"Clothilde." He spoke the name on a breath like a prayer. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.
Her heart is lost in that first embrace, her world is shaken to its foundations. There is just one problem; her name is not Clothilde. It is Siriol de Calendri. Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, Siri is directed by her late brother's will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother's friend Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator's shop - until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.
Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guild he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife's shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri's face, all he sees is Clothilde.
Then Triston's past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king's sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?
Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman's shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston's soul and make his heart beat for her alone?
Joyce delivers another great romance set in an entirely different time period from. And you know what? I learn new words from those time periods every time I read her books! In this book, the reader will learn what an 'illuminator' is and no, it's not someone who lights fires.
I enjoyed this story from the beginning, especially Siri; she's feisty and smart. I rooted for her through the book and really wanted her to get her man. And dang it Triston! I can't say any more about that person...
Joyce's book is smart and full of 'clean' romance, sword fights, bad guys, mystery and castles.
Visit other blogs around the 'net' through September 18 with more reviews and possible author interviews. Leave comments on any of the blogs and be entered in a drawing for the book!
September 11
Writing Blocks
September 14
Why Not? Because I said so!
September 15
Ink Splasher
September 16
Reviews by Jaimey
September 17
September 18
Walnut Springs Press
Walnut Springs Press
Joyce's Blog
Want to buy the book?? Illuminations of the Heart at Amazon Or at Dessert Book
5 comments:
Thanks for the review. Enter me in the contest , pllllleasssse! :)
The review was great. Since reading Joyce's last book I'm most anxious to read this one. Please enter me in the contest.
I would love to be entered!:)
I love the new book she wrote. It is filled with mystery and romance. It is truly amazing.
Good review, i would love to be entered in the contest also!
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