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A Candlelight Courting: A Short Christmas Romance Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

When Burthred comes courting on Christmas Eve, Meg rejects his advances. She has her heart set on becoming a nun and insists that he call her Christina, the spiritual name she has chosen for herself. She tries to make him swear on her box of holy relics that he will not pursue her, but he carefully words his oath to allow him to stay in her candlelit chamber and try to change her mind.

What Meg does not confess is that her reliquary box holds a secret.

Burthred needs a wife, and no one will satisfy him except Meg. He swore on his father’s deathbed that he would marry her. But Burthred has a secret, too. When they come together before the Yule fire, their shared revelations will either join their hearts together or tear them apart.

A Candlelight Courting is a 13,500 word short story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What an enlightening and enjoyably tender read! Though...short in length, it is long in understanding.... As one reads, one comes to understand that some of the things that we have taken for granted, were once very precious to those who came before us, and their sacrifices, hopefully, were not in vain. Beautifully done, Ms. DiPastena!" ~ InD'Tale Magazine, Crowned Heart for Excellence review

About the Author

Joyce DiPastena dreamed of green medieval forests while growing up in the dusty copper mining town of Kearny, Arizona. She filled her medieval hunger by reading the books of Thomas B. Costain (where she fell in love with King Henry II of England), and later by attending the University of Arizona where she graduated with a degree in history, specializing in the Middle Ages. The university was also where she completed her first full-length novel...set, of course, in medieval England. Later, her fascination with Henry II led her to expand her research horizons to the far reaches of his "Angevin Empire" in France, which became the setting of her first published novel, Loyalty's Web (a 2007 Whitney Award Finalist). When she's not writing, Joyce loves to read, play the piano, and spend time with her sister and friends. A highlight of her year is attending the annual Arizona Renaissance Festival . Joyce is a multi-published, multi-award winning author who specializes in sweet medieval romances heavily spiced with mystery and adventure. She lives with her two cats, Clio and Glinka Rimsky-Korsokov, in Mesa, Arizona. Email her at jdipastena@yahoo.com, read more about her books on her website at http: //www.joyce-dipastena.com, see what she's working on now at http: //jdp-news.blogspot.com, and follow along as she researches her books at http: //medievalresearch.blogspot.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009KRLLJ8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sable Tyger Books; 1st edition (December 5, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 5, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 74 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0989241904
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 63 ratings

About the author

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Joyce DiPastena
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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 Renaissance Festival every year. She holds a degree in history, specializing in the Middle Ages, from the University of Arizona. Joyce currently resides in Mesa, Arizona with her black cats, Nyxie and Calypso, who bring her good luck every day.

Visit her at joycedipastena.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
63 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story enjoyable and well-written. They appreciate the historical accuracy and research into the time period. The story is described as tender, touching, and endearing. Readers find it easy to make time for during the holiday season.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

17 customers mention "Story length"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the short story. They find it satisfying and a good read for holidays. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well-developed. Readers appreciate the historical accuracy and suspenseful elements of the story. Overall, it's a sweet and engaging medieval romance novella.

"...However, with a patience and gentleness that is tender and sweet, Burthred helps Meg find a better future than the lonely one that she has planned..." Read more

"...A very interesting story!" Read more

"...confident that the time period is well researched and the romance will be clean and sweet...." Read more

"A short story with an interesting twist at the end. Living in the 1100's must have sucked, particularly for women." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and entertaining. They appreciate the historical background and vocabulary provided, and praise Joyce's writing style as compelling and beautiful.

"I would recommend it if you want an easy, short and sweet read...." Read more

"Joyce never disappoints. Her writing is always compelling and beautiful. A Candlelight Courting is another triumph of historically accurate delicacy...." Read more

"Entertaining and well written. A nice story for the season." Read more

"Really enjoyed this short story! I love the historical backgrounds and vocabulary given...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality engaging and well-researched. They appreciate the historical accuracy and how the author draws readers in quickly.

"This is a medieval romance must read book! The writing is rich with historical accuracy. It is a difficult era for woman...." Read more

"...I open a book by Ms. di Pastena I'm confident that the time period is well researched and the romance will be clean and sweet...." Read more

"...Well written. The author knows how to quickly pull her readers in. I enjoyed her story very much." Read more

"Joyce never disappoints. Her writing is always compelling and beautiful. A Candlelight Courting is another triumph of historically accurate delicacy...." Read more

5 customers mention "Heartwarming story"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the heartwarming story. They find it touching and well-told, making it a perfect story to cuddle up with as the holidays approach. The characters are endearing, like Burthred's kindness and determination.

