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Call of the Heart
Inghilterra, 1819
Costretta a sposare Lord Rothwyn, Lalitha scopre di provare un tenero quanto inaspettato sentimento per lui, ma si convince di non essere ricambiata e, disperata, fugge lontano. Grande, dunque, è la sua sorpresa quando il marito la raggiunge e le chiede di ripensare alla sua decisione. Così, con il cuore colmo di speranza e trepidazione, Lalitha accetta di ritornare a casa. Proprio quando la felicità sembra a portata di mano, però, una serie di imprevisti rischia di cambiare il corso delle loro vite per sempre...
Costretta a sposare Lord Rothwyn, Lalitha scopre di provare un tenero quanto inaspettato sentimento per lui, ma si convince di non essere ricambiata e, disperata, fugge lontano. Grande, dunque, è la sua sorpresa quando il marito la raggiunge e le chiede di ripensare alla sua decisione. Così, con il cuore colmo di speranza e trepidazione, Lalitha accetta di ritornare a casa. Proprio quando la felicità sembra a portata di mano, però, una serie di imprevisti rischia di cambiare il corso delle loro vite per sempre...
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
17 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,566 books834 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 9, 2019
This book takes me back
It read Barbara Cartland faithfully when I was a teenager. I loved her books and each month I would go buy them as they came out. And I loved them and I was so excited to read this and at first I was taken back to better days where Mom and Dad were still alive and I lived at home. Unfortunately I think my tastes have changed a little. I got a little bored about 1/2 way through. I love Cinderella stories and this one is great. The poor heroine. I felt like I was reading a melodrama with Pamela Pureheart and her perils. It was nostalgic and I loved the innocence of it. Some people thought she was just stupid but BC always made her heroines innocent and naive. I gave it four stars simply because of that too. It brought back great memories and it made me happy at the end. It does also explain a lot of my neuroses! No wonder I am whacked!!!
It read Barbara Cartland faithfully when I was a teenager. I loved her books and each month I would go buy them as they came out. And I loved them and I was so excited to read this and at first I was taken back to better days where Mom and Dad were still alive and I lived at home. Unfortunately I think my tastes have changed a little. I got a little bored about 1/2 way through. I love Cinderella stories and this one is great. The poor heroine. I felt like I was reading a melodrama with Pamela Pureheart and her perils. It was nostalgic and I loved the innocence of it. Some people thought she was just stupid but BC always made her heroines innocent and naive. I gave it four stars simply because of that too. It brought back great memories and it made me happy at the end. It does also explain a lot of my neuroses! No wonder I am whacked!!!
August 4, 2015
Hands down sweetest most adorable heroine ever! I cant believe she suffered so much abuse in the hands of her evil stepmother and still maintained her goodness and purity. This was like a retelling of Cinderella and hero was very charming indeed! He really changed Lalitha's life and gave her the fairytale! Swoon worthy!
September 26, 2022
It was entertaining
October 23, 2018
OMG this has got to be one of the stupidest heroines out there. She constantly falls for the schemes of her evil (truly evil) step mother and step sister.
A really over the top Cinderella story.
The heroine is an orphan. When her father was ill, one of their neighbours comes to help her out, and she is so grateful, she allows neighbor and her daughter to move in. As soon as her father dies, the neighbor informs her that actually the father had married her so she is now her step mother. She also randomly changes her own daughters name to that of the father and claims she was also his daughter. After all this identity theft, she manages to steal all the heroine’s property and possessions and treats her as a slave. She even beats her.
They go to London, using the father’s aristocratic name so step daughter, who is uncommonly beautiful can bag a rich man. They are scheming between a titled (heir to a Dukedom) young but not too wealthy man and the Hero who is very wealthy but not a duke.
The story opens when they decide to go for the title. They force the newly beaten and desperate heroine to be the bearer of bad news to the Hero, so she bears the brunt of his wrath. Needless to say, the Hero is in a rage and then decides to marry the heroine instead. However, after he does she collapses in fear and he notices the bloody wounds on her back where she has just been beaten.
He takes her to the country to recuperate and they start to get to know each other. The Hero is truly compassionate and he wants the heroine to heal. He is not a dim bulb, so even if she doesn’t tell him all the details, he figures out that her step mother is the villain.
Why the heroine is stupid. The evil step sister and step mom, manage to lure her away from the hero’s protection twice! So he has to save her on two more occasions. The last one being, she is abducted and almost sold into white slavery. But of course she is rescued in the nick of time, again, by the Hero and the get their HEA.
The Hero found out how the neighbor (the father never married her) conned the heroine, stole her identity and abused her. He was having the villainess transported for kidnapping to Australia, but she jumped ship and drowned.
The evil step sister doesn’t get her titled guy either, so she has to settle for an old lecher, who, according to the Hero, is not so flushed in pockets anymore, so evil sis will rusticate in the country.
Meh..the heroine was just such an idiot.
A really over the top Cinderella story.
The heroine is an orphan. When her father was ill, one of their neighbours comes to help her out, and she is so grateful, she allows neighbor and her daughter to move in. As soon as her father dies, the neighbor informs her that actually the father had married her so she is now her step mother. She also randomly changes her own daughters name to that of the father and claims she was also his daughter. After all this identity theft, she manages to steal all the heroine’s property and possessions and treats her as a slave. She even beats her.
They go to London, using the father’s aristocratic name so step daughter, who is uncommonly beautiful can bag a rich man. They are scheming between a titled (heir to a Dukedom) young but not too wealthy man and the Hero who is very wealthy but not a duke.
The story opens when they decide to go for the title. They force the newly beaten and desperate heroine to be the bearer of bad news to the Hero, so she bears the brunt of his wrath. Needless to say, the Hero is in a rage and then decides to marry the heroine instead. However, after he does she collapses in fear and he notices the bloody wounds on her back where she has just been beaten.
He takes her to the country to recuperate and they start to get to know each other. The Hero is truly compassionate and he wants the heroine to heal. He is not a dim bulb, so even if she doesn’t tell him all the details, he figures out that her step mother is the villain.
Why the heroine is stupid. The evil step sister and step mom, manage to lure her away from the hero’s protection twice! So he has to save her on two more occasions. The last one being, she is abducted and almost sold into white slavery. But of course she is rescued in the nick of time, again, by the Hero and the get their HEA.
The Hero found out how the neighbor (the father never married her) conned the heroine, stole her identity and abused her. He was having the villainess transported for kidnapping to Australia, but she jumped ship and drowned.
The evil step sister doesn’t get her titled guy either, so she has to settle for an old lecher, who, according to the Hero, is not so flushed in pockets anymore, so evil sis will rusticate in the country.
Meh..the heroine was just such an idiot.
September 8, 2019
Average BC novel. Naive h and a decent enough H. Would have liked more angst instead of the constant abductions and interference by the h's evil, pretend-step-family.
November 14, 2022
This was a good story. The plot was a little more complicated than most of Barbara Cartland’s books I have read. I did think the male lead needed his character to be more developed. He was introduced as someone with a bad temper but he seemed to be someone who preferred a strong work ethic to partying and socializing. His passion for restoring houses was fascinating, I would like to have seen more of that rather than the female lead constantly in bed being drugged!
Read
May 30, 2015Hm. Cinderella meets Devil's Cub? Just way overblown, of course, with more cruelty and more purity. I really have to wonder how the author got away with stealing so much from Georgette Heyer, although admittedly it is only the beginning in this one.
I find it amazing how much more appealing a Cartland hero can become if we do not get his perspective on things. Even one who manhandled a scared woman and forced her to marry him. This one seems just nice all around. Although the narrative appears to be focused on the heroine’s plight and abuse more than anything else. Hero man hardly comes into it except as a bringer of bliss.
As such this book was significantly less disgusting and infuriating than the one I read before. Just still very silly and full of questionable ideals of womanhood. And dear Lalitha is painfully gullible and naive. Ouch. That child has not a shred of common sense.
Still, the mushy side worked in all the wrong and simplistic ways I used to enjoy back then.
I find it amazing how much more appealing a Cartland hero can become if we do not get his perspective on things. Even one who manhandled a scared woman and forced her to marry him. This one seems just nice all around. Although the narrative appears to be focused on the heroine’s plight and abuse more than anything else. Hero man hardly comes into it except as a bringer of bliss.
