This is a great series with its combination of romance and fantasy.

This is the first, a fitting introduction.

Rand T'Ash is an orphan who has restored the family name, but still lacks a wife. His first marriage was disastrous but he's determined to find his HeartMate this time.

Danith Mallow has worked hard to secure an independent livelihood for herself. Should she give it up to join in partnership with T'Ash?

The fantasy aspect with the various gifts given to the inhabitants of the planet Celta are charming and intriguing. This book, like the others in the series, shows another aspect of these gifts and sheds light on how the colony was founded. ( )

Well it's a good thing this is fiction - h really was TSTL - In fact she rubbed me so far in the wrong direction I would have been happy to push her into oncoming traffic - GEEZ what a self absorbed dumbass

H was ok - he deserved better than h ( )

Losing his family at the age of 6, the hero escapes the slaughter and learns to survive on the streets. There, he grew up fighting for everything he needed and when he became a man, he fought hard for his Title and to reborn his family name. He then used that power and wealth to track down and kill every single man involved in the death of his family. Such a man doesn't just forget a past like that, not even when he holds the power of being that head of one of the FirstFamilies. So when he meets his HeartMate and tries to tempt her to accepting his HeartGift, he goes about it like he goes about everything-making it into a war. Horribly awkward and possessing very little in the way of social decorum, he fumbles his way into the heroine's life, much to her dismay. The heroine is a commoner, though she's always felt the potential of power within her, she's never been tested. And as such, though she secretly wishes for a title, she's convinced herself that a simple easy life, married to a simple ease man is what she wants. The hero is anything but simple and being near him is anything but easy. Because he has such an emotional wall up, for most of the book she has no idea about the true nature of the man she finds herself being courted by. As such, things like him reaching out to her sexually in a dream during his Passage as showering her with gifts, are taken the wrong way and make her extremely against liking him. He is charmingly awkward, doing everything he can think of to make her accept him but it all comes to naught. Because of his past he's reluctant to share anything about himself in fear she will never want him but in fact it's that emotional soul deep connection that she wants from a man and what she isn't getting from him. He instead is aggressive in his courtship, pressing her daily and making demands of her as though she were a possession and not a grown woman. Though he doesn't do it to be an asshole or to control her, he is a product of the streets and know no other way to get what he wants than to the fight hard for it. There relationship is rocky at the best of times because he doesn't know how to properly communicate his feelings. When he's emotional his speech reverts back into the dirty short sentences that the lower class use and when he sees a threat he attacks first, asks questions later. I don't blame the heroine for being reluctant and even a bit scared to accept such a man into her life when he is everything she didn't want for herself. But there were times that I grew frustrated with her being unable to truly be willing to see, to look into the hero's eyes and know what he felt for her. A man like that uses actions rather than pretty words to express feelings and it was plain as day that he loved her, even if he didn't himself know of loving someone meant. Over all I really enjoyed this story. The setting was imaginative and as a first is the series, the world they live in was set up beautifully so the reader can enjoy the magical futuristic world of Celta. ( )

2.5 Stars. This book/series has great potential, but there was no world building at all. I didn't understand what all the strange terms or customs meant. They are living on a new planet from Earth, but we don't really know why other than one quick reference somewhere mid-book. This seems more like a book that should be second or third in the series, not first. Even a glossary of terms/customs would help. I think I will do some outside research on the series before I continue on - maybe I can find some explanatory notes somewhere. ( )

I'm always on the lookout for books that have Celtic influence and when I found out this world is a whole planet of people whose ancestors came from Earth with a heavy Celtic influence, I couldn't resist.
On Celta most every has a touch of Flair (magic), high technology mixed with pagan traditions, a variety of different animals and a hierarchy of High, Middle and Low class.
Rand T'Ash is a man of High class though for a time he lived as a Scruff (think really tough street urchin) and worked hard to get where he's at. He's of Noble birth whose family died in a house fire set by vigilantes who later are killed by Ash. His only companion is his familiar Zanth, a tough street catch who he can talk to telepathically. He learns one day of his HeartMate who will complete him in every way and sets out to win her though the journey will be far from easy.
Danith Mallow grew up in an orphanage and is content with her life of Middle class where she works as an accountant, dates Claif Clover who has a large family and has her cat Pansy. Then she encounters Ash who shakes up her life and helps her see she's far from ordinary. She soon learns that she's quite gifted with Flair in Healing as well as animals and is soon raised to the status of High class.
Life becomes complicated for this pair as they learn that life, love and believing in each other isn't easy but very well worth it.
Despite wanting to shake Ash a few times for his stubbornness and to realize he needs more patience, I liked his character. He's at times socially awkward especially when it comes to revealing his feelings but he's generous, is a fierce protector and tries to be supportive of Danith's choices.
Danith is a woman with a big heart, intelligent and an animal lover. She really grows into her Flair and comes to understand Ash.
I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the rest of the series. I really hope I'll see more of Ash and Danith and possibly a growing family! Also, I want my own familiar now who can talk to be telepathically!! ( )