Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Introducing...Illuminations of the Heart

Yes, I know, I've already introduced you to the first chapter of my new medieval romance, Illuminations of the Heart, but now I've received permission to share both my new cover and the back cover blurb with you. No official release date has yet been set, but if you are a fiction reviewer who maintains a professional blog or review site, you may be eligible to receive an advanced reader copy (ARC). All ARC requests must be approved by my publisher, but if you'd like to make a request, contact me at jdipastena@yahoo.com.

And now, I invite you to take one step closer to...Illuminations of the Heart.

“Clothilde.”

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

Her heart is lost in that first embrace, her world shaken to its foundations. There is just one problem: her name is not Clothilde. It is Siriol de Calendri.

Trained in the art of illumination in the far-off city of Venice, Siri is directed by her late brother’s will to the county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brother’s friend, Sir Triston de Brielle. Once in Poitou, Siri hopes to find employment in an illuminator’s shop—until Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his late wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife’s shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into Siri’s face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston’s past returns to threaten them both. Will his tragic life with Clothilde be repeated with Siri? Trapped between the rivalry of the king’s sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. But how can he bear to lose her again?

Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another woman’s shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint. But can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Triston’s soul and make his heart beat for her alone?

18 comments:

Miriam Newman said...

What a lovely cover! This is my favorite genre and I wish you much success with the book.

Stephanie Black said...

Beautiful cover, Joyce! And it sounds like a great story.

justJoan said...

It's a beautiful cover; the model is very pretty and the castle in the background is romantic.

Sounds like a great read. I wish you the best of luck with it. I've sent you an email with some information about a review site.

Joan

Krista Darrach said...

Wow Joyce!
I can't wait. What a great cover!!!
I'm so excited for you.

The Heartless Gamer Girl said...

What an absolutely gorgeous cover! I can hardly wait for the book's release. :o)

Anonymous said...

It's lovely, Joyce. How exciting for you!

Wendy

Nichole Giles said...

Beautiful cover! I can't wait to get my copy. Sounds like a breathtaking book, and I'm dying to read it. How very exciting, Joyce.

Congratulations!

Nichole

Sarah Albrecht said...

I love the cover, Joyce. It looks perfect. Can't wait for the book to be out.

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

Fantastic cover Joyce! How exciting for you to see so many great things happening!

JoAnn Arnold said...

Hey, I love the cover. It's going to draw the customer's eye and interest. The story will do the rest.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Wonderful cover! I can't wait to read it.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

I LOVE your new cover!!!! Absolutely LOVE it! And the back cover blurb has me drooling and totally ready to pick up the book and dive right in. I can't wait for it to come out!!! I want first dibs on book reviews!!!

Danyelle Ferguson said...

BTW - I used to live in France and have visited Pouitou, the castle there, and the surrounding area. I'm very intrigued to see how you've portrayed the area!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thank you, everybody! Danyelle, I wish I'd known...I've have been picking your brain like mad!

batrbara b said...

Joyce, the cover is wonderful. When I think of castles and historic novels I see dark dungeons but you have captured the beautiful girl with a wonderful backdrop.
Can't wait for the final product. Barbara B

Rachelle Christensen said...

Love the cover and description! This is so exciting.

Valerie Ipson said...

Beautiful cover! Can't wait to reeeeeeeeeeeeeead!

Michele Holmes said...

The cover is beautiful, and the story sounds great. I'm so glad you're publishing these historicals. I love them!