There is an organization of evolved humans called the Telepath Guild who over a period of time have enslaved humans, and their own kind, to their will. They think themselves far superior to all species in the universe.

Anya Vaedrin was born an empath. Her ability at first was so weak the TG left her alone. At puberty her abilities altered and she became a tel-empath. The first of her kind, she knew she had to hide it, or the Telepath Guild would capture her and experiment on her. Anything they see as a threat they either controlled or eliminated. Anya’s ex lover turns her in, and now she is running for her very life.

Anya is a singer by trade; with a voice that has earned the nickname Earth Angel. Along with her are her backup singers and closest friends Rie of Thlassnian, Jarden and Cesna. They have heard of a place called Far Reach Station where they might find sanctuary. It is known as the Free Zone where all forms of life can live together in harmony. Maybe there they will be safe.

Captain Marta Jamison runs Far Reach Station and grants Anya and her group asylum gladly… a little too gladly. Anya gets the feeling that Capt. Jamison has her own agenda.

There, Anya meets Lieutenant Commander Jason Salvatore. With her ability of empathy, she can feel his anger towards her, but she has no idea why. She is also drawn to him in a way she has never felt for any man. But that will have to wait. Right now her main concern is to stay alive and avoid the assassin sent by the TG.

From the moment Jason sees Anya he is a stunned. This is the woman he has fantasized about ever since he first heard her sing. But he fights this attraction because he believes Anya read his mind and was poking fun about his feelings for her. He uses anger as a way of shielding himself from her. He soon realizes he’s deeply in love with Anya and very afraid for her life.

Capt. Jamison is a highly intelligent woman and she knows that change is inevitable. Anya could be the one person who can help achieve peace between the human race and the alien races that are closing in on their universe.

Jason is torn between his love, as well as his need to protect Anya, and his duty to the station and his captain. Anya realizes her love for Jason, but doesn’t know how to get through the anger he feels toward her. Can she get past his barrier and find a love ever lasting? And how does she fit in Capt. Jamison’s plans to stop a war, which could very well wipe out mankind?

This sci-fi romance is very well written; it has action, intrigue, humor, and love. Once I started reading I just couldn’t put it down. I laughed and cried as I watched Jason and Anya quarrel their way to a love that could only be found in the stars. Michelle O’Leary, who also wrote the book The Huntress, once again shows just how talented she is. Her ability to create other life forms that not only sound realistic, but have you looking up at the sky and wondering, does she know something we don’t? I hope Ms. O’Leary has plans to expand this story by writing a story for Anya’s friends. Jarden, Cesna and Rie were very strong characters, as well as the captain and Lt. Cooper. All together they made for a very wonderful day of reading.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Diane T.
November 21, 2003