I have read a tale by Kate Steele before – To Trust A Wolf – which I absolutely adored. Alas, whilst I have been eagerly awaiting the promised sequel it has not yet made its appearance. Surprisingly, for an author who is a very good writer, Ms Steele has few titles currently available, to my everlasting regret. I hope that she will continue to write for many years to come, and I beg her: please put a coming soon/works in progress page up on your website.

Talrion Finn Mal is High Chieftain of all the Clans of Atrios and has been for the past year. It was the Mother Goddess of Atrios’ plan to bring all the Clans of Atrios under the leadership of one High Chieftain, the goal being to smooth out the warring and disagreements between them. The plan worked, except Talrion has not yet taken a wife, or tezza. Thanks to the Goddess, he does not feel complete satisfaction after sex, a ‘curse’ she placed upon him to encourage him to take a wife. Though he has been resistant, preferring to partake of the many females available, he has gradually come to the decision that taking a wife would be the best thing to do. After all, staying solitary and playing the field is not turning out the way he planned. Following this decision, he partakes in the Ritual of Seeking, whereby the Orb of Atrios will identify the woman meant to be his mate. Many women are drawn to the Orb in the hopes of being chosen. Much to Talrion’s disappointment, many are there not for him, the man, but because of his position.

While out on a ride, he meets up with Lira, a female huntress. The attraction he feels toward her is unlike any he has ever felt toward another woman. Though he has not had sex with a woman since beginning the ritual, he is unable to resist Lira, though he is careful not to reveal his true identity. The sex between them is scorching, unlike any he has had before. Could Lira possibly be the woman destined to be his mate, his wife? What will her reaction be when she finds out who he is? Has Talrion fallen in love with her in the space of but a night?

Lira Senn Var is a superb huntress; she cannot see herself in the role of mother or house tender. She is happy doing what she does. If there is a small part inside of her that longs for children and a loving husband, she keeps it buried. When she meets Talrion, known to her only as Tal in the beginning, her attraction to him is intense and immediate. Though she has never been attracted so to another man, it does not even enter her head that he could be the one for her, the one she secretly longs for deep down in her heart. Dismayed when she finds out whom he is, and when the Orb chooses her to be his wife, her actions nevertheless centre on protecting him from her own inadequacies. Could it be that she has come to love this man more than she ever thought she would ever be able to love a man? Is he enough to make her consider being a wife, a mother?

Though a quickie and fairly short in length, this tale is an excellent romance that I really enjoyed. Ms Steele knows how to spin a story. I shall definitely be reading more of this series. It’s a foregone conclusion that I will read more from this author. The characters each have a more than adequate development, even the secondary characters, particularly for the length of this tale. With the exception of the prologue, the entire story tells the events and emotional progression of but a few days, at the most. Considering this, it is stunning how much the author has managed to write. The sex in this story is described in much detail. Please beware that there is anal play. Ms Steele has created a world that I would like to know more of. The little brought into the tale is not enough to quench my thirst, only an appetizer that whets my appetite. Chosen by the Orb has been out for quite a while now, but if you haven’t yet got it, I recommend you do so – and soon. Go ahead; pick yourself up a real bargain today! As for me, well, I shall soon be moving on to the next – The Orb of Atrios.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© December 2005