#BookReview — The Raided Heart (Historic Hearts, #1) by Jennifer C. Wilson #HistoricalRomance #NewRelease @inkjunkie1984

The Raided Heart

 (Historic Hearts, #1)

By Jennifer C. Wilson

Meg Mathers, the headstrong youngest sibling of a reiving family on the English-Scottish border, is determined to remain at her childhood home, caring for the land and village she’s grown up with. When an accident brings her a broken ankle and six weeks in the resentful company of ambitious and angry young reiver Will Hetherington, attraction starts to build. Both begin to realise they might have met their match, and the love of their lives, but 15th century border living is not that simple, as Meg soon finds herself betrothed to the weakling son of a tyrannical neighbour, Alexander Gray. When tragedy strikes, can Meg and Will find their way back to each other, and can Will finally take his own personal revenge on Gray?

The Raided Heart is the first of "The Historic Hearts", a collection of historical romantic adventures set in Scotland and the North of England.

“We can’t, Meg, we can’t...”

Meg Mathers knows — she knows that they can’t. But her heart seems to have no understanding of the word duty. Her heart belongs to Will Hetherington’s, and nothing can change that. Nothing.

However, these are dangerous times, and to survive Long Ridge must make alliances, and no one is as powerful as the tyrannical Alexander Grey of Cliffside. Everyone thinks they know what Grey is capable of, but it is better to have him as an ally than an enemy. But Will knows Grey more intimately than others, and he has vowed to one day have his revenge on the man who murdered his parents.

Although her heart is forever Will’s, Meg has no choice but to agree to a betrothal to Grey’s eldest son. Meg’s brothers demand it from her for they need the alliance. She must marry him. A broken heart is a small price to pay if it means that those who Meg cares about are safe. And perhaps it will not be that bad. Perhaps the story of Grey has been exaggerated, and it is not like Meg is marrying him. She is marrying his son.

Will fears for Meg, but there is nothing he can do. He cannot marry Meg himself, for he is nothing, a no-one. And yet, he cannot let her go to Cliffside alone, for Grey has a reputation for brutality. Will has to be there for Meg in case the worst happens. He will protect her, this he vows. 

From the relative safety of Long Ridge, Northumberland and a forbidden first love, to the danger of Cliffside and the tyrannical Alexander Grey, The Raided Heart (Historic Hearts, #1) by Jennifer C. Wilson is a story that threatens to mesmerise the reader and leave them gasping for more.

The Raided Heart is a wonderfully tender romance set within a backdrop of hostility and questionable allegiances. With the ever-present threat of danger, Wilson has penned a story that is not only tautly gripping but one that is impossible to resist, let alone put down. The narrative of this engrossing romance is fast-paced, and the non-stop action kept me not only engaged throughout, but eagerly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.

Meg is a strong heroine who, despite the constraint of her times and the lack of control over her own life, tries to make the best of it. She is incredibly brave but always willing to compromise. Meg is initially reluctant to start any kind of relationship with Will, knowing that they can never be together, but when her heart takes over, when she realises that this attraction between them cannot be denied, then she is Will’s — whether she is married to someone else or not, she will always be Will’s. I thought Meg's portrayal was perfect.

Will. Oh, Will. How I adored the hero of this story. It is all so terribly romantic, and Will is just fabulous. I was utterly captivated by Will. He is a marvellous example of what a historical romance hero should be. Will is a very capable man, who has had so much tragedy in his life and yet, his capacity to love is infinite. He adores Meg and knowing he cannot have her made his love somehow stronger. He risks so much for Meg, but he does so willingly. Will’s portrayal was undoubtedly the driving force in this story that kept me enthralled.

The historical detailing of this book has to be commended. I truly felt as if I were living in the borders of Scotland and England during the 15th Century. This was a brutal time, with the threat of war and starvation ever-present. I thought Wilson really captured the essences of the era. 

If you are looking for your next tender historical romance, then look no further than The Raided Heart (Historic Hearts, #1) by Jennifer C. Wilson. I, for one, cannot wait to read the second book in what promises to be a fantastic series.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.

The Coffee Pot Book Club.

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The Raided Heart

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Jennifer C. Wilson

Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who developed an equal passion for history whilst stalking Mary, Queen of Scots of childhood holidays (she since moved on to Richard III). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consultant since graduating. 

Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and also continues to work on developing her poetic voice, reading at a number of events, and with several pieces available online. Her Kindred Spirits novels are published by Crooked Cat Books, alongside a self-published timeslip novella. 

She is also a co-founder and host of the award-winning North Tyneside Writers' Circle, and has hosted various events and workshops across the Tyneside area.

Connect with Jennifer: Website • Twitter • Goodreads • Amazon Author Page.