April 1, 2004
Owens' third romance set on the plant Celta, originally settled by Wiccans, brings together a healer and a warrior. Healer Lark Collinson, widowed when her husband got in the way of dueling great families, wants to move away from her father, the head of the Hawthorn family. He is set on dueling with the Hollys, who are known for their fighting prowess, and even though she hates violence, Lark is drawn to Holm Holly, the heir and an accomplished fighter. Holm, who did not discover that he had a HeartMate during the three rites of Passage he endured, finds that he has matured enough through the challenges he has faced to be worthy of his HeartMate, Lark, who is unaware that she has a HeartMate in this lifetime. Playful pet kittens add a little fun to this sexy story. Readers of Owens' earlier Celta titles, " Heart Mate" (2001) and " Heart Thief" [BKL Je 1 & 15 03], will enjoy revisiting this fantasy-like world filled with paranormal talents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)