Find me in the Stars, by Jules Larimore
Another fascinating tale set among the tensions between the Catholic authorities and the Huguenot recluses in southern France during the seventeenth century reign of the Sun King Louis XIV.
This second book in the The Huguenot Trilogy introduces new aspects: romance and the dangers and vicissitudes of flight to the relative safety of the Protestant neighbour countries.
Parallel stories
The mystical Amelia with her fascination for natural remedies continues to care for her ageing grandmother in the relative security of the Hospitaller Community on Mont Lauzère.
But her friend and kindred spirit, the aristocratic Jehan BonDurant, is torn between the fanaticism and oppressive legalism of both the established Catholic Church and the defiant Protestant Children of God. When he fears a summons to serve in the King’s army, he sees no alternative than to abandon his castle and extensive estate and joins a group of dissidents fleeing to Geneva.
Not so free
Jehan enjoys certain liberties in Switzerland but finds his uncle Pasteur Barjon’s rigid faith intolerable. When he hears nothing from Amelia, he allows himself to fall into new-fangled liberal philosophies and sexual temptation.
With the help of finances from his estate, secretly forwarded to him, he finally arrives in London. His goal is his and Amelia’s dream Eden in the New World, but will she ever arrive?
Parting
After a series of threatening adventures, Menina passes away, but not before she urges Amelia to join her friend Jehan. Saying good-bye, not only to her grandmother, but also to her dear Giselle, as well as her faithful steed and dogs, is hard. But she sets off, repeatedly gazing at the stars, where she seeks fellowship with her lover.
Conclusion
The story is captivating, written in a unique style, reflecting the culture of the period. It would, however have benefitted from a further round of revision.