Heart's Desire

Lost Lords of Radcliffe #2

by Cheryl Holt

CHERYL HOLT continues to dazzle readers with the second book in her new trilogy, The Lost Lords of Radcliffe…

MATTHEW HARLOW is England’s hero. After almost single-handedly rescuing passengers from a foundering ship—including a trio of royal cousins—he’s being lauded throughout the kingdom. But at heart, he’s just a soldier, a captain in the King’s army, and he finds the spotlight a great nuisance. Yet he’s dashing and dynamic, a natural leader of men, and heroics rest well on his broad shoulders. As an orphan, with no memory of his parents or past, he often wonders where he came by his penchant for fearlessness and daring. What is to account for his extraordinary courage and valor?

CLARISSA MERRICK is a poor relative and spinster who lives with her cruel cousins at their bucolic Greystone estate. Even in her small corner of rural England, everyone has heard of brave, remarkable Captain Harlow. When he arrives at Greystone, he shoots through her world like a blazing comet, and nothing will ever be the same. Who is Matthew Harlow? What is his true history? How could a lowly orphan be possessed of such a forceful character and potent charisma? Can Clarissa help him find answers to the mystery that has plagued him all his life?

Cheryl Holt delivers another dramatic story of love, family, heartbreak, and betrayal. As the truth about the “lost” lords is gradually revealed, readers will be breathlessly turning the pages and cheering all the way to the stunning, thrilling conclusion…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2015

About the author

CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Lost Lords of Radcliffe series, and I found it even better than the first! There is even more sex, adventure and love in this one! This installment is about Matthew; who is the twin of our last hero. Keep in mind that Matthew is still lost and hasn't met his lost family yet, so that mystery is still alive for him.

Matthew is a military man who has been given an estate because he saved many important people on a sinking ship. He is considered a hero in England and on top of all his metals, they decided to give him a home too. The thing with the Estate though is the family who has originally owned it is in severe debt. Of course, the Uncle that is in charge has not let everyone know that their home is lost to them, and most have nowhere to go. This includes our feisty heroine, who also has lost her family and has stayed with this family since she was ten years old. She was treated terribly through out the years yet still remains loyal. When she first meets Matthew; she despises him on the spot! The Captain has other plans though...this includes marriage...

I loved the relationship that developed between Clarissa and Matthew. My only dislike was that Clarissa was frustrating me with some of her decisions at the beginning; but when she finally behaved like she should, then that is when the true story really began for me!!!
Cheryl Holt again weaves a great tale, and it brings me back to my love of Historical Romances. I am very happy to have found this series, and I will absolutely be continuing on with this series soon!

[Carina Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais um livro da série “homens perdidos “!
Nesta série vamos acompanhado em cada livro uma personagem diferente mas sempre com interligação entre a história principal que é o encontro de todos os irmãos Blair. Gostei muito do livro mas com tantas histórias a desenrolar ao mesmo tempo achei que as personagens de Clarissa e Matthew acabaram por perder destaque. Gostava de ter lido mais sobre o desenrolar da sua relação...
ficamos agora a aguardar o desenrolar da história

[Liliana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opinião no blogue: https://a-lilianaraquel.blogspot.com/...

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta autora surpreende-me a cada livro que passa... Já tinha adorado o primeiro livro desta série, mas este é provavelmente o meu preferido! Que história linda, que enredo cativante e que casal apaixonante.

Os livros desta série são os maiores que já li dentro do género, e a verdade é que não dou por isso - a história flui de um modo tão natural e envolvente que quando reparei já estava a terminar. Não queria acabar, porque estava a amar, mas queria muito chegar ao fim para saber a conclusão desta parte da história - é um sentimento contraditório, mas bom ❤️

Adoro que a intriga e mistério em volta dos irmãos seja o ponto central da série - vê-los a reencontrar-se, compreender o passado e presente de cada um é algo único e doloroso, pois todos tiveram infâncias duras e nem sempre felizes.

Neste livro conhecemos o Matthew, o gémeo do Michael que foi protagonista no livro anterior. O Matthew é capitão no exército e é considerado um herói nacional, por feitos que realizou; então como recompensa recebe uma propriedade rural e é aí que a sua vida vai mudar, conhece a Clarissa e nada vai ser como antes, pois apesar de ele ter tudo bem definido no seu plano, às vezes surgem imprevistos e a relação entre os dois é um imprevisto que ninguém poderia prever 🤭

Os romances nesta história são imperdíveis...lindos e inesperados - não só o Matthew com a Clarissa, mas também o romance entre duas personagens secundárias ❤️ é impossível não ficarmos rendidos a estes casais. Demonstram relações diferentes para a época retratada, assim como uma força de vontade incrível e coragem por parte das personagens femininas...Que mulheres!

Adorei cada momento da história, vibrei por completo com alguns acontecimentos e sim...houve uma reviravolta inesperada que me assustou - espetacular, mesmo! Uma pessoa delira e vibra a ler romance de época, é possível, acreditem...

Mal posso esperar por ler o próximo livro, pois agora os irmãos estão juntos e já não estão perdidos...contudo preciso de conhecer o Bryce e ver o que ele tem para contar, venha ele.

[Titinha Scaeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei muito mais deste do que do primeiro... mesmo Matthew sendo arrogante, mandam, é mais "suave" que o Michael e não fez as borradas que o irmão gémeo fez... Ok teve uma, mas "menos grave" que a do irmão...
Ahhh deixem-me fazer a dança aos Deuses dos tradutores... Eles depois de se... Tratavam-se por tu!!! IUPIIIIII!
Queria tanto o do irmão mais velho, queria tanto que a mãe deles estivesse...

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 3 out of 5]

~Karen's Two Cents~
I can't abide a cheater! Once the hero has met the heroine all 'other' dalliances are off the table, but not in Heart's Desire by Cheryl Holt, which is book two of The Lost Lords of Radcliffe.

"Did you have carnal relations?'

"No," he scoffed, and it was mostly the truth. It all depended on what a person would consider carnal.

With this statement, Matthew slide down into the muck of cheaters.  Let's not split hairs, Captain! If you touch another intimately then it is carnal! He had come to London and hurt his wife.  He was a Captain, a commander of men, for him to just not foresee consequences, makes me think he was horrid commanding officer in the army.

As book one of The Lords of Radcliffe, had Matthew's brother Micheal treating his lady love as a paid whore.  It wasn't even the modern dialect, or the fact the time period was never fleshed out that made me scream, it was the horrid way that the hero treats a woman he pretty much forces into marriage.  Let's take her to London and rub her nose in that I have a mistress.  Then she will forgive me and we will ride off into the sunset together after I have 'cheated' on her with my mistress, even if it is cheating by omission. When there misunderstanding in the marriage Clarissa his wife is a silly goose, and nothing is ever his fault.

The secondary romance between Edwina Edwards and Private Rafe Harlow has a unsatifyinh ending.  Both Harlow brothers were asses and users, they saw woman as chattel to be used and discarded.  Plus the attitude in this book and the previous one that the heroes never listen to woman is just so condescending at best, I don't know why any woman would want to sleep with any Harlow or Blair male.

Now to the writing of Holt's, she does write a very engaging tale; but the fact that she has written the book as historical romance and riddles the text with language that is not period, makes me wonder why she does not just is change the setting to contemporary romance.  Why write historical if you aren't going to attempt to fit into the genre.This review was originally posted on Literati Literature Lovers

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of Matthew and Clarissa BUT there was too much that sounded like the first book. I realise Michael and Matthew are twins, quite identical in nearly every way... and I expect references to the twins. What I really disliked were reading the same phrases from Book 1 in Book 2 describing countryside, events, or thoughts. Such a phrase can be easily changed and still retain its meaning. These were word-for-word phrases AND THAT is lazy.

Despite that flaw, this was an incredibly good and enjoyable story. I am now reading the third in the trilogy.

[Isa_correia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que personagem principal mais tontinha...
Valeu o heroi, que era uma tentação!

[Lillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly wasn't that excited reading this book, mostly because I think it's ridiculous to assume that someone with charisma and courage can't just.. be that way because it's who he is. "What is to account for his extraordinary courage and valor?" He, an orphan, can't possibly be courageous and fearless and brave all on his own. No, he just has to be of noble or prestigious birth.

Right, cause personality is determined via bloodlines.



But, I digress.

I liked the first book in this series (to a point) and i had some free time so I went for it anyway.

I kinda wish I hadn't.

Don't get me wrong, the writing was good and it didn't seem SO bad if you didn't nit pick at small stuff (like how the author seemed to give us a shit ton of background or past information with only a small amount of actual present day ACTION happening).

No, the main problem I had with this book is: If you've read the first book in the Lost Lords of Radcliffe series then you might as well say you've read this one. The elements were the same as the first and there were even a few scenes that almost exactly mirrored scenes from the first book. There were times I thought "she just changed the names and tweaked a few things" and I was right.

I had no high expectations for this book and I wasn't that excited to read it. On that note, I didn't HATE this book but neither did I enjoy it. I could finish it but only because it wasn't so bad as to be classified as a DNF.

Would I recommend it to other readers? Maybe. If you haven't read the first book this book will probably be a bit more enjoyable for you. If you HAVE read the first book just skip this one. If didn't really contribute much to the series.

