Friday, August 14, 2009
Illuminations of the Heart - review and giveaway

Today I get to share with you my review of Joyce DiPastena's new book, Illuminations of the Heart. I don't remember the last time I've enjoyed a book so much. As a writer I'm a picky reader. I force myself to analyze and pick apart every book I read to try and improve my own writing.
It wasn't possible for me to pick apart Illuminations of the Heart. From the first scene I was sucked in and cheering for the heroine, Siri. Siri is one of those heroines who you'd want for a best friend. She's warm, beautiful, and loyal. And she's not afraid to pull a knife and force a man to back off. Loving the tough girl!
The hero, Triston, is a troubled man. I fell in love with him, but had a bit of a struggle with his tendency towards violence. Yet at the same time, I've got to give him kudos for restraining himself (most of the time) and this tendency is integral to the plot.
Speaking of the plot, it was extremely well-done. I loved all the twists. I never wanted to put the book down. And it's a big book. My family were not happy boys.
I would definitely recommend Illuminations of the Heart to anyone who enjoys clean romance, riveting suspense, and a story that will touch your heart.
“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 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 guilt 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's blog: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/
Walnut Springs Press: Http://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com
Buy the book here - Deseretbook.com:
http://deseretbook.com/item/5027091/Illuminations_of_the_Heart_A_Historical_
Novel
Barnesandnoble.com:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Illuminations-of-the-Heart/Joyce-Dipastena/
e/9781935217268/?itm=1
Don't forget, leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a free copy of Illuminations of the Heart.
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I am very interested in this book! Thanks for a good review! mesreadsATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading Illuminations of the Heart. I really enjoyed reading your reiew. Thanks for taking part in Joyce's blog tour.
ReplyDeleteHi Cami,
ReplyDeleteYou got it right with Triston. Not everyone's born easy tempered, you know. ;-) At least he does try to overcome his weakness.
Thanks so much for reviewing my book!
Hi Cami,
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for this review. I'm dying for reading this book! It sounds like great.
My God bless you.
Cami that was a great review. I think I could get very hooked on this book.
ReplyDeleteWith a such a glowing review who wouldn't want to pick up this book?!?
ReplyDeleteHistorical ~ Romance ~ Suspense . . . 3 of my favorite genres all combined too!
How can I not check it out with such a great review. I'd love the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to all of you for reading the review and entering to win Joyce's book. It really was amazing. I love it when I get sucked in by such a terrific novel!
ReplyDeleteHope you all have a restful Sabbath,
Cami
Joyce,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to note that I really did adore Triston!
A wonderful review, love historical romance & love the suspense genre so sounds like a good combination. Putting this one on my wishlist
ReplyDeleteIts definitely on my wishlist! Even if I don't win, I'm tracking this one down.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Cami, trying again to comment on your blog. Hopefully this time it works! I look forward to reading more of your book reviews.
ReplyDeleteYay for Siri being so likeable yet realistic. I love it when a character is so endearing, faults and all!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway Joyce :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
THis sounds like such a great book, I love historical romances that hold you from page one and you can't put it down until you read the whole book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments friends. I think you will really enjoy this book.
ReplyDeleteooh I didn't see this one here the other day! I'm going to have to add this one to my "must buy" list and then to my TBR Pile!
ReplyDeletex0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)
IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com
Glad you found it Amy. I think you'll love it. I was completely taken with the book.
ReplyDeleteAmy won the $10 gift card to Amazon through this blog post. Isn't that cool? I love it when one of my readers wins. Congrats, Amy!
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