"A superb futuristic romance"

Dana the Reeka Warrior has issues with trust issue that goes soul deep. As a child she watched her father abandon Dana and her mother while their enemies were persecuting their race. Her "sisters" at arms saved her while her mother withered away without a man to nurture her. When needed, men leave so although Dana is not happy she is proud of her accomplishments, Dana vows that no male will own her heart.

Garret the Daamen trader asks Dana to help rescue his son Rominac, a fool for love, probably enslaved in the Southlander sector. Garret met Dana on a previous mission when the skin ripping Reeka captured his heart, but he failed to obtain her faith in his loyalty. He plans to prove to his beloved Dana that he can be trusted to back her up at all times even with his life if needed on this dangerous mission. As he breaks down her barriers surrounding her heart one slow shedding at a time, he prays that he wins her and rescues Rominac without having to choose between them.

This reviewer jumped on the Angela Verdenius rocket ship relatively late, but I am very glad I have joined the growing riders of this series. The third Heart and Soul novel, HEART OF THE BETRAYED, is a superb tale that combines a classic battle of the sexes (romance style) with a classic battle between the genders (sci-fi style). Interwoven into the plot is the rationale of why Dana does not trust men, which also enables the audience to learn more about the conflicting societies that make up the fantastic addicting Verdenius universe where once one book is perused, the series becomes must reading.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 1, 2004

Betrayed by the one man who should have protected her, the Reeka warrior will entrust her love to no man. Garret will risk everything to win her love. Loyalty makes Dana follow her betrayer into a country split by hate. Love will make the Daamen trader follow her - even into chains.

Summary

Betrayed while still a child, Dana, a Reeka Warrior, has vowed to entrust her heart to no man. Years later, her betrayer seeks her out to go on a mission to rescue his son. Loyalty battles with her hate, but in this there is no choice.

Determined to win her love, Garret, a Daamen trader, follows her to a country split by hate and slavery. There he will be captured and put in chains, and only Dana has the power to free him. It's a fight that nearly costs her her life.

Growing closer, their love starts to blossom, but when loyalty means defying the Intergalactic Peace Council and being outlawed, how far will Garret go to prove his love and trustworthiness?