Title: Thornless Rose
Author: T.C. Mill
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: Short (79pgs)
Publisher: Storm Moon Press (26th July 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 – 3½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Tyrel Uvieras, a bodyguard serving the Union of planetary governments, has been assigned his most interesting charge yet: Verithe Jerrith, Union’s ambassador to what might be the most cursed planet in the galaxy. Something distinctly unsavory surrounds Corrina, whose first contact with Union space came through the stolen equipment of a stranded spaceship. Yet, Union policy requires an answer to the Corrinans’ request for negotiations. The best they can do is sending a well-prepared diplomatic party—if it’s possible to prepare for what they find on the planet’s surface.
Tyrel and Verithe discover a mutual attraction, though Tyrel also thinks Verithe perhaps too lighthearted given their dire mission and certainly too gentle—like a thornless rose—to survive long in a dangerous world without protection. Tyrel tries to provide that protection, but the two men are captured in what is just the beginning of their descent into barbarity and treachery. They will be called upon to make unbelievable sacrifices and confront the “curse” of Corrina that brings out people’s darkest desires, endangering sanity and soul. Even their feelings for each other might not give them the strength to endure.
Purchase Link: http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Thornless-Rose.aspx
Review: Tyrel is a bodyguard and has been assigned his newest charge, an ambassador who is assigned the task of negotiating with a primitive planet. Verithe is an ambassador for the Union of planetary governments; he is heading for negotiations with Corrina, a planet, which is called, cursed. Verithe and Tyrel find themselves stranded on the planet’s surface and fighting for their lives, but the one thing they don’t fight is their attraction to each other. Tyrel wonders how Verithe will manage such a hostile territory with his lighthearted and gentle nature and Verithe wonders if Tyrel will be able to ignore the seductive pull of the violence and danger.
This is a great science fiction story that takes us on a journey to a primitive world where only the strongest survive. Verithe is heading to the cursed planet Corrina after they demanded negotiations, not knowing what they face but knowing already what the Union has decided. Tyrel has one job and that is to keep Verithe safe, unfortunately keeping him safe proves harder than he thought when the Corrinan’s aren’t happy with the way negotiations are going. The two men survive by sheer will and a survivor from a previous expedition, after they are betrayed by one of their own, now they just have to wait for rescue and pray that it comes in time.
This story is wonderfully written; it gives us enough back-story so we aren’t left in the dark over what they are facing on the planet and lets us know that their time on the planet isn’t going to be easy. Verithe seems like a gentle soul and although he doesn’t like violence accepts that sometimes it is the only way. Tyrel is a character that is harsher; he will do what must be done but sometimes loses himself to the violence. Both characters coming together balance each other out and Tyrel sees the steel running through Verithe and Verithe helps to keep Tyrel tempered. Their sexual relationship is very hot, but at first came out of nowhere when they were still in a very precarious position, it was also a shock because although there was vague murmurs about attraction there wasn’t any indication that it was that strong.
I loved the way Corrina was portrayed as a primitive violent place where you could easily let your inner dark side take over, letting yourself be seduced by the darker undertones of survival of the strongest. I liked how Verithe somehow managed to keep Tyrel leashed and how Tyrel loved the more easygoing Verithe. This is a really good storyline that is original and has plenty of action; it has a love developing in horrid conditions and has friendships emerging with the less violent Corrinan’s.
I recommend this if you love science fiction, primitive planets and inhabitants, strong characters, hot sex, action and danger and a very satisfying ending.