I've heard from other reviewers that Linnea Sinclair is a wonderful sci-fi fantasy romance author so when I was offered a chance to read her new speculative fiction book - Finders Keepers - I jumped at the chance. However, when I received the book and read the back blurb it stated that this book blended hard SF with sizzling romantic suspense. Now I'm not especially fond of hard SF since it tends to be a little too high tech for me so I had to wonder how these two elements could possibly blend and blend well.

Trilby Elliot is an independent trader captain who sits her starfreighter down on Avanar to make repairs and modifications. While on the planet she sees a Trahtark, a 'Sko high-powered fighter, go down in the jungle. Since Trilby's the only sentient being on the planet as far as she knows, it gives her unalienable salvage rights; she and her droid, Dezi, make their way into the jungle in hopes of salvaging some 'Sko parts. Once there she discovers an injured man from the Zafharin Empire and reluctantly takes him back to her ship.

When Rhis Vanur awakens he doesn't know where he is, let alone what happened. He decides to act like he's still unconscious until he can figure out what's going on or until he can capture whoever's holding him captive. Once he manages to capture the woman, he determines that she is not a bounty hunter trying to take him back to Conclave Security; she's just a low-budget captain who got a little more than she bargained for when she rescued him. Trilby finds Rhis to be arrogant, opinionated, and spoiled. Rhis finds himself intrigued by Trilby's insulting, disdainful attitude. Despite their feelings for each other the two of them will have to learn to work together if they plan to get off Avanar, especially since time is critical for them both. Thus, when Rhis offers to help Trilby make repairs on her starfreighter, she takes him up on it. As the two of them work together to get the Careless Venture up and running, they find themselves becoming attracted to one another. And this is only the beginning of their little adventure!

So how did Linnea Sinclair manage to blend hard SF with romantic suspense? Ms. Sinclair used technical jargon, suspense, warfare and romantic elements that don't overshadow a well-plotted story. Even romance readers like me are able to enjoy Finders Keepers. Both of the main characters, Trilby and Rhis, are fleshed out. Each has little idiosyncrasies as well as strengths and weaknesses. I was able to see the positive changes in both characters, especially Rhis. In fact, I found that I was actually able to identify with Rhis more easily than with Trilby because his character changes and grows the most. Trilby is a little too gun shy, so to speak, for a starfreighter captain. However, by the end of the story she, too, grows and is able to overcome the obstacles of her past - something I find myself wishing I were a little better at doing.

Much of what happens in Finders Keepers wouldn't have been accomplished without the interesting secondary characters. I hope to see several of these characters with stories of their own especially the droid, Dezi, who is hilarious, loveable, and yet such an irritant. The only real problem I had with the story is that it left too many unanswered questions--questions I can't ask without having to put a spoiler warning on this review. Thus, I sincerely find myself hoping that Ms. Sinclair has plans to take Trilby, Rhis, Dezi, Dallon, Farra, Yavo, Hana and Demarik on further adventures set among the Zafharin, 'Sko, and Conclave Empires. Would I recommend Finders Keepers to hard SF fans? Definitely! Would I also recommend it to romance fans? Absolutely! Linnea Sinclair is obviously a versatile author with a wonderful imagination, which enables her to take readers along for the ride.

Reviewed By: Aureauna
© June 2005