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Jefh is a Cavern Dancer, a race of beings with enhanced abilities to hold their breath and swim to unimaginable depths in order to mine for precious gems. Even as an illegitimate half-blood prince, he should have been revered in Julius, his homeland. Instead, he is at the mercy of his half-brother, King Tabor, who has no mercy. King Tabor is newly married Princess Giliana, but doesn’t know her and is too self-absorbed to want to get to know her. So to consummate the marriage and gain an heir of his blood, he forces Jehf to visit Princess Giliana each evening until the royal.
Princess Giliana has always known that her marriage would be an arranged one that would benefit her country, Minor Ives and its people. Therefore, she is willing to work with Tabor to build a relationship and a good marriage. But at the wedding ceremony and celebration, Tabor acts like a pompous jerk by showing his boredom and ignoring her. Giliana knows their marriage is doomed. So she is shocked and pleased when he comes to her bed and seems almost like another man.
Fearful for his mother and sister, Jehf agrees to the coercion and consummates the marriage. Thus begins a week of sultry, sexy nights where Jehf and Giliana begin to fall in love. But Giliana cannot reconcile her feelings for the man who comes to her with gentleness and love each evening with the coldhearted man she sees during the day, and begins to question the differences. Unfortunately, Jehf’s usefulness is at an end and Prince Tabor uses his strange soothsayer to dispose of Jehf. The journey to survive and reclaim Giliana consumes Jehf, while Giliana struggles to live with Prince Tabor. She figures out Tabor and Jehf’s secret but keeps quiet from fear when Jehf disappears. As her feelings for Tabor have turned to loathing while her memories of Jehf sustain her through long years until Jehf’s unexpected return.
Ms. Hill pens a wonderful novel of intrigue, betrayal, lust and love. The characters are well developed and enjoyable. You will know Jehf and Giliana’s desires, as well as their fears and needs. In addition, the twists in the story involving the soothsayer and King Tabor will keep you interested until the last page. Descriptions of Julius, the Chrossmarrie caverns and the royal houses are rich and realistic, making it seem like you’re right there. Last but not least, the sex scenes are scorching. You’ll want to keep the air conditioner turned down and the ice handy to cool off while reading this erotic fantasy!
Reviewed by Trang Black
for The Road to Romance
April 15, 2005
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