S.A. Martin, Night Secrets

Night Secrets

S.A. Martin

New Concepts, Jan 2005

ISBN: 1586083163

Upon the death of her mother the queen, two years ago, Keriam began to leave her body to travail the astral plane, and to read the thoughts of anyone she touches. This proves quite handy when her spirit overhears a plot led by courier Roric Gamal to assassinate her father the king. However, she cannot reveal her findings because the ability to leave ones body is considered witchcraft, which means burning at the stake. She feels her only hope to save her beloved sire, is to learn more of the treasonous plot from Roric. She never anticipated falling in love with her father's betrayer.

Having learned of the assassination plot, Roric has joined the traitors hoping to stop them. He finds he is falling in love with the king's daughter, but also believes she does not trust him, although he does not know why. Finally he senses that the princess might dabble in magic, a skill he detests as evil, ever since his wife and son were killed by sorcery. Together they might save the life of the king, which is their shared objective; but neither has faith in the other so separately they will probably fail.

NIGHT SECRETS is a terrific romantic fantasy, starring two heroic protagonists distrusting their feelings, as the evidence seems to confirm that the other is dangerous; interestingly, in spite of her skills to read the feelings and thoughts of others, Keriam wonders if her desires interfere with her talent. Though the key secondary cast is three dimensional, adding depth to the action-adventure of whether the monarch is saved or murdered, the tale belongs to the couple struggling between love, and their fears that their beloved belongs to the dark side.