Illuminations of the Heart

by Joyce DiPastena

She has illuminated many a priceless book. But illuminating a widower's grieving heart will require much more than pen and paint.

When her brother dies, Siri de Calendri is forced to close their illuminating workshop and travel from Venice to the unfamiliar county of Poitou. She becomes the ward of her brother's friend, Triston de Brielle, but she does not intend to stay that way. She is determined to find new employment...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0989241963
• ISBN13: 9780989241960
• Release Date: June 2014
• Publisher: Joyce Dipastena
• Length: 446 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Medieval Novel

The will of Sirol de Calendri's late brother directs her to go to the county of Poitou, France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother's friend, Sir Triston de Brielle, who snatches her heart away with a kiss. Triston carries guilt for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, and is hesitant to love again, especially since Siri looks like Clothilde. However, Siri does not act like Clothilde, because Sirol has a merry laugh and twinkling eyes. Triston finds himself trapped between the rivalry of the king's sons and a neighbor out for vengeance. Siri will not live in another woman's shadow and refuses to let the man she loves cast her off. I love the fact that Joyce tried to make this book as accurate as possible when including historical events. She even included a glossary of Medieval Terms at the back of the book. There is plenty of action, and it kept me on the edge of my seat many times. C. LaRene Hall Author: Martha's Freedom Train

What a book

Before I purchased this book, I figured it would be exciting as I am finding historical romances such a delight. But I was not prepared for what I gleamed from this book. I have never been a fan of midevil romance but my oldest daughter loves that period and I thought this book would be a good one for her. Castles, knights, wars, danger and all just never appealed to me. But reading this book left me wanting more and wishing I had read her first book. One of the things I throughly enjoyed about this book was faith throughout it as well as all the knights and wars and such. You feel like you are walking through the story from beginning to end. When I got near the end, I had to stay up and give up my computer just to read the last 3 hours because you could not put the book down. It grabs you and holds you. I am now ready for another knight, ladies, lords, and all books. I'd even like to visit a castle. There are many surprises in store. When you think you have it figured out, watch out - it changes. But to read a book during this period with faith entwined in it was a delight and uplifting and encouraging. It makes you realize you can endure more than you think possible. You keep holding your breath for Sirol to get her Tristen.

A page-turning clean romance

When I started reading Illuminations of the Heart, I was completely hooked by chapter two. I thought about locking myself in a room and hiding from my children so I could keep reading, but alas I had to eek out my reading minutes whenever I could to finish this awesome book! Let me put a disclaimer here that I generally don't read straight romances--they're too mushy and unbelievable and often contain heroines of minor intelligence. I do enjoy reading a good romance, but they are hard to find. Illuminations of the Heart is definitely a romance, but it has enough adventure, intrigue, sword-fighting, etc. to keep the pages turning. Joyce definitely knows how to write a good romance to keep you on the edge of your seat. The reason why I never read much romance is that most of it is trashy and contains explicit and graphic scenes. What a pleasure to read a clean romance--still has lots of great kissing, but I didn't have to be scared to turn the page because I knew that the book was tastefully written. I liked the medieval language Joyce used, Nay, I loved it! I felt transported back in time and learned quite a bit about medieval customs and enjoyed the inner look at the workings of the castle and countryside's of France. Siri's character was full of life and a vibrant energy and it was so fun to root for her as she encountered several dangerous situations. Joyce did a wonderful job of keeping me wondering if Siri really would get her man or not. This book was well-fleshed out at 425 pages and I want to say if the book would've been 200 pages longer, I would've kept reading--yes it was that good.

This book will not disappoint!

The first line "Donna Siri, cover your head" drew me in and I found myself devouring the pages. It became a "I have to finish this before I can sleep read" which was finished in the early morning, The next morning I began it it again. This is a top ten book of this year for me. Illuminations of the Heart is the story of Siriol "Siri" de Calendri and Triston de Brielle. After her brother's death, Siri, is sent to Poitou, placed in the guardianship of Triston, who has been given the charge of arranging a marriage for Siri. Upon arrival, she finds out that she bears a resemblance to Triston's late wife Clothilde. When Triston kisses her, Siri's heart is lost. Known for her extreme beauty, Siri wants to be loved for herself. As circumstance from Triston past threaten to destroy them, Triston must decided if he can let go and see Siri for herself. By the end of the book, I found myself falling for Triston as all of his good qualities become more apparent and cheered Siri on as she fights to remain true to herself. While this book is billed as a romance it is much more. It has intrigue, mystery, revenge, political rivalry, combined with moment of laughter and tenderness that will appeal to any reader looking for a well written story. DiPastena effortlessly weaves in historical detail that adds another level of depth and richness to the plot. If readers are anything like me, they will come to the end of the book with mixed emotions. Happy to see the story end so well, but feeling sad since they don't want it to end. Until her next novel, I will have to be content with rereading Illuminations of the Heart.

Friend'sread

Joyce Di Pastena is a fabulous writer who really takes the time and energy to do extensive reasearch for each of her novels! She shares a wonderful adventure with the tingle of romance minus the "slutt"! As always an enjoyable read!