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Hearts and the Lands #2
The Heart and the Rose
A Delicate Rose
The war with the rebel Scots has cost Lady Claricia de Clinton everything she holds dear—her family, her innocence and her cherished dreams of happiness. She has learned to survive by trusting no man. And now she has become the captive of a dashing enemy—a bold and brazen highland outlaw whom she dares not desire, but whose power over her heart and soul wil redefine her future.
A Heart Unchained
Branded a criminal, an outcast in his own land, Alexander Kirkpatrick is sworn to vengeance against the English—and Lady Claricia, the beautiful niece of his enemy, is the perfect pawn in his calculated scheme. But the proud Scottish warrior's icebound heart cannot withstand the emotions Claricia has ignited within him—a searing blaze of unrestrained passion that awakens Alexander to a destiny more powerful than clan and duty...and to a love more precious than life itself.
The war with the rebel Scots has cost Lady Claricia de Clinton everything she holds dear—her family, her innocence and her cherished dreams of happiness. She has learned to survive by trusting no man. And now she has become the captive of a dashing enemy—a bold and brazen highland outlaw whom she dares not desire, but whose power over her heart and soul wil redefine her future.
A Heart Unchained
Branded a criminal, an outcast in his own land, Alexander Kirkpatrick is sworn to vengeance against the English—and Lady Claricia, the beautiful niece of his enemy, is the perfect pawn in his calculated scheme. But the proud Scottish warrior's icebound heart cannot withstand the emotions Claricia has ignited within him—a searing blaze of unrestrained passion that awakens Alexander to a destiny more powerful than clan and duty...and to a love more precious than life itself.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 1995
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 2, 2026
Read: 1/2/26
Setting: 1314 Scotland
Trope: Revenge, second chances, enemies to lovers
3.5 stars
This one was much darker than the 1st book.
plot: Alexander has had his home stolen, his family butchered, his clan disseminated. Now, he will have his revenge! He will start by kidnapping his enemy's neice/whore.
To say Claricia has had a hard life, would be an understatement! She has been orphaned, raped, and is now forced to be her uncle's whore. Hope springs when she is awaken by a savage Scot, only to be dashed by his cruel words. Still, she will go anywhere to escape her uncle. Alexander doesn't need to know that her uncle will never pay her ransom.
Alexander takes her to his home. At first, he is cruel, but he starts to see that Claricia is as much of a victim of her uncle as he was. Slowly, these two start to heal each and fall in love. But Claricia has a big secret, one that could change everything for Alexander.
Conclusion:
This story was missing the charm of the 1st book. It was way darker and I don't know if that was for the better. The author does do a great job of handling the disturbing material. Unfortunately, the romance takes a backseat to the war and our h's many delicious secrets.
4 stars for plot
2 stars for romance
sidenote rant:
Why did the author have to brutally kill my favorite characters from book 1? I don't care if they were old and it was offscreen. It was cold move by the author! 😢
Setting: 1314 Scotland
Trope: Revenge, second chances, enemies to lovers
3.5 stars
This one was much darker than the 1st book.
plot: Alexander has had his home stolen, his family butchered, his clan disseminated. Now, he will have his revenge! He will start by kidnapping his enemy's neice/whore.
To say Claricia has had a hard life, would be an understatement! She has been orphaned, raped, and is now forced to be her uncle's whore. Hope springs when she is awaken by a savage Scot, only to be dashed by his cruel words. Still, she will go anywhere to escape her uncle. Alexander doesn't need to know that her uncle will never pay her ransom.
Alexander takes her to his home. At first, he is cruel, but he starts to see that Claricia is as much of a victim of her uncle as he was. Slowly, these two start to heal each and fall in love. But Claricia has a big secret, one that could change everything for Alexander.
Conclusion:
This story was missing the charm of the 1st book. It was way darker and I don't know if that was for the better. The author does do a great job of handling the disturbing material. Unfortunately, the romance takes a backseat to the war and our h's many delicious secrets.
4 stars for plot
2 stars for romance
sidenote rant:
Why did the author have to brutally kill my favorite characters from book 1? I don't care if they were old and it was offscreen. It was cold move by the author! 😢
March 29, 2023
4 - 4.5 stars. This is book 2 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone, but you do get to know one of the characters, mentioned in book 3, a lot better here. Wished I had read them in order, but I only had bk 3 at the time. This book was pretty good liked it just as much I think as book 3. It has a lot of plot elements you don’t often see in a book that’s really not a bodice ripper. You have a very likable heroine who’s non virginal and suffers quite a number of awful circumstances. Liked the H he’s alpha and behaves like a man of his times and circumstances might, but his kindness and heart shines thru as he finds love. We have a secondary romance going as well. Again, good plot with somewhat unique elements. I will definitely read book 1 if I can get my hands on it.
August 7, 2024
The first part of their interactions was very dubious consent verging to non-consent, so Alexander is not my kind of MMC.
Claricia has had a pretty traumatic past so if I were her, I would never have agreed to a relationship with Alexander, so that was also pretty questionable.
The actual plot was good, though.
Claricia has had a pretty traumatic past so if I were her, I would never have agreed to a relationship with Alexander, so that was also pretty questionable.
The actual plot was good, though.
April 19, 2011
Very long and drawn out
June 19, 2015
First romance novel I ever read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews