After a 15-year absence, Straif Blackthorn returns to
Druida City to claim his rightful place as GrandLord
T'Blackthorn. As a young man of 17, Straif lost his entire
family to the Celtan Angh virus -- a virus fatal only to the
Blackthorns due to a genetic weakness. His mother, father,
sister, aunts, uncles, cousins...all are gone, leaving Straif
the last of the Blackthorn line. Now he's returned and is
intent on finding a cure for the genetic disorder and
reestablishing his line. During his long absence, the
T'Blackthorn Residence has fallen into deep disrepair.
Straif's first order of business is to hire a contractor to
repair and refurbish the Residence. Mitchella Clover comes
highly recommended by Drina, his new Fam, and as soon as
Straif sets eyes on Mitchella, he decides she's just the
woman for the job.
The attraction is mutual and Mitchella accepts Straif's
offer of employment. To bring a Residence back to life
after such a long period of neglect will cement her
reputation. She even decides the casual affair he suggests
will be a pleasurable interlude for them both. Mitchella
realizes any liaison with Straif is doomed to be a brief
one. Nothing is more important to T'Blackthorn than having
a family so his genetic line will continue. Mitchella has
been sterile for many years and knows her condition to be
irreversible.
Straif and Mitchella begin a heady affair and come to care
for each other deeply. But when she tells him she's unable
to conceive, he walks away from what has become a
passionate and loving relationship. Fortunately, it doesn't
take long for Straif to realize that there's more to family
than a gene pool, that a heart bond can be much more
important than shared DNA.
Once a year, Ms. Owens takes us back to Celta where its
inhabitants and their Fams enchant and delight us for a day
or two. I can't imagine it taking even the pokiest reader
longer than that to finish one of her books. They're like
Godiva chocolates, impossible to eat just a few. There will
be no saving some for later. You'll gobble it down and howl
for more when it's gone!
On the planet of Celta, where psychic talents thrive and
desires flourish, Straif Blackthorne is the last of his
kind. After his family dies due to a genetic disorder,
Straif is determined to find a cure and rebuild his
heritage. Nothing else matters--until he meets Mitchella
Clover. But Straif cannot give Mitchella his heart, for she
is unable to bear children. Only when tragedy threatens to
destroy them do they realize what truly matters, and what
they truly mean to each other.