Slave: The Cat Star Chronicles (Book One): Cheryl Brooks

Intergalactic trader Jacinth “Jack” Rutland has spent years trying to rescue her kidnapped sister. When she locates her on the planet Statzeel, she's faced with a problem. Statzeel is not a nice place: women are slaves. In an effort to throw off the authorities, she hands over a little pocket change for her own slave on a backwater planet called Orpheseus Prime to act as her “master” until Sis is safe and sound.

However. She didn't buy any ol' slave...she bought Cat; a warrior kept as a slave and last of a race called the Zetithians. Blessed with feline genetics, he is everything a woman could want: handsome, powerful...and sexual virility unmatched by any race anywhere. He has a wicked sense of just how to please a woman in just the right way. Especially his new master, Jack.

Even though sparks are flying like crazy, Jack and Cat are in a race to evade violent killers set on eliminating Cat and save her sister. They don't have a choice but to trust each other for survival's sake and along the way, the word “rescue” takes on an entirely new meaning.

Wow. Just...wow. I needed a glass of ice water and a cigarette by the end of this.

I'm not accustomed to romantic fantasy being set off-world and tend to shy away, but this novel changed my mind in a hurry. Jack and Cat hop, skip, and jump from planet to planet as the story progresses. Every one is unique, and the skillful world-building of the author is impressive given this novel ends at a mere 314 pages. My single quibble was pronouncing names, places, more names and more places.

Not only are the planets fascinating, but so are the secondary characters: Ranata (Jack's sister), Alanna and Dantonio just to name a few (even the bad guys were cool.) But the real story is between Jack and Cat. The romantic chemistry is as close to perfect as you'll find; never boring. She's got an independent streak and a marshmallow inside. He's a warrior by nature...and sweet as pie. As dire as the situations are that they face, this is actually warm – and pretty damned funny – relationship.

And the sex? Just...wow. I'll refrain from giving over details since I'm not one to ruin all the fun. Let's just say it's hot enough to melt the paint off the hood of my car. Well thought out, well executed, and totally realistic (even with the mushy parts.)

I'm tickled pink that Slave is the first in a series and can't wait to see what other new galactic surprises Cheryl Brooks has in store for this reader.
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Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated (Casablanca)
Pub. Date: April 2008
ISBN-13: 9781402211928