Heart Journey by Robin D. Owens (Celta’s Heartmates #9)
August 3, 2010
Paranormal Romance
Trade Paperback, 368 Pages
Berkley Trade

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: "My flair interacting with yours. Unique."
"Oh yes.", "We are definitely unique when we interact.’"

In Robin D. Owen’s Heart Journey, we are shown the delicate courtship between a women who craves solitude and a man who needs the spotlight. Men are not allowed to "claim" their heartmate-it is the decision of the woman. In this case, a women who is well set in her ways and wants to claim her mate then head back to the frontier. Unfortunately, her heart mate is a well known rising actor who makes his living off being seen. He neither wants nor needs a heartmate in his life at this time.

Helena D’Elecampane (Del) has spent her life mapping the the unknown for the Great families of Druida. She prefers the solitude of the frontier, but when she discovers her heartmate she knows it’s time to come home. As she is returning she is informed by an old lover that her family has tragically died in a fire and only her young cousin survived. That news just seems to tighten the noose around her neck, further delaying her return to the country.

Carasus (Raz) Cherry is the direct opposite of Del.  Charismatic and sociable, he needs the applause and the limelight. When he and Del meet, the attraction is instantaneous. Their bodies already know what their minds will learn-they are heartmates. But both are stubborn. Neither wants to make the ultimate sacrifice-give their heart. When their families are plagued by a series of thefts that escalate into violence, Helena and Raz must look into the past to see their future.

The story has an interesting storyline and plenty of mystery and romance to keep you wrapped up in the story. Del comes off in the beginning as aloof and isolated. Even though she is from a first family, she keeps herself tightly wrapped. She knows she cannot just claim Raz or it will push him away forever. So she slowly begins to seduce him. Peaking his interest. Drawing him in.  Guiding him towards the path she wishes him to follow.

Raz is very easy to like.  Gorgeous and full of life he leaps off the pages. You can see his charisma and charm in his scenes between friends and Del. He wants Del but he keeps his heart separate from the affair.  It was very easy to be drawn into their courtship. The chemistry between them in and out of bed is intense and emotional at times.

The mystery and romance of the story blend well and play off each other nicely. The characters are well developed and add depth and a sense of continuation to the arc of the story. We see some old friends and meet some interesting new ones. I adore when the fams are introduced into the story. They have such personality and add humor to their scenes. They also provided a bridge for Raz to grow from being an actor- always on a stage-toto needing and thinking about someone else other then himself.

I only had one tiny problem with story. Del’s aloofness and Raz’s selfishness are a turnoff at times. Being bound with your Heartmate is such a huge deal; I was amazed at how fast Del fell into it and how little regard they both gave to the whole situation beyond their sexual relations. Del was often hurt when Raz would shut her out yet she never really let him in. Certain scenes felt forced and awkward; you could feel the uneasiness of the characters. There is splendid chemistry between them and you sense they are right for each other, it just didn’t come across in a comfortable way at times.

The ending however makes up for that and we see a different Del & Raz once they realize that giving your heart doesn’t mean you lose yourself, but actually gain so much more.

All in all Ms Owens has crafted a captivating fantasy filled with love, magic, and suspense. A delightful read.

Rating: 3.5/5

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