"...However, with a patience and gentleness that is tender and sweet, Burthred helps Meg find a better future than the lonely one that she has planned..." Read more

"...I liked the kindness of Burthred, and was impressed with the strong desire of Meg to learn to read. A very interesting story!" Read more

"...Burthred (in spite of his awful name) is so sweet, so patient and so endearing. I just love him...." Read more

"...I was drawn in and swept along with this carefully told tale of conviction and compassion...." Read more

3 customers mention "Patientness"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's patience. They find it endearing and easy to make time for in the busy season.

"...However, with a patience and gentleness that is tender and sweet, Burthred helps Meg find a better future than the lonely one that she has planned..." Read more

"...Sounds impossible, not so. This is easy to make time for in the rush of the season." Read more

"...More. Burthred (in spite of his awful name) is so sweet, so patient and so endearing. I just love him...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2023
    This is a medieval romance must read book! The writing is rich with historical accuracy. It is a difficult era for woman. Meg has goals and dreams that make marriage an unwanted prospect. However, with a patience and gentleness that is tender and sweet, Burthred helps Meg find a better future than the lonely one that she has planned for herself.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018
    I just finished reading Meg and Burthred's story. I am a Catholic so I enjoyed and understood many of the religious references found in the story. I was particularly interested in observing how religious practices have changed over time. I liked the kindness of Burthred, and was impressed with the strong desire of Meg to learn to read. A very interesting story!
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2023
    Whenever I open a book by Ms. di Pastena I'm confident that the time period is well researched and the romance will be clean and sweet.

    This is the perfect short holiday story as you only need an hour or two to read it.

    We spend one important night with the characters as they overcome their barriers and agree to marry. Sounds impossible, not so.

    This is easy to make time for in the rush of the season.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2019
    A short story with an interesting twist at the end. Living in the 1100's must have sucked, particularly for women.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
    A sweet story about two people, each considered irregular by those around them, who find hope. Well written. The author knows how to quickly pull her readers in. I enjoyed her story very much.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2012
    It is no secret that I love Joyce's writing. There is something about her books that just resonate in my heart. I love the way I travel back in time to places that just come alive through Joyce's words. Joyce has a gift for writing and she is a girl that really knows her history. Her research and love for this time period really shine through.

    A Candlelight Courting is a short story. I literally devoured it in under an hour (with distractions). While I was utterly satisfied with the whole story and the ending, I still wanted more. More story. More time with these characters. More.

    Burthred (in spite of his awful name) is so sweet, so patient and so endearing. I just love him. He slowly breaks down Meg's walls and earns her trust by trusting her with his secrets.

    Writing this review has made me want to go back and read this short story again. I think I will. It is the perfect story to cuddle up with as the holidays approach.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2013
    I would recommend it if you want an easy, short and sweet read. It would have been wonderful if it was a little more in depth as a novel but I did like it and would read it again!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2012
    Joyce never disappoints. Her writing is always compelling and beautiful. A Candlelight Courting is another triumph of historically accurate delicacy. I was drawn in and swept along with this carefully told tale of conviction and compassion. While I could see, hear, and smell this long ago Christmas it was Meg's strength and courage that brought my heart to embrace the Spirit of the Yule, thank you for this gift.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Carol
    2.0 out of 5 stars No
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2024
    The whole nonsense over becoming a nun is unbelievable. The Church was powerful and if a Bishop said she’d go to a convent then she’d go.
    Just silly.
  • Bretton Girl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected charm, sweet romance about two nice but misunderstood people
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2013
    This is a short story, but an endearing one. Wished it could have been longer as I liked the two leads so much I wanted to read more about them. But don't regret the purchase and thought it well worth the price.

    Basically, the plot centres around a betrothed couple who have not met since childhood. The hero eventually comes to claim his reluctant bride but she insists she wants to become a nun! Her interest in convent life is not entirely motivated by religious zeal and the reason for the lengthy betrothal and the grooms delayed claiming of his bride is not as the heroine first imagines. Despite these not inconsiderable challenges and the grooms 'secret' the H&H begin to warm to each other, this is largely due to the heroes genuine charm and chivalry and the heroines own secret need which he is willing to indulge.

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