The Royal Series -Book 3
by
Francine
Howarth
My Review:
Until I saw the series
The White Queen, I had no idea of the treachery in the royal courts, but
Francine Howarth brings that same intrigue to her story of 17th century England and the royal court
of Charles II, in her historical romance Royal Secrets.
A young aristocratic girl, Justine Thornton sets her eye on Richard
Viscount Axebury, but Richard has a reputation for being a cad. Justine is
naïve, infatuated, and determined to win his heart. Francis Axebury the more
sensible brother is in love with Justine and the man her father favors for a
match, but Justine is as wild as her horse Lancelot, and will not be reined in.
Justine is willful - a true handful for her parents, but her father is
determined to see her find true love. It is the relationship between father and
daughter that was the true gem of this novel, at least for this reader.
There is plenty of
intrigue in this lovely historical romance and it's also the reason you'll want
to read the next book in the series! I
thoroughly enjoyed intrigue of the ladies in waiting, the power held by the
King's mistresses, and all the Royal Secrets of this well-written
novel.
Although part of a series, Royal Secrets is a
complete and stand-alone story, and I can't wait to read the other books in
Francine Howarth's Royal Series, as the fight for power goes on!
Yolanda Renee © 2013
***** ***** *****
It's 1669, and Justine
Thornton's heart is lost to that of Richard Viscount Axebury. Although wise and
malicious counsel from family and friends warn of his reputation as a courtly
rake, a chance encounter with James Scott Duke of Monmouth causes her heart to waver
and suddenly her life seems infinitely charmed. But family indiscretion at the
court of Charles II turns Justine's life from one of carefree bliss to that of
surviving rogue intrigues and political ambitions.
As old and new feuds take precedence at court Justine becomes party to
information that cannot be allowed to reach the King's ears, for not only does
she pose a threat to one of the King's mistresses, the King’s brother too will
be called to account for his actions. Upon Justine’s sudden abduction the
heroic camaraderie of Viscount Axebury and the Duke of Monmouth pose an even
greater threat to her kidnapper, and her father the Earl of Loxton is soon face
to face with an old adversary. But who will prove to be Justine’s champion, the
viscount or the duke, and can the king’s mistress be toppled from her elevated
position?
Francine writes
contemporary romantic suspense, historical murder mysteries and sensual
historical romances. She has an eclectic reading taste, but history has always
been her greatest love in terms of educational subject matter (since she was
old enough to read), and historical novels became her life-blood in terms of
entertainment value. A portrait, a landscape, wind whispering through trees,
droplet of rain or snowflake on eyelashes can stir Francine's imagination and
result in either a modern contemporary romance or that of a steamy historical.
Find Francine on Facebook
Visit her blog
Buy her book at Amazon.com
or
Amazon.com/uk
***** ***** *****
Remember just tell us in a comment your favorite romance,
whether a book, movie or you own personal experience and you could win an eBook
copy of Murder, Madness & Love and Memories of Murder the first two books in the
Detective Quaid mystery series
&
Francine's book Royal
Secrets!
*****
Congratulations Jo Wake!
The winner from last week's Ghosts of Aquinnah post!
*****
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