Heaven's Fire
When Rainulf Fairfax first meets Constance of Cuxham, she is a raven haired beauty in the first stages of the pox.  Rainulf is a teaching priest tormented by self-doubt and trying to leave the priesthood.  He is drawn to the attractive, clever young woman.  He does what he can to ease her suffering and returns to Oxford  thinking she will recover from her illness.  He is grief stricken when he finds out she died-- and overwhelmed with relief when Constance arrives in Oxford calling herself Corliss and dressed as a man.  He offers to help her-- but for a man seeking the chancellorship of Oxford, it's in his best interests if everyone believes Corliss is male.  Corliss is on the run from Sir Roger Foliot-- an evil man who seeks to make her his mistress willingly or not.  In the past, she has had the protection of first her elderly husband and then after his death, a kindly priest who wanted more from her than housekeeping.  Corliss is tired of selling her body for protection and she seeks the safety of men's clothes and Oxford.  But Sir Roger has sent someone after her-- a man named Pigot.  Corliss has never seen him but she has seen his work-- mutilated women who are returned to Sir Roger so he may do what he wants with them.  Corliss is determined not to let this happen to her.  At Rainulf's insistence, she moves in with him and assumes a life as a young man and a very talented book illuminator.  Rainulf has been celibate ever since he took his vows eleven years ago.  Now an ex-priest, he is determined to maintain his celibacy in order to become Chancellor.  But his attraction to Corliss grows as he gets to know her.  Corliss is determined to never marry again, never to allow a man to have power over her.  But Rainulf is different-- he respects her feelings and doesn't try to control her.   He seems to care about her-- but it is foolish of her to have feelings for him when they can never be together.  A marvelous medieval romance from an incredibly gifted author!  A fascinating glimpse of the past as only Patricia Ryan can tell it! Suspenseful and passionate!  Heaven's Fire will leave you breathless! Patricia Ryan creates memorable characters that will warm your heart, and sensual tension that will raise your temperature! Fans of medieval romance will not be disappointed with Patricia Ryan's newest book!  Heaven's Fire is a page turner up until the nail biting end! Treat yourself to something special by Patricia Ryan!Kristina Wright  --Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times