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Secrets of a Heart
London, 1815.
Blaine Whitmore is the son of an accused traitor. Stripped of his family wealth and deserted by his fiancée, Blaine is left with nothing. Aboard a merchant ship, he sails away from the only home he has ever known—only to return ten years later. No longer a gentleman, he is a rogue pirate in disguise, a man seeking vengeance. But when he meets innocent, destitute, Felicity Canton, all his well-laid plans go awry.
Felicity is as lovely as she is penniless. With a crumbling estate and three younger sisters, her one and only marriage prospect is an aging bachelor. When a wealthy and mysterious man moves next door, Felicity never dreams he might be her champion.
But when the enemies he has created target Felicity, Blaine is left with little option. Pursue his quest to ruin those who destroyed his family name, or seek a life with the woman who has stolen his heart. The love of a woman may carry him to the end of his days, but the need for revenge runs rampantly though his veins…
Blaine Whitmore is the son of an accused traitor. Stripped of his family wealth and deserted by his fiancée, Blaine is left with nothing. Aboard a merchant ship, he sails away from the only home he has ever known—only to return ten years later. No longer a gentleman, he is a rogue pirate in disguise, a man seeking vengeance. But when he meets innocent, destitute, Felicity Canton, all his well-laid plans go awry.
Felicity is as lovely as she is penniless. With a crumbling estate and three younger sisters, her one and only marriage prospect is an aging bachelor. When a wealthy and mysterious man moves next door, Felicity never dreams he might be her champion.
But when the enemies he has created target Felicity, Blaine is left with little option. Pursue his quest to ruin those who destroyed his family name, or seek a life with the woman who has stolen his heart. The love of a woman may carry him to the end of his days, but the need for revenge runs rampantly though his veins…
Unknown Binding
First published August 10, 2013
20 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Garman
14 books312 followersSamantha Garman writes stories of love, laughter, and life. She is a lover of all things romance, a full-time puppy mama, and a bonafide klutz.
When she's not busy spilling things, she can be found reading a book or taking photos of the wee beastie and posting them on Instagram.
WRITING MAFIA ROMANCE AS EMMA SLATE:
The SINS Series
Wreck & Ruin (Blue Angels MC Romance)
When she's not busy spilling things, she can be found reading a book or taking photos of the wee beastie and posting them on Instagram.
WRITING MAFIA ROMANCE AS EMMA SLATE:
The SINS Series
Wreck & Ruin (Blue Angels MC Romance)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2021
“Thomas Charles Whitmore, Earl of Grisham, you are hereby declared guilty of high treason against the British Crown. You have been found guilty of selling English secrets to Napoleon Bonaparte. Your title is hereby stripped from you, and your wealth and lands forfeit to the Crown.”
Starting in Neville Prison in 1815 and having the main character watch as his father is hung for treason, gave Secrets of the Heart a gripping beginning. He's a young nineteen year old pampered son of an Earl who suddenly has his title and wealth stripped, along with the death of his father. His fiancee shuns him and he has nowhere to turn to. Readers get a pov of a mysterious man who let's us in on a conspiracy that framed his father and sets up the son for death. However, while his family dagger is stolen, the son gets rescued by a sea captain named Griff and off sailing he goes to the West Indies and America. Just call him the unluckiest, luckiest guy in town!
Blaine Sebastian Grayson Whitmore. That man is dead. “My name is Sebastian Grayson. You can call me Gray.”
Our newly monikered Gray, learns to dagger fight among his seasickness and then is introduced to the fact he is on a pirate ship. It's all quite gentlemanly though, they do their best not to kill. Alas, we do not get a lot of sweet high seas pirate action as the next chapter jumps us ten years and Gray is now the pirate captain. This will be a trend in this story, jumping from points to points without developing or showing the reader the journey. Gray now decides that he must avenge his father! So off to England where he plans on posing as a wealthy merchant to uncover who and why his father was set-up.
Gray’s eyes were hard. “Felicity knows nothing. She will never know I was a pirate. She believes she is marrying a man of business, and when this is all over that is exactly what I will be.”
