All his life, Rand T'Ash had looked forward to meeting his HeartMate, someone who would bring peace, light and love to his life. T'Ash knew that he was a little rough around the edges and that he didn't quite fit into the noble society, but he was working on it. Years before he had carefully crafted his HeartGift, a necklace that should find and attract his HeartMate. It had been on display in his jewelry store window for a long time, but no one had yet come to claim it...
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Danith Mallow was irresistibly drawn to the beautiful necklace on display in T'Ash's shop, but she was wary of T'Ash himself and believed that he had cast a spell on her to make her want him. In a world where a person's Flair, or magical gifts, determined their rank and role in society, Danith knew that she could never be T'Ash's equal. She had little or no pyschic ability and resigned herself to a comfortable life with another man. However, T'Ash refused to let Danith distance herself from him and saw her rejection as a challenge. He slowly changes her perceptions and helps her discover her own powerful pyschic abilites. He believes that she will turn to him if he is patient and that it is their destiny to be together. But will Danith have the courage to accept her place by his side?
I was pleasantly surprised by this book as it is very well written and actually has a story, not just a series of sensual scenes strung together. Robin Owens has created her own world with new rules, new roles and plenty of fun new characters. T'Ash is a typical brooding male and Danith is a strong female, she just doesn't know if she is quite strong enough to match him or if she wants to be strong enough to match him. There are also plenty of amusing supporting characters including T'Holly, T'Ash's charming best friend, Tinne, an impulsive boy about to take his first Passage, and, my favorite, Xanth, T'Ash's irrascible Fam (cat) who has the best lines in the whole book! The only thing that could have made this book better would be to make the ending a little less rushed and to have T'Ash and Danith come together a little sooner. But, this book is well worth buying and reading - you will enjoy yourself immensely!
The review of this Book prepared by Debbie
Celta, a settlement by Earth space explorers, is ruled by magical beings. They have various powers and these have been developed over the centuries, and like no stronger than in Rand Ash, now called T' Ash.
Only life is hollow for T'ash. He needs his HeartMate. People can marry on Celta as they please, but the ultimate in marriages is one with your HeartMate, a match to you in every way. Using a scrying bowl and special diving dice, T'ash learns his HeartMate is a woman named Danith Mallow.
The review of this Book prepared by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Berkley, Dec 2001,5.99, 350pp
ISBN: 0515132896
In Druida City, Celta, Rand T'Ash, a renowned jeweler, is lonely until his psi power, the Flair, informs him that “Today you will meet your HEARTMATE”. Suddenly his adrenaline flows to extreme levels as Rand anxiously awaits the arrival at his shop the Phoenix of whom he has dreamed of forever. As he anxiously awaits her arrival, Rand pulls out of his safe his HeartGift, a special necklace for his beloved.
However, instead of falling into his arms as he has fantasized, Danith Mallow seems frightened of the over eager and clearly ardent Rand with his brooding sensual dark looks at her. She flees his shop and while he falls into in self-pity, someone steals his HeartGift. Now Rand must show the patience of Job (minor anachronism) while courting his reluctant beloved and seeking the stolen necklace that symbolizes everything he cherishes in life.
HEARTMATE is a jocular fantasy romance with a touch of mystery that showcases Robin D Owens' ability to combine the varying elements into an entertaining novel that engages fans of all three genres. The lead couple is a delightful duo and his familiar Zanth (don't even go there) adds humor and feline advice to the mix. The amusing one-sitting story line works on all levels as readers from the different genres will want Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of heartmates.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
