Ella Wren

Lapis Lazuli for Hope Ella Wren

"What do you want with all your heart?" Clare, an orphaned novice at the convent of Kirklington Abbey, has been trained in the old-fashioned art of illuminating handwritten books of Scripture and prayer. She expects to live a life of prayer and service to God, but everything changes when the convent is closed by order of King Henry VIII. Clare is thrust alone and penniless into the world beyond the cloisters, and into the heart of a family she never knew she had. She swears never to illuminate again, however from the farm of her mysterious new neighbours to the court of the king, she cannot help seeing colours which remind her of the things she values most - courage, kindness and hope. Gradually she learns to love her new life, but everything she treasures and everyone she loves are threatened by the secret in her dower chest. As she discovers who she is and what she wants, will Clare ever illuminate again and can she believe again in lapis lazuli and the real hope it represents?