Secrets of the Heart (Volume 1) (The Ravensmoore Chronicles) Paperback – May 3, 2011

Madaline Whittington faces demons of the heart. After losing her father to what she believes to be a medical error, and siblings to small pox, her opinion of anyone associated with the medical field is anything but flattering. But God has a sense of humor. Or, is it more accurate to state God is the healer of all things-broken hearts, sick bodies, and mental confusion? These are the lessons that only the future Dr. Grayson, aka Earl of Ravensmoore, can teach Madaline. When Madeline requires the skills of a doctor following an accident, it is medical student and aspiring doctor Devlin Grayson to the rescue. However, she initially panics when she recognizes him, and her perception that he is the one responsible for her father's death dominates her feelings for him. As fate would have it, their paths continually cross, causing much conflict between her anger and a growing desire for the Earl.Devlin, on the other hand, is determined to sacrifice any social elevation to become a servant instead of remaining royalty status only. When his affection for- and future with-Madeline is challenged by her disregard for his vocation, he leaves medical school to contemplate what he really wants in his future.More than a love story, Secrets of the Heart exposes the raw emotions of those hurting, and asks the reader to look for a deeper meaning to the seemingly obvious physical or emotional state of others. Bitterness is not a superficial emotion that can be conquered using mind over matter intellect. In the same manner, we all grieve differently. Where it looks as if one has moved on too quickly, it may appear another wallows in the darkness of loss. Yet, how can one truly minister on an individual level if we categorize each other and demand everyone act and react in virtually the same manner? On a much deeper level of conscience lies the decision to disregard those mentally ill. But one has to determine what true mental illness is and what is depression, oppression, grief, or some other misunderstood but natural human emotion. Thankfully, we see in our generation a stronger compassion for those battling issues with the mind, and a greater understanding will breed healing without having to take the extreme measure of committing a loved one. How can loneliness or abuse ever help bring restoration?Written with compassion and great sympathy for the subject matter, Kent has written a novel to savor. I could have finished much quicker than the few days it took, but I just couldn't bear seeing the end coming. It is very rare that I find a book that I try to make last, like one would a box of fine chocolate. Kent used the Regency prose perfectly. For those that think this type of writing happens naturally, only in cases like Secrets of the Heart. Too many times, I closed a novel prematurely because it was overwhelming with the intentions of being regent and Jane Austin-like, and the author couldn't pull it off. Kent delivers an authentic tale of ladies and gentlemen, love and war, good and bad, and God's mercy in a beautifully packaged novel.Some readers will indulge and have the novel read in a day. It is that good. If you can restrain, you can make the experience last and savor it in many sittings. It all depends on how well you can refrain. Otherwise, you will have to wait until 2012 when Book Two, Chameleon, is released.

This started out very strong--good characters, good dialog, riveting plot....It is a Christian themed romace-adventure--a leitmotif of faith themes, heavy on drama. Towards the end the villain becomes gothically evil. A theme of the book is sanity and insanity. The heroine is rather overwrought (in all senses of the word), wallowing in her grief at the losses of her family members. No one else knows the grief she has seen, except she is quick to tell them of it, and to judge them harshly if they are not also grieving approppriately. By the end of the book she suffers some gothic horrors (in an asylum for the insane) and decides, apparently, there are more serious causes of grief than yearning for the return of deceased loved ones. After a very dramatic denoument, the villains turn on each other and the arch villain succmbs to his just demise. En route, there are described some of the most gruesome portraits of depravity and violence this side of the Book of Revelations.The romance is soft-peddled, the violence and depravity not so much. If you are prone to nightmares, this is not for you. At the back of the work is a preview of the sequel, and given the violence introduced in that sample, I don't think I'll be purchasing this pricey sequel. As a happily ever after romance I give Secrets of the Heart 2 stars. For its writing ir merits 5, hence it rates 3.5. But since it is uncommonly free of the usual typos and editing defects, I bumped it up to 4 stars.

This book was AWESOME! The characters were drawn with such care and insight that their motives and reactions just seemed completely natural and realistic. The challenges and setbacks that the focal characters faced were met with such courage and honesty that it just made me feel that I'd hope to have reacted in much the same ways. She completely closed each the story's threads so that I felt that each character, good or evil, was dealt with clearly and fairly. I'll be glad to read any of her other efforts with real anticipation.

This book was a page turner right from the beginning. Set in the early 1800's, a Regency romance with plenty of twists and turns of suspence. Corrupt men ran an asylum for the insane, that catered to men that just wanted to get rid of their wives. Their lives there were despicable in that dark place. A smallpox epidemic took many lives. Then there were the doctors, one being a student--Lord Ravensmoore who went there for Lady Madeline and found his mother that he thought long dead rife with smallpox. It ends happily, but it takes a while to get there. This story grabs you and takes you for a ride--one you won't forget anytime soon.

I found it enjoyable and a bit compelling. There were good twists and it kept my interest. I found the writing style to be a bit -disjointed? The writing didn't flow, was not poetic or "beautiful." Ms. Kent did write a very nice book and I found the historical fiction to be pretty well done. Somehow, I just wish the writing style had been a bit better. I would recommend the book, it just wouldn't be a favorite.

I read this book as a "favor" to a friend. This is not generally the kind of genre I read but I thought I'd take a chance. Boy, was I surprised! I may have to read more like this. It was good from start to finish and kept me interested all the way..I really loved it! Great characters, great setting, great storyline. Thanks!