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Tudor Rose #2
The Maiden's Hand
Roguishly handsome Oliver de Lacey has always lived lustily: wine, weapons and women are his bywords. Even salvation from the noose by a shadowy society provides no epiphany to mend his debauched ways.
Mistress Lark's sole passion is her secret work with a group of Protestant dissidents thwarting the queen's executions. She needs no other excitement --— until Oliver de Lacey drops through the hangman's door and into her life.
As their fates become inextricably bound together in a struggle against royal persecution, both Oliver and Lark discover a love worth saving ... even dying for.
Mistress Lark's sole passion is her secret work with a group of Protestant dissidents thwarting the queen's executions. She needs no other excitement --— until Oliver de Lacey drops through the hangman's door and into her life.
As their fates become inextricably bound together in a struggle against royal persecution, both Oliver and Lark discover a love worth saving ... even dying for.
346 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 25, 1995
149 people are currently reading
1086 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,419 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 23, 2023
Ben bu seriyi 3-1-2 Şeklinde okuduğum için spoilerımı almıştım en baştan ve Pipa'ya gerçekten çok üzüldüm yine :') Bence en iyi aşık erkek 3.kitapta en iyi aşık kadın da 1.kitaptaydı bence 💫 3.Kitapta olanlar beni daha çok etkilemişti 1.de öyle adama uyuz olmuştum şimdi ise 2.kitapta iki karakteri de pek sevemedim 😂 Seriyi keşke 3 ve 1 i okuyarak bitirseydim 2. yani bu kitap çok geçiş kitabı olmak için yazılmıştı bence seride okunmasa da olur denilecek bir kitap 🤗
August 21, 2024
Noiosissimo.
La protagonista femminile è una fanatica religiosa e snervante (che farebbe di tutto per salvare i protestanti dal rogo, mentre non batte ciglio se a morire sono i dannati papisti, gente che (sommo peccato) recita il Rosario), il personaggio maschile è messo lì perché serviva un Barone per darle titolo e figli. E tutti trovano giusto (pure la Wiggs) che il legittimo erede venga diseredato e possibilmente ucciso visto che non è della fede giusta.
La protagonista femminile è una fanatica religiosa e snervante (che farebbe di tutto per salvare i protestanti dal rogo, mentre non batte ciglio se a morire sono i dannati papisti, gente che (sommo peccato) recita il Rosario), il personaggio maschile è messo lì perché serviva un Barone per darle titolo e figli. E tutti trovano giusto (pure la Wiggs) che il legittimo erede venga diseredato e possibilmente ucciso visto che non è della fede giusta.
April 4, 2021
Pretty good!
April 4, 2021
This book was of double interest to me for two reasons. First being the fact that both MCs, Oliver and Lark, were introduced in the first book while still being children. The second being Zara and the prophecy she told Juliana in the beginning of the first book and how its meaning and reach across the years expanded as the book progressed. Interesting point about this book is that as I got to the last part of the story many things that seemed random in the beginning suddenly connected and I saw how clever the author brought the MCs together. Lark and Oliver could not have been more different in their upbringing but what each of them lacked separately they gained together. The language used to describe their feelings was so poetic and just beautiful. I felt their love pouring across the pages. The best kind of book for me.
This story had a lot more going on. The time period being the Reign of Mary Tudor and her prosecution of Protestants and the precarious position of Princess Elizabeth made this book intense. I think the author wrote well about people standing firm in their beliefs and willing to die for them. We also got back to de Lacey clan and met all Juliana and Stephen's children now grown, how unorthodox and free their education was and which way their lives would turn. It was rather nice to see where some of them would end up like Kit, Stephen's foster son, for example, that featured heavily in the first book. I enjoyed Oliver's journey of self growth and Lark's self acceptance. Those two were really made for each other. The author did her research and wrote with a certain degree of authenticity when using the language and historical figures but also giving them a bit of humanity.
This story had a lot more going on. The time period being the Reign of Mary Tudor and her prosecution of Protestants and the precarious position of Princess Elizabeth made this book intense. I think the author wrote well about people standing firm in their beliefs and willing to die for them. We also got back to de Lacey clan and met all Juliana and Stephen's children now grown, how unorthodox and free their education was and which way their lives would turn. It was rather nice to see where some of them would end up like Kit, Stephen's foster son, for example, that featured heavily in the first book. I enjoyed Oliver's journey of self growth and Lark's self acceptance. Those two were really made for each other. The author did her research and wrote with a certain degree of authenticity when using the language and historical figures but also giving them a bit of humanity.
December 1, 2016
DNF, pg 50-something. It's just not grabbing me. There's something about the author's prose that puts me off, & I have zero interest in picking this up to attempt more. FORSOOTH, MISTRESS! Yawn. Zzzz. Do not care.
January 14, 2013
Having read the third book prior to books one & two, some of the suspense was removed for me. I knew that Lark and Oliver would end up happy in their marriage, and I knew that their baby would be a daughter named Phillipa. However, there was still much that was a surprise. The source of Phillipa's name, for instance, was a touching moment not far from the end of the book. The whys and wherefores of Oliver and Lark coming together as a couple, and Oliver learning to be an adult rather than continuing to act the spoiled adolescent - both fun to read throughout the book.
I must say (and call me a prude if you wish) but I really like that there is not much sex outside of marriage in these books, and that which is mentioned is indicated as something that really is not appropriate and there are no details. Granted, there are some steamy sex scenes in these books, but every single one of them takes place within a marriage. With all of the flippant attitudes towards sex these days, it's nice to see something with a little more of an "old-fashioned" tune.
I must say (and call me a prude if you wish) but I really like that there is not much sex outside of marriage in these books, and that which is mentioned is indicated as something that really is not appropriate and there are no details. Granted, there are some steamy sex scenes in these books, but every single one of them takes place within a marriage. With all of the flippant attitudes towards sex these days, it's nice to see something with a little more of an "old-fashioned" tune.
February 25, 2010
I liked this book better than the first one. Oliver is charming and funny and the way he is with Lark is completely endearing. Lark is a great character too. She gives Oliver a run for his money, and for a man like Oliver it's not something he's used to. She throws him for a loop time and time again...and I loved it!
One warning though...DO NOT READ THE BACK OF THE THIRD BOOK!! There are things in the synopsis that ruined this story a little bit.
The Maiden's Hand was certainly an emotional rollercoater ride, especially at the end when it literally brought me to tears.
Great, quick read!
One warning though...DO NOT READ THE BACK OF THE THIRD BOOK!! There are things in the synopsis that ruined this story a little bit.
The Maiden's Hand was certainly an emotional rollercoater ride, especially at the end when it literally brought me to tears.
Great, quick read!
November 25, 2011
I loved this book. It had strong character, good storyline, playful banter, steamy sex, breath holding scenes. What more can you ask for in a book. I hope the final book in this trilogy is as good as book 1&2.
September 4, 2009
How sneaky. This is just a reissue of Vows Made in Wine. Don't be fooled if you read that one!
August 20, 2011
3.25 -- didn't like nearly as much as I love Wiggs' 19th century romances.
Read
July 28, 2019Oliver De Lacey had been hung under the guise of Oliver Lackey. He hadn't known that the hangman had been bribed to lengthen the rope to assure he didn't die for a crime not worthy of the punishment. He was put into a wagon and taken away. When he discovered he had been rescued, his comment to Lacy was to ask if she would have his baby. Oliver was released and cleaned himself up. No longer having a bearded face, he went back to being Oliver De Lacey. He went back to his former lifestyle of gambling and being a lady's man. He was quite handsome with blue eyes and blonde hair.
His rescuer was Mistress Lark. She went to find him some days later and found him in a brothel. She told him that she needed his help and asked him to come home with her. He first took her to a public market place to talk and he found out that she had never been to market before. He agreed to help her and went to her house along with a friend of his who knew something of law. They were attacked on their way home and they had to spend the night at an inn. She confessed that she'd never stayed at an inn before. Oliver became quite infatuated with Lark. He was constantly tempting her with kisses and with his conversation. Lark came to like Oliver too but she was raised to keep her emotions and feelings in check so she resisted Oliver which made him try much harder.
Lark told Oliver that her parents had died when she was an infant and she was raised by Spencer Marrifield. Spencer had a son from a wife he had annulled his marriage with, Wynter Marrifield. Lark felt Wynter wanted Spencer's estate and she needed Oliver and Kit to find a way to see him disinherited so that he would not inherit from Spencer. Spencer wasn't well. Lark was 19 and Spencer was 45 years older.
Oliver found out after a couple of days that Lark worked with a group of Protestant dissidents to rescue people wrongly put to death for crimes they didn't feel worthy of death. He agreed to help her free a man who was sentenced to burn for preaching that God didn't need to be paid for them to gain their way into heaven. All they needed to do was to ask for forgiveness and have faith in him.
Lark rescued the reverend while Oliver caused a riot to cover up what she was doing. They were helped by a band of gypsy's. They took the reverend to the Princess Elizabeth's home. She introduced herself as Bess and Lark was surprised to find out that she was the princess and heir to the throne of England.
It was during their time with the gypsy's that Lark told Oliver that she was married to Spencer Marrifield. She hadn't told him because she hadn't expected to see him again. He was shocked because he knew that she hadn't slept with anyone. She had been raised by a strict man who treater her as a father and never as his wife. He had raised her to have strict beliefs and to shy away from temptation and lust. Oliver didn't know why but he had fallen for Lark and considered her his. He knew he would stop pursuing her because her marriage wasn't a real one. He didn't know what it was about her that drew him to her. She wasn't beautiful by most men's standards but there were times he saw her as the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He knew that it was her innocence, strength and faith. Oliver had never thought to marry and settle down. He felt his asthma as something that would cause him to die young so he lived his life without regard for his future. His older brother had died before he was 6 and he had asthma too. Lark was changing his attitude about his lifestyle and causing him to consider a future.
They left the house of Princess Elizabeth and returned home to find Spencer dying. They had disguised the reverend Speed as a woman. Wynter wasn't there. They were told he was called to court. Lark went to Spencer and he called for Oliver to come to his side. He made them both promise to marry as soon as he died. They were married a few days later. Oliver was scared. He had never considered getting married and now he was a husband. He was worried that Lark didn't want this marriage and he wanted her. Lark was also worried that Oliver would lose interest in her and go back to his womanizing and gambling. They were both scared that the marriage wouldn't work.
They married and Oliver wondered that Lark didn't seem to be a virgin but kept quiet because he honestly didn't care too much. He had told her not to fall in love with him but he realized that he had fallen in love with her. Lark had not told Oliver of how she lost her virginity and was scared to have sex. She had hoped it wasn't like her first time.
Wynter returned home a few weeks after his father's death prepared to take over his estate. He was furious when he found out that Kit Youngblood had filed a lawsuit that left the estate in the hands of Lark. Oliver was upset to see Lark revert to her cold self with his return. He let Lark tell Wynter that he didn't inherit his father's estate. Wynter told Lark that he was going to fight her for the estate when she told him that she had married Oliver. Wynter had dinner with them that night before he left and it was difficult for Oliver to keep from laughing when he found Wynter was attracted to the reverend dressed as a woman. Lark talked to the reverend asking if his pox was healing to get Wynter to stop flirting with the reverend.
It was another few weeks later that Oliver took Lark to meet his family. They took the reverend with them still dressed as a woman. He told his family that he married and they all assumed it was the reverend and congratulated him. They were happy still when they were told that it was Lark who was his wife. Lark fainted while Oliver's family was congratulating her. His family had given up hope that Oliver would marry.
Lark was taken upstairs and told by Oliver's stepmother that she was pregnant. She left it to Lark to tell Oliver but she put it off. She was afraid of what Oliver would think and that he might leave her to raise the child alone. She realized once again their differences. Spencer had raised her to be a solemn, pious woman dedicated to doing the Lord's work while Oliver was raised as if he were dying. He lived in a cottage away from the main house because he wasn't thought to live long. It was his stepmother who came along and brought some herbs with her that relieved the pain of his breathing and let him grow up. He was careless with his life because he lived like he was dying. He took pleasure where he could find it. They both had strange, sheltered lives but had now come together. Lark realized after seeing where he lived and grew up that she was in love with him.
Oliver's father was going to help get the reverend out of the country. He owned many ships and the reverend would leave on one of them. Oliver suggested they travel with the reverend but because of the child she was expecting, Lark declined. She was worried that Oliver was growing weary of the excitement of being married to her and wouldn't want to become a father. She put off telling him about the baby.
They went to London to arrange the voyage of the reverend out of the country. Oliver felt like something was up so he changed the plans at the last moment. He was staying out late making the arrangements and Lark found herself missing him. Part of the reason Oliver was staying out late was because the air in London was causing him to have more asthma attacks and he didn't want Lark to know he was sick. She finally told him one night that she was pregnant and he started to have an attack. He left her and came home hours later pretending to have gone out and gotten drunk and been with another woman. Lark was hurt and worried that she had lost him.
