Secrets of the Heart
Read Secrets of the Heart Online
Authors: Jillian Kent
| Secrets of the Heart |
| The Ravensmoore Chronicles [1] |
| Jillian Kent |
| Realms (2011) |
Madeline Whittington, daughter of the deceased Earl of Richfield, emerges from English society’s prescribed period of mourning in the winter of 1815. Madeline believes that she no longer belongs in a world of gossip and gowns; instead she wants to help the orphans living within the walls of Ashcroft Insane Asylum. Once there, she discovers a dark secret within the asylum walls.
Because of his elder brother’s unexpected death, Devlin Greyson becomes Earl of Ravensmoore and struggles between two worlds: one of affluence and privilege and one of poverty and disease. Torn between his desire to become a doctor and the numerous responsibilities of his title, he wrestles with God’s will for his future. Will he be able to honor this God-given gift and win the woman he falls in love with in a society that does not value gentlemen who work? And will Lady Madeline Whittington be able to honor her father’s memory when she is attracted to the one man who could destroy the promise she made to her father?
Jillian has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers for several years. She has also been a member of Romance Writers of America for 20 years and a member of The Beau Monde, Kiss of Death, and Faith, Hope, and Love specialty chapters of RWA. With a master s degree in social work, Jillian is employed as a counselor for nursing students, which reflects within the pages of her first novel, Secrets of the Heart, which won the 2009 Inspiration for Writers contest, previously finaled in the Daphne du Maurier, the Noble Theme, and Faith, Hope, and Love s Touched by Love contests.
A feast for fans of historical romance, and a superb debut from Jillian Kent.
—J
AMES
S
COTT
B
ELL
A
UTHOR OF
T
RY
D
ARKNESS AND
P
RESUMED
G
UILTY
A compelling first novel by Jillian Kent,
Secrets of the Heart
transports the reader into the mores of nineteenth-century England where thoughtfully crafted, believable characters are daring and bold, determined to live their dreams.
—M
AE
N
UNN
A
UTHOR OF
A T
EXAS
R
ANGER’S
F
AMILY
,
A
MERICAN
C
HRISTIAN
F
ICTION
W
RITER’S
C
AROL
A
WARD
W
INNER 2010
An impressive debut for Regency romantic suspense author Jillian Kent. Fast-paced, engrossing, with thoroughly engaging characters. A compelling story of two British aristocrats who struggle against the social strictures of their class, all the while seeking their true calling—and true love. A rousing tale of romance and suspense set amidst the genteel—and some not so genteel—British upper crust.
—K
ATHLEEN
M
ORGAN
A
UTHOR OF
A H
EART
D
IVIDED
Some books are meant to be savored. Jillian Kent’s
Secrets of the Heart
is one of those books. With fine writing, an admirable heroine, and vivid historical details, the novel was a joy to read. I, for one, will be anxious to read the next installment of the trilogy.
—S
HELLEY
S
HEPARD
G
RAY
A
UTHOR OF THE
S
EASONS OF
S
UGARCREEK SERIES
In a breathless historical debut, Jillian Kent unveils secrets of the heart and soul in Regency England amid a lush tapestry of romance, intrigue, and suspense. With vibrant prose, rich historical threads, and well-woven mystery,
Secrets of the Heart
engages readers with a plot so unique and compelling, pages fly and sleep will be lost… and never more happily so.
—J
ULIE
L
ESSMAN
A
UTHOR OF THE
D
AUGHTERS OF
B
OSTON SERIES
A positively brilliant debut novel by Jillian Kent! With a stirring romance, an evil villain, flawed but lovable characters, and enough intrigue and suspense to keep you turning pages long into the night,
Secrets of the Heart
sends you on an adventure you won’t soon forget.
—M
ARYLU
T
YNDALL
A
UTHOR OF THE
S
URRENDER TO
D
ESTINY SERIES
In
Secrets of the Heart
Jillian Kent takes the reader on a fast-paced adventure through the Regency world of 1817 Yorkshire. From the aristocratic country houses of the
ton
to the horrific interior of a lunatic asylum, Kent gives a convincing portrait of the grieving process and a very sensitive look at mental illness. The story is enhanced by a lovable cast of secondary characters who befriend the heroine in the most unlikely places. Young Lady Madeline and doctorin-training Lord Ravensmoore overcome one obstacle after another before love can triumph. A charming and action-filled Regency romance by first-time author Jillian Kent.
—R
UTH
A
XTELL
M
ORREN
A
UTHOR OF
A B
RIDE OF
H
ONOR
AND
T
O
B
E A
M
OTHER
Secrets of the Heart
is an amazing first book and certainly not to be Jillian Kent’s last. She brings the Regency era to life with its light and dark sides for an engrossing romance tinged with danger and suspense.
—L
INDA
W
INDSOR
A
UTHOR OF
H
EALER
, T
HIEF
,
AND
R
EBEL
,
T
HE
B
RIDES OF
A
LBA
A
RTHURIAN
T
RILOGY
Most C
HARISMA
H
OUSE
B
OOK
G
ROUP
products are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. For details, write Charisma House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, or telephone (407) 333-0600.
S
ECRETS OF THE
H
EART
by Jillian Kent
Published by Realms
Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
www.charismahouse.com
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
The characters portrayed in this book are fictitious unless they are historical figures explicitly named. Otherwise, any resemblance to actual people, whether living or dead, is coincidental.
Cover design by Rachel Lopez
Design Director: Bill Johnson
Copyright © 2011 by Jillian Kent
All rights reserved
Visit the author’s website at
www.jilliankent.com
.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kent, Jillian.
Secrets of the heart / Jillian Kent.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-61638-185-1
1. Aristocracy (Social class)–England–19th century–Fiction. I. Title.
PS3611.E6737S43 2011
813’.6–dc22
2010053878
E-book ISBN: 978-1-61638-436-4
First Edition
11 12 13 14 15 — 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
This book is dedicated to everyone who has
battled the twin demons of depression and doubt.
He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust: his
truth shall be thy shield and buckler.