Sandy M’s review of My Heart’s Desire (Devereaux, Book 6) by Patricia Grasso
Historical Romance published by Lachesis 2 Sep 16
This is my second foray into the Devereaux family and their journeys to finding love. This time we meeting the second generation of the family, Blythe, daughter of Richard Devereux, the Earl of Basildon. I really enjoyed this young woman. She learned her druid ways at her mother’s knee, as has been passed down through the years from mother to daughter. I like the confidence, intelligence, instinct, and wit of these women. Patience is also a virtue in this story, when Blythe must wait longer than her young heart wants to be with the love of her life.
When she turns thirteen, Blythe believes her dreams are about to come true, but Roger Debrett, the Earl of Eden, crushes her love and trust with the gift of a necklace and a betrothal to Darnel Howard. He takes her prediction that he will regret this marriage in stride, moving on to his future without looking back. Five years of hell – the only bright spot being his daughter Miranda – end with the murder of Darnel and Roger accused of the deed and incarcerated in the Tower of London.
Blythe’s love for Roger still glows bright, and finally her dream is coming true, though not in the way she envisioned. The Queen cannot release Roger without evidence to clear his name, so the only way he can investigate is to marry Blythe because of the power her father holds. After his disastrous life with Darnel, he has vowed to never marry again, but having his hand forced is the only way to be part of his daughter’s life. Blythe takes to Miranda as if she were her own, which Richard appreciates, but …
… the man actually doesn’t stand a chance, of course. His destiny is entwined with Blythe’s, and things really pick up after their marriage and the hunt for a killer is on. I like Blythe’s way of countering Roger’s coldness at times, his way of keeping his vow. She’s kind and gentle as well as strong when need be, exactly what he needs. There is a bit of humor in this story, which I think added a new layer the previous book I read doesn’t have. Roger does need a good lesson when it comes to his wife, however. Thank goodness Blythe listens to her instinct and doesn’t end up TSTL like some romance heroines.
I also enjoyed catching up with Richard and Keely, Blythe’s parents and hero and heroine of Love in a Mist, Book 4 in the series. Richard’s advice to Roger about the Devereaux women is spot on, though it will take Roger time to learn that, just as it did for Richard. This is lovely story full of mystery, romance, and magic and can definitely be read as a standalone.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Find happiness with the soaring eagle in the Place of the Winds. Beware the dark sun.
Lady Blythe Devereux has always loved Roger Debrett, the Earl of Eden, Queen Elizabeth’s soaring eagle. Blythe knows with her druid’s instinct that they are meant to be together. And fate will prove her right, if only she can make Roger see the truth.
Fate deals Roger a cruel blow when he’s wrongly accused of murder. In order to secure his freedom so that he can uncover the truth, Roger is forced to marry Blythe, the beloved daughter of one of England’s most powerful and favored men, Richard Devereux, the Earl of Basildon.
With his heart hardened against love, Roger tries to see Blythe as the young girl he’d known years earlier, but her seductive beauty, warmth, and charm, entice him at every turn. And when an unseen killer stalks them through the halls of Hampton Court Palace, Roger must do more than catch a killer. He must protect his heart’s desire.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
