Gateway by Sarah Dickson begins as Sandray arrives through a gateway into a new world. This world is very different from the one she left. Her world, Reiah, is barren and very hot. Her people have been fighting a war for a very long time and there are very few pleasures. The first time she goes outside into the new world, she acts like a child in a candy store. Things that we take for granted, like smelling fresh air or touching the bark on a tree, are things that she has never experienced before. Her father is already in the new world and sends her to Esterol to have him guide her to Illumination where he is located. Before Sandray leaves the gateway, she removes a crystal to prevent anyone from her home world from coming through the gateway.

When Sandray and Esterol first meet, they are immediately very attracted to one another. Esterol is overwhelmed by his sexual attraction to Sandray. Sandray had hoped and planned for this attraction so that the guide would help her get to her father. As the two get to know each other better, Esterol finds out that Sandy’s father is the man that he refused to help before. They continue to learn more about each other and the previous reasons for them being together quickly become blurred. Sandray begins to see Esterol as more than just a guide and Esterol begins to see Sandray as a beautiful and fascinating woman. As the story continues, many people attempt to prevent Esterol and Sandray from completing their mission. They meet some people that help them too. There are two groups of people that attempt to stop them, one from Sandray’s and one from Esterol’s world.

There are many twists and turns in this plot that will keep the reader enthralled. The growing relationship between Sandray and Esterol is very beautiful to behold. At the same time, the characters of Sandray and Esterol seem to grow and mature right in front of the reader. I found the character development that occurred throughout the book very nicely thought out and captivating. The erotic scenes are not only hot, but also very sweet to see. Then you add in all the twists in the plot, not to mention the need for Sandray’s father, Calron, to find the key to controlling the gateways and you have a very captivating book.

I hope that Ms. Dickson will write more books in this genre.


Reviewed by: Teresa