Heart of a Hunter (Seduction Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Courtesy of The Best Reviews

Lynette D'Aubere's family was in dire straits. Her father had been declared a traitor many years ago, forfeiting his wealth to the Crown, and causing Lynette to be disinherited. Riley, her mother, would do anything to ensure a secure marriage for her, dowry or not. Now Richard, guardian to the young King Edward, wants Lynette brought to court. In an act of sheer desperation, Riley goes to an old friend on his deathbed, begging him to sign a marriage contract, binding his son, Devon Seward, to Lynette. Under questionable behavior, Riley gets the contract signed, securing Lynette's future.

Lynette has plans of her own though. She loves Malcolm, one her family's servants, and they desire to be wed. Her plans are halted upon her betrothal to Devon, but she vows she will marry no one if she cannot have the man she loves. So she runs off, hiding out in the woods until she can find her way to a convent. Lynette revels in her freedom, short-lived though it may be.

Devon is shocked and angered to hear of his father's final act, having no desire to marry right now, especially the daughter of the infamous traitor. He knows she is his responsibility though, at least until he can find her another husband. He goes to the woods in search of her, and is fascinated with the beautiful wood sprite that is Lynette. She mistakes him for a common hunter, enlisting his help in her bid for freedom. Lynette is surprised to find herself falling for this mysterious hunter. When she finds out he is her intended, she is furious with him for tricking her.

Lynette and Devon are soon married and she discovers it is not so awful after all. She falls in love with her husband, and he loves her, though he doubts her integrity.

The times keep them apart however, as this is a very turbulent time for England. Richard has imprisoned Prince Edward, heir to the throne, and is making plans to steal it away from Edward. He is not the only one vying for the coveted crown; Henry Tudor is in love with Princess Elizabeth and vows to marry her. England is in an uproar, as is Devon's household, with factions supporting Henry, and others for Richard, who is killing any and all suspected of treason. Devon is opposed to Richard's plans, fighting them in secret, until a traitor in his household exposes Devon, putting his and Lynette's marriage, and Devon's life, at serious risk of death.

Ms. Davidson has written a fascinating story, capturing the essence of the times. Here is a tale full of intriguing plot developments and lots of drama. The focus of this book is more on the happenings, and how Devon and Lynette react and cope with them, adding depth and growth to their relationship.

This book is not a light read, requiring good amounts of concentration, to follow the story line fully, but it is well worth the extra time taken to read it. The characters are passionate and full of life, and the descriptions of life in England are vividly drawn, making one feel as though present for it all. Take the time to sit down and read this book, it won't be regretted.

In 1483, the Earl of Bellville lies dying when Lady Riley D'Aubere visits him to collect the debt he owes her. Twenty years earlier, she freed the earl from incarceration. Since Riley's husband was branded a traitor, the family estate reverts to the crown once she dies leaving her daughter nothing. Riley obtains the Earl's signature on a contract that marries Lynette to the dying man's son.

When Devon Seward learns about his deceased father's final act, he becomes irate for he does not want to be married to anyone. Instead he believes the contract is non-binding and plans to find a spouse for Lynette even if he has to pay the dowry price. Lynette does not want to be wed either so she runs away, but he follows. When they meet she thinks he is a hunter. As they fall in love and the truth of his identity surfaces, both struggle to survive as two rival factions use them as pawns in an attempt to gain the throne.

The sense that the reader is in the late fifteenth century flows throughout the wonderful historical romance turning HEART OF A HUNTER into a superior tale than usual. The story line is fast-paced as the lead characters struggle with what their parents have wrought as well as the outside terror. Though Devon's duplicity seems out of character, he is a heroic individual while his intended is an intrepid person. The sequel to the powerful HEART OF A WARRIOR (Riley's story) proves how good Betty Davidson is with her vivid fifteenth century romances.

Harriet Klausner

Spoilers ahoy

Heart of a Hunter is a sequel to Heart of a Warrior. IIRC, David D'Aubere, a Lancastrian, was the man who smote Richard of York at the Battle of Wakefield, so you can imagine he was never a favorite of Edward IV. This book opens after Edward's death and younger brother Richard is protector for his young nephew. D'Aubere lands will revert to the crown upon his death, so he and wife Riley need to get their only child married ASAP, and Riley will go to any effort to get a marriage contract signed on an old man's deathbed.

This is all too complicated to try and explain, but in a nutshell you get tomboy Lynette D'Aubere in true love with her father's grooms and they're set to elope. I guess you know that plan didn't go over well, and she's sent to London to wed Earl Lord Devon Seward. Lynette gives her escort the slip and escapes into the woods, changes clothes to peasant style (including shoes - she's a barefoot gal) and since she can't marry her groom, she'll find the nearest convent and become a nun. No, I am not kidding.

Lord Devon comes to her rescue, but instead of going on horse with a well-armed escort, he comes to the forest dressed like a common hunter with only his knife and bow and arrow for protection. Of course Lynette has no idea this hunk of a hunter is her intended, and sparks are a-flying between the two in no time (she forgot the groom Malcolm pretty darned quick). They wander around in the forest for a day or two swapping steamy kisses and the old trope of swimming nude in the river. Whatever, they finally get back to London, Lynette finds out about the ruse, but she's forced to marry Devon and make the best of it.

No surprise, but complications abound. The young king and his brother are locked in the tower and then disappear. Devon is constantly leaving for super secret meetings. Lynette is BFF with the Princess Elizabeth (next in line to the throne after her brothers!), so she gets involved in visiting Bess in sanctuary and passing tokens between Bess and her twu wuv forevar Henry Tudor - good, kind, handsome, dashing Henry. The Henry who will come with an army and rescue young Edward and restore him to the throne Henry.

No, I'm not kidding.

I think everyone knows what happened to Richard at the battle of Bosworth field, although in this one Henry's a proud warrior who enters the fray and offs R3 with his mighty sword.

"As Henry's sword sliced through the air, it flashed briefly before disappearing into a speay of blood. Richard's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless and mangled."

The historical howlers aside, this was one of the worst written romances I've come across since...the other book in this pair. There really isn't much sexual chemistry between the two, and it wasn't helped by some seriously cheesy sex scenes aided by the heavy handed use of nether lips.

"His arousal was already straining against his breeches, demanding that silky warmth that only she could give."

"His mouth was soft and sensuous and caused her loins to warm, like a simmering pot needing to be stirred."

Be grateful I didn't quote from the sex in the dining hall :D

Lastly, a boo-hiss to the editors. Shudders instead of shutters. And WTF is horses "naying"?