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Heart's Compass #1
The Princess and the Marquess
FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR ALIYAH BURKE
Book one in the Heart's Compass series – a newly edited version!
Sometimes you need to lose it all to discover what is truly important.
Lucien St. Martin, Marquess of Heartstone, is ordered to travel to the “uncivilized” part of the world. America. Little does he know, everything is about to shift on its axis.
Ciara McKay is known as “the heart of the mountain.” Her world is changed the day she encounters a strange man near death on her mountain. Long winter nights lead to explosive passions before they part. Seven years pass before they meet again.
Can they overcome the “accepted” rules of society? Or will “the heart of the mountain” cease to be? Is it possible that Lucien can convince her to give them another chance? Will Ciara accept her destiny that together is the only way for them to be—as the princess and the marquess?
Book one in the Heart's Compass series – a newly edited version!
Sometimes you need to lose it all to discover what is truly important.
Lucien St. Martin, Marquess of Heartstone, is ordered to travel to the “uncivilized” part of the world. America. Little does he know, everything is about to shift on its axis.
Ciara McKay is known as “the heart of the mountain.” Her world is changed the day she encounters a strange man near death on her mountain. Long winter nights lead to explosive passions before they part. Seven years pass before they meet again.
Can they overcome the “accepted” rules of society? Or will “the heart of the mountain” cease to be? Is it possible that Lucien can convince her to give them another chance? Will Ciara accept her destiny that together is the only way for them to be—as the princess and the marquess?
- GenresHistorical Romance
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
About the author
Aliyah Burke
298 books991 followersA USA Today Bestselling author, Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached http://aliyah-burke.com/blog/contact/
Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or via email.
She is married to a career military man, and they are owned by 4 Borzoi. Her days are spent sharing her time between work, writing, and dog training/showing.
Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or via email.
She is married to a career military man, and they are owned by 4 Borzoi. Her days are spent sharing her time between work, writing, and dog training/showing.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 6, 2014
I had some definite issues with our heroine... Maybe I'm just sensitive to it because my brother is in a situation right now where the mother of his son is not being very considerate of his feelings at all, barely letting him see him once a day. To keep a man's child from him for years and then be barely apologetic about it? I can't find anything else to call her but a b*tch. She was barely likable before that (she hovers far too close to being a Mary Sue for my tastes) and after that? Straight up b*tch.
I'm a little beyond page 200 and I will admit, I'm going to have to convince myself to finish it.
Edit: I officially quit at chapter 23. I just couldn't take her anymore.
I'm a little beyond page 200 and I will admit, I'm going to have to convince myself to finish it.
Edit: I officially quit at chapter 23. I just couldn't take her anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2021
Pro: The novel has no grammar errors, at least, not much anyway.
Con: The only problem I have is Lucian's characterization. Lucian is too much of spoiled/sheltered condescending asshole for me to like him as a love interest. Ciara is likeable, but Lucian is despicable.
3 stars for me.
Con: The only problem I have is Lucian's characterization. Lucian is too much of spoiled/sheltered condescending asshole for me to like him as a love interest. Ciara is likeable, but Lucian is despicable.
3 stars for me.
May 21, 2023
The Marquis met his match.
Lucien St. Martin, the Marquis of Hearthstone, will find more than the horse that he was told to travel to the Americas to purchase. Ciara McKay is an unexpected surprise and savior when Lucien is attacked by a bear. Their steamy nights and bittersweet goodbye, when Lucien has to return to London, will leave them longing for each other. Lucien will be pleasantly surprised by Ciara’s visit because she’ll bring with her more than just horses. The road won’t be easy for the lovers as Lucian‘s family and Lucian‘s behavior will get in the way while Lucian and Ciara find their way back to each other.
For the most part, this was a good read with very few errors that did not disrupt the flow of the story. I would recommend it if you like reading, historical romances.
Lucien St. Martin, the Marquis of Hearthstone, will find more than the horse that he was told to travel to the Americas to purchase. Ciara McKay is an unexpected surprise and savior when Lucien is attacked by a bear. Their steamy nights and bittersweet goodbye, when Lucien has to return to London, will leave them longing for each other. Lucien will be pleasantly surprised by Ciara’s visit because she’ll bring with her more than just horses. The road won’t be easy for the lovers as Lucian‘s family and Lucian‘s behavior will get in the way while Lucian and Ciara find their way back to each other.
For the most part, this was a good read with very few errors that did not disrupt the flow of the story. I would recommend it if you like reading, historical romances.
January 9, 2023
I’m I crazy? WTF was that?
Let me start off by saying this was an interesting premise. That’s all I can compliment.
Why was Lucien an ass??? And it was just out of nowhere????? And Ciara just took him back?????? And the Richard subplot was NOT needed. And all the stuff added in the end… idk I just didn’t like it.
Let me start off by saying this was an interesting premise. That’s all I can compliment.
Why was Lucien an ass??? And it was just out of nowhere????? And Ciara just took him back?????? And the Richard subplot was NOT needed. And all the stuff added in the end… idk I just didn’t like it.
August 7, 2023
Great story
Well told story. At times, I wanted to knock some sense into Ciara and Lucien's heads. They did not have an easy road and made a lot of mistakes along the way. But in the end true love wins.
Well told story. At times, I wanted to knock some sense into Ciara and Lucien's heads. They did not have an easy road and made a lot of mistakes along the way. But in the end true love wins.
November 14, 2023
Looking forward!
I am very much enjoying this series. Can’t wait to read what Aliyah has next for me to read. Enjoy.
I am very much enjoying this series. Can’t wait to read what Aliyah has next for me to read. Enjoy.
March 25, 2024
DID NOT LIKE THE FMC!!
In order for me to enjoy a book, the MCs must at least be likeable. And if not likeable, they must be entertaining, and Ciara was not only boring, she was extremely unlikeable!.. I have a hard time with books where the FMC unapologetically thinks that it's okay to keep a child from their father. The only time that I ever find this acceptable is if it's a situation where there is abuse, the threat of abuse, or if the father's whereabouts are unknown. Otherwise, it's just NOT OKAY! Then, to casually and arrogantly waltz back into his life as if some horses should just make him overlook her actions was irritating. Not just that, but she made it seem as if HE was the bad guy, and it pissed me off. SEVEN YEARS AND NOT EVEN A SINCERE APOLOGY?!? He shouldn't have caved and forgiven her that easily. I had a very hard time warming up to, or liking Ciara...and that's saying a lot bc Lucien was no picnic either.
In addition, it's supposed to be a historical romance, but the vernacular often used by the characters was so contemporary that it just threw me off. The whole wild animal kingdom made no d**n sense, and after a while, it seemed more fantasy than historical fiction. Finally, what was the deal with all the SA? EVERY FEMALE in the story was r**ed, and I just couldn't seem to wrap my mind around the necessity of that. Like, WHY?!? I'm very relieved that I didn't pay for this book.
In order for me to enjoy a book, the MCs must at least be likeable. And if not likeable, they must be entertaining, and Ciara was not only boring, she was extremely unlikeable!.. I have a hard time with books where the FMC unapologetically thinks that it's okay to keep a child from their father. The only time that I ever find this acceptable is if it's a situation where there is abuse, the threat of abuse, or if the father's whereabouts are unknown. Otherwise, it's just NOT OKAY! Then, to casually and arrogantly waltz back into his life as if some horses should just make him overlook her actions was irritating. Not just that, but she made it seem as if HE was the bad guy, and it pissed me off. SEVEN YEARS AND NOT EVEN A SINCERE APOLOGY?!? He shouldn't have caved and forgiven her that easily. I had a very hard time warming up to, or liking Ciara...and that's saying a lot bc Lucien was no picnic either.
In addition, it's supposed to be a historical romance, but the vernacular often used by the characters was so contemporary that it just threw me off. The whole wild animal kingdom made no d**n sense, and after a while, it seemed more fantasy than historical fiction. Finally, what was the deal with all the SA? EVERY FEMALE in the story was r**ed, and I just couldn't seem to wrap my mind around the necessity of that. Like, WHY?!? I'm very relieved that I didn't pay for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews