Book Review: The Pleasure Slave

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Pleasure Slave     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Gena Showalter
Class/Genre:   Romance
HQN, Feb 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

In Imperia, the Priestess of Druinn Zirra demands that mortal warrior Tristan ar Malik binds with her or else; he refuses and insists he must leave because the Great Lord Challann wants to discuss the rebellion in Gillorad. Angry, Zirra breaks the alliance between sorcerers and humans by casting a spell on Tristan that makes him her PLEASURE SLAVE living inside a jewelry box unless she calls him. Only true love can break the spell.

Fifteen earth centuries later in Santa Fe, antiquities dealer Julia “Jules” Anderson purchases a jewelry box at Kreuger Flea Market. When she opens the small box Tristan appears in her kitchen. To his shock she rejects his offer to pleasure her though he feels she wants him. As they begin to fall in love, Tristan becomes concerned that Zirra will learn the truth and kill his beloved even if they are light years away thanks to a second curse by the High Priest to hide the breaking of the alliance pact. He would prefer slavery especially to his “Little Dragon” than freedom and death for her.

This exciting romantic fantasy with some science fiction elements especially when the reader visits Imperia is a terrific tale that sub-genre fans will appreciate. Tristan is a delightful hero struggling with the first person to not want him as a slave; his Jules displays the HEART OF A DRAGON (coming soon) as she courageously desires the best for her recent off the wall purchase, although she wants him just more than just self-indulgence. With this tale and the charming THE STONE PRINCE, Gena Showalter is gaining the reputation of a master wizard who enchants her readers.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner