Pearl Beyond Price

The Unicorn Trilogy #2

by Claire Delacroix

Black Wind, the Mongols hailed him. Swift, fierce and proud. Yet Kira looked upon Thierry de Pereille and saw, not a man marked by legend, but a warrior who had taken her from the life she knew…to a place of passion beyond her wildest dreams.

The woman was a witch. Truly, who else could make pearls drop from her mouth? Or ensare a man with nothing more than a touch? Yet, even as he fought the power that bound them together, Thierry knew he could not deny that the gentle Kira was his destiny.

This edition of Pearl Beyond Price has been revised from the original published version and includes new scenes.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Medieval, Historical, Harlequin

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Claire Delacroix sold her first book in 1992, an historical romance called ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. Since then, she has published over sixty romance novels and novellas, and has also been published under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels.

For books written under the pseudonym, Claire Cross, see:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

For books written under Claire's own name, Deborah Cooke, please see:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

In October and November 2009, she was the writer in residence for the Toronto Public Library, the first time that the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre.

Visit her two websites here:
http://www.delacroix.net
http://www.deborahcooke.com

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Reviews

[Priscilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bela e fascinante como a Pérsia, sua terra, ela aprisionou o coração do mais valente dos guerreiros!

Os mongóis o chamavam de Vento Negro. Ele era ágil, forte, orgulhoso. Mas ao olhar para Bernard de Pereille, Kira não via o homem em cujas veias corria sangue nobre, via apenas o guerreiro que transformara sua vida em uma aventura de paixão selvagem e sensual...

Kira era uma feiticeira. Quando falava pérolas caíam-lhe dos lábios sedutores, e um simples toque de suas mãos delicadas era capaz de enlouquecer um homem. Mesmo lutando contra a irresistível atração que sentia por ela, Bernard sabia que seu destino estava irremediavelmente ligado ao de Kira!

[Susan Ross]

I read the initial version published in 1995. The sentence syntax was made to mimic another time but it was just annoying. Our H/h were incredibly stupid people, misreading each other, putting themselves in danger (Kira), their actions towards each other at times making absolutely no sense.
It's good to hear it was rewritten. I hope the author changed a lot of the story.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but it was so difficult to get into and to want to keep on reading. The writing style tried to mimic the medieval tone but I found it just hampered the story. The character building was great and the description of the setting was too (the rare occasion we got any).

[Glittergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a major revision of her previously published medieval book. In the first book The Unicorn Bride we got this hero's parents story. Now we have their son, Thierry de Pereille's story that starts in the Mongol territory, present day Azerbaijan. Thierry has the blood of two royal lineages. To save his and his father's lives from the French King the family moved to Mongol territory. Thierry is now known as Black Wind, Qaraq-Boke. The story starts with the death of the former Khan leaving three potential candidates to be the next; the Khan's son Abaqa, Thierry and Chinkai who is now dead by Abaqa. Abaqa is seizing power and Thierry has to watch his back or he will be next.

Thierry meets Kira, the daughter of a pearl merchant, when he needs to have the town's tribute valued. Her father is gone on a trip and left the shop to her care. A misunderstanding happens while she's valuing the pearls since he speaks Mongol and she only Persian. She accidentally swallows one and Thierry takes her back to camp to recover the pearl when it passes. He doesn't realize taking her and spending the night in the Mongol camp means she can never return to her father because it's assumed she's been violated. And so our story begins.

I loved how Claire dealt with the language issues between these two and how they came to become a team in their journey. He ends up having to return home to France as an emissary for Abaqa not realizing his life will be in danger when he reveals who he is. Again we meet the ever loyal Eustache, his father's knight, who comes to Thierry's rescue saving the family once again. What is unresolved is whether or not this royal family will ever reclaim the French crown. Maybe someday when the final book of this series is republished we'll find out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read

This isn't one of her best, since the plot is pretty thin. The first half of The book consists of deep suspension on either side--she must be a witch! He is a barbarian! And lots of gratuitous sex. I was ready to abandon it or give it a pretty poor review when the story picked nicely and there was some interest and plot developments. However most of her other stories are far better than this one.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl Beyond Price is the second book in the Unicorn Trilogy, by Claire Delacroix. This book has been updated by the author, and she has stated that she has made significant changes, especially in the final chapters of the book, so if you have read this book previously you may want to give it another go to see what you think.

