Romance at Heart Magazine: review of Heart of the Forsaken by Angela Verdenius

Title: Heart of the Forsaken
Author: Angela Verdenius

Published in November 2004 by Wings ePress
Genre: Futuristic/Sci-Fi Romance
IBSN: 1-59088-373-X

Her latest mission is crucial. She can’t afford to fail because this is what may really set them all free in a sense. The energizer is worth a lot to the right people, and it could provide the crew with a good amount of freedom, and eliminate the need to raid quite as often. Sonja has already felt a great deal of apprehension over this whole exercise, but this particular piece of equipment could bring them a certain, and badly needed amount of financial freedom, and the ability to lie low for a while to take the heat off. The Daamen Traders had delivered the cargo. Now all Sonja and the girls have to do was appropriate it for their own use. What she doesn’t need at this time is a complication, and yet worry niggles at the back of her mind. She doesn’t quite know where it comes from, but there is a peculiar tension she can feel. A tension that manifests in an acute alertness, the nervous tingle traveled and itched up the spine as though she were being watched. It is a feeling that she is not comfortable with, strange and alien to her, even though she was brought up to be wary. This went far beyond that training, and was unsettling.

Whatever Sonja thinks, whatever she does, the fate and welfare of her crew is one thing that is first and foremost in her mind. This recent bungle, however, will be punished, and in a way that none of the women of the crew will forget. The whole reason for their presence on the Daamen Trade Ship was carelessness and now they were prisoners. Now they would pay and pay heavily for the mistake made, the total inexperience and the failure of Jolie and Jevena to follow orders had brought them to this end. As huge and handsome as the traders were, they were not stupid, and although Sonja’s crew had been able to overpower them by surprise once, instinct told her it would not happen again. They would pay with their lives. Face it bravely, for the bare truth is pirates were hanged. She has no time to miss anything, and as others may think they had never loved, Sonja kows that is only an illusion anyway. Real love doen’t exist of that she is certain. Love was only a dream, a wistful fantasy with no place in her life. She has never known love, tenderness, or any other emotion other than hate aimed at her. No man she has ever known, knew the meaning of forever. Not her pirate Uncle, nor her cousin, and especially not the big Daamen trader with the red hair and bright jewel green eyes.

Red was not surprised to see the plucky little pirates fighting desperately side by side with his crew. He had been hoping to play for peace, for control, and for a modicum of order in the fractious natures of the pirate crew that had been in control of his ship. He wasn’t sure where the lasses came from, nor was sure of the thoughts in their heads, but he did know for certain they were ferocious fighters, and now he was glad they were fighting with him and his men and not against them. Somewhere along the line, someone had lied. The current battle was proof enough of that simple fact. The mutants had not all been destroyed, and this fight was about a clear a proof as anyone would want. He had heard the tales told by Dana and Reya about the mutants they had fought in the deep kitchens of Shari’s Inka Empire. He loved a good tale, as all Daamen did, but that one he found hard to credit. Faced with the same monsters himself, he was amazed the two Reekas and two Daamen conquered the two they fought. His odds were better, and the mutants still seemed to be winning.

In the aftermath of the battle, he now faces the ultimate challenge. He must keep the peace with his little pirates, or risk losing contact with them. To let them go is not something he looks forward to, but then he really doesn’t have too much choice. Soon enough, Red will find himself deep in something, if he knows his Sonja as well as he thinks he does. Before he knows it, he is once again patching her up, and discovering, much to his chagrin and the delight of his crew and friends, exactly why she is the only woman for him. Sonja has been through a lot, but for her it means some unexplainable events such as the red eye colour that heralds the pain of a terrible rage she cannot explain. For Red, it is an opportunity to be there for her, if she needs him to help, he will assist her in whatever way he can. He knows that she may just need him before all is said and done, and he only hopes the love he feels will be enough. He sets on a course that will find him flaunting the rules and the law, but what he hasn't counted on is the loyalty his crew feels for him, and now her as well. Even though she is reluctant to tell him the truth, or what she knows, Red sees his only chance with her is to show her his trust and respect. The love…well, that will have to come later.

Angela Verdenius revisits her Daamen traders, those men who tower over all and make their women feel loved, cherished, and protected in spite of their own strengths. One thing well known about those traders, they definitely love a good brawl, even if it is only among their own shipmates, but if crossed, they can be lethal when necessary. They are gentle giants, and the only thing they excel at other than trading and fighting that is worth mentioning is their skill in bed. They are renowned for their talents at lovemaking, and the tavern wenches vie for their attention. It can also be said of them that once in love, they are true to their mates, and woe to anyone who crosses their path when they are in pursuit of the woman they love. Sonja has heard these facts about Daamens, but never did she believe it until Red comes to her defense in spite of the jeopardy. He is fearless, and when all is safe, she is again surprised at him and the fact that he would keep his word. Until now, no one in Sonja’s world, except for her crew, could be trusted.

Heart of the Forsaken is another superbly crafted story from Angela Verdenius, the author who brought you Heart of the Outlaw, Soul of a Mercenary, Love’s Sweet Assassin, and other wonderful futuristic romances. Angela sweeps you along in a tale that will keep you riveted, the action between Sonja and Red pulses from one page to the next. Secrets deep and hidden from Sonja’s past are circling to drop in on her and Red, and only prompt and swift action can save the lovers. Once again, the menace looms on the horizon, the romance is hot, and the characters are unforgettable. Angela draws you deep into the story’s intrigue and menace letting you in to the circle and enabling you to experience the emotions for yourself. You want to warn them of the danger, but for Red and Sonja, love brings the revelation, the truth of the realization that ultimately they would truly be willing to die for each other. Due out at the end of this chilly month of November here in the northern hemisphere, Heart of the Forsaken is another must buy to heat your blood.

Yours in good reading,

Rose!

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