WARLORD'S DAUGHTER by Susan Grant

Well, it's better late than never. That's what I always say. I've been trying to get this review out since the book hit the shelves last March. What can I say? My brain was stewed in pregnancy hormones. Anyway, here 'tis.

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WARLORD'S DAUGHTER is the second in the Borderlands trilogy. You may remember MOONSTRUCK, which recently garnered a RITA nomination for Best Paranormal Romance. This is Space Opera, Folks. You'll find the Borderlands universe a comfortable hang-out for the likes of Han Solo. Earth is the new kid on the block in this universe. TheDraakan and the Coalition were battling it out for a looong time before the plasma sword-wielding Queen Keira got lucky with a self-proclaimed human prince in MY FAVORITE EARTHLING. Then, peace was declared which Admiral Brit Bander found rather annoying in MOONSTRUCK until she got lucky with a hunky tatooed Draakan dude. Now Wren, the Warlord's Daughter, is on the run and every bounty hunter in the galaxy's turning the place upside down huntinger her down.

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Wren's dad was one bad jackass, kind of like Hitler, but with offspring. He kept Wren a secret because it was so humiliating for him to sire a daughter first. Later, he figured she'd make a good gambling prize. So, while she was still just a girl fumbling for her glasses, he paraded her out for the other warlords to bid on.

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Aral's dad wasn't a good candidate for the Father of the Year award either. Aral happens to be there with Wren is paraded out. It's love at first sight, but he can't let on or his jackass-dad won't let him have her. As it works out, the two are betrothed but don't see each other again until they grow up.

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Shortly after growing up, peace is declared at the Warlord is offed by heroes in a previous novel. Suddenly, everyone who ever hated him is out to punish his daughter for his atrocities, which, of course, is stupid. But, then, violent, angry people aren't known for their intelligence, obviously.

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Sabra (Wren's Commando Nanny, woo-hoo!) has protected Wren as best she knew how for as long as she could. When the time comes to hit the road, she takes the hit (kinda like Obi Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, the mentor must die for the student to grow) and Wren is suddenly alone in the galaxy, disguised as a refugee with every Bobo Fett out to get her.

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Aral is called upon to hunt down Wren so she can be destroyed, but, of course, he wants to find her for his own reasons.

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Meanwhile, Hadley, who served under Admiral Bander in MOONSTRUCK, has command of her own ship. I enjoyed her a lot more in this book, in fact. Her battle simulation was beautifully written and I was quite jealous because I've written space battles and they are dang hard to write. It was also great to read how Admiral Bander was doing. Hadley's been called upon to find the Warlord's Daughter too.

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And so Aral does find Wren and all heck breaks loose. He's convinced they're already married. She sees marriage as a prison and with good reason after the way she grew up. Plus, she wants to find a stunning treasure and she wants to find it before the bad guys who are hunting her. Oy, what a mess.

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You can always count on a wild ride in the stories of Susan Grant. She's one of the most original storytellers allowed in the New Release aisle. Pop on over to her website to learn more- http://susangrant.com/

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P.S. A little birdie (actually, her blog) just told me her next novel, a lady space pirate story, has a title now.

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P.S.S. Susan just posted a sneak-peak scene from her lady space pirate novel, SUREBLOOD, on her blog. Pop on over and check it out- http://susangrant.blogspot.com/