[Nádia Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se eu tinha adorado o primeiro neste então fiquei apaixonada.
No livro anterior, a autora vai deixando algumas pistas do que poderemos encontrar neste segundo livro da série " Lost Lords ir Radcliffe"

Matthew Harpia não decepciona, uma personagem bem construída, centrada e misteriosa. Um homem honrado e que obviamente não pensa unicamente em si, mas sim nós outros.
Este é sem sombra de dúvida melhor que o primeiro, pois encontramos mais acção e mais intriga!

Clarissa Merrick vê se dividida, no entanto e com a insistência de Roland, acaba por concordar e aceitar o pedido de Matthew.

Confesso que houve momentos em que achei a Clarissa exasperante! Contudo acabei por entender também o seu ponto de vista e a sua necessidade de pertencer a alguém, a um lugar que pudesse chamar de seu.

Achei muito fixe a ligação dos gémeos e como um deles viu que o outro necessitava de ajuda.

Fiquei curiosa com o Café,mas não me pareceu que vá haver um livro sobre ele, veremos!

Ansiosa pelo próximo e espero que não demore muito para "chegar"

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great 2nd book in the series. The only thing I would've changed would've been to have less repetition of the family history. Being book 2, I felt like readers should already know, or go to the 1st if you needed to get caught up. Otherwise, fantastic story!

[Patricia Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

I love Cheryl Holt books. The Lord Trilogy is another winner. I am off to read book three. Must buy some of them for yourself

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story! I could not put it down! 5 stars!

[Mrs Edel P Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

Great read from the beginning. Keeps you hooked. Very descriptive. I admire the author and her exciting stories. Fabulous book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this book very much. The characters were just amazing and enjoyable. I would recommend this and the other books that are part of the story to my friends that read.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a bit of brotherly revenge😊

[Catia Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei mais deste do que do primeiro, confesso. Sendo igualmente obtuso - ou não fosse gémeo de Michael, Matthew consegue ser mais consistente que o irmão, quer em termos de percurso, quer em termos de personalidade. Mesmo um soldado rude - e ele era capitão - saberia que não podia invadir o quarto de uma jovem donzela a desoras, e no entanto entrou por ali adentro como se estivesse a entrar na messe.

O que me impediu de dar nota máxima foi o facto de achar que a personagem de Eddie era uma cópia exacta de Rebecca do primeiro livro, e que tinha tanto juízo uma como a outra - ou seja, nenhum. Para os padrões da época, não faz sentido. Faz ainda menos sentido que falassem de ego na época vitoriana. Havia alturas em que o diálogo era demasiado moderno para a altura em que se estava. Também não achei muito credível que um soldado levasse um tiro nas costas, se levantasse e continuasse a cavalgar como se fosse só um espinho...

[Debbie Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading.

[Aléxia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good and a fast read BUT it's not a book I'd recommend or read again. The story happens too fast and has too many coincidences. It was entertaining though.

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boa premissa, péssima execução

[Natália · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 - 4 estrelas

[Beatriz Gonçalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completamente delicioso! Cheryl Holt raramente desilude, e esta saga é muito muito boa.

[kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

The heroine Clarissa is TSTL. The hero Matthew was obnoxious and maybe psychotic. His younger brother Rafe a conceited ass who thinks he is gods gift to women. Edwina also TSTL is one of those young woman that goes deaf when a man talks to her so no matter how many times he says 'I DON'T WANT TO MARRY YOU' keeps pushing herself into his bed because if they have sex he will be obligated. Even when he say 'NO I WON'T

Clarissa at 25 with zero prospects is holding out for true love and refuses to marry Matthew. By about chapter 12 her cousin who hates her finally tries to wake her up by explaining it's him or the poor house. Seriously. The real poor house. Not that I would have wanted to marry him but then I would like to think I would have looked for a governess or companion job or even an acting job like my parents rather then live with relatives that hated me with a passion and were being thrown in the street themselves.

The story is filled with unlikable characters, dumb plots and modern phrases like "get over yourself". I'm over the book. Certainly done with the series.

[Telma Pedro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gostei, mas... deve haver algum problema. Ou com o livro ou comigo. Não gostei tanto deste livro (e do primeiro da série) como dos primeiros que li de Cheryl Holt. Parece que as suas obras perderam qualidade. Personagens principais ridículas, sem nada que me faça sentir empatia. Dou 3 estrelas, porque até foram umas horas bem passadas, descontraídas, mas considerei dar menos. E isto deixa-me triste, pois é um género do qual, geralmente, gosto muito.

[Wendy Plummer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Radcliffe 's story

I enjoyed the story of Michael and Clarissa even though at times Clarissa was a whining pain and I didn't like her character much. I enjoyed book 1 so much more. Always been a big Cheryl Holt fan so looking forward to Blair's story in book 3.