Title: Price of Peace
Author: Jennifer DiCamillo
Genre: Historical Romance
Published in February 2004 by Publish America
IBSN: 1-4137-1388-2
Soft spoken Carys of the Clan Rhyl has had a harsh and pain filled existence. The year before she turned nineteen she was forced to watch as her mother died from a strange and debilitating illness. A sickness that seemed to progress from the healing herbs used by the village whore Angharad. Carys knows to be wary of Angharad as she is now forced to watch as her succumbs to the same sickness. Not wanting to incur her the "Whore of Denbigh's" wrath she keeps her silence so that her little sister Drae and she could escape her dreaded scrutiny. Angharad's daughter Gwir is also Carys half sister. She comes to Carys and against her mother's knowledge tries to keep Laird Rhyl alive a little longer. Gwir knows the extent of her mother's evil but her fears keep her from alerting everyone to the woman's madness. As war looms on the horizon, there are those at Clan Rhyl that would do what they can to prevent it. Even if it goes against everything Angharad has planned for so long.
Unable to stop her father from meeting with the Laird of the Axtyn's, Carys anxiously awaits to learn the fate of her people. Unbeknownst to her, Laird Dougal, a man of peace, tries to arrange a marriage between her and one of his own sons. It is while under the banner of peace that Laird Dougal is struck down from behind by an unknown assailant's arrow. What follows is the complete annihilation of the men of Carys' clan save for a few cowards who have run away. As all hope seems lost the women of Rhyl are in turmoil as to what is to become of them. Hoping against all odds that the Clan Denbigh aren't the ones' who will lay claim to their very souls. Gwir recognizes her mothers handiwork in all that has transpired. It is she who has to bear the stares and whispers as the men of Axtyn arrive to take the women for their own.
Rob of the Axtyn's is wary of the Rhyl's. One of them has struck down his da and he doesn't want to rest until the culprit is found. His brother Donovan who is now Laird tells them all of their fathers last words. He wanted peace for the Axtyn’s and Rhyl’s and now it is in Donovan’s hands to carry out his request. His men are in need of wives as their Clan suffers a shortage of woman. As Donovan and his brothers strive to put their lives back together they realize that there is greater treachery afoot. Someone seeks to destroy all of the Clans in the vicinity and will do whatever it takes to ensue all of their downfalls. Not knowing who to trust Donovan and his wife Addie of Rhuddlan try to desperately figure out their friends from foe. Not an easy task to accomplish seeing as how they harbor Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Flint, and Denbigh in their midst’s.
It is at Ian of Rhuddlan's suggestion that one of Donovan's brothers marry one of Laird Rhyl's daughters immediately. Carys' uncle is none other than the Gogan, Laird of the flints. A Clan whose number is greatest of them all. Not wanting war Rob quickly agrees but ends up losing his heart to the lovely Carys in the process. After watching the pain her own mother went through Carys hesitates in her affections for Rob. At one point hating him for a betrayal most sinister in it's appearance. It doesn’t take Rob long to show Carys that he is more than capable of stoking the fires of her desires and as he sends her body up in flames she acquiesces to his demands. With her common law marriage to Rob the people of Axtyn breathe a little easier at the coming of the Flints. Yet all isn't as it seems. Angharad's evil is still at work as she manipulates the men around her to do her bidding. As Fires are set and Axtyn and Rhyls alike are murdered, everyone must look deeply into themselves and each other to find elusive answers.
As more tragedies arise daily, the Axtyns are constantly being put on their guard. For every moment of peace there is a price of blood that calls out to be paid. The seeds of doubt are readily planted. Old hatreds are brought to the surface and boil over into the inevitability of even more bloodshed. The Powerful Lairds of Rhuddlan, Flint, Denbigh and Axtyn are all forced to come together. Not knowing whether it be for peace, or for war. There is only one thing that remains certain throughout it all. The love forged between Carys and Rob. Rob's love for Carys comes shining through in a moment that lays all doubts to rest. When there is a possibility that they will all live to see the shining of the sun another day. Jennifer DeCamillo has written a powerfully moving saga that rejoices in it's strength of a tale that was meant to be told. A story full of bitter betrayals, lust, love and one woman's attempt to cause the demise of a people struggling to mesh their Clans together for the greater good of their futures. But will it be to late to stop her? Or will the price of peace be too high to pay?
As the Clans band together to stop Angharad's malignant touch they finally come to realize the extent to which she has gone. It is only through each other and differences aside can they ever hope to be victorious. I found PRICE OF PEACE to be stunningly written with beautifully detailed imagery that embraced my mind‘s eye. A magnificent story enriched with an extensive and deeply fleshed out cast of warm and realistic characters. Rob and Carys entangled me within their exquisitely ardent embraces and had me caught up in their tumultuous rapture. As the women of the Clans come together and do what their men could not, I found myself shrieking with laughter at their outrageous antics. This book has it all. Tragedy, grief, suffering, love and a whole lot of humor that helped me through parts that left me feeling remorseful. Jennifer DeCamillo has written a book that wasn't afraid to take a chance and explore it all. The PRICE OF PEACE tells a story that should not be missed under any circumstances. Published by Publish America and available as of 2004 I recommend this reading of a richly satisfying historically fictitious novel that will take your heart on one heck of a journey. For the Axtyn's and the Rhyl's the price of peace may have been high, fortunately for us readers the price of this book is not!
