Title: Love's Winsome Warrior
Author: Angela Verdenius
Published in June 2008 by Wings ePress
Genre: Futuristic/Sci-Fi Romance
IBSN: 978-1-59705-321-1
Cover Artist: Richard Stroud
Related Books: (1) Heart of an Outlaw • (2) Soul of a Mercenary • (3) Heart of the Betrayed • (4) Love's Sweet Assassin • (5) Soul of a Hunter • (6) Love's Bewitching Thief • (7) Heart of the Forsaken • (8) Soul of a Witch • (9) Heart of a Traitor • (10) Soul of the Forgotten • (11) Love's Beguiling Healer • (12) Heart of a Peacekeeper • (13) Soul of a Predator • (15) Heart of a Smuggler • (16) Soul of a Guardian • (17) Shattered Soul •
She is Reeka, and as such, she is an awsome and talented warrior. She stands tall, unafraid, and always alert. The blood of battle-weary heritage burns in her veins, and along with her sister warriors, she is finally free. Jonette is a lot of things, and she wants a lot of things as well, but as with most Reeka, she will not beg, she will earn her money, honors, and her livelihood with her own hands. The Reeka have had it hard, outlawed by the corrupt Inka Empire, a government who punished them for trying to save their own, they fought for everything they got from life. Now, with the fall of the Inka, changes in the Galactic rulers, and the formation of a Galactic Peace Force, the women warriors are once again free to live in the society as they wish, to pursue their goals, and to reestablish their agrarian lifestyle on Comll. Jonette is glad for all of this but chafes under the new rules. Used to going her own way, and fighting for her own safety, it is not an easy thing to remember or want report to Reya, the Reeka Leader. Now she finds her life is in danger, and keeps the secret, hunting for the perpetrator of the many accidents she has been having, hoping none of her sister warriors and friends will be caught and hurt in her fight.
There are some things Jonette still is not enjoying, and being shot out of the sky by an unknown enemy just puts a bitter icing on the cake. This time, much to her disgruntlement, she is caught, literally trapped with her worst enemy, and her heart's greatest desire. Like most Reeka, the treatment of their leader at the hands of the Argons still rankles, and for Jonette to be stranded and injured on Argon is more than she can stand. Her ship is battered, ripped and torn almost beyond repair. As if that is not bad enough, to her great dismay Kiile, the Argon's Leader, assigns her heart's nemesis, Wylie as her own personal bodyguard. If she is to remain here, she could be lost, so escape is the first priority. Unfortunately, Kiile has all her usual escape methods covered, all possible paths well blocked, and when he discovers a stalker was the reason for her crashing on Argon, he decides it is time he intervenes. Now saddled with not only Wylin, but Kiile as well, Jonette fears she will be putting the Argon Leader, as well as his mate in her enemy's crosshairs. When all truly goes to pieces, and Reya is informed of Jonette's situation, all bets are off, and things are definitely out of her hands...
Wylin couldn't be more pleased with the situation. He has been trying to figure out a way to get Jonette to Argon for quite a while now. Yeah, to say he is infatuated with the tall winsome Reeka is only putting it mildly. He is well aware it is much more than that, but he is not going to concede it to Martin or Eulie and be the object of their taunts and teases. He does not figure he is quite up to that yet, however, things can and probably will change where there is a Reeka involved, and Jonette is no exception. But Wylin is drawn to the winsome warrior, her dark beauty calls to him and intrigues him. Her height is a match to his, her sable coloring is a foil for his golden lightness. She is a heady lure for his sensuality, unconsciously begging for his notice. Like all of his kind, he is a very tall, sensual, and very sexual being, and it is one advantage he is not about to pass up if the opportunity presents itself. He wants Jonette with every fiber of his being, and will do almost anything to achieve his goal.
He is well aware Jonette is very unhappy on Argon, and angry about having him as bodyguard, and so Wylin sets out to make her as comfortable as he can. The teasing, the nickname he has given, and the other banter he uses does manage to stir her interest, but his plan to cajole, comfort, and soothe her is almost for naught. When Doleum, one of the palace children, decides to “help” him win Jonette’s heart, and get her into his bed, he finds himself in the position he wanted to be, but at the same time, not the way he wanted to be there. As he helps Jonette to ride the effects of one of Argon’s most powerful aphrodisiac, he realizes that having something given to you freely is much sweeter than having gotten it by force. In spite of the effects of the hot and heavy encounter, Wylin is determined to bring Jonette to an understanding of how he feels. He needs to let her know he stayed and bedded her not just because of the effects of the aphrodisiac on her, but first he has to overcome her reluctance to facing him, and entice her to come again to his bed. On any given day, with any other woman, that might be quite easy, but with his Jonette? Nevertheless, Wylin is definitely going to give it his best shot, and if he wins, it is gonna be for keeps…
There is sex, sensuality, and the lushness of nature written across the face of Argon, and it is here we fine our intrepid cast of characters for Angela’s June 2008 release in her Heart and Soul Series, Love's Winsome Warrior. Matching a Reeka Warrior with an Argon is quite a feat, and one not easily done. Ever since the Argon Leader and Prince, Kiile captured and sensually tortured the Reeka’s Leader, Reya there has been distrust and a bone of contention between the two races. Also, even though Reya and Kiile called pax, the Reeka as a whole do not trust the Argons at all, not as a race, let alone individually. So it is a quirk of fate that one of their own is stranded on Argon. Injured and unable to leave, Jonette must face the threats that surround her while also trying to unravel the mysterious web of “accidents” which have been plaguing her for many of the past months. She doesn’t need the worry of facing the Argons, nor of facing the one who could just be able to breach her defenses. For Wylin, it is a dream come true, and now he must make certain that he can and does breach Jonette’s heart, and assure her willingness to stay by his side as companion, a lover, and wife.
Love's Winsome Warrior is a book written with a light touch and a dark brush. Where there are Daamens and Argons, some humor always exists, but the danger and delicious darkness that marks the tales about the Reeka Warriors, and Angela's Universe is pervasive. This time, Argons provide the decidedly lighter touch, with Eulie's constant banter and teasing of Wylin. The constant byplay of Katina and Lysie also add to the mix, and when you add Hannah, the three provide a teeth grinding time for Jonette. Once again, I found Love's Winsome Warrior to be an exceptional read, and one that I know I will go back to again and again. Angela has eased the tension here and there with her humor, yet the situations and the suspense still rivets the reader. When it comes to attention, Wylin and Jonette will keep yours focused on the action, and on the love. There is nothing more enjoyable than a Reeka falling in love, and especially if it’s with an Argon. The pages will heat, millions of sparks will fly, and believe me when I say, Dear Reader, you will definitely be the winner. Angela’s Love's Winsome Warrior is the book for you if you enjoy good suspense and a touch humor with your danger and your futuristic romances. Released in June 2008 by Wings ePress, it is must buy, and a story you won't soon forget. It is a shining star in Angela's line of fine romances that Wings has to offer.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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