Flight of the Valkyrie

Was he losing his mind? Or his heart?

Available at Amazon.com

Flight of the Valkyrie
Jennifer Colgan
ebook, Smashwords, 135 pages
Published February 2nd 2011 by Smashwords
ISBN 9781458127631

Arrested for the murder of thirty members of the High Council of the planet Carnelia, Sienna McCade could face a hundred years in cryogenic suspension, the maximum punishment allowable by Galactic law. Jordan Dane is the Courier assigned to transport Sienna’s cryo-stasis tube to a prison ship, where she will remain until her trial.

When his ship crashes and Jordan is injured, he finds himself at the mercy of the beautiful assassin who has managed to escape from the broken stasis tube. He knows he owes her a debt of gratitude for saving his life, but he can’t ignore his mission. Should he deny his growing feelings for her and turn her over to the authorities, or risk everything to help her prove her innocence and spare her a hundred years in cryo sleep?

This book has been on my TBR since 2011, and was actually a gift from The Unbrkyn Wyld. Look, Redd, I finally got around to reading it!

Jordan Dane is a courier for the Protecorate, a middle man between the bounty hunter and the courts, trusted with what would be considered dangerous cargo if such felons were able to be awake for the ride.

His most recent package is Sienna McCade, charged with the murders of the High Council of Carnelia. Currently in cryogenic sleep, awaiting delivery for her trial, Sienna is oblivious to her circumstances, and that of the perilous trip she's about to be dragged into.

When Jordan's ship takes on a pirate attack, he's left spiraling towards a moon inhabited by an anti-tech tribe. Crash landing, Jordan's left unconscious and slowly bleeding to death. Luckily, or not, Sienna's chamber happened to malfunction during the ride. If not for the damage the ship took on during the attack, she would have suffocated to death. Alas, the chamber took on a blow that forced it to release its captive and Sienna emerged from her prison in time to care for her wounded jailer.

When Jordan awakens, he's left not only shocked to still have Sienna there with him (instead of her hightailing it to freedom) but equally mystified by the amount of care she has for his well being. She tends his wounds, feeds him, and shows absolutely no desire to flee his presence.

Jordan and Sienna are two characters who are perfect for and to each other. With a well lain respect and blossoming yet fragile trust at the forefront of their meeting, the two bond on mild bickering and acceptance of the other's plight. Sienna knows her claim of innocence matters nothing to Jordan's duty to deliver her to justice, and she doesn't actively try to sway him otherwise. Mostly because her growing amnesia keeps her from offering any valid argument that would support his dereliction.

Meanwhile, Jordan finds himself fighting to remember she's a prisoner, set to be tried for thirty counts of murder, while constantly finding appreciation for not only her beauty but her intelligence, playfulness, and sympathetic regard. When he ultimately decides to ally himself in her quest for the truth that will set her free, it's a choice made without coercion on her part. She deserves his help, and he cares enough to give it.

He placed her palm over his heart and held it there above the rhythmic drum beat. "That's you," he told her as he kissed her forehead. "That's you."

This book is for any romantic thrilled at the experience of two good people falling effortlessly in love.

4.5 out of 5 stars.