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Shielder #4
Shadow Crossing
Celie Cameron has spent her most of her life as a smuggler, skirting the law. She’s given that up for more legal delivery runs, but she misses the adrenaline rush of danger. When a routine delivery goes haywire, throwing her into the company of a handsome pilot—an android, or so she thinks—Celie finds herself embroiled in galaxy-spanning intrigue and deception.
The android, Rurick, is a miracle creation. Because of past experiences, Celie has avoided relationships with men. But she finds herself attracted to Rurick, feeling safe to indulge in flirtation with a pseudo man. As they join forces to challenge an insidious threat to the populations of the Verante quadrant, the attraction between them grows.
But then Celie learns Rurick is actually a human—a royal prince—masquerading as an android, and all bets are off. He doesn’t agree, and ensures Celie is forced to work closely with him. They battle wits from a glittering royal palace to a shipwreck on a barren planet. Facing possible death, she can no longer deny her feelings—or the man. Together, they fight to bring light to a darkness every bit as depraved as the expanse of space known as . . . Shadow Crossing.
The android, Rurick, is a miracle creation. Because of past experiences, Celie has avoided relationships with men. But she finds herself attracted to Rurick, feeling safe to indulge in flirtation with a pseudo man. As they join forces to challenge an insidious threat to the populations of the Verante quadrant, the attraction between them grows.
But then Celie learns Rurick is actually a human—a royal prince—masquerading as an android, and all bets are off. He doesn’t agree, and ensures Celie is forced to work closely with him. They battle wits from a glittering royal palace to a shipwreck on a barren planet. Facing possible death, she can no longer deny her feelings—or the man. Together, they fight to bring light to a darkness every bit as depraved as the expanse of space known as . . . Shadow Crossing.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2003
13 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Spangler
11 books243 followersCatherine Spangler is a bestselling and award winning author of the Shielder series (futuristic romance)and the Sentinel Series (romantic urban fantasy). She is a two-time Golden Heart finalist and a RITA finalist and has received numerous other awards and honorable mentions.
She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and her local chapter, Dallas Area Romance Authors. A frequent speaker at writers' groups and conferences, she has taught workshops on the creative process, writing techniques, writing paranormal romance, and goal setting.
She lives in north Texas with her husband and a menagerie of critters. She loves reading, taking naps on the sofa with a good football game for background noise, eating chocolate, and playing poker.
Catherine's fun fact: I celebrated the sale of my first book, Shielder, by drinking champagne from a plastic cowboy boot mug. My critique partners brought four of them to my house, along with the champagne. Drinking champagne from those cowboy boot mugs every time one of us sold a book became a tradition, which we still honor.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 21, 2013
Beam me up Scotty, for I'm convinced there's no intelligent FEMALE life in this galaxy.
Ok. So you're making a delivery of goods to an unknown planet. The contact and you come under fire. You're forced to take shelter in his ship and leave in a hurry. Upon escape, you discover that one of the two men is an android - and the other is a crown prince. Do you...
A) assist in making repairs and negotiate a return for your ship at the earliest convenience
B) assist in making repairs and begin nagging and demanding that you be taken back for your ship.
When info comes in, forcing the owner of said ship to return home due to illness of the king and, you find out the prince was not the one you thought it was, do you...
A) accept that your needs are not nearly as important and that you are an unknown quality, therefore until it was no longer possible to maintain the ruse, you were on a need to know basis
B) Get pissy about being lied to and punch the prince
When, once planet-side, politics interfere with said Prince's arrangements for your return do you...
A) wait until either someone from your colony can fetch you or the ships the crown prince is giving your people leave for your colony
B) steal one of the royal fleet
When vastly annoyed said prince catches up to you, do you...
A) grovel and pray you don't lose your head for being a thief
B) get defensive, saying they can afford to lose a ship
If you answered B more than once, then perhaps you fall into the TSTL category, since self-preservation and the ability to realize that the person whose good will you're continuously abusing has the power to crush you.
Frankly, I'm amazed at the sheer idiocy of the heroine, and that she got away with it, repeatedly. She did get stunned by a guard after she punched him. He reprimanded the guard and *told her as much*.
Ok. So you're making a delivery of goods to an unknown planet. The contact and you come under fire. You're forced to take shelter in his ship and leave in a hurry. Upon escape, you discover that one of the two men is an android - and the other is a crown prince. Do you...
A) assist in making repairs and negotiate a return for your ship at the earliest convenience
B) assist in making repairs and begin nagging and demanding that you be taken back for your ship.
When info comes in, forcing the owner of said ship to return home due to illness of the king and, you find out the prince was not the one you thought it was, do you...
A) accept that your needs are not nearly as important and that you are an unknown quality, therefore until it was no longer possible to maintain the ruse, you were on a need to know basis
B) Get pissy about being lied to and punch the prince
When, once planet-side, politics interfere with said Prince's arrangements for your return do you...
A) wait until either someone from your colony can fetch you or the ships the crown prince is giving your people leave for your colony
B) steal one of the royal fleet
When vastly annoyed said prince catches up to you, do you...
A) grovel and pray you don't lose your head for being a thief
B) get defensive, saying they can afford to lose a ship
If you answered B more than once, then perhaps you fall into the TSTL category, since self-preservation and the ability to realize that the person whose good will you're continuously abusing has the power to crush you.
Frankly, I'm amazed at the sheer idiocy of the heroine, and that she got away with it, repeatedly. She did get stunned by a guard after she punched him. He reprimanded the guard and *told her as much*.
February 28, 2010
I cannot even begin to tell you all how wonderful this book is. I read all of them and this is by far, superior. Both the H/H were great and even if it has been a while since I've read it, I've been obsessively trying to buy it (within my means, of course). The action is great and so is the romance. After Shamara, which was sorely lacking, this made up for everything.
Celie, who was introduced in the first/second book (I don't know how to count it anymore, so I don't try), her sister's book, is older and takes care of the smuggling business. She's pretty good too. Rurick, is a Prince (or King, or something), who pretends to be the robot that is escorting him. (they look alike, because the robot was built that way) That's already pretty killer, in my book.
Seriously, read it. Its fun. You don't have to read the previous books, because the plot has changed some. If you want some background, go ahead, but I'm sure it will be painful to read Shamara. But don't skimp out.
Celie, who was introduced in the first/second book (I don't know how to count it anymore, so I don't try), her sister's book, is older and takes care of the smuggling business. She's pretty good too. Rurick, is a Prince (or King, or something), who pretends to be the robot that is escorting him. (they look alike, because the robot was built that way) That's already pretty killer, in my book.
Seriously, read it. Its fun. You don't have to read the previous books, because the plot has changed some. If you want some background, go ahead, but I'm sure it will be painful to read Shamara. But don't skimp out.
September 11, 2018
ugh, huge disappointment. I just could not buy into the whole ‘who’s the cyborg’ storyline.
March 25, 2013
Shadow Crossing is the fourth in the Shielder Series. I was delighted to read this one, since I have been looking forward to reading Celie's story. Celie Cameron grew up being a smuggler along side with her sister to survive, and skirting the law very frequently. Always on guard and looking over her shoulder. After finding a haven in Shamara and the new quadrant she finds life very....boring! She misses the excitement in her life that no longer exists. When she heads to her designated location to deliver some cargo, she finds her niece hiding, looking for adventure. Raven reminds Celie so much like herself, and knows that this delivery is important, so instead of returning Raven, she allows her to come along. However, when they arrive on the planet, and meet Max and his android Rurik. When they are suddenly attacked, Max and Rurik take the girls and escape on their ship. Rurik is portraying himself as a android as protection, since he really is a Prince of Jardonia. Max is really his android, and they switch places whenever they have to travel. However when Celie find out, she is beside herself. Both Celie and Rurik have a connection, a sensual one where sparks fly. Celie didn't know how that was possible him being a android. However when she learns of who he really is, she doesn't know where to turn.Thus continues a journey of two souls that were drawn together by danger, but will end in search for love.
