By The Sword by Alison Stuart

 Reviewed by Nas

BY THE SWORD by author Alison Stuart is a March 2015 release by Escape Publishing, the digital arm of Harlequin Australia. 

Kate Ashley, a widow is mum to a nine year old son. Jonathan, her late husband’s cousin is a hunted man in exile so the family estate would go to Kate’s son. 

Meeting Jonathan for the first time, Kate feels attracted but they are kept apart. The story is beautifully written and the plot is intricately woven so you feel yourself living in Kate’s shoes. 

BY THE SWORD has vivid description of the era and the war. But the romance between our hero Jon and heroine Kate is of second chances and making new choices. 

Highly recommended for all lovers of historical romance fiction.

Reviewed by Maria

There is no one like author Alison Stuart for bringing alive the atmosphere of England during the civil war years.  Alas, this is a neglected period of history for historical authors who have literally done Regency to death and then some.   I always find myself reading Alison Stuart's books with the greatest of pleasure.  Her writing embodies everything I love about historical fiction - a trip back to a bygone age when life was somewhat slower and less in our control.

Alison Stuart beautifully depicts the dilemma of everyday people caught up in the struggle between the Royalists and the Roundheads, the Catholic people clinging to their old faith and the adherants to the Protestant sect, stepping into the unknown to rediscover their Christianity in a faith unbound by much idolatry and traditions.  All in all, fascinating reading indeed.  The love story between Royalist Jonathan Thornton and Puritan widow Kate Ashley is sensitively shown

I'd advise any reader of good historical fiction to get their hands on this book. Five stars for sure and certain.

5*****

The River of no return by Bee Ridgway

Reviewed by Desere


The year is 1812, Lord Nicolas Falcot is about to die on the battlefield. Then suddenly as the hand of death is about to strike the hand of fate intervenes and Nick finds himself very much alive and well living 200 years in the future.

He soon learns of the secret time traveling organization The Guild responsible for "saving" him, the only rule in exchange for the life saving deal, tell no one. As Nick starts his new life and keeps his secret under wraps his heart constantly reminds him of the one he left behind, Julia.

The arrival of a sealed envelope brings about a whole new game and a whole new set of rules, as Nick and Julia 's lives once again intertwines, but what will happen when the real secrets are revealed.

Those who know me well , know that when it comes to historical reads am not a very big fan, but every now and then I do find one that either the cover or the blurb grabs my attention, as was the case this time around. I took one look at the cover and fell in love with the mystery, and when I read the back it really got me thinking ' Time traveling in 1812? Really? Now that 's something I want to know about!'

What I found was really a truly remarkable read, fascinating characters and exquisite historical detail all wrapped up with a stunning string of secrets. Now normally I would go into vivid detail but with this read I think it essential for all reading fans out there to sit down and really take this all by reading it for themselves, so instead of my normal review lines am going to wrap this up in as a neat as possible.

The characters were all really written well, I particuarly loved the character of Nick, the poor man goes from about to die to living in a whole new world to back to his old life and trapped between saving the new world or sacrifising it all in the name of love. I loved how the author let his uncertainly and fear shine through but no so much so that he appears to be one of those " Too weak to stand " types of hero's , those I really do loath, so nicely done Bee.

The descriptions of both the new and old worlds were simply breathtaking , I was transported back with heart-stopping clarity and brought back again with a bang! The book was so much more than just a series of characters living between the past and now, the secrets are what made this read.

From the how is this possible to the who was that and the why 's it all was brought together with remarkable talent, I look forward to what this author has to offer up next.

And of course my review is vague but as I said you want to , no make that you have to read this, got get a coy now!

4.5 star review
" The here and now is all that matters, right?" 

**Now available at Penguin Books South Africa 

Lord Somerton's Heir by Alison Stuart

Reviewed by Maria

A stunning Regency romance from the enormously talented Alison Stuart, who has the ability to spin historical stories which will draw in a reader who will simply never wish to return.  LORD SOMERTON’S HEIR is an ESCAPE publication.

There are some secrets which we will carry to our grave.  Isabel, Lady Somerton, doesn’t intend to ever share the truth about  her unhappy marriage with anyone.  She will take her small inheritance, move to the dower house and set up a school for young girls, spending the rest of her existence doing philanthropic works.  But will her dream be realized?  Or will her late, unlamented husband manage to ruin her dreams of a simple, worthwhile life, even from beyond  the grave?

Wounded at Waterloo, Sebastian Alder is stunned to learn that he is the new Lord Somerton.  The memory of the dreadful events he’s witnessed on the battlefield haunt him, as does the memory of his lost love.  But he has no time to grieve.  His Somerton inheritance is mostly debt.  The late Lord Somerton’s life was a shambles of unpaid bills and useless relatives hanging on and draining his estate.  Then there is the question of Lord Somerton’s beautiful widow.  How can Sebastian shatter her dreams tell her that her late husband simply squandered her inheritance in useless living?

