Robin D. Owens - Heart Choice

Table ofContents

Praise for thefuturistic fantasy of Robin D. Owens

HeartDuel

[A]sexy story... Readers will enjoy revisiting this fantasy-like world filledwith paranormal talents.

Booklist

Anexhilarating love story... The delightful story line is cleverly executed ... Owens proves once again that she is among the top rung of fantasy romanceauthors with this fantastic tale.

HarrietKlausner

Withengaging characters, Robin D. Owens takes readers back to the magical world ofCelta... The characters are engaging, drawing the reader into the story andinto their lives. They are multilayered and complex and grow into exceptionalpeople.

RomanceReviews Today

HeartThief

Iloved Heart Thief ! This is what futuristic romance is all about. RobinD. Owens writes the kind of futuristic romance weve all been waiting to read;certainly the kind that Ive been waiting for. She provides a wonderful,gripping mix of passion, exotic futuristic settings, and edgy suspense. Ifyouve been waiting for someone to do futuristic romance right, youre in luck;Robin D. Owens is the author for you.

JayneCastle

Thecomplex plot and rich characterizations, not to mention the sexy passion...make this a must-read... I just wish Robin D. Owens wrote faster. I hopeshes got a huge pile of ideas for future Celtan stories, and I for one cantwait to go back.

TheRomance Reader

Owensspins an entrancing tale... Although the setting is fresh and totallycaptivating, it is the well-developed characters, both human and animal, thatmake this story memorable. Crafty villains, honorable, resourcefulprotagonists, and sentient pets drive the plot of this fast-paced, oftensuspenseful romantic adventure. As have others before her (e.g., AnneMcCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley), Owens has penned a stunning futuristic talethat reads like fantasy and is sure to have crossover appeal to both SF andfantasy fans.

LibraryJournal

Owenshas crafted a fine romance that is also a successful science fantasy yarn withterrific world-building.

Booklist

Atremendous science fiction romance that affirms what many fans thought afterreading the prequel (HeartMate): that Robin D. Owens is one of thesubgenres giant stars. The story line is faster than the speed of light, butmore important is this worlds society seems so real that psychic powers feelgenuine... [a] richly textured other-planetary romance.

BookBrowser

PraiseforHeartMate

Winnerof the 2002 RITA Award for Best Paranormal Romance by the Romance Writers ofAmerica

Engagingcharacters, effortless world-building, and a sizzling romance make this a novelthats almost impossible to put down.

TheRomance Reader

Fantasyromance with a touch of mystery... Readers from the different genres willwant Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of HeartMates.

MidwestBook Review

HeartMateis a dazzling debut novel. Robin D. Owens paints a world filled with characterswho sweep readers into an unforgettable adventure with every delicious word,every breath, every beat of their hearts. Brava!

DebStover, award-winning author of A Moment in Time

Agem of a story... sure to tickle your fancy.

AnneAvery, author of Alls Fair

Itshines and fans will soon clamor for more... A definite keeper!TheBookdragon Review

Thisstory is magical... doubly delicious as it will appeal to both lovers offantasy and futuristic romance. Much room has been left for sequels.

PNRReviews

Titles by RobinD. Owens

HEARTMATE

HEARTTHIEF

HEARTDUEL

HEARTCHOICE

THE BERKLEYPUBLISHING GROUP

Published by thePenguin Group

Penguin Group(USA) Inc.

375 HudsonStreet, New York, New York 10014, USA

Penguin Group(Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada

(a division ofPearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

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South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand,London WC2R 0RL, England

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or areused fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

HEART CHOICE

A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangementwith the author

PRINTINGHISTORY

Berkley Sensation edition / July 2005

Copyright 2005 by Robin D. Owens.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, ordistributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do notparticipate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of theauthors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Forinformation address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

adivision of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eISBN : 978-0-425-20396-5

BERKLEYSENSATION

BerkleySensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

adivision of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

BERKLEY SENSATION and the B design are trademarksbelonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

http://us.penguingroup.com

To Morgan and Diva

One

DRUIDACITY, CELTA,

404years after Colonization, spring, late afternoon

GetMe down! GET ME DOWN! The telepathic de mand was imperious.

StraifBlackthorn had just descended the stairs of the door of the Green KnightFencing and Fighting Salon, after his daily bout with his cuz Tinne Holly, whenhe heard the command.

GetMe down!

Themental cry, attached to a screech that could only come from a Siamese cat,speared through his head.

Hewanted to put his hands over his ears as the pitch built and the tormentcontinued, drowning out the swish of pouring rain. But a hunter always kept hishands free.

Straifglanced around the sidewalk and street. The smallest shiver of movement caughthis attention. There, atop a gray stone wall, crouched under the small overhangof a second-story windowsill, was a damp cat. A FamFamiliaran intelligentanimal with psi powers that could mentally communicate with people.

Sheglared at him with bright blue eyes. White with a dark mask of brown, shedidnt look purebred Siamese, but when she shrieked again, he knew he couldntdeny that piercing note in her yowl. Get Me down. I do not belong in thisfilthy rain.