DARK SOLSTICE - Kaitlyn O'Connor
New Concepts Publishing - www.newconceptspublishing.com
ISBN: 978-1-60394-914-5
May 2008
Erotic Futuristic Romance 
Sensuality: Carnal 

Phobos Prison and Mars - the Future 

Phobos Prison, the most secure maximum security prison ever, is known for housing the worst of the worst, at least for a little while. Life expectancy in Phobos is six months, anyone who lives longer than that is obviously among the smartest and most dangerous predators incarcerated in its walls. Dr. Rhea Landon never expected to find herself getting an up close and personal view of the prison, of course, she thought her discovery of life on Mars would be welcome as well. Obviously it wasn't, and also quite apparent is the fact that the powers that be already knew about the caverns on Mars and don't want anyone else to know. Hence her current status as a plaything to be won by a prisoner in gladiator style warfare. 

John Raathe, the iceman, former military and an assassin credited with over a dozen kills, is the winner when the fighting stops. He doesn't really want Rhea, but participation in the games is a requirement, not a voluntary thing. Somehow, the longer he has her around, the more he starts to feel an unaccustomed possessiveness, maybe even affection? 

Rhea is a smart and prideful woman. She quickly realizes though, that in Phobos, smarts and pride don't mean a thing, her only value is as a sex toy. Stung by that, and needing the security of knowing she's valued for more than just sexual release, she quickly determines to try to make John like her as a person. What she didn't count on was falling for him herself. John is a killer, make no mistake, but he's got reasons for all he's done, and in fact, most of his killing was done while in the military, the rest, well, you'll have to read the book to find out just why he did that. A hard man, he does have a softer side, and a sense of humor that sneaks out now and again. Without John, Rhea would face a dire future. Without Rhea, John would probably never have experienced trust or affection again. Kaitlyn O'Connor does a wonderful job of making love between two such disparate characters seem not only reasonable, but destined.

Among the secondary characters, Kyle Justice is the most important. A fellow Phobos prisoner, he seems to be holding some secrets, things that could impact both Rhea and John. Grimes and Cook are also prisoners; violent and truly evil men, the pair will also have a great deal of influence on Rhea and John's future.

DARK SOLSTICE is a tale that makes both the characters, and the reader, question themselves. Is violence ever a necessity, can love exist between people who are basically strangers, would you kill if it would save your life or that of someone you care about? Despite its dark theme, it's also a romance and in the end, readers will get a happy ending that's sure to please them. Ready for something a little different, a bit edgy? Then head on over to New Concepts and get your copy of this erotic story. 

Lori Ann