The Maid by Kimberly Cutter

Back Cover Blurb:

It is the early part of the fifteenth century and the tumultuous Hundred Years War rages on. The French city of Orleans is under siege, English soldiers tear through the countryside wreaking destruction on all who cross their path, and Charles VII, the uncrowned king, has neither the strength nor the will to rally his army. And in the quiet of her parents’ garden in Domremy, a twelve-year-old peasant girl, Jehanne, hears a voice that will change her life – and the course of European history.

The tale of Jehanne d’Arc, the saint and warrior who believed she had been chosen by God to save France, and who led an army of 10,000 soldiers against the English, has captivated our imagination for centuries. But the story of Jehanne – the girl – whose sister was murdered by the English, who sought an escape from her violent father and a forced marriage, who taught herself to ride, and fight, and lead, and who somehow found the courage and tenacity to convince first one, then two, then tens, then thousands to follow her, is at once thrilling, unexpected and heart-breaking. Sweeping, gripping and rich with intrigue, betrayal, love and valour. The Maid is an unforgettable novel about the power and burden of faith, and the exhilarating and devastating consequences of fame.

Joan of Arc

From Bloomsbury Publishing comes an exceptional novel of the life of Joan of Arc.

Of all the stories I've read and all the movies I've watched about the life of Joan of Arc, this novel is a most superb rendition of her life. The author's strong third person narrative filled with vivid details and emotions, truly gave me an insight into this heroic woman's very soul. Realistic and heart-wrenching, I could not help but savour every page of this fabulously, well-written novel. Although the story is about a Saint who receives messages and hears voices sent from God, the religious/Christian feel was subtle and did not overpower the story.   

The personal willpower and strength of the heroine truly impresses. The author did an exceptional job at depicting Jehanne's convictions despite the prejudices against women during this era. For a young peasant girl to gather an army of military warriors and gain the attention of the king, makes for a poignant story that not only makes the reader rejoice, but grieve at the injustice suffered. 

This book has it all - a beautifully written glorious tale of a courageous young woman facing insurmountable odds and her success with tragic results. A must read!  

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The Blighted Troth Book Trailer

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Hoyden of the Week - A naughty glimpse of panty!

Kasturba Gandhi (1869 – 1944)

My name is Kasturba Gandhi and I was born in the year 1869, the daughter of a prominent business man. My childhood was uneventful and I was never taught to read or write. When I was thirteen years old, my family arranged a marriage for me to Mohandas Gandhi.

Soon, I bore a son named Harilal. Shortly thereafter, Gandhi departed for London to pursue his education, leaving me in India to raise my son. Between 1892 and 1900 I bore three more sons. I was very dedicated to religion and strongly abhorred the distinction of caste in my Indian society. We lived in an ashram during those early years. It was during this period that I began to support my husband in political protests and worked with at every opportunity. When Gandhi decided to improve working conditions for Indians in South Africa so they would have the power to represent themselves, I joined him in this endeavour and happily accompanied him to South Africa in 1897.



In 1904 I became actively involved in the Phoenix Settlement near Durban. It was during this time that Gandhi decided to practice Brahmacharya and he took the vow of chastity. I approved and also took the vow. We never shared sexual relations again.

In 1913, I protested against inhuman working conditions of Indians in South Africa. My efforts earned me a three month prison sentence for hard labour. Often, it was my husband who was arrested and when that happened, I always took his place, keeping a close eye upon struggles in India and encouraging women volunteers.

In 1915, I joined Ghandi in support of Indigo planters. There, I encountered many women and children whom I taught to read and write along with her important learnings like personal hygiene and discipline. In this way, I earned respect and the trust of the people I aided.

My self-determination and independent spirit caused many a marital argument. Once, when my husband asked me to contribute more to the running of our ashram and perform some menial tasks, I refused. He became so enraged he nearly threw me out of the home. In the end, I reluctantly agreed, but drew the line at cleaning toilets. That I would never do! We disagreed about the raising of our sons, too, especially because I felt Ghandi neglected them. But my husband firmly believed that his sons should not be entitled to any special privileges. It brought discord into her family, and Harilal, our first born, absented himself from our lives for many years because of it.

Kasturba and her sons

I suffered from chronic Bronchitis; a condition exacerbated during my term of imprisonment during the Quit India Movement. Upon my release, I joined my husband in detention at the Aga Khan's Palace in Poona. Ghandi could move his mind from one thing to another, but I was a brooder and could not separate myself from troubles and suffered from stress.

My health began to decline and the bronchitis progressed into pneumonia. The doctors wanted to prescribe penicillin, but Ghandi disagreed. In January 1944, I suffered two heart attacks and was confined to my bed, bearing the pain that refused to go away. Periods of breathlessness kept me from sleep. I asked for permission for an Ayurvedic doctor to see me. But this request was delayed until finally the government allowed a specialist in traditional Indian medicine to treat me. My health improved with the natural treatments and it pleased me that I was healthy enough to sit on the verandah in a wheel chair for brief spells.

But it was not to last and my illