Characters:
Marten—bodyguard—of the race called Argons—greatly desired by women of nearly every race.

Lysie—thief—Felys race (catlike human—nearly extinct species—females are highly valued)—once were sex slaves to countless races across the galaxy—the Felys number are now few.


Review:
Lysie picks the wrong Argon to steal from, and not only once but twice!  Marten puts a bounty on Lysie's head—he desperately desires to reclaim the property stolen from him.  After a merry chase, Lysie is finally in his possession—after she steals aboard his ship in an attempt to escape from others who are after her.

Marten is on course to take Lysie back to Argon with him when they are attacked by space pirates.  They are forced to crash land on what is thought to be an uninhabited planet.  There they are captured by lizard creatures and carted back to their camp.

Befriending the apparently cordial creatures, Marten and Lysie assist them in warding of an attack on the camp by a band of murderous otherlanders.  

Indebted to Marten and Lysie, the lizard creatures take the two visitors to an old ship which had crash landed several years ago on the planet.  Marten and Lysie manage to tap into the ship's power supply, get the old ship functional again, and then head back into space and back on course to Argon.

To Marten's surprise, Lysie is coming into her heat cycle.  Now more than ever, her own people seek to get her back for breeding purposes, and another space rogue—who happens to be part cyborg—is also after Lysie—only his intent is to kill her.

The remainder of the story takes the reader on a wild ride through battles in space, kidnapping, daring rescues, and a fight to claim the Felys female.

Much like Vulcan males (Star Trek), Felys females go insane if they do not mate during the peak of their heat phase.  It is quite interesting to see what transpires in this story as Marten goes head-to-head against the well guarded facts of nature where Felys females are concerned.  

This story has several worthwhile elements interwoven throughout the story.  There's a little bit of everything in it for every type of reader.  I'd recommend this book for those who love to be caught up in adventures which entail a chase for the prize—and for those who enjoy a stronger side of romantic relationships.


I give this book 5 out of 5 planets.


By: Ruby Moon-Houldson

Earth Realms Reviews

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It was a pleasure to interview Angela Verdenius.  She’s a wonderful author who’s written several books across a variety of genres.  I asked her a few questions about writing and her life.  She was good enough to reply in kind. 

Ruby: When did you start writing?
Angela: I’ve written for as long as I can remember, scribbling little stories when I was about 8 yrs old!  But I seriously started writing in about 1997.

Ruby: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Angela: Since I was very young, but I really turned my mind to it in about 1997.  I knew I had to get serious.

Ruby: Where do your ideas and subjects come from?
Angela: Ideas come to me through music, while driving, in the shower…I get like a ‘freeze-frame shot’, and from there I build a bigger picture, then a story.  Sometimes while writing a story, I’ll find another character interesting and follow his/her story later.

Ruby: Did writing come natural to you or is it something that you had/have to work on?
Angela: Writing comes natural to me.  I’m a real day dreamer and I live my writing as I write my story.  I often find myself crying, laughing, smiling or frowning when I write, according to the scene I’m writing.

But I also need to be disciplined and write daily or at least every second day.  It’s easy to get lazy.

Ruby: Does your writing come from your life or from other people?
Angela: I’d say a bit of both.  Into my characters I put what I like and dislike about people, depending on the character.  I reckon life experiences color our characters.

Ruby: Have you taken any special classes for writing?
Angela: Years ago I took a writing course, but the resulting book was a huge flop, and I cringe even now when I look at it.  LOL.  I was 16 yrs old at the time and thought I was great.  I learned later it was terrible!  But it taught me about beginnings, middles and endings.

Ruby: Did you ever think that your writing would get you to where you are today?
Angela: No, I never dreamed I’d get this far.  I still have a long way to go, I know, but with 16 books and four short stories under my belt, I figure I’m on my way.

I still can’t believe people read my books and actually like them.  LOL.

Ruby: Who were the people or person who inspired you to write?
Angela: I don’t know if it was any one person as such.  I loved reading; it opened up so many new worlds.  I think being a natural daydreamer combined with all those wonderful stories inspired me.

Ruby: How many different drafts do you go through before you have a finished product for publication consideration?
Angela: Um…*cough*…I actually only have the one draft.  I don’t do anymore.  I write the one manuscript, fix up mistakes as I go, do a final re-read and change things if needed, and that’s it.  I tend to write as the story unfolds before me, and only change things that I find inconsistent or not making sense in my final reads.

Ruby: What has been your favorite story/subject that you have written about and why?
Angela: I love my sci-fi/futuristic romances, but I wrote a short horror/satire story and just loved it. The horror, the satire, people I can relate to (nurses), and the fact that I didn’t have to concentrate on relationships as such.  It was the best fun I’ve ever had writing.

Ruby: What kind of environment do you prefer when you’re writing?
Angela: My little room. It’s a converted storeroom at the back of the house.  I have my two desks, my radio, computer, cartoons and jokes on the walls, sayings…privacy. I can’t write where people are.  I’m a loner.  I’m too self-conscious to write around others, and I don’t like anyone to see what I’ve written.

Ruby: What tips do you have for aspiring writers?
Angela: Write what you know or research the topic well.  Write with your heart and don’t be too scared of what others will think about it, especially family and friends.  Do write a bit every day, it keeps you ‘in sync’ with your story.  Don’t be put off by rejections - even the world’s greatest writers had rejects before they finally got that contract.  Many big writers had their manuscripts in their drawers for years before they were suddenly ‘discovered’.  Don’t fear pushing the boundaries when writing.  And be kind to yourself - take time out to regenerate.  Writing can be a difficult and lonely job.

Ruby: What is your favorite part and least part about being a writer?
Angela: When I’m tired and just want to laze around, but I know I have to meet my deadline and finish the book.  I especially hate promotion, as I’ve never been one to push myself forwards, so promotion is hard for me.

Favorite part of writing - living my daydreams and pushing boundaries.  Plus I’m a bit of a loner, so I don’t mind the being alone.

Ruby: Where do you see yourself and your writing in 10 years?
Angela: Hopefully writing for a living, or being partially funded by my writing.

Ruby: What do you do when you get stuck in writing?
Angela: I keep plugging along.  I tend to get up and wander around a bit, have a shower, or even go for a drive.  Somehow that helps me work through it by giving me ideas on how to break through the problem.  Sometimes just mulling it over for a couple of days helps, too.

Ruby: How do you get knowledgeable about the topic you want to write about?
Angela: Research.  Sci-fi romance isn’t too hard, it’s being imaginative.  But for anything that needs to be based on reality, research through internet and books is the way I go.

Ruby: What research do you do?
Angela: I read heaps, so I do a lot of research that way, as well as through internet searching.

Ruby: Does your story/subject change direction after your have begun
writing it?
Angela: Not much at all.  I have a basic plot outline, which can change, and I always jot down ideas and things, but I tend to keep to the basic plot.  Where I branch out and take it can bend the lines, <g>, but it keeps me focused.

Ruby: Have you ever wanted to quit? What did you do when that thought happened?
Angela: Only when I saw how much time I spent promoting, writing, trying to work full time as well, and how little my bank balance was rising.  LOL.  Then I had a long talk with myself.  Writing is something I could never give up, so I had to learn to manage my time better, and be kinder to myself.  I’m not superwoman.  I needed to set realistic goals.

Ruby: What are you working on now?
Angela: I just finished book 15 of the Heart & Soul series, and the contract for it came through yesterday.  So now I have plans to do something different - either a horror, action novel or a totally different sci-fi romance.

Ruby: What projects do you have for the future?
Angela: Definitely branching out into a few different genres.  Horror is one of my loves, and I’m dying to try my hand at that!  I had thought Urban Fantasy, which is all the rage at the moment, but I don’t want it to be like other books.  I want something different.


Author Bio:
Award winning author:  Born in Victoria, Australia, my childhood was spent in a variety of places, both in towns and the outback. Now settled in Western Australia, I work as a nurse. A love of animals has me involved in animal welfare, and certainly explains why the cats hog my bed and the hot water bottle!

Reading has always been my escape, writing my dream. Horror, myths, legends, fantasy and history, there are no limits to the wonders to be found.  And romance? Well, that adds the spice, hope and happiness ever after.

Awards and Recognition:
Heart of an Outlaw - Golden Wings Award (publisher's award for best in the genre)

Soul of a Mercenary - Road to Romance Reviewers Choice award August 2003

Heart of the Betrayed - Golden Wings Award

Love's Sweet Assassin - Golden Wings Award

Soul of a Hunter - Rio Recommends

Love's Bewitching Thief - Romance Reader at Heart Top Pick

Heart of the Forsaken - Cata Romance Reviewers Choice

Soul of a Witch - Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read

Heart of a Traitor - Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read

Soul of the Forgotten

• ck2s Kwips and Kritques Recommended Read
• Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read

Love's Beguiling Healer:

• Romance Reader at Heart Top Pick
• Dec 2006 best seller at Wings ePress

Heart of a Peacekeeper - 5 Blue Ribbons Romance Junkies award

Soul of a Predator - ck2s Kwips and Kritques Recommended Read

Nominated by The Long and Short of it in the "Best Romance of 2007" in the long e-book category

In the poll for Aussie Author of the year from Aussie Author.com

WingsePress, Inc.
Futuristic Novel
www.angelaverdenius.com 

ISBN: 1-59088-294-6
June 2004
 

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