A Torch in his Heart Paperback – 1 Sept. 2018

I’ve been a fan of this author for some time and I’ve always found her books to be both passionate and intelligent, no matter where their setting: and this one is up to those standards.In this book, she returns to the theme of a love that can outwear time, but I have to say, I found this one considerably more disturbing than her previous work, although as beautifully written.Paranormal romance is a departure for the author, and I found Jason and Helle to be delightful, well-drawn characters whose ongoing love story drew me in. Their back story is compelling, vivid, and gloriously researched.It wasn’t so much the what happened, as the menacing build-up, the relentless eeriness, the sheer black inexorable horribleness of it. And I’d put this book into the same chilling category as Barbara Erskine, or some James Herbert: lyric and eloquent, but with a dangerous undercurrent. Jason and Helle are light and life and love, but the bad guy here is a black hole: a total lack of anything human or humane. The scenes where Wolfe is on the page actually frightened me, physically raising the hairs on the back of my neck. It’s incredibly powerful writing – but it’s also incredibly disturbing, and I would guess that if you are someone to whom any of the really rather horrible things had happened, you might find Helle’s powerlessness and terror to be overwhelming.It's written with the author’s characteristic fluency, and I think maybe one of the things I found scary about the bad guy was how sexy he is: we the readers can see the ruthless, carnivorous side of him – the beast inside - whilst at the same time we’re watching characters innocently tweaking his tail. The horror of him is that he is an appalling, inhuman creature of pure appetite – he takes what he wants without any remorse or fear of consequence – and yet at the same time he’s horribly, guiltily attractive.It's a powerful book, and I found it compelling and disturbing all at once.I’d recommend it, but not if you want to sleep for a few nights after reading it.

Every now and then I read a blurb that wholeheartedly captures my interest, which is exactly what happened with A Torch In His Heart. By the end of the blurb I already felt worried about what could possibly happen to Helle. I can’t think of many books that can do that,Starting the book then I had a strange mix of trepidation and excitement for the story ahead, would it live up to my expectations from the blurb?Hell yes!This is a love story within a love story that has lasted through time. I absolutely adored how the time slip moments were woven into the story, how piece by piece they added the layers and complexities of each characters nature.The love of Helle and Jason is destined to be doomed, throughout time their lives have been ensnared with that of another, Sam. Reborn again and again, Jason has continuously searched for Helle only to lose her again and again. Your heart aching for the repeated pain Jason and Helle endure.Once again they have found each other, yet the evil Sam is as always in the background casting his evil shadow over their lives. As their current lifetimes begin to merge with their pasts are these three condemned to always relive the same cycle?A Torch In His Heart is skillfully written and flows in such a way that it becomes all too easy to read another page, then another until you realise that you have read three more chapters than intended. The attention to detail is sublime and these little touches added to the richness of the story.I loved the depth of the intimacy both emotionally and physically. Helle and Jason’s passion for each other draws you in, their love making is sensual, erotic and sensual. I enjoyed the eroticim of these scenes and the sexual explicitness was fitting for the book rather than gratuitous. I know that this wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste yet I enjoyed reading a main stream paranormal fantasy that include such exceptionally well written and detailed sex scenes. TThe only downside to this book is that it is a start of a series (aaaargh!) meaning that there were more than a few unanswered questions at the end. So frustrating and one of the things I personally really dislike about book series’, on the flip though it means I have a few more books to look forward to next year.I was invited on the blog tour for A Torch In His Heart by Anne at Random Things Blog Tours and was provided a paperback copy to read. I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own. I would like to thank her for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What did I like about this book? Well, for starters, Ms Belfrage knows how to weave a story that has an enjoyable, interesting plot. Her writing is well done, and she knows how to execute a scene with excellent pace and extraordinary tension.The main characters, the young Helle and Jason, their names both based on mythical characters, are the archetypal starcrossed lovers: she is blonde, blue-eyed and as supple as a gazelle, and he, Jason, the muscular, red-head with eyes like a golden sunset. I fancy myself as a beautiful blonde, blue-eyed goddess, just so I can get to the lovely Jason! But their story is not so lovely, well not all of it anyway. They have a past that no one would ever want to repeat, but they are forced by powers beyond their control, to keep searching for each other and when they do find each other, they then have to run the gauntlet of Woolf, who also must relive his torment over and over again.As far as the sex is concerned, if you have read any of Ms Belfrage's books you will know how well she does these scenes, but in A Torch in his Heart, the sex is more graphic, more raw, but is an integral part of Jason and Helle's story. To really get to feel the love that plagues these two, one has to get to the nitty gritty, and the nitty gritty is where is is. But they are not in the same league as Fifty Shades - no, Belfrage is in a much higher league, and her writing is tasteful and written with loving fingers. Without the love and the sex, there would be no Jason and Helle.I have never been one to pick up a book purely for the sex, and that is not why I am happy to recommend this lovely story that will touch all your romantic hearts. I recommend this because it is a book that has it all, love, sex, tragedy, magic, and nail-biting tension. You just can't go wrong.

What am amazing gripping story. Anna gets the mind traveling from 3000 years ago to present, making the reader believe all is possible with such fascinating events. A great read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Well done.

Anna Belfrage, well-known for historical and time-travel romance, has ventured into new territory with this contemporary paranormal romance offering. Here’s a description from social media of A Torch in his Heart: In life, after life, he’s searched the world for her, the girl he loved and lost 3000 years ago. Now, he’s found her. Unfortunately, so has the man who destroyed them in the past... A timeless and dark romance.This story totally grabbed my attention from the first page—the first paragraph, even. This is how the story begins: “His eyes snapped open. She was here! Jason Morris lay without breathing, without moving, his heart racing in his chest. Yes. She was here, he was sure of it. He took a deep breath, a ragged sound that tore through the silent darkness of the large bedroom. Finally, after all these years, he had found her.” Once hooked by this beginning, I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into the story and was captivated until the very end.Ms. Belfrage has a beautiful writing style. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture. The characters feel real. Her villains are always truly villainous (Samion definitely doesn't disappoint in this regard). I really enjoyed the way the characters’ pasts were revealed little-by-little throughout the story. It was cleverly done, and I found the backstory quite fascinating.One thing Anna Belfrage’s readers will find different in this book compared with the two previous series is that A Torch in His Heart has more erotic content. The sex scenes are more frequent, more descriptive and in my opinion, executed extremely well.In conclusion, this is a compelling and suspenseful story, and a brilliant foray into new territory by author Anna Belfrage. Five stars.

I've always been fascinated by reincarnation, particularly the thought of being able to remember past lives. After reading A Torch in His Heart, I'm reminded, be careful what you wish for. What if you lived thousands of years ago and reincarnated over and over again just to find the love of your soul again…and make up for the tragedy that ended both your lives? Sounds thrilling, but there's a dark underside to that and this story shows both.Helle and Jason first found each other lifetimes ago in the region now known as Turkey. Theirs was a searing love and they were truly soul mates. But Prince Samion, who wanted Helle for the power their union would bring, would have none of that and sought to destroy them in that life and every subsequent lives ever since.Anna Belfrage has strayed from her historical roots (not entirely too far, because we are given a taste of the past from the passages of Helle and Jason's past) to explore a contemporary romantic thriller and delivers a steamy love story with dark, complex human themes of jealousy, control and betrayal. Even though Jason has loved Helle for eons and has been searching for her in every lifetime, they still have to navigate past heartache, deep-seated fears and tragedy to rebuild their love in the present. Prince Samion (Sam Woolfe) is an absolutely chilling villain with his single-minded focus on destroying them. He's dark, malevolent and pure evil. Every time he appeared, my insides were turning to jelly. What's even more disturbing is how Woolfe manages to isolate Helle by subverting those she would normally rely on the most. He's holds a position of chilling power and does not shy away from evoking it even making Helle to question at times his intentions or his ability to destroy her.A Torch in His Heart blends the paranormal, contemporary romance with a bit of historical flavour all in an exciting thriller.

No one does passion and romance quite like Anna Belfrage! Breaking away from her historical series, Belfrage is back to wow readers with a unique story of love, revenge, drama, and doing whatever possible to be with your soulmate...even live through countless lives to find them again.Helle, Jason, and Sam are trapped in an endless loop of reincarnation. Connected by an invisible thread, each man on their own mission with Helle caught between them - one man who wants to posses her and one who simply wants to love and protect her. Through Anna's masterful storytelling readers are taken on an adventure of the senses. Intrigue, danger, sexiness - this book has it all in spades!"You used to wear it longer." Helle touched his hair. "It used to be long enough to braid." Now where did that come from? Her hand trembled as she lowered it."And you used to braid it, remember?"No of course she didn't. She'd never met him before, except that she was swamped by an image of him sitting in front of her, and she working her way through his hair. It was hot and dusty, in the distance she could see the dark blue of the sea, and...I'm going crazy, she thought, stumbling down to a nearby bench. She just had to sit down before she fainted or something.If you're looking for a fun escape from the world then I highly recommend A Torch in His Heart! Grab a soft blanket, a yummy hot chocolate and settle in with this exciting book - you can thank me later! Be prepared for sexy times ahead!

The story is immensely engaging from the start. The characters are well developed and I connected with then fairly quickly. This was my first read of the author’s work and I enjoyed her writing style for the most part.What I did not like….. the author’s subtle misogynistic messaging.The way Jason was brutally honest about his feelings for a previous lover. How Helle had to deal with Jason’s strong feelings for his ex-lover. I do not mind OW drama, but this was toxic and the author did not have Jason grow from it in any way. (And Jason’s internal dialogue, little digs/put downs about Helle throughout the books was a turn off and in direct conflict with how much he says he loves Helle).I will not read anything else from her.