BLOODSTONE CASTLE
Author: Mirella Patzer ISBN: 9780978486525 3/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: ENSPIREN PRESS
Time Period: Medieval Italy
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Bloodstone Castle stands sentinel on the shores of the Ligurian Sea. Secreted somewhere in its dungeons is an ancient Roman treasure of immense value. Contessa Morena of Bloodstone Castle possesses a mysterious bloodstone pendant, the only proof the treasure exists.
Since childhood, she has been promised in marriage to Duke Ernesto of Savona. Ernesto is a desperate man, a gambler who has lost his family's fortune, a man who resorts to murder to not only hide his dirty secret, but for the sake of money. Marriage to the lovely Morena will make the treasure his and restore his power and desperate circumstances.
After the brutal murder of his father, Duke Amoro of Genoa swears two oaths. The first is to avenge his father's death. The second is to honour his father's dying wish and wed Morena of Bloodstone Castle, to end the violent feud with between their two families.
Her life thrown into chaos, Morena must choose between obligation and honour, truth and lies, good and evil. In medieval Italy, two men face each other with ruthlessness and intensity. Enter their world of splendour and depravity, of passion and wickedness. It is Italy's most dazzling and dangerous age, and as Duke Amoro of Genoa and Duke Ernesto of Savona match wits and cunning, it is a dance the death to decide which one of them will win the hand of the beautiful Countess Morena and the hidden treasure of Bloodstone Castle. |
 RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: 
BLOODSTONE CASTLE is a rich, gripping historical romance. If you've been looking for an old-fashioned romantic story that you can really sink your teeth into, this is it. Set in Italy, this story offers an epic sweep.
Morena, Contessa of Portovenere, never knew her mother because she died at Morena's birth. Her father allowed the young beauty to run wild, but betrothed her at an early age. In Genoa, Duke Amoro Dragone, the heir to her family's enemy, is told to marry her by his father as he is dying from a murderous attack.
Amoro discards his mistress, then heads to Bloodstone Castle, Morena's home, to lay siege to her heart. Things go badly and his honorable behavior doesn't get him anywhere. Soon though, Morena's betrothed shows up, and Morena realizes she is better off without him. Will Amoro be the expedient choice, or is it possible she could love him? And what of her discarded betrothed and his discarded mistress? Will they go away without a fight?
BLOODSTONE CASTLE is full of daring deeds, dastardly behavior and drugging kisses. Patzer gives us brilliant descriptions of jewelry, clothing and feasts that will have your senses swimming. All her characters are bigger than life as they walk on the rich stage of Bloodstone Castle.
Heather Hiestand |
