Review -The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn

Set during the reign of England’s Edward VI, Suzannah Dunn’s fictionalized account of the final two years of the life of Henry VIII’s last queen, Katharine Parr, is a delightful read. Told from the point of view of Catherine, Duchess of Suffolk, it follows Katharine’s marriage to Thomas Seymour through to its tragic end.

Catherine is a lively narrator who doesn’t hold back her opinions and finds herself drawn deeper into her closest friend’s life than she ever imagined. Through her, we see Katharine the Queen and Katharine the woman. But we also learn about court life, political intrigue and about Catherine herself, former ward of Henry’s younger sister, Mary.

Do not let the modern language fool you; this novel is steeped in history, with key period details adding depth and tantalizing glimpses of major historical figures of the era, including both Princess Elizabeth and Jane Grey. The characters are true to their times, drawing the reader into their lives as the story rolls along at a good pace.

It is a tale many readers know well, yet seeing through Catherine’s eyes makes it new and different. It is her story as much as the queen’s. Though not always a sympathetic protagonist, she is an effective one, giving the novel energy without overshadowing Katharine, its true heart. Together they dispel some of the myth of the oppressed woman in history, while at the same time reminding the reader that before modern medicine, childbirth was one of the most dangerous things a woman could experience, whether born well or not.

I found this book hard to put down, so ably did Ms. Dunn cast her literary spell. Readers who love the Tudor period, women’s history or just a jolly good yarn should pick up this splendid example of historical fiction.

© Teresa Eckford, 2008

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This review first appeared in the May 2008 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

This wonderful gem has convinced me to put Geraldine Brooks’s other novels on my to-be-read list. Set both in the mid-1990s and during various other points in history (1940s Sarajevo, 19th-century Vienna, 17th-century Venice, 15th-century Tarragona, and 15th-century Seville), it tells the tale of a Haggadah saved by a Muslim librarian in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, and is based on an actual event.

Hanna Heath is the conservation expert sent to Sarajevo to restore the precious book. During her work she discovers artifacts caught in its pages and binding, sending her on a mission to discover its past. Interwoven with her quest are historical vignettes that illustrate how each of the recovered artifacts came to be part of the Haggadah.

While Hanna’s story is interesting, the lives from the past that we glimpse are the heart of this novel. Each one pulls us in, involves us and adds depth to the Haggadah’s history. From the young Jewish Sarajevan freedom fighter to the enslaved African painter, the characters and their stories come alive. As the book’s principal heroine, Hanna grows and changes, learning about her own past while uncovering the mysteries of the artifacts.

The historical details are plentiful and specific to each period, both enlightening and enriching. I learned so much reading this book, and it is clear Ms. Brooks did a great deal of research. The one slight quibble I had was that at times the scientific and technical details pulled me out of the narrative.

Delightful to read, Ms. Brooks’s prose will appeal to all readers with its easily accessible literary voice, employing period language that doesn’t overwhelm. She moves from first to third point of view, depending on the characters, yet the shifts are so effortless the reader barely notices.

An emotionally absorbing read, very highly recommended for all.

© Teresa Eckford, 2008

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This review first appeared in the February 2008 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

This sequel to Ms Donnelly's first novel continues the story and fills in details of what happened to the brother of The Tea Rose's heroine, Charlie Finnegan. Set in early 20th century London, it also tells the story of aristocratic India Selwyn Jones, who defies her family and fiancé to pursue a career in medicine and practise in the slums of Whitechapel.
Charlie has become known as the notorious gangster Sid Malone, and though he plays the part with alacrity, deep down inside, he longs to escape the life. Circumstances bring Sid
and India together, sparking a romance that will force each of them to make changes in their lives neither ever imagined. Though it's the second in a proposed trilogy, it also stands alone. 

 

Fiona and Joe from The Tea Rose also appear frequently as Fiona continues her quest to reunite with her brother, over Joe's strenuous objections.

Rich in period detail, social history and remarkable characterization, Ms.Donnelly's fast-paced and engrossing book will have you turning the pages late into the night. Politics, love, hate and passion clash and carry the tale forward as Sid and India struggle to find a way to be together.

East London's notorious streets and grinding poverty are characters in their own right, taking the reader deep into the lives of those who ground out a life and living there.
Quality historical fiction that both entertains and informs is what every reader of the genre craves and this novel does both.

My one quibble is that India, like Fiona in the first book, is a little too perfect, which gets tiresome from time to time. However, the other strengths noted above more than make up for this and I highly recommend The Winter Rose to anyone who loves losing themselves a book.

Review - The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

Set in 1802 France and England, this tale of espionage and passion has all the elements of a good historical romance. French spy Annique Villiers has a mission. So does Robert Grey, Head of Section for the British Secret Service. They meet in a dark prison cell and join forces to escape. Little does Annique know that Grey’s mission is to capture her for the information she holds. Their battle of wills soon becomes a battle of their hearts.

This debut novel is one many readers will enjoy. The heroine is spirited, the hero terse and tough, yet tender. Settings come alive and the action moves at a good pace, while secondary characters add depth without taking away from the protagonists. Various plot twists are incorporated with ease and believability.

All in all, a good read. I only wish I had enjoyed it more. The one element missing for me was any real understanding of the hero’s internal motivation and conflict. I never got a handle on him.

That said, his well-plotted, historically based novel is a nice change from the many Regency stories dominating the market.

© Teresa Eckford, 2007

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This review first appeared in the February 2008 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

Lady Roberta is determied to escape her unconventional life with her father and his mistress by marrying the Duke of Villiers. To that end she journeys to London to visit her distant cousin, in the hope she will bring her into Society. Jemma, a lady of scandal only recently returned from France, agrees. But it is her brother Damon who takes the most interest in Roberta, with predictable results.

A Shakespearian scholar in her other life, Eloisa James is an accomplished and witty novelist with a keen sense of character, pacing and romance. Roberta is no simpering miss while dashing Damon is delightfully direct in pursuit of his love, even as she insist she loves another. The secondary characters are equally unique, yet don't seem out of time for the period, which is depicted in all its decadence. A subplot about chess is well integrated into the main story.

Though Roberta's devotion to the cold, pompous Villiers grated, there was little else to detract from pure enjoyment in this sparkling tale of love set in Georgian London. Highly recommended.

© Teresa Eckford, 2007

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This review first appeared in the November 2007 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Spy Wore Silk by Andrea Pickens

Set in Regency London, Ms. Pickens' first book in a series about female spies trained by the government follows Sienna, a former London street urchin as she searches for a traitor amongst the members of The Gilded Page Club, a group of male book collectors. Her most obvious suspect proves to be her most valuable ally.

Ms. Pickens is a talented writer. Her characters are real, the setting is beautifully drawn with just the right amount of historical detail while the dialogue snappy and period appropriate. Though a tad slow to start, the story itself soon moves along at a decent pace.

I did not, however, really enjoy the book as I found the plot and its various devices not particularly to my taste. There was too much focus on the sexual games the heroine played with those she was investigating, which somewhat diminished the developing love story. Nor could I truly accept the notion that the heroine and her fellow spies could be so adept at so many different accomplishments.

For readers of historical romance, however, who enjoy tales of fighting women and the men who love them, this book is worth adding to your reading list. © Teresa Eckford, 2007

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This review first appeared in the May 2007 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Rules of Seduction by Madeline Hunter

This engaging novel, set during the reign of George IV, features an honour-bound hero and a penniless heroine, brought together in a marriage of convenience after his aunt buys her family's home.

As always, Ms. Hunter has woven a lively and engaging tale of love full of plot twists and brimming with sparkling dialogue. Hayden and Alexa spar verbally as they fall in love, each working to overcome believable barriers to their happy ending. They are far from stereotypical, each with strengths and weaknesses. Of special note was Alexa's side career as a milliner, an element that added depth to both her character and the story. The secondary characters are equally well realized, with stories of their own, yet never do they threaten to overshadow the protagonists.

