The Price of Discovery
By Jordanna Kay
Samhain Publishing
August 2006
246 pages
$5.50, ebook
ISBN: 1-59998-080-0, ebook
Erin comes to the backwoods of Virginia investigating the death of a man with an unusual bone marrow disorder. She needs this story to restore her reputation as a respected journalist. On her last exclusive assignment, she falls into bed with the source when his guilty confession later practically destroys her career and creditability; reason for returning to her hometown to working for a small town newspaper. Now, standing on the old Victorian house porch she expects an endearing elderly woman to answer her knock, not an exotic hunk.
Drakor cannot believe this woman's persistence or the rise of his Mharai heat - life mate lust. Despising Earth, he returns only to retrieve his friend's body, while obtaining a cure for the disease plaguing his people. Complicating the mission is the coming of his thirtieth birthday, marking the end of his quest to find a life mate. Surely, the fates cannot mean for him to join with a human as Erin's nearness sparks his desires, like that of the mating heat.
Aptly named, The Price of Discovery sends an Ellian family to Earth to locate one of it's people, while learning how vitamin D deficiencies are treated. For the oldest son, Drakor the mission releases his mating lust and his denial makes the carnal need harder to control. So much that he cannot function as head of his family, as his father slowly succumbs to the bone illness. At the same time, Erin senses a connection between the John Doe in the morgue and the current family who now lives in the deceased man's home. With each visit to the home, she's constantly aware of their irregular speech patterns and unease while in her company, triggering suspicion. Yet, Drakor's profuse sweating, flushed cheeks, and dark brooding has her worrying if he is ill. Acutely aware of her own yearnings, Erin suppresses those desires vowing not to jeopardize her career, again, by sleeping with her source, Drakor.
Ms. Kay delivers an entertaining, captivating story filled with intrigue and romance. Erin introduces her brother, Greg to Drakor's sister, Ankra, confident her brother will collect more information for her article. The siblings hit it off, while Erin and Drakor continue to hide their mutual attraction. When Greg believes he has seen a spaceship in their back yard, Erin begins a covert mission to prove her brother's claim. In the story's background, Erin's competitor, Rita, a reporter too, investigates Greg's software company for patent infringement threatening to ruin both, Greg and Erin.
Readers will feel the sexual tension roll off the pages, mostly from Drakor's reigning in his Mharai. A passionate sigh can be heard when Erin and Drakor come together - sizzling…rousing…oh so satisfying.
4/5 Antique Swords
Reviewed by Pamela Jenewein ©, gottawritenetwork.com
March 25, 2007
