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The Devil's Heart
Francesca D'Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle—then fled before the ink on the marriage license had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil's Heart, a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family....
Years later, Francesca, no longer so youthfully naive, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she's forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure's name—and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Lynn Raye Harris
367 books2,986 followersLynn Raye Harris is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sizzling military romantic suspense novels and contemporary romance novels. She lives in Alabama with her husband (former military), her cat, and her American Saddlebred horse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 13, 2018
"The Devil's Heart" by Lynn Raye Harris is about two wonderful and sympathetic lead characters who are both coming to terms with their difficult pasts--hers, a beating and a miscarriage due to a robbery at her store; his, as a kid growing up on the rough streets of Buenes Aires. The author gives us a hero and heroine that you can relate to and want to root for to get their well deserved happy ever after.
Some things I really liked about this book were:
The way the book started--with the heroine holding the hero at gunpoint! That’s different for a Harlequin Presents!
Francesca’s loyalty to her friend Jacques
A lovely epilogue!
If you are looking for a deeper and darker Harlequin Presents with very well defined characters and lots of emotion I recommend this book. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really look forward to reading many more!
Some things I really liked about this book were:
The way the book started--with the heroine holding the hero at gunpoint! That’s different for a Harlequin Presents!
Francesca’s loyalty to her friend Jacques
A lovely epilogue!
If you are looking for a deeper and darker Harlequin Presents with very well defined characters and lots of emotion I recommend this book. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really look forward to reading many more!
November 3, 2017
Accidental re-read. The story opens with the heroine aiming a gun at the hero and demanding the diamond he took when he married her 8 years before and then left her within hours. The cascading issues for the heroine:
As you can see, there's a lot going on and the shift in tone is dizzying. The heroine is some ninja bad ass at the beginning and then is an insecure fat woman trapped in a beautiful woman's body (*rolls eyes*) and then a pop psychologist/earth mother to round it all off. Pick one and stay in that lane, author.
Also, I couldn't get invested in the angst of the heroine losing the baby of a guy we readers have never met. Same with the cancer guy. I felt worst about the 16 year-old who died in the car accident.
I never understood why the hero married her the second time? And if he was in danger a few years back, why isn't he in danger now? Is he a rebel or part of the establishment? Pick a lane, author.
As you can see, there's a lot going on and the shift in tone is dizzying. The heroine is some ninja bad ass at the beginning and then is an insecure fat woman trapped in a beautiful woman's body (*rolls eyes*) and then a pop psychologist/earth mother to round it all off. Pick one and stay in that lane, author.
Also, I couldn't get invested in the angst of the heroine losing the baby of a guy we readers have never met. Same with the cancer guy. I felt worst about the 16 year-old who died in the car accident.
I never understood why the hero married her the second time? And if he was in danger a few years back, why isn't he in danger now? Is he a rebel or part of the establishment? Pick a lane, author.
October 11, 2013
Did not finish, read 40%. The writing style rubbed me wrong. I was not enjoying it.
WRITING STYLE:
The writing style was emotional exaggeration - contradictory feelings within the moment. It was too back and forth for me. It didn’t feel logical. It wasn’t real enough. I don’t know what to call this. It’s not purple prose, but it’s something purple. Some examples follow (from pages 66 to 74).
He should be offended, and yet he was mostly amused. He should still be angry, but everything was going his way and that pleased him. She flashed him a look of pure loathing. It was rather like a kitten trying to imitate a tiger. She simply couldn’t pull it off.
She said “Why do you have to be nice?” He said “I can cease this niceness if it pleases you.” “Oh no,” she said. “I want to see how long you can keep it up.”
Marcos looked so cold, so remote and cruel that she wondered ... He was so brutal beneath that layer of charm. He said “I would not stop his treatment.” She stared at him. It was the last thing she’d expected. Marcos had a human side.
She intended to honor the agreement. Francesca did not go back on her word once it was given. She had integrity, no matter what he believed about her. Then she told him she would wear the necklace. Disbelief crossed his handsome face. “You just stated you would not. Most adamantly.” Francesca shrugged.
Now maybe some readers will delight in this. But it does not appeal to me.
PLOT:
The plot is one of those overused. Heroine steals something to pay medical bills for someone close. When things go wrong she promises “to do anything” if Marcos will pay those bills. I don’t mind books with similar plots if other things are done well. Do something interesting or unique with it. But that was not done here. I felt let down.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Book length: 186 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual content: probably some. Setting: current day Washington, D.C. and Argentina. Copyright: 2010. Genre: contemporary romance.
WRITING STYLE:
The writing style was emotional exaggeration - contradictory feelings within the moment. It was too back and forth for me. It didn’t feel logical. It wasn’t real enough. I don’t know what to call this. It’s not purple prose, but it’s something purple. Some examples follow (from pages 66 to 74).
He should be offended, and yet he was mostly amused. He should still be angry, but everything was going his way and that pleased him. She flashed him a look of pure loathing. It was rather like a kitten trying to imitate a tiger. She simply couldn’t pull it off.
She said “Why do you have to be nice?” He said “I can cease this niceness if it pleases you.” “Oh no,” she said. “I want to see how long you can keep it up.”
Marcos looked so cold, so remote and cruel that she wondered ... He was so brutal beneath that layer of charm. He said “I would not stop his treatment.” She stared at him. It was the last thing she’d expected. Marcos had a human side.
She intended to honor the agreement. Francesca did not go back on her word once it was given. She had integrity, no matter what he believed about her. Then she told him she would wear the necklace. Disbelief crossed his handsome face. “You just stated you would not. Most adamantly.” Francesca shrugged.
Now maybe some readers will delight in this. But it does not appeal to me.
PLOT:
The plot is one of those overused. Heroine steals something to pay medical bills for someone close. When things go wrong she promises “to do anything” if Marcos will pay those bills. I don’t mind books with similar plots if other things are done well. Do something interesting or unique with it. But that was not done here. I felt let down.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Book length: 186 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual content: probably some. Setting: current day Washington, D.C. and Argentina. Copyright: 2010. Genre: contemporary romance.
October 31, 2011
WOW!wonderful intense emotional second chance at love story,liked the way story develops with tensions drama passion and love blossoms between them,loved both Francesca-Marco both have suffered so much in the past and have their own issues which makes them reluctant to accept their love for each other but Marco takes the leap towards HEA,the way he convinces Francesca is sweet
The sudden marriage announcement by Marco confused me,would have liked more of an insight on Marco's thoughts and feelings as to why Marco made that deal of 3 months MOC
Overall a very good read
Recommend it
The sudden marriage announcement by Marco confused me,would have liked more of an insight on Marco's thoughts and feelings as to why Marco made that deal of 3 months MOC
Overall a very good read
Recommend it
September 17, 2012
Had a lot of potential for angst and love but somehow just missed the mark for me. To much seemed to happen too soon I guess. I didn't like the hero very well and felt that his atrocious actions in the past were not adequately made up for. There was more story that fit neatly into the small HP format.
April 23, 2021
Francesca D'Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle--then fled before the ink on the marriage license had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil's Heart, a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family....Years later, Francesca, no longer so youthfully naive, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she's forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure's name--"and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!
June 16, 2011
The story begins, rather violently, with the hero Marcos being held at gunpoint in his hotel room by a thief attempting to steal his family heirloom El Corazón del Diablo, a necklace with a large and valuable yellow diamond pendant. The situation causes painful memories of Marcos's past experiences of brutal warfare. What Marcos doesn't realise is that the thief is Francesca, the heroine and the girl he married eight years previously in order to reclaim the diamond, which had fallen into her fathers hands by deceit. Marcos had left as soon as Francesca had given him the diamond.
Francesca has stolen the diamond back in order to be able to sell it and pay for medical treatment for a dear friend and for revenge against Marcos. Francesca has lived a difficult life in the eight years since she married including being disowned by her family and a brutal attack and miscarriage. When Marcos tracks her and the diamond down there is a fierce confrontation between them. Marcos insists on them re-marrying in order to stop any further claims over ownership to the diamond. He is also determined to seduce Francesca, something he never got to do before, and make her want him back.
Well, what a story! I have tried to keep the description above as brief as possible as I really don't want to spoil it too much! Throughout this book there are so many secrets and revelations that I couldn't wait to turn each page. It was a real roller coaster of emotions, I kept going from being on the edge of my seat to feeling heartbroken! This book was dark with a capital D!
The characters were really well developed, both held scars from the past and were each struggling to live their lives and deal with these at the same time. Marcos was so complex, I didn't like him at first, in fact I'm still not sure if I liked him but he was a true Alpha-male; deliciously tortured yet incredibly caring and dedicated to making the world a better place.
The Journey the characters went on was amazing, they had both been to hell and back and you know what, reading this I felt like I had been right there with them, and this made the HEA extremely satisfying. The writing is flawless, how Lynn Raye Harris managed to contain this to 185 pages I'll never know.
I cannot praise this book enough, I just don't have the words! Lynn, thank you for writing this book.
A must read.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
Francesca has stolen the diamond back in order to be able to sell it and pay for medical treatment for a dear friend and for revenge against Marcos. Francesca has lived a difficult life in the eight years since she married including being disowned by her family and a brutal attack and miscarriage. When Marcos tracks her and the diamond down there is a fierce confrontation between them. Marcos insists on them re-marrying in order to stop any further claims over ownership to the diamond. He is also determined to seduce Francesca, something he never got to do before, and make her want him back.
Well, what a story! I have tried to keep the description above as brief as possible as I really don't want to spoil it too much! Throughout this book there are so many secrets and revelations that I couldn't wait to turn each page. It was a real roller coaster of emotions, I kept going from being on the edge of my seat to feeling heartbroken! This book was dark with a capital D!
The characters were really well developed, both held scars from the past and were each struggling to live their lives and deal with these at the same time. Marcos was so complex, I didn't like him at first, in fact I'm still not sure if I liked him but he was a true Alpha-male; deliciously tortured yet incredibly caring and dedicated to making the world a better place.
The Journey the characters went on was amazing, they had both been to hell and back and you know what, reading this I felt like I had been right there with them, and this made the HEA extremely satisfying. The writing is flawless, how Lynn Raye Harris managed to contain this to 185 pages I'll never know.
I cannot praise this book enough, I just don't have the words! Lynn, thank you for writing this book.
A must read.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
July 17, 2011
Wow! What a goodread. I blasted through this book while waiting on our youngest to fall asleep, and it was worth the discomfort of sitting on the floor.
The only thing that kept this book from being 5 stars for me was the extremely sudden proposal of re-marriage on the part of the hero. Oh, well. Other than that, there was passion, emotion, drama, and some painful real-life issues that earned more than the usual syrupy sweet ending.
The only thing that kept this book from being 5 stars for me was the extremely sudden proposal of re-marriage on the part of the hero. Oh, well. Other than that, there was passion, emotion, drama, and some painful real-life issues that earned more than the usual syrupy sweet ending.
March 16, 2011
Thank you Goodreads First Reads! I'll get back to you.
Okay, so I've now finished the book. It was pretty good. I could not decide whether to give it three stars or four. I'll be honest, though: I sat down and read this book the whole way through, so that should count for something. It was a nice distraction from my work.
I loved the first chapter. It instantly sucked you in. Here we have a strong, undeniably masculine character. He knows what he wants. He is ruthless. VERY attractive. And yet, he's at the wrong end of a gun clutched by (although he doesn't know it) his old nemesis! I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.
The pacing of the novel was pretty decent; there wasn't any unnecessary clutter.
I am also glad that Ms. Harris took the time to develop the characters, especially since this is a short novel. I do feel that perhaps Navarre's past could have been developed a little more. We know he lived on the streets and was tortured at one point, but some of the details were still a little murky for me. Frankie also had quite the history, but that was much clearer. I liked that she was so committed to saving Jacques.
The only problem I really encountered with this novel was in its length. Frankly, the book is short; it's only 190 pages. While I did say the pacing was good, the shortness of the novel did make some scenes appear rushed. This could be a prerequisite for this type of novel, though. But I know I speak for a lot of readers when I say that I would not have minded at least another 100 pages.
All in all, there aren't really any problems with this book. The author is very talented. It's a fast-paced, completely self-indulgent book. Happy endings all around. Which is good. Who wants to read a depressing story? And if I read it in one sitting, you know it's worth your time.
Thanks Ms. Harris for signing my copy! I completely wasn't expecting it!
Okay, so I've now finished the book. It was pretty good. I could not decide whether to give it three stars or four. I'll be honest, though: I sat down and read this book the whole way through, so that should count for something. It was a nice distraction from my work.
I loved the first chapter. It instantly sucked you in. Here we have a strong, undeniably masculine character. He knows what he wants. He is ruthless. VERY attractive. And yet, he's at the wrong end of a gun clutched by (although he doesn't know it) his old nemesis! I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.
The pacing of the novel was pretty decent; there wasn't any unnecessary clutter.
I am also glad that Ms. Harris took the time to develop the characters, especially since this is a short novel. I do feel that perhaps Navarre's past could have been developed a little more. We know he lived on the streets and was tortured at one point, but some of the details were still a little murky for me. Frankie also had quite the history, but that was much clearer. I liked that she was so committed to saving Jacques.
The only problem I really encountered with this novel was in its length. Frankly, the book is short; it's only 190 pages. While I did say the pacing was good, the shortness of the novel did make some scenes appear rushed. This could be a prerequisite for this type of novel, though. But I know I speak for a lot of readers when I say that I would not have minded at least another 100 pages.
All in all, there aren't really any problems with this book. The author is very talented. It's a fast-paced, completely self-indulgent book. Happy endings all around. Which is good. Who wants to read a depressing story? And if I read it in one sitting, you know it's worth your time.
Thanks Ms. Harris for signing my copy! I completely wasn't expecting it!
August 11, 2016
Francesca D'Oro and Marcos Navarre have a past together, and it's not a happy one. When Francesca was 18, her and Marcos had gotten married. Unfortunately he ran off on her and took a rare yellow diamond from her family that he believed belonged to his family. Now that Francesca is older and wiser, she decides it's time to reclaim the yellow diamond and that means facing Marcos once more.
The Devil's Heart is a story of a damaged woman and a damaged man who learn to come to terms with the terrible events of their pasts and move on to start living in the present... together. It's about living in the today rather than being trapped in the yesterday. The addition of a theme of that depth was enjoyable for me. It turned the typical Harlequin Romance formula into something much easier to connect to, something more intricate but accessible.
The characters started out distant to me, but as the story progressed they became more human. With every passing chapter, the author revealed something new and often tragic about the characters' pasts. The layers were peeled back to unveil characters that were genuinely likeable. My only complaint with the characters is that I would have liked to delve a little deeper into their back stories, especially with regards to Marcos. He definitely remained a bit of a mystery, a very sexy mystery.
I liked the settings in this book. The author described the beauty of Buenos Aires but also described some of it's flaws like the homeless youth. The settings cemented the story for me. It made it feel authentic and real.
The Devil's Heart is a short book at only 185 pages, so it would make a perfect weekend read. I recommend it to those looking for a fast, fun, sexy, happily-ever-after read!
*****Won as a Goodreads First Read*****
The Devil's Heart is a story of a damaged woman and a damaged man who learn to come to terms with the terrible events of their pasts and move on to start living in the present... together. It's about living in the today rather than being trapped in the yesterday. The addition of a theme of that depth was enjoyable for me. It turned the typical Harlequin Romance formula into something much easier to connect to, something more intricate but accessible.
The characters started out distant to me, but as the story progressed they became more human. With every passing chapter, the author revealed something new and often tragic about the characters' pasts. The layers were peeled back to unveil characters that were genuinely likeable. My only complaint with the characters is that I would have liked to delve a little deeper into their back stories, especially with regards to Marcos. He definitely remained a bit of a mystery, a very sexy mystery.
I liked the settings in this book. The author described the beauty of Buenos Aires but also described some of it's flaws like the homeless youth. The settings cemented the story for me. It made it feel authentic and real.
The Devil's Heart is a short book at only 185 pages, so it would make a perfect weekend read. I recommend it to those looking for a fast, fun, sexy, happily-ever-after read!
*****Won as a Goodreads First Read*****
June 8, 2012
Haziran Harlequinlerden Historical serisinden sonra en begendigim High Life serisi kitabi olan Seytanin Kalbi ve Aşk Hep Vardı
Bu ikili hikaye buram buram Helen Bianchin kokuyordu en azindan ben öyle hissettim.
