"A fairy tale story of magic, adventure and love"
Wow! What a great novel! This book is astounding in its
detail but you don't drown in it. Mary Lennox is an author
to keep an eye on. I believe HEART OF FIRE is the ultimate
fairy tale. You have the good, the bad, the amazing and
magical. I found this book could take my breath away as
the plot continuously wove in so many wonderful directions
and possibilities. I was on the edge of my seat
(literally) and glued to each passing chapter. Nicholas is a King trying to keep his country and people
safe from the Napoleonic war, by forming alliances with
other ruling countries. He is a man driven to prove his
worth, as his father deemed him weak due to his struggles
with pneumonia. The last thing on his mind is love; as a
king can only have one love and that is for his country.
There is no room for anyone else, or is there? Sera, an innocent in many ways, has the temerity and
courage to not let fear of the unknown stop her from being
who she is in a world that could shun her. Part of an
elite and magical race hidden in the Arkadian Mountains,
Sera is drawn into the world of the common man/Outlander
in search of the Heart of Fire. A ruby of incredible
brilliance and power has been stolen. Taking it upon
herself to recover the ruby and return it to her people,
she is captured. During this confinement she inadvertently
comes into contact with the Outlander, King Nicholas
Rostov, who is a guest at the palace she is being held
captive. Sera saves King Rostov from a band of terrorists
who call themselves The Brotherhood. Thankful for her
intervention, Nicholas whisks Sera away to his castle and
home where he intends to keep her until he can learn all
the secrets this rare beauty holds. For by the prickling
on the back of his neck, he knows this is no mere slip of
a woman, as her demeanor and education reflect a
possibility of nobility. It is through this time spent with Sera that Nicholas
realizes a king does not have to lock away his feelings
from his people and family to be a good ruler, but rather
embrace them and show he has the compassion to be a great
King. Meanwhile, Sera realizes that her powers are
beginning to blossom the more she comes to truly love
Nicholas. But without the guidance of her mage and the
protection of Arkadia, will she be able to use them
wisely? And of course, what book can be fantastic without a good
greedy enemy seeking power to contrast against our hero
and heroine. For hidden within Sera is the fear of a man
of considerable power that destroyed her family and hunts
her even now. With the constant threat hanging over them
both, the royal protocol, and the need to be together, the
sexual tension in this book grows very effectively. And
Mary Lennox does not disappoint...by the time I finished
this book I felt complete and sated...In other words
WOW! : ) Mindy Lobaugh © Copyright 2003
Reviewed by Mindy Lobaugh
Posted June 6, 2003
|
