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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...
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The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath #Review

 

We travel back to the 12th Century for this gorgeous historical novel, The Lost Queen by Carol McGrath. It was published by Headline Accent on 18th July.


1191 and the Third Crusade is underway . . 

It is 1191 and King Richard the Lionheart is on crusade to pitch battle against Saladin and liberate the city of Jerusalem and her lands. His mother, the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine and his promised bride, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, make a perilous journey over the Alps in midwinter. They are to rendezvous with Richard in the Sicilian port of Messina.

There are hazards along the way - vicious assassins, marauding pirates, violent storms and a shipwreck. Berengaria is as feisty as her foes and, surviving it all, she and Richard marry in Cyprus. England needs an heir. But first, Richard and his Queen must return home . . .

The Lost Queen is a thrilling medieval story of high adventure, survival, friendship and the enduring love of a Queen for her King.


 

My Thoughts

This is a well researched and involving historical novel which brings to life a Queen of England about whom little is known. The story of Berengaria covers her life when she was betrothed to Richard, the journey to meet him and the years following her marriage. She emerges as a brave, independent woman whose intelligence and political instincts enable her to survive in difficult circumstances. She shows great loyalty to her friends and household but her deepest loyalty is reserved for her errant husband.

    Some of the characters are invented and the author explains their purpose at the end of the story. She also highlights the difficulty in finding out facts about Berengaria as little is known so some events have been deduced. Berengaria’s story is an engrossing one, told through the eyes of different characters which adds depth to events. 

In short: a lost queen is foun

About the Author

Following a first degree in English and History, Carol McGrath completed an MA in Creative Writing from The Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, followed by an MPhil in English from University of London. The Handfasted Wife, first in a trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS in 2014. The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a best-selling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, was republished by Headline in 2020. The Silken Rose, first in a medieval She-Wolf Queens Trilogy, featuring Ailenor of Provence, saw publication in April 2020. This was followed by The Damask Rose. The Stone Rose was published April 2022. Carol is writing Historical non-fiction as well as fiction. Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England was published in February 2022. The Stolen Crown 2023 and The Lost Queen will be published 18th July 2024. Carol lives in Oxfordshire, England and in Greece. 

 Acclaim for Carol McGrath's ROSE trilogy:

'Powerful, gripping and beautifully told' KATE FURNIVALL on The Silken Rose

'A tour de force of gripping writing, rich historical detail and complex, fascinating characters' NICOLA CORNICK on The Stone Rose

'A beautifully narrated novel' K J MAITLAND on The Damask Rose

Find Carol on her website: www.carolcmcgrath.co.uk or follow her at: X (Twitter)  |  Pinterest  |  blog  |  Linkedin  |  Facebook  |  

Purchase link

Amazon Author page 

Thanks to Carol McGrath, Headline Accent and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.


Check out the rest of the tour!



 

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