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War Without An Enemy #1
The Welsh Linnet
England in the year 1642. Civil War looms between King Charles I and his Puritan Parliament.
The excitement of life as officers in King Charles I’s cavalry soon turns sour for brothers Will and Harry Lucie, drawn to the war like moths to a flame. The family divided by the conflict, their sister Bess becomes caught up in the deadly struggle and is forced to flee the family home. In the grim aftermath of battle, Harry is thrown together with grieving widower Gabriel Vaughan, a man concealing a dangerous secret.
From the slaughter of Edgehill to the defence of doomed fortress Basing House, the story of dishonour and betrayal plays out against the backdrop of real events and places, "this war without an enemie".
The excitement of life as officers in King Charles I’s cavalry soon turns sour for brothers Will and Harry Lucie, drawn to the war like moths to a flame. The family divided by the conflict, their sister Bess becomes caught up in the deadly struggle and is forced to flee the family home. In the grim aftermath of battle, Harry is thrown together with grieving widower Gabriel Vaughan, a man concealing a dangerous secret.
From the slaughter of Edgehill to the defence of doomed fortress Basing House, the story of dishonour and betrayal plays out against the backdrop of real events and places, "this war without an enemie".
- GenresHistorical Fiction
470 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 15, 2023
I've read a few historical fiction books in my time. *Eyes the Outlander Series, several other Aussie author's books and a few other indies* They've mostly left me with a pleasant warm feeling of enjoyment at having witnessed the historical period they are set.
The Welsh Linnet is no different. Obviously, heavily researched by someone who is both meticulous and at times a little liberal with historical facts, the story takes the reader on a somewhat harrowing journey of the English countryside during the English Civil War of 1642.
It brought to the forefront of my thoughts conversations I'd had with my grandfather about the clashes between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland when he was a young man, albeit in a far more brutal and 1600s manner. It highlighted to me that sadly humanity seems to repeat the same mistakes over and over, regardless of how many prior times we've committed them.
Happily, even though the time period is rather harsh and cruel, it's also tempered with a strict honor system upheld by the gentlemen of the time, rich and often passionate beliefs and a rather heart-warming romance story.
The battle scenes had me discussing war tactics and strategy with my partner as well as discussions of weapons and the history of such things as bolt holes turning to musket holes and the way weapons have evolved throughout the years.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romp, it doesn't get 5 stars from me because there were a few times the pace dragged a little and the almost 500 pages felt a little closer to 5000. Luckily this was only a couple of points in the story, so it's still a solid historical romance story that should get a little more love from readers.
I note that the second book in this series was published a little earlier this year, I'll probably pick that one up at some point to see how the story continues.
**Note: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads**
The Welsh Linnet is no different. Obviously, heavily researched by someone who is both meticulous and at times a little liberal with historical facts, the story takes the reader on a somewhat harrowing journey of the English countryside during the English Civil War of 1642.
It brought to the forefront of my thoughts conversations I'd had with my grandfather about the clashes between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland when he was a young man, albeit in a far more brutal and 1600s manner. It highlighted to me that sadly humanity seems to repeat the same mistakes over and over, regardless of how many prior times we've committed them.
Happily, even though the time period is rather harsh and cruel, it's also tempered with a strict honor system upheld by the gentlemen of the time, rich and often passionate beliefs and a rather heart-warming romance story.
The battle scenes had me discussing war tactics and strategy with my partner as well as discussions of weapons and the history of such things as bolt holes turning to musket holes and the way weapons have evolved throughout the years.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romp, it doesn't get 5 stars from me because there were a few times the pace dragged a little and the almost 500 pages felt a little closer to 5000. Luckily this was only a couple of points in the story, so it's still a solid historical romance story that should get a little more love from readers.
I note that the second book in this series was published a little earlier this year, I'll probably pick that one up at some point to see how the story continues.
**Note: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads**
July 9, 2017
Both an entertaining historical romance and an accurate depiction of The English Civil War. The story of The Lucie family's war will keep you gripped and sometimes outraged. Their feisty sister Bess is both brave and pig-headed at times. Her developing romance with Gabriel is one of the central themes of the book! Clearly much painstaking research has gone into this book and it shows!
July 16, 2017
I have recently read “The Welsh Linnet- War without an Enemy” by AJ Lyndon and surprised myself -I have tended to veer away from romantic novels. This book would appeal to anyone who’d enjoy being taken hostage to another era into a truly engrossing life. It is set amidst the political and social upheaval of civil war as terror divides nations, rulers, fathers and daughters. This is an historical romance book set in the early modern period under King Charles- we see a year, in the life of Bess, growing up into womanhood and in no way diminished to her two brothers, Harry and Will. Having a privileged upbringing but defiant, she faces losing her identity until she challenges her own relationships and beliefs. She wants to give herself wholly to another but life is cruel and she suffers war, with its grotesque result. The book is generous in proportion and the story in continual movement. The early chapters set out life in Warwickshire through Bess’s eyes. As civil war descends upon England, the story drags you through the mud and into battle, the technical tactics of combat and the bloody horror of the battlefield. There is realism in every aspect to this book- in limb severing battle or sexual love beneath bedsheets. The characters are very human and contemporary and despite the historic context, exuded deep emotion. I enjoyed this book very, very much.
October 21, 2018
A J Lyndon’s the Welsh Linnet is a very enjoyable book set at the time of the English Civil Wars. Lyndon quickly engages the reader with her main character, Bess, who at the start of the story is a fairly immature teenager, quick to love and thoroughly enjoying the harrowing emotions which follow.
I like the author’s method of largely using first person for Bess, but slipping into other characters from time to time. She carries this out far more successfully than some other writers do; I’m never left wondering who we’re with this time.
The book feels well researched and one gets the feeling that Lyndon has a passion for her period and knows the details which lend veracity to a book.
My only reservation is that Bess thoughtlessly follows the path of her father and brothers in being a Royalist supporter, and doesn’t think about the causes and rights and wrongs of the wars, but on the other hand she does carefully consider what it means to be a Catholic in a Protestant country. But it is a measure of how real Bess seems that I wanted to have a chat with her and ask her why she’s like this.
I think this is an excellent start to a proposed series of books and I look forward to the next installment.
I like the author’s method of largely using first person for Bess, but slipping into other characters from time to time. She carries this out far more successfully than some other writers do; I’m never left wondering who we’re with this time.
The book feels well researched and one gets the feeling that Lyndon has a passion for her period and knows the details which lend veracity to a book.
My only reservation is that Bess thoughtlessly follows the path of her father and brothers in being a Royalist supporter, and doesn’t think about the causes and rights and wrongs of the wars, but on the other hand she does carefully consider what it means to be a Catholic in a Protestant country. But it is a measure of how real Bess seems that I wanted to have a chat with her and ask her why she’s like this.
I think this is an excellent start to a proposed series of books and I look forward to the next installment.
July 9, 2017
The Welsh Linnet is an exciting and gripping tale of the Englih Civil War. I had difficulty putting it down. The characters were so real that I wanted to get back to their adventures after work everyday. The plot had exciting twists & turns with a few surprises along the way. A great read, well worth the time.
February 27, 2018
This is one of those rare books that grabs you from the outset and keeps you turning the pages. It’s extremely well written, with a rousing plot and wonderful characters I came to genuinely care about as the story progressed. A J Lyndon brings the terrible tragedy that was the English civil war vividly to life with great attention to detail. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2021
Compelling and well researched book on the English Civil War.
Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!!
Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!!
September 9, 2017
Thrilling tale exploring the lives of young Bess and her brothers. Colorful characters and exciting battle scenes. Really takes you back to the 17th century. Wonderful authenticity that left me with a strong desire to visit Warwick Castle, Basing House and visit Oxford again with a deeper appreciation of sites. Just imagine the finding out that the church of St Mary the Virgin was used for public executions! Cant wait for book 2 to come out. Thank you A.J Lyndon
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews