Tina St. John, Heart of the Dove

Heart of the Dove

Tina St. John

Ivy, Dec 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0345459962

In 1275 Randwulf of Greycliff lives for revenge only. He needs to kill sorcerer Silas de Montaine and send the magician's changeling beasts back to the hell they came from, because they killed his wife Elspeth and six year old son Tod. Randwulf possesses part of an ancient artifact that gives him hope of succeeding in his endeavor, and currently sails to Scotland to pick up another segment when he is attacked by one of the beasts. He and the beast fall overboard where he kills the evil thing, but he is forced to swim to safety as his ship has kept sailing.

On a deserted beach he meets Serena and her mother Calandra. Serena can see a man's darkest secrets by touching them so she avoids doing such. However, they touch several times, and she realizes he is a bitter person seeking to avenge a terrible affront. As they become closer while he heals physically, she helps him also mend his torn soul and heart, but Silas remains at lodge with plans to conquer the world.

Though the emphasis is on the historical romantic elements, there is plenty of fantasy segments in this fine thirteenth century tale caused by Serena's touch, who can see your deepest feelings (nice barometer on whether someone loves you). The intriguing storyline grips the audience as Serena enables Randwulf to regain the soul he lost when the evil Montaine killed his family, but his quest still remains strong.

Harriet Klausner