Enter our heroine Felicity Canton and her three sisters who have been left destitute due to their gambling father. He died a while ago, shot in the back for cheating at cards, and have now found out that they must have a fire sale, everything must go! As the oldest, Felicity knows it's on her shoulders to save the family but she's not totally a martyr. Winterbourne has been trying to court her for a while but with plenty of fat-shaming, the author and Felicity let us know that she ain't having him. How fortuitous that a wealthy merchant has just moved into town! Felicity says something sassy and Gray can't believe how different from all the other misses she is. They kiss at around 20%, Felicity visits him in hopes of becoming his housekeeper for money but he suggests they get engaged, marry a week later at around 40%, and are off to sail to visit Gray's retired mentor Griff. Remember how I said things just kind of jump from from point A, to B, to C, to etc.?
“I love you. It is time you let me. You trusted me with the secret of your life, now trust me with the secret of your heart.”
Now, if you're like me, you start thinking some of that sweet pirate action is going to happen on the honeymoon cruise, and it you'd sort of be right. We get one high seas battle that was pretty fun to read and at least propped me up from the by rote without the emotional and depth filling out of the details format this story had. Felicity learns about Gray's pirate past, they have a good visit with old Griff and back to England they go. On the sail back, they have a boarding by the Royal Navy and learn that they are searching for the famous pirate named Morpheus, who lets his victims live. Oh, noes! Hopefully, Gray can keep his identity a secret.
“This proves Carrington is a traitor, but this will do nothing for my father.”
At this point, I mean we're into the second half of the story, you're probably saying “Didn't he go back to England to avenge his father?”. I didn't didn't forget about that, but the author kind of does. Gray completely outsources his avenging and uses two of his trusty shipmates to do the heavy lifting. Sinclair, he uses as a butler and all around hangout in the background until you randomly have something to say, which by the way will be written in a cant that makes deciphering what you're saying extremely difficult, but I digress. He sends his other shipmate Chester to London, and I quote, Also, I would like you to locate the scar-faced man. The scar-faced man is the one who tried to kill Gray, he hopes that man will lead him to some answers. He sent poor Chester to London to search for a “scar-faced man”???? Surprise, surprise, though, good man Chester comes through, against all odds, and coherent storytelling.
My wife has been kidnapped!
With Felicity on board, Gray decides to take the fam to London and, at least, appear to be helping in the avenging by going to parties and clubs to drudge up some hot gos about what happened to his father. If I'm Sinclair and especially Chester, I'm questioning the division of labor. Around the 70% mark, we get some actual movement on his father's case and learn that his father was set-up by a man named Carrington. With a Scooby-Doo villain info-dump to Felicity, who was kidnapped(!) by Carrington, we learn he loved Gray's mother and blamed Gray's father for taking her away from him and “letting” her die. At around 80% the whole father avenging story is wrapped up (Felicity got a dagger to the belly but she fine) and the Royal Navy comes sniffing around. How or why they think Gray is Morpheus? Don't worry about it, the author sure didn't. We get Gray confiding to his threeseries bait handsome titled friends and a truly wtf and intelligence insulted plan that worked, scene that has Gray in the clear of ever being found out as Morpheus.
“I am the Marquess of Hardwick and you are my marchioness,”
Bland is probably what I used to describe this story with occasional flashes of wtf. Felicity and Gray's relationship happens out of nowhere, they like each other, Gray gets scared to admit he loves Felicity, and they love each other. The father gets avenged, mainly thanks to Chester but Gray gets rewards with titles restored and an upgrade to marquess. This was written in 2013 and clearly was setting-up one of Gray's friends, Duke of Stafford with Felicity's sister Abby but doesn't look like this series was ever finished. Now, I saved the best for last, Alexandre Dumas makes a late appearance and in truly the best wtf, it's alluded to that he is going to artistically license Gray's life. So, if you ever wondered what inspired Dumas to write the Count of Monte Cristo, now you know!
Starting in Neville Prison in 1815 and having the main character watch as his father is hung for treason, gave Secrets of the Heart a gripping beginning. He's a young nineteen year old pampered son of an Earl who suddenly has his title and wealth stripped, along with the death of his father. His fiancee shuns him and he has nowhere to turn to. Readers get a pov of a mysterious man who let's us in on a conspiracy that framed his father and sets up the son for death. However, while his family dagger is stolen, the son gets rescued by a sea captain named Griff and off sailing he goes to the West Indies and America. Just call him the unluckiest, luckiest guy in town!
Blaine Sebastian Grayson Whitmore. That man is dead. “My name is Sebastian Grayson. You can call me Gray.”
