Full Description

Warrior

"A COMPELLING TALE OF DANGER, INTRIGUE, AND SIZZLING ROMANCE!"
- CANDACE HAVENS

"He came to me in the dead of winter, his body burning with fever."

Even near death, his sensuality is amazing...

Leo arrives on Tisana's doorstep a beaten slave from a near-extinct race with feline genes. As soon as Leo recovers his strength, he'll use his extraordinary sexual talents to bewitch Tisana and make a bolt for freedom...

She has only one chance to tame him...

Tisana, whose healing powers are legendary, already knows Leo's the one who can help her fulfill her destiny... she can't let him get away now. Forced together on a dangerous journey, Tisana must reveal all of her powers, and Leo must give all of himself to gain his freedom...

REVIEWS OF CHERYL BROOKS'S SLAVE:

"A sexy adventure with a hero you can't resist!"
- Candace Havens, author of Charmed & Deadly

"Fascinating world customs, a bit of a mystery, and the relationship between the hero and heroine make this a very sensual romance."
- Romantic Times

"You don't want to miss this one"
- Star-Crossed Romance

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

I watched the horse and rider disappear into the night before returning to attend to my latest charge. Rafe had said he was cat-like, but I’d had no idea what to expect. As I washed the grime from his face, I found old scars along with several more recent scrapes and bruises. What could he possibly have done to deserve such punishment? I began to fear what dangers might lurk within him when he awakened. If he chose to escape, I had no doubt that he could overpower me when he recovered, for his chest and arms were well-muscled, though not with the heavy power which Rafe possessed. No, this man’s muscles were hard, but leaner and more sinewy, like those of a hunting cat, and even covered with scabs and bruises, he looked strong. Having treated the wounds on his chest, I undressed his lower body—and got the surprise of my life.

Reviews

Reviews

Romance Junkies Natasha Smith
The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior
Cheryl Brooks
4.5 Blue Ribbons

In WARRIOR, the second book of The Cat Star Chronicles, readers will meet Tisana, a Utopian healer, and Leo, the Zetithian slave brought to her for medical care.

A medicinal healer on the planet Utopia, Tisana is used to people stopping by her cabin to access her skills of healing. Alone and lonely, unless she has a patient, she is left alone by the members of her town. When Rafe, an ex-lover, shows up with his unconscious and beaten slave, Tisana is intrigued immediately. Tisana promises the ex-lover to have the slave healed in a month’s time as he requests. Not knowing that in less time she and the powerful looking slave will fall in love.

Leo, the name given to him by his healer, is an alien from Zetithia. With Zetithia destroyed years ago, Leo knows he is probably the only survivor. Leo yearns for freedom but he also yearns for his beautiful nurse Tisana. As Leo heals under Tisana’s loving care, the couple falls in love. Much to their dismay, however, their month is cut short when Leo’s owner arrives and needs Leo’s and Tisana’s help. The owner’s young sons have been kidnapped and since Leo is Zetithian, he is called to help track and find the missing boys.

Tisana accompanies her old lover and Leo on the hunt. Rafe needs Tisana for her healing skills as well as her skills as a witch. All along the way Leo and Tisana are ultra aware of each other, never knowing if they will ever be free to love each other again.

I read and loved SLAVE, Cheryl Brooks first installment of The Cat Star Chronicles. Because of this, it was a given that I would have to read WARRIOR. The amazing world built by Ms. Brooks drew me in but it was the well written plot and entrancing two main characters that kept me there. I could feel Tisana’s loneliness and desire to find the one man fated for her. Leo’s sexy and sensual prowess was over the top playful but emotional and tender as well.

A worthy second installment, WARRIOR by Cheryl Brooks, whet my appetite for more! I can’t wait for my next visit to the world that this talented author writes about.

The Romantic Times Susan Mobley
4 Stars

This second in Brooks’ Cat Star series once again presents a sexy and fascinating hero. It also introduces a strong heroine with some interesting psychic powers. The animals lend a light and humorous tone, and the ending is nicely blood free. It certainly leaves the reader eager for the next story featuring these captivating aliens.

Summary: On the planet Utopia, healer witch Tisana ends up taking care of offworlder slave Leccarian (Leo) Banadänsk. Tisana is immediately fascinated by him, and soon their attraction develops into love. Tisana attempts to think of some way she can get Rafe, Leo’s owner and her ex-lover, to sell or give Leo to her, and the opportunity presents itself when Rafe comes to her seeking help to find his kidnapped sons.

With Leo’s ability to track and Tisana’s gift of telepathic speech with animals, they are soon on the kidnapper’s trail. But it’s not long before Tisana realizes there’s more to this kidnapping than Rafe is telling — something that puts all of their lives in danger. (Sourcebooks, Oct., 324 pp., $6.99) SCORCHER

—Susan Mobley

Yankee Romance Reviews Terry Studer
Warrior: The Cat Star Chronicles by Cheryl Brooks has got to be one of the most sensually imaginative books that I’ve ever read and it gives us an entirely new meaning to the words, "Tongue tantalizing, lip smacking, finger licking good". Whew! You gals want a hot book, well go no further because this one will sizzle your panties right off.

