THE WOMAN - Mechele Armstrong
Settler’s Mine, Book 3
Loose Id - www.loose-id.com
ISBN: 978-1-59632-688-0
April 2008
Erotic Sci-Fi Romance - M/M and ménage a trois - Single Title

Settler’s Mine, Dareleck and an outpost on an Ebolian moon - The future 

Ah, the heartstone, the most valuable possession of any person of Quatarian descent. Created long before they’re even born, the heartstone reveals their destined mate or mates. So, if you’ve already got your heartstone, and you’ve found your mate like Tam and Jax have, why would you travel to Settler’s Mine, one of the most popular places to look for the stones? Well, for this rare two male pairing, it’s because of a dream, or several dreams. All of the dreams are Tam’s, they must be taken seriously as he is half-Ebolian and the race is known for their seers. Something at that mine is important and there is no choice but to go. Jax isn’t thrilled about the trip, but he loves Tam and if it’s important to him, it’s important to Jax.

Kiann can’t believe she’s done it, she’s really escaped the “tender” care of her stepbrother, Marses, and made it to Settler’s Mine. Kiann is an Ebolian woman whose dreams have led her there, convinced her that she has a chance of finding her heartstone. When she does in fact find her stone, as well as her mates, Tam and Jax, Kiann should be one of the happiest women alive. However, there’s one small complication, okay, maybe two. Jax doesn’t want another mate, and Marses (who currently rules Ebolia) will surely kill Kiann and her mates, as, unknown to them, she is really the Princess of Ebolia and its rightful ruler.

They say the Fates make sure the mating process is never smooth, and in this case, it just may be deadly as well.

Tam is very much ruled by his emotions (like most Ebolians). Jax is, on the other hand, a man of logic (like most Natives). Their pairing is already one of the rarest in the Universe, topped only by that of three men, it’s also one of the least valued. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t extremely happy together. Both Tam and Jax grew up without much feminine influence and they were happy to discover their mate was male. They wouldn’t know what to do with a female, how to treat her. That could be why meeting Kiann and finding out she’s their third was such a shock. And, just like they do most of the time, they both react differently to the news. Emotional Tam is quick to embrace Kiann, and Jax, with his usual logic, needs time to think about the repercussions. Kiann on the other hand, after seeing Jax’s hesitance, and with the sudden realization that being mated to her could only endanger them, decides the best course of action is to run fast and far. Will Tam and Jax let her leave them behind, and if they don’t, will the trio find a way to defeat Marses and claim a life together, one which will hopefully last many long and happy years?

Orion, Balt and Layla (bounty hunters) whose story was told in THE RIVALS (July 2007) as well as Zelda, Bren and Amory (owners of Settler’s Mine) whose story, THE LOVERS, was released in October 2007, are among the most important secondary characters in this book. Readers of the series may also recognize Merc, a bounty hunter with a taste for pain (delivering it). Marses the Royal, Kiann’s stepbrother, initially took her throne in a temporary basis as she was too young to rule when her father died. Unfortunately, power has gone to his head and he’s determined to keep it, whatever it takes.

Though this is the third in the Settler’s Mine series and features many characters previously introduced in it, don’t hesitate to buy it even if you haven’t read the first two books as it stands alone quite well. If you’re looking for a story filled with emotion, steamy sex, danger and characters who are unique and likable, don’t miss THE WOMAN.

 Lori Ann