They saw the reverend off and were surprised when Oliver's sister showed up to leave with him. Natalya told them that she and the reverend were married. Oliver argued but had them leave together when he found out they were man and wife. He returned home to apologize to his wife and was arrested first thing in the morning.
Oliver was taken to the London tower and found the man who had assisted Lark in freeing him and the reverend there. He told Oliver that he had turned in his own wife as well as Oliver and Lark for their part in freeing the reverend from death. Oliver was tortured and the man hung himself in the prison. Kit was also named and imprisoned. It was Wynter who arrested Oliver and had made the charges against him.
It was several months later that Wynter came to see Lark and took her to see Oliver in prison. He had hoped that Lark would convince Oliver to confess his part in what had taken place and to give up the location of the reverend. Oliver found something worth dying for and confessed nothing. Lark did try to convince Oliver to renounce his actions but Oliver refused to admit to doing anything wrong. He did not agree to the politics of killing a man for his religious beliefs. Lark finally admitted to loving Oliver and he was a happy man despite his condition.
Belinda, Oliver's sister and Kit's girlfriend, came to stay with Lark during the time of Kit and Oliver's imprisonment. They arranged to cause a distraction and broke Kit out of prison by disguising him as a nun. They wrote letters to Bess asking for her help in getting Oliver freed. They ended up rescuing him from burning. Belinda worked with fireworks and brought in what the guards thought was gunpowder that was really smoke making powders. They used a smokescreen to get to Oliver and free him from being burned to death. Lark went into labor during the rescue. They were taken to Elizabeth's house where Lark gave birth to a baby girl.
Wynter had tried to capture Lark after she saw Oliver but she got away from him. Wynter told Lark that he intended to trade Oliver's life for that of her child. He was going to give the child to the queen to claim as her own. The child would become heir to the crown. Lark got away from him and went into a room in the tower to hide from him. The room she chose was a chapel room where she ran into Queen Mary. She saw Mary praying and noticed that her belly was distended. It might be thought that she pregnant as Mary continually claimed to be but Lark noticed the shape of her belly and the queen's coloring. She knew something was terribly wrong. They spoke and Lark told Mary of Wynter's intentions and the queen ordered him to be arrested. Wynter was now hiding from the queen and considered her enemy. Lark had won the heart of the queen with her story.
Oliver and Lark were staying on the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth and wondering if she would arrive for the christening of their baby girl when Wynter and his men entered the room. They were fully armed. Kit and Belinda came to their aid and there was a fight. Wynter got to Lark and held a sword to her neck. Oliver, Kit and Belinda dropped their weapons. There was commotion outside and Elizabeth arrived. The queen had been pronounced dead and Elizabeth was now Queen. When she stepped into the room, Wynter's men all dropped to bow to her. Wynter was distracted and Lark got away from him. Elizabeth ordered him to be arrested and Wynter jumped out of the window. He didn't survive. The girl was baptized Phillippa as Queen Mary had asked of Lark when they met.
Oliver and Lark had a brood for children and grandchildren. This was the story that Oliver told his granddaughter, Bess. Bess asked for a story about her parents and Oliver told her that was a story for another time.
His rescuer was Mistress Lark. She went to find him some days later and found him in a brothel. She told him that she needed his help and asked him to come home with her. He first took her to a public market place to talk and he found out that she had never been to market before. He agreed to help her and went to her house along with a friend of his who knew something of law. They were attacked on their way home and they had to spend the night at an inn. She confessed that she'd never stayed at an inn before. Oliver became quite infatuated with Lark. He was constantly tempting her with kisses and with his conversation. Lark came to like Oliver too but she was raised to keep her emotions and feelings in check so she resisted Oliver which made him try much harder.
Lark told Oliver that her parents had died when she was an infant and she was raised by Spencer Marrifield. Spencer had a son from a wife he had annulled his marriage with, Wynter Marrifield. Lark felt Wynter wanted Spencer's estate and she needed Oliver and Kit to find a way to see him disinherited so that he would not inherit from Spencer. Spencer wasn't well. Lark was 19 and Spencer was 45 years older.
Oliver found out after a couple of days that Lark worked with a group of Protestant dissidents to rescue people wrongly put to death for crimes they didn't feel worthy of death. He agreed to help her free a man who was sentenced to burn for preaching that God didn't need to be paid for them to gain their way into heaven. All they needed to do was to ask for forgiveness and have faith in him.
Lark rescued the reverend while Oliver caused a riot to cover up what she was doing. They were helped by a band of gypsy's. They took the reverend to the Princess Elizabeth's home. She introduced herself as Bess and Lark was surprised to find out that she was the princess and heir to the throne of England.
It was during their time with the gypsy's that Lark told Oliver that she was married to Spencer Marrifield. She hadn't told him because she hadn't expected to see him again. He was shocked because he knew that she hadn't slept with anyone. She had been raised by a strict man who treater her as a father and never as his wife. He had raised her to have strict beliefs and to shy away from temptation and lust. Oliver didn't know why but he had fallen for Lark and considered her his. He knew he would stop pursuing her because her marriage wasn't a real one. He didn't know what it was about her that drew him to her. She wasn't beautiful by most men's standards but there were times he saw her as the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He knew that it was her innocence, strength and faith. Oliver had never thought to marry and settle down. He felt his asthma as something that would cause him to die young so he lived his life without regard for his future. His older brother had died before he was 6 and he had asthma too. Lark was changing his attitude about his lifestyle and causing him to consider a future.
They left the house of Princess Elizabeth and returned home to find Spencer dying. They had disguised the reverend Speed as a woman. Wynter wasn't there. They were told he was called to court. Lark went to Spencer and he called for Oliver to come to his side. He made them both promise to marry as soon as he died. They were married a few days later. Oliver was scared. He had never considered getting married and now he was a husband. He was worried that Lark didn't want this marriage and he wanted her. Lark was also worried that Oliver would lose interest in her and go back to his womanizing and gambling. They were both scared that the marriage wouldn't work.
They married and Oliver wondered that Lark didn't seem to be a virgin but kept quiet because he honestly didn't care too much. He had told her not to fall in love with him but he realized that he had fallen in love with her. Lark had not told Oliver of how she lost her virginity and was scared to have sex. She had hoped it wasn't like her first time.
