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August 2010
On Sale: August 7, 2010
ISBN: 1603105093
EAN: 9781603105095
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Erotic Paranormal | Science Fiction | Paranormal Romance
While embarking on separate quests in pursuit of duty, an
honorable Warrior and a courageous Healer plunge together
into danger and adventure to find redemption, and a love
neither expected. Ronan Macaulester is a tough warrior from the planet Maxxon,
known for its overabundance of men, its fierce warrior
culture, and its vast riches. He has traveled to the
backwater planet Ares seeking his brother. When he finds his
brother murdered, he flees to the coast, hoping to catch the
inter-galactic shuttle, his only means of escape from a
planet where outsiders are not welcome. He stumbles upon Galatea (Lata) Riesling, whose virginity is
being auctioned in a religious rite. Ronan cannot leave her
to this degradation. Raised on a planet with too few women,
he’s been trained first and foremost to protect women. Galatea is a courageous and intelligent woman who wants to
find a way to pull her planet out of poverty and ignorance.
She will undergo the humiliation of the auction because she
believes she can only help her countrywomen by working
within the constraints of her society’s strict religious
customs. Ronan delays his escape, winning Galatea at the auction, but
awakening the ire of her countrymen. While fleeing the
Temple after the auction, Ronan is seriously wounded.
Galatea, a renowned Healer, insists on traveling with him to
tend his injury. They share a kiss while waiting to pay the auction ransom
and Galatea finds herself becoming fascinated with this man
who is unlike any other she’s ever known. But her lifelong
goal of improving the lives of her fellow Areans precludes
any thought of her leaving the planet, and she knows Ronan’s
life is forfeit if he stays. Ronan enjoys their shared kiss, but it convinces him that
the sooner he leaves her, the better. Though he enjoys
women, he never becomes emotionally involved. He’s never
resolved the guilt he feels over the death of his first love. On the hurried and dangerous journey, sexual tension simmers
between them. Galatea knows well enough how to entice Ronan.
He, meanwhile, suffers under the torment of knowing it is
his right under their customs to take her at any time. Only
his own honor stops him, as he knows they cannot be mated
for life as his customs require. When they stop for a night, Galatea tries to convince him to
perform the Initiation rite. Ronan fights the temptation. In
his culture, a man takes a virgin only when he intends to
mate for life. Despite his intentions, Ronan succumbs to her. After they make love, Galatea realizes that, in giving her
body, she has risked her heart - a heart she cannot give
away if she is to fulfill her goals on her home planet.
Ronan realizes that Galatea has awakened emotions he’d
thought had died with his first love. They arrive at the coast to discover the shuttle has been
driven off by the Temple guard. They find a scientist who
has developed a risky, untried transport which may allow
them to catch up with the shuttle. But Ronan’s protective
side emerges, and he refuses to allow Galatea to go with him
on the experimental transport. Galatea fumes at his decision, but accepts it because her
goals require her presence on Ares. Then she discovers she
could help her people more by leaving the planet to
establish economic links and trade elsewhere than by staying
behind. She convinces Ronan to modify his protective instincts and,
together, they take the dangerous journey to rendezvous with
the shuttle. In choosing to embark on this adventure, Galatea learns she
has the courage and the ability to save not only her
countrywomen, but also the man whose heart she has claimed.
Ronan learns that he can only truly love someone who matches
his strength with her own.
Comments
21 comments posted.
Re: The Star Necklace
We were there when our daughter was young and her comment was "Euuuu (sp?) tell me when it's over so that I can open my eyes!)
(Karin Tillotson 9:43am August 17, 2010)
Austria being one of my favourite countries, I just have to comment! Yes, public nudity is accepted over there, unlike in this country. Not only did I find it totally enjoyable (yes, I DID look!), but I also participated, as far as I was able to (changing out of the swimsuit bottom into a towel).
It's a lovely country, and the people are some of the nicest I ever met when traveling in Europe. I'd go back in a heartbeat!!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 10:33am August 17, 2010)
I feel that any type of nudity makes people uncomfortable because it's not the norm in this country. I have a friend that doesn't think twice about changing her top in front of people, but it makes me blush, even though she still has her bra on. I was brought up differently, I guess, and even feel uncomfortable doing things like that in front of my own doctor!! lol
(Peggy Roberson 11:00am August 17, 2010)
I agree with Peggy but I also think that it is sad that we are so closed minded as a whole.
(Vickie Hightower 11:15am August 17, 2010)
Karin, so I guess you saw some nudists, as well. lol
Lyn, yes Austria is a beautiful and friendly country. Vienna has so many all-pedestrian zones. It's nice for visitors.
Peggy and Vickie, I wonder why we are so different in this country? (I have no theory, lol.)
(Carly Carson 11:44am August 17, 2010)
No stories about public nudity to share.
Hell yes, women are voyeurs; they just won't admit it. (I proudly will.) At least not in the USA. This country hasn't caught up yet with the European countries when it comes to being comfortable with their own nudity. I, on the other hand, had to get used to it. When you're thrown together with a bunch of strangers in boot camp, nudity is the last thing on your mind. I found as I get older, I get wiser too.
(Cynthia Netherton 11:55am August 17, 2010)
I've never really minded changing in a women's locker room. I figure that I don't have anything they haven't seen before. Also, since I had a male Gynocologist up though 2006, being examined by a doctor doesn't really bother me.
Nudity in mixed company other than doctors is a whole other story though!
(Robin Greene 2:01pm August 17, 2010)
Cynthia, I wonder if it's harder for women to not only admit to voyeurism, but also to even do it. Unlike men, we're not really brought up to believe it's acceptable behavior. Of course, there are some co-ed bathrooms even in the US, but that crosses the line for me.
(Carly Carson 3:55pm August 17, 2010)
Robin, I'm not one who wants to be naked in mixed company. Visited a friend once who was having a pool party. He forgot to mention they were skinny dipping. I worked with him. It was too awkward. I got the heck out of there.
(Carly Carson 3:58pm August 17, 2010)
No surprise public nudity to report. I am not comfortable with open displays of nudity.
(Mary Preston 5:57pm August 17, 2010)
Not total nudity but there was that family vacation in London when I was about 21 where we stayed at a B&B in which the windows have a view of the rooms across a tiny courtyard. I looked out of the window and realized that the room directly across the way was a communal bathroom and that a man was getting ready for his shower (he was naked but I didn't see much from the back).
I've never been to Austria before. I've been to Germany but only in January so I don't know if they're casual about nudity there as well (it was way too cold during my visit).
(S Tieh 7:58pm August 17, 2010)
I loved your story about Austria! LOL I think I would have been terribly embarrassed! Yeah I was told by a friend of mine who goes to clothing optional places, that the people that go to those are older not great looking have surgical scars, whatever and are just wanting to hang out but have no respect for young people who want to come and just be there to display themselves. It's about the freedom to do what they wish for the older crowd. Not seeing people who are great looking naked. Seeing someone changing clothings out in the parking lot, well that would have taken me by surprise!
dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 8:50pm August 17, 2010)
Mary, you're undoubtedly in the majority, at least in the US.
S Tieh, they are probably much more circumspect in the winter!
(Carly Carson 9:00pm August 17, 2010)
Brenda, I'm starting to realize I could do a whole blog series on this subject. lol Greece, St. Marten, Switzerland and Mexico are all places off the top of my head where I've seen folks who think clothing is optional. I saw what you're talking about with people doing a mud bath thing in St Marten. Not pretty. (We were on a boat.)
(Carly Carson 9:07pm August 17, 2010)
Thanks everyone for joining me today. It's been fun!
(Carly Carson 11:26pm August 17, 2010)
What is in the air over there? A blush
worthy trip : ) No nude story. Have
been mooned a few times - usually
teen boys. When I was in the Peace
Corps, I was riding in a horse drawn
taxi type vehicle. We passed a young
man standing on the side of the road
waving his "wares" at the passing
carriage.
Thanks for the smile. Read this to my
husband. He got a kick out of the kilt
antics. Thank Heaven he doesn't go
commando when he wears his. After
this story though, I'll keep a better
watch on him : )
(Patricia Barraclough 9:28pm August 18, 2010)
Oooh Patricia, you have a kilt-wearing husband? Yeah, you'd better watch him!! lol
(Carly Carson 8:23pm August 19, 2010)
I was recently flashed by an
elderly neighbor who I'm sure
did not realize that when she
was bending over to pull weeds
out of her flowerbed at the
roadside she was showing the
girls off in all their glory.
She was apparently bra-less
and ever time she bent down to
pull a weed the girls were
swinging free. If we hadn't
been on the motorcycle riding
by, I'd have stopped and told
her but now I don't if it
would just embarrass her.
(Lisa Richards 11:27am August 22, 2010)
Hmmm, this points out the fact that there's all kinds of flashing. Too often, it's not the kind that lights up your day, lol. She probably would have been embarrassed, esp. if you hopped off a motorcycle to tell her. So no need to feel badly that you couldn't.
(Carly Carson 2:03pm August 23, 2010)
Looking forward to reading.
Sounds intriguing.
(Sharon Baker 2:20pm August 23, 2010)
I'm not sure I would like to sit on the side of road waiting for whoever but if he was good looking, may be.
(Pat Wilson 12:17pm September 16, 2010)
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