Blood Rose Angel by Liza Perrat

                                                                 

Paperback: 382 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Triskele Books 2015
Source: The author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentences: 'Christ's toenails, ignore him Heloise,' Isa chided, as I glared at Drogan sauntering towards us through the market-place stalls and customers.
Setting: France
My Opinion: I was delighted to obtain a copy of Liza Perrat's third novel as I thoroughly enjoyed the first two in her trilogy, 'Spirit of Angels' and 'Wolfsangel'  The trilogy 'L'Auberge des Anges' (The Bone Angel) all feature the 'Angel Talisman' and although they can be read as stand alone novels, it seems a shame not to read the complete series.
Blood Rose Angel is another well researched novel from this this talented author, that more than met my expectations. I therefore recommend Liza Perrat as an author well worthwhile reading. She writes in a way that will draw you in, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.

Links to my Previous Reviews: 

Spirit of Angels   Wolfsangel 


Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:


1348. A bone-sculpted angel and the woman who wears it––heretic, Devil’s servant, saint.


Midwife Héloïse has always known that her bastard status threatens her standing in the French village of Lucie-sur-Vionne. Yet her midwifery and healing skills have gained the people’s respect, and she has won the heart of the handsome Raoul Stonemason. The future looks hopeful. Until the Black Death sweeps into France.


Fearful that Héloïse will bring the pestilence into their cottage, Raoul forbids her to treat its victims. Amidst the grief and hysteria, the villagers searching for a scapegoat, Héloïse must choose: preserve her marriage, or honour the oath she swore on her dead mother’s soul? And even as she places her faith in the protective powers of her angel talisman, she must prove she’s no Devil’s servant, her talisman no evil charm.


Blood Rose Angel, from the spellbinding The Bone Angel series, tells a story of continuing family traditions, friendships overcoming adversity, and how good and evil are too often bestowed on fellow humans in the name of faith––Zoe Saadia, author of 'The Rise of the Aztecs' and 'The Peacemaker' series.


Medicine, religion, and love intertwine in this captivating, richly-detailed portrait of a young woman’s search for identity as the Black Death makes its first inroads into Europe. Liza Perrat uses her training as a midwife and her experiences living in a French village to create a compelling and unforgettable heroine determined to heal the sick in a world still ruled by superstition––C. P. Lesley, author of The Golden Lynx and The Winged Horse

Video Trailer for 'Blood Rose Angel ' Courtesy of YouTube

Liza Perrat talks to Catriona Troth about her Auberge des Anges trilogy, set in rural France and the latest novel set against the Black Plague.


Author Profile

Liza grew up in Wollongong, Australia, where she worked as a general nurse and midwife for fifteen years.
When she met her French husband on a Bangkok bus, she moved to France, where she has been living with her husband and three children for twenty years. She works part-time as a French-English medical translator.

Since completing a creative writing course ten years ago, several of her short stories have won awards, notably the Writers Bureau annual competition of 2004 and her stories have been published widely in anthologies and small press magazines. Her articles on French culture and tradition have been published in international magazines such as France Magazine and France Today.

Spirit of Lost Angels is the first in the historical "L'Auberge des Anges" series set against a backdrop of rural France during the French Revolution. The second in the series, Wolfsangel, set during the WWII Nazi Occupation of France, was published in October, 2013. Liza is currently working on the third in the series, Midwife Héloïse - Blood Rose Angel, set during the 14th century Black Plague years.
Friends, Family and Other Strangers is a collection of humorous, horrific and entertaining short stories set in Australia.
Liza regularly reviews books for the Historical Novel Society and Words with Jam magazine



Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Goodreads Author Profile   Liza Perrat - Twitter    Author's Official Website - Liza Perrat

Blog - Liza Perrat - Author  Facebook Profile - Liza Perrat     Amazon - Author Profile

You Tube Video

Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat

Paperback: 495 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Triskele Books 2013
Source: The author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentences: We gather in the cemetery, before the ossuary, with the straggle of other remaining survivors and their families.

Review Quote: 'Wolfsangel captures the tragedy of betrayal and the constancy of hope. It brings home to the reader that choices made in youth, both good and bad, cast deep shadows. A superb story that stays in the mind long after the final page'. Lorraine Mace, writer, columnist and author of The Writer's ABC Checklist. 
My Opinion: It will not fail to move you.

I was delighted to obtain a copy of Liza Perrat's second novel as I thoroughly enjoyed her début novel Spirit of Lost Angels and as soon as I finished it, was already looking forward to the next in the series. Although written as part of a planned series entitled  'L'Auberge des Anges' featuring  the 'Angel Talisman' this can still be read as a stand alone novel. However I highly recommend you read both as this second novel met my expectations and once again I am left looking forward to the next one, entitled 'Midwife Heloise - Blood Rose Angel', which she is currently working on.

A tragic and moving story 'Wolfsangel' is based on real life events that happened in German occupied France during World War II and opens as Celeste Roussel the heroine is attending a commemorative service for an event that seven decades later the pain of remembering has still not eased. Having set the scene we are transported back to the days of Celeste's youth in 1943 and the village of  Lucie-sur-Vionne. 'L'Auberge des Anges' in the village has been home to the women of Celeste's family for centuries. It is this connection and the angel talisman, that emanates strength to the women that wear it, that links the novels in the series together. Feeling somewhat  protected by her status as the latest keeper of the talisman Celeste hating the occupation of the village and looking for adventure becomes dangerously involved in the resistance movement. Her involvement is bitter-sweet as the course she takes not only threatens her own life but the safety of those around her.

There are many novels written about this era but this is an exceptional one. The story of one young girls extraordinary efforts to help liberate her country from the enemy, that will remind you of the courage that people who lived through this period in history must have had. It will not fail to move you, harrowing but recommended.

If you missed my review for the first novel in the series, 'Spirit of Lost Angels'  you can read it here


Author Profile

Liza grew up in Wollongong, Australia, where she worked as a general nurse and midwife for fifteen years.
When she met her French husband on a Bangkok bus, she moved to France, where she has been living with her husband and three children for twenty years. She works part-time as a French-English medical translator.

Since completing a creative writing course ten years ago, several of her short stories have won awards, notably the Writers Bureau annual competition of 2004 and her stories have been published widely in anthologies and small press magazines. Her articles on French culture and tradition have been published in international magazines such as France Magazine and France Today.

Spirit of Lost Angels is the first in the historical "L'Auberge des Anges" series set against a backdrop of rural France during the French Revolution. The second in the series, Wolfsangel, set during the WWII Nazi Occupation of France, was published in October, 2013. Liza is currently working on the third in the series, Midwife Héloïse - Blood Rose Angel, set during the 14th century Black Plague years.
Friends, Family and Other Strangers is a collection of humorous, horrific and entertaining short stories set in Australia.
Liza regularly reviews books for the Historical Novel Society and Words with Jam magazine

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.

Goodreads Author Profile   Liza Perrat - Twitter    Author's Official Website - Liza Perrat

Blog - Liza Perrat - Author  Facebook Profile - Liza Perrat     Amazon - Author Profile

Spirit of Lost Angels by Liza Perrat

Paperback: 367 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Triskele Books 2012
Source:  The author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence: The early light burns Victoire's cheeks, like a beacon warning her this summer day will bring something special.
Review Quote: Recommended at the Historical Novel Conference, 2013 in “Off the Beaten Path” recommendations.
My Opinion: Already looking forward to reading the next in the series.

I really enjoyed this début novel from Liza Perrat and am already looking forward to reading the next book.  Spirit of Lost Angels is the first in L'Auberge des Anges historical series and is set against a backdrop of rural France.  Wolfsangel is the second in the series and will be published on the 16th of next month. I am already looking forward to returning to rural France to discover what happens to the talisman that is central to this series.  The bone angel talisman is passed down through generations of Charpentier  who face tragedy and betrayal in a world where their gift can be their curse. 

In this first novel of the trio the story revolves around the personal story of the protagonist Victoire Charpentier, growing up in poverty in a small village in France. It is the 18C  a time of violence and having already seen her mother executed for witchcraft and her father also killed, she is forced to seek employment in Paris. Unfortunately things do not improve for her and suffering terrible abuse she becomes desperate and her life gets about as bad as it can.  Whilst at her lowest she makes a friend who helps her become brave enough to join the revolutionaries and make a new life for herself.  Always her angel pendant is there through the many terrible experiences she has growing up in the tumultuous period of the French Revolution.

The character betrayals are very strong and realistic as are descriptions of  the locations. A well researched novel from this début author who writes in a way that will draw you in, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.

For those of you that are tempted to read, here is a Link to Chapter One on Goodreads.

Author Profile

Liza grew up in Wollongong, Australia, where she worked as a general nurse and midwife for fifteen years.
When she met her French husband on a Bangkok bus, she moved to France, where she has been living with her husband and three children for twenty years. She works part-time as a French-English medical translator.
Since completing a Creative Writing course ten years ago, several of her short stories have won awards, notably the Writers Bureau annual competition of 2004 and her stories have been published widely in anthologies and small press magazines. Her articles on French culture and tradition have been published in international magazines such as France Magazine and France Today.
She has completed four novels and one short-story collection,

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.

Goodreads Author Profile   Liza Perratt - Twitter    Author's Official Website - Liza Perrat

Blog - Liza Perrat - Author  Facebook Profile - Liza Perrat     Amazon - Author Profile