Tisana is a witch of rare talents. Her main talent though is healing and as with all healers they are a gentle sort who take care of anyone who might land upon their doorstep. Even gentle as she is, Tisana can still flay the skin off your back with words as sharp as razors that roll off her wicked tongue when you tick her off. For the most part though she is smart, sensitive, intelligent and oh so lonely.

Leo is the name that Tisana has given him since his true name is much to hard to pronounce. He is an off worlder as they call anyone not of their planet but an off worlder with talents that would make even the most virile of men weep with envy. Extraordinarily beautiful almost to perfection, he purrs like a kitten when stroked and fights like a tiger when provoked. With eyes of a cat and curiosity to match, Leo is much more than what he seems to be.

Our story starts out with Leo being almost dead and dropped at Tisana’s cottage by his owner and master Rafe who just happens to be Tisana’s ex. Rafe gives Tisana thirty days to heal Leo and not a day longer. Can she possibly bring this off worlder back from the brink of death without any working knowledge of Leo’s species.

What starts out so innocently as a healer/patient scenario quickly turns into an inferno of lust with the most exotic description of Leo’s attributes that I have had the pleasure of reading about in any male species. The old adage, "If it smells like a rose it must be a rose", well that’s perfectly true here and let’s just say, "Damn.........I need a bib"!

Our author has given us a sci-fi tale of true love, hot sex and even hotter orgasms. A magical story of hope, love and devotion so deep that to lose that which you love so much would mean the snuffing out of your own life like the wind blowing out a candle. Kudo’s for the Snap, Snap, Sizzle, Sizzle that will leave you panting for more.

Night Owl Romance Tammie King
Warrior is the second book in The Cat Star Chronicles.

The series is set in the future, off world. The world of Zetith has been destroyed, but a few of its inhabitants happened to be off world at the time. They are the last of their type, a race of beings who ooze sex appeal and have feline shaped features. Women just can’t resist their allure.

When Leo is brought to witch Tisana’s cottage he is a half-dead slave. Tisana’s ex-boyfriend, Rafe, drops Leo off. She tells Rafe to come back in one month for his slave. Leo heals more quickly than expected, but then again he is an alien being and she is unsure of what type of care he needs or is physiology. All she does know is that he is an attractive male and she has been without for a while.

Tisana’s family line is unique. On her planet of Utopia males inherit and females are just fluff. Her line is different in that they only have female children and only one. Each child has their own set of “powers”. Tisana can talk to animals and play with fire. These skills need to be kept secret, but telling a few can help save the lives of precious children.

When Rafe’s children are abducted he calls upon Tisana to help him find them. With the help of Leo and Tisana they are able to follow a scent trail and get clues from the animals along the way. But things are not as they seem. Something didn’t feel right about Rafe’s wife to Leo. Rafe’s wife is the one who purchased Leo. Will the children come home safe? Will Tisana find a way to free Leo from slavery? Will Rafe be jealous that Tisana has moved on? And what about the other Zetithian people who are scattered about the galaxies? Will they find new families, each other or will their lives all end up in never ending slavery?

This was another great story by Cheryl Brooks. If you’re looking for something different, but well written then get her books. She has wonderful character and world building skills. Warrior was quite different than her first book, but just as good. Warrior is a book with style, sizzle and danger. Pick up your Zetithian today; just make sure you keep him free.

BookGirl.net Carrie Zimmerman
This is book 2 in The Cat Star Chronicles. This book has a historical feel even though it is set on another planet. Tisana lives in a world that doesn’t have many modern conveniences and still lives in the past. She is a witch with the ability to heal and speak with animals. When Leo is brought to her home practically dead she is drawn to him in a way she hasn’t been drawn to anyone else. Although this book is different than the first one, Slave, it is just as good. I loved that it was different enough not to seem repetitive. Tisana and Leo have a lot of chemistry and their relationship evolves at a very fast rate. Like the first book, there is a lot of sex. The sex in this book isn’t as explicit as the first book, but it is hot. I cannot wait to read book 3, Rogue, when it is released in March of 2009.

Wild on Books
Set in a futuristic time, Tisana is one of the few witches who live on the relatively peaceful planet of Utopia. She is her area’s local witch with a special affinity toward healing, talking with animals, and starting fires with her eyes. Living alone in the woods she is supported by the local community and spends her days providing her special abilities to the locals waiting patently for “the one” who will father her child.

What she never expected was an ex-lover named Rafe to appear at her door with a beaten and half-dead slave, especially one as exotic as Leccarian. Dubbed Leo for short, Tisana finds the compelling and sensuous nature of her patient too strong to deny. However, Leo does not belong to her. He is an enslaved warrior of an extinct alien race for the wife of her ex-lover. With his feline genes he is the perfect warrior making him more powerful, agile, and most of all more virile then any man Tisana has ever met.

All too soon their time is cut short when Rafe returns demanding her help and Leo’s to find his sons who have been kidnapped from his home. Suddenly they find themselves drawn into an adventure of immense proportions. Through dangerous woods in the snow and deadly sword fights the group’s only chance of find the boys is with Tisana’s ability to talk with animals who direct them on the path they need to take. Things also become more complicated once Tisana suspects that Leo might be the one she is waiting for. However, witches are destined to only have one female child and rarely marry “the one” who fathers their children. Leaving the safety of her home Tisana is in for an adventure of a lifetime that will not only shape her destiny but will put the love she has found with Leo to the test.

In my opinion this was a great second installment of the CAT STAR CHRONICLES. I loved the world that Cheryl created in her first book of the series Slave, taking us on grand adventures with compelling characters and WARRIOR is no different. Her heroines are strong women who fall in love with alpha males who worship them. Tisana, with her special abilities proves throughout the story that she is able to hold her own and is no damsel in need of saving. Unless of course, the one doing the saving is a Zetithian named Leo. The exoticness of the Zetithian feline males and their sexual prowess make them irresistible. Able to take their women to unimaginable sexual heights they will make you sit up and take notice. It is inevitable that once Tisana gets a taste of Leo, literally, she knew he was special beyond her wildest dreams.

Overall, I thought the first book of the series SLAVE defiantly had more of a burn and sizzle to the pages than WARRIOR. However, it is undeniable that the chemistry between Tisana and Leo is steaming. I must admit I can’t wait for the third installment of this wonderful series. With a little bit of action, romance, and sci fi – what more could you want. Readers can enjoy WARRIOR as a stand alone book. However, if you want to dive into the world of the CAT STAR CHRONICLES I would defiantly recommend putting the first book of the series Slave on your must read list.

The Book Binge
Last year, I read and reviewed Slave by Cheryl Brooks. Warrior, although not the sequel, still takes place in the same universe. I promised Holly that if there were any crazy nose sex scenes, or something on par to the nose sex, that I would let her know (she seemed to be a bit salty that I didn’t inform her of the sexual hijinks that took place in Slave. LOL) Fortunately, there was no crazy sexual hijinks (unfortunately maybe for some). Instead, Warrior was a sweet romance that takes place in a galaxy far far away...

Tisana is the local witch on her unidentified plant. She descends from a long line of witches who only give birth to daughters and live an isolated life on the outskirts of her village. The locals come to her when they need healing and she receives payments in goods, not cold hard cash. This doesn’t present a problem to Tisana until she meets Leo, her ex-lover’s slave.

Rafe, Tisana’s ex-lover, unceremoniously dumps Leo, a Zetithian (remember Cat from slave? A feline-esque humanoid alien type?), his newest slave, on her doorstep. Commanding Tisana to heal Leo, Rafe gives her one month to work her magic before he comes back for the slave.

As Tisana begins to heal Leo, they slowly begin to fall in love. But Tisana despairs for their future because Leo belongs to Rafe, and there’s no way Rafe is going to just give him to her. But fate is working on Tisana’s side and soon puts Rafe in Tisana’s debt.

Rafe’s two young sons have been kidnapped and in the dead of winter, Rafe asks for Tisana’s help to find them. In the past, Tisana had located a missing child, but what Rafe doesn’t know is that the animals helped Tisana, not her magic. (Although it can be argued that her magic gives her the ability to talk to animals.)

So yes, Tisana can talk to animals. Now that’s my kind of heroine! She’s also a strong, practical woman who people actually look to for guidance. Leo, her love, is a strong man doesn’t let the past drag him down. Plus he’s got a killer…um…appendage…that gives Tisana joy unlike any she’s known before. LOL

The majority of the book takes place on the trail of Rafe’s two young sons. And Tisana’s menagerie of animals grows along this trip, which I really enjoyed. The animals are too funny in Warrior. Their observations on human beings are right on target. They bring some levity to the book, which is a good thing.

So unlike Slave, Warrior doesn’t feature any intergalactic travel, but it still have a “road trip” feel to it. 4 out of 5

Rhi Reading Rhi
Almost Purr-fect Romantica (5 stars)

Like its predecessor, Warrior is not the book for every romance reader. And it is definitely not the book for most sci-fi/paranormal/fantasy readers. Warrior mixes some of the best elements of fantasy romance and sci-fi erotica. You’ve been warned.

Tisana is a witch, practicing her healing on the backwater planet of Utopia. The peaceful image one would expect of a world called Utopia isn’t quite what you get. This is a planet where lords run what is essentially a feudal system and slavery is an acceptable practice. Tisana has never approved of slavery and when Rafe, her former lover, drops his new slave off for her to heal she isn’t adverse to letting him escape so long as he has somewhere to run to.

Unfortunately, Leccarian—or rather, Leo, as she calls him—is a Zetithian. If you’ve read the first book in the series, Slave, you’ll know why this means he has no where to go. If you haven’t read Slave you could probably enjoy this book as a stand-alone but I think they should be read in order or you’re missing out on a great story. But back to Leo... With no where to run to Leo stays with Tisana, healing not just from her potions and remedies but also from the pleasures they share.

