Hidden Steel (Wild Hearts Book 1)

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When later it came to light that he had been a Czech spy since , the then British government, under Margaret Thatcher, and the MI-5 Secret Service decided that it was a matter best left unaddressed… Stonehouse died in at the age of Brian Armstrong, accused of murdering his wife, has been sent to prison for life. Ten years later, on a prison bus ride to a courthouse, there is an accident that leaves several dead and injured. But for Armstrong and two others, the accident is the opportunity for an escape back into a world they no longer know.

They pick up the case of an ex-gym teacher discovered murdered in his apartment. The case is brutal but looks to be random until a reporter is murdered with the same M. Soon their investigation takes a turn, and they find themselves with the question, are the murders related to the escapees and if so how? If these are revenge killings, how do the victims fit into it? And, even more importantly, how many more will there be?

Inspector Truchaud is now back working in Paris, nursing a bruised if not broken heart after the delicious Nathalie has announced to him that she is going to have a baby with his colleague and rival, Inspector Lucas. What nobody realises until Truchaud arrives is that Lucas was traveling with the heavily pregnant Nathalie, who has now disappeared. Truchaud sets out on a quest to find out what has happened to her, and, if possible, rescue her and her unborn child.

When Community Psychiatric Nurse Lizzie Marsh agrees to do a favour for a friend, she finds herself caught in a tortuous mystery which threatens to cost her her life. Who is killing and mutilating seemingly random victims in some of the most exclusive areas London? When a stranger asks her to mind her bag on a train, Freya agrees without thinking. But when the train reaches the end of the line, Freya is left holding a laptop. She approaches private investigator Amy Lane to find the missing woman.

As Amy tries to crack the encrypted computer, Jason searches for its owner on the streets of Cardiff, but with few leads. Until Freya turns up dead. What she finds is incredible. Forthcoming Sarah Williams T Cartmel Book 4 in the Inspector Truchaud wine and crime Mystery series Inspector Truchaud is now back working in Paris, nursing a bruised if not broken heart after the delicious Nathalie has announced to him that she is going to have a baby with his colleague and rival, Inspector Lucas.

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Wild Heart , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Feb 09, MelissaB rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Ella Finch arrives at the manor of Lord Roberts thinking she will become a governess to a young boy and finds that she had been hired to teach a grown man instead. Ella is supposed to teach Lord Roberts's grandson Leo how to be a proper gentleman if she wants freedom for her and her sickly friend from her former employer who treated her badly.

Leo Roberts grew up in the jungles of India alone with his Indian friend for years after his English parents are betrayed and killed. After years of living in the wild, they first made their way to Italy where Leo learned the basics of civilized life and how to paint. He then came to England to find his parents' murderers and lives with his grandfather, Lord Roberts.

Ella has a secret gift that she has never told people about - she can "feel" the thoughts of animals. When she arrives at Lord Roberts manor, she feels the intense emotional pain from what she thinks is an animal but realizes is actually Leo. She feels his emotions for some reason so she knows he has nightmares from his time in the jungle and he has a lot of trouble trying to fit into English life. Ella strikes a deal with Leo's grandfather - she will teach Leo how to be a gentleman for six months if he provides a cottage by the sea for her and her friend.

Leo and Ella have a special connection from their first meeting. Leo appears kind of savage at first - he won't talk to her and runs into the forest by himself often. Ella is able to understand Leo better than anyone because she can sense his feelings.

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She manages to break through Leo's gruff exterior and makes him actually talk to her and allow her to teach him to be a gentleman which he actually already knew how to be but enjoys teasing Ella to get a rise out of her. Meanwhile, he tries to tempt Ella to act a little less properly and relish her freedom. Leo really sees no reason to follow "proper" English customs - he says what he wants and does what he wants because he is sick of the English gentry looking at him like he is a savage. The only thing Leo cares about is finding his parents' murderers - until Ella warms her way into his life and his heart.

I really enjoyed this book! The hero was so interesting, he was rough but he was a good person. His early life in the jungle haunted him but also made him very strong. Ella was a great heroine, she fought for the hero when no one else would and believed in him. Their chemisty is red hot, sparks flew every time they interacted.

