Title: Mistress of the Court (Georgian Queens #2)
Author: Laura Purcell
Publisher: Myrmidon Books
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Acquired Via: TLC Book Tours
The second in Laura Purcell’s captivating and acclaimed series of novels chronicling the lives and loves of the consorts and mistresses of Britain’s rash and reckless Hanoverian kings.
Her first novel in the series, Queen of Bedlam, was shortlisted for Best Historical Romance 2014 and was Editor’s Pick, in Historical Novels Review.
Orphaned and trapped in an abusive marriage, Henrietta Howard has little left to lose. She stakes everything on a new life in Hanover with its royal family, the heirs to the British throne. Henrietta’s beauty and intelligence soon win her the friendship of clever Princess Caroline and her mercurial husband, Prince George. But, as time passes, it becomes clear that friendship is the last thing on the hot-blooded young prince’s mind. Dare Henrietta give into his advances and anger her violent husband? Dare she refuse?
Whatever George’s shortcomings, Princess Caroline is determined to make the family a success. Yet the feud between her husband and his obstinate father threatens all she has worked for. As England erupts in Jacobite riots, her family falls apart. She vows to save the country for her children to inherit – even if it costs her pride and her marriage. Set in the turbulent years of the Hanoverian accession, Mistress of the Court tells the story of two remarkable women at the center of George II’s reign.
My Review
I have always been fascinated by the British monarchy (to the point that I've taken college classes about them), and I can honestly say that I've never read any fiction about the Georges or their brides. How could I have possibly not picked up Mistress of the Court? I was glad that I did because it portrayed an aspect of being royal or around royalty that is usually glossed over.
Henrietta Howard and Princess Caroline were the main characters in Mistress of the Court. Though they had a cozy existence in the court, compared to others in that time, they lacked any freedom. Henrietta had no way to leave her abusive marriage, and Caroline is forced to watch her husband in a relationship with another woman. And both women lose their children because of course they would be property of their husbands and/or their husbands' families. It was incredibly frustrating to read, and it made me sympathize with the characters that much more because I could not imagine anyone taking away my own child.
I read about these relationships in passing in my research on the royals, and I can honestly say that I didn't notice too many, if any, historical inaccuracies. Of course, we can't know for sure what was said behind closed doors, but Purcell was able to keep the story close enough to reality. I will be reading more non-fiction about the Hanoverians in the future, so maybe we'll see then.
If you're a fan of historical fiction like me, I suggest that you give Mistress of the Court a try. It was fresh and exciting, and I can't wait to read more work by Purcell.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
About the Author
Laura Purcell is a former Waterstones bookseller who lives in Colchester. She is a member of the Society for Court Studies and Historic Royal Palaces and featured on a recent PBS documentary, talking about Queen Caroline’s life at Hampton Court. She maintains a history blog at laurapurcell.com.
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Follow the Tour
Mistress of the Court Tour Schedule
Wednesday, September 16th
Raven Haired Girl
Monday, September 21st
Ace and Hoser Blog
Tuesday, September 22nd
BookBub – author guest post
Wednesday, September 23rd
Living in the Kitchen with Puppies
Monday, September 28th
Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, September 30th
Books Without Any Pictures
Thursday, October 1st
The Maiden’s Court
Monday, October 5th
Broken Teepee
Monday, October 5th
Patricia’s Wisdom
Tuesday, October 6th
A Chick Who Reads
Wednesday, October 7th
A Literary Vacation
Thursday, October 8th
Just One More Chapter
Friday, October 9th
A Bookish Affair
Monday, October 12th
Luxury Reading
Tuesday, October 13th
Open Book Society
Wednesday, October 14th
#redhead.with.book
Thursday, October 15th
Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, October 27th
Reading Lark
Date TBD
Romantic Historical Reviews
Giveaway
Thanks to the book's publicity folks, I have a finished copy of Mistress of the Court by Laura Purcell up for grabs for one lucky winner.
INTERNATIONAL!
Ends at 12:01am CST on November 1st
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received an advance copy of the novel from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.
This sounds so good! Thanks for pi participating!
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ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI like historical novels! I would love to win this book. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book! I enjoy historical fiction and have added this book to my tbr list. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour!
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