El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia
by Ginger Myrick
I want to start this review out with these words: do not overlook this book because it’s a self-published eBook, or because the cover design doesn’t feature beautiful women in period dress. Do not overlook it because the title is foreign, or because it’s not another Tudor, Borgia or Marie Antoinette retelling. If you like endearing characters and finding out their histories, you will love this story—as I did.
In a genre saturated with settings in England, France and Italy, Ginger Myrick presents her saga based in Renaissance Iberia—Castile, Portugal and Spain. This spellbinding story not only connects readers with the main protagonist, Inez Garcia, but all of the men and women who made her world. Because the story goes into such detail with several of the characters, the author has broken the book into an optional abridged version with accompanying novellas—for those who would rather read in sections. I, however, feel the author sculpted the story seamlessly and brilliantly with the inclusion of the background stories on various characters.
El Rey—the King—is not an actual royal moniker, though Estevao has a tenuous claim to the Portuguese throne. A mariner with a lucrative business in trading goods, as well as serving the Portuguese King as a privateer, El Rey had a reputation among the mercantiles of the ports. This is where he met eleven-year-old Inez, the daughter of an affluent merchant. Though he was many years her senior, they struck up an easy friendship and bonded over their love of animals and music, and he teasingly promised to marry her one day. Inez, dazzled and falling in love with the handsome traveler, took this to heart and awaited the day that he would return and claim her.
I feel it would spoil the story to go further in this synopsis, but rest assured there are several lifetimes of love, religion, family, heartbreak and loss chronicled within the pages. Estevao and his parents, Inez’s parents and even a beloved servant tell the stories of their past, their heritage and the very details that brought their differing backgrounds into the same household. Portuguese, Castilian—even English—roots are cleverly entwined into this profoundly engaging saga that ends on the Portuguese island of Terceira in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.
As a veteran reader of historical fiction and lover of the classics of the genre, this is historical fiction at its best. The fact that the author was inspired by the likes of Anya Seton and Jean Plaidy quickly interested me in her book, as so many writers these days offer a more modern style, inserting contemporary wording and personalities. El Rey not only encompasses several generations of families, but straightforwardly narrates the plight of the reviled Gypsies, the conquered Spanish Jewish community and the skirmishes between Castile and Portugal. For readers not well versed in this particular era of Iberian history, this is a poignant account of events, prejudices and diversity.
Myrick’s writing style is beautifully fashioned with perfect prose and classic styling. El Rey surpassed even this self-proclaimed grammar fanatic’s expectations, which is exceedingly excellent for a self-edited piece. I cannot give enough praise to this author, and I hope that readers will give her book (unabridged or separated into novellas) a chance. For more information on this author and her writing, please refer back to my Guest Post with Ginger Myrick.
This review was first published in the May 2012 issue of Historical Novels Review magazine.
The Secret Keeper
by Sandra Byrd
A connection to the Seymour family finds Juliana St. John in the household of Kateryn Parr, Lady Latimer. Juliana, as the daughter of one of Queen Jane Seymour’s ladies, expects to spend some time serving in a highborn lady’s household and later marry with the dowry left by her wealthy merchant father. Though she received little affection at home from her own mother, she quickly becomes attached to ‘Kate’ and offers her complete love and loyalty to her twice-married but childless benefactress.
After Kate makes her third marriage to the King of England, the once forward thinking household becomes embroiled in religious strife, hiding dangerous books and secretly helping reformers. The religious debate between the two sects is brought to the forefront, with the Queen bent on turning the King’s mind on religious matters. Tidbits of Kateryn Parr’s actual writing are strewn throughout and all known accounts of her as Queen are covered, though perhaps not in great detail—but enough to leave the story adequately abridged. Thomas Seymour, for once, is not depicted as a total beast—but as Elizabeth aptly states, “…a man of great wit, and little judgment.”
Juliana’s character as the main protagonist is both surprisingly fresh and perfectly presented. There is much more to her than a lady’s maid, and finding out her secrets as the story unfolds is a great pleasure. Unlike many novels of this kind—which portray a fictional character in the lead—this one works very well. A female’s place in society is expanded upon, but not so much as to become monotonous and spoil the historical theme.
Four Sisters, All Queens
by Sherry Jones
The four beautiful sisters of Provence grew up in a household where daughters were educated like sons, and expected to put loyalty to family first. Spanning five decades during the reign of four separate queens, this compelling medieval saga, resonant of Chadwick and Penman, intertwines the sisters’ lives through happiness and sorrow.
Marguerite, Queen of France, marries the religiously fanatical Louis, who allows his mother to reign in his stead. Enduring an over-bearing mother-in-law, spending years outside France on crusade and never possessing lands in her own right, Marguerite nevertheless remains strong and determined, fighting for her dowry and rights to Provence.
Eleonore, Queen of England, finds a pleasant match early on with the fair, but weak ruler, Henry III. With the barons on one side, and the Queen’s foreign relations on the other, the king finds himself thwarted at every turn and unable to expand his kingdom or take back the lands lost by his father. Eleanor spends her time with endless revolts, peace treaties and family squabbles.
Sanchia, Queen of Germany, is the most beautiful, ethereal and extremely shy, she had hopes of joining a convent—but family comes first. Married to the wealthiest man in England, who was later elected King of Germany, Sanchia never quite found in her earthly husband what she desired from life, and had neither the steadfastness of Marguerite nor the willfulness of Eleonore to sustain her.
Beatrice, Queen of Sicily, was the youngest and least understood of the sisters. Pampered by her father, she reveled in her power over Provence and flaunted her ruthlessly selfish husband. She did possess, however, the sisterly devotion and obligatory loyalty to family each of the sisters held dear, but was never able to reveal her heart because of the animosity between her family and her husband.
Four Sisters, Four Queens takes a host of characters and gives each one a convincing personality—not an easy feat with so many to introduce. Though the story sometimes jumps years ahead, the chapters clearly label character, place, year and age, and the family trees and map are useful with the plethora of progeny.
The edited version of this review is printed in the May 2012 Historical Novels Review magazine.
GIVEAWAY INFO: One paperback copy, open worldwide. Ends May 14, 2012.
Book Description:
“Rich in intrigue and scheming, love and lust, Sherry Jones’s vibrant historical novel follows four women destined to sway the fate of nations and the hearts of kings. . . .
Amid the lush valleys and fragrant wildflowers of Provence, Marguerite, Eléonore, Sanchia, and Beatrice have learned to charm, hunt, dance, and debate under the careful tutelage of their ambitious mother—and to abide by the countess’s motto: “Family comes first.”
With Provence under constant attack, their legacy and safety depend upon powerful alliances. Marguerite’s illustrious match with the young King Louis IX makes her Queen of France. Soon Eléonore—independent and daring—is betrothed to Henry III of England. In turn, shy, devout Sanchia and tempestuous Beatrice wed noblemen who will also make them queens.
Yet a crown is no guarantee of protection. Enemies are everywhere, from Marguerite’s duplicitous mother-in-law to vengeful lovers and land-hungry barons. Then there are the dangers that come from within, as loyalty succumbs to bitter sibling rivalry, and sister is pitted against sister for the prize each believes is rightfully hers—Provence itself.
From the treacherous courts of France and England, to the bloody tumult of the Crusades, Sherry Jones traces the extraordinary true story of four fascinating sisters whose passions, conquests, and progeny shaped the course of history.”
e-Publishing for Historical Fiction
