"Heart Duel is a book with amazing 'flair'!"
Heart Duel is a book that walks a similar plot line to
that of Romeo and Juliet. But in this case our characters
are Lark Hawthorn Collinson and Holm Holly. And each of
their respective families has always been at odds with the
other and now they have entered into battle over land.
Lark's father T'Hawthorn seeks to reclaim that land
completely, from the Holly family and is prepared to kill
for it. As a FirstLevel healer Lark has seen her share of
battles and does not embrace her families commitment to
kill to get what they believe to be theirs. As it is, she
lost her first husband, who was also a FirstLevel healer
that was caught between two nobles fighting. However the
Holly family prides themselves and their honor on the
ability to not turn away from a fight but to set high
standards on when, who, and how they will fight during a
battle. IE: no women or young children. It is during one such healing session where Lark is
helping Holm's brother Tinne that he realizes Lark is his
HeartMate. He is amazed that he has discovered this so late
in his life but comes to realize that he had to grow enough
to become worthy of her. His long trek back with his
brother in the previous book, Heart Thief, helped to
elevate him to such status and signal his HeartMate. The
problem is Lark wants nothing to do with him or anything
connected to violence and death. So begins a more personal battle for an impatient Holm
as he must win the love of his HeartMate and convince her
without telling her straight out that they are meant to be
together. For should he share that she is his HeartMate the
repercussions would be grave by the standards of Celtan
Law. Where her flair is as a FirstLevel Healer, Holm's flair
is in duels and fighting. How can such dichotomies in
flair, bridge the chasm of love? Can the impatient Holm
Holly heir manage to control himself enough so as not to
reveal that he and Lark are HeartMates? Can Lark allow
someone who embraces fighting into her world when she is a
healer? Will the families accept these two as HeartMates?
The pull to complete the HeartMate process is strong. Are
Holm and Lark willing to pay the price for it? And of course, no Robin D. Owens book is complete
without her wonderful FamCharacters! Again we get to enjoy
all sorts of FamCats and kittens. As these little fur balls
of love help make a rough ride for both Holm and Lark a
little easier to bear. Heart Duel is a wonderful read with deep emotional ties
to family that generates much turmoil and inner strife. And
the determination Holm shows in reaching for his HeartMate
is wonderful and exciting. I believe this book can stand
alone as a read, but I would recommend you read the first
two in the series, HeartMate and Heart Thief, because the
characters come back in this book and definitely
participate in the story. Ms. Owens', Heart Duel is a
wonderful and 'HeartTouching' read!
Reviewed by Mindy Lobaugh
Posted April 20, 2004
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