Heaven's Fire

Fairfax Family #2

by Patricia Ryan

LOVE'S UNCONQUERABLE POWER

Young Constance was practically a slave, waiting to be taken at will by the cruel Sir Roger Foliot, lord of the village of Cuxham. But Sir Roger did not count on her ability to escape from him into the protection of priest, Oxford scholar, and sworn celibate, Rainulf Fairfax. Rainulf noticed Constance's intelligence as well as her beauty the first time they met. Once a soldier in the Crusades, Rainulf understood battle, but he didn't know anything about the war of passion that was about to erupt between them.

Drawn into a love that was forbidden, Constance desired the proud, honorable Rainulf not only as her teacher but as much more. Now they have a lesson to learn about love ... how unstoppable it is ... what it will cost them ... and what the priceless ecstasy of sharing a future --- forever --- can be.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Medieval, Historical, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Medieval Romance

347 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Patricia Burford Ryan (born August 9, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States) is an American writer of romance novels as Patricia Ryan, mystery novels as P.B. Ryan and erotica novels as Louisa Burton. She is the twin sister of the romance writer Pamela Burford.

She won a Golden Heart award in 1994 in the category "short contemporary series" and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book Silken Threads also won a RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers of America, for "Best Long Historical Romance" of 2000.

Reviews

[Verity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this buried treasure to pieces, I'd rate it 10 stars if I could. From the gripping Prologue to the Epilogue, I was spellbound.

Since she's 16 y/o, Constance's been the object of the obese Sir Roger Foliot's lust. Constance married the village smithy (ancient enough to be her grandpa) to avoid the lecherous evil Lord's clutches. When the smithy died in his sleep & w/ Sir Roger nipping @ her heels, she became the elderly rector's housekeeper cum lover. Thwarted 2 X, Sir Roger vowed that he'd be damned if he let Constance get away the 3rd time.

Rainulf is the academic son of a powerful Norman Baron & the cousin of the Queen who's trained from childhood & came back from the pilgrimage suffering from a crisis of faith. He's petitioning to have his priesthood vows renounced. His current ambition is to be appointed as the prestigious Chancellor of Oxford. After sowing his wild oats during his University days, he's been a celibate priest for helluva long time = 11 yrs. Observing a vow of chastity is a prerequisite for this position, his conduct is being scrutinized until the end of summer. In the interim, he’s serving as the elected Master of Schools & a highly regarded teacher.

H/H are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame from the moment fate (or rather, the smallpox epidemic) brought 'em together. Reluctant Rainulf is summoned to perform the rector's last rites. Rainulf is astonished to find Constance digging her own & the deceased rector's graves. She's already afflicted w/ the early stages of the deadly yellow plague & death's just around the corner. After nursing her, he goes back to Oxford, only to hear 2 weeks later from the traveling surgeon, that Constance has died.

To his shock & disbelief, Constance shows up @ 1 of his lectures, w/ a shorn hair & all dressed up like a boy. She’s changed her name to Corliss & is hunted by Pigot, an unknown Jack-the-Ripper-like monster whose mission is to bring her back to Sir Roger. Rainulf throws a cloak of protection over Corliss, offering her to live w/ him – disguised as a young man. Wary @ 1st, Corliss realizes that it’s the best solution to her predicament.

Impressed by her workmanship, Rainulf helps Corliss – a talented illuminator – find work. Proximity breeds angst. Corliss gets mixed signals from Rainulf. She suspects that Rainulf is a virgin & prefers men to the fairer sex, but @ times she catches him eyeing her. Corliss’s disguise works so well that she inadvertently receives a most unwelcome attention of a 14 y/o gal (whose intended is enraged & threatens Corliss to stay away, much to Rainulf’s amusement). A suspicious-looking peddler also follows Corliss around. She cherishes her newfound freedom. When Rainulf forbids her to befriend this peddler, she tries to leave him & he won’t let her go. Their sexual tension escalates as she begins to 2nd-guess the handsome magister’s disinterest in women.

