Customer Reviews

Passion's Blood

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have loved books since childhood. All books and all topics. As I grew older and moved on to more adult themes, I began to miss having the illustrations that we all had as children to guide us on our way through the story...until now.

The other night for the first time in quite a long time, I actually sat down with a book and lost myself to the magic that Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders created for us.

Not only is this book beautifully written with words that cause your heart to beat faster when you sense the danger that Prince Emric is walking into, but the artwork shows us the full range of human emotions.

From beginning to end, each and every picture that Cherif Fortin and Lynn Sanders gave to us tells a story of it's own. From the beautiful, young Lady Leanna, to the proud Prince Emric, to the bold and brash Prince Bran.

You can see the passion, feel the love, the anger, the despair, the disbelief, the rage and the fear in each and every piece of art.

And as we read further we shed tears over on old soldier, Captain Aelfric, who breathed his last in order to protect his prince and consequently we share the grief with Prince Emric.

As this wonderful tale comes to a close, each and everyone of us waits with bated breath for the Lady Leanna to finally understand what true love really is. It is the Passions Blood of our very existence.

I had this book on order before it was published. I attended the American Bookseller's Show in Chicago and was stunned by the portrait painting Lynn Sanders was doing of Cherif Fortin! Oh yes, I got an autograph from Cherif-and I enjoy having the book and his signed picture on my bookshelf. It was the combination of portrait-quality paintings within a novel, however, that was most intriguing, and it made me rush home and put the book on order! It is absolutely beautiful.

Throughout Passion's Blood, Cherif and Lynn combine a wonderful historical novel with fantastic portrait paintings, quite similar to those old Bible portraits that some of you may remember. Quite simply, I wanted this new, unique book as a keepsake and, what I hope, will be the first in a series of this wonderful step "backward," where the beauty of the printed word is combined with an artistic complement beyond belief. E publishing may be the future; but Passion's Blood shows why we will always cling to the printed book as a unique treasure.

The story is set in the time when property and castles were seized by raising great swords against another. It opens as Lord Gareth and his men fight to save the castle, Gallitain, from Highland warriors. All are killed save the chieftain who is captured by their leader.

Lord Gareth is the father of Lady Leanna, who is betrothed to Prince Emric, younger brother of the Heirs of Kaherdin. And Lady Leanna is with them at Brimhall, when her father and homeland are attacked. Having been sent there for protection, as well as to participate in the Summer Feast, a great event with minstrels and jugglers, Leanna is thrilled to share this time with Emric. But as the festivities begin, she also sees the antagonism and cruelty of Prince Bran as he forces battle with a fellow knight. Leanna is caught and forced to watch this encounter until Emric arrives.

Later, while King Morien shares food with his family, they are disturbed by a representative group of the Deldann warriors, who announce their victory over Gallitain and declare war on the King on behalf of King Lorccan. Knowing there is no way out, the King and brothers prepare for war.

During the ensuing days, King Morien is killed, Lady Leanna is kidnapped, and Prince Emric is forced into battle. But as Emric considers all that has happened, he begins to question exactly who the enemy is and, as he finds that his father has been killed and pursues his murderer and Leanna's kidnappers to free her, he faces the greatest battle he will ever encounter. But Prince Emric is seriously wounded. Can the power of Lady Leanna's love save him? And will Lady Leanna ever see her father again?

Perhaps this historical romance pursues an age-old plot, but the story, with the accompanying illustrations, creates a fresh combination that is well worth your time. Anybody interested in historical fiction will want Passion's Blood as a unique addition to their home library.

The first illustrated romance novel is sure to entertain lovers of medieval and fantasy reading. The writing is a bit more graphic than I usually like, but conveys the realism of medieval war, while the pictures are magical in quality. Ms. Sanders and Mr. Fortin are each a class act and this carefully crafted production is proof. If you enjoyed those wonderful illustrated children's novels of Merlin and other magical characters as I did, this book may fullfill your adult wishes for adventure, with gorgeous visual entertainment as an added bonus.
I am looking forward to the next one.

As a big fan of Cherif Fortin for starters and his partner Lynn Sanders, how could I not enjoy this book? The artwork is amazing and so lifelike as you read through the hot, passionate story of the love between Emric and Leanna. I laughed, I cried, I felt the stab of the sword as Emric fights in his battles and Leanna is forced to wait for her love. A must for any romance reader, a big must for any fan of Cherif and Lynn's artwork as well. WOW!

Passion's Blood is the vanguard for a new category in book illustration. A well-written first effort, the choice of language, use of illuminated letters to highlight paragraphs, page layout, and breathtaking 35 full color photographic oils all combine to enhance the feel of a medieval adult fairy tale. The story offers all the timeless elements of good drama and romance: love, passion, sex, doubt, filial betrayal, greed, war, suspense, murder. This unique combination of text and visual beauty results from the joint artistic and literary talents of the book's illustrators, who are also the authors - Cherif Fortin (also the model for the book's hero) and Lynn Sanders. Whether or not you are a romance reader is beside the point, although Passion's Blood is definitely a standard-setting entry into a new sub-genre in the romance field. In the hands of Fortin and Sanders (today's internationally recognized master of photographic oils), Passion's Blood becomes a gift book and necessary addition to any collection of modern art/photography, positioning it as a crossover book with enormous appeal to a wide variety of readers. Even more, it is a superb example of 20th century interpretation of a 600-year old painting technique perfected by such masters as Jan van Eyck (Arnolfini's Bride), that was almost lost after the advent of color film for cameras. As the first in a four-book series, Passion's Blood is a collector's item - either by standards of romance readers or art aficionados - and the series should become a must-have for both sets of bibliophiles.

This is an amazing book, a lush and intoxicating picture book for grown-ups. The art photographs which magically blend painting and photography are fabulous. The poses are varied and unusual, and some illustrations veer more toward paintings while some look more like photographs. They are endlessly fascinating to look at since the blending of the two mediums gives such richness and depth.

The story is somewhat abbreviated since it is a novella, and it sort of drops us abruptly into a battle and then a love scene, but I liked the story as well. I am a die-hard romance fan and medieval junkie, so this hit the spot for me. Since Cherif Fortin worked as a knight/stuntman for the performing dinner theater, Medieval Times, he has walked his talk and it shows in the narrative and illustrations. He knows how to ride a horse and fight with a sword, and his knowledge of the era is apparent.

He is more than just a pretty face and has worked as a cover model, illustrator and writer. He and Lynn Sanders make a wonderful team, and I admire them both for creating their dreams so we can all share in their beauty. I recently had the opportunity to talk with them at the Romantic Times Convention Book Fair in Kansas City where they were promoting the new book they illustrated (ELLIE AND THE ELVEN KING by Helen Rosburg). They were both very nice and seemed to have an easy and affectionate relationship with each other. Despite the fact that Cherif is drop-dead gorgeous, he was friendly to everyone and seemed unaffected by his looks. I truly hope that they create more wonderful books like this one, particularly with Cherif as the hero. Their unique and beautiful look at the world is greatly appreciated by this reader.

Lady Leanna and Prince Emric love each other, but she is not reconciled to the fact that she is forced to marry him. However, love often times fails to blossom when war explodes and Emric must fight to save the kingdom. While the prince is away, his brother Bran kills their father, proclaims himself as the king, and abducts Leanna. Using her magical powers, Leanna must keep her beloved alive while trying to thwart the evil intentions of Bran.

PASSION'S BLOOD is an adult fairy tale with beautiful pictures that add to the overall effect of the novella. Though not for everyone, the erotic story line is 100 percent escapism, which makes for fun reading. Cherif Fortrin and Lynn Sanders have provided a genesis of a tale that will be enjoyed by fans of Medieval romances.

Harriet Klausner

I bought this book more out of curiousity than anything. To my suprise it is the first time in quite a long time time that I have enjoyed a book as much as I have this one.

From the breathtaking oils to the field of battle, I was enchanted. Emrics' love for his Leanna. His disbelief that his own brother could have such a black heart, to the tears that I, the reader shed over his fallen captain. And finally, the submission ofone's heart to their true love. All of the elements of a true romance are here.

I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series of four books.

Lady Leanna is in love with Prince Emric her betrothed, but not at all pleased that the betrothal was forced upon her. She is also aware that his older brother Prince Bram desires her and through magical powers she has not come to grips with, fears Bram and the dark treachery she senses he is capable of. When events escalate and Emric must go to war to subdue the kingdom's enemies, Bram is ready to make his move and take what he wants, including Leanna. When Emric returns to save Leanna it will be up to her to embrace her magical powers to keep Emric alive with her love.

*** Who doesn't love an exciting adventure and sensual medieval romance with knights on chargers and fair maidens on snow white horses? If this is your idea of a fantastical romance coupled with some of the most gorgeous and provocative artwork to accompany said story, then this is just the ticket. Not only is the story well written and action packed to deliver so much in a novella, but the illustrations are to die for. Whether you are entranced by the beauty of Leanna, the handsomeness of Prince Emric, or for that matter, by his evil but equally gorgeous brother Prince Bram, you will be enjoying the story so much more when you can actually put a face on the character and oh my, what gorgeous faces!

Bottom line: With a quick moving snappy story coupled with absolutely gorgeous illustrations, this is a volume that deserves to be cherished and kept on your keeper shelf. Hats off to the author/illustrators who created this treasure and be assured I'll be looking forward to seeing more jewels like this for my personal library.

Marilyn Rondeau, for [...]

Got this book used. This is spectacular! The story was great and the paintings are breathtaking!! Anyone know what possessed them to take this out of print? Some of the other reviews said there is supposed to be a series. Anyone know anything about this? I want them all!!!!! The pictures are so beautiful that I even loved the villain! Why don't they have more books like this?