Setting: France 1212 and Northwest Persia 1228
HEART OF A LION is a thrilling romantic adventure about a headstrong young girl abducted and sold into slavery in the Mideast and found later by the man who was her betrothed, a legendary mercenary called The Black Lion. Jared de Navarre has made it his life to search for his beloved Isabeau and never return to his homeland until he is able to bring her back to her family.
Sixteen years have passed and Jared has been summoned to fight by the side of the renegade "Shadow Hunter" who leaves a white rose as a sign the Assassin will take a life. Little does Jared know that this deeply veiled person is none other than his lost Isabeau. The renegade needs the mercenary to help free a precious jewel from her detested enemy. Get ready for a lot of excitement as these two join forces to invade an enemy fortress and capture a rare prize as danger swirls all around them.
Jared is a magnificent male who is guilt-ridden but strong, compassionate and forgiving as well as loyal and never a quitter. Isabeau is resourceful, courageous and undaunted in fighting for what is right as she leaves her past behind. She knows her life is going to change again when she finds out that the Black Lion is Jared de Navarre, her betrothed. Their love story sizzles right off the pages and will surely have your heart pounding double and triple time with Ms. Fields' special brand of sensuality. Delicious!
Suzanne "The Black Lion Sure had my Blood Pressure and a few other things in an Uproar. Whew, I Don't think I'll Recover Anytime soon!" Coleburn
"Hillary Fields' HEART OF A LION takes you on a spell-binding journey of courage and valor as an enduring love story unfolds that is so powerful you can hear the Black Lion roar as he searches for his beloved Isabeau. Incredible storytelling by a master!"
Suzanne Coleburn, The Belles and Beaux of Romance
Jared had been only sixteen, but felt the full weight of his responsibilities. He vowed to Isabeau's mother never to return unless he had found Isabeau. He soon believed her to be dead. Jared became a fierce mercenary called the Black Lion. He and his band of warriors became well known. But the Black Lion used his travels and the money gained from his trade to continue his hopeless search for his lost fiancé.
Isabeau was called simply the Assassin. Very few knew the face of this legendary desert rebel, not even the men who called her their leader. Having escaped the harem, she learned the ways of the Assassins' Cult. Her only thought was to free the one friend she ever had in the harem from her vile "Master". She hired the Black Lion's band for temporary aid, not knowing Jared to be the leader. Once face to face, she believed he could never accept her for what she had to become or the horrible things she had to do for survival.
**** This story begins to simmer from page one and becomes a virtual blaze of wildfire once they meet in the desert! A fast paced book with secondary characters that I could not help but admire. The only thing I found unbelievable was Isabeau being able to keep her virginity. Recommended. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
