4/5 Review: Heart Legacy (Celta Series Book 14) by Robin D. Owens

After the death of GrandLord Yew years ago, the Yews withdrew to their self-sustaining estate and disappeared from Celtan society. The current head of the household is believed to be eighteen-year-old Loridana. To find out, Draeg Blackthorn has been sent to the estate to spy, undercover as a stableman for the stridebeasts—beautiful creatures that hold a place in Lori’s heart no member of her family ever could. 

 Bullied by her family, Lori has decided to abandon her bloodline and live on her own with her true family—her animals. When Draeg discovers she’s rejecting her heritage, he’s appalled. He’s come to love the land as much as the woman, even spinning small fantasies of marrying Lori and becoming Lord and Lady of the manor. Draeg wants her to stay and fight her elders. For Lori, it’s an alternative that could render her absolutely powerless to pursue her own destiny, and drive her further away from her perfect dreams and the man she loves, Draeg.

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This is the story of Loridana  and Draeg Blackthorne , his title as the head of the Yew household, even though no one acknowledges it. Her cousins with the help of the Residence have pushed her aside so that they cant continue to control the Yew Household. In this world of Celta those with great Flair sometimes have HeartMates, another individual they are destined for. It is the greatest gift to have such a mate but there are ancient and strict laws in the claiming of such a HeartMate. Lori and Draeg begin a sweet friendship that eventually becomes a passionate love affair. Loridana is the current head of the Yew household, even though no one acknowledges it. Loridana has been pushed aside and kept tightly contained year after year by her cousins who manage the estate with the help of the Residence. The only things she loves or who shows her love is her Famcat and Striderbeasts, that is until Draeg Blackthorne comes along.

This story is magical, the foundation of which is founded in what we now call paganism, but the magic goes beyond mere spells, they have mastered more complex abilities like transporting from place to place in the blink of an eye, etc. The reverence for nature is expressed in the family names, ie. Ash, Holly, etc. The Celtic background of the people is even evident in their greetings. This aspect makes the tale doubly delicious as it will appeal to both lovers of fantasy and futuristic romance. Much room has been left for sequels which will no doubt involve cats as well as dynamic heroes and independent heroines.


If you haven't read any of the Heart books, you must do so immediately. The world Ms. Owens has created is in a word, magical. While it is a series with a continuous thread, you would not be lost if you read them out of order. What impresses me most about the books is the characters are so real, their emotions and flaws are perfectly crafted. Both characters have problems to overcome in order to be able to form a lasting bond between them. While everyone has magic at their fingertips, they still must dig deep inside themselves and work through the things holding them back. Ms. Owens is a master craftsman and I will be waiting impatiently to see what she has in store for us next!