Joyce DiPastena

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Joyce DiPastena

Goodreads Author


Born
The United States
Website

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Genre

Influences
Georgette Heyer, Thomas B. Costain, Dr. Thomas Parker (University of A ...more

Member Since
May 2008


Joyce DiPastena illuminates the Middle Ages for modern readers through heartfelt historical romance. However many changes a few centuries may bring, she believes that stories of love unite people across time. Joyce is a two-time Whitney Award finalist. The Historical Novel Society rated her romantic historical novel, The Lady and the Minstrel as “highly recommended,” while the same title won a Swoony Award for Excellence in Clean Secular Romance.

Joyce grew up in southern Arizona and can easily withstand summer temperatures of 115 degrees, as long as she’s sitting in a restaurant, movie theater, or under a ceiling fan—inside an air-conditioned building. She can be bribed with chocolate chip cookies and enjoys attending the Arizona Renaissanc
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Popular Answered Questions

Joyce DiPastena Hi Demelza! I don't write or read contemporary romance, so I'm probably not the best one to advise you. I think I've heard that contemporary cowboy st…moreHi Demelza! I don't write or read contemporary romance, so I'm probably not the best one to advise you. I think I've heard that contemporary cowboy stories are really popular. Also, I'm thinking that maybe some of the categories you've been writing "steamy" in, if those themes have done well for you, could you write a sweet/clean romance with the same basic theme? (For example, there are both "hot" and "sweet/clean" contemporary cowboy romances.) I know for me, there are a lot of historical romances I would read if they were sweet/clean instead of hot, so as I reader, I wish someone would write some sweet/clean versions of those stories so I could read them. Does that make sense? I could also recommend some sweet/clean romance groups on Facebook that you could join and maybe ask for suggestions from authors who do write contemporary sweet/clean romance. Let me know if you'd like me to share those links with you. Good luck! In my opinion, the romance world needs and wants more sweet/clean romance! :-)(less)
Joyce DiPastena Hi Leah,

Yes, you're allowed to add your book, as long as it's a clean/sweet secular romance! Here's how you do it:

Go to the Clean Romances Group
Go to …more
Hi Leah,

Yes, you're allowed to add your book, as long as it's a clean/sweet secular romance! Here's how you do it:

Go to the Clean Romances Group
Go to the Bookshelf
Click on Add Book
Search for the book you want to add
Click "Add to Group"
Choose shelves for which genre/s your book fits into
Leave the Discussion Folder and Discussion Leader boxes empty
Save Group Book

Hope that helps! If you have any questions, let me know. :-)(less)
Average rating: 3.95 · 3,320 ratings · 879 reviews · 20 distinct worksSimilar authors
Loyalty's Web (Poitevin Hea...

4.01 avg rating — 639 ratings — published 2007 — 10 editions
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Illuminations of the Heart ...

3.82 avg rating — 423 ratings — published 2009 — 7 editions
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Dangerous Favor (Poitevin H...

4.03 avg rating — 322 ratings — published 2012 — 7 editions
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A Candlelight Courting

4.02 avg rating — 133 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions
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Loving Lucianna (Poitevin H...

4.11 avg rating — 129 ratings — published 2014 — 6 editions
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The Lady and the Minstrel

4.22 avg rating — 91 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions
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Courting Cassandry (A Heart...

4.27 avg rating — 81 ratings3 editions
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An Epiphany Gift for Robin

3.51 avg rating — 75 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions
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The Girl by the River

4.03 avg rating — 33 ratings
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Name Your Medieval Characte...

4.16 avg rating — 25 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions
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More books by Joyce DiPastena…

Hug a Medievalist Day Winner ~ 2024

Congratulations to Rina Horenian, winner of our 2024 Hug a Medievalist Day Giveaway!

Rina wanted to hug King Arthur.

Here are some of the other medievalists (historical, mythical, fictional, friends & family members) who got a hug this year:

Henry V

King Arthur

Joan of Arc 

Guinevere

William Shakespeare

Magdalena

Thor

Lord Gage of Clan Boyd

Lizanne Balmaine

El Cid

Bruce de heart

Lancelot

D'Artagan

Kevin Costn

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Published on March 31, 2024 00:23
Loyalty's Web Illuminations of the Heart Loving Lucianna Dangerous Favor
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Romancing the Bea...
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ADVANTAGE: Harnes...
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How to Find Succe...
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Joyce’s Recent Updates

