The Star King (Star Series, Book 1)
FromAll About Romance: Susan Grant's second novel, proves that her first terrific romance,Once a Piratewas no fluke. This is an author who writes romantic and exciting books that conjure up exotic locales and peoples.  Grant is equally at home creating an advanced civilization light years away as she was conjuring up a pirate's ship off the coast of Spain, and that's no small feat.  Author Grant is masterful in her creation of the Vash culture where religion, politics, and commerce are seamlessly related.   Readers will pick up subtle similarities between the upbringing of Vash royalty and some Arabic cultures, and Sharron and his cult will bring to mind the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinri Kyo.  And, anyone who remembers Luke's blindfolded laser-sword training will recognize Grant's homage to George Lucas in the scene where Jas and Rom play a game with sens-swords in he dark.  As heroic characters, Rom and Jas simply shine.  Both are complex and strong individually, but as a couple, they are fantastic.  Descriptions of what Jas sees throughout her travels are extremely well done - the other-worldly is easily visual in Susan Grant's words.  There are some wonderfully funny moments as well - a hulking bodyguard with a name that is guaranteed to make you laugh, and a running gag involving beer. If you're looking for some excitement and adventure,The Star Kingwill provide it -- in spades.