Wynter returned home a few weeks after his father's death prepared to take over his estate. He was furious when he found out that Kit Youngblood had filed a lawsuit that left the estate in the hands of Lark. Oliver was upset to see Lark revert to her cold self with his return. He let Lark tell Wynter that he didn't inherit his father's estate. Wynter told Lark that he was going to fight her for the estate when she told him that she had married Oliver. Wynter had dinner with them that night before he left and it was difficult for Oliver to keep from laughing when he found Wynter was attracted to the reverend dressed as a woman. Lark talked to the reverend asking if his pox was healing to get Wynter to stop flirting with the reverend.
It was another few weeks later that Oliver took Lark to meet his family. They took the reverend with them still dressed as a woman. He told his family that he married and they all assumed it was the reverend and congratulated him. They were happy still when they were told that it was Lark who was his wife. Lark fainted while Oliver's family was congratulating her. His family had given up hope that Oliver would marry.
Lark was taken upstairs and told by Oliver's stepmother that she was pregnant. She left it to Lark to tell Oliver but she put it off. She was afraid of what Oliver would think and that he might leave her to raise the child alone. She realized once again their differences. Spencer had raised her to be a solemn, pious woman dedicated to doing the Lord's work while Oliver was raised as if he were dying. He lived in a cottage away from the main house because he wasn't thought to live long. It was his stepmother who came along and brought some herbs with her that relieved the pain of his breathing and let him grow up. He was careless with his life because he lived like he was dying. He took pleasure where he could find it. They both had strange, sheltered lives but had now come together. Lark realized after seeing where he lived and grew up that she was in love with him.
Oliver's father was going to help get the reverend out of the country. He owned many ships and the reverend would leave on one of them. Oliver suggested they travel with the reverend but because of the child she was expecting, Lark declined. She was worried that Oliver was growing weary of the excitement of being married to her and wouldn't want to become a father. She put off telling him about the baby.
They went to London to arrange the voyage of the reverend out of the country. Oliver felt like something was up so he changed the plans at the last moment. He was staying out late making the arrangements and Lark found herself missing him. Part of the reason Oliver was staying out late was because the air in London was causing him to have more asthma attacks and he didn't want Lark to know he was sick. She finally told him one night that she was pregnant and he started to have an attack. He left her and came home hours later pretending to have gone out and gotten drunk and been with another woman. Lark was hurt and worried that she had lost him.
They saw the reverend off and were surprised when Oliver's sister showed up to leave with him. Natalya told them that she and the reverend were married. Oliver argued but had them leave together when he found out they were man and wife. He returned home to apologize to his wife and was arrested first thing in the morning.
Oliver was taken to the London tower and found the man who had assisted Lark in freeing him and the reverend there. He told Oliver that he had turned in his own wife as well as Oliver and Lark for their part in freeing the reverend from death. Oliver was tortured and the man hung himself in the prison. Kit was also named and imprisoned. It was Wynter who arrested Oliver and had made the charges against him.
It was several months later that Wynter came to see Lark and took her to see Oliver in prison. He had hoped that Lark would convince Oliver to confess his part in what had taken place and to give up the location of the reverend. Oliver found something worth dying for and confessed nothing. Lark did try to convince Oliver to renounce his actions but Oliver refused to admit to doing anything wrong. He did not agree to the politics of killing a man for his religious beliefs. Lark finally admitted to loving Oliver and he was a happy man despite his condition.
Belinda, Oliver's sister and Kit's girlfriend, came to stay with Lark during the time of Kit and Oliver's imprisonment. They arranged to cause a distraction and broke Kit out of prison by disguising him as a nun. They wrote letters to Bess asking for her help in getting Oliver freed. They ended up rescuing him from burning. Belinda worked with fireworks and brought in what the guards thought was gunpowder that was really smoke making powders. They used a smokescreen to get to Oliver and free him from being burned to death. Lark went into labor during the rescue. They were taken to Elizabeth's house where Lark gave birth to a baby girl.
Wynter had tried to capture Lark after she saw Oliver but she got away from him. Wynter told Lark that he intended to trade Oliver's life for that of her child. He was going to give the child to the queen to claim as her own. The child would become heir to the crown. Lark got away from him and went into a room in the tower to hide from him. The room she chose was a chapel room where she ran into Queen Mary. She saw Mary praying and noticed that her belly was distended. It might be thought that she pregnant as Mary continually claimed to be but Lark noticed the shape of her belly and the queen's coloring. She knew something was terribly wrong. They spoke and Lark told Mary of Wynter's intentions and the queen ordered him to be arrested. Wynter was now hiding from the queen and considered her enemy. Lark had won the heart of the queen with her story.
Oliver and Lark were staying on the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth and wondering if she would arrive for the christening of their baby girl when Wynter and his men entered the room. They were fully armed. Kit and Belinda came to their aid and there was a fight. Wynter got to Lark and held a sword to her neck. Oliver, Kit and Belinda dropped their weapons. There was commotion outside and Elizabeth arrived. The queen had been pronounced dead and Elizabeth was now Queen. When she stepped into the room, Wynter's men all dropped to bow to her. Wynter was distracted and Lark got away from him. Elizabeth ordered him to be arrested and Wynter jumped out of the window. He didn't survive. The girl was baptized Phillippa as Queen Mary had asked of Lark when they met.
Oliver and Lark had a brood for children and grandchildren. This was the story that Oliver told his granddaughter, Bess. Bess asked for a story about her parents and Oliver told her that was a story for another time.
March 19, 2021
The book gets points for having an interesting back drop and being a different rake-trope. There is a pleasant transformation in the MMC, as opposed to a strong push-pull that lasts 3/4 of the book. The reasons for the MMC's raking behaviour, in context of the series, also makes sense.
The heroine is strong, has independent goals, and her own past.
I listened to the books out of sequence, by error. This book is average. The first book is great. The third book finishes the series with strength.
For The Maiden's Hand to receive a higher rating, I would have preferred a tighter story line, a touch more humour (the MMC is charming, make him funny too), and a stronger ending (epilogue). The evenness of the heroine makes sense given the premise of the book -- and she has her unique transformation arc which works.
The heroine is strong, has independent goals, and her own past.
I listened to the books out of sequence, by error. This book is average. The first book is great. The third book finishes the series with strength.
For The Maiden's Hand to receive a higher rating, I would have preferred a tighter story line, a touch more humour (the MMC is charming, make him funny too), and a stronger ending (epilogue). The evenness of the heroine makes sense given the premise of the book -- and she has her unique transformation arc which works.
