Sureblood (The Borderlands)

I stayed up until 2am this morning to finish this book; it was that good. The storyline was moving--the hero and heroine were getting closer to falling in love, the pirate clans were struggling to survive--and I just kept turning the pages. There will be no spoilers here, but I will tell you that the spaceship dogfight battles are fascinating (you can tell that the author is a real-life pilot, as it says in her bio), the romance is heart-breaking, and the characters are three-dimensional--even the kids and the dogs! I have two pieces of advice: 1. Buy the book 2. Don't read the back cover blurb. I'm glad I didn't until I was midway through the book. The blurb gives away a major plot twist....grrrr...but if it's too late and you've read the blurb, never fear. The book will still be a great read. As usual, Sue Grant writes sci-fi that's accessible. The world she creates of pirates who raid spaceships instead of clipper ships is believable, enjoyable, and great escapism. But it's the romance that will keep you turning the pages.

I really don't. They are not written for me, either, so neither the books nor I will get particularly offended if we ignore each other. And yet, "Sureblood" is a damned fine read. Forget the romance. Set aside the fact that the main character chick spends a great deal of her time pining for her Main Man...and that he, in turn, thinks about her quite a bit. Even without the romantic aspects, this book has so much to offer, it's hard to explain what it's missing. There's the adventure element. Grant writes action in a terse, staccato rhythm, lending it an immediacy and urgency that many authors just can't pull off. There's the sci-fi. Obviously, this writer digs herself some science and some fiction. You've got space opera, writ large, with shifting galactic alliances, intrigue, high-tech, weird species, and strange customs. The political-thriller angle: see previous bit. Some mystery. Several, actually. Each feeding off (and on) each other, and one resolution building on the next. It's tough to take a breath, what with all the mysterious shenanigans transpiring. And a dog. Or two. So, honestly, even if you dismiss all the mushy stuff, "Sureblood" will probably suit you. Now, if you're into that kind of thing...this book is chock full of people loving each other, and hating each other, and kissing, and wanting to kiss, and not being able to kiss, and being afraid of kissing, and feeling guilty about kissing...How full? Is that what you're asking? "Chock" is the answer. That's how full. So if you're into romance, you won't go wrong with "Sureblood." If you're not into romance....you can't go wrong with "Sureblood." Dig it.

The pirate clans rule the Channels region of the Borderlands, but it's been a long time since the clans were united. Raid crashing, tempers, and prejudices keep clans like the Blues and the Surebloods fighting. Then a mission throws Valeeya Blue into the path of Dake, leader of the Surebloods, and the unexpected happens. Attraction sparks and the idea of peace between the clans suddenly becomes possible. But Val and Dake's relationship ends before it really has a chance to begin when Val's father, the Blues' clan leader, is murdered. Val's clan blames the Surebloods and when Dake disappears, it seems he truly is guilty. What Val doesn't know is that Dake was ambushed and imprisoned before he had a chance to clear himself and his clan. Five years later, Dake has been freed and he returns to Val to find her a changed woman. Val is now the leader of the Blues and she's hardened herself to him...or so she thinks. But when a mutual enemy threatens to expose and eliminate a secret Val has been holding dear, she must join forces with her former lover and put the past behind her, or there will be no future for her to have with Dake. Enjoy a ride as thrilling as any pirate raid in space adventure Sureblood. I admit, I'm not generally a sci-fi fan, but Susan Grant drew me into the world of the Borderlands. Ms. Grant perfectly mixes romance, courage, hardship, deception, triumph, loss, and hope to deliver a fast-paced, engaging story that is sure to entertain fans new and old. Val and Dake are both likeable, hard-working protagonists who do their best in often less than ideal situations. Their road to happily ever after isn't an easy one, but I liked them so well together that I couldn't put Sureblood down until I was sure they'd get their happy ending. Sureblood is the third book in Ms. Grant's Borderlands series, but not having read the first two books (Moonstruck and The Warlord's Daughter), I can safely say Sureblood can be read as a standalone. However, after enjoying Sureblood as much as I did, I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other Borderlands tales, as well as other works by Ms. Grant Shayna Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The pirate clans live in the Channels asteroid belt. They earn a substandard existence by raiding passing ships containing precious minerals needed for the intergalactic war fought in another sector. However, the clans have their own combat going on as instead of cooperating for the overall good of everyone, they fight with one another. A new clan leader Dake Sureblood is a visionary who can see how teamwork would benefit everyone, but is blank as to how to proceed when no one trusts anyone from another clan; even he distrusts the other broods. Two clans the Surebloods and the Blues raid the same vessels. Dake saves the life of Valeeya Blue. Her grateful father Conn invites Dake and his kin to join forces with his clan. Already attracted to Val, Dake readily agrees. However, betrayal by opportunists causes the two clans to bicker and consider hostile actions against one another rather than teaming with Dake left in hell for five years after someone assassinated Conn. However, that traitor never counted on Dake returning to prove his innocence and claim his wife and their son as his though he knows she believes he killed her father. This is a fun sort of Scottish Highlanders in outer space futuristic romantic science fiction. The story line is fast-paced from the opening raid and never slows down as betrayal and murder keep the lead couple apart. Readers will relish the swashbuckling escapades of Dake and Valeeya as he returns to avenge his father-in-law and himself while desperately wanting his spouse at his side and to finally meet their son. Harriet Klausner

I love smart romance with complex characters and unexpected plot twists and Susan Grant delivers a quick paced and highly satisfying read with her latest release, "Sureblood." Susan writes romance first so don't expect distracting complicated technical explanations of how things in her worlds work. Susan weaves her stories to tell of developing relationships and personal character growth. "Sureblood" is a story of life in the Borderlands where worlds are struggling for survival on the very edge of known civilization. Valeeya Blue and Dake Sureblood are from different planets but in the same fight for their homes' survival. Forced truce between their clans brings them together but treachery destroys the fragile peace and dooms their families to near extinction and forced exile. Only a child, who was created on the single night of unity, remains as a reminder of the clans' fractured hope.