Jane Toombs pens an excellent tale full of magic, shifters and a despicable villain. Lelani is a good woman without the strong, stubborn character of many heroines. That's left for her personal attendant, Sasha, who always seems to know what to do. King Morsh, who marries Lelani to get an heir in case his nasty son meets an untimely end, is not an evil man. He's as much a victim of his position as anyone.

The author gives her own unique flavor to this tale, keeping it fresh and entertaining, rather than following the standard fare of having a woman unwillingly married off to an ogre. All of the characters come alive from the ones least mentioned to the couple whose relationship we're focused on. Ms. Toombs builds this first book in a way that makes me sure to follow this series to see what she'll come up with next.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
May 25, 2009