When Rafe returns to fetch his slave Tisana has her own reasons for wanting to keep Leo. But Rafe needs them both! His children have been kidnapped and only Leo and Tisana can track their captors. The adventure that ensues is humorous and action-packed. But how will their journey end? Will Tisana find a way to convince Rafe to sell Leo to her?

I must admit this one didn’t work as well for me as Slave did. I enjoyed it as a fantasy story but all of the mind-to-mind dialog between Tisana and her animal friends got on my nerves about halfway through the book. At one point I began to think of Disney movies like Snow White or Enchanted where the princesses talk to their animal friends all the time. I especially found the times when she spoke to the animals while engaged in sexual situations to be a little off-putting.

Leo was cute but seemed almost a sweeter version of Cat from the previous book and Tisana was kind of an air-head in comparison to the fiery Jacinth. Even still where Slave was a little too sci-fi for some readers this one might be just the right amount of fantasy to win new ones over to the series. I usually don’t read the previews of the next book in the back but I have enjoyed the unique flavor of this one so much I had to see if Rogue was going to be as good and it certainly looks tantalizing. If you’re looking for romantica at its finest but with a sci-fi/fantasy twist you can’t go wrong with this series!

Curled Up with a Good Book Helen Hancox
rated 5 of 5 possible stars

Warrior is the second book by Cheryl Brooks, and it’s a really enjoyable read. The first-person point of view is a little unusual but works well for the heroine of our story, the witch Tisana, and her ability to speak with animals. Tisana’s a great character with a somewhat wry outlook on life - when her former lover Rafe dumps a seriously ill man on her doorstep, expecting her to heal him, she imagines she’ll be caring for the mystery man for a month. However, once Tisana has cleaned him up, she discovers that he is clearly an alien from another planet, with many cat-like features and equipment that is second to none. He recovers very quickly but, knowing he’s a slave, tries to escape.

It doesn’t take Tisana long to explain to the man whom she names Leo that although he is a slave, she won’t treat him like one. When Rafe comes back asking for Tisana’s help to track a group of men who have kidnapped Rafe’s two sons, Tisana and Leo agree to help - along with an ever-growing menagerie of animals. Some of the best moments in this book were where Tisana talks to horses, squirrels, vultures and dogs, and the author’s ability to let you see how such animals might consider the odd behavior of humans is great fun.

As Tisana, Leo and Rafe follow the trail of the kidnappers, Tisana realizes that Rafe knows more about why his children have been stolen than he will explain. Can Tisana bargain for Leo’s freedom by helping Rafe? Is there more going on in Rafe’s family than initially appears? Can Tisana and Leo make a new life for themselves?

The author has an easy writing style, which means that Warrior never drags, and the characters are all different and interesting. At the very end there is a brief scene with characters from her previous book, Slave, but there isn’t any problem understanding this book without having read the first one. My only slight reservation is that it’s hard to get into Leo’s head and understand his motivations a lot of the time, but this can be a problem with books written in the first person, and it does lend him a rather otherworldly and mysterious air, I certainly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to the next in the Cat Star Chronicles series.

Bitten by Books
What does one do when one discovers a joy unlike one has ever felt before? Tisana, the local witch and healer of her domain has found herself in quite a predicament. An offworlder slave has been literally dropped off on her doorstep with his master demanding that she do what she can to save his life. So after tending to the cat-like man’s wounds Tisana has come to discover that this man she is healing not only is fast to recover but has an amazing sexual talent that no other human male could EVER compare with. Now of course she has come to admit that she wants him for herself. But what to do? What to do? Especially when his owner is her own ex-lover, Rafe.

Leccarian (nicknamed “Leo”) is one of the last remaining Zetithians, a race with feline genes. After being dropped off at the witch’s door, he realizes that he can use his sexual expertise to knock her unconscious from sheer pleasure after providing her with orgasm after orgasm of raw delight. Then he can make his plans for escape. But when Tisana promises him a month before Rafe returns, Leo decides to stay with Tisana and enjoy her company while he can still act as a free man.

Of course, Leo then happens to be the “one” the gods have chosen for Tisana. Only he and he alone could have gotten her pregnant with a daughter, something no other man, no matter how hard they tried, could have accomplish. Not even Rafe. Tisana was already despairing over her short time with Leo, with Rafe had to make an appearance and make that time even shorter. Someone has kidnapped his sons and he wants Tisana and Leo to find them. He knows that Leo is a good tracker and that Tisanna has powers that he is not even aware of that will help him rescue his sons. Will rescuing those boys give Tisanna a way to trade for Leo’s freedom or will Rafe’s stubborn and selfish pride keep Leo away from her forever?

Warrior is undoubtedly an entertaining read. The story is set in the distant future. After humans got tired of life on earth, they migrated to the planet of Utopia, hoping for a very quiet and peaceful nature. Of course the concept of utopia is not accomplished by those who moved there. There is discord, the people have removed most, if not all, of technology from the planet and slavery not only exists, but is encouraged. So the planet is pretty backward in thinking and Tisana agrees.

Tisana is a witch that can talk to animals as well as cause enough heat to start fires but no one knows except Leo and the readers. So her conversations with the animals while around humans also add for a good laugh. Add the fact that Leo can give the girl total and complete satisfaction without really trying and you have the heat. Their chemistry is not only believable it also comes to life. Put is all together and you get an interesting and endearing tale and Warrior gets 4.5 tombstones.

Kicks & Giggles
Warrior is the second book in the series, The Cat Star Chronicles. I’ve read the first, Slave, and I can say that Brooks has definitely honed her craft. Her writing has becoming more flowing and sharp. There’s a bit of everything in it - romance, paranormal, mystery, action and it all goes well together. Tisana can communicating with animals telepathically and that is a major source of laughter, between Gerald, the squirrel throwing nuts at her and Sinjar, Rafe’s horse, trying to hook up with Tisana’s, it’s all crazy but funny.

I thought the romance between Tisana and Leo is sweet. It’s one of those that just comes together naturally and there’s hardly any hardship - apart from the slave part, of course. At times, I had to orient myself because this planet where they live is a bit behind, in the sense that they choose to live simple, no big technology or anything of such nature. It’s not like they don’t know that ships exists and that you can travel from one planet to another, it’s just that they don’t seem interested in it and prefer to live without these things.

Overall, the romance is hot (those Zethilian men, yikes!) there’s danger and adventure and it comes together very well, I enjoyed reading Warrior.

Cheryl’s Book Nook Cheryl Koch
I want to thank Danielle with http://www.sourcebooks.com/ for sending me this book to review.

Tisana is a witch, who has healing skills and the ex-ordinary ability to communicate with animals telepathy. Tisana will always remember the night that Leo appeared in her life. It was a snowy night outside but inside it was sweltering hot. Leo comes from a far away planet made up of a race that has the feline gene as their DNA makeup. Tisana’s friend, Rafe requires Tisana’s help. His sons have been kidnapped. Join Tisana, Leo, Rafe and a whole slew of talking animals as they go on a journey to rescue Rafe’s sons.

Warrior is the second book in the Cat Star Chronicles series. It can be read as a stand alone book. I don’t know if having the feline gene helps or if Leo was born blessed but he has a mighty nice sword if you know what I mean. Ok, besides Leo being well-endowed he is also easy on the eyes. I was so pleased to see that Warrior had such a masculine, handsome character as the male lead. Tisana reminded me of Dr. Doolittle but modern times. Because she could talk to the animals and I thought she was really funny. I really liked when she would communicate with Sinjar, a horse. There were times I found myself laughing so hard. I have to say that the sexual tension that transpired between Leo and Tisana was out of this world. Warrior will make you purr with delight. Cheryl Brooks has a great talent as a storyteller. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I just Finished Reviews
Tisana is the village healer. She can also talk to animals and control fire. No one in the village knows this, if they did she would be
burned as a witch. Tisana has lived alone since the death of her mother. She knows she will always be alone until she gives birth to a daughter. That is
the way it has always been. The village witch never marries nor has no more that one child, which is always a girl to carry on her work. When a
villager brings her a slave to heal, she is suprised to find out he is from a different world. When Leo awakens, he finds himself being cared for by
a strange woman. At first his only thought is to escape. But he finds himself starting to fall for Tisana, and her for him. Tisana was given a month
to heal Leo before his new owner comes for him. While they try and figure out a way for Tisana to buy Leo and then free him, the man who owes
Leo, comes to Tisana for help to track down the kidnappers who took his sons.
Ms Brooks has wrote a great story. It has just about everything in it. Is is so hot you will nee a fan or an ice cube to cool yourself off. New
love, adventure, fighting, and mystery this story has it all. This is the second Ms Brooks Cat Star Chronicles series, but this story can be read alone.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their paranormal hot and steamy, most important this story also has a good plot.

Single Titles
Warrior is one of the sweetest love stories that I have ever read, and also has one of the hottest heroes ever conceived. Warrior is about a young man, a warrior, who had been taken prisoner, beaten senseless, and sold as a slave on a planet that has chosen to eschew modern technology. Bought by the wife of a leader, the severely injured man is taken to the local witch, a healer, to see if she could save his life.

Tisana comes from a long line of witches who have cared for the people in their area for generations. She lives alone, unmated, and survives on gifts from the people and her small menagerie. Tisana is able to talk to animals, and has many talents including the ability to start a fire with her eyes.

When the off-world-er is carried in and dumped on the floor of her small home Tisana is unsure if he will survive. Pouring all of her efforts into saving the slave, he slowly recovers, and they become lovers. Hoping to be able to keep him, Tisana does not notify his owner that he is better. However, the sons of the slave’s owner, Rafe, are kidnapped, and Rafe demands that she and Leo, the slave, help him locate his children.

Thus begins one of the most exciting, and adventurous quests that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Leo has many hidden talents which come to light as their journey carries them through snow laden forests, and into the unknown. Will they find the children? Will they survive their journey?

