Heart Quest (Celta's HeartMates, Book 5)

I somehow missed this book on it's release date, but was a must have as soon as I realized it was available. I loved Triff's story. Ms. Owen's continues to be one of my top 10 authors.

I have to admit, it took me a couple of Ms. Owens' books before I got the hang of the setting. It was so different from other works, but I kept coming back for more. In Heart Quest, the main characters Trif and Ilex were carefully crafted and so dear, story line was paced well, never a dull moment. I can't wait to read more on the Winterberry's in the next book!

Robin Owens continues her wonderful science fiction series about a race of people set on a planet where ESP and talking pets are common. The story centers around a young beautiful woman who knows she has a heartmate somewhere and goes about trying to locate her mate with the help of a bespelled key. A much older man knows he is her mate but believes he does not have much longer to live and since heartmates do not continue living when their mate dies he is determined to make sure she never knows she is his mate. He is also determined to protect her from a serial killer who is stalking people like her who have difficulty controling their "flair" (psychic energy). The story also contains characters from previous books and lets you know what is going on it their lives. I especially get a kick out of the Fam Pets especially Fam Cats. They are cats with a healthy dose of self esteem who are psychic and can talk to their owners mentally. Although it is hard to tell if the people own the cats or the cats own the people. Her books are original and very entertaining. I recommend you start with "Heartmate" and continue with the whole series.

The latest book in the Celtan series again enforces what all Robin D. Owens fans want. We Want More! Stories that is. This tale is about Black Ilex Winterberry and Trif Clover. Trif is in a quest for her Heartmate, but Ilex is hesitant to reveal that he is her Heartmate because he fears he will not live long; Ilex is slightly talented in prediction but not as fabulous as Vinni T'Vine the prophet. Added to the storyline is the quest for murderers targeting Celtans with unstable Flairs. The mystery is a nice addition that keeps you guessing till the end, but the show stealer is a new type of Famanimal; Vertic, the Famfox, who is clever enough to be a real help to Ilex as he solves the mystery of the murders. Robin also introduces a new Famkitten of Zanth's line, Greyku, who just keeps wanting More. The tale also resolves beautifully as Trif convinces Ilex that their May-December relationship(he's 45, she's 20) is the best for both of them. Trif shows Ilex that it is his smart choices in his life direction that will shape his life and not just destiny. This book also introduces more characters and Famanimals that we fans will be eagerly waiting to see again. More is very Good as Greyku says.

I look for books that catch me from the first page and this is one of two that I have found in the last 6 weeks. The other is LOVER AWAKENED by J R Ward. HEART QUEST is the story of Black Ilex Winterberry and Trif Clover. They were minor characters in the other Celta novels. I love Celta and these stories are some of my best keepers. I noticed a reviewer wished she wrote faster and I have been guilty of wishing the same thing, however some of my favorite authors are so busy writing more books and more series, they have stopped being the enjoyable reads I expect from them. So I guess I would rather wait and get quality over quantity. Ilex Winterberry is a Guardsman. He has been assigned to the Noble houses of Celta. Now he is looking for a murderer who specializes in Nobles with unstable Flair psi. He is 45 and he thinks he is to old for his Heartmate. He knows that Trif Clover is his Heartmate, but she is only 20. He also has a touch of precognition and has known for yrs he will die early. So he doesn't want to bond with her and have her die when he dies. Ilex is a virle handsome man and Trif is a beautiful young lady. Where there is a Heartmate there is also attraction. Trif has been looking for her Heartmate. She has made a heartkey charm which should help her. Working in her family's furniture shop is not what she wants to do with her life. She is an amazing musician and plays her own compositions on the flute, and several other instruments. But she is not so confident that she will approach Passiflora Holm who is the premire composer on Celta. Trif also has unstable Flair psi. She hopes that when she finds her Heartmate her Flair will become stable. The murderers are taking the hearts from their victims and consuming them to assimilate their flair. Ilex is close on their heels and as Samhain approaches he worries for the safety of Trif. Trif and Ilex are brought togather by some interfereing friends. I love it. Any time I can journey to Celta and spend time with some old and new friends, it is a pleasure. While I enjoy stories about the Nobility, any Heartmate story is good.