Review: The Heart of the Phoenix by Barbara Bettis

Memories Lady Evelynn’s childhood hero is home—bitter, hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers friendship, but Sir Stephen’s cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another.

Can be Cruel Sir Stephen lives a double life while he seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite.

And deadly When his drive for vengeance leads to Evie’s kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied too long. Surely King John will see reason. Convict the murderers; convince the king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything.

Series:
Release Date: September 3rd 2014
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Manic Readers
Reviewer: Michelle
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

This book keeps you glued to the pages. The plot is filled with drama, action, intrigue, and romance. I couldn’t put it down.

Lady Evelynn of Chauvere has longed to be with Sir Stephen of Rively for as long as she can remember. Sir Stephen is the best friend of her older brother. He even named her “Shadow” for her tendency to follow him around as a young child. Lady Evelynn is intelligent, caring, compassionate, adventurous, strong-willed, and independent. I adored her character. She didn’t wait for things to happen—she made things happen. She didn’t accept no for an answer and used every weapon at her disposal to achieve her desired objective. Sir Stephen is a man of honor and determined to discourage Lady Evelynn. However, he is no match for her and is unable to stay away from her.

Lady Evelynn doesn’t know that Sir Stephen is part of the Brotherhood of the Phoenix. This is a secret society known only to a few. As they traveled from Normandy to England evading “The Dragon” I was literally on the edge of my seat willing them to hurry or travel a different path. I was completely vested in the story and the characters. The author did such a great job that I was even saddened when a minor character was killed off. I fretted until the very end over whether Lady Evelynn and Sir Stephen would be together and find happiness. I’m happy to report that they did.

This was the first time reading a book by this author. It definitely won’t be my last. It is a must read for all fans of historical romance. The author does a superb job of balancing the intrigue with romance.