The Love Child

Daughters of England #6

by Philippa Carr

In an England riddled by political and religious strife. Priscilla Eversleigh fights the man who ravaged her, who is attempting to possess her daughter, and who separates her through a dark secret they share from the man she truly loves.

During the turbulent period of the "Popish plots," fourteen-year-old Priscilla Eversleigh lives untouched in the haven of Eversleigh, the family estate, with her illegitimate sister, Christabel. But this bastion of innocence is about to fall. Danger and romance push their way to her doorstep. Harriet Main and her son Leigh, two trusted family friends, return from the war zone. Yet another refugee stumbles into their midst --- this time it is Jocelyn Frinton, a young man haunted by a pursuer. Priscilla and her friends hide Jocelyn and a furtive romance blossoms, which is cut short when Jocelyn is captured and beheaded. Priscilla discovers she will bear his child.

Harriet whisks Priscilla and Christabel to Venice to save the family name from disgrace of an illegitimate child and plots to pass the baby off as her own. A daughter, Carlotta, is born and the family returns to Eversleigh, but not before Priscilla is abducted by the cruel and lecherous Beaumont Granville. Granville's villainy plagues Priscilla and her loved ones through many tormented years until she at last gains the final victory.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, British Literature, Gothic

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Anna Percival and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Harriet Main? I so don't want to read anymore about her, but it seems she is to be a central figure anyway. There is, of course, a rape that takes place in this book as Carr is wont to do in her books. I do like how the aftermath was handled rather than the way it was done in books two, three and four. I do sometimes wonder at the kind of men that were in Carr's life. She seems to be fascinated by strong, domineering and disrespectful brutes. I don't understand her interest in men like that. But to each his own I suppose.

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was definitely a dark side to this novel that I was not expecting. Set in the 17th century, Priscilla is the daughter of a wealthy English man and her life seems to be on the right path. However Priscilla falls in love with a young man fleeing for his life and her own life takes a turn.

At one point I got a little frustrated with this novel, thinking I knew how it was going to turn out but I was completely wrong. A good historical read with gothic elements, a touch of romance, and intrigue.

[Karen Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series with Harriet Main getting involved in the lives of the central characters. Plenty of historical facts interwoven into the plot, and I love young love. All of the characters are interesting and the villains are just as they should be-despicable.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book about the lovely Priscilla Eversleigh. Daughter of Arabella and Carlton Eversleigh. Her father wanted a son and paid little attention to her. She sought men out early in life and when a young man comes along that is wanted by the government she and her brother hide him so they can get him to safety with her cousins mother. Once the young man is safe at Harriet's (the cousins mom) Harriet invites Priscilla to her home to visit the young man. They are deep in love and plan their marriage, forestalling their wedding vows. The young man is taken the next day and killed for being a traitor to the crown. Priscilla finds herself pregnant and begs Harriet for help. They run off to Italy where the baby is born under the pretense that Harriet is pregnant. Harriet takes the baby Carlotta to her home (because she is known as HER child) while Priscilla is still hung up in intrigue. A handsome man man Beau Granville entered her life while in Europe. He tried to abduct Priscilla and she was saved by her cousin Leigh. Leigh had beat Beau up scarring his beautiful face and Beau wanted revenge. When Priscilla's dad gets involved in a plot to overthrow the King, Beau offers to save her dads life in exchange for a night with her. Reluctantly, she does but tells no one. Her dads life is saved but as the years go on Beau enters her life again. This time he wants to marry Carlotta. Priscilla has to tell everyone Carlotta is her daughter and about sleeping with Beau to save her dads life. Carlotta and Beau try to run away to get married, but they are stopped. Then all of the sudden Beau is DEAD!! Who did it? It was Priscilla's half sister.


Yes, tons of characters, but each one has endearing qualities. I even admire Beau in some ways, he is the perfect villain. Carlotta is my favorite character in this book series. She is about to cause a mess of trouble in the next book "Song of the Siren"

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorites of this series. I have re-read it countless times. First discovered these books as a young teenager and instantly fell in love. The love I have of these books is completely related to the fact that these were my first grown up books I was actually allowed to read (my Grandma loaned them to me behind my folks' back - yeah Grandma!)

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't think this was as good as it could've been. Like many works by this author, under various pen names, she tends to set up engaging scenarios and build suspense, but doesn't make the most of the conflicts or climaxes.

The plot itself is fine but feels underplayed. There's potential for better things.

I liked the characters though none especially stood out.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Child, Philippa Carr (pseudonym of Mrs. Eleanor Hibbert, and other pseudonyms include Victoria Holt and Jean Plaidy), HB-B, @ 1978, 1987. Historical fiction set in Restoration England about Charles II and James. Okay.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. 1600s England. Post Bloody Mary. Romance. Plot not riveting.

[Tammie Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 6

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to pick one favorite of this series, it would probably be this one!

[Erica Bonilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I stole from my mom's library as a teen. Now out of print. This was my first romance/historical fiction book.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this book, but it was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am rereading these books, and they all fit together so I want to read them all. I like the suspense, intrigue and romance in these books, and getting to know a little more about England, too.

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is liberally doused with crazysauce and I love it.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscllla Eversleigh gets PG from Joscelyn Frinton after one night on an isolated island. OK. So her vivid Aunt Harriet takes her to Italy where she gives birth and Harriet cones back claiming the baby (Carlotta) is hers. OK. Then there's Titus Oakes and the Popish Plot, who / which figures throughout the book, and Priscella's father, Carleton, is involved. Cristabel, the illegitimate daughter of Priscella's father, marries Thomas Willarby, and has a son, Thomas. There is a horrible letch, Beauville Granville who keeps turning up in all their lives. Finally, he seduces Carlotta, much to Priscella's horror. And that's only the highlights!

This is a really interesting historical novel / period piece, with enough plot twists to keep you turning the pages.

[Linda S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can usually tell if I love a book by whether I would read it again - so far, none of these "Daughters of England" books are any that I would read over.....and yet I keep reading them! Philippa Carr has a beautiful writing style and I do love to learn about the history going on during the different time periods but so many of the characters are not likeable to me. I'm not a fan of Harriet Main - I think she is incredibly manipulative - and I practically cheered when Beaumont Granville was no longer in the picture.

[MV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good one because the drama and danger pick back up. I must say though that I really hated the character of Beau Granville. I can't tell if Carr intended for us to hate him that much or if we're supposed to think he's a sexy rake. If he's supposed to be tantalizing, I just found him overly creepy and gross, not sensual.

Note: Eleanor Hibbert (real name of Carr / Holt) previously wrote another book called "The Love Child", which was a romance novel published in the 1940s under her maiden name, Eleanor Burford. This is an entirely different book.

[Alison Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book of the series so far! I found the others predictable and could never understand the other heroines tendencies to marry the men who raped them! This story is different with Priscilla response to her situation and I didn’t guess the twist!

[Marie Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites of the Carr line thus far! Over the top craziness!

[Gillian Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this vintage book, a very entertaining read which kept my interest

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Miss Victoria Holt... that's not romantic.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite love stories!