Floater Factor

Melacha Rendell, the legendary Skyrider, gruff, unfeeling, unsentimental, ace pilot getting cuddly with a teddy bear? That would ruin her image! But, as we all know, there's more to the Skyrider than meets the eye. This novel takes up where Michael's last novel "Pirate Prince" leaves off. Melacha is enjoying a romantic interlude on her private asteroid hideaway with her lover, one of the best con men around, when some one leaves a "floater" infant squalling in Melacha's airlock. The Skyrider, who is not the motherly type to say the least, immediately attempts to wash her hands of all responsibility for this child but, almost as soon as the baby is removed from the airlock, someone tries to blow up Melacha's asteroid hideaway. After a pitched battle ensues, in which Melacha displays her legendary shoot-em-up skills, the assassins are dispatched, and Melacha is off on a galaxy quest to find out why someone would want this baby dead. Along for the novel is Melacha's wingman, Jamin, and Jamin's son, Colin, who are seeking to escape the fanatical and deadly prejudice that "Grounders" (people who can't tolerate free fall) have against "Fallers" (who can't tolerate gravity) and "Floaters" (people who are comfortable in either environment). If you enjoy rousing space adventure and strong women protagonists, you'll enjoy this and Michaels' other Skyrider novels. And, if you enjoy Elizabeth Moon's work, you'll doubtless find a kindred spirit here.