Finders Keepers    by Linnea Sinclair Order:  USA  Can Spectra, 2005 (2005) Paperback, e-Book     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Trilby Elliot lives to salvage and is one of the best pilots around. She isn't happy when she finds herself parked on a swamp planet making much-needed repairs. However, things look up when a ship careens from the sky and crash lands not far from her location. She and her droid, Dezi, head for the wreck, intent on salvaging any useful parts. They end up with more than they bargained for, in the form of an injured and very masculine Rhis Vanur, who claims he's on the run from the 'Sko, the insect-like enemies of the empire. After a short-lived escape attempt, Rhis makes amends for manhandling Trilby by initiating impressive repairs and upgrades to the ship's ancient systems. Soon they're heading back to Port Rumor, where a much-needed job is waiting for Trilby. In short order the truth comes out as to who Rhis really is, and his position within the empire. Trilby is soon regarding him in the same unflattering manner as some of his sub-ordinates. Worse, the 'Sko have not only kidnapped two of Trilby's closest friends, but there's also a 'kill order' on both her and Rhis's head. He understands why his many enemies might want him dead, but in Trilby's case, it's something of a mystery. Determined to find out exactly what is going on, and to find her lost friends, Trilby joins forces with Rhis to track down the answers - and of course sort through their feelings for one another - while all the while dodging possessive ex-boyfriends, intergalactic threats, political wheeling-and-dealing, and very nasty space villains who'll do just about anything to get what they want. This is just the thing for anyone who has a soft spot for a good old-fashioned space opera. The characters are well rounded and believable, especially Rhis. His real persona is cold, hard, immovable, and arrogant - the ice wouldn't melt on his masculine brow kind of guy. But Sinclair works around that over-used stereotype by showing Rhis's many vulnerabilities (which now include Trilby). Trilby and Rhis both work very hard to deny their feelings after their single night together. Particularly Trilby. She drums up all sorts of (often humorous) reasons as to why she should hate the 'arrogant, imperial, insufferable bastard's' guts. It's clear that Linnea Sinclair had fun writing this story and anyone who picks up Finders Keepers will have a great time reading it. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more SF books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews