The King’s Touch by Jude Morgan

Tags

charles II, duke of monmouth, historical fiction, Restoration England

Beautiful prose and characterizations, but the slower pace will not appeal to all readers. The King’s Touch is the story of Charles II’s illegitimate son Jemmy, James Duke of Monmouth. Written in the first person POV, Jemmy recounts his life story from being removed by Charles from his mother’s care, through his relationship with his father and his aunt Minnette, Charles’ restoration to the English Crown and finally ending at the start of the Monmouth Rebellion at Charles’ death. The life and reign of Charles II and the main characters (and Charles’ many mistresses) are fairly well known, and not worth rehashing further.

Those looking for an action packed, bawdy romp through the Courts of Charles II should look elsewhere, this is not the book for you – I’d recommend Forever Amber. Yes, we see his mistresses and the intrigues and scandals of the Restoration period, but in lesser degree – even the plague and the great fire of London are almost afterthoughts in the story. As other reviewers have noted, what this book is about is Jemmy and his relationship with his very enigmatic father as Jemmy struggles to come to grips with his illegitimacy as others intrigue to have him declared legitimate and the true heir to the crown.

As stated previously, this is not a fast paced book and one that should be read in small doses so you can sit back and savor them slowly like you would a very decadent truffle or a fine glass of red wine (or both!!). Unfortunately for me, I had this as an interlibrary loan and not renewable and found myself under the gun at the last minute to blow through 500 + pages and I feel it impacted my enjoyment of this a bit

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

The Vizard Mask by Diana Norman

Tags

charles II, historical fiction, prince rupert, Restoration England

Most everyone is familiar with Diana Norman’s Makepeace Hedley trilogy starting with A Catch of Consequence, as well as the Mistress of the Art of Death series she writes under the name Ariana Franklin, but how many of you are familiar with her older books? I’d been wanting to read this one for ages but the price was not right and then I finally got lucky and Suzanne over at HFO gave away her extra copy.

It’s 1664 and Puritan Penitence Hurd arrives from America armed with nothing but her faith, a bag filled with wampum and tobacco and the address of her long lost aunt. The address takes her to the Cock and Pie on Dog Street, a brothel with a Madame who goes by the moniker of “Her Ladyship”. Told that her aunt is long gone and most likely dead and with no where else to go Penitence accepts a position as seamstress as Her Ladyship is surprisingly reluctant to allow her to whore like the others. Plague soon breaks out and all on Dog Street are quarantined in their homes to catch it and die or survive the forty days and be freed. Penitence’s room is across the way from room rented by the mysterious Henry King and they strike up a strange friendship as Henry teaches her to use The Vizard Mask to become someone else and thus lose her terrible stutter As the plague loosens its hold Henry and Penitence share one night of passion before he gains his freedom and disappears from her life.

Fate has a few unfortunate surprises for Penitence (pregnancy, Newgate, illegal pamphlet printing to name a few) and many times the only way to get past it is the oldest way in the world, but she will do anything to keep her independence. Once she sees the glitter and magic of the King’s Theater she is determined to beat the odds and make it – although when she crosses one of King Charles’ rowdy noblemen and he strikes back she’s willing to give up her freedom for royal protection (no it’s not who you are thinking it is). As she settles into a safe, albeit boring life with her royal protector, Penitence gets a shock when Henry King once again drops into her life and his name is not Henry King…….

That’s as far as I’m going, if you want to know more then read it for yourself. Penitence’s story begins just before the Great Plague of London through to the Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion and it’s aftermath to the coronation of William and Mary. Fans of Charles Stuart be warned, he does not come off looking too pretty in this one, he’s portrayed at his rutting, double dealing worst here.

At times very witty and bawdy with lots of laugh out loud moments that make this a fast fun read, but there are also some very serious moments as well – keeping her son hidden and to safety after the failed Monmouth rebellion will have you on the edge of your seat, as well as the descriptions of the Bloody Assizes after the failed rebellion. That said there are times when the pace dropped off and got a bit tedious (the plague went on waaaaaay too long, as well as that last bit at the end trying to get ______ buried in Poet’s corner *yawn*). Even with the flaws I enjoyed it a lot, and most especially when Penitence and Henry were in the same room – some of the best banter I’ve come across in a long time. 4/5 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.

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

Circle of Pearls ~ Rosalind Laker

Tags

charles II, historical fiction, historical romance, Restoration England

 

The story begins with Julia, youngest child of Royalists Robert and Anne Pallister, and her older brother Michael as they live in the constant fear of their estate being taken from them by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, as England’s civil war rages around them. Michael and Robert both join Charles II’s cause and subsequent tragedies strike the family leaving Robert’s widow Anne to make a drastic choice to avoid loosing her family home forever to a Cromwell supporter. As Julia matures, the story follows her life and marriage as Charles II returns to rule England and on through the plague and great fire of London.

Unfortunately, what should have been a ripping good story just falls a bit flat to this reader. The author spends way too much time on Julia’s childhood experiences, I would have preferred to have the background told in flashbacks and have the story start off as Julia reaches maturity (note to self – never ever complain about an author’s backtracking to past history after getting the story going), we didn’t see Julia wed and in London as Charles is crowned King until well after the first half of the book. I also would have preferred to have Julia and Adam more involved in Charles’ court and its intrigues instead of being side line players in the action. Lastly, as much as I enjoy an author setting the scene and describing the clothes, furnishings, etc. so that I have a good sense of time and place, Laker goes way over the top describing everything in too minute of a detail and I found myself skimming quite a bit through those lengthy descriptions.

All in all, a pleasantly entertaining book to read if you are interested in the period or a fan of the author, but certainly not the best to be read in this period and most definitely doesn’t come close to the standard set by Kathleen Winsor’s awesome Forever Amber. Three stars.