Iki hikayeyide büyük bir zevk alarak okudum.
Ilk hikayede Seytanın Kalbi denilen ve iki aile icinde büyük bir önemi olan elmas kolyesinin sebep oldugu olaylar vardı.
Francesca d'Oro daha önce aşik olup evlendigi Marcos Navarre'nin dairesine girip bu elması calması ile başlayan olaylari anlatan hikaye cok çarpicıydı.
Marcus Arjantinli gecmisi tehlikeli hatta gerillalik bile yapmıs bir adamdi. Franceska ile bir gece evli olarak kalip evliligi iptal ettirmelerinin üzerinden 8 yıl gecmısti.
O elmasi Franceşka kendisi vermisti ama Marcus'a göre elmas ailesinindi.
Tavsiye ederim.
Bu ikili hikaye buram buram Helen Bianchin kokuyordu en azindan ben öyle hissettim.
Iki hikayeyide büyük bir zevk alarak okudum.
Ilk hikayede Seytanın Kalbi denilen ve iki aile icinde büyük bir önemi olan elmas kolyesinin sebep oldugu olaylar vardı.
Francesca d'Oro daha önce aşik olup evlendigi Marcos Navarre'nin dairesine girip bu elması calması ile başlayan olaylari anlatan hikaye cok çarpicıydı.
Marcus Arjantinli gecmisi tehlikeli hatta gerillalik bile yapmıs bir adamdi. Franceska ile bir gece evli olarak kalip evliligi iptal ettirmelerinin üzerinden 8 yıl gecmısti.
O elmasi Franceşka kendisi vermisti ama Marcus'a göre elmas ailesinindi.
Tavsiye ederim.
to-buy-harlequin
October 23, 2012I like the cut of the author's jib.
February 20, 2021
This wasn't a bad read, and I just didn't enjoy I guess. I found everything just over the top. But I'm still looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 21, 2013
The beginning was very promising and definitely a twist that I had never, ever seen in a Presents before, never. Francesca broke into Marcos hotel room so she could steal a jewel known as the Devil's Heart, which was given to her by her father on her eighteenth birthday, and she showed it to Marcos on their wedding night trusting him completely and he took it and flee, leaving her brokenhearted and thought that the only reason he was nice to her married her was because of the jewel. And she was right in one aspect because Francesca's father told Marcos that the only way he would get the jewel was if he married Francesca and Francesca gave it to him willingly. He wanted the stone back because it originally belonged to his family and was part of his legacy and would do anything to get it back, even marrying Francesca, which he did even though he felt duped by her father as well as Francesca thinking she was part of the scheme with father buying her a husband, which wasn't true, but he wound up with the stone while she ended up with a broken heart. So, there was hurt and betrayal on both their parts and they didn't trust each other with each content on holding onto the jewel, feeling it belonged to them even though the jewel had caused some pain on both sides in part because of the jewel with Francesca's family loosing everything, all their wealth and luxury because her father killed herself because since the jewel was gone then he couldn't uphold the deal. While in Marcos case, the jewel was stolen by his uncle and his parents were later captured and killed by the government, then he later on became captured too because he became a guerilla solider because he felt it would be a better lifestyle for him then living on the streets, poor after he lost his family, and went through a tortuous capture, causing him to have major nightmares and hated being restrained in anyway. So, the jewel wasn't a good luck charm to say the least, but they still wanted it because they felt it belonged to them.
So, back to the opening scene, she had a gun in her hand and broke into his hotel room like I said, intent on stealing the jewel from him in hopes she could sell it so she could pay for her mentor's (who look after her during a difficult time (heartbreak) and her mother and sister disowned her) medical care, feeling she owed it to him since he took care of her and wanted to repay, but the only way she could get money was selling the jewel so she acted out a desperation and stole it and even forced Marcos to handcuff himself to the bed, which didn't go well because of his traumatic past and vowed to find her and make her pay for what she did to him.
So, she got the jewel heist and that was the setup and it was very promising and very interesting and good way to begin, and something unique and different that had never been done in a Presents before. It demonstrated the conflict and tension between the two right off the bat and I wanted to see how their story played out sure that it would be filled with some good conflict and tension between the pair and I wanted to see how it would be resolved. I was so interested.
But sorry to say that the middle of the book kind of sputtered for me, and I didn't feel that tension or high level emotion as I went along. Yeah, the love/hate aspect was there and it was spelled out that they didn't trust each other and he was going to make her pay and she wasn't going to fall under his spell again like she did at eighteen, and just all that stuff while each dealing with their own emotions of their struggles for the last eight years since they last saw each other. Like I said Marcos was dealing with his nightmares and his captivity while she was dealing with her feelings for him while coming to terms that she lost her baby ago in a robbery when she was beaten severely causing her to loose the baby and not be able to bear any more children plus dealing the fact that her fiancé left Francesca when she was pregnant wanting nothing to do with her or the baby, making her feel abandoned once again like when Marcos left on their wedding night without even consummating the marriage. Plus she didn't feel beautiful or anything like her sister.
So, there was lots of baggage there and issues to work thorough during this journey, and these were painful things to deal with, and I'm not saying they didn't have a hard time of it or had a hard life. They both did, and I felt bad for them for what they went through. And on top of them dealing with their own issues they had to come to terms of what brought them together and coming to terms with their relationship after he forced her to marry him and give him ownership to the Devil's Heart while he would pay for Jacques (mentor) medical care. So there was lot going on and was kind of a perfect set up for lots of conflict, tension, and just all and all angst that create this exciting, passionate, emotional, romantic journey of their love story. But like I didn't really feel any of that or even connected with the characters along the way even though I did bad for them, I just wasn't locked in and I felt there was so much repetition especially when she kept saying she wasn't beautiful and kept correcting her. I just wasn't really immersed in their story in the middle or taking the emotional journey along with them, feeling it deep in my heart where I feel their emotions right along with them with my fingers turning the pages very quickly. I got none of that here, sorry to say. It just fell flat for me.
Maybe it was the fact that there was too much going and too much backstory or too much of their issues flooding the novel. Or maybe it was the fact that I felt it was a little monotone in nature and just felt that okay this happened then this happened then this happened, etc. and I just didn't feel angst or even the struggle of their emotions for one another even though it was stated in the book, telling us it was there. But there is a big difference between telling and actually feeling it leap off the page where it becomes believable that the two were struggling with their feelings and had deep emotions for one another that they were trying to deny and the reader just feeling it and being sucked into the world right along with them. And I just didn't, and I wish I did especially with the promising beginning. Just something was off for me with me just not feeling it or rooting for their love story, which was a shame because they both deserved a little love in their lives.
I think another thing, which I briefly mentioned up top was my reaction to the characters. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them I was almost indifferent to them and not really being invested in them. It didn't meant there not rootable characters or they weren't likable or they were flat or anything like that. It was again my connection to them as well as my appeal to them, which wasn't quite there as it is in other books I have read in the Present genre. I felt mediocre about them that's the best way I can describe it, and I'm not sure why.
This book had all the elements for there to be a great love story with these characters that were completely likable and really was right in their own feelings and actions, and should have been a great love story, but it didn't work for me. Marcos was never a jerk to her especially when he learned the truth of what she suffered, and she was nice too and no one could really hate her. But just the push and pull wasn't there for me. And I also felt the passion was pretty flat and the love scene wasn't really that exciting or emotional and kind of just actions put together on the page. I was so disappointed in that because it was leading up to that for so long and then when it finally happened it was like "that it?" Again I didn't feel the passion between the two or the heat oozing from the pages. The love scene happened and that was that. I was expecting more and more passion.
Also, the growth in their relationship was a little disappointing as well with usually the passion being the indicator that which I just didn't feel was quite there then leading to deeper emotions along the way, and though it was there with feelings changing when they learned more about one another and revealed their fears and anxieties and were just totally vulnerable and an open book to one another, I still didn't feel it. I know. I know. I should've, but I didn't, but like I said it was just a little boring in pacing at least with this happening then this happening then this happening, but nothing really surprising, gut wrenching, or even something that really packed an emotion punch at least for me.
The ending I liked though especially the big gesture with Marcos giving her the jewel then asking her to come meet him at his hotel room. And she went and found Marcos handcuffed himself to the bed and threw the key across the room so he couldn't release himself even though he really wanted to and was experience some distress after his captivity, but he willingly did that having faith she would come and release him from his bounds, having faith in her. And that was a big deal for him and it really showed he came far with his trust in her that she would actually come for him. And it was just an important scene in the scheme of things, showing how far they had come and how they needed each other and trusted one another. Marcos even reassured her that her not having children wasn't a big deal for him and that he still loved her regardless even though it took him at least a couple tries to get her believe him at first. It was a nice moment for the couple. The ending was sweet and very poignant.
So, I liked the book ends to this book with the unique beginning and the touching ending that was worth reading, but otherwise the rest of the book was kind of disappointing, and I am so sorry to say that because the bones were there just my feeling when reading it were not. And probably many disagree with me and love this book, but I wanted to go and feel like I was on a more of an emotional journey, love story and I didn't feel like I got that from this book. Just something was missing or off or something just didn't click with me except for the beginning and the end. I guess I just wanted more. More intensity and angst than I got. I feel bad saying these things, and I really wished I loved it more than I did. But that being said I also didn't hate the book so that's something.
I love Lynn Raye Harris book, which are usually full of passion with great, complex characters that a reader can easily connect with as they continue on their journey to love with lots of drama, tension and angst along the way, but for this book I just didn't feel it. I guess readers can't love every single book by an author, but it disappointing when it turns out that way especially when a reader is so looking forward to reading that book like I was when I began reading this book. So, you never know unless you read them first and go along on the journey along with the characters and see if you like the journey or not that you are taken on. And you can't love every book out there. It's just all depends on a person's expectations, preference, and taste, and that doesn't determine if a book is good or not because some people probably really love a book while others don't. That's up the individual taste. And with that beings said I will still read Lynn Raye Harris's books in the future and just hope that I like them more than I like this one. Hopefully have more of connection to future books than this one. That's all. I still love me my Presents so won't stop reading them any time soon.
So, back to the opening scene, she had a gun in her hand and broke into his hotel room like I said, intent on stealing the jewel from him in hopes she could sell it so she could pay for her mentor's (who look after her during a difficult time (heartbreak) and her mother and sister disowned her) medical care, feeling she owed it to him since he took care of her and wanted to repay, but the only way she could get money was selling the jewel so she acted out a desperation and stole it and even forced Marcos to handcuff himself to the bed, which didn't go well because of his traumatic past and vowed to find her and make her pay for what she did to him.
So, she got the jewel heist and that was the setup and it was very promising and very interesting and good way to begin, and something unique and different that had never been done in a Presents before. It demonstrated the conflict and tension between the two right off the bat and I wanted to see how their story played out sure that it would be filled with some good conflict and tension between the pair and I wanted to see how it would be resolved. I was so interested.
