I was on Amazon.com browsing for books and looking at interesting titles when I came across a book called the Runelords.
According to the fantasy plotline, the book revolves around a series of lords who are given "endowments" of strength, speed, etc from "donors."

Link here..  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812541626/qid=1103266748/sr=2-3/ref=pd_ka_b_2_3/102-3687810-5205752

I don't know if there are any females in the story, but the basic plotline makes me wonder if the author hasn't ever visited our community a time or two.  

Anyway, just passing it along.