Set in medieval Italy , BLOODSTONE CASTLE is the story of how Duke Amoro Dragone, The Scarlet Dragon of Genoa, wooed and won the love of his enemy’s daughter the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere. On the death of his father, Amoro inherits more than just his title—his mother tells him that his father’s last wish was that his son marry their enemy’s daughter to end the family feud. Disheartened that he would not be marrying for love like his parents did, Amoro sets aside his mistress Laria and travels to Bloodstone Castle to woo his bride.

The Scarlet Dragon’s first sight of the beautiful Morena convinces him that he’ll not be unhappy married to the fiery beauty but he finds the lady reluctant. The unorthodox courtship that follows, the unexpected death of Morena’s father, her betrothal to the profligate Duke Ernesto of Savona make for further hurdles to the match.

Winning Morena’s love is not the end of the story—Amoro and Morena have to face down the threat posed by Laria and Ernesto, a fury of the woman scorned aiding a ruthless and desperate man, to live happily ever after and find the fabled “treasure” of Bloodstone Castle.

            Mirella Patzer’s writing is fast passed and although some of the customs and practices she highlights are quite unfair to women, they are historically accurate. The myth of the bloodstone is exciting to read about as well. But what pushes this book into the rarified realm of a great story is its characters. Morena’s fiery strength, Amoro’s steadfast faithfulness, and the twists in the plot that highlight these aspects of their characters all make BLOODSTONE CASTLE a great book.. I recommend it whole heartedly.

Reviewed by Raakhee Suryaprakash for The Road to Romance

April 14, 2009