Romance at Heart Magazine: review of Heart of a Traitor by Angela Verdenius

Title: Heart of a Traitor
Author: Angela Verdenius

Published in December 2005 by Wings ePress, Inc.
Genre: Futuristic/Sci-Fi Romance
ISBN: 1-59705-024-5

There are times in everyone's life when they wish they hadn't gotten out of bed, and that was a feeling Oriel was starting to get used to unfortunately. It started out innocuously enough with a mission to capture an outlaw camp, and ended badly to say the least when she discovers her brother is one of the captives. She knew Reema was no angel, and she hadn't seen him for years, but just how far he had fallen was soon revealed to her as he was one of only two survivors marched out of the demolished camp, at the hands of her squad. The quandary and the decision she made to free him was what brought her to this crossroad, and the price had been terrible. Branded a traitor, she wore the traitor's mark on her cheek, the lash marks on her back, and the scars on her heart soul. Betrayed, alone, and weak, she made a run for the settlement, knowing if the outlaws caught her, she would be raped, tortured, and worse. If the soldiers caught her, likely she would be beaten to death, but she would have to take her chances. She ran from her hiding place to the settlement, but the outlaws had scouts, and now she finds herself surrounded by death. With rape in the offing, she had not expected reprieve of any kind, and definitely not from this quarter. Survive or die is the rule. The military branded, flogged, and left their "traitors" for the outlaws, and those deaths were not easy.

The shout, a deep voiced command, a few laser shots, and the ensuing brawl were about all she could take. Weak from blood loss, pain, dehydration, and hunger, Oriel did not expect to survive very long. Daamen Traders showing up and beating her tormentors to a bloody pulp was a surprising turn to say the least, and an irony at best. The fact that one seemed to claim her made no sense, nor did the fact he knew her name, what she suffered, or in essence who she was. The memory of the large trader called Jase skimmed the edge of her awareness, and as she remembered his sympathetic interested at the bar before she freed Reema and was caught. The memory of his burning blue gaze locking onto hers as the whip cracked was one of her last lucid memories of the day. It was not her brother who came to her rescue, but total strangers. The man who tended her was a gentle giant, and it surprised and puzzled her as to his purpose. She was a traitor, couldn't he see that? Why he and the others refused to let her alone, and even seemed to accept her made her wary. Stranger still, they asked no questions, but promised her friendship, protection, and a safe haven till she recovered. What did they want in return? Was there an ulterior motive to their actions? What was going on, and why did she feel so very strange...

The little wench was a handful, but Jase hadn't a doubt he was the one to handle her. She was his responsibility, and he knew when he saw her fighting for her very life he would never let her go willingly. Now he had to convince his little wench, and she truly was that, to see things his way. She was a tiny thing, barely reaching mid chest, but she was strong, she had to be to survive what the past two days had brought. He knew something was wrong the night he spotted her in the tavern, but he could only ask, and not force her to tell him what was wrong. The others were too occupied with the tavern wenches, but Jase had been drawn to the wee lass at the bar. The evening, and the subsequent events were only too clear as to what troubled her. Jase was resolved. He would help her if he could, protect her of a certainty, and see if there was aught he could do to ease her troubled heart. Unfortunately, things were quite out of hand. Suffering through her branding silently, the courage she showed impressed him immensely, and when she passed out as they whipped her, he was relieved. Now she was his, and he was going to care for her. If he had his way, none would lay hands on her again.

The feelings he has been having were a puzzle, but with the lass aboard their trading ship and safe in their hands, Jase attributes them to the result of witnessing the past days events. The punishment she endured, and the trauma when she was surrounded by the outlaws who definitely meant her harm had taken their toll on him as well, and only his shipmates seemed to think otherwise. He saw them betting, and had few illusions as to what they were betting on or about. The looks passed his way, the snickers and smirks told him volumes. They were wrong, and when Oriel left, he would be the one with the smirk plastered on his face. For some reason, however, the thought of her leaving disturbed him greatly. He did not want to see her leave, yet since she was gaining her strength back, she was more withdrawn, and determined to make a life on her own. How and why one small wench could cause him so much consternation is totally beyond Jase, but put plainly and simply, he is worried about her, what she will do, how she will get along. Never has he felt so protective about any woman. Oh he has bedded many wenches, but none have affected him like this slip of a girl. She seemed too weary, too worldly, and it didn't sit well with him. He wants to take her away, take her home, and keep her safe...

Heart of a Traitor is another great read by Angela Verdenius. The Daamens are once again involved in the nefarious surrounds of the Outlaw Sector, and in there they find a soldier, a plot, and another mate for another of their members. Oriel is the soldier, accused and branded a traitor. She has loyalty to the Guard, but family loyalty counts for her as well. When she comes across her brother in one of the Guard's maneuvers, she has little choice but to let him hang, or free him and take her chances. Her decision and the resultant penalties are not pleasant. Death would be easier to handle, but that is not to be allowed. Oriel finds herself being helped by a Daamen Trader and his shipmates, and finds that many of the stories about them are true. Not only are they gentle giants, but they have a great capacity for forgiveness, friendship, and discretion. Jase finds Oriel disturbing, but only as far as his equilibrium goes. He finds himself feeling protective, angry for her trials, and wanting to soundly thump the brother who so callously left her behind.

Angela has again managed to make me laugh, cry, and get angry all at once as she weaves the story of Jase and Oriel. She has a unique way of making me want to scream in frustration all the while leaving me unable to stop turning the pages. Heart of a Traitor is simply one of her best yet, and cannot be easily put down. From the start, you know there is something wrong, but you don't know who is who, and it seems that Jase and Oriel are really running down the wrong path. Angela has a way with her characters that will keep you guessing, and believe me when I tell you, you will not be sure of who is who, and what is what until the very end. A delightful blend of Futuristic Romance and Science-Fiction Suspense, Heart of a Traitor is not easily put down, nor is it a simple read. Jase and Oriel have several things to resolve, some problems to solve, and a mystery that will either bring them together or tear them apart forever. Angela never makes things easy, nor is everything always the happiest of endings, but the read superb, the romance hot, and the hero and heroine exceptional. Available now from Wings ePress, Angela's new offering, Heart of a Traitor, is one that you don't want to miss!

Yours in good reading,

Rose!

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