The Cavalier’s Woman by Joan Hunter

Tags

17C England, historical fiction, historical romance

Is Rupert a dish, or what?

I think I prefer that to the cover that came with the book, what say the rest of you?  

 

Venetia Denby grew up worshiping Prince Rupert of the Rhine, and when her family moves to Oxford to support Charles I she finally gets her chance to see him in the *flesh* (you thought she had it bad before…). Despite the constant presence of her childhood friend and betrothed Michael, it doesn’t take Venetia long to throw herself in front of the Prince any time she can, and while at first glance the Prince seems impervious to her charms, well just you wait until he literally sweeps her off her feet.  

Venetia hitches her star to Rupert’s wagon as the conflicts between King Charles and Parliament continue unabated and she follows her man from battlefield to battlefield and seige to seige – and dresses and rides horse like a man as well. Rupert is eventually faced with the decision of his life when it’s clear that Charles is imploding  and his supporters tempt him to reach for higher ground. Can he keep his honor and word, or will he succumb to the temptation for power and turn traitor? As for Venetia, will she never get a clue and realize the Prince can’t marry her and keep her forever? Will the reader want to slap her upside the head a few times?

Despite the cheesy looking cover, this is much more a historical novel than a romance, and the sex is really quite tame. That said, the way the history was recounted was a bit too dry for my tastes, I found a tad too much telling instead of showing. I never really warmed up to Venetia as a character and her complete and utter devotion to Rupert wore thin after a while.  Fans of this period desperate for one more novel you might want to give this a try, but I suggest sticking with the Pamela Belle  books instead.  I do find Rupert a fascinating character and I plan on hunting down more books very near in my reading future, as well as adding him to my hunks in history list.

FTC, well if you must know. A fellow book-swapper passed it along to me when she was finished. Happy now?

Devil Water by Anya Seton

Tags

17C England, historical fiction, Restoration England

Another winner from Seton.

I am so pleased that this author’s novels are being reprinted, I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them, especially Katherine. This is a fascinating tale, based upon the Radcliffs of Derentwater (Devil Water), staunch catholics and loyal to the Stuart cause, and descended from Charles II via the wrong side of the blanket. Charles Radcliff, the younger brother has a secret marriage to a lower born woman who gives birth to the love of his life, his daughter Jenny.

The story takes you from the moors of Northumberland to the Jacobite rebellion of ’15 to the tobacco farms of Virginia, and back again to London for a nail biting finish after the final Jacobite rebellion and the battle at Culloden. Seton has a wonderful way of setting her scenes so that you can almost feel you are right there with it. I also enjoyed her way of writing different dialects (the Northumbrians, and the Virginia “twangs”), which definitely enhance the reading experience.

All in all a highly entertaining read, and one I will pick up again and again over the years. It’s not quite up to the same par as Katherine (that’s a 10 star book in my rating) or the Winthrop Woman but definitely worth the time, especially for any lover of historical fiction.

Herald of Joy by Pamela Belle

Tags

17C England, historical fiction, Restoration England

  Herald of Joy picks up with the St. Barbe family six years after the close of Wintercombe. Silence’s husband George is near death, although except for his oldest daughter Rachael the rest of his family is none too distraught over it. George makes a few last minute changes to his will that will continue to manipulate his family after he dies, leaving Silence at the mercy of her step-son Nat and Rachael engaged to an overly pious young man not best equipped to deal with her fragile emotions. On the heels of this also comes Silence’s younger sister Patience – their brother has tired of her schemes and plots and has sent her packing to the country to keep her out of trouble – although there is little chance of  that happening.

Charles Stuart the newly crowned “King of Scotland” brings his army south to Worcester, and among his guard is the long-lost Cavalier Nick Hellier. The Royalist attempt fails and Nick flees for his life with an unwelcome companion who looks too much like the much sought after Charles for everyone’s comfort. Hounded by Roundhead soldiers, their travels take them from Worcester to Bristol and then finally to Wintercombe – will Nick and Silence be reunited? Or will their secret be betrayed to the Roundheads and disaster befalls them all and they lose everything, including Wintercombe?

As usual, that’s about all I’m willing to tell you – read it for yourself. This was an excellent follow up to the first book and not quite as dark as the first, although there are still some nail biting moments and Belle definitely keeps you hovering on the edge of your seat until the very end. I loved the way she incorporates the children and pets into her story (just wait until you see their escapades in this one keeping Nick and friend hidden), as well as seeing the day to day lifestyle of a 17C household. I loved the addition of Patience (or IMPatience as Nat calls her) and her hijinks into the family fray. Although the hands down, laugh out loud, scene stealing character was the cursing Parrot. ROFL when Rachel’s sanctimonious Puritan father-in-law spotted him and was told to “bugger off”. Priceless.

The series in order,

Wintercombe
Herald of Joy
A Falling Star
Treason’s Gift

Wintercombe by Pamela Belle

Tags

17C England, civil war, historical fiction

  Raised in a strict Puritan household with an abusive father, Silence learned at a young age to keep her emotions locked tightly inside her. Married at twenty to older widower Simon St. Barbe, London raised Silence struggles to fit in with Simon’s children and his tyrannical mother. Nine years later Civil War breaks out between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians and Simon leaves to join the army leaving Silence and her children in relative peace – that is until a troop of Royalist soldiers arrive to take possession of Wintercombe in the King’s name. Leading the troop is the ruthless Colonel Ridgeley who has no pity for the wife of a “traitor” – and Wintercombe is soon invaded by drunken, carousing soldiers.

Always keeping a mask over her emotions, Silence withstands the horrendous abuses committed against her family, home and servants – although she finds sympathy and friendship with Captain Nick Hellier who tries his best to nullify the abominations committed by Ridgeley. Does Nick harbor stronger feelings for Silence or is he just amusing himself during his tenure at Wintercombe? Can Puritan raised Silence resist the love she finally admits for Nick or will she commit the great sin of adultery? Can anyone stop Colonel Ridgeley and his horrifying abuses or will he destroy Wintercombe and the St. Barbe family?

Despite the appearance of being a romance novel, do not let that stop you. What *romance* there might be in the story between the two (and I’m not letting on) is well towards the end of the book – what this book is about is characters and family and how they are affected by war as their home and lives are taken over by brutal, ruthless soldiers – and let me tell you there are some terrifying scenes in this book. There is a lot of family interaction and details of daily life in 17C England, as well as seeing the conflict from both sides. Belle really brings the period and people to life, and I especially enjoy how she writes children and pets.

This might be a bit slow paced at times for readers looking for an action packed read, but if you enjoy a more character driven plot and want to see the affects of war on the women, children and their daily lives I would recommend an immediate trip to your library or your favorite used bookseller. This is the first of a four book series and continues the story of the St Barbe family through the reign of Charles II and the Monmouth rebellion. In order,

Wintercombe
Herald of Joy
A Falling Star
Treason’s Gift

A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley

Tags

17C England, civil war, historical fiction

It’s 1644 and Royalist Cavalier Justin Ambrose has been relegated to duty at the soon-to-be-besieged Banbury Castle. While the Royalists hold the castle for the King the townspeople are solidly Puritan, including Abigail (Abby) Radford. Although Justin originally thinks of Abby in a sisterly fashion, their friendship eventually blossoms into something more as England’s Civil War rages around them. Outside forces threaten to part them forever, including the religious fervor of Abby’s brother and a dark secret from Justin’s past. Will Justin be able to set aside his past and declare his love for Abby? Is Abby willing to be the wife of a mercenary soldier traveling from camp to camp? Can Abby escape her zealot brother’s attempts to marry her to a depraved monster?

