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In an unnamed medieval land, Tahn Dorn grows up under the tutelage and rule of his sadistic master, Samis. Acting as a dark angel, Tahn slips as a shadow in the night to kill whomever Samis bids. Samis is a cruel man who will do the work of anyone who will pay him enough. Samis uses drugs, intimidation and all manner of torture to get his ‘workers’ to do what he says. These workers are taken from the streets, orphans given food and shelter. Some feel a certain allegiance to Samis but most loath him.
Tahn has made preparations to leave Samis once and for all.
With this current assignment, he steals Netta away from her room just before the royal house is set ablaze. He hides her away and tricks Samis into letting some of the young one’s accompany him. It’s too late before Samis realizes he’s been tricked. Now the dark forces are out to get Tahn and the children.
The young widow Netta is in her room when a dark clothed person enters and takes her. He seems vaguely familiar maybe the one who killed her husband? Yet this kidnapper lets her, urges her, to scream alerting the rest of the family before they ride off. Netta attempts to escape and tries not to care for the children, but she is foiled and her heart betrays her. Although she cannot understand the captor she does start to feel for him.
Tahn cannot love anyone. He cares for them, he’ll protect them, but love is as foreign to him as land on the other side of the world. He hates himself, and finds no worth in his life. But, now with the children and Netta he seeks to find peace. First he must forgive himself, then Samis. Netta must forgive him. But none of this can happen without the love of God. Is it possible that in the midst of all that is evil God’s holy love can live?
Written with grit and a vision for other worldly things, Ms. Kelly delivers an impressive novel of good vs. evil, of dark angels and wicked lords, of good Lords and kind maidens. She made me believe in Tahn even though he is someone I would despise, she made me care for Netta and silently urge her to give Tahn a chance. A thrilling story, beautifully written and masterfully delivered. I loved it.
Highly recommended and Reviewers choice award winner.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
December 16, 2004
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