"fascinating romantic science fiction"

Military sniper Oriel is on a mission with her unit of the Canton Guard to capture or kill the outlaws. Though a superior soldier working her way up the ranks and well prepared for this assignment, which succeeds with precision, Oriel is stunned when she notices her brother Reema is one of the captured outlaws. Oriel knows he will die after a short trial so she tries free him, but that leads to her marked as a traitor with the proof carved into her cheek and her career in ruins with both sides scorning her.

Oriel escapes from the military for her act of family fealty and is rescued from potential rape by the outlaws thanks to the Daamen trader Jase and his crew. He provides her a haven to heal from the whipping, which she begins to recuperate from, but the mental beating especially the end of her life goal and her sibling deserting her leave her emotionally shattered. Jase continues to protect the former soldier whom he is falling in love with, but goes slow as he knows her heart and soul remains tattered.

This is a terrific entry in the fascinating romantic science fiction The Heart and Soul series because of the lead couple whose relationship evolves over the course of the strong story line as they get to know one another. Jase is patient with his beloved while proving loyal and offering friendship though he wants much more. Oriel is the more fascinating protagonist as she recovers physically but tortures herself mentally over how Reema left her behind to face the punishment though she saved his life and the end of her military career. Angela Verdenius provides another heart winning tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 25, 2006

Summary

Military traitors are flogged, branded, and left for the outlaws.... Disgraced ex-sniper Oriel finds herself falling for her rescuer, the dangerously handsome Daamen trader, Jase. But no one is as they seem, a dark plot draws her ever inward, the law is closing in -- and she's neck-deep in treason.