"Can a former thief and a judge have a future together?"

Ruis Elder is a Null, a person who negates Flair, the psi powers developed after colonists settled on the planet Celta centuries ago. Shunned by his peers (the noble families of Celta), stripped of his birthright, and abused by his uncle Bucus T'Elder, Ruis just wants to work with old Earth machines and restore them. No one on Celta uses the technology the settlers brought with them. Why would they when Flair can be used with such ease?

Ailim D'Silverfir is a judge on Celta. She inherited the leadership of her family one month ago, to discover the family estate and finances are in shambles. Waiting to beg the other Noble families for a loan, she encounters an intriguing man. Ailim always keeps her mental shields up to prevent her empathy Flair from overwhelming her with other's thoughts and feelings. But she feels a wonderful nothingness from Ruis, giving her peace for the first time in years. Too bad he's slated to be banished or executed.

Ruis has been sorely abused by the people of Celta. He turned to thievery to support himself and repair the ancient machines. The council banishes Ruis, despite vigorous campaigning by Council leader Bucus T'Elder for Ruis' execution. Ruis must leave the city of Druida and never return to any of the major cities of Celta, or face execution. But Ruis has a plan to hide in plain sight

Ailim finds herself torn between duty and desire when she encounters Ruis inside Druida. Ailim is searching for answers to prove what really happened to Ruis. With this proof, the banishment can be reversed through the legal system. But Ailim has troubles of her own. Who is trying to cause harm to her family? Is someone trying to physically harm or kill Ailim? Is the threat to her family coming from within the family itself?

Ruis grows from a resentful thief to a man of courage and honor. Ailim brings out the best in him and he shows her how to play and have fun. Together, they can be an unstoppable force. But will Ruis be able to trust the justice system or will his desire for vengeance win out?

Ms. Owens has written a wonderful sequel to her RITA award- winning HEARTMATE. Several favorite characters reappear in HEART THIEF. And of course, there are the Fams, the wonderful pets of Celta. I absolutely fell in love with Primrose puppy. Ms. Owens has truly captured the spirit of puppyhood. I highly recommend this thrilling read to lovers of futuristic romance.

Sensuality: Explicit sex; sexually explicit scenes: 4.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted June 2, 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...