What do you think?
Rate this book
The Heart of a Hero #0.5
No Rest for the Wicked
The Heart of a Hero series prequel
Michael Devlin is a man of great learning but little means, living in one of the poorest sections of Dublin. By day, he practices law at the Four Courts and gives reading lessons to the local children. By night he’s the man in the mask, prowling the streets of The Liberties defending the people—his people—from those who would prey upon them. But when his estranged wife appears on his doorstep with a summons from Sir Arthur Wellesley, both of Michael’s worlds are turned upside down. What will happen to The Liberties if he obeys Sir Arthur’s command to meet in Cork? Can he even trust the woman who married then left him five years ago?
As a spy for Sir Arthur Wellesley, Joanna Pearson Devlin has executed this same mission flawlessly many times before: locate the subject, transport him safely, and present him to her employer. When Sir Arthur sends her out one more time to bring in her estranged husband, Joanna knows this mission will be anything except flawless. But Napoleon’s agents are everywhere, and Michael is an important part of the team Sir Arthur is assembling to stop them. For the sake of her country, Joanna heads to Dublin even as her discomfort grows. Will she be able to put aside her uncertainties and convince her husband to join the fight? Can they learn to work together again if he agrees?
Michael Devlin is a man of great learning but little means, living in one of the poorest sections of Dublin. By day, he practices law at the Four Courts and gives reading lessons to the local children. By night he’s the man in the mask, prowling the streets of The Liberties defending the people—his people—from those who would prey upon them. But when his estranged wife appears on his doorstep with a summons from Sir Arthur Wellesley, both of Michael’s worlds are turned upside down. What will happen to The Liberties if he obeys Sir Arthur’s command to meet in Cork? Can he even trust the woman who married then left him five years ago?
As a spy for Sir Arthur Wellesley, Joanna Pearson Devlin has executed this same mission flawlessly many times before: locate the subject, transport him safely, and present him to her employer. When Sir Arthur sends her out one more time to bring in her estranged husband, Joanna knows this mission will be anything except flawless. But Napoleon’s agents are everywhere, and Michael is an important part of the team Sir Arthur is assembling to stop them. For the sake of her country, Joanna heads to Dublin even as her discomfort grows. Will she be able to put aside her uncertainties and convince her husband to join the fight? Can they learn to work together again if he agrees?
220 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2017
207 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Cora Lee
21 books88 followersCora Lee is a National Bestselling author of Regency romance. She went on a twelve year expedition through the blackboard jungle as a high school math teacher before publishing Save the Last Dance for Me, the first book in the Maitland Maidens series. She then followed it up with eight other novels and novellas ranging from sweet and traditional to spicy and suspenseful.
When she’s not walking Rotten Row at the fashionable hour or attending the entertainments of the Season, you might find her participating in Regency Fiction Writers events, wading through her towering TBR pile, or eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie release.
If you’d like to find out more about Cora or her books you can sign up for her newsletter (https://coraleeauthor.com/newsletters), or connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coralee49), BlueSky(https://bsky.app/profile/coralee49.bs...), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cora-lee), or Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/coralee49).
When she’s not walking Rotten Row at the fashionable hour or attending the entertainments of the Season, you might find her participating in Regency Fiction Writers events, wading through her towering TBR pile, or eagerly awaiting the next Marvel movie release.
If you’d like to find out more about Cora or her books you can sign up for her newsletter (https://coraleeauthor.com/newsletters), or connect with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coralee49), BlueSky(https://bsky.app/profile/coralee49.bs...), Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cora-lee), or Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/coralee49).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 11, 2017
This is the first book I have read by Cora Lee and I thought it was a fabulous introduction into this talented ladies work. No Rest For The Wicked is apart of the “Heart of a Hero” series and it is a series I am looking forward to reading more of. The chemistry between out estranged couple is heated, the tension just ripples as well as the distrust for each other. This is fast, fun and exciting a fabulous read.
