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Clan MacKenzie #5
True Heart
A MAIDEN'S PERILOUS VOYAGE
Ten-year-old Virginia MacKenzie was determined to join Cameron Cunningham --- her beloved friend, and now, formally, her betrothed --- when he sailed to France. Arranging to join Cam's Highland Dream at sea, Virginia never suspected the captain of her ship would spirit her to America, selling her into vilest bondage ...
A HEART FULL OF REGRET
Desperately, Cameron searched for his betrothed for years, when even the great Lachlan MacKenzie had given up his daughter for dead. Now Cam's only memento of Virginia was a tattered silk handkerchief with a faded hallmark ...
A SOUL-STIRRING REUNION --- AND A DESPERATE VOW
Virginia could scarce believe it when a near-miracle finally brought Cam to her rescue. Longing to rush into his arms, yet afraid of losing him once more, she hid her past and retreated from Cam's sheltering embrace. Tenderly, Cam vowed to heal the wounds of the past, and win her heart once more ... until she believed completely in the love that was their destiny ...
Ten-year-old Virginia MacKenzie was determined to join Cameron Cunningham --- her beloved friend, and now, formally, her betrothed --- when he sailed to France. Arranging to join Cam's Highland Dream at sea, Virginia never suspected the captain of her ship would spirit her to America, selling her into vilest bondage ...
A HEART FULL OF REGRET
Desperately, Cameron searched for his betrothed for years, when even the great Lachlan MacKenzie had given up his daughter for dead. Now Cam's only memento of Virginia was a tattered silk handkerchief with a faded hallmark ...
A SOUL-STIRRING REUNION --- AND A DESPERATE VOW
Virginia could scarce believe it when a near-miracle finally brought Cam to her rescue. Longing to rush into his arms, yet afraid of losing him once more, she hid her past and retreated from Cam's sheltering embrace. Tenderly, Cam vowed to heal the wounds of the past, and win her heart once more ... until she believed completely in the love that was their destiny ...
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Arnette Lamb
19 books66 followersArnette Lamb was an American writer of 13 romance novels from 1995 to 1998. She was born in 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. and she died prematurely from cancer on September 18, 1998. Her funeral service was held in the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 29, 2015
I groaned in exasperation starting this book - it began cheesy with sex right off the bat, silly descriptive phrases, and ridiculous passion. I'm happy to say it turned a bit funny a few pages in though, and from then on redeemed itself.
Sex is here but not dominating and the story is actually a very intriguing one for a romance. I got the false impression that plot would take too much of a backseat to cheaply injected intimacy but thankfully this isn't the case. I'm sure that people who had read the story of the parent's would get their past relationship more, but it was easy for me too as a first-timer to pick up on how much they cared about each other and the author's ease with making the relationship believable.
It's quite unique and while more action could have happened in the center areas to buffer it up, I loved Cameron as the main character. He was refreshing and fun and one reason the book works so well. Having a likeable hero is the main secret for having the romance work well, I think. Virginia was a likeable heroine. I loved the parents and the family.
It was actually a heartfelt, feel good story that doesn't have to try to be one, it just is without the phony feeling. The ending was especially funny. The blend of humor with action and strong personalities that work make this one a recommendable old-school romance. The book was amped up further being so curious on what big secret she could have been hiding for so long. Secrets and intrigue are good for any genre.
Sex is here but not dominating and the story is actually a very intriguing one for a romance. I got the false impression that plot would take too much of a backseat to cheaply injected intimacy but thankfully this isn't the case. I'm sure that people who had read the story of the parent's would get their past relationship more, but it was easy for me too as a first-timer to pick up on how much they cared about each other and the author's ease with making the relationship believable.
It's quite unique and while more action could have happened in the center areas to buffer it up, I loved Cameron as the main character. He was refreshing and fun and one reason the book works so well. Having a likeable hero is the main secret for having the romance work well, I think. Virginia was a likeable heroine. I loved the parents and the family.
It was actually a heartfelt, feel good story that doesn't have to try to be one, it just is without the phony feeling. The ending was especially funny. The blend of humor with action and strong personalities that work make this one a recommendable old-school romance. The book was amped up further being so curious on what big secret she could have been hiding for so long. Secrets and intrigue are good for any genre.
July 23, 2013
I really liked this book. After reading the previous installment of the trilogy I was excited to find this one, too, at a used bookstore.
Virginia was introduced in the prior book about her sister Agnes who has been relentlessly searching for her missing sister. Her betrothed (since she was child) had given up hope until he saw an engraving of a symbol Virginia had made for the two of them.
This is not a typical betrothed since childhood story. Cameron loves Virginia, and she him, and always has. They have been friends all her life and their childhoods are entwined.
There is some misunderstanding between them throughout the story. She is pretending to have amnesia and he knows she's faking. He has a mistress and is not telling and she figures it out.
I think the emotions of her being reunited with family members she has missed terribly would have been more strongly felt if she hadn't had to pretend she didn't know them. I understand her reasoning but it was weak. However, it made the story challenging.
Toward the end was a twist involving a man who had been an inspiration to Virginia while she was in America. It was superfluous and distracting although the effectiveness of a family working in tandem was inspirational.
Nice end to the trilogy.
Virginia was introduced in the prior book about her sister Agnes who has been relentlessly searching for her missing sister. Her betrothed (since she was child) had given up hope until he saw an engraving of a symbol Virginia had made for the two of them.
This is not a typical betrothed since childhood story. Cameron loves Virginia, and she him, and always has. They have been friends all her life and their childhoods are entwined.
There is some misunderstanding between them throughout the story. She is pretending to have amnesia and he knows she's faking. He has a mistress and is not telling and she figures it out.
I think the emotions of her being reunited with family members she has missed terribly would have been more strongly felt if she hadn't had to pretend she didn't know them. I understand her reasoning but it was weak. However, it made the story challenging.
Toward the end was a twist involving a man who had been an inspiration to Virginia while she was in America. It was superfluous and distracting although the effectiveness of a family working in tandem was inspirational.
Nice end to the trilogy.
March 5, 2023
This wasn't a bad book, but it still had some flaws and a few things should have been different. As with so many cases, it had potential it didn't live up to.
First of all, are we really supposed to believe that a young man of 18 could be seriously committed to a 10 year old child???? And her parents are all for it???? I realize that in some centuries engagements took place while one or both parties were still in the schoolroom, but those were political alliances, not love matches! And even if they are soulmates, it still gives a creep factor to the story. And how many 10 year old girls determine to leave their home and follow their "love" to another country? If Ms. Lamb had made her 13 or 14, it would have been more acceptable, but 10????? Come on!!!
Then again, considering what a horndog she had for a father (who made a career of getting women pregnant) maybe it's not so surprising!
Virginia (the h) ends up kidnapped and forced into bond service in Colonial America, and she isn't found for ten years, so at least by that time, she and Cameron (the H) are 20 and 28, no more YUCK involved!
What gets silly, is Virginia being too proud to tell her family that she was kept by the jealous mistress of the house in the slave quarters, subjected to virginity checks to be sure she wasn't dallying with the master, and made to do all kinds of menial labor. So, she pretends to have amnesia to avoid telling them all that, and lets them think she was the housekeeper on the estate, (where new owners were kinder to her and helped her out). It was just so dumb! Her family was glad to have her back after so long, why would they hold all that against her, when it wasn't her fault?
There's more silliness, like Cameron and Virginia's half-sister, Agnes (apparently one tough lady) demonstrating unarmed combat, and Cameron gets the best of her and throws her to the ground. What was the necessity of them acting like that? And we're supposed to believe that Agnes made the rip overseas to find her sister only three days after she gave birth to a baby girl? Enough, already!
Then, despite a ten year separation and Cameron thinking much of the time that she was dead, Virginia actually gets all jealous when she finds out he had a mistress. Did she honestly believe a handsome, virile guy like him would be a virgin???? She stoops so low as to sneak into his cabin aboard ship and read his personal letters, to find out all she could about Adrienne, who turned out to be surprisingly nice and accepted that it was over between her and Cameron. It wasn't even necessary to bring her into the story at all.
Neither did it make sense to have Virginia get the whole family into a mess, when she insists on speaking with an author (along the lines of Thomas Paine) whose essays helped her through some tough times, and unwittingly gets him in trouble with the law and then they have to rescue him. It was just foolish!
