Hope's Folly Read online

  “One of the most acknowledged and well-received authors in sci-fi romance today.”

  —PNR Reviews

  “Linnea Sinclair beautifully blends SF and love stories to make some of the most exciting and satisfying romance novels being written today.”

  —Jo Beverley, author of A Lady’s Secret

  “Linnea Sinclair writes the best science fiction romance! She’s an auto-buy for me!”

  —Jade Lee, author of Dragonborn

  Finalist for 2006 RITA® Award for Best First Book

  Winner of the 2001 Sapphire Award for Best

  Speculative Romance Novel

  Winner of the 2001 PEARL Award for Best Sci-Fi

  Romance

  Romance Reviews Today Perfect 10 Award

  Romance Reviews Today Best Book of the Year Science

  Fiction/Fantasy 2001

  “Finders Keepers is romance, but also science fiction in its truest form. Ms. Sinclair creates a complete and fascinating universe.”

  —Romantic Times

  “A riveting, tightly written, edge-of-your-seat tale that pulls the reader in from page one, never letting go until the poignant finish.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Has the ‘wow!’ factor in spades … Well-developed and wonderfully imaginative, Finders Keepers has ‘exceptional merit’ written all over it.”

  —Heartstrings Reviews

  “Finders Keepers is a great ride from start to finish. … A delight to read … Sinclair delivers a story balanced nicely between space opera adventure and emotion-centered romance—not the easiest thing to find anymore. Thanks, Linnea!”

  —Speculative Romance Online

  “Five blue ribbons … A wonderful book … not to be missed … Takes romantic sci-fi to an all-new level.”

  —RomanceJunkies.com

  Winner of the 2006 RITA® Award for Best

  Paranormal Romance

  2003 Prism Award, 2nd place (tie with An Accidental

  Goddess), for Best Futuristic Romance

  Winner of the 2002 Affaire de Coeur Award for

  Best Futuristic Romance

  2002 Sapphire Award, 2nd place (tie with An Accidental

  Goddess), for Best Speculative Romance Novel

  Romance Reviews Today Perfect 10 Award

  “Five stars! Captures your interest with nonstop action and suspense and keeps it as the tension mounts … A must buy.”

  —CataRomance Reviews

  “Both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a warm romance, with deep characterization and meaningful relationships. Highly recommended.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “There isn’t a shadow of a doubt in this reviewer’s mind that Bantam has a bonafide, interstellar star in this author. Prepare to be star-struck, dear reader.”

  —Heartstrings Reviews

  “With the vision and texture of a poet, the heart of a warrior, and the skill of a master, Sinclair creates a world of psychic gifts and shape-shifters, of dangers beyond imagination and love beyond question. … A tale so entrancing, so mesmerizing that readers will be absolutely blown away.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “How can a review do justice to a book that sweeps you away from the very first page? … Sinclair has managed to mix religion, politics, adventure, science fiction and romance into one of the best reads of the year. A true winner!”

  —Interludes Magazine

  Finalist for the 2005 RIO Award for Best

  Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romance

  Winner of the 2003 RWA® Windy City Choice Award

  for Best FF&P Romance

  2002 PEARL Award Honorable Mention for

  Best Science Fiction Novel

  Romantic Times BookClub magazine’s

  2002 Gold Medal Top Pick Award

  Finalist for the CataRomance Single Titles Reviewers’

  Choice Award

  “Sinclair’s fertile imagination scores another winner. … Well written and riveting … make a place for it on your keeper shelf.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Entirely entertaining.”

  —Contra Costa Times

  “Proves once again why Sinclair is one of the reigning queens of science fiction romances … This is a book [with] bright, attractive characters, an interesting plot, action, adventure, humor and romance.”

  —Starlog

  “A quirky, humorous, fast-paced saga of deception, passion, trust, and risk … Linnea Sinclair’s innovative and entertaining story will captivate the reader and provide hours of laughter, suspense, and adventure.”

  —Fantasy Book Spot

  “A star in the making.”

  —SFCrowsnest.com

  Winner of the 2007 PEARL Award for Best Science

  Fiction and Fantasy Romance

  2008 RITA® Finalist for Best Paranormal Romance

  Finalist for the 2008 Fantasm Award for Best Space

  Opera Romance

  AllAboutRomance.com

  Top Ten SF/Fantasy &

  Futuristic Romances

  Top Ten in Supernatural Romance Novels from

  Helium.com

  “Linnea Sinclair just gets better and better! Games of Command is not to be missed!”

  —Mary Jo Putney, author of A Distant Magic

  “Games of Command is a wonderful book. Linnea Sinclair has written a unique and utterly intriguing hero in Kel-Paten. Sexy, complex and devoted, he’s a man to fall in love with.”

  —Nalini Singh, author of Hostage to Pleasure

  “Desert Island Keeper … A flat-out terrific story of thrilling action and tender romance.”

  —AllAboutRomance.com

  “When it comes to high-flying adventure, political intrigue and dark romance, Sinclair has it aced! This surprising tale is filled with shifting loyalties, deception and jaw-dropping flying maneuvers. … 4½ stars.”

  —Romantic Times Book Review

  “Doesn’t disappoint for a single nanosecond. As rich, complex and intriguing as ever, Sinclair’s fictional universe is an exciting, mysterious and dangerous place to live and love. … Lots of action, lots of fantasy, and lots of romance equals scores of well-pleased readers.”

  —Heartstrings Reviews

  Honorable Mention for the 2007 PEARL Award for

  Best Futuristic Romance Nominated for the 2007 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards for Best Futuristic/Fantasy Romance

  “Linnea Sinclair invades Earth with a rip-roaring, genre-bending, edge-of-your-seat read that has it all: crackling action, monsters, double-crossers, unlikely heroes, and a fully realized love story. I loved it!”

  —Susan Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Moonstruck

  “From its tongue-in-cheek title to its melding of romance and zombie-killing action, there’s little in Sinclair’s newest sci-fi romance that doesn’t surprise, grip or entertain. … Fans of romance and fantasy hunting for edgier fare can stop singing the blues.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Quirky, offbeat and packed with gritty action, this blistering novel explodes out of the gate and never looks back. Counting on Sinclair to provide top-notch science fiction elaborately spiced with romance and adventure is a given, but she really aces this one! A must-read, by an author who never disappoints. 4½ stars. Top pick!”

  —Romantic Times

  “Through her dynamic and well-conceived major characters, her rounded supporting cast, her engaging and far-ranging vision, her narrative skill, and her playful tone, Linnea Sinclair has provided a lively and provocative entertainment.”

  —Naples (FL) Sun Times

  “Outstanding … Realistic characters, romance, humor, conflict and suspense, what more could a paranormal fan ask
for in a sf/futuristic novel? … A keeper.”

  —PNR Reviews

  Winner of the CTRR Award for April 2008 by Coffee

  Time Romance

  Romance Reviews Today Perfect 10 Award

  Nominated for 2008 Romantic Times Reviewer’s

  Choice Award for Best Futuristic/Fantasy Romance

  “A rip-roaring tale of danger, passion, and hard choices. No one blends romance and science fiction like Linnea Sinclair, and Shades of Dark is another sizzling page-turner!”

  —Mary Jo Putney, author of A Distant Magic

  “A masterpiece … Not to be missed … Linnea Sinclair is always an author you can count on for amazing stories and is one of the best in the business. Shades of Dark is going down as one of my favorite books of all time and well deserves RRT’S Perfect 10 award for excellence!”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “The singularly impressive Sinclair thrusts her dynamic lovers into a maelstrom of trouble. The first-person, high-octane action is exhilarating. When it comes to futuristic romance, it doesn’t get better than Sinclair! 4½ stars.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Shades of Dark is one of those rare entities; a sequel that is as good, if not better, than the original. … This story is a compelling page-turner and a novel that firmly places Linnea Sinclair in my select group of must-have authors. Five cups.”

  —CoffeeTime Romance.com

  “I have read books that I couldn’t put down before, but nothing has compared to the experience of reading Shades of Dark. I found myself hurtling through space, experiencing every twist, every emotion, every betrayal and every victory. … This book should win every literary award on the planet, and then some.”