I do really like this, it is smart, sexy and so well written but the more than that it makes you think. It is really lovely watching as these two get to know each other all over again and as their defences lower and they get closer and closer. They are both very reluctant to reveal their hearts, so it’s quite sweet when they finally do.
The inner turmoil with both of them is constantly present and yet despite not knowing whether to trust one another, they work brilliantly as a team. They can read each other like a book and its like a beautiful dance between them, they are so in sync.
A great story about how love can conquer over so many difficulties and so much turmoil, and one that I would definitely recommend and Lee is an author who I will be reading more of.
Fabulous!
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordp...
April 27, 2019
Good
I found this a good book. The start of a series is a good introduction to the men whom defend England from the French adversary Napoleon.
I found this a good book. The start of a series is a good introduction to the men whom defend England from the French adversary Napoleon.
May 8, 2018
The Heart of a Hero is a terrific historical romance series where the heroes are dopplegangers of superheroes. In this prequel, we get introduced to all the heroes and heroines of the Legion, England's spy network working to bring down traitors of the Crown. There are excerpts to each story in the series (as of 2017). It's free to pick up at Amazon. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
My Rating: 5+ stars
October 9, 2019
Husband and wife are reunited after five years apart. There is far more to the blurb than in the story itself.
This is the prologue to a series with each book written by a different author. The premise is interesting — superheroes in Britain (this one in Ireland) in the early 1800s, teaming up together as spies against Napoleon. In this book, the superhero idea has it yet been elaborated upon but I can see carbon copies of the Avengers coming up in the titles of the following books. I would hope that there is enough interwoven between the stories to keep the series together.
The subtle play of the characters as they negotiate their reunion earns this story four stars.
This is the prologue to a series with each book written by a different author. The premise is interesting — superheroes in Britain (this one in Ireland) in the early 1800s, teaming up together as spies against Napoleon. In this book, the superhero idea has it yet been elaborated upon but I can see carbon copies of the Avengers coming up in the titles of the following books. I would hope that there is enough interwoven between the stories to keep the series together.
The subtle play of the characters as they negotiate their reunion earns this story four stars.
September 5, 2020
Michael is strong dedicated hero for Ireland I give him 5 stars! His wife did NOT give a satisfactory explanation for 5 years of absence! For maybe 3? But they both maintained their celibacy? Trust is not rebuilt that quickly! Joanna seems to have portrayed a cool and remote widow but I detected other members of the group seemed to disappointed at her marital state! It had great promise...I expected a secret child something more!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2021
Wicked - The Heart of a Hero by Cora Lee. Elizabeth is at a soirée to meet with someone from the movement working to save the monarchy from Tyfon, an enemy of the crown, to receive information that has to reach a higher up. This series promises intrigue, adventure and thrills with a dose of woman meets man.
November 30, 2017
The story is set in 1808 and is based on the concept of: "What if your favorite superheroes
had Regency-Era doppelgangers?"
Michael Devlin is cast as the Regency Era's version of Marvel's: "Dare Devil."
A fun concept for fans of superhero comics and Regency Era romance novels.
had Regency-Era doppelgangers?"
Michael Devlin is cast as the Regency Era's version of Marvel's: "Dare Devil."
A fun concept for fans of superhero comics and Regency Era romance novels.
January 23, 2020
This reader gave up on this book because it is a "short story" and a bunch of 1st chapters from other books. Not one to read the intro chapters at the ends of books advertising the author's next story, it was disappointing.
September 7, 2020
Don't Bother!
This book is a series of one chapter excerpts from about ten different books! By the time you read it all you don't care who is who and what book is what!
This book is a series of one chapter excerpts from about ten different books! By the time you read it all you don't care who is who and what book is what!
November 3, 2017
my e-book
February 21, 2019
I’m interested to see where this series goes. This was just enough of a taste to get me intrigued.
May 3, 2019
Time wasted
Did not understand this book ??? It appears to be just short excerpts from different books. Stopped reading it when I realised.
Did not understand this book ??? It appears to be just short excerpts from different books. Stopped reading it when I realised.
