Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Gallery Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
The first retelling of the passionate, twelfth-century love story since the discovery of 113 lost love letters between Heloise d’Argenteuil and Pierre Abelard—the original Romeo and Juliet.
"While I sleep you never leave me, and after I wake I see you, as soon as I open my eyes, even before the light of day itself." —Abelard to Heloise
Among the young women of twelfth-century Paris, Heloise d’Argenteuil stands apart. Extraordinarily educated and quick-witted, she is being groomed by her uncle to become an abbess in the service of God.
But with one encounter, her destiny changes forever. Pierre Abelard, headmaster at the Notre-Dame Cloister School, is acclaimed as one of the greatest philosophers in France. His controversial reputation only adds to his allure, yet despite the legions of women swooning over his poetry and dashing looks, he is captivated by the brilliant Heloise alone. As their relationship blossoms from a meeting of the minds to a forbidden love affair, both Heloise and Abelard must choose between love, duty, and ambition.
Sherry Jones weaves the lovers’ own words into an evocative account of desire and sacrifice. As intimate as it is erotic, as devastating as it is beautiful, The Sharp Hook of Love is a poignant, tender tribute to one of history’s greatest romances, and to love’s power to transform and endure.
Excerpt:
I
could hardly hear myself think over my pulse’s throb. Heat
rose
from him like breath. When he grasped my waist and pulled
me
close to him, I thought I might burst into flame. A feral cry
escaped
my lips.
Abelard
slipped his arms around me and murmured my name,
a
sound more delightful to my ear than angels’ harps. I knew I
should
resist, but I had forgotten everything I had ever learned,
forgotten
even God and that he watched us, or, rather, I did not
fear
him. How could he be displeased, being the source of all
love?
The
rattle of the door latch caused us to fly apart. In the next
moment
Abelard sat in his chair, stylus in his hand, and I had
turned
to close the shutters of my window.
I
had not yet smoothed my tunic or quelled the flush in my
cheeks
when the door swung open and my uncle walked into the
room,
a long switch of birch in his right hand. “I heard a cry.”
I
averted my gaze from the switch and from his glittering eyes,
praying
he would not notice my crimson face.
“I
had to discipline your niece, as you predicted,” Abelard
lied.
“We disagreed in our debate, and she called me a bouffe.
Forgive
me for losing my temper, friend.”
“My
niece must learn to control her tongue.” Uncle glared at
me.
“I’m surprised you haven’t needed to correct her before now.”
Turning
to Abelard, he added, “My niece can be most obstinate—
obstinate!
She must learn to submit to authority, or she
will
never succeed at Fontevraud. You will need to punish her
again,
I am certain. But the cane you use on your scholars is too
harsh
for a woman’s tender flesh.” Uncle held the switch out to
him.
“Thank you, Fulbert, my friend.” Will I ever
forget the gleam
in
Abelard’s eyes as he took the weapon in hand? “Heloise, be
forewarned.
Do as I say—everything I say, or you
will feel my
sting.”
He
lifted the long, quivering branch and lashed it in my direction.
I
turned away; its tip grazed my backside, causing a brief,
sharp
flicker of pain. Heat flooded my face, and my bottom tingled
where
the switch had stung me. I looked down at my
clasped
hands, hiding my sudden elation. Never had I felt so vividly
alive.
— The Sharp Hook of Love, pages 84-85
Praise for The Sharp Hook of Love
"Heloise is the sort of heroine you cannot help rooting for: brilliant and naïve, vulnerable and tough. The Sharp Hook of Love will have you up all night holding your breath as you turn each page." (Rebecca Kanner author of Sinners and the Sea)"Jones weaves history and passion in a tale full of emotional heft that questions what it means to truly love someone..." (Kirkus Reviews)
"A sensual journey into twelfth century Paris. With a sharp eye for historical detail, Jones weaves an unforgettable, compelling tale about enduring love." (Lynn Cullen nationally bestselling author of Mrs. Poe)
"Passion and treachery mingle in Sherry Jones's explosive novel The Sharp Hook of Love. Wrenching and erotic, this is a grand romance in every sense of the word." (Mary Sharratt author of Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen)
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About the Author
Sherry Jones is the author of five biographical fiction books: The Sharp Hook of Love, about the famed 12th-century lovers Abelard and Heloise; The Jewel of Medina and The Sword of Medina, international — and controversial — best sellers about the life of A’isha, who married the Muslim prophet Muhammad at age nine and went on to become the most famous and influential woman in Islam; Four Sisters, All Queens, a tale of four sisters in 13th century Provence who became queens of France, England, Germany, and Italy, and White Heart, an e-novella about the famous French “White Queen” Blanche de Castille.For more information please visit Sherry Jones's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Goodreads.
The Sharp Hook of Love Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, November 24Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, November 25
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Wednesday, November 26
Review at Book Babe
Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection
Friday, November 28
Guest Post at Historical Tapestry
Sunday, November 29
Spotlight & Excerpt at The Lusty Literate
Monday, December 1
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Interview at Mina's Bookshelf
Wednesday, December 3
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Thursday, December 4
Review at The Lit Bitch
Friday, December 5
Spotligh at Historical Fiction Obsession
Feature at Romantic Historical Lovers
Interview at To Read or Not to Read
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