Review: Whelon by Celia Kyle by Anne Hale 3 of 5 stars

Whelon by Celia Kyle by Anne Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sasha Dane is a local news celebrity and her mother is fixated on hatred for the Prior and so is determined to use Sasha's fame to advance that agenda. Her mother thinks that the Knowing is a form of coercion and that their natural hold of human women needs to end. So Sasha went to Preor Choosing Station Tau in order to gather as much dirt as possible but that didn't go to plan because Preor Healing Master Whelon was drawn to one choosing session and that was when both Sasha and Weldon experienced the Knowing. Sasha has to deal with the difference between what her mother insisted was true and what she is now experiencing (which are completely different). They are not an evil and woman stealing race but instead, they cherish women and would love them completely. She also realises that they care for all human beings when she witnesses them trying to help people that they discover are not living the pleasant life they thought they were. Now Wheldon has to realise that Sasha has obstacles to clear in order to be with him that only she can conquer. Can Sasha overcome her mother's teachings and embrace her Prior mate or will she deny the mating and curse them both to a painful death?

I couldn't work out in my head how such an intelligent woman could believe the so-called facts that her mother was repeating. There were some really big parallels to the political situation in the US that I couldn't ignore. It was interesting to learn the effect of ignoring the Knowing and what would happen to both the Prior and the human. I loved the final conclusion although it was tortuous getting there. Contains a little sexual content at the end.

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Review: Radoo by Celia Kyle 3 of 5 stars

Radoo by Celia Kyle by Anne Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When the Preor came to Earth they had open arms and hoped to find their mates. However, many met them with a closed fist and hatred. Livvy certainly holds no love for the Preor race - their claims of coming in peace or working together for the good of both races don't ring true to her either. But when she is told that she is fated for a Preor Warrior, she knows in her heart that it is true. Radoo did not experience a choosing in the standard sense especially as he currently does most of the command duties of the Preor Third Fleet and believes he has no time for a mate. His world is rocked when he comes into contact with Livvy and is affected by the Knowing. But to find out that she hates him and everything he stands for, plus she is a member of the Resistance that will stop at nothing to rid the Earth of the Preor. How can Radoo change things when his mate is his enemy - can they ever be other or are they faced with a painful death?

This was certainly an interesting spin on the fated mate story and had many instances of danger and drama involving the resistance members. I liked the way that the story ended although I did not enjoy some of the content in between - I think I just grew a little tired of Livvy and some of her attitudes even though I could clearly understand the resentments and how they occurred. Some parts were enjoyable and well written, and some parts were just irritating and monotonous. Contains some sexual content.

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Review: Vende by Celia Kyle by Anne Hale 4 of 5 stars

Vende by Celia Kyle by Anne Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dawn had suffered a traumatic brain injury in childhood and so had led a sheltered life with her family. She had a passion for botany but she had never had the chance to pursue any of her dreams in life. That all changes when she meets the Prior and they need the kind of help that only she can provide. Prior Warrior Vende is completely weary of overseeing the engineering infrastructure for everyone while his fellow warriors spend time with their mates - especially after his lack of success finding his own. Then he meets Dawn and finally understands the full power of the Knowing. Can Vende and Dawn face insurmountable odds and find a happily ever after plus save the Prior race from extinction?

This was a sweet story where there were lots of interesting new side effects to the Knowing that was very welcome. I love Dawn and how she was so carefree and trusting although I was quite afraid for her when she went walkabout. I loved her unique talent which I would love for people to have today. Well written and easy to read and understand. Contains a little explicit sexual content near the very end of the story which was very sensitively written.

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