Julia Brannan (2)

Oh, dear. I just finished Stella Riley's delightful six-book Georgian series, and now, having read the first book in this seven-book series, I can see I'm on a Georgian (or Jacobian depending on your preferences) book read for the foreseeable future. One difference, Ms. Riley's books are romances and here we have some great historical fiction- with a little romance thrown in.
Beth Cunningham has grown up in the country outside Manchester. Her father was a wealthy gentleman who married a show more beautiful Scottish woman for his second wife, though her status was below his. Now her half-brother Richard has returned finally from the army to take over the estate. Richard is a villain in the Captain Jack Randall style, cruel for the sake of being cruel. He needs money to buy a commission, and Beth's dowry is the only real money left in the estate. Richard comes up with a scheme to find Beth a husband who will also help him, much to Beth's distaste. She doesn't have much choice but to go along if she doesn't want her brother to dismiss the servants, her only friends.
Once in London Beth makes the acquaintance of Sir Anthony Peters, a foppish gentleman and gossip. She doesn't really like him, but he helps her on several occasions. Beth is a secret Catholic and Jacobite, which would make her an outcast (and maybe traitor) in this time period right before Culloden.
Beth is a feisty heroine, beautiful but courageous and sometimes naive. Sir Anthony is not what he seems, one of my favorite types of heroes. I have a fondness for patched Georgian gentlemen concerned about their snuff boxes and clothes going back to reading Georgette Heyer in my youth.
The writing is good, and the history is woven into the story in a believable manner. It's also well researched and accurate. The book is a bit like Galbadon's Outlander series without the time travel element which is a compliment because I love those books. Even knowing that Culloden is looming in one of the future books, I'm anxious to see what happens to Beth and Anthony next. show less

A continuation of book one where the female lead marries who she thinks is a British fop. Lots of court intrigue, both in the Hanoverian court as well as the French Court. This book introduced the MacGregor Clan from the Highlands. I'm going to take a break for the short foreseeable future, but will definitely return to this series! This is very much in the manner of the Outlander novels---perhaps not quite as deep (yet) and with no time travel (thankfully!). 348 pages. I listened to this on show more audio and the accents were brilliant; especially the male Scot show less

Beth and Sir Anthony marry but Beth finds out her husband is not what he seems (something the reader knows from Book 1 if they've been paying attention). They travel to Rome to meet with Bonnie Prince Charlie. At the same time, they start to learn more about each other as husband and wife.
This book was a bit slower than the first, relying more on character development than adventure. It's still a good read as both Beth and Anthony struggle through the getting-to-know-you parts at the show more beginning of any relationship.
One thing I'm not fond of with Beth's behavior is her reliance on slapping someone when she's in a temper. Alex and Angus indulge in fisticuffs, something I can understand as brothers and Highlanders, but Beth was brought up a lady. I get she knows how to use a knife, but the slapping seems out of character and unnecessary since it seems to be her go-to gesture.
The historical parts are well written and interesting. The book gives a lot of background on the events leading up to 1745/46. The secondary characters are also well done and definitely add to the story. And on to the next book in the series. show less

Good read

Historical fiction fans will enjoy this second installment of The Jacobite Chronicles. Set in England and continental Europe in the 1740s just before the Jacobite uprising, this story is rich with dimensional characters and social commentary.