time and place. She renews our belief in the strength of love ever lasting. This story is filled with action and drama from cover to cover. Ms. O’Leary does not let her readers down. I’ll be watching for more of her work in the future.
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M. Parsons, reviewer and owner of M. Parsons Writes
In a sordid bar on
the wrong side of a moon, Huntress
Mea Brin comes face-to-face with her most dangerous
prey ever: an innocent child in the hands of escaped
convict Seth Terrik - or in her eyes just another
delectable challenge against which she must pit her
talents as both woman and warrior.
An intriguing story
with likable characters and a
believable plot, "The Huntress" was one of those books
that I found I wanted to keep reading once I began and
almost felt a sense of loss when done.
The characters were
identifiable as individuals and
the descriptions of the locations, equipment, and
personalities were enough to set the scene while still
leaving room for a reader's imagination to roam.
O'Leary put forth
an honest effort with "The Huntress"
and proved herself very competent in creating a wide
range of emotions and tension without becoming overly
descriptive or narrative. The inner struggle of Seth
is particularly well executed.
The manuscript was
solid, except for an occasional
awkward shift in point of view where a new paragraph
would've helped. As for editing and formatting, there
were a couple items that (I felt) should have been
capitalized - and the application of "you're" and
"your" desires some attention along with a very small
number of hanging quotation marks and typos.
But I have to add
that since the story itself is so
well done and enjoyable, none of this should disturb
the reader to any great extent and I fully extend my
congratulations to Miss O'Leary for creating an
absolutely wonderful tale.
Very Well Done!
©2003 M. Parsons
Freelance Writer and Reviewer
http://www.geocities.com/mparsonswrites
October 20, 2003
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Joy Calderwood, reviewer for Reviewer's Choice Reviews
Panther-like Mea Brin is the best of the Hunters, part of a special interplanetary enforcement agency. When she happens to meet Seth Terrik, escaped convict, it’s her responsibility to bring him in or kill him. But Terrik is accompanied by a little girl who tugs at Mea’s heart, and Terrik himself makes Mea breathless with desire and the recognition of a soul mate. Unfortunately, Terrik knows it would be really, really stupid to get involved with a Hunter. This means that for Mea it is now a different kind of hunt.
Never before has any man successfully resisted the sizzling Huntress. Events drive Terrik toward her, his instinct for self preservation drives him away. In the middle is little Regan, the appealing orphan who has decided Mea and Terrik are her parents. When a job assignment turns into a crisis, Terrik has to decide between his old instincts and his new ones.
The Huntress is a crackling good time. The first chapter is a grabber, a bar fight with a cheerful ruthlessness and sexy overtones. Once you have read this far, you won’t stop. You will be laughing, cheering, sweating, and exclaiming out loud as the characters mow down the opposition, hold off their allies, and push each other to the breaking point. O’Leary’s vivid writing style guarantees that you will feel each situation along with Mea and Terrik.
The author’s characterizations are compelling and in-depth. Mea is an irresistible Superwoman, but this is based on a troubled past which she still must work to overcome. Terrik has survived so many hells that he doesn’t know heaven when he sees it. (If you like the casting game, think Vin Diesel.) Regan has shockingly lost her family and is trying valiantly to build another. Mea’s crew, Warren and Ema, provide one entertaining surprise after another.
O’Leary is a talented writer, with only a few edges left to work off. She doesn’t always know when to quit, when she has already said everything she needed to. Occasionally her words jar against each other, when different word choices would have made them sound smoother in the mind. But I mention this only because she has so much potential to fulfill. This is a very enjoyable, fast-paced, and exciting read, in a style that promises even better for the future.
The Huntress will be enjoyed by both sexes: the boys will find Mea as attractive as women will find Terrik, and there is action enough for all. This book deserves a wider audience than most e-books find; some starting-up print publisher needs this book to help it jump into the eye of distributors.
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Brenda Gill, reviewer for Timeless Tales
Mea Brin is a bounty hunter for the Planetary Coalition. Known to everyone as
The Huntress, she is the best at what she does. Michael Conley adopted Mea after her parents were violently killed
by slavers. Uncle Mike, as Mea calls him, is a hunter himself and he went after the ones who killed her parents.
It is this early experience that sets Mea on the path of being a hunter.
Mea finds her latest target in a sinister moonbase bar, but she also finds someone
else. Mea is intrigued by Seth Terrik and the little girl he seems to be protecting. She watches them for a few days
and finally introduces herself to the mysterious pair. She finds out that Regan's parents are dead and her sister,
Kate, raised her. While on a starship, one of the passengers went crazy and started killing everyone and Kate took a
hit meant for Seth. Seth now feels responsible for Regan, and Regan thinks of Seth as her "father". Mea knows she
should take Seth in, but she can't bring herself to do so. She sees more in him than a convicted killer and devises a
plan. She offers him the chance to become her partner and change his genetic trace to that of Baynard Stone.
Seth Terrik is a survivor. He grew up in a place where there were two kinds of
people, predators and prey. To survive, he became a predator; he killed to stay alive. He spent the last fifteen years
in a prison famous for its cruelty to its inmates. When he saw a chance to escape, he took it, but somewhere along the
way he became responsible for Regan. He doesn't trust the offer that Mea makes to him, a chance at a new identity and
a new life as Baynard Stone. All the emotions coming at him from all directions are new, something he's never felt
before. He feels that he's not good enough to deserve the love that Mea and Regan offer him.
When Mea and Regan are taken captive by slavers determined to start a rebellion,
Seth has to go in and save them, but will he be in time? Can Seth overcome his struggles with his feeling of unworthiness
and accept Mea and Regan's love?
The Huntress is a fast-paced, well-written story with complex, believable characters. Mea is a strong, relentless,
rear-kicking woman, who isn't afraid to show her softer side. Seth is desperate to accept the love of Mea and Regan, but
compelled not to because of his past and the man he thinks he's become. It was great fun to watch these two come together.
Their love scenes are some of the steamiest I've read, without the overt sexual descriptions of many other books. Regan,
almost, steals the show from both of them and will trap your heart, too. If you don't buy another book this month, don't
miss The Huntress. I don't have a problem recommending this book to fans of science fiction romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Kari Thomas, reviewer for Love Romances
Fans of the Sci-Fi genre will absolutely love this fantastic tale. Mixing two genres that
are not normally put together, romance and science fiction, Ms. O’Leary has penned an excellent tale that will appeal to both
genre lovers.
Mea Brin is a Hunter, (nicknamed ‘The Huntress’), one of an elite group of bounty hunters
that search through the universe for criminals and renegades, with the sanction to kill or bring them to justice. She’s an
incredibly strong woman, ruthless and dangerous, and her reputation as one of the ‘best of the Hunters’ precedes her ---
striking deadly fear into any of those that are fleeing from her lethal justice.
The story opens with Mea entering a ghetto-moonbase bar looking for her assigned prey.
What she finds is more than she expected. Seth Terrik, an escaped convict, captures her attention --- along with an eleven
year old girl, Regan, who clings to his shadow like he’s the only thing she has to hold onto.
Mea has always gotten what she set out to get. And it doesn’t take her long to decide
she wants Seth --- and Regan. Now all she has to do is make Seth agree to the bargain. Seth had survived fifteen torturous
years in a darkly dangerous prison and he values his freedom more than anything. Mea’s proposition feels like another form
of prison, albeit a more pleasant one, and he’s not immediately willing to agree to her terms. When she offers him a new
identity and a chance at a new life, Seth finally agrees. But will he learn to trust her --- and the growing love that is
developing between them?
This story is full of action, a fast paced read that pulls one into the story immediately
and refuses to let go until the last page is read. It is also a story of second chances, learning to trust, compassion and
passion, and a love that transcends every obstacle thrown at it. Readers will love Mea’s strength of character, her tough
side, and her compassion. Seth will steal your heart as he slowly learns to love and heal. Readers will be left hoping that
little Regan will one day have her own book.
Even though set in a Sci-Fi world of violence, betrayal, danger, and death, readers will
enjoy both genres in this story. Ms. O’Leary brings the characters to brilliant life and shows they have many different facets
in their personalities. The story unfolds with the action taking place on several different planets, and the author portrays
the scenery and world(s) with rich detail. There is something for every reader in this story: love, sci-fi, suspense, danger,
humor, passion. A definite recommendation and a keeper on this reviewer’s shelf!
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Jessica Jones, reviewer for Women On Writing
In the opening scene of The Huntress by Michelle O'Leary, we meet Mea,
a tough as nails, independent and beautiful heroine.
