Award-Winning Fantasy/Romance Novels
In the Light of the Passing: Book 1
by K.C. Berg
In Book 1, a young commander is torn from his people and his home. An ancient warship attacks his scoutship, setting him and his crew adrift. Eventually, the damaged scoutship is able to make a crash-landing on another planet, but Commander Shance Delray has been separated from his people at a crucial period in time. An asteroid has inpacted with Grahba—the planet he'd called home. Fearing the evacuation he helped planned may have failed—and that his people have died in the impact, Shance must force himself to push the fate of his people out of his mind. Eager for a distraction from his loss, Shance is soon drawn into a political struggle on another world.
The miners beneath the city of Sarzan are planning a revolt. Commander Vallance, who owns the mines, suspects that an uprising is forthcoming. To permanently eliminate the threat, he sets off a series of explosions in the mining tunnels—effectively cutting off the air supply to those trapped within. To add to his crime, he seals his own daughter inside the mines prior to the explosions. Openly sympathetic to the miners' fate, she is a threat to his leadership. With her death so orchestrated, Vallance will soon be free to find a 'suitable' heir to continue his reign.
Commander Shance, who was trained as a fighter pilot in his youth, agrees to fly to Sarzan and assists in freeing the miners. He serves the new cause well, but his loyalty is tested when he learns he was deceived to gain his cooperation. His own people are alive and have been safely evacuated to the planet of Haleen. Learning this truth forces Shance to make a hard decision. By this time, he has already fallen in love with Nadeena, Vallance's daughter, who he helped rescue from the mines. Should Shance return to his people and leave Nadeena—and his heart—behind? Can he?
Shance has 21 days to make up his mind. The time of the Passing has arrived—an annual period of intense heat and drought that forces Sarzan to keep its force shield activated, thereby sealing the city. No ships may come or go. To further complicate the situation, one of the head miners also has feelings for Nadeena and has succeeded in alienating the girl from the young commander. In a very short time, the Passing will end and Shance can leave. Can Shance undo the damage and win Nadeena back? Should he even try? The choice must be made. Will Shance go to Haleen and rejoin a people who have long since given him up for dead, or will he listen to his heart and stay?
Before the Passing ends, both Shance and Nadeena will learn the meaning of commitment, the power of destiny, and the strength—as well as the fear—that lies buried in the human heart.
"An ingenious work of fiction and romance!", Manuela Pop, www.BookPleasures.com
" . . . nearly slept through a college class because of it. It's that enjoyable. Definitely a novel to read," Yoli the Wanderer, Pennsylvania, USA
" . . . I was unable to put it down. This story is very well written and I found myself laughing and crying as it unfolded," J. L. Beaumia, Wisconsin, USA
"This story has it all . . . I think almost anyone would enjoy this adventure of the human spirit," Jeanne B., Wisconsin
"I couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one sitting. This story has it all, fantasy, romance, political struggle, good versus evil, suffering, destiny. I fell in love with the cast of characters Shance, Nadeena, Rotek, Teggs, Doff and Challey. I can hardly wait for book 2." Stacey Kannenberg, Co-author, "Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten!", Freedonia, WI
This is a captivating story, one you cannot easily lay down. I like this book. I found it entertaining. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys romance and science fiction. Debra Gaynor, www.readerviews.com
A Fantastic Read! December 31, 2006
"In The Light Of The Passing" was a book that I thought would take me forever to read. You see, I am not a fan of science fiction. However, the characters in this book are so alive and vibrant that they captured my heart from the moment I met them. Shance and Nadeena are two people who you care about from the beginning. You will be heard pressed to put this book down.
K. C. Berg has penned a novel that fairly bursts from the pages. The hero/heroine immediately draw you into their stories. A fast moving, full of action novel that has you cheering for each person to find their "happily ever after".
This story is full of intrigue as well as many twists and turns. A beautifully written book that holds you in its clutches until the last page. A page turner where the action doesn't stop . . .
My congratulations to K. C. Berg! This is definitely a keeper.
Reviewer: Cindy Oldham (Kissimmee, FL USA)