When he learns that she’s fluent in multiple languages, Rainulf offers to polish her in anything she wants & teaches her self-defense. Rainulf falls deeper in luv w/ Corliss, the more he gets to know her. She teases him & makes him laugh. Life becomes more colorful & he comes alive when he’s around her. She challenges his intellect & his raging hormones. Rainulf thinks Corliss is a temptress incarnate, he aches & yearns for her, but he’s bound by his vow of abstinence. He’s so enchanted w/ her that he starts to doubt if the much-coveted Chancellor appointment is really worth the pain after all. I luved the sweet culmination of their pent-up desire. It’s just icing on the cake when they finally come together. This beautifully-written book is a DIK.

Can’t wait to read the prequel = Falcon’s fire - Rainulf’s sister & his BFF story (both show up here).

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 1 out of 5]

++Spoilers+++
Well this is the last book I read from this author. I am actually surprised I was able to finish it.

I am sorry for the angry reviews as of late, but I am growing quite tired of being kind after finishing a book that has left me angry. Since I wasted my time and money I no longer feel the need to be kind.

Although the writing was decent there are many elements that I dislike.

First, I DNF the first book in this series which started out pretty good, until the author made a potentially great hero into an unlikeable one. This second book, did exactly the same thing except this hero was a little less douchbaggy.

Here we have a young hot priest/scholar who has been celibate for 11 years. He comes across the h when summoned to give last rites to a priest in a neighboring town who was dying of samll pox. The dying priest was an old man who had taken the h as a mistress in exchange for protection from an evil man who wanted her for his own abusive sexual purposes. Upon arriving, said old priest has already died and h is already with fever and may die as well. Young hot priest saves her with healing methods learned while on crusade (he also gives her some small holy relic). He leaves her in the care of a friend once he is sure she will live. The h having survived and now has no protection from evil man flees her town disguised as a boy and changes her name. . Of course she seeks out hot priest in Oxford to return a relic he left with her when she was ill. Evil man is not happy when he learns the h's death was faked and sends extra evil guy to locate her. Extra evil guy loves to torture and disfigure women.

So do you see where I'm comming from? First a big pet peeve of mine are antagonists that are evil for no reason.. cartoonish. We get 2 of them in this story. I also abhor long winded dialogues from the evil guys. It is a cheap ploy to buy time while the H swoops in for a rescue. Again cartoonish.

What I hate most of all is the fact I start out loving the Hero until the author felt it necessary to describe in detail his past sexual expolits before he took his vows. I also hate that the hero is so arrogant and proud of himself for it..bragging in front of the h like he's some sort of sex God. And of course the h has only had old men and never experienced pleasure in the bedroom. But what truly dumbfounded me was the h asking the H to tell her about all his "conquests." Who does this?

AH but the real kicker that made me lose all liking for this book was when the h asks the H how it felt when he made one of his ex woman orgasam. He tells her he doesn't know how it feels for a woman and he wont tell her how it felt for him. So he decides (feeling sorry for that she never climaxed ) to take it upon himself to pleasure her (with fingers), this is right after telling her of coutse that he wished he never met her.... And she lets him. WTF? I wish I never met you? And you allow his hands on you right after?

Need I go on?

I guess I am the odd one here against all these 5 star reviewers, but I prefer more likeable characters, more realistic antagonists and realistic conflict. I also suppose my idea of a lovable hero differs for others. I guess I have a bit more of a higher standard for a "HERO." I don't care if they have a past, but I find it unnecessary to have it detailed and thrown in my face--arrogantly no less.

Lastly.. all this sex and not one child has come of it? Past and present? Please..

Wont recommend, wont read this author again for she seems to keep the same patterns that I don't care for.

Oh if you get upset with violence, torture disfigurement and attempted rape... this is not for you. These things don't bother me but for others it may.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like its predecessor, Heaven's Fire is a 5 stars, without question. I loved both Falcon's Fire and Heaven's Fire so much, that I can't even really separate them and think of them as two different books.

My Review for Falcon's Fire: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

In Heaven's Fire, we get to hear Rainulf's story. Rainulf is the elder half-brother of the heroine in the first book. He is a brilliant scholar, teacher, and former soldier of the Crusades. He is also a Priest whose faith has been badly shaken, and he questions the validity of the Church and of God (as I stated in my review of the first one, these are most definitely NOT inspirational books, but they do have a lot of religious themes as the Church was a significant institution during the time period that these stories take place).

