“With her unique and lyrical style, Barbara Samuel touches every emotion. The quiet brilliance of her story lingered in my mind long after the book was closed.” —Susan Wiggs
"The tale that Barbara Samuel tells is exquisite. It is based on the Romeo-and-Juliet theme, but the two star-crossed lovers are not divided by feuding families, but by the even deeper gulf of religion, race and rank. If I were to give A Bed of Spices five stars instead of its well-deserved grade of A, each star would stand for something extraordinary about the book." -- Vivien Fritsche, AAR
DANGEROUS TIMES, IRRESISTIBLE LONGINGS....
The exquisite Frederica der Esslingen fled from her father's castle to the herbalist's cottage, vowing she could never give in to her father's wishes and marry the man her twin sister loved. Another man, a stranger forbidden to her, touched her very soul. A man who listened when she spoke...a man with a tumble of black curls and clever lips...He understood her bold, searching heart. Yet he was denied her forever.
A Bed of Spices is a wildly romantic tale of forbidden love set in the turbulent middle ages. Solomon and Rica meet by chance at the herbalist's cottage and fall in love despite the divisions of religion, class, and expectations -- but how can they possibly find a happy ending with so many things stacked against them? Dark, beautiful and ultimately uplifting, this is a romance you won't easily forget.
The print edition has become a cult favorite.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who knew the middle ages could be so beautiful?
By Larisa
"Romances set in the Middle Ages aren't my preferred RHF reading era...the severe restrictions on behavior, the excessive concern for piety and sin, women usually being illiterate usually add up to "no, thank you," save a few notable exceptions.
Bed of Spices is one of those beautiful, poignant, lush, divine exceptions. The heroine is plausible for her era, with a believable reason for being literate, independent and strong, while still dutiful, thoughtful and young. The shifting POV between her, the hero and a select few secondary characters is smooth, never muddled. The details of daily life are vibrant enough for the reader to be present in the moment with characters....This is a stunning, delicious piece of work."
"A Bed of Spices was a wonderful book which I would highly recommend to any romance reader looking for something out of the ordinary which breaks the typical romance novel mold. This is another one of those out-of-print books which I sought out through library channels, but will now be looking for a copy to own for my keeper shelf. --Hope Chest Reviews