#BookReview of The Beaufort Woman: Book Two of The Beaufort Chronicles by Judith Arnopp @JudithArnopp

 

The Beaufort Woman: Book Two of The Beaufort Chronicles

By Judith Arnopp

As the struggle between York and Lancaster continues, Margaret Beaufort fights for admittance to the court of the victorious Edward IV of York and his unpopular queen, Elizabeth Woodville.

The old king and his heir are dead, York now rules over England and the royal nursery is full. 

But Edward and Elizabeth’s magnificent court hides a dark secret, a deception that threatens the security of the English throne … and all who lust after it.

In 1483, with the untimely death of the King, Margaret finds herself at the heart of chain of events that threaten the supremacy of York, and will change England forever.

The Beaufort Woman: One woman’s selfless struggle for the rights of her son.

My Review

This book is even better than the first. Margaret Beaufort has already been through a terrible ordeal and fate still has more installed for her. This book shines a bright light onto a woman who suffering seemingly knows no end, but whose determination can not be faulted. Margaret is a fighter, and she continues to be so in this book. She fights for her son, and she also fights for her place in the world. 

I really enjoyed the author's take on the War of the Roses, and I thought the portrayal of this war, through the eyes of Margaret, was brilliant. It really did feel, at times, that I was standing by Margaret's side, witnessing events firsthand. This series is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction. 

Purchase Links:

Amazon

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You can find out more about Judith Arnopp and her books here.

Book Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A King Under Siege (The Plantagenet Legacy, Book 1) By Mercedes Rochelle @authorRochelle @maryanneyarde

 

A King Under Siege(The Plantagenet Legacy, Book 1)

By Mercedes Rochelle

Audio Narrated by Kevin E. Green

 

Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost. Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding. The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless. He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects. Richard's inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.

 

Review 

 

This is a very enjoyable novel. The balance between the history and the story is just right and there is a strong sense of realism in this book that makes it not only unputdownable but unforgettable as well.

I thought the writing style really helped to make this book a page-turning read, and reading about how Richard was coerced and controlled left me with a better understanding of how he became, not only the king he was, but the man he was as well. Richard’s story, which history is quick to tell, is not a happy one. But this novel demonstrates how Richard never really stood a chance. He was far too young when his father died, and this led to a regency that was not only badly managed but ruined by greed. I could not help but feel sorry for Richard, and I certainly learnt to hate some of the characters who were so determined to make sure that Richard remained nothing more than a puppet king.

This may well be the first book I have read by Mercedes Rochelle, but it certainly will not be my last. This novel is certainly worth checking out.

 

Purchase Link

Amazon and Barnes & Noble 

 

Mercedes Rochelle

 

Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. The next series is called The Plantagenet Legacy about the struggles and abdication of Richard II, leading to the troubled reigns of the Lancastrian Kings. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story. Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended! Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

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Website ✧ Twitter ✧ Facebook ✧ BookBub ✧ Amazon Author Page ✧ Goodreads

 

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Book Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Beaufort Chronicles by Judith Arnopp

'Wonderfully written book about Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII.'

As King Henry VI slips into insanity and the realm of England teeters on the brink of civil war, a child is married to the mad king’s brother. 

Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, takes his child bride into Wales where Margaret must put aside childhood, acquire the dignity of a Countess and, despite her tender years, produce Richmond with a son and heir.

As the friction between York and Lancaster intensifies 14-year-old Margaret is widowed and turns for protection to her brother-in-law, Jasper Tudor. 

At his stronghold in Pembroke, two months after her husband’s death, Margaret gives birth to a son whom she names Henry, after her cousin the king. 

Margaret is small of stature but her tiny frame conceals a fierce and loyal heart and a determination that will not falter until her son’s destiny as the king of England is secured.

The Beaufort Bride traces Margaret’s early years from her nursery days at Bletsoe Castle to the birth of her only son in 1457 at Pembroke Castle. Her story continues in Book Two: The Beaufort Woman.

 

Review 

 

As many of you will know this book was recommended to me by Jamie over on The Whispering Bookworm, and I was really looking forward to reading it. Judith Arnopp has certainly written a compelling read, although be warned, some of the scenes are very upsetting.
 
The story is about  Margaret Beaufort, who is so often portrayed as a power-grabbing madam, who has the soul as dark as any black hole, but who hides under a thin veil of Christianity. In this story, we are introduced to Margaret the child - the child bride. A child who is taken away from everything she knows and almost dies in childbirth as her husband was too impatient to wait for her to grow up. I thought this novel portrayed Margaret in a very human way, she suffers terribly and endures with a quiet sense of dignity.
 
I really did enjoy this novel, much more than I did The Red Queen. It is certainly a book that has captured the era superbly.

Find out more

You can find out more about Judith Arnopp and her books here.