But sorry to say that the middle of the book kind of sputtered for me, and I didn't feel that tension or high level emotion as I went along. Yeah, the love/hate aspect was there and it was spelled out that they didn't trust each other and he was going to make her pay and she wasn't going to fall under his spell again like she did at eighteen, and just all that stuff while each dealing with their own emotions of their struggles for the last eight years since they last saw each other. Like I said Marcos was dealing with his nightmares and his captivity while she was dealing with her feelings for him while coming to terms that she lost her baby ago in a robbery when she was beaten severely causing her to loose the baby and not be able to bear any more children plus dealing the fact that her fiancé left Francesca when she was pregnant wanting nothing to do with her or the baby, making her feel abandoned once again like when Marcos left on their wedding night without even consummating the marriage. Plus she didn't feel beautiful or anything like her sister.
So, there was lots of baggage there and issues to work thorough during this journey, and these were painful things to deal with, and I'm not saying they didn't have a hard time of it or had a hard life. They both did, and I felt bad for them for what they went through. And on top of them dealing with their own issues they had to come to terms of what brought them together and coming to terms with their relationship after he forced her to marry him and give him ownership to the Devil's Heart while he would pay for Jacques (mentor) medical care. So there was lot going on and was kind of a perfect set up for lots of conflict, tension, and just all and all angst that create this exciting, passionate, emotional, romantic journey of their love story. But like I didn't really feel any of that or even connected with the characters along the way even though I did bad for them, I just wasn't locked in and I felt there was so much repetition especially when she kept saying she wasn't beautiful and kept correcting her. I just wasn't really immersed in their story in the middle or taking the emotional journey along with them, feeling it deep in my heart where I feel their emotions right along with them with my fingers turning the pages very quickly. I got none of that here, sorry to say. It just fell flat for me.
Maybe it was the fact that there was too much going and too much backstory or too much of their issues flooding the novel. Or maybe it was the fact that I felt it was a little monotone in nature and just felt that okay this happened then this happened then this happened, etc. and I just didn't feel angst or even the struggle of their emotions for one another even though it was stated in the book, telling us it was there. But there is a big difference between telling and actually feeling it leap off the page where it becomes believable that the two were struggling with their feelings and had deep emotions for one another that they were trying to deny and the reader just feeling it and being sucked into the world right along with them. And I just didn't, and I wish I did especially with the promising beginning. Just something was off for me with me just not feeling it or rooting for their love story, which was a shame because they both deserved a little love in their lives.
I think another thing, which I briefly mentioned up top was my reaction to the characters. I didn't love them, but I didn't hate them I was almost indifferent to them and not really being invested in them. It didn't meant there not rootable characters or they weren't likable or they were flat or anything like that. It was again my connection to them as well as my appeal to them, which wasn't quite there as it is in other books I have read in the Present genre. I felt mediocre about them that's the best way I can describe it, and I'm not sure why.
This book had all the elements for there to be a great love story with these characters that were completely likable and really was right in their own feelings and actions, and should have been a great love story, but it didn't work for me. Marcos was never a jerk to her especially when he learned the truth of what she suffered, and she was nice too and no one could really hate her. But just the push and pull wasn't there for me. And I also felt the passion was pretty flat and the love scene wasn't really that exciting or emotional and kind of just actions put together on the page. I was so disappointed in that because it was leading up to that for so long and then when it finally happened it was like "that it?" Again I didn't feel the passion between the two or the heat oozing from the pages. The love scene happened and that was that. I was expecting more and more passion.
Also, the growth in their relationship was a little disappointing as well with usually the passion being the indicator that which I just didn't feel was quite there then leading to deeper emotions along the way, and though it was there with feelings changing when they learned more about one another and revealed their fears and anxieties and were just totally vulnerable and an open book to one another, I still didn't feel it. I know. I know. I should've, but I didn't, but like I said it was just a little boring in pacing at least with this happening then this happening then this happening, but nothing really surprising, gut wrenching, or even something that really packed an emotion punch at least for me.
The ending I liked though especially the big gesture with Marcos giving her the jewel then asking her to come meet him at his hotel room. And she went and found Marcos handcuffed himself to the bed and threw the key across the room so he couldn't release himself even though he really wanted to and was experience some distress after his captivity, but he willingly did that having faith she would come and release him from his bounds, having faith in her. And that was a big deal for him and it really showed he came far with his trust in her that she would actually come for him. And it was just an important scene in the scheme of things, showing how far they had come and how they needed each other and trusted one another. Marcos even reassured her that her not having children wasn't a big deal for him and that he still loved her regardless even though it took him at least a couple tries to get her believe him at first. It was a nice moment for the couple. The ending was sweet and very poignant.
So, I liked the book ends to this book with the unique beginning and the touching ending that was worth reading, but otherwise the rest of the book was kind of disappointing, and I am so sorry to say that because the bones were there just my feeling when reading it were not. And probably many disagree with me and love this book, but I wanted to go and feel like I was on a more of an emotional journey, love story and I didn't feel like I got that from this book. Just something was missing or off or something just didn't click with me except for the beginning and the end. I guess I just wanted more. More intensity and angst than I got. I feel bad saying these things, and I really wished I loved it more than I did. But that being said I also didn't hate the book so that's something.