June 25, 2018
Sen Olmadan Asla
Susan Wiggs
İkinci kitabı da bitirmiş bulunuyorum
Söyleyeceğim şey başlarda oldukça sıkıldım hatta nasıl böyle olur dediğim çok şey oldu ama acaip derece sıkıcı geldi tabi durum
Ama sonra Oliver ah öyle bir şey ki kitabın ikinci kısmı gibiydi resmen orada ki duygusal durum beni benden aldı öyle özel öyle güzel bir mektuptu ki şimdi kime nasıl yazıldığını söyleyemiyorum ama okuyan olursa kitabın neresinden bahsettiğimi mutlaka anlayacaktır.
Genel olarak bakarsakta kitabı biraz karışık buldum çoğu yerini beğenmedim sadece üstte bahsettigim yer dışında tutar yerini bulamadım özelikle lark olayında.
Konu olarak bazı yerlerini anlamamış ve guzel bulmamis olsam da Oliver in varlığı yeterdi sanırımA
Kaldı bir kitap
Susan Wiggs
İkinci kitabı da bitirmiş bulunuyorum
Söyleyeceğim şey başlarda oldukça sıkıldım hatta nasıl böyle olur dediğim çok şey oldu ama acaip derece sıkıcı geldi tabi durum
Ama sonra Oliver ah öyle bir şey ki kitabın ikinci kısmı gibiydi resmen orada ki duygusal durum beni benden aldı öyle özel öyle güzel bir mektuptu ki şimdi kime nasıl yazıldığını söyleyemiyorum ama okuyan olursa kitabın neresinden bahsettiğimi mutlaka anlayacaktır.
Genel olarak bakarsakta kitabı biraz karışık buldum çoğu yerini beğenmedim sadece üstte bahsettigim yer dışında tutar yerini bulamadım özelikle lark olayında.
Konu olarak bazı yerlerini anlamamış ve guzel bulmamis olsam da Oliver in varlığı yeterdi sanırımA
Kaldı bir kitap
February 4, 2021
With Tudor in the title, I expected a little more Tudor in the novel, not just the occasional reference to King Henry. Not as compelling of stories or well written characters seen in other Susan Wigg novels.
February 14, 2017
4 stelline scarse.
Lettura molto scorrevole, il libro è decisamente migliore rispetto al precedente capitolo.
La storia è molto divertente in alcuni punti ma in altri no come deve essere per via di fatti molto importanti nella storia dei due personaggi: Oliver e Lark, l'unica pecca è che lei è troppo "chiusa" sembra come se non avesse mai visto il mondo intorno a lei; anche se lei ha avuto un'educazione molto puritana.
Nel complesso un bel libro semplice non noioso e sicuramente facile da leggere.
Lettura molto scorrevole, il libro è decisamente migliore rispetto al precedente capitolo.
La storia è molto divertente in alcuni punti ma in altri no come deve essere per via di fatti molto importanti nella storia dei due personaggi: Oliver e Lark, l'unica pecca è che lei è troppo "chiusa" sembra come se non avesse mai visto il mondo intorno a lei; anche se lei ha avuto un'educazione molto puritana.
Nel complesso un bel libro semplice non noioso e sicuramente facile da leggere.
October 13, 2016
Another quick read in large print, The Maiden's Hand by Susan Wiggs is the first romance that I've read by this author, and it was just okay. Set in the final days of the reign of Mary Tudor when England was exploding with religious persecution, Susan Wiggs has crafted a complicated plot as the backdrop for this romance between Lark and Oliver de Lacey, the young lord Lark rescues from near death. Despite her bravery, Lark is a quiet, solemn and studious young woman who finds herself in the midst of the exuberant and wild Oliver. He brings out the passion in her, while she finds him intriguing and irresistible. The plot leaps from one strange occurrence to another, which are peopled by odd characters and unbelievable situations. The best bits of the book are when Oliver and Lark are making love - it is a romance after all!
May 12, 2011
I enjoyed this 2nd book in the trilogy as well as the first. I love the way it begins and the time period it takes place in. It is amazing to me that such religious persecution can take place. It was a fascinating period in time. I am glad I live now instead.
It was interesting to see what became of Oliver although disturbing at times. I found it a bit aggravating when Oliver and Lark choose to interpret each other’s actions rather than talk about their feelings for each other. They then make choices that end up hurting one another instead of building a relationship. I guess that happens in real life as well.
I enjoyed Oliver’s character development maturing into a more responsible individual worthy of Lark.
There are some marital sex scenes to be aware of.
It was interesting to see what became of Oliver although disturbing at times. I found it a bit aggravating when Oliver and Lark choose to interpret each other’s actions rather than talk about their feelings for each other. They then make choices that end up hurting one another instead of building a relationship. I guess that happens in real life as well.
I enjoyed Oliver’s character development maturing into a more responsible individual worthy of Lark.
There are some marital sex scenes to be aware of.
August 10, 2014
I find that I get myself invested in these books-I think partly this is due to the fact that I don't enjoy the age, but I also don't like the line-up of characters for the author's trilogy. Father, then son, then son's long-lost daughter. When I read a romance, I like to pretend that the characters find love...and then live forever. This book destroys that notion.
Additionally, there really isn't much of a problem in the story. Yeah, there's royal family twists, but they're almost peripheral to the story, and fleetingly mentioned. I also didn't care too much for Lark, and there was virtually no chemistry with Oliver.
Basically, I'm nearly regretting the fact that I read this book. Nearly-and I can't recommend this book to others.
Additionally, there really isn't much of a problem in the story. Yeah, there's royal family twists, but they're almost peripheral to the story, and fleetingly mentioned. I also didn't care too much for Lark, and there was virtually no chemistry with Oliver.
Basically, I'm nearly regretting the fact that I read this book. Nearly-and I can't recommend this book to others.
January 9, 2012
The first novel in this trilogy was interesting. This one (the secoond), however was just a touch of fluff. The historical references were minimal, and character development lacked. I did piece together the best quote of book one. Juliaana sees an older gentleman holding a bay girl. She inquires "Is this your grand daughter?" he replies "No, she is my wife". This story opens up in book two. Not enough background in my opinion.
November 18, 2010
A great start to a great tril. What I like about Susan Wiggs is that she can incorperate so much into her writing and wrap you up in it. When my sister gave me the books and I started to read them, I couldn't put them down. Finished them all in a week(People need to sleep!)! The writing was beautiful and very humerous and so was her history. Good job, Susan Wiggs!
