Veena’s review of There All Along by Lauren Dane & Megan Hart
Futuristic Romance published by Berkley Trade 03 Dec 2013
This book consists of two novellas. The first is Land’s End written by Lauren Dane and the second is By The Sea of Sand written by Megan Hart. I am a big fan of Ms. Dane’s paranormal series and have enjoyed her other futuristic series, so I was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, these stories are not my cup of tea, I find both stories very slow and not very exciting.
Land’s End reminds me of what life might have been like during the time when there were white outposts surrounded by dangerous plains populated by red Indians or Native Americans. Verity lives in one of these well-fortified outposts and Loyal is a Marshall who guards the convoys that travel from outpost to outpost delivering mail and supplies. There are marauding bandits who are roaming the territory and attacking the settlements, committing all kinds of atrocities, including cannibalism.
The romance between Loyal and Verity is slow and simmering. She wants out of her safe and predictable life where women are treated as second-class citizens. He’s seen it all and wants to protect her way of life and keep her cushioned in a safe haven where he can visit, take her out to play and then leave her cushioned in cotton wool.
In the Sea of Sand the world is endangered by a hive-like people who want to conquer and take over the world where Kason and Telia live. Kason is a typical rich man’s son, a kind of prince to the people. In search of adventure, he comes across the small island-like area where Telia lives and manages a lighthouse. They are able to steal away a bit of happiness until Kason cannot resist his father and joins the army to keep the world safe.
He’s eventually returned to Telia with no memory of who he is or who she is to him. Under her loving care he slowly recovers his sense of self and is able to stand up for himself, his wife and son.
Other than references to modern weapons and some different technologies, I feel cheated because these are not the futuristic space-age stories that I was expecting.
Grade: C
Summary:
Land’s End by Lauren Dane … The Land’s End highway is one of the most dangerous places in the universe. The constant peril of brigands keeps Verity Coleman stuck in Silver Cliffs, dreaming of the open road—and of Loyal Alsbaugh, the tall and silent highway patrolman. When her town is attacked, Verity has a chance to win over Loyal’s muted heart. But will his wounded past make him leave her along the road, or can she convince him to take her along?
By the Sea of Sand by Megan Hart … Captain Kason Reed was willing to give his life to the Shieren Defense Forces, but now he can’t remember anything but bits and pieces of the war. When his sexual attraction to his nurse, Teila, causes him to make advances towards her, she becomes the aggressor, urging him with her body to explore the memories of his past—memories that all seem to draw him back to Teila…
Read an excerpt.
