So Speaks the Heart [Import] [Hardcover]

Johanna Lindsey (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus Books (1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861884531
• ISBN-13: 978-0861884537
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,567,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

johanna Lindsey is one of the most popular authors of romantic fiction, with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. World renowned for her novels of "first-rate romance" (New York Daily News), Lindsey is the author of forty-three previous bestselling novels, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Lindsey lives in Maine with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance in the Dark Ages, December 19, 2000

By 

J. Austin "jodylync" (Dublin, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Speaks the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Brigette's brother Quinton has been killed in war. Her aunt Druoda is now plotting to take over Brigette's home and wants to be rid of her. In the meantime, she treats her as a servant and attempts to break her thru hard labor and abuse. But Brigette's brother is very much alive. Rowland of Montville suffered thru an abusive childhood and has grown into a hardened warrior. When Quinton is wounded saving his life, Rowland agrees to pay the debt by going to Quinton's home to inform his family that he is alive and soon will be coming home. But Druoda lies to him, convincing him that the lovely Brigette is a lowly servant and will be killed unless Rowland takes her as his own. At first, Rowland is angry for being put into such a position. When Brigette tries to tell him the truth, he refuses to believe her and takes her home with him to make her his servant. Soon doubt begins to creep into Rowland's mind. What if Brigette is speaking the truth? He would have to let her go and he can't for Brigette is the one person who could heal his pain.

This book is a serious story of pain, betrayal, and healing. As an earlier book of Lindsey's it doesn't have the humor that we have come to know her for. Instead we find a dark, brooding hero and a tormented heroine. Each carrying tremendous baggage, but eventually working beyond that to accept love from each other. One of my favorites!

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind and Heart BAFFLING..., September 3, 2001

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So Speaks the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

I love controversial plots, it makes my reading more intriguing. The more unconventional it appears, the more I am drawn to it. It is indeed a challenge reading this one!

Read Amazon Editorial Review for book synopsis and in addition to that:

This is one of those books that won't agree with everyone because of the hero's callousness and his fierce treatment towards the heroine. Ugh. I actually got teary-eyed many times while reading this book. I am at lost from time to time that I had to paused and breathe to digest the situations. I mean, sure... Our hero did reformed and there was proof of that changes in the end but what Brigitte went through in his hands was not an easy read for me. I would like to emphasize that I also didn't think Rowland's treatment to Brigitte can be described as brutal because it wasn't that extreme but I still ache for her. Rowland's more of an overbearing, insensitive and a VERY demanding lout. I understand Brigitte's frustration to prove her identity. In truth though, she was actually in better hand with Rowland compared to her previous faith in her stepaunt hands. However, I still can't help but feel she deserves better than a lowly servant. I can also see her confusions when it comes to Rowland. How can you understand and love someone who treats you so lowly? How can you love someone who doesn't believe nor trust you? I feel so sorry and sad for her, my heart was in spastic mode all through out this book. Meanwhile, Rowlands grew up without love, without emotions but hate. He fend and fight for himself all throughout his life. I believe his frigid upbringing contributed to this compressed emotions towards Brigitte. I know a lot of reader would not or could not comprehend this idea. Not a lot would accept excuses such as difficult childhood for harsh treatments towards anyone. However, as painful and unbelievable as it may seem, this is also a reality. How can a person who have never received kindness and love give such affection to another? We need to receive affection to know how to give it. I too feel sorry and sad for our hero, Rowland. Perhaps that is why I love this book. It encouraged me to FEEL and THINK. Yes, I don't like what Rowland does to Brigitte but I cannot judge him harshly either. I couldn't hate him because I can understand his emotional turmoil. All of his life, he never felt important and loved but now, here is Brigitte caring for him, rising new emotions he has never known nor felt before... The part that was heart rendering was the fact that Rowland, a tough warrior as he may be, was actually afraid and insecure. He was so scared of losing Brigette that he decided that denial was the only antidote. He left matters as they were, refusing to look further, refusing to believe Brigette's words to prevent unwanted changes in his life. Selfish perhaps but a sad state, all the same. The way Johanna Lindsey wrote Rowlands character, his past and his emotional confusions simply overwhelmed me. Brigitte's character was also just as polished. I admired her courage, I enjoyed her spunkness. She's been through a lot yet her bearing remained intact. Her faith, her pride & her heart remained whole! Nothing can break her spirit and I find that inspiring. There was so much love, patience, understanding & forgiveness between Rowland and Brigitte that I just couldn't help warming towards them. Aside from the romance and relationship development of Rowland and Brigitte, there is one too many twist in this book that was utterly UNEXPECTED. I was caught unprepared and I enjoyed my reactions towards it. As always the ending was a grand relief though I wish there was an EPILOGUE added to it. Perhaps there is a sequel for this book? A story of Quintin?

Overall, this book is mind and heart baffling. I suggest you read this book with open mind and understanding heart. Don't judge our hero too quickly and harshly. In fact, try to see through him. Once you do, you will appreciate their story all the more...

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, February 9, 2000

By 

A reader from NJ - See all my reviews

This review is from: So Speaks the Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book enjoyable, not the best I've ever read but definitely good. The story was a little lacking in the relationship development(the characters begin to care for each other in one chapter, when previously they disliked each other intensely)but overall, Brigitte and Rowland were strong characters. For those readers that think beating women in books is a disgrace: I completely agree with you, but the story takes place in the 900's, women weren't exactly treated well back then. I would even go so far to say that Brigitte was probably beaten a whole lot less than the women who actually lived in this time period. The story flows, and there is a plot, and a rather clever one too. All in all, a book worth reading.