"A Fascinating Futuristic Debut rife with Suspense"
The two young Daamen traders strolling the marketplace
looked with disgust at the crowd gathering around the
slaver's stall, but were borne along with it as the latest
offering was presented. The goods were unique indeed, as
was
indicated by the death mask hiding the outlaw's face - a
Reeka Warrior, thought to have been hunted to near
extinction. Tales had it that these women were a ruthless
breed, who had murdered their mates and male children as
well. They were outlaws who had turned mercenary in order
to survive. Yet the woman being sold was young, a mere sixteen, lovely,
and wild, if her eyes were any indication of what was in
her soul. It was what was in those violet eyes that stirred
the young Daamen Captain, Darvk, to an act of compassion.
He could not bear that thought of that wild spirit being
crushed by a life of rape and torture. Not a man to condone
slavery, he shocks his friend Maverk by outbidding a
brothel owner for possession of her. Tenia, who had long since learned not to trust men, saw no
difference in her new master. The man had purchased her. He
could have no good reason for doing so. She fought the man
and his friend tooth and nail, but was already wounded and
weak. The men took her aboard their ship and tended to her
wounds. In spite of their kindness, and Darvk's
reassurances that she was safe, Tenia planned to escape at
first opportunity. Her sister warriors were in need of her
skills. Somehow she must uncover the truth behind the lies
regarding her race, and if she were to die, she would die
free. Unfortunately, Darvk had realized that Tenia would not be
safe outside of his care, and leant her no opportunity for
escape. Along with his growing attraction for the wild
beauty, she had convinced him that the stories regarding
her race were false. Adding to his suspicions was the
relentless interest of Shari, leader of the Inka Empire,
who seemed unnaturally eager to take the troublesome wench
off his hands. In time Darvk succeeded in softening Tenia's heart, but her
loyalties were still divided and honor decreed that she
escape. Each success however only proved Darvk's assessment
of the danger her freedom presented. She was pursued by
bounty hunters and Inka soldiers wherever she went. When
Darvk steadfastly came to her aid, saving her life time and
again, and suffering injury because of her, Tenia found
new determination to elude him. Though her heart was
breaking, she would not allow the man she has come to love
to die in her defense. For Darvk now, there was no life
without Tenia. What must he do to win her trust? Could he
convince her to allow him to fight by her side, to uncover
the truth? What the pair discovers is a shocking conspiracy spurred by
obsessive love and equally obsessive hate. Ms. Verdenius
navigates the twists and turns of this complex tale with a
consummate skill that will leave the readers on the edge of
their seat and begging for more when the story concludes.
One has to hope their will be a story for Maverk and Reya,
the older sister of Tenia, a woman who has faced unknown
terrors. She will be a tough nut to crack, but presents the
prospects of another compelling love story. I recommend
this excellent futuristic debut. Copyright © 2003
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted March 31, 2003
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Wanted dead or alive, the notorious Reeka Warrior Women
were hunted almost to extinction. When an act of
compassion resulted in a wounded Reeka leader being in his
possession, the Daamen trading captain, Darvk, soon comes
to realize that the blood-drenched legends are
questionable.
What is the unnatural interest the Inka Empire leader,
Shari, has in the Reekas, especially Tenia and her sister?
And why is the space-pirate, Sinya, out to capture them?
Plunging into a dangerous vortex of treachery, hate and
passion, pursued by soldiers, bounty hunters and space-
pirates, they race through the Outlaw and Lawful Sectors in
search of answers. Love blossoms between Darvk and Tenia,
but she can never be free to love--until the shocking truth
is finally revealed.
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