The Warrior's Reluctant Wife by Lissa Morgan - #BookReview

 

'Has the bwgan stolen your tongue?'

The words cut through the cold air like a knife and the chatter going on among those assembled ceased abruptly. Rhianon turned her head and looked at the man at her side who had spoken them.

Peredur ab Eilyr's grey eyes met hers, glistening like the frost on the trees around Llanbadarn Church. Even the January weather was casting an ill omen on this marriage, it seemed, with its leaden sky and the ground white with rime even now at well past noontime...

***

An arranged marriage

An unexpected love…?

Recently widowed, Rhianon hopes never to find herself bound to a man again, after being raised by a violent father and married to an unpredictable husband. But to seal a strategic alliance she’s forced to marry Peredur ab Eilyr―a warrior lord with a formidable reputation! Rhianon might be a reluctant wife…but ruling with her new husband is revealing a passionate side to Peredur that Rhianon is anything but reluctant to explore…

***

This is the first in the planned Warrior's of Wales series. Indeed, the book is steeped in the essense of Wales throughout which made place in this book every bit as important as character. 

Indeed, the coastal setting was extremely evocative.  I almost felt the sea winds as the author described the setting.

The main characters, Rhianon and Peredur marry at an early point in the book. It is an arranged marriage, aimed at uniting two families of Welsh nobility. This is always a strange concept to read about in the twenty first century as it is alien to our culture in the west. However, this book is set during the middle of the twelfth century and the author has done a good job in creating both the atmosphere and attitudes of the period.

Both Rhianon and Peredur bring their own challenges and vulnerabilities to their marriage. Both have suffered past trauma and as the narrative switches perspective between the two of them we get a real understanding of their characters.

It is a leisurely paced novel which felt appropriate for the story and characters. However, it made for a quick and easily accessible read which I flew through.

I found some of the Welsh names quite difficult to get my head around. However, they did create authenticity and therefore, were necessary. Neither did this issue affect my reading although I am sure my pronounciations were far from perfect!

It was nice to read a story set in this period and setting. Historical fiction and romantic fiction readers will enjoy this book.

ISBN: 978 0263305340

Publisher:  Mills & Boon

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  336 (paperback)

About the Author:

Lissa Morgan hails from Wales but has travelled far and wide over the years, usually in pursuit of the next new job.  A history graduate and former archivist, she now works in academia and freelance website design, which she fits in around her writing time. She lives between the mountains and the sea in rugged north-west Wales surrounded by medieval castles that provide the perfect inspiration for her books. 

(book courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

The Maids of Biddenden by G.D. Harper - #BookReview #Blogtour

 

Avicia knelt and prayed. Prayed for wisdom, to know what action would be righteous and true. For strength, to cope with the horror of what she would shortly be forced to witness. Above all, for compassion towards the unfortunates now in her care; compassion sufficient to displace any revulsion her face might betray when she saw them for the first time.

She stood up and looked around the abbey chapter house. Mid-morning prayers were over and the room had been decorated with wildflowers to celebrate her arrival. Celebrations could wait, however. She had felt elation at her appointment - for the first time, Malling Abbey would have its own prioress - but later, Bishop Gundulf had told her of the abbey's dark secret...

***

‘There is no me; there is no you. There is only us.’

The Maids of Biddenden is inspired by the real-life story of conjoined twins Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, born in 1100 into a wealthy family from a small Kent village.

Joined at the hip, the sisters overcome fear and hostility to grow into gifted and much-loved women – one a talented musician and song-writer, the other a caring healer and grower of medicinal plants. Entangled in the struggles for power and influence of the great Kent nobles of the time, they achieve much in their lifetimes and leave behind a legacy in Biddenden that survives to this day.

This is the heart-warming and inspirational story of two remarkable women leading one joint life, challenging adversity to become the best they can be.

***

It is rare that historical fiction with a unique perspective comes along. I certainly have no recollection of the genre featuring conjoined-twins so this made for a fascinating and insightful read.

Based on factual accounts of Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst who lived in Biddenden, Kent during the 12th century, the author has researched her subject and has given a voice to these two women.

It was interesting viewing the first half of 12th century society through their eyes. Although conjoined the author did an excellent job at portraying them as individuals. Both voices were distinct and at no point was I confused by which twin's thoughts or words I was reading. She allowed the reader to absorb their personalities through the words on the page and she did this extremely well.

Although considered freakish during their early lives, as they grew their condition afforded them opportunities that would not have been available to other women of their status. They attracted attention from the upper echelons of society and were able to advance the prospect of their family.

I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction or women's history will enjoy this book.

ISBN: 978 0993547874

Publisher: Ginger Cat

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of pages: 432

About the Author:

GD Harper became a full-time self-published author in 2016, publishing three novels under the pen name GD Harper. He has been both a Wishing Shelf Book Award finalist and Red Ribbon winner, been shortlisted for the Lightship Prize, longlisted for the UK Novel Writing Award and longlisted for the Page Turner Writer Award. The Maids of Biddenden was a finalist in this year’s Page Turner Book Award for unpublished manuscripts, longlisted for the Exeter Book Prize and the Flash 500 Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Impress Prize. 

(Book provided courtesy of Love Book Tours)