Warrior

Like its predecessor, Warrior is not the book for every romance reader. And it is definitely not the book for most sci-fi/paranormal/fantasy readers. Warrior mixes some of the best elements of fantasy romance and sci-fi erotica. You've been warned. Tisana is a witch, practicing her healing on the backwater planet of Utopia. The peaceful image one would expect of a world called Utopia isn't quite what you get. This is a planet where lords run what is essentially a feudal system and slavery is an acceptable practice. Tisana has never approved of slavery and when Rafe, her former lover, drops his new slave off for her to heal she isn't adverse to letting him escape so long as he has somewhere to run to. Unfortunately, Leccarian--or rather, Leo, as she calls him--is a Zetithian. If you've read the first book in the series, Slave, you'll know why this means he has no where to go. If you haven't read Slave you could probably enjoy this book as a stand-alone but I think they should be read in order or you're missing out on a great story. But back to Leo... With no where to run to Leo stays with Tisana, healing not just from her potions and remedies but also from the pleasures they share. When Rafe returns to fetch his slave Tisana has her own reasons for wanting to keep Leo. But Rafe needs them both! His children have been kidnapped and only Leo and Tisana can track their captors. The adventure that ensues is humorous and action-packed. But how will their journey end? Will Tisana find a way to convince Rafe to sell Leo to her? I must admit this one didn't work as well for me as Slave did. I enjoyed it as a fantasy story but all of the mind-to-mind dialog between Tisana and her animal friends got on my nerves about halfway through the book. At one point I began to think of Disney movies like Snow White or Enchanted where the princesses talk to their animal friends all the time. I especially found the times when she spoke to the animals while engaged in sexual situations to be a little off-putting. Leo was cute but seemed almost a sweeter version of Cat from the previous book and Tisana was kind of an air-head in comparison to the fiery Jacinth. Even still where Slave was a little too sci-fi for some readers this one might be just the right amount of fantasy to win new ones over to the series. I usually don't read the previews of the next book in the back but I have enjoyed the unique flavor of this one so much I had to see if Rogue was going to be as good and it certainly looks tantalizing. If you're looking for romantica at its finest but with a sci-fi/fantasy twist you can't go wrong with this series!

Wow! I thought Ms. Brooks' first story Slave was a goodie - well she has completely outdone herself with Warrior. Tisana is a witch dealing with the same angst as the rest of us - finding "the one." LEO IS IT! The strong silent type all the way!!!! Yippie! This couple goes on an adventure, but it's Tisana's 'gift' of being able to talk to animals that makes this story a complete blast! I loved the part with Gerald the squirrel (of COURSE I was reading in public when I came up on that part of the book...) This story will keep you hot and laughing at the same time! Wow! Now if I could find a man who could do both of this at the same time! We have to wait six months until the next story!!! HURRY UP!!!

Warrior: The Cat Star Chronicles by Cheryl Brooks has got to be one of the most sensually imaginative books that I've ever read and it gives us an entirely new meaning to the words, "Tongue tantalizing, lip smacking, finger licking good". Whew! You gals want a hot book, well go no further because this one will sizzle your panties right off. Tisana is a witch of rare talents. Her main talent though is healing and as with all healers they are a gentle sort who take care of anyone who might land upon their doorstep. Even gentle as she is, Tisana can still flay the skin off your back with words as sharp as razors that roll off her wicked tongue when you tick her off. For the most part though she is smart, sensitive, intelligent and oh so lonely. Leo is the name that Tisana has given him since his true name is much to hard to pronounce. He is an off worlder as they call anyone not of their planet but an off worlder with talents that would make even the most virile of men weep with envy. Extraordinarily beautiful almost to perfection, he purrs like a kitten when stroked and fights like a tiger when provoked. With eyes of a cat and curiosity to match, Leo is much more than what he seems to be. Our story starts out with Leo being almost dead and dropped at Tisana's cottage by his owner and master Rafe who just happens to be Tisana's ex. Rafe gives Tisana thirty days to heal Leo and not a day longer. Can she possibly bring this off worlder back from the brink of death without any working knowledge of Leo's species. What starts out so innocently as a healer/patient scenario quickly turns into an inferno of lust with the most exotic description of Leo's attributes that I have had the pleasure of reading about in any male species. The old adage, "If it smells like a rose it must be a rose", well that's perfectly true here and let's just say, "Damn.........I need a bib"! Our author has given us a sci-fi tale of true love, hot sex and even hotter orgasms. A magical story of hope, love and devotion so deep that to lose that which you love so much would mean the snuffing out of your own life like the wind blowing out a candle. Kudo's for the Snap, Snap, Sizzle, Sizzle that will leave you panting for more.

