title: Shadowheart
author: Kinsale, Laura
description: From Laura Kinsale, the New York Times bestselling author of For My Lady's Heart, comes the novel fans have been waiting for--an extraordinary tale of consuming love and fiery passion between a dashing, dangerous man and the beautiful woman who stands in the way of all he's ever desired...
  
  Dear Readers,
  
  Allegreto first appeared in For My Lady's Heart, a beautiful young assassin who seemed to have a will and life stronger than any fictional creation. I knew that I must write his story, and readers demanded it, but it took me years to understand him. He did not make it easy for me. Who would have expected that he would? And what I finally learned of him was not at all what I had anticipated. I knew it would take far more than any ordinary woman to love such a man, but even so, Elena surprised me too. She revealed herself first as a blithe maiden, but I found she had a blade hidden in her soul, and the courage to use it.
  
  Allegreto and Elena, like Melanthe and Ruck in For My Lady's Heart, are not just characters that I created--they are people who took me on a journey into their world and their lives. I hope you also enjoy traveling with them.
  
  Yours,
  Laura Kinsale