Publication Date: 1st February 2013
Pages: 412
Book Source: Thanks Harlequin Mira & Morey Media
Synopsis: The day Lord Hastings came into her husband’s
store, Elizabeth saw the opportunity she had waited twelve years for — a way to
separate herself once and for all from her dull, impotent husband, William
Shore. The handsome stranger presented not only the chance to partake in the
dance of desire, but legal counsel to annul her 12-year marriage.
She did not,
however, foresee her introduction to the King of England, nor her future at his
side…and in his bed. From this unlikely alliance, Elizabeth is granted severance
from Shore, and finds herself flourishing in the radiance of the King’s
admiration. But she soon finds that her new position comes at a terrible price
— her family has shunned her, the people of London have labelled her a harlot
and the Queen’s family want her to burn in Hell.
So long as King Edward and Lord Hastings stay close, Elizabeth
is safe. However, her beloved Ned falls ill and Lord Hastings falls out of
favour.
Can Elizabeth's wiles keep her out of trouble? Or will they lead
her to further trouble...and the hangman's noose?
My Thoughts:
We don't have a wealth of historical fiction writers in Australia
and I love the historical period of The War Of The Roses through to the Tudor
era so I jumped at the chance to read Mistress to the Crown by Australian
author Isolde Martyn. It's received mixed reviews but my experience was
definitely on the favourable side.
As lover to Lord Hastings, the King's Chamberlain then much loved
mistress to King Edward IV (Ned) I was surprised to find Elizabeth (Jane) Shore
such an appealing figure, especially since I'm a little biased towards Edward's
wife Elizabeth Woodville. Elizabeth Shore is sympathetically portrayed, not as
a grasping, notorious whore but spirited, playful and compassionate, champion
of the the poor and unfairly treated.
Mistress to the Crown covers the latter part of Edward's reign,
his death and the beginning of his brother Richard's reign and whilst the focus
is on Elizabeth's relationships with the men in her life, the story certainly
isn't bereft of historical and political detail and intrigue.
For me this period in history has long held appeal, even more so with the
recent discovery of Richard III's remains. I found my first
experience of Isolde Martyn's writing engaging and I'll be reading more for
sure.
The Penance of Jane Shore by William Blake, c.1780Want to know more about Isolde Martyn and her work? Visit her website
Like the review. New book and author to me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHope you can pick it up while you're in Melbourne Mystica
DeleteGreat review!! Will have to check this author out!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie, I'm looking forward to reading more from her.
DeleteA bit annoyed at the cover though, this was not Tudor times
ReplyDeleteI love historical romances and I need to read more of them!
ReplyDeleteThen I think you'll enjoy this one Stacy, it straddles the line of historical fiction and historical romance.
DeleteI wish I had been able to enjoy it as much as you did! Unfortunately for me, it slowed down too much in the middle and I lost interest in Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI really like this historical period too, and this novel sounds interesting. I think I read a historical novel about Jane Shore many years ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first novel I've read from Jane Shore's viewpoint so I enjoyed the 'novelty' of that and I thought the author's approach was good.
DeleteGreat review! I always liked Ned best from this period. Never read anything featuring his mistress so this would be a good one for me.
ReplyDeleteJenny I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy this one!
DeleteI do not keep track of all of these people but this one does sound good to me. I thought the finding of King Richard's remains totally amazing!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete