Beneath Thirteen Moons begins with the boat-smuggler Mahri Zin kidnapping a Healer to cure her family - only to find out that he is the Prince of the Sea Forest, and she is forced to overuse the powerful magic of the zabbaroot to flee his enemies. Although deep in a coma thanks to the zabbaroot, she is horrified to learn that she is to be Bonded to him. Married would be bad enough, but it turns out this Bonding thing goes a bit overboard: once joined, it would be so irrevocable that if they were to separate, it would mean certain death for them both.

Initially Mahri only wants to be free from the strange practices that are being forced on her, but as they trudge through the muddy muck of the swamps, she realizes she is beginning to feel an attraction to Prince Korl. For his part, the Prince must change his entire Sea Forest world in order to capture Mahri’s heart. Then, together, they must determine how or even if mankind will survive on this planet that has no land.

Sea Forest and its inhabitants are uniquely created and yet remain within the realm of the believable. The characters of Mahri and Prince Korl are as uncomfortable as any couple would be when they are fighting their attraction to each other. Their attempt at escape only serves to bring them closer and magnify their natural pull toward each other. With a little sprinkling of some glowing powder, it remains to seen if they can overcome their natural desire when it is combined with an accelerator.

Beneath Thirteen Moons is sensuously written in that it encompasses the settings that convey an atmosphere charged with sexual energy, the dialogue that by turns whispers and growls, and the futility of trying to control a primal urge. The tension is taut as a bow throughout the graceful pacing of the novel. This novel deserves a wide audience. Once you read it, you will tell a friend.