Heart of a Traitor

She was a wanted woman: wanted by the army, the outlaws and a Daamen trader. He vowed to make her his alone.

No one knew why the most dedicated soldier in the Canton Guard had turned traitor. Oriel was renowned for her fearless courage and dedication to duty. She had worked her way up the ranks; she was well-respected by her peers and her superiors. Oriel’s sole passion and purpose was the military. So why did she help a known criminal escape from custody, the same outlaw that she had helped to arrest?

After offloading their cargo, the Daamen trading crew had stopped a tavern. Jase was drawn to a young female officer and even after she rebuffed his attention he kept an eye on her. The following morning, the bartender told Jase that an officer was on trial for assisting a prisoner to escape. When Jase realised that it was the soldier that he had been keen on, his blood ran cold. He could do nothing but watch as she was branded and whipped until she passed out. After the military abandoned her, Oriel became a target for a group of outlaws bent on revenge. It was fortunate that the Daamen found her in time.

Oriel was a lousy patient. Even though she was weak, she was determined to find a way to be of use to the Daamen. Jase was just as determined to take care of Oriel, sheltering her from any more harm. He can see that she is restless, but he is not ready to let her go.

Angela Verdenius’ larger than life Daamen traders have stolen my heart again. The author’s delicious descriptions of the huge muscular males have kept this reader enthralled. Not only are these men capable of protecting and pleasing a woman, their caring sensitive attitudes make them irresistible. Jase is a hero to die for, and a man who is willing to go to any length for his love. As a soldier, Oriel lived her life dependant on no one; following a strict code of rules and regulations. She would never have turned traitor for any small reason. It will take a man with a huge heart for her to see another way of life; one that she would never consider as a soldier.

The plot and action scenes are fast-paced and unpredictable, leading to an exciting melee. Romantic moments are teasing with lusty descriptions, but not overly graphic. Scent and touch are used to portray the depth of devotion and longing, and I applaud the author for the way that these images came to life. Once again, I cannot urge readers strongly enough to read Angela Verdenius’ Heart and Soul series. It is an exciting futuristic world, one that you will want to revisit many times over. I cannot wait for the next installment!

Reviewed by: Naomi