Their ancestors came from the stars in metal ships bringing
with them a wondrous technology. Wondrous, but useless, on
the world they chose to colonize -- a planet where natural
disasters of climatic proportions were as common as summer
rain and all their technology couldn't save them. Their
cities, crops and people were almost completely destroyed.
Earthquakes, floods and tornados ravaged the land.
Eventually, natural selection came into play, and among the
people there were those born with the ability to channel
the force of the disasters and cause them to subside. These
were the first Sources. The disasters were averted, but the
Sources died as a result. Again, evolution came up with a
solution and the first Shields were born.
The Shields are unique individuals who can reach into the
mind of a Source during channeling and calm and protect
them. These bonded pairs protect the people and the land.
Their only obligation is that they travel from city to city
as ordered by the Empress and her government as duty
demands it. The bond between a Source and Shield is a life-
long relationship. No matter how they feel about each
other, it's literally a "death do us part" relationship.
Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough has trained as a Shield since
early childhood. She's sure she'll be chosen by a Source
who will complement her skill and temperament. Instead,
she's bonded with Lord Shintaro Karish, or Taro, as he
prefers to be called. Nicknamed the Stallion of the Triple
S, Lee finds Taro somewhat lacking in the qualities she
values in a partner.
Charismatic and easy going, Taro tends to be the center of
attention in every situation. Lee and Taro are stationed in
the city of High Scape, a place so plagued by disaster that
they are only one of seven pairs sent to protect it. The
duo's mettle is soon tested when a force of unnatural power
hits High Scape. Lee and Taro shield the city, but when the
event is over, they find the other pairs have not survived.
Then disaster of a more personal nature strikes when Taro
learns his brother has died and now he, as the new heir, is
expected to return home and take his rightful place in his
family. When Taro is kidnapped, Lee, at her wit's end by
now, has to find him, rescue him, defend her city and, just
for good measure, save the world from a madman's delusions
of grandeur.
An entertaining read, RESENTING THE HERO is sure to be a
hit with romance, as well as fantasy, readers. The
relationship between the new partners is a lot of fun to
watch as it blossoms and changes. Lee has badly misjudged
Taro, but he's guilty of the same where she's concerned.
The next book in the series, THE HERO STRIKES BACK, is due
in September 2006. It will be interesting to see where
their relationship takes them.
In a realm beset by natural disasters, only the bonded
Pairs--Source and Shield--make the land habitable and keep
the citizenry safe. But can Dunleavy Mallorough and Lord
Shintaro Karish put aside their differences to defeat
something even more unnatural than their reluctant
affections for each other?
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