Heart of a Lion

by Hillary Fields

She has once been a beautful noblewoman called lady Isabeau, betrothed at birth to the handsome squire Jared de Navarre. But all that changed when the Crusades began, and Isabeau was abducted,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312979177
• ISBN13: 9780312979171
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Just what I want from a romance

Having read other reviews of this book, I'm surprised to find anyone wants anything out of a romance except a fun read, but I can't complain as the author produced another interesting, well-researched and entertaining romance. It was well written, but it is still a "bodice-ripper" so don't expect it to teach us any lessons or values! Read it for what it is supposed to be, a ribald, sometimes funny, romantic story that takes place in a different time and place, and gives most of us something we don't have everyday.

"...Don't Miss This Fascinating Novel!"

Reviewed by: Romance Reviews TodayP>Eight-year-old Isabeau de Lyon simply had to go into town to see the boy who was allegedly a saint. Her betrothed, sixteen-year-old Jared de Navarre would not allow it, since he had been entrusted by Isabeau's parents to watch over her. No pouting, crying, tantrums or other childlike behavior from the coddled beauty would change his mind. Naturally, that left no option but to escape into town, and Isabeau managed that on her own, never fathoming, in her little girl's mind, that she would be assaulted, injured and abducted from her luxurious home and loving family, never to return.<p>Jared vowed to find Isabeau or die trying, and years of following empty leads eventually deposits him in Persia, where he becomes a famous and ruthless mercenary dubbed the Black Lion. His adolescent dream of finding Isabeau and going back to the life he was supposed to lead died early on, although in the far corners of his mind he has never stopped searching for the Isabeau of the golden locks and bright blue eyes.<p>Many years later, Jared is asked to meet with a dangerous adversary who has a mission for Jared and his renegade group. The adversary is a mysterious desert warrior, the only one with perhaps a more dangerous reputation than his own. Jared has no idea that Isabeau survived her abduction years earlier, so it never occurs to him that she and his new employer are one and the same. All he knows is that the "Assassin" has bright blue eyes and an almost paranoid penchant for privacy.<p>Isabeau cannot believe her eyes when she realizes the Black Lion is her betrothed from another lifetime. Still, she needs his assistance to help her accomplish her goals, so she cloaks herself in even greater secrecy than normal in an attempt to hide her true identity from the man she has never forgotten, or forgiven, for not saving her those many years ago. Besides her anger, though, Isabeau feels vulnerable and exposed in front of Jared, believing that if she reveals herself to him he will never be able to move past what she has had to do in order to survive.<p>HEART OF A LION is a powerfully written, intelligently crafted romance with high intrigue and riveting suspense. Isabeau is the perfect heroine; strong and intelligent. She is a woman way beyond her time, who not only has survived the atrocities committed against her, but risen above them and triumphed like a true heroine. I love strong and independent women in historical romances, and Isabeau ranks right up there with the best of them.<p>This story is filled with all the elements of a good book, and then some. Interesting characters, beautifully depicted scenes of life in Persia in the 13th century, true blue romance in the face of what appears to be insurmountable odds -- this is just some of what you'll find in HEART OF A LION. Ms. Fields's talent is very apparent in this magnificent tale -- don't miss this fascinating novel!<p>Astrid Kinn, Reviewer for Romance Reviews Today

Reader-to-Reader Reviews says, "Totally Engrossing!"

As a child, Isabeau de Lyon was betrothed to Jared de Navarre but was swept away in a crowd and sold into slavery in the Middle East. She endured life in a harem and eventually escaped, claiming a new identity, that of a feared assassin called Shadow Hunter.Jared searched for his lady even when his search led him to the Middle East. Not finding her, he becomes the fierce mercenary known as the Black Lion.When Isabeau needs the Black Lion's help to steal a jewel from her enemy and former owner, she instantly recognizes him as her betrothed Jared. At first she keeps him in the dark as to her identity, fearing his rejection of the woman she has become, but along the way to Bagdad she reveals herself and the passion starts.Totally engrossing! Sizzling hot! Totally transported to the Middle East, this reader felt like I was a part of the desert and was kept sitting in the edge of my seat through the wonderfully written intrigue. The vivid descriptions and wonderfully seductive and vibrant characters will keep you engrossed throughout the book. A book I highly recommend.

A great medieval romance

In 1212, teenager Jared de Navarre is expected keep his preadolescent betrothed Isabeau de Lyon safe, but she sneaks away to watch the Children's Crusade. Somehow Isabeau becomes part of the marchers and vanishes. Feeling guilty for failing at his mission, Jared vows to find Isabeau and bring her home. However, she is sold into slavery in the Middle East and he fails to rescue her. Years go by and though Jared still sort of seeks out Isabeau he believes she is dead. He has hardened his heart and become the notorious mercenary The Black Lion, willing to do anything for cash. An assassin guild member, the Shadow Hunter, knows of his reputation and hires Jared to steal a jewel from a rival. Neither the Black Lion nor the Shadow Hunter realizes that the identity of the other is their betrothed. Both have done ugly things to mentally survive, but a wall of shame makes a permanent relationship between them seems more impossible than the first meeting between them after all those years. HEART OF A LION is a strong medieval romance that mostly occurs in the Middle East, which enables the plot to feel quite invigorating in spite of the desert heat. The action-packed story line hooks sub-genre fans because both lead characters obtain empathy from the audience due to their respective plights. Hillary Fields provides an intense historical romance that will surely garner her many new readers.Harriet Klausner

Romantic Times December Top Pick!!!

"When eight-year-old Isabeau de Lyon runs off to watch the Children's Crusade pass by, she is caught up in the crowd and swept away. Sixteen-year-old Jared de Navarre vows to bring her home. His search lasts years and leads him to the Middle East, where he becomes the fierce mercenary known as the Black Lion.Isabeau has been taken and sold into slavery. She survives the life she is forced to lead, eventually escaping the harem and claiming a new idnetity, that of the feared assassin called Shadow Hunter.The Black Lion's reputation for taking chances makes him ideal for Isabeau's plot to steal a jewel from her nemesis. When she discovers that the mercenary is none other than her childhood protector, neither can guess what will happen as they meet as man and woman in this passionate game.Hillary Fields takes her place as a true queen of romantic adventure. Readers will be transported to the desert and drawn into the wonderful web of intrigue. In this seductive tale, Ms. Fields creates vivid descriptions and vibrant characters that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end."