The paranormal aspects were very light, they just added to the storyline in a good way. There was a big mystery going on in the storyline that was a little too prominent toward the end but the suspense was really good. The storyline grabbed my attention from the beggining and had me reading non-stop to see what happened.

Wild Heart (Wild, #1) by Lori Brighton

Read this book if you want to read about a very different and interesting hero, a strong and compassionate heroine and a story that keeps you engaged and wondering what happens next. I was very impressed with the author's writing ability, especially for a debut novel. View all 23 comments. Dec 17, Rane rated it really liked it Recommended to Rane by: Ella Finch is hired she thought to be taking care of a child, she didn't think she be helping a man whose uncultured and very much untamed: Leo Roberts, next in line for a old earldom.

When it comes to historical paranormal, I for one, want a littl Ella Finch is hired she thought to be taking care of a child, she didn't think she be helping a man whose uncultured and very much untamed: Wild Heart did an wonderful job of keeping the historical setting without it being run over by the paranormal aspects.

Ella has was born with the gift to feel animals feelings and emotions, even able to calm them when they are trouble or hurt. Ella was one of those leads that has a great head on her shoulders and very smart, but what drew me to her even more was her love and understanding of animals and people, even through the hardships she was still able to see the hope and innocence around her.

Leo along with his only friend lives the harsh life in the jungle which taught him his tough but later useful skills. He gets a kick out of teasing Ella but enjoys her company and pulls a deep pull toward her. While it was understandable why he acted the way he did he went through a living hell as kid! View all 20 comments.

Oct 06, Laurie Garrison rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: People who loves paranormal or historical romance. This book is brilliant, thrilling and hot. I loved the way the author brings everything together it leaves you satisfied. This is an historical with a touch of paranormal. There is a nice happy ever after, but there is so much more to the story and I cant wait for the next book to read more about this adventure. You get a hot sexual tension, romance, mystery, excitement, and great characters, even the villain This book is brilliant, thrilling and hot.

You get a hot sexual tension, romance, mystery, excitement, and great characters, even the villains and non stop adventure once it starts. I am not going to spoil much because this is such a great book you need to try it yourself. Now she has been hired to help refine Leo. Leo is damaged after living in the jungle of India at such a young age for so long.

How is he going to get through this with out compromising her innocence. I loved both Leo and Ella. They both fit so well together and are destined to be together. I suggest this book to anyone who loves historical and paranormal romance. Jan 07, Mandi Schreiner rated it really liked it Shelves: Ella, who spent her younger years at an orphanage, is hired as a governess for Leo Roberts. He needs help behaving in polite English society. When Leo was young, he witnessed his parents murder in India.

For years, he lived on his own in the jungle, having to perform horrendous things to stay alive. His grandfather wants h Ella, who spent her younger years at an orphanage, is hired as a governess for Leo Roberts. His grandfather wants him to take over his estate and duties, and Leo is there just to go through the motions. But Leo is a very broken, tortured soul. He rarely speaks to anyone and often has violent temper tantrums and outbursts of anger.

When Ella meets him, she is overwhelmed with his feelings of anger and desperation. Ella is an empath, she can feel human and animal emotion. With the promise of freedom in six months if she can make it that long with Leo, she is determined to get through to him. Soon, her calming influence takes hold, and Leo starts realize he may have an ally and someone he can trust. Wild Heart has one of my favorite types of heroes — the broken, tortured man. Leo is very damaged. When I first started the book I mentioned to a friend that I hope he stays tortured throughout most of the book — and he does.

Lori Brighton makes Leo work in this book. He starts barely able to suppress his anger enough to talk, and by the end there is a very believable love story between him and Ella. It works so well because Ella has no other life to return to at first. She forces herself to six months with Leo, and then she can be on her own. Yet, she soon sees a different side of Leo. He is still quick to anger, and hides behind a mask, but once she gets a quick glimpse of the real him, she knows he is something to work for.

He is no dummy, and knows how to play her. But foremost on his mind is finding his parents murderer and that rage is what drives him in this story. The mystery plays a big role in this book and I liked the twists and turns it takes. There are a few times Ella puts herself in danger for silly reasons, but for the most part, I liked how Leo and Ella work together.

