Jenala Delasa is alone and in trouble. Someone wants her kalcion mine. They’ll stop at nothing, even murder. Jenala needs help.

Santro Baltin is just what the beautiful red-head needs. He’s huge, a master swordsman, and has a heart big enough to give her the room she needs to heal. When it comes to Jenala’s enemy however, he has his own agenda.

To defeat the notorious Zlaten Vandalar, they have to work together, mind to mind, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart.

Review:

This was alright, I suppose. The story was pretty interesting, but I would have liked it more if it had been a little more fleshed out. Everything felt very rushed, and there was very little world-building or backstory. As a result, I was left with questions. What happened to the contract (or whatever it was) that Zlaten had that claimed Jenala would have to marry him if not paid? How did he get it in the first place? What is the difference between a claim and a marriage? This seemed important to the characters, but I couldn’t figure it out. Etc.

The book also tended to repeat itself a lot, with the narrative stating something and then a character saying the same thing and then later telling someone else about it. I think the reader is told three times in the first 10% of the book that Zlaten killed Jenala’s father, wants to steal her mine, and claim her through rape, for example. The narrative says it, then Jenala mentions it, and then the vet tells Santros about it. Once really would have been enough. This happened more than once.

I liked Jenala’s strong, upfront personality and Santro’s gentle, honourable way. I really did. But I also thought a lot of their dialogue was quite stiff. I honestly think Lottie was my favourite character. For a quick read (little more than a short story, really), it was entertaining enough, though. Plus, it was a freebie, so I can’t really complain. I have the sequel, The Swords of Gregara – Riza, which I’ll probably read at some point.