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"Cathy or Katirna - how can Ash choose and save his kingdom?"

Price Ash de Gar of Arete marries Princess Katrina del Lancer of Madelen to unite their kingdoms. Ash is horrified to find that his new wife is Raaka, a soulless being. Her ka [soul] is in another dimension and he has only a few weeks to reunite Katrina's ka with her body -- To save his new wife and unite their countries.

A zaid [priest] gives Ash an amulet that brings him to earth and artist Cathy Lawrence where Katirna's ka resides. Cathy has created a world that resembles Tareth and the Mystic Warrior resembles Ash; so she believes he is a crazy fan... until he brings her back to Tareth.

As they come closer to reuniting Katrina's body and ka, Ash begins to wonder what will happen to Cathy. Cathy and Ash are attracted to one another, but he is married to Katrina and that marriage needs to be completed to avoid a war. Cathy's love is strong enough that she is willing to do what is needed for Ash and his country. She will trust fate with her future. As the zaid foretold, their destinies are interwoven and it is now time for destiny to be fulfilled.

I like quest books, and this one is well written. The world- building is consistent and interesting. The mysticism is minor and the hero and heroine have no unique powers. Their wit and strength and working together is what they need/use to accomplish their task. I am happy that the ending was all I hoped for and would recommend this to the fantasy reader as well as romance reader. They will be joining me in looking for Ms. Hendrick's next book set in this world.

Cy Korte © Copyright November 2001
for eBOOKISLE.com & ParaNormal Romance Reviews

Reviewed by Cy Korte
Posted January 15, 2002

A warrior by nature, a prince by birth, Ash del Gar resigns himself to a loveless, political marriage with the princess of a neighboring country. On his wedding night he discovers his bride is Raaka, one without a soul. For peace to reign, the marriage must produce children, so when a holy man tells Ash of a way to retrieve the princess's soul, he agrees to try. In the midst of a storm, through the power of a crystal medallion, Ash is struck by lightning and transported to Earth.

Lame since childhood, Cathy Lawrence expresses her longings for love only in the imaginary world and the imaginary lover she's created in her art. When the naked embodiment of her dream lover appears in her studio, Cathy fears her fantasy world is becoming more real than reality.

Using the power of the storm, Ash abducts Cathy to his world. Cathy struggles to find her way back to Earth and sanity, while Ash fights his growing love for the woman whom he must convince to save his world by sacrificing her soul...