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Bloodstone Castle
by Mirella Patzer
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9780978486525 
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Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
Based in Medieval Italy, the story begins with the birth of Morena and her dying mother's gift of the legendary bloodstone which holds a clue of a long forgotten Roman treasure said to be buried beneath Bloodstone Castle. Eighteen years later, The father Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, is killed in an ambush by brigands. His dying wish is that Amoro end a feud and marry the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere. Amoro breaks the news to his mistress, but Laria had harboured hopes he would marry her and surprises him with her grief when she swears she will fight to keep him. Amoro goes to Bloodstone Castle to claim his bride, but his attempts are rebuffed, until a Massimo Baronno tells him the contessa is betrothed to Ernesto of Savona. Amoro wonders if the existence of another marriage contract might be his escape, but is intrigued by the possibility of gaining access to the castle and perhaps finding the lost treasure. Amoro and his men surround the castle and when Morena and her servants escape via a secret Roman tunnel, his men capture her. Amoro despises the violence his men used to subdue the women and orders Morena returned to her room, where he waits with her until she wakes. During his vigil, he sees the bloodstone amulet round her neck and reads its inscription. Amoro discovers Morena is spirited and intends to honour her betrothal to Ernesto, a man twenty years her senior. Umberto Montessora, Morena's father, has travelled to see Ernesto of Savona to insist he rescinds the marriage contract between him and his daughter. He tells Ernesto he knows he killed Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, Amoro's father and this is the price he must pay for his villainy. Ernesto arrives at Bloodstonecastle to insist their marriage contract is honoured. Amoro challenges him and Ernesto flies into a rage, but Amoro has him removed from the castle. When Umberto's body is found, Amoro swears to find his murderer, but Morena's grief and isolation still make her distrust him. On their way to Genoa, their convoy is attacked and Morena is convinced it was Ernesto who was to blame. Still uncertain of Amoro's motives, Morena is given a grand welcome in Genoa by his mother and his people.
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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
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rosalieskinner, August 28, 2008 (view all comments by rosalieskinner)
From the prologue, Mirella Patzer creates the atmosphere of 10th century Italy, with all the tension and emotion of childbirth. In the opening chapters we begin to understand the drama of life in those times. Death, marriage and family loyalty are themes that play a large part in this story.
Duke Amoro Dragone the handsome hero, is told that his father’s dying wish is for the feud between the house of Dragone and the house of Monterossa, to end. His father wishes for Amoro to marry Morena Monterossa the only daughter of the family who own Bloodstone Castle. That the two families have been feuding for three generations does not deter Amoro in his quest to win Morena’s love.
There is of course a fly in the ointment, or the story would be short and sweet. Before his death, Morena’s father promised her hand to Ernesto of Savona. Morena knows of this betrothal and would honour her father’s wishes. While reluctant to accept the advances of Amoro, Morena finds herself charmed and confused by his attention.
Should she follow her heart, or follow her father’s wishes? Is Ernesto’s claim valid? Or is he only after the treasure that legend says is buried beneath Bloodstone Castle.
With two father’s murdered both Amoro and Morena are intent on finding their killers. Amid a tempestuous romance, betrayal, murder, rape and torture, Mirella Patzer weaves a tale filled with intrigue, passion and power. Her characters search their souls for an answer to the predicament they find themselves in. Despite devotion, love and ultimate sacrifice will Destiny bring them together or will Ernesto’s original betrothal keep them apart? Bloodstone Castle explores the depth of passions and how they dictate behaviour. Passion, love and lust all play a part as this tale unfolds.
I would recommend Bloodstone Castle for anyone looking for a romantic trip back in time. Amoro’s loyalty binds him to his father’s dying wish, but he remains thoroughly heroic. Morena matures from a virtuous maid to a passionate woman who discovers her own mind and is not afraid to express her opinions. The villain is devious and dastardly enough to satisfy any reader.
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rwadams, August 10, 2008 (view all comments by rwadams)
In tenth century Italy, Contessa Vittoria Montessoro gives birth to her beautiful daughter Morena in the family home of Bloodstone Castle. Before her tragic demise after the birth, Lady Vittoria entrust her maidservant to tell her daughter of the legacy of Bloodstone Castle, and of the legend of the ancient casket of Roman treasured buried deep beneath.
Eighteen years later, Duke Amoro Dragone returns to his family home in Genoa upon hearing of the murder of his father. At the funeral, he learns the patriarch has made and arrangement to end the long and violent feud between the house of Dragone and the house of Montessoro. A marriage arrangement was made, and approved by both families and the King himself, between Amoro and the beautiful Morena Montessoro, uniting the two families and righting the broken promises of the past. Amoro pledges to avenge his father’s death and fulfill his request to unite the families, and sets off to win the heart of Lady Morena, unaware that she has been previously been betrothed to Duke Ernesto Boccanera of Savona. Boccanera is a desperate and destitute man, who looks to marry the wealthy and noble Morena as a means to settle his own enormous debts, and to uncover the legendary treasure of Bloodstone Castle for himself.
Much more than a love story, Mirella Patzer’s Bloodstone Castle is an intense tale of adventure, murder, betrayal, and the ultimate power of devotion. Patzer’s prose is as dense and lush as an Italian vineyard, full of the rich history her novels have come to embrace. The lives of the main characters, the handsome and valiant Amoro, and the beautiful and tempestuous Morena, are taken through an awe-inspiring series of events before they are allowed to surrender to their ultimate destiny. The readers will find themselves taken on a medieval rollercoaster ride, with the highest of highs given to the lowest of lows. In may ways the story of Bloodstone Castle is not about the treasure buried in the catacombs, but the treasure found within the human heart
If you like your heroes roguish and true, your heroines brazen and beautiful, and your villains heinous and evil, Mirella Patzer's Bloodstone Castle is just what you’ve been waiting for. Whether you are a newcomer to the genre, as I am, or an established fan of historical fiction, I would whole-heartedly recommend this book. I would encourage anyone to take refuge in Bloodstone Castle.
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rosemarymorris, August 7, 2008 (view all comments by rosemarymorris)
Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer
Review by Rosemary Morris Historical Fiction Novelist.
With her dying breath Morena’s mother names her new-born baby and bestows on her the bloodstone handed down from generation after generation from mother to daughter.
Years later, Amoro faces the death of his father, Duke Dragone, who was ambushed and murdered on his return to Genoa. But he did not die before he made known his wish to end the ancient feud with the Monterossa family. Amoro’s father wanted Amoro to bring the feud to an end through the marriage of his son to Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere. Thus the wrong his ancestor did to the Dragones when he dishonoured his betrothal to a daughter of the house of Monterossa would be righted.
Although the match is sanctioned by the king, the new duke, who wants to marry for love, is horrified by the prospect of marrying the enemy’s daughter. Apart from this he dreads hurting his mistress, Laria, but his love for his father compels him to obey. When he tells Laria, she is furious and declares she will fight to keep him. Despite this, Amoro swears to marry Morena on his father’s tomb. Amoro is not a man to break a sacred oath.
Amoro rides to Portovenere to claim Morena and remembers the legend of a Roman casket buried beneath his bride-to-be’s home, Bloodstone Castle.
After Amoro arrives it is impossible to meet the lady who refuses to see him in spite of the sumptuous gifts he sends her daily. Amoro is accustomed to his every command being obeyed and Morena, the betrothed of Ernesto of Savona, a man twenty years her senior is used to having her own way. Morena has no reason to repudiate Ernesto and accept Amoro’s hand in marriage and it is unlikely hat Ernesto would agree to renounce his claim to Morena’s hand.
As the saying goes, “where there’s a will there’s a way”. Amoro finds a secret way into Bloodstone Castle during the absence of Morena’s father.
From the moment Amoro and Moreno meet the air sizzles but Morena is determined to remain true to Ernesto, about whom she knows little, and is too spirited to be coerced into wedding Amoro. To win Morena as his wife Amoro must undergo many ordeals and help Morena to triumph over adversity.
While I read Bloodstone Castle in which every page burns with the affairs of tempestuous Morena and honourable Amoro, I really wanted them to fall in love and live happily ever after.
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Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9780978486525
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Grace Publishing
- Editor:
- James, Suzanne
- Subject:
- Romance - Historical
- Subject:
- Historical - General
- Subject:
- Romance - Suspense
- Publication Date:
- March 2008
- Binding:
- Paperback
- Language:
- English
- Pages:
- 272
- Dimensions:
- 9.00x6.00x.61 in. .89 lbs.
