Raine

The Satyr Estate is famed for their wines. Unknown to the human population is that it is also the site of a gate between Elseworld and Earthworld. The health of the vines is intrinsic in keeping the gate shut to Elseworld inhabitants. When King Feydon was near death he sent a message to the three Satyr brothers. In it he revealed that he had sired three daughters from human women. These daughters are in danger and he charges Nicholas, Raine, and Lyon with finding, marrying and protecting them.

For matters of inheritance Jordan Cietta was pronounced and has lived life as a male but things are more complex than an outright lie. You see, Jordan is a hermaphrodite. The attending physician has been using his knowledge of her questionable gender to blackmail her mother into the position of having to display this most sensationalist body for study each birthday. Her only protection for anonymity during these sessions is the mask that she is allowed to wear, hence her name of La Maschera. The annual humiliation is taken too far this year and the subject escapes determined never again to be under the control of a man.

Raine is the middle brother of the three Satyr lords. He is the bastard son of their father and was sent away from his original home at age thirteen when identity of his true father was discovered. Later in life, a second disappointment rocked him when his wife discovered the secret of himself and his brothers. It is no wonder that he does not believe or trust in the love that should come with marriage.

When this brother finds the one intended as his bride in Venice, both of them find their defenses crumbling into dust.

This is the second book in the series and the introductory read of this reviewer. Happily, it works well as a stand alone story. It does bear mentioning that the writing is addictive and readers will likely scramble to find the first as soon as possible and then mourn that they must wait for the next installment.

Let us dispense with the most shocking element of the story first. It contains one of the most unusual heroines readers are likely ever to come across. The physical curiosity of bearing both genders’ genitalia could have completely overshadowed the actual character. Not so under the talented pen of Ms Amber. We are shown with complete honesty the dehumanizing treatment that Jordan has had to endure. However, the heroine is given a vibrant and strong personality. She is intelligent, compassionate, and genuinely lovable.

It is unlikely that readers would expect that any man with the name of Satyr would be less than a very lusty male. That we find him to be twice the man on the night of each full moon than he is under other circumstances seems merely fitting. Yet again, the author is able to give us a main character that is…um, fully fleshed in ways beyond physical anomaly. The repudiation Raine has had to face in the past molded him into a closed and guarded personality. Not at ease with people, with emotions kept tightly in check, he is still a wonderfully good and caring man.

The villains are malicious and vindictive in the extreme. With the hero and heroine wonderfully nuanced, it is a bit of a shame that the bad are so uniformly ruthless.

Readers will be treated to an indulgent weaving of history, fact, fiction and fantasy. The concerns of the vineyard, health of the vines and parts of the process in wine making are blended remarkably well with the ritual tribute to Bacchus, and the responsibilities of the Satyr. One would have liked a glimpse of Elseworld since our curiosity is stirred especially by those who would like to break through to our side of the gate. The attempt to insinuate themselves is rather wicked.

The only real complaint with the book is that Raine’s knowledge of the importance of protecting Jordan and of how to go about best protecting her is disregarded for little reason. This, sadly, does not ring quite true to the situation.

All the same, those looking for a book which is seductively rich, with a curiously exotic aroma, complex notes, dark undertones, lots of spice, and an elegant smooth finish will be exhilarated to discover this one. Those looking for something lighter, sweet, crisp or straightforward should partake elsewhere.

April 2008