Determined to avert war, a woman from an advanced civilization captures a primitive warrior. Nisa Calydon intends to replace the enemy commander with an imposter, but soon discovers that her prisoner might be even more dangerous than her enemy.
Nisa was such a fun person to write. She's so -- non-perfect. I don't like sweetsy, 'passive but feisty' romance heroines. I like them flawed, funny, maybe clumsy, or maybe a little crazy. Nisa is stubborn, willful, painfully literal yet also dangerously imaginative. She's totally convinced she's acting from pure logic, all the while with the madness akin to a Viking Berserker Queen. I modeled her society - The Thorwalians - on Viking culture to modern Scandinavia, & I loved them. Stoic yet crazy. I love the moment when she nabs her captive, a primitive warrior who bears a more than passing resemblence to her arch enemy - and former lover - Motega. But Seneca proves to have a power over her that even Motega didn't have. When he looks at her, he sees inside her and she can hide nothing from his knowing eyes. Unfortunately, the one thing she's trying to hide behind her thin veneer of logic is her passion for both Seneca and Motega.
Nisa was also an interesting heroine because she isn't a virgin. Not only has she known passion, but good passion. Though her heart was broken - she believes forever, she can't forget the bliss of loving Motega, and the fear of his primal power over her wayward body - a power Seneca shares and doubles.
Seneca is trying to adhere to the culture he has known - a simple, direct world in contrast to Nisa's fragmented society. Her world offers him no temptation at all, except one: the sweetness of her kiss and a memory he can't quite forget. Crazy has its appeal, after all.
One of my favorite scenes in this book is when Seneca brings his 'mind/body' technique to Thorwal's warring enemies, the Dakotans - the chubby, high-strung scientists on Motega's homeworld. I adore the Dakotans. The original captors of that relentless species, the Lingbat - the round Dakotans are filled with good intentions, quick to a tussle, and inhabitants of a warm, wonderful, tropical planet, the only thing they fear more than their cold neighbors, the Thorwalians, is the concept of "EXERCISE." The word "DIET" sends them into shuddering misery, but that's just what Seneca has in mind for their pudgy selves. They're earnest souls - they try, but his balancing moves wreak utter havoc.
'The Dawn Star is a fast-paced,
exciting futuristic romance filled with two engaging lead characters
and several very interesting supporting players, especially the
lingbatÖ' 'ÖOne of the ten best male leads of the year.'
Harriet Klausner, Affaire de Coeur
'A refreshing story line that takes you to a distant planet. The
characterizations are fascinating. Ms Piel captured my interest from
page one. As serious as some of the action is, there is an unexpected
vein of humor at just the right moments. Exciting and provocative
ñ reading at its best.' Rendezvous
'Fabulous writing! Stobie Piel has a real thriller combined with
humor and romance! A delightful new book you won't want to miss!' The
Literary Times
'Seneca has a sense of humor along with other hidden attributes. A
man of mystery - a hero to love. (at one point...) Nisa pats the
surface of her hovercraft & announces proudly, 'This is mine.'
Seneca's reply - 'I guessed that from the dents.'" Ms. Piel's plot is
well timed, & moves. Her characters are endearing. Who wouldn't
love a talking lingbat named Carob? The DAWN STAR is a novel of love,
mystery, & intrigue - one you won't want to put down.' Mary Jane
Schaefer, The Belles & Beaux.
'A fresh new voice in futuristic romance.' Kathleen Morgan, author of
Firestorm
The Dawn Star was named Best
Futuristic of 1996 by
Affaire de Coeur, and I was
the Best Up & Coming Author of '96. Thank you, AdC!
And Seneca would look like Jason Frank - indeed, the former Power Ranger - because he has such a nice face, & such lovely, lovely eyes...
