Bertrice Small, A Distant Tomorrow

A Distant Tomorrow

Bertrice Small

HQN, May 2006, $13.95

ISBN: 0373771169

Five years have passed since the war between Outlands and Hetar (see LARA). Outlands High Council clan leader is murdered by his brother Adon in a power grab. However the deceased's half mortal wife Lara avenges his death by calling for her sword Andraste and slicing off the treacherous sibling head before leaving to fulfill her destiny though from the darkness Adon tells her Hetar is coming and she will no longer be legend.

Leaving her children behind, Lara begins her quest to fulfill the destiny she avoided by crossing the large sea. However, Lara fails and is captured and given as a present to Terah ruler Magnus. He quickly finds his beautiful prisoner fascinating as she does not fear speaking her mind, but does so intelligently. When she lifts a curse that has ravaged his land, Magnus agrees to take her home. However, Gaius awaits Magnus' arrival with an assassination plan that will leave him as the monarch. War seems imminent with only Lara capable of preventing it, but her chances seem slim even if a prophecy is fulfilled.

The second World of Hetar romantic fantasy is a terrific tale starring a strong female (duh - this is a Bertrice Small novel) and a world in which treachery is the norm. The action filled plot is driven by Lara, a terrific heroine whose adventures make for a superb thriller. Fans of romance and fantasy alike will enjoy this spellbinding book. Though reading Lara first provides some extra knowledge, A DISTANT TOMORROW stands alone as Ms. Small provides a strong epic tale.

Harriet Klausner