Tethers by Sara Reinke in an erotic sci-fi fantasy story.

Kat has awakened from cryostasis and realizes that they are missing a holiday, not that they would realize it being so far into space. Kat, her daughter Jerica and the other members of the crew are on a mission to complete the colony of one of Jupiter’s moons that was terra-formed. Terra-forming is the process that is given to a dead world to allow for human habitation. Kat briefly talks to Trina, a member of another team, when she learns that the a militia group called the Legion has stepped up it’s activities and declared that it will open up “true democracy” by blowing up buildings and terrorizing people. All the members of the crew were previously picked, except for the late addition of the pilot, Eric. After a minor course malfunction while the crew was in stasis, things seem to be going along as expected, until there is an explosion and Kat is forced to make drastic decisions to save the crew members that she can, leaving behind one person that she cares for deeply. The surviving members somehow make it to the colony and, in spite of their losses, they attempt to complete their missions and deal with the tragedy by supporting each other. While the others are working towards their goals, the Doctor Frank has ulterior motives that have nothing to do with their job at hand. What is Frank doing and will it spell doom for the remaining crew members?

Ms. Reinke has created a wonderful sci-fi that is fast moving and incorporates characters with very human flaws that attempt to overcome their differences to construct a world for others to live. The character of Kit is very realistic in how she works at overcoming a past that would overwhelm most people. Eric is a very strong man who has had many difficulties in the past, but is strong enough to keep pushing towards the future. Add to this a series of events that almost overwhelms them and you have a fast paced book that holds the reader from the very beginning. Thanks goes to Ms. Reinke for an interesting read.

Reviewed by: Teresa