"She's part of the Hunting Corp, best one they got. They're bounty hunters with a license to kill
the Coalition's top enforcers. They get a list of people to bring in and they go out and hunt 'em down."
She's spirited and defiant of her superiors when morality and safety of
innocent people are put into danger. In The Huntress, written by Michelle O'Leary, forcible, corrupt criminals
throughout the galaxy fear her tough fighting nature.
While on the hunt for an escaped murderer in a dingy bar, Terrik, Mea comes
across an orphaned child, seems to belong to Terrik. Mea takes Regan under her wing, knowing that Regan could lead her
to the escaped murderer.
"Friend of yours?"
"He's my father," the girl said with an uptilted chin and shot a defiant glance into the shadows.
An obvious lie, but the man said nothing.
"Well your father should know better than to lead you to a place like this."
The huntress doesn't anticipate sparks to fly between her and Terrik, who assumes a new
identity, Stone. She finds herself magnetically pulled to his gruff façade and the hunt quickly takes on a new purpose.
Stone is reluctant to accept Mea's offer of a hunting partnership until he's faced with the prospect of losing Regan and
the huntress. This is the exciting climax of the novel.
Michelle O'Leary's The Huntress is a fast-paced, action packed sci-fi romance,
mixed with the innocence and heart that the orphaned child, Regan provides. The heated, electric sexual tension between
Stone and Mea keeps you turning the pages long into the night. Colorful characters like Warren, the android and Ema,
the ship's hologram doctor, add to the book's convincing sci-fi plotline.
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Cindy Penn, Senior Editor and Reviewer for WordWeaving
Terrific sci-fi! Very highly recommended
In a ghetto moonbase bar, Mea Brin searches for her quarry. Nicknamed The Huntress, she is the
best of the Hunter Corporation, bounty hunters sanctioned to kill. Temporarily distracted, she encounters the unexpected in Seth
Terrik and the eleven-year-old Regan Freya who trails him. Soon she offers Seth a new identity, sanctuary on her ship, and to adopt
Regan.
Suspicious, Seth refuses Mea's offer, but accepts on behalf of the child. Fifteen years in a dark,
dangerous prison turned Seth into an animal. His urge to survive is only surpassed for his desperation for freedom. Mea's too-good-offers
simply feel like another form of prison, and he refuses to be bound again, even to a sexy woman who offers her heart, her body,
and her life.
Author Michelle O'Leary pens a fast-paced, roller coaster ride in THE HUNTRESS. Mea creates an
ethical dilemma that some readers will trip over, that being a woman honor bound to hunt the dregs of the universe and then rescues
an escaped convict. However, O'Leary does step carefully through the ethics, and most readers will find her arguments convincing.
Certainly readers will love this irreverent, wild duo with their steaming passion and fabulous chemistry. Mea's character lends a
powerful presence to the novel, including her superhuman skills and fierce determination. Her relationship with young Regan develops
quickly yet convincingly. Further, Seth's struggles with self-esteem and accepting love make for an endearing yet prickly hero. In
addition, secondary characters sparkle, including the android, and Regan and Mea's uncle. Unexpected humor, emotional impetuousness,
and plot complexity result in a read that comes very highly recommended.
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Deborah Hern, Reviewer for The Romance Reader's Connection
Mea Brin is an intergalactic bounty hunter. She's professional; she's ruthless; she's lethal;
and she never says anything even remotely resembling "gosh darn" when she's mad. When she enters a seedy bar on a remote moonbase,
tracking a criminal, she finds much more that she'd bargained for. She meets a mysterious man with whom she feels an instant bond.
And the little girl he's protecting.
Determined to make this man her partner, professionally and personally, she arranges to have his
criminal past erased by trading his identity with another man's. After several years in a brutal prison, Stone neither expects nor
believes that anyone would offer him help. Or a partnership. He vows to stick around only until the little girl can be returned to
her family. That vow is tested almost immediately, as Mea and the girl seem to attract trouble.
The action, and there is a lot of action, takes place on several different planets. Each one is
fully imagined and richly described. The atmosphere in bars and clubs is almost palpable. In fact, the very first line, uttered by
Mea, perfectly sets place, tone, and character. All of the characters, even those that are secondary, are given individual personalities,
quirks, and detailed backgrounds. They all react to situations appropriately, given their past experiences. The emotions and attitudes
expressed seem utterly real. The interaction between characters, and the dialogue is natural and believable.