Our newly monikered Gray, learns to dagger fight among his seasickness and then is introduced to the fact he is on a pirate ship. It's all quite gentlemanly though, they do their best not to kill. Alas, we do not get a lot of sweet high seas pirate action as the next chapter jumps us ten years and Gray is now the pirate captain. This will be a trend in this story, jumping from points to points without developing or showing the reader the journey. Gray now decides that he must avenge his father! So off to England where he plans on posing as a wealthy merchant to uncover who and why his father was set-up.
Gray’s eyes were hard. “Felicity knows nothing. She will never know I was a pirate. She believes she is marrying a man of business, and when this is all over that is exactly what I will be.”
Enter our heroine Felicity Canton and her three sisters who have been left destitute due to their gambling father. He died a while ago, shot in the back for cheating at cards, and have now found out that they must have a fire sale, everything must go! As the oldest, Felicity knows it's on her shoulders to save the family but she's not totally a martyr. Winterbourne has been trying to court her for a while but with plenty of fat-shaming, the author and Felicity let us know that she ain't having him. How fortuitous that a wealthy merchant has just moved into town! Felicity says something sassy and Gray can't believe how different from all the other misses she is. They kiss at around 20%, Felicity visits him in hopes of becoming his housekeeper for money but he suggests they get engaged, marry a week later at around 40%, and are off to sail to visit Gray's retired mentor Griff. Remember how I said things just kind of jump from from point A, to B, to C, to etc.?
“I love you. It is time you let me. You trusted me with the secret of your life, now trust me with the secret of your heart.”
Now, if you're like me, you start thinking some of that sweet pirate action is going to happen on the honeymoon cruise, and it you'd sort of be right. We get one high seas battle that was pretty fun to read and at least propped me up from the by rote without the emotional and depth filling out of the details format this story had. Felicity learns about Gray's pirate past, they have a good visit with old Griff and back to England they go. On the sail back, they have a boarding by the Royal Navy and learn that they are searching for the famous pirate named Morpheus, who lets his victims live. Oh, noes! Hopefully, Gray can keep his identity a secret.
“This proves Carrington is a traitor, but this will do nothing for my father.”
At this point, I mean we're into the second half of the story, you're probably saying “Didn't he go back to England to avenge his father?”. I didn't didn't forget about that, but the author kind of does. Gray completely outsources his avenging and uses two of his trusty shipmates to do the heavy lifting. Sinclair, he uses as a butler and all around hangout in the background until you randomly have something to say, which by the way will be written in a cant that makes deciphering what you're saying extremely difficult, but I digress. He sends his other shipmate Chester to London, and I quote, Also, I would like you to locate the scar-faced man. The scar-faced man is the one who tried to kill Gray, he hopes that man will lead him to some answers. He sent poor Chester to London to search for a “scar-faced man”???? Surprise, surprise, though, good man Chester comes through, against all odds, and coherent storytelling.
My wife has been kidnapped!
With Felicity on board, Gray decides to take the fam to London and, at least, appear to be helping in the avenging by going to parties and clubs to drudge up some hot gos about what happened to his father. If I'm Sinclair and especially Chester, I'm questioning the division of labor. Around the 70% mark, we get some actual movement on his father's case and learn that his father was set-up by a man named Carrington. With a Scooby-Doo villain info-dump to Felicity, who was kidnapped(!) by Carrington, we learn he loved Gray's mother and blamed Gray's father for taking her away from him and “letting” her die. At around 80% the whole father avenging story is wrapped up (Felicity got a dagger to the belly but she fine) and the Royal Navy comes sniffing around. How or why they think Gray is Morpheus? Don't worry about it, the author sure didn't. We get Gray confiding to his three
“I am the Marquess of Hardwick and you are my marchioness,”
Bland is probably what I used to describe this story with occasional flashes of wtf. Felicity and Gray's relationship happens out of nowhere, they like each other, Gray gets scared to admit he loves Felicity, and they love each other. The father gets avenged, mainly thanks to Chester but Gray gets rewards with titles restored and an upgrade to marquess. This was written in 2013 and clearly was setting-up one of Gray's friends, Duke of Stafford with Felicity's sister Abby but doesn't look like this series was ever finished. Now, I saved the best for last, Alexandre Dumas makes a late appearance and in truly the best wtf, it's alluded to that he is going to artistically license Gray's life. So, if you ever wondered what inspired Dumas to write the Count of Monte Cristo, now you know!
January 12, 2017
Boring
This is a book filled with every generality I think I've ever read in a so-called historical pirate romance novel. The cliches are never ending! No surprises period! If it wasn't for the sex and intimacy it would be a children's book. I was so bored throughout that it took me much longer than normal to read....and I never review a book unless I have read a book in its entirety. I wouldn't recommend this book ..... The Prate captain is a super nice guy with a crew that is anything but pirate-like....the female lead character us overly spirited and cocky.... ,the bad guy is stupid and an inept paid killer...and the story ends abruptly with no reason for aspects if it to have been introduced....just hangs there with no resolve or explanation. This is not worth purchasing. My personal opinion, of course.
This is a book filled with every generality I think I've ever read in a so-called historical pirate romance novel. The cliches are never ending! No surprises period! If it wasn't for the sex and intimacy it would be a children's book. I was so bored throughout that it took me much longer than normal to read....and I never review a book unless I have read a book in its entirety. I wouldn't recommend this book ..... The Prate captain is a super nice guy with a crew that is anything but pirate-like....the female lead character us overly spirited and cocky.... ,the bad guy is stupid and an inept paid killer...and the story ends abruptly with no reason for aspects if it to have been introduced....just hangs there with no resolve or explanation. This is not worth purchasing. My personal opinion, of course.
October 21, 2017
Secrets of a Heart
A very interesting tale. Felicia was an amazing.person to be able to look after her younger,sisters after her mother's death in spite of her father's gambling and lack of responsibility. Gray was thrown into the,life of a pirate,after the wrongful death of his,father. Many fascinating characters and unexpected turns of events. Interesting all the way. Definitely give it 5 stars
A very interesting tale. Felicia was an amazing.person to be able to look after her younger,sisters after her mother's death in spite of her father's gambling and lack of responsibility. Gray was thrown into the,life of a pirate,after the wrongful death of his,father. Many fascinating characters and unexpected turns of events. Interesting all the way. Definitely give it 5 stars
November 27, 2017
Secrets of the Heart
This is the second book I've read by Samantha Garman, and I enjoyed it just as much, even though the genres are different. She draws you in with the story telling, and kept me there till the book was done. I loved Gray and Felicity who found friendship in the ton despite being mere a "mere Mr. and Mrs." And her sisters, the staff. Loved this story and can't wait to see if there is a story for Abby.
This is the second book I've read by Samantha Garman, and I enjoyed it just as much, even though the genres are different. She draws you in with the story telling, and kept me there till the book was done. I loved Gray and Felicity who found friendship in the ton despite being mere a "mere Mr. and Mrs." And her sisters, the staff. Loved this story and can't wait to see if there is a story for Abby.
February 3, 2018
Rags to riches
A very interesting story. I especially loved the two main characters. So much love between them. I liked how loyal Gray’s men were. Gray goes from a skinny 19 year old watching his father hanged to becoming a strong man getting his father’s honor back. Well written.
A very interesting story. I especially loved the two main characters. So much love between them. I liked how loyal Gray’s men were. Gray goes from a skinny 19 year old watching his father hanged to becoming a strong man getting his father’s honor back. Well written.
November 9, 2018
Trop mignons ces deux tourtereaux. Franchement, Felicity a un énorme coeur et une bonne dose d'humour et surtout de patience et confiance
August 23, 2014
A very sweet, utterly lovely historical romance, Secrets of a Heart was a wonderful read. I really liked this book. It was sweet, romantic, and enjoyable the entire way through. Loved it!
Felicity was a great heroine. She might have been in a tough situation, but she refused to let it take her dignity and she was determined to take care of her sisters. And, she was kind-hearted and accepting, judging people on their merit rather than rumors or their past. She was a lovely heroine and I really liked her.
Blaine (who calls himself Grey after he leaves his past behind) was wonderful as well. He was a kind pirate, though that sounds like an oxymoron. He was an honorable man who was put in a difficult situation but still held on to his better traits. And, there was no question that he was loyal to the people he cared about. I absolutely adored him.
The romance was perfect. It was refreshingly drama free, without any of those petty misunderstanding and annoying melodrama. Felicity and Grey were simply perfect together. From the beginning, they were infatuated with each other and that quickly grew to love as they got to know each other. And they definitely had some hot moments. Sure, they had arguments, but they were reasonable arguments that maintained my positive view of the characters. I thought they were a wonderful couple.
Felicity's sisters featured heavily in this book and I'm glad that they did because they were great characters. They were each lively and interesting and brought a lot of life to the story. All the sisters were strong-willed and vivacious and I liked them all.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The mystery of who the real traitor was kept things interesting, though the conclusion to it was slightly anticlimactic. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was just lovely.
