Susan Carroll (1) (1952–)

As the story begins, Gabrielle has abandoned her home and her sisters to live in Paris as a courtesan in the royal court. She has recently set her sights on Henry, the Huguenot king of Navarre, who is being held prisoner by Catherine de Medici, known as the dark queen. Life in the royal court is full of intrigue, betrayal and religious politics. Gabrielle is still mourning the loss of Captain Nicholas Remy who was murdered in the St. Bartholomew's Eve bloody massacre three years ago.

Unknown show more to Gabrielle, Remy has survived, saved by the young thief Martin Le Loup, nicknamed Wolf. Remy has been hiring out his services for the last three years as a mercenary soldier all over Europe in order to earn enough gold to release his king.

All the characters in TC are excellently drawn and three dimensional. I complained about how Catherine de Medici's portrayal in TDQ was a bit over-the-top evil, but in TC she comes across as much more human and realistic, and I almost (but not quite) felt sorry for her. After all, she created her own problems with her abuse of power, manipulations, and black magic. I loved how the secondary stories with Ariane and Renard, and Miri and Simon are not shallow but play an integral part of the whole story.

But the stars of the book, Gabrielle and Remy, are wonderful characters who both felt that their past sins made them damaged goods. It was interesting how Carroll presents the parallel notion of Gabrielle selling her body and Remy selling his services. (Spoiler: The scene where they wash each other before making love for the first time and its symbolism of washing away sins was extremely poignant. And the love scene that follows was beautifully tender and sweet (and hot). ::sigh:: Very romantic. End spoiler)

I laughed a little, cried a little, and I couldn't put it down; all signs that I have a DIK on my hands. The intricate plot was gripping and compelling. I'm a relatively fast reader but on this one I wanted to slow down and savor every word. Gabrielle's past horror and her resulting feelings of self-blame and worthlessness was handled very realistically and not beat into the ground. Wolf, Remy's squire, was an intriguing character and I hope he has his own HEA somehow. (Grade: A) show less

Title: The Dark Queen
Author: Susan Carroll
Source: library
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: I wasn’t sure I liked this book at first – as a historical romance, with more sex and a more serious plot than the “chick flick” style romances I occasionally I read, it was a little outside my comfort zone. But I ended up loving it and the other four books in the series enough that I would definitely read more books like them, partly for the great plot and partly because I’m a sucker show more for a happy ending

During the late 16th century in Renaissance France, Ariane Cheney, a daughter of the earth and lady of the faire isle, is duty bound to prevent the misuse of power by other daughters of the earth. Although the true witches are those she defends against, she also faces the superstitious minds of the time, some of whom would brand her a witch as well. When a stranger arrives seeking Ariane’s help against the dark queen, Catherine di Medici, even the strong Ariane needs some help. She has no one to ask but the Comte de Renard, although she hesitates to do so because of both their mutual attraction and her uncertainty his intentions are as straightforward as he would have her believe.

Read more here... show less

Lance St Leger is the eldest son and heir to Castle Leger and he's restless. He can allow his spirit/soul/consciousness/whatever to drift around in the night while his body remains behind (he/the author refer to it as "Night Drifting", most others call it Astral Travel). When he loses the family sword he decides to go hunting in this way, seeing as he had been at a fancy dress party as Lancelot the Knight this is what he appears to be when he's travelling and how he appears to the young show more widow Rosalind when he drifts into the inn she's staying in.

Rosalind falls for Lancelot and he falls for her, but she's in love with Lancelot the ghost rather than Lance the person, will he win her over?

It's a fun historical romance, technically the second in the sequence but the first in the next generation, the first book being about the parents. There are some very funny moments where Lance is trying to put himself forward as being a nice guy really but Rosalind is clinging to some very romantic notions about love and also trying not to be forced into another loveless marriage. There were moments that seemed a little forced but overall enjoyable. show less

In parts quite a fun paranormal read. Historical romance with a beauty and the beast flavour. The wife, Madeline Breton goes to Cornwall to meet with her new husband (they were married by proxy); Anatole St. Leger. A man who has been hiding out from his abilities and from the world. There are mysterious forces at work who want him dead and misunderstandings that keep them apart.

The paranormal in this story falls into the Psionic end of the scale and it's quite well dealt with, not only the show more power but also the problems. There were times however where it faltered and it didn't quite gel properly. Still quite an enjoyable read and I look forward to the others in the series. show less