As such this book was significantly less disgusting and infuriating than the one I read before. Just still very silly and full of questionable ideals of womanhood. And dear Lalitha is painfully gullible and naive. Ouch. That child has not a shred of common sense.
Still, the mushy side worked in all the wrong and simplistic ways I used to enjoy back then.
October 6, 2024
Picked this up from the free shelf at my library. I remember my mom had many Barbara Cartland books and wouldn’t let me read them. But I snuck them anyway and they were so swoony. This was the late 70’s or early 80’s and I was somewhere around 10-15. I remember this as one of them and rereading it now in this era and around 40 decades since, I found it sweet, almost gothic, and a bit amusing. Not my kind of heroine nor hero. But I remember when they were.
March 22, 2021
3.5 rounded up. This was a fave when I was very young. It was nice to revisit it. I’d forgotten how easily duped the heroine was, though. I would have loved for her to grow more confident and have a proper chance to stand up for herself against Sophie and her step-mother.
May 9, 2022
My first Cartland. I enjoyed the simplicity and smooth storytelling. I would have liked to see more punishment for her "step-mother and sister" on page. A good public humiliation, but they got theirs in the end.
January 14, 2008
Another typicaly classic fairy tale from the queen of romance for any cinderella-syndrome addicts.
December 24, 2012
Powerful and heart-wrenching. Definitely not Harlequin-bland. =)
November 15, 2016
BLOG: www.adictaxictoxico.blogspot.com
Solo diré que Odio-Detesto a las protagonistas tontas...!!!
Solo diré que Odio-Detesto a las protagonistas tontas...!!!
April 12, 2021
Fair read.
Barbara Cortland has so many plots. And usually she repeats them but this was a new story, completely. I like it.
Barbara Cortland has so many plots. And usually she repeats them but this was a new story, completely. I like it.
May 23, 2022
Es un libro bastante cliché siendo sincera, pero a pesar de ello no deja de ser una lectura realmente amena. Es bastante sencillo de leer, y yo lo consideraría un retelling de Cenicienta 3.5🌟
June 10, 2013
Simple yet beautiful.
May 26, 2015
classic romance by barbara cartland sweet and timeless
September 16, 2025
Call of the Heart by Barbara Cartland
In "Call of the Heart," Barbara Cartland masterfully weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that transports readers to a time where passion and societal constraints collide. Each romance in Cartland's work unfolds like a delicate tapestry, intricately laced with the historical and geographical nuances of its setting.
At the heart of this enchanting narrative lies the cunning character of Sophie, whose insatiable greed for worldly possessions and money starkly contrasts with the profound emotions swirling around her. She heartlessly betrays her fiancé, fueled by her mother's misguided guidance. This portrayal raises a poignant question: How often do we allow the allure of materialism to overshadow the essence of love?
Enter Lord Rothwyn, who initially seems unwilling to participate in a forced marriage, yet evolves into a savior. His character beautifully showcases the healing power of love. The tender journey of Lalitha, his brave wife, transforms from a life of despair to one filled with hope and devotion. As she tends to him in sickness, her heart becomes the ultimate sanctuary of love. The sketches she creates, imbued with care, symbolize a blooming romance that reminds us how love can flourish even in the darkest of times.
“Love in the mist” captures the essence of Lalitha’s growing affection, highlighting the beauty of a relationship that flourishes day by day. Cartland's portrayal of a wife’s unwavering support and affection underscores the strength that love brings. In a world where emotional bonds can be fragile, the love between Lalitha and Lord Rothwyn serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human heart.
Furthermore, the novel beautifully illustrates the importance of nature and its healing properties through the herbal medicines. Cartland eloquently reminds us that every element of the natural world plays a vital role in our lives, urging a harmonious existence between humanity and nature.
Written in 1975, "Call of the Heart" transcends time, addressing the pressing issue of the trading of girls—an unfortunate reality that echoes through the ages. It serves as a reminder that despite the passage of time, the human psyche often remains unchanged, ensnared by the allure of false promises.