  —PNR Reviews

  ALSO BY LINNEA SINCLAIR

  Finders Keepers

  Gabriel’s Ghost

  An Accidental Goddess

  Games of Command

  The Down Home Zombie Blues

  Shades of Dark

  I’m deeply indebted to M. L. Helfstein, USNR (Ret.), for his time, patience, good humor, and the plethora of information he provided me about shipboard protocol and problems. If there was a medal of honor for critique partners/author’s helpers, Mikey would take the biggest and best. I’m also indebted to Lynette, his wife, for loaning me her warrior. Her patience goes above and beyond the call of duty.

  I’m grateful for the assistance of author Candace Irvin, former U.S. Navy Lieutenant, and Milton Grasle, whose “Writing Fighting” classes are a joy.

  However, please note that neither the Alliance Fleet nor the Imperial Fleet is a copy of the U.S. Navy or any one branch of military service currently existing. I have taken literary license, and the militaries presented in this and other books in the Dock Five series are unique unto themselves.

  My character Rya Bennton’s motto of “Polite, Professional, and Prepared to Kill” is one used by many branches of the armed services and law enforcement today. I honor their bravery, their selflessness, their dedication to protect and to serve. I’d hope you’d find Sub-Lieutenant Bennton a worthy teammate.

  Thanks to author Isabo Kelly, for letting me incorporate her sexy swagger as Rya’s own.

  And thanks to my critique partners and beta readers, who are simply the best: author Stacey (Kade) Klemstein and readers Lynne Welch, Patty Vasquez, Donna Kuhn, and Michelle Williamson. Their creativity and friendship warm my heart.

  As always, to Rob, who after almost thirty years still finds me amusing, and to my furry assistants, Daq and Miss Doozy. And to Captain Folly’s body double, Fat Tammy the Slut, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge several years ago but still reigns as one of the most memorable and ornery of felines.

  “The Return of the Deji”—DJ Lithium

  “Trifecta”—d.a.v.e.//

  “Compjacent”—d.a.v.e.//

  The above can be found at www.blacktigerrecordings.com

  “Toca’s Miracle/Toca Me”—Fragma

  IMEPRIAL SECURITY BULLETIN 71984-X5Y:

  Encryption Level Aldan 1/Top Secret

  Immediate Action Required:

  Previous reports of the death of former Imperial Admiral Philip Guthrie in Baris sector appear to be in error per new information from one of our operatives in deep cover in the Alliance. Guthrie’s capture and/or termination now top priority for all Baris and Calth sector operatives. The Farosians must not be allowed access to Guthrie. The so-called rebel “Alliance” must not be allowed to benefit from this traitor’s expertise or financial resources. All restrictions on civilian casualties lifted as per Command Prime. Failure is not an option. This bulletin self-destructs in thirty seconds.

  Alliance Admiral Philip Guthrie leaned his forearms on the back of the black padded chair and—heart sinking—studied the silvery image slowly revolving through the holovid suspended above the ready room’s table. He hoped—prayed—he was wrong, but he knew he wasn’t. It took all his training not to let emotions of any kind show on his face.

  But, damn, the ship was an ugly, ungainly 850-ton beast, with her billiard-ball bridge and dual bulging cylindrical drive nacelles aft—as bad as he remembered when he’d served aboard her twenty years ago under the command of Captain Cory Bennton. Bennton had been the Alric Stockwell’s only saving grace. The Stockwell was the last of the Imperial Fleet’s Stryker-class heavy cruisers, finally decommissioned—if memory served him—about six years past, though Bennton had moved on to better ships long before that.

  And now that ungainly 850-ton beast of a ship was to be Philip’s.

  “What do you think?” Jodey Bralford, the Krista Nowicki’s stocky dark-haired captain, leaned back in his chair at the head of the long table and, chin slightly raised, looked expectantly at Philip. Acquiring the Stockwell was the first—some could say desperate— shot at building a workable fleet. But one lone Maven-class 500-ton cruiser, four P-class patrol ships, two fifty-ton Ratch fighters, and two well-armed luxury yachts did not a defense make for the newly formed Alliance of Independent Republics.