Warrior is a fabulous story of love, adventure, and friendship. Leo comes into his own as his recovery is almost complete, and his numerous talents become necessary as he struggles to keep Tisana, Rafe, and himself alive. The ending is perfect, and I foresee more stories coming from the talented Ms. Brooks about the Cat Star Chronicles. This is a perfect story to curl up with on a cold night by the fire, pour a glass of wine, and lose yourself in the world of Warrior. I plan on re-reading this story, it is a keeper, I am definitely looking forward, hopefully, to the next story in this series, and I have ordered the first story in the Cat Star Chronicles named Slave, which I cannot wait to read. Enjoy!!

Queue My Review Quentin Marshall
The Cat Star Chronicles are a series of science fiction romance/erotica books by Cheryl Brooks about a race of catlike people. Their planet was destroyed, most of their population killed, and the few remaining Zetithians sold into slavery. Each book tells the story of one of these slaves. “Warrior” is the second book in this series and it’s a hard one for me to categorize. It’s not necessary to have read the first one, although I did and enjoyed it too.

Tisana is a witch, the only child of a witch who was the only child of a witch ad infinitum. She’s had lovers, but can only have a child with ‘the one’. But considering how rarely she sees any other people, she may never get to meet him! Then an old lover and current overlord drops a desperately ill new slave at her door. She has one month to heal him. In less than 24 hours, he’s pleasured her senseless and tried to escape. Those things that make him so very different from every other male are the same things that make him such a valuable slave…and her ‘one’.

Leo is a Zetithian—one of a race hunted to near extinction for their sexual prowess and prized as a captive or slave…at least by the women. Zetithians have hormones that can ensnare females and semen that by itself produces climax, even by just touching the skin! (Where can I find one of these?) In any event, he’s become accustomed to his slavery until he meets a woman who truly sees him as just a man.

This relationship progressed at first solely due to sex, which for me places this book into the erotica category. And even later in the book and throughout their relationship, the sexual aspect is the driving factor. Of course, with ‘talents’ like Leo’s, I can certainly see why!! My complaint is that I felt those same sexual aspects overwhelmed the emotional ones in Tisana and Leo’s interactions. Even though this bugged me, it didn’t keep me from enjoying their story, just made it a little more difficult to ‘get into’.

The secondary story in this novel, about two men, two children, power, status, and a deceitful woman was actually rather interesting. The journey required to further this plot is the journey that helped Tisana explore her newly strengthened powers and I though that was pretty clever.

I think my favorite characters in this book were the various animal species Tisana interacted with. I don’t want to give her secrets away, but even if you only pick up the book to learn about: an adventuring squirrel named Gerald, a dog called Max, a stallion named Sinjun trying to ‘pick up’ a mare named Morgana, Desdemona the cat, and Royillis the vulture; “Warrior” by Cheryl Brooks is well worth the time and money! The next novel in this series is “Rogue” and is scheduled to release in March 2009. I can’t wait to see what’s next for our Zetithians!

Romance at Heart Rose Brungard
"He came to me in the dead of winter, his body burning with fever. Even before he arrived on my doorstep, bound, beaten, and unconscious, I knew my quiet life was about to change forever."

This is how Tisana meets her fate in a warrior named Leccarian, one whom she called Leo for short. Of course when he was brought to him by a one-time lover, a man who had left her to marry elsewhere, he was seemingly near death, but to Tisana, he appeared to be a consummate actor. There were injuries she could not deny, and he was ill and running a fever, so her job was not different, it might not take the whole month Rafe had given her. Tisana could not deny her loneliness, and she found herself telling Leo more about herself than anyone in her village or even her area knew about her. She had secrets, and her biggest fear was the locals. In spite of their need for her talents as a healer, might turn her and burn her as a witch. It had been known to happen, it had happened in the past, and Tisana wasn’t one to take such chances, no matter what kind of a relationship, or former relationship she had with the head man. She knew if push came to shove, she would be hard pressed to be able to count on Rafe for any kind of protection. He did not deal well with her, often looking on her with more suspicion than that of the villagers.

The fact Rafe brought this glorious creature to her to heal said volumes about how he was being pressured by his wife, Carnita. Tisana had seen her, even attended her, but did not give her much thought. Yes, she was beautiful, but that didn’t matter. In truth, she was unsure as to the reason Rafe would want to purchase such a slave, his household didn’t need one of this man’s caliber. Even if it was only the price, the meager pittance he claimed he paid for the desperately ill man, Carnita’s motives were still in question in Tisana’s mind. She knew Rafe’s wife by her reputation in the village, that being a vain, jealous, greedy, and social climbing beauty, and a veritable snob. To know that Rafe would try to pacify her, and to purchase such a slave for the novelty he claimed Carnita desired, still left Tisana shocked and wondering. He was exquisite. The man’s features were somewhat feline, he appeared to be tall, was broad shouldered, scarred by more than just battle wounds, and still, she had to admit, he was a handsome and held an attraction for her she couldn’t just pass off. There was an allure, almost intoxicating, and the man actually purred like her cat, Desdemona. It was almost more than Tisana could handle until remembered he was hers for at least a month, and it would have to be enough.

