Bond of Maleri’: Between Love and Law by Kate Steele, the third book in the Maleri’ series, is a homoerotic sci-fi story. This tale begins when Chase Kaldor, who is a member of the Maleri’, feels a wave of psychic energy that he has never felt before. This burst of energy may signify the end of Chase’s wait to find his own mate. The Maleri’ are a very small group of men that have varying empathic skills and need to find a mate (who is always male) to siphon the extra psychic energy and to love. The next day Chase goes to work, as the head of security for Taskin City Security Bureau, and looks through the video clips of the time period when he experienced the energy burst. Chase quickly finds the man he is looking for, Cazius Rey, and finds out that he is working for a very dangerous and powerful man called Kogan Delmon. Chase looks at him closer and realizes that Cazius looks hopelessly miserable, and Chase is determined to find a way to help his mate.

We next meet Cazius as he is being serviced by the man he is forced to work for. Cazius is disgusted with the sexual favors that he is forced to give Kogan because Kogan has threatened to hurt Caz’s family if he doesn’t do what he is told to do.

The first time Chase and Caz actually meet is at an opening at the Trelayan Museum and Gallery. Chase is there for work, and Caz is there at the request of his employer. The first time they touch it was like a miniature explosion that they both felt. Chase couldn’t contain himself and the impending and very erotic kiss scared the daylights out of Caz, enough to make him run off. Caz is afraid that now that Chase knows everything about him that he will be disgusted with him. Will Chase find a way to help Caz? Will Caz accept his help in over coming the problems he has with Kogan? Will Chase and Caz find a way to be together?

Within a very short time, Ms. Steele has developed and created a world that is fascinating and very enjoyable to read. I loved how Chase and Caz were at the opposite ends of the spectrum (Law versus outlaw), but they were able to overcome this by looking within each other to see their true identities. Chase reminds me of the old fashioned lawman, but with a very strong personality who can see past the external to see the hidden person. Caz has many problems the first of which is trust. Once he realizes that he can trust Chase he begins to see that what he thought was impossible is now open to him. The love scenes between Chase and Caz are very hot, but also eloquent. Bond of Maleri: Between Love and Law is the third book in the series and I would suggest that if you like this book you should read the first two books. The stories are different, but the earlier books add some in flare that will enhance the reader’s enjoyment. Thanks goes to Ms. Steele for another enjoyable read. I will look forward to Bond of Maleri’ book 4.

Reviewed by: Teresa