Georgian England is well depicted, brought to life with small details and carefully chosen prose evoking the era, while providing a lively backdrop for the well-paced story of romance, mystery and a touch of humour. I laughed out loud on several occasions.

Fans of historical romance would do well to pick up this delightful novel and make room for it on their keeper shelf. I know it will reside on mine.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the February 2007 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - A Day of Small Beginnings by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum

In early twentieth century Poland, Itzik, a young Jewish boy kills a Polish Catholic and runs to the graveyard for cover. There he wakens the spirit of a childless woman who vows to protect him. She helps him travel to Warsaw, then America where he marries and has a family. Years later his son Nathan and granddaughter, Ellen return to Poland for both business and personal reasons, where they learn about what drove their Itzik to his new life and the reasons behind his rejection of his religion. Friedl's spirit is present throughout, a linking element that helps Nathan and Ellen understand their faith and the past.

I found this book difficult to read at times because the paranormal component overwhelmed a little too much at the beginning and then later, because the son's story moved quite slowly, with lots of dialogue that went over the same ground. Once the author moved into Ellen's story, it became easier, both because the characters were more sympathetic and because there was more action. In the end, the story came full circle, wrapping up in a satisfying way.

On a wholly positive note, the author's setting is vibrant and detailed, taking the reader to Warsaw, Krakow and the countryside in between. Her voice is quite unique and at times the prose is a little passive, but at others quite poetic. Her descriptions of the sights, sounds and tastes of Poland, especially the architecture, music and the food work well for the most part, especially as they're seen through the characters' eyes as they come face to face with their heritage.

Readers of Eastern European ancestry will find this intriguing novel of special interest, but anyone searching for something different yet engrossing might want to add this title to their To be Bought list.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the February 2007 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Queen Of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore To The French Revolution by Caroline Weber

This biography with a twist follows the life of Marie Antoinette from her childhood in Austria to her execution in France, concentrating on how she influenced clothing and fashion during her reign.

Weber supports her engaging narrative with plenty of primary source material, bringing the French court to life from the socially inept young Louis to the charming Fersen and the queen's favorites.

But Antoinette dominates the story, coming into her own during the Revolution as she fights to keep her family alive, refusing to bow to those determined to rid the country of the monarchy. It's clear that, while attempting to present the facts in a neutral manner, Weber sympathizes with the queen, as evidenced by her many references to the dirty clothing of the sans culottes.

As I had an Advanced Reading Copy in which the colour plates weren't provided, my enjoyment was somewhat diminished - seeing the plates would have been helpful, as Weber refers to them often.

While left-learning students of the Revolution might find the book too Royalist for their liking, those interested in Antoinette and her life will likely enjoy this in-depth study of her life and influence on the world of fashion.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the February 2007 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill by Susan Holloway Scott

This wonderful fictional biography of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, by Susan Holloway Scott, whisks the reader into a period rife with intrigue, love, sex, war and religious strife. Told through Sarah's eyes, Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill, follows her life from her first days at court in the 1670s until her return from exile just before the death of Queen Anne in 1714.

There are so many reasons to recommend this book, from its myriad believable characters, ably drawn setting, polished and fluent prose, to its ability to totally immerse the reader in the past. We watch Sarah grow from a young woman of ambition and inner strength to a political and social leader at Queen Anne's court. Her success didn't come without sacrifice, petty rivalry or danger, especially when she and her husband throw their support behind the rebellion against James II. The reader experiences it all in glorious detail.

Ms. Scott's in-depth research is clear from her setting and plot, yet she doesn't overwhelm the reader with minutae, while her clear prose evokes the language of the period without falling into the realms of gadzookery. Readers will also find that the story moves along at a fine pace. Sarah recounts those events of most importance to her and it is interesting to note how she moves through time more quickly as her relationship with Anne begins to crumble.

What ties this book together, though, is the love match between Sarah and John. Despite many separations due to his military career and their somewhat divergent views on politics and child-raising, the reader never doubts the depth of their love and the strength it gives them, both individually and as a couple.

