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| Take one Argon healer, add one maddening Felys male, a hefty pinch of sexual attraction, mix in some sass, a dash of dislike, stir well and watch the sparks and hisses fly. Now add Death and a deadly secret. Can Tera and Illam stop the fur flying long enough to save a whole species from extinction? |
| REVIEWS |
| EXCERPT |
| "…adds level after level to her world, building alliances and proving that many different cultures can live and love together in the best Star Trek manner." Brenda Edde, Romance Junkies "…has once again worked her extraordinary magic, and given us another invigorating chapter in her Heart and Soul series. These two races of people are very sexy in their own right but if you put them together, get out the asbestos suit, because it is going to get hot really fast. " Lydia Funneman, Writers Unlimited "...a brilliant story full of adventure and romance...a fast paced tale with twists and turns bound to provide a thrilling escapade. The primary storyline is skilfully woven to keep you turning the pages." Kelley A. Hartsell ck2s Kwips and Kritters "...the story of the distrust, dislike, and the trouble that brings two enemies together...another definite keeper...As a cat lover myself, I loved this one. The struggle of this feline breed to survive really touched my heart. As for the humour, Angela again strikes the balance perfectly... This latest installment of the Heart and Soul Series is one of my favourites." Rose! "...an enchanted story filled with cat-like beings. A tale of strong characters, sensuality, danger and meaning." Anne Red Roses For Authors |
| “So how was it?” Rilla finally said eagerly. “Huh?” Tera said. “You and Illam have been through the mating process,” Marx explained. “How was it? Did it feel the same as when two Felys mate, or two Argons mate?” Tera looked totally flustered for several seconds. By Jocat, it had been a close call. They’d nearly done it. Illam raised one brow at Tera. Taking enjoyment in her discomfort helped keep his face expressionless, which was a good thing, because Wylin was keeping him under close surveillance. Tera cleared her throat. “What Illam means is that we’ve talked about the mating process. We haven’t actually done it ourselves.” Marx was disappointed. “What a shame.” “It’d have been interesting.” Rilla sighed. Scratch interesting. Illam watched the pink in Tera’s cheeks from beneath lowered eyelids. I bet it would have been carnal. “Never mind,” Marx said suddenly. “Maybe there’ll be a Felys female that Wylin will find interesting enough to mate with.” Intent on Illam, the statement caught Wylin unawares, and his mouth dropped open in surprise, something Illam was certain didn’t happen often. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful!” Rilla beamed. “We can get some good feedback that way!” “For sure, Lysie won’t tell us what it’s like to mate with an Argon.” Marx shook his head. “Then again, maybe Tera might find a Felys male to her liking. If Illam hasn’t interested her, then maybe another will.” Rilla nodded. “Just the thing!” It bloody well was not the thing! Illam glowered at her. “Rilla, is this a research job or a sex match job?” “It was merely a thought, Illam. Now then,” Rilla looked at Tera, who was trying not to laugh at Wylin. “Where do we start?” “What? Oh.” Tera bent down and placed a container on the table. “I think we need to unload everything, then organize the day into the different samples we need to get. I need to find out the best times for everyone to come and give samples.” “What sort of samples do you need?” Rilla peered with interest into another container. This could be a long day. Illam sat in a chair, tilted it back, stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “Skin and blood,” Tera began. “For the DNA?” Marx queried. “Exactly. I also need hair and nail clippings.” “No problems there.” “I’ll do skull measurements, skull readings--” Oh yeah, I remember that. Illam smiled to himself. I could do that again. His eyes popped open suddenly. That meant she’d be handling the other Felys men the same way she had done him. He frowned. He noticed that Wylin, who was starting to unpack the equipment, was giving him a thoughtful stare. So he closed his eyes again and tried to relax. “You’ll need a sperm sample, too,” Rilla prattled on. “Oh my, yes,” Marx agreed. By Delcat. “A sperm sample would help,” Tera surprised him by agreeing. “Who can we get to give us a specimen?” Rilla wondered. “Preferably a strong, healthy male in his prime,” Tera stated. “Someone who is likely to have a lot of sperm.” Silence filled the cabin, and suddenly Illam didn’t want to open his eyes. But he had to do so. He opened them a crack to see the three healers looking pointedly at him. Wylin was biting his lip, trying not to laugh. The Argon bodyguard is really a bit of a bastard. “Illam--” Rilla began. “No!” Snapping upright, Illam’s chair crashed onto all four legs. “Oh, come on,” Marx coaxed. “You’re in your prime.” “I just bet you have a hoard of sperm swimming around,” Rilla said. “You can afford to part with some,” Marx pointed out. “No.” “We won’t watch,” Rilla promised. “Here.” Tera held out a glass jar. “What the hell...” He stared at it incredulously. “You want me to fill that up?” “Well, if you’re that virile... sure.” Wylin had his back to them, his shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. “No!” Illam ground out. “I’ve never been so insulted!” “Oh, come on,” Tera said patiently. “I’m sure you’ve had hand jobs before. It’s just instead of spilling it on the floor or your hand, you spurt into the jar.” He couldn’t believe it. “No, I’m telling you!” He also couldn’t believe how desperate he was starting to sound. “Really, Illam, you’re not very cooperative,” Marx said in disappointment. “Yeah, Illam,” Wylin choked out, his back still turned. “You’re not being very--” “Shut up, Argon,” Illam snarled. Which only made Wylin’s shoulders shake all the more. Stalking out of the hut, Illam strode to the end of the verandah well away from the door, and took a deep breath. A sperm sample? Him, shoot his load into a sterile jar? By God, not in this lifetime! “Illam?” Tera’s voice sounded behind him. “No,” he growled. “It’s just a little sample.” Her tone was wheedling. Swinging around, Illam found her right behind him. Holding the bloody jar. Grabbing her upper arms, he leaned forward so that his face was inches from her own startled face. “I don’t shoot into a jar,” he snarled. “Look, I didn’t mean to offend you.” She sounded perfectly reasonable. Her warm breath brushed across his lips, and her scent flowed into his senses. His hormones started to perk up in lively anticipation. Hallelujah! Heat tingled through him and he watched as her eyes widened, and he felt as though he could drown in the crystal depths. “No jar,” he whispered throatily. Her gaze flickered over his face, those tingling warm breaths coming more shallowly and rapidly. “No jar?” “When I ejaculate for you, makit, it won’t be in a jar.” The feral in him was starting to awaken at the combination of her scent, her moist lips which were partly open in surprise, the subject... and his own lustful visions. “It--it won’t?” “No.” Sliding his cheek across hers, he just managed to avoid rubbing the corner of his mouth against her. He inhaled deeply, filling himself with her scent. Hearing his inner feral give a yowl of growing heat. “When I come, Tera, it’ll be deep inside your hot little sheath.” She froze. Her breath was hot as she turned her head a little, and he groaned inwardly as that hot breath caressed his sensitive ear. It was as though they were all alone. Heat was between them, her scent clinging to them both. His hands slid down her arms to grip her wrists. Finding the glass jar in her hands, he took it from her nerveless fingers and whispered huskily, “No jar. Just you.” “Tera?” Wylin’s voice came from inside the hut. “Where do you want this microscope?” Tera took a deep breath, then stepped back from him. Immediately he felt the loss of her body heat, the coolness replacing it. Her eyes were luminous, her lips so moist he wanted to kiss her deeply and take her essence right then and there. He looked at her mouth, his eyes hot. His blood thrumming in his ears. By Delcat, I could spill myself right inside that luscious, hot mouth. There was no doubt that Tera knew his exact thoughts. She licked her lips, then took another step back. Illam didn’t follow her. Wylin’s voice had brought him back to reality. Standing on the verandah of the healers’ hut, there was no privacy to do what he wanted. Even to kiss her was to invite speculation. But, by Delcat, if they’d been in a private place... “Inside you, Tera.” He couldn’t stop the hot promise from slipping out. His gaze rose to lock with hers. “Tera?” Wylin’s voice sounded closer. “I’m here.” Grabbing the jar from Illam, Tera cleared her throat, swung around on her heel and walked back to the doorway. “Illam’s not going to help with a specimen.” Even as Illam turned away to brace himself on his hands on the railing and stare out over the settlement, he caught a glimpse of Wylin appearing in the doorway. Wylin was frowning suspiciously. “Tera, are you all right? You look a little--” “Here, Wylin.” She shoved the jar at him and he took it quickly. “Why don’t you give the Felys a sample of your sperm?” Tera strode past him to disappear into the hut. “Excellent idea!” Marx crowed. “Oh, yes please!” Rilla said eagerly. “A sample would be just wonderful!” “No!” Wylin retorted. Closing his eyes, Illam took deep breaths. He had no doubt that Tera had deliberately diverted Wylin’s attention. She didn’t want him to know what had transpired between them. Good. Illam hoped that no one had spotted him and Tera on the verandah. “Well, hello,” Denyon’s voice drawled from a nearby tree. “Nice demonstration of restraint.” Crap. “How about I take over and you go cool off?” Illam opened his eyes to a narrow slit. That was all his friend was going to say? Straight-faced, Denyon added, “Go find yourself a jar.” Yep, too good to be true. |
| Dec bestseller at Wings! |
| "...a sexy fantasy that kept me turning the pages... a fantastic fantasy world with characters that fit into it perfectly...even if you're not a fan of fantasy romance, I think you will really like this book nevertheless. Julie Kornhausl Romance Reader at Heart |
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| Love's Beguiling Healer |
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