Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

Title: Devil’s Desire
Author: Laurie McBain
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4241-0
Format: Mass Market Paperback
$7.99
How I read it: Mass Market ARC
Rating: 4 Crowns

THEY CALLED HIM THE DEVIL……
With his seductive golden eyes and his sin-black hair, it’s no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title- not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.

AND SHE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CONQUER HIM…….

When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.

As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she’s finally found haven in the arms of the devil.
(from the publisher)

My Thoughts:

First things first. I was so excited to be able to review this book. I have heard so many great things about this author and this book in particular, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. Devil’s Desire is very well crafted. I felt that the author included a great deal of detail, which enhanced the quality of the book. Oh, and I cannot leave out the characters, while I have heard that many have found Alex to be unlikable and hard to read, I found that in his own right he was highly interesting and highly entertaining to read. Whereas most of the other romantic hero’s have are charmingly irresistible from the start, Alex takes a bit of warming up too, if one truly can. For me while read Alex, my mind kept wondering to Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of Edward Rochester (Jane Eyre, BBC 1983). I also enjoyed Elysia, she was strong willed and ready to face anything or anyone life threw at her. She was the embodiment of a romantic heroine. I just wished that this book would have been a bit longer.

Devil’s Desire was originally published in 1975, yet the writing has a fresh feel to it that engrosses the reader.






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The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

Title: The Forever Queen
Author: Helen Hollick
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402240683
Rating: 5 Crowns




What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?

Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.
(From the publisher)


My Thoughts:

This was a very though provoking book. I enjoyed the way that reader feels apart of Emma’s story. The Forever Queen is laced with so many emotions that one wonders how any reader could not fall in love with this book. I felt as though I was witnessing the events of Emma’s life first hand. While many potential readers maybe wary at the size of this book (650 plus pages) I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in historical fiction, as well as the life of English Queens or this era of history.

Being an avid reader I was surprised when I noticed that this period is often overlooked in historical fiction, many writers tend to opt for the War of the Roses and the dynasty’s that followed, so finding The Forever Queen was a complete treat. I read this book as part of Sourcebooks fall book club, I encourage readers to use The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick as their book club selection. This book will provoke lively discussions that would be highly enjoyable.

This book would also make an excellent gift for historical fiction readers.

Solid by Shelley Workinger

Title: Solid
Author: Shelley Workinger
Publisher: CreateSpace
Format: Trade Paperback ARC
Price: $11.99
ISBN: 978-1453624821
How I read it: Trade Paperback ARC
Rating: 3.5 Crowns

Synopsis: Eighteen years ago, a rogue Army doctor secretly experimented with a chromosomal drug on unknowing pregnant women. When he was killed not long after the children were born, any knowledge and evidence seemed to die with him - except the living, breathing, human products of his work.
Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed "open-book" military unearths the truth about the experiment, bringing Clio Kaid and the other affected teens to a state-of-the-art, isolated campus where they soon discover that C9x did indeed alter their chromosomes - its mutations presenting as super-human abilities. The military kids, who come from across the nation and all walks of life, come into their own as lighter-than-air 'athletes'; 'indies' as solid as stone walls; teens who can make themselves invisible and others who can blind with their brilliance.

While exploring her own special ability, forging new friendships and embarking on first love, Clio also stumbles onto information indicating that the military may not have been entirely forthcoming with them and that all may not be as it seems...

My Review: I was intrigued by the concept of this book from the moment I heard of it. In a YA market filled with vampires, werewolves, and fallen angels, a genetic experiment causing super-human abilities almost feels normal! Not only does it seem a little closer to reality, I feel like it brings an element of surprise and more danger to the table - sure, the teens who are victims of the experiment have some crazy abilities, but none of them are so much that they are ever safe from the danger surrounding them.

We meet our cast of characters at a super secret government facility, which is relatively normal aside from the fact that it's nestled deep in the woods of New Jersey. The government has done a decent job of making the kids feel like they're at home, and ultimately leads them into a false sense of security. All the while, the teens are realizing that what they thought were mere talents are actually the effects of the experimentation done while they were in utero. I can only imagine how exciting and frightening it would be, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes they could have been invisible at times in high school.

Despite their abilities, the teens are pretty normal - Clio and several others become friends pretty quickly, bonding primarily on their mutual connection of being military brats. I liked all the characters, and definitely enjoyed the relationship between Jack and Clio. One of my favorite things was that although some of the teens are misunderstood, they're all good kids and are just interested in getting to the bottom of the conspiracy. I, personally, am a little tired of the "oh I'm your friend, just kidding I'm evil" thing in YA novels, and love seeing a great group of friends bond together to figure things out.

This was a solid (no pun intended) story, and I'm definitely interested in reading the sequel Settling when I can get my hands on it. My only complaint was that the book was pretty short, so the story had to move quickly. It would have been great to see more background on the genetic experiment itself, or on the individual characters before they knew about their abilities.


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Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

It's ANYTHING GOES week, so please drop by and see what caught the eyes of our Royal Reviewers. Who knows maybe you will find a book or two to add to your TBR list.

Best Wishes & Happy Reading

-The Queen of the Quill

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Fiction

Hardback 371 pages

Book Source: the library

My Rating: 4/5 Crowns

From Goodreads:

Meet the Roncalli and Angelini families, a vibrant cast of colorful characters who navigate tricky family dynamics with hilarity and brio, from magical Manhattan to the picturesque hills of bella Italia. Very Valentine is the first novel in a trilogy and is sure to be the new favorite of Trigiani's millions of fans around the world.


In this luscious, contemporary family saga, the Angelini Shoe Company, makers of exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, is one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village. The company is on the verge of financial collapse. It falls to thirty-three-year-old Valentine Roncalli, the talented and determined apprentice to her grandmother, the master artisan Teodora Angelini, to bring the family's old-world craftsmanship into the twenty-first century and save the company from ruin.

While juggling a budding romance with dashing chef Roman Falconi, her duty to her family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine returns to Italy with her grandmother to learn new techniques and seek one-of-a-kind materials for building a pair of glorious shoes to beat their rivals. There, in Tuscany, Naples, and on the Isle of Capri, a family secret is revealed as Valentine discovers her artistic voice and much more, turning her life and the family business upside down in ways she never expected.

My Thoughts:

Valentine is the "funny one" in the family. She is a 33 yr old sweet, honest, Italian girl who also happens to be the only unmarried family member left. A big no-no in this traditional family. However, Valentine finds her self at a crossroads in her life: no immediate plans of settling down, no "serious" job, but a serious desire to continue the family business of custom made bridal shoes. Valentine is currently the apprentice at Angelini Shoe Company, but must help her Grandmother Theodora in saving the business. The company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and only modern day financing can save this olde world company.

Valentine makes her mission to stabilize the company and in the process, she matures and comes into her own, as both a person and a designer. Valentine realizes her potential, harnesses her craft, and figures out what she wants in a relationship and a man. Valentine becomes comfortable with herself. Does she save Angelini Shoes? You will have to read the book to find out :)

This story is filled with wonderful moments of Val and her family. These scenes may seem totally stereotypical, but they are spot on accurate. I'm Italian so I should know. The trip that Val and her Grandmom take to Italy is beautiful and I felt like I was there with them. Trigiani's descriptions make it easy to picture, and I really must move that trip to Italy up the vacation list. The relationship between Val and her Grandmom is special and I think it's one many granddaughters share with their Grandmoms. I did and it reminded me of my Grandmom whom I miss dearly.

Very Valentine was an enjoyable, lighthearted read, and a great way to escape. I look forward to the follow-up titled, Brava Valentine, and will consider reading Trigiani's back list.
For more information about Adriana Trigiani please visit her website:
http://www.adrianatrigiani.com/home.html







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Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

Title: Prisoners in the Palace, How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel
Author: Michaela MacColl
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 978-0-8118-7300-0
$16.99
Format: Hardback
Rating: 4.5 Crowns


London, 1836
Seventeen-year-old Liza’s dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. Alone and penniless, she accepts the position of lady’s maid to the young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servants’ world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the opportunity to dertermine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future Queen?
(from the cover)

My Thoughts:

I truly enjoyed this book. I found that it was a fresh approach to the life of Queen Victoria and hopefully thanks to the witty way it was compiled a new generation will become interested in this era. Although it is marketed as a Young Adult novel, I believe that adults will enjoy it immensely. Once I started this book, I found that I could not put it down. I enjoyed watching as Liza slipped into this world that was not her own, sort of a Cinderella story in reverse if you will. I have read many fictional accounts of the life of Victoria (both adult & young adult reads), and I have to say that this one seems to be the one the sticks in my mind. I loved that even though it was fictional, the author, Michaela MacColl, weaves in as much historical aspects as possible.

Overall this was an amazing read that I hope will inspire others to become more familiar with the life and times of this fascinating Queen.


I would like to first say Thank You to Michaela MacColl on behalf of Royal Reviews for her lovely guest post as well her kind words about the blog itself.

It’s a Maid’s Life By Michaela Maccoll

I’d like to thank Angela for this chance to chat with readers of The Royal Reviews. I’ve spent a lot of time on this site and I can tell I’m in good company.

I’ve written a novel about the teenage Princess Victoria. Victoria is surrounded by people who wants something from her and she doesn’t know who to trust. Enter my main character, Liza Hastings. Liza is a young lady fallen on hard times. She comes to Kensington Palace to be a lady-in-waiting and discovers that the only job available is that of Victoria’s lady’s maid. Desperate, she has no choice but to take the job. She moans about how far she has fallen (until she discovers the fate of the last maid!)

Part of my research for Prisoners in the Palace was to find out about the lives of servants in the 1830’s. I was fascinated to discover that the lives of servants were as hierarchical as the lords and ladies they served. Liza, who thinks she has sunk lower than her expectations, actually did well in the domestic servant sweepstakes.

At the top of the feminine heap was the housekeeper. She was ranked higher and earned more than every other servant. She was responsible for the hiring/firing and all the expenses. Next down was a lady’s maid. She didn’t wear a uniform and her duties were limited to being available to her mistress for dressing, undressing, bathing and the occasional escort duty. She was often given her mistress’ discarded clothing which she could alter for herself or sell. They were often French or Swiss and it was rare for a lady’s maid not to be pretty. Her route to advancement was to marry. Further down the list were the cook, and parlor-maids and scullery maids.

The servants themselves were hyper-aware of rank. Lady’s maids and Valets would call each other by their employer’s names. At the servants’ dinner, all the servants would sit together for the first course of their meal, but them the senior servants would get up and in order of their rank, would leave to the housekeeper’s dining room. Even outside the house, butlers would have their own club where they could socialize with other butlers but the coachmen would have their own club.

So Liza has done well. Not only is she a lady’s maid, she’s maid to the future Queen of England. When she visits other houses with Victoria, she will be the highest ranking lady’s maid. She’ll have the best accommodations, sit near the head of the table and be deferred to by everyone except the butler and the housekeeper. Liza knows nothing of these rules and learns the hard way to demand the perquisites of her position. And once Victoria becomes queen… the possibilities are endless.

On the other hand, her duties are a little demeaning. She has to dress and bath the Princess. This is particularly difficult for Liza because she is accustomed to have her own maid. She has to rise before Victoria and cannot sleep until after Victoria goes to bed- not a huge problem unless Victoria is at a ball. The Princess gauged how successful a party was by how late she got to stay up! Of course for our intrepid heroine, the solution to that problem is to sneak into the ball herself!

I hope that you enjoy Prisoners in the Palace. If you’d like to read more about it, check out my website at
www.michaelamaccoll.com

Happy Reading!


Thanks to Chronicle Books Royal Reviews is giving away one copy of Prisoners in the Palace.
To enter please leave a comment, as well as a valid email address.
Contest for residents of the US only

Giveaway ends November, 30

King Arthur: Dragon's Child by M.K.Hume

Title: King Arthur: Dragon's Child
Author: M.K.Hume
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Headline, 2009
528p

Rating: 4 Crowns

What lies beneath the legend?

"The making of a legend is a form of poetry, my friend, an art that is an extension of pure gossip, especially when stories are passed form one mouth into another's ear. If we could live on and on through the ages, I doubt we'd recognise ourselves in the stories that will be woven around us".

So speaks Myrddion Merlinus to Artorex in Dragon's Child and how right he is. From the magical world of a fantasy Isle of Avalon to the knights and ladies of a medieval Camelot , tales of the legendary Arthur have been capturing the hearts and minds of people for centuries.

M K Hume takes the legend and gives it a structure based on reality and reason creating a young man struggling to accept the destiny that is his by birthright in a violent and bloody age.

She sets her book in the period of British history when the Roman Empire has crumbled and the legions have long deserted the Isles........when Uther Pendragon, the High King of Britain is nearing death. As the tyrant falters, his kingdom is being torn apart by the squabbling of minor kings who jostle for the throne.

Of unknown parentage, Artorex grows up as the foster son of Lord Ector and his Roman wife, Livinia. One day, three influential men arrive at the villa and arrange for Artorex to be taught the martial skills of the warrior: blade and shield, horse and fire, pain and bravery.When they return, years later, Artorex is not only trained in the arts of battle, he is also a married man. The country is in desperate straits, for the great towns of the west are falling to the menace of the Saxon hordes.In spite of Uther's enmity, Artorex becomes a war chieftain, winning many battles and earning the trust of his warriors.

I loved M K Hume's writing style and became totally engrossed in her imaginative and fresh perspective of this well known subject.. At first I had to remind myself that this was Arthur I was reading about and then really enjoyed discovering well known characters hiding within unfamiliar names. Like Artorex's half-brother Caius ( Sir Kay) and the boy in Uther's kitchen, Perce ( Percival) who, like all the characters, become more real than their more fanciful legendary selves and so much easier to relate to. Bloody battles and intrigue provide plenty of excitement but there are also some gentler passages ( I even shed a few tears a one point) and it all adds up to wonderful historical fiction.

Dragon's Child is the first book of the King Arthur trilogy and covers Artorex's childhood and early adulthood up to the time when he discovers Uther's crown and sword and is crowned High King. The other two books are:

King Arthur: Warrior of the West

King Arthur: The Bloody Cup

I look forward to reading them both.




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The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

Title: The Crystal Cave (Arthurian Saga Bk 1) by Mary Stewart

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 529

Genre: Historical Fantasy



From Amazon: “Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myridden Emrys -- or as he would later be known, Merlin -- leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man's-son, taking him from prophesying before the High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon . . . and the conception of Arthur -- king for once and always.”




We first meet Merlin as a six year old boy living in his Grandfather’s castle with his mother Niniane. As a bastard child he is treated no better than a servant, due in part to the fact that his mother refuses to disclose the identity of his father. He proves to be no ordinary child, knowing things that no child his age should possibly know. As Merlin grows older he falls under the tutelage of Galapas, a wise old man who lives in a cave near his home. At the age of twelve, Merlin’s grandfather dies and it becomes apparent that bastard or no, his Uncle Camlach who has now inherited the kingdom considers him a threat so Merlin must flee. By the hand of the Gods he ends up in lesser Britain and is given over to Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon the exiled Princes of Britain-one who will give him the answers he has been looking for and the other who will shape his destiny. Crystal Cave takes us from Merlin’s boyhood through the fated meeting between Ygraine of Cornwall and Uther Pendragon and the begetting of the child who will be the greatest king England has ever known.




Merlin has had many incarnations in the telling of Arthurian legend. In some he is the mad wizard, in others he is manipulative old man. Here we see Merlin as a real person, a boy with special gifts that he embraces to help shape the fate of Britain. He can’t control what he sees or when he sees it. It is just a gift of the Gods that he accepts and uses. Surrounding Merlin is an interesting and varied cast of characters: Ambrosius and Uther, his servants and friends Cerdic and Cardal, Galapas, Gorlois and Ygraine of Cornwall, all of which are vividly brought to life here. I really enjoyed that this story gives background to the legend. The reader gets a detailed description of Merlin’s life as a young Bastard child, his joining with the Pendragons, the building of the Army to take back Britain, the superstitions of the time that made him part power player and part outcast and his personal connections with all those around him. My only complaint was that a few scenes felt they were more drawn out than they needed to be in order to further the story, particularly the areas dealing with the war and a few where Merlin must prove his worth as a "magician/prophet". They seemed longer than they needed to be but these areas were few and far between. This was a well written and enjoyable take on the Arthurian Legend and I think it did an exceptional job of bringing this time period to life. I will definitely be getting my hands on the next book, the Hollow Hills, so I can continue Merlin’s adventure.




I have read many Arthurian Legend books and this one may not be THE best but it is definitely in my top 5. I give this one 4 crowns.













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Title: Thorn in My Heart
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $14.99
ISBN: 9781578565122
How I read it: Kindle edition
Rating: 3.5 Crowns


Synopsis: Two brothers fight to claim one father’s blessing.
Two sisters long to claim one man’s heart.

In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery.

Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec’s flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.

A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by lies and deception, jealousy and desire, hidden secrets and broken promises. Brimming with passion and drama, Thorn in My Heart brings the past to vibrant life, revealing spiritual truths that transcend time and penetrate the deepest places of the heart.

My Review: The title of this novel is very apt, because after reading it, I truly feel as though I have a thorn in my heart regarding how I feel about the story. It's based on the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, so the plot will be familiar to any who know that tale. As I haven't read it before, the way the story unfolded was new to me, so I found it both frustrating and interesting to read.

I felt myself simultaneously liking and disliking most of the characters in the story, watching their actions and the consequences of said actions was extremely difficult for me to see. I mean, even though I haven't read the story in which this is based, I still can see how foolish the decisions of each character are. It's common sense!

With all that in mind, in the end, I still had a lot of affection for most of the characters, Leana and Jamie especially, and found tears in my eyes as I read the final few chapters. I will say one thing - Leana is a much stronger woman than I am, for I don't think I could find it in my heart to forgive the way she does.

A story like this reminds me of how grateful I am to live in a more modern society where I have legitimate choices. I love to fantasize about living in one of these historical time periods, but reading about how women especially were at the mercy of the men in their lives, children forced to do what their fathers want, it makes me glad I don't have to live that aspect of the life. I enjoy that I can choose to live as a single woman without having to tend to ailing parents or simply hanging around home because no man would have me. I am always sympathetic to our ancestors when I read a tale such as this.

While there are some slow parts in the middle, the action of the story kept me reading and the plot definitely kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I'm very pleased that this is the first novel in a series, as I very much want to see how things continue to unfold in this somewhat unconventional family.



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Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

Title: Take a Chance on Me
Author: Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $14.00
ISBN: 9781402237515
How I read it: Trade Paperback ARC
Rating: 5 Crowns (A Royal Read)

From the publisher:

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life…
Cleo Quinn doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will’s come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing’s Hill and tormenting her as if he’d never been away.

Meanwhile Cleo’s sister Abbie has a problem of her own—husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she’s determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?

The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...


My thoughts:

WOW!!!!! I have never been as excited to read a British Chick Lit book as I was this one. This is one of my favorite books that I have read this year, think Bridget Jones (the books not the movie) meets Coupling (the British TV show). Its a very witty book where the characters are both realistically flawed and loveable. For me Jill Mansell is the queen of British Romantic Comedy, I will be headed to my local bookstore in the near future to buy her other books.





Visit Angela @ Renees-Reads

Elizabeth, Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin

Title: Elizabeth, Captive Princess (book 2 in the Elizabeth I series)
Author: Margaret Irwin
ISBN: 978-1-4022-2997-8
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Format: Trade Paperback
$14.99
How I Read It: Trade Paperback ARC
Release Date: October 2010
Rating: 4.5 Crowns

In July 1553, sibling rivalry looms perilous, even life-threatening, between the daughters of King Henry VIII. Their brother King Edward is dead, his successor Lady Jane Grey has been beheaded, and Queen Mary Tudor has just won possession of the throne. But her younger half sister—the beautiful and vivacious Princess Elizabeth—holds the hearts of the people. Despite Mary’s health fading fast and her power beginning to crumble, she won’t give up the throne, determined to rule to the absolute end as her father did before her. In these treacherous times, when all about her there is secrecy and deception, Elizabeth must rely on her faith and courage if she is to survive her ordeal and rise to fulfill her destiny. With grace and elegance, Margaret Irwin continues the story begun in Young Bess, giving readers an intimate peek into the world of that most enigmatic of Britain’s monarchs.
(from the publisher)


My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved the first book in the series, Young Bess, and I have to say that I was not disappointed by Elizabeth, Captive Princess. The way that Margaret Irwin wrote this novel is as though she was weaving a tapestry of history and fiction, each part seamlessly blending into a brilliant picture for the reader to behold. It’s a very vivid story that every fan of Tudor fiction should. Each book in this series seems to surpass the other, and now I cannot wait to see what gems Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain has to offer.

This is one of my favorite times in history so I enjoy taking a glimpse into that worlds that authors create around it, and so far this has been my favorite journey.














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A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury by Edith Pargeter

Title: A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury
Author: Edith Pargeter
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 9781402239915
Rating 4 Crowns


Henry Bolingbroke knows that he should be king of England. It’s his God-given destiny, and the young Richard II had no right to banish him and claim the throne. With the help of the powerful lords of Northumberland, especially Harry “Hotspur” Percy, Henry triumphantly overthrows Richard and imprisons him.

But the thrill of becoming Henry IV of England fades as trouble brews in Wales. Rebellion is in the air, and the question of how Richard II really died lingers, poisoning the court.

Henry IV will need all his strength to defend the crown, but the relationships between the king, Hotspur, and the king’s son Prince Hal contain the seeds of their own destruction. The king’s powerful enemies are poised to pounce as the three men are drawn to bloody collision some two miles from Shrewsbury. Filled with the glorious historical detail that fans of Edith Pargeter have come to expect, A Bloody Field by Shrewsbury is a skillful tapestry of the feuds, loves, and triumphs of Henry IV.
(From the publisher)

My Thoughts:

One of my favorite books of the year!!!!!! I read it through in one setting, the way the story flows draws the reader in, while capturing and holding their attention to the very end. I cannot believe that this was my first time hearing about this book as it was originally published in 1972. While I was previously acquainted with the authors work, (The Brothers of Gwynedd Quartet) I was surprised at the degree of variation in the writing, which is a plus for me. I was also intrigued by the plot and the way the Edith Pargeter mixed fiction and fact is seamless.

A lovely edition to my treasure trove of historical fiction novels.


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