With her busy routine and writing scheduled during her daughter's naptime, Arianna Hart's bio reads more like that of a kindergarten teacher than a writer of sensual romances. With books published by New Concepts Publishing, eXtasy Books, Triskelion Publishing and Ellora's cave, she does not focus in a single genre but writes romantic suspense (paranormal or contemporary), futuristics and erotica. In Lucy's Lover, she tackles futuristic romance.

First of all, there's an Emperor who needs protecting, and there is Captain Drog (second in command to Major McDaniel) to do it. (Picture the well endowed Captain in a skintight uniform, if you will.) Then there's one Lieutenant Lucy Malone, doctor and chief medical officer aboard the Federation, and one of very few women on a ship with thousands of men. Add to the mix the Arena wherein brutal gladiator games are being held aboard ship to entertain the emperor. Complicate the issue with some of Drog's men mysteriously turning up dead, and narcotics turning up missing, and you have the basic set up.

Lucy's Lover is a quickie, which seems rather ambitious since this is Ellora's cave code for a short book, but there is nothing left out of this story. Arianna Hart manages to present a complete package, with high drama, a sexy (well-consummated) romance, a strong heroine, a willing hero. Ms Hart even manages to spend a bit of time exploring the feelings (not to mention the sensations) of the key characters. This is, if you will pardon the pun, a spanking good read.

Reviewed by Maitresse
© December 2004