Skip to main content

Featured

Arden by G D Harper #Review

  We start 2025 by visiting the sixteenth century and meeting two remarkable people from the time, one of whom happens to be William Shakespeare. Arden by G D Harper was published on October 1st by Ginger Cat .   The astonishing untold story of Shakespeare's first play Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, the former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century? William Shakespeare, England’s greatest playwright, born thirteen years after Alice’s execution. Why does his first-ever play, written about this murder, not bear his name? This is a story of two people – one reviled, one revered – whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley #Review


 

We are travelling to Jacobean times for The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley. It was published by Simon & Schuster on August 1st.


He is tasked with the most dangerous of missions. She is only there from duty. But in the face of treachery and injustice, might they need each other more than they could know…?
 
1613: Scotland and England, unified under one crown, are reeling from the sudden death of King James’ popular eldest son, Henry, as rumours swirl that the prince was poisoned. 
 
Andrew Logan, one of the King’s Messengers, is sent north with secret orders to find and arrest the man the king suspects. 
 
Phoebe Westaway cannot abide Andrew Logan. But when her ageing father is tasked with helping Logan, Phoebe finds herself with no choice but to join them in their quest to capture Sir David Moray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and carry him to London to stand trial for the prince’s murder.
 
It’s a journey rife with complications. Sir David has no intention of allowing himself to be delivered to London, and as he draws them deeper into the dark web of court alliances and rivalries, Phoebe realises she might have more need of Logan than she believes. 
 
A story of justice, honour, truth and love – and survival against impossible odds…

 For fans of Diana Gabaldon and Philippa Gregory, courtly rivalry and intrigue…

 PRAISE FOR SUSANNA KEARSLEY:

‘Fascinating and immersive… I love a novel that deals with the many ways in which people keep their secrets’
                                                                              Diana Gabaldon
‘A hugely engrossing book and a complete world created’ 

                                                                              Ian Rankin
‘The Vanished Days is an absolute tour de force of historical storytelling, tender and dramatic, gripping and authentic. Kearsley manages effortlessly to balance the epic sweep of the drama with telling moments of gentle characterization, all delivered in pitch-perfect style. I thoroughly enjoyed it’ 

            Jane Johnson, author of The Salt Road and The Tenth Gift
‘An engrossing and deeply romantic novel of Scotland’s Jacobite rebellion’                                                                  Rachel Hore

‘Perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander’ 

                                                                                 Woman&Home

My Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel and felt immersed in the story. You can certainly visualise the scenes and there is so much period detail. Blending together, actual historical figures and fictional characters, you are taken on a trip through Jacobean Britain. You glimpse the social conditions of the time. On top of those, you also see the social hierarchy which exists. I had not heard of the role of a King’s Messenger but it was a brilliant part of the story. There is action and adventure within the story. Different factions hold their own allegiances. Secrets are rife. Greed and ambition leads people to behave in a cruel and cold hearted way. However, some act with good intentions at their heart.

    Andrew Logan leads the group returning Sir David Moray to the royal court. He is a strongly drawn character with hidden attributes and  abilities. His relationship with Phoebe is tempestuous. All the main characters have a rich backstory. One intriguing feature is someone who has died before the story starts - Prince Henry. Through Sir David’s accounts, you build up a clear picture of him and the relationships between King James, Queen Anna and their children. 

In short: Period detail and compelling characters


About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley is a former museum curator who
loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page, interweaving romance and
historical intrigue with modern adventure. Over 1.5 million copies of her books have been
sold and have been translated into over 25 languages. Her writing career began in 1993
when her then-unpublished novel Mariana won the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize. Since then she has writen twelve novels and won various awards, and has twice made the final of Romantic Novel of the Year awards. She lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

You can follow Susannah here: Website

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to Susannah Kearsley, Simon & Schuster and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Check out the rest of the tour!


  


 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment