HEART LEGACY – Robin D. Owens
A Perfect 10
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-26397-6
November 2015
Paranormal Romance

Celta – 424 Years After Colonization

Draeg Betony-Blackthorn spends his free time clearing the streets of Druida City of criminals, something his family isn't happy about. He is tasked by Tinne Holly to infiltrate the secluded Yew estate to spy on the Family and try to discover if the Yews are responsible for accidents that are happening to children of the FirstFamilies after a button with yew leaves on it is found at a crime scene. The Yews are known to be an ultra-conservative Family who may, or may not be involved with a splinter group known as the Traditionalist Stance. These followers do not approve of Commoners becoming Nobles.

Reluctantly, Draeg takes a position as stable hand at the Yew estate after that family buys two horses from the Sallow family. Draeg's goal is to find out if the GrandLady D'Yew is behind the accidents happening in the city. He's immediately met there by her Fam, a large grey cat called Baccat who informs him that GrandLady Loridana is his and to leave her alone. Draeg settles the horses in the stable, meets the six stridebeasts already there, and begins to use his Flair to investigate the Residence and Family.

Loridana is the traditional head of her Family, although at eighteen she has still not been introduced to the FirstFamilies or allowed to officially become D'Yew. Her Family and the Residence have controlled her life, not letting her appear in public, or giving her any of the respect her title has earned. So she and her Fam have made a plan to leave the Yew estate, take her stridebeasts, and travel to the estate that her father left her in Valeria, far from Druida City. She is just learning what her Flair is capable of and how strong it is. But she must be secretive about the entire plan, for if her Family or the Residence got wind of it, they would imprison her on the estate.

Sparks fly when Lori and Draeg meet. She is attracted to him from the first, and the feeling is mutual. But Draeg has to rule out that Lori is responsible for the happenings in the city. Their mutual affection for the stridebeasts and horses help them to work together on training them, but Lori, despite her growing feelings for the stableman, must continue with her secretive plans for escape to Valeria. Would Draeg go with her? Does he care for her as much as she does for him? For Draeg, who is now fairly certain that Lori has nothing to do with or any knowledge of what is going on in Druida City, has conflicting feelings. His deceit bothers him, but he has a job to do. His suspicions of Lori's Family grow when accidents happening to Lori start mounting.

This return to the magical planet of Celta is emotional. Lori has been subjected to a lifetime of being treated as a prisoner by her immediate Family. Having lost her parents at a young age, her uncle, cousins, other Family members, and Residence have controlled every moment of her life. Her love for her animals is sometimes used as a threat by them, so that she will do as she's told. Draeg's presence expands her life in many ways, but she is still determined to escape the clutches of her Family. She has no desire to fight for her rights as the D'Yew. Draeg does not understand why she won't stand up for herself.

Love, love, love the Heart books. They take readers away to another world of magical Flair, incredibly realistic characters, and the animal Fams who add levity. These stories wouldn't stand out without the beautifully crafted scenes and innovative premises that the author gives us. Each tale is unique, but do yourselves a favor and start at the beginning of this series. Find the list at http://robindowens.com/?page_id=258 .

Jani Brooks