This is the second book by Cheryl Brooks and it's a really enjoyable read. It's written in the first person which is a little unusual but works well for the heroine of our story, the witch Tisana, and her ability to speak with animals. Tisana's a great character with a somewhat wry outlook on life - when her former lover Rafe dumps a seriously ill man on her doorstep, expecting her to heal him, she imagines she'll be caring for the mystery man for a month. However once Tisana's cleaned him up he discovers he's rather unusual - he is clearly an alien from another planet, has many features which are rather cat-like and his equipment is second to none. He also recovers very quickly but, knowing he's a slave, tries to escape. It doesn't take Tisana long to explain to the man whom she names Leo that although he's a slave she won't treat him like one. When Rafe comes back asking for Tisana's help to track a group of men who have kidnapped Rafe's two sons, Tisana and Leo agree to help - along with an ever-growing menagerie of animals. Some of the best moments in this book were where Tisana talks to horses, squirrels, vultures and dogs, and the author's ability to let you see how such animals might consider the odd behaviour of humans was great fun. As Tisana, Leo and Rafe follow the trail of the kidnappers Tisana realises that Rafe knows more about why his children have been stolen than he will explain. Can Tisana bargain for Leo's freedom by helping Rafe? Is there more going on in Rafe's family than initially appears? Can Tisana and Leo make a new life for themselves? The author has an easy writing style which meant this book never dragged and the characters were all different and interesting. At the very end there is a brief scene with characters from her previous book, 'Slave', but there isn't any problem understanding this book without having read the first one. My only slight reservation was that it was hard to get into Leo's head and understanding his motivations a lot of the time, but this can be a problem with books written in the first person and it did lend him a rather otherworldly and mysterious air! I certainly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to the next in the Cat Star Chronicles series. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

A medicinal healer on the planet Utopia, Tisana is used to people stopping by her cabin to access her skills of healing. Alone and lonely, unless she has a patient, she is left alone by the members of her town. When Rafe, an ex-lover, shows up with his unconscious and beaten slave, Tisana is immediately intrigued. Tisana promises her ex-lover to have the slave healed in a month's time as he requests - not knowing that in less time she and the powerful looking slave will fall in love. Leo, the name given to him by his healer, is an alien from Zetithia. With Zetithia destroyed years ago, Leo knows he is probably the only survivor. Leo yearns for freedom but he also yearns for his beautiful nurse Tisana. As Leo heals under Tisana's loving care, the couple falls in love. Much to their dismay, however, their month is cut short when Leo's owner arrives and needs Leo's and Tisana's help. The owner's young sons have been kidnapped and since Leo is Zetithian, he is called to help track and find the missing boys. Tisana accompanies her old lover and Leo on the hunt. Rafe needs Tisana for her healing skills as well as her skills as a witch. All along the way Leo and Tisana are ultra aware of each other, never knowing if they will ever be free to love each other again. I read and loved SLAVE, Cheryl Brooks first installment of The Cat Star Chronicles. Because of this, it was a given that I would have to read WARRIOR. The amazing world built by Ms. Brooks drew me in but it was the well written plot and entrancing two main characters that kept me there. I could feel Tisana's loneliness and desire to find the one man fated for her. Leo's sexy and sensual prowess was over the top playful but emotional and tender as well. A worthy second installment, WARRIOR by Cheryl Brooks, whet my appetite for more! I can't wait for my next visit to the world that this talented author writes about.