The Queen's Lady - Eve Edwards

My Review of the First book in the series, The Other Countess.


This is the last of my Pre-Order rampage on the Waterstone's website. Okay, so I am obsessive over the types of books I read and am afraid to buy actual books with my own money in case I don't like them or I read them once.
Anyway. This is the sequel to Eve Edward's amazing first novel in the series, The Other Countess, about the Lacey family set in the 16th Century under the rule of Elizabeth I. The Other Countess was amazing and is one of my favourite books. Eve Edwards is still relatively unknown apart from book bloggers but she deserves the credit and praise she receives from her books, I think.


Synopsis: Picking up two years after the last book, Lady Jane Rievaulx (mentioned in last book) begins service to the Queen at Richmond Palace. Soon, she is thrilled at the court’s newest arrival. Master James Lacey who she last saw eighteen months ago. Despite her previous courtship with his older brother, James is the man she truly loves. And for his part, he cannot deny his fascination with her. However, James is setting sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins that he witnessed in the Low Countries during their eighteen month separation. But when Lady Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own father and brother, there is only one man to save her with the help of their friends.


Review:
To start off with, this book is great. Edwards has captured what life was like in the 1500's under Elizabeth I's reign and what life was like at Court. She shows the rules that had to be followed in introduction and marriage and really, like her last novel, gives an insight to Jane and James' world. She got it spot on again.
    There are references to Ellie and Will from the last book, especially latterly, and other characters pop up throughout. There are also new characters added such as Milly, Kit and the Patons as well as old favourites such as Diego and Tobias.
The story is told from both Jane, James, Diego and Milly's point of view making it much more interesting to read and different. My only few criticisms about this book is that to start off with, it got boring. I'm sorry Eve Edwards because I love your stuff so much but the beginning wasn't as fast paced and well written as The Other Countess and I found James really boring to start off with. However, it got increasingly more interesting and engaging as the story picked up.
My only other one is that, well I'm no expert at Elizabethan language, but there were points where I thought, 'That sounds a bit too modern' in the lauguage and mostly when people were speaking. It's a very small one but I noticed it more than a couple of times.

One aspect that was different to any other book I've read of this period is that Edwards introduced other aspects that happened during that era. For example, the art of fencing and the trips to the Americas and what men found there. I'm yet to read a book, apart from this one, that even mentions that during the story. It was very enjoyable to read something with a little difference.
The romance in this one is less early on than in The Other Countess but I liked it that way. They hadn't seen each other for over a year so they wouldn't fly into each other's arms.

Overall, I loved this book. This isn't as polished as The Other Countess but it has things that are both similar and better to that book. You also get a summary of everything happened since and ties the loose ends that anyone may have had at the end of the Will and Ellie's story such as Nell and Turville.
I would read The Other Countess first so you know exactly what is happening but you could read this without it. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical romance and a bit of scandel. This really is a worth while series and book with some amazing characters.
I'm looking forward to the next and I think last book in the series, The Rogue's Princess, coming out July 2011.

I give this a 4.5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://eve-edwards.co.uk/aa66205a4f/

Related Posts:
Book #1: The Other Countess
Book #3: The Rogue's Princess

The Other Countess - Eve Edwards

So, anyone that follows this blog or has read the About Me section (I don't know how many people actually read that but you know), anyway, get to the point Rebecca, anyone who follows this blog will know I LOVE (yes the caps was necessary) historical and romance genres, and put together makes me want to pick it up and eat it desperately. So you can imagine me excitement when I saw this gorgeous book and at 3 for 2 in Waterstones, I HAD to.

First Sentence: The first time Ellie met William Lacey, she thought him terrifying.

It's 1582 and eighteen-year-old Will Lacey's family is in trouble. After years of wasteful spending, his late father has run Lacey Hall to near ruin. Tasked with marrying his family back into fortune, the new Earl of Dorset is all set for a season at court to woo not just the Queen but potential brides with his jousting skills. But when Ellie – a strong-willed girl with nothing to her name but a worthless Spanish title – catches Will's eye, he faces a bigger battle than he could ever have anticipated.
(from Goodreads.com)

I think from my introduction and my 'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO FAR' that used to live undearneath the 'Currently Reading' bit that I enjoyed this book a lot. I read it within about a week which is pretty good for me. I'm a bit of a romantic at heart. I love being given flowers and chocolates, though it never happens much and I just love a classic love tale or love match. It DOES make me feel a little tearful.
The difference about this book is that the love-ness starts early on. They meet each other and fall in love on Page 15 but unlike other novels, doesn't realise who she is until a couple of chapters later, which I really liked. On the plane coming back from my holiday, I was sitting there, slightly excited because I knew who she was in relation to the story and I couldn't wait to find out when he did. Sad, I know...
I love Elizabethan times, let's face it, who in the blogosphere doesn't? Though I maybe a bit bias with my slight obsession for all matters history. Edwards got it spot on and I felt like I was being transported there and wished I was Ellie. She even added some of the language at that time. Okay, sorry Shakespeare by whenever I read your plays, it just goes straight over my head but in this book, I understood what they were saying.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It is one of my favourite books now and I'm so glad I bought it. I would read it if you don't mind a bit of romance that leaves you smiling happily like a lovesick idiot. (*cough* me *cough*) Or likes history.

Author's Website: http://eve-edwards.com/

Related Posts:
Book #2: The Queen's Lady
Book #3: The Rogue's Princess