My Review of Dangerous Favor by Joyce DiPastena

 

 

Product Details:

• Title: Dangerous Favor
• Author: Joyce DiPastena
• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Brigham Distributing (January 17, 2012)
• Genre: Historical Romance
• ISBN-10: 159992806X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599928067

Book Description:

Her father has been accused of stealing from the king, an allegation that has reduced her family to poverty. She has one chance to find and marry a man who can help her prove her father's innocence. Lord Therri, heir to a rich barony, has the wealth and connections Mathilde needs to delve into the mysteries of her father's past. Furthermore, Therri embodies all her romantic dreams.

Etienne, the younger son of a disgraced family, has neither wealth nor connections, but is smitten with Mathilde at a glance. She finds the knight intriguing, but believes he is only out to seduce her. While she seeks for a way to win Therri's attention, Etienne tricks her into granting him her favor, an embroidered white ribbon, for a tournament, setting in motion a dangerous chain reaction of events. Can Etienne save Mathilde from a nightmare from her past and prove himself the true hero of her dreams?

My Review:

   Every story I read, written by Joyce DiPastena, makes me fall in love with this time period more and more. Medieval France is brought to life again, in this story about the fair maiden, Mathilde, and her handsome knight, Etienne. Both Etienne and Mathilde come from imperfect families and backgrounds. Neither were looking for love, but end up falling for each other amongst danger, surrounded by those in King Henry's court. This great tale in woven so brilliantly, with rich and accurate history, and a clean love story.


 
This third novel has beloved characters that we have "met" before in Joyce's others books, Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Heart.



I always feel like I am coming home when I read a series that has familiar characters I have read about before. Joyce has such a beautiful writing style that brings to life the middle ages with rich descriptions and flavors. There is more than one romance being played out, as Lord Therri and Lady Violette are dancing around each other; then Mathilde and Etienne are trying hard not to fall in love. There is a lot of romantic tension, without anything gratuitous. There were many times I sighed out loud as Mathilde and Etienne interact for example...

A footstep sounded, and then Etienne's arms encircled her from behind...

"Don't," she said.

His cheek rested atop her head. "Don't what?"

"Touch me."

His cheek came up and she felt his start of surprise

"Please let me go." She heard her voice, flat, colorless...

Yes, there is a lot of "dancing" going on, but you will truly enjoy the ride. I highly recommend this book to those who love historical romance, especially from the middle ages. If you have never read any from this genre, this is the series that you need to start with. A romance written by Joyce DiPastena will never leave you disappointed.


To purchase Dangerous Favor, please go to Amazon.com

About this author

:     

I am the author of three "sweet" medieval romances, Loyalty's Web (a 2007 Whitney Award Finalist), Illuminations of the Heart (past RWA Heart of the West Winner, and a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist), and Dangerous Favor (2012 release). I've also written a short medieval Christmas story titled "An Epiphany Gift for Robin" published in the Christmas anthology, Stolen Christmas and Other Stories of the Season, also available as a "single" on Smashwords.

 

To read more about Joyce and her books, please go to her site here. 

 

***I was given a review copy of Dangerous Favor. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.*** 

  

For your enjoyment today, I have included the book trailers from the first two books, mentioned above. I love watching these trailers for not only the pictures, but the beautiful music.