Title:
Marista

Author:
Barbara Cary

Published By:
ImaJinn Books

ISBN #:
1-893896-94-3

Release Date:
Available Now

Format:
Electronic

In A.D. 2364, the planet Serraine is the site of a war between two continent nations, Albia and Krillia. Earth is a neutral party providing humanitarian services. Marista Kaljin is a junior member of the Terran Diplomatic Corps, whose background as a military brat leads her to seek ways to avoid war through diplomacy. She is assigned to a Terran-sponsored refugee center in Albia when she is called to represent the survivors of the nearby crash of a Krillian aircraft. Unwilling to allow the Albian military representative to take these seriously injured men in for questioning and maybe torture, Kaljin defends their rights and persons at the cost of her own career.

One of these crash victims is Tynan, a mystery man who, although rescued from the Krillian aircraft and dressed as a Krillian, speaks cultured Albian and has a clan mark on his palm. He refuses to allow Kaljin to use her diplomatic skills to defend him and, in fact, rejects his unexpected attraction to her as a woman. When a Krillian rescue party comes for Tynan, and takes Kaljin as a hostage, how will he continue to resist his growing feelings for her?

This is a story of love during wartime. The scenes in which this story is set are those of the violence and destruction resulting from war, and the misery and pain that is the lot of civilians in a war zone. I empathized more with the character of Marista than that of Tynan, but both characters are strong individuals who put their duty and honor over their personal feelings. They are admirable in their strength of will and determination to do the right thing. However, that determination results in much heartache for both. I found it a compelling read for its sheer in-your-face reality. In my opinion, this is more of a science fiction novel than a romance, but the romantic scenes are well-written and very emotional, although more sensual than explicit.



Reviewed by: Jean