Wild Heart is billed as a paranormal romance, yet the paranormal aspect in very light and in my opinion is weak and I think this book would have been just as good, maybe better, if the paranormal is taken out. Her ability factors into the plot and mystery of the book, but for most of the story I forgot she had this ability. Wild Heart has a very intense, lustful romantic feel. Terrific tension builds throughout this story, and Leo brings his wild, dark life into the bedroom as well. I really enjoyed this one and hope to read more from Lori Brighton.

Feb 11, Kathleen rated it it was amazing Recommended to Kathleen by: I'm glad I picked this book up instead of leaving it sit in my TBR pile. I must thank AJ and MelissaB for getting me to pick this book up. It's hard to believe this book was a debut. The story and characters in this book are what great romance books are made of. I read that Colin's story will be next but that we have to wait until before it's out. I for one do not mind the wait if it means that the next book will be as good as this one was. Dec 03, ChloeLeeNH rated it really liked it.

This one kept my interest and I read it pretty quickly. The mystery was interesting and I loved that though she was supposed to teach him he was the one who ended up doing the teaching. I thought they were compatible. I am hoping that LB might make Colin, a long lost cousin of Ella's, the hero in the next one.

No info so far but I will keep an eye out! View all 3 comments. Jan 23, Jacqueline rated it did not like it Recommended to Jacqueline by: I feel like a read a different book than everyone else here. This book had great potential but it didn't live up to it. There was too much going on. I kind of felt like I was listening to one of my sons telling a story. The revenge plot didn't make any sense. The way that the hero chose to pretend to be a wild man when he really wasn't just did I feel like a read a different book than everyone else here.

The way that the hero chose to pretend to be a wild man when he really wasn't just didn't make sense. How was that supposed to help anything? It was a ludicrous idea. Just FYI, fighting at a ball will not make anyone think you're insane. Most of the scenes were very short and there were just too many of them. It was RIFE with coincidence after coincidence. When the lady who raised her turned out to be in on this 20 year old plot I couldn't take it anymore.

I finally got disgusted with the level of coincidence and skimmed the last two chapters. There were good moments. I wish the book had concentrated on the psychic ability of the heroine and having her actually help heal a man who didn't fit in with society to overcome his anger and wildness etc.

That's the story I thought I was going to be reading. The scenes with the two of them swimming and things like that were very nice. Thanks melissaB for loaning it to me even though it didn't work for me. But at the same time a very passionate man. I will not go into plot dissection because if your reading this then you more than likely know the plot summary.

I will however thrill everyone with my many likes and dislikes of this novel. I loved the stolen kisses between Ella and Leo. But found it beyond frustrating that every time Leo had Ella all to his self he was conveniently interrupted. I loved the mystery aspect to the plot. The way there was always a man in the background, the flash back of memories.

And that Ella fell in love with him for who he was and not who he was meant to be. Are they going to search for the necklace and Henry? All in all this was a first class debut novel, with passion, willingness and a love to rival the ages. Nov 23, Shel rated it really liked it. I would have to say over four stars but not quite a five star for me. Really different story with good twists and turns. Looks like a new author who has a lot of talent. I'm looking forward to her next book! Jul 12, H. Mallory rated it it was amazing. THis is a great book!

I love the alpha male lead, Leo, and the writing is so fluid and great. A definitely must read! Feb 08, Dar rated it it was amazing Shelves: That was so good! Some mystery, some magic and a super sweet romance, perfect! Jul 08, Zel Polev rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was just alright. I felt like it was trying to do too much and it never really resolved itself. It had paranormal aspects and also romance and frankly, I wasn't really convinced of either.

I felt like it would have done better if they were separated. I was intrigued in the beginning since the hero was interesting. He lived outside of civilization in order to have safety. His parents and a whole village were killed when he was young and he had to go into hiding. Years later, he returned This book was just alright. Years later, he returned to find justice. However, his return wasn't welcomed. His grandfather, while relieved to have his kin come back alive, despaired of his lack of manners. He stood out since he wouldn't pander to frivolous English customs. He earned a reputation for being wild and he was often dismissed as insane.

Therefore, Ella was hired to look after him. His cousin was openly antagonistic to him because he was the rightful heir. He made a lot of effort to take back the property including attempting to kill him and trying to paint him as mentally ill. He had a story but I was really disappointed with him. He didn't really do much to investigate and even when he did, he had no power to act. What did he expect to come out of his endeavour. He might be smart enough to play around and appear the fool but in the end, he was really powerless. I was just boggled at what his end goal was.

He didn't really seemed to have any direction. So as a reader, I was forced to conclude that he was just talk. Granted, the battle wasn't over yet since the cousin escaped so not everything is resolved. I didn't really want to take the series in consideration though and so I'm judging it as a stand alone. It doesn't fare well in my opinion. Another thing that bugged me was Ella. This girl was exasperating. She was so naive and was convinced of the goodness of others. What I didn't get was her reasoning. Why would you deprive Leo's certainty that he was right when you are also convinced that you are right.

Time and time again, she dismisses his suspicions. What does she know? She wasn't there when his parents were killed. She had only been in the employ of the Roberts' household for a short amount of time and she suddenly was an expert in their family dynamic? I got tired of her condescending attitude when she was painfully ignorant.

I couldn't understand the romance that blossomed. It felt forced to me. There was no chemistry between the characters. I don't get why he felt the need to get her validation when she was essentially a stranger. Anyways, this book was weird because it felt like it couldn't decide between paranormal and romance. Both could work together but in this book, it felt like it clashed.

The first half of the book felt like it was a big yawn. Leo was planning on going back to Italy anyways and I don't know what he was doing to further his goals.

The second half became an intrigue surrounding her necklace. Suddenly, there were forces at work to harvest this godlike power. While it is an interesting concept, I felt it could have done better when it is elaborated upon and not crammed in the final chapters. I wasn't fond of the book. It was a weird read for me mainly because I had the impression that the book couldn't find its identity.

Hidden Steel

I didn't have a grasp of the character's romance and I didn't really have a grasp over the secret power. It felt like the author was throwing out grand ideas without resolving the kinks in the foundation, mainly that of the main characters. The story revolves around Leo and Ella. Ella was hired to be his governess, to teach him about English manners. Leo was a bit wild and suddenly he started speaking.

He was fully aware, he just didn't want to condescend to people's stupid customs. However, for her, he will, as long as she poses naked for him. Anyways, he has a bigger story, which is his parent's death. They were killed and he was able to survive. He waited for rescue but none came. He returned years later and it was a problem for his grandfather and his cousin.

His cousin was displaced as the heir. His grandfather didn't want to hand over all he worked for to someone who will destroy it. Numerous attempts at his life had been made and he escaped them. He also had to contend with London society, which believes him a madman thanks to his cousin's rumours.

At the same time, there is this group looking for a treasure map. It turns out that Leo is the other half of that since he had the key to Ella's lock. Ella was the only one who can open it and so she was part of the scheme all along and she remains painfully ignorant of much of it.

Anyways, he gets captured and his cousin reveals that his grandfather had been in his schemes all along, which is why the grandfather dismissed Leo's suspicions. Ella escaped briefly but was captured when she returned to her evil caretaker.

I don't know why she even went there after everything she found out. She didn't even heed the dog's warning. You'd think she'd clue in at any time but no, she doesn't. She starts being interrogated but since she doesn't know anything, she comes away with more information than she gives away. A fire erupts and Leo saves her. He was able to locate her because they could speak telepathically. It ends with a surprise wedding. She comes out and a vicar is there waiting with Leo.

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Oh yeah, the plug for the next book came when a character comes out of nowhere and saves their asses. He frees Leo from prison and heals Ella from certain death. Oct 30, LWB Marissa rated it really liked it. After his parents were brutally murdered, Leo Roberts raised himself in the jungle of India. His family in England thought he was dead, but now he is back and he is next in line for the family title. His stay in India did not teach him to be a fine and cultured gentleman, he is the complete opposite, his manners appear to be more animal than human.

To be ready for the title his grandfather has hired a governess, Ella Finch, to tutor him in the manners and mores of his class. In the past Leo has After his parents were brutally murdered, Leo Roberts raised himself in the jungle of India. In the past Leo has chased away every employee his grandfather had hired to make him more civil for they did not fit in with his hidden agenda but he finds Ella captivating and lets her stay. She is in shock when she finds out that she will not be tutoring a lovely young boy, but a handsome, virile and very wild man.

This might be her only chance to gain her freedom and independence. But she soon finds out that there is more to Leo than meets the eye, he fascinates her. In no time he stirs up all these feelings inside her, make her do things she normally would not do, she craves him body, mind and soul.

For the first time in her life she really feels free… With Wild Heart Lori Brighton has made a grand debut in the world of romance. I felt this compelling need to understand Leo and Ella better and needed to know how they would fare, therefore I could not put the book down. The story is refreshing, unique and has this dark and mysterious vibe.

Although, towards the end there are certain developments in the arc storyline that have some paranormal aspects. At the start of this story Leo is quite an enigma, in public he appears to be daft. He hardly speaks and his manners are nonexistent. He is exactly what society expects him to be after years of solitude in the jungle, an animal. He has only come back to seek the truth, he needs answers and closure otherwise the past will never set him free.

Leo truly radiates from the pages, he is a very strong character and I fell head over heels in love with him. Now she is a governess who has to tame the beast inside this handsome, older man and make him acceptable for society. Her whole life has revolved around others; she wants to be free of the responsibility to everyone but herself. Although she appears to be a meek person she really has a strong spirit, she is persistent yet nice and likeable.

Leo makes her less stiff; he makes her bend the rules of society a little so she actually has some fun. The attraction between them is instant, it smolders a long time before it finally erupts. Their sex is hot, loving and sensual. The development of their characters and romance is stunning and it vibrates throughout the book.

It moved me and pulled at all my heartstrings. I was so wrapped up in their romance that I almost forgot the darker side of this story. The first part of Wild Heart revolves around the relationship between Leo and Ella, then the pace of the story accelerates as the suspense plotline develops and dominates the last part of the story. It is a captivating and surprising plotline, interlacing the paranormal aspects with the suspense and the romance. The end is satisfying and took me by surprise. I did not expect this ending and it was quite shocking to be so surprised.

The secondary characters are interesting, the villains are bad to the bone and the true friends of Ella and Leo are loyal and interesting, all these characters spice up the story but the spotlight stays mainly on Ella and Leo. Lori Brighton could not have written a better or more impressive debut. Wild Heart is seductive, dark and mysterious. The romance is scorching hot, the characters are well-developed and appealing, and the suspense is captivating, fresh and surprising. Wild Heart is a must-read for every romance reader out there. Oct 29, April rated it it was amazing. If that doesn't catch your attention, read on!

When Lori asked me if I would be interested in reviewing her debut book, Wild Heart, I was very interested and intrigued. When she mentioned that it had paranormal aspects weaved throughout, I was excited and without hesitation answered a very firm "Yes!! So onto my little Blackberry went Wild Heart and off my imagination flew on wings of days gone by. Years ago, Historical Romance was a genre that I constantly read. Those covers of the ravishingly handsome men grasping the elegant and desire-ridden females where ones that graced my nightstand, coffee table and was seen held within my grasp on several occasions.

After a time, I moved onto a broader range of genres including suspense, paranormal, non-fiction, and many more. Swimming in the literary sea of books, it has been a while since I have read much in the way of Historical Romance. There has been one here and there, but nothing such as Wild Heart. This story caught me from the very beginning; the paranormal and mystery aspects reeled me in for the long nights and the fact that my Blackberry never wanted to leave my hands or rather I never wanted it to leave mine, so that I could continue my adventure within the story.

Brighton introduces readers to Ella Finch, a very timid, yet ambitious and strong-minded woman. Ella grew up in an orphanage with a very strict and unkind overseer. It is when she is hired as governess, for what she believes to be a young boy, that she escapes the confines of her current inhabitants and travels to a regal castle. It is not long until she learns that there is no young boy to be governess to, but rather a very viral and, at first glance, wild man. Ella is not sure what to think when she meets the stubborn Leo, she only knows that there is some kind of strange connection between the two.

Leo Roberts is a man who has come home after years of hiding and learning the art of self-preservation. As a young boy, Leo's parents were killed, brutally, within in the jungle, while he went to get help. It is Leo's one goal to avenge his parents' murderers by finding them and claiming justice. However, his grandfather has other ideas and wants Leo to become Earl and take his place. Thus, Ella is hired to "tame" Leo and make him "good enough" for society. All of her life, Ella has had to deal with a special power that she beholds.

It is the power to connect with animals, know their feelings and tame them with her mind and thoughts. This is a power that she has felt she has had to hide and one that is evil. What will Leo think if he knew the true Ella?

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