Angela Verdenius has done it again with her latest story in the Heart and Soul series, Soul of a Predator.

When two predators meet, passions are sure to rage…

Elyse is a half mutant ex-space pirate who's part mutant on a mission. Shaque is a space bounty hunter and an enemy of Elyse ever since she tried to kill him in their last meeting.

Now they meet again after a young girl keeps delivering mysterious packages to Elyse for her to give Shaque. When one of these packages contains a picture of Shaque’s sister, missing for twenty years, and Elyse with blue eyes instead of their now-brown, the two reluctantly team up to find answers. Elyse has no memory of Shaque's sister and he is convinced she's hiding something from him. Each has their own agenda but can they see past their differences to solve the mystery together? What of the bloody noses Elyse keeps getting that shed a single drop of blood? Then there is the mysterious illness that strikes Elyse down with no warning? 

Neither Shaque nor Elyse ever expected that their final showdown would lead to the conquering of their hearts and souls.

What a book! Angela has again delivered a powerful story with so much adventure and passion that one galaxy can’t hold all of it. Readers are guaranteed to find their emotions surging from the opening scene. Shaque and Elyse are both passionate people in their own way, though they show it in different ways, if they show it at all. As such, the sensual heat between these two predators is blazing hot every single time they are together. That also means that when these two give in to their passion the sex will make you blush. This is definitely a hotter entry in the Heart and Soul series. Yet in the midst of the passion, we find many examples of tenderness. Shaque especially surprised me with the depth of emotion he experiences, considering he is usually so stone faced and restrained. Where Elyse is involved he can be incredibly gentle as well.

I also have to say I didn’t think Angela could write a story to affect me more than Soul of the Forgotten, but Soul of a Predator really got to me every bit as much as the previous book did. Elyse’s story in particular was very heart wrenching. The final confrontation scene brought tears to my eyes many times it was so powerful and emotional. I can’t say anything more specific than that or I’ll give things away, but I don’t see how anyone can read Soul of a Predator and not be moved.

Of course, as emotional as Soul of a Predator is, the action is through the roof as well. While there are some moments of calm, this novel is an adventure ride full of pirates, bounty hunters, slavers, mutants, and totally creepy bad guys. The underlying mystery is very strong, driving most of the unfolding events. We also have a more paranormal touch to this book in the form of the shadow beings the Overlord and his people control. We are left hanging a little bit on this part of the plot as well, which leads me to believe we haven’t seen the last of these nasty guys.

Take a ride through the galaxy visiting the Outlaw and Lawful sectors, and everything in between. You are bound to experience quite an adventure ride with Soul of a Predator. I can’t wait to see where the talented Verdenius takes me next!

© Kelley A. Hartsell, November 2007. All rights reserved.