The Forbidden Queen (116 page)
Read The Forbidden Queen Online
Authors: Anne O'Brien
Ariana Franklin:
The Assassin’s Prayer
. This is the final novel in the
Mistress of the Art of Death
series, due to the untimely death of Diana Norman, writing as Ariana Franklin. I am so sorry. I love the humour, the authentic detail, the fine characterisation and the understated romance between Adelia and Bishop Rowley. I understand an incomplete novel will be finished and published in 2014 by Ms Norman’s daughter. Perhaps this will bring Adelia and Rowley’s affair to a satisfactory close.
Joanne Harris:
Peaches for Monsieur le Curé
. Although I did not find this quite as compulsive a read as the previous two, I enjoyed meeting up with old friends from
Chocolat
and
Lollipop Shoes
.
J.K. Rowling:
A Casual Vacancy
. I read this out of interest for the author’s much-publicised novel for an adult audience—and quite enjoyed the portrait of the strains and stresses in a tight-knit community. The ‘school’ scenes roused some distant memories. In the end I wondered if the author enjoyed writing it as much as she enjoyed Harry Potter. Somehow I do not think that she would…
Christie Dickason:
The Noble Assassin
. Here is an historical novelist whose style I really enjoy. I have read all her novels. This one draws us into the uneasy political situation in the reign of James I. Highly recommended.
Phil Rickman:
The Secrets of Pain
. The latest in the Merrily Watkins novels, a female priest who tackles the problems and prejudices of the church, society and the supernatural. A must-read for anyone living in the Welsh Marches—and elsewhere, I think. It has a true resonance of living in a rural community: local politics, countryside lore and in this case even the SAS. I have read the whole series and eagerly await the next.
D.K. Broster:
The Flight of the Heron
. A little wallowing in the past here when I picked up D.K. Broster’s Jacobite Trilogy in a second-hand bookshop. I recalled reading it many years ago and enjoyed the re-reading for its atmospheric telling of the tale of the ‘45 with all its pain and torments. It is not now in print but is well worth looking out for, with
The Gleam in the North
and
The Dark Mile
.
Phil Rickman: The
Heresy of Dr Dee
. Newly released and a far cry from Merrily Watkins, this opens up the dark and mysterious world of Tudor politics, investigating the death of Amy
Robsart, wife of Lord Robert Dudley. It follows on from
The Bones of Avalon
. A great treat to anyone who has not come across them.
This is a work of fiction. References to historical events, real people or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II B.V./S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Harlequin MIRA is a registered trademark of Harlequin Enterprises Limited, used under licence.
Published in Great Britain 2013
Harlequin MIRA, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR
© Anne O’Brien 2013
eISBN 978-1-472-01023-0
