Heart Thief (Celta's HeartMates, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Robin D. Owens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2003

The story of Ruis Elder -- a man without psi powers on a world where they are prized. An outcast, Ruis must overcome all society to survive, pursue his passion for restoring ancient Earth technology, and win his love -- Judge Ailim D'SilverFir.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

On the planet Celta, founded by adherents of a Wiccan-like religion whose followers have psionic, or psychic, talents, Ruis Elder is an outcast on trial for his life. Not only doesn't he possess psionic talent but his mere presence nullifies the powers of others. Ailim Silver Fir, a judge and a strong empath, finds peace for the first time in her life when Ruis' null field gives her respite from the chaos of all the feelings that incessantly swirl around her. Sentenced to exile, Ruis sneaks back into Druida to hide in the spaceship that first brought humans to the planet, and he endears himself to the ship's artificial intelligence. As Ailim and Ruis fall more in love, they uncover the dirty deeds that stripped him of his inheritance and rightful place. Owens has crafted a fine romance that is also a successful science fantasy yarn with terrific world building. The second in a series, following Heart Mate (2001), Owens' latest stands on its own. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Author

One of the best nights in my life was when I won the 2002 Romance Writers of America RITA award for my first book HeartMate, a book most thought would never be published. I love the wold of Celta and Heart Thief takes a totally different slant on that society.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (June 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425190722
• ISBN-13: 978-0425190722
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

http://www.robindowens.com RITA Winner (Oscars of Romance) 2002 for HeartMate. Heart Thief out 06/03/03, Heart Duel out 04/04, Heart Choice 7/05, Heart Quest 8/06. Creativity exercises, affirmations on my website. I am a serious writer of 10 years, past President and contest chair of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. My most pressing interest in the craft of writing is CREATIVITY. My book, HeartMate, was the first futuristic-fantasy romantic adventure published by Jove in it's Magical Love line. It won the RITA for Best Paranormal Romance and finalled in Best First Book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent!, December 3, 2003

By 

Wm19 (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heart Thief (Celta's HeartMates, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked this book far better than the first one. While the characters in the first book seemed a bit awkward, the characters in this second book really worked for me. The hero was strong, tormented, alone, but kept his dignity. The heroine is of high rank, but not b/c she was born with a silver spoon, but because of her own merit (she's the Supreme Judge in their city), and she's also gracious and strong. Unlike the other review, I really liked the conversations with the Fams (telepathic pets) b/c it showed how the Hero had someone to care for him when he was exiled and condemned. Both main characters were admirable people and they acted like adults (no shallow, selfish stupidity or annoying misunderstandings with this author). Considering the story is set in an imaginary world where almost everyone has a mental/paranormal power, their story was well-fleshed out and believable. Their powers, while seemingly irreconcilable, meshed perfectly. This was an excellent book. I'm supposed to be studying for my law exams, but I stayed up until 4 am to finish this book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensual, Magical, Wonderful!! I love this book., July 26, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Heart Thief (Celta's HeartMates, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a keeper (one of those rare books that I keep forever instead of give away when I'm done). I don't have much space, so a book really has to be special to keep. This is a sequel to Heart Mate released last year. Ruis and Ailim live in a fictional world where almost every one has magical powers. They've lost the art of science (which is Ruis's specialty since he is one of those very rare people who has no powers. In fact, he is a Null meaning other magic can not work in his presence). Ailim can read emotions and gets great relief in Ruis's presence. I can't begin to describe all of the ways I love this book, but I especially enjoy the science fiction and magical aspect in the amazing world Robin creates.

It was enjoyable to see again the characters from Heart Mate and see how they were doing as they blended into this story. Keep writing, Robin! You are one of the best and deserve the awards you've won.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic sequel, July 8, 2003

By 

K. Newman "krazykmcd" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart Thief (Celta's HeartMates, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Read `Heartmate' first, because it's such a good book and because both Rand and Danith also appear extensively in Heart Thief. The story here is strong enough to stand on its own, but why not deepen your enjoyment by reading the first book. I loved it in part because it stood up so well to it's predecessor. We're still on the world of Celta, where psychic talent is called Flair and is so common that everyone in the history of Celta has had some degree of it. Except for those like Ruis Elder, a Null, whose mere presence at best unravels and at worst destroys flair. Imagine living - or even just surviving - in a world where you can't even do the simple things that everyone else can do, because no spells will work for you. Everything becomes that much harder, that much more of a struggle.

We first met the rage filled Null very briefly in Heartmate, as he stole T'Ash's HeartGift. Heart Thief is his story, as he is captured and brought to trial. The reader finds out some of his awful history of being abused and cast out by those who should have sheltered him - his Family. And now he is to be cast out Druida City, for sins that at least in part should not be attributed to him. Ailim D'Silverfir has recently become Head of her Family. She has great Flair in empathy, and is a Judge. She and Ruis meet and she finds incredible relief in his Nullness - at last she can relax her mental shields and just experience life with her other five senses - a luxury she cannot normally allow herself. But Ruis is supposed to be banished, and she is a Judge...

Although a sequel and sharing many characteristics, the story of Ruis and Ailim is very different from the earlier book. Ruis is such a damaged, rage filled man, Ailim a woman who exudes calm. Both of noble stock, and both very aware of that and the duties of Family which that entails, even as both in one degree or another are betrayed by their Family (whereas Rand and Danith each had none and longed for Family). Ruis has an awful lot to work through as he finds his place in life, and in his world. This part of the story is easily as touching as the romance that he finds with Ailim, and unusually the story is told probably more from his perspective than hers. After all, he has the most to combat and to overcome: certainly his is the longest emotional journey. But Ailim has her own hurdles to overcome too. The Nullness is very different, and it is something I as a reader had to overcome - that there is no psychic bonding between the two central characters was a hurdle for me as a reader. But there is no denying the strength of the story. The Ship and the emergence of Ruis's technical talents, and the ultimate importance of his very Nullness to Celta was well done.

And of course, the Fams... not to forget the Fams. Even if they would let us.

Sometimes I found the pace a trifle slow, and wanted to urge Ruis and Ailim to get on with it as things got a very little bit repetitive. This might be a niggle in me, and not the writing. This book is also more overtly erotic than HeartMate, which might be a surprise to some readers. The book closes with a peek at the next one - ah yes, one of the Fighting Holly's is about to meet his match. Bring it on!