THE RIVALS - Mechele Armstrong

Settler’s Mine, Book 1

Loose Id - www.loose-id.com

ISBN: 978-1-59632-494-7

July 2007

Erotic Sci-Fi Romance - ménage a trois and M/M interaction  

Settler’s Mine and a couple of desolate planets - The future

Orion and Balt are bounty hunters, two of the best in the biz, if they’re on your trail you’re as good as done. Now please don’t misunderstand, just because I mentioned them in the same sentence, that doesn’t mean they work together. No, these men are rivals, fighting each other whenever they come into contact and they’ve been known to tear up a place or two when they get out of hand. Looking for the same bounty just seems to stir their contentious sides and Settler’s Mine is the next place they run into each other. Once again, they’re after the same quarry, a woman by the name of Layla. May the best, or sneakiest, man win.

Layla is just settling into her new job as a waitress on Settler’s Mine, relatively secure in her disguise. She’s hoping to continue evading the forces of both the Union Alliance and Ansel, a man with a taste for torture, who wants her to help him gain his “rightful” leadership position in the galaxy. Spying the two men sitting with Zelda, the owner of the mine, Layla knows them for what they are, bounty hunters. Well, running isn’t an option at the moment, so bluffing it is. She’s skilled at what she does, and if she plays her cards right, neither man will get the drop on her.

Well, as you can already tell, things are definitely heating up in Settler’s Mine. But let me tell you, the situation is only going to get more explosive, because it turns out the three are destined mates!

THE RIVALS is the first in a fascinating new sci-fi series where people of Quatarian descent have to first find their heartstone, and then must depend on it to reveal their mates. Men can’t have sex until they find their heartstone and women can’t properly enjoy it without theirs. You’re lucky indeed to find one of your mates, and finding both of them, well, that’s kind of like hitting the jackpot. Unfortunately, only one of the heartstones in a triad activates the others, so you could pass right by one of your mates and never know, or be rivals with them for years as Orion and Balt have been. Luckily for them both, and Layla, they hit the jackpot in this story. Balt is tall with green hair, rust colored eyes and an imposing size. Orion is shorter in stature, but no less deadly, and with his black hair and green eyes, he’s undeniably attractive. Layla finds them both irresistible, but once she knows that they’re her mates, she’s determined to resist them and get away from both of them before they’re drawn into danger on her behalf. Orion and Balt are both incredibly annoyed when she tries to escape them; how dare their mate put herself in danger and attempt to leave them? Bounty hunters they may be, and hired specifically to get her, but that’s all in the past, they’re mates now and mates don’t abandon each other. And let me tell you, it doesn’t matter if all three of them are together, or just two of them, the sex between these mates is fiery hot and plentiful.

Zelda and her heartmate Bren are interesting characters. Z is a powerful woman with not much love for the Union Alliance. She has her own code of honor and is a great person to have on your side, crossing her would not be wise. Clyde is a Wolfton, and though his people are mostly found on deserted planets with forests or plains, he’s inexplicably on Settler’s Mine working as a bartender. I hope to find out more about him in the future. Ansel is a sadistic son of a gun who definitely gets off on all of the pain he inflicts. Merc is another bounty hunter, but one who fits right in with Ansel as he often turns in his “finds” somewhat the worse for wear. McTavish is a doctor who lives on a deserted planet and though he charges high fees and would think nothing of killing you if you don’t come with the proper references, this mystery man will intrigue you. I can’t wait for future Settler’s Mine books, there are so many characters that just cry out for their own story.

THE RIVALS is a fantastic example of what can come about when an author is skilled at blending action, adventure, danger and erotic romance in a world of sci-fi. This book demonstrates perfectly why series are great things, you get to know a lot more about the characters and the world they live in and there’s no end-of-book disappointment that it’s all over. Way to go Mechele! Stop by Loose Id and get your copy of THE RIVALS today.

Lori Ann