"Worthy of an award-This author is great"

Exonerated and no longer chased as an outlaw, Reya, a Reeka sisterhood warrior, remains "haunted" by her mind dwelling entirely on her past though she can easily rationalize that she either killed or be killed. Unable to settle down like many of her sisters, Reya roams from place to place seeking inner solace, but only finds haunting nightmares of what she has done.

Daamen trader Maverk loves Reya as he has since he first met her and she rejected him too many years ago. He would protect her with his life and desperately wants to ease the burden burying Reya, but she refuses to let him into her darkest secrets. Still, he follows her to the Outlaw Sector hoping to keep his beloved safe if she allows him to do so and be there if she ever lets go of her insanity and realizes she needs him. Whatever Reya does, Maverk plans to be there for her even if his love remains unrequited for eternity.

The sequel to the delightful science fiction romance HEART OF AN OUTLAW is a tremendous tale in which the story line is vividly summarized by its title. Angela Verdenius delves deeply into the SOUL OF A MERCENARY so that readers will understand why Reya has trouble trusting and relying on people including the man who actually deep in the recesses of her black soul has started the flicker of light and hope. Though not as action-packed as the first tale, Ms. Verdenius displays her talent with a powerful character study in an otherworldly environs that will have the audience stunned and desiring the third book in the Verdenius Universe (see HEART OF THE BETRAYED).

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 23, 2003

Author Interview

Warrior, mercenary danger and death follow her, but insanity is Reya's most threatening companion, for a dark secret consumes her soul.

Love will make the Daamen trader, Maverk, follow her to the Outlaw Sector and into the growing nightmare reaching out for her from the blood-drenched past.

Summary

With a dark secret slowly consuming her soul, Reya cannot settle to a peaceful life. Returning to the Outlaw Sector as a mercenary is the only way she can survive. Never will she reveal her terrible secret, for fear of having those she loves turn from her in disgust.

Maverk knows that something keeps the Reeka warrior from her home, her sister warriors -- and his arms. If he's to ever have her as his life-mate, he needs to banish this unknown darkness that keeps her on the edge of insanity. His love will make him follow her into the pits of her hell and beyond, into a nightmarish world of impossible horror.

But once he knows the truth, Reya fears the outcome. Will the Daamen trader's love be able to overcome it?