Wild Heart

Ella Finch hasn't had much in life, so being plucked out of the orphanage by Lady Buckley wasn't exactly a salvation, but it allowed her a semblance of a comfortable life as a governess. However, now Ella is being sent off by Lady Buckley to become the governess to Leo Roberts, the grandson of a powerful lord, but in this case it is a grown man, not a child. Leo spent his formative years in India, which in the eyes of society makes him seem uncultivated rather than exotic. He appears to be intractable and wild in unpredictable ways, plus he seems to strike a spark deep within her that she's unable to control. Still, the more that Ella gets to know Leo, the surer she is that Leo is not as mad as the world thinks, but that he is haunted by the ghost of his past that will not rest until he finds the truth. Lori Brighton takes a unique path in her debut novel Wild Heart where she skillfully weaves traditional romance elements with the mysticism that India represents and a murder mystery. Ella is an interesting character as she has secrets of her own and even though she risks herself, she never gives up her faith in Leo. Leo is a man surrounded by mystery, contradiction, and lots of danger, while seemingly not trusting those he should - his family. However, as the plot progresses the romance moves at a fast clip, while leaving the mystery and mysticism lagging behind, which are, after all, the novel's allure outside of the romance aspect. I look forward to reading further contributions by Lori Brighton as I believe she will make her mark in the historical genre as she defines and refines her own writing style. Get yourself Wild Heart for an unusual read that will keep you turning the pages! Sabella Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I have been reading lots of contemporary paranormals of late but when I saw an historical that had paranormal elements, I had to get a copy. I could hardly put it down...I've heard there's a sequel to WILD HEART and I can't wait! Lori Brighton is a fresh voice in romance!

In 1855 Lord Roberts worries about his adult grandson Leo, who will inherit the title and estate. When Leo was seven while living in India, he witnessed the murders of his parents and has not really recovered from the trauma. He lived alone until he was found and brought home to England to live with his grandfather. However, Leo taunts Polite Society's rules, which relegates him to being an outsider. His grandfather hires Ella Finch to serve as a sort of governess teaching Leo how to behave amidst the Ton. Ella soon realizes Leo has been pulling a bit of a ruse as he is a lot more sophisticated than the feral beast he portrays. The teacher and the student are attracted to one another, but he remains obsessed with one goal: finding the individual who killed his parents. With several interesting paranormal twists, this is an engaging Victorian romance starring a woman who can sort of talk to the animals and a man on a mission who has the "means" to block emotions. Their relationship evolves as she concludes her pupil is a sham when it comes to manners and he fears his attraction to her will deter his quest. Fans will brighten up with this charming whimsical mid nineteenth century tale of love. Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed this book. It's a take off on the Tarzan theme--which woman doesn't love that??!! It is really written well and had me captivated the entire time. I can't wait for the sequel. The character of Leo is written so well and you just really fall in love with him. He's a mix between being very withdrawn and dark and yet he is very caring and loyal. And sexy all the way! THis is really a wonderful debut book and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Brighton!

"A Paranormal Historical Romance"(with a mystery thrown in)! If that doesn't catch your attention, read on! When Lori asked me if I would be interested in reviewing her debut book, Wild Heart, I was very interested and intrigued. When she mentioned that it had paranormal aspects weaved throughout, I was excited and without hesitation answered a very firm "Yes!!". So onto my little Blackberry went Wild Heart and off my imagination flew on wings of days gone by. Years ago, Historical Romance was a genre that I constantly read. Those covers of the ravishingly handsome men grasping the elegant and desire-ridden females where ones that graced my nightstand, coffee table and was seen held within my grasp on several occasions. After a time, I moved onto a broader range of genres including suspense, paranormal, non-fiction, and many more. Swimming in the literary sea of books, it has been a while since I have read much in the way of Historical Romance. There has been one here and there, but nothing such as Wild Heart. This story caught me from the very beginning; the paranormal and mystery aspects reeled me in for the long nights and the fact that my Blackberry never wanted to leave my hands (or rather I never wanted it to leave mine, so that I could continue my adventure within the story). Ms. Brighton introduces readers to Ella Finch, a very timid, yet ambitious and strong-minded woman. Ella grew up in an orphanage with a very strict and unkind overseer. It is when she is hired as governess, for what she believes to be a young boy, that she escapes the confines of her current inhabitants and travels to a regal castle. It is not long until she learns that there is no young boy to be governess to, but rather a very viral and, at first glance, wild man. Ella is not sure what to think when she meets the stubborn Leo, she only knows that there is some kind of strange connection between the two. Leo Roberts is a man who has come home after years of hiding and learning the art of self-preservation. As a young boy, Leo's parents were killed, brutally, within in the jungle, while he went to get help. It is Leo's one goal to avenge his parents' murderers by finding them and claiming justice. However, his grandfather has other ideas and wants Leo to become Earl and take his place. Thus, Ella is hired to "tame" Leo and make him "good enough" for society. All of her life, Ella has had to deal with a special power that she beholds. It is the power to connect with animals, know their feelings and tame them with her mind and thoughts. This is a power that she has felt she has had to hide and one that is evil. What will Leo think if he knew the true Ella? What would Ella think if she knew that Leo's main goal and plan was to hunt his parents' killers down? As sparks fly between the two, tension builds and lives begin to hang in the balance. Will Leo and Ella be able to fully trust one another and allow their hearts to soar, or with death find them before it is too