True Blood [Mass Market Paperback]

Officer Danna MacFadyen of the League of Planets has the supernatural ability known as "psychometric skills". If a person touches an object while having strong emotions, the emotions leave an imprint upon the object. Danna's ability allows her to hold an object and read those imprints. Danna feels, senses, and sees it all in a mind void she labels "dreamscape". Emotions have colors and Danna interprets them. This ability comes in handy when she is assigned to investigate the explosion of a space freighter within League space. The hardest part of the assignment will be working with a Korcian Enforcer named Cullon Gavriel.

Commander Cullon Gavriel already knows the explosion was terrorism. Someone killed forty-five innocent people in cold blood, simply to assassinate one Korcian prince who was traveling incognito aboard it. This was the third True Blood assassinated recently. Only five more live, including himself. To find out who is killing Korcian True Bloods, Cullon needs Danna's help. But he never expects to fall for the lovely Terran.

The explosive puzzle pieces begin to fall into place and the two realize they have uncovered a conspiracy that stretches across the galaxy. The entire Empire is at risk.

**** A terrific blend of futuristic sci-fi and romance. Author Patricia Waddell seems to have found her true writing genre. Perfect for readers, such as myself, who enjoy a bit of romance with their sci-fi. Recommended. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Ok, so that's a little cheesy. But I really, really, REALLY want you to buy this book, read it, and be waiting in breathless anticipation for future episodes in the series. The story seems to be simple--in the future there are two powers in the universe: The League of Planets(to which Earth belongs) and the Korcian Empire(which I hope took poor little dwarf Pluto under its wing). There has been an explosion on a spaceship in League space--but a member of the Korcian royal family was aboard. Accident? Murder? A tribunal is formed to investigate that includes one Korcian, one League representiative, and a third, impartial party acceptable to both powers. The League representative is Danna MacFayden, an earth woman with a special skill--she can read emotional imprints of inanimate objects, and 'see' what happened the last time it was held, worn, or in other form of contact with the owner. The Korcians send Cullon Gavriel, a trained warrior and also a member of the royal family. Other 'true bloods', as they are called, have been killed on his home world, and he is positive this death is connected. The story unfolds as he and Danna investigate the clues left behind.

This is an engrossing read. The elements of mystery and suspense are there--as you get deeper into the book, and think you have it figured out, the author throws a curve into the plot that you didn't see coming. It changes everything you thought you knew up to that time. She takes you to vividly drawn alien worlds, Earthlike planets, and sets you spinning--almost literally--in the darkness of space. The relationship between Danna and Cullon progresses vividly as well--they are opposites: he a man of war and action and she a woman of diplomacy and words. Each feels their way is the only way, but they learn that nothing is black and white. Each brings skills to the story that work together and create a bond with the characters, even as they bond with each other. (And other things. Very, very HOT other things! This is a romance novel, after all!) It will hold your interest until the very end, and then leave you wanting more. This is definitely a keeper!

League Territory: The Korcian Interstellar cargo ship Llyndar is destroyed, after leaving Ramora for Earth, killing forty-six passengers. No cause has been determined; however, a fuel leak causing the engines to explode is the suspected cause. Six hours after Ramora was notified of the incident, the Korcian government issued the ultimatum, `deliver the perpetrators or else'.

Danna MacFadyen is on Ramora and has been called in to diplomatically negotiate a call to arms before the League of Planets and the Korcian Empire start blowing each other to smithereens. This is the first serious assignment Danna has received since joining the Ramora Embassy and she's determined to stop the impending war before it begins. Danna's gift and use of psychometric skills have been of a great help to her job and once again she's going to need them to help find the cause of the explosion.

Commander Cullon Gavriel, Korcian Enforcer and a direct descendent of one of the eight Kings, is a True Blood and the one man that was sent into League territory to find out what happened to the Llyndar. Although not a diplomat, he has become one part of the Tribunal that has been charged to find the truth - was the explosion of the Llyndar an accident or was it an act of terrorism?

Danna is instantly attracted to the Korcian Commander but has to keep her distance so that she can retain her objectivity. It's been a long time since she's taken a lover, but now isn't the time to pursue one; she needs all of her concentration focused on her duty, a galactic war has to be stopped before it is started. Cullon finds Officer Danna MacFadyen attractive, strangely she's somehow gotten under his guard and although he wants her, and only her for the time being, he can't strip her of her clothes and make slow love to her as he wishes. He always took women between assignments before, but this time Danna is his assignment and because of that, she is off limits...but can he keep out of her bed? He has to find who is killing the True Bloods, not only is it his duty as an Enforcer, he could very well be next.

True Blood by Patricia Waddell is an experience to be savored. From first page to last, I was drawn into a world that is amazing, captivating and believable with characters that were easily brought into my head and heart. Danna and Cullon are strong, independent and perfect for each other. Although both lived lives totally in contrast, they complimented one another in every way, different enough to add spice and excitement, yet with enough in common to build a relationship to withstand time. The mystery of who was eliminating the True Bloods was a pleasure to follow and although the clues led me to the killer, there were enough red herrings to make me totally unsure of who it is. I am now a fan of Patricia Waddell and I will be getting more of her work!! I highly recommend True Blood to lovers of mystery, science fiction and romance. True Blood is a book NOT to be missed.


Lyonene
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

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