Heart Search by Robin Owens – a Review

Heart Search by Robin D. Owens is the 10^th book in her Celta series. This book belongs to Laev T’Hawthorn and Camiella Darjeeling, who have spent years not accepting the bond of Heartmates, that they were to each other.  Instead, both were victims to the bad people that have effected their lives. 

In Laev’s case, he made a mistake many years ago, when he was only 17 years old,  by choosing a woman, whom he desired sexually.  But she was not his true heartmate.  His wife was a vicious woman, who only wanted Laev for his money and class, as she stole from him all these years.  Nivea, Laev’s wife died a few years ago to a sickness that effected many people in Celta.  Laev has closed his heart to finding who his true heartmate is, as he cannot forgive himself for his past mistake, and hides his shame.  Laev allows himself to care about his family and close friends, and is thrilled to now have a new Fam cat.  We meet Brazos, and he is just what Laev needs to open his heart a bit, even if he blinds himself to any other possibilities.  Laev’s is determined to find all the stolen jewels/articfacts that Nivea had stolen from him, and hires a private investigator to find them.

Camellia on the other hand, has known all these years who her heartmate was.  But since he was married to another woman, she bespelled herself to never think of him.  Camellia has devoted her time to open two restaurants, as that is how we meet her, at her second successful opening of her tea shop.  Camellia is a strong heroine, and maintains her independence.  You can’t help but like Camellia from the start, and when she meets her Fam cat, Mica, it is so great to watch them together.  In case you have not read this series, the Fams, who are mostly cats in this series, can talk telepathically with their owners, some of which is hysterical.  I enjoyed Brazos, but loved Mica.  Robin Owens’ use of Fam pets, is so much fun in this series.

Back to Camiella.  She has no desire to look at Laev, now that he is free, since she has sworn off men, most of whom have hurt her.  Camiella’s father and uncle constantly steal her valuables, destroy things in her house, as well as hurt her.  They are bad people, or as Mica says “mean mean people”  Her brother is weak, and refuses to see that truth about his father or uncle, and is no help for Camiella.  On that note, I really did not care for the brother, because of his ignorance in helping his sister, who was always in danger.  Camiella always files complaints, but nothing is ever done. She then decides to step up her self defense training, and is sent to classes for men, so she would learn how to handle and fight off her father.  It is there that Camiella comes face to face with Laev, who still does not recognize her has his heartmate, and she is not about to tell him.  She tries to avoid him any way she can.  But as we knew would happen, the attraction begins to bring them together as friends & eventually as lovers.  This happens has Laev makes advances to Camiella, and she hints to him about their aroused sexual dreams.  Then he knows she is his lover in his dreams, and his heartmate.  Laev, who wants nothing to do with a heartmate, walks away.  But realizes he cannot get her out of his mind, and he then makes a proposition that they become lovers, with no commitments.  Camiella is happy with that, as she also wants Laev as a lover, and cannot allow herself to become dependent on any man, as she has been hurt too much in her past. 

Camiella’s friends, and Brazos and Mica help with little things to bring them together, as it is apparent to all of their love for one another. It took awhile, as Laev was a hard man to open up, but he realizes he loves Camiella, and now he must find a way to convince her to trust him.  Just when you thought nothing will bring them together again, Camiella’s life is in danger, and Laev must save her from sure death.  It was a very exciting ending, with suspense, violence, action, and a very wonderful conclusion to a great story.  Heart Search was a great romance, though intense at times, but overall had great characters, and I enjoyed it very much.

Reviewed by Barb