Heart Fate

Celta's Heartmates #7

by Robin D. Owens

Wed to a wealthy older man when she was just a girl, Lahsin Yew runs away from her abusive home to find a new life. At seventeen, she's about to enter her Second Passage, when her Flair—and perhaps her HeartMate—will be revealed.

Lahsin finds sanctuary in a secret garden, where she meets Tinne Holly. Though he is her HeartMate, he cannot tell her, and her troubled past prevents her from trusting any man. Pretending to find her by chance, Tinne helps her through her Second Passage. But when the truth is revealed, can she forgive his deception, and learn to trust in her destiny?

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance, Science Fiction, Magic

386 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2008

Reviews

[namericanwordcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tender love story between two young people whose lives have already seen so much suffering.

The hero and the heroine are fated to mates but the heroine's family marries her off at 14 to an abusive older man. The hero marries someone else and is suffering the effects of a miscarriage an the very rare ending of that marriage.

Tinne and Lashin hurt, heal, and love together. If you have been reading the series, you will be so happy the Tinne's gets his own book but even if you haven't this book stands alone as a great romance where respect and care overcomes abuse.

The world building as always is sport on with cultural and magic systems details of the highest order. The dog and the cat and a lonely house are perfect additions and the villain suffers.

A comfort reread for me. Adored. 4.5 Stars.

[layla is a picky reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the story, I liked the characters, I liked the writing, the book should've had an higher rating but I just cannot get over the ending. It coloured the whole experience and my sense of fairness just plain screamed at the end.

I mean, I invested emotionally in Lahsin and, at the end, I wanted her to really kick some ass but the writer plain screwed her. Here we have an heroine that overcomes abuse - major abuse that lasted for three years and finally started to believe in herself and became strong - and what happens? She "accidentally" kills her abuser? I mean, for real, "accidentally"? She seems to be bright and quite smart all the way until her "estranged" brother wants to meet her and she goes without a qualm, never even suspecting anything? Did she suffer a lobotomy at the end? What happened there?

Another thing that annoyed me to hell and beyond - this family from where she escapes, that stood aside and were accomplices to the abuse she sustained, suffered no consequences at the end, there was no mention of anything happening to them. Also, that Taxa character continued to live and became head of the family, even though she was an active accomplice.

Other things weird and wrong in the story:
- her Family which sold her again suffered no consequences under their laws.
- There were mentions in the book that other Families knew what was happening - and in other books as well-in Heart Dance , the main character knows what's happening there yet he does nothing- and he's a main character/"hero". He and the heroine go merry in their happy ending and do nothing for a 14 years old sold in marriage - he's supposedly one of the good guys.
- The so called Judge which is supposed to be impartial does nothing to punish the two families involved in this.
- Her HeartMate aka her soulmate knew she was sold in marriage and did nothing, he just went and married another woman and convinced himself that she's ok.
- There is a ball in Heart Dance where everyone knows that something is wrong with that marriage, all 25 First Families, the strongest and the best of Celta, where some of them have been the wonderful heroes/heroines of other love stories, where they are amazingly wise and honorable yet in this book no one does anything for that poor girl.

So this book presents a society where it is legal to sell your daughter in marriage to an abuser and that's ok - one can do that again & again -and there will be no consequences to either family involved -thank God the heroine "accidentally" killed her abuser- otherwise it would have been too bad for her- there are no laws there to protect children from abuse-which is why this book represents everything that is wrong, and the reason my sense of justice woke up and said "Why are you reading this?"

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Sep08

Confession time. I began reading Robin D. Owens ‘Heart’ series back in 2001 when it was found in the science fiction/fantasy aisle only. I read the back cover blurb, thought it sounded interesting and picked it up. I was hooked. The books were much the same as they are now, maybe a bit less emphasis on the romance part, but still very satisfying. When I saw Owens’ name and the same book in the romance section back in 2006, I was a bit surprised, but once I thought about the plot and the upsurge in paranormal romances, it all made perfect sense. I’m actually glad that her publishers gave romance readers a chance to enjoy her work!

Celta is a faraway planet populated by descendants of space travelers. Paranormal ‘gifts’ are called Flair here and vary by families in type and strength. A caste system based on those strengths has come about over the centuries and many of the ‘great’ families have been built by selecting mates based on Flair and strength almost like breeding programs. You could say that the planet, or God, or ‘fate’ has fought back by a phenomenon called the HeartMate. I don’t want to give too much away, but that should be enough to whet your curiosity if this is the type of writing that interests you!

