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Straight from the Heart
The Attraction Was Undeniable
Heather Cole had an urgent reason for seeking Robert McCrae. But the renowned heart specialist distracted her from her purpose with his marvelous bedside manner...
In no time, they were dating steadily. Every time Heather saw Rob, she felt more vibrantly alive. His devilish smile, his every touch filled her with a wanton hunger. And his kiss was all the medicine she needed...
Heather Cole had an urgent reason for seeking Robert McCrae. But the renowned heart specialist distracted her from her purpose with his marvelous bedside manner...
In no time, they were dating steadily. Every time Heather saw Rob, she felt more vibrantly alive. His devilish smile, his every touch filled her with a wanton hunger. And his kiss was all the medicine she needed...
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
317 books4,378 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 25, 2012
WARNING: This book describes breasts as "crying to be loved." Proceed at your own risk.
February 27, 2021
Do not bother. Predictable, dated, just too much. There are so many great books out there. Do not waste your time on this one...
December 28, 2015
In the opening lines of Straight from the Heart, we meet Heather Cole, a young twenty-something woman with a heart problem. The kind that will need surgical correction at some point, but one which does not seriously impair her daily activities.
She is eyeing Dr. Robert McCrae, as he delivers a speech at a medical conference. She is hoping he will be a good doctor for her to consult. But what she didn’t expect…well, he is handsome, only a few years older than she, and single.
The story of how the two connect and become lovers is one in which Heather fails to tell him about her heart problem until they are already in love.
There will be some issues…and then they will resolve them. A light romance that was enjoyable, but not one of my favorites by the author. 3.5 stars.
She is eyeing Dr. Robert McCrae, as he delivers a speech at a medical conference. She is hoping he will be a good doctor for her to consult. But what she didn’t expect…well, he is handsome, only a few years older than she, and single.
The story of how the two connect and become lovers is one in which Heather fails to tell him about her heart problem until they are already in love.
There will be some issues…and then they will resolve them. A light romance that was enjoyable, but not one of my favorites by the author. 3.5 stars.
March 20, 2025
This is an old story from 1986 that revealed itself on my bookcase. It is a good story about cardiologist Robert McCrae and a woman with a heart condition, Heather Cole. Initially, Heather was just checking out a doctor for one she could like and trust to be her physician. He turned out to be more than that; he became her one true love.
July 10, 2018
Not much to this one but at least I liked the characters.
December 30, 2019
Romantic!
March 29, 2022
Loved the book
February 14, 2023
Another winner
I've never met a Delinsky book I didn't love and thos one is no exception. Her character development and compelling story line captures you.
I've never met a Delinsky book I didn't love and thos one is no exception. Her character development and compelling story line captures you.
February 21, 2026
Another sensational book by Barbara Delinsky!
I love all of Barbara Delinsky's books and this was wonderful! very close to my heart! I hope everyone reads it!
I love all of Barbara Delinsky's books and this was wonderful! very close to my heart! I hope everyone reads it!
June 13, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/06/11/...
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
Heather Cole had an urgent reason for seeking Robert McCrae. But the renowned heart specialist kept distracting her from her purpose with his marvelous bedside manner. In no time they were dating steadily. Every time Heather saw Rob, she felt more vibrantly alive. His devilish smile, his every touch filled her with a wanton hunger. And soon, his kiss was all the medicine Heather needed.
This blurb came from Goodreads.
Straight From the Heart was originally published in 1986 by Harlequin Enterprises in Canada and published in the United states in 1993 as part of their Men Made in America. It was number 98 in the Harlequin Temptation line. St Martin’s Press is releasing several of Ms Delinsky’s classics in e-book form for the first time. I have enjoyed several of her more recent novels so when I found out about upcoming backlist digital releases I eagerly volunteered to take a look. This is the first of two that I am reviewing. The second, Scent of Jasmine, originally titled, Jasmine Sorcery, will go up later this week.
It took me a little bit to adjust to the character styles but once I did I found Straight From the Heart a sweet entertaining read. Heather was extremely innocent and yet independent at the same time. I liked how Ms Delinsky explained that innocence given the time period of the setting. She had dreams/hopes and with the proper incentive would push herself to participate in less sedentary activities. She was also clearly able to take care of herself and not looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue her. Heather’s contradictions made her a much more interesting character then one who was just innocent.
Rob certainly fit the category hero; older, top of a highly respected demanding field, emotionally hurt in the past, controlling but thankfully never went into the brutish hero that some of the category books written in this era contained. I did have a moment or two when I was worried that he would go too far but he was able to step back from the brink and realize what his actions did to their relationship. One thing that kept bothering me was how he failed to realize that Heather had a health issue. Her symptoms were readily evident during their interactions together. While his mental explanation did make sense as he tried to figure out how he missed it himself I still feel that someone at the top of their profession has to make a conscious effort not to view things in that particular light.
I enjoyed seeing Heather and Rob interact together and thought that Rob’s supporting cast added some comic relief. Heather really didn’t develop a supporting cast until much later in the book, part of the effects of her isolated lifestyle. Once she did they were also fun. Watching the two of them grow together was certainly touching and laugh inducing at times. I didn’t quite buy the eager acceptance of Rob’s children for either their father or Heather given their lack of a relationship with him so far.
I think my favorite part of the book dealt with how Heather and Rob both changed after a particular event, (the event is a major spoiler for some of the central conflict so I will not say what it was) and had to find themselves again. They had to re-learn who they were as individuals and within their relationship. I really think that is one of Ms Delinsky’s trademarks is that she addresses what happens after… I don’t mean just as an epilogue although she does use those but the fact that even with a major conflict/crisis solved there are still ripple effects that have to be dealt with. I like that feeling of completeness I get from the continuation of the story.
I give Straight From the Heart a B-
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
Heather Cole had an urgent reason for seeking Robert McCrae. But the renowned heart specialist kept distracting her from her purpose with his marvelous bedside manner. In no time they were dating steadily. Every time Heather saw Rob, she felt more vibrantly alive. His devilish smile, his every touch filled her with a wanton hunger. And soon, his kiss was all the medicine Heather needed.
This blurb came from Goodreads.
Straight From the Heart was originally published in 1986 by Harlequin Enterprises in Canada and published in the United states in 1993 as part of their Men Made in America. It was number 98 in the Harlequin Temptation line. St Martin’s Press is releasing several of Ms Delinsky’s classics in e-book form for the first time. I have enjoyed several of her more recent novels so when I found out about upcoming backlist digital releases I eagerly volunteered to take a look. This is the first of two that I am reviewing. The second, Scent of Jasmine, originally titled, Jasmine Sorcery, will go up later this week.
It took me a little bit to adjust to the character styles but once I did I found Straight From the Heart a sweet entertaining read. Heather was extremely innocent and yet independent at the same time. I liked how Ms Delinsky explained that innocence given the time period of the setting. She had dreams/hopes and with the proper incentive would push herself to participate in less sedentary activities. She was also clearly able to take care of herself and not looking for a knight in shining armor to rescue her. Heather’s contradictions made her a much more interesting character then one who was just innocent.
Rob certainly fit the category hero; older, top of a highly respected demanding field, emotionally hurt in the past, controlling but thankfully never went into the brutish hero that some of the category books written in this era contained. I did have a moment or two when I was worried that he would go too far but he was able to step back from the brink and realize what his actions did to their relationship. One thing that kept bothering me was how he failed to realize that Heather had a health issue. Her symptoms were readily evident during their interactions together. While his mental explanation did make sense as he tried to figure out how he missed it himself I still feel that someone at the top of their profession has to make a conscious effort not to view things in that particular light.
I enjoyed seeing Heather and Rob interact together and thought that Rob’s supporting cast added some comic relief. Heather really didn’t develop a supporting cast until much later in the book, part of the effects of her isolated lifestyle. Once she did they were also fun. Watching the two of them grow together was certainly touching and laugh inducing at times. I didn’t quite buy the eager acceptance of Rob’s children for either their father or Heather given their lack of a relationship with him so far.
I think my favorite part of the book dealt with how Heather and Rob both changed after a particular event, (the event is a major spoiler for some of the central conflict so I will not say what it was) and had to find themselves again. They had to re-learn who they were as individuals and within their relationship. I really think that is one of Ms Delinsky’s trademarks is that she addresses what happens after… I don’t mean just as an epilogue although she does use those but the fact that even with a major conflict/crisis solved there are still ripple effects that have to be dealt with. I like that feeling of completeness I get from the continuation of the story.
I give Straight From the Heart a B-
January 5, 2015
totally predictable.
Hardly any story line. Even the sex was boring. The only interesting part was post op emotional challenges. Characters were more like Danielle steeples one dimensional
Hardly any story line. Even the sex was boring. The only interesting part was post op emotional challenges. Characters were more like Danielle steeples one dimensional
September 25, 2009
Modern
April 29, 2015
Actually liked it. Part of the story was very unrealistic esp. in light of HIPPA laws BUT it was written 20 years ago.
July 20, 2012
it was a fun read...the ending was lacking but the characters were fun to get to know.
June 2, 2013
Quick read.
Read
November 29, 2016Used - Good (Some spine creases; Crease on left, front cover)
December 3, 2016
These three stars is for the first half of the book. Nice read. The second part was awful. I didn't like it. As though it is written by someone other than author.
January 1, 2013
An interesting story; some interesting issues. Characters were okay.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews