Heart Duel (Celta's HeartMates, Book 3)

This is the third "Celta" tale and all I can say is I hate to wait for the next one each time. I just love each book, they have their own special set of characters and conflicts. The world of Celta with their rigid social structure, yet rooted in magic in even the smallest of ways is just pure razzle-dazzle. I am amazed with the talent of this write.

HEART DUAL, the third book in Ms. Owens Heart series, is definite keeper, from the beginning I was entranced with this book. I'd been waiting for Holm's story and I wasn't disappointed. I truly enjoyed her kittenfams, who are portrayed so vividly I half expect my cats to start talking in my head. What I found most appealing about HEARTDUEL is the inclusion of human frailties and foibles that I personally related to. Holm's character, which was introduced in Heart Mate as the arrogant and confident heir to a Great House shows us a softer more vulnerable side that reminded me of the insecurities we all hide. Most 1st born children will relate to Holm's struggle with the "perfect child" syndrome, I know I certainly did. Lark's efforts to maintain a civil relationship with her father while keeping her independence brought back vivid memories of my struggles as a young woman to establish myself. The love that these two manage to find against the odds of their feuding family made me feel warm. The surprise twist toward the end had me in tears and then cheering Ms. Owens for her choice of resolving the Romeo and Juliet type story she had crafted. Obviously HEARTDUAL spoke to me on a very personal level as both Holm and Lark struggled with emotional difficulties I too have battled with. The book will always have a place in my heart.

Wow! Robin Owens keeps getting better and better with each book. What's amazing and so welcome is that Heart Duel works equally well as science fiction/fantasy and also a romance. As an avid reader of both genres, I can say that few authors strike the right balance; and yet, Robin does so with an ease that makes her books effortlessly entertaining. *And* as an added bonus, the heat between Lark and Holm made the pages sizzle! A great fantasy, believable world-building, and a delicious love story. What more can a reader ask?Heart Duel now joins the 2 previous Celta books on my keeper shelf. I can't wait for her Luna series to begin.

A mistake many writers in the fantasy/romance genre make is to spend so much time describing place and circumstance that they forget that it is best left to the characters to tell the story. Time after time I have been disappointed by stories with one-dimensional characters who seem overwhelmed by their gadgets or by the mysterious powers surrounding them. Robin D. Owens knows this and has done just the opposite. Her characters tell the story through their thoughts and words. The world of Celta seems familiar and not at all contrived as the reader is drawn into the story by appealing and multi-faceted characters. When books are written as a series, many writers seem to be compelled to reiterate everything that happened in previous books during the first several pages. As a method for setting the tone for the rest of the book, this leaves a lot to be desired. It certainly doesn't draw the reader into the story. More likely, it puts the reader off if they haven't read the previous entries, or it bores those who have. Ms. Owens reintroduces characters from her previous books, but does so gradually and naturally, never interrupting the flow of the story.Heart Duel is a wonderful story which, I believe, surpasses both HeartMate and Heart Thief. Lark is a healer, strong yet caring and gentle. Holm is a warrior with vulnerabilities and hidden pain. Neither of them are weak and each makes the other stronger. The story was told through them, as any great story is character driven. In this book the reader is given insights into the structure of the Families - not only Families of power, but Families of love. I truly enjoyed this book. My only disappointment is that we don't get a chance to see Lark and Holm triumph together in their new life. I hope more of their story is told in future installments. Such multi-dimensional, multi-faceted characters will surely not be forgotten.

After three failed passages to find his HEARTMATE, warrior Holm Holly, heir to the House of Holly, believes he has none. Likewise healer Lark Collinson of the Houses of Hawthorne feels the same way as she never met her HEARTMATE during her three passages.Lark heals the haughty Holm Holly, but while she works on his wound, he shockingly realizes she is his HEARTMATE. However, winning her over and forging the bond with her will be very difficult as Holm also knows that their respective families hate one another. As he works to win Lark's love and ultimate bond with her, her kin stabs his mother using a poisoned blade. The family feud explodes even while Holm continues his quest to gain the love of his HEARTMATE, who shares his feelings but feels their love is meant to fail.The third Celta tale (see HEARTMATE and HEART THIEF) is an exhilarating love story with psychic powers to add to the feuds that threaten to keep the lead duo apart. The delightful story line is cleverly executed so that he audience can understand the planet's society and customs especially the bonding ritual and how deep a cut bad blood flows. Robin D. Owen proves once again that she is among the top rung of fantasy romance authors with this fantastic tale that will have the audience wondering if perhaps the Celta version of Taming of the Shrew will follow.Harriet Klausner