Lahsin is a girl who has been betrayed by those who should have protected her. Her strong Flair and greedy parents resulted in her being pretty much ‘sold’ at the tender age of 14 to a powerful First family as a broodmare. The head of that family is a cruel and sadistic megalomaniac who uses his powerful status and Flair to torture and degrade Lahsin while trying to impregnate her with his future heir. Lahsin manages to discover a possible ‘out’. If she can escape and survive her 2nd Flair Passage, then she can repudiate her marriage and be free. Her escape is aided by a stranger who tells her of a mysterious haven in the heart of the city whose ‘shields’ only accept desperate souls. Lahsin finds her way there to recover and her story really begins.

Tinne is an honorable man who accepted the loss of his HeartMate by marrying a woman he physically desired. Unfortunately that marriage was unable to withstand the strain of losing a child and he has now become the first First family divorced male in 80 years. He’s both famous and infamous. When he discovers his HeartMate is missing and about to enter her 2nd Flair passage, he decides to find and befriend her. Just friends…he can’t risk more than that.

This seemed more a ‘coming of age’ novel. She’s 17, he’s 23. Children really, in our society; but full adults in their own which is something to keep in mind while reading their story. They each have serious failings and feelings to work through and they each have to grow up a bit, understand and accept their losses, and then find the courage to go on with life. Lessons many ‘adults’ in our society have difficulty with too!

At one time Robin D. Owens wrote more for the young adult audience and sometimes that tone still exists in her writing. However, the inclusion of sexual feelings and some fairly spicy sex scenes put this story definitively into the romance genre. “Heart Fate” is a story for those who enjoy a lighter, less dangerous plot mixed with relationship problem resolution, character growth, and a bit of heated fantasy. I’ve read each of the ‘Heart’ novels and will be waiting for the next release in this strangely addictive series.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to Tinne's book. Poor guy really had it bad since the first book when he was 17. Hard to believe he's now only 23 when he's gone through so much in the previous books.

I enjoyed the contrast between the junvenile Turquoise Residence and the grouchy BalmHeal Residence.

All in all, a pretty satisfactory read.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Celta - Fate offers heart mates a second chance

I just love the world of Celta, the magical Flair, the Wiccan-ish culture and the promise of a bond with the perfect mate, a Heartmate.

Heart Fate has some very emotional moments, for Lashin, whose married life was a nightmare, and for Tinne Holly (brother to Holm from Heart Duel (Celta's HeartMates, Book 3)) who honorably accepted that he'd lost the chance to pursue his Heartmate and found another woman to marry. But both Tinne and Lashin are now free from those marriages - Lashin repudiates her marriage at the same time as Tinne's wife divorces him. I was probably struck most by the powerful portrayal of Tinne's suffering magnified by his wife's rejection and the emotionally grueling divorce testing which forced him to relive the loss of their love and dredged up his anguish over the death of his child-to-be and his inability to reach his wife past their shared grief. Lashin too is emotionally damaged as she flees her horrific marriage and struggles to overcome the memories of victimization at the hands of her abusive, rapacious husband and his evil spawn. Her emotional ordeal is less concentrated but inspires sympathy and anger at the hopeless helplessness she had to endure.

After the last book I was worried that the series was going to succumb to the "formula trap" that plagues many long running series, but Heart Fate while sharing the world, and featuring some old favorite characters in cameo roles, brings together the HeartMates Tinne and Lashin in a much different way than in the previous books. Instead of an emphasis on an instant physical connection, there was a tentative reaching out as the damaged pair meet and share the sanctuary of First Grove which is granted to only the wounded and shattered of body, heart or spirit. They slowly begin to form a relationship, first with just the barest hint of trust as Tinne approaches the skittish Lashin and shows her not all men are evil. Next they grow into friendship and a caring that sparks an attraction that smolders until Lashin is willing to explore a healthy passion with Tinne and then finally both accept the risk to their newly mended souls to trust the bond that they share in order to accept the reward of love that is the gift among Heartmates.

So even though Heart Fate was less romance-y than the previous books, I enjoyed the story, the relationships with friends and family, and watching both Tinne and Lashin grow into stronger more emotionally healthy HeartMates. Also fun was the mutual taming between Lashin and her dangerous looking fam-dog-to-be and Tinne's more typical relationship with his fam-cat. And, characters in their own right, the Balm-Heal residence fit in with the damaged soul theme and the young Turquoise House, which was well on the way to becoming a self-aware residence, was entertaining and provided some lighter moments amid all of the serious goings on. So merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again when Owen's continues with the next of three books in the series.

[Harryo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago when this book came out I recall chomping through it like a T-Rex on crack and remember bein mightily disappointed. I can't remember why. Probably because I hate the trope of "abused woman finds patient and tender man and learns to appreciate sex". Also there was probably some objection to one-dimensional villains--T'Yew and his daughter Taxa. I hate one-dimensionality with villains. They are always the funniest characters. Heroes not so much. Sometimes they just are too good.

There were other problems too, mainly transitional scenes or scenes designed to set up stories for future stories, like Raz Cherry appearing out of the blue like some freaking Hollywood mega-star in an Avenger's franchise, not even a subtle hint that the next addition to the series will feature him. There was also that scene in which former inmates of BalmHeal Residence got together to nominate which next family should take up residence there. It was interminable. Total snoresville. Just another shoe-horn for a future story.

The fact that both Tinne and Lahsin were there offered the opportunity for something to change in their understanding of each other. I can't remember who said this (I'm sure it was a big romance writer, because back in the day I hung onto their words like they were pearls) but each encounter between the heroine and hero needs to advance their relationship. Well this scene did not. It was nothing more than thinly disguised marketing.

And then ten years rolled by.... Which brings me to what I really liked about this book the second time I read it, and why I changed it from 2 stars to 4.

Most romances are improvisational jazz. Imagine that a story has a couple , and if they were both instruments they'd play a bit together, they'd play a bit apart, but they are always doing something interesting. We like jazz music because it takes us on a journey of thoughts and experiences and then, usually, it resolves. The resolution usually offers enough of a final statement that all that suspension of contentment in the middle of the piece is worth the wait. All that indecision, unknowning, free-hand, free-flow, stream of consciousness, is like the permutations of our daily lives.

We like a neat ending to the story and romantic fiction, with its mandatory HEA, nearly always offers us this. Yet I've found that some of the best romances happen when the characters are doing the most unexpected and sometimes the least romantic things.

Another reason women read Romance is because for so long marriage was the goal and the ultimate confirmation that they've arrived at who they are supposed to be. This may have been true certainly until the 1990's, but since Murphy Brown and Friends, all that is changing. Today most women are torn between wanting partnership and wanting self fulfillment. I don't know if these are compatible. Certainly in the happy marriages I've seen, someone--usually the female partner--always subsumes her powers and abilities in order for there to be peace.

Still another reason we read romance novels is that many of us want to be with someone who reflects back to us that we are worthy of love, that we are attractive, likeable, desirable (possibly because we don't feel it on our own.) Men still represent safety, and I've seen clearly that having a partner means you are 10 times more likely to be economically solvent. And let's not forget all those stories growing up that promised us one day we'd be cherished.

But today women also want to contribute in a meaningful way, and we want our lives to matter. Sometimes life is so hard and we struggle so much with crappy bosses and trafficious daily commutes that it feels like the only way we can get the "dual package" (love and identity) is in novels. So we read about women who overcome trials to win the brass ring, the golden fleece, happiness, success, sovereignty. It's calming and reassuring. Yet for most of us we need more, we need to see that love is a journey of like-minded individuals. It's not a surprise that some of Robin Owen's most memorable characters have to grow through their self doubts to embrace who they are before they can become united with their partner.

Robin Owens writes romances about personal growth. In her first book, Heartmate, she wrote about her heroine, Danith's, self discovery in a way that transcended much of what I've read in romance novels. Celtas supernatural beings come into their power during "passage"--a mondo-interesting phenomenon in which a person grows into their powers not through practicing their skills, but by acknowledging their fears, flaws and issues. In reality people struggle for years in meditation to do that, but here it's magic (like all-you-can-eat chocolate mousse that never makes you fat); it can be done in a matter of hours, merely through having an endogenously generated trip. (A bit like an ayuhuasca ceremony, maybe?)

What makes passage so interesting is that the stakes are high: if you don't give into your own self knowledge and accept what you find the jeopardy is death. In Heartmate Danith takes a triple trip through all of her "passages" to come into her power; she's possibly come the closest of all the characters who've gone through passage to dying. It was simply breath-taking.