Barbara Cartland’s insightful observations and her ability to delve into the complexities of love and societal norms are commendable. "Call of the Heart" is not just a romance novel; it is an inspirational tale that encourages us to treasure love's purity amidst the chaos of the world. Whether you seek a heartwarming romance or a thought-provoking story, this book evokes a deep sense of hope, reminding us that true love can conquer all trials.
"The call of the heart is the call of love
But I swear by Heaven above
Now and forever, my love is true
If your heart calls my heart to you
Love is hard to speak,hard to breathe ..."
In "Call of the Heart," Barbara Cartland masterfully weaves a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that transports readers to a time where passion and societal constraints collide. Each romance in Cartland's work unfolds like a delicate tapestry, intricately laced with the historical and geographical nuances of its setting.
At the heart of this enchanting narrative lies the cunning character of Sophie, whose insatiable greed for worldly possessions and money starkly contrasts with the profound emotions swirling around her. She heartlessly betrays her fiancé, fueled by her mother's misguided guidance. This portrayal raises a poignant question: How often do we allow the allure of materialism to overshadow the essence of love?
Enter Lord Rothwyn, who initially seems unwilling to participate in a forced marriage, yet evolves into a savior. His character beautifully showcases the healing power of love. The tender journey of Lalitha, his brave wife, transforms from a life of despair to one filled with hope and devotion. As she tends to him in sickness, her heart becomes the ultimate sanctuary of love. The sketches she creates, imbued with care, symbolize a blooming romance that reminds us how love can flourish even in the darkest of times.
“Love in the mist” captures the essence of Lalitha’s growing affection, highlighting the beauty of a relationship that flourishes day by day. Cartland's portrayal of a wife’s unwavering support and affection underscores the strength that love brings. In a world where emotional bonds can be fragile, the love between Lalitha and Lord Rothwyn serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human heart.
Furthermore, the novel beautifully illustrates the importance of nature and its healing properties through the herbal medicines. Cartland eloquently reminds us that every element of the natural world plays a vital role in our lives, urging a harmonious existence between humanity and nature.
Written in 1975, "Call of the Heart" transcends time, addressing the pressing issue of the trading of girls—an unfortunate reality that echoes through the ages. It serves as a reminder that despite the passage of time, the human psyche often remains unchanged, ensnared by the allure of false promises.
Barbara Cartland’s insightful observations and her ability to delve into the complexities of love and societal norms are commendable. "Call of the Heart" is not just a romance novel; it is an inspirational tale that encourages us to treasure love's purity amidst the chaos of the world. Whether you seek a heartwarming romance or a thought-provoking story, this book evokes a deep sense of hope, reminding us that true love can conquer all trials.
"The call of the heart is the call of love
But I swear by Heaven above
Now and forever, my love is true
If your heart calls my heart to you
Love is hard to speak,hard to breathe ..."
January 24, 2017
Timeless as Always
I read most, if not all of Barbara Cartland's books while growing up in the 1970 and continued to religiously seek each new release until her death in 2000. I mourned her loss, as her novels not only taught me much of history, but that true love is a spiritual feeling that transcends the mind and enters the soul. I owned close to 400 of her novels and always searched for them at every yard sale, bookstore, library booksale and even online. My home burnt in 1991 and I unfortunately lost my entire collection. Discovering quite a few of her novels are on Kindle Unlimited, I am pleased to reread them! Thanks to her publishers for making them available, as well as her collection of unpublished manuscripts. Excuse me, I have much more reading to do! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did and do!
I read most, if not all of Barbara Cartland's books while growing up in the 1970 and continued to religiously seek each new release until her death in 2000. I mourned her loss, as her novels not only taught me much of history, but that true love is a spiritual feeling that transcends the mind and enters the soul. I owned close to 400 of her novels and always searched for them at every yard sale, bookstore, library booksale and even online. My home burnt in 1991 and I unfortunately lost my entire collection. Discovering quite a few of her novels are on Kindle Unlimited, I am pleased to reread them! Thanks to her publishers for making them available, as well as her collection of unpublished manuscripts. Excuse me, I have much more reading to do! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did and do!
January 30, 2019
Probably the first pocket book I've ever read. I can't even believe I'll locate the ones here with the exact cover. Because I did fell in love with the cover when I found it along with some old old books full of dust inside our old cellar. Today, readers might find the story and settings as typical as any crazy and overly written plots of today's never ending supply of romantic love story. Not to mention the fact that the plot feels like a dark version of a Cinderella story. But to me, back then, it was sad. It was beautiful. It was frightening. I was amazing and triumphant. Also, this is a novella opens me to the horrors of human trafficking and white slavery. In the end, I fell in love with Lalitha and Lord Rothwyn. Their strength, determination and their heart, that answers to each other's call..
December 5, 2020
A true Barbara Cartland storyline as only she wrote them.
I can't say it's one of my favorites but with over 500 books to choose from everyone can have several different ones of their own. I do like the story and the fact that this is one of the ones that doesn't go into detail of the hero's many many past or present lovers. I must say I like that about this story. Her abuse is pretty descriptive and tho once she's well and healed, her looks are not described to us - I found this disappointing - so it leaves a lot to wonder about.
Anyway, it's a bit different and tho sad & happy - it's a nice "happily ever after" story.
I can't say it's one of my favorites but with over 500 books to choose from everyone can have several different ones of their own. I do like the story and the fact that this is one of the ones that doesn't go into detail of the hero's many many past or present lovers. I must say I like that about this story. Her abuse is pretty descriptive and tho once she's well and healed, her looks are not described to us - I found this disappointing - so it leaves a lot to wonder about.
Anyway, it's a bit different and tho sad & happy - it's a nice "happily ever after" story.
August 13, 2017
See me the punching the air while imagining how I would like to beat the heroine's so-called-sister (duh) and her so-called-mother... They are both DESPICABLE! UTTERLY DESPICABLE DISGRACE IN HUMAN RACE! I don't usually given to anger even with other villainous character out there but these mother and daughter would purely pleasure me to hit to..... Truly! -_-
ohhhh well great thing that the couple for this book are truly wonderful..... I am so in love with Inigo and Lalitha and truly sad when it ended....made me wish this one was a full length novel .......
ohhhh well great thing that the couple for this book are truly wonderful..... I am so in love with Inigo and Lalitha and truly sad when it ended....made me wish this one was a full length novel .......
January 4, 2025
This was a trip back to my teenage reading years and I loved it.
It is a Cinderella type story with the beautiful young heroine being rescued from her evil stepmother and finding true love. As an adult reader I find the constant break up of speech with three dots from the heroine a bit annoying - but that's just me.
I am always impressed by Cartland's ability to create a really good yarn and evidence of thorough research is always evident. I still really enjoy her books.
It is a Cinderella type story with the beautiful young heroine being rescued from her evil stepmother and finding true love. As an adult reader I find the constant break up of speech with three dots from the heroine a bit annoying - but that's just me.
I am always impressed by Cartland's ability to create a really good yarn and evidence of thorough research is always evident. I still really enjoy her books.
March 4, 2019
As expected from Dame Barbara Cartland, this book offers not only a romantic love story, but also packed with plot twists and some adventurous actions. It is very heartwarming yet exciting to read every page of this book!
February 21, 2025
3.5
Me gusto aunque sea muy cliche,y que pasen las cosas super rapido.
Como por ejemplo el como ambos protagonistas se enamoran fue super rapido ,me hubiera gustado mas si hubiera un desarrollo mejor construido.
Me gusto aunque sea muy cliche,y que pasen las cosas super rapido.
Como por ejemplo el como ambos protagonistas se enamoran fue super rapido ,me hubiera gustado mas si hubiera un desarrollo mejor construido.
March 15, 2018
Lo mismo que mi anterior lectura, muy bonito argumento pero muy corto.
May 2, 2019
I mean... this one was pretty terrible by any rational measure, but as a super over-the-top Cinderella story with a lot of suffering all around it was very id-friendly.
December 15, 2019
I'm loving Barbara Cartland! And I love married couple stories, and stories with long-suffering heroines! Beautiful wonderful novel
December 19, 2022
BC's books never disappoint and this one was not different. I had a lovely time reading it, it was great to get more details about Lalitha and Lord Rothwyn romance.
September 23, 2023
Dramatic and engaging
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews