The Liaden Universe ® Saga Continues! Star-spanning galactic trader Jethri Gobelyn adventures are the focus in book 17 by master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.<p>In a universe full of interstellar intrigue and burgeoningcommerce novice Terran trader Jethri Gobelyn, adopted by a Liaden clan after anill-directed bow of honor insulted the scion of a major Liaden house, is aliveand whole to tell the tale. Convinced that the adoption has saved his life andmade his future he settles into a comfortable and even elite routine, aTrader's Ring his goal.<BR><BR>Even as Jethri's initiation into the mysteries and joys ofLiaden Festival bring him to manhood he's forced to face Necessity and the factsof life: his adoption has also invigorated a net of unfinished Balance far morecomplex and potentially deadly than a simple Terran blood feud. He must embracehis Terran birthright as well as his Liaden connections while leaving behindthe safety of the great Liaden trade ship <I>Elthoria</I> to defend his honor and thatof shipmates past and present. Forced to sit Second Board as a back-up pilot ona Liaden Scout ship, Jethri's convinced he's already at wit's end—when several familiarfaces threaten all that he knows of himself, and all that he wishes to do.<BR><BR> <b>About <i>Trade Secret </i>prequel<i>Necessity's Child</i>:<BR></b>"Compelling and wondrous, as sharp and graceful as Damascus steel, <i>Necessity'sChild</i> is a terrific addition to Lee & Miller's addictiveseries."—#1 New York Times best seller, Patricia Briggs<BR><BR> <b>About the Liaden Universe® series:</b><BR>“Every now and then you come across an author, or in this case, a pair, whowrite exactly what you want to read, the characters and personalities that makeyou enjoy meeting them. . . . I rarely rave on and on about stories, but I amdevoted to Lee and Miller novels and stories.” —Anne McCaffrey<BR><BR>“These authors consistently deliver stories with a rich, textured setting,intricate plotting, and vivid, interesting characters from fully-realizedcultures, both human and alien, and each book gets better.”—Elizabeth Moon<BR><BR>“[A] recommended, powerful pick . . . a fast-paced military and politicalthriller.”—<i>Midwest Book Review </i>on <i>Ghost Ship</i><BR><BR>“[D]elightful stories of adventure and romance set in a far future. . .spaceopera milieu. It’s all a rather heady mix of Gordon R. Dickson, the ForsytheSaga, and Victoria Holt, with Lee and Millier’s own unique touches making itall sparkle and sizzle. Anyone whose taste runs toward SF in the true romantictradition can’t help but like the Liaden Universe.”—<i>Analog</i><BR><BR>“[T]he many fans of the Liad universe will welcome the latest. . . continuing youngpilot Theo Waitley’s<BR>adventures.” – <i>Booklist</i> on <i>Saltation</i><BR><BR>“[A]ficionados of intelligent space opera will be thoroughly entertained . .. [T]he authors' craftsmanship is top-notch.” –<i>Publishers Weekly</i> on Leeand Miller’s popular Liaden® thriller, <i>I Dare</i>