Readers looking for a true escape into the past will want to add this book to their collection and their keeper shelf.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the November 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Stone House Diaries by Robert C. Moore

In Robert C. Moore's second novel, he covers the history of Niagara Falls, NY from the turn of the nineteenth to the late twentieth centuries, using characters from several periods who have connections to a stone house and a diary written by one of its first inhabitants.

The first section is one of the longest, and is presented as the diary mentioned above, kept by a young man who enrols in the American army to fight in the War of 1812. From there we see the city change to tourist attraction, a source of power and finally, a city in decline fighting for renewal.

Though the author structures his novel well, his execution is lacking. The first part is violent with far too many military details for a general reader to appreciate. Further, he slips in and out of first person point of view, sometimes hopping back and forth between paragraphs. The later sections are told in third person, but the head hopping continues, breaking up the flow of the narrative.

The awkward prose, while very descriptive in places, slows the pace further. But by far the biggest problem with this novel is the characters. From the young infantryman who kills in cold blood to rid himself of a romantic rival to the 1960s disgraced soldier-turned-activist who then seems to learn nothing from his experience, the people brought to life in this novel lack true development.

I also found a significant historical error - the author seems under the impression Ottawa, Canada existed under that name in the early 1800s. It wasn't given that name until 1855 and during the war of 1812 it was a very small settlement indeed.

Alas, this book is one with limited appeal for those with a genuine interest in New York history.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the November 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Against a Crimson Sky by James Conroyd Martin

In this sequel to Push Not the River, Martin continues the story of Anna Berezowska and her family as they struggle to survive the upheaval of the division of Poland and the Napoleonic Wars, plunging the reader into an era of violence, heartache and stolen moments of joy.

Early on, Anna marries Jan Stelnicki, her long-time love. Soon their happiness is shattered when he takes up arms in Napoleon’s army, leaving her at the mercy of a corrupt official who claims their son is at the centre of a Masonic plan to resurrect the Polish monarchy. This thread is central to the rest of the story and its many subplots, including one highlighting Anna’s ambitious cousin, Zofia Grońska, and Zofia’s lover, Paweł Potecki.

Martin’s main strength lies in his characters. Each one is a real person; even the less savoury ones have at least one redeeming feature. Anna and Zofia dominate the book, as well they should. In times of war, women must find inner strength to carry on with life at home or risk losing everything, and in this the cousins succeed.

Another of the author’s strengths is his ability to recreate the past. Never once did I question his setting, so convincingly does he blend period detail into the narrative. Though the pacing in the first part is rather slow, it picks up soon afterwards and never flags. I was busy flipping pages, eager to know what happened next. This despite the sometimes awkward prose and annoying tendency of main characters to address each other by their first names (something few of us do in everyday conversation). I also deplored the stock interpretation of Empress Josephine.

Those reservations aside, I believe readers will revel in this engrossing tale of courage, family loyalty, and the Polish nation.


© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the August 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - A Map of Glass by Jane Urquhart

Set in Ontario, Canada, Jane Urquhart’s latest novel is both contemporary and historical, though the rather disturbing prologue doesn’t make it clear in which period she is starting. Then we meet Jerome, a young photographer/artist living on Timber Island in Lake Ontario while working on a new project until a grisly discovery drives him from the island.

            A year later he encounters Sylvia, an unusual woman who has sought him out to ask about the corpse he found. Their meeting at first is tentative, but soon they bond in their quest to know more about the man whose life ended so hideously on the icy lake. Sylvia lends Jerome her late lover’s notebooks, which tell the story of Timber Island and the life of his ancestors.

            The reader then travels back in time to early 19^th century rural Ontario and the busy timber trade. Andrew’s great-great grandfather built a booming business, but in many ways neglected his children and it’s their lives that touch us the most. The story then returns to the present and resumes its exploration of Sylvia and Jerome, bringing it to its conclusion.

            Ms. Urquhart’s simple yet elegant style paints vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, bringing both her characters and their settings alive. The protagonists also impress, with their unique traits and appealing personas.

            What gave me trouble was the feeling this was two books crammed into one. Sylvia’s story was most interesting, yet its conclusion left me feeling cheated, especially one twist that’s never fully explained. The historical storyline also feels rushed towards the end.

            None of this is to say the book isn’t worth reading. Ms. Urquhart has fashioned engrossing tales of love, loss and memory, ones that resonate. I only wish I could have read them as separate novels.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the August 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - By a Lady: Being The Adventures of an Enlightened American in Jane Austen’s England by Amanda Elyot

This time travel novel tells the tale of C.J. Welles, a New York City actress who is transported back to 1801 England when she steps backstage during an audition for a play about Jane Austen. There she meets with misfortune, from which she is rescued by a widowed countess who claims her as her niece. Throw in a handsome nobleman, his snobby aunt, and an appearance or two by Miss Austen herself, and the stage is set for romance and adventure.

While there is much to enjoy in this novel, including a tour of Georgian Bath and glimpses of future characters from Austen novels, I found the execution a little wanting. The point of view bounces from head to head, so often that at times I wasn’t sure who was telling the story. Add to that some kitchen sink plotting, more telling than showing, and a variety of historical inaccuracies. The latter were particularly frustrating, especially when the hero tells of his wife being sent to the Bastille in the 1790s – a little difficult, since it was destroyed during the summer of 1789.

C.J.’s hero, the Earl of Darlington, is likable enough, and it’s easy to understand their mutual attraction. The romance storyline works quite well, with enough believable conflict to make the reader root for the pair.

Despite its problems, I expect many readers will enjoy the world the author creates and appreciate the fish-out-of-water adventures of the 21st century heroine coping with early 19th century surroundings and attitudes. The story moves along at a good clip, the supporting cast is well-drawn, and there’s a fun twist at the end.

 © Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the May 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Per Olov Enquist's The Book about Blanche and Marie

Set in Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this quiet novel is a work of art. With every word, every phrase, the author draws you deeper and deeper into the world of Blanche Wittman and Marie Sklodowska Curie.

Blanche was a young woman who first spent more than a decade in the Salpêtrière Hospital, where she served as a public model for Professor J.M. Charcot’s demonstrations of techniques to cure women of hysteria by hypnosis. After the professor’s death, she became Marie’s assistant in her lab, and fell victim to the radiation, resulting in multiple amputations.

The novel centres on notebooks belonging to Blanche, in which she explores the nature of love through her own and Marie’s experiences. But there is so much more. The author himself appears to be narrating much of the story, so we learn about his own life as well. He circles back to certain themes and incidents, slowly building to the resolution of a question raised in the mind of the reader early on. We meet a cast of interesting characters and become part of their world.

The story starts slowly enough, with the death of Blanche, then flashes back, with the aid of the notebooks, to tell how she came to live in an apartment with Madame Curie. From there the reader journeys through the hearts and souls of these women, neither of whom was lucky in love for more than a short time. Despite the pervading sadness, the narrative seduces the reader and celebrates the lives of two very unique women and their friendship.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the May 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - One Night of Scandal by Nicola Cornick

Widow Deborah Stratton needs a temporary fiancé to keep her father from forcing her to return home or marrying her to her cousin. Lord Richard Kestrel, sees a chance to win the fascinating woman hes since his disastrous offer the year before to make her his mistress.

In this second entry in her Bluestocking Brides trilogy, Nicola Cornick delivers another charming tale of love and intrigue in early 19^th Century Suffolk. Richard is a spy, and soon he and Deb are caught up in they mystery of identifying the traitor in the Midwinter Villages, while Deb battles her desire for Richard, certain the secret she hides makes her unworthy to remarry.

Ms. Cornick's books are always an enjoyable read, and this one is no different from her delightful characters, believable setting, and page-turning pacing to the clever subplots running through the series. Without overwhelming minutiae, the author recreates the period and its society through small details and language. The romance itself is lovely the conflict is believable, and true to the period.Very highly recommended for those who love Georgian period romance.

© Teresa Eckford, 2006

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This review first appeared in the February 2006 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - My Lady Scandalous by Jo Manning

In this eminently readable and enjoyable biography, Regency author Jo Manning reveals the life and times of a celebrated courtesan. Born in Scotland some time in the mid-eighteenth century, Grace Dalrymple eventually warmed the beds of both George, Prince of Wales and the Duke of Orléans.

This book is a curious dichotomy - half serious history, based as it is around primary documents and half celebrity bio, with catty asides and lots of gossip. The sidebars enhance the background information, but this historian would also liked to have seen footnotes.

That aside, its easy style and fascinating subject won this reviewer over.

© Teresa Eckford, 2005

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This review first appeared in the November 2005 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Wedding: An Encounter with Jan Van Eyck by Elizabeth M. Rees

Have you ever wondered about the story behind a painting? You're not alone. In The Wedding, children's author Elizabeth Rees brings Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portrait to life.

Focussing on the bride, Ms. Rees introduces us to a young woman from Bruges caught between duty and her first crush. Giovanna Cenami's father arranges a marriage for her with a business acquaintance at the same time she falls for a charming young nobleman who works for Van Eyck. It turns out the latter is a member of the family with whom her own has feuded for years. Can she trust him?

Though Giovanna seems a little modern in some of her ideas, it is easy to sympathize with her plight, while Signor Arnolfini is an understated hero in every sense. Ms. Rees's other characters are equally well-drawn and brimming with personality, moving in a world depicted accurately through small details and slightly formal language.

My only quibble came with a violent scene towards the end that struck me as over written and not in keeping with the overall tone of the book. That aside, I believe readers will enjoy this fast-paced and historically authentic tale set in 15th century Flanders.

© Teresa Eckford, 2005

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This review first appeared in the November 2005 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - The Silent Witness: a True Story of the Civil War by Robin Friedman and Claire A. Nivola (Illustrator)

This picture book fictionalizes a little girl's experience during the American Civil War. Lula McLean lives on a farm near Bull Run and her home serves as headquarters for the Confederate Army before the 1861 battle there. She and her brother even help out in the camp. Afterwards, Lula's family moves south to Appomattox Court House, where Lula's doll, the Silent Witness, is present for the peace negotiations towards the end of the war.

While a charming tale at heart, this story suffers from information dumping in the form of too many military details that only slow the pace. Lula herself is an appealing protagonist and her every day life will draw young readers in alongside Ms. Nivola's rich, evocative illustrations.

My seven year old niece, Nylah, liked the story and thought some of the history facts were neat, but she wanted to know more about what happened to Lula and less about the soldiers. Her favourite part was when the cannon ball landed in the pot of stew and exploded.

While I commend Ms. Friedman for wanting to teach history through fiction, a lighter hand with the military minutiae was needed to make this book a true keeper.

© Teresa Eckford and Nylah Eckford2005

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This review first appeared in the November 2005 issue of The Historical Novels Review

Review - Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American Revolution by William Lavender

Spanning the era of the American Revolution, this YA novel is a coming-of-age story about an English orphan sent to live in the fledgling United States with her uncle. Jane soon finds her loyalties torn between her Loyalist guardian and her Rebel cousins. Life becomes more complicated when she finds herself attracted to a Rebel as well, while being romanced by her uncle's obnoxious son and a British officer. In the end, Jane must choose between family, love and loyalty.

Jane herself is an appealing heroine, thought at times she does seem a little too good. Still, her courage and dedication to family are well-motivated. The secondary characters, however, all seem rather stereotypical, with the exception of Cousin Hugh. He stood out as a flesh and blood person, just like Jane. The writing itself is adequate, though at times the over abundance of telling, rather than showing, distances the reader from the events. More successful was the setting - Mr. Lavender immerses his reader in Colonial America, incorporating a wealth of detail, effectively recreating Charleston and its outlying plantations.

A well-paced and often exciting tale, Just Jane will appeal to younger teens eager to learn about early America.

© Teresa Eckford, 2005

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This review first appeared in the November 2005 issue of The Historical Novels Review