The Joining
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Part of the Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis l anthology
Release Date: March, 2006 (eBook & Trade Paperback)
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On the water world of Qumaar, Siria Chaton is a prisoner of her talent. With her credits dwindling, she has few options and little hope for a future. Until Jett and Mozaiic du’Zehren enter her life.
After five years of being a couple, Jett and Mozaiic have gained permission to add a third, a woman, to their joining. They can’t believe their good fortune when the woman assigned to them is a water diviner. Now if only she’ll accept them as lovers and come home with them to the forbidden desert planet of Adjara.
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Rumors abounded of women not only being taken to brothels or sold as slaves, but of ending up on the nearby planet of Adjara, where the men formed marriages with each other, and needed a woman only long enough to produce a child for them.
Siria shivered. Little was known about Adjara. It was primarily a desert planet, harsh, unforgiving, closed to outsiders. Few in their right mind would attempt to go there, though the dream of gaining riches beyond measure by exploring the small range of mountains for rich deposits of precious stone had lured many to their deaths.
Her mother had been fascinated by Adjara, making it a game in the evenings to search though whatever news reports could be captured using their ancient computer. Telling Siria that her ability to locate water would make her a princess in such a place.
Once her mother had even found a rare picture of an Adjaran without the trademark robes and face covering they wore even when they weren’t in the desert. He’d been stripped to the waist, his body bronzed by the sun, lean and fit from life on a planet where the weak didn’t survive, one arm covered from shoulder to hand with exotic tattoos. Siria closed her eyes, remembering that day.
“Here’s a prince to your princess,” her mother teased.
“And what about the rumors of women being used to produce a child and then being disposed of?”
“I’m not so quick to believe them,” her mother answered with a shrug. “Look at the rumors that abound on Qumaar!”
“You win. Of course, what makes the rumors about Qumaar so frightening is that the truth is often more horrifying!”
“True. Now admit he’s handsome at least,” her mother pressed, running her finger over the computer screen.
Siria knew when she was beat. “I’ll admit it. He’s handsome.”
“And if rumor is true, he comes with a second man.”
“Mother!” Siria yipped, her face flaming, only to realize by the play of expressions on her mother’s face that she hadn’t intended it to be a sexual comment. But once she did realize how her comment had been interpreted, her mother’s laughter filled the room, contagious and fun, irresistible, and they’d both ended up in tears, holding sides that ached from their amusement.
“Still,” Siria said, when they finally stopped. “No one has ever heard of a woman going to Adjara and leaving again.”
Her mother shrugged. “The same could be said, except in reverse, for Qumaar. No one who leaves here is ever heard from again.”
“Jory Strong always entertains and The Joining is no different. Jett, Mozaiic and Siria share a strong attraction, despite the mistrust brewing from Siria. Beneath her toughened exterior is a woman who longs for love and gradually and ably does Ms. Strong project those feelings into the story. Jett and Mozaiic, characterized with a deft hand as unique characters, prove to be up to the challenge of opening up Siria’s heart. Set against two distinctive planets, THE JOINING is a phenomenal wrap up to ELLORA’S CAVEMEN: DREAMS OF THE OASIS I.”
- Sarah W , Fallen Angel Reviews
“This awesome story gives me exactly what I adore, a ménage tale where the two males also are in love with each other. The sex scenes between the three main characters are absolutely delicious.”
“The emotional bond between the characters is touching. Ms. Strong is one of my favorite authors and she really delivers on this one!”
- Susan White, Coffee Time Romance
“Jory Strong’s THE JOINING is a unique passionate tale. The intense passion felt by these three characters overwhelmed my senses. I would gladly trade places with Siria to share just one erotic love scene with Jett and Mozaiic.”
- Ophelia, Erotic-Escapades
“As usual, Jory Strong has written a swelteringly hot story in THE JOINING… Break out the fan for this one, but be sure you like m/m action too.”
- Holly, Euro-Reviews
“I’ve never been disappointed by Jory Strong and THE JOINING is no exception.”
- Loribelle Hunt, Romance Divas
“This collection is one of the best anthologies I have read in a long time. There is not a bad story in the group. When the reader gets to the end of one story, he/she is plunged directly into another one. I did not want this book to end. Each story has page turning plots and hot sex. I think this is one of the best anthologies that Ellora’s Cave has produced.”
- Candy, eCata Romance
“Joy Strong will simply astonish readers with all the compelling emotions showcased throughout this tale.”
- Nikita Steele, Joyfully Reviewed