The Heart Denied - Linda Anne Wulf

Date of Reading: 03/08/2012

Author: Linda Anne Wulf

Publisher: Hydra Publications
Place: USA
Year: 2010
From: the publisher in exchange of an honest review

         This is her first novel and what drew me towards this is her second book 'Heart of the Hunter'. As a reviewer I must confess that I admire its craftsmanship -- nice climax and suspense, poetically justified ending -- but as a simple reader, I can't find that particular attachment to the protagonist. Thorne Neville is good, but he can't just compete with Fianna Morgan. Any way, I was never much a fan of male perspective novels and here it lacks the warmth and approachfulness that is usual to romance stories. Thorne seems to be much keen on carnal pleasures.
         The most interesting part is the use of deu ex machina -- here in the form of many 'convenient' deaths. First there is Gwynneth's suicide; the fact that the Roman Catholic Church views suicide a worse sin than adultery is conveniently forgotten. Had our devote Catholic got a view of burning hell before death? Its a pity that she is judged with the same standards by which she judged her maids (one is almost reminded of Robespierre's death in French history).

         Now comes the end of Hobbes and the reader here breathes a sigh of relief. Abominable character! Plus, now little Catherine doesn't have to tolerate a jailed Dad. Lastly, to make everything perfect, there is the 'tragic' death of Kate which as Dumbledore says is for the greater good. Never had I found deaths this much relieving! Good providential help to make it a happily ever after.
         Thorne Neville returns to Wycliffe Hall after four years in the university. As pre-arranged by his late father he is to marry Miss Gwynneth Stowington, a devout Roman Catholic who is bullied out of the convent by her father. Thorne has no feelings towards her, no intention of falling in love either as the one girl he loved has taken his heart to her grave.


Linda Anne Wulf

         Thus they marry. But carnal pleasures are against Gwynneth's strong beliefs and as Neville is not in the habit of forcing a woman, she remains a virgin or does so until she meets with the stable master Mr. Hobbs. He is a half-brother of Thorne though the master of the house is not aware of the fact. Hobbs has a reputation among maids; the case of Elaine Combs particularly stands out. Though she carries his child, he denies any form of relation with her. Thorne believes the maid but as he cannot lose an able stable master, he protects Elaine even against his wife's objections. He has a strange affection to Elaine which he cannot yet recognise.

         This villainous character is now in love with Lady Neville and ravishes her. Gwynneth finds herself pregnant and jumps out of the tower. After her death, everything about Hobbs comes to light and he is also charged with two other murders. Finding himself trapped, he takes his own life.
         Elaine has gone missing by this time and Thorne discovers her when she is at labour. A girl is born. Elaine turns out to be Lady Hargrove or Lena, Thorne's childhood sweetheart who was believed to be dead. She was running from her father as he tried to molest her.

        Thorne accepts her along with the child and they marry. He soon finds out that he has begotten a son by a whore with whom he is previously associated. When the mother dies after giving birth, they adopt the son too. By the end of the story Wycliffe Hall is blessed with four children.