Secrets of a Heart was a wonderful historical romance that I really liked. It was a sweet, lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Romance lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Felicity was a great heroine. She might have been in a tough situation, but she refused to let it take her dignity and she was determined to take care of her sisters. And, she was kind-hearted and accepting, judging people on their merit rather than rumors or their past. She was a lovely heroine and I really liked her.
Blaine (who calls himself Grey after he leaves his past behind) was wonderful as well. He was a kind pirate, though that sounds like an oxymoron. He was an honorable man who was put in a difficult situation but still held on to his better traits. And, there was no question that he was loyal to the people he cared about. I absolutely adored him.
The romance was perfect. It was refreshingly drama free, without any of those petty misunderstanding and annoying melodrama. Felicity and Grey were simply perfect together. From the beginning, they were infatuated with each other and that quickly grew to love as they got to know each other. And they definitely had some hot moments. Sure, they had arguments, but they were reasonable arguments that maintained my positive view of the characters. I thought they were a wonderful couple.
Felicity's sisters featured heavily in this book and I'm glad that they did because they were great characters. They were each lively and interesting and brought a lot of life to the story. All the sisters were strong-willed and vivacious and I liked them all.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The mystery of who the real traitor was kept things interesting, though the conclusion to it was slightly anticlimactic. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was just lovely.
Secrets of a Heart was a wonderful historical romance that I really liked. It was a sweet, lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Romance lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 31, 2014
Subject - book review - Secrets of a Heart
> Review
>I received this book from the author and from Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
>This book is a standalone book that ends in a HEA.
>Felicity is the oldest of 4 sisters, responsible for their well being after the death of their only parent, their father. Having no choice but to find work and sell their estate, Felicity asks a new neighbor, Grey, if she can work for him. Grey, who is smitten with Felicity, marries her instead.
>This all happens rather quickly, but the romance is very touching. Their relationship is fun to watch and the banter is quick witted. There are some very funny scenes involving a gun and a secret play. The mystery surrounding the truth behind Grey's past is exposed little by little and is quite exciting. The 3 sisters have refreshingly funny and real conversations.
>I would recommend this story to all who like regency romance with a dash of piracy! The on board scenes are some of the best in the book.
> This book is for an 18+ audience as there are scenes which are mildly graphic in regards to sex.
> Review
>I received this book from the author and from Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock.
>This book is a standalone book that ends in a HEA.
>Felicity is the oldest of 4 sisters, responsible for their well being after the death of their only parent, their father. Having no choice but to find work and sell their estate, Felicity asks a new neighbor, Grey, if she can work for him. Grey, who is smitten with Felicity, marries her instead.
>This all happens rather quickly, but the romance is very touching. Their relationship is fun to watch and the banter is quick witted. There are some very funny scenes involving a gun and a secret play. The mystery surrounding the truth behind Grey's past is exposed little by little and is quite exciting. The 3 sisters have refreshingly funny and real conversations.
>I would recommend this story to all who like regency romance with a dash of piracy! The on board scenes are some of the best in the book.
> This book is for an 18+ audience as there are scenes which are mildly graphic in regards to sex.
August 31, 2014
I have mixed feeling regarding this book. I couldn't decide whether it deserved a 3.5*** or a 4****. The first 1/3 of the book is riveting and kept me fully engaged, unfortunately, it has a sagging middle. I almost gave up on it, and I never do that. I'm glad I continued reading because the ending engaged me the same way the first part of the book did. If you like a story that gives the reader and good sense of the regency period, and one with intricate relationships, this is the book for you.
November 1, 2015
Absolutely a great book.
I could have read this book in records time but it was so good that I didn't want it to end. But it did and it was truly the epic ending. Well Sam you have my attention. I was born in brooklyn but my roots are in Harlem. You are bless with a wonderful gift of writing and I wish you continue success. As for those reading this review I am sure when you read this you will agree. I look forward to the sisters tale and Sebastian is a must. God bless. D.H. from New York City
I could have read this book in records time but it was so good that I didn't want it to end. But it did and it was truly the epic ending. Well Sam you have my attention. I was born in brooklyn but my roots are in Harlem. You are bless with a wonderful gift of writing and I wish you continue success. As for those reading this review I am sure when you read this you will agree. I look forward to the sisters tale and Sebastian is a must. God bless. D.H. from New York City
April 23, 2014
I have to honestly say this book was beyond amazing. The reason it took me awhile to read this book because I knew I could easily finish it, so I started other books. I loved this book alot
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews