Helpful Score: 3
Coralee Whitmore, a viscount's daughter, is used to ferreting out the truth in her job at Heart to Heart, the ladies' gazette she edits, so when her half-sister supposedly commits suicide, Coralee will except no less than the truth. Her quest takes her to Castle-on-Avon and into the home of primary suspect Grayson Forsythe, Earl of Tremaine, a reknowned rake whose wife was killed in the same river as Corrie's sister. Posing as a poor relation whose older husband has abandoned her, she moves in, much to the chagrin of Gray's sister-in-law Rebecca. Gray, a brooding widower, is intrigued by his distant cousin's country wife, and offers to make her his mistress, which she declines. When her true identity is revealed, however, they both have to resign themselves to the fact that the people they believed they cared for weren't real as they are forced into marriage.
On paper, all of the proper elements are there and had this just been a stand-alone, I would say it was decent, but not a keeper. However, for those who have read Heart of Honor, Krista & Leif's story, when comparing the two I feel that Heart of Fire feels almost forced and falls flat. The chemistry at the beginning of the story is wonderful, but once Gray and Corrie marry, the awkwardness between them isn't resolved well and ruins the last half of the book. Also, there were a few plot elements that bothered me and made the supposedly intelligent Corrie seem TSTL. For instance, when your life is in danger, you probably should not strike out for London at night just because your husband has injured your feelings. Though I realize that pivotal parts of the plot take place in London, it seems that Ms. Martin could have found a smarter way to get them there. Over all, an okay book that you don't necessarily have to read to follow the series.
On paper, all of the proper elements are there and had this just been a stand-alone, I would say it was decent, but not a keeper. However, for those who have read Heart of Honor, Krista & Leif's story, when comparing the two I feel that Heart of Fire feels almost forced and falls flat. The chemistry at the beginning of the story is wonderful, but once Gray and Corrie marry, the awkwardness between them isn't resolved well and ruins the last half of the book. Also, there were a few plot elements that bothered me and made the supposedly intelligent Corrie seem TSTL. For instance, when your life is in danger, you probably should not strike out for London at night just because your husband has injured your feelings. Though I realize that pivotal parts of the plot take place in London, it seems that Ms. Martin could have found a smarter way to get them there. Over all, an okay book that you don't necessarily have to read to follow the series.
Helpful Score: 2
This was an EXCELLENT book. I've read a bunch and this is one of my favorites.
Helpful Score: 2
this was a very good book really liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
Second in the HEART trilogy. THis is the story of Krista's friend, Coralee and her search for murderer of her half-sister. Even tho she first viewed him as a murder suspect, the tall, dark Earl of Tremaine becomes a romantic force that Coralee must reckon with...along with the other male occupants of the castle. I enjoyed this story more than the first (HEART OF HONOR) as it seemed to have more mystery and suspense. Perhaps I'll like the third and final book (HEART OF COURAGE) even better!
Helpful Score: 1
Only get this if you have read the rest of this series. I hadn't and I just couldn't even get into it. SO this is essentially brand new.
