When a bookish codebreaker and a dashing spy are reunited in this steamy historical romance from the author of To Steal a Heart, their lives depend on their ability to resist temptation. But fate is a mistress who cannot be denied. . . England, 1815. In the war against France, Heloise Hampden is a high-value asset to the Crown. When she cracks the enemy’s most recent communication, French agents … communication, French agents are sent to silence her. But it’s the agent assigned to protect Heloise who poses the greatest threat to her heart: William de l’Isle, Viscount Ravenwood. Heloise has quarreled with the man they call Raven since childhood, yet always maintained a chaste distance. She’s sure nothing will change, thanks to the disfiguring scar on her face.
Nothing has changed. Raven still wonders how Hell-cat Hampden’s lithe body would feel pressed against his, but for the mission he must remind himself that the woman takes more pleasure in ancient languages than she does in seduction.
His imprisonment six years ago broke him in a way that makes the prospect of love impossible—he’s a shadowed Hades pining for sun-kissed Persephone. Still, his heart beats like mad whenever he’s within ten paces of Heloise, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if that means taking her to Spain as an unwilling hostage.
Protecting her from danger will be a challenge; protecting her from desire will be pure agony.
Praise for K. C. Bateman’s books:
“(To Steal A Heart) is rich with espionage and suspense. Multidimensional believable characters and fast-paced plotting propel the story to its moving conclusion.”— Publisher’s Weekly
“The writing and characterization are superb, the romance is hot, snarky and tender and the hero is delicious. I couldn’t ask for much more in an historical romance and I’m eagerly awaiting whatever Ms. Bateman comes up with next.” – All About Romance.
“Delicious, witty, and ripping good fun! Kate Bateman’s writing sparkles.” — USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke
“Dashing, daring, and deliciously romantic!” — USA Today bestselling author Caroline Linden
“Bateman’s scintillating first Bow Street Bachelors Regency is full of intense emotions and dramatic twists. Intelligent, affable characters make this fast-paced novel shine, especially for fans of clever women and the men who sincerely admire them. Future installments will be eagerly anticipated by Regency readers.” — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review for This Earl Of Mine)
“A riveting new voice for Regency readers! Kate Bateman is now on my auto-buy list.” — Janna MacGregor, author of The Good, the Bad, and the Duke
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Loved it! Steamy historical romance with an edge. Raven and Heloise generate a lot of heat. Loads of witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments! A keeper.K. C. Bateman A Raven’s Heart
A Raven’s Heart is a captivating regency romance story so well written by Kate Bateman. Raven and Heloise were wonderful characters, a spy vs a code breaker. Action, romance, passion, with great scenes. It had it all.!
Raven and Heloise won me over immediately upon their opening conversation! Their witty, supercharged, sometimes innuendo-loaded banter had me in stitches!! I can’t call it a true love/hate relationship. They were more…unrequited love with a heaping side of sarcastic wit, sharp intelligence, and a lot of humor! There was also quite a bit of emotional exposure from Ravenwood. Unlike the first book in this series, we got to see Raven’s side of things along with Heloise’s, giving a more even keel to matters at hand. The suspense piece was enjoyable, and holy Hades the chemistry was HAWT! Like there’s hot and then there’s five alarm fire-which Raven and Heloise definitely fall under!!
In case you missed it, I seriously loved this book!
AND-There’s an epilogue!! I greatly appreciated the closure to some aspects. Now to see if Kit has his own book!
Great characters, great story. Unpredictable with twists that keep you wondering. Very entertaining.
Fine story of protecting and surrendering love!
I found this book a real page turner romantic with wonder characters steamy but not to had a happily ever after ending I share it with anyone who likes romance books
07/30/2021 K. C. Bateman is one of my favorite writers and I was enchanted with “A Raven’s Heart” (nook). In fact, I was immediatley immersed in the story and found it difficult to put aside the book. Great read.
Dashing, daring, and deliciously romantic!
This was a fun romantic adventurous read. Throughly enjoyable read so well written it makes you want to read it non-stop.
Delicious, witty, and ripping good fun! Kate Bateman’s writing sparkles.
Exciting!
A romance.
Wow, what a scorcher! This book has everything–snappy dialogue, banter back and forth between Raven and Heloise and chemistry that sizzles. Right from the opening pages, I was drawn in to this story. The interactions between the two main characters was electric and, of course, I was rooting for them all through the book.
Ms. Bateman has done herself proud with the second book in her Secrets and Spies series. She is a master at teasing out a scene. Who knew a look could ravish one so completely? I adored Heloise’s fiery spirit. She was true to it to the end. And let’s talk about Raven–who doesn’t want to make love to the impossibly handsome spy. This book has everything–action, adventure and some hot off the page love scenes. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Bateman’s next book is about. Fans of regency romances will absolutely love this book. Highly recommended.
This story follows on from ‘To Steal a Heart’ but could be read as a stand-alone novel. Heloise Hampden is a high-value asset to the Crown as a code breaker. She’s cracked the enemy’s most recent communication, and now, someone is trying to kill her. However, it’s the agent assigned to protect Heloise who poses the greatest threat to her heart: William de l’Isle, Viscount Ravenwood, his estate borders Heloise’s fathers country estate & Raven has been best friend’s with her brothers Richard & Nic. All three work for Lord Castlereagh as spies. Heloise has quarrelled with the man they call Raven since childhood, yet always maintained a chaste distance. She’s sure nothing will change, thanks to the disfiguring scar on her face but she knows she can love no other
Raven still wonders how Hellcat Hampden’s lithe body would feel pressed against his, but for the mission he must remind himself that the woman takes more pleasure in ancient languages than she does in seduction. His imprisonment six years ago broke him in a way that makes the prospect of love impossible.
Raven & Heloise have loved each other for years but he thinks he’s not worthy of her & she thinks her facial scar means she’s unlovable. Everyone else realises how they feel about each other.
This is another very well paced story that I found hard to put down. The characters are very well portrayed. The story goes from Hampshire to Spain. Heloise is a delightful bluestocking who likes to wear French underwear. Raven tall, dark & gorgeous. The chemistry between the two smoulders until it ignites & then is so hot especially when Raven is handcuffed. I’m looking forward to the third story in the trilogy
I received an ARC copy
A Raven’s Heart is an outstanding historical romance by the talented K.C. Bateman. Ms. Bateman has delivered a well-written, smooth read. Heloise is a code breaker for the British Home Office. Raven is an operative assigned to keep her safe and her brother’s friend. Their story is packed with drama, action, steamy sex, humor and suspense. This story hooked me on the first page and held me captive until the end. I loved reading A Raven’s Heart and look forward to reading more from K.C. Bateman in the future. A Raven’s Heart is book 2 of the Secrets & Spies Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
Raven a dark mysterious spy who is actually part of nobility loves from afar Heloise his best friends sister. Heloise is a first rate code breaker, in love with Raven and in terrible danger. Raven is tasked to protect her at all cost. He now has to rescue a fellow spy and needs to take Heloise with him. The two experience adventures, trouble and love along the way. The trouble what will happen when they get back home. They both have hang ups to overcome. Can their love get there through?
Awesome historical romance. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great historical romance book. The author kept the story going & I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the entire book in one day.
A must read . A n intelligent woman, a beautiful tortured hero/spy. Life threatening adventures, some ghastly murders, and throw in some great gypsy advice. For those who care, sex eventually happens, but it is not the plot, nor is it offensive.
Tired plot where the historical time period did not make sense. The period was post Waterloo but the plot had British and French spies killing each other.
I loved the story. It was hard to put down. The characters were entertaining as well.