Leccarian was not stupid, far from it. He was once a valued warrior of his people, the Zetithians, and when the end came, it was sudden, brutal, and unexpected. He did not know of the fate of the rest, he only knew his life, as he once knew it, was gone. There was no honour left to him, no hope, no chance of freedom or prospect of better treatment. For all he knew the rest of his kind were gone, dead or dying, and as he was, abandoned to the cruel fate of extinction. He did not know why his world was attacked, and he neither knew, nor cared, what happened to himself at this juncture. He was ill, he hurt, had been beaten, starved, and then sold over and over till there was not a reason in the world for him to live. He did not expect to survive this time until he hit the floor of the woman’s hut. Here was warmth, something he rarely had, something that allowed his system to kick in, actually start the healing process. Here, with this woman, was kindness, but the question was for how long?

His home world, Zetith was gone, destroyed in an act of war. By whom he had no idea, he only knew he couldn’t go home because it no longer existed. He did not know whether any of the females of his kind were still alive, but he supposed not, the planet was completely gone, and with it his home, family, friends, and any who weren’t in his unit, or in the military force. His sole thought at this point, even as futile as it might be was escape. First and always in a soldier’s code was to get away from the enemy, and even though this particular enemy was rather fetching, alluring, and very attractive to him, he wanted to be free. He knew it was a gamble, but for Leo, it was one he was more than willing to take, or at least die trying. The life of a slave was not for him, he was sick almost unto death due to his captivity, and if it was death and freedom or life and slavery, he would gladly embrace the former. It was just too bad the witch was not his owner. For her he just might have conjured the will to live…

The Cat Star Chronicles are a series of tales about the people of Zetith, the remainder of them actually. Some of the Zetithians were taken by the Nedwuts and, instead of being destroyed as was ordered, were sold into slavery. Now they are scattered across the universe, including the planet on which Leccarian happened to land. What he is not expecting is a witch to whom he will bond, the one with whom he will find enough love to last a lifetime. Here, even as enslaved as he is, will come a freedom he has not experienced before, and for Leo, it has been a long time in the making. Love is something he was not expecting to find, it was not in his destiny. Tisana was not looking for love when Leo was dropped on her floor either, but the time was right. Every witch had one child, that one daughter who would be raised to take her place. So it had been with her mother, her grandmother, her great grandmother and on back her line for generations. She knows Leo is the one, the lover who will provide her with her heir.

The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior is the second book in the series, and is a wonderful read full of excitement and action. Although again, it is written in the first person, I found myself actually lost in the characters because Ms Brooks uses more than just the first person to tell a bland and strange story. There are not many who can actually immerse you in the surroundings when writing in first, and fortunately Cheryl has that talent. She manages to give you a glimpse of things around the characters, and do it in such a way it draws you into the tale, and allows you to experience events that are happening around the character, albeit in a limited way. I picked up the first book in the series, The Cat Star Chronicles: Slave, almost by mistake, and for most of you, knowing how much I hate first person, you would chuckle. I soon became engrossed in the story, and when the opportunity to review The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior came about, I had to jump and go for it. I have not been disappointed. All I can say is that I highly recommend this series, and definitely the first two books. If Ms Brooks keeps up the quality of the writing, and I have not a doubt in the world about this, the rest of The Cat Star Chronicles will also be as necessary to purchase as The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior! I suggest you check out these fine books through SourceBooks’ Casablanca Romances or at Amazon.com and get your copy of The Cat Star Chronicles: Warrior today.

Yours in good reading,

Rose!

Crave More Romance Kerensa Wilson
Tisana has a duty to her people. As their witch and healer she is provided for, so that when the residents within her domain have need of her, she will aid them. Her life is a solitary one, but with her animals to talk to it’s not a completely lonely life. Her solitude is interrupted one evening when her former lover Rafe, drops a half-dead slave on her doorstep and requests that Tisana heal the slave. Tisana has her doubts that even a witch such as herself can help this man, but she tells Rafe to return in a month. In the meantime she’ll do the best she can for his slave.


Leccarian Banadansk, now known as Leo, was once a warrior, now he’s a mere slave. Leo is from the planet Zetith which was destroyed by war. He was taken prisoner and then sold into slavery. Leo has no way of knowing how many of his fellow warriors are still alive. He feels as though he has no home until he’s left with Tisana. His attraction to her is immediate. When he discovers that Tisana has a full month to treat him, Leo decides to take advantage of every moment possible.


Giving in to the pleasure that she knows Leo can give her, Tisana decides to take what she can while she can. Leo and Tisana find ecstasy and more in each other’s arms. Their idyllic world is shattered when Rafe returns before the month is up. His sons have been kidnapped. Rafe needs Tisana’s magic and Leo’s tracking skills if he hopes to find his sons in time. Knowing time is of the essence Tisana and Leo agree to help, but Tisana can’t help but wonder if she can use this situation to her advantage. Would finding his sons make Rafe grateful enough to free Leo?


This second installment from Cheryl Brooks’ Cat Star Chronicles held me riveted. Tisana and Leo are wonderful characters and I really cared about whether or not they would find a way to be together. There was never any doubt about their love for each other and I could feel that come right through the pages of the book. Cheryl Brooks’ world-building and sensual style is sure to be a hit with readers. Warrior: The Cat Star Chronicles is a book you need to check out today. Be sure to read the first installment, Slave: The Cat Star Chronicles as well.

Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews
Warrior is a fast paced rollercoaster ride which hooked me with its ability to make me laugh, swoon, pant and blush, and laugh some more. The conflict was interesting and served as a backdrop to allow for the adventures a homebound witch always yearned for but never thought would happen.

Tisana is an interesting character. She is wise in the area of her expertise— healing, but is innocent and naïve about the world beyond. She’s always wondered about life away from her humble home but she felt trapped by duty and family history and a prophetic pattern she felt powerless to change. So, she accepted with good grace her role in the community. I liked how that little spark of rebellion simmered beneath her surface. All it needed was a spark to ignite a conflagration in her soul and it came one snowy evening in the form of an almost dead man named Leo.

Leo is, for lack of a better word, yummy. He’s an alien who suffered immense tragedy and loss of a scale so encompassing, it is amazing he has a sense of humor at all. Ms. Brooks treated me to a rather unique and sexually intriguing male at the same time Tisana first got a good look at Leo’s assets as she tended him. My goodness! The heat factor exploded to a steady thrum from that point on. I wanted to see him in action and Ms. Brooks wasted no time in delivering. My favorite part about Leo is his ability to purr. The author succeeded in making that one of the most sensual and erotic weapons in Leo’s arsenal and Leo put it to good use with Tisana. Leo is also a hunky alpha and when he gets to do and act as he truly was meant to do, he inspired some wistful sighs and carnal yearnings.

My funny bone got a good workout too. Tisana has a special talent for mentally communicating with animals. Her furry menagerie included a cat with attitude, a horse that reminded me of Groucho Marx, a nut throwing squirrel, a heroic puppy and a bird that drove her nuts by talking in riddles. Ms. Brooks blended Tisana’s talent seamlessly into the plot resolution and by the end, I felt a few of the animals’ characterization complete enough to call them furry people. I liked them. There is another alpha character named Rafe. He’s the guy that used to get it on with Tisana but it didn’t work out. He is the reason for the conflict coming to Tisana’s door and I found it fascinating that a man who is all alpha ended up being a complete turn off. He was such a jerk. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he has his good points but after reading about him during their journey, I kept scratching my head. What in the world did Tisana ever see in him? That gets revealed along the way too. The great thing about their journey is not only do things get revealed but Tisana’s character evolves and she discovers strengths that she never knew she had. My view is that Leo is basically the silver lining in the dark cloud called Rafe. And Tisana is the flower that blooms to fruition from the effects of that storm. The end result is a passionate love that defied the odds and traditions.

Another point in this book’s favor is the fact that, although this is the second book in the series, not having read the first one, Slave, did not detract from my enjoying Warrior. This book stood proudly on its own with ne’er regret for missing the first. I was greatly amused by Ms. Brooks’ clever epilogue. In it I found an undeniable hook that not only guarantees my obtaining the previous book but garnered a fan for the future books in the series. Ms. Brooks masterfully combined Sci-Fi fantasy, paranormal elements, hot and sensual alien attributes and hilarity with characters that wiggled their way into my heart and dreams. My advice is to rush out and grab a Warrior of your own.

Book Zombie Joanne Mosher

The Romance Studio Sandra
Tisana is a witch who lives on a planet called Utopia. It’s an Earth colony, started to get back to a more natural way of life, before technology. She has the power to speak animals, she can start fires with her mind, but best of all she is a healer. As a Utopian witch she is destined to bare only one child, a female with the man known as “the one”.

Leo, once a Zetithian warrior, is now a slave. When he’s nearly beaten to death by his former owner, his new master brings him to Tisana to heal. As Tisana fights to save Leo not only from his injuries but from himself as well, they embark on a journey of sensual pleasure and love. She discovers Leo is, in fact, “the one”. However, their happiness at being together is short lived when they are thrust into the middle of a mission to find two missing children. The mission could cost them everything, including their lives.

Ms. Brooks has written an exciting tale of secrets, a dangerous rescue mission, and witchcraft. Tisana and Leo are perfect together from the beginning, even though they don’t see it. And though the chemistry between them is almost immediate, the love grows as they get to know each other. Leo is such a sensual man with his feline like purring and pointed ears. And though I truly loved the banter between he and Tisana, her conversations with the animals truly made this story. They are at times so funny, especially when she and the squirrel get started. But it is almost as amusing when she and the birds, horses, and cat chat. I loved it. I would highly recommend this one to anyone, as it is a fun read with great characters. I cannot wait to read more of this series in the near future.

Overall rating: 5/5
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Sandra
January 19, 2009

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