"The long awaited sequel to HEARTMATE!"

I must admit I began to read this book with much trepidation as to how this second book in the Celta series could measure up to HEARTMATE. I am happy to say it not only measured up but went well beyond my highest expectations!

This is the story of Ruis Elder. As an infant, his uncle stripped him of the honor of being Heir to the D'Elder family because Ruis was a Null. Not only that, but his uncle beat and tortured his nephew until Ruis ran away at the age of 14 to live in the streets as a thief.

Ruis' biggest mistake was stealing T'Ash's heartgift to his HeartMate and for that he's paid dearly but there's much more to Ruis than anyone can ever know. The biggest thing is Ruis is fascinated with ancient Earth machines mainly because they will work around him when the Celta Flair won't. Celta Flair is the type of magic that is inherent in most of the residents of Celta. He makes it his goal in life to repair as many ancient machines as he can find until he's discovered and banished from Druida City.

As he's awaiting trial at Grand Council, he meets GrandLady Ailim D'SilverFir. She's there to request a loan to keep the D'SilverFir family from having to sell their estate. All Ailim knows is that when she's around Ruis, she feels at peace with the world around her. Because her flair is so high, she has been made a judge and of course, with that comes much stress.

Now that Ruis has met Ailim, he knows that there's no way he can leave Druida City just yet. Then Danith D'Ash gives Ruis a Fam cat named Samba. Samba is Zanth's daughter and is just as feisty as Zanth ever was. For anyone who is familiar with Robin's first book HEARTMATE, they will know that Zanth is the cat in that book and nearly takes over the whole book.

There's so much more to this story but I don't want to ruin it for anyone. To me this Celta world is so fascinating that Robin Owens cannot write the stories fast enough to satisfy me. I want to visit this world over and over again! I know I will be first in line to buy and read these books and then place them all on my keeper shelf!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted May 8, 2003

Author Interview

Winner of 2003 PEARL Award
- Best Fantasy/Magical Paranormal Romance

Honorable Mention for 2003 PEARL Award
- Best FUTURISTIC Paranormal Romance

Returning to the planet Celta, the world of psychically gifted people first introduced in the RITA Award-winning HeartMate, Owens spins an entrancing tale...

Summary

Ruis Elder never asked for his unusual trait - the ability to neutalize other's psychic talents. Because of it, he has always been hated in his own homeland, destined to roam the harsh planet alone. But trouble finds him in front of the ruling Council - and face-to-face with the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. There's only one problem: Ailim is on the opposite side of the bench...

Ailim has never before felt such passion coursing through her as she feels in Ruis's presence. And she never thought she would - at least not with a man so far beneath her station, a man who does not even have psychic powers. But even on the planet Celta, love is blind to such details. Separately, Ailim and Ruis must forgo their old lives. But together the can take on the world...