This morning as I read, Lahsin was going through the last part of her passage, I realized that the writing was superb. Not only was it fresh, and interesting, it reflected a psychological realism that left me awestruck at this author's understanding of self exploration. I began crying and cried through the end of the novel, in part because I do love love stories with happy resolutions, but also because I personally felt moved and inspired by the actions of these FICTIONAL characters, to accept and work on my own imperfect life. Sometimes when you see really accomplished musicians playing they make it look so easy you think you can do it yourself. I'm here to tell you: those scenes looked simple, and made me feel exactly right, but croyez-moi, writing that powerfully ain't easy.

In some respects Robin is very buddhist--for example, a recurring theme of this book was how change inevitably happens, despite generations of stability, and that there's no escape from suffering and loss. In other respects, Robin has a lovely neopaganist outlook. Celtans practice a reconstructed earth religion that observes nature, dualism, magic, and the divine sacred in a way that is deeply satisfying.

I always observe the solstices ... two weeks ago on the solstice (with the first full moon in 50 years!) I organized a midnight hike through Rock Creek Park, with honey cakes and wine to celebrate. That day everything was magical. At lunch time, in the full flush of anticipation as I was crossing the street i saw a man wearing a sleeveless tee shirt. A triplemoon tattoo was clearly visible on his shoulder, so I called, "Are you having a ritual with friends tonight?" and he said, "Yes, I am." And then as we parted he called, "Blessed be!" Let me point out I was standing in front of The Watergate at the time. Yes. We earth-loving, goddess worshipping neopagans are amongst you all, just waiting to share the earth's blessings. Even in the capital.

To carry on with the squeeing, one of the sweetest things Robin does is create traditions for her characters. When Lahsin and Tinne wake on the morning after Yule, he says to her, "Blessings upon us, the sun has returned." How charming. Don't you want a world where you say things like that to your lover?

This is one of the reasons I love Celta so infinitely much. That, and talking dogs.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 bk 302. This is the most emotionally charged book of the series, and one of my favorites. Tinne Holly's marriage to Genista is at an end and results in the first FirstFamilies Divorces in several generations. Literally broken hearted, Tinne finds BalmHeal, the first healing grove, as a place away from family to help him heal. But he is not alone at BalmHeal. Unbeknowst to him, his heartmate what had been commercially 'sold' and married at age 14 to T'Yew, had finally run from the abuse. Chance had taught her that with her 2nd passage she was considered an adult and could reputiate any earlier marriage. She comes to BalmHeal for sanctuary and to both heal and learn who she is. The BalmHeal Resident, the oldest in the city has been alone and forgotten and the two give it life as they heal together and gradually learn to care for each other. An excellent story.

[Thenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the entire series but I did begin the series with Heart Mate. I loved the light romance of the "Heart" series and the setting. Since then, I haven't been as satisfied but I enjoy the books.

It's been a long time since I've read any of the books. I found three new ones at Half Price Books and wondered if I could just pick it up again. It's light enough that I can.

For a planet which is all about finding heartmates/soulmates, there sure are a lot of people in denial of their existence. I thought it would be easier if everyone knew there was a soulmate out there; instead, it seems to increase the drama because no one really wants to be tied down to a soulmate. It's not always politically or financially expedient to have one.

I like the Residences more and more. I wondered as I finished the book if the residents of Turquoise House and BalmHeal House would be the focus from now on. I thought that the T'Ash would be running out of allies with heartache by now. I was wrong. According to the young men who appeared in the Green Salon for fighting lessons, a whole new generation is coming up to find/deny their heartmates.

With the age of consent now being 18 in most states, I was uncomfortable with the 17-year old heroine being married and having sex. It just felt like child porn to me.

D'Ash took DNA from Strothers to determine his bloodline. The results were not in this book. Will I ever learn Strothers' origins? Dogs and cats are mostly too rare to be feral.focus of the books even thought D'Ash makes appearances.

It was a fun, light read but I wasn't as satisfied as I'd hoped I'd be. As long as I continue to find the books at Half Price Books, I'll continue to buy them but I don't think I'm willing to pay full price.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading...
Heart Fate is book 7 in the Celtan Heart Mates series. The hero is Tinne Holly, a continuing character throughout this series. At the start of this book, you've got to feel for this guy; if it weren't for bad luck he wouldn't have any at all. But sometimes 'bad luck' is another way for Destiny to kick you into the path you need to take. The setup is very dark. Tinne's wife [not hearmate:] has divorced him [the first time this has happened in 400 years:] and he is ravaged with guilt and pain. His heartmate Lahsin who was married off to someone else when she was 14 has been brutalized by her husband, something Tinne does not find out until she runs reaches an age where she can repudiate the marriage and runs away. He finds her hiding in First Grove and tries to help; not as a heartmate but as a friend. The actual story between them is about growing into the person you need to be and about hope and family love and friendships.

Although both have fam animals [eventually:], the two residences they are dealing with are the true supporting actors in this story. Lahsin describes the Balm-Heal residence is a 'crochety, old, g'uncle of a place' and Tinne's Turquoise House is a young house with all the insecurities of the young looking to find their way...

One of the strengths of Robin Owens' writing is her believable world-building. She has crafted a fascinating, self-consistent world that she draws the reader into - background information always appears when needed and is never presented out of context. The characters have depth and you see their world, and their stories through their eyes.

Do not read the series out of order...

Celta Heart Mates series
1. Heart Mate (2001)
2. Heart Thief (2003)
3. Heart Duel (2004)
4. Heart Choice (2005)
5. Heart Quest (2006)
6. Heart Dance (2007)
7. Heart Fate (2008)
8. Heart Change (2009)

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will definitely pull at your heart strings. Both Lahsin and Tinne have been through the ringer.

Lahsin married off to a very cruel man at 14, now just 3 years later she has the opportunity to repute that marriage and run like hell. She finds a safe place where she can lick her wounds, a place that is hurt just as bad as she is. She even finds a reluctant companion that is in the same situation.

Tinne's life has been one bad thing after another the last few years. Knowing his heart mate was married he married another. They were happy until things went bad and she wants a divorce, something not done. The process is one that strips him bare leaving him raw. It is then he learns the fate of his heart mate and searches her out.

The next part of the book is very sweet. Tinne knows that he has to be very careful of Lahsin, as he learns more and more of her past his guilt grows, but he does what he can to ease her and himself. Finally free and on her own, Lahsin starts to become the person she is meant to be with Tinne's help.

Since Tinne has been hiding the truth, that he is her heart mate, you just know that info will come out at a bad time and boy did it. Lashin learns after a big trauma and it rocks her.

The aftermath is so sad. Tinne doesn't want to force their heart bond and leaves the decision to Lashin and her head is screwed up. The ending is one that is great, just what both of them needed.

On a side note, the Turquoise House was so funny! I wish that we had houses like these Residences.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish there was consistent world building.

Many things I have questions about. Why does it matter if Lahsin was still married to T'Yew or not? Why is the punishment worse if they're still married, if the crime is the exact same? They really should have forced the issue on investigating Yew Residence, since it's obvious a LOT of laws had been broken. How can Taxa see the Heartbond when no one has ever had that ability before (except T'Willow)? Why is it ok to marry off a kid at 14, but then they can repudiate the marriage at 17 when they are "an adult?" Doesn't that clearly say that you are marrying off a child? How is that legal? What about that whole "treasuring kids because they are so few" thing? And with lifespans of 200 years, why are people getting married so early? Sex isn't taboo in this culture, yet Genista was villified as a slut? The punishment for accidental death is to "live with the emotional hurt of the act," but the Holly family is always having death duels while experiencing Passage and never seem to face any kind of justice. For that matter, I'm pretty sure T'Ash killed several people and there are never any trials.

In some ways I enjoy the series, but the poor worldbuilding is really getting noticeable as I re-read them so close together.

[Shwanda Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

So no one is going to say anything about the fact that this girl is still just a baby. I don't care how far in the future it is or how different the culture may be. Shes still a child in a grown woman situation and you put her with a grown man, two actually. This book is all about the abuse of a girl child and unfortunately i think having her acknowledge her heartmante at 17 is still abuse.
I think I get what the author was trying to do with the story but the heroine was so young I couldn't reconcile it my heart. If she remained friends with her heartmante for several years as she grew and matured I would have had more respect for the author's choices. In this instance I just can't condone it even for the sake of fiction. Too many people think it's okay for grown men to be with children and it not, ever. No one in their community fought against her being married off. Everyone "knew" she was being abused but in this ultra aware society no one did anything, I call BS on this one. I'm giving it a three star instead of two because although I didn't agree with this storyline, it was well written, there just wasn't enough growth for me.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 1 out of 5]

When the hero finds out that his heartmate isn't only 14 but already married, in this grief, he turns to another woman and they marry. He did love his wife but after the loss of a child, they file for divorce. Now the heroine has escaped her abusive and pedophile husband and found a secret oasis garden to live. The hero tracks her down and begins to teach her self defense so she'd never be a victim again.

This book doesn't have the spark that the others in the series do. For the entire book, the hero is grieving over the loss of his marriage. Even when he's with the heroine, they have zero chemistry. I understand that the heroine is skittish from her abuse but it doesn't really make a lot of sense for the author to pen her so traumatized that there is little to no romance in a romance novel. The whole book is weighted down explaining all the many and complex customs of their world and I swear if I heard one more 'merry' this or 'merry' that I was going to scream!

[Elke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder what life would be like on a different planet?
Robin Owens give a very fun and exciting glimpse of what this would be like. She brings our most beloved animals with us. And a few that just make ya laugh.
I do suggest that you start at the beginning of the series, just to help with the explanation of her (different) unique items/object and things that she talks of.
HeartMate, Heart Thief, Heart Duel, Heart Choice,Heart Quest, Heart Dance, Heart Fate, Heart Change, Heart Journey, Heart Search, Heart Secret and Heart Fortune.
Hearts & Swords is a collection of stories, sprinkled throughout that timeline, but should be read at least after Heart Fate, I think.
Hope you enjoy as much as I do,

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 10/11/09: This was the first HeartMates book I ever read. I wanted to do a re-read to see if it held up as well as I remember. It did.

I'd have to say this is probably my favorite of the series to date. I love that both characters have suffered greatly and aren't ready to jump into anything. The both need time to mend and heal. Seeing their relationship grow is beautiful and lovely.

If you're looking for a sweet romance, I'd highly recommend this one.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5; 5 stars; A

I just re-read this book before catching up on the rest of the series.
I think this one is my favorite of the series. It really focuses on Lashin and Tinne's recovery from their painful pasts. The character of the sentient residence, Balmheal, was priceless, as was Lashin's famdog.

My favorite character of the series is the Turquoise House (TQ) and this book features a fair bit of time with TQ. It was great.

[Aurian Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this is the best book in the series so far, I absolutely loved it.
When she was 14, her parents sold her as wife to T’Yew. He promised he would not use her as his wife yet, but he lied. He and his daughter and even the Yew Residence like nothing better than to hurt Lahsin, humiliate her, abuse her. Her parents don’t care about that, only about the gilt T’Yew pays them. They know she will have great Flair after her second passage, which will occur round her 17th birthday, and they plan to use that for their own advantage. But when that time comes, Lahsin will also have come of age, be an adult, and she will be able to repudiate her underage marriage. But first, she will have to escape Yew Residence, and find a safe place to live. The Residence tries to stop Lahsin, but her Flair is for Spellshields, and she just blows all of them with a surge of her Flair.
She is running away, into Noble territory, when a guard stops her. He wants to escort her back to her Residence, but when he notices how panicked and bruised she is, he tells her of First Grove, the legendary First Healing Grove of the Colonists, lost for the whole city, but for those desperate for help. Lahsin doesn’t really believe him, but she is too late already to leave the city, winter is upon them, so she goes to the corner of the city he indicated. Guards are already searching for her, when she finds its walls. They are talking of a feral beast living in the vicinity, and are not really willing to search very closely. And to her happiness, Lahsin finds the door to the garden, and is admitted.
But she also finds the feral dog, a wounded wolfhound, inside. While she is taking a bath in the Healing Pool, he finds her sack, and the meagre provisions she was able to take with her, and eats them all. She can’t fight him, and as he is sentient, they strike a truce. Not of friendship, and he certainly does not want to be her Fam, but they will not attack each other.
After living in a garden shed for a few nights, barely escaping getting caught when she ventures outside in the streets to buy some much needed food, Lahsin decides to find the Residence that has to be on the Estate as well. But the Residence sounds like a grumpy old man, and doesn’t want them inside. So it takes some upkeeping and bargaining from Lahsin to gain access indoors, and to the food stored in its no-times.

In the meanwhile, Tinne Holly gets the shock of his life. His wife, Genista, wants a divorce. Something that has never been done in a noble family before. After losing their unborn child, due to the broken Vows by T’Holly and D’Holly, they also lost their connection, their love for eachother. Even though Tinne wants to fight for it, Genista does not, she wants out. She doesn’t just want to live apart, she needs to be free of the Hollies. She has taken 7 severe psychological and physical tests to prove their marriage is truly over. And she asks Tinne to do the same thing. And he should also think of his HeartMate, who will soon be going through her Second Passage. Genista does not want to be around when that happens, as Tinne will for sure be drawn into it. They married after Tinne found out his own HeartMate was married to some one else already.
Wounded to his core, and suffering his old nightmares again, Tinne goes through the testing, and their divorce is a fact. A new scandal the Holly family will have to withstand together. But Tinne needs to be alone for a while, so he moves into the Turquoise House, a new House that is becoming a sentient Residence on its own. But when he finds out his HeartMate is missing, he sets out to find her. He is not ready yet for a HeartMate, for love, he has to grieve first. But he also needs to help her, keep her safe. After T’Blackthorn has told him where he encountered her, where he let her go free, he quickly finds her trace.
Lahsin is afraid of Tinne at first, but he is as weary and soul wounded as she is, otherwise the Grove had never admitted him. Tinne is careful around Lahsin not to frighten her, but he gets very angry when he sees the bruises on her wrists. He has to control himself not to react, but he really wants to hurt T’Yew. He offers to teach her self defence, in exchange for some of her healing balms. It takes a lof of Lahsin to voluntarily have a male touch her, but she wants those lessons. And Tinne doesn’t seem personally interested in her, and she senses no treats from him. And so, slowly, they become friends. After his daily work at the Green Man, the Hollies fighting salon, Tinne visits the Healing Pools and teaches Lahsin what she needs to now. He is not ready for more, and neither is she. But he is there for her when she goes through her Second Passage and finds her own Flair, which is so much more powerful than before that. She is an adult now, free of T”Yew if she wants to. And there is nothing he can do to prevent that. If only she can stay out of his hands.


As I said before, the best book in the series sofar. I truly loved it that they became friends before they became lovers. After all, she is only just 17, and has been abused for the past 3 years. Tinne is 23. Lahsin is totally not interested in another man, a lover, let alone a HeartMate. She is getting used to her freedom, and the company of the dog. She is fully capable of taking care of her self, and the Residence, who is slowly warming up to her. But it knows Lahsin will not stay long, and it will be lonely again after.
And then Tinne. Ofcourse he has played a role in all the previous books so I knew a lot about him already. It was a big blow that Genista wanted a divorce. So he needed to heal as well, before he could want to claim his HeartMate. This second chance at love for the both of them was just so sweetly and well written. Two wounded souls, becoming friends, getting to know each other without any pressure. Of course it is forbidden to the men to tell their women they are HeartMates. The woman has to have a free choice in the relationship. But being HeartMates ensures they fit together, there is attraction between them, an even amount of Flair.
Tinne was totally not dominant in this book, but supportive. Of course healing himself as well, and very patient, especially in the end. I really fell for him.

Loved everything about this book. Meeting the previous characters again is always a delight, as were the scenes with the Turquoise House. It is trying to find a voice for itself, and is auditioning actors for that purpose.
I liked the feral wolfhound, and how it slowly learns to trust and love Lahsin. And yes, he does become her Familiar later on.
The slow pace of the relationship really worked for me. Yes, I cried for the both of them.

10 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com

[Tamye Whitener · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully woven tapestry of pain, growth, healing, and love.

Heart Fate is one of those books you hate for it to end. The characters pull you in and make you love them. Well, not the bad guys, but even they have depth. You can't help but fall in love with the Turquoise House, becoming a residence, also know as TQ, or feel sorry for the cranky, old man, BalmHeal Residence. The world building is phenomenal. And the writing's so smooth it easily carries you along.

Tinne Holly and Lahsin Yew both are on a journey of growth, healing, and discovery that will in turns make you smile, tug at your heart, and make you cry. One you won't want to miss.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a bit of the paranormal with their romance. I look forward to reading more in this series.

While this book stands well by itself fine, I would recommend you start with the first book in the series, HeartMate, and go from there. It will give you more understanding of the other supporting characters, and how the world and populus of Celta has evolved.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread.
There are several things that I did not enjoy about this story. First off was the age of the girl and the second was the stupid TQ house. That house had more air time than I wanted and some of it felt like filler and I guess, was meant to be funny, but, for me, fell flat. I would have preferred the girl to be older than 17 and a few less pages on the house. But, other than that, I did really enjoy the story and how it wrapped up a few loose ends. Also that it explained a few things that had just been sort of brushed by, like the Passage of Flair. That was, at least to me, something worth reading. But, then again, this is book #7, so, I must like the series.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celta's Heartmates #7
The world building continues to delight my senses, while the narration continues to irritate them. Tinne Holly has been one of my favorite characters from the first, so I was ecstatic when I realized that this book would finally set everything to rights for him and his heartmate. I only wish that the ending hadn't been so abrupt. I suppose I should've expected it, most of the books end far before I want them to, but this one barely hit the good before it ended. Enjoy!

Read:
October 13-14, 2020 – Audible Plus

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair, I wasn't super interested in reading this book as it has a relationship between a 17yr old and someone 10 years her senior. I am not into age gap romances and especially ones that involve minors...but I wanted to continue reading the series and felt it necessary to read this one. Of course, it is fiction and fantasy, blah blah blah, but I wasn't impressed with the story either. I really wanted to enjoy the FL growing and healing from her trauma but I felt that the climax of the book was underwhelming. I have higher hopes for the next installment.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited forever for Tinne’s story, and this one was a bit of a shock. Both Tinne and Lahsin have suffered (in different ways of course), and although their story has a happy ending, they had to go through quite a bit of healing to get there.
There are some events that some people might have issues with in this book, including rape (minor throwback memories) and abusive behavior.
It was a good addition to the Celta series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy going back to Celta and finding out who know who's heartmate.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and most emotionally wrenching books. Tears were in my eyes at the end.

[Jsmh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite in the series so far!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that one was different although I didn't cry as much with this one as I have the others lol

[HatGirl8]

5/10/2010 Reread 1/14/19

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lahsin, seventeen, is about to come into her adult “Flair” – psychic power – and she’s proving to be very strong. As an adult, she can now repudiate her marriage to her monstrous husband, Grandsir T’Yew. He has sexually abused and tortured her since she was fourteen and during that time her family did nothing to save her from his twisted passions. Alone and afraid, but hopeful for the first time in years, Lahsin escapes from her estate, using her Flair to destroy all the shields and protections around it, and finds refuge in FirstGrove, a hidden, healing place that only opens its doors to the truly desperate. There she meets her HeartMate (unbeknownst to her), Tinne Holly, who has just been divorced from his wife – a terrible ordeal, which has left him wounded and hurting. Neither is ready for another relationship, but they become friends and help one another to heal. Tinne teaches Lahsin to defend herself and Lahsin comes to know a more tender kind of love through his gentle administrations.

I’m open to being amused by romances, which is usually as far as I get (mildly entertained appreciation). Most often, I find myself holding back because so many aren’t that well-written. They’re formulaic, calculated, calculating – and I don’t like being manipulated. I was honestly engaged with this particular romance, however. Robin D. Owens has created an actual world/place/setting that stands on its own, with characters who can think about more than what they’re going to do to one another in the bedroom – there’s not even any actual sex until the end! (This is shocking only because the last 3 romances I read I was clobbered over the head by at least one of the characters libido within pages of their beginnings). While I was initially skeptical about the concept of Flair, it grew on me, and eventually I took it seriously. This is the third book in this series; the others are Heart Dance and Heart Quest. One of the reasons I liked it so much was that it was willing to tell a story, more concerned with telling that story well than with getting the characters naked and between the sheets. This entry stands alone well, both as a title in a series, and as a fantasy novel. The romance, while lovely, is incidental. Bravo, Robin D. Owens!

[Lynda Warnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Fate is Book 7 in the Celta’s HeartMates series but it is the first one I have read. I was a little worried I would be lost since it is so far into the series but I needn’t have. I was able to pick up the book and feel comfortable in the story from the first chapter – and a powerful first chapter it was and from then on it was a magical ride of trust, love and power.

Lahsin was married to a much older man when she was just a child because he knew that she would become powerful and he wanted that power for himself. Cruel, treating her like an animal only good for one thing, she ran away once she started her Second Passage – or the passing into the adult phase of her life when her power would fully present itself. She had to get away, hide where he couldn’t find her, couldn't drag her back, and she found it in a secret enchanted garden.

Tinne Holly was hurting, badly, having lost everything he thought he loved, his honor besmirched -- he just wanted to get away from his family and his life. It was because of this pain that he found the same secret garden as Lahsin and came face to face with this HeartMate. Forbidden to reveal what he was to her, he set out to help her learn to protect herself. But danger was always lurking around the corner and it would only be a matter of time before it knocked on their door.

I enjoyed this book so much that I ordered the rest of the series so I could start it from the beginning. Ms. Owens has an amazing talent in world and character building and the depth of both is marvelous. The plot is complex and holds your interest every step of the way, and I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series to catch up. Heart Fate holds the key to the empty place in your heart and on your bookshelf.