At the end of Unicorn Bride, the hero and heroine were headed to the far east with their newborn son, Thierry, and Pearl Beyond Price picks up there about 20 years later. Thierry has had a falling out with his parents, has joined the Mongols and has been trying to prove his ability to lead, so that he can fulfil what he sees as his destiny as a descendant of Genghis Khan.

It isn't long before he meets Kira, a pearl merchant's daughter, whom he at first believes is a witch…and maybe she is because it isn't long before he is falling under her spell, despite the fact that neither can communicate verbally with the other in the beginning.

If you're looking for a typical medieval romance which takes place in a castle with loads of knights, you may be disappointed, but I found the more unusual setting where the first half of the story took place, to be refreshing. Thierry and Kira's story was charming, and at times amusing (especially with the communication difficulties, and ensuing misunderstandings), with a little action thrown in for good measure. I wish that I had read the previous version so that I could compare the endings, but I have to say I really enjoyed this version, I think it would be hard beat. I highly recommend this book, and intend to read more from the author myself.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story begins in the Far East in the lands of the Mongols with a man the Mongols call Black Wind. He is trying to gain his rightful place as a leader among the Mongols, yet he also has a heritage among the Frankish kingdom in the west as Thierry de Pereille. While collecting tribute in a city in the path of the Mongol horde, Thierry suspects he is being cheated, so he seeks out a pearl merchant to value the pearls given as tribute. There he meets Kira, a pearl merchant's daughter. Through a series of misunderstandings, Kira swallows one of the pearls. Not willing to leave the valuable pearl or take more drastic measures to retrieve it, Thierry brings Kira back to the Mongol camp to await the pearl's reappearance.

Although they do not speak the same language and Kira fears what the fearsome Mongol people will do to her, Thierry seems kinder than what she expects of this warrior people. When Thierry is sent west by the Mongol leader to discuss an alliance with the Frankish king, Kira travels with him as his claimed woman. She knows Thierry desires her, but does he love her and will he ever be willing to actually marry her?

This is an adventurous tale that gives an interesting look at the medieval period in Europe and life among the Mongols. Thierry is the son of the main characters in The Unicorn Bride, the first book in The Unicorn Trilogy. He must decide what part of his heritage to claim or if he can forge his own legacy.

[Amber Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story I recived an Arc in exchange for an honest review
that being said the story begins between our two main characters Theirry and Keira (Sp?) with the mother of all misunderstandings Natrualy suspicious Theirry has embraced his Mongal heritage when a tribute to the tribes leader seems too good to be true he and his friend head for the stall of the local pearl merchant. Determined to prove her self of worth to her father whos away on business Keira begins to value the gems when a misunderstaning ends with her as Theirrys captive, well things seemingly go from bad to worse Misunderstandings and crossed signals caused via a language barrier Keira speaks only persian and Theirry peaks only French and Mongal keep the two at odds most of the book though each begins to like and even care for the otehr their inability to communicate that and naturly suspicous natures have things go wonky time and again even affter theirry finally teaches her his langauge when a mis understanding puts them in danger keira discovers her feelings for him are deep indeed anyway I realy enjoyed this book it had me laughing at time. if Claire decides to rework book three that would be great but thiers no big cliff hanger at the end and this is wonderful both as a standalone and as a continuation of characters from the Unicorn Bride its always nice to find out what happens affter THE END..

