Can love survive a dark heart?Rome, 235 A.D.A series of ritual murders of young boys recalls memories of Rome’s most wicked emperor. Magistrate Marcus Cornelius Drusus has discovered the cult extends to the very heart of Roman society.Despite his personal wealth and authority, Marcus is a slave to his past – conflicted by his status as an adopted son, bitterly betrayed by his wife and forced to … by his wife and forced to give up his child.
Kyna knows all about betrayal. Sold into slavery by her husband to pay a gambling debt, she found herself in Rome, far from her home in Britannia. Bought by a doctor, she is taught his trade and is about to gain her freedom when her mentor is murdered by the cult.
When the same group makes an attempt on her life, Kyna is forced to give up her freedom and accept Marcus’ protection. With no one to trust but each other, mutual attraction ignites into passion.But how far will Marcus go for vengeance when he learns the cult’s next victim is his son?
Can the woman who is free in her heart heal the man who is a slave in his?
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I grew up on epics set in ancient Rome and have never lost my affection for them. However, I’ve been disappointed more than once in recent years. Dark Heart did not disappoint. This is a good one folks.
Marcus, the hero—smart, strong, and honorable—is complex enough to be interesting. tortured enough to draw you in, and generous enough to love. Kyna, the heroine—stubborn, determined, and loyal—has her own internal battles to fight. Both are appealing and easy to root for.
The villains are heinous, the action is vivid, the plot is appropriate to the era and utterly believable, and the resolution satisfying. What more can a reader want?
There are some religious elements in the story. They are handled with a light touch and are also appropriate to the era. They enrich the story.
Highly Recommended.
Well researched and realistic. Captures both place and time and firmly placed me in this period of the Roman Empire. Great story-telling.
Bad language
Great story!
Interesting murder mystery interspersed with a romance. Story had potential but I had two problems: the protagonists come from very disparate backgrounds; the social divide between them is too wide for the casual way the author treats the obstacles in the way of them being together. Also, it didn’t take long for me to figure out who the villain was, which isn’t good because I usually can’t figure mysteries out until the very end. Other than those two problems, the story is entertaining and kept me interested till the end.
The characters as well as the plot we’re well developed. Like the storyline. Did not expect what happened to occur and still did not answer all my questions. Left me wanting more.
You will need a strong stomach for this one. There is murder, abuse, mystery, and growing affection. It begins with the ritualistic murder of a child in Germania, continues with an investigation of the murder of a medicus in Rome by a magistrate, and follows to Capri where a female medicae (whom the magistrate befriends) finds herself and the magistrate in deep trouble. Hang on! There is a happy ending.
The reason I don’t give this book five stars is because the Christian element felt like an after thought at times and was an inconsistent motivator throughout the story. That said, it was a novel story with real historical feeling that I enjoyed reading!
Strong heroine despite being in a subservient position. Danger and action, a mystery, betrayal, courage. Enjoyed the book!
Dark Heart is a real page-turner. Set in Rome in the early days (around the time of Nero etc) I found this book to be quite realistic and well written. Lots of twists and turns!
Set in 235 A.D. Rome. A pagan cult has begun sacrificing young boys; the leaders are from all walks of Roman elites. Marcus is a Magistrate (sheriff/judge) looking to identify the leaders. He does not know who he can trust, even his best friends or those in authority over him could be in the cult. Kyna is a slave girl who has been trained by her master in the arts of healing. They are Christians and find their group is watched by Romans because they do not follow pagan ways. Marcus & Kyna meet when he investigates the murder of her master. Great story with some twists and turns.
It’s very slow moving. Hard to read as it didn’t excite me.
I so love this book!
i couldnt get into it sorry
Would love to read more books like this one.