Read
March 1, 2023Regency Romance, Victorian Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Tudor Historical Romance
Miniseries
Tudor Rose (Book #2)
Miniseries
Tudor Rose (Book #2)
July 13, 2020
Lodi lodi e ancora lodi…sarà che io amo profondamente i Tudor e tutta la loro incredibile genealogia e storia, e sarà anche che la Wiggs ha una notevole bravura nell’intreccio della sua storia ma questo secondo appuntamento e capitolo di questa trilogia mi ha commosso pienamente. All’inizio la storia molto canzonata e colorata, tipica di Oliver e del suo senso di libertinaggio e di vita che va vissuta all’avventura, sfiorisce o si scorna forzatamente con il senso di casto virtuosismo mascherato auto-imposto di Lark, la piccola sposa bambina che si era appena conosciuta negli ultimi momenti del libro precedente attraverso Juliana. Ma poi, come solo le cose inaspettate possono fare la storia si anima, diventa sempre più corposa e si carica di sentimenti ed emozioni forti che nella loro contestualità riescono a lasciarti indissolubilmente legata alla trama che va sempre più coinvolgendoti. Poi, verso la fine, quando orami ci si scorda che sia un harmony storico, si pensa solo alla specialità di questa storia, che ti commuove e ti porta sull’orlo del dolore, delle lacrime e del sacrificio.
L’epilogo lascia poi, con a mancanza di una data precisa, un ampio scenario di avvenimenti ancora tutti da leggere che andranno a coronare la tragicità di questa dinastia dei de Lackey e che non vedo l’ora di scoprire visto i pochi bar luminosi accenni che ci sono in poche righe e che si collocano tra l’epilogo stesso e la “fine” della vicenda di Oliver e di Lark. Sono curiosa!
Consiglio a tutti di leggere questa trilogia perché la Wiggs ha posto tutto il proprio genio in una storia dove il cuore, la sofferenza e il futuro giocano una partita doppia a scacchi con il passato e con una sorta di “maledizione” fantasma che ha il sapore del fatalismo ma anche della riscossa dei buoni sentimenti. Spero di riuscire a capire ben presto chi ha dato inizio a questo circolo di onde nell’acqua e come andranno a terminare.
Oliver, cresciuto come lo si era intravisto nel passato precedente con Juliana, vive una vita dissoluta con la morte che gli alita sul collo per la sua malattia, l’asma, e l’infelicità mascherata nella sua dissolutezza e nell’amore di poco conto che concede a tutte quelle che le capitano a tiro. Tutto procede in questo modo fino a che la morte, come una corta intorno al suo collo non lo chiama a se ma Lark, salvandolo per la sua opera pia di liberazione di coloro che vengono imprigionati per colpe religiose mosse dalla riforma della regina Maria la sanguinaria. Lark, non aspetta nulla dalla vita non sa di poter volare, sa solo cosa la vita le ha fino ad ora insegnato, a obbedire e sottomettersi all’uomo. Ma con Oliver la vita e il cuore batteranno diversamente in nome dell’amore e di un’incredibile futuro che solo chi lo leggerà potrà scoprire.
L’epilogo lascia poi, con a mancanza di una data precisa, un ampio scenario di avvenimenti ancora tutti da leggere che andranno a coronare la tragicità di questa dinastia dei de Lackey e che non vedo l’ora di scoprire visto i pochi bar luminosi accenni che ci sono in poche righe e che si collocano tra l’epilogo stesso e la “fine” della vicenda di Oliver e di Lark. Sono curiosa!
Consiglio a tutti di leggere questa trilogia perché la Wiggs ha posto tutto il proprio genio in una storia dove il cuore, la sofferenza e il futuro giocano una partita doppia a scacchi con il passato e con una sorta di “maledizione” fantasma che ha il sapore del fatalismo ma anche della riscossa dei buoni sentimenti. Spero di riuscire a capire ben presto chi ha dato inizio a questo circolo di onde nell’acqua e come andranno a terminare.
Oliver, cresciuto come lo si era intravisto nel passato precedente con Juliana, vive una vita dissoluta con la morte che gli alita sul collo per la sua malattia, l’asma, e l’infelicità mascherata nella sua dissolutezza e nell’amore di poco conto che concede a tutte quelle che le capitano a tiro. Tutto procede in questo modo fino a che la morte, come una corta intorno al suo collo non lo chiama a se ma Lark, salvandolo per la sua opera pia di liberazione di coloro che vengono imprigionati per colpe religiose mosse dalla riforma della regina Maria la sanguinaria. Lark, non aspetta nulla dalla vita non sa di poter volare, sa solo cosa la vita le ha fino ad ora insegnato, a obbedire e sottomettersi all’uomo. Ma con Oliver la vita e il cuore batteranno diversamente in nome dell’amore e di un’incredibile futuro che solo chi lo leggerà potrà scoprire.
August 4, 2019
Content warning: Violence, capital punishment, sexual violence, racial slurs
I’ll try to keep this brief because there are about 10 other things I should be doing right now, but heck, I’d feel weird not posting a review.
There were a lot of elements I really enjoyed in Susan Wiggs’ “The Maiden’s Hand,” but it’s not quite as cohesive as it could be.
Have you read the first book? Spoilers are coming.
So…Stephen de Lacey’s DEEP DARK SECRET is that his son that everyone thought died as an infant is very much alive, but he has asthma, which is pretty much a death sentence during this era. But thanks to Juliana, the boy, Oliver gets some herbal treatment and he’s able to live a full life.
And now Oliver is a grown-ass hot dude and is all about seizing the day and enjoying life. Perhaps a little too much. He gambles, drinks and hangs out with all sorts of interesting and ummm…unsavory types.
Which is how he finds himself going to be executed as a commoner (he’s in disguise). Oops.
Enter Lark, a hardcore Protestant lady who’s out in the world doing good. And she and her team recuse Oliver from the noose.
This is one of the more dramatic meet-cutes I’ve read.
She’s prim and proper, he’s a rake. This is so much my catnip. Their chemistry is weird and instant and Lark isn’t terribly happy about it. (She’s got issues.) And Lark is trying to do some resistance against Queen Mary and it’s getting mixed results. (It’s a scary time to be a Protestant.)
Overall there were a lot of things I liked. There was some commentary about religion and power as well as sexuality. The secondary characters shine, too, especially Oliver’s quirky and wonderful family.
Oliver is a fun hero. He’s funny and snarky. He made some comments early on about being tied up, which of course was scandalous and hilarious. He also LITERALLY taunts people as he thinks he’s about to die. Love it.