[Naomi Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Deborah Cooke slips into her Claire Delacroix persona, magic happens. Transported to medieval times, I was swept away by the characters and the details of the tale. Claire blended the harshness of the life of a Mongol with the beauty of love that can be found in all cultures. This book picks up about 20 years after The Unicorn Bride, book 1 of the series. We meet the babe born at Montsalvat, just as book 1 ends. A man fully grown, Thierry, lives among the nomadic Mongols and vies for position within the horde. On a mission, he encounters a merchant whom he believes has stolen a pearl from him. To retrieve his pearl, he captures Kira, the beautiful pearl merchant. Stealing her away, he returns to the horde, intent on reclaiming the pearl. With neither speaking each other’s language, they adapt to communicate and trust. The characters are incredibly complex and relatable. Thierry is a complicated mix of brawn, beauty and mixed Mongol culture, his multifaceted presence sets the tone for an incredible adventure. But, Kira steals the show! She is one woman that we can all relate to. Intelligent, cunning and so very innocent, Kira’s insecurities drive her and the tale. It was one of those books you cannot put down.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl Beyond Price is book two in The Unicorn Trilogy by Claire Delacroix. It is a reissue and revised medieval romance that was first published in the 90’s. Having not read the first version I can’t say how much revision has been done or how much the story has been expanded. I can say that I did enjoy this version especially the setting and culturally aspect as seen by Kira.

Thierry de Pereille may be the terrifying warrior, Black Wind but he is a better man than most. Kira finds that out over time. Kira in her kind gentle way just as intimidating to Thierry. I appreciated how the relationship and plot progressed as these two got to know each other even though there was a language barrier. It is a richer emotional story because it. A memorable read.

This story takes place many years after the first book but involves a character introduce in that book, The Unicorn Bride. It is not necessary to have read that book but I did find this fact interesting.

4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher/author which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kira is terrified of Thierry, a huge Mongol warrior who enters her father’s market to have some pearls appraised, and her trepidation only increases when he accuses her of stealing one of his pearls. When she inadvertently swallows it, he is doomed to keep her close at hand until the pearl "reveals itself” in a couple of days. This proves to be his undoing, as he quickly begins to succumb to her charms. As for Kira, despite her initial fear, she soon realizes that Thierry is a man of honor, kindness, and sympathy, unlike her cruel and violent father. Though Thierry’s path ultimately diverges significantly from his original life plan, the requisite HEA is unexpected but totally satisfying. Ms. Delacroix, as always, writes in prose that seem appropriate for the historical period she is writing about, never jarring you out of the story by an inadvertent modern phrase. I highly recommend this book. Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story that is enhanced with the differences in the characters’ customs, beliefs and languages. Covering a vast expanse of countries and cultures, the story is very touching as Kira and Thierry travel together learning to communicate, while navigating the intrigues of diplomacy. The romance is complete in itself, and for those of us that had read the previous story in the series, it’s a great addition to the sagas it ties up some loose ends. The author has woven together a captivating story that I was unable to put down.

[Faye Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man of destiny, but of what?

This story held me enthralled,some tos angry, some times frustrated, all times impatient with the characters misunderstanding of the contents of each other! The author portrayed the problems which can raise when need to communicate with persons of different languages and cultures interact! Quite well done!

[dlfuller54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a story is so well told that I can't see events unfolding or know where the author is leading us. This author has done just that, hooked me from the first page and fleshed out the details so well that you actually see the story come to life. I loved everything about this book and I'm putting it on my keeper shelf.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, well-written book. Kira and Thierry did not speak each other's languages but they slowly began to get to know each other and understand each other. I loved this book and could not put it down once I started it. I highly recommend this book, this series and this author to others.

[Margolynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never lets me down I always know I’m in for a great read when I get one of her books. This is the second book in the trilogy and is just as great a read as the first. Thierry and Kira story will have you reading late into the night. The storyline was so amazing well written and the characters were intriguing and captivating. Can’t wait to read the next book in this trilogy