At the beginning of the book he finds out that the Church has released him from his Priesthood. He is teaching at a new school in Oxford, which Rainulf believes has the potential to be a great university one day (teehee). The Bishop also has set his sights on Rainulf to be the Chancellor of Oxford, which is a post he desperately craves. He was a celibate Priest for eleven years, and although he has been recently released from his vows, he still intends to remain celibate so as to be awarded the prestigious post of Chancellor.

Constance of Cuxham has spent the majority of her young life trading her body for protection... specifically protection from Sir Roger Foliot, a sadistically evil knight who brutalizes all who are under him, especially women. And Sir Roger is obsessed with Constance. She has managed to stay protected from his wrath because she married an old man when she was quite young (and Sir Roger fears the fires of hell, and would not violate another man's wife). Then after she is widowed she takes up with Father Osred, an elderly priest, and lives as his mistress and housekeeper in exchange for his protection from Sir Roger. She is tired of being used, and longs for freedom. Years later, when a small pox epidemic kills the old Priest, Constance is once again left open for Sir Roger's taking.

Rainulf is asked to go into Cuxham to deliver Last Rites to those who've been stricken with small pox, as Rainulf has had the disease and is therefore immune. He finds Constance digging a grave for Father Osred. She is also stricken with fever, and Rainulf sees her through the night. He feels an instant connection to the young widow, and also notices that she has a great talent for copying text and illuminating. After he leaves Cuxham, however, Rainulf receives news that Constance has died, and he feels a profound sense of loss that he cannot explain.

Constance hasn't died. She has faked her own death, and has escaped Cuxham. She goes into hiding from Sir Roger, and makes her way to Oxford to seek out the young priest who helped her. She now calls herself Corliss, and is very convincingly disguised as a boy. Rainulf, relieved to see her alive, finds himself unable to let her go. He takes her into his home to protect her, but if she is discovered to be a woman by the people of Oxford, Rainfulf's reputation would be ruined, and Constance would leave herself open to being kidnapped by the man Sir Roger has sent to find her.

As they spend more time together, Constance and Rainulf are drawn to one another forcefully and undeniably. Their attraction and growing love is so powerful, that the reader can actually feel the distress and the sheer emotion flowing from these two characters. Patricia Ryan seems to love writing stories where the characters desperately try to resist one another for a long time, creating a tension so thick that by the time they give in and release the tension, it's a veritable explosion. And this book was the most explosive so far.

By the time these two characters give into their passion, they are completely in love and have longed for one another so much, that their coming together is one of the most intense I've ever read in any romance novel. Their first love scene is one that I may go back a reread several times. Seriously, seriously hot. Not only was it hot, but the reader also had the emotional involvement as well. These are two characters who have essentially given up on falling in love, and are surprised to find in one another everything they have ever wanted. Once they figure out how they feel about one another, the expression of that love is so beautiful and moving.

In addition, reading about Rainulf's personal journey towards finding himself and what he wants was interesting to read. He is a fabulous teacher, and although Corliss/Constance can see that it is his passion, Rainulf seems blind to this notion. She helps him find himself, which only adds to the genuineness of their feelings for one another.

This could be read as a standalone, but both of the Fairfax books were so good, that I would recommend reading them together and in order.

What are you waiting for? Just read it! You won't regret it!

[Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~]

This is a bit boring. The characters are too nice. I wanted to read this because it sounded similar to Green Darkness, but it's not. One of the characters is an illuminator, and it seems that I find that particular profession extremely boring when authors write about it (same thing when I read The Mercy Seller). Next!

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I wanted to give this 4 stars, but in the end I couldn't. I liked the characters and the plot was good, but there were a few things towards the end I didn't like. First, the twist with a certain character didn't work for me. It didn't seem to add up and seemed too convenient. Also, while I liked Rainulf and Corliss's relationship, I felt there was one part that just seemed out of character for both. But, I would still recommend this book!

[babyfishmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 stars.
It's the second book in a series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. The couple from the first book FALCON'S FIRE, Thorne and Martine, make an appearance but they were very inconsequential to the plot of this book.

I enjoyed this one even more than than FALCON'S FIRE. It had less violence, limited POV from the villain, a bit of mystery, a much easier to admire heroine and a celibate former priest. Watching Rainulf (hero) fight his carnal urges was over-the-top fantastic if you're a fan of unresolved sexual tension like I am. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough wondering when/how they were finally going to end up in bed together. And for a book written in the mid-90's there is a nice level of steam. The scene were Corliss(heroine) experiences her first orgasm is worth the price of the book alone.
Corliss/Constance (heroine) was smart and the perfect match for Rainulf. The romance takes place over the course of several months and, even though they're both initially attracted to each other, it's not lust-fueled with page upon page of repetitive internal dialogue. They become friends first and that adds a lot of richness and poignancy when they finally realize they're in love. They're both open and honest with each other. No silly secrets or big misunderstandings. No unnecessary second characters. No big info dumps about politics or the church. Just enough rich detail and description to give you a sense of time/place. These characters didn't feel like 21st personalities plopped into the Middle Ages.

Overall, just the kind of romance novel I love to read. Highly recommend!

[Cozen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly good read. It wasn't bad and the writing was also good. There was a couple of editing errors. One missing quotation mark. And one other maybe due to digital conversion error? Chapter 14, Rad was in my eBook as 'R ad.' Clearly a misfortunate typo.

Also, I'm not a historian and I feel some error of sway when reading something of a much earlier time. But I do find it hard to believe that in the year of 1161 they had indoor running water in a sink from a spigot that gets turned on. Again I don't know much about the history of running water in sinks, I thought it wasn't until 650 years later that it was invented without use of an outside well and pump. This might be explained better if there was a better description of the sink e.g. wooden or something. And apparently there was soap this early in the 1100's. I thought it was soap cakes that were used more accurately. I always thought that people barely took baths, washed dishes using flour, and didn't have tubs readily movable and at the ready. I know they did have baths but in the 1100's so much effort to boil water from cauldrons that weren't in use.

I guess what I am say is that this story would have been more believable if it had been written in the 1800's. But, again I could be totally wrong about my history of things.

Overall, I finished this book and since of lately that has been exceptionally rare, I'd say this story should be given half the chance.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tend to keep picking up Patricia Ryan's books when I see them for free. They are always well written. But I really have to be in the mood for them. You see, the story is always a tease ... right when you think the main couple will finally get together, nope. Miss Ryan is great at this, and I think it makes the couple's joining even more spectacular because I am so ready for it by the time I get to it. There is always wonderful medieval facts, as well. Even though a lot of information is repetitive in her books, I never feel like I'm reading the same story. I really liked the heroine in this book, Constance/Corliss. She was very strong willed, determined, and smart. Mr. Fairfax was very supportive of her strong willed nature. This is a great read!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just no. First, she married a man old enough to be her grandfather. Imaging sex between these two, ewwww. Then she runs to the village priest to protect her from some guy that is after her. He's old as well. The evil guy, Roger, says that she's not going to be safe for long (imagining him twisting his mustache here) because the priest is old, and when he dies, Roger will be back for her. The priest says she can stay and be his housekeeper, and he has sex with her that night as part of the deal. I was just completely grossed out by this time and had to quit reading.

