Mirella Patzer, Bloodstone Castle

Set 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's dying wish is that Amoro end a long standing feud and marry the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere. Amoro is more concerned with seeking revenge on his murdered father, reluctant to marry a woman he has never seen. He tells his mistress, but Laria swears she will fight to keep him.Amoro discovers Morena is not only beautiful, but spirited and courageous, but when he tells her who he is, she swears she would never marry an enemy of Portovenere. That she intends to honour her betrothal to Ernesto, a man twenty years her senior.Umberto Montessora, Morena's father, tries to break the contract between his daughter and Ernesto of Savona because he murdered Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, Amoro's father. Ernesto swears nothing will stand in the way of his marrying Morena and obtaining the treasure, and he kills Umberto.Ernesto arrives at Bloodstone castle to insist their marriage contract is honoured. Morena sees the character of Ernesto and is afraid for Amoro, even though the emotion surprises her.Umberto's body is found and Morena's grief and isolation make her distrust Amoro. The leave for Genoa and their convoy is attacked and this time, Morena is convinced it was Ernesto who was to blame. Still uncertain of Amoro's motives, Morena is given a grand welcome in Genoa by his mother and his people.Morena goes to Amoro's bedchamber to thank him for a gift and discovers Laria asleep in his bed. Morena has her thrown out of the castle and proceeds to have his bedclothes burned in the courtyard.Although Amoro laughs at this action, Morena is humiliated and further ordeals await her when she has to be examined by the wise woman to establish her virginity. Morena's time at Genoa shows her what being part of a family would be like and she grows to care for Amoro.But their enemies are gathering and not only is Ernesto determined to gain Morena and the treasure at Bloodstone Castle, but Laria wants her lover back and will go to any lengths to remain in his life.The weapons they use against the couple are formidable, where each 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 also 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.