In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.
While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.
After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza's life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt's death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.
This was a great paranormal romance. Though the some of the story is predictable (it is a romance) the twists within the story itself are fascinating. Moore draws readers into the world of her characters with ease and I gladly stayed there throughout the whole book. I enjoyed Eliza's experiences. She wasn't too weepy or emotional, and you could see the inner strength she gained from some of the experiences she went through. Johnathan however I wanted to smack. It took him so long to figure out what he really wanted, though I expected some of that. I also enjoyed seeing some of the puritan culture without it being over done to the point of annoying. Overall a great story that kept me turning pages to the end. Well done!!!