I love Lynn Raye Harris book, which are usually full of passion with great, complex characters that a reader can easily connect with as they continue on their journey to love with lots of drama, tension and angst along the way, but for this book I just didn't feel it. I guess readers can't love every single book by an author, but it disappointing when it turns out that way especially when a reader is so looking forward to reading that book like I was when I began reading this book. So, you never know unless you read them first and go along on the journey along with the characters and see if you like the journey or not that you are taken on. And you can't love every book out there. It's just all depends on a person's expectations, preference, and taste, and that doesn't determine if a book is good or not because some people probably really love a book while others don't. That's up the individual taste. And with that beings said I will still read Lynn Raye Harris's books in the future and just hope that I like them more than I like this one. Hopefully have more of connection to future books than this one. That's all. I still love me my Presents so won't stop reading them any time soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
It was different from contemporary romance novels. There was a lot of purple prose, but many romance novels have it. Marcos seemed like a nice enough guy. He did not treat Francesca badly at any given point of time.the revenge was pretty sedate. It was not like most romance novels where the H is just mean and awful in his need for revenge. Francesca was also no pushover. I think it was well balanced.
March 10, 2017
a very good story I thought
February 10, 2013
This is not your usual Harlequin Romance. As both the Hero "Marcos" and Heroine "Francesca" have suffered much grief. The story begins with a thief entering Marcos hotel room at gun point and forcing him to handcuff himself to the headboard of the hotel room bed. This brings back terrible memories of him be held captive, and he swears to get even. The thief leaves with the Corazon del Diablo "The Devil's Heart". The thief - his ex wife of a few hours.
Francesca has stolen The Devil's Heart to sell to help pay for cancer treatments for the man who helped save her life. And taken it from the man she feels ruined it. Francesca was so very in love with Marcos and married him at age 18 and handed over the necklace and he promptly left her, and her world fell apart. Her father killed himself. Her Mother and Sister quit talking to her. " no big lost there" and just when she feels she might be getting over the devastation of losing Marcos and moving on. Tragedy strikes once again. She was 6 months pregnant with a baby girl when the shop she was working in was robbed. She was brutally beaten and lost her daughter. She also is no longer able to become pregnant again.
Marcos comes to the jewelry store she is working at the next day and confronts her. He demands she marry him again for at least 3-6 months. This is to stop her Mother and Sister from fighting for The Devil's Heart. He agrees to pay for the treatments for her friend Jacques. She agrees.
What happens when they get to Argentina? Passions start igniting. And secrets start being revealed. But this story is far from over. Marcos feels he can never love anyone because of the scars he carries, mostly inside. And Francesca has never felt beautiful enough. And feels Marcos would never really want her forever because she can't carry a child, that she feels he deserves.
Lynn Raye Harris has now written three books that have brought me to tears. As she is able to put me in the place of her heroines and make me feel as though I am the one who is suffering through their grief. I am so glad that I purchased this book and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Francesca has stolen The Devil's Heart to sell to help pay for cancer treatments for the man who helped save her life. And taken it from the man she feels ruined it. Francesca was so very in love with Marcos and married him at age 18 and handed over the necklace and he promptly left her, and her world fell apart. Her father killed himself. Her Mother and Sister quit talking to her. " no big lost there" and just when she feels she might be getting over the devastation of losing Marcos and moving on. Tragedy strikes once again. She was 6 months pregnant with a baby girl when the shop she was working in was robbed. She was brutally beaten and lost her daughter. She also is no longer able to become pregnant again.
Marcos comes to the jewelry store she is working at the next day and confronts her. He demands she marry him again for at least 3-6 months. This is to stop her Mother and Sister from fighting for The Devil's Heart. He agrees to pay for the treatments for her friend Jacques. She agrees.
What happens when they get to Argentina? Passions start igniting. And secrets start being revealed. But this story is far from over. Marcos feels he can never love anyone because of the scars he carries, mostly inside. And Francesca has never felt beautiful enough. And feels Marcos would never really want her forever because she can't carry a child, that she feels he deserves.
Lynn Raye Harris has now written three books that have brought me to tears. As she is able to put me in the place of her heroines and make me feel as though I am the one who is suffering through their grief. I am so glad that I purchased this book and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
June 8, 2014
Years ago Marcos played Francesca to obtain a jewel that belonged to his family. He went so far as to marry her, got the jewel from her then disappeared. Her father offed self, and her materialistic mother and sister disowned her! Francesca was strong though and carried on the best she could. She even had another relationship w/ a man, but he was a toad and something awful happened to her! Now Francesca intends to steal the jewel back to gain money to help the only person who cared for her.
This wasn’t a bad read, but there wasn’t any real explanation for exactly what was in Marcos’ past. His uncle sold the yellow diamond to Francesca’s family and Marcos sold himself in marriage to Francesca. She didn’t know anything about that, she truly thought he liked her, but it was all a game for him. He blamed her family for HIM having a price!! I liked the beginning where Frankie actually gets one over on Marcos, I wasn’t buying the whole now we must marry again and Frankie having to say her family has no claim on the jewel either just for Marcos to retain it. By rights, Frankie had given to him years ago under false beliefs, it was his already! I didn’t like that Marcos didn’t really feel that horrible for what occurred to Frankie as a result of what he did, however he hung on to his feelings for YEARS!! She is just so forgiving though. He seems shocked that she doesn’t think she is pretty but come on he left her at the altar! Then he tells her, “Stop picking at old wounds. Life is about forward motions, not regret.” Too bad he didn’t take his own advice! He was tortured for some reason, but I guess I missed exactly why, he had lingering wounds from his past. He didn’t exactly move on from them though, or even seek help. He makes a gesture at the end, in his eyes it’s pretty grand given his past, but I was still slightly irked at him and wasn’t completely ready to forgive him. Maybe later though :)
This wasn’t a bad read, but there wasn’t any real explanation for exactly what was in Marcos’ past. His uncle sold the yellow diamond to Francesca’s family and Marcos sold himself in marriage to Francesca. She didn’t know anything about that, she truly thought he liked her, but it was all a game for him. He blamed her family for HIM having a price!! I liked the beginning where Frankie actually gets one over on Marcos, I wasn’t buying the whole now we must marry again and Frankie having to say her family has no claim on the jewel either just for Marcos to retain it. By rights, Frankie had given to him years ago under false beliefs, it was his already! I didn’t like that Marcos didn’t really feel that horrible for what occurred to Frankie as a result of what he did, however he hung on to his feelings for YEARS!! She is just so forgiving though. He seems shocked that she doesn’t think she is pretty but come on he left her at the altar! Then he tells her, “Stop picking at old wounds. Life is about forward motions, not regret.” Too bad he didn’t take his own advice! He was tortured for some reason, but I guess I missed exactly why, he had lingering wounds from his past. He didn’t exactly move on from them though, or even seek help. He makes a gesture at the end, in his eyes it’s pretty grand given his past, but I was still slightly irked at him and wasn’t completely ready to forgive him. Maybe later though :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2011
Wow! This is a great HP by the talented Lynn Raye Harris.
The book has a tense and unique opening scene with Marcos being held at gunpoint by a woman who is determined to steal his valuable diamond known as the Devil's Heart. The robber is none other than Francesca, the woman Marcos married at the age of eighteen in order reclaim the Devil's Heart, a jewel he knew rightly belonged to his family.
Marcos easily tracks down Francesca and the diamond, and he blackmails her into marriage. The book is a great love story between two sympathetic characters with immense scars.
Although she has every right to be bitter, Francesca is a strong woman who has been through past heartbreak, and she goes toe-to-toe with Marcos. Marcos has also had a difficult past, but his commitment toward helping the less fortunate makes him a compassionate man. The chemistry between these two is especially hot.
The ending is perfect and it actually made me cry, which is a true rarity for HP books. I think this might just edge out The Prince's Royal Concubine for my favorite Lynn Raye Harris book. It was just superb!
The book has a tense and unique opening scene with Marcos being held at gunpoint by a woman who is determined to steal his valuable diamond known as the Devil's Heart. The robber is none other than Francesca, the woman Marcos married at the age of eighteen in order reclaim the Devil's Heart, a jewel he knew rightly belonged to his family.
Marcos easily tracks down Francesca and the diamond, and he blackmails her into marriage. The book is a great love story between two sympathetic characters with immense scars.
Although she has every right to be bitter, Francesca is a strong woman who has been through past heartbreak, and she goes toe-to-toe with Marcos. Marcos has also had a difficult past, but his commitment toward helping the less fortunate makes him a compassionate man. The chemistry between these two is especially hot.
The ending is perfect and it actually made me cry, which is a true rarity for HP books. I think this might just edge out The Prince's Royal Concubine for my favorite Lynn Raye Harris book. It was just superb!
September 25, 2011
I won this book on a twitter contest and I'm so glad I did. I stopped reading Presents a couple of years ago. I had trouble falling in love with most of the heroes as I found them to be overbearing and brutish. However, I loved this book. Marcos is so sexy. Harris captured the essence of what makes these books work when her heroine, Francesca, tells Marcos that she's a plain Jane, not glamorous like all the women he's dated, and I think that's how most women see themselves...as plain Janes. And then when an incredible man falls for them...well, it's just every woman's dream to be that special woman.
Good read. Enjoyed this a great deal.
Good read. Enjoyed this a great deal.
August 16, 2012
The Devil's Heart takes place in Argentina. Francesca D'Oro's gut-wrenching backstory tugged my heart as much as the opening scene held me spellbound. The success of Marcos Navarre's family comes at the cost of Francesca's. And though the two were once married, Francesca and Marcos have to overcome their pasts, if the Corazon del Diablo is ever going to bring them together. Gripping story that supplies a satisfying reward in The End. Well done, Ms. Harris!
March 8, 2011
I was happy to win a copy of this book and really impressed the author personalized the autograph. Even though it was still a quick read, the story managed to go a lot deeper than the usual Harlequin romance. Of course you'll get your HEA, but the road to get there has a lot of sorrow and darkness and it made it a much better story. I know I'll be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
March 7, 2011
Thanks to Goodreads giveaways, I received this autographed copy of a first read. When Francesca D'oro was eighteen years old she married a man she fell in love with, although one-sided and very short lived. They come in contact again years later because of an heirloom both claim belongs to their family. I enjoyed this story, it has a nice easy flow and will read more from this author.
March 6, 2011
I liked it! The writing style had a nice flow, which made it very easy to read. It does have a few sad & serious elements to it, which is a bit unusual for these Harlequin books. I liked how the lead characters actually communicated pretty well fairly early in the book, rather than the formula mis- or non- communication.
March 16, 2011
It was a short and sweet read. From the premise itself I could not tell how Marcos Navarre could possibly explain away stealing a jewel from his recent bride and leaving her immediately. How could those two people reconcile? Leave it to Mrs. Harris to explain it and very well. Great job!
May 6, 2011
I loved the exciting opening and the way the characters revealed themselves to each other in small, surprising steps. The relationship develops organically and believably. Never once did I wonder why these people wanted to be together, as I've done in other romances. Also really well-written.
March 23, 2011
I enjoyed this book - very fast paced and exciting. The love interest had just the right combination of conflict and romance.
Want to Read
March 1, 2011I was just informed that I won this book as part of Goodreads first read program. I am so excited to get it! Thank you!
July 10, 2011
This falls right in the middle - 2.5/5. It's light, very fast read, nice pacing and story. Very likable. Also, a belated thank you to Lynn for personalizing the book. Very nice touch!
March 17, 2011
Fab read, love Lynn Raye Harris!
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