Rabbit Heart

How can you not be intrigued when the first line of the book reads, "There was a dead man in my boudoir?" It also puts a whole new slant on the phrase la petite mort, doesn't it? Unfortunately, that death was permanent. It's August 1891, and Nicollette Caron's thirteenth lover has just died in her arms trying to please her. She did her best to convince Denton not make love to her. He didn't listen and now he's paid with his life. Nicollette is re-dressing Denton's lifeless body when Marie stumbles upon the garish scene. They devise a plan to dispose of the body and make it appear Denton died from an accident. Once they've completed the task, Nicollette runs off to Glastonbury. Numbers fourteen and fifteen await her arrival. Following her trail is Scotland Yard's best detective; Jackson Lang. He's determined to find the person who murdered Denton. They meet when he journeys to Glastonbury on business and pleasure. He is quite intrigued with the young lady. Two more bodies are found. A telegram reaches Jackson with news that twelve bodies were discovered in Italy and France in much the same condition. He's convinced that Nicollette is guilty; however, he must have evidence to prove it. Queen Victoria wants the murderer found and hanged. When she receives word the suspect is most likely a French woman, she asks that the guillotine be borrowed from France. What better way to execute a French citizen? In the meantime, Nicollette has caught the eye of Lord Baston. He's determined to have her and nothing she can say will prevent it. Will he be able to save her from kneeling at the feet of Madame Guillotine? Colleen Hitchcock's RABBIT HEART is a compelling and somewhat dark Victorian story. She introduces a young woman whose heart is as innocent as a babe's but who is cursed with a physical flaw in her heart that kills people who get too close. Nicollette's story is told in the first person and offers a glimpse into her tortured soul. She wants nothing more than to be loved as a woman should be without the complications. The story reaches its climax, no pun intended, when Jackson is forced to arrest her. The trial that follows is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, chewing on your nails and turning the pages. Jackson's interest in the forensic sciences was incorporated into the storyline and became an essential piece of the plot. I was intrigued with his analytical mind and the questions he posed to the doctors. He had no qualms asking for detailed information about the conditions of the corpses. RABBIT HEART is not for everyone. But if you're interested in reading something a little out of the ordinary, this one's great. This was one of the most intriguing books I've read in years! It's a keeper and a recommended read. I anxiously wait for the next one in the series. The quote was used with the permission of the author. Reprinted with the permission of Romance Junkies

Colleen has a beautiful writing style, which she has poetically weaved into an intriguing story. If you're looking for stale, formulaic writing, you won't find it here. But if you've ever found yourself longing for a truly unique read, something that will expand that right brain just bit -- if you're looking for page-turning, lovely prose, this is your book.

In 1891 London, Nicollette Caron warns her latest lover to forget about her instead of making love with her because she fears for his life. However, handsome Denton insists and she soon pleads with him to give her all he has; he does and dies. This is her thirteenth lover to pass away while making love with her. With the help of her servants Nicollette cleans away the mess, but flees London for Glastonbury where number fourteen awaits her. Renowned Crime Inspector Jackson Lang finds the corpse of Denton and begins to follow clues that lead him towards Glastonbury and there to Nicollette. She, in the meantime, meets Lord Baston, Blake Williams who has a healthy sexual appetite that he satiates twice a week at the rundown Mare's Head. When Jackson meets the black widow, he is attracted to her, but will he break the law for her even as he competes with Blake for her affections. Nicollette who travels accompanied by the ghosts of her late lovers warns both men, but neither can resist her lure; however the question for Nicollette to answer to herself which one does she want to be with and can the Chosen One live past his first climax? RABBIT HEART is a strange, but fascinating Victorian paranormal police procedural romance that is not for the faint of heart. Readers will wonder about Nicollette's mental health as her seemingly innocent but tough love encounters lead to her mates dropping dead while climaxing with her; could she be a serial killer, a cursed haunted soul, or is what is happening just bad luck? Colleen Hitchcock provides a bizarre beguiling tale of literally the French Death. Harriet Klausner

RABBIT HEART is the most unusual romance novel I've ever read. I'd follow Nicollette Caron anywhere, and the two men who're obsessed with her are fascinating. The suspense doesn't let up--I hope Colleen Hitchcock is working on another novel.

I enjoyed RABBIT HEART very much. This was a very different book from others I've read with an interesting story. I recommend it for anyone that is open minded to your heroine being a killer and likes a sensual erotic suspenseful story. (Not a bodice-ripper romance.) It's a fast read. I liked the first person and third person in the book as many books do nowadays so that readers can be shown more depth in a book than one view point. It's easy to tell when it's first person. There's an "I" there. I'd recommend RABBIT HEART for a more sophisticated reader. As any book it begins with a premise. In Godzilla we have to believe there is a large lizard out there. Once you do, it's a fun ride. RABBIT HEART asks the reader to believe its VERY ORIGINAL PREMISE--and then have fun with love and murder and ghosts in an EROTIC exciting, sometimes gritty, page-turning story.