This is an exciting, fast-paced read that also includes a real emotional component. There is violence
and blood in the story; and that only makes sense. After all, these are Hunters: men, and a few women, who live or die by their wits.
They inhabit a gritty, dangerous universe; charged with seeking out some of the worst, most vicious criminals in existence. The Hunters
themselves are an interesting group. I hope to see more of them in the future. For more information, please visit www.dlsijpress.com
or www.michelleoleary.com.
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JaToya Love, Reviewer for A Romance Review
Let's be blunt. This book is a winner. A keeper with not one thing that I could
really pick on to balance out this review.
The characters are what drive this book, not that
there's anything wrong with the plot, or the writing style, but the characters grab you
and refuse to let you go. I'd be more than happy to see these characters in a series.
They are that interesting.
Mea Brin is a Hunter. Think Texas Ranger/Bounty
Hunter of outer space. You know how it's said that it only takes one Ranger to control
a town, riot, mob, etc? Well, expand that to a planet and you have the Hunters. And Mea
is the best of the best. So good in fact she's known as The Huntress, hence the title.
And Mea is good. Very good. We get to see her in action from the very beginning. So
from that very same beginning I knew I was going to enjoy this book.
Seth Terrik is an escaped convict. But he's not
Mea's prey - at least not in the way one might think. You see Mea is a woman that knows
what she wants and after staring into the light sensitive eyes of Terrik, all thoughts
of the money she could make off him fly away. But the hunt is still on. Because Mea
wants Terrik for herself. And she'll go to great lengths to have him.
For Terrik, having a Hunter after him isn't
something he's pleased about. Regardless of the fact that this Hunter revs his
engine like no one ever has before. Unfortunately, he's unable to just slip away.
He's got Regan to think about now. Regan's a young girl who's latched on to Terrik
as if he's her last hope in the world. And he is. With her family dead, Terrik is
the only person Regan can trust until Mea saunters into their lives. So, Terrik is
bombarded on both sides by emotions he's never known before. What's a tough guy to do?
Well, I'm not telling. You'll just have to read
the book. It'll be totally worth it. Fans of Pitch Black the movie will see a
few similarities, as if the author saw the movie and was inspired to create something
even better. And for this die hard Vin Diesel fan, that's saying a lot.
One of the things I loved about The Huntress
is Mea's irrepressible sense of self and that you could see that she'd be teaching
Regan to have the same. She's confident in almost all things. As a result, Terrik
who is a very strong character himself and stubborn as a mule, is a perfect match.
Sadly, many other heroines would have had to resort to gaining his sympathy (think
tears, depression, some tragedy of some kind) to get this man. But Mea was strong
to the end. Even when crisis did strike and Terrik had to go in to rescue her and
Regan, she was still strong. Not once did she fall into damsel in distress mode.
And she did this all without coming across as a ball busting - well you know.
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Terrie Figueroa, Reviewer for Romance Reviews Today
Mea Brin is the best hunter in the galaxy. She's known far and wide as
simply The Huntress. Criminals, n'er do wells, and the truly wicked hide
whenever she arrives. While tracking her latest target, Mea sees a man who
rocks her world. Unfortunately, he's an escaped convict and her duty is to
capture and return him to prison for his execution. After watching him for a
few days, she realizes she can't sentence him to death; there is something
about him that calls to her deep inside. Besides, he has a young girl with
him and she can't bring herself to hurt the girl by taking her "father".
Eleven-year-old Regan Freya has lost everything in her young life. Her
parents, her beloved older sister, and nearly her life. The only person she
has to cling to is the escaped convict who saved her. While the rest of the
world shivers in fear when he enters a room, Regan sees only her hero.
Seth Terrick has spent the last fifteen years in the darkest hell of prison.
A prison that would have destroyed most men, but Terrick's will to survive is
unbroken. When the chance to escape his death sentence is presented he takes
it ... with no thought but to survive. However, during his escape he
acquires a small follower. Unable to feel any emotion beyond the will to
survive, he still can't abandon the young girl to her fate. When he is
tracked and cornered by The Huntress, he believes it's the end, but this
beautiful and uncanny woman offers him the chance at a new life, and a new
identity as her partner, Bayard Stone. Will Terrick learn to trust,
something he's never known, or will he continue to run for his life, giving
up the possibilities of a future he could never have envisioned?
Adventure, betrayal, passion and love fill the pages of The Huntress. A tale
of second chances and new beginnings, it's fraught with heartache and danger.
An incredible cast of well-developed characters fills the pages and brings
the fictional world of Mea, Regan and Seth/Bay to vivid life. Fast moving
and exciting, the story moves quickly, with danger at nearly every turn.
The Huntress is a character driven story and engages the reader's interest
from the first page. Mea is a tough and sometimes violent woman, but her
passion for Bay and her love for young Regan make her human and more
approachable. Even with her demanding job, she retains a refreshing sense of
humor. Regan is delightful. At first timid and fearful, she quickly grows
into an inquisitive and loving child under the loving influence of Mea.
Terrick/Bay is a more complex character. With a dark past filled with pain
and anguish only hinted at, he is slower to accept Mea's caring and love. He
fights it with everything in him, just as he fights the feelings of
protectiveness and warmth that Regan brings him. Unlike Regan and Mea,
Terrick/Bay's past is a dark mystery and one I would like to have known more
about, however, that is my only complaint about this incredibly exciting and
emotional story. Each element is very well done, from character interaction
to dialogue and scene setting. For a truly enjoyable read (and this is
saying something since generally I don't like Sci-Fi) get a copy of The
Huntress for your collection. I look forward to reading more from this
talented author.
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Doris Pannell, Reviewer for Gotta Write Network
Mea Brin is a Huntress, part an elite band of tracers who chase down and capture renegades
in this future universe. To become a Hunter or Huntress the candidate goes through
severe mental and physical training. After the training, they are fitted with physical
enhancements that allow them to run faster, see better and have more strength than the
average person. Not only is Mea a huntress, she is the best Huntresses to come out of
the J P Masterson Hunter's Academy in years.
After both Mea's mother and her father were killed, Mike Conley, later to become the
head of The Hunters organization, adopted Mea and raised her as his own. At that time
Uncle Mike, as she called him, was a hunter so Mea learned how to hunt first hand.
Uncle Mike is very protective of his prodigy even to the point of assisting her when
she falsified record to protect a friend and was instrumental in the death of another Hunter.
As the story opens, Mea is on the trail of prey in a seedy bar on some forgotten
moon when she sees Seth Terrick, an escaped murder from Malthat, a maximum-security
prison. Terrick has Regan, a girl of about ten with him. Like Mea, Regan lost both
of her parents at an early age. Her sister, Kate, raised her until Kate was killed
during a riot on board a starship. One of the starship passengers started to kill the
crew then he turned the helm so the ship would fly into a star. During the melee,
Kate took a bullet meant for Seth. From that time on, Seth felt responsible for Regan.
Mea feels that the girl is in danger in the bar, so she attempts to get the girl out
but Terrick reacts with close to hunter speed to defend the girl. Mea becomes so taken
with Terrick's she almost forgets her prey. After she extracts the needed information
from the prey, Mea leaves the bar but she can't get Seth or the girl out of her mind.
When Mea checks in with Uncle Mike, she discovers
another Hunter had been sent to get Seth. She decides to help Seth and the girl by
getting rid of the other Hunter and changing Seth's records to give him a new identity.
Seth, on the other hand, can see no reason why Mea should want to help him. He remains
extremely suspicious of Mea. He reluctantly goes along with her plans to give him a
new identity and he agrees to let Mea take Regan but he can't accept Mea's interest in him.
Mea and Seth's bumbling relationship straddles
the galaxy. Seth wants to believe in Mea, but he fears she is using him. Mea, on
the other hand, understands Seth's reluctance but finds herself passionately drawn
to the rugged renegade anyway. The ultimate climax is believable and exciting.
The Huntress had me drawn in from the first page.
It transports the reader to fascinating new worlds. While set in the future, it
is more of a love story than and Sci-fi thriller. Mia is fantastic and the tools
they use are interesting from the android, Warren, who fusses over Mea to the AI,
affectionately called Ema who serves as the ship's doctor. Still, the story could
be set in a number of locations or ages. It's a rip roaring good adventure/romance
novel to be savored.
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