Heart Thief, by Robin D. Owens

A while back I wrote a short piece on how I can be a devoted fan of a specific series by an author and have no interest whatsoever in the rest of their work. This is the case with Ms Owens. I really, really enjoy her Heart/Celta books. I find the series as a whole—or at least as far as I’ve read, I think I’m a couple of books behind—wonderful and refreshing, for many reasons. And yet, I have never felt any interest in trying her other work. Your mileage, obviously, may vary.

Which brings me to…

Despite being a fan of the world and the novels, I am also aware that this is not a series that should be glommed. In fact, two books straight is my limit. Why? Because there are some writing mannerisms that start getting on my nerves as soon as I start on a third novel in a row. And here again, your mileage may vary.

Now, on with the actual review.

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Heart Thief, by Robin D. Owens

This is only the second of the Celta novels and also only Ms Owens’ second published book. The world building is very consistent with what we learn in HeartMate, but the whole concept of fated mates (one SLWendy so despises¹) is explored from a completely different direction. Heart Thief is one of my favorites in the series so far.

Okay, I’m again getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with the much hated blurb:

The Return of Luke McGuire, by Justine Davis

From the way back machine…¹

The Return of Luke McGuire, by Justine Davis (aka Justine Dare)

Originally published in October 2000, this book reminds me why I love so much of Ms Davis’ earlier work, such as The Morning Side of Dawn². There is an ease to the author’s voice and a realism to the characters, that draws the reader in, time after time. This time, into the story of a once bad boy and an always respectable woman. Here is the blurb (a good one too, for a change):

So Close and No Closer, by Penny Jordan

This novel has been in the monstrous TBR shelves for…well, at least a couple of years, but probably more. I have already failed January’s installment of SLWendy’s TBR Challenge, but given Ms Jordan’s recent passing, I feel it fitting to review it nonetheless.

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So Close and No Closer, by Penny Jordan

Originally released in 1989, this category romance definitely reflects the mores of the day, though both it and Ms Jordan were popular enough to warrant a Collector’s Edition re-release in 1991. There were several things I liked about this story, not the least of which is the setting, a lovely village somewhere near Cambridge, England¹.

The back cover blurb is typical of the time (though really, it doesn’t seem the misleading has changed all that much):

HeartMate, by Robin D. Owens

HeartMate, by Robin D. Owens

The first in the Heart series set on the planet Celta, HeartMate was also Ms Owens debut novel. Seven more books in the series have been written since its publication in 2001 (Heart Change, the eighth title, will be released in November). A wonderful blend of fantasy and science fiction serve as background to this romance.

The back cover blurb (from the 2006 reissue)

Ride the Fire, by Pamela Clare

First: this one is Kristie(J)‘s fault-all of it! (Well, okay, the inimitable Super Librarian is involved there somehow, but still! All Kristie(J)!)

Second: next time someone recommends a book without telling me it’s the third in a trilogy, I’ll grab a leaf outta Little CJ’s book and start with the voodoo dolls and the pointy objects. (The good news: this one reads very much like a stand-alone until the last three or so chapters, so no one is getting hurt… this time. I seriously would advise you guys not to tempt fate, though, capisci?)

*ahem*

Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare

My confession: despite having one or (more likely) two other books by Ms Clare in the TBR mountain range, Ride the Fire is the first of hers I’ve read. Unbeknownst to me before I read it *glaring at Kristie(J) and Super Librarian Wendy* this is the third title in Ms Clare’s Blakewell/Kenleigh trilogy. As stated above, it can be read as a stand-alone title, but people like me *coughanalretentivecough* want know where it stands before reading it.

Set in the Ohio frontier during the tumultuous period after the French and Indian war, it follows Nicholas Kenleigh, firstborn son and heir to the Kenleigh Shipping empire in Virginia, and one Elspeth (Bethie) Stewart, the young widow of a humble settler.

I find I need to issue a warning: while this is definitely a romance, it includes some rather intense and graphic descriptions of violence-not for the faint of heart. Reader beware.

Glass Houses, by Anne Stuart

Glass Houses, by Anne Stuart

This is a very old category romance published by Harlequin as part of its Men at Work line back in 1989. It is also my first (to my recollection) Anne Stuart.

Isn’t it amazing how good writing can come through even as annoying conventions make one want to tear one’s hair out? For example, please take a look at the back cover blurb:

Nighthawk, by Rachel Lee

Nighthawk, by Rachel Lee

Digging through my sprawling TBR mountain range during one of those “I don’t want to read anything-I’m going crazy I need to read something-I don’t wanna read anything, ARGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!” periods of insanity, I found this sweet and lovely installment from Ms Lee’s very popular Conard County series. I don’t know that it solved my issues, but it engaged my attention so that I read it in one sitting. Published in May 1997, some aspects of the story may seem slightly outdated, but the characterization and writing voice are just lovely.

Here’s the much hated back cover blurb: