Kelsey Wells is a geologist who makes frequent visits to Yellowstone National Park. Something about the scenery and Teton Mountains sings to her soul. As a scientist, and more tuned in to Yellowstone than most, she notices subtle, but strange variations in the ground around Mirror Lake. While on her latest foray, she sees something from beyond her imagination.

Jared Bennett is an alien king in exile. He maintains a military base in the mountains above Mirror Lake, where he and his soldiers test aircraft and keep watch over the blissfully ignorant humans of Earth. As a hardened leader, he has long given up on the prospect of happiness in the form of love.

Jared’s aircraft is shot down by Air Force jets. Forced to bail and severely injured, he lands close to Kelsey. A mystic connection occurs between the two, propelling them into a romance fraught with danger. Jared’s people are against their king taking an alien life mate; he was supposed to join with his cousin, twice removed, but he never felt a spark for her. Just familial affection. With Kelsey, it’s a different matter altogether.

Consumed in each others’ passions, and concerned about practical matters, Jared and Kelsey are surprised by the arrival of a time traveling stranger. When Kelsey is kidnapped, Jared must lead his people into the fight of his life. If he doesn’t, the love he now cherishes may be lost forever.

Deidre Knight introduces the reader to a new realm of possibilities by telling the story of a crucial moment in an alien war. The character of Jared is crafted with care and exquisite attention to the nuances of his persona. While not as deeply drawn, Kelsey is a worthy, if reticent, match for the alien king. She has difficulty understanding Jared’s nature, but she is willing to stand for the man she loves. There are moments, however, where Kelsey seems too willing to accept the strangeness of the situation.

There is an entire sequence involving the time traveler, which seems out of place. Although it’s a clear lead-in to future titles in this series, it may have been better to use it in the next novel. It would be difficult to explain why without spoiling that aspect of the plot. Other “loose ends” remained open at the end of the book, as well. Maybe they will be addressed in further installments of the series.

Parallel Attraction is a good book for fans of paranormal romance. Despite a few plot bumps and holes, Knight weaves a interesting tale with fascinating people. I can’t wait to see what she does with the series when they move beyond Yellowstone National Park.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
6/27/2006

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