Inquiring minds want to know but I’m not telling. This was a very sweet tale (loved the ending!) of two fictional characters set into actual historical events, as they are caught up in the midst of a country and people at war with each other. There’s plenty of action, treachery, passion, a Parliamentarian spy with a knack for poison as well as sparks flying between Justin and Abby (although it’s very clean) and I had a hard time putting this one down – and oooh I want a Justin for my very own. What a man. The only caution I’d give if you’re new to this period and not very familiar with the history I’d read a few other books first so you’re more grounded on the period – Pamela Belle’s Wintercombe series is a great start.

Riley’s books are very rare and horrendously expensive, but I’m glad I was able to snatch up a copy reasonably cheap (also got even better luck on Garland of Straw). I originally tried for an ILL and received a note that there was one library left to ask but they would be asking for a $15 service charge. I poked around the UK used sellers and got lucky so don’t give up hope – keep scouring those used book stores and library sales. Four stars.

Garland of Straw by Stella Riley

Tags

17C England, civil war, historical fiction

“I’ll Crown thee with a Garland of Straw thenand I’ll Marry thee with a Rush ring…”

(Sir William Davenant)

Its 1647 when the novel begins, England’s *first* Civil War is over, and Robert Brandon’s will bypasses his legitimate son Ellis in favor of a previously unknown illegitimate son Gabriel Brandon – an officer in Cromwell’s New Model Army. Royalist Venetia Clifford must wed Gabriel in order to save her family’s lands (don’t ask me to explain its way too complicated) and is none too happy as she’d always planned on marrying Ellis. Neither are thrilled at the match and things get off to a frosty start to say the least. Page 139 on the *cough* wedding night between the unwilling to be married pair,

“Because, hard though it may be hard for you to accept, I’m not inclined towards rape and have an undoubtedly plebian preference for more than just a body between the sheets. Even, I’m afraid, when the goods on offer are as decorative as you.”

The two are soon find themselves in the midst of intrigues, treachery and murder (who is trying to kill Gabriel and why?) as the political climate and the conflict between Charles I, Cromwell, Parliament heats to a fever pitch (as do Gabriel and Venetia). Will the two be able to find happiness despite their political differences? Will Ellis’ schemes forever keep the two apart? That’s about as far as I go – this is just too complicated a story and political climate to spell out in a simple review.

The middle of the book bogged down a bit in the retelling of the history where there was more telling than showing, and Riley’s writing seemed to fall off a bit towards the end and actually quite redundant. The overuse of the expression “quite”, as well as Gabriel’s upraised “sardonic brow” and Venetia’s “amethyst eyes” got a bit tiresome after awhile. I’m fairly certain there was a least one book preceding this one (I’m guessing Black Madonna) and while this did stand well enough on it’s own I also had a few moments where characters came up out of nowhere that everyone else knew and I felt like I’d come late to the party.

Those minor nits aside, I did enjoy the book a lot, especially at the first with Venetia’s escapades aiding fugitive cavaliers (some laugh out loud moments there), as well as the verbal sparring between Venetia and Gabriel when she tried to pull the wool over his eyes. I liked how she worked Venetia into the trial and execution of Charles I, it was nicely done and I felt like I was there. One thing that did go completely over my head until Riley’s notes at the end were that a couple of minor characters in this book were the main focus of A Splendid Defiance. Wish I’d know that going in….

This book is very expensive used but don’t be afraid to shop around (or check the library) and you might get lucky. I do not recommend this for someone with no prior knowledge about this period, but if you’re hooked on on it and want to learn more you might want to give this one a whirl. Four stars.

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

Tags

17C England, charles II, historical fiction, Restoration England

“Never again, she had promised herself a dozen times will I be such a fool.” Yeah right, like we all know that’s never going to happen don’t we?

Amber St. Clare never felt she belonged with the poor family who raised her, and when one day a troop of cavaliers ride into her village she’s swept away by Lord Bruce Carlton. Well, actually its more like the other way around – Amber won’t say no and begs Bruce to take her to London and against his better judgment he agrees - although lust for the beauteous Amber might have something to do with it. Bruce makes it perfectly clear he’ll never marry her and when his privateering ships are ready to sail she’s on her own in the big city. Amber accepts Bruce’s terms and they’re off to London as Charles II is crowned and his bawdy court and courtiers are in full swing. As he warned, Bruce soon has to leave and it doesn’t take long for a pregnant Amber to get herself royally swindled (what a fool) out of every farthing Bruce left her and thrown into Newgate prison for debt. Not one to be down and out for long, Amber soon hooks up with a notorious highway man and he breaks them out and the game is on……

Until of course Black Jack Mallard is caught and hanged and finding herself in another pickle she goes for the stage – but she still needs to find man to keep her in the style in which she wants to become accustomed to – and handsome Captain Rex Morgan will fit the bill quite nicely. That is, as soon as she can take him away from his current mistress (no scruples for this heroine). Of course, once Bruce is back Amber manages to screw things up nicely (what a fool) and fresh out of likely prospects young men with money in London,  Amber finds herself an older one to protect her from life’s little problems. But then older men don’t live forever and when their family doesn’t like you well, then she’s off on the hunt yet again….

Amber’s story takes her through all walks of Restoration England, from prison to theater to the decadent, conniving court of Charles II (loved Castlemaine and Buckingham’s antics), from the plague (A.W.E.S.O.M.E.) to the Great Fire and from man to man and bed to bed. Amber is most definitely one of fiction’s most flawed heroines and despite the many lessons life dishes out do you think she ever learns from them? Don’t you worry though, as busy as Amber is in the bed chamber and despite the fact that when published in the 40′s this was so scandalous it was banned in Boston, the sex is pretty tame and left to the reader’s imagination (how refreshing). Watching Amber is like watching a train wreck – you can’t take your eyes away for fear of missing what’s going to happen next. As for the ending? Kathleen Winsor dishes up the most delectable bit of Just Desserts at the end – I can’t recall ever seeing better . A grand and glorious romp through the court of Charles II, don’t miss it. 4.5/5 stars.

The Quickenberry Tree by Annette Motley

Tags

17C England, historical fiction

   “It is a house that knows how to rejoice. And there is nothing it likes better than new beginnings” 

The story begins in 1641 as Lucy Heron, daughter of Sir George Heron of Heronscourt, is on the cusp of womanhood – and England on the brink of Civil War. The Herons are a staunch Royalist family and when war begins between King and Parliament Sir George and his oldest son Tom join the King’s forces. While Lucy is still too young for marriage, family friend and ever-so-charming-womanizing-privateer Will Staunton (nicknamed Silken Will) is charmed by the promise of great beauty in Lucy as well as her formidable and forthright nature. But while the cat’s away at sea into Lucy’s life from her mother’s Irish side of the family comes Cathal O’Connor – will young Lucy fall under the spell of the charming warrior with his flowing auburn locks (um, could you?).

War, family duty and tragedy are center stage as Civil War swirls around Lucy and the Heron family and although she finally makes a choice for husband there is still a soft spot for the other suitor – will she risk it all for a moment’s worth of joy in another man’s arms? The book covers all phases of the conflicts, the execution of Charles I, the military rule of Oliver Cromwell and his ever present spies and through the coronation of Charles II. A door-stopper at 700 pages (with small font), Motley makes excellent use of the large Heron family and their differing political persuasions to highlight the conflict and a country at war with itself pitting brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor.

Nicely peopled with many memorable (and hateful) characters, best of all though is the Heron family itself. I loved them to bits and never wanted their story to end. It was such a joy watching Lucy grow in tandem with her mother’s beloved Quickenberry tree from the first young sapling to a “tall and shapely” mature tree. I loved loved loved her twin brothers and their ever present hijinks, as well as family cousin Dominic the secret priest who disguised himself as a lace-frilled fop. Motley also does a great job writing the children (and there are plenty of them) without them being too cloying or irritating in their cuteness. There’s a bit of sex here, but it’s well spaced out and rather tame by today’s comparison but there was one scene too good not to share when Will is doing the nasty with the bad girl of the piece and suddenly thinks of Lucy,

“For the first time in his long and successful career as a lover of gallant ladies, he failed. Eliza couldn’t believe it. Snatched from the centre of her whirlpool by an unmistakable shrinkage, she applied all her natural talents to resuscitation, thanking her stars that some traveler had left a copy of a Japanese pillow book to one of her friends at court.”

I’ll leave the rest to your imagination, but it was priceless. I was almost going to give it four stars until the last third, but the finish was excellent and I wish there was a sequel. It is a complicated period so if you’re not familiar with it you might feel a bit lost and either just bear through until you “get it” or plan on making a few trips to Wik to read up on it all. Highly recommended and there are more of Motley’s books in my immediate reading future.

A Falling Star by Pamela Belle

Tags

17C England, historical fiction

  

Pamela Belle continues the saga of the St. Barbe family as Silence’s grandson Alexander returns home upon his father’s death from his *exile* on the continent to take over management of Wintercombe – and brings quite a notorious reputation with him. Alex’s cousin Charles (who is the next in line to inherit until Alex marries and produces a legitimate heir) resents him for being the heir, and that resentment grows into an all-consuming hatred for Alex.

Both men desire their cousin Louise who has a secret past of her own that she’s left behind in France when her mother entrusts her to Silence’s care in order to find her a good Protestant husband. The tension and passions between Alex and Louise heat up just as the Monmouth rebellion and the attempt to overthrow James II erupts in the surrounding countryside. Papist Charles thinks he’s found the weapon he needs against suspected Monmouth sympathizer Alex to gain the ultimate prize – Louise and Wintercombe.

All in all a pretty good read, although I found the central part of the story a tad bit on the slow side, the smaller details of the rebellion and battles just weren’t grabbing my attention – not like Alex and Louise who literally smoked off the pages. Still, the book ended well with what appears to be quite the set up for a rocking good story in the last of the four book series, Treason’s Gift. 3.5 stars rounded up to four.

The series in order,

Wintercombe

Herald of Joy

A Falling Star

Treason’s Gift

Treason’s Gift by Pamela Belle

Tags

17C England, civil war, historical fiction, Restoration England

Treason’s Gift is the fourth and last book in Belle’s series on the St. Barbe family of Wintercombe. Louise is heartbroken with grief and guilt after the premature birth and death of her first child and it takes a heavy toll on her once happy marriage. Shunned from the marriage bed, Alex hies it off to stay with his sister Phoebe in Bath and a chance meeting with an old lover available is too tempting for Alex to resist, although he soon comes to regret the affair. Will Charles’ mother Bab use her knowledge of the affair to destroy Louise’s love for Alex and permanently drive a wedge between the two?

Without Louise to share it with him, Alex has no desire to live at Wintercombe and leaves it to his cousin and heir Charles (the estate is entailed to the next male heir), sails for Holland and is soon embroiled in William of Orange’s plots to oust Catholic James II from England’s throne. Can Alex and Louise ever mend their emotional wounds and find happiness again? Can Charles contain his mad obsession with Louise and Wintercombe or will it lead to further treachery and murder?

While not up to the same standards as the first two in this series and might be a bit too much of a romance for some readers (Alex and Louise do smoke off the pages when they are together), I still enjoyed it a great deal. I never knew much about this period in England’s history, nor the events leading up to the “Bloodless Revolution” against James II and his Papist policies. Some of the retelling of the revolution was a bit dry – there was more telling than showing, but still interesting for history geeks like me. One very special treat was the way Belle managed to bring the Heron family and Goldhayes from her The Moon in the Water trilogy into this book – nicely done.

Belle is superb at peopling her novels with real characters and real settings appropriate for the time and place she puts them in, as well as the small details of day to day life and customs of the period. I’m very sorry this series has come to a close and I’ll have no more Pamela Belle novels to look forward to (she’s got a couple of fantasy novels but that’s not my genre). Sadly out of print but worth hunting down, I highly recommend this and the Moon in the Water trilogy for anyone interested in 17C England. The series in order,

Wintercombe
Herald of Joy
A Falling Star 
Treason’s Gift