Happy reading,
Joann Ruffen
Jennifer DiCamillo Bio Interviews Reviews Buy Jennifer DiCamillo Books
Title: The Price of Peace
Author: Jennifer
DiCamillo
Genre: Historical Romance
Published in February 2004 by Publish America
IBSN: 1-4137-1388-2
Living in thirteenth century Wales has taught 19-year-old Carys that life can be harsh. In the last year, Angharad, the village whore slowly poisoned her mother, Lady Rhyl, to death, and Carys has feared for her life ever since. Although Angharad bore Laird Rhyl a daughter, she has been poisoning the Laird and finally slit his throat to rid herself of him. Carys finds her clan leaderless and unprotected after a battle with the Axtyns that was instigated by the whore over a piece of land that the clans had been fighting over for generations. The women left in the clan are just beginning to realize how defenseless they and their children are when the Axtyn’s return later the same day to offer the women the protection of their clan. Carys knows that they need to accept the offered help so that those left in her clan will be safe, especially her sister, four-year-old Drae. She is able to persuade the majority of women that they need to unite with the Axtyns so that they can survive. Luckily, Angharad remains behind, though she sends her 16-year-old daughter with the women.
After the united clan returns to Axtyn Keep, Carys tries to help the other women fit in, even her half sister Gwir. Despite the shortness of her pitch-black hair, her beauty draws the attention of the Axtyn men, but she is not interested. She urges the men to court the other women of her clan and encourages the women to take husbands among the Axtyn. She has always secretly longed for a husband, but there were none suitable in her clan and the only one she is interested in loathes the sight of her and her clanswomen. When it becomes imperative for their clans to unite in marriage, Carys balks at marrying just for the welfare of the clan. She does not feel like she should have to make this sacrifice and she is quietly adamant that she will not be forced into anything against her will.
Rob has always been the peacekeeper in the Axtyn clan, but when he sees his father take a fatal shot in the back with an arrow the bloodlust overtakes his normally laid back personality. Although his father’s last wish was peace above all else and there has been a lack of female clan members, Rob has a hard time welcoming the women and children of the Rhyl clan onto his lands. By both his words and deeds, Rob has repeatedly let it be known that the Axtyn clan would all be better off if they had never taken in the women. Rob has the customary black hair and blue eyes of his clan and before the death of his father, his actions have always been respectful to the members of the opposite sex.
His behaviors in the week following his father’s death are ones that he wants to put behind him since they are so out of character for him. Although he understands the reasoning behind the need for a marital alliance between the clans, he does not want to tie himself to a Rhyl woman. When his brother Donovan, the newly appointed Laird of Axtyn, broaches the subject of one of the family members marrying Carys, Rob volunteers for the job because he cannot stand the thought of any of his other relatives having her. Rob realizes that he has offended Carys by his actions since he has know her, but his customary charm has deserted him and he finds himself floundering to make amends. Confused by his feelings for Carys, Rob is aware of a sense of destiny whenever he looks at her. The sight of Carys makes Rob want to commit to a future with her, but will he be able to convince her that his proposal is more than a duty to him.
The intrigue is just starting as the united Axtyn and Rhyl clans return to the Axtyn Keep. There is an attempt on the new Laird and Lady’s lives and one of the assassins escapes undetected. Angharad, who remained hidden in the hills, is plotting with the few remaining men left from Clan Rhyl to see that the Axtyns are destroyed and her birth clan takes the spoils of war. Gwir must decide where her loyalties lie, with her mother or with her sister Carys. One conspirator dressed as a woman, remains causing unexpected turmoil and terror. Between stables being burned, pigs being set loose, and food poisoning, Rob must convince Carys that he is the right man for her and that she needs to marry him to protect their newly united clan against their neighbors.
The Price of Peace is a wonderful love story written by Ms. DiCamillo that portrays not only the harshness of thirteenth century Wales, but also the real life emotions of the characters. It is refreshing to see characters that are not afraid to cry at the death of a loved one or rejoice in the love that they feel for each other. Secondary characters provide an added layer to the story and their interaction with Rob and Carys add to the story line. The sense of family and camaraderie they feel for each other are welcome additions to this tale of intrigue and suspense. Whether you believe in love at first sight or not, the love that Rob and Carys share becomes very plausible in the pages of The Price of Peace. Do not miss the release of this book in 2004 by PUBLISHAMERICA.
Yours Sincerely,
Annmarie
