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Medallion, Apr 2004 ISBN: 0974363979 In 1197 Oxford, per the orders of King Richard, the Chief of Justicular Hubert Walters calls a meeting of the Great Council. Prince John's supporters prefer not to be there, but even the most loyal of Richard's lords would rather be elsewhere. Only the Black Baron Stephen of Dinan wants to attend. He gave an honest opinion to Richard several years ago and since has been in royal disfavor and everyone treats him with contempt. His only hope to regain his former status is courage by the King's side in war. Hubert informs Stephen he is not to attend the meeting. Stephen meets Isobel at the Great Council feast, but insists she is an imposter as he knew Isobel in Brittany. The woman masquerading as Isobel is actually Helena daughter of a deceased aristocrat murdered allegedly by a Saxon villager, but she believes a Norman lord did the dastardly deed. She has gone undercover to learn who murdered her father. Stephen soon helps Helena on her quest when attacks on her life begin. As they fall in love her heart remains filled with vengeance making little room for Stephen. HEART OF VENGEANCE is an exhilarating medieval romantic suspense that transports the audience to the late twelfth century through historical tidbits and persona interwoven into the delightful plot. Stephen and Helena carry heavy emotional loads so that love is out of the question for both of them yet neither can deny their feelings for the other. The support cast especially the also obsessed Prince John adds to the feeling of being in Oxford. Though one of the most frequently used eras in novels and movies, readers receive a refreshing vivid picture of courtly intrigue inside a fabulous love story. Harriet Klausner | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60% Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Is Romance a MAJOR (25%+) part of story? Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - revenge How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |
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