|
 Robbed
of her husband by the arrows of assassins, Tia must
flee to the Northern Prince who has always wanted
her. But the price of Hilgi’s protection is too
high. Separated from her land and her Goddess, can
Tia find a way to return to them…and to a love that
may redeem her?
Reviews:
Quote:
Miriam Newman’s epic tale of Queen Tarabenthia of
Alcinia, from THE KING’S DAUGHTER, takes up again
with HEART OF THE EARTH. If you like historical
accounts, these two books are a definite must read.
Exceptionally well crafted with a complex story plot
and seamlessly put together, The Chronicles of
Alcinia are the best books I’ve read in this genre.
Review:
During an invasion which tears Alcinia asunder, the
King of Alcinia promises his daughter Princess Tia
to the old king of the Havacians. Then her father is
murdered and at her mother’s death, Tia is left
Queen to a war torn Alcinia. The old Northern
leader, King Maruk of Havacia, sends his son Prince
Hilgi to fetch her, who arrives by ship in time to
save Tarabenthia from enemies. The young barbarian
carries her and her children off to his own Northern
lands where he claims her to wife. She is often
mistreated as Hilgi, well into his cups, forces her
to strengthen his Noble bloodline by fulfilling her
duty to his throne.
Always used as a political pawn, Tia is driven
through life rarely finding contentment or lasting
happiness. During her time in slavery after the
invasion of her country, her first husband General
Sergius Magistri, not realizing Tia was a captured
queen, had fathered her first three children.
Although King Hilgi of the Northland makes her Queen
of Havacia, he dies suddenly, leaving her to rule a
savage land where she can barely understand her
people. Yet her children are the loves of her life,
even as she fights a war, struggling against unknown
customs to keep her offspring by her side. She
educates them in the ways of the Noble Born as she
watches them grow up in a harsh foreign land. But
secretly she plans to escape the North Country,
although her last two sons by King Hilgi are not
hers to keep.
Many different men bid to be the queen’s Protector,
desiring her interest and commitment. Being a woman
who needs a man, she gives herself to some, while
still withholding her favors from others. She can’t
help but wonder if she will ever be free to do as
she pleases? Will she ever be allowed to return to
her own country without fear of death? And will the
money that Lejo, Sergius’s nephew, sends her be
enough to see her through her dowager years as Queen
Mother?
As an other world historical, this book is
outstanding, and definitely a keeper.
Review Rate:
5
JoEllen Conger
Conger Books Reviews
Heart of the Earth is a
very touching story and made me cry more than once.
Ms. Newman has written an epic novel of immeasurable
proportions that has so many different factors in
it, you will not know what to think. The only
hang-up I had is that at times there is mention of
past stories, things I could not understand because
I did not read the first novel. The way I saw Tia
struggle to fit in and at times rebel was so
heartbreaking for me; she just wanted to belong. The
way her character is portrayed as this brave woman
fighting for her own freedom as well as that of her
lands was such a beautiful picture of what one woman
will go through for her children and people who
don’t appreciate who she is. The tale has a span of
many years, and we get to see Tia go from a
headstrong unwilling bride, to a loving mother, a
scorned woman, a strong woman, a resented mother,
and finally a contented woman; this story is
definitely a roller coaster ride full of emotional
highs and lows that will have any reader saying,
“You go girl!”
Rating: 4 Cups
Danielle
Coffee Time Romance & More |
