The Renegade's Heart

The True Love Brides 1

By: Claire Delacroix

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Released from the captivity of the Fae, Murdoch Seton wants nothing more than to forget his lost years. Undertaking a quest to recover treasure stolen from his family seems the perfect solution - but Murdoch is not counting upon a curious maiden who holds both the secret to the theft and his sole redemption.

Isabella is outraged to find her brother's keep besieged by a renegade knight - especially one who is too handsome for his own good or hers. After a single encounter, she becomes convinced that his cause is just and decides to unveil the true thief, never imagining that their single shared kiss has launched a battle for Murdoch's very soul. As the treacherous Fae move to claim Murdoch forever, Isabella seeks to heal the knight who has stolen her heart. But will Murdoch allow her to take a risk and endanger herself? Or will he sacrifice himself to ensure Isabella's future?

©2012 Claire Delacroix, Inc. (P)2015 Deborah A. Cooke

enchanting

I think this book is another great example that Ms. DelCroix and Ms. Maarleveld are an amazing duo.

The story is captivating, enchanting and not to be missed. It is a love story in which the main characters, Isabella and Murdoch have to overcome obstacles thrown in their path constantly, the Fae Queen, the spriggans, their families. I loved that Isabella fought for what she believed in. A very happy ending! It was great to see past characters appear in this book too.

Ms. Maarleveld has an amazing voice, easy to listen to that made me forget what is around me and immerse myself in the story. She is able to modulate it so well for the many different characters, male and female and the accents are great.
Thank you for a great listening experience.

A Marvelous Enchanting Medieval Romance!

Any additional comments?

The Renegades Heart by Claire Delacroix is an enchanting medieval historical romance set in 1400's England. First in the True Love Brides trilogy, it is nice to see many familiar faces from the Jewels of Kinfarlie series, including Lady Eleanor and Alexander from The Snow White Bride.

This story involves another of Alexander's sisters, Isabella, who is known as the sister who can't tell a lie. She first meets Murdoch Seton as he is invading her brother’s keep on a quest to recover a religious relic stolen from his family. After only meeting him once, Isabella believes Murdoch's quest is righteous and decides to help him discover who is the true thief of the relic. Their immediate attraction is undeniable and Murdoch can't help but kiss Isabella senseless at their first meeting - and each time thereafter.

Just prior to meeting Isabella, Murdoch was held captive by the Fae Queen as her slave for three years. Although At first it appeared the queen let Murdoch return home, in truth, it was a trick to steal his heart. Despite the Fae Queen holding his heart captive, he falls in love with Isabella who will do anything to free him from the clutches of the Fae.

Saskia Maarleveld narrates The Renegade's Heart, as she did with all of the Jewels of Kinfarlie books. She really brings all of the characters to life giving each one every their own distinct voice, both male and female. She also has a rhythm to her reading that is melodious and enthralling. Simply put, Claire and Saskia together are the perfect pairing for hours of thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. Bravo!

An Impassioned Struggle to Gain One's True Love

Any additional comments?

I’m delighted to continue the story of the Lammergeier sisters. Saskia Maarleveld does such a great job telling the story, touching the very essence of each character’s spirit. I’m amazed with her range of voice portraying males, children and females. I never tire of listening to her.

So it was like coming home to some good friends. The last series, The Jewels of Kinfairlie left three of Alexander’s sisters yet to be wed. He had promised them they would have the right to choose their own marriage partners. He had ‘arranged’ marriages for his other two sisters. In retaliation for scheming, they arranged his marriage to Eleanor which turned out verra’ well indeed.

The girls lived quietly for three years and were starting to get concerned they’d turn into spinsters. When Murdoch Seton, a knight, came to see Alexander, the girls thought he was back to old mischief. He was not. Murdoch Seton came to petition Alexander to return a relic of old they thought Ross, Alexander’s brother, had stolen while he fostered with them.

Murdoch was desperate. Time was running out for the success of his quest. The Elphine Queen had marked him as her own, for the Fae love to manipulate beings in the human world and take lovers where they could. But he only had one moon to set the wrong done to his clan, to make a difference and do good. At first we meet, he didn’t appear to be chivalrous, but a bit underhanded. Alexander was ready to see the worst in him, judging him by Murdoch's actions. Isabella was ready to see the good in him, and help him she would. Ah! Love will conquer all.

Their hearts chose well, for it was Isabella’s propensity to believe in the Fae world and give some credence to folklore surrounding the Scottish highlands. She also wanted to be a healer, much like Eleanor so had interest in the healing qualities of herbs. We got to see more of the spriggan and reconnect with Darg. The spriggan talk with verse, which was really a delight to listen to. Clever writer, to be sure!

There are two secondary characters which make this story even more charming. Smith, from the smithy of Kinfairlie and Stewart, an old servant retained by Murdoch's father who believed in Murdoch. Smith also believed in the goodness of Murdoch and was familiar with treachery of the Fae. Stewart was like the conscious of Murdoch, always telling him how he should act and what he should do.

Ms. DelaCroix provides a delightful, appealing, fantastical historical romance that continues to amuse, beguile and enchant. She and the narrator will propel you into their medieval world and you will be ensnared as I am. On that you can rely!

Slow, boring and confusing

Okay so this book is just to slow and boring to me. Again I am in the minority here and can't finish it after 4 hours of listening.

Sorry, I don't get confused easily when reading but this book is just all over the place to me and make's no sense. I can't finish it.

As for the narration, it's great. I am a huge fan of Saskia Maarleveld. She does a great job narrating. The men sound like men and everyone gets their own distinct voice. Even this great narrator couldn't help this story. Sigh.....

The Renegade's Heart

Doing battle with the Elphine Queen cannot be easy, especially when she is holding the heart of the man you love. Isabella must use all her strength, knowledge, and faith while still encouraging her love to not give up. Hello hath no fury like that of a spurned woman, be she fae or mortal. Neither of the women intends to lose this battle over Murdoch's heart and soul. I thought it was an excellent book to read, as well as listening to the fascinating audible version. Sonia Maarleveld is an outstanding narrator as well! Personally, I would encourage you to get both if possible, so you can switch back and forth depending on what's going on around you. They are both excellent, non-gory, lovely historical romances with a touch of magic. Claire Delacroix never disappoints me in her storytelling ability.

He stole my heart

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook. I'm a sucker for a great romance and this was! I felt like I was taken back in time and was part of the story. And believe me, that doesn't happen too often.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No favorites though I could quite easily have fallen in love...

What does Saskia Maarleveld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's a great narrator. I loved her flawless change in voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Most definitely

Any additional comments?

I loved it!

The Renegade Heart

I liked the book but this is more fancy than historical. But overall a good story and lovely romance.

A Fantastic romance and wonderful narration

Would you consider the audio edition of The Renegade's Heart to be better than the print version?

The narration provided by Saskia Maarleveld is marvelous, her melodious voice is the perfect instrument to portray all the characters females and males, young and old plus those feisty fae characters too. Her pronunciations are superb, her accent is excellent and the whole package allows the listener to be absorbed by the experience and feel a part of the story.

Fantastic!!!

I absolutely loved this story and the narrator was fantastic!! Not a dull moment to be had in this story!!

Usually not a paranormal element lover,but....

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Renegade's Heart?

The characters all pulled me into their lives and I did not want to put it down.

Any additional comments?

The characters all pulled me into their lives and I did not want to put it down.... I am STRICTLY a historical romance girl,mostly medieval Scottish time period..And I usually do not care for more than mythology being mentioned,no paranormal..BUT..Claire Delacroix weaved the paranormal into the story in such a way I did not feel like I had left my historical roots to delve into the supernatural!!! I want to thank her for writing these stories that have opened my eyes a bit more and allowed me to enjoy hours of mythology brought to life..I HIGHLY recommend to any lover of historical romance who craves a fantastic ever after to give her stories a go,I am promising you you'll enjoy the time you spend on it...

* I was bought a copy of this book for my birthday by my husband,in no way was the author involved in my decision on rating this book*