Even more so, was when she admitted faking her amnesia to Cameron (who already knew, as her remembering bits and pieces of things never was too convincing) and was ready to confess to her family (FINALLY), and he talks her out of it! meanwhile, her father had been told and got revenge on the man who sold her into servitude, but that's kept secret from Virginia. Another foolish moment!
If Ms. Lamb hadn't made so many errors, she could have really done something with this story. Too bad.
If the auyh
First of all, are we really supposed to believe that a young man of 18 could be seriously committed to a 10 year old child???? And her parents are all for it???? I realize that in some centuries engagements took place while one or both parties were still in the schoolroom, but those were political alliances, not love matches! And even if they are soulmates, it still gives a creep factor to the story. And how many 10 year old girls determine to leave their home and follow their "love" to another country? If Ms. Lamb had made her 13 or 14, it would have been more acceptable, but 10????? Come on!!!
Then again, considering what a horndog she had for a father (who made a career of getting women pregnant) maybe it's not so surprising!
Virginia (the h) ends up kidnapped and forced into bond service in Colonial America, and she isn't found for ten years, so at least by that time, she and Cameron (the H) are 20 and 28, no more YUCK involved!
What gets silly, is Virginia being too proud to tell her family that she was kept by the jealous mistress of the house in the slave quarters, subjected to virginity checks to be sure she wasn't dallying with the master, and made to do all kinds of menial labor. So, she pretends to have amnesia to avoid telling them all that, and lets them think she was the housekeeper on the estate, (where new owners were kinder to her and helped her out). It was just so dumb! Her family was glad to have her back after so long, why would they hold all that against her, when it wasn't her fault?
There's more silliness, like Cameron and Virginia's half-sister, Agnes (apparently one tough lady) demonstrating unarmed combat, and Cameron gets the best of her and throws her to the ground. What was the necessity of them acting like that? And we're supposed to believe that Agnes made the rip overseas to find her sister only three days after she gave birth to a baby girl? Enough, already!
Then, despite a ten year separation and Cameron thinking much of the time that she was dead, Virginia actually gets all jealous when she finds out he had a mistress. Did she honestly believe a handsome, virile guy like him would be a virgin???? She stoops so low as to sneak into his cabin aboard ship and read his personal letters, to find out all she could about Adrienne, who turned out to be surprisingly nice and accepted that it was over between her and Cameron. It wasn't even necessary to bring her into the story at all.
Neither did it make sense to have Virginia get the whole family into a mess, when she insists on speaking with an author (along the lines of Thomas Paine) whose essays helped her through some tough times, and unwittingly gets him in trouble with the law and then they have to rescue him. It was just foolish!
Even more so, was when she admitted faking her amnesia to Cameron (who already knew, as her remembering bits and pieces of things never was too convincing) and was ready to confess to her family (FINALLY), and he talks her out of it! meanwhile, her father had been told and got revenge on the man who sold her into servitude, but that's kept secret from Virginia. Another foolish moment!
If Ms. Lamb hadn't made so many errors, she could have really done something with this story. Too bad.
If the auyh
January 12, 2022
4.5. (Explícito). Me hubiera gustado que desde un inicio, en cuanto Virginia tuviera la atención de Cameron para ella sola le hubiera explicado a él lo que la había llevado a esa situación, en la que fue una sirvienta forzosa*, para que es incluso peor que ser un esclavo en esa época. Aunque, antes de decirle la verdad de este modo, hubiera sido algo conveniente de que averiguara la situación de Cameron, ver si se casó o algo así.
Cameron, que noble y gentil, pensé que sería algún bruto, alguien con un poco más de caracter.
Al final, únicamente me gustó mucho que Virginia encontrara las fuerzas para decirle todo lo que pasó en esos diez años alejada de su familia a Cameron, y tenían razón, no es necesario que los demás carguen con todo lo que esas verdades implicaban.
Como es la norma, le falto más intrigas y misterios al secuestrador de Virginia, me hubiera gustado alguna escena donde el despreciable admitiera los motivos del porqué la vendió y que Virginia terminara en una plantación.
Cada vez que Cameron o Lachlan, el duque de Ross y padre de Virginia, mencionaban algo sobre el cautiverio, porque para mí así fue, de Virginia algo se retorcía dentro de mi, al igual que cuando Virginia comparaba su vida en la plantación contra su nueva libertad, como cuando se narró que esaa nuevas zapatillas eran las primeras que tenía desde hacía diez años o que ni siquiera tuviera ropa suya, me daba tanta tristeza.
Incluso, antes de todo el asunto del cómo Cameron la logró localizar, gracias a Virginia, estaba su infancia compartida, la cual fue de lo más noble y adorable: cuando Viriginia nació Cameron tenía unos ocho años y desde entonces forjaron una increíble amistad, en la cual todos sabían que terminarían casándose en un futuro, incluso a los diez años Virginia ya tenía su anillo de compromiso, puesto que Lachlan había formalizado el contrato de matrimonio con un Cameron de dieciocho (Cameron, él mismo sabía que a esa edad, Virginia no le inspiraba lujuria ni aunque fuera el caso, respetaría hasta que tuviera edad suficiente para casarse con ella, algo casi heróico para esas fechas). Y el cómo Virginia terminó prácticamente perdida con diez años, fue que trató de seguir a Cameron en uno de sus viajes marítimos, una acción inocente y muy esperanzadora, que terminó con una Virginia expuesta a lo peor de la humanidad (por dos años soportó que un supuesto médico la examinara manualmente para comprobar que siguiera virgen por motivos de que la esposa del dueño de la plantación le tenía muchos celos a Virginia), con familia con una hija menos y a Cameron solo en el mundo.
Me encantan Cameron y Virginia, soportaron diez años separados para darse cuenta de que sus corazones se seguían perteneciendo el uno al otro sin importar nada.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de Virginia y Cameron.
Cameron, que noble y gentil, pensé que sería algún bruto, alguien con un poco más de caracter.
Al final, únicamente me gustó mucho que Virginia encontrara las fuerzas para decirle todo lo que pasó en esos diez años alejada de su familia a Cameron, y tenían razón, no es necesario que los demás carguen con todo lo que esas verdades implicaban.
Como es la norma, le falto más intrigas y misterios al secuestrador de Virginia, me hubiera gustado alguna escena donde el despreciable admitiera los motivos del porqué la vendió y que Virginia terminara en una plantación.
Cada vez que Cameron o Lachlan, el duque de Ross y padre de Virginia, mencionaban algo sobre el cautiverio, porque para mí así fue, de Virginia algo se retorcía dentro de mi, al igual que cuando Virginia comparaba su vida en la plantación contra su nueva libertad, como cuando se narró que esaa nuevas zapatillas eran las primeras que tenía desde hacía diez años o que ni siquiera tuviera ropa suya, me daba tanta tristeza.
Incluso, antes de todo el asunto del cómo Cameron la logró localizar, gracias a Virginia, estaba su infancia compartida, la cual fue de lo más noble y adorable: cuando Viriginia nació Cameron tenía unos ocho años y desde entonces forjaron una increíble amistad, en la cual todos sabían que terminarían casándose en un futuro, incluso a los diez años Virginia ya tenía su anillo de compromiso, puesto que Lachlan había formalizado el contrato de matrimonio con un Cameron de dieciocho (Cameron, él mismo sabía que a esa edad, Virginia no le inspiraba lujuria ni aunque fuera el caso, respetaría hasta que tuviera edad suficiente para casarse con ella, algo casi heróico para esas fechas). Y el cómo Virginia terminó prácticamente perdida con diez años, fue que trató de seguir a Cameron en uno de sus viajes marítimos, una acción inocente y muy esperanzadora, que terminó con una Virginia expuesta a lo peor de la humanidad (por dos años soportó que un supuesto médico la examinara manualmente para comprobar que siguiera virgen por motivos de que la esposa del dueño de la plantación le tenía muchos celos a Virginia), con familia con una hija menos y a Cameron solo en el mundo.
Me encantan Cameron y Virginia, soportaron diez años separados para darse cuenta de que sus corazones se seguían perteneciendo el uno al otro sin importar nada.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de Virginia y Cameron.
July 27, 2024
Oficialmente, estamos ante el primer tesoro perdido de mi librero. Este libro tiene todo en cuanto a romance de época, un amor que perdura con el tiempo, la pérdida de la esperanza, un pasado oscuro y pasión desenfrenada bajo el contexto histórico de la independencia de las 13 colonias.
Al estar ambientada en el siglo XXVIII en la época esclavista, esperaba escenas fuertes sobre el trato que se le daban a los esclavos, en especial a las mujeres, afortunadamente, los horrores que me imaginé no pasaron pero sí sucedieron otros igual de humillantes e indignantes, por otro lado, los personajes están bien construidos y desarrollados al igual que la historia la cual puede hacer creer al lector que es autoconclusiva cuando no lo es.
Cameron Cunningham se ganó su lugar en mi club de crushes literarios por ser un hombre que en el fondo siguió amando a Virginia después de 10 años sin saber nada de ella y que se empeña no sólo en conocerla como mujer sino también en conquistarla y ayudarle a sanar las heridas de su tormentoso pasado a pesar de que en ocasiones actúa con arrogancia y descaro. Virginia tampoco se queda atrás, ella también es obstinada, valiente al mismo tiempo que generosa y bondadosa, al principio trata de ocultar y olvidar todo lo que vivió siendo esclava pero gracias a Cameron, logra abrirse para poder sanar y seguir adelante dando inicio a un nuevo ciclo en su vida.
Por último, este libro también cuenta con spicy pero en nivel 3, es decir, no es tan explícito como otros libros pero tampoco deja todo a la imaginación, a mi gusto, es un spicy bien balanceado y de los que ya casi no hay. Por todo lo anterior, está lectura se lleva la puntuación completa.
Al estar ambientada en el siglo XXVIII en la época esclavista, esperaba escenas fuertes sobre el trato que se le daban a los esclavos, en especial a las mujeres, afortunadamente, los horrores que me imaginé no pasaron pero sí sucedieron otros igual de humillantes e indignantes, por otro lado, los personajes están bien construidos y desarrollados al igual que la historia la cual puede hacer creer al lector que es autoconclusiva cuando no lo es.
Cameron Cunningham se ganó su lugar en mi club de crushes literarios por ser un hombre que en el fondo siguió amando a Virginia después de 10 años sin saber nada de ella y que se empeña no sólo en conocerla como mujer sino también en conquistarla y ayudarle a sanar las heridas de su tormentoso pasado a pesar de que en ocasiones actúa con arrogancia y descaro. Virginia tampoco se queda atrás, ella también es obstinada, valiente al mismo tiempo que generosa y bondadosa, al principio trata de ocultar y olvidar todo lo que vivió siendo esclava pero gracias a Cameron, logra abrirse para poder sanar y seguir adelante dando inicio a un nuevo ciclo en su vida.
Por último, este libro también cuenta con spicy pero en nivel 3, es decir, no es tan explícito como otros libros pero tampoco deja todo a la imaginación, a mi gusto, es un spicy bien balanceado y de los que ya casi no hay. Por todo lo anterior, está lectura se lleva la puntuación completa.
April 23, 2018
I loved this book and bought it the moment it was printed and at my local bookstore. I would like to buy the e-book, but $15.99 is a little pricey for a digital copy of a book I already own. You could say, I am owed my back up copy by Simon and Schuster.
The reason I was looking it up to buy the e-book was because there was a mention of a particular pamphlet that Virginia had brought back to have the author sigh it. He was considered a seditionist because of his views concerning the colonies and Virginia was a fan. I am currently stuck in a bit of research I was doing for another project when I remembered this part of the book. The pamphleteer was a historical person, but I cannot remember his name nor the name of the particular pamphlet mentioned in the book. I may just go to the library and borrow it.
If anyone has a copy of the book and could look that up, it would be greatly appreciated.
The reason I was looking it up to buy the e-book was because there was a mention of a particular pamphlet that Virginia had brought back to have the author sigh it. He was considered a seditionist because of his views concerning the colonies and Virginia was a fan. I am currently stuck in a bit of research I was doing for another project when I remembered this part of the book. The pamphleteer was a historical person, but I cannot remember his name nor the name of the particular pamphlet mentioned in the book. I may just go to the library and borrow it.
If anyone has a copy of the book and could look that up, it would be greatly appreciated.
October 11, 2019
Lachlan MacKenzie’s four oldest daughters may have grown up but that doesn’t mean he is willing to let them go too far away from where he can keep a paternal eye on them. As far as he is concerned distance means little and family means everything.
This is a wonderful series and all three books about his daughters are worth reading and then reading again.
In Beguiled and Betrayed he’s makes his presence known to his two older daughters that these two books focus on, Sarah and Agnes. Their father knows better than anyone that the road to true love is filled with potholes. Lottie and Mary may not have their own books but they are very much present in each of these.
And while Lachlan chose not to marry any of his oldest four daughter’s mothers…and with good cause according to him…he did marry their governess. True Heart is the story of his and Juliet’s oldest daughter, Virginia. This is another must read as they all are and every member of the family makes an appearance in True Heart which makes this story truly a family affair.
This is a wonderful series and all three books about his daughters are worth reading and then reading again.
In Beguiled and Betrayed he’s makes his presence known to his two older daughters that these two books focus on, Sarah and Agnes. Their father knows better than anyone that the road to true love is filled with potholes. Lottie and Mary may not have their own books but they are very much present in each of these.
And while Lachlan chose not to marry any of his oldest four daughter’s mothers…and with good cause according to him…he did marry their governess. True Heart is the story of his and Juliet’s oldest daughter, Virginia. This is another must read as they all are and every member of the family makes an appearance in True Heart which makes this story truly a family affair.
April 14, 2021
Almost a DNF. Another reread from 20+ years ago.
SHE. WAS. TEN. TEN! Engaged to an 18 year old. Which ok fine betrothals happened, but when they discuss or remember their shared past, the "adventures" they had shouldn't have happened between an 8 and 16 year old or a 6 and 14 year old. This bothers me greatly. She's portrayed as way more mature than a 10 year old.
That said, the concept is interesting (lost, sold as an indentured servant, thought dead by family) but it wasn't enough for me to actually read it. I skimmed a lot.
SHE. WAS. TEN. TEN! Engaged to an 18 year old. Which ok fine betrothals happened, but when they discuss or remember their shared past, the "adventures" they had shouldn't have happened between an 8 and 16 year old or a 6 and 14 year old. This bothers me greatly. She's portrayed as way more mature than a 10 year old.
That said, the concept is interesting (lost, sold as an indentured servant, thought dead by family) but it wasn't enough for me to actually read it. I skimmed a lot.
September 26, 2018
Recommended
I first read this story when it first came out. Part on the Clan Mackenzie series starting with Highland Rogue. When I heard Ms. Lamb had passed away I dispared the stories coming to ebook. I'm so glad they have.
While this story standsalone It is best when read in series order as the culmination. It is a story of survival and strength. A story of loyalty to family and a love that stands against time.
Highly recommended.
I first read this story when it first came out. Part on the Clan Mackenzie series starting with Highland Rogue. When I heard Ms. Lamb had passed away I dispared the stories coming to ebook. I'm so glad they have.
While this story standsalone It is best when read in series order as the culmination. It is a story of survival and strength. A story of loyalty to family and a love that stands against time.
Highly recommended.
June 30, 2011
Delicious old skool romance! A real gem of a read. I was afraid the author would give the h/h a sad conflict before the HEA, but she surprised me and gave us a hero to die for. Cameron is the perfect romantic hero who put aside his own grief and feelings to help Virginia. I loved it!
July 27, 2016
Este libro no tiene ni pies ni cabeza, el argumento es interesante, pero la actitud absurda de la protagonista no tiene sentido y sus acciones son tan calculadas en su situación que me parecía un cyborg.
January 31, 2015
Kindle March 10
March 23, 2011
I really loved this book and have kept it on my bookshelf.
August 25, 2011
Pretty good, wasn't full of sex and violence but was interesting and kept you wondering what the secret was she was hiding
March 2, 2012
Demasiado extenso para mi gusto, casi un nulo proceso en la relación de los protagonistas durante las primeras 100 páginas y eso me quitó el interés de continuarlo
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September 2, 2013"Historical Romance"
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews