Shamara (Shielder Series, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Catherine Spangler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

In this third book of the award-winning SHIELDER series, Jarek san Ranul wages a desperate battle to ensure his people's survival and lead them to shamara--to sanctuary. His quest leads him to the most intriguing woman he's ever met, one who challenges his sole commitment to duty and honor. On the run from a mighty warlord, Eirene Kane is fighting her own battles--to elude those pursuing her, to keep secret her rare psychic abilities, and to avoid emotional entanglement with the handsome and charismatic Jarek. Yet their paths and their hearts become inexticably bound as they face unforeseen perils and discover ageless spiritual truths, as they seek . . . shamara.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A futuristic romance that will make the reader laugh, cry and sigh, SHAMARA has all the earmarkings of a keeper. -- Leslie Tramposch, PNR Reviews

A superb, fast-paced, passionate adventure. This is story telling at its best. -- Christine Feehan, bestselling author of the

Ms. Spangler masterfully takes readers into an enchanting world. In this magical tale, she delivers sheer delight. -- 4-1/2 STARS from Romantic Times Magazine, September 2001

From the Inside Flap

FREEDOM: In a universe of darkness and depravity, the Shielders battled to stay one step ahead of the vengeful Controllers. Their survival depended upon the quest of one man.

TO LIVE--Jarek san Ranul had found evidence of a wormhole, a vortex to another galaxy; escape from those who sought the destruction of his race was at hand. But when his search produced the most intriguing woman he'd ever met, he found he wanted something more than duty and honor.

TO LOVE--On the run from a mighty warlord, Eirene Kane had to protect her identity. She was an Enhancer, one of a genetic few with a powerful gift. Then her flight hurled her into the arms of Jarek, a man who both stole her heart and uncovered her perilous secret. And though she knew she should flee, Eirene found herself yearning for both the man and the one thing he claimed would free them forever . . . shamara.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell; Reprint edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 050552452X
• ISBN-13: 978-0505524522
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheilders, Shadowers, Enhancers, Oh MY!, November 29, 2001

By 

Kathy Boswell (Beaufort, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shamara (Shielder Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Catherine Spangler is a genius! Her SHIELDER series is just brilliant! I looked for the first book of this marvelous series forever and finally Catherine sent it to me herself when she asked me to review SHADOWER, the second book of this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this whole series and SHAMARA is no exception.

SHAMARA is the story of Jarek san Ranul and Eirene Kane and what a story it is! This story takes us all over the galaxy and back again. Eirene is an Enhancer but she does everything in her power to try to hide the fact. Controllers have already wiped out the Enhancer population but a few still pop up every now and again. When Jarek suspects what Eirene is, he tries his best to get her to help but she's denied the fact that she is an Enhancer for so long she refuses and tells him he's mistaken. Unfortunately circumstances are working against Eirene and time is of the essence to Jarek. Jarek cannot let the Controllers wipe out any more Shielder colonies. It is just too heartbreaking to hear about another whole colony being decimated without one survivor. Pretty soon the Shielder population will be as non-existent as the Enhancer population. Can Jarek finally convince Eirene to help him and can they eventually admit their love for each other? What will Eirene do when she finds out that Jarek killed her father? How will Jarek tell her that her father was a traitor to the Shielder population and an evil man and that Jarek had to kill him so he wouldn't kill another Shielder.

This world that Catherine Spangler has created is as real to me as it can be. The characters are amazing and the fact that I can visit all of the beloved characters over again in each and every book is just a bonus in my opinion. Even though each story is a stand alone, the books are all that much better when they are read together! I eagerly look forward to Catherine Spangler's next book. Courtesy of The Best Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence, November 14, 2001

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shamara (Shielder Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Women on Travan are only good either for breeding purposes or for trading for goods and services. Eirene Kane had hoped to escape those fates because she's a gifted healer, but her uncle has other plans for her. He's going to barter her virginity for a trade route. Eirene can't let that happen; it would only be a matter of time before her betrothed discovered that she's an Enhancer. So she stows away on a passing ship traveling to Saron. There she seeks employment as a courtesan, planning to rid herself of her irksome virginity quickly to make her worthless as trade fodder for her uncle. She'll use her gifts as an Enhancer to make the encounter swift, and then be on her way. Too bad her client seems immune to her mind manipulations.

Jarek san Ranul stands as the guardian between his people and extension. His people are Shielders, genetically resistant to the Controllers' mind manipulation. He's found a wormhole that possibly leads to Shamara, meaning sanctuary, for his people. Jarek believes that Enhancers, a race now believed to be extinct, had the ability to use a portal to travel to other galaxies. With such a heavy burden always with him, Jarek has never sought a relationship with a woman. Sick to death of being alone, he allows himself to be talked into a visit to the Pleasure Dome for a night of warmth and comfort in a woman's arms. He's stunned to learn the woman is a virgin. But an assignation attempt proves the woman to have the very gifts he seeks to aid his people.

SHAMARA by Catherine Spangler is an outstanding read. With the perfect blend of psychic gifts, space travel and old fashioned romance, Spangler creates a novel readers will find impossible to put down. Eirene proves her extraordinary valor time and again as she puts other's needs ahead of her own. Likewise, Jarek's concern for the survival of his people is only outshined by his concern for Eirene, a difficult balance indeed. Furthermore, the secondary story of the dangerous Leor Commander Gunnar juxtaposed by the lighthearted courtesan Lani, the "blue-feather lady" from the Pleasure Dome, provides comic relief for an otherwise very intense story. This fast paced plot with its wonderful secondary plot line will please previous fans in addition to earning many new ones. The carefully balanced characterizations and action make SHAMARA a Winner of the WordWeaving Award of Excellence.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best world building futuristic romance book, April 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Shamara (Shielder Series, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Shamara" is one of the few well written world building futuristic romance books. Of Spanglers first 4 books, "Shamara" is the best book in the series.

Some authors believe that to be a Futuristic, all you need are some lasers and space ships. That is not what a futuristic sci-fi world is all about.

In "Shamara", Spangler describes: Eirine's world on Travern, where the women are like slaves; the culture of the Leors; life of a prostitue in a Pleasure Dome; the genocide of Enhancers & Shielders; the mental powers of the Enhancers & Shielders; laranxs; smugglers; alien enemies & bounty hunters; the Shens on Aldon; and much more.

There was a discussion on the Paranormal Romance Lists that if you take out the sci-fi out of a futuristic romance, can the story work, or is it really just another romantic plot that could be placed in any time period. This is one book that is truly a futuristic, it would not be able to exist if there were not any sci-fi elements. Spangler surpasses herself by creating a richly detailed universe.

Not only was the sci-fi level in this book great, but as a romance, it had just the right touch of angst, love, and loyalty.

Jarek, is a sympathetic hero, and although he is not a complete Alpha male, he will take control and do anything in his desperation to save the extermination of his people. Eirene, the heroine, loves him for his sincerity and loyalty to his race.

Both H/H were very fleshed out 3 dimensional characters. The reader could understand both characters emotions and actions. A lot of romance books tell you about the Hero being arrogant, take charge, dominating, stubborn, and courageous. While the heroine, is always fighting off her emotions and being basically stubborn as well. In "Shamara" the actions and emotions are felt by the reader and not just told like the typical romance novel. We see Jarek's desperation for an Enhancer's help and why he's attracted to Eirene. We also see Eirene's desperation in hiding her powers, her fear of the powers, her fear of being found by the Leor who her uncle sold her to, and why she is attracted to Jarek who is completely different from any of the men from her home planet. You also feel her confusion and anger when she finds out that Jarek was involved in her father's death. Both the character's had a rhyme and reason, and all I can think of is "Finally!"

They both fight their attraction for another not just because the typical they don't want to get involved, but because they are determined to carry out their mission: Jarek in saving his people, and Eirene in becoming a healer.

I cried when Jarek hid Eirene and Rani then tried to suicide. It was a very enjoyable and well written book in both the futuristic and romance category. I would highly recommend this book. It is not necessary to read any of the other books in the series to read this one.