"Sometimes You Need A Real Man"

Arness is a Trader of Wildlings, the wild males that roam the deserts. Her job is to capture the wildlings and gentle them so that they can be sold to wealthy collectors. Some males become personal slaves, and some become breeders in large farms where city women pay for their services.

Arness is good at what she does. In fact, she's the best, so when a wealthy Patroness finds one of her recent acquisitions uncontrollable, she hires Arness to break him for her. Arness is surprised to find the male not only deliciously attractive and very well-built, but also intriguing in a way she's never before found a male.

Adan is a Wildling unlike most. Though strong and fierce, he is also intelligent. Adan knows the value of freedom, and has no desire to become some lady's pet. His desires run more to the lines of Arness and her beautiful body. He doesn't want her as a Mistress, though, he wants her as an equal -- or nothing at all.

THE WILDLING is another in the category of romance novels where the world is turned upside down and women are dominant while men are mere beasts. Though it's portrayal of men is extreme -- they are largely incapable of any higher reasoning, including speech -- Arness is a strong female character who deserves an equally strong mate. Happily, she gets him. Adan is a perfect romance hero -- strong, intelligent, handsome, and totally in love with the heroine. Their relationship, though tumultuous, has a brilliantly happy ending and is full of very satisfying sex.

The novel also contains a few sub-romances with equally strong and sympathetic characters and their own burning encounters. The many relationships intertwine and build on each other, creating a lovely group of lighter stories with just the slightest edge of danger and suspense to them. The focus of the novel is on the strong male characters who are living and coping with the female-dominated world that they live in. Oh -- and the amazing sex that the characters are so lucky to find with their various partners. Those who enjoy male submission and vivid characters who are completely unashamed of their sexuality should find this tale of particular interest, though it must be noted that the main relationships feature males who have some decidedly alpha characteristics.

Sensuality Level: This book has been rated NC17 by the publisher.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted January 13, 2003

Also available in paperback (ISBN 1843604507).

Summary

In the uncivilized out-country known as Aridzone, Arness is the best at what she does. The wildlings she captures and domesticates worship her. In return she always matches her pets with doting, wealthy mistresses who reward hard work. She loves her job...

Until the uncontrollable Adan enters her life. He insists he is a man, not a pet. Will Adan fall under her spell, or will Arness learn that submission can work both ways?

Rated NC-17 by Ellora's Cave.