"5 Angels!...A Recommended Read...A treat...I could not put it down. Ms. Colgan’s skill keeps readers engaged and delighted throughout the entire story. I am hoping this is not the last story we will see with the Istrians. Truly well done."--Amanda, Fallen Angel Reviews
"5 Cups!...A wonderful story. It has all of the elements of a great plot...Ms. Colgan is adept in adding adventure, love, and intrigue...Well done, Ms. Colgan!"--Marcy, Coffee Time Romance
"4 ½ Lips!...A tautly plotted science fiction story with a weave of suspense and a woman's desire for independence in a rigidly structured society. The characters are well rounded, and many secondary characters add liveliness to the mix. There is sufficient action-adventure to speed the plot along, and the story line is enticing. Jennifer Colgan understands her characters and does an excellent work of positioning them in the varying worlds she creates for this story."--Frost, Two Lips Reviews
"4 ½ Stars!...Fascinating plot twists and skillful pacing will keep readers engrossed in this futuristic romance. The classic plot of a damsel in distress gets a fresh spin with well-developed characters and realistic dialogue. Colgan’s vivid imagery paints a clear picture of another world – one that readers will want to revisit."-–Gail Pruszkowski, Romantic Times Magazine
"4 Ribbons!...Jennifer Colgan takes the readers on a whirlwind of adventure where she leaves us hanging on her every word...with a slow burning passion that tempts the ardor, and enough intrigue and suspense to keep us readers on the edge of our seat."--J.T., Romance Junkies
"4 1/2 Stars!...Jennifer Colgan brings the reader an old-fashioned science fiction story with numerous plot twists, hot sex, and fantastic action. Ra’Nara Lumina’s siblings died, leaving her as the only female who can inherit the throne of Cadeia. Her cousin cannot rule unless he marries her. Ravenstar Bren threatens that line of succession. Can Bren save Ra’Nara from a loveless marriage and sickly children or will she be forced back to Cadeia and Cleus Antioch? Will the people of the Ravenstar accept Ra’Nara as Bren’s wife? Read the book to learn the answers to these questions."--Candy Bezner, Ecataromance
"4 out of 5!..This was an interesting read. I liked how this was set up. I enjoyed the interaction between Ra'Nara and the crew of Ravenstar. Ms. Colgan has done well...beautifully written and well delivered. I was an outsider to this adventure but she held my attention."--Robin S., My Book Cravings.com
Ra’Nara shivered and pulled her worn cloak closer around her shoulders. The rough fabric afforded little warmth, but its dark color helped keep her hidden amid the supply crates and grain sacks piled on Cadeia’s space dock. Her legs ached from crouching in the shadows all afternoon and her stomach rumbled. Relief quickly replaced her exhaustion, however, when she saw the familiar hooded figure of Je’Nilla approaching from the main thoroughfare of the traders’ bazaar.
“It is done, Your Grace,” Je’Nilla whispered as she ducked behind the mountain of cargo. “Please let me come with you.”
Ra’Nara took the young girl’s hand in her own and squeezed. “You can’t, Je’Nilla. If we’re captured, I will be punished, but you could be killed. You’re better off here. Go home now, and forget everything we’ve done today. Now, which ship is it?”
Je’Nilla’s dark eyes brimmed. “The Istrian vessel.” She paused to wipe at her eyes with trembling fingers. “The dock hands will create a disturbance so you can slip into the hold.”
Ra’Nara nodded. The Istrians were a proud, nomadic people, welcomed on Cadeia and countless other worlds because of their honesty in trade. They would deal with a stowaway fairly, or at least she hoped they would. She had few other choices today, since the bazaar was almost over for the season and most of the largest trade ships had left port already. The Istrians often stayed the longest and made the most profitable trades with other merchants seeking to empty their holds for the long journeys back to their home worlds.
Ra’Nara hesitated while a surly group of dockhands lumbered by, carrying huge bolts of vibrant silks through the narrow alleyway. When they’d passed, Je’Nilla thrust a small cloth pouch into her cold fingers. “Take this, Your Grace. A few dral may save you from having to barter for your passage.”
Ra’Nara clutched the bag. She felt the filigreed edges of the large Cadeian coins within, but the weight in her hand was far from reassuring. This small handful of currency wouldn’t get her very far on Cadeia. In space, it would be practically useless. She had one thing of value to barter with. If used at the proper time, her only asset might not only buy her passage to safety, it would save her from the terrible fate that awaited her on Cadeia.
“Thank you, Je’Nilla,” she said quietly. “You’ve already risked too much to help me. You must go now.”
The girl nodded and pinched the fabric of her hood closed to hide her pretty features. Though not as recognizable as Ra’Nara, Je’Nilla would have to take care not to be seen by any of the palace guards on her way home.
“Be safe, Your Grace,” she said, and grasped Ra’Nara’s hands once more. “I shall pray that we meet again.”