Robin D. Owens, Protector of the Flight

Protector of the Flight

Robin D. Owens

Luna, February 2007, $13.95, 400 pp

ISBN 0373802641

After her accident, Calli is no longer able to compete in rodeo events, and is heartbroken to learn that her father sold her horse. He also makes it clear she will not inherit the ranch upon his death. She goes into the nearby mountains to regain her equilibrium, and finds herself traveling through the dimensional portal to the realm of Lladrana on the planet Amee. She was summoned by the powerful magic wielding marshals as the volaran Exotique for the Chevaliers, knights who fight the monsters that the Dark lets into Lladrana.

The volarans, who are flying horses that are used in fighting the monsters are overjoyed that Calli is there. They and the Chevaliers make it clear that they want her, which mends the heart her father broke. She chooses Marrec, a chevalier with no land and only one volaran as her mate, which raises his standing in the Chevaliers hierarchy considerably. However, he wants nothing more than to settle down with her and their two adopted children. Calli wants that too, but she cannot settle down until she fulfils her purpose in Lladrana, whatever it may be.

This is the third fantasy romance set in Lladrana, and it is as exciting and action-packed as the first two books in the series (see GUARDIAN OF HONOR). The heroine adapts easily to her new life, and she and her mate get from the beginning. However, he has different goals than her and that puts a wedge in their relationship, and it is only when they are both stranded back on earth do they heal each others wounds. Great characterizations and a beautiful love story make PROTECTOR OF THE FLIGHT very special.