Romance at Heart Magazine: review of Love’s Beguiling Healer by Angela Verdenius

Title: Love’s Beguiling Healer
Author: Angela Verdenius

Published in December 2006 by Wings ePress
Genre: Futuristic/Sci-Fi Romance
IBSN: 1-59705-166-7

The Felys are in trouble, and although they are not the cause, at least they don't think so, they are suffering. Litters of Felys Kits are being born with runts who soon die, others are weakened, and the survival rate among them are declining. It is a worry as the frequency grows, and Denyon sets out to go to Argon on a dual mission. First, he really wants to see his little cousin Lysie, who is expecting a litter of half-breed kits. The situation on his home world is sketchy as best, but he and his best friend and Second are heading for the Argon home world, and possible help. Denyon has to snicker, because the closer they get to Argon, the more uncomfortable Illam becomes. He knows Illam has a thing for the eldest daughter of Argon's Premier Healer Sarcan, and he also knows the sparks are not what they seem. Denyon knows there is an attraction there. The two rub along against each other entirely too much for there not to be some kind of an attraction. Yes, this trip can turn out to be very amusing...

Illam is well aware of Denyon's amusement, and also aware of the reaction he has to the fiery healer daughter of Sarcan. Illam finds her of questionable morals, even though the Argons are total hedonists, and their society fraught with all the pleasures in which human or Felys could think of wanting to indulge. The uptight behavior puzzles Illam, for he in usually not so rigid, but he can't help his frowns of disapproval. From their first meeting at Lysie's wedding, he felt the tension rise between him and Tera, and the feelings disturb him greatly. Illam thinks it is nothing more than his disapproval at the behavior of the Argon Healer Apprentice. Tera is true to her Argon nature, open and friendly as she greets the Daamen Traders, or as she wishes them good trips and good trading. Sill her behavior rubs him the wrong way. Denyon's constant teasing only gets worse as Illam finds Tera joining them on board the ship for the trip to Scytha, the Felys home world.

Tera is done with loving, for everyone she loved has been lost. For someone so loved herself, it was a rather odd situation, but the pain of losing one love to death was a bit more than se feels she can bear, so she channels all her love and energy into learning at her father’s side. Along with her sister Hanna, they are the premier healers of Argon, and one will most assuredly take Sarcan’s place when he steps down. When Sarcan is called to the far reaches of Kiile’s kingdom, he appoints Tera to travel to Scytha and see if she can discover the root of the Felys and Lycat problem of runts in their population. That part she doesn’t really mind as travel has never really bothered her. It is an honour to go, to have her father’s confidence, and again she throws herself into the preparations, and the job. The only downside is the Felys male assigned to help and guard her. With his glowering and bad temper aimed her way, she is uncertain about the nature of the journey. The outcome is uncertain at best, but with his disapproving nature, Tera feels as though Illam’s opinion of her and Argon, and the judgment of the Felys as a whole lays on her shoulders.

Illan just plain ruffles Tera’s fur, that it he would if she had any. He is dour and disapproving, and has been since they day they met. It is hard to believe that meeting took place at a Felys wedding to an Argon. Lysie and Marten were now expecting a litter of half-Felys kits, and the Felys world was watching Lysie with more interest than when she was a young runt running wild on Scytha. Lysie survived, but they are teling her now that only about half of the runts born are surviving till the age of ten, and even then many are sickly. Tera realaizes she will be able to see the world Lysie grew up in, and the culture that caused her such discontent. If Lysie wouldn‘t have run, Tera knows the Felys would never have come to Argon for their help, and for that alone she is glad. If she is successful, and the skills of Argon’s healers can get to the bottom of this problem, then all will be well, new friendships made, and maybe Illam’s temper and opinion will improve. Now just why she is so concerned with Illam escapes her, but right now she has more important things on her mind than an ill-tempered Felys male to whom she feels absolutely no attraction…

Angela Verdenius presents us with the eleventh book in her Heart and Soul Series of futuristic romances. In a heart-wrenching reality, the Felys and Lycats are in peril, their species possibly wiped out by a terrible phenomenon. They are used to the occasional runt born to the Felys and Lycat litters, but for the Felys especially, the rate is increasing rapidly with each generation. It used to be only an odd occurrence, but in the past few generations of kits, it has become an alarming one kit in four born a runt, and then seldom surviving past the tenth year. They have been alone for so long, hunted for their sensual natures, and used as sex slaves, so they trust none but their own. Now, with their very existence imperiled. they go to the Argons to ask for help. Sensuality is a legacy of the Argons as well, and with the Felys female Lysie, married to an Argon male, they feel safe in asking their assistance to try and solve the problem before the last small clan of Felys dies out.

Love’s Beguiling Healer tells the story of the distrust, dislike, and the trouble that brings two enemies together. For his part, Illam doesn't trust the Argons, no matter if Lysie, his captain's cousin, is married to one of their number. Tera's healing abilities don't hinder her overt dislike of Illam, but the mask of distrust, and hatred falls away when his home, and his world are in mortal danger. Insitincts to the fore, Tera and illam must fight together in order to battle the mortal enemy who will destroy all Illam's people have worked so hard to build. Love’s Beguiling Healer is a tale not to be missed, and it is another delightful futuristic offering from Wings ePress. Come and visit Angela’s world as she tells of Tera’s fight, and final capitulation and descent into a forbidden love with Illam. Illam and Tera’s story is coming soon, and will be available at http://www.wings-press.com/ in December, so watch for it. You really don't want to miss it because Love’s Beguiling Healer is another definite keeper penned from the delightful imagination of Angela Verdenius. As a cat lover myself, I loved this one. The struggle of this feline breed to survive really touched my heart. As for the humour, Angela again strikes the balance perfectly with her good humoured Daamen Traders, and their good natured meddling in friends behalf. This latest installment of the Heart and Soul Series is one of my favourites.

Yours in good reading,

Rose!

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