The Falcon's Heart by Joyce DiPastena
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Both protagonists are dealing with their personal traumas, each perceived differently and incorrectly. But their hearts and values have never changed. As they struggle through new crises and possible traumas, will thei" Read more of this review »
The Falcon's Heart by Joyce DiPastena
"The Falcon’s Heart by Joyce DiPastena is engaging from beginning to end! This sweeping medieval tale centers on Jevon and Constantia, two people who have every reason to despise each other—she, for his ruining their chance at marriage and vanishing w" Read more of this review »
The Falcon's Heart by Joyce DiPastena
"I was given a complementary copy. This is my review. I loved this story. I literally stayed up all night to finish it because I couldn't put it down! The characters are relatable. You can't help but root for them and empathize with their circumstance" Read more of this review »
The Falcon's Heart by Joyce DiPastena
"I first became aware of Joyce DiPastena's Medieval tales after reading her contribution to the "Winter Romance Anthology". I subsequently sought out more of her works, and have read most of them. This was several years ago, and with no new releases I" Read more of this review »
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After The Crescent Strike, Vol. 0.5 by A.L. Sowards
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Quest for the Grail by Audrey Mackaman
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Quotes by Joyce DiPastena  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“...sin does not deal its consequences evenly upon men and women...”
Joyce DiPastena, Loving Lucianna

“...he made her blood rush as hot as it has at fifteen, coupled with a playfulness she had nearly forgotten she once possessed.”
Joyce DiPastena, Loving Lucianna

“Fleur told Rauffe when they were all growing up that there was something ‘aslant’ in Marion. Perhaps there was something aslant in Antony too, something he did not know how to control.” Gerolt brushed a stray strand of hair away from Cassandry's temple with his thumb, then gave her a crooked smile. “It may be there is something a little aslant in all of us if we had courage to look deeply enough into our souls.”
Joyce DiPastena, Courting Cassandry

Topics Mentioning This Author

“Margaret looked up at him from where she sat by the window.

"Oh, Brother Gregory, what's wrong with your hand"

"I'm just scratching it; it itches."

"Really, is it red?"

"No, it's just a bite. You gave me a flea."

"I don't have fleas, Brother Gregory," insisted Margaret.

"Everyone has fleas, Margaret. It's part of God's plan."

"I don't. I wash them off."

"Margaret, you haven't any sense at all. They just hop back. You can't wash enough to keep them off."

"I do."

"Aren't you afraid your skin will come off? It could, you know. That's much worse than fleas." Brother Gregory spoke with an air of absolute certainty.

"Everyone tells me that. It hasn't come off yet."

"Margaret, you're too hardheaded for your own good. Now take for your next sentence, 'Fleas do not wash off.'"

"Is this right?" She held up the tablet, and Brother Gregory shook his head in mock indignation.

"I despair of you, Margaret. Flea is not spelled with one e--it's spelled with two.”
Judith Merkle Riley, A Vision of Light

“Through their kisses and caresses they experienced a joy and wonder the equal of which has never been known or heard of. But I shall be silent...; for the rarest and most delectable pleasures are those which are hinted at, but never told.”
Chrétien de Troyes

“And it came to Marcus suddenly that slaves very seldom whistled. They might sing, if they felt like it or if the rhythm helped their work, but whistling was in some way different; it took a free man to make the sort of noise Esca was making.”
Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth

“...he made her blood rush as hot as it has at fifteen, coupled with a playfulness she had nearly forgotten she once possessed.”
Joyce DiPastena, Loving Lucianna

“...sin does not deal its consequences evenly upon men and women...”
Joyce DiPastena, Loving Lucianna

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13170 The Plantagenets — 378 members — last activity May 09, 2025 06:57AM
This is a group for those who enjoy reading nonfiction and fiction about one of England's most fascinating dynasties. Discuss the Plantagenet kings, t ...more
2768 Historical Romance — 7292 members — last activity 14 hours, 33 min ago
A group for people who enjoy reading and talking about adult historical romance books between a man and woman. This group is not for regular ficti ...more
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12483 The Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2009 — 64 members — last activity Jul 30, 2009 05:05PM
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Comments (showing 1-24)    post a comment »
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message 24: by Karen

Karen Malena Hello Joyce! Very nice to meet you in here!


message 23: by Joyce

Joyce Dear Friends,

Goodreads never tells me when you leave a comment here so it can literally be months before I find you. If it's important, please use the GR message feature. That's the only way I get an alert and know to answer. Thank you!

Joyce


LAWonder10 Hi Joyce,
I checked that I placed your book up on my Facebook but all that came up is you as an author. I guess I don't know how to click on your book to advertise. Can you give me any idea what I can do to get it to appear on my facebook account?


message 21: by Faith

Faith Flores thanks so much for accepting my friendship ^_^ an i'm sorry to ask this but do you know where I might be able to download your (books)for my ereader the formant has to be pdf or epub please help me


message 20: by Joyce

Joyce I haven't found it yet, either, but if I do, I'll share. :-)


message 19: by Joyce

Joyce Jeannette wrote: "Well, it sounds like fun!

It is a pain that you don't get notices, so who knows when you'll see this....

Is this the book with swimming in it? lol"


No, the venison is swimming in Acelet's story, not in Dangerous Favor. I don't think anyone or anything goes swimming there, but I might be wrong. I'll have to read it again. LOL!

Yes, it's a pain not to be getting notices. I thought I signed up for alerts, but I must have done something wrong. I'll have to check my settings again.


message 18: by Joyce

Joyce Jeannette wrote: "lol!

I read Illuminations first, then Loyalty's Web. I follow you with an alias on Facebook, so I'm sure we talked about this somewhere! (I follow your blog, too, with a different profile picture..."


Oh, heck! I never get alerts anymore when someone leaves me a comment, so I keep forgetting to check. Sorry, I really didn't mean to ignore you!

No, Dangerous Favor isn't Acelet's story. I'm still working on that one. :-) Dangerous Favor is kind of a dual romance for Etienne (Triston's brother) and Therri (Heléne's brother). They were best friends in Loyalty's Web, and still are. So it only seemed right that they should find their romances at the same time. Dangerous Favor is told in Etienne's POV, though. (And his sweetheart-to-be's, Mathilde. Assuming she eventually agrees to be his sweetheart, that is. ;-) )


message 17: by Joyce

Joyce Jeannette wrote: "I just finished Loyalty's Web and loved it! When does the next book come out?? :)"


Whoa, didn't know I had this comment. Sorry for not answering sooner! Illuminations of the Heart is available now, and a third book, Dangerous Favor, is currently with my editor. Knocking on wood that she's going to accept it!


message 16: by Lisa M

Lisa M Nice profile photo! ;-)


Stephanie Skeem Hey,

Thanks for the add. It's so cool to meet other authors on here. Your books look really fun.

Steph


message 14: by Dahlia

Dahlia (yadkny) Hi Joyce,
Thanx for the friending. I look forward to chatting with you more.


message 13: by Daysha (last edited May 21, 2010 10:37AM)

Daysha I did not read Just so stories. I will get it when mom takes me to the library Saturday.
thank you!


message 11: by Joyce

Joyce SpeedReader wrote: "Hey Joyce! When are you going to add your new book to GoodReads so I can add it to my To-Read list?? :) Can't wait for it!"

My pub's doing a "limited release" of the book to begin with, but I just noticed it's available for "pre-order" on DeseretBook.com, so it's getting closer. :-)



message 10: by Angela

Angela Hey Joyce! When are you going to add your new book to GoodReads so I can add it to my To-Read list?? :) Can't wait for it!


Jaimey Spectacular book, Joyce! When can we expect your next novel? LOL ;o)


Jeannie Faulkner Barber Hi Joyce and thanks for the add. I have a real good friend that lives in Salt Lake! Also, our youngest son lives in Rock Springs, WY and this past summer we flew into Salt Lake and he picked us up for a visit. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Jeannie


Daysha Thanks for being my friend. I will get the book and tell you how I liked it.


Veronica Widya lol
yes, u're welcomee!! :)


Andrea Kulman Hi & thank you for being a friend on Good Reads!


Bradley Hi Joyce! I hope you are having a good day! =)

http://www.cardshark.com/content/view...

Dreamsbane of Tamalor by Bradley James Simpson


Jennifer Griffith Thanks for being my friend! I can see you've got a fabulous booklist and I can't wait to see what else there is on it that you'd recommend for me!
Jennifer


message 2: by Lee

Lee Thanks for being my goodreads buddy, Joyce!

My new romantic suspense, The Twist is a Bookstrand #1 Bestseller! A story of mind-bending control and unnerving metamorphosis, The Twist unravels the tale of a hotshot consultant as he struggles to foil a plot to steal $12 million and to rescue the feisty, female scientist who has stolen his heart.

READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE TWIST


Lee

Lee Silver
"Romance With a Twist"
THE TWIST, BookStrand #1 Bestseller
www.LeeSilver.org






Michele thanks for the ad Joyce. michele marchetti
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/mich...
Looking for pt/ft help nationwide



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