Can a stranger from a distant planet breach Yalfar’s strict laws to save a nation from doom and rescue one lone woman from the errors of her way?
Fen Tared Charst has betrayed his brother, and his people. To right the wrongs he’s done, he suffers the horrors of the zeel pits only to find himself a captive of the Temi tribe. In Yalfar, he discovers that leading the Temi princess and her warriors from their dying world is the key to his redemption. But losing his heart to Princess Joyella will be the key to saving his soul.
Princess Joyella Denue has broken a sacred law and for that, she is exiled from Yalfar. To regain her honor, she agrees to lead a convoy topside to escape the collapsing city, but she can’t make the journey alone. She needs Tared, but can she overlook her convictions to accept a man not of her tribe?
"No, beast, come no closer." Her hand rose to ward him off. "I won’t be tempted by your lustful nature. Not now. Not ever."
"Strong words for a woman destined to be mine. But – I can wait." He backed away and sat on an outcropping of rock. From the pouches along his waist, he pulled a nourishment packet. "Here, you need food."
She took the offered sustenance, sat across from him, and tore open the seal. The food inside didn’t look appetizing, but it had all the needed nutrients. She took a bite, realizing she was hungrier than she thought. "You need to eat also."
"In time. Right now, I have an appetite for something else. I need to suppress the urge before I can eat."
She choked on a bite. He laughed, the sound echoing off the chamber walls. He seemed so different when he smiled or laughed, not at all the ferocious warrior bent on claiming his due. She set the packet in her lap and played with the torn end. "Why did you help me?"
He gazed at the stalactites above her. "I want you to succeed."
"But you could have incited my warriors to follow you instead. They want to trust someone that’s actually been to the surface." She stared at her stomach. "Someone who hasn’t betrayed their faith."
"We would lose a day if we backtracked. Your way is just as valid."
~*~
"But how do you know?" Joyella gripped the crisp edge of the container. Food started to spill out and she relaxed her hold. But she had to know. She needed some form of reassurance because the people had forced her to doubt her own mind, to doubt yorellite’s vision.
"I saw what you saw."
"But that doesn’t mean you have to believe my thoughts. What if they were only fanciful dreams? How can you be sure I know the way out?"
He made no comment.
She stared at his averted face, trying to see deep into his soul. Then she knew. "By Yutenk’s Glow, I don’t believe you. You didn’t just read my thoughts, did you?"
Excerpt
He gazed at the stalactites above her. “I want you to succeed.”
“But you could have incited my warriors to follow you instead. They want to trust someone that’s actually been to the surface.” She stared at her stomach. “Someone who hasn’t betrayed their faith.”
“We would lose a day if we backtracked. Your way is just as valid.”
“But how do you know?” She gripped the crisp edge of the container. Food started to spill out and she relaxed her hold. But she had to know. She needed some form of reassurance because the people had forced her to doubt her own mind, to doubt Yorellite’s vision.
“I saw what you saw.”
“But that doesn’t mean you have to believe my thoughts. What if they were only fanciful dreams? How can you be sure I know the way out?”
He made no comment.
She stared at his averted face, trying to see deep into his soul. Then she knew. “By Yutenk’s Glow, I don’t believe you. You didn’t just read my thoughts, did you?”
He shrugged. “I did what I thought best.”
Professional Reviews
Blue Ribbon Review of A Noble Sacrifice
Tared Charst of the Verside is condemned to torment and torture of the zeel pits as punishment for his crimes against his people and family. What he finds at the bottom of the hell hole is not the perdition he envisioned but an entire new world totally undiscovered until now!
Joyella Denue is a member of the Temi tribe who lives in the bowels of the Planet of Pelicosia. Guided by Yutenk, theirs is a matriarchy community where the men are pampered and protected behind glassed chambers. However, Joyella's first encounter with a man of the outside world left her with more than just nightmares and unwanted memories.
When these two wounded souls meet, both their worlds collide literally and culturally. Though sparks may fly whenever they are near each other, any relationship between them is nigh on impossible! Only A NOBLE SACRIFICE and Ciara Gold can bring this ill fated couple together with such passion and intricacies.
Romance, rebellion and redemption all come together in an explosive tale about the power of love and redemption. Definitely an excellent sequel but be forewarned though, this book will be best appreciated after reading its prequel, CELESTIAL DRAGON, another not to be missed book by Ciara Gold that will no doubt leave you scrambling for more.
by J. T. of Romance Junkies
http://208.109.92.234/artman/publish/article_8228.shtml
A Noble Sacrifice
Lototy from Coffeetime writes: "I very much enjoyed the power play between these two characters. Joyella went from being a frightened and timid young woman to a real leader of her people. Tared regained his honor by learning when to relinquish control and allowing himself to accept help. Joyella and Tared complimented each other very well by knowing when to give and when to take. This book was a real pleasure to read." See the rest of the review at http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Anoblesacrifice.html
A Noble Sacrifice
Little Sunshine from Nightowl Romances writes: "Ciara Gold has penned an entertainingly charming and endearing story that will pique the reader's interest from beginning to end. Ms. Gold has done an amazing job of taking the reader on a road to rediscovery beautifully illustrating how two people from different races and values overcame their differences through love and determination. Hats off to Ms. Gold's ingenuity on creating such a wonderfully vivid futuristic world filled with romance and mystical dragons. I cannot wait to see what future offerings Ms. Gold has in store for her readers." Read the rest at http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=896
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