Heart Choice

Table of Contents

 

 

Heart Duel

“[A] sexy story . . . Readers will enjoy revisiting this fantasy-like world filled with paranormal talents.”

 
“An exhilarating love story . . . The delightful story line is cleverly executed . . . Owens proves once again that she is among the top rung of fantasy romance authors with this fantastic tale.”
—
Harriet Klausner

 
“With engaging characters, Robin D. Owens takes readers back to the magical world of Celta . . . The characters are engaging, drawing the reader into the story and into their lives. They are multilayered and complex and grow into exceptional people.”—
Romance Reviews Today

 
 
Heart Thief

“I loved
Heart Thief
! This is what futuristic romance is all about. Robin D. Owens writes the kind of futuristic romance we've all been waiting to read; certainly the kind that I've been waiting for. She provides a wonderful, gripping mix of passion, exotic futuristic settings, and edgy suspense. If you've been waiting for someone to do futuristic romance right, you're in luck; Robin D. Owens is the author for you.”—Jayne Castle

“The complex plot and rich characterizations, not to mention the sexy passion . . . make this a must-read . . . I just wish Robin D. Owens wrote faster. I hope she's got a huge pile of ideas for future Celtan stories, and I for one can't wait to go back.”—
The Romance Reader

 
“Owens spins an entrancing tale . . . Although the setting is fresh and totally captivating, it is the well-developed characters, both human and animal, that make this story memorable. Crafty villains, honorable, resourceful protagonists, and sentient pets drive the plot of this fast-paced, often suspenseful romantic adventure. As have others before her (e.g., Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley), Owens has penned a stunning futuristic tale that reads like fantasy and is sure to have crossover appeal to both SF and fantasy fans.”—
Library Journal

 
“Owens has crafted a fine romance that is also a successful science fantasy yarn with terrific world-building.”

—
Booklist

 
“A tremendous science fiction romance that affirms what many fans thought after reading the prequel (
HeartMate
): that Robin D. Owens is one of the subgenre's giant stars. The story line is faster than the speed of light, but more important is this world's society seems so real that psychic powers feel genuine . . . [a] richly textured other-planetary romance.”—
BookBrowser

Praise for
 
HeartMate

 
“Engaging characters, effortless world-building, and a sizzling romance make this a novel that's almost impossible to put down.”—
The Romance Reader

 
“Fantasy romance with a touch of mystery . . . Readers from the different genres will want Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of HeartMates.”—
Midwest Book Review

 
“
HeartMate
is a dazzling debut novel. Robin D. Owens paints a world filled with characters who sweep readers into an unforgettable adventure with every delicious word, every breath, every beat of their hearts. Brava!”

—Deb Stover, award-winning author of
A Moment in Time

 
“A gem of a story . . . sure to tickle your fancy.”

—Anne Avery, author of
All's Fair

 
“It shines and fans will soon clamor for more . . . A definite keeper!”—
The Bookdragon Review

 
“This story is magical . . . doubly delicious as it will appeal to both lovers of fantasy and futuristic romance. Much room has been left for sequels.”—
PNR Reviews

HEARTMATE
HEART THIEF
HEART DUEL
HEART CHOICE

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

 
HEART CHOICE

 
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author

 
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation edition / July 2005

 
Copyright © 2005 by Robin D. Owens.

 
All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eISBN : 978-0-425-20396-5

 
BERKLEY® SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

One

DRUIDA CITY, CELTA,

404 years after Colonization, spring, late afternoon

 
Get Me down! GET ME DOWN! The telepathic de
mand was imperious.

Straif Blackthorn had just descended the stairs of the door of the Green Knight Fencing and Fighting Salon, after his daily bout with his cuz Tinne Holly, when he heard the command.

The mental cry, attached to a screech that could only come from a Siamese cat, speared through his head.

He wanted to put his hands over his ears as the pitch built and the torment continued, drowning out the swish of pouring rain. But a hunter always kept his hands free.

Straif glanced around the sidewalk and street. The smallest shiver of movement caught his attention. There, atop a gray stone wall, crouched under the small overhang of a second-story windowsill, was a damp cat. A Fam—Familiar—an intelligent animal with psi powers that could mentally communicate with people.

She glared at him with bright blue eyes. White with a dark mask of brown, she didn't look purebred Siamese, but when she shrieked again, he knew he couldn't deny that piercing note in her yowl.
Get Me down. I do not belong in this filthy rain.

The rain of Celta smelled fresh and clean, even here in Druida City. The city added its own aromas, that of evening dinners, the scent of glider, stridebeast, horse.

And wet cat.

You, Straif Blackthorn, you come here and get Me down,
the cat meowed.

He scowled. Small, dainty, half-Siamese, and telepathic. It could only be a female. And it could only come from the GreatHouse T'Ash.

Warily he moved under the window and reached up.

She jumped down instead. “Umph!” he grunted, as she landed on his shoulder and dug in her claws. “Stop it, or you're ending up in the gutter, cat.”

Balancing, she retracted her claws until they just hooked into his clothing.
I am a Fam, daughter of the Cat Zanth who is Familiar to T'Ash.

“I can tell.”

I am YOUR Fam
.

Straif stiffened, turned his head to stare into her blue eyes. He noticed her pink nose, her elegance.

He wondered if that would be true. “Let's consider a temporary alliance, for, say, six eightdays.”