September 2, 2021
Not a real book
I chose this rating because it is not a book. Just a few pages of many stories with no conclusion.
I chose this rating because it is not a book. Just a few pages of many stories with no conclusion.
April 15, 2022
Hmmm. Confusing ... The actual novella was only 33%, as well as a lot of excerpts, which I’m not interested in.
February 28, 2023
Tropes: Separated spouses, second chance at love, road trip, only one room
Heat level: Only kissing, so 1/5.
Heat level: Only kissing, so 1/5.
February 19, 2024
Not finished
No ending to any of the stories, and you wonder how any of them end. They were interesting due to all the secrets in each story.
No ending to any of the stories, and you wonder how any of them end. They were interesting due to all the secrets in each story.
Read
July 20, 2025another novella on accident 🫠 were the rest of the series written by the same author I think I'd read it all though
May 30, 2017
It is 1808 and Napoleon threatens the nations of Europe. Johanna Devlin enlists her husband Michael to join a group of Irish spies who will be alert for any threat to their country.
The strength of this novella lies in the development of the characters of Michael and Johanna.
Johanna is a professional spy who left her husband when sent on a mission, and, when the story opens, has not seen him in five years.has not seen her husband in five years. She is secretive, a consummate spy who changes identities as she changes her clothes, a grand lady one minute, a peasant the next. She can care for herself and protect herself, fighting off those threaten her as if she were a man. She loves her husband.
Michael is an attorney, but his real calling the protection of the residents in the worst section of Dublin. He is honest. "Duty" is his motto, and he is reluctant to leave his people to join the ring of spies. The son of a poor Roman Catholic, he managed to blend in at Trinity College, the premier protestant school in Ireland. He loves his wife.
Readers will enjoy the story of how these two reconnect after their long separation.
My only criticism is the one I generally have of novellas. It was too short! I wanted to know more - more about Michael and Johanna, more about their mission, more about their relationship. It is to the author's credit that her writing can provoke this reaction, and I hope she satisfies my curiosity in the near future.
The strength of this novella lies in the development of the characters of Michael and Johanna.
Johanna is a professional spy who left her husband when sent on a mission, and, when the story opens, has not seen him in five years.has not seen her husband in five years. She is secretive, a consummate spy who changes identities as she changes her clothes, a grand lady one minute, a peasant the next. She can care for herself and protect herself, fighting off those threaten her as if she were a man. She loves her husband.
Michael is an attorney, but his real calling the protection of the residents in the worst section of Dublin. He is honest. "Duty" is his motto, and he is reluctant to leave his people to join the ring of spies. The son of a poor Roman Catholic, he managed to blend in at Trinity College, the premier protestant school in Ireland. He loves his wife.
Readers will enjoy the story of how these two reconnect after their long separation.
My only criticism is the one I generally have of novellas. It was too short! I wanted to know more - more about Michael and Johanna, more about their mission, more about their relationship. It is to the author's credit that her writing can provoke this reaction, and I hope she satisfies my curiosity in the near future.
July 6, 2017
Originally posted on lampshadereader.com
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
No Rest for the Wicked was a really fast paced story. I feel that because it’s a novella I missed all of that character building that I enjoy reading. The characters introduced are very interesting; I loved the aspect of a female spy. Since I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, I somehow could not find any strong footing in this prequel. It did, however, make me curious about the series overall. It sets the tone for the other books and what they are all about. I could totally see my self loving this series because I enjoyed the brief love story of Michael and Joanna.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
No Rest for the Wicked was a really fast paced story. I feel that because it’s a novella I missed all of that character building that I enjoy reading. The characters introduced are very interesting; I loved the aspect of a female spy. Since I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, I somehow could not find any strong footing in this prequel. It did, however, make me curious about the series overall. It sets the tone for the other books and what they are all about. I could totally see my self loving this series because I enjoyed the brief love story of Michael and Joanna.
Want to read
December 22, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/22/2017)! 💝
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews