Description: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author''s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. HEART OF THE SEA A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author All rights reserved. Copyright 2000 by Nora Roberts. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Making or distributing electronic copies of this book constitutes copyright infringement and could subject the infringer to criminal and civil liability. For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. The Penguin Putnam Inc. World Wide Web site address is http://www.penguinputnam.com ISBN: 9781101146019X A JOVE BOOK Jove Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. JOVE and the "J" design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Putnam Inc. First edition (electronic): June 2001 ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY Dear Reader, Lore and legend play a vital part in the history of Ireland. Song and story have been written of the faerie rafts and the Good People who live in those silver castles under the green hills. So it is those stories and those songs that make up a charming portion of Irish culture. Trevor Magee''s people sprang from this, though they traveled across the sea to settle in America. And made their fortune. But like many whose roots are in those hills, Trevor is drawn back to the land of his ancestors. He will come to Ardmore to build his dream, a theater to showcase the art of his heritage. To do so he''ll work with the Gallaghers, and use their traditional pub in his plans. In Heart of the Sea, he will live in a cottage where a ghost walks and waits for her true love. He will cross wits with a faerie prince who is determined to have his way at last. And he will meet, deal with, and desire the intriguing and frustrating Darcy Gallagher. All of her life she''s wanted more, and made no secret of her hope to find a rich man to give her a lush and exciting life. Now that she''s met him, it''s a matter of hearts that must be won. His as well as hers. Until they are, the spell that separates lovers holds fast. Take a walk with me in the shadow of an ancient round tower. I''ll tell you what happened. Nora Roberts continued on next page . . . Praise for Nora Roberts''s previous novels . . . RIVER''S END Her most seductively suspenseful tale yet--a story of one woman''s shattered innocence, the terrifying search for truth and a heart''s journey toward healing. . . "A PAGE-TURNER." --The Washington Post Book World "Roberts keeps the suspense building . . . Her fans will love this book." --Chicago Sun-Times "AN ENTERTAINING TALE . . . Strong characters and lively writing." --The Indianapolis Star "River''s Endmoves at a frantic pace . . . Great descriptions . . . Heart-stopping encounters between Olivia and the obviously smitten Noah." --Chicago Tribune "Roberts has a fluid way with dialogue and description, and creates characters that are eminently believable." --The Cleveland Plain Dealer "A plot that delivers both suspense and romance." --Milwaukee Journal Sentinel THE REEF On a search for treasure in the depths of the Caribbean, marine archaeologist Tate Beaumont is forced into an uneasy alliance with salvager Matthew Lassiter, a man who stirs up danger-- and desire . . . "SUSPENSEFUL." --People "Roberts has created another PAGE-TURNING novel." --USA Today "Having made waves with romantic suspense on the coast and at sea, Roberts now takes a satisfying plunge into the deep. . . . Roberts will keep fans'' appetites alive to the end . . . " --Publishers Weekly "An engaging cast of characters with the enticing mystery of coral reefs and sunken treasure. THE REEF IS A PERFECT BOOK TO CURL UP WITH." --The Denver Post "A thrilling treasure hunt with a trademark edge. One of her most suspenseful tales to date." --Booklist "Roberts''s legion of fans will swarm to this." --Kirkus Reviews continued on next page . . . SANCTUARY Jo Ellen Hathaway knows you can''t go home again--but to discover the truth behind her mother''s mysterious death, she has no choice . . . "[NORA ROBERTS] IS AT THE TOP OF HER GAME." --People "Sometimes the atmosphere of a novel is so powerfully rendered that the setting assumes the importance of another character. Anne Rivers Siddons has this knack, and so does Nora Roberts." --Chicago Tribune "Her most seductive and tempestuous work to date." --Tulsa World "[Roberts] delivers believable characters and keeps the story moving." --Minneapolis Star Tribune "Roberts has a talent for vivid description: The sounds and smells of this verdant island waft from the page." --Publishers Weekly "WHAT A GREAT ESCAPIST READ! . . . Be sure to turn the stove off and the answering machine on, because you may find the fifteen minutes you planned to sit down with this book will mysteriously expand to an hour or two." --The Free Lance-Star "A STRONG STORY LINE." --The Cedar Rapids Gazette And don''t miss Nora Roberts''s bestselling trilogies . . . SEA SWEPT RISING TIDES INNER HARBOR The breathtaking trilogy of the lives and loves of three brothers on the windswept shores of the Chesapeake Bay. BORN IN FIRE BORN IN ICE BORN IN SHAME Three novels featuring the Concannon sisters of Ireland-- women of ambition and talent, bound by the timeless spirit and restless beauty of their land. DARING TO DREAM HOLDING THE DREAM FINDING THE DREAM The saga of three women who shared a home and a childhood-- but grew to fulfill their own unique destinies . . . Titles by Nora Roberts HOT ICE SACRED SINS BRAZEN VIRTUE SWEET REVENGE PUBLIC SECRETS GENUINE LIES CARNAL INNOCENCE DIVINE EVIL HONEST ILLUSIONS PRIVATE SCANDALS BORN IN FIRE BORN IN ICE BORN IN SHAME HIDDEN RICHES TRUE BETRAYALS DARING TO DREAM HOLDING THE DREAM FINDING THE DREAM MONTANA SKY SEA SWEPT RISING TIDES INNER HARBOR SANCTUARY HOMEPORT THE REEF JEWELS OF THE SUN TEARS OF THE MOON HEART OF THE SEA RIVER''S END FROM THE HEART (anthology) ONCE UPON A CASTLE (anthology with Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman) Titles written as J. D. Robb NAKED IN DEATH GLORY IN DEATH IMMORTAL IN DEATH RAPTURE IN DEATH CEREMONY IN DEATH VENGEANCE IN DEATH HOLIDAY IN DEATH CONSPIRACY IN DEATH WITNESS IN DEATH JUDGEMENT IN DEATH SILENT NIGHT (anthology with Susan Plunkett, Dee Holmes, and Claire Cross) To Pat Gaffney All references to Irish music are just for you Her eyes they shone like diamonds, you''d think she was queen of the land. --THE BLACK VELVET BAND ONE THE VILLAGE OF Ardmore sat snug on the south coast of Ireland, in the county of Waterford, with the Celtic Sea spread out at its feet. The stone seawall curved around, following the skirt of the golden-sand beach. It boasted in its vicinity a pretty jut of cliffs upholstered with wild grass, and a hotel that clung to them. If one had a mind to, it was a pleasant if hearty walk on a narrow path around the headland, and at the top of the first hill were the ruins of the oratory and well of Saint Declan. The view was worth the climb, with sky and sea and village spread out below. This was holy ground, and though dead were buried there, only one grave had its stone marked. The village itself claimed neat streets and painted cottages, some with the traditional thatched roofs, and a number of steep hills as well. Flowers grew in abundance, spilling out of window boxes, baskets, and pots, and dooryards. It made a charming picture from above or below, and the villagers were proud to have won the Tidy Town award two years running. Atop Tower Hill was a fine example of a round tower, with its conical top still in place, and the ruins of the twelfth-century cathedral built in honor of Saint Declan. Folks would tell you, in case you wondered, that Declan arrived thirty years before good Saint Patrick. Not that they were bragging, they were just letting you know how things stood. Those interested in such matters would find examples of ogham carving on the stones put for safek

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