Customer Reviews

Bloodstone Castle

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Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer
Medieval Italy is a setting I am unfamiliar with but this didn't stop me from enjoying this well written and researched book. Ms Patzer obviously has a love of, and special knowledge of Italy in those times, because it shows up in her writing. Her descriptions of the clothing and surrounds of the period weave a rich tapestry that draws you into the story and keeps you enthralled.
Amoro is a gallant hero, Morena a brave and beautiful heroine. The dungeon scenes were particularly gripping, so realistic I could almost hear the vermin scurrying across the stone floors, feel the damp seeping into my bones.
Ernesto, the villian was brought to life in all his evil madness.
This story has everything the reader of an historical romance craves, love, beauty, hidden treasure, castles, evil and betrayal. If you don't read this powerful and emotive story, you will have missed something special.
Margaret Tanner
Published author
http://www.margarettanner.com/

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.

I loved Mirella's first book and was looking forwards to reading her second novel. And she didn't disappoint me as her second novel is just as great as her first. Set in Italy aminst the harsh times of a family fued with murder, betrayal and love that seems to survive it all. The opening scene is one of the most touching scene I ever have read and the story that unfolds from that drama is just as gripping... a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you reading till the end. I am already looking forwards to Mirella's third novel as I want more of this!

This is the Gothic romance novel lover's Gothic romance novel!

The atmosphere is dark and claustrophobic, reflecting the emotions of the denizens of Bloodstone Castle. The characters never disappoint, from the compellingly arrogant hero to the strong willed heroine whose body has other ideas than resisting, to the desperately scheming villain. The tempral setting allows for both the allure of the Roman and the passion of the medieval.

When you finish "Bloodstone Castle" you will sit back and sigh, sated and happy, having feasted well on all you were served.

I really don't like to say it, but this book was just plain bad. I left it at the hotel in Florence, couldn't wait to be rid of it. Huge disappointment.

In a haze of blood and death, Morena Monterossa, daughter of the Count of Portovenere, enters the world. As her mother Vittoria's lifeblood ebbs, she wills her daughter a precious keepsake; a bloodstone pendant passed from mother to daughter. The pendant is the key to an ancient Roman treasure, buried somewhere in the count's castle.

So begins Mirella Patzer's recent release, Bloodstone Castle. Ms. Patzer transports her readers to the medieval Italian states, where Amoro Dragone vows to fulfill a deathbed promise he's sworn to his murdered father. But there's a problem with his plan - his intended bride Morena Monterossa is the daughter of a long-time rival, betrothed from childhood to Ernesto Boccanera, the Duke of Savona. Despite Amoro's determination, Morena is very clear about her unwillingness to break the betrothal pact. But her suitor isn't so easily swayed. He lays siege to her castle and her heart.

Morena must choose between the duty which binds her to the past and the promise of love that beckons in Amoro's eyes. She travels with him to Genoa, to the safety and comfort of Amoro's familial estate. But the continued presence of Amoro's spurned lover, Laria, threatens her hope of life with Amoro. And while Morena and Amoro make their bid for happiness, Ernesto of Savona plots to have his way. He has not forgotten his betrothal contract. Desperate and determined, he'll do anything to have Morena and the famed hidden treasure beneath her father's castle.

Morena is not immune to Amoro's confident charm and he is enthralled by her beauty and daring. His seductive kisses and touch tempt her to surrender but she chafes against his protective nature. She defies him in an act of rebellion and finds herself the prisoner of Ernesto. Amoro and Ernesto challenge in each other in a contest of wills, where Amoro risks his very life for honor's sake and his love of Morena. Cruel Ernesto keeps the lovers apart, until an unlikely ally changes all their fortunes.

An avid romance reader, I love a good historical. Kingdom of Dreams & Once and Always (Judith McNaught), With One Look (Jennifer Horsman), and Love's Tender Fury (Jennifer Wilde) are some of my favorites. Mirella Patzer's Bloodstone Castle is right up there with these.

Pamela S Thibodeaux, Author
"Inspirational with an Edge!"

Review by Rosemary Morris author of Tangled Hearts



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.

Review by Anita Davison
Historical Fiction Author

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, Duke Amoro Dragone races home to Genoa to be with his mother, Caterina. His father Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, is dead, killed in an ambush by brigands. His dying wish is that Amoro end a feud and marry the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere.

Amoro is more concerned with seeking revenge on his murdered father, and is reluctant to marry a woman he has never seen and cannot love. He 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 task is made more difficult by a rival, but Morena herself. Enemies gather, each of them is taken to the depths of despair and degradation until they come to realise the life of the other is more important than their own.

Can they save themselves and make a future together, or will their enemies defeat them both and will they lose the ancient treasure which is Morena's birthright?

No sweet love story this, Bloodstone Castle is an uncompromising tale of love, murder and betrayal, where the lives of the main characters are taken through a devastating chain of ordeals.

If you like your heroes bloody but unbowed, Mirella Patzer's novel will be exactly the kind of historical story you will love. Its characters will provide you with a roller coaster read with its array of twists and turns which plunge to the depths of ruthlessness and a love which refuses to die.

Can't believe the rating this book received. I special ordered this book based on the raving reviews it received. What a waste of my money. This book will be one that I am going to donate to the library .NOt a keeper and not worth your money.
The writing is so simplistic and fragmented at times .You can certainly tell it is the author 's first novel.I felt like I was reading a harlequin romance book and nothing like the historical fictions I am used to reading ie Jennifer Roberson, Elizabeth Chadwick etc . The high rating were so deceiving as I thought that I had found a new historical fiction writer to enjoy. As for the wonderful reviews this book received,a few of them were from fellow authors which leads me to wonder if they all publish their works under this publishing Co. Mirella Patzer was the editor of the press Co.at that time per the author's biblio. at the end of the book .I have also taken note of those authors names from the reviews they wrote and will for sure not purchase their books. Also Mirella Patzer has written reviews on some of their books which reinforces my belief that the high rating this book received may have not be justified and certainly overated