The Renegade’s Heart by Claire Delacroix

September 24th, 2015 Kimberly Review 48 Comments

24th Sep
The Renegade’s Heart by Claire Delacroix
The Renegade's Heart
by Claire Delacroix
Series: True Love Brides #1
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Length: 11 hours and 10 minutes
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne Flame
Narration: 4 cups

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?

The Renegade’s Heart by Claire Delacroix is the first in the True Love Brides series and I was delighted to find myself back in Kinfairlie. This story involves the feisty Isabella, sister to  Alexander, the Lord of Kinfairlie. This story takes place sometime after the Jewels of Kinfairlie series ended. A knight trying to escape the Fae, stolen jewels and a forbidden romance made this an intense listen.

Delacroix creates these wonderful stories against the backdrop of a medieval keep and I have enjoyed them immensely. In Renegade’s Heart, we meet, Murdoch Seton. He is on a quest to recover the treasure that was stolen from his family’s keep…but there is more to his story. Ensnared by the Fae Queen he must find a way to break her hold.

His quest brings him to Kinfairlie where he confronts Lord Alexander about a stolen chalice. While he believes Alex may be innocent, his instinct tells him that Alex is hiding something. On his way to face Alex, he meets Isabella Lammergeier, Alex’s sister,  and almost immediately I could feel the intense attraction between them. His first thought is to use this fair maiden to gain answers, but a heated kiss and her feisty personality soon have him yearning for more.

The Renegade’s Heart was delightful as it weaved several threads together. We have Murdoch’s quest to recover his family’s treasure and save their home. Then we have his issues with Alex believing him a thief and the budding romance that develops with Isabella. The most exciting and intense aspect of the story for me dealt with the Fae Queen. Interaction with the Fae had me holding my breath and a scene in the woods gave me the chills. I love supernatural creatures but the Fae scare me. The author only reaffirmed those fears.

Isabella was a wonderful heroine. She can be outspoken at times and I loved how she stood up to Murdoch, Al, x and the Fae. We get a chance to see characters from earlier tales and meet a few others along the way. Delacroix shared Murdoch’s backstory from his ancestry, battles and of how he became beholden to the Fae Queen. Sometimes he was a little pig-headed, but his treatment of Isabella and his ability to listen to advice made him a worthy knight. I love when an author allows me to connect with the characters and feel their emotions.

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld has this wonderful tone and accent that makes listening to her a pleasure. She draws you in and seduces you with her voice. She brings out the character’s personalities and her male voices are delightful without the gruff tone we normally get with female narrators.

The Renegade’s Heart held me captive making me hold my breath, laugh aloud and swoon. The story wrapped up wonderfully and gave us a glimpse of what will come next.  I cannot wait to continue this audio series and highly recommend them.

Isabella had no sooner concluded that her sister must have descended to the great hall when she heard boots on the stairs, approaching quickly. It sounded as if a man took the stairs two or even three at a time. She might have retreated but the dark–haired knight crested the top of the stairs.

He slowed his pace to consider her. His eyes, Isabella could now see, were a clear and deep blue and he was ruggedly handsome.

Even though she was tall, he was taller. He strode toward her with such care that she thought of a wolf hunting its prey. His gaze was unswerving and a crooked smile lifted one corner of his mouth.

Isabella felt hot, right to her toes.

“The maiden from the window,” he murmured and the appreciation in his low voice made Isabella flush. “Yet more curious than I imagined.”

“While you, sir, are more bold than might be expected.”

He smiled outright then, the expression softening his features in a most attractive way. Isabella could not avert her gaze. Indeed, it seemed she could not breathe.

 

Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

48 Responses to “The Renegade’s Heart by Claire Delacroix”

  1. Michelle

    I’m a little under halfway through The Beauty Bride and I’m loving it! Deborah Cooke is such a great reader too. I’m definitely adding the rest of Claire’s books to my TBR.

  2. Lorna

    I really enjoyed the excerpt and you are right I did enjoy her voice and the male characters were really well done. I have never heard of the older series or this one but it sounds like it would be a good one. Fae, huh? Sometimes they aren’t horrible but you are right, usually they are pretty scary! Glad you enjoyed 🙂

  6. Melliane

    Oh a fae story and I didn’t even know about it? I’ll have to look into it now lol well maybe the first series because I’m curious to see more of it.

  8. Katherine

    I haven’t read anything by Delacroix though she’s been on my radar for awhile and I LOVE the idea of a treasure hunt. I haven’t read much from this time period but this sounds like a good one to start with!

  13. Heidi

    I liked the narrator’s voice. I will have to see if I can get a copy of this at my library, sounds like one I would enjoy.

  17. Debbie Haupt

    They were both great stars Kim, great review by the way. I’ve got this to listen to after I finish listening to The Shadows by JR Ward. And my next for pleasure read is The Crusader’s Bride the first in her new historical series. Deb/Claire’s storytelling style from her historicals to her contemporary fantasy she’s a rock star!

  18. Red Iza

    Not only does your review make the book sound very good, but I think I just fell in love with the guy on the cover *dreamy sigh*

  19. Haniya

    This book looks like its well written plus I think you totally felt connected to the characters which is awesome! 🙂

  20. Nick

    A historical with a paranormal story! I NEED! Isabella sounds like my kind of girl too with her feisty attitude. I need to meet her and this hero! 🙂

  22. Rosa

    I haven’t read any book by this author, but the story seems quite interesting. Thanks for your review!