Heart Search is a first novel for UK author Carlie M.A. Cullen. This is most unashamedly a paranormal romance novel. I usually never read romance novels, but the plot, as depicted in the blurb for this book, intrigued me. I was most certainly NOT disappointed!
Two weeks before
their wedding, Remy’s fiancĂ©, Joshua, hurts her physically. Although he doesn’t
know why, he is changing and not for the better. Joshua hates himself for what
he’s done. As he changes, so do both his state of mind and his perceptions. He
disappears a few days before the wedding.
After a brief descent into an
emotional breakdown, Remy heeds advice from her identical twin, Becky, to fight
for Joshua. She finds a diary which leads her to believe something strange
happened to her fiancé and suspects it was something he had no say in. She
resolves to find him, and sets off on a long, lonely journey around the
country. As the days turn into weeks, then months, she has to fight through
emotional turmoil and find an inner strength just to keep going. Strange things
begin to happen to Remy and she questions her sanity.
Cullen takes you into the minds and
the eyes of her characters. Her descriptions are thick with visuals and layered
with emotion. Joshua is sexy and compelling even though he is not always
likeable, but he is a vampire so there you go. His coven is the same way.
Samir, his maker is loving and caring for his ‘children’ and they in turn adore
him. As individuals they are inherently selfish and uncaring of anyone but
their own society, and Cullen portrays this well.
This story is as much about Remy
coming to terms with the way her life has been changed and learning who she is
as much as it is her search for Joshua. It is also a story about Joshua
learning how to live his new life, which is well drawn and drew me in.
She
portrays Joshua’s society very clearly, introducing the various factions and
power struggles well, and shows how Remy becomes a central element in the
vampires’ internecine battles. The unforeseen changes which occur in Remy's
life are also depicted well.
I
admit I found the author's style of heavy descriptions a bit daunting at first, but
I quickly got into the swing of things. I really enjoyed the story and cared
about the characters; so much so I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished it. Cullen tells this story in two parallel threads, which I most
definitely liked. You get a good view of both Joshua and Remy as they
experience their lives through this crisis and other crises which loom.
I
give it a solid four stars for an original plot, interesting characters and a
unique delivery! The book is clearly a set up for a
second book, which I am looking forward to and will definitely buy. I
recommend it for those who read and enjoy a good paranormal romance novel. Carlie M.A. Cullen is an author to watch!
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