Customer Reviews

Straight from the Heart: Twins (Harlequin Superromance No. 991)

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A vicious attack when she was a teenager has left an indelible mark upon Blair Logan, even effecting her career choice as a D.A. in Houston. Although her father's firm specializes in defense law, Blair doesn't like defense attorneys. She specifically doesn't like defense attorney Lucas Culvar because his charisma and sexy good looks seem to sway women jurors, despite what Blair perceives to be his defendants' obvious guilt.

Blair's brother Blake had always been the wild twin while Blair was the quiet, studious one. Although their father Sam always wanted Blake to practice law in his firm, Blake lives in London where he works as a journalist and volunteers time to troubled teens. While home in Texas for a visit, however, new evidence surfaces in an old crime, and Blake is accused of murder. Blair immediately resigns her job as a prosecutor to avoid any conflicts on interest, then convinces Lucas to represent Blake. Now she finds herself attracted to the very species of attorney she's sworn to avoid, and working very closely with him to prove her brother's innocence. The concept of a conflict in interest seems to have taken a whole new implication with her heart involved.

Author Linda Warren masterfully controls the tone of STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART, as the initially brittle tone reflects the brittle characterization of the heroine. As her exterior cracks to reveal the woman within, so does the tone become warm and entrancing -- no vulnerable heroines in need of rescue here, as Blair proves herself to be at once capable, strong and willing to seek help when necessary. Unfortunately, the turn around in the heroine's attitude toward the hero happens so quickly that the genuineness of her feelings seems a bit thin, and comes off as self-serving.

Nevertheless, Blair's love for her twin certainly provides adequate motivation for her change of opinion regarding Lucas. Further, the wildly entangled plot line with threads to the past and red herrings in the present keeps the reader engaged as the novel moves at a decided clip. Indeed, the multifaceted characterizations and powerful conflict make STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART an excellent read, coming highly recommended.

Linda Warren's "Straight from the Heart" is an excellent read full of interesting plot twists and lovable characters. It is the story of a female district attorney coming to terms with a frightening attack from her teenage years, while at the same time, struggling to save her twin brother from going to prison for a crime she is sure he did not commit. The only defense attorney that can help her family just happens to be her biggest rival and arch-enemy. And this only adds to her already full plate. There is only one aspect of this marvelous story that could be improved upon: the realism of the characters. The female character has been through a lot, but even so, seems extraordinarily weak and dependent throughout most of the novel. Also, her twin brother is an absolute pansy with no backbone to speak of, and the male protagonist often comes off as too wise and all-knowing. But besides these somewhat cookie-cutter characters, the book is very well written and imaginative. It is the perfect companion to a rainy day. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and will look for other books by Linda Warren.

Straight from the Heart by Linda Warren
Harlequin Super Romance # 991 - June 2001

4 1/2 Stars! ~ Lucas became a lawyer through the hard work of his brother, and he's always felt guilty that he had doubted Jacob's innocence five years before. Now he's become a reputed defense attorney, earning the highest regards from his peers. When Blair was a teen she'd been brutally assaulted by a youth her father had failed to achieve a murder acquittal. So Blair took up the law and became a hardnose prosecuting attorney; touting the evidence never lies. She's come up against Lucas many times and they've become bitter opponents. It's been 15 years since her assault, and her twin brother, Blake is home for a visit from Europe. An old case is reopenned and Blake is charged with the murder. Blair knows there's only one defense attorney good enough to get around the DNA evidence. Begging Lucas doesn't come easy.

Anther page turner here. Ms. Warren knows how to create characters with real substance. Lucas and Blair have chemistry that sizzles. And I like characters that are willing to admit they can be wrong and are able to make life changes. A very good read!

For Lucas' brother, Jacob's story read --- Deep in the Heart of Texas by Linda Warren - Harlequin Super Romance # 935 - August 2000