Customer Reviews

In My Heart

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Lady Alexandra Marshall, future Countess Ware, had once been married to Christopher Donally. The marriage had not lasted long. Alex watched helplessly as her irate father had Christopher shipped off to India and the marriage annulled. She waited for him to return to her, only to be disappointed. He did not return.

It was ten years before Christopher showed up again and it was NOT for Alex. He wanted nothing to do with the aristocracy. He was heir to D&B Steel and Engineering and wanted only to run his business. While doing so, Christopher planned to give his sister, Brianna, her launch into Society. He never expected to see Alexandra or for her to ask for his help.

Lady Alexandra had kept herself sane by devoting herself to the British Museum as an archaeologist. When she realized gems had been stolen from artifacts and replaced by fakes, she reported it to the head curator. However, she quickly learned that the museum would rather ruin her career and reputation than admit to the thefts. She went to Christopher for help. In exchange, Alexandra would support Brianna's launch.

***** A splendid addition to the Regency era is author Melody Thomas! She somehow made the hero and heroine total opposites, yet perfect for each other. While Lady Alexandra has no siblings and only her work, Sir Christopher has a huge Irish family who enjoys beating up on each other, especially during games such as croquet. To watch these two main characters go head-to-head is sheer delight! This one will hit your "Keeper" shelf! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

If a reader wants a beautifully told romance, with plenty of action to keep one intrigued, this debut by Ms. Thomas is one to read.

Lady Alexandra Marshall is not an ordinary woman for her time. She is relatively independent, well schooled, and a career woman. She is content in her job at the museum, spending her days with the priceless artifacts she works with. Though her new life seems to be going well, she has never forgotten the one man who stole her heart years ago, her ex-husband - the only man she has ever loved.

Sir Christopher Donally has overcome his less then stellar past to make a new mark on society with his architecture company. His business is taking off and they are in the running for some high dollar government projects. However, as well as he seems to be doing now, he can't get out of his mind the only woman who ever truly mattered to him. So when he bumps into her quite by accident after 10 years, all those old feelings come rushing back.

Alex never in a million years expected to see Christopher again, especially as a member of the board for her museum! When she discovers that someone has been stealing jewels from the museum she goes straight to her boss, who promptly accuses her, damaging her reputation. There is no one she can think of for help, so she turns to Christopher for aid. He agrees, the price being she'll sponsor his sister in society. However, long buried feelings begin to bubble up, reminding them both of what they once had. Will they solve the mystery of who is stealing artifacts? Can they overcome their past to find the love they are destined for?

Ms. Thomas has told a wonderful tale here, with strong characters. Alex and Christopher are a perfect pair who, though unable to overcome the obstacles in their way the first time around, now have a second chance at the love of which they never let go. They are perfect complements for each other and give everyone hopes of someday finding that special kind of love. The secondary characters are also wonderful, from Christopher's sister Brianna and the rest of his rambunctious family and friends, to Alex's cold father, to the museum employees.

The mystery of the missing pieces at the museum is well done, and though a big part of the storyline, it never overwhelms the real story - Alex and Christopher's romance. There is enough action surrounding this part of the plot to keep the reader turning pages, as if the heat from Alex and Christopher's relationship isn't enough. The resolution of the mystery is not too surprising, even with the few false trails thrown in. However, this reviewer didn't figure it out until the end, probably due to focusing on the romance part of the story.

All in all, this book was delightful and a wonderful way to spend the hours. One will be carried along on the waves of Alex and Christopher's love, wishing real life could go the same. The best part of the book, for this reviewer was the fact it proves time resolves issues, when love in strong enough. It proves fate always has its way, even when it looks like things can't work out. It will give the reader a sense of hope, that even when one feels down, "what's meant to be will be." The worst thing about this story? That it had to end. This reviewer looks forward to more books by Ms. Thomas, if this one is any indication of what she is capable of writing.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2004. All rights reserved.

Lady Alexandra Marshall dedicated her life to becoming a highly regarded scientist, a feat that is rarely accomplished by a female. However, her dedication, devotion and deeds have made the male dominated scientific community take notice. Of course she has no other life to speak of, but Alexandra does not care. As she attains the epitome of her lofty goal, burglaries place her success at risk and even worse, a secret she thought buried has surfaced that if exposed will ruin her regardless of her achievements.

Sir Christopher Donally wants the past left buried and thought with his wealth and position he could do just that. He, like the female scientist, learns that sometimes the past refuses to remain interred. He must deal with past problems that could destroy him. Soon he and Alex will re-cross paths that both thought hidden including the resurfacing of their love for one another as the only hope to overcome the pains that threaten both of them.

Fans will enjoy IN MY HEART, an engaging second chance at love mystery that keeps the audience not only hooked with the romance, but guessing on what is going on and why. The lead couple is a delight as their mutual past rears up to bring them together though neither is prepared for nor want reconciliation. Fans of historical romantic suspense tales will appreciate this fine tale of love lost and regained if the protagonists can reach out for one another before both are destroyed.

Harriet Klausner

As a newcomer to historical romance, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I was pleasantly surprised. The story was richly layered, the characters flawed yet likeable, and the setting (19th century London) so well done that I was able to picture the scenes in my head while reading. Descriptions of the sounds and smells of street corners, museum basements, and dissheveled bedrooms made the story come alive. I won't describe the plot, as others have done that well already, but I will disagree with comments on the quality of the writing. Sentence structure may not be perfect, but the narrative flows beautifully. The ending was a bit rushed, but satisfying all the same. I will definitely look for Melody Thomas's next romance.

In My Heart is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. It reminds me of early Kathleen Woodiwiss novels. I was taken away to another place and time. I could feel the soot of London, see the displays in the museum, and could feel the tension and passion of Alex and Christopher from the moment they meet again, after a decade of separation and heartbreak. The hero and heroine have to let go of their pasts in order to find happiness in the future. I can't wait for the next book in the series to be published!

This is a second chance love story with a mystery subplot. I enjoy books with a mystery element and was pleased with the twist at the end of this book. Mostly this is a love story about second chances and learning to accept the things that can't be changed. The chemistry between Lady Alexandra and Sir Christopher burned the pages on every level for me. The love scene in the carriage was fun and had me laughing. I always wondered how two people could really pull off something like that in a carriage. The secondary characters were fun and I'm looking forward to reading their stories. My only complaint is that I felt like some of the ending was rushed. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Lady Alexandra and her father grow beyond the confines that had constricted her for so many years, and I was cheering as I watched her break free. I liked that her father wasn't all bad and that there was no black or white to that relationship. Her father did what he did because he believed that he was protecting his daughter. Sir Christopher Donally is one of the best heroes I have read in a long time. He embodied all the spirit of an Irishman who had risen through the ranks of society, and he had always loved Lady Alexandra, no matter what he tried to believe. He has sexy blue eyes, while his brothers have dark, Colin Farrel dark, dark, dark brown eyes. (Can't wait for their books) Overall, I would give this story a four and three quarters stars, because like I said, the ending felt somewhat rushed. But I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It has a place among my many favorite books, and the author is one I'm going to watch for her next book.

This is one of the best books I've read this year and I've found a new author to fall in love with. You'll love Christopher and Lady Alexandra as they fight for their love and for a second chance to begin a life that had been stolen from them. Ms. Thomas captured the class distinction between the pair. The love scenes were sensual. The mystry worked and didn't take over the story. The book pulled at my emotions until the end. If you are looking for fluff, this is not the book to read. If you want to fall in love with two characters that will stay with you long after you put down the book then buy this book now. This is one of the best books I've read this year and has gone directly to my keeper shelf for me to read again and again and again. I just love it when I discover new authors. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a great read.

Lady Alexandra Marshal lost her husband after her autocratic father decided she had married beneath her station, annulled the marriage, and shipped him off to India. But for the young Irish soldier, Christopher Donally, he never forgot the woman that he'd fallen in love with all those years before. After a chance meeting they are thrown together again in Society as Sir Christopher has now returned to England a knighted hero. Not until a theft at the British museum places Lady Alexandra in danger does she come to him for help. I found this story magical and beautiful as I am reminded that we all have the power to change our fate if we have the courage to act. The hero was a true hero willing to talk to the heroine about the past and willing to protect her at all costs. I understand how Sir Christopher Donally received the HERO Knight in Shining Armor award from Romantic Times bookclub for April. After reading the review below, it's amazing how different people see the same story. I found this book to be a keeper and highly reccomend it, especially to people who are bored with same old same, old plot lines that seems to be on the shelves these days.

I wish it were possible to give negative stars. This would get a negative five rating. It has to be the most poorly written book I have EVER read (and I read several a week). Ms. Thomas is a self proclaimed "wordsmith", whatever she means by that. I take it to mean that she collects words without understanding their meaning. I cringed throughout this book at her misuse of words. If she makes any money from this book she needs to buy a large dictionary with which to discover the meanings and contextual use of the words she so blithely throws around. Not only are words misused but the grammar and syntax are likewise atrocious. Lady Alexandra Ware, an upper class English woman, supposedly the product of an unusually excellent education and life in a diplomatic and academic background, often speaks like an American "lower-born individual(s) " (p. 162). Historical and cultural inaccuracies abound. Please, Ms. Thomas, a knight is properly addressed as Sir Christopher, not Sir Donally.
As to the plot, I found it weak indeed. The "villain" was obvious from the beginning and it left only the motive to become clear at the end. I found Sir Christopher Donally, Lady Alexandra's ex-husband, to be an entirely unappealing character. It was hard to see why she should want to exchange life with a domineering father for life with a domineering husband. Not even the sex scenes have any sparkle.
I ploughed my way to the end of this book to determine if it had a ANY redeeming qualities and so that I could write this review warning others not to waste money or time on such a worthless "effort".

This book should have been good, but it just didn't quite make it. I didn't really like Alexandra or the way she acted. Christopher was allright, but not one of the best heroes in books today. The book felt sort of messed up--not real smooth. I have read the sequel to this book. I read this because these characters were in the 2nd book and I wanted to read their story. It wasn't what it could have been.