Tuesday, October 28, 2008

ARC Review: Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair

Title: Hope's Folly

Author: Linnea Sinclair

Published: February 2009

Genre: Romance, Science Fiction

Stand Alone/Series: Book 3
Book 1: Gabriel's Ghost
Book 2: Shades of Dark

From the Author Site: Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a rag-tag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be, if he can reach his command ship—the intriguingly named Hope’s Folly—alive. Not much can rattle Philip’s legendary cool—but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She’s the daughter of his best friend and first commander—a man who died while under Philip’s command, and whose death is on Philip’s conscience.

Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly-minted rebel leader, who it seems has just become her new commanding officer? And will she still be willing follow him through the jaw of hell once she learns the truth about her father’s death?


Plot: The story opens with Admiral Philip Guthrie getting ready to assume command of his new flagship, Hope’s Folly, once known as the imperial Styker-class cruiser the Alric Stockwell turned fruit freighter after decommissioning, as the new and only admiral of the Alliance. Admiral Guthrie arrives at Kirro Station and runs into former ImpSec Sub-Lieutenant Rya Talyor Bennton and with her help escapes on board a shuttle bound for Seth Shipyard and Hope’s Folly. Once aboard they must get Hope’s Folly up and running and get to Ferrin in order to have hope for the future Alliance. While battling the endless number of system problems on the ship, both Phillip and Rya fight a more personal battle of attraction.

Hero: Admiral Philip Guthrie was totally not what I expected. After reading Gabriel’s Ghost, I thought stodgy was the best description for him. After Shades of Dark, he was a bit more interesting but not hero material to me. But in reading this book he became the "long-lost always-forever dream hero" one always hopes for but very rarely encounters.

Heroine: Rya “the Rebel” Talyor Bennton is a no nonsense, ass kicking, and stubborn weapons toting woman. There is so much to like about her, her constant internal thoughts about her weight (would like to drop 30 pounds, like who wouldn’t), her no nonsense attitude and pride in her work makes her very easy to relate to.

Review: Those who have enjoyed Linnea's many other wonderful books will definitely enjoy this one as well. She, once again, has written a wonderful hero, a strong heroine and a suspenseful action filled story that grabs the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go until the very end. I just don't know how Linnea Sinclair does it but this is sure to be another best-seller.

The romance was a slow burner with an explosive finale. For most of the book, Rya and Philip fight their rising attraction. For her, he is her “long-lost always-forever dream hero” from her youth but now is her commanding officer whom she is determined to protect from all harm and besides that she thinks that he does not find her attractive. For him, she’s the daughter of a friend who’s death sits heavy on his soul and a subordinate who is 16 years his junior that he has sworn to protect even from himself. But as they enter a life or death struggle, their attraction bursts into flames. Their burning looks and intense attraction has the “paint peeling off the walls”!

In addition to writing a wonderful hero/heroine pair, Linnea has included many wonderful secondary characters. Captain Folly, the ship’s namesake, plays a supporting role but is definitely a star that shine. Lieutenant Constantine Welford is another that I hope we will see more of in the future along with Sparks, the chief engineer. And let’s not forget “Mr. Nice Ass” Alek Dillon on the list of hoped for future appearance.

Keeper?: Definitely

Recommendation: Would recommend that reader read Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark first, but isn't necessary to follow the storyline or to enjoy this wonderfully crafted tale.

Rating: 4.5 of 5

17 comments:

KT Grant said...

So, which Sinclair hero do you prefer more? Sully or Philip?

Shaymless Aymless said...

Hmm... Hard to say they are quite different...

I feeling a bit wicked today so today it's Sully! *g*

Carolyn Crane said...

OMG! Phillip's story! great review. How did you get this ARC??? No, I don't want to know.

Shaymless Aymless said...

CJ: And he's awful yummy too! Much yummy then you would expect. ~_^

Pauline said...

I need to become a reviewer! Very much looking forward to Hope's Folly!

Anonymous said...

I had the special opportunity to read an ARC of FOLLY, too. I totally agree with your assessment of Philip. I didn't like him in GG, I thought he was arrogant. But I fell totally in love with him by the time I finished FOLLY. The facts that he is brave, funny, finds Rya's curvy figure to be sexy and beautiful, and is willing to work along side his crew are all hero traits. "Rebel" Rya is an incredible woman. She is amazingly brave and totally focused on her mission. She is not unlike Chaz, and yet the two women are very unique in their own ways. This is a special book. It will go onto my keeper shelf right next to all of Linnea's other books!

Anonymous said...

Sounds great, I can hardly wait to read it myself! Like others posting here, I keep all of Linnea's books to reread.

Jace said...

Great review! :-D Another definite winner from Linnea!

Jody W. and Meankitty said...

Thanks for the early review. Of course, I would have gotten this one anyway, but it's still nice to know how much you enjoyed it!

Jody W.

JC Jones said...

Look forward to the book. Luck you getting to read it early.

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite books and not just because I had a hand helping create it (working with Linnea is an amazing experience). And oh yea, Rya!!! Let's just say I have a lot of walls to repaint in my house.
Great review Amy!

A. Mikey

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for this book, and I will also be putting it on my keeper shelf with my other signed Linnea Sinclair books.
BTW, Aymless, you have some typos in your review that you might want to fix, including making 'weapons' posessive when it is not. Also I think the sentence is supposed to read ' her constant internal thoughts about her weight" and you forgot the about. There are also other words missing and a few s' on the end of words.

Shaymless Aymless said...

Yup this is definitely a keeper!

Anon: Thanks for the corrects. *sigh* Thinking faster than I can type once more. Can I blame it on the fact that English is my second language (not that I can remember any of my first *g*)?

Heather Massey said...

Great review! Thanks for bringing attention to such an eagerly anticipated book. I can't wait for Phillip & Rya's story either.

I must say also that I really like this title a lot--I think it's my favorite one of all.

Frances said...

Aymless, you did a great job. I can hardly wait to read HOPE'S FOLLY. Thanks.

Frances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future
http://frances-writes.blogspot.com/

Pauline said...

I have such admiration for people who step up and review books. Not easy to do!

Heather Massey said...

[...]Linnea Sinclair’s eagerly anticipated book HOPE’S FOLLY, and here’s an early review![...]

 

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