The Hidden Heart (Aincourt) [Kindle Edition]

Candace Camp (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

FATE, IT SEEMED, HAD DONE ITS WORST

With his life in ruins, Richard, Duke of Cleybourne, returned to his country estate to deal with the tragic loss he had suffered four years earlier. His plans, however, were interrupted by the arrival of Miss Jessica Maitland. The feisty, flame-haired governess had come to present her charge, Gabriella, as his new ward.

UNTIL LOVE EXPOSED MUCH MORE TO THE STORY

As if their unwelcome presence weren't bad enough, Jessica also revealed that Gabriella was in danger. Someone was after the girl's fortune--perhaps someone the duke knew only too well. Now fate and a raging snowstorm have brought together an odd assortment of guests at Cleybourne Castle. And when murder strikes, Richard and Jessica must catch a killer and unravel a dark mystery, even as they are plunged into the most passionate mystery of all--the secrets of the hidden heart.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 308 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Mira (November 17, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001L10YOE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,302 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining historical romance, August 14, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hidden Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Seventy-two years old General Streathern appears near death having suffered apoplexy. Besides his beloved great-niece fourteen year old Gabriela Carstairs and her governess Jessica Maitland, his great-nephew Lord Vesey who likes young girls and the pervert's wife Leona who likes men attend the death watch. Miraculously, the retired military officer recovers and warns Jessica to take Gabriela away to her guardian Richard the Duke of Claybourne. That night a visitor kills Streathern.

After the reading of the will in which Gabriela inherits everything, Jessica flees with her charge for the safety of Claybourne because she knows that the Veseys will try to control the estate through Gabriela. Richard does not want visitors as he still mourns the loss of his wife and child four years ago in an accident but also plans to kill himself. Everything changes when the Veseys arrive because Richard refuses to hand the innocent teen to this depraved duo. Shortly afterward, whether it is the Veseys or some unknown assailant, someone wants Gabriela dead.

THE HIDDEN HEART, the sequel to the delightful Regency SO WILD A HEART, is an entertaining historical romance that readers will relish. The fast-paced story contains strong characters. Richard is a wonderful protagonist whose suicide thoughts end when he finds something to live for, the love of Jessica and Gabriela. The heroic Jessica risks her life for the safety of her beloved Gabriela who seems too mature for her age. On the other hand, the Veseys are purposely treated as caricatures of odious individuals. Thus the audience will enjoy this fun tale and demand more from the heart of Candace Camp.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite as good as the other two in the series!, March 14, 2005

By 

J. Brennan (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hidden Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Richard Duke of Cleybourne, returned to his country estate to deal with the tragic loss he had suffered four years earlier, the death of his wife and child. Not dealing at all with his loss his intent is to kill himself and when visitors arrive he does not even want to let them in.

Jessica Maitland is a fiery flamed-haired governess to Gabriella Carstairs. Gabriella recently inherited a substantial estate when her Great Uncle is murdered. Immediately before his death he had warned Jessica that Gabriella was in danger and that she should be taken to the Duke of Cleybourne, her guardian.

The arrival of Jessica and Gabriella just might be what Richard needs to conquer his self imposed exile of the world. When the perverted Veseys arrive determined to retrieve Gabriella, Richard feels the danger to Gabriel is very real and Richard knows he cannot turn this innocent teen over to such a depraved duo. Shortly afterward, whether it is the Veseys or some unknown assailant, there is an attempt on her life.

Although I really really liked this book I have to grade it down a bit from the other two in the series. For me there were a few too many characters and it seemed the mystery plot dictated the romance rather than the romance being the central part of the story. In a way I suppose all of this confusion and suspense is what Richard needed to get himself out of his self imposed isolated world of the last four years. So while he probably needed to be thrown into murder and mayhem for me I would have enjoyed more a development of their love story. Thus while a good read not quite a five, but a strong four star book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ, June 20, 2004

By 

V. Seaton "romance4me" (Southeast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hidden Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

I adored this story. The hero and heroine are so cute. I love their confrontations and honesty with each other. The addition of several supporting characters helps keep the story moving and interesting. I love a gutsy heroine and Jessica delivers. She and Richard are the perfect duo and their love story sweeps you away.