Contact

Rating:
Summary: Who to trust in First Contact
Review: Susan Grant is an author that definitely uses what she knows as the foundation for her work, then builds upon it an entire new world - or more than one new world.

Jordan Cady is first officer of a United Airlines flight on a routine flight when their aircraft is captured. They are taken aboard an alien space ship, apparently the only survivors from a comet destroying the earth. The captian dies of a heart attack soon after, and now it is Jordan that the survivors look to for leadership. On board the alien vessel, Kào was rescued / captured himself when he was only three and has been raised by his adoptive father Moray, who is in charge of the ship. Kào has recently been imprisoned by the Talagars and tortured. Since his return to the Alliance, Kào has found himself unable to connect with others.

Grant really has a good grasp on the concept of 'alien abduction' - the practacalities of the various emotions - panic, the dawning 'we are not alone' feeling, anger, fright, survivor guilt, helplessness - as well as of the situation in which Jordan and the others on board flight 58 might find themselves - the language barriers, technologies and lack of operations knowledge of even the seemingly simple things, the risk of disease etc that both new races face. This was a very enjoyable aspect of the book and gave great depth to the work as a whole. It certainly deepened the emerging relationship between Jordan and Kào. The conflict between their differing loyalties is well told, but also resolves itself as they acknowledge, at least internally, their feelings for each other. They come to trust each other despite their situation, and having made that bond of trust, it holds true. Call me idealistic, but I found that very touching. The feelings that exist between them are naturally expressed in a physical way and Grant handles this well too, making the sexual scenes both hot and also meaningful.

There is also complexity to the basic plot - spies on all sides, working out who can be trusted, the true fate of Earth and the inevitability of the resulting action (right through to the epilogue). I was very satisfied by the end of the book that Jordan and Kào were heroes that got the ending they deserved. And yet the end is only the beginning of a new Alliance...

Rating:
Summary: beam me up adventure on a grand scale!
Review: Susan Grant is former Air-Force pilot, now flies 747s - where does she find the time to write such fantastic adventures? Not content to rest on her pilot laurels, she turns out some amazing Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romances that are fresh and skillfully crafted. She only has a half-dozen or so books out, but already has made a name for herself. Her current 2176 series - "The Legend of Banzai Maguire", the lead book in the series - is a fresh, original story, and like "Contact" draws heavily on her pilot experience to add rich substance to her stories.

"Contact" has an intriguing premise, along the lines of the movie "Millennium" - aliens abducting people from planes to save them. In the movie, the planes were boarded and the "to be" victims of plane crashes were removed and spirited off to
save them. Grant goes one-step farther, having a whole 747, passengers and all swallowed up by an alien spacecraft The Survivor. From fright, the pilot dies, so it is up to the co-pilot, Jordon, to keep 300 passengers sane and safe. At first, they fear it is a terrorists attack, but soon the enormity of snatching a whole 747 causes them to comprehend, nothing in this world could do that. Following Sherlock Holmes' rule of thumb, they are left with the unbelievable, but indisputable fact that aliens have abducted them.

Kao is the alien in charge of handling the Earthlings. He finally convinces Jordan Earth is no more, hit by the impact of several huge meteors, it was destroyed and the Survivor snatched the plane to keep them from perishing as well. It's not easy. The passengers have to learn a new language, face the crippling grief of losing all their love ones, but Jordon keeps them moving forward.

Despite her attraction to the powerful and sexy Kao, she begins to suspects she is not being told the truth and there is much more than just the lives of the 300 passengers at risk. Caught in a Galactic war, the survivors of the 747 are pawns in a deadly game.

It's a fast paced, logical book that keeps you hooked from the start and does not let you down. Grant shines as one of the driving forces in Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romance genre today.

Rating:
Summary: Pure enjoyment from beginning to end
Review: The first two reveiws give you all a wonderful insight as to what the book is about. I just want to let you know that this book rocks. Jordan Cady wonders if she will ever see her daughter "Boo" again as the 747 airplane from Hawii to San Francisco is high jacked by a UFO.
Kao Vantarr-Moray only wants to get his father's reputation back and if that means taking care of alien refugees so be it.
The to lovers come together with an unexpected twist. I will not say anymore since I don't want to give the surprise away.

Rating:
Summary: WOW! Susan Grant does it again!
Review: This book blasts off right from the start. I even read several parts of the book to my son (he loves Star Wars, etc.)ex:
"The object rushed out of the darkness. St. Elmo's fire slithered along the oval's smooth edges. Framed in blue-white streamers of electricity, the object yawned open like a nightmarish Venus flytrap. At five hundred knots, United 58 hurtled toward its shadowy maw. Jordan's thoughts bogged down in disbelief. Whatever was out there, they were going to hit it head on. Death would be instant."
My son immediately wanted to read it until I explained that it was a romance. I even told my husband some of the plot.
The heat between Jordan and Kao is so yummy because there are real feelings involved, understanding, tenderness, respect and love. Two very strong people fighting for more than their lives-I could not put this book down.
Susan Grant hooked me with "The Star King" and "The Star Prince" (which I'm still hoping to read at least one more in that story) and I've added her to my favorite authors list.
Contact has a permanent place on my book shelf. Just can't say enough without giving away too many details.
I know I sound over the top, just read it.

Rating:
Summary: Great Sci Fi Story - Lot of Action, Light on Romance
Review: This is a great science fiction story. The universe beyond earth as described by the author is imaginative and fascinating. The characters in the book are mature adults (no lame empaths or mystical healing heroines in this sci fi story)to whom you can relate. The heroine is intelligent, thoughtful, and can rescue herself. This book seemingly has everything most sci fi romances do not - the only problem is that it is very light on the romance. It is more a story of a group of earthlings escaping from bad aliens. I loved the story and greatly admire the author for her imagination and excellent writing skills. I could have easily rated this book 5 stars if there had been more focus on the relationship. As it is, this is a great story. If you like sci fi with a lot of action, I highly recommend this book. If you are looking for a sci fi with a heavy emphasis on romance, this might not be the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Action-Pack Romance
Review: This is one of the most realistic romance books I have ever read. The suspense is a real kicker and will not let you put this one down. The Courage Laws will really make you examine yourself.

Jordon & Kao are both strong characters that are thrown together unexpectedly. Kao, an ex-POW in a zombie state, his only purpose in life"--clear his father's name" and Jordon, an airline pilot, just wants 2 weeks vacation and to keep her promise to her daughter "Boo". The two have the ideal 50/50 relationship. I agree with Barb (Jordon's mother) "No matter how strong a woman is, she deserves a strong man."

I've been waiting for the release of this book and definitely have not been disappointed. Susan Grant, one of my favorite authors, has done it again!!!! My only question is: When will the movie be released?

Rating:
Summary: Contact is pure gilded fiction!
Review: United Airlines First Officer Jordan Cady never dreamt that flight 58 might be her last-on Earth, that is. When the plane is apparently swallowed in mid flight, the first thought that goes through Jordan's, the Captains, and other crewmembers mind is a highjacking. Flashes of 9/11 and terrorist cross all of their minds, bringing instantaneous safety precautions to the forefront. The fear of what they're facing, and then the reality of facing what can only be aliens, brings about the death of the Captain of flight 58, immediately throwing Jordan into the lead role. She takes up the reins beautifully, determined to find out what exactly is going on, and what she, her crew, and passengers can do to save themselves. When the aliens try to breach the aircraft, Jordan, with the help of her crew and some passengers, fight in the only way open to them-resulting in injury to some, and eventually the capture of the alien who appears to be in charge. Answers are what Jordan is after-not harming anyone.

Kao Vantaar-Moray has been traveling with his adopted father, Commander-elite Ilya Moray; on his ship The Savior, recuperating after returning from being a POW in the war with the Talagars. The Savior is a perimeter patrol ship, created to patrol and protect the borders. Kao is scarred both physically and mentally from his POW experience, and after being stripped of his military rank and honor, is still floundering for what he's meant to do now. So his father, Commander Moray, puts him in charge of the 'refugees' they've rescued from Earths apparent destruction. Kao is determined to do an incredible job, garnering his father back the utmost respect he'd lost when Kao disgraced him. What Kao doesn't plan on is finding the appointed Captain Cady a courageous, incredible woman who draws him despite the language barrier that exists. She's determined to fight for her people's protection, no matter what the odds. He's immediately attracted, and drawn to this strong woman, whom he senses has struggles of her own going on inside. He's drawn to the refugees as a whole-his senses and emotions come alive watching them experience their new beginnings in what they've dubbed 'New Earth'.

Jordan is a heroine who is struggling with the apparent loss of her child, and while she's grieving inside, she struggles to hide her own emotions and put her crew and passengers first and foremost. She finds herself feeling guilty for being drawn to Kao, and even for experiencing almost happy feelings with him when her daughter, Boo, is dead. Sue Grant has captured the essence of grief and perseverance that many of us know is real life. We feel the emotions-from joy to despair-that Jordan feels on her quest to find out the truth, and we fall in love with the tall, dark, Kao-who's just learning what love is himself-right along with her. Throwing in some twists and turns that will surprise, and even anger you for Kao, Ms. Grant has delivered 110%.

Sue Grant has chosen to start this story off with some moving moments that bring back memories of 9/11 vividly-and she does it in such a way that it makes you feel proud and chilled all at the same time. Ms. Grants experience as an airline pilot herself shines through, and she does the genre proud. This was an incredibly, not to be missed trip through unknown worlds-her words are so vivid they paint a clear picture, to the point I almost forgot I was reading fiction. For romance lovers and sci fi lovers alike-we've struck gold! Contact is pure gilded fiction!

Rating:
Summary: superb military science fiction romance
Review: United Airlines Flight 58 is making its normal run from Honolulu to San Francisco when the plane's blip suddenly vanishes from the traffic control radar system. The follow-up search proves worthless since no wreckage, debris, or bodies are found. The government concludes that the Pacific swallowed up the entire crashed jet. The family of flight crew First Officer Jordan Cady mourns their loss except for her daughter Boo who believes her mother still lives somewhere in air.

The Alliance starship "Savior" patrols their territory perimeter on alert for Talagar invaders. Savior "swallowed" the 747, but not before a global catastrophe occurred. The starship commander dispatches his adopted son, Kào Vantaar-Morey, to meet with the plane's survivors. The commander hopes that interfacing with the frightened earthlings will lift Kào spirits from being a Talagar POW for two years and having suffered the worst defeat in the Alliance's war with the Talagar Empire. Though she feels he abducted her and he believes they rescued her, Kào and Jordan begin to fall in love. However, neither knows the truth that will soon test their loyalties to their respective people.

CONTACT is a superb military science fiction romance loaded with action that will persuade the reader that a real interstellar war is ongoing. Talk about star-crossed romances, the attraction between the vulnerable lead duet is smoothly facilitated though his demons and her mourning for Boo should have hindered their love from growing. Still Ms. Grant provides a strong tale that cross genre fans will rank as a star fleet commander.

Harriet Klausner