Parallel Heat - Deidre Knight

Parallel Heat
Deidre Knight
Signet Eclipse

Fantasy/Paranormal/Science Fiction

Note: This is the sequel to PARALLEL ATTRACTION. If you haven’t read the first book, this review contains plot spoilers.

Taking up where PARALLEL ATTRACTION left off, Jared Bennett, kings of an exiled people, and his queen, Kelsey, prepare their people for war. Jared’s people have been settled on Earth for years, but it’s clear that their enemy is willing to bring the war to them; endangering Earth in the process. Sadly, this danger isn’t the only complication facing the royals. A member of Jared’s army is captured by the Air Force, which mistakenly assumes that Jared’s people constitute a threat to Earth.

Thea Haven, Jared’s intelligence officer, grew up secure in the knowledge that she would one day marry the king. She was shocked when he chose to disregard their betrothal and marry another. The arrival of Marco McKinley, an elite warrior and one pledged to guard the king and his household, disturbs Thea for reasons she can’t quite articulate. Marco is immediately attracted to Thea, but resists his feelings because of a specific warning given to him: If he should give in to his desire for Thea, he will go on to betray his king.

Having just read the first novel, I’m pleased to say that this second installment does not suffer at all in comparison. Some threads that were left dangling at the end of the previous book are tied up here, as new plotlines begin to unfurl. These novels defy easy description, and that’s both rare and wonderful. There’s politics, paranormal elements, split timelines, and romance. While perhaps not as straightforward a read as some are used to, the effort is well worth it. I understand that there are more books planned in this series. I wouldn’t miss them.

Rating: 9
October 2006
ISBN# 0-451-21965-1 (paperback)