In Circle of Light , the first book in The Light-Years Series, author Nancy J. Cohen skillfully and expertly combines science fiction and romance into a story that has the best of both genres. This book will get your heart racing with “will they/won’t they” moments while at the same time giving you the thrills of a science fiction adventure. It’s full of excitement, danger, suspense, action, reluctant attraction, heartwarming moments - and humor. It will leave you satisfied, oh so glad you read it, and eager to jump right into the next adventure. I enjoy science fiction but don’t read as much of it as I used to because most of the time it’s too many aliens and spaceships and not enough plot and feeling. Well, this author has figured out how to create the perfect blend.

Sarina Bretton is a not-really-happy-but-not really-unhappy lawyer going about her life, at times acknowledging she hasn’t really followed her dreams but rather those of her mother and fiancé but not dissatisfied enough to exert the energy to do anything about it. When she is approached at the office by a stranger who says he needs to take her from Earth to fulfill his mission, she thinks this is part of a test devised by the leader of her law firm. She’s already travelling through space before she accepts that this is probably not that test, and too elaborate to be a practical joke or a hoax. But she discovers she feels more alive than she has felt in a long time, maybe ever. Is it the rush from danger – or maybe it’s from her kidnapper . . . .

Her kidnapper, Tier Reylock, doesn’t believe it is her destiny to become the Great Healer, but he is duty-bound to deliver her safely to the Coalition. These two characters from totally different worlds are instantly drawn to each other. Their interaction is engaging, intriguing, and funny from the start. If Sarina is in fact the Great Healer who will save the galaxy from a plague, one of the requirements to fulfilling that destiny is marriage to Rolf, a member of the ruling Council. Ironically, Tier is assigned to be her bodyguard which provides delightful opportunity to witness the two of them acknowledge and deny their mutual attraction.

If you are familiar with Cohen’s award winning, very popular Bad Hair Day Mystery Series you will recognize her deft hand in creating characters and plots. The give and take between Sabrina and Tier is similar to that between Marla and Dalton from Bad Hair Days, just a whole lot edgier with the sexuality a whole lot closer to the surface. They are an enjoyable couple to watch – even if they aren’t really a couple. The supporting cast is a fascinating assemblage of humans and aliens. The story has a bit of a Star Wars and The Last Starfighter feel about it, and that’s a good thing. It’s well done and keeps your interest in the plot and the people (aliens?) alive, wanting to know what will happen next. And the storyline is so engaging that while you never actually forget some of these characters are not human (like Bdan, who seems to be doglike and talks a bit like Yoda), at the same time you do forget they are alien and just think of them as evil bad guys. It’s the well-crafted story that has drawn you in.

And as always with one of Cohen’s stories, you can count on there being some in-depth history or extended and expanded information about some aspect of the story or the characters, and some focus on serious issues. In Circle of Light it’s slavery, injustice and a plaque, all timely even today.

Thanks to author Nancy J. Cohen for providing a copy of Circle of Light for my reading pleasure. It is in fact a huge pleasure. I can’t wait for the second book in this series. I recommend you read this and everything else this author writes. All opinions are my own. ( )

Attorney Sarina Bretton is kidnapped from Earth by Captain Teir Reylock of the Coalition Defense League. As the legendary Great Healer, Sarina is destined to marry Lord Cam'brii, a stiff politician, but falls in love with Reylock instead. Though Teir returns Sarina’s passion, he must fulfill his duty as her bodyguard to protect her from the Coalition’s enemies, and from his own heart. ( )