The Darkest Heart

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Jack leaves Candace on her own while pregnant to fend for herself in a squalor of a hut in order to go back to his Apache camp and care for a Apache wife that he supposedly does not care for. During this time Candace is alone, and thought by the townsfolk to be a whore This is not really believable, plus he eventually goes and gets Candace and brings her back to his Apache camp anyway. Where is reasoning for leaving her in the first place? He supposedly thinks it wont be safe for her at the camp, but what about it not being safe Candace Plus there are mentions of concern for the Apache wife who is having to do too much work on her own because she's pregnant, yet he's not as concerned about Candace being pregnant and having to do things on her own??

In addition, Candace comes to realize her undying love for Jack, yet at the same time she is disgusted with possibly becoming a squaw. These two ideas are at odds with each other. It seems as if a love would conquer all, but it doesn't until the very end I do want to say that I appreciate the research done regarding the facts of the war However, I am more interested in reading about the romance, not about the war.

And we read of them apart a little to often I understand that the author separates the characters in order to create tension when they come back together for extra passion, but I think that the she does this too often. They're together for like a day or two and then they separate again. There is not enough day-to-day living where they get along. It seems to be more about the sex than anything else.

At the same time I did read this book in two days because I looked forward to the outcome. I have read all of Brenda Joyce's books, so obviously I am a fan. While she is not a perfect writer, she is a very good storyteller, and I think there has only been one of her books that I had trouble getting through.

The Darkest Heart wasn't one of them. Set against the Indian wars of the s, it is a good portrait of those times and all the prejudice that went with them. The story describes the history very well and sets the characters' personal conflicts against what is happening in such a way that you learn something as well as enjoy a lot of action and romance. I liked both characters, although I found Candice to be a little too emotionally impulsive at times. When you remember, though, that she is only 18, you forgive her for some of her more inane choices. Joyce does a good job of explaining Candice's hesitation to stay with Jack and you do understand how torn she is.

Jack is also very torn between two worlds--white and red--as he is a half-breed. Of course, as in all of Joyce's books, love wins out, but it is a very trying journey getting there. I didn't want it to end and I wanted to follow them for a few more years down the road! Naturally, there is a lot of great sex, but it is always in the context of the love the two characters have found together and adds a lot to the tension already there. That is really Joyce's expertise! I would recommend this book highly. I have read all of Brenda Joyce's books and I am usually satisfied with her writing.

I was especially looking forward to reading the Darkest Heart because it seemed different from her others. More culture and in depth history. But about half way through the book, Candice's character becomes annoying. She says she is a lady, but the way she speaks and acts is like a spoiled child. She has no sense of the word culture and is ignorant about Apache life style. Even after being captured several times, she does not conform to their rules and talks about them in a negative way.

See a Problem?

Jack's character was super hot in the begining, but after a few times I realized he just can't keep his pants on. The excuse is always, I haven't had a woman in a long time. I just wanted Candice to grow up and stop worrying about what other people think and for Jack to decide which side he will choose.

Mass Market Paperback Verified Purchase. I love Brenda Joyce. This wasn't one of my favorites. The hero showed a complete lack of loyalty to his woman and his child that was on the way. I understand his need to fight for his Indian heritage, but what about the woman he loves and her child. Leaving her alone totally turned me against him She was a complete idiot! Her prejudices were overwhelming. It was hard to like either characters. I know times were different, but when you love someone they should come first. See all 24 reviews. Most recent customer reviews.

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Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. View or edit your browsing history. Get to Know Us. English Choose a language for shopping. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Amazon Drive Cloud storage from Amazon. I wasn't a big fan of this book. She wasn't much of a protagonist, making so many too stupid to live decisions on top of being selfish and immature.

I know the hero said at the end of the book that she'd grown but it wasn't in any way that I saw. I kept reading this book thinking Jack deserved better than her. Most of my smiles came at the end with the birth of Shozkay since "Fires of Paradise" is one of my favorite historical romance books ever and tells his story wonderfully with a feisty heroine who a reader can see mature as the story progresses.

She made my palm itch wanting to reach through my kindle to smack her. I wasn't a fan of Datiye That was not ok. I like my protagonists to be more mature emotionally and considerate in spirit. I didn't find Candice interesting nor generous. Her two traits seemed to be that she was beautiful and that she was stubborn. I saw nothing beyond that ever with her character. In the end, I was disappointed. I wanted more from the story of how Shozkay's parents fell in love. Now I wish I'd never read it because it just left such a sour taste in my mouth. Jan 18, Splage rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was an absolutely, wonderful historical fiction, I had a hard time putting it down.

