Relentless

This is the second in Ms. Dane's Federated series. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait till the next one.

Abbie Haws has worked tirelessly defending people in the Federation Universe and lives a comfortable life, but hasn't been able to shake the feeling of second class citizenship. She feels the bulk of society; the "unranked" members deserve to be represented more in Ravena's democracy. Current events happening in the Federation allow Abbie an audience with Roman Lyons, the head of the ruling Lyons family. Will Abbie be able to persuade Roman into allowing the majority of its citizens more power within their society? I've been a fan of Lauren Dane's for quite some time and I must say I can't get enough of her futuristic works. While we were taken on an interplanetary voyage with Undercover, Ms. Dane focuses on only one planet, Ravena, for Relentless. Ravena is reputed to be one of the more progressive planets in the Federation and is headed by Roman Lyons, who is known for tough, yet fair leadership. Meeting Abbie for the first time, Roman is steamrolled by this petite spitfire. Abbie is the first woman to stand toe to toe with him, a feeling Roman finds highly erotic. He enjoys being challenged by her and their repartee releases emotions deeply buried within his psyche. He vows to go against all societal taboos and claim her as his own, no matter what the cost. Abbie knows getting involved with Roman is a sure road to heartbreak but she's powerless in his relentless pursuit of her. Abbie falls in love with this "Ranked" member of society, something she never thought was possible. Both know they will never be together forever since Roman must fulfill his societal duty and marry someone within his strata. In Relentless, Ms. Dane once again returns to this futuristic world, showing us how two people from two entirely different classes of society can work within the system to bring about change. After you finish this wonderful story, you'll be like me, begging Lauren Dane to return to this futuristic world soon.

I'm not usually a fan of futuristic books of any genre, but Lauren Dane has won me over with her sexy love story. I was willing to enter her `Verse because she sucked me in right away, with the feisty lawyer Abbie Haws going up against the mega-powerful Roman Lyons. He seems arrogant and entitled, but underneath lurks a man looking for love, and when they finally get together, sparks fly. They have to keep their relationship a secret because he is not only Ranked, but ultra-powerful, while she is unranked, and lobbying with her group the Movement for Representational Democracy for a say in their governance. Having to keep their romance a secret doesn't stop Abbie and Roman from getting it on as often as they can. I loved that as erotically-charged as the sex scenes are in Relentless, they are also sweet and tender, like when Abbie puts her long hair up just so that Roman can have the chance to take it down. Both of them have been around the block, but they manage to try a few new things in bed (and out). This is a fast-paced, gripping novel that had me racing to the end. I may still prefer contemporary romances over other types, but with a story this hot, Dane's Universe became mine as I rooted for these two hot-headed, passionate, strong lovers. Abbie is a fierce heroine who doesn't take any flak from anyone, not her father (who's pretty much a cad) or Roman, yet Dane gives her a vulnerability that reaches beyond the page. I look forward to reading more of her work, and recommend this to anyone who wants a steamy romantic read chock full of hot scenes but with a core of respect, attraction, and heartfelt emotion to go with the lust.

Abbie Haws is a busy barrister and the spokesperson for the Movement for Representative Democracy. Neither is an easy job, but Abbie is up to the challenge. The first thing she has to do is get a chance to talk to the Governance Council and to address the Ranked Families that rule the Federated Universes through it. At the same time, Abbie is going to have to keep some of the more radical members from acting out so that the Council will realize that the group is serious and want to come up with a solution for all people to have a voice in how they are ruled. Roman Lyon is the head of House Lyons and also is the head of the Governance Council. Being the leader has never been easy but lately it has become much harder. Several of the family members of Ranked Families are about to be tried for treason, the Council is fighting amongst itself and there is a group that seems to be determined to change how ruling has always been done. Abbie and Roman meet after the greedy actions of one family bring false charges on an unranked employee. This meeting will begin to open up Roman's eyes on just how the unranked live. Abbie and Roman have an instant attraction that both know can never go anywhere based on old laws. The `verses are holding together by a thread as Abbie and Roman surrender to the erotic passion between them and the battles come to a head. Abbie is placed in danger as the movement goes before the entire Governing Council. The Council must make a decision that will affect all of the `verses; but will Roman and Abbie find a way to be together or are some long followed rules never to be broken? Relentless is filled with heat and erotic passion between two people on either end of the social structure. Abbie has a passion for finding justice for those who are not recognized. Roman was born to rule and lives in the world of the privileged. I absolutely loved how Abbie and Roman came together and then fought for their love. The erotic passion that sprung up between them would have been more than enough to keep me flipping the pages. However watching as Abbie and Roman maneuvered around and through the power struggles of the ranked wanting to keep the power and the unranked wanting a voice just doubled the power of the plot. I was very afraid that Abbie and Roman would end up being two star-crossed lovers but Ms. Dane ended their story in a spectacular way that had me wanting to cheer. Relentless is a do not miss, stand in line when the bookstore opens book. It is also Joyfully Recommended by me to you as one you won't want to miss. I would also suggest that readers might want to grab the first book, Undercover, to discover the background of the trials and world they are placed in. Jo Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The Federated Universes have been ruled by Families and their descendants while the common person has little or no voice regarding their lives. Their wellbeing is often at the whims of those in power, but one young woman is standing up for what she believes is right and major changes are about to take place. Abbie Haws, spokesperson for the Movement of Representative Democracy, has spent her entire life fighting for the unranked. Recent events brought about by activities of a few select Families have lead to more unrest than usual and she's got more backing than ever before. She just hadn't anticipated gaining the ear of Roman Lyons, the head of the Ranked Council and the most powerful man in the Known Universe. Roman Lyons may be a powerful man but he's also very fair and takes his duties as a leader and head of the Ranked Council very seriously. He's seen Abbie on the vid screens and is aware that times are changing. The Families have ruled for a millennia but the abuse of power he's noticed lately is leading to much discontent. He'll have to meet with the rabble-rouser and finding out what exactly the Movement of Representative Democracy feels should be done to give the unranked a voice. Abbie's elated to have the opportunity to talk with Roman but when she's forced to cool her heels for hours in his outer office after the scheduled meeting was to take place she opts to leave and tells his assistant to have him reschedule if he's truly interested in speaking with her. Roman had been busy dealing with a life or death situation on another Verse but she had no way of knowing that and as a senior barrister she has her own busy schedule. After learning about the main reason that brought about such discontent amongst the unranked, the firing and arrest of elderly Gretel Mortan by the Kerrigan Family, Roman pays a visit to Abbie at her home and discovers that she's a fair and honest person who genuinely desires the best for everyone. She's also beautiful and desirable but getting involved with her could be problematic. However, seeing her on the vid screens and learning of the treatment she's already suffered along with the threatening attitude of some of the members of the various Families has him longing to ensure her safety. When neither of them can deny their feelings any longer they succumb to their desires knowing that it cannot last. It's illegal for him to marry an unranked woman. As they grow closer, Abbie introduces Roman to her way of life and how the `unranked' live. Neither are prepared for the emotional connection or the complications that make their being together impossible - and being apart so very painful. Lauren Dane follows up her powerfully written UNDERCOVER with RELENTLESS - another futuristic story that allows us to revisit this world and fall in love all over again with Ms. Dane's writing and her brilliantly written characters. RELENTLESS draws readers into the storyline and immerses you in this realistic