1671 – London
The Civil War is over and Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, is revelling in the throne of his murdered father and all the privileges and power that comes with it. Sharing the spoils is his favourite companion, the celebrated beauty, actress Nell Gwyn. Beloved of the English people, Nell has come a long way from selling oranges and a childhood in a brothel, but as her fortunes have turned, her sister Rose has taken a different path. Marriage to a feckless highwayman has left Rose in the grim Marshalsea prison and now she needs her sister’s mercy to help get her out. But Nell needs Rose too. A plot to steal the Crown Jewels has gone tragically wrong, and Nell’s future with her protector King is at risk. If Rose can’t solve the riddle of the jewels both Gwyn sisters will head straight to the Tower.
Present Day
Librarian and history enthusiast Jess Yates has hit rock bottom. With her ex behind bars for fraud, Jess needs to lay low – easier said than done with a celebrity sister. But Tavy has her uses. Her latest
TV project involves renovating Fortune Hall, and she needs a house sitter while she’s jetting around the world. The opportunity is too good to miss, especially when Jess discovers that Fortune Hall has
links to the infamous Nell Gwyn.
Slowly the house begins to reveal its mysteries, and secrets that have laid buried for centuries can no longer be ignored. Jess hears echoes from a tragic past and as she struggles to understand her sister, Jess feels ever closer to Rose Gwyn, the sister forgotten by history but who had the fate of her family in her hands.
Bestselling author Nicola Cornick is back with a captivating, gripping, unforgettable tale of treachery and treason, love and loyalty, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Christina Courtenay.
Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate
her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history.
Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over half a million copies worldwide and been described as “perfect for Outlander fans.” Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a trustee of the Wantage Literary Festival and the Friends of Lydiard Park.
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My thoughts: This is my sort of historical fiction, fleshing out the stories of women, real ones and fictional ones, giving them a voice and a life that feels real and rich.
Rose Gwyn was a real person, sister of the famous Nell – mistress of Charles II and supposedly the reason women were finally allowed to act on stage. But Rose is overshadowed by her sister, both in records and in her life. Nell was beautiful and has gone down in history. Rose didn’t want the limelight and chose a different path.
Nicola Cornick has given Rose her own story, of theft and an unhappy marriage, then royal pardon and joy in her second marriage with Sir Guy Forster. A country life and probably trips to London for the theatre and to see Nell. It might seem like a quiet one, but I can imagine it was happy.
Rose’s story is revealed by Jess, herself the sister of a celebrity, in reality star Tavy, and with a rotter of a partner, jailed for fraud. She’s down on her luck and staying in her sister’s house, one that might have a link to the Gwyn sisters, if she can find it. A librarian by training, she’s the perfect person to rummage through the records and find out which of the Gwyn girls lived in Becote House. She also meets the charming Ethan Forster, whose family once owned the house, could he be a descendant of Rose and Guy?
With two delightful romances, intrigue, scandal and wonderful characters brought vividly to life, this is a treat to read.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 