When six years old, Gray left the planet with his uncle as a captured slave with his uncle, but now he had come back. His uncle had married the Prendarian ruler and on his return, Gray wanted to unite Earth under one government. He had rescued an earth woman from rape his first night in port, and he was completely entranced with her, even though he believed her to be a prostitute. He hired her to be his assistant, to help him with the language, but his truth was that he was falling in love with her and wanted her to be his life partner. Gray's intentions toward his home planet and toward the woman are completely honorable, even noble.

Daria, the woman he had rescued, had been there to kidnap Gray, but he didn't know that. Her friends had been captured, and imprisoned, and she was the last involved in a plot to kidnap him for the sake of earth. Instead, Gray's consummate skill at lovemaking--apparently Prendarian women were very demanding and had taught him well--was winning her affections, if not her love. But when she started joining him at meetings with diplomats, her presence affected the feelings of all concerned. Would she try to sabotage the negotiations or would she follow her heart and this very noble man who was truly earth's best hope?

The prequel to this story is FOR THE LOVE OF RIGAH which is the story of Gray's uncle and the Prendarian ruler. For the second time, Doreen DeSalvo revisits the future to draw a dramatic depiction of earth under Prendarian dominion, a futuristic love story between people who believe they are on the opposite sides of the fence, between the highest and the lowest in the Prendarian hierarchy. The barriers between the characters are immense and seemingly insurmountable, but Ms. DeSalvo creates a believable journey for these characters to stumble on their way to the happily-ever-after. Daria's concerns are as legitimate as Gray's are honorable. The relationship that develops between them is punctuated and highlighted by a passionate sexual bond that takes them both by surprise. An engaging read with personable characters.

Reviewed By: Maitresse
© Sept 2004