I really enjoyed this one, it had a sense of mystery and intrigue behind it, that thrilled me throughout all of it. It kept me at the edge of my seat, biting my nails, wondering what was going to happen next to get my heart pounding. It was one of those where at first, it seems like everything is going well, until one things happens after another, and you are submerged in a dangerous plot that you don't know how to make it out alive and in one piece. Celie is a strong young woman, who has a criminal past and has done some acts she is ashamed of, an act that not even her sister knows about and has kept it secret. So even though she finds herself falling in love with this charming stranger, knowing all the while that they can never have a true future together, yet how can one woman resist such a man that sets her pulses racing? Rurik wants to get to the bottom of the problems that are being created within the sector, and plans on insisting that Celie come along with him. Rurik finds himself entranced by Celie and falling heads over heels in love with her. However in the middle of this book it flowed more slowly and I had a hard time getting through some parts, but as a whole it was a well written and enticing read!!!!
I really enjoyed this one, it had a sense of mystery and intrigue behind it, that thrilled me throughout all of it. It kept me at the edge of my seat, biting my nails, wondering what was going to happen next to get my heart pounding. It was one of those where at first, it seems like everything is going well, until one things happens after another, and you are submerged in a dangerous plot that you don't know how to make it out alive and in one piece. Celie is a strong young woman, who has a criminal past and has done some acts she is ashamed of, an act that not even her sister knows about and has kept it secret. So even though she finds herself falling in love with this charming stranger, knowing all the while that they can never have a true future together, yet how can one woman resist such a man that sets her pulses racing? Rurik wants to get to the bottom of the problems that are being created within the sector, and plans on insisting that Celie come along with him. Rurik finds himself entranced by Celie and falling heads over heels in love with her. However in the middle of this book it flowed more slowly and I had a hard time getting through some parts, but as a whole it was a well written and enticing read!!!!
February 13, 2016
As the Shielder books have been released in e-book form, I've been snatching them up. Why? Because they are romantic, adventurous and delightful! Shadow Crossing is no exception. Originally published in 2003, this book is being re-issued in e-book format.
If you have not read the first three books in the series, this next part is a spoiler. There, Celie meets Rurick, an android. An attack on Rurick forces the two to escape the planet together on Rurick's ship, along with Celie's stowaway friend Raven, and Rurick's look-alike associate Max.
From this point on, their agendas are at odds. Rurick needs to make a delivery and Celie just wants to get back to her ship. Circumstances keep them in close proximity to each other. The share a strong connection that each would deny for personal untold reasons.
At the same time Celie and Rurick are attempting to keep their distance, they are also working to unravel the threads of a scheme that appears to be perpetrated by respected rulers.
This Sci-Fi romance from Catherine Spangler is another memorable saga in the Shielder series. The plot is intriguing and the romance is warm and sweet. The passion of Celie and Rurick is lovely. They are the bright lights in a complicated universe and I was drawn to them. Raven and Max and their stories are equally entertaining and nicely round out this futuristic tale. Especially Max. Max should get his own story.
If you like Sci-Fi romance, I think you should give Shadow Crossing and the rest of the Shielder series a try.
I was delighted to receive an ARC of Shadow Crossing from Ms. Spangler in a fan appreciation giveaway!
If you have not read the first three books in the series, this next part is a spoiler. There, Celie meets Rurick, an android. An attack on Rurick forces the two to escape the planet together on Rurick's ship, along with Celie's stowaway friend Raven, and Rurick's look-alike associate Max.
From this point on, their agendas are at odds. Rurick needs to make a delivery and Celie just wants to get back to her ship. Circumstances keep them in close proximity to each other. The share a strong connection that each would deny for personal untold reasons.
At the same time Celie and Rurick are attempting to keep their distance, they are also working to unravel the threads of a scheme that appears to be perpetrated by respected rulers.
This Sci-Fi romance from Catherine Spangler is another memorable saga in the Shielder series. The plot is intriguing and the romance is warm and sweet. The passion of Celie and Rurick is lovely. They are the bright lights in a complicated universe and I was drawn to them. Raven and Max and their stories are equally entertaining and nicely round out this futuristic tale. Especially Max. Max should get his own story.
If you like Sci-Fi romance, I think you should give Shadow Crossing and the rest of the Shielder series a try.
I was delighted to receive an ARC of Shadow Crossing from Ms. Spangler in a fan appreciation giveaway!
May 1, 2012
Sci-Fi Romance-Suspense
This is part of a series, but can easily stand on it’s own as an independent novel. I LOVED the series and recommend that you read them in what ever order you choose. They will still make sense.
This is Celie’s story. Celie is a former smuggler bored with her new legal existence as a delivery pilot in her interstellar spaceship. She was making a routine delivery, until she discovers a stowaway. Then the delivery goes bad, and she’s forced to blast off planet as a refugee in total stranger ‘Max’s’ spaceship. Problems arise as she finds herself physically attracted to Max’s android “Rurick” and caught up in their investigation of a galaxy wide conspiracy to commit genocide.
I know I know, at first I was scared then relieved that it’s not one of those ucky android love novels. SPOILER: The Crown Prince was traveling incognito disguised as an android. Plus Celie has lots of bad history with men, and resists even the idea of being with a man, but she doesn’t mind ‘experimenting’ with what she believed to be an android.
Spangle is a page turner. I enjoy her work and really do recommend you buy the whole set. It doesn’t seem to be available on Kindle yet, but it’s worth ordering a copy and waiting on snail mail.
This is part of a series, but can easily stand on it’s own as an independent novel. I LOVED the series and recommend that you read them in what ever order you choose. They will still make sense.
This is Celie’s story. Celie is a former smuggler bored with her new legal existence as a delivery pilot in her interstellar spaceship. She was making a routine delivery, until she discovers a stowaway. Then the delivery goes bad, and she’s forced to blast off planet as a refugee in total stranger ‘Max’s’ spaceship. Problems arise as she finds herself physically attracted to Max’s android “Rurick” and caught up in their investigation of a galaxy wide conspiracy to commit genocide.
I know I know, at first I was scared then relieved that it’s not one of those ucky android love novels. SPOILER: The Crown Prince was traveling incognito disguised as an android. Plus Celie has lots of bad history with men, and resists even the idea of being with a man, but she doesn’t mind ‘experimenting’ with what she believed to be an android.
Spangle is a page turner. I enjoy her work and really do recommend you buy the whole set. It doesn’t seem to be available on Kindle yet, but it’s worth ordering a copy and waiting on snail mail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2010
The fourth book in the series, this was a definite a winner! And especially pleasing after reading Shamara (3rd Book), which was a disappointment. Celie, Moriah's younger sister and partner in her smuggling business, is another strong heroine, and Rurick was an excellent romantic pairing for her. Their adventures through space were exciting and the inclusion of an human-like android who looked just like Rurick was the best part of the story. Deceipt, fast paced adventure, romance, strong characters and lots of space time. Who can ask for more?
September 15, 2015
I really enjoyed the first three Shielder books, so I was a little surprised when I wasn't swept away with Celie, Rurick and their romance. It should tell me something when I wanted the android to have his own book and thought his boastfulness, snark and blunt observations were more interesting than the love play between the H/h. I'll consider this a minor detour off the path of Spangler's other great SFR reads in this series. I still avidly anticipate book #5.
April 12, 2015
Much better than the previous book. Great new male protagonist, in a brand new location with brand new problems. Many familiar faces make their cameo and gave me sweet memories of their stories.
April 7, 2015
Much better story this time.
I found this book much more interesting than the last one. It had a good plot and I found the characters much more real and not so much sex.
I found this book much more interesting than the last one. It had a good plot and I found the characters much more real and not so much sex.
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May 23, 2013Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews