Love. Pray. Read.: Illuminations of the Heart

Friday, August 14, 2009

Illuminations of the Heart - review and giveaway

1:55 PM | Posted by Cami Checketts | | | Edit Post

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.