Lark, who’s kinda mousy and self-righteous, comes into her own and is wonderfully assertive by the end. (Yes, you can totally be shy and self-righteous, it’s unusual, but it does happen.)
Here’s where it stumbles: For the life of me, I didn’t really understand the whole plot and there were a couple of “because reasons” moments. Also at some point Oliver says he’s converted and has become a Protestant, but I can’t remember those two ever having a conversation about faith. Mostly they just spar and flirt with one another. (Which is fine, but I kinda need that detail to be front and center if it’s gonna happen.)
The other two big things: If you read my review of the previous book, then I won’t repeat myself about my complaints about the portrayal of the Romany people. It’s a little better here, mostly because Oliver has a lot of previous experience with them. But it’s still not great.
Second, there’s a clumsy handling of sexual abuse and it’s just…icky. Lark thinks she has a role and she’s to blame in the abuse, but it’s pretty clear that this isn’t the case at all. She goes so far as to say it’s not abuse. Thankfully, Oliver is supportive and loves her for who she is.
But still, it could have been a little bit better here. All in all, I liked “The Maiden’s Hand,” it was enjoyable, even if it wasn’t cohesive.
Am I still going to read the third and final book in the series? Yep.
I’ll try to keep this brief because there are about 10 other things I should be doing right now, but heck, I’d feel weird not posting a review.
There were a lot of elements I really enjoyed in Susan Wiggs’ “The Maiden’s Hand,” but it’s not quite as cohesive as it could be.
Have you read the first book? Spoilers are coming.
So…Stephen de Lacey’s DEEP DARK SECRET is that his son that everyone thought died as an infant is very much alive, but he has asthma, which is pretty much a death sentence during this era. But thanks to Juliana, the boy, Oliver gets some herbal treatment and he’s able to live a full life.
And now Oliver is a grown-ass hot dude and is all about seizing the day and enjoying life. Perhaps a little too much. He gambles, drinks and hangs out with all sorts of interesting and ummm…unsavory types.
Which is how he finds himself going to be executed as a commoner (he’s in disguise). Oops.
Enter Lark, a hardcore Protestant lady who’s out in the world doing good. And she and her team recuse Oliver from the noose.
This is one of the more dramatic meet-cutes I’ve read.
She’s prim and proper, he’s a rake. This is so much my catnip. Their chemistry is weird and instant and Lark isn’t terribly happy about it. (She’s got issues.) And Lark is trying to do some resistance against Queen Mary and it’s getting mixed results. (It’s a scary time to be a Protestant.)
Overall there were a lot of things I liked. There was some commentary about religion and power as well as sexuality. The secondary characters shine, too, especially Oliver’s quirky and wonderful family.
Oliver is a fun hero. He’s funny and snarky. He made some comments early on about being tied up, which of course was scandalous and hilarious. He also LITERALLY taunts people as he thinks he’s about to die. Love it.
Lark, who’s kinda mousy and self-righteous, comes into her own and is wonderfully assertive by the end. (Yes, you can totally be shy and self-righteous, it’s unusual, but it does happen.)
Here’s where it stumbles: For the life of me, I didn’t really understand the whole plot and there were a couple of “because reasons” moments. Also at some point Oliver says he’s converted and has become a Protestant, but I can’t remember those two ever having a conversation about faith. Mostly they just spar and flirt with one another. (Which is fine, but I kinda need that detail to be front and center if it’s gonna happen.)
The other two big things: If you read my review of the previous book, then I won’t repeat myself about my complaints about the portrayal of the Romany people. It’s a little better here, mostly because Oliver has a lot of previous experience with them. But it’s still not great.
Second, there’s a clumsy handling of sexual abuse and it’s just…icky. Lark thinks she has a role and she’s to blame in the abuse, but it’s pretty clear that this isn’t the case at all. She goes so far as to say it’s not abuse. Thankfully, Oliver is supportive and loves her for who she is.
But still, it could have been a little bit better here. All in all, I liked “The Maiden’s Hand,” it was enjoyable, even if it wasn’t cohesive.
Am I still going to read the third and final book in the series? Yep.
September 19, 2018
The story is set in the last year of the reign of Mary Tudor.
Stephen and Juliana (Book 1:At the king's command/ Circle in the water) have 4 children now, all grown up.Belinda is in love with Kit Youngblood, a young lawyer. She is interested in gunpowder and fireworks.Stephen is an inventor.The other daughter, Natalya, falls in love with Reverend Richard Speed, secretly marries him and goes into exile with him. Then there are the twins, Simon and Sebastian.The latter is, apparently, gay.
And there is Stephen's oldest son and heir- Oliver.Oliver loves drink, gambling and women.At the same time he is Oliver Lackey, who incites mobs and is to be hanged.
Samaritans, led by Lark and Dr Snpes, save him.Later Lark seeks him and Kit- to help her much older husband.She is only 19, but was wed as a baby to her guardian, Lord Spencer (who is now 64).Spencer seeks a way to disinherit his only son, half-Spanish Wynter (25).He plans to break the entail on his estate.Oliver and Kit find the loop and bring the suit to court.Spencer makes Lark and Oliver promise to marry each other upon his death.So they marry.(Later we know that 3 years ago Wynter forced her to lose her virginity to him).
Oliver brings his wife and Richard (disguised as Mistress Quickley- love the Shakespearean idea) to his parents. Lark is pregnant...
Lark also gets to meet both Tudor sisters- first Bess (Elizabeth) and than Mary.Wynter seeks revenge on her and Oliver.
Prophesies, Gypsy women, protestants and catholics,betrayal , prisons -all in this delightful book.
By the way, the windhound in Russian is Borzaya, not Borzoya.
Stephen and Juliana (Book 1:At the king's command/ Circle in the water) have 4 children now, all grown up.Belinda is in love with Kit Youngblood, a young lawyer. She is interested in gunpowder and fireworks.Stephen is an inventor.The other daughter, Natalya, falls in love with Reverend Richard Speed, secretly marries him and goes into exile with him. Then there are the twins, Simon and Sebastian.The latter is, apparently, gay.
And there is Stephen's oldest son and heir- Oliver.Oliver loves drink, gambling and women.At the same time he is Oliver Lackey, who incites mobs and is to be hanged.
Samaritans, led by Lark and Dr Snpes, save him.Later Lark seeks him and Kit- to help her much older husband.She is only 19, but was wed as a baby to her guardian, Lord Spencer (who is now 64).Spencer seeks a way to disinherit his only son, half-Spanish Wynter (25).He plans to break the entail on his estate.Oliver and Kit find the loop and bring the suit to court.Spencer makes Lark and Oliver promise to marry each other upon his death.So they marry.(Later we know that 3 years ago Wynter forced her to lose her virginity to him).
Oliver brings his wife and Richard (disguised as Mistress Quickley- love the Shakespearean idea) to his parents. Lark is pregnant...
Lark also gets to meet both Tudor sisters- first Bess (Elizabeth) and than Mary.Wynter seeks revenge on her and Oliver.
Prophesies, Gypsy women, protestants and catholics,betrayal , prisons -all in this delightful book.
By the way, the windhound in Russian is Borzaya, not Borzoya.
September 7, 2018
I couldn't get into this one, although I have to admit there was plenty of action toward the end. Still, it took too long to get there. I almost gave up a couple of times, but I hate to dnf, so I stuck it out.
I never could see why anyone would want Oliver and it was disappointing to see Stephen's pride from book 1 become a rogue. His devotion to Lark was touching, but not enough.
Lark was not a wonder woman like heroines in other SW books I've read. Despite having courage and intelligence the thing that stuck out was her insecurities and at times wimpiness. I wanted to like her, but ended up only feeling lukewarm.
I thought the story dragged until near the end and then there were just too many miracles and perfect timings.
Mature themes: there is killing and there is mildly explicit sex within marriage, but the worst thing is Lark's secret.
2.6 stars
I never could see why anyone would want Oliver and it was disappointing to see Stephen's pride from book 1 become a rogue. His devotion to Lark was touching, but not enough.
Lark was not a wonder woman like heroines in other SW books I've read. Despite having courage and intelligence the thing that stuck out was her insecurities and at times wimpiness. I wanted to like her, but ended up only feeling lukewarm.
I thought the story dragged until near the end and then there were just too many miracles and perfect timings.
Mature themes: there is killing and there is mildly explicit sex within marriage, but the worst thing is Lark's secret.
2.6 stars
January 28, 2022
I made a concerted effort with this book. I did! Alas, life is too short for bad books.
I got about halfway through The Maiden's Hand with some skimming, but even that became tedious and boring. As I read it, I could only wonder if this was the same author who wrote the first book. Were the settings so bad in that one? Was the word “sooth” used as much? Maybe I didn’t like that book as well as I thought I did? The Maiden’s Hand, I will argue, is a black mark on Susan Wiggs’ record. I may not even bother with the third book.
Every element of this story that could’ve been interesting was immediately undone a few pages later. The hero is a dandy, not a rake, though much time is spent by the other characters trying to convince me otherwise. The heroine is bland with a cute name. I don’t care how gypsy predictions are woven together running the length of this trilogy because such a clever idea doesn’t atone for the lackluster plot, characters, and settings. Just not enough. Bleh!
I got about halfway through The Maiden's Hand with some skimming, but even that became tedious and boring. As I read it, I could only wonder if this was the same author who wrote the first book. Were the settings so bad in that one? Was the word “sooth” used as much? Maybe I didn’t like that book as well as I thought I did? The Maiden’s Hand, I will argue, is a black mark on Susan Wiggs’ record. I may not even bother with the third book.
Every element of this story that could’ve been interesting was immediately undone a few pages later. The hero is a dandy, not a rake, though much time is spent by the other characters trying to convince me otherwise. The heroine is bland with a cute name. I don’t care how gypsy predictions are woven together running the length of this trilogy because such a clever idea doesn’t atone for the lackluster plot, characters, and settings. Just not enough. Bleh!
May 18, 2017
2.5 Stars. (I reviewed the trilogy as a whole on my blog back when I first started and forgot to add it to Goodreads, so forgive me if these reviews seem a bit fragmented.)
Russia, 1533: A gypsy reveals a prophecy of three women, three lives entwined. "I see blood and fire, loss and reunion, and a love so great that neither time nor death can destroy it." The stories that follow revolve around three generations of the de Lacey family, taking place during the reigns of Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth.
At the Maiden's Hand is the weakest link of the series. Lark is a dull heroine and there's nothing really original or surprising about Oliver. It has what could have been an interesting storyline with a group of "Samaritans" helping Protestants escape persecution, but it's not fully developed and too much time is spent on a silly cross-dressing subplot.
Russia, 1533: A gypsy reveals a prophecy of three women, three lives entwined. "I see blood and fire, loss and reunion, and a love so great that neither time nor death can destroy it." The stories that follow revolve around three generations of the de Lacey family, taking place during the reigns of Henry VIII, Mary and Elizabeth.
At the Maiden's Hand is the weakest link of the series. Lark is a dull heroine and there's nothing really original or surprising about Oliver. It has what could have been an interesting storyline with a group of "Samaritans" helping Protestants escape persecution, but it's not fully developed and too much time is spent on a silly cross-dressing subplot.
August 26, 2025
I actually give it 3.5 stars. It was a good book but I found it a stressful read with the torture and persecution. Both Oliver and Lark suffered emotional abuse as children. Lark was "married" as an infant and her "husband" tried his best to stifle her spirit and make her (unsuccessfully) a submissive, brainless woman. Instead she saved Protestants from burning in an age of persecution by Catholics with her wit and bravery. Her husband thought she was just breaking codes. How she could be unintelligent and manage that is a puzzle. Oliver was isolated due to his asthma for the first 5(?) yrs of his life.
Oliver was a wonderful hero. I liked Lark, but not nearly as much as Oliver.
Oliver was a wonderful hero. I liked Lark, but not nearly as much as Oliver.
September 23, 2018
Roguishly handsome Oliver de Lacey has always lived lustily: wine, weapons and women are his bywords. Even salvation from the noose by a shadowy society provides no epiphany to mend his debauched ways.Mistress Lark's sole passion is her secret work with a group of Protestant dissidents thwarting the queen's executions. She needs no other excitement --— until Oliver de Lacey drops through the hangman's door and into her life.As their fates become inextricably bound together in a struggle against royal persecution, both Oliver and Lark discover a love worth saving ... even dying for.
June 28, 2019
This was a really good historical/love story set during the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary. This book while fiction also reads as nonfiction when it describes the killings, burning at the stake, and the overall poor quality of life for most poor people during that time. The interactions between the H (Oliver de Lacey) and the h (Lark) instilled some light and humor into the story. That time in history was actually quite dark because of the mass executions and imprisoments by Queen Mary. This ia a well written story.
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