Masters Shipping runs the most reliable fleet in the
galaxy. Family-run for two generations, Masters offers its
customers safe and timely transport for their goods. As the
youngest of seven children and the only girl, Torrie
Masters has had to fight hard to keep her overprotective
male relatives from, well, overprotecting her. Torrie
finally convinces her brothers to give her a command and a
chance to prove herself.
On her maiden voyage, Torrie is boarded and her cargo is
stolen by pirates. The Ghost Riders of the Dead Zone left
Torrie with an empty ship and egg on her face. Instead of
reporting the hijacking to authorities, she takes matters
into her own hands and decides she'll recover the stolen
goods herself. If she's successful, her brothers need never
find out about the boarding and theft.
Following her cargo by means of trackers she planted in the
containers, Torrie tails the pirates to Wryth Spaceport,
home to the scum of the galaxy, the place outlaws come to
socialize and do their business outside of the law. Once on
Wryth, Torrie is kidnapped and sold as a slave to the very
pirate who boarded her ship and stole her cargo. A fierce
battle of wills is about to take place. Torrie is sure
she'll come out the victor. But as time goes by, she finds
she's not only in danger of losing her command and cargo,
but also her heart.
A former slave himself, Qaade Deter buys Torrie only to
save her from the slavers of Wryth. He knows only too well
that once sold, a slave can disappear into oblivion. Qaade
isn't about to let that happen to the fiery redhead.
Especially since he knows he's responsible for her
appearance on Wryth in the first place. Qaade has been
pirating ships and cargo to fund Slipstream, a network he
has in place to rescue and relocate slaves. Torrie's ship
contains medical supplies the pirates desperately need for
their operation. However, when they open her cargo, they
find something else -- a dangerous drug hidden inside the
containers. This drug's only use is to "scrub" or destroy
the memories of slaves. The "scrubbing" disorients its
victims and makes them pliable and easy to control. Furious
about this, Qaade confronts Torrie, who's stunned to learn
she was transporting the illegal drugs. Now, more than her
precious pride and her family's reputation are at stake.
Realization that they've been unwittingly aiding the
slavers drives her into action. The pirate and the captain
make a formidable team as they take on Torrie's client -- a
madman determined not only to hold onto his profitable
operation, but also to take down Qaade and Torrie as part
of an endgame only he knows the rules to.
Barry's latest novel in her futuristic UN series is the
perfect blend of sci-fi and romance. It's an exciting romp
through deep space with a sexy pirate and a ship's captain
just woman enough to take him on. A strong cast of
secondary characters rounds out this engaging novel.
To the merchants he plunders, he’s the Ghost Rider of the
Dead Zone. To sector law enforcement, he’s a wanted pirate.
To the slaves he rescues, he’s the savior, laghato. To one
determined female, Qaade Deter is serious trouble.
Torrie Masters had heard of the legendary raider, but she’d
never expected to encounter him. Nor would she have expected
that beneath his black mask lurked an enticing man destined
to challenge her in ways she couldn’t shoot her way out of.
But a great threat has emerged—one that’s left no choice but
for them to join forces. Entrusted with the fate of
thousands, Torrie has discovered Qaade’s impossible dream.
Only she has the power to help him. Only she has the power
to see him...UNMASKED.