My Heart is Within You ~ Book 1 of the Triquetra Trilogy by Marguerite Labbe

My Heart is Within You ~ Book 1 of the Triquetra Trilogy by Marguerite Labbe
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: GLBT, M/M, Paranormal


Received Review Copy from Publisher

Summary: The power of heart and soul holds the key to the survival of the last of the ancient vampires. Kristair is running out of time. His race has faded away, prey to delusion and deterioration, and his only chance to live long enough to find a cure is to bind his psyche to a human vessel in a long forgotten ritual.

Kristair's chosen vessel is Jacob Corvin, a man of passionate stubbornness and fierce loyalty; he has captured Kristair's fantasies so completely that he is both the vampire's greatest strength and most crippling weakness. Drawing upon Jacob's spirit and Kristair's resolve, they each bind a portion of their souls to one other. For as long as Jacob carries Kristair's heart within him, the vampire can continue his quest.

Just when they have hope, their mission is threatened by The Syndicate, a group of younger vampires who attempt to force Kristair to teach them his secrets before he disappears like the rest of the ancients. Battling both The Syndicate's attacks and his unexpected need and love for Jacob, Kristair's strength begins to fade, forcing him to make a decision that will change his and Jacob's lives forever.

Kathy’s Review: This was a long story, at 280 pages, but My Heart is Within You is written so skillfully that it flows and, as the tension builds, begins to speed along to the end. I wasn’t aware at the start that this is the first book in a trilogy but when I discovered that fact, was very pleased to find it so; and even more so that both the second and third books are now available. By the end of the story I was extremely grateful for this fact! It even made the cliff-hanger ending much more palatable, especially as I have both subsequent books now in my TBR.

This is the first story that I’ve read by Marguerite Labbe and it’s just the beginning of many more to come. I love the complexity of her writing and, due to the length, she is able to fully explain and inform. The relationship between Kristair and Jacob starts as a tease. We know enough about both of them and their reaction to the other that, by the time they truly connect, it’s a relief.

Right from the very start the reader knows that there is something very special between these two men. What I found equally surprising and engaging is that their relationship was nothing like I expected. Ms. Labbe has created a very pleasant twist, but as Kris and Jacob come to vibrant life on the pages it’s almost to be expected that they would bring their own strong personalities to bear. I also find it very interesting to note that this is a dual first-person narrative; both Kristair and Jacob have an opportunity to communicate directly, letting us experience the whole. What I really liked is that it is quite easy to determine who is in ascendancy; they each have a strong voice and their patterns of speech and wording gives them away very easily.

Now that I think on it, My Heart Within You is very much an introduction. It’s long and detailed to be sure, but we are given so much to absorb, so much that is very new, that Marguerite Labbe gives us an opportunity to truly enter this intriguing world of vampires. And she does a most admirable job.

I’d venture to say that this world seems almost plausible. That’s not to say I’d be thrilled to run into vampires, but I can picture them in a distant corner of my world. Even with some of the abilities that the vampires have, I must say that I didn’t consciously or unconsciously identify this tale as paranormal. Huh.

If you, as a reader, enjoy books with very evolved ‘other’ elements, well-crafted and detailed story-lines and characters that burst into your consciousness, then to you I highly recommend Marguerite Labbe’s My Heart is Within You. But I caution you to make sure that you have the other two books so that you may seamlessly continue the story. Otherwise, I cannot be held responsible for the effects of withdrawal sure to ensue.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Kathy!





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