Avon Books, 1986,1998, 2004
ISBN-10: 0-380-75008-2
ISBN-13: 978-0380750085
The Hidden Heart
Lady Tess knows more about how to raise jaguar kittens than how to curtsy properly to the Queen. But to London she must go, and make a marriage suitable to her station. Her escort for this dreaded journey from the Amazon to the ballroom is Gryf Meridon—a nobody—a shady, shabby, down-on-his-luck blockade-runner with patrician features and nothing in life but his ship and his dreams…
Discuss this bookMascot Animal:
parrot
Laura's Comment:
My first book; not my first attempt but the first manuscript I ever managed to get past Chapter 7. I was a geologist by profession when I began it. I knew nothing of British etiquette and so Tess felt as adrift in polite society as I would have. Shy and lonely, self-reliant and naive. By the time I finished The Hidden Heart, I could hardly let the characters go, they seemed so real and precious to me.
And one minor character, from a difficult scene, haunted me. For years afterward, I was troubled by what I had “done” to the little boy Samuel in that book. So eventually I wrote another, The Shadow and the Star, to redeem him, and give him a taste of the happiness that he too deserved.
Recognition:
Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice—Best New Historical Romance Author, 1986
Laura's Fave Review:
“And once Gryphon sheds his neuroses—along with his clothes—this book proves most satisfying.”— Publishers Weekly, March 2, 1986.
(Which only goes to show what really counts, right? LK)
Old Covers:
The original cover of my first published novel. There are not many first edition copies of The Hidden Heart left now…I’d love to hear if you have one. (If it’s a first print run, it will show all the numbers starting at 1 on the line of numbers on the copyright page.)
[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010
Please feel welcome to discuss this book. All opinions are welcome, positive or negative, but civility and polite language are required for comments to remain. Political or religious references are not allowed, unless directly related to the book under discussion. I do answer questions but I seldom give interpretations about my books or characters, because I enjoy hearing what readers see in them. These comments and discussions replace my old forum at The Terrace. (Note that the spam captcha is an english word interspersed with a number—this may help you tell a letter from a number. If it’s still too hard to see, reload the page for another one.) WARNING: Book discussions may contain spoilers.
[2] Posted by Evangeline on 01.11.2010
I read and loved The Shadow and the Star! I’m still hoping to track this book down, if only to read about Lady Tess!
[3] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.12.2010
Evangeline, you’ve reminded me to check back with Avon, who claimed last year that they had plans to re-issue The Hidden Heart.
[4] Posted by Katrina on 01.17.2010
Please let us know when it will be reissued! I loved Lady Tess and Gryf and would like to know how they got together.
[5] Posted by Elise on 02.15.2010
I do have a first edition of this one. I treasure it!
[6] Posted by Georgette on 02.19.2010
I also have a first edition. I just pulled all of my books, all first editions, out after reading Lessons in French. I love every single one of them! Thank you.
[7] Posted by laura kinsale on 02.25.2010
Elise and Georgette, that’s exciting! Keep them out of the sun (they get yellow.)
Thank you, I’m very honored that you’ve enjoyed them enough to keep them.
[8] Posted by Rebecca Cardamone on 03.09.2010
Loved your “Lessons in French”! When I heard a new LK book was coming out I pulled out all my others (i.e. every book you’ve written) and, after browsing your site, realized that they all had original publication covers. Seeing Fabio brought back memories - kind of like thinking back to your first boyfriend - fond thoughts but a chuckle at what a dork he turned out to be! I was thrilled yet felt old at the same time… odd combination!
[9] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.09.2010
I’m glad you enjoyed Lessons in French! Oddly enough, I don’t think Fabio is a dork. He did those dorky commercials, true but he always had a twinkle in his eye! He actually seems to me to be one of the select few “celebrities” who has his feet planted firmly in reality, a sense of humor about the world and himself, and a real generosity of spirit. I met him briefly, and he was always very courteous and attentive to everyone. Not so bad for an old boyfriend! ;)
[10] Posted by Rebecca Cardamone on 03.11.2010
See.. now I feel mean and petty! Obviously, I don’t know Fabio on a personal basis yet I made a nasty judgement call about him. I guess I let myself fall for the media spin (the goose in the face story comes to mind - although that wasn’t exactly his fault!). Mea culpa, Fabio!!
[11] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.12.2010
Aw, don’t worry. I think the Fab would forgive you. ;)
[12] Posted by eKathy28 on 03.13.2010
Oh, no! My Laura Kinsale backlist marathon is interrupted! My copy of “The Hidden Heart” is missing! So I can’t read Samuel’s book yet either. Ack! Do I ransack every bookshelf in the house looking for it? Do I just go ahead and order a new one? Decisions, decisions.
[13] Posted by debbie on 04.06.2010
I just finished “Lessons in French” and am reminded why I have carted all of your previous books on my many moves in the last two decades. I checked your website and discovered that I, too, have all first printings. I have arranged them in order of publication date so that I can re-read them (again)in the order in which they were written. Sadly, my work schedule doesn’t allow as much reading time as I could wish - I may have to get “sick” in the next week or so! I can only say that I hope your muse remains tractable - I wish you many many years of writing; both for your pleasure and ours.
[14] Posted by Jean Bryant on 04.06.2010
While it is true that I hold on to far too many books, my “Keeper Stack” is very severely edited. Flowers From the Storm is one I will never let go as is The Shadow and the Star. I ran across a mention of them in a discussion forum on favorite romances just recently, so I hauled them out to re-read. Thank you so much for making those books so very very re-readable! I still rate the “Speech at the Quaker Meeting” scene as the best love scene ever written even without any sex! A close second is in Elizabeth Holt’s Raven Prince… the “Shirt Off in the Library Scene” when the hero says, “I have to know.” And while I usually prefer clever heroines who don’t allow themselves to be deceived, I still laugh out loud at Leda disparaging the fairness of the “sword fight scene.” Anyway, I was really just writing to say thank you for continuing enjoyment. I look forward to your new books, but I still enjoy your older books just as much.
[15] Posted by laura kinsale on 04.07.2010
Debbie and Jean, being on the keeper shelf is the best compliment (right up there with “I stayed up all night reading even though I had a meeting with my boss the next day.”) ;)
Thank you.