  But the Stockwell?

  Bad luck is better than no luck at all, sounded in Philip’s mind. He bit back a snort of self-derision. Beggars—rebels, in this case—can’t be choosers, he reminded that sarcastic part of himself that, lately, he had trouble keeping in check. And had ever since the Imperial Fleet was gutted by one megalomaniac fanatic named Darius Tage, the former first barrister to the ineffectual Emperor Prewitt III. Now, with Prew’s mental and emotional collapse, Tage was the self-proclaimed god of all he could get his greedy fingers on.

  And executioner of all those who stood in his way— including some of Philip’s best captains. He pushed that anger and heartache away and concentrated on the problem—and solution—slowly spinning in front of him in the column of pale-blue light.

  “How in hell did you find her?” That question could be interpreted in any number of ways. Jodey was a good friend and Philip hated to sound less than appreciative, but, damn. The Stockwell?

  “I’d like to impress you with my incisive detective work and infallible contacts, but the truth is we raided her about ten months ago out at the C-D. She was heading out-system from Port January.”

  The Calth-Dafir border had been an issue for the Imperial Fleet for over a decade, ever since supporters of Sheldon Blaine—Tage’s rival for the position as god of the Empire—declared Tos Faros in Dafir as their base of operations. And ten months ago, Jodey and Philip were still part of the Imperial Fleet. Then, Blaine and his Farosian followers were their only serious problem.

  “I knew immediately what she was,” Jodey continued, pointing to the ship’s image between them. “It made no sense for a Stryker-class cruiser to be operating under a passenger-transport registration. Cargo, sure. But not passenger. Obviously, her docs were bogus. She was running arms for the Farosians. They’d acquired her through a series of illegal trades after her original decommission, so we seized her. She was sold about four months later to a Umoran citrus exporter who, w
ith all the problems in Grover’s City, was willing to let her go last week for a good price.”

  “You paid money for her?” The words were out before Philip could stop them. He quickly raised his hand, halting whatever was about to come out of Jodey’s mouth in protestation. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it quite like it sounded.” Like hell I didn’t. “It’s just that other than what we’ve been able to raise from donations”—much of which had come from his investments—“the Alliance isn’t exactly awash in spare funds at the moment.” At least, not until he could access the rest of his accounts. He was a Guthrie, and he’d be damned if the likes of Tage was going to keep him from retrieving what was rightfully his by hard work and inheritance.

  Of course, retrieving the balance of those funds might give Tage a hint that former Imperial Fleet Admiral Philip Guthrie was alive and kicking. And active in trying to take down the old Empire.

  But moving assets untraceably was a minor problem, according to a man named Gabriel Sullivan, who had not only faked his own death rather successfully a few years ago but who was also an accomplished mercenary, renowned pirate, heir to his own exorbitant fortune—and a powerful telepathic-energy- wielding half human, half demon. Who was currently married to Captain Chaz Bergren, Philip’s ex-wife. There was a lot to be said for family.

  “A good price,” Jodey repeated. He tugged up the sleeves of his gray uniform shirt before reaching for the mug of coffee in front of him. “All the Alliance had to do was to pay three months’ back dockage fees to the Kirro dockmaster, clearing the export company of the debt. We still have a good chunk left over.”

  Philip did a quick tally. Thousands, then, not millions. And low thousands at that. That was an incred ibly good deal. “That’s it?” he asked, not without suspicion, as Jodey sipped his coffee.

  Jodey put the mug back on the table and shrugged. “We also had to agree to keep her name.”

  “What does a fruit shipper care about Alric Stockwell?” Stockwell had been some minor senator from some equally minor district. Philip didn’t even remember what sector. Baris? Aldan?

  “Nothing. She’s not the Stockwell. She’s Hope’s Folly.”

  What in hell’s fat ass kind of name was that? “You’re asking me to lead the Alliance battle group with a flagship called Hope’s Folly? Bralford, tell me you’re not serious.”