In a world where women have become victims to the radioactive weapons used by men long ago, being fertile and bearing children falls to a chosen few. Ions released into the air by man’s folly have altered DNA so completely that pining for children is the fate of many. All Tyrana had ever cared about was having a baby of her own and taking a seat on the Supreme High Fertility Council, but when she learns she is infertile her whole world changes. Her sister, however, is fertile and will soon wed. The messenger who delivers her sister Rowena’s letters interests Tyrana, and she makes a sport of releasing, then tracking, him. Rusty is not any man the Maida women have known before. He is a Mage Pegcentaur, and may be able to fill the hole that was made in Tyrana’s heart the day she learned of her infertility.

Love Me Tender by Renee Field is a clever story. The magical creature that Rusty becomes is awesome. The way he “solves” all her crises with his unusual abilities makes for a compelling read. I don’t want to give anything away in this story. It’s much too good and I don’t want to take any of the pleasure of discovery away from readers. I have to say, though, that Rusty’s true identity completely shocked me, even though I knew this was a shapeshifter story. He is much more than a character. He is written so well and so realistically I just fell in love with him. He and Tyrana make an excellent couple. This is a very satisfying story.

Reviewed by: Carly