The Hidden Heart

I couldn't put this book down. The characters were very well written and it had a very interesting story line.

Lady Tess Collier, had led a most uncommon life living in some of the world's most unique and wild places as she accompanied her explorer father, the Earl of Morrow, on his many expeditions. When her father, the Earl, lay dying, he made her promise to return to England and marry well. He appointed a good friend as trustee over her substantial inheritance and instructed him to enlist the aid of a young sea captain to both sail her home and once there to act as a friendly advisor to investigate and try to guide her in selecting an honorable husband.Gryphon Meridon, was a man with a mysterious past who had lost much in his life when as young boy of 12 his loving family had been massacred in a brutal raid by pirates. The act of piracy had been engineered by a distant cousin who stood to inherit the title and wealth of the Marquess of Ashland - a title that rightfully belonged to Gryphon. Carrying an enormous amount of baggage Gryph had not allowed himself to feel love as he'd done some things as a blockade runner and privateer that he'd not been proud of but had served as a necessary means of survival. When he met Tess his heart was immediately engaged from the moment he saw her. Though placed in the position of keeping unworthy suitors from her door and knowing that no matter what he felt, he was the most unworthiest of all, Tess managed to wring a proposal from him. Treacherously betrayed by a vain and selfish woman who told her lies, Tess, somewhat insecure herself, accused Gryph who in shock over the death of a dear friend, could not defend himself. Tess, hurt and disillusioned, married the one man who Gryph had been trying to protect her from. Two souls, who truly were meant for one another would then be torn and tossed into a cruel world that only faith and a deep healing love would be able to save.This was a really good, intense and sometimes disturbing love story. Tess, was a delight, an intrepid explorer in the wilds of a jungle, yet like a lamb led to a slaughter when it came to the `civilized' London ballrooms where danger came in the guise of civility. Gryph whose life from a very young age had been one long trial of endurance was portrayed as a savvy yet wounded young man who had endured so much loss that guarding his heart against what he surmised would be eventual pain was very disturbing to me. Adventures and settings to other locales around the world were deliciously described as both protagonists followed each other to try and work things out as danger and treachery followed. This was a well-plotted and proficiently detailed journey of two worthy individuals who through their trials earned the right to happiness. For those who are looking for a wild and action packed emotional roller coaster ride with a courageous story of love lost and finally found then look no further as this book should satisfy all of those needs in this reissue. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

The story touches me. The characters are so memorable ..i love the last scenes when Gryf cried silently holding his son. i truly adore Lady Tess, so independent and courageous. Though I wish that Gryf has not wasted so much time; but then again, looking at the circumstances and tragedy surrounding himwhen he grew up , i'm trying to understand him better.

As her first novel, this book is somewhat different from Kinsale's others. Not quite as intense, but still far different from the typical historical romance light reading.The heroine finds herself suddenly needing to deal with the ton, after basically being raised in the jungles by her father. She's afraid she won't fit in, and she's struggling to make her way in society alone.The hero is an outcast, too, and very quickly we see that these two people are going to need to find each other while trying to navigate their way through high society of Regency England.There is more action in this book than other stories Kinsale has written, and the hero is somewhat less the tortured hero needing saving from himself. His problems are very real, but they are more external than internal. The hero himself is pretty well-adjusted. Which works, since the world around him seems to really be trying to do him in, and he's got enough troubles as it is.I found the heroine to be very sweet, and I really enjoyed reading about the troubles she had dealing with high society in Regency England. As an American, I am sure I would have the same problems, thrown into a similar situation. It was interesting to see that period described from this viewpoint. This is a phenomenal book for a first novel!If you haven't read "The Shadow and the Star", I would recommend reading this one first, then following up with "The Shadow and the Star", since it's sort of a sequel (although I think "The Shadow and the Star" is my very favorite historical romance.)

What sets Laura Kinsale's books apart from the rest of the slush of the genre is her sunshine-and shadows juxtaposition. There is a true sweetness and charm to Tess that isn't stupid or sappy, and there's a sadness to Gryf that makes him much more than the cliched Hero of Dark Forbidding Secrets. I thought the pacing was excellent and the time spent apart is minimal (heck, there's even a whole year deleted for that reason). Buy this book and then get _Shadow and the Star_, its sequel, which I believe to be one of the most appealing yet unconventional romances ever written.