ZULA’S STAND - Jade Buchanan

The Pridelands, Book 2

Changeling Press - www.changelingpress.com

ISBN: 978-1-59596-849-4

January 2008

Erotic Sci-Fi Romance - ménage and M/M interaction  -- Short Story

British Columbia, Canada - Present day

Zula Steinsson is one of several Felidae who accompanied some others, along with the human, Aaron, back to his planet so they can assure his family that he’s alive and well. It’s a long story, check out DARREN’S SURPRISE, September 2007 for the details. Earth is a very different and disturbing place for Zula, not least because she’s just met yet another relative of Aaron’s, his cousin Mike. Mike’s scent is nearly irresistible to Zula and she’s beginning to wonder if she’s found her mate. And then the handsome Tigris, Jai Asher, arrives. Could Zula’s life get any more complicated?

Mike Coleman is thrilled to find that his cousin Aaron is safe. And once he gets past the shock of meeting aliens who resemble cat people, he’s cool with that as well. But what he’s not sure about is his attraction to Zula, could he really be meant to mate with a cat woman? Then Jai arrives and Mike is really thrown into a tail spin, he’s never been attracted to a man before, and suddenly he can’t think of anything better than being with both Zula and Jai.

Jai Asher has long thought Zula an attractive woman, but her fierce independence has led him to believe she’ll never take a mate. However, the Leo certainly seems to have laid claim to Mike, could it be that his chance has arrived? Perhaps Jai can finally claim the woman who has tantalized him, as well as the human who strikes a chord in him as well.

ZULA’S STAND continues Jade Buchanan’s well established tradition of creating unique characters who are drawn together through sometimes unfortunate circumstances to find incredible chemistry and love with their destined mates. Zula is not your average Leo. Leo women are usually not allowed to leave their home planet of Felid, given females scarcity, they’re just too valuable to risk to the dangers of space travel. However, an exception was made for Zula since her brothers are ample protection and, let’s face it, nobody was going to have peace if they didn’t let her experience life. I’m not saying she’s unreasonable, but she is a very determined woman. Mike is a pretty open minded guy, though it would be remarkably difficult to view aliens as impossible when you’re presented with so many of them living with your family. He’s never met a woman who affected him as strongly as Zula and it doesn’t take long for him to realize she’s the one he’s been waiting for. Falling for Jai is a bit more difficult, but he doesn’t fight his feelings for long. Jai isn’t a bit surprised by his attraction to Mike, but falling in love with two people who are determined to resist you (at least at first) is certainly not the easiest thing. Bad enough to be rejected by one person, but two at the same time? When this threesome give in to their passion, you just know that nothing will ever come between them, not culture, race, or space travel.

The secondary characters are many in this story and there are a lot of undercurrents running through their relationships, leaving the reader wondering just what is going to happen in future Pridelands stories. Zula’s youngest brother, Achan, goes missing in this story and readers have to wonder, was he taken by someone, or did he go voluntarily? Pran, who arrived with Jai, once had a relationship with Khalid (Zula’s half-brother). He appears to harbor a fearsome grudge towards him now, but could all that antipathy really be hiding some passionate feelings? Then there’s the interplay between some of Durai’s (Zula’s oldest brother) pride members and Lev’s pride. What exactly is going on there? All in all, readers are left with some tantalizing possibilities for what lies ahead in the world of the Felidae.

Passion, humor, tender exchanges and denim ripping sex, ZULA’S STAND is filled with action guaranteed to satisfy. Stop by Changeling Press today and get your copy.

Lori Ann