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Celta's Heartmates #12
Heart Fortune
On the faraway planet Celta, there are some forces you cannot fight...
Jace Bayrum has always been a loner. Concerned more with getting an adrenaline fix and making money to live on his own, Jace cares little for family ties or matters of the heart. On the other hand Glyssa Licorice, Jace’s former fling and true mate, is both loving and loyal. She is determined to track down her HeartMate and have him claim her.
After hearing that Jace has been involved in an accident, Glyssa sets out to find him, departing for the excavation site of the lost starship Lugh’s Spear. Though her goal is to help Jace and finesse him into recognizing her as his mate, the excavation itself draws her in...
Thrust by fate into working side-by-side, Jace and Glyssa’s electric connection from years before sparks once more. She intrigues him, and Jace begins to realize that a HeartMate can make a difference. And one as magnetic as Glyssa could be exactly what he has been searching for...
Jace Bayrum has always been a loner. Concerned more with getting an adrenaline fix and making money to live on his own, Jace cares little for family ties or matters of the heart. On the other hand Glyssa Licorice, Jace’s former fling and true mate, is both loving and loyal. She is determined to track down her HeartMate and have him claim her.
After hearing that Jace has been involved in an accident, Glyssa sets out to find him, departing for the excavation site of the lost starship Lugh’s Spear. Though her goal is to help Jace and finesse him into recognizing her as his mate, the excavation itself draws her in...
Thrust by fate into working side-by-side, Jace and Glyssa’s electric connection from years before sparks once more. She intrigues him, and Jace begins to realize that a HeartMate can make a difference. And one as magnetic as Glyssa could be exactly what he has been searching for...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2013
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612 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 24, 2013
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2013/08/review-...
Our story begins with the excavation of the Lugh’s Spear. An airship that was lost when the first colonist arrived on the planet. Jace Bayrum, a non nobleman, is working with the Raz and Del T’Elecampanes to excavate, catalog the discoveries, and share in the wealth. A loner and a bit of a player, his family history ensures that a heartmate is most definitely unwanted.
Glyssa Licorice is a second level librarian. Also a bit of a loner, she has lived her life sequestered in town and at her family’s public library. Having had an affair with Jace years ago, she knows he is her HeartMate but choose to let him go. She wants him to acknowledge their bond and come to her on his own. When Jace is hurt in an accident on the job, Glyssa feels it and decides the time has come to connect with her errant lover. She uses her connections to obtain a position on the site. She wants to use the excavation to help her achieve first librarian status by recording the historic event and maneuver Jace into accepting her as his HeartMate.
When Gyssa arrives, she is dismayed to find Jace remembers her but doesn’t want a HeartMate. He refuses to commit to her and soon they find themselves in a sexual relationship that only serves to further drive them apart. When Jace once again finds himself in a precarious position, he realizes that the only person he wants by his side is no longer there.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Owens’s Celta’s HeartMates series since the beginning. A comfortable well written fantasy that brings to life a colony of settlers from Earth. Offering an intense and intriguing romance between two strong willed protagonists, usually intertwined with a subplot of suspense. I say usually because this particular installment failed on every level for me. Like the last two installments, this one started out with edgier storyline but the execution and development (both in story and character) stalls in the beginning and never recovers.
The protagonists are lackluster and boring. Both are loners and want their destinies to play out on their own terms therefore becoming angry when they each don’t act the way the other expects or wants. Our hero flat out rejects the heroine’s declarations of love but has no problem sleeping with her nor she with him. In fact, the heroine chooses to continue to have relations with him in hopes it will bind him to her. Nice. She continually talks of forcing him to bond with her (which she can do legally) but then slips her halo back on to reassure us she would never do that. Uh huh. The heroine pushes and prods the hero, not understanding why he doesn’t feel the same way she does. While this could have been an exciting battle of the wills, the conflict in reality is subpar. There is no chemistry between them. No romantic sparks. Their emotions are shallow, the complaints repetitive, and we never get to the meat of their issues till almost the very end of the story. They had a four day sexathon in which Glyssa knew Jace was her HeartMate but Jace firmly blocks that aspect of his heart. When Glyssa arrives at the excavation site, she is dismayed and shocked he doesn’t want to have a relationship with her. Never mind they haven’t seen each other in years. Never mind that they never have sat down and tried to get to know each other. Never mind that he is repeatedly and brutally frank in that he does not EVER want a HeartMate.
The mystery of the airship excavation and the deadly mishaps also fails. A lot of time is spent talking about the excavation and the work being done but we don’t see anything actually happen in present time. Too much time is spent on the business logistics which were frankly tedious and boring. I would have enjoyed getting a descriptive account of the inside of the ship and it’s contents as they are being discovered but that was not to be. The secondary characters introduced completely eclipse our main protagonists. We see some old friends, Camilla and her husband, Laev along with Raz and Del, who offer far more color and emotional entertainment then Jace and Glyssa. Even Glyssa’s sister has a better developed storyline then Glyssa and Jace and we see almost little to nothing from her.The often interesting power flair discoveries fall flat as we never really learn what our lovers’ flairs are. The world building is almost non existent and there is no arc evolution. There are the requisite FAMS whose exuberant personalities added humor to an otherwise dull story. It’s only at the very end do our main protagonists exhibit the rich emotions and flowing dialogue that I have come to expect from the series. By then though it’s too late. I have lost all interest in the characters and their future. This was a disappointment across the board for me and I can’t help but wonder if Ms. Owens is getting tired of her series.
Regardless of my lack of enjoyment, I will read the next in the series, if only to see if this was a one time fluke.
Overall Rating: D
Our story begins with the excavation of the Lugh’s Spear. An airship that was lost when the first colonist arrived on the planet. Jace Bayrum, a non nobleman, is working with the Raz and Del T’Elecampanes to excavate, catalog the discoveries, and share in the wealth. A loner and a bit of a player, his family history ensures that a heartmate is most definitely unwanted.
Glyssa Licorice is a second level librarian. Also a bit of a loner, she has lived her life sequestered in town and at her family’s public library. Having had an affair with Jace years ago, she knows he is her HeartMate but choose to let him go. She wants him to acknowledge their bond and come to her on his own. When Jace is hurt in an accident on the job, Glyssa feels it and decides the time has come to connect with her errant lover. She uses her connections to obtain a position on the site. She wants to use the excavation to help her achieve first librarian status by recording the historic event and maneuver Jace into accepting her as his HeartMate.
When Gyssa arrives, she is dismayed to find Jace remembers her but doesn’t want a HeartMate. He refuses to commit to her and soon they find themselves in a sexual relationship that only serves to further drive them apart. When Jace once again finds himself in a precarious position, he realizes that the only person he wants by his side is no longer there.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Owens’s Celta’s HeartMates series since the beginning. A comfortable well written fantasy that brings to life a colony of settlers from Earth. Offering an intense and intriguing romance between two strong willed protagonists, usually intertwined with a subplot of suspense. I say usually because this particular installment failed on every level for me. Like the last two installments, this one started out with edgier storyline but the execution and development (both in story and character) stalls in the beginning and never recovers.
The protagonists are lackluster and boring. Both are loners and want their destinies to play out on their own terms therefore becoming angry when they each don’t act the way the other expects or wants. Our hero flat out rejects the heroine’s declarations of love but has no problem sleeping with her nor she with him. In fact, the heroine chooses to continue to have relations with him in hopes it will bind him to her. Nice. She continually talks of forcing him to bond with her (which she can do legally) but then slips her halo back on to reassure us she would never do that. Uh huh. The heroine pushes and prods the hero, not understanding why he doesn’t feel the same way she does. While this could have been an exciting battle of the wills, the conflict in reality is subpar. There is no chemistry between them. No romantic sparks. Their emotions are shallow, the complaints repetitive, and we never get to the meat of their issues till almost the very end of the story. They had a four day sexathon in which Glyssa knew Jace was her HeartMate but Jace firmly blocks that aspect of his heart. When Glyssa arrives at the excavation site, she is dismayed and shocked he doesn’t want to have a relationship with her. Never mind they haven’t seen each other in years. Never mind that they never have sat down and tried to get to know each other. Never mind that he is repeatedly and brutally frank in that he does not EVER want a HeartMate.
The mystery of the airship excavation and the deadly mishaps also fails. A lot of time is spent talking about the excavation and the work being done but we don’t see anything actually happen in present time. Too much time is spent on the business logistics which were frankly tedious and boring. I would have enjoyed getting a descriptive account of the inside of the ship and it’s contents as they are being discovered but that was not to be. The secondary characters introduced completely eclipse our main protagonists. We see some old friends, Camilla and her husband, Laev along with Raz and Del, who offer far more color and emotional entertainment then Jace and Glyssa. Even Glyssa’s sister has a better developed storyline then Glyssa and Jace and we see almost little to nothing from her.The often interesting power flair discoveries fall flat as we never really learn what our lovers’ flairs are. The world building is almost non existent and there is no arc evolution. There are the requisite FAMS whose exuberant personalities added humor to an otherwise dull story. It’s only at the very end do our main protagonists exhibit the rich emotions and flowing dialogue that I have come to expect from the series. By then though it’s too late. I have lost all interest in the characters and their future. This was a disappointment across the board for me and I can’t help but wonder if Ms. Owens is getting tired of her series.
Regardless of my lack of enjoyment, I will read the next in the series, if only to see if this was a one time fluke.
Overall Rating: D
August 17, 2013
Originally published at Book Lovers Inc.
Three things make Robin D. Owens’ Celta series compulsively readable for me: 1) she’s found a way to make the fated mate trope have romantic tension and make logical sense, 2) the worldbuilding behind Celta is not only multi-layered and totally awesome, but it seems eminently livable, and 3) the fams, the fams, the fams, who rock this particular entry in the series.
The Celta series is a futuristic lost colony series. So they are part of the Pern tradition without the dragon-induced rape. (I’m including that bit for Draconismoi). But what I mean is that the Celtans also escaped Earth because they had a major difference of opinion with the powers that be and decided to go their own way. In the case of Celta, the difference was that all the colonists had some kind of psychic talent.
Why does the fated mate trope work in the Celta series, at least for me? Because even though someone might have a mate, that doesn’t mean things automatically work out. And Owens has done stories in the series where people either don’t have fated mates, or make real relationships after the fated mate relationship fails. In the case of this particular story, the participants come really close to screwing things up.
In other words, just because they know who their partner is supposed to be, it doesn’t mean they are required to accept the partnership. Either or both of them can reject it. The worldbuilding is well-developed here, there are laws in place so that neither one can be forced.
In this story, we see why Jace has some darn good reasons that he doesn’t believe in any kind of love. Not between partners, and not between parents and children. No experience whatsoever.
On the other hand, his prospective mate does believe in love, because she’s grown up as the child of a HeartMate marriage. One of her best friends found her mate after a very rocky courtship, so she knows that the heartache can bring joy.
Jace has never seen love work, but then he’s made sure that he never has to. He’s lived his life on the surface of emotions. His own, and other people’s. He may be the first person in his family to have enough of the psychic power the Celtans call Flair to experience the power passages that make it possible for him to even have a HeartMate, which is pretty damn ironic.
The story takes place at an archaeological expedition, which is pretty cool. The Celtans have never forgotten where they came from, or how they got there. The dig is at the site of Lugh’s Spear, one of the two ships that brought them from Earth to Celta. The site has recently been re-discovered, so there are artifacts to discover and mysteries to solve.
Glyssa, being a librarian (yay!) has come to record the discovery. It’s an excuse to be near Jace again, to hopefully get him to acknowledge their bond. That attempt very nearly backfires, but Glyssa’s work achieves her final degree of advancement in her profession. Go Glyssa!
The structure of the society of Celta has been built up through many layers of stories. It feels solid. Each new person has a place. They know some people that we’ve met before, but also introduce us to new ones. I also find it interesting that for a somewhat fantasy-type society, rank has some mutability. Families rise to GrandLord and GreatLord status based on Flair testing. They can also fall based on that testing.
Then there are the fam animals. Fams are companion animals with enough Flair to communicate telepathically with their people. They can be seemingly any species, and all of them seem to have personality to spare, from Zanth the FamCat in the very first book, HeartMate, to Lepid the young and excitable FamFox and Zem the FamHawkcel in Heart Fortune. Lepid and Zem steal the show in this story. At many points they are more likable, and certainly more clear thinking, than their humans.
Verdict: As with many of the Celta stories, there is both a romance and a mystery going on in this book, although the biggest mystery is either whether Jace will get his head out of his ass or whether Glyssa will stop being a doormat and force him to. She can’t force him to be her HeartMate, but she can certainly stop letting him have his own way on everything. It takes her a long time before she realizes that standing up for herself is the only way forward for both of them.
Of course, they nearly get killed in the other mystery along the way. And I did not catch who that perp was, but then, I wasn’t looking. I was too busy watching the antics of the Fams. Lepid, the very young and very inquisitive FoxFam is probably the cutest character ever, and Zem possibly has the most heart.
I give Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens 4 feathered stars (for Zem)!
Three things make Robin D. Owens’ Celta series compulsively readable for me: 1) she’s found a way to make the fated mate trope have romantic tension and make logical sense, 2) the worldbuilding behind Celta is not only multi-layered and totally awesome, but it seems eminently livable, and 3) the fams, the fams, the fams, who rock this particular entry in the series.
The Celta series is a futuristic lost colony series. So they are part of the Pern tradition without the dragon-induced rape. (I’m including that bit for Draconismoi). But what I mean is that the Celtans also escaped Earth because they had a major difference of opinion with the powers that be and decided to go their own way. In the case of Celta, the difference was that all the colonists had some kind of psychic talent.
Why does the fated mate trope work in the Celta series, at least for me? Because even though someone might have a mate, that doesn’t mean things automatically work out. And Owens has done stories in the series where people either don’t have fated mates, or make real relationships after the fated mate relationship fails. In the case of this particular story, the participants come really close to screwing things up.
In other words, just because they know who their partner is supposed to be, it doesn’t mean they are required to accept the partnership. Either or both of them can reject it. The worldbuilding is well-developed here, there are laws in place so that neither one can be forced.
In this story, we see why Jace has some darn good reasons that he doesn’t believe in any kind of love. Not between partners, and not between parents and children. No experience whatsoever.
On the other hand, his prospective mate does believe in love, because she’s grown up as the child of a HeartMate marriage. One of her best friends found her mate after a very rocky courtship, so she knows that the heartache can bring joy.
Jace has never seen love work, but then he’s made sure that he never has to. He’s lived his life on the surface of emotions. His own, and other people’s. He may be the first person in his family to have enough of the psychic power the Celtans call Flair to experience the power passages that make it possible for him to even have a HeartMate, which is pretty damn ironic.
The story takes place at an archaeological expedition, which is pretty cool. The Celtans have never forgotten where they came from, or how they got there. The dig is at the site of Lugh’s Spear, one of the two ships that brought them from Earth to Celta. The site has recently been re-discovered, so there are artifacts to discover and mysteries to solve.
Glyssa, being a librarian (yay!) has come to record the discovery. It’s an excuse to be near Jace again, to hopefully get him to acknowledge their bond. That attempt very nearly backfires, but Glyssa’s work achieves her final degree of advancement in her profession. Go Glyssa!
The structure of the society of Celta has been built up through many layers of stories. It feels solid. Each new person has a place. They know some people that we’ve met before, but also introduce us to new ones. I also find it interesting that for a somewhat fantasy-type society, rank has some mutability. Families rise to GrandLord and GreatLord status based on Flair testing. They can also fall based on that testing.
Then there are the fam animals. Fams are companion animals with enough Flair to communicate telepathically with their people. They can be seemingly any species, and all of them seem to have personality to spare, from Zanth the FamCat in the very first book, HeartMate, to Lepid the young and excitable FamFox and Zem the FamHawkcel in Heart Fortune. Lepid and Zem steal the show in this story. At many points they are more likable, and certainly more clear thinking, than their humans.
Verdict: As with many of the Celta stories, there is both a romance and a mystery going on in this book, although the biggest mystery is either whether Jace will get his head out of his ass or whether Glyssa will stop being a doormat and force him to. She can’t force him to be her HeartMate, but she can certainly stop letting him have his own way on everything. It takes her a long time before she realizes that standing up for herself is the only way forward for both of them.
Of course, they nearly get killed in the other mystery along the way. And I did not catch who that perp was, but then, I wasn’t looking. I was too busy watching the antics of the Fams. Lepid, the very young and very inquisitive FoxFam is probably the cutest character ever, and Zem possibly has the most heart.
I give Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens 4 feathered stars (for Zem)!
September 3, 2013
Like Zem, this book had the power to fly but spent most of its time perched on a chair instead. Three quarters of the way through I didn't like any of the characters, hadn't figured out their flairs, was bored with all the endless no-time business and salary talk, and worse, had decided the hero was a full-time loser. (Where is a macho & perfumed duelling dare-devil like Holm Holly when you need one?!?!?!)
The final pages which were set up to be pyrotechnically effulgent--including a last ditch effort at heart bonding--was dull dull reading: gerry-rigged at the eleventh hour (with spitballs and paper clips), bathetic and way too Oxygen Channel for me. Not her best book.
The final pages which were set up to be pyrotechnically effulgent--including a last ditch effort at heart bonding--was dull dull reading: gerry-rigged at the eleventh hour (with spitballs and paper clips), bathetic and way too Oxygen Channel for me. Not her best book.
May 16, 2019
There were several things I liked about this book. Glyssa is a librarian and that is the first time I remember her family appearing in any of the books. I love the Fams. Glyssa's is a young fox and Jace's is a type of hawk. Several characters from previous books appear, either in minor or major roles.
All of these positives are overshadowed by Jace not wanting to HeartMate with Glyssa. He doesn't believe in love and he doesn't want to lose his freedom.
Although I cannot imagine ever giving up on this series, I much prefer the earlier books. The couples were both more likable then.
This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
All of these positives are overshadowed by Jace not wanting to HeartMate with Glyssa. He doesn't believe in love and he doesn't want to lose his freedom.
Although I cannot imagine ever giving up on this series, I much prefer the earlier books. The couples were both more likable then.
This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
December 1, 2013
3/5; 3 stars; B
I've been a longtime fan of the Celta Heartmates series and look forward to each new book. While this wasn't one of my favorites it was still a good read.
Things I liked:
-I LOVE the fams in this series and this book has a new type of fam, a Hawkcel. I thought Zem was awesome.
-Glyssa, Camellia, and Tiana were introduced in an earlier book and I think those three ladies are great characters. I was glad to see Glyssa again.
-Lugh's Spear and more history of the original explorers.
Things I didn't like:
-Jace, he was not a very likeable character for much of the book.
-Del and Raz; I didn't warm up to these two in their story (Heart Journey) and they still don't appeal to me.
I am looking forward to reading more about Lugh's Spear and the original colonists as well as any story set in this world. This is a great long running series and I'll certainly keep reading it.
I've been a longtime fan of the Celta Heartmates series and look forward to each new book. While this wasn't one of my favorites it was still a good read.
Things I liked:
-I LOVE the fams in this series and this book has a new type of fam, a Hawkcel. I thought Zem was awesome.
-Glyssa, Camellia, and Tiana were introduced in an earlier book and I think those three ladies are great characters. I was glad to see Glyssa again.
-Lugh's Spear and more history of the original explorers.
Things I didn't like:
-Jace, he was not a very likeable character for much of the book.
-Del and Raz; I didn't warm up to these two in their story (Heart Journey) and they still don't appeal to me.
I am looking forward to reading more about Lugh's Spear and the original colonists as well as any story set in this world. This is a great long running series and I'll certainly keep reading it.
July 20, 2013
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book early and just finished a few minutes ago -- and I am going to start a re-read as soon as I get off the computer. First off, I am a total addict when it comes to Robin Owen's Heart series. I tend to return to Celta again and again simply because I love the world Owens has created and it is so easy to slip right back in by picking up one of her books. Heart Fortune is one of the best in the series and draws you in page by page as the characters develop into so much more than who they initially appear to be. The Fams in Heart Fortune are as independent minded as their beloved people and the family connections, both past and present, reveal so much about the characters and their life choices. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough -- if I could have given it 10 stars I would have gladly.
If you haven't started this series, don't wait any longer! You won't regret these wonderful books.
If you haven't started this series, don't wait any longer! You won't regret these wonderful books.
Read
October 7, 20222022 bk 306. What can be more fun to our main character than a treasure hunt, er, archaeological dig. Jace Byrum lives for adventure, prefering the loner life of an adventurer to dealing with people. Glyssa Licorace is all too aware of the problems of dealing with people (her parents, her sister, the public users of the library) and longs for her heartmate. Using the information in the library and her final field project for her masters, she ships out to both share information and gather information at the dig site of the formerly lost space ship. Along the way there are new fams, small adventures, and lots of emotions. A fun read.
September 8, 2013
Heart Fortune by Robin Owens is the 12th book in her Celta series. This is such a wonderful series, and Robin continues with another fabulous book. The destined mates in Heart Fortune are Glyssa Licorice, whom we have met previously, as she is best friends with Camellia and Tiana; and Jace Bayrum, who is a loner in so many ways.
Jace and Glyssa have been sexually involved awhile back, and Jace wasn’t interested in any kind of long term relationship. Glyssa, though knew Jace was her heart mate, but she wants him to come to her and accept their true relationship. Glyssa is a second level Liberian, with her family all first level librarians. After talking to her friend, Camellia, Glyssa decides to travel to where the excavation of a lost starship is going on, and where Jace is. She is going to use this to record her findings to help her become a first level Librarian, and take the same opportunity to work on Jace, and make him recognize her as his heart mate.
The story focuses on the excavation, and the danger involved, as someone is trying to sabotage the site. Jace is being framed, and though Glyssa tries to defend him, he gets angry at her for what he calls interfering. Jace has always been a loner, having blamed his mother for his father’s death, and remembering how she ruled him. Jace wants nothing to do with a permanent relationship with any women who would try to tell him what to do. Glyssa has her hands full, and though they do have steamy sex, and often, she does knows that something is holding Jace back. I loved Glyssa, who was a strong heroine, well liked, very personable, and smart. She would stand by Jace, but he was too blind to see her. Personally, I did not like Jace, until closer to the end. He enjoyed his sex with Glyssa, and knew there was something more; but he steadily refused to open himself up, and in doing this, he hurt Glyssa. There were times I wanted to smack him, and for the most part, I felt Glyssa was too good for him. However, I understand Jace’s childhood issues.
What I love the most about this series is the world of Celta; the ability to teleport, and the different flairs many have. Robin always has wonderful characters that come to life in her books. Most of all, I adore the Fams. If you remember from my previous reviews, the Fams are animals who become the persons familiar, and they talk telepathically to each other. In most cases, the fams are cats, but there have been many different animals. In Heart Fortune, I adored Lepid, Glyssa’s young fox fam., who was so cute, vocal, and rambunctious. Jace’s fam was Zem, a hawkcel bird, who became fast friends with Lepid. The Fams are a big part of this story, the mystery and become involved in the danger surrounding Jace and Glyssa.
I won’t reveal any spoilers, other then to say this is a fun, fast and enjoyable read. Heart Fortune is a wonderful book, with a romance that was slow to build, due to Jace’s stubbornness; the wonderful Fams; a marvelous heroine in Glyssa; and a very exciting last 1/3 of the book, as the danger escalates, putting lives in jeopardy. It is also a story of friendship, family, mystery, all in the wonderful world of Celta I love this series, and Robin Owens is another one of my favorite authors that I will not miss a book.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Jace and Glyssa have been sexually involved awhile back, and Jace wasn’t interested in any kind of long term relationship. Glyssa, though knew Jace was her heart mate, but she wants him to come to her and accept their true relationship. Glyssa is a second level Liberian, with her family all first level librarians. After talking to her friend, Camellia, Glyssa decides to travel to where the excavation of a lost starship is going on, and where Jace is. She is going to use this to record her findings to help her become a first level Librarian, and take the same opportunity to work on Jace, and make him recognize her as his heart mate.
The story focuses on the excavation, and the danger involved, as someone is trying to sabotage the site. Jace is being framed, and though Glyssa tries to defend him, he gets angry at her for what he calls interfering. Jace has always been a loner, having blamed his mother for his father’s death, and remembering how she ruled him. Jace wants nothing to do with a permanent relationship with any women who would try to tell him what to do. Glyssa has her hands full, and though they do have steamy sex, and often, she does knows that something is holding Jace back. I loved Glyssa, who was a strong heroine, well liked, very personable, and smart. She would stand by Jace, but he was too blind to see her. Personally, I did not like Jace, until closer to the end. He enjoyed his sex with Glyssa, and knew there was something more; but he steadily refused to open himself up, and in doing this, he hurt Glyssa. There were times I wanted to smack him, and for the most part, I felt Glyssa was too good for him. However, I understand Jace’s childhood issues.
What I love the most about this series is the world of Celta; the ability to teleport, and the different flairs many have. Robin always has wonderful characters that come to life in her books. Most of all, I adore the Fams. If you remember from my previous reviews, the Fams are animals who become the persons familiar, and they talk telepathically to each other. In most cases, the fams are cats, but there have been many different animals. In Heart Fortune, I adored Lepid, Glyssa’s young fox fam., who was so cute, vocal, and rambunctious. Jace’s fam was Zem, a hawkcel bird, who became fast friends with Lepid. The Fams are a big part of this story, the mystery and become involved in the danger surrounding Jace and Glyssa.
I won’t reveal any spoilers, other then to say this is a fun, fast and enjoyable read. Heart Fortune is a wonderful book, with a romance that was slow to build, due to Jace’s stubbornness; the wonderful Fams; a marvelous heroine in Glyssa; and a very exciting last 1/3 of the book, as the danger escalates, putting lives in jeopardy. It is also a story of friendship, family, mystery, all in the wonderful world of Celta I love this series, and Robin Owens is another one of my favorite authors that I will not miss a book.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
May 19, 2013
3.5 stars - Surprisingly, after twelve books I am not tired of this series and the gravel strewn path to the perfect love between Heartmates.
This time the pair have a history - a short fling - where the don't-tie-me-down-love-em-and-leave-em adventurer Jake didn't realize that the passionate Librarian Glyssa was actually his Heartmate. Glyssa's waited for him to search for his Heartmate but when Jake runs into a dangerous situation and Glyssa feeds him flair to save him, she decides that it is time to pursue her Heartmate and to advance her career to the next level at the same time.
The leading man, Jace, for all of his desire to be a hero, starts out as a bit of a jerk - yes, his family was dysfunctional and his mother was greedy and selfish and there obviously has to be a conflict on the way to the HEA to keep the perfect Heartmate idea from being a slam dunk to 'instalove' - but it makes him a bit hard to like at the start of the story.
I did like the heroine, Glyssa, but I have to say that the fams - sort of 'familiars' to the Wiccanish Celtans - really made the story (despite the fact that there have been times in past books that I have found them irritating.) I especially liked the addition of the hawk-like Zem who teaches Jace to love and to allow a close bond with another being. And Glyssa's young foxfam Lepid is also fun and almost like a more joyous and naive Jace in that Lepid really wants the glory of being a hero (which puts him in loads of trouble.) This is one story in which the fams are the catalyst to the HEA.
Since Jace is so relationship phobic, I liked the Glyssa's strategy, she approaches him obliquely to avoid scaring him off, which works to get her foot in the door as a permanent lover but I was really happy when Glyssa finally puts her foot down, makes Jace face the truth about his life, and that she refuses to settle for less than what she wanted for them - a Heartmate love.
There is a little bit of a mystery in the background and some nice little cameos of past Heartmates, and I look forward to more flair, fams, and love from Celta in books to come.
This time the pair have a history - a short fling - where the don't-tie-me-down-love-em-and-leave-em adventurer Jake didn't realize that the passionate Librarian Glyssa was actually his Heartmate. Glyssa's waited for him to search for his Heartmate but when Jake runs into a dangerous situation and Glyssa feeds him flair to save him, she decides that it is time to pursue her Heartmate and to advance her career to the next level at the same time.
The leading man, Jace, for all of his desire to be a hero, starts out as a bit of a jerk - yes, his family was dysfunctional and his mother was greedy and selfish and there obviously has to be a conflict on the way to the HEA to keep the perfect Heartmate idea from being a slam dunk to 'instalove' - but it makes him a bit hard to like at the start of the story.
I did like the heroine, Glyssa, but I have to say that the fams - sort of 'familiars' to the Wiccanish Celtans - really made the story (despite the fact that there have been times in past books that I have found them irritating.) I especially liked the addition of the hawk-like Zem who teaches Jace to love and to allow a close bond with another being. And Glyssa's young foxfam Lepid is also fun and almost like a more joyous and naive Jace in that Lepid really wants the glory of being a hero (which puts him in loads of trouble.) This is one story in which the fams are the catalyst to the HEA.
Since Jace is so relationship phobic, I liked the Glyssa's strategy, she approaches him obliquely to avoid scaring him off, which works to get her foot in the door as a permanent lover but I was really happy when Glyssa finally puts her foot down, makes Jace face the truth about his life, and that she refuses to settle for less than what she wanted for them - a Heartmate love.
There is a little bit of a mystery in the background and some nice little cameos of past Heartmates, and I look forward to more flair, fams, and love from Celta in books to come.
August 7, 2013
I enjoyed this book, like I enjoy all the books in the series, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I really didn't like Del- I didn't like her in her book with Raz, and I really didn't like her bossiness and bithciness this time. It was also a little slow in some parts. I liked Glyssa and Jace, even though I'm not sure Owens did the best job of explaining why they are Heartmates. Glyssa is a good, sweet heroine, but not adventurous, so not really compatible with Jace. Jace was very selfish, and I wish Glyssa had been more up front about her needs. Jace was sweet in the end though. I have never been a huge fan of the Fams with too much personality, so I liked the hawk, but not the fox. Overall I really enjoyed the book, but there area other books in the series that I like better.
August 3, 2016
There was a lot to the plot this time: Lugh's Spear and what is inside it; possibility of creating some new cities; the Druida library; and a bird as a fam. However, there wasn't much chemistry between Glyssa and Jace (or maybe I just didn't like Jace.) It think it was because their Flairs were interesting. When the characters have interesting Flairs (time, prophecy, seeing who's been in a place, healing) I think the books have more tension. I'm still not sure what happened at the end.
The books are also getting more science fiction-y (which is okay with me) as the animals develop more psi.
The books are also getting more science fiction-y (which is okay with me) as the animals develop more psi.
Read
February 3, 2018Er. This one was not a great addition to the series. Besides the fact that Jace is anti-relationship because of his amazingly selfish mother, and Glyssa's weird dysfunctional family, they didn't seem to have a lot in common.
I usually like the Fams, but I think they're being over used in the plots, and the "new" species are happening too quickly. Also, Lepid is a stupid fox and won't live long at this rate. I can't believe he contaminated the whole site by exploring against orders and taking stuff out. I know that in previous books they were able to have shields that would keep even Fams out, so this is ridiculous that both animals and saboteur just pop in and out whenever they want, even with trained Holly guards there. And all because some moron got dumped? And what is with Jace's weird link with Trago anyway? The whole plot just made zero sense. Given that there is such an emergency and chaos at the camp, it is Raz's responsibility to turn around, not say "oh, you have to stay for the other people" (none of which are in any danger). I'm also baffled as to why images couldn't be sent from closer to allow them to teleport out. As I've said before about this series, Owens has been very lazy at worldbuilding, and it is totally inconsistent what people can do.
I don't really understand the Librarian levels - partially because I don't see why her family gets to judge her progress. As is shown, it's easy to have a bias and say that a project isn't up to par simply because you don't like it, you're jealous, or you want your daughter to come home. None of that is really valid. Her sister was acting like a little kid. And then the weird immediate marriage. WTF. T'Willow can match people for compatibility, but why the insta-love? I liked Barton in previous books, and Enata has pretty much only been shown as a PITA, so this was just out of left field and disappointing.
I usually like the Fams, but I think they're being over used in the plots, and the "new" species are happening too quickly. Also, Lepid is a stupid fox and won't live long at this rate. I can't believe he contaminated the whole site by exploring against orders and taking stuff out. I know that in previous books they were able to have shields that would keep even Fams out, so this is ridiculous that both animals and saboteur just pop in and out whenever they want, even with trained Holly guards there. And all because some moron got dumped? And what is with Jace's weird link with Trago anyway? The whole plot just made zero sense. Given that there is such an emergency and chaos at the camp, it is Raz's responsibility to turn around, not say "oh, you have to stay for the other people" (none of which are in any danger). I'm also baffled as to why images couldn't be sent from closer to allow them to teleport out. As I've said before about this series, Owens has been very lazy at worldbuilding, and it is totally inconsistent what people can do.
I don't really understand the Librarian levels - partially because I don't see why her family gets to judge her progress. As is shown, it's easy to have a bias and say that a project isn't up to par simply because you don't like it, you're jealous, or you want your daughter to come home. None of that is really valid. Her sister was acting like a little kid. And then the weird immediate marriage. WTF. T'Willow can match people for compatibility, but why the insta-love? I liked Barton in previous books, and Enata has pretty much only been shown as a PITA, so this was just out of left field and disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2018
Jace Bayrum and Glyssa Licorice are heart mates who actually had a fling years before the book starts. Jace, however, for reasons that make strange sort of sense, does not want to be tied down and makes no effort to pursue the match.
As the book starts, he is working on excavating Lugh's Spear. Glyssa, who wants him and wants something different in her life, arrives at the site to write up the ship's history. Oh boy! It looks like one of Jace's flairs is storytelling.
The real scene stealers are the fems. Jace's hawk is an adult but wounded. Glyssa has a young fox with the maturity of a 14-year-old promises to bring live prey but keeps getting distracted. A cat agrees to help feed the injured hawk "for a price because everyone knows that cats NEVER do anything for nothing."
The final third of the book kept me turning pages until WAY TOO LATE.
As the book starts, he is working on excavating Lugh's Spear. Glyssa, who wants him and wants something different in her life, arrives at the site to write up the ship's history. Oh boy! It looks like one of Jace's flairs is storytelling.
The real scene stealers are the fems. Jace's hawk is an adult but wounded. Glyssa has a young fox with the maturity of a 14-year-old promises to bring live prey but keeps getting distracted. A cat agrees to help feed the injured hawk "for a price because everyone knows that cats NEVER do anything for nothing."
The final third of the book kept me turning pages until WAY TOO LATE.
September 4, 2023
Heart Fortune on Books On Track
RTC
Previous books:
✦ Heart Secret (Celta's Heartmates, #11) ~ ★★★ (16/05/2023)
✦ Heart Search (Celta's Heartmates, #10) ~ ★★★ (07/11/2022)
✦ Script of the Heart (Celta's Heartmates #9.1) ~ ★★★ (03/10/2022)
✦ Heart Journey (Celta's Heartmates, #9) ~ ★★★ (09/05/2022)
✦ Heart Change (Celta's Heartmates, #8) ~ ★★★★ (03/11/2021)
January 27, 2018
This was my first Celta book since the serious lack of character development in Heart Fate. And I must say that Ms. Owens greatly recovered the magic of the first 4 Celta books with this one. I like how the book focuses on the everyday challenges couples face: work issues, family baggage, etc. Jace and Glyssa are fairly strong personalities. Their struggle is definitely realistic and I think many people will relate to the frustration of trying to trust or gain trust. I was also glad to see that the Fam category has expanded to include non-furry animals.
That being said if a fish becomes a fam, that'll be it - mike dropped, done. I'm drawing the line at anything that has to be encased in water to travel with its Famperson.
Otherwise a story that was well structured.
That being said if a fish becomes a fam, that'll be it - mike dropped, done. I'm drawing the line at anything that has to be encased in water to travel with its Famperson.
Otherwise a story that was well structured.
January 8, 2020
We finally get to see the excavation going on at Lugh’s Spear, the missing Earth colony ship that crash landed and subsided into the ground. The second of the trio of friends from Camellia Darjeeling’s book, Glyssa Liquorice has finally figured out where her heartmate, Jace Bayrum has gone! Starring an unusual bird Fam, a foxFam, and mysterious goings on at the dig, this book is full of intrigue and mystery... and it’s not all over yet 😉
A worthy addition to the series, it should definitely be read with the other ‘after the time-skip’ books, and in the correct order, because otherwise you’ll miss out on some of the nuances of the story.
A worthy addition to the series, it should definitely be read with the other ‘after the time-skip’ books, and in the correct order, because otherwise you’ll miss out on some of the nuances of the story.
April 18, 2022
Enjoyable adventure
Great story with excellent world-building. Loved the Fam relationships. Reminded me of Anne McCaffrey’s Pern saga.
What I didn’t love was the heavy angst. I almost gave up on finishing the book several times, because I found it depressing. I kept slogging through the miasma in desperate hope of a satisfying conclusion. I was glad the story finally ended well, but there were a lot of loose threads I would like to see developed. I don’t know if I want to read another episode or not. Time will tell.
Great story with excellent world-building. Loved the Fam relationships. Reminded me of Anne McCaffrey’s Pern saga.
What I didn’t love was the heavy angst. I almost gave up on finishing the book several times, because I found it depressing. I kept slogging through the miasma in desperate hope of a satisfying conclusion. I was glad the story finally ended well, but there were a lot of loose threads I would like to see developed. I don’t know if I want to read another episode or not. Time will tell.
February 19, 2018
I was surprised how interesting this book was. It took me awhile to learn the "rules" of this particular fantasy setting, but that made it fun. I found myself relating so much real life with the depth of the character problems in the story. The author has a good understanding of the human heart and how people relate through pain or need. My rule for a good book is that you didn't want to put it down. This book wins!👊🏼
October 18, 2020
Celta's Heartmates #12
I'm still reading, still looking forward to the next book and still loving the world building. I'm still annoyed by the narrator and his gender confusion while narrating. Not much new where all that is concerned, but I think this may be the first book that the author didn't just end it once the heartmates created the heart bond. That I really liked! Enjoy!
Read:
October 17-18, 2020 – Audible Plus
I'm still reading, still looking forward to the next book and still loving the world building. I'm still annoyed by the narrator and his gender confusion while narrating. Not much new where all that is concerned, but I think this may be the first book that the author didn't just end it once the heartmates created the heart bond. That I really liked! Enjoy!
Read:
October 17-18, 2020 – Audible Plus
June 21, 2021
Wow finished it in about 24 hours, superb sci-fi adventure romance...
What a spectacular combination of action, adventure, steamy romance, paranormal & science fiction a well-rounded read. I was drawn into the story from beginning to end & eager for more. Once again Robin D. Owens has brought an awesome read to my collection.😍🔥🌠
What a spectacular combination of action, adventure, steamy romance, paranormal & science fiction a well-rounded read. I was drawn into the story from beginning to end & eager for more. Once again Robin D. Owens has brought an awesome read to my collection.😍🔥🌠
dnf
February 18, 2020DNF 100
TBH I didn't even make it my full 100 pages. I think this is the end of the line for me and the Celta Heartmates series. There were some stories that I really liked but I think they all just run together to me at this point and I'm not really invested in the couples anymore.
TBH I didn't even make it my full 100 pages. I think this is the end of the line for me and the Celta Heartmates series. There were some stories that I really liked but I think they all just run together to me at this point and I'm not really invested in the couples anymore.
not-interested-or-bad-reviews
June 15, 2020Apparently the hero is quite a jerk in the beginning, doesn’t want a heartmate, wants to be a hero and so the heroine has to pursue him softly so as to not scare him off. Just not a storyline I’m keen on right now.
January 31, 2018
Review to follow shortly
July 28, 2019
Amazing story that I could not put down, and did not want to end!!
November 24, 2020
Well that was touch and go there for a minute lol
Read
September 7, 20218/6/2013 Reread 1/12/19 ; 4/28/2021
November 21, 2023
a little slow quarter way through but then slowly picks up speed.
September 2, 2013
Glyssa Licorice is a SecondLevel Librarian in Druida City, the major city on Celta. Both her parents and her older sister are FirstLevel Librarians, which makes them her bosses. Glyssa wants to make FirstLeven Librarian, and she needs a project for that. She is working on HouseHearts, as there is not much information about them in the Library.
Then suddenly her HeartMate takes her energy to save his life, and she knows where he is. She has known who he is for a while now, as they once spend a few hot days together. She never forgot about him, but he doesn’t know she is his HeartMate. But now she knows where he is, working at the excavation of the starship, and it needs to be properly documented. Also, her best friend Camellia Darjeeling-D’Hawthorn has a big inheritance riding on the excavation, and she asks Glyssa to write a play about it instead of something dry and boring.
With some difficulty, Glyssa gets her parents’ and sisters’ approval of her project, and sets out to the country with her new FamFox Lepid. He is trouble, and T’Ash was glad to be rid of him. There will be plenty to explore out in the countryside for a young fox. And of course the Elecampanes have a FamFox as well who will perhaps be able to teach him manners.
T’Hawthorn has gifted Glyssa with a very luxury pavilion for her stay, as she has never even gone camping. With some flair, it is just like living in a small house, nothing like the cheap little tent Jace and others are living in on site.
The Elecampanes are a bit leary of Glyssa at first, as they don’t want any interference from the FirstFamilies with their project. But Glyssa proves herself impartial and a good assistant.
Jace keeps his distance at first, but he does recognize Glyssa, and feels that same attraction to her that he had before. No other woman will do for him. And so he enters in a casual relationship with her, as he is not ready or willing for something more. Glyssa won’t pressure him, but she also won’t be able to deny them being HeartMates for long. She wants him by her side.
Jace had a bad example in his parents. His father adored his mother, and gave her whatever she wanted, at the cost of his own life and that of Jace if necessary. And when his father died saving his mother, she walked away without looking back. Jace has been on his own ever since. Not trusting women at all, and certainly not believing in love. Wandering from job to job, but excavating Lugh’s Spear is a lucrative one, and he likes it. The adventure of finding strange artefacts from their forefathers, and seeing things as first one in. But things go sour quickly, when he is accused of theft and attacking guards. Someone is blackening his name, but who, and why? Lucky he has his new FamBird Zem to take care off, and Glyssa stands behind him one hundred percent. Only he does not want to need her help, he does not like being beholden to someone.
And when he cannot give Glyssa the commitments she needs, she has no other choice but to brake off their relationship completely. She has been living to cater to his needs for too long now, it is just not enough for her. He is taking her for granted, enjoying himself in her bed and just living in the moment. But the danger escalates, and Jace gets trapped in the spaceship …
I love this series. I wish I lived on Celta with a Fam of my own and of course a HeartMate. This was a bit different than the rest of the books, not a First Family relationship, and it took place outside of Druida. I liked that change. I love meeting previous characters, and seeing how they are doing. We did skip a few years since the last book.
Glyssa’s family comes across as cold, and I am not sure I like her mother. Her father is nice, but he gives in to his wife in everything. The sister is just annoying because she is jealous of Glyssa.
I did like the interaction with Glyssa and her two best friends, and I do hope one of the next books is about the third friend, the priestess.
As usual, there are a lot of lovescenes in this book. First only in their dreams (which is how HeartMates find each other), but soon in real time. Glyssa and Jace both made HeartGifts during their Passage, but Jace did not really give his to Glyssa until it was almost too late, and Glyssa never gave hers to Jace in the story. It was mentioned though. His creative Flair is leather working, while hers is origami.
I do like the Fams, telepathic animals, and their imperial ways. It was nice to have a bird this time, that was new. So what other creatures can become Fams?
The intrigue part was good as well, I did not see this coming, nor did I guess who the bad guy was. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.
9 stars.
Then suddenly her HeartMate takes her energy to save his life, and she knows where he is. She has known who he is for a while now, as they once spend a few hot days together. She never forgot about him, but he doesn’t know she is his HeartMate. But now she knows where he is, working at the excavation of the starship, and it needs to be properly documented. Also, her best friend Camellia Darjeeling-D’Hawthorn has a big inheritance riding on the excavation, and she asks Glyssa to write a play about it instead of something dry and boring.
With some difficulty, Glyssa gets her parents’ and sisters’ approval of her project, and sets out to the country with her new FamFox Lepid. He is trouble, and T’Ash was glad to be rid of him. There will be plenty to explore out in the countryside for a young fox. And of course the Elecampanes have a FamFox as well who will perhaps be able to teach him manners.
T’Hawthorn has gifted Glyssa with a very luxury pavilion for her stay, as she has never even gone camping. With some flair, it is just like living in a small house, nothing like the cheap little tent Jace and others are living in on site.
The Elecampanes are a bit leary of Glyssa at first, as they don’t want any interference from the FirstFamilies with their project. But Glyssa proves herself impartial and a good assistant.
Jace keeps his distance at first, but he does recognize Glyssa, and feels that same attraction to her that he had before. No other woman will do for him. And so he enters in a casual relationship with her, as he is not ready or willing for something more. Glyssa won’t pressure him, but she also won’t be able to deny them being HeartMates for long. She wants him by her side.
Jace had a bad example in his parents. His father adored his mother, and gave her whatever she wanted, at the cost of his own life and that of Jace if necessary. And when his father died saving his mother, she walked away without looking back. Jace has been on his own ever since. Not trusting women at all, and certainly not believing in love. Wandering from job to job, but excavating Lugh’s Spear is a lucrative one, and he likes it. The adventure of finding strange artefacts from their forefathers, and seeing things as first one in. But things go sour quickly, when he is accused of theft and attacking guards. Someone is blackening his name, but who, and why? Lucky he has his new FamBird Zem to take care off, and Glyssa stands behind him one hundred percent. Only he does not want to need her help, he does not like being beholden to someone.
And when he cannot give Glyssa the commitments she needs, she has no other choice but to brake off their relationship completely. She has been living to cater to his needs for too long now, it is just not enough for her. He is taking her for granted, enjoying himself in her bed and just living in the moment. But the danger escalates, and Jace gets trapped in the spaceship …
I love this series. I wish I lived on Celta with a Fam of my own and of course a HeartMate. This was a bit different than the rest of the books, not a First Family relationship, and it took place outside of Druida. I liked that change. I love meeting previous characters, and seeing how they are doing. We did skip a few years since the last book.
Glyssa’s family comes across as cold, and I am not sure I like her mother. Her father is nice, but he gives in to his wife in everything. The sister is just annoying because she is jealous of Glyssa.
I did like the interaction with Glyssa and her two best friends, and I do hope one of the next books is about the third friend, the priestess.
As usual, there are a lot of lovescenes in this book. First only in their dreams (which is how HeartMates find each other), but soon in real time. Glyssa and Jace both made HeartGifts during their Passage, but Jace did not really give his to Glyssa until it was almost too late, and Glyssa never gave hers to Jace in the story. It was mentioned though. His creative Flair is leather working, while hers is origami.
I do like the Fams, telepathic animals, and their imperial ways. It was nice to have a bird this time, that was new. So what other creatures can become Fams?
The intrigue part was good as well, I did not see this coming, nor did I guess who the bad guy was. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.
9 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
January 17, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book
For those of you who haven't read Robin D. Owens Celta HeartMate Series.. you are seriously missing out. Ms Owens writes a wonderful series about the people of Celta, descendants of those who left earth and ventured into a new world. Celta is a land full of magic, to not have magic (or flare as it is referred to) is an anathema and those who don't are considered Nulls and can be seriously mistreated. While the younger generation has tried to change things, things take time. Acceptance isn't won easily. But that's a different story. Heart Fortune is Book 12 in Ms Owen's Celta series and it stands strong with the rest of this fantastic series.
Glyssa Licorice is nothing if not a dutiful daughter. She comes from a proud family, the librarians of Celta. Her family has handeled the history of Celta from the beginning and now it's time to step up. To make her final presentations to become a first level librarian. Only Glyssa has decided to change her course of study and to move into the wilds.. to the excavation of one of the ships that came from earth so very long ago. It's a two fold, three fold mission. She can help her best friend's heartmate by checking out the site, she can work on her career and finally, she can force her heartmate to acknowledge her. She is tired of waiting.
Jace Bayrum is a man on the move. A Rolling stone. Never landing in one place and never trusting anyone in the long term. Even when he met a woman who left marks in his soul, he walked away. But now she is back and he doesn't want her there. He feels a connection with her, even has regular dream sex with her but man that he is, refuses to acknowledge just what their connection is. No way is he going to follow in his father's footsteps. No woman is going to rule his life. Consequently he pushes and pushes until Glyssa comes close to breaking.
Aside from the relationship aspect, Jace and Glyssa face the envy and greed of others on the site. Someone is stealing artifacts and the blame has been placed on Jace.. Unable to prove his innocence.. Jace can only wait and see..
Along with these wonderfully intricate relationships, we once again get to interact with the "fams" this time a mischievous fox and a rather elegant hawk. Each have a strong sense of self and a desire to connect with their "fam man/woman".
I really enjoyed this one.. It came out last August and some how totally slipped through my fingers. Ms Owens manages to make it fresh and fun even while connecting with some of the characters from previous books. The ones that are truly pertinent to this particular story. An excellent job.. we do not spend pages and pages of the story learning about other peripheral characters. Instead Ms Owens strikes a strong balance between keeping it fresh and bringing back those we love from previous books.
Shauni
For those of you who haven't read Robin D. Owens Celta HeartMate Series.. you are seriously missing out. Ms Owens writes a wonderful series about the people of Celta, descendants of those who left earth and ventured into a new world. Celta is a land full of magic, to not have magic (or flare as it is referred to) is an anathema and those who don't are considered Nulls and can be seriously mistreated. While the younger generation has tried to change things, things take time. Acceptance isn't won easily. But that's a different story. Heart Fortune is Book 12 in Ms Owen's Celta series and it stands strong with the rest of this fantastic series.
Glyssa Licorice is nothing if not a dutiful daughter. She comes from a proud family, the librarians of Celta. Her family has handeled the history of Celta from the beginning and now it's time to step up. To make her final presentations to become a first level librarian. Only Glyssa has decided to change her course of study and to move into the wilds.. to the excavation of one of the ships that came from earth so very long ago. It's a two fold, three fold mission. She can help her best friend's heartmate by checking out the site, she can work on her career and finally, she can force her heartmate to acknowledge her. She is tired of waiting.
Jace Bayrum is a man on the move. A Rolling stone. Never landing in one place and never trusting anyone in the long term. Even when he met a woman who left marks in his soul, he walked away. But now she is back and he doesn't want her there. He feels a connection with her, even has regular dream sex with her but man that he is, refuses to acknowledge just what their connection is. No way is he going to follow in his father's footsteps. No woman is going to rule his life. Consequently he pushes and pushes until Glyssa comes close to breaking.
Aside from the relationship aspect, Jace and Glyssa face the envy and greed of others on the site. Someone is stealing artifacts and the blame has been placed on Jace.. Unable to prove his innocence.. Jace can only wait and see..
Along with these wonderfully intricate relationships, we once again get to interact with the "fams" this time a mischievous fox and a rather elegant hawk. Each have a strong sense of self and a desire to connect with their "fam man/woman".
I really enjoyed this one.. It came out last August and some how totally slipped through my fingers. Ms Owens manages to make it fresh and fun even while connecting with some of the characters from previous books. The ones that are truly pertinent to this particular story. An excellent job.. we do not spend pages and pages of the story learning about other peripheral characters. Instead Ms Owens strikes a strong balance between keeping it fresh and bringing back those we love from previous books.
Shauni
July 23, 2013
I keep going back and forth between giving this four stars or five because it was slow at some points and the mystery could have been handled a bit better, but I am freaking giddy right now. It was a great read and well worth what I went through to get it.
I tried unsuccessfully to get an ARC, but then a miracle happened. Ms. Owens announced via her twitter that she'd have three author copies of Heart Fortune with her at the 2013 RWA Literacy signing. First come, first serve. Boys and girls, let me tell you, I was on that line two hours early and soon as the doors opened, I was off like a shot. I was the first one at her table and I barely refrained from shouting 'gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, please!' Ms. Owens was nice to the crazy fangirl and I got my much coveted copy of Heart Fortune.
So I already mentioned what I didn't like, what did I like? Zem. The BirdFam. He was awesome-sauce, although any vegetarians out there may want to proceed with caution. I would've liked a little more background on the native Celtan species, how they evolved, if they were always there, if the species were sentient prior to the colonists or if it was an evolutionary adaption to the colonists' arrival, but the editor part of me thinks it would've bogged down the narrative.
There was also more of a suspense element, which kept things interesting, although it was sort of resolved largely off-screen. Ms. Owens also takes us inside the Lugh's Spear in a couple of scenes that I found fascinating for their implications and somewhat terrifying because of what was actually happening.
Jace is a hero like Cratag, a commoner who really wanted nothing to do with these strange noble folks, but is also like Garrett in how he treated Glyssa. Glyssa has a backbone, which I liked, and an obvious reverence for the written word. Many of her character traits were familiar to me, and if she wasn't fictional, we could probably be friends. However, one thing that I didn't like is that . Ms. Owens shares deleted scenes at her blog on occasion, so fingers crossed that's one of them.
I'm definitely glad that I re-read Heart Search prior to Fortune, but I wish I'd re-read Heart Journey instead of Heart Secret as the latter didn't really come into play during Fortune. If you liked Search, you'll like Fortune.
I do wish I'd read Search before RWA because then I could've asked Ms. Owens if we've already met the family the Turquoise House has chosen for itself. And if we're going to get a full book for Vinni and Avellana. Lord, I love this series.
Is it next August yet?
I tried unsuccessfully to get an ARC, but then a miracle happened. Ms. Owens announced via her twitter that she'd have three author copies of Heart Fortune with her at the 2013 RWA Literacy signing. First come, first serve. Boys and girls, let me tell you, I was on that line two hours early and soon as the doors opened, I was off like a shot. I was the first one at her table and I barely refrained from shouting 'gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, please!' Ms. Owens was nice to the crazy fangirl and I got my much coveted copy of Heart Fortune.
So I already mentioned what I didn't like, what did I like? Zem. The BirdFam. He was awesome-sauce, although any vegetarians out there may want to proceed with caution. I would've liked a little more background on the native Celtan species, how they evolved, if they were always there, if the species were sentient prior to the colonists or if it was an evolutionary adaption to the colonists' arrival, but the editor part of me thinks it would've bogged down the narrative.
There was also more of a suspense element, which kept things interesting, although it was sort of resolved largely off-screen. Ms. Owens also takes us inside the Lugh's Spear in a couple of scenes that I found fascinating for their implications and somewhat terrifying because of what was actually happening.
Jace is a hero like Cratag, a commoner who really wanted nothing to do with these strange noble folks, but is also like Garrett in how he treated Glyssa. Glyssa has a backbone, which I liked, and an obvious reverence for the written word. Many of her character traits were familiar to me, and if she wasn't fictional, we could probably be friends. However, one thing that I didn't like is that . Ms. Owens shares deleted scenes at her blog on occasion, so fingers crossed that's one of them.
I'm definitely glad that I re-read Heart Search prior to Fortune, but I wish I'd re-read Heart Journey instead of Heart Secret as the latter didn't really come into play during Fortune. If you liked Search, you'll like Fortune.
I do wish I'd read Search before RWA because then I could've asked Ms. Owens if we've already met the family the Turquoise House has chosen for itself. And if we're going to get a full book for Vinni and Avellana. Lord, I love this series.
Is it next August yet?
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