Heart of Salt: A Holy Love Emotional Karmic Healing Romance

by V. Dalmatina, Dalmatina

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

About the author

V. Dalmatina writes Holy Love — sapphic romances where love is sacred, healing, and deeply earned.

Her stories span multiple worlds: tender contemporary romances set in sun-drenched Dalmatia, dark portal romantasy, vampire and werewolf tales, and historical romances. All are united by emotionally mature women, profound vulnerability, honest intimacy, and soul-deep connection. Whether across lifetimes through reincarnation and karmic bonds, or in this one fragile life, her heroines choose each other with courage after facing their scars. There is no toxicity for the sake of drama — only genuine HEAs, because wounded souls deserve real love and soft landings.

For thirteen years, she worked as an officer on luxury mega-yachts, circumnavigating the globe. Today she lives with her wife on a quiet Dalmatian island in Croatia, surrounded by the sea and stone that raised her. English is not her first language, and she lives with dyslexia and dysgraphia, yet she writes every story from lived emotional truth. Her interconnected universes — Heart, Afterbite, Crimson Bloom Chronicles, and others — are built slowly, honestly, and with care.

This is her sanctuary. She invites you to step inside.

#HolyLove #SapphicRomance #HealingRomance #KarmicLove

Reviews

[JT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was stuck in Heart of Salt by V. Dalmantina from the opening pages. It is a story with unique diverse yet connected women. I was amazed at the intensity and levels of communication and family legacy that were involved. The angst that each person brings to the story and how the women use their interconnectedness(my new word sorry I couldn't find a proper word) to support and encourage and validate one another is outstanding. The process kept me guessing and the twists that are around unexpected corners make this a read that ignited and soothed me in equal measure. I am excited to move on the next book in the series Heart of Spice. These women are believably unbelievable. This is a truly incredible work. I am so glad that I was allowed to read an ARC and have much gratitude for the opportunity to leave a review for such an insightful book.

[Stephanie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the Broken Ones Who Learn to Truly Be Seen

Heart of Salt is a quiet, aching story that seeps into your bones and stays there. This is a sapphic romance written for readers who appreciate emotional intensity, flawed characters, and connections forged through shared pain rather than easy chemistry. From the very beginning, the story carries a sense of longing—heavy, introspective, and deeply human.

What makes this book so powerful is how authentically it portrays broken souls who feel too much and see too clearly. The characters are guarded and wounded, yet drawn together in ways that feel inevitable and earned. The romance unfolds slowly, shaped by grief, restraint, and unspoken understanding, which makes every moment of closeness resonate even more. Nothing feels rushed or superficial—every emotional beat lands with quiet impact.

If you’re looking for a sapphic story that leans into melancholy, emotional depth, and the transformative power of being truly seen, Heart of Salt delivers beautifully. This is not a light read, but it is a rewarding one—raw, tender, and haunting in the best way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ore Kovač · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on Dalmatina Books via Crimson Bloom Series because I love dark sapphic romantasy, but then I decided to switch gears and read some regular romance novels, and boy... This is a beautifully written book about two terribly hurt souls who “see too much.” I adore it, and I’ll go to the last book in the Love series.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shed tears while reading this book, feeling for every woman who was hurt and wronged. I adore both main characters, but Rose stands out as extraordinarily brave, heroic, and incredibly stoic. Truly a remarkable book.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book has the usual hug in a book feel, it also contains some serious topics but not in detail. Ela and Rose (Fiona) have a lot of hurdles and heartache to overcome alongside Rose’s daughter Helen.

The characters from the other books are fundamentally to the story and reading Skye and Nika’s story first really helps you understand exactly what is going on with regards to them and Skye’s link to Helen and Rose.

Another enjoyable book. Next up is Helen’s story. Looking forward to digging in to it.

[Morana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful romance makes me reflect on some pretty serious things. I loved both heroines and enjoyed their stories, but I am really looking forward to read about Helen. The author knew exactly how to balance love and healing old wounds, and this is the best part of the book.

[Johnni Allyn]

This was a fun and spicy romance that was hard to put down, it was very entertaining.

[Autumn Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of Salt is the first book in the Heart series where the romances are all standalones though some stories and characters may overlap over different books.

It's centered on post-trauma romance (PTR) and emotional healing-centered relationships. No darkness, no toxicity, it is just soft, safe and present, where deeply wounded characters find emotional catharsis , overcome PTSD or grief and rebuild their capacity to hope alongside a very supportive partner.

This book focuses on Ela and Rose, two badly damaged individuals finding respite, love and comfort in each other.

Throw in clairvoyance, precognition, telepathy and witches and there is definitely no room for miscommunication and misunderstanding, especially when one can read your mind and see your future. In this aspect it feels a little farfetched delving more into the realm of fantasy than contemporary, or perhaps more specifically to an Alternative Universe (AU) scenario.

Regardless of that, the main focus of the book is on emotional healing and the recovery process in an environment surrounded by loving, caring and understanding friends and family.

It will appeal to those who love 'the ordinary swoon'; that is, stories that are safe, warm and kind, who favor quiet tender moments, simply by being present and respecting boundaries.

What I liked about the story was the simplicity of the everyday and the mini side plots with little dramas interspersed.

Thank you to V. Dalmatina and Booksirens for a free copy.

[Donna Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dalmatian  Cove on an Adriatic  island  The Scottish woman whispers into the silver haired doctor's ear in Gaelic and both understand. What a premise. As a reader I want to know more
Both have survived trauma but when their hands touch , clairvoyancy
Fiona's daughter and her wife have the same telepathy
  An island where women have sensitivities , psychic power and witch variations. There are stories within this story, especially when  Ela and Fiona spend time together
Energetic and excitement. This is a well communicated slow burn
I loved them laying stargazing and spotting Pleiades.  For us in New Zealand  its Matariki and we celebrate  the Maori New Year. What a coincidence to read this at this time. Great to start a new series