Courtesan

by D.A. Boulter

Jaswinder Saroya believed that her research in the area of Hyperspace Field Theory would benefit everyone: Family Traders, the InterPlanetary Corporations, Earth's Colonies and governments alike. She erred in not considering commercial and political consequences. Now, someone wants to steal or bury her research and, perhaps, her with it. With no way to fight this unknown foe, Jaswinder knows she has but one chance—complete her research and publish. To do that, she has to stay alive and stay free. Pilot Johannes Yrden desires a courtesan, someone to keep him company on the 8 month trip to the planet Liberty and back. He wants someone not from the Yrden Family spaceship and to hell with his brother, Captain Matt Yrden, who believes the TransPlanetary Corporations will stock his line-up with spies. Yrden's plan runs afoul of circumstance, which throws him together with one 'Jazz Saro', a woman on the run. Forced to run with her, Yrden allows her to convince him to sign her on as courtesan. He needs a companion; she needs a ship, a place to hide. It seems a simple enough arrangement. Jaswinder thinks she's found her perfect solution: a hiding place in hyperspace, where she can complete her research using the ship as her laboratory. Unfortunately, she hasn't reckoned on the possibility of one of her pursuers booking passage, forcing her to maintain the fiction of her alias. The pilot's family, with troubles of their own, grow suspicious and it becomes apparent she cannot complete her research openly. That leaves her the choice: Do what she needs to do to in order to save Jaswinder's life or become Jazz Saro.

Genres: Science Fiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2010

About the author

D.A. Boulter hates talking about himself in the 3rd person. Finds it annoying.

Since my early school days, Science Fiction and Fantasy have intrigued me, starting with Heinlein, whose Starship Troopers I read in the middle 60s, long before I knew about the social and political themes it carried. My seminal year, though, came in 1974 when I got my hands on a copy of Frank Herbert's "Dune", which fascinated me with its depth and breadth. At that moment I knew SF&F had hooked me.

However, it took another ten years before I seriously considered writing my own material and another ten after that before I began writing in earnest. Now, with the advent of e-readers, I find myself in the very strange position of being a published author, rather than someone who wrote for himself only. It gratifies me that many have read and enjoyed my works. Thank you.

I've worked as a cook, a first-aid attendant, weather observer, radar operator and tech. I've worked in the city, in the woods, and in the Arctic. Just now, I find myself on the West Coast of Canada, with my feline companion -- one of a line of cats who have shared my writing moments (and interrupted them as well).

Reviews

[Nathan Lowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boulter does a great take on the "trade universe" with nods to Lee and Miller's Liadan Universe, but in a book that is all his own. The tension between the leads, the elements of danger, and the political intrigue all weave together to catch the reader.

Very nicely done.

And I like the new cover.

[Volpot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Good for a light read

[Maria Hammarblad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaswinder is a very devoted scientist, living her life happily engulfed in her work. So engulfed is she that she fails to pay attention to one thing; the financial interests of the powers that be. Before she knows what is happening, she has stumbled into danger's way, and finds herself on the run from people trying to capture her, or why not kill her while they're at it.

I stumbled upon "Courtesan" by accident, bought it, and started to read. As it so often is, real life got in between, and I had to put the book to the side after just a chapter or so. Then I forgot about it, until today when I found myself with time to spare and boredom creeping up. I thought, "Hey, why don't I take another look at that book I never finished." The next time I looked up, it was evening outside, and I wondered how I could have reached the last page already.

The book is excellent! The story is engaging, and has just the right balance between being cute and exciting. The characters are interesting, and feel real. I would love to know what more happens to Jaz and Johannes, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for a sequel!

I could say much more about the book, but right now, I'm going to scurry off to see if D.A. Boulter has written anything more!

[Bigal-sa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very refreshing to read a book that was as well edited and formatted for the Kindle as this one. I could actually read and enjoy the story without having to proofread it for errors (I only found two: 'andf' instead of 'and' and 'here, here' instead of 'hear, hear'.

The author has a really good writing style, which kept my attention throughout the book. However, I did feel the plot was rather contrived (the reason for 4*) - why did Jazz have to keep her past a secret once they were in deep space? and the reason for having the arch-villain on the flight was a bit over-the-top. Also, the author left me hanging as to what actually happened during Jazz's experimental hyperspace jump.

In spite of that, I would still recommend it.

Oh yes, in spite of the title, there are no sex scenes in the book at all :)

[Keith Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because Nathan Lowell, author of the Trader's Tales series, told me to. Well, not directly, but he did recommend it in a blog post so I bought it from Kindle store.

This was a very enjoyable story with a believable world and heroine. The interactions of the trader families and the big corporations was rather more competitive than in the Trader's tales, but it was still an interesting environment. The interactions within the trading family that is a big part of the story is also very dynamic and provide for a lot of conflict (as most family relations do!)

I would also recommend this and am sure I'll be reading more from this author.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book reads like a season of some sci-fi TV series, and indeed would fit in seamlessly with shows like 'Firefly'. Engrossing world filled with interesting characters that are actually human and likeable, this is a really enjoyable sci-fi tale that leaves you wanting more by the end of the book.

Doesn't quite have the epic feel of a classic, but a really enjoyable read nevertheless.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick read. However, I kind of had trouble in believing some of the aspects. Primarily that the hero felt anything for the heroine (although it's a shortish story so that may be it) and the slight irratance of a stupidly bad case of academic ivory towers syndrome.

I liked it, but it felt so unfinished and unresolved to me. So, a 3 to 3.5 stars.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well written space opera

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. Kind of fun space book that is a quick read and has a satisfying ending.