Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Review of "Illuminations of the Heart" by Joyce DiPastena...Enter to win your own copy!




"Clothilde." He spoke her name on a breath like a prayer. Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

What a perfect scene! It truly belongs in a romance novel. The only problem is, the women being kissed is not Clothilde, her name is Siriol De Calendri. Triston, the hero in the novel, is still full of guilt because of the death of his late wife, Clothilde. Siri greatly resembles Triston's late wife, but is very different from her in personality and spirit. This is where the Historical novel begins. Can Siri win Triston's heart and help him heal from the past? Will Triston be able to keep Siri safe from the many enemies that threaten he and Siri's future together? You will need to read "Illuminations of the Heart" to have these questions answered.

I enjoy reading Joyce DiPastena's books. They are known for being "clean" romances. Now days, the idea of a clean romance is a very rare thing. This is not to say that you won't be swept away in the growing romance between Triston and Siri and the heat felt between them. They are clearly attracted to each other and their shared kisses made me yearn for a "Triston" in my life. You can safely read this book, as well as your teen-age daughter, and know that no sex will be spattered throughout the pages.

As for historical fiction lovers, this book will greatly appeal to you. Joyce does incredible research into this time period. I always feel like I learn new things when I read one of Joyce's books. She has a "Glossary of Medieval Terms" at the back of the book. For example, do you know what
"Crenellated" means? What does "Fealty" mean? Do you know what a "Hauberk" is? I found this Glossary very helpful as I read the book.

This sweet romance from Joyce is 425 pages long. It is well worth your time to read it. Hide away in a room, pull out the chocolate or popcorn, get comfortable and escape to the medieval times. I enjoyed getting lost in the romance and suspense that is interwoven in "Illuminations of the Heart."

If you would like to win your own copy of this new novel here are a few ways to enter:

-Look up one of the meanings to one of the medieval words I mentioned in this blog post. Tell me the definition to the word/s and that will count as one entry.



-
Post a comment telling me what is your favorite kind of Romance novel. What era appeals to you the most. This will be another entry for you.


-The third thing you can do, is to become a follower of one of my blogs, here at "Why Not Because I Said So" or at LDS Women's Book Review
If you decide to follow me at both blogs that will count as two entries.

One winner will be chosen from entries posted at both blogs. So start posting to win your own copy of this wonderful romance. You have one week to enter the contest. It will end next Monday night, Sept. 21st and the winner will be announced the next day.



Learn more about Joyce, her writing and research at:
http://walnutspringspress.blogspot.com/

http://www.joyce-dipastena.com/

http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/


http://medievalresearch.blogspot.com/

http://medievalvignettes.blogspot.com/

You can purchase "Illuminations of the Heart" here at....
Amazon.com and DeseretBook.com

7 comments:

  1. I looked up the meanings of the words listed -

    Hauberk = a tunic of chain mail worn as defensive armor.

    I'm already a follower of your blog.

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  2. Great review, Sheila. Joyce is a fantasti writer.

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  3. I love the fact that Siri is a strong willed person and won't let anyone run over her.

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  4. This one is on my list to read---soon! Great post.

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  5. Thanks so much for helping with my blog tour, Sheila. And what a fun idea for a giveaway! :-)

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  6. Oh, and I like contemporary romances (without the smut), but I'm a sucker for any well-written clean romance.

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