Grant, Susan - The Scarlet Empress

Title: The Scarlet Empress
Author: Susan Grant
Series: Book 5 of the 2176 series
Pub: Love Spell
Pub Date: December, 2004
ISBN: 0-505-5259-76
Genre:
Time Period:
Setting:
Hero: Prince Kyber
Heroine: Cameron "Scarlet" Tucker

Summary:

The Kingdom of Asia: Shot down over Korea, modern-day USAF fighter pilot Cameron "Scarlet" Tucker is put in bio-stasis. She wakes 170 years later. Her wingmate and best friend also survived: Now the "legendary" Banzai Maguire, Bree is being held for treason in the country that was once her beloved United States.

Cam has problems of her own. She’s in the masterful hands of Prince Kyber, the dictator whom her friend thwarted. He won’t get fooled again. With the mysterious Shadow Voice urging revolution, and her friend in chains, Cam wants the sexy emperor on her side--and maybe a whole lot more.

But her role in the thrilling mission to save her country has to come first. Banzai wouldn't surrender, and Cam won't either. It's time to give a royal butt kicking, and Cam knows just where to start.

Excerpt:

    “Your Highness. The pilot has been located.”
    Prince Kyber, ruler of the Han Empire, lifted his gaze from the shapely woman soaking his feet in a bowl of hot water to meet the gaze of his chief of security. Nikolai Kabul appeared somewhat breathless. It wasn’t at all typical of the all-business, ascetic man he’d known since they both were boys—a friendship between a child of royal blood and a street-wise commoner that had somehow survived the years. “Excellent, Niko. The news pleases me. I’ll read the full report tomorrow at the morning briefing.”
    A single sapphire on Nikolai’s fez glittered in the war room’s cold overhead light, but the man said nothing. “Your silence tells me that I did not give you the response you expected, Niko.”
    “I assumed you’d be...more surprised.”
    “I’m simply glad the situation is over.”
    Nikolai pressed his lips together in another gesture of frustration.
    “But of course, it displeased me greatly, losing a top fighter pilot in a midair collision caused by human error. And over the Himalayas, no less, making it difficult for search and recovery to do their job. Difficult but not impossible. It’s why I appear more relieved than surprised by this swift conclusion to the affair. Pass along my praise to the team for a job well done. And as soon as the pilot is healed, have him sent to me for a little career counseling. He is due for a change of vocation, perhaps as a street-sweep driver in Macao. Fighter craft are tools of defense, not play toys.”
    Speaking of play toys... Kyber exchanged a smile with the pretty woman massaging his right hand and forearm with fragrant oils. She had a way with her fingers. Had he invited her to his chambers before? He couldn’t recall. He pulled her down for a kiss. No, she didn’t taste familiar, but it was hard to be sure. There had been a parade of females warming his bed—and his dining table, swimming pool, and baths since Banzai had disappeared into the ether.
    Kyber set the woman back on her feet to find Nikolai watching him, his eyes ablaze. “What is it, Niko? You appear fairly ready to explode.”
    “Not the downed YR-55 pilot. The one who has evaded us. You know of whom I speak. I cannot say more until we are alone.”
    Banzai Maguire! Prince Kyber heard a thud to his right, accompanied by a small whoosh of wind and tinkling jewelry. He realized that in his shock, he’d thrown the manicurist to the floor.

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Comments:

The 2176 series

Book 1: The Legend of Banzai Maguire - Susan Grant
Book 2: Day Of Fire - Kathleen Nance
Book 3: The Shadow Runners - Liz Maverick
Book 4: The Power of Two - Patti O'Shea
Book 5: The Scarlet Empress - Susan Grant