Heartless

by Kat Martin

Book Overview

A Shameless Bargain To escape her life of poverty as a tenant farmer's daughter, Ariel Summers made a bargain with the devil-she would become the Earl of Greville's mistress in exchange for the schooling and refinements of a lady. But she couldn't foresee the arl's untimely death, or her own disturbing attraction to his bastard son and heir, Justin Ross. A Cold-blooded Demand Justin never meant to demand payment from the tempting young woman his father...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312979444
• ISBN13: 9780312979447
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 325 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Kat Martin does it again! A great book!

It is great to see that Kat Martin has returned to her Regency Romance roots in her latest novel, Heartless. This genre is one that she excels in, and this new story is no exception. Readers who enjoy the time period of Regency England will love this story. Fans of Kat Martin's previous works will appreciate her writing and storytelling skills that are evident in this work. All in all, a win-win situation!Sharon Galligar Chance Times Record News

Kat Martin scores again!

When I read the a review on HEARTLESS, I thought, "Oh, oh! Another plot placed in England in the early 19th century that has been done to death." Wrong! It could easily have been just another story of a poor peasant girl meets and falls in love with the local Earl....except Ms. Martin doesn't write anything just like anyone else. The peasant girl, Ariel, made a bargain with the Earl of Greville if he would send her to school so she could learn both academics and the fine art of being a lady when not to the manor born. By the time she graduates, the elderly Earl has passed on and his son, the handsome but cold-hearted Justin Ross is ready to collect on the bargain that was cast between the previous Earl and Ariel. She on the other hand has already made plans to renege on the arrangement. So begins a wonderful story of two people at opposite ends of the caste system that meet on the common ground known as love. They don't arrive at it easily, but once they do, sparks fly in the special way Ms. Martin has of making romantic scenes come alive and leaving you more then a little breathless! Oh, and as a special bonus....I understand there's a sequel to look forward to involving Justins friend, the handsome but slightly mysterious Clayton and Ariels spirtited friend Kassandra. This will be quite a twosome and I'm eagerly awaiting RESTLESS!

Lost a lot of sleep! I could not stop reading!

Ariel Summers had a drunk father that delighted in beating her. So at age fourteen Ariel made a deal with Edmund Ross, Fourth Earl of Greville. Edmund was to send Ariel to a ladies school for an education. Upon graduating, she would become his mistress. Ariel never knew that Edmund died two years after the bargain was made. She graduated after four years of school. Being older and wiser, Ariel fully understood now the bargain she had made and hoped the Earl would allow her to pay her debt in a different way. She had recently met Phillip Marlin and dreamed of marrying him to become a real Lady. Justin Bedford Ross, Fifth Earl of Greville, never told Ariel of his father's death. Justin had been called to Edmund's sick bed and told about Ariel. There was no love between father and son. Justin's mother had been one of Edmund's mistresses. Sick and with no heir, Edmund had adopted his bastard son. Even though he loathed his father, Justin paid for Ariel's schooling until she graduated. He planned to meet her and help her decide her future. But when he found her kissing Phillip, his worst enemy, Justin's plans changed! ***** With Ariel between these two formidable men and Justin's evil half-sister also involved, things got hot quickly! I found the story so engrossing that I was startled whenever reality broke into my reading, such as the phone ringing. An excellent story with enjoyable characters that combine to make this book a winner! *****

Heart FULL of love & Values

This is my first of Kat Martin and certainly not the last. I am happy my sister introduced me to her. Because of the interesting back description, I didn't hesistate in reading this one even if I haven't heard of Kat Martin before. I was right, the book was one a kind. In the first chapter however, I thought I wouldn't like Ariel Summers. I thought she was too ambitious and too high flown but as the story progress, I ended up admiring her. I don't think I would have the courage to make such bargain. Justin was a bit too cold and too hard for me in the beginning too. I actually feared him especially after reading the part wherein his father called him to his deathbed. But then slowly, you'll get to know him. He appears cold yet inside, there is something burning waiting to set free. He is actually scared and insecure. Ariel helped loosen him up and melted that ice by offering him her warm heart. I liked the way Kat Martin touched my heart through her words & specially the ways statements was being said. Everything seems to be said & done at the right time and at the right moment. The misunderstanding & twist of this book is truly heart quenching. This is probably the only book that really made me cry for such a long time. I mean, I have been teary eyed in some books but this one actually made me sob. I cried for Ariel. I felt for her more probably because of her past, her being a farmer's daughter who worked hard to be a Lady. I don't want to ruin it for others so I'll just suggest you read the book and watch out for the chapter 15 to 18. The page 201 is my favorite. This part went to show that a person can be worth more IF he/she chooses to be. No amount of money or title or even high powered education can belittle someone who value oneself. Selfpride and Selfworth cannot be taught, it comes from within. Absolutely wonderful. This book is certainly not heartless but full of it and more. A MUST READ!

A very enjoyable Regency romance

In 1880 England, Ariel Summers, the farmer's daughter, dreams of being a lady. However, she realizes that all she has to look forward to is endless days toiling and giving birth to little farmers and little Ariels. Desperate, she offers herself as a mistress to the Earl of Greville. In return, he teaches her how to comport herself as a lady.However, in 1802 before they can complete the bargain, the Earl dies with his legitimized son from the wrong side of the sheets, Justin Ross inheriting the title and estate. As a matter of honor, Justin plans to finish his father's deal without making Ariel his mistress. She also hopes to complete the transformation without becoming Justin's mistress. However, neither one expects the attraction and allure that quickly turns to love because neither one trusts the other.HEARTLESS is an enjoyable Regency romance filled with heart because of the strong lead characters that break out of the sub-genre's stereotyping. The story line is crisp with some suspense, but the villain is flat and never strikes fear in the heart of the audience. Still Kat Martin's latest historical shows why she is an award-winning author as the key protagonists turn this into an enticingly powerful reading experience.Harriet Klausner