[Natward1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author. Every book I've read from her I've been pleasantly surprised by. Normally I'm not very into historical romance. And often times historical romance novels are corny or boring. But this author is truly awesome! I really loved this story. The characters are so pleasantly non-cliche. THey are completely real, genuine, and original. And so likable and alive. I also love a slow building romance in which I can see the characters falling in love and see all the reasons why they'd fall in love vs. the author just telling me they love each other and for no reason I can even see. This author handles this romance flawlessly. It's a breath of fresh air to read a romance where the characters are actually interesting and have interesting conversations. Instead of just generic, mind numbing interactions. The thing I most look forward to when beginning a story is the first interaction between the male and female lead. So often I'm tremendously underwhelmed by the way so many authors handle this part. With generic, boring conversations and even more generic situations. In this story though, the first interaction between the two characters is so well done. Their conversations during their first interaction were thought provoking, interesting, and emotional. And he situation itself was very unique. There was no stupid insta love. And I think the first interaction between the two was so good because Constance and Rainulf are two excellent characters by themselves. So together they make such a great pairing. Constance is the epitome of an awesome, strong female lead. She does what needs to be done without over much whining or fussing. Even though things she has to do are just terrible. But she bravely faces her challenges head on. Her circumstances try to hinder her but her strong will and sweet spirit overpower her challenges. I love that she is child like but fierce at the same time. She is kind to others. I loved that she was digging her own grave close to the beginning of the story just because that's what needed to be done. No balking or complaining. Just doing what was necessary with her head held high. Which is What she does her whole life. I also love rainulf. He is emotionally and spiritually troubled. He is emotionally closed off, but he's not done in such a way that most authors do their "closed off emotionally males". He's still loving and nurturing and kind. But just troubled is the best way to describe him. He's trying to find himself again. And I just can't say enough of how much I loved watching their relationship unfold. The author did an amazing job at showing me how each of them contributed to the others life. They both change each other for the better. She teases him, he slowly opens up to her. He challenges her to gain more education. She challenges him to be happier and not worry so much. Their relationship is so genuine. I am in love with them both so I can see why they'd be in love with each other. And when they finally come together, the author has built it up to where it's a very emotional, intense and loving encounter, with just enough of a long slow build up as not to be overly drawn out. It was perfect and I very rarely feel that way about how relationships are handled. The only draw back to this story is that I don't love all of the different points of view we hear from. Especially that we hear from the bad guys points of view from time to time as well as other minor characters when the author wants us to see what's happening from others view points. I'm not too fond of that and wish there was a more creative way the author could have used in order to show us what the bad guy is doing and that someone is after Constance and stuff. It's just too convenient when we kinda know a lot of what is going on behind the scenes if you will only because we are in these side characters minds. It is definitely not horrible or anything. I didn't mind it terribly because the story really is so perfect to me, but this would be my one critique. I hate to even complain at all because I'd take this over lame generic characters and insta love any day. I very much recommend this story if you are sick of cliche writing and you love unique and interesting characters who don't always do just what you'd think or expect.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book represents an interesting intersection of genres; it is part historical romance, part medieval serial-killer mystery. Taking place in 12th century England, Heaven's Fire brings together a Norman priest, soon to become chancellor in Oxford, and an unusually educated Saxon peasant. We soon find that she is the target of a sadistic murderer, who will soon see through her young male scholar disguise.

The history is not sophisticated, but it's kind of fun. The romance is pretty well done. The mystery is predictable, but still provides some suspenseful moments. 3.5 stars.

[Misnoawl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked:
Strong h
A very nice H who does everything he can to resist the charms of the h - glad he failed though ;)
Good enough plot
The picture painted of life in medieval times.

What I did not like:
The talk between H & h of his past women.
h behaving stupid a couple of times about not being out after dark considering he danger she was in.
Cartoonish villain
Abrupt and too easy killing of the crazed man who was hunting the h.

Despite all the points I didn’t like, I still enjoyed reading this book a great deal.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constance shakes up Rainulf's world!

What happens when a dedicated cleric is blindsided by romance? Rainulf doesn't know quite what to do with Constance, but he knows he can't let her go. These two are from completely different worlds, but they really get each other on a soul-deep level. The story was spellbinding, with intricate story threads neatly woven together with more than a few twists and surprises. This is one of my all-time favorite medieval romances.

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought that the two lovers would first meet during a plague, Not me. But the story doesn’t really begin until Constance, “Corliss,” ends up in Oxford and meets Rainulf and he helps her get work as a illustrator which allows her to be independent, but not enough that the two won’t get together. It’s an unique romance that kept my attention and gave me a couple of surprises and happy ending that i liked.

[Maria Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light reading for an entertaining evening

Suspenseful, historical romance with a surprising twist in the storyline. You're expecting one thing, but you get something else. Antagonists are punished, and the protagonists live and love happily ever after. So entertaining that I finished reading it in one sitting.

