Without a Front: The Producer's Challenge

In book one of the Chronicles of Alsea series, DeLancey (The Caphenon) sets up the political and romantic intrigue of planet Alsea and its leader, Lancer Andira Tal. Alsea is recovering after the galaxy's Protectorate starship, the Caphenon, saved the planet from the invading Voloth. Now Tal addresses the political, economic, and technological aftermath. Corrupt politicians in her own High Council try to depose her by labeling her a war criminal after she condoned using the Alseans' empathic powers to destroy the Voloth. Meanwhile, to win over the Producer caste and prove that adopting new alien technology will not destroy the economy, Tal presents an unusual challenge to farmer Salomen Opah. An attraction grows between Tal and Opah, leading to something neither of the women expected: the ability to see through the front that empaths use to block their emotions from others. DeLancey veers from a straightforward SF adventure of first-contact and galactic political maneuvering to deliver a more lighthearted romance, delighting readers with high-quality writing, confident female leaders, political machinations, and detailed world-building. (Oct.)