Brenda Joyce has a remarkable talent of taking real historical events, characters and battles, and writing a heart wrenching love story. The Darkest Heart is definitely an old style romance with a lot of bad things the main characters must overcome. Jack Savage he names himself , who is a half breed Indian, is torn between two worlds and can't find his fit. He saves Candace from dying in the desert after sh This was an absolutely, wonderful historical fiction, I had a hard time putting it down.

He saves Candace from dying in the desert after she runs from a horrible elopement gone wrong. She is spoiled and loved by her family and neighbors who have instilled hatred in her for the "savages".

She doesn't know what to think when she realizes all the biases she believed regarding Jack aren't as they seem. Their relationship was very up and down as they both tried to live in each others worlds, but they were beautiful together especially when they showed their love to each other and forgot about everything else. View all 16 comments. U svakoj knjizi siluju glavnu junakinju. Dec 03, Ana Lola rated it it was ok Shelves: Oct 30, Azet rated it it was amazing Shelves: Apr 18, Morena rated it did not like it Shelves: My least favorite Joyce so far.

Aug 20, Cassandra Cridland rated it liked it Shelves: Kept reminding myself that this book was written 18 years ago, but had trouble with characters who spend hundreds of pages having only "great" sex in common.

No man, in his right mind, would have stuck it out with Candice. I'm assuming that the author didn't pay much attention during high school biology because basic genetics escaped her. The likelihood of any child with a Native American parent to have any eye color but brown would be astronomical, especially true in the s. For a child of a Kept reminding myself that this book was written 18 years ago, but had trouble with characters who spend hundreds of pages having only "great" sex in common.

For a child of a Native American and someone of Hispanic descent to end up with green eyes would verge on the impossible. Jun 01, Readaholic rated it did not like it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I strongly dislike these hot and cold heroines! If you're going to insist you hate the hero then at least play the part so you don't look like a jackass when you're suddenly hit with a surge of jealousy! I cringe everytime her actions contradict her declarations. Either jump him or ignore home but don't do both And why do women weep during sex??

Crying out in passion And why does she insist on biting her knuckles when frustrated? The visual is comical and So far The visual is comical and does not compliment her character. Now this man has saved her life numerous times, traded his beloved Stallion for her safety, treated her very well, never forced himself on her and almost died fighting her original kidnapper for treating her the way he did.

Now he has dropped her off at her home - no questions asked - and she is of the mind to think that his coldness to her is because she never meant anything to him and was just a passing fancy!! Are you kidding me! This woman must have been dropped on her head as a child. She rejects him because of his breeding and then wonders why he is so upset. She loves him and knows that he loves her so of course her only option is to take their daughter and leave!

Is life so bad at camp that you have to take your daughter without a penny to your name and live on the run? She is such a racist it's not even funny. And the joke in that is that the natives have treated her better than her own kind! Aug 01, Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill rated it really liked it. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars is because of all of the typos which really were a distraction from the story. Sometimes I couldn't figure out at all what was meant but the story itself was great! Make sure you read the notes at the end of the book.

He was unreliable in that regard--he would swear to keep away for her own good, but his thirst for vengeance was such that it overrode everything else. And Senna's self-preservation instinct was pretty small much of the time.

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Thankfully there is a sequel in the works, so the ending is just a small step to a greater resolution. Before I found out I was disappointed. The ending has Senna in a place that is at a crossroads and to leave fans wondering 'Will this happen or that? Will she or won't she? I want a happy end for Senna, or if not a happy this is a gothic after all a moderately content end that has her no longer fearing for her life. Jun 04, Lori Fenty rated it really liked it. A good story of a girl who lives on the streets schemes her way into a rich woman's life, not realizing she is living among vampires.

Her life turns interesting from there on. Apr 26, Bookaholics rated it really liked it. In this story she combines gothic suspense with paranormal romance. Senna Landseth is young, beautiful and used to living by her wits. She wants a better life than those on the streets. So she concocts a scheme to pretend she is the long lost relative of the wealthy Countess Lazlaric and asks the Countess to take her in since her ' The Darkest Heart by Thea Devine Paranormal Romance —June 21st, 4 stars The Darkest Heart is a dark and suspenseful read which is a bit of a switch for Thea Devine.

So she concocts a scheme to pretend she is the long lost relative of the wealthy Countess Lazlaric and asks the Countess to take her in since her 'mother' has died. But the plot thickens as Senna soon realizes that the Countess is much more than she seems. Strange and unexplainable skeletons are scattered around the estate, a seductive voice seems to talk to her and she has mysterious nightmares that seems very real! The stakes get higher, especially when the Countess wants Senna to marry her smarmy and entitled son. A man she knows she can feel nothing for but repugnance.

Senna must decide if this life of luxury is worth her sanity and possibly her life This is truly a book that lovers of gothic and the paranormal will adore. The author keeps Senna in a constant state of uncertainty.

Darkest Heart

But not only does the author write from Senna's point of view but she does a masterful job of bringing in a man who could possibly be Senna's savior. However, the reader wonders if he will save her or pursue his own agenda since he dearly wants revenge on the powerful Countess! Because this is a gothic novel, a lot of this book is implied and left ambiguous so readers who like straightforward reads might find it a bit frustrating. Another point is that Thea Devine is known for her racy books which smolder with sensuality.

This book does have steamy scenes but there are less than her previous books. I must also warn readers that this book ends at a cliffhanger so I can only assume there must be at least another book to follow. Those who love atmospheric gothics, mystery and the paranormal will enjoy this steamy romance. Aug 03, Amanda rated it liked it. I am in an in between place when it comes to this book. I read the back cover and was totally intrigued its didnt come of as a romance, and there wasnt even alot of romance going on any ways.

But I agree with alot of peoples opinions. There were alot of holes in plot development. Dominick pretty I am in an in between place when it comes to this book. Dominick pretty much seduced her unconciousness and then enforced abond with blood and then with real sex not dream sex. The begining I enjoyed, the build up of dramatic irony and the gruesome and mysterious ambience given to the scenes. I also like the internal conflict between man and beast with Nicolai, he falls for Senna but is in denial. Then his beast roars for her blood and he tries to stay away.

I think thats speaks for the extent of how human he is. I can understand the enemies comming out of nowhere but some background like other types of vampires bein around. Ahhh one of the things that really has me in between is the ending. So the countess tried to kll Charles defending Nicolai she gives the last of her life to Nicolai AND Senna to save them so sh couldnt have been all monster inside. Nicolais last monologue and Senna going to his home to look for hm despite them saying shes Tepes maybe its end with her maybe prego n e ways and in the coffin hole waiting.

Feb 10, Lynn rated it really liked it Shelves: Senna starts the story getting a reply to a "poor relative letter " she sent He is planning to kill them and end his torture The story takes lots of twists I look forward to reading the next book I want to know if Nicolai comes back to her I do not read a lot of paranormal May 22, Bridget rated it really liked it Shelves: Although this book is not very well regarded, I find it intriguing and very much enjoying it.

It will be interesting to see if I like how it progresses. The main characters are Senna, a con artist in 18th century Englund, who gets accepted into a wealthy family's estate as a indigent "lost" daughter of a distant cousin And Nicolai, the truly lost son of the family who returns to Really, a 4. And Nicolai, the truly lost son of the family who returns to take his vengeance on his mother and brother, while he protects Senna from them.

I really liked this book. Although the reviews for Devine's books don't seem very good, I enjoyed her writing, and her very interesting premise for the undead. This was very reminiscent of Barb Hendee's Dhampir, in that the vampire is not romanticized, and really a monster, yet somehow my sympathies go to them.

The story begs for a second volume, but don't know if she writes one. Jul 11, Sarah rated it really liked it Shelves: The cover and the description both piqued my interest, enough to make me buy the book. While it wasn't the best book I've ever read, I found it to be an entertaining and enjoyable read.

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I was pleasantly surprised by the various twists and turns in the plot. The beginning did start off a bit slow, but the pace soon quickened until I couldn't put the book down. My one complaint was that the ending felt a bit abrupt. Despite the abruptness, I found the end satisfying and interesting. Thea Devine ma The cover and the description both piqued my interest, enough to make me buy the book. Thea Devine managed to tie everything up neatly enough to have a satisfying conclusion while still leaving an opening for a sequel.

Personally, I hope she does write a sequel. Apr 08, Anna rated it really liked it Shelves: Senna Landseth is exactly what The Countess is looking for, a bride for her son Charles. What The Countess doesn't realize is that Senna is a con and not who she claims to be. Neither of them know that there is someone more devious than the two of them out there stalking, with a taste for revenge. Deception and secrets play a big part in The Darkest Heart.

This story is dark, dangerous and seductive. It pulled me in right way, especially with the Gothic feel it has.

I really loved that. Devine has taken the paranormal and historical and weaved them together so perfectly. All together this was a great story with interesting vampire mythology to sink your teeth into. Sep 26, Lorian Jones rated it really liked it Shelves: It takes a lot for me to say that I don't like a piece of fiction, but I just could not get into this book.

The bad characters are beyond evil and author, Devine describes them and their acts with such intensity that it just turned me off. This is too bad because I normally love reading Thea Devine. Mar 16, Amy rated it it was ok Shelves: The best I can say about this book is that I finished it.

I did not think it was as great as the review portrayed it to be.

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