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Celta's Heartmates #14
Heart Legacy
The award-winning author returns to her “wonderfully imaginative”* world of Heart Fire and Heart Fortune for an all-new Celta novel about a young woman’s destiny, and the one man whose love could be her downfall.
After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts—beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori’s heart no member of her family ever could.
Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family—her animals. When Draeg discovers she’s rejecting her heritage, he’s appalled. He’s come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it’s an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.
*Romance Junkies
After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts—beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori’s heart no member of her family ever could.
Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family—her animals. When Draeg discovers she’s rejecting her heritage, he’s appalled. He’s come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it’s an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.
*Romance Junkies
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
49 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 9, 2016
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
After reading about the horrible Yews and their demented Residence several books back, I was interested to read another story showing where they were at. Much of this story has a grim undertone because Lori, the main character has been abused by the family for many years and is essentially a prisoner.
I enjoyed her developing relationship with Draeg Betony Blackthorn, the investigator working undercover for Tinne Holly, trying to discover the Yews involvement with the violent Traditionlist Stance group. However, I really don't enjoy stories that have so much subterfuge and think Draeg went way too long without telling Lori the truth.
Again, the Fams were a high point in the story for me in terms of creativity, problem solving, loyalty, and humour.
Not as good as the last book but still an enjoyable entry in the series.
After reading about the horrible Yews and their demented Residence several books back, I was interested to read another story showing where they were at. Much of this story has a grim undertone because Lori, the main character has been abused by the family for many years and is essentially a prisoner.
I enjoyed her developing relationship with Draeg Betony Blackthorn, the investigator working undercover for Tinne Holly, trying to discover the Yews involvement with the violent Traditionlist Stance group. However, I really don't enjoy stories that have so much subterfuge and think Draeg went way too long without telling Lori the truth.
Again, the Fams were a high point in the story for me in terms of creativity, problem solving, loyalty, and humour.
Not as good as the last book but still an enjoyable entry in the series.
November 15, 2015
I've read all of the previous books in this series and I will admit the last couple have really disappointed me and I nearly didn't purchase this book.
Thankfully Heart Legacy has restored my enjoyment in this series. While not a perfect book, it was certainly more reminiscent of the books at the beginning of the series. Maybe that was due to the repeat story of the Yew family. It did feel a little similar to the previous book of the Yews.
While this one touched on the fanatical group it didn't get bogged down in politics/religion like the previous book did, which bored me almost to tears.
I felt the last quarter of the book was rushed and would have liked more detail of Lori's re-acquired roll of D'Yew, and maybe less of the animals and prep for travel.
Lori had a hidden strength I found admirable considering her childhood and training and I'm sure many would find her leaving as weak but I get she wanted to start somewhere where she had control over her life, that takes courage to leave all you have known for something completely different and by herself.
Draeg wasn't perfect but I still liked him anyway and thought he was good for Lori. Liked his FamRaven, I'm not a huge fan of cats so something different was good.
Though I address a couple of negatives I still feel this one is deserving of the 4 stars I've given, it was great getting glimpses of previous characters, seeing how their families have grown. Will continue with this series now that my faith has been restored.
Thankfully Heart Legacy has restored my enjoyment in this series. While not a perfect book, it was certainly more reminiscent of the books at the beginning of the series. Maybe that was due to the repeat story of the Yew family. It did feel a little similar to the previous book of the Yews.
While this one touched on the fanatical group it didn't get bogged down in politics/religion like the previous book did, which bored me almost to tears.
I felt the last quarter of the book was rushed and would have liked more detail of Lori's re-acquired roll of D'Yew, and maybe less of the animals and prep for travel.
Lori had a hidden strength I found admirable considering her childhood and training and I'm sure many would find her leaving as weak but I get she wanted to start somewhere where she had control over her life, that takes courage to leave all you have known for something completely different and by herself.
Draeg wasn't perfect but I still liked him anyway and thought he was good for Lori. Liked his FamRaven, I'm not a huge fan of cats so something different was good.
Though I address a couple of negatives I still feel this one is deserving of the 4 stars I've given, it was great getting glimpses of previous characters, seeing how their families have grown. Will continue with this series now that my faith has been restored.
November 23, 2015
There is so much about this one that made me mad. I hated how Lori was treated by her family and the Residence. Hated how they marginalized her, how the beat her down with their words and actions, when she should have been the head of the family, not the least of them. I didn't like what Draeg was doing, mostly because he was being dishonest to Lori, much like her family. Yes, Draeg had good intentions, was trying to help her and her standing within all the Families, but still, you knew this was going to come back to bit him big time.
I loved how when things started to unravel, the other Families saw what a good person that Lori was, how she was mistreated and how they stood by her to help in the small ways that they were able to when Lori made her final choice. At that point I thought Lori made the right choice for her. She needed to find herself away from everything. But she made another right choice after the call she received. It was nice to see the Yews finally realize what family should be like.
I loved how when things started to unravel, the other Families saw what a good person that Lori was, how she was mistreated and how they stood by her to help in the small ways that they were able to when Lori made her final choice. At that point I thought Lori made the right choice for her. She needed to find herself away from everything. But she made another right choice after the call she received. It was nice to see the Yews finally realize what family should be like.
November 6, 2015
I have read this series from the beginning and, while liking some more than others, had never been as disappointed as this time. The hero was an idiot who made no effort to really support the heroine. (Suffers in comparison to Thine's book, with a similar theme!)
The heroine was mature enough, but the story shoe-horned her into a ridiculous ending. The fams didn't add much to the story and the cameos from previous characters were a waste of space. I'd have rather seen the heroine coming into her own and more of the family rebuilding than such an abrupt ending.
I think I'll pretend this one didn't happen and hope for better next time.
The heroine was mature enough, but the story shoe-horned her into a ridiculous ending. The fams didn't add much to the story and the cameos from previous characters were a waste of space. I'd have rather seen the heroine coming into her own and more of the family rebuilding than such an abrupt ending.
I think I'll pretend this one didn't happen and hope for better next time.
November 7, 2015
There are similarities to Tinne & Lahsin's romance in Heart Fate, and the occupants of the Yew Residence is revisited. I liked how events from Heart Fate came full circle. Old characters play unobtrusive roles. The revisit was pleasant. What Heart Legacy was missing was tension, as Loridana waiting for the weather to warm so she can make her escape with her beloved animals didn't provide substance to the plot. Also, absent was discussion about Heart Mates throughout most of the story. You would think this book could possible missing that particular ingredient.
If only the villains weren't peripheral. The best part is save for the last third of the book. Overall, mostly Celta Heartmate fans will enjoy revisiting old characters and getting definite closure on an old story arc.
If only the villains weren't peripheral. The best part is save for the last third of the book. Overall, mostly Celta Heartmate fans will enjoy revisiting old characters and getting definite closure on an old story arc.
November 2, 2015
Heart Legacy by Robin D. Owens is the 14th book in her wonderful Celta series. This story belongs to Draeg Blackthorn and Loridana (Lori) Yew. The Yew’s have been distant and separated from the rest of the first families in Celta for many years, not trusted or well liked due to their villainous past. Lori is only 18, but she should have been given the title of D’Yew to run the estate. However, Lori has been bullied and ignored by the other Yew family members, as well as residence. They are mean to her, and she has no say as to the estate, which rightfully is hers to run.
Draeg has been sent to spy on the estate, as a stableman, to discover what is happening in the Yew household and uncover who is behind the villainous attacks against the first families. Draeg meets Lori’s famcat, Baccat, who fiercly protects her, and warns Draeg to stay away from the mean house. Once Draeg meets Lori, he knows immediately that she is not the one behind the attacks.
In a short time, both Draeg and Lori find themselves attracted to each other. Draeg tries to fight the attraction, but Lori is desperate to act on her feelings, which worries Draeg, as he knows she is a virgin. Slowly, there romance heats up and the chemistry becomes very hot. Draeg feels guilty that he cannot tell Lori the truth about him being a spy on the family, even if he knows she is innocent. Between Lori’s actions, and Baccat’s comments (in this series, fam’s do talk), Draeg discovers that the family treats Lori as a distant relative, not allowing her any control.
He finally realizes that Lori and Baccat are planning on leaving the estate, and take the horses with them. Lori is tired of being treated so badly, and just wants to give it all up. She plans to secretly escape to a small country estate that her father left her. Draeg tries to convince her that she should never give up the inheritance that rightfully belongs to her. What follows is not only a beautiful romance, some fun with Baccat, as well as Draeg’s new crow fam; and an exciting finish that will find the true culprits within the family, who are part of the attacks, and hurting Lori.
But before he can tell her the truth, Lori discovers that Draeg has been spying and pushes him away in anger, and mistrust. It was nice to see many of the Celta families that we have met from previous stories. Will Lori forgive Draeg or will she leave it all behind? Will Draeg tell Lori she is his heartmate?
Once again Robin D. Owens gives us another wonderful story of two unlikely people, who find their true love. I am a big fan of this series, and cannot wait for the next one.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Draeg has been sent to spy on the estate, as a stableman, to discover what is happening in the Yew household and uncover who is behind the villainous attacks against the first families. Draeg meets Lori’s famcat, Baccat, who fiercly protects her, and warns Draeg to stay away from the mean house. Once Draeg meets Lori, he knows immediately that she is not the one behind the attacks.
In a short time, both Draeg and Lori find themselves attracted to each other. Draeg tries to fight the attraction, but Lori is desperate to act on her feelings, which worries Draeg, as he knows she is a virgin. Slowly, there romance heats up and the chemistry becomes very hot. Draeg feels guilty that he cannot tell Lori the truth about him being a spy on the family, even if he knows she is innocent. Between Lori’s actions, and Baccat’s comments (in this series, fam’s do talk), Draeg discovers that the family treats Lori as a distant relative, not allowing her any control.
He finally realizes that Lori and Baccat are planning on leaving the estate, and take the horses with them. Lori is tired of being treated so badly, and just wants to give it all up. She plans to secretly escape to a small country estate that her father left her. Draeg tries to convince her that she should never give up the inheritance that rightfully belongs to her. What follows is not only a beautiful romance, some fun with Baccat, as well as Draeg’s new crow fam; and an exciting finish that will find the true culprits within the family, who are part of the attacks, and hurting Lori.
But before he can tell her the truth, Lori discovers that Draeg has been spying and pushes him away in anger, and mistrust. It was nice to see many of the Celta families that we have met from previous stories. Will Lori forgive Draeg or will she leave it all behind? Will Draeg tell Lori she is his heartmate?
Once again Robin D. Owens gives us another wonderful story of two unlikely people, who find their true love. I am a big fan of this series, and cannot wait for the next one.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
November 27, 2015
Heart Legacy (Celta's Heartmates #14) by Robin D. Owens
After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts—beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori’s heart no member of her family ever could.
Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family—her animals. When Draeg discovers she’s rejecting her heritage, he’s appalled. He’s come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it’s an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.
My Review:
Once again Owens is at her best with her world building. Fantasy/Paranormal merge for a continued exploration into her creative mind. "I like our connection" is a sentiment I can agree with as a reader loving this authors talented work and wonderful cast. Draeg and Lori are a perfect couple together. I love how Draeg is just the right amount of mind and heart (despite being a spy) to support Lori through her emotional struggle due to the way her family treats her. When there is no where to belong among your kin there is much lost within you because its such a fundamental part of who she is. I really loved Heart Legacy its a beautiful story from beginning to end.
My Rating:
5 Stars
Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/
Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley/NAL/Penguin
After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts—beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori’s heart no member of her family ever could.
Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family—her animals. When Draeg discovers she’s rejecting her heritage, he’s appalled. He’s come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it’s an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.
My Review:
Once again Owens is at her best with her world building. Fantasy/Paranormal merge for a continued exploration into her creative mind. "I like our connection" is a sentiment I can agree with as a reader loving this authors talented work and wonderful cast. Draeg and Lori are a perfect couple together. I love how Draeg is just the right amount of mind and heart (despite being a spy) to support Lori through her emotional struggle due to the way her family treats her. When there is no where to belong among your kin there is much lost within you because its such a fundamental part of who she is. I really loved Heart Legacy its a beautiful story from beginning to end.
My Rating:
5 Stars
Reviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews
http://kkmalott.booklikes.com/
Note: I received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley/NAL/Penguin
November 6, 2015
Oddly, I liked the hero more at the beginning of the book than I did at the end, mostly because he was in some ways he was part of the group putting pressure on the heroine to resume a life she didn'the really want. Despite nm 4 star rating, I confess that the ending left me vaguely dissatisfied. Liked the Fams, which always add to the charm of a Celta book.
January 11, 2016
3.5 stars. Good start but sort of fizzled out at the ending.
November 17, 2015
This joint review was originally published at The Book Pushers
Marlene: Owens’ Heartmate series has been an autobuy for me for quite a while. Even when I don’t entirely love that particular story (ahem, Heart Fire last year). I always enjoy a trip back to Celta. Owens has created a world with a fascinating history and an exciting present. This is a place I might want to live.
However, I’m very pleased to say that Heart Legacy is back to her old form. I swallowed this one the very afternoon in which I received the ARC, and it was marvelous. Sometimes fricking heartbreaking, but a wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon.
E: Like Marlene I autobuy this series. I have become captivated by her world, the families, their struggles, and Owens lyrical method of writing. As the series continues I enjoy seeing the younger generations start to make their mark as they struggle with their past, expectations, and their own personalities. I haven’t loved each story equally, and some I reread while others just stay on my keeper shelf but the overall impact is one that I look forward to each installment with the same level of anticipation as when I first started the series.
Also like Marlene I found this story both enjoyable and requiring tissues. The payoff however was well worth the tears.
Marlene: The central story in Heart Legacy involves some long-standing family feuds, and also provides a bit more information and closure to the story Heart Fate. In that story, Tinne Holly’s heartmate Lahsin escapes from her horrible marriage in the Yew household by killing her wacko husband in self-defense and running away. We knew something was wrong in Yew House, but it isn’t until now that we discover just how deep the rot goes. And it is rotten all the way down to the core.
While Lahsin was abused by her husband, it is clear in Heart Legacy that there is something awful in the legacy of all the Yews, including the sentient residence. It is oh so clear that Loridana D’Yes is being bullied and abused by every member of her immediate family, including the Residence. In spite of her being the titular head of household, she is preyed upon by everyone in it, while being ritually drained of her flair at every turn. It’s no wonder that she is planning her escape. The only wonder is that she didn’t try it sooner. Also a whole lot of wonder that she has emerged from this cesspit even half sane, let alone reasonably functional.
E: The Yew household was a seriously ill one. The people and the Residence seemed to infect and feed on each other as they went after those who had a decent nature and who cared. I was very glad to see some closure because the Yews had harmed so many, yet were left alone to continue to fester. I did grow a bit exasperated with Lori’s goodness, sweetness, and light until she started to let other elements of her personality show during her time with Draeg and when she began to openly rebel. I really couldn’t blame her for not wanting anything to do with her heritage because it was never a source of comfort, love or respect.
Marlene: Our hero is one of Straif T’Blackthorn’s adopted children. (The beginning of Straif’s thread to this story is in Heart Choice.) But unlike many of Straif’s adopted kids, Draeg BetonyBlackthorn is one of Straif’s cousins. While he is from a lesser branch of the family, with no direct line, Draeg might be a possible heir to Blackthorn. He also has some of the family’s native tracking gifts. What he needs is a purpose in his life, and he has found it by working with investigators to solve crimes, and sometimes just trolling the nastier streets of Druida City and mowing down whatever miscreants try to rob him.
The chief investigator for Druida City, Ilex Winterberry, enlists Draeg’s help in looking into the extremely reclusive Yew family as possible ringleaders for the Traditionalist political faction. If the Traditionalists were just a political faction, that would be one thing, but they have escalated their tactics into attempted murder. Attacks that specifically target children of people they think have been trumped up above their station.
But when Draeg goes undercover as a stockman at the Yew estate, he finds that Loridana D’Yew can’t possibly be the head of a Traditionalist faction. Or any faction. Loridana loves her animals, and is obviously being victimized by her sadistic family. Now they, on the other hand, look like prime candidates for upper class terrorists.
The problem is that Draeg sees the estate through Loridana’s eyes, and finds himself too attracted to her to think clearly about anything else. The deeper he gets involved with Lori, the more certain he is that she’s as much a victim as anyone else. And that she is his heartmate.
And that she probably won’t forgive him for the deceptive way he entered her life.
E: **shakes head** Poor Draeg, all he wanted was a Home and a Purpose. Despite having an adopted family he still felt somewhat rootless and antsy. He dealt with both of those by helping reduce some of the crime which was too minor to come to the attention of the Houses and yet was a concern to the commoners. When he was given a special assignment at first he was resentful but then he started to fall for the Yew land and for Lori herself. The closer they became, the more uncomfortable he was with the role he played and his inability to openly care for and protect Lori not to mention how much she valued the truth.
Marlene: There’s a continuing thread in many of the books in this series. For these to be romances, there has to be some impediment to the couple getting together. It can’t be too easy. Frequently, that impediment is a “big lie”. That’s the case here.
Draeg is operating as an undercover spy, and one of the people he is potentially investigating is Lori. While he’s easily convinced that she has nothing to do with the attacks, he is definitely investigating her family, and with damn good reason. And while she may hate them, they are still hers. And he’s pretending to be a low-flair, low-class stableman. While Lori may not care about the class aspects, the fact is that he is a member of one of the “First Families” and is part of the ruling class that she should be part of and isn’t. And his superiors in this investigation require convincing that Lori isn’t the problem, which leads to further outright lying on Draeg’s part even after he and Lori become lovers. She has a LOT to forgive him for.
At the same time, Lori is also lying to Draeg. He thinks she’s going to fight for her place. He doesn’t understand that she has no faith that she could possibly win such a fight, and that the consequences of losing would be devastating for her. Lori is planning to escape, with her animals, to her late father’s remote estate. She’s going to give up being D’Yew, just at the point where Draeg realizes that he has fallen in love with the Yew Estate, and is beginning to think of himself as becoming T’Yew, Lori’s husband.
When all the shit hits all the fans, Lori accuses him of only being interested in her for what she can do for him, and not for herself. While she’s mostly wrong, she’s also partly right, and they both know it.
E: Oooh I loved that confrontation, even as I worried about its resolution. They were both forced to face some uncomfortable things about each other and what they wanted deep down inside. Did they love the person because of who they were or did they love the person because of what they were? In answering that question they had to see previously overlooked elements and decide to work with the Heartbond or to reject it. I really thought this part helped remind me how a Heartbond wasn’t everything, the individuals also had to put forth the effort to connect on other levels.
Marlene: Overall, I loved this installment in the Heartmate series. While it does provide added depth to the background if you have read previous entries in the series, you don’t have to have a photographic memory of everything that has happened in the past. While the Traditionalist faction has been brewing for a while, there is plenty of explanatory material to make the suspense part of the plot make sense.
Draeg and Loridana are a great couple. They begin a relationship with both of them keeping very important secrets for excellent reasons, so the tension between what they want from each other and what they want in their lives makes excellent sense. Instead of a ridiculous misunderstandammit coming between them, we have a real conflict that is completely necessary for both of their characters.
Loridana’s family, while there is an element of bwahaha evil, are bad to the bone for reasons that make sense to them. While Loridana (and the reader) will disagree with everything they stand for, they are internally consistent, which makes the story more believable. I did find the catalog of their abuses hard reading, not because it was bad writing, but because I felt so much for the character that I hated seeing her beaten down over and over.
The happy ending for Heart Legacy feels earned. And I love that.
I give Heart Legacy an A-
E: While I enjoyed Heart Legacy I did have a pet peeve. Throughout this series problems have occurred in Druida City when Greatly Flaired Families have been left separate and on the fringes. The older generation learned that painful lesson and while some of the youngsters have started banding together, there is still a certain sense of letting each Family operate independently to live or die even when they aren’t participating in the required events. I hope this is addressed or acknowledged sometime even though it isn’t an overnight change.
Draeg and Lori were fun to get to know. I felt for each of them as they struggled with the role they were playing, their growing emotions, and the escalating stakes. Draeg was trying to hold back the hotheads and get to the bottom of his investigation while falling for Lori and the land. Lori was trying to gain more freedom, scout a way out, hide her intentions from everyone, and try not to grow too close to Draeg. They both faced the opposition of her family and the very unwelcoming Residence.
Watching them grow and work for their happy ending was extremely rewarding. It really was work and made the ending very satisfying. I am counting down the months until the next installment.
I give Heart Legacy an A-/B+
Marlene: Owens’ Heartmate series has been an autobuy for me for quite a while. Even when I don’t entirely love that particular story (ahem, Heart Fire last year). I always enjoy a trip back to Celta. Owens has created a world with a fascinating history and an exciting present. This is a place I might want to live.
However, I’m very pleased to say that Heart Legacy is back to her old form. I swallowed this one the very afternoon in which I received the ARC, and it was marvelous. Sometimes fricking heartbreaking, but a wonderful way to spend a weekend afternoon.
E: Like Marlene I autobuy this series. I have become captivated by her world, the families, their struggles, and Owens lyrical method of writing. As the series continues I enjoy seeing the younger generations start to make their mark as they struggle with their past, expectations, and their own personalities. I haven’t loved each story equally, and some I reread while others just stay on my keeper shelf but the overall impact is one that I look forward to each installment with the same level of anticipation as when I first started the series.
Also like Marlene I found this story both enjoyable and requiring tissues. The payoff however was well worth the tears.
Marlene: The central story in Heart Legacy involves some long-standing family feuds, and also provides a bit more information and closure to the story Heart Fate. In that story, Tinne Holly’s heartmate Lahsin escapes from her horrible marriage in the Yew household by killing her wacko husband in self-defense and running away. We knew something was wrong in Yew House, but it isn’t until now that we discover just how deep the rot goes. And it is rotten all the way down to the core.
While Lahsin was abused by her husband, it is clear in Heart Legacy that there is something awful in the legacy of all the Yews, including the sentient residence. It is oh so clear that Loridana D’Yes is being bullied and abused by every member of her immediate family, including the Residence. In spite of her being the titular head of household, she is preyed upon by everyone in it, while being ritually drained of her flair at every turn. It’s no wonder that she is planning her escape. The only wonder is that she didn’t try it sooner. Also a whole lot of wonder that she has emerged from this cesspit even half sane, let alone reasonably functional.
E: The Yew household was a seriously ill one. The people and the Residence seemed to infect and feed on each other as they went after those who had a decent nature and who cared. I was very glad to see some closure because the Yews had harmed so many, yet were left alone to continue to fester. I did grow a bit exasperated with Lori’s goodness, sweetness, and light until she started to let other elements of her personality show during her time with Draeg and when she began to openly rebel. I really couldn’t blame her for not wanting anything to do with her heritage because it was never a source of comfort, love or respect.
Marlene: Our hero is one of Straif T’Blackthorn’s adopted children. (The beginning of Straif’s thread to this story is in Heart Choice.) But unlike many of Straif’s adopted kids, Draeg BetonyBlackthorn is one of Straif’s cousins. While he is from a lesser branch of the family, with no direct line, Draeg might be a possible heir to Blackthorn. He also has some of the family’s native tracking gifts. What he needs is a purpose in his life, and he has found it by working with investigators to solve crimes, and sometimes just trolling the nastier streets of Druida City and mowing down whatever miscreants try to rob him.
The chief investigator for Druida City, Ilex Winterberry, enlists Draeg’s help in looking into the extremely reclusive Yew family as possible ringleaders for the Traditionalist political faction. If the Traditionalists were just a political faction, that would be one thing, but they have escalated their tactics into attempted murder. Attacks that specifically target children of people they think have been trumped up above their station.
But when Draeg goes undercover as a stockman at the Yew estate, he finds that Loridana D’Yew can’t possibly be the head of a Traditionalist faction. Or any faction. Loridana loves her animals, and is obviously being victimized by her sadistic family. Now they, on the other hand, look like prime candidates for upper class terrorists.
The problem is that Draeg sees the estate through Loridana’s eyes, and finds himself too attracted to her to think clearly about anything else. The deeper he gets involved with Lori, the more certain he is that she’s as much a victim as anyone else. And that she is his heartmate.
And that she probably won’t forgive him for the deceptive way he entered her life.
E: **shakes head** Poor Draeg, all he wanted was a Home and a Purpose. Despite having an adopted family he still felt somewhat rootless and antsy. He dealt with both of those by helping reduce some of the crime which was too minor to come to the attention of the Houses and yet was a concern to the commoners. When he was given a special assignment at first he was resentful but then he started to fall for the Yew land and for Lori herself. The closer they became, the more uncomfortable he was with the role he played and his inability to openly care for and protect Lori not to mention how much she valued the truth.
Marlene: There’s a continuing thread in many of the books in this series. For these to be romances, there has to be some impediment to the couple getting together. It can’t be too easy. Frequently, that impediment is a “big lie”. That’s the case here.
Draeg is operating as an undercover spy, and one of the people he is potentially investigating is Lori. While he’s easily convinced that she has nothing to do with the attacks, he is definitely investigating her family, and with damn good reason. And while she may hate them, they are still hers. And he’s pretending to be a low-flair, low-class stableman. While Lori may not care about the class aspects, the fact is that he is a member of one of the “First Families” and is part of the ruling class that she should be part of and isn’t. And his superiors in this investigation require convincing that Lori isn’t the problem, which leads to further outright lying on Draeg’s part even after he and Lori become lovers. She has a LOT to forgive him for.
At the same time, Lori is also lying to Draeg. He thinks she’s going to fight for her place. He doesn’t understand that she has no faith that she could possibly win such a fight, and that the consequences of losing would be devastating for her. Lori is planning to escape, with her animals, to her late father’s remote estate. She’s going to give up being D’Yew, just at the point where Draeg realizes that he has fallen in love with the Yew Estate, and is beginning to think of himself as becoming T’Yew, Lori’s husband.
When all the shit hits all the fans, Lori accuses him of only being interested in her for what she can do for him, and not for herself. While she’s mostly wrong, she’s also partly right, and they both know it.
E: Oooh I loved that confrontation, even as I worried about its resolution. They were both forced to face some uncomfortable things about each other and what they wanted deep down inside. Did they love the person because of who they were or did they love the person because of what they were? In answering that question they had to see previously overlooked elements and decide to work with the Heartbond or to reject it. I really thought this part helped remind me how a Heartbond wasn’t everything, the individuals also had to put forth the effort to connect on other levels.
Marlene: Overall, I loved this installment in the Heartmate series. While it does provide added depth to the background if you have read previous entries in the series, you don’t have to have a photographic memory of everything that has happened in the past. While the Traditionalist faction has been brewing for a while, there is plenty of explanatory material to make the suspense part of the plot make sense.
Draeg and Loridana are a great couple. They begin a relationship with both of them keeping very important secrets for excellent reasons, so the tension between what they want from each other and what they want in their lives makes excellent sense. Instead of a ridiculous misunderstandammit coming between them, we have a real conflict that is completely necessary for both of their characters.
Loridana’s family, while there is an element of bwahaha evil, are bad to the bone for reasons that make sense to them. While Loridana (and the reader) will disagree with everything they stand for, they are internally consistent, which makes the story more believable. I did find the catalog of their abuses hard reading, not because it was bad writing, but because I felt so much for the character that I hated seeing her beaten down over and over.
The happy ending for Heart Legacy feels earned. And I love that.
I give Heart Legacy an A-
E: While I enjoyed Heart Legacy I did have a pet peeve. Throughout this series problems have occurred in Druida City when Greatly Flaired Families have been left separate and on the fringes. The older generation learned that painful lesson and while some of the youngsters have started banding together, there is still a certain sense of letting each Family operate independently to live or die even when they aren’t participating in the required events. I hope this is addressed or acknowledged sometime even though it isn’t an overnight change.
Draeg and Lori were fun to get to know. I felt for each of them as they struggled with the role they were playing, their growing emotions, and the escalating stakes. Draeg was trying to hold back the hotheads and get to the bottom of his investigation while falling for Lori and the land. Lori was trying to gain more freedom, scout a way out, hide her intentions from everyone, and try not to grow too close to Draeg. They both faced the opposition of her family and the very unwelcoming Residence.
Watching them grow and work for their happy ending was extremely rewarding. It really was work and made the ending very satisfying. I am counting down the months until the next installment.
I give Heart Legacy an A-/B+
February 4, 2018
Rereading the series back to back has not been great for my opinion of the world building. There are so many issues here, and this was not one of the better books.
As D'Yew, the Residence should listen to her, not the other relatives. That's how crappy heads of households (T'Yew and later his daughter, and old D'Willow) were able to be so mean to their families. Though in this case, I guess the whole Yew family is mostly rotten. But I don't recall any other person needing a celebration of adulthood to gain adult status. I have to say that her plan is unnecessarily difficult. Rather than worry about additional animals, she can ask them to return to their previous home to be cared for. She could meet people and make alliances while she's out wandering around. Her Fam could help her with that. It's silly to say the other Yews wouldn't respect one that brought in outsiders, and she wouldn't either. Would they respect her more for running away? And since her family all seems to be crap, who cares if they respect her? It's embarrassing that her family is so horrible. If they don't want outsiders in their business, they should obey the laws. Of course it's way better to have the guards threaten to break down your gates because your cousins are murderers. I'd like an explanation about her and Lahsin both developing unusually strong shielding abilities. Flair is supposed to follow family bloodlines, so it doesn't make sense. Does it even mention how her father died? If herbs and healers can help a pregnancy happen, why is the birth rate so poor? And why not have more than one child? The inconsistencies are maddening. First her cousins are easy to read, then they're sly, and apparently they know when she's talking to the Residence and immediately appear - of course teleporting which is always said to be reckless if not to a properly designated spot. The residence having old T'Yew's personality and then gaining a new one (with a name) is wrong also. The other residences speak with the voices of ancestors, but their personality is separate. Like cranky Balmheal and chipper TQ.
I would like to know why the guards, or at least at T'Blackthorn can't trace any sign on that button. The Traditionalists aren't really a political group at this point, though I sometimes feel Owens is trying to make a statement with them. It's one thing to not like something and even to try to legislate to bring about your vision; it's another thing to go along with secretly murdering children and such. If you tried for a public outcry denouncing the "mutant" powers or mixed commoner blood as threat that must be eradicated, that's kind of a legit path, but this is obviously just straight criminal activity. No subtlety and just villains who are arrogant and stupid. I have already read Heart Sight, and supposedly the death of the "head" is the death of the movement, but that's nonsense, it isn't how fanatical organizations work. Regarding the celtaroon possibly meant to kill a Walker and or his kids. If it killed the worker, didn't people notice the dead guy and realize it was loose? Why did the cats need to be there to sense it? Honestly Draeg should just tell Lori that her family is under suspicion and get her cooperation. What is the point of Tinne appointing him to investigate if he won't trust his judgment? And if the twins regularly travel in the city, won't they recognize him? Though apparently Lori is idiot enough that she believes her family is not capable of plotting to murder, despite the fact that they tried to kill her cat and she knows that they are capable of killing her other animals. Not strong on the logic. And why exactly can't the Holly kid just identify the cousins? Then her cousins straight out try to kill her out of nowhere, the residence won't help her (why would it want a lesser Yew in charge?), their father pretends it is normal, and her own power doesn't work worth a shit to protect her. WTF. Then they claim it started with her grandfather, who lived so long, blah, blah. No...he was her grandfather. Her mother wasn't that old when he died, so he was probably somewhere in his 60s or 70s, not exactly old for people that live 200 years. NONE OF THAT MAKES SENSE. As for the other conspirator, just ask Yew Residence who Folia's lover was, since he visited the house.
Draeg states that he didn't travel to Lugh's Spear because it was too far and dangerous to come back alone. What? Glyssa did it - there is public transport!It was unnecessary for Cratag to punch Draeg, when it was Cal that went to see him. Telling him to leave would have been good enough. The main issue I have with this pairing is that he is basically a fortune hunter, and that issue is never addressed. She is made to feel guilty for abandoning an estate and family that has never done right by her, and outright abused her. Other Residences have survived firebombing, explosions, decades of neglect and no people, but after a couple of months the Yew Residence is dying? Yeah right. Did anyone ever find out about her shielding ability? There's a brief moment where the bird says he was right and he wonders if that's true, but literally that's it for thinking he did wrong. In the end, he didn't even have to grovel, she came back to him out of nowhere.
I find it super frustrating that nothing is consistent. Teleporting, speaking mentally, healing flair (how did she heal herself at the end?), the abilities of the residence to monitor - all of that changes based on how convenient it is at that moment. So sometimes a loved one is in danger and that can be sensed and immediately teleported to save them. In this case, the Holly kid is struggling with murderers and a cat calls for help - Tinne doesn't feel his son's danger, nor does he cry out for help. Baccat hides his own near-mortal wounds from Lori.
As D'Yew, the Residence should listen to her, not the other relatives. That's how crappy heads of households (T'Yew and later his daughter, and old D'Willow) were able to be so mean to their families. Though in this case, I guess the whole Yew family is mostly rotten. But I don't recall any other person needing a celebration of adulthood to gain adult status. I have to say that her plan is unnecessarily difficult. Rather than worry about additional animals, she can ask them to return to their previous home to be cared for. She could meet people and make alliances while she's out wandering around. Her Fam could help her with that. It's silly to say the other Yews wouldn't respect one that brought in outsiders, and she wouldn't either. Would they respect her more for running away? And since her family all seems to be crap, who cares if they respect her? It's embarrassing that her family is so horrible. If they don't want outsiders in their business, they should obey the laws. Of course it's way better to have the guards threaten to break down your gates because your cousins are murderers. I'd like an explanation about her and Lahsin both developing unusually strong shielding abilities. Flair is supposed to follow family bloodlines, so it doesn't make sense. Does it even mention how her father died? If herbs and healers can help a pregnancy happen, why is the birth rate so poor? And why not have more than one child? The inconsistencies are maddening. First her cousins are easy to read, then they're sly, and apparently they know when she's talking to the Residence and immediately appear - of course teleporting which is always said to be reckless if not to a properly designated spot. The residence having old T'Yew's personality and then gaining a new one (with a name) is wrong also. The other residences speak with the voices of ancestors, but their personality is separate. Like cranky Balmheal and chipper TQ.
I would like to know why the guards, or at least at T'Blackthorn can't trace any sign on that button. The Traditionalists aren't really a political group at this point, though I sometimes feel Owens is trying to make a statement with them. It's one thing to not like something and even to try to legislate to bring about your vision; it's another thing to go along with secretly murdering children and such. If you tried for a public outcry denouncing the "mutant" powers or mixed commoner blood as threat that must be eradicated, that's kind of a legit path, but this is obviously just straight criminal activity. No subtlety and just villains who are arrogant and stupid. I have already read Heart Sight, and supposedly the death of the "head" is the death of the movement, but that's nonsense, it isn't how fanatical organizations work. Regarding the celtaroon possibly meant to kill a Walker and or his kids. If it killed the worker, didn't people notice the dead guy and realize it was loose? Why did the cats need to be there to sense it? Honestly Draeg should just tell Lori that her family is under suspicion and get her cooperation. What is the point of Tinne appointing him to investigate if he won't trust his judgment? And if the twins regularly travel in the city, won't they recognize him? Though apparently Lori is idiot enough that she believes her family is not capable of plotting to murder, despite the fact that they tried to kill her cat and she knows that they are capable of killing her other animals. Not strong on the logic. And why exactly can't the Holly kid just identify the cousins? Then her cousins straight out try to kill her out of nowhere, the residence won't help her (why would it want a lesser Yew in charge?), their father pretends it is normal, and her own power doesn't work worth a shit to protect her. WTF. Then they claim it started with her grandfather, who lived so long, blah, blah. No...he was her grandfather. Her mother wasn't that old when he died, so he was probably somewhere in his 60s or 70s, not exactly old for people that live 200 years. NONE OF THAT MAKES SENSE. As for the other conspirator, just ask Yew Residence who Folia's lover was, since he visited the house.
Draeg states that he didn't travel to Lugh's Spear because it was too far and dangerous to come back alone. What? Glyssa did it - there is public transport!It was unnecessary for Cratag to punch Draeg, when it was Cal that went to see him. Telling him to leave would have been good enough. The main issue I have with this pairing is that he is basically a fortune hunter, and that issue is never addressed. She is made to feel guilty for abandoning an estate and family that has never done right by her, and outright abused her. Other Residences have survived firebombing, explosions, decades of neglect and no people, but after a couple of months the Yew Residence is dying? Yeah right. Did anyone ever find out about her shielding ability? There's a brief moment where the bird says he was right and he wonders if that's true, but literally that's it for thinking he did wrong. In the end, he didn't even have to grovel, she came back to him out of nowhere.
I find it super frustrating that nothing is consistent. Teleporting, speaking mentally, healing flair (how did she heal herself at the end?), the abilities of the residence to monitor - all of that changes based on how convenient it is at that moment. So sometimes a loved one is in danger and that can be sensed and immediately teleported to save them. In this case, the Holly kid is struggling with murderers and a cat calls for help - Tinne doesn't feel his son's danger, nor does he cry out for help. Baccat hides his own near-mortal wounds from Lori.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2017
I think I would have enjoyed this much more if I had read ANY of the previous books in the series. I had to spend too much mental energy making sense of the different language uses, and aspects of world that (I'm guessing) were explained a bit more in earlier books. But that's all on me.
I will definitely be checking out more from this author and probably the first book from this series.
*I kept pronouncing the name of the near by city Druida City as Druidia which give it a whole different spin.
I will definitely be checking out more from this author and probably the first book from this series.
*I kept pronouncing the name of the near by city Druida City as Druidia which give it a whole different spin.
October 7, 2022
2022 bk 308. I struggle with this book - I'm not sure what I found lacking in this, but it did not feel like as complete of a story as her other titles. Draeg's efforts as a spy/stableman, the attitude of the residence towards the Yew family - something seemed off. The ending a little too quick and pat and while a good deal of time was supposed to have passed in the last chapters - it didn't feel that way. I'll keep the book and re-read it the next time I decide to go through the entire series, but just do not enjoy it as much as the others.
November 6, 2015
Continuing the Celtan series but this book would be harder to read as a stand alone I think, unlike most. Loridana is D'Yew in waiting, the leader of the Noble Yews of the First Families of Celta. But the Family and the Residence are not behaving in the accepted manner. Not only have they cut themselves off from society but they are actively holding the rightful power back from Loridana and attempting to control her.
The Yews have a long history of dishonorable behaviour and some of the First Families are suspicious that they are at it again. Draeg Brettony-Blackthorn is sent in undercover but soon finds himself wanting to protect Loridana. What is really going on here? And can these two learn trust before irretrievable harm is done?
The Yews have a long history of dishonorable behaviour and some of the First Families are suspicious that they are at it again. Draeg Brettony-Blackthorn is sent in undercover but soon finds himself wanting to protect Loridana. What is really going on here? And can these two learn trust before irretrievable harm is done?
January 1, 2025
I can't believe that we're into the second generation of characters (I know it started last book with Anten, or maybe even before with Vinny), but the plot/history flows very well.
Neither Lori nor Draeg can admit to the other exactly who they are. They can't "allow" the other to see who they are because of circumstances that surround them.
Like the way that previous main characters have cameos. Feel really sorry for T'Ash and his testing stones...
Neither Lori nor Draeg can admit to the other exactly who they are. They can't "allow" the other to see who they are because of circumstances that surround them.
Like the way that previous main characters have cameos. Feel really sorry for T'Ash and his testing stones...
December 15, 2015
Oh boy. While I'm a fan of this series, this one just didn't work for me nearly as well as the others.
Lori's home environment is grim, and when she and Draeg get together, it's not much better. He even tries to add to her problems at one point wanting to make her do what he thinks she ought to. Plus all the buildup leads to a very abrupt ending.
Even the Fams weren't much fun in this one.
Lori's home environment is grim, and when she and Draeg get together, it's not much better. He even tries to add to her problems at one point wanting to make her do what he thinks she ought to. Plus all the buildup leads to a very abrupt ending.
Even the Fams weren't much fun in this one.
November 5, 2015
I have loved this series since the beginning and love it still. Am looking forward for more on the Heart mates especially that of Vinny and Hazel. If you haven't read these stories yet, than please begin the journey.
November 5, 2015
I love the heartmates stories.
December 10, 2015
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2015/11/review-...
Heart Legacy is the fourteenth book in Robin D. Owens futuristic romance series and revisits a previously seen family-The Yews. Though each book in this series can be read as a stand alone, the arc and it’s relation to this couple has a history that reaches deeply within the series. Owen’s does a wonderful job of referencing the past and giving new readers and those readers who may need a refresher the basics of both protagonists and their backgrounds. I recommend reading Heartmate if you haven’t done so already to understand the antagonistic history between the Yews and the Hollies.
A little recap: In HeartMate, book #7, a young girl was sold into marriage at the tender age of 14 to the much older T’Yew and was abused by him, his daughter, and the residence itself. Lahsin escapes and the story ends with her marrying Tinne Holly. Owens picks back up with the elusive Yew family and an ongoing plotline that has been filtering through the last few books and makes it the mainstay of this installment. The Traditionalists are those who believe only the purebloods of Celta’s oldest families are worthy and have begun to stage attacks on those they consider lowbornes. They also want to eradicate families who are diluting the bloodlines. When prominent Celtran family are targeted and almost die, Draeg Betony-Blackthorn is summoned to go undercover find out if the Yews are back up to their old tricks.
The Yews are one of the original first families and have become isolationists after the death of T’Yew. No one has seen the current head of the family since she was born-Loridana. Lori is the grandchild of T’Yew and became the head of the family after her mother’s death. Kept completely isolated by her family, the staff, and the residence, she too is the victim of abuse and has been planning her escape from the family for years. Her greatest love is her animals. They do not judge, hurt, or demand anything from her beyond her love. About to come into her second flair, she knows she has a limited amount of time to put her plan in action because once her main gift is revealed, the family will never let her leave. Almost everything is in place when her new stridebeasts arrive and with them a handsome stable hand.
Lori is a bit different in terms of the average Owen heroines. One, she is one of the few I have met that doesn’t seem to care either way if she finds her heartmate. Refreshing in a way when a majority of these stories seem to focus on one person desperately wanting the link and the other running as fast as they can from it. At first I was bored by Lori. Quiet, complacent, and seemingly broken in spirit; she really didn’t strike a cord for me. it’s only as you spend more time with her do you begin to see her strength. You learn she must maintain the illusion of acceptance of her life and the will of her family in order to survive. She acquiesces to all their demands though beneath her placid demeaner you see the fire brewing. In her voice you hear the faint sounds of rebellion. She is very skilled at the art of deception; something not realized till towards the end.
Draeg is the typical young alpha male. Struggling to find himself within his adopted family, he stands poised on the cusp of adulthood as he shows signs of both maturity one minute and childlike emotion the next. A mercenary by trade, he spends his time looking for fights. He is both fascinated and confused by Lori. Like me at first, he didn’t understand why she isn’t fighting for her rightful place in her family. Why she doesn’t fight for the respect she deserves? Why she isn’t fighting for her birthright? Unlike me, Draeg has no idea what she has endured and in my opinion didn’t really try to understand the reasons until they slap him in the face.
The relationship between Lori and Draeg starts off antagonistic as Lori is unsure she can trust him and Draeg is unsure if she is innocent or the mastermind behind the attacks. Their bond develops slowly, beginning with their shared love of the animals though Lori has to be very careful her family nor the residence learn of her growing attraction for Draeg. There is a lot of buried pain in Lori and Draeg isn’t always careful with her feelings. As they grow closer and he realizes she is his heartmate, he begins to plan their life out without considering the ramifications of his lies to her or even what she really wants.
The mystery and romance of the story are decent, but I wasn’t blown away by either of them. The focus remains almost solely on the protagonists, Lori more so then Draeg, leaving us with little action or suspense. The focus also makes it hard to see any povs beyond the protagonists. Much is told but not seen. I had trouble accepting they were falling in love, perhaps because both spent so much time wrapped in a deception of their own making, it was hard to separate the real from the facade. I was also disappointed that Owen didn’t continue with her recent trend of racer love scenes. Though Owen always writes a decent love scenes, lately she seems to have expanded her imagination into the bedroom but in here she retreats back to her previous form.
Many old characters and meet new ones decorate the story. Faces from throughout the series pop in and out to lend advice or a helping hand. The non-human characters are always a treat in this series. Such dynamic personalities are revealed and add some humor to their scenes. It’s here three such characters are revealed. Baccat is Lori’s famcat. He extremely territorial and outspoken. He shares a special bond with Lori as he too was treated badly by his last family. He understands Lori and her need to be free better than most. Corax is Draeg’s fam and unusual as he is a crow. The residence is a complex entity whose long spiral into insanity is a product of fractured personalities that has inhabited it. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for it as the home struggles with letting its last baby, Lori, go.
The ending is a mixture of the intrigue and action I had been looking for throughout as the villains are routed and the residence finally becomes what it was meant to be. The romance resolves itself and we are left thinking that all will be well though I was also left feeling somewhat deflated. While I liked the story, I did feel some things weren’t addressed that should have been and everything seemed to resolve to quickly without much fanfare. Regardless, I always enjoy visiting Ms. Owens futuristic world and look forward to seeing her next hero & heroine.
Grade: C
Heart Legacy is the fourteenth book in Robin D. Owens futuristic romance series and revisits a previously seen family-The Yews. Though each book in this series can be read as a stand alone, the arc and it’s relation to this couple has a history that reaches deeply within the series. Owen’s does a wonderful job of referencing the past and giving new readers and those readers who may need a refresher the basics of both protagonists and their backgrounds. I recommend reading Heartmate if you haven’t done so already to understand the antagonistic history between the Yews and the Hollies.
A little recap: In HeartMate, book #7, a young girl was sold into marriage at the tender age of 14 to the much older T’Yew and was abused by him, his daughter, and the residence itself. Lahsin escapes and the story ends with her marrying Tinne Holly. Owens picks back up with the elusive Yew family and an ongoing plotline that has been filtering through the last few books and makes it the mainstay of this installment. The Traditionalists are those who believe only the purebloods of Celta’s oldest families are worthy and have begun to stage attacks on those they consider lowbornes. They also want to eradicate families who are diluting the bloodlines. When prominent Celtran family are targeted and almost die, Draeg Betony-Blackthorn is summoned to go undercover find out if the Yews are back up to their old tricks.
The Yews are one of the original first families and have become isolationists after the death of T’Yew. No one has seen the current head of the family since she was born-Loridana. Lori is the grandchild of T’Yew and became the head of the family after her mother’s death. Kept completely isolated by her family, the staff, and the residence, she too is the victim of abuse and has been planning her escape from the family for years. Her greatest love is her animals. They do not judge, hurt, or demand anything from her beyond her love. About to come into her second flair, she knows she has a limited amount of time to put her plan in action because once her main gift is revealed, the family will never let her leave. Almost everything is in place when her new stridebeasts arrive and with them a handsome stable hand.
Lori is a bit different in terms of the average Owen heroines. One, she is one of the few I have met that doesn’t seem to care either way if she finds her heartmate. Refreshing in a way when a majority of these stories seem to focus on one person desperately wanting the link and the other running as fast as they can from it. At first I was bored by Lori. Quiet, complacent, and seemingly broken in spirit; she really didn’t strike a cord for me. it’s only as you spend more time with her do you begin to see her strength. You learn she must maintain the illusion of acceptance of her life and the will of her family in order to survive. She acquiesces to all their demands though beneath her placid demeaner you see the fire brewing. In her voice you hear the faint sounds of rebellion. She is very skilled at the art of deception; something not realized till towards the end.
Draeg is the typical young alpha male. Struggling to find himself within his adopted family, he stands poised on the cusp of adulthood as he shows signs of both maturity one minute and childlike emotion the next. A mercenary by trade, he spends his time looking for fights. He is both fascinated and confused by Lori. Like me at first, he didn’t understand why she isn’t fighting for her rightful place in her family. Why she doesn’t fight for the respect she deserves? Why she isn’t fighting for her birthright? Unlike me, Draeg has no idea what she has endured and in my opinion didn’t really try to understand the reasons until they slap him in the face.
The relationship between Lori and Draeg starts off antagonistic as Lori is unsure she can trust him and Draeg is unsure if she is innocent or the mastermind behind the attacks. Their bond develops slowly, beginning with their shared love of the animals though Lori has to be very careful her family nor the residence learn of her growing attraction for Draeg. There is a lot of buried pain in Lori and Draeg isn’t always careful with her feelings. As they grow closer and he realizes she is his heartmate, he begins to plan their life out without considering the ramifications of his lies to her or even what she really wants.
The mystery and romance of the story are decent, but I wasn’t blown away by either of them. The focus remains almost solely on the protagonists, Lori more so then Draeg, leaving us with little action or suspense. The focus also makes it hard to see any povs beyond the protagonists. Much is told but not seen. I had trouble accepting they were falling in love, perhaps because both spent so much time wrapped in a deception of their own making, it was hard to separate the real from the facade. I was also disappointed that Owen didn’t continue with her recent trend of racer love scenes. Though Owen always writes a decent love scenes, lately she seems to have expanded her imagination into the bedroom but in here she retreats back to her previous form.
Many old characters and meet new ones decorate the story. Faces from throughout the series pop in and out to lend advice or a helping hand. The non-human characters are always a treat in this series. Such dynamic personalities are revealed and add some humor to their scenes. It’s here three such characters are revealed. Baccat is Lori’s famcat. He extremely territorial and outspoken. He shares a special bond with Lori as he too was treated badly by his last family. He understands Lori and her need to be free better than most. Corax is Draeg’s fam and unusual as he is a crow. The residence is a complex entity whose long spiral into insanity is a product of fractured personalities that has inhabited it. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for it as the home struggles with letting its last baby, Lori, go.
The ending is a mixture of the intrigue and action I had been looking for throughout as the villains are routed and the residence finally becomes what it was meant to be. The romance resolves itself and we are left thinking that all will be well though I was also left feeling somewhat deflated. While I liked the story, I did feel some things weren’t addressed that should have been and everything seemed to resolve to quickly without much fanfare. Regardless, I always enjoy visiting Ms. Owens futuristic world and look forward to seeing her next hero & heroine.
Grade: C
December 22, 2018
Great story until the end *spoiler alert*
Another beautiful look at the Celia world. The story started out wonderful, the characters were well developed. The end of the story felt very rushed and not well thought out. After the lies and betrayal and fighting for her own life, Lori just accepts that she will return and without any apology from Draeg she asks him to marry her?! Then there were the loose ends: what was up with the found bracelet in the scarecrow? A big deal was made about her flair which went nowhere. Why did T’Ash even test her? What was the response from Lashin after the apology? Why did the residence not help Lori during the fight? He was so big on the family doing things a certain way. He would never support a housekeeper in killing the last of the direct line.
As I said the last 1/8 of the book just seemed to be slapped together. Hopefully the next installment will get back to the great story telling I’ve come to expect from Ms Owens :)
Another beautiful look at the Celia world. The story started out wonderful, the characters were well developed. The end of the story felt very rushed and not well thought out. After the lies and betrayal and fighting for her own life, Lori just accepts that she will return and without any apology from Draeg she asks him to marry her?! Then there were the loose ends: what was up with the found bracelet in the scarecrow? A big deal was made about her flair which went nowhere. Why did T’Ash even test her? What was the response from Lashin after the apology? Why did the residence not help Lori during the fight? He was so big on the family doing things a certain way. He would never support a housekeeper in killing the last of the direct line.
As I said the last 1/8 of the book just seemed to be slapped together. Hopefully the next installment will get back to the great story telling I’ve come to expect from Ms Owens :)
December 28, 2021
Yew Never Know Where You’re Going ‘Til You Get There
HeartMate14
I had no idea when reading the start of this series, that RDOwens would be able to wrest so much wealth from it. It is fabulous!
Loridana Yew is a completely new character; her mother and grandfather (FatherSire) were so staunchly unpleasant, that their ends were a relief. But, that left a defenseless child in the atmosphere that dealt harshly with her. Denied all but the trappings of her title, she was kept in isolation. And, perhaps more importantly, she had decided to leave all those trappings behind and make a new life for herself and a small herd of breeding animals.
Draeg Betony-Blackthorn hasn’t yet found his place in life. Restless, skillful, and grieving the loss of his parents as a small child, Draeg takes on a task to find out if the Yews were truly isolated, or part of an increasingly violent political minority. His task leads him to Loridana, and past her, to the inimical Yew Residence and the adults running the house.
The story unfolds masterfully. Enjoy!
HeartMate14
I had no idea when reading the start of this series, that RDOwens would be able to wrest so much wealth from it. It is fabulous!
Loridana Yew is a completely new character; her mother and grandfather (FatherSire) were so staunchly unpleasant, that their ends were a relief. But, that left a defenseless child in the atmosphere that dealt harshly with her. Denied all but the trappings of her title, she was kept in isolation. And, perhaps more importantly, she had decided to leave all those trappings behind and make a new life for herself and a small herd of breeding animals.
Draeg Betony-Blackthorn hasn’t yet found his place in life. Restless, skillful, and grieving the loss of his parents as a small child, Draeg takes on a task to find out if the Yews were truly isolated, or part of an increasingly violent political minority. His task leads him to Loridana, and past her, to the inimical Yew Residence and the adults running the house.
The story unfolds masterfully. Enjoy!
September 4, 2023
Heart Legacy on Books On Track
RTC
Previous books:
✦ Heart Fire (Celta's Heartmates, #13) ~ ★★★ (06/07/2023)
✦ Heart Fortune (Celta's Heartmates, #12) ~ ★★★ (07/06/2023)
✦ 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)
May 28, 2020
In another book the head of the Yews, an abusive child molester, died which resulted in the Yews withdrawing from Celta's society. During that time, his daughter married, had a daughter, went insane and died. The daughter and heir is Loridana who is kept severely under the thumbs of her relatives and residence and NEVER allowed to become its head.
Outside of the estate, evidence is found that the Yews might be behind a couple of murder attempts. Sent on a spy mission to find out who is running the Yews is Draeg.
Loridana's only emotional attachments are to her fam cat, her stridebeasts, and, as the book opens, two new horses. Into that mix comes the new stable man who may have more flair than he says.
This book is emotionally realistic in that it often takes abuse victims eons to leave their abusers. Loridana plans to take her animals with her which is another complication. Well done Ms. Owens.
Outside of the estate, evidence is found that the Yews might be behind a couple of murder attempts. Sent on a spy mission to find out who is running the Yews is Draeg.
Loridana's only emotional attachments are to her fam cat, her stridebeasts, and, as the book opens, two new horses. Into that mix comes the new stable man who may have more flair than he says.
This book is emotionally realistic in that it often takes abuse victims eons to leave their abusers. Loridana plans to take her animals with her which is another complication. Well done Ms. Owens.
May 19, 2023
This one built a little slower (too a long time to set things in place and learn what we needed to about the characters) and repeated over and over and over about her plans or kept reminding us how she was going to leave. After the second and third time, that became just a little annoying, and started to bog the story down after a while. At the start, I guess that I was expecting something different and some more action and I was expecting Lori to leave the Yew lands a whole lot sooner than she did. Even though that disappointed me a little, I understand that she had to figure out who she was before she could go back. I get that, but, it just skipped from Spring to Summer and I kept wondering where and how she got her money. The end wasn't as abrupt as some of the previous books, so, I will say that it is still a good story that wrapped up rather nicely.
hibernating
July 24, 2023I have started this book twice, and both times, I laid it aside before I got even a quarter of the way in. I'm not sure if I set it aside because I had already binge-read my way through the first 13 books and was just tiring of the series at that particular moment, or if I put it down because it's so uncomfortable to read about the emotional abuse Lori suffers at the hands of her Family and the Yew Residence. The first time it happened, I thought the former issue was more likely. This time, I'm leaning toward the latter. That doesn't mean it's a bad book—after all, I do enjoy the other books in the series!—just that this particular book doesn't seem to be a good fit for me. (Not because of personal experience, at all; I just find family betrayal, abuse, and neglect very hard to read about.)
September 21, 2024
Picking this book up by chance I hadn't realized it was part of a much larger series which placed my knowledge of the world and characters at a great disadvantage. I spent a great deal of time looking up things to help me get a better footing and that greatly took away from my experience reading it and surely effects my rating.
While the story has a dark and grim undertone to it, I found that it was part of the story's charm. However, I felt the story left something to be desired by the abrupt ending and the frequent repetition noted throughout. All and all, if you were already a fan of the series you might enjoy this one but not having been a fan already this book wasn't enough to prompt me to read more.
While the story has a dark and grim undertone to it, I found that it was part of the story's charm. However, I felt the story left something to be desired by the abrupt ending and the frequent repetition noted throughout. All and all, if you were already a fan of the series you might enjoy this one but not having been a fan already this book wasn't enough to prompt me to read more.
February 3, 2018
2.5 stars- okay. There is a good chance that I might have liked this better if I hadn't done this in audio. I didn't really connect with leading lady Loridonna D'Yew - the narrator was male and that worked fined for the leading man and for Lori's famcat but not for her. And in audio all of Lori's planning and preparation for fleeing her family felt repetitive and plodding, and the dialog and love scenes felt clunky.
October 20, 2020
Celta's Heartmates #14
I still love the world building in this series, though I have to admit that this was probably my least favorite book so far. It just didn't mesh with me as well as the rest of them have. And of course the narrator with his gender confusion while narrating definitely didn't help. I also have to say that I was kind of disappointed that Strafe T'Blackthorne never told his nephew/adopted son that Blackthorne's track their heartmates. Still, it was worth the read. Enjoy!
Read:
October 19, 2020 – Audible Plus
I still love the world building in this series, though I have to admit that this was probably my least favorite book so far. It just didn't mesh with me as well as the rest of them have. And of course the narrator with his gender confusion while narrating definitely didn't help. I also have to say that I was kind of disappointed that Strafe T'Blackthorne never told his nephew/adopted son that Blackthorne's track their heartmates. Still, it was worth the read. Enjoy!
Read:
October 19, 2020 – Audible Plus
January 9, 2020
Featuring another of the Blackthorn clan (Draeg), and Loridana D’Yew, we are invited into the secretive world of the Yew Residence (which we first met in Tinne and Lahsin Holly’s book. Loridana is D’Yew in name only, and this story tells about her fight against her controlling residence and relatives.
January 10, 2018
Heartwarming and Hearwrenching
Another wonderful story from this great author. This is Draeg And
Lorianna’s story. There trials and final completion of Isolationist causing trouble oh Celta.
Another wonderful story from this great author. This is Draeg And
Lorianna’s story. There trials and final completion of Isolationist causing trouble oh Celta.
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