I fell in love with the stories of James Schmitz when I was a teenager, especially the characters of Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee. Now, many years later, I can appreciate Schmitz\' going against the grain of his time and writing about strong female characters who aren\'t sexualized or trivialized as arm-candy. There\'s also Heslet Quillan, a charming rogue who appreciates competent women as well.