Heaven's Fire [Paperback]

Patricia Ryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

The author of Falcon's Fire tells the story of a young medieval woman who finds refuge with a man intent on becoming a priest, who struggles against the constraints of honor to follow his ineluctable desire.

Editorial Reviews

Review

When Rainulf Fairfax first meets Constance of Cuxham, she is a raven haired beauty in the first stages of the pox. Rainulf is a teaching priest tormented by self-doubt and trying to leave the priesthood. He is drawn to the attractive, clever young woman. He does what he can to ease her suffering and returns to Oxford thinking she will recover from her illness. He is grief stricken when he finds out she died-- and overwhelmed with relief when Constance arrives in Oxford calling herself Corliss and dressed as a man. He offers to help her-- but for a man seeking the chancellorship of Oxford, it's in his best interests if everyone believes Corliss is male. Corliss is on the run from Sir Roger Foliot-- an evil man who seeks to make her his mistress willingly or not. In the past, she has had the protection of first her elderly husband and then after his death, a kindly priest who wanted more from her than housekeeping. Corliss is tired of selling her body for protection and she seeks the safety of men's clothes and Oxford. But Sir Roger has sent someone after her-- a man named Pigot. Corliss has never seen him but she has seen his work-- mutilated women who are returned to Sir Roger so he may do what he wants with them. Corliss is determined not to let this happen to her. At Rainulf's insistence, she moves in with him and assumes a life as a young man and a very talented book illuminator. Rainulf has been celibate ever since he took his vows eleven years ago. Now an ex-priest, he is determined to maintain his celibacy in order to become Chancellor. But his attraction to Corliss grows as he gets to know her. Corliss is determined to never marry again, never to allow a man to have power over her. But Rainulf is different-- he respects her feelings and doesn't try to control her. He seems to care about her-- but it is foolish of her to have feelings for him when they can never be together. A marvelous medieval romance from an incredibly gifted author! A fascinating glimpse of the past as only Patricia Ryan can tell it! Suspenseful and passionate! Heaven's Fire will leave you breathless! Patricia Ryan creates memorable characters that will warm your heart, and sensual tension that will raise your temperature! Fans of medieval romance will not be disappointed with Patricia Ryan's newest book! Heaven's Fire is a page turner up until the nail biting end! Treat yourself to something special by Patricia Ryan!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Topaz (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451406990
• ISBN-13: 978-0451406996
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Ryan has written more than two dozen romance and historical mystery novels, which have won numerous awards, including Romance Writers of America's RITA for her medieval romance SILKEN THREADS. She is also the recipient of two Romantic Times Awards and a Mary Higgins Clark Award nomination for Still Life With Murder. Website: patricia-ryan.com.

Click KINDLE BOOKS to see her medieval romances and historical mysteries, priced at $.99 - $4.99.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You cannot miss this one!, November 12, 2006

By 

Sarah E. Oliver "biogirl50" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heaven's Fire (Paperback)

I loved, loved, loved this book. The story itself is described above, so I won't go into the details other than saying it's about a woman (Constance/Corliss) who is hiding from an evil man who wants her for his own sadistic purposes, and the struggling priest (Rainulf) that protects her. Both main characters in this book are exquisite. I loved their humor, their sincerity, their honesty, their complexity, and the sweet love that develops between them. Constance/Corliss (she changes her name and poses as a boy to hide) is one in a million. She is not the typical romance heroine. She is smart and intellectual, has a wonderful sense of humor, and is refreshingly honest and open. Rainulf - as the priest who is suffering a crisis of faith - is equally wonderful. He is gentle, caring, and surprisingly innocent in comparison with most virile, sexual, aggressively male characters in this genre. Yet he still possesses passion, desire, strength, and masculinity. The two do not consummate their love until after almost 200 pages, but once they do, it is sensual, romantic - some of my absolute favorite scenes I've read. Usually I am impatient for the hero and heroine to make love because it seems that in most romance novels, that's where the intensity of the plot really grabs you and the emotional investment you have in the characters escalates. However, I found myself so caught up in this story and the evolution of the sweet love between Corliss and Rainulf that I knew things could only unfold as they did. And when the two finally give in to their love and their desire for each other, it is all the sweeter for the journey it took to get there.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I enjoyed every word on every page. The scene in the church when Corliss and Rainulf sneak in to hear the music and must hide from the abbot made me laugh out loud. The night that Corliss is attacked and nearly raped and killed, Rainulf gently tends to her and as she sits in the tub and sobs, he comforts her. I literally cried with her. That was one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever read in any novel.

I will be keeping this book on my shelf and going back to it often.... You must NOT miss this wonderful story....

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Believe It's Out of Print!, May 21, 2000

By 

"lethe2" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heaven's Fire (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I have ever read! I am baffled at the news that it is out of print. What is wrong with the reading public? The story was so touching, so filled with emotion and tenderness. I loved it and hope I did not give away my copy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hunt this one down - it's worth the trouble to find it!, April 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Heaven's Fire (Paperback)

Excellent medieval fiction, wonderful storyline. For those of you who want stories written about how women would have really behaved during these times - well, this isn't your story. But Ryan has a wonderful knack for taking characters from this time, making then adapt some "modern" characteristics - but in a way that melds them seamlessly into medieval society. I'd read two others by her - Sun and the Moon and Silken Threads (both wonderful) and tracked this one down. It was worth the effort. Corliss and Rainulf are spectacular, two individuals who need to be their own person but also need each other. The supporting characters create a fascinating story that will keep you up late at night, not wanting to put the story down. Ryan also does a fabulous job of building the passionate tension between Corliss and Rainulf and bringing them together in a memorable fashion.