Amulet (Heart's True Desire) (2025)

Happy publication day to Amulet, the first book in Heart’s True Desire, a new contemporary romance series by Kathryn Amurra. Amurra has a way of telling a story that pulls you right in, and I always enjoy the dynamic characters and wonderful love stories she creates!

Amulet follows Val and Alex, layered protagonists brought together in a slow-burning workplace romance. Val owns a successful tech company, and Alex is a temporary hire eager to show her skills and, hopefully, gain a permanent role in the company. When Val travels to Israel for a difficult business situation, Alex goes with him to help in a legal capacity. They make such a good team, and the more time they spend together, the more they both start reevaluating their futures and their true desires. Their love story has one of my favorite tropes – he falls first, and the chemistry and attraction between them are there from the start.

The story also has an intriguing magical element. An amulet that’s been passed down from generation to generation in Val’s family is said to have magical power. Val’s always heard of the amulet and prophecy, which is a significant piece of his family’s history, but Val is a bit of a skeptic. It’s interesting to see how his feelings about the amulet, the prophecy, and the potential magical influence on his life change over the course of the story.

This is an entertaining new series, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. Special thanks to Kathryn Amurra for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Quill and Ink Book Tours for sending me this FREE EBOOK to promote and review for Kathryn as part of her Book Tour this week.

This was my first time reading a Historical Fantasy Paranormal Romance by Karhryn so I wasnt sure what to expect but surprisingly I loved it. It reminded me alot of a Snow White meets Peter Pan retelling which I think is why I loved it so much.

The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about tho it was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all of the Characters.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.

I do hope this will be part of a series cause I'd love to what other Mystery Romances the Characters would get into next.

Overall a throughly enjoyable Historical Paranormal Fantasy !! Can't wait to read more by Kathryn in the future.

Val Nikolov was a skeptical nineteen-year-old when his Bulgarian grandmother gifted him an amulet, claiming it had magical properties. Seventeen years later, Val is wealthy and successful, thanks to the amulet, and about to oversee a lucrative acquisition of his company, Span Global.

Temp contract attorney, Alex Weaver, is helping Span Global with the due diligence process. When an employee's departure places the acquisition at risk, she has to travel to Israel with Val for a vital meeting. As Val and Alex work closely together to save the deal, both begin to question their priorities and exactly where their lives are heading…

Having read Amurra’s historical fiction series set in Ancient Rome, I was curious to read Amulet given the genre departure. Unquestionably, Amurra has successfully segued into sweet, contemporary romance albeit with a softly supernatural dusting of magical realism thanks to the Amulet.

Amurra has crafted a neatly teasing plotline around her two main characters, Val and Alex, that pivots gently between the two. From a relatively straightforward beginning, she throws them the curveball of Israel which becomes an emotional turning point, even if neither Val nor Alex quite realizes it.

The narrative switches the perspective between Val and Alex, giving not only their point of view but also glimpses of backstory. Val’s is the more curious, at this stage, especially his estrangement from everyone in his family besides his niece, Liza.

Although aware that Alex has deeply religious parents and a brother, it is her boyfriend, Billy, who dominates her story, and who takes Alex for granted. Alex has a blind spot when it comes to Billy which Amurra plays upon just enough to not become overly-frustrating.

Alex is quite a contradictory character which works well in her dynamic with Val. An incredibly smart, intelligent attorney who missed a career break due to timing, she can also be startlingly naïve and often appears younger than her thirty-two years.

Similarly, Val is somewhat conflicted. Vulnerability and insecurity are lurking beneath the charismatic, controlled appearance. His deeply unpleasant sister, Gabriela, exploits his weaknesses to full advantage with a heinous act involving Liza that the reader is immediately aware of.

The chapters set in Israel are the strongest in the novel and Amurra pitches the chemistry between Val and Alex at just the right temperature. She paints an evocative picture of the Middle Eastern country, providing a heady but subtle background that gives her story more freedom as Val and, especially Alex navigate unfamiliar territory.

Amurra could have taken the anticipated option with the Israel trip but she doesn’t. The unpredictability of the story combined with Billy’s news as Val and Alex travel back to the US throws the reader nicely off balance and keeps the pages turning.

Amurra writes fast and light, and her prose is deceptively detailed, which occasionally is a touch superfluous. Still, it does give the reader a quick, thorough picture of the lesser characters. Judy, Val’s PA, was especially well-depicted.

Although Val and Alex’s misread signals, misunderstandings, and missed chances are the backbone of the novel, Amurra is careful to ensure a few side strands are introduced to continue the series and, events are not a completely foregone conclusion between Val and Alex. Amurra has left herself and the reader with intriguing options for the next novel.

Amulet is an enchanting slice of sweetly satisfying escapism that provides a real treat for fans of the genre. Highly recommended.

Val Nikolov achieved everything he ever wanted thanks to a wish made on his grandmother’s magical amulet. Alex Weaver's life is a mess as she works as a lawyer for hire, wishing for a full-time job as an attorney and for her boyfriend to marry her. Alex is part of the team hoping to buy Val's company, so when the acquisition is at risk she accompanies Val to Israel for a meeting with the decision-makers. The more time Val and Alex spend together, the more they question the things they thought were important.

This is book one of the "Heart's True Desire" series. Val is in a loveless relationship and breaks it off in the beginning as he gets sick and has one of his employees jump ship to the competition. Because that engineer was the heart of the deal Val's trying to broker, the purchase is possibly in danger. Alex is in a stagnant relationship where she's expected to drop everything for him and he won't go out of his way to support her. He never wants to get married, and discounts the fact that Alex does. We know how much family and loyalty matter to Val in the scenes we see of him with his grandmother when young and his family in the present day, getting us to root for him as better for Alex than Billy is. With her engineering as well as law background, she's able to keep pace with Val as well as his buyers, and appears self-confident enough to navigate cultural differences and power imbalances. They grow closer on the trip, but there are still too many other potential obstacles in the way.

The amulet of this story was created by a jeweler father for his twin children along with a ring as the blessed physical manifestations of his love. Val gets the amulet from his grandmother because he is caring and conscientious, and would never misuse his gift. He wishes for success and thinks it's the secret to his business savvy. The rest of his family believes the same, and we see exactly why Val was the one to get the amulet. We get to see how different the directions Val and Alex go in at first, which is rather like the "breakup" beat in most romance novels without the hard feelings. Their lives collide again and we get a happily ever after that fits them, with a hint that the amulet's tradition will live on for someone else. That is the hook for future romances in this series, and it'll be interesting to see who they deem worthy of its help.

Amulet is the first book in the Heart’s True Desire series.

Slow burn romance, but with lots of character and really well written.

Alex who is a contract lawyer, and Val who runs a tech company. Both are good at their jobs.

Val runs his company firm but fair. He’s about to sell his company and start on a new venture, which he’s really excited about, but his love life is a different matter! He needs to say goodbye to his girlfriend and fast!

Alex is new to the company. Brought in to make sure all legal aspects are correct. She likes her work and she good at it. Shame she couldn’t say the same thing about her boyfriend! (Can you see a pattern? 😉) hoping she will get an offer to stay on, Alex puts all her time and energy into the work she’s asked to do….

It is a little slow for the first quarter of the book. But once the path is clear (no boyfriend/girlfriend to get in the way) then the attraction and the fun can begin….

He definitely falls first, and it’s fun to watch him pursue and try to convince Alex it’s more than an office fling.

A trip away gives Val the opportunity to tell Alex just how he feels. But can Alex jump at the chance of happiness, or will those feet stay firmly on the ground?

I really liked both of the characters. Val had a sense of duty and purpose. Alex made me smile with her incredible brain and her social skills (she really didn’t mix well with others, preferring work to play)

But where is the magic I hear you ask? Well, that comes in the form of a locket that has been passed down through the generations. It grants the wearer what they truly desire. Val has heard about the locket and the prophecy surrounding it all his life. Does he believe in the magic? And what happens when he gives Alex the locket as a token of his affection?

There are a few stories that go on in the book, and I’m hoping these play out in other books.
I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for the next book.

🦋

AMULET is author Kathryn Amurra's foray into the contemporary romance genre and the start of her new "Hearts True Desire" series which is set to come out in the spring of 2024. This slow burn romance revolves around two professionals in the modern world: Alex who is a contract lawyer, and Val who runs a tech company. They're brought together by work, ambition, mysticality, and an enormously enjoyable amount food that made my mouth water, and their lives change forever in an unbelievably short amount of time. The pacing definitely picked up as we got into the second quarter of the novel, and I was not expecting that things would play out the way that they did- I know I say slow burn and then picking up speed in the next sentence, but it was really was like that due to their setting and close proximity...*SPOILER* he falls first, and then almost ruins it all with his Mr. Darcy-esque mood swings. However, Alex's sweet temperament which shined throughout page-after-page brought it all back and the right things were said that needed to be said and it eventually brought a close to the novel. More food, more communication, and hopefully more traveling with them happily together in the next novel, that's what I wish for ;)

What an absolutely intriguing story. What I love most about Kathryn Amurra’s writing is her character development.

Amulet is like a delicious layer cake, with thought and creativity resulting in a very satisfying exploration. From reading this book, you can see that the author had these characters fully formed in her mind, and, while reading, you will, too. The reader gets to understand the motivations behind each character’s actions with descriptive back-stories.

And, there are multiple storylines playing out through the duration of the novel, making each character very dimensional. At the conclusion of the book, you feel you really know the “stars” of the book and find yourself wondering what their next chapter looks like.

Kathryn Amurra’s descriptive writing has me feeling like I am watching a movie rather than reading a book- it is totally immersive and wonderful in every way. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a unique and motivational escape.

Heat Factor: It’s very mild, your grandma could read it

Character Chemistry: Lawyer and CEO, just trying to find their heart’s desire together

Plot: Val is mega successful and angling to get a critical acquisition deal. He brings on contract attorney Alex to grease the wheels with her charm and talent. Also, Val’s success is a lie because of a magical amulet and Alex doesn’t really love her boyfriend.

Overall: It’s an Amurra, so you know it’s a gentle, meandering love story.

Read our full review at The Smut Report

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

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Oh my, so deserving of 5 stars! This is the first of Kathryn Amurra’s books and I’m just blown away. The story of Val and Alex is so sweet and the scenery throughout the tale makes you feel as if you are there. But most of all the whole way through you are rooting for Val and Alex and the love that blossoms between them. I especially could relate to Alex, she’s a down-to-earth young woman with a deep passion, and yet her career is being stifled by the love she feels for her boyfriend, but it isn’t true love. She finally knows what love is when she meets Val, and he recognizes her intellect and talents and allows them to shine. Then, who wouldn’t want a man like Val, so kind, caring, and yet so highly successful. He’s a go-getter and yet does not have a single arrogant bone in his body. He’s the perfect match for Alex. I seriously could not put this book down. Such a sweet romance with splashes of magic throughout. I highly recommend this tale!

Amulet was a lovely romantic read with mysticism and enchantment sprinkled throughout.

Our main character Val was everything you’d want in a modern day prince charming with a compelling rags to riches story that only boosts his empathy and compassion toward others. Heroin Alex is simply delightful, seemingly always putting others first and doing what she can to bring grace and kindness to her interactions with others. Together, they are witty, and I found their flirty banter to be addicting.

Both Val and Alex found themselves on an inner journey that led them to re-evaluate what they wanted in life and what they were willing to do to get it. While traveling these introspective journeys, their stories intertwined so deliciously that I could hardly put the book down!

A must read if you like modern day fairy tales where love trumps all and wishes really do come true!

This was an interesting story. I loved the idea of the amulet being passed down to those thought deserving but also the lesson that it might not be the true source of good luck. Val loved his grandmother and wanted to be a better person. His belief in the amulet helped fuel his acceptance. He was a very generous man and employer. He could read those around him and trusted them. Alex caught his attention and he felt that he might need more in his life. Not-so-good-luck followed her everywhere until working for Val's company. Together, they presented a strong front for his company. She was sweet and smart. I enjoyed this couple. I did feel that the story was a little too long with more detail than I felt necessary. Overall, though, a good story.

I received a copy through Quill and Ink Book Tours, and this is my unsolicited review.

Val Nikolov is facing a difficult decision with no easy solution. Alex Weaver has an easy solution to what her friends claim is not a difficult decision. These two smart, yet flawed people, in Kathryn Amurra's "Amulet," take a risk and set out on a journey which gives them a clearer vision of what life's priorities should be. As each in turn learns there is more to life that what they previously thought, is the power of the amulet at play? Wonderful characters, ingenious plot, twists and turns galore in this imaginative romance. A must read!

For anyone who loves clean, contemporary romance with a hint of magic!
Kathryn Amurra writes a story that will appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary romance combined with just the right dash of magic to their stories! She spins an engaging tale of a family heirloom that grants whoever possesses it their greatest wish. Our hero thinks he's long ago wished his heart's desire in being successful in business, but he is soon shown what he's truly been missing, when he meets the heroine, Alex.
Their connection burns right off and is written like an expensive glass of wine; it starts settle and engaging, as it builds in intensity towards the end. I particularly enjoyed that the story takes the reader to Israel and creates a fascinating backdrop for their romance to grow, and the Amulet to cast its magic.

ARC Review

Amulet by Kathryn Amurra is a contemporary romance. It's the first book from the "Heart's True Desire" series.

This is such a beautiful story about two people who thought that they had everything they wanted.

The plot is nice with good descriptions and delightful friendly moments. It's focused on the big deal Val was trying to do for his company and his meeting and close work with Alex. Those two had an instant chemistry, even as friends in the beginning. I liked how caring both of them were and selfless. Val's past was quite dramatic and the story about the amulet was very sentimental. My favorite part was when they were reunited, such a romantic moment.

I enjoyed reading this book and I will rate it with 4 stars.