Genre: Historical Fiction (English Civil War, 1644-1646)
Cover Blurb:
Justin Ambrose, dashing cavalier and close companion to Prince Rupert, was bored with life in the Royalist garrison in Banbury, until he met the sister of a local merchant. Famous for his romantic conquests, Justin had never before let a woman touch his heart.
But Abby was no ordinary woman. She was beautiful and she was brave. She was also young and terrified of her brother, a religious fanatic and self-sworn enemy of all Royalists.
When the rebel army unleashed its might on the castle, Justin fought tirelessly to break the siege. But even his closest friends did not know what tormented him. And Abby, as she sat with the rebel commanders at her brother’s table, dreamed of a man she could not, must not love…
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Since reading her fabulous Rockliffe series, Stella Riley has become one of my top favourite authors and it’s no surprise that I was eager to read more of her books.
In A Splendid Defiance, set during The English Civil Wars between the Royalists (Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians (Roundheads), Ms. Riley weaves a wonderful story of love blossoming between a sarcastic, cynical Royalist captain and a young, innocent Puritan girl.
The story takes place in the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire where, while the town itself overwhelmingly supports the Parliamentarians, Banbury Castle is held by a small garrison of 360 Royalists, including Captain Justin Ambrose. One of Prince Rupert’s top cavalry officers, Justin has been ‘exiled’ to Banbury Castle as punishment for criticising a Royal favourite. He deeply resents not being in the thick of the action, which often makes him short-tempered and sarcastic.
The war was being won or lost elsewhere while Justin dealt in bread and coin and barrels of powder; a merchant, a carrier and sometimes a thief –but only infrequently a soldier.
However, he’s also honourable, loyal and trustworthy with a deep sense of duty. Secretive about his past, it becomes evident, during the course of the story, that something happened that hurt him deeply.
Abigail (Abby) Radford lives a joyless existence. Every aspect of her life is controlled by her fanatically religious older brother, Jonas, even to choosing the man she will marry – a man who makes her skin crawl. She is constantly criticised and lectured by Jonas’ overbearing wife, Rachel
‘Well? What are you waiting for? There’s the table to be set for supper and Betty to be watched if she is not to burn the meat. Do I have to tell you everything?’
Her only friend is her younger brother, Samuel (Sam) who has always been her closest companion.
I love how Ms. Riley takes the time to build the romance between Justin and Abigail showing the gradual changes in their relationship and making their falling in love seem natural and believable. There is no great spark when they first meet; Justin treats her with polite indifference and Abigail has no wish to linger with this shameless Cavalier. Gradually an unlikely friendship develops between them and they meet secretly once a week. I like how they talk and enjoy each other’s company but there is a growing sense that this is more than just friendship and I could feel the deep attraction and growing sexual tension between them.
Initially, Justin’s motive is to encourage Abigail in small acts of defiance against Jonas whom he dislikes intensely but…
…their Tuesdays had become a part of his life –a part he looked forward to –and he didn’t want them to end.
Strong emotions have never been part of his life, but he finds he has a compulsion to protect Abigail and the thought of her being hurt by her bully of a brother is unbearable.
In her earlier meetings with Justin, Abigail sees beyond the irascibility and cursing to a man who is kind, trustworthy and makes her feel safe. He is also attractive, witty and very sexy, a combination any woman would find hard to resist.
He was attractive and dangerous and he had the power to completely shatter her peace of mind.
It’s a journey of self-discovery for both of them. Justin shows Abigail a world beyond the rigid confines of a life controlled by her brother and gives her the courage to defy him and pursue her own life. Even if she never experiences it again, she has known what love feels like.
Abigail has given Justin – the kind of peace and warmth he had not known in twenty years and had not thought he needed. But she had shown him the myth of that.
It is difficult to see how they can ever find happiness when so much conspires against them -the war and its aftermath, Jonas’ religious zeal and a dark secret from Jonas’ past that threatens Abigail’s life. There is a heart-breaking scene where it seems that their happiness hangs in the balance until Justin realises…
However honourable, sensible or right, he could not bring himself to part with the only good thing life had brought him in a decade; a warm, beautiful girl who, incredibly it seemed, wanted nothing but him and who he loved beyond anything he had ever imagined.
This is a wonderful blend of history and romance and Ms. Riley’s extensive research is evident in the realism she brings to the story. I felt as if I was there in Banbury, experiencing the emotions of the townspeople and what it was like to be one of the defenders in the besieged castle.
Fire-hooks and buckets!’ he yelled. ‘If the next one hits, it could –’
‘I know.’ Justin gestured curtly to where his troopers were already drenching the thatch of the outbuildings. ‘But I’ll wager a bottle of claret that the next one is –’ His words were drowned by a whining crescendo that culminated in a deafening, earth-shaking blast.
Many of the secondary characters really existed but the fictional characters are so well drawn that it was difficult to distinguish the real from the fictional.
MY VERDICT: A beautifully written romance with fascinating characters and an engrossing story, rich in historical details. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5 STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: WARM
A lovely review of Stella’s wonderful book, Carol. My audio review will hopefully be ready shortly too.
Thank you, Wendy.
I look forward to posting your audio review. 🙂
This is the author you told me about at HRR2016…Will have to try her!! Great Review.
Thank you, Jaci. Wendy introduced me to Stella’s books and she is such a fabulous writer. I love her books and I hope you do too. 😊
Another thoughtful review that makes me run over to Amazon. Thanks, Carol!
Thank you and I do hope you love the book as much as I did, Jess. 😊
Wonderful review, Carol – and a lovely way to start my day. Thank you so much!
I’m so pleased that you liked the review, Stella. I am working my way through your Civil War books and The Marigold Chain is next on my list. 😊
[…] Source: REVIEW: A SPLENDID DEFIANCE BY STELLA RILEY […]
I just discovered Stella Riley this past year, and I’ve loved everything of hers that I’ve read. She does such a marvelous job of setting her characters in a believable historic context. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
Stella is doing a giveaway for the audio version (which is fab) over at RHR in a couple of weeks time Lilmarek. I know it’s wonderful because I’ve listened to it – twice, and it will be my review accompanying the giveaway.
Lillian, I only discovered Stella’s books last year too and she has now become one of my top favourite authors.
Great review! She is a favorite of mine too, and I think this was the first one I read.
Thank you, Con. I am lucky that my friend recommended the Rockliffe series, otherwise I probably would never have discovered Stella’s books.
[…] Source: REVIEW: A SPLENDID DEFIANCE BY STELLA RILEY […]