[Linda Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was beautifully written and had a hard-to-put down aspect. I especially was interested in the Heloise/Aballard connection. I enjoyed the historical academic lecturing techniques and the topics that are more that a little relevant today. If you love a good story, graphical sexual scenes, and engaging characters, and are very worried about whether one or both survive, this is a book you should not miss!

[Cal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pigot, the villain, was by far the best character. The knifeplay scene towards the end with him was very, uh, interesting. I liked the first half better, though. Corliss and Rainulf were a bit eyerollingly perfect. (Read: when she, who had never delivered a baby, midwifed better than the old midwife.) The smut was 🔥🔥🔥.

[Jenny S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising! I really enjoyed this, excellent tension, loved the relationship between the two main characters. At first I wasn't sure about the time setting, just not my cup of tea, but it was well done and she faded out of the old timey language quite quickly. I would say closer to a 4.5 star for me.

[Sharon Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is one of the best author I have found in this time period. A bit unusual story. Loved how she showed a female could learn as well as any man when given instruction. Great love story. Worth your time.

[margaret stallings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivid characters

This book has a good story line and keeps you entertained while reading. The characters are well defined and can make you smile as you read. The book had a good build to the end, which will take you by surprise.

[Patricia Wicherski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ended up really loving this book!

When I started this book I was not really into it and almost put it down. Then it got much better and I really started to enjoy it. I actually loved that Corliss and Rainaulf fell in love. The ending was very good too!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative medieval romance unfortunately hampered by 2D villains and a TSTL heroine.

[Cathy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

A very different type of love stories. It kept me reading to see what would happen next. Very enjoyable book.

[Sandy Frediani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Not to spoiler but there was a bit of a surprise I wasn't quite expecting, although when I think back on it... it's fitting. Which means it was well done.

[Fran Alsaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

No me imaginé que ese era el tipo... Estuvo ligera de leer.

[Janejellyroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid medieval romance that even made a trope that usually doesn't work for me readable (woman disguises herself as a man and virtually nobody can figure it out).

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heaven's Fire is Book 2 in the Fairfax Family Series. I've not yet read the first book, but didn't feel I was missing anything by reading this book first. I do want to go back and read Thorne and Martine's story, as well as others related to this series. Patricia Ryan has a very engaging style and a voice I thoroughly enjoy. A well-paced, sensual, historical romance with some very suspenseful conflict and well-rounded context.

Heaven's Fire is an historical romance that I truly enjoyed. Well-grounded in the medieval age and the beginnings of the scholarly world of Oxford, England, as well as encompassing the art of book illumination of that period, I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. A sensual read, deeply romantic, with strong characterizations--a virile, strong hero, a feisty, engaging heroine, and a very nasty villain...or two.

Constance, a rather gifted young woman for her station, was married to an old man for her protection against a lecherous knight; soon widowed, out of desperation she becomes the housekeeper/mistress of another old man, the local priest, again for her protection against the odious Sir Roger. Although never having enjoyed an exactly loving relationship with either man, she's pragmatic and does not wilt at doing what it takes to survive. Father Osred dies of plague,and Rainulf of Rouen, also known as Rainulf Fairfax, a Doctor of Logic and Theology at Oxford, first comes upon Constance as she's digging a grave--make that two. Father Osred's and her own. Rainulf, an ordained priest, but soon to become an ex-priest for a number of reasons, has come to perform last rights to Father Osred. He is a well-respected teacher at Oxford, a returned warrior from the Holy Lands, not without his own inner demons riding him. Rainulf has remained celibate for eleven years, with no plans to change that state. Constance is determined to become independent, relying on no man to secure her future. Well, we know the saying about the best-laid plans now don't we?

Rainulf is a sleeping beauty about to be shocked awake by the determined, passionate Constance, who challenges him on many levels. Rainulf remains in Cuxham long enough to nurse Constance back from near-death. When next they meet in Oxford, Constance is now disguised as a young man going by the name of Corliss, albeit an enchanting one, looking for work as an illuminator at the local book shops of Oxford, still in hiding from Sir Roger. And thus Rainulf and Corliss are thrust into the hub of Oxford politics and unrest, and Corliss hides almost in plain site from a dangerous predator on the hunt for a woman named Constance.

