Liz Loves Books.Com.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the advance reading copy.

If you will be a great man’s mistress you must pay the price…
1372, The Savoy. Widow Lady Katherine Swynford presents herself for a role in the household of merciless royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, hoping to end her destitution. But the Duke’s scandalous proposition leaves her life of pious integrity reeling…

Right so first of all I should be clear – I’m not great at History, and I do not read many historical novels. This one being based on real people and events, for me it was an absolutely brand new story. Having read the blurb from the author at the back I understand how she has built the story up around the little that is known of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt – and done so beautifully.

I found the whole thing highly intriguing and it made fascinating reading. From the wonderfully drawn background and sense of the time, to the characters and the events surrounding them I was engaged and enthralled throughout. At its heart there is an emotional love story and some truly terrific characters.

It has certainly encouraged me to find out some more of the fact behind the fiction – and also given me a great reason for reading more books like this one. In fact I have just added Devils Consort by the same author to my next batch of purchases so you may hear about that one sometime soon.

Recommended for fans of Historical Fiction based in fact and for anyone who has not read in this genre before and are looking for a good place to start.

Happy Reading Folks!