When Ash went to the bridal chambers he found someone there who shouldn't be… and she wasn't leaving. Marta is the personal servant to the princess and she couldn't allow the prince his husbandly rights. To his horror, Ash finds out that Princess Katrina's ka, her soul, was gone; she is what is called Raaka, a soulless one.

Ash fears for their union, if the Blood Bonding ceremony isn't completed it could mean war. Akester, the Zard to the Royal Court, told Ash he would have to go and bring Katrina's ka back. There is just one problem with that. Katrina's ka is in the body of a woman, on another world. Ash, with the aid of a storm and the moon crystal, will travel to this world and bring back Princess Katrina's ka; he will not fail his people.

Cathy Lawrence has lived years in a split existence. Her fantasy world seemed all too real to her. If not for her foster family grounding her, Cathy would have slipped into the forgetfulness of her alternate world for good. Cathy is overcome when she wakes to find Ash standing there naked, the most glorious man she'd ever seen. Cathy wonders if she's finally cracked. How could her mystic warrior be standing in her room? Before Cathy understands what's happening Ash whisks her to his world. All Cathy knows is, someone's soul was inside her and some princess needed it back. But just where does that leave Cathy?

The great thing about a fantasy story is it gives the author the space to explore and create something from nothing. But there is one law to that thought, simply put; the author has to have an endless stretch of the imagination. Elysa Hendricks' well is full to over flowing with fantasy dreams that come to life on paper. Prince Ash dl Gar is the embodiment of a tortured soul, his heart or his honor, which will it be? Cathy's life changed dramatically when she created a world too real not to believe. How far is she willing to go for her mystic warrior and her heart? Ash and Cathy face more than just hard choices in the form of a jealous revival to the throne, as a plot evolves to kill the royal couple. Ms. Hendricks gave each character a sound personality and she really gives a solid structure to her story line. There is so much tenderness between Ash and Cathy that it had this reader feeling every emotion. This is the first book in a three book series and I can hardly wait to read the next story called Crystal Moon, also available now. This is truly a love story to read again and again. Enjoy!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Diane T.
July 28, 2004