Just the type of story I enjoy.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is the twelfth century when women are usually treated as objects to serve men. Reading about true love is rare and times are harsh. Marriages among high society are usually arranged and rarely do you hear of love between a commoner and someone from the upper class.

Young Constance attracts the evil Sir Roger's attention and agrees to live with a much older man and a member of the cloth. She loses her virginity to pay the price of being safe. During this time she is taught to read.

Some years later the pox is going around and the priest dies. Rainulf Fairfax, a scholar and visiting priest, meets the young woman during this time. Constance catches the illness and Rainulf helps her. He finds her special and kind. Believing her to be on the mend, he continues on his way not realizing how much she has affected him. In the meantime, Constance finds out that Sir Roger still wants her but not for a healthy relationship. She fixes her 'death' and takes off.

In the meantime Rainulf is shocked when he hears that she passed away.
Hiding her identity now, Constance is now Corliss and looks like a boy. She meets Rainulf again and he guesses who she is and decides to protect her. Though no longer a priest he has plans that will take him higher up the ladder in the church. Celibate for years he must continue sexual abstinence if he wants the position he covets. Corliss' actions and wisdom slowly chip away at Rainulf's shell. Can he protect her from Sir Roger? Is he willing to give up his dreams and love another above what he wants the most?

While an enjoyable romance, some elements were hard to believe in. This is a difficult time to write about since many people were illiterate and it is an era where much about the lay people is not known. It took me over a week to finish the story. There was some bite to the plot but I can't say I remembered the characters long after I completed the book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book by this author I've read. I loved the 1st one (The Sun & the Moon) & this one is just as good if not better.

To add on to the synopsis; Constance has had to sell herself to men in return for their protection against her cruel, lascivious overlord ever since she caught his eye as a young maiden. Her father weds her to the much older smith as soon as she turns 16 & when he dies, she runs (quite literally) to the village priest & offers herself as a replacement for his recently deceased housekeeper "I'll do everything Maida used to do"; finding out later exactly what "everything" entails.

After an attack of smallpox sweeps thru the village, killing among them the priest, Constance survives largely due to the ministrations of the hero Rainulf, a survivor of the pox himself who was summoned to give last rites to the priest. Constance cleverly fakes her death & takes on the disguise of a young, male scholar & seeks out Rainulf in Oxford. As a young man, "Corliss" revels in the freedom of being a male.

This was such an amazing story & beautifully written. I was drawn into the story from the 1st page & absolutely loved both characters. I could almost picture Oxford, the scholars; the scenes were so vivid. I didn't see the twist in the story (maybe I was rather obtuse!). The relationship between Rainulf & Corliss is breathtaking - from friendship with easy humor & mutual respect & trust which grows into heartbreaking passion.

How Rainulf tries to suppress & hide his feelings. He's celibate! Omg but was his control ever so tested. The depth of his love. Their love. For each other.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn't think that Patricia Ryan could do better than "Falcon's Fire", but I was wrong. "Heaven's Fire" is the best book that I have read in a very long time.

This story deals with a young man who served the church during the time of the Crusades, and how he decided to renounce the priesthood after he had done so much killing in the name of the Church. It also deals with a young girl who desperately needed protection from the cruel Overlord over the manner. Because of her fear, she accepted the protection of being a wife to an old man. Later, after he died, she became housekeeper/mistress to an elderly priest, therefore receiving the same protection.

One of the first scenes in this books shows the young girl digging two graves. One for the old priest who died of the Pox, and one for herself, knowing she too had the Pox. What a great opening!

I love it when a writer brings you into the heart and soul of her characters, and this is exactly how Ms Ryan writes. She lets you know how the person feels as they go through the tradgedys and happiness of the story. So many writers are not capable of writing this way. They get caught up in long winded events of history, and you practically lose your train of thought on the actual story you are trying to read. Ms Ryan manages to keep you enthralled in her stories, as history evolves around her characters.

Outstanding! Bravo!