A beautifully told story set in a bygone age where life – for some at least – was more leisurely and unhurried, this will certainly please readers of historical romance, particularly Regency romance.  And anyone wishing to try out historicals, Regency or otherwise, would be well advised to start with Alison Stuart.  She’s a magical storyteller.

5/5

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Reviewed by Nas

I like the way this author, Alison Stuart writes in her unique way. This story is about trust. Can they trust each other or not?  It's the eternal question, whether romance is historical or contemporary.  The one compulsive factor that keeps a reader reading and returning to the book again and again.

Highly recommended for all lovers of historical romance.

THE GLADIATOR'S GIRL by Amy Hearst

An historical novella set in ancient Rome, when gladiators fought each other in the arena to the death.  The ancient Romans seem to have been a hard-hearted people who enjoyed blood sports.  Particularly the type of blood sports featuring human beings.

The story comes to us through the eyes of Rue, a slave girl who is owned by a family in the gladiator business, gladiatorial entrepreneurs, so to speak.  They own some of these fighters and send them out to do their stuff in the fighting arena. And although Rue can’t see herself nor describe her own looks, she seems to have been what might have been called a ‘comely wench’ in another time and place.  When a fighter wins glory for the house, Rue is sent in to service the winner as a reward.  But she’d better make sure that the worked up fighters don’t leave bruises on her body!  Otherwise, the mistress will think she’s displeased the fighter and punish Rue even more.  Sigh!  Well, every job has its problems.  Rue, however, is a hard working girl and knows how to take the rough with the smooth.  Which is probably just as well, considering her circumstances. 

Then one day, she’s given for the night to Ducius, a new acquisition, after he wins glory in the arena.  And what do you know?  The pair fall in love and have quite an energetic lovemaking session while they’re at it.  But all is not yet well in their world.  Ducius could die in the arena any day.  Rue can still be told by her owner to go in to another fighter if needs must.  Can these lovers ever be together?

An interesting little romance which I enjoyed reading.  I’m afraid I’m one of those boring people who finds sexual description way TMI (too much information).  Some readers love it, however, so it’s fine for  them.  But I liked the story even if I found Rue’s mistress a bit too demanding on the poor young slave girl.  If you like your historical romance set in the ancient world, you’d probably love this.

Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle

Reviewed by Shirley

Throughout history, lands have been invaded, pillaged, and burned by invading armies or marauding bands of heartless, cruel men. Stealing goods, livestock, and humans, these conquerors were often depicted as cruel, unjust men, but occasionally a just, honorable, and kind man was found. Fierce in battle, revered by his comrades, and honored by his king, Haken was just such a man.

Weary of the constant demands of his ex-wife to relinquish her hold over his son, Haken constantly sailed on voyage after voyage to obtain more wealth to buy his son's freedom from her clutches, hardening his heart further against ever marrying again and letting a wife dictate terms. The only way left to obtain his heart's desire, if she is not satisfied with his latest offer, is the Althing, an public assembly to procure his son. With this on his mind and a jaded heart, he impulsively falls for the beseeching pleas of one of the latest group of thralls(slaves) from Frankia. Taken by her gentleness of spirit, organization of warmth for his home, and increasing the wealth of his lands, the walls around his heart start to crumble. Pleased with her work, he gives her gifts, but out of all the gifts he offers,there is only one gift she truly wants, but he is loathe to give it: her freedom. Setting impossible tasks for her to earn her freedom, he contemplates an important question. If she accomplishes these tasks, will he be able to let her go, or does he see heartbreak in his future?

Captured by a marauding group of Danes and taken far from her homeland, Helena refused to give up her hope that one day she would return home to her family and betrothed, Guerin, but the future looks bleak. Tied to a stake in a Danish marketplace, only two choices are open: be sold to Gudred, when he returns,a warrior who has already scarred her face, or be bought by another. Spying Haken, a Norse chieftain, she pleads for him to buy her, but when he walks away, her heart plummets. Hearing Gudred's horse's hoof beats growing closer, desperately she begs until he buys her. But has she really traded the devil's minion for the devil???? Dangling her freedom as a prize, he sets impossible tasks for her to accomplish. But the longer she stays and the closer she gets,she begins to ask herself this question. When the time comes to gain her freedom and return home, will it be with a glad heart or will she forever hide a broken one?



Excellent story written with a well thought out plot and well developed characters. The historical element of the tale showed the intense research done by the author into the times and customs of the Norse. Underlying subplots of intrigue, mystery, and treachery gave a biting edge to the story.



I would recommend to all historical romance readers.

5*

ANGEL HEART by Marie Laval

Angel Heart by Marie Laval is a stunning piece of historical romantic suspense, exquisitely written and lovingly told, against the backdrop of  the close of the Napoleonic era in France.  Although a few scenes take place in England, the story unfolds mostly in France,. 

In the opening chapters of the novel, we meet Marie Ange Norton, (nee Jones), a young widow, still in her early twenties, widowed tragically young.  She continues to wear mourning and lives in seclusion, cherishing sweet memories of a husband she’d just been getting to know when he was tragically killed in battle off the Spanish coast.  We may not initially realize it, but her memories are tinged with idealism.  Christopher was the perfect lover and the perfect husband.  She loves her late husband’s younger brother and treats him as her own brother, all too aware that he will soon leave her and follow his elder brother into the Royal Navy.  The brother and sister-in-law, the last of their family, live in crumbling mansion on the coastline of England.  However, the arrival of a French ship in the neighbourhood bearing the enigmatic French Army officer Hugo Santclair changes Marie Ange’s secluded existence forever, although she’s not aware of it at the time.  Capitaine Saintclair bears news of the demise Marie Ange’s step grandfather, the notorious Edmond Malleval.  Malleval has, it seems, left Marie Ange some bequest.  She is now required to accompany the Capitaine to France to meet her step uncle, Uxeloup Malleval (don’t you just love that name!) and complete some routine formalities.  The journey to Malleval’s home in France is hazardous, first a ship journey, then a long drive by carriage, encountering unknown dangers along the way, such as highwaymen.  France, with its monarchy newly re-established, is a dangerous place and it is hard to know who is a friend or a foe.  Marie Ange, having lived a simple life up to know, is not at all attracted to the handsome Capitaine, finding him somewhat worldly and repulsive.

The story takes an interesting turn when Marie Ange spots a man who looks and sounds exactly like her late husband, who doesn’t seem to recognize her.  Either the man is an exact double, or her husband didn’t die after all.  Her relative Uxeloup Malleval turns out to be a dark character indeed and he has some dastardly plans for Marie Ange.  Finding herself in a hotbed of intrigue and danger, she finds that Malleval and his ghastly friend Karloff are more than a little interested in her late mother’s locket and sketch book.  A mystery worthy of the Da Vinci Code ensues, involving hidden treasures, Knights Templar and the like.  Marie Ange also uncovers mysteries from her past such as her true parentage.  There were delicious chills and excitement in abundance, adding up to a thrilling read.

What is particularly interesting is the development of the characters, how they grow and change in the course of the story.  Capitaine Santclair, a man of humble origin who has risen to be an officer in Napoleon’s army, shows a perfect example of how a cynical, war weary, worldly man can turn into a passionate, valiant and faithful lover.  Marie Ange is so simple and unworldly that at first the Capitaine suspects her of duplicity, wearing the mask of a grieving widow while pursuing affairs in secret.  The realization that Marie Ange is exactly what she shows herself to be – woman still in love with her dead husband – has a strange effect indeed on this man.  But as the story progresses, Marie Ange  shows her inner strength, metamorphosing from  being a simple, gentle girl widow to a feisty woman, ready to fight to defend herself and even to kill when put to the test.  As the story develops, she transforms, in the eyes of the world, from a grieving widow to a lover and most astonishingly,  to a runaway wife. The ultimate irony, in a way.  Discovering that she may not, after all, be a widow, would have brought joy to her life at the opening of the story, but as her relationship with the capitaine develops, it complicates things..

As a lifelong enthusiast of all things French, language, culture and history, I was struck by how authentically French the novel felt.  The author voice was perfectly clear and expressive in English, yet it had a French ring to it.  I was not surprised to learn that the author is a Frenchwoman.

There is a slight supernatural twist to the story too and this only added to the pleasure of reading.  There is a lot to recommend this book and I hope that it is widely read and enjoyed.

Guises of Desire by Hilda Reilly

In spite of its title and rather intriguing cover, GUISES OF DESIRE is neither a romance nor a work of erotica.  It is a simply and beautifully written novel of historical fiction, which is in fact based on a true story. It's the fictionalized account of the ordeal of Bertha Pappenheim, who may very well be described as the founding patient of psychoanalysis.  Psychoanalysis is a method of dealing with mental problems pioneered by the famous  19th century peronality, Dr. Sigmund Freud.  One of the cases on which much of Freud's theories were based was the case of  'Anna O', a patient of Dr. Josef Breuer, an associate of Freud's.

'Anna O' was a clinical pseudonym for Bertha Pappenheim.  In order to bring Bertha's story before us, author Hilda Reilly did extensive research which guarantees the reader a trip to 19th century Vienna, to the Jewish middle class milieu where Bertha belonged.  Bertha suffered from an early age. A sensitive child who was educated enough to speak and read in several languages, German, Italian, French and English, she was deeply disturbed by the gender discrimination she saw in her corner of society.  Orthodox Jewish culture at the time didn't seem to recognize the spiritual needs of women.  Bertha looked on aghast as the males took the best seats in the synagogue while the women were shut away from the prayer hall in a sort of women's gallery, discussing recipes and social functions.  She sees her parents make much of their spoilt son, Wilhelm, while she is constantly reprimanded by her mother for her high spirits. She is punished harshly in her Roman Catholic school for 'ridiculing the religious beliefs of others' when she simply asked some searching questions.  At the same time, she develops a crush on her English teacher, who is everything she wants to be herself.

The author describes how Bertha breaks down while nursing her father through the night when he suffers from tuberculosis.  Her breakdown, consisting of , among other things, loss of muscle control, hallucinations and complete absent mindedness on occasions, seems, through today's eyes, to have been due to neurological causes, together with a dependence on sleep medication. Dr. Josef Breuer through his regular visits to her  home, tries to use novel methods like hypnotism and 'talking cure' (counselling) to get to the root of the psychological problems which he feels are responsible with Bertha's plight.  The result of this treatment, however, appears to have been  a childish fascination on Bertha' part, with  the good doctor, which seems to result in some self indulgent erotic fantasies.

The author leads us along the way, but she doesn't do our thinking for us.  Bertha's actual path to healing and wholeness comes in a way no one could have anticipated and it is as if the answer had been staring Bertha and her carers in the face the whole time.  It is the discovery of what the solution was that kept me glued to this wonderful book until the very end.

The subject matter may at times seem a little grim, but like all good novels, the redemption is coming and the end result is well worth the read.  As historical fiction goes, this is excellent.and needless to say, I will be looking out for Hilda Reilly's novels in the future.

Escape by Maria Mckenzie

 Reviewed by Desere

When you first start to read this book you think OK he loves her and will do anything to free her and be with her for the rest of his life kind of romance book.

That unfortunately is not really the case,the author had a good plot and strong characters. The book interested me enough and overall really had a few pages here and there that were very well written,

Having not read anything by this author before I went in open mined but came up short in the end. The author somewhat ventures of the original path of what she starts out with.

It was a little like one minute I am reading about these two characters in this setting and these circumstances and the next it was ,wait did I just pick up the wrong book .

I do see definite potential for the author to be one of the brilliant authors of our time but I think she needs to consider adding in a little more passion into her work as in the end it felt like I was reading a drama and not a romance.

3/5 stars


Reviewed by Maria

Escape is a romance novel, but it's no escapist fairy tale.  The obstacles that Daniel and Lori have to face to be together are daunting to say the least.  Lori's a slave and Daniel's a free man with abolitionist leanings.  Their fight to be together makes compelling reading although some of the obstacles they face are quite horrifying.  Yet the book is a joy to read.  What warms the heart is Daniel and Lori's simple love for each other and their strong trust in God.  It literally shines through  Maria's writing.  It's not a fairy tale read, yet it manages to be realistic and hopeful at the same time.

What's horrifying for me to read as a Christian is how many so-called Christian people used the Bible to justify slavery and the abuse of people of African-American origin.  It is good to know that there were Christians then who truly believed that there is no discrimination in God's eyes.

Well researched historical novels like this are truly educational; they can teach us much about the mistakes of the past.  Even in the world today there are people who dare not fall in love with each other for fear of dreadful and horrible retribution.

A very simple, compelling and historically authentic read.

I must add that this book is a romantic story, but it is also part of a bigger, wider, family saga spanning several generations.  If you walk into this expecting a category romance with the de rigeur happy ending, you will be disappointed.  It is actually part of a trilogy THE UNCHAINED TRILOGY.  The story goes beyond the happy ending and we see our main characters dealing with the reality of an inter-racial marriage and the harsh realities of raising mixed race children in a society where the laws may have been changed to suit the times, but where people find it difficult to let go of their prejudices and narrow minded tendencies.  Like I said earlier, it is an enjoyable read but not escapist fiction.  Yet the author manages to give us a slice of grim life without destroying our sense of hope.  There were no hot love scenes although we knew our characters were having a sexual relationship.  But the truth is, such scenes were unnecessary.  We don't see our friends and neighbours in their bedrooms, nor would we want to.  As I said, it's not a category romance.  But it's still romantic and beautiful.  

As a person who is in an inter-racial marriage, I devoured this and just marvelled at how people in another time and place had to go through so much just to be with the person they love.

I look forward to reading the next parts of the TRILOGY.