Daring

Table of Contents

 

 

Praise for
Kris Longknife
REDOUBTABLE

 

“Readers have come to depend on Mike Shepherd for fast-paced military science fiction bound to compelling story lines and adrenaline-pumping battles. This eighth [book] in the Kris Longknife series does not disappoint. Kris Longknife is a hero to the core, with plenty of juice left for future installments.”

—
Fresh Fiction

 

“A rousing space opera that has extremely entertaining characters . . . an enjoyable addition to the series.”—
Night Owl Sci-Fi

 

Praise for
Kris Longknife
UNDAUNTED

 

“An exciting, action-packed adventure . . . Mr. Shepherd has injected the same humor into this book as he did in the rest of the series . . . I really love these books and
Undaunted
is a great addition to the series.”

—
Fresh Fiction

 

Praise for
Kris Longknife
INTREPID

 

“[Kris Longknife] will remind readers of David Weber's Honor Harrington with her strength and intelligence. Mike Shepherd provides an exciting military science fiction thriller.”

—
Genre Go Round Reviews

 

“A good read for fans of the series and of military science fiction.”

—
Romantic Times

 

Praise for
Kris Longknife
AUDACIOUS

 

“Mike Shepherd is a fantastic storyteller who excels at writing military science fiction. His protagonist is a strong-willed, independent thinker who does what she thinks is best for humanity . . . There is plenty of action and tension . . . This is a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience for science fiction fans.”

—
Midwest Book Review

 

“ ‘I'm a woman of very few words, but lots of action.' So said Mae West, but it might just as well have been Lieutenant Kris Longknife, princess of the one hundred worlds of Wardhaven. Kris can kick, shoot, and punch her way out of any dangerous situation, and she can do it while wearing stilettos and a tight cocktail dress. She's all business, with a Hells Angel handshake and a ‘get out of my face' attitude. But her hair always looks good.
Audacious
maintains a crisp pace and lively banter . . . Kris Longknife is funny and she entertains us.”

—
Sci Fi Weekly

 

“The [fifth] book in this fast-paced, exciting military SF series continues the saga of a strong heroine who knows how to kick serious ass and make an impression on friends and enemies alike. Mike Shepherd has a great ear for dialogue and talent for injecting dry humor into things at just the right moment . . . The characters are engaging, and the plot is full of twists and peppered liberally with sharply described action. I always look forward to installments in the Kris Longknife series because I know I'm guaranteed a good time with plenty of adventure.
Audacious
doesn't disappoint in this regard. Military SF fans are bound to get a kick out of the series as a whole, and fans will be glad to see Kris hasn't lost any of her edge.”

—
SF Site

 

 

“Enthralling . . . fast-paced . . . a well-crafted space opera with an engaging hero . . . I'd like to read more.”

—
SFRevu

“I'm looking forward to her next adventure.”

—
The Weekly Press
(Philadelphia)

 

“Shepherd's grasp of timing and intrigue remains solid, and Kris's latest challenge makes for an engaging space opera, seasoned with political machination and the thrills of mysterious ancient technology, that promises to reveal some interesting things about the future Kris inhabits.”

—
Booklist

“Everyone who has read Kris Longknife will hope for further adventures starring this brave, independent, and intrepid heroine. Mike Shepherd has written an action-packed, exciting space opera that starts at light speed and just keeps getting better. This is outer-space military science fiction at its adventurous best.”

—
Midwest Book Review

 

“Kris is a strong female character . . . The book focuses on action, with some interesting sci-fi twists thrown in . . . It excels as a page-turner.”

—
Fantasy Book Spot

 

“Fans of the Honor Harrington escapades will welcome the adventures of another strong female in outer space starring in a thrill-a-page military space opera. The heroine's dry wit [and] ability to know what she is good at [as well as] her faults, [all] while keeping her regal DNA in perspective, especially during a crisis, endear her to readers. The audience will root for the determined, courageous, and endearing heroine as she displays intelligence and leadership during lethal confrontations.”

—
Alternative Worlds

 

“[Shepherd] has a good sense of pace . . . very neatly handled, and served with a twist of wry. A surprisingly talented read from a very underrated author.”

—
Bewildering Stories

 

“Shepherd does a really good job with this book. If you're looking for an entertaining space opera with some colorful characters, this is your book. Shepherd grew up Navy and he does an excellent job of showing the complex demands and duties of an officer. I look forward to the next in the series.”

—
Books 'n' Bytes

 

“You don't have to be a military sci-fi enthusiast to appreciate the thrill-a-minute plot and engaging characterization.”

—
Romantic Times

 

KRIS LONGKNIFE: MUTINEER
KRIS LONGKNIFE: DESERTER
KRIS LONGKNIFE: DEFIANT
KRIS LONGKNIFE: RESOLUTE
KRIS LONGKNIFE: AUDACIOUS
KRIS LONGKNIFE: INTREPID
KRIS LONGKNIFE: UNDAUNTED
KRIS LONGKNIFE: REDOUBTABLE
KRIS LONGKNIFE: DARING

 

 

KRIS LONGKNIFE: TRAINING DAZE

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

KRIS LONGKNIFE: DARING

 

An Ace Book / published by arrangement with the author

 

PRINTING HISTORY
Ace mass-market edition / November 2011

Copyright © 2011 by Mike Moscoe.

 

All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form with-
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For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

ISBN : 978-1-101-54523-2

 

ACE
Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
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ACE and the “A” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

 

Acknowledgments

As so often is the case, Sir Winston Churchill said it best. “Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Eight books ago, we began the saga of a young boot ensign from a well-connected family who chose to run off and join the Navy. Her folks were sure there was no need for heroes in their day and age, thus no need for soldiers or sailors or Marines.

Boy, were they wrong!

But with this book,
Kris Longknife: Daring
, everything changes.

And at a time like this in Kris's life, it's appropriate that her writer acknowledge a few important things as well.

Without the support of an editor like Ginjer Buchanan, these stories would have never been told. A writer couldn't ask for a better editor than I have with Ginjer. Few writers get as long a run with the same editor as I have gotten with Ginjer, and I treasure every minute of it.