Heart of the Condor (Seduction Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

I have never come across a couple that so belonged together and yet faced so many obstacles! I really wondered how these two wonderful people could possibly be together in the end. Don Gabriel Espinosa y Ramirez, hero of Spain and pirate hunter stumbles onto a kidnapping attempt of Lady Sarah Drake from the convent on Martinique where she has lived for the past 11 years. In the process he is injured and is taken into the convent and sheltered there from the French authorities. Given their family history, neither trusts the other but they are undeniably drawn to each other. When a second attempt is made to abduct Sarah, Fr Henri decides that Gabriel must wed Sarah and take her away for her own safety. Reluctantly they are wed. Gabriel plans to annul the marriage and return Sarah to her brothers as he has problems of his own. He is supposed to be on his way to Spain to face a military tribunal after being accused of sedition. But that will have to wait until Sarah's brothers can be found.

The more time Gabriel spends with Sarah, the more attracted he becomes and vice-versa. Somehow the annulment papers remain sitting in his desk drawer. His family and friends are appalled that he has married her (even temporarily) - an Inglesa and the sister of notorious English pirates. Gabriel flirts with the idea of staying married to Sarah, but knows that he does so at the risk of his career and the future of his young daughter.

What neither knows is that Sarah is the sole witness to a crime committed years ago that the perpetrator wants to ensure remains unsolved, but if solved could restore her family's fortune. See her brothers are only pirates due to the fact that their lands and titles were stripped from them unjustly and Sarah could be the key to their reversal of fortune.

But what matters here is the relationship between Sarah and Gabriel. It's sweet and bittersweet with both showing humor and courage and faith in each other despite what their respective families think. You'll laugh and you'll definitely cry so keep the kleenex close by.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. A DEFINITE KEEPER AND ONE TO RE-READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!

Instead of his sister, Condor rescues Englishwoman Lady Sarah Drake from outlaws trying to abduct her. Condor hates the English, but insists Sarah marry him for her own protection. She knows of his reputation, but urged on by the local priest, agrees. However, Gabriel vows to never give his heart to this daughter of his foes, but somehow Sarah makes him break his pledge with her love and caring. Still is that enough to form a trusting relationship with his personal history?

Laura Renken has rapidly gained a deserved reputation for her exciting historical romantic adventure novels. Her latest thriller, HEART OF THE CONDOR, is an exhilarating seventeenth century tale that employs rarely utilized locale to freshen up an often-used theme. The plot never slows down, but still enables the audience to understand the lead couple and hope for the best for them as individuals while praying for them as a couple because fans will care. Laura Renken purveys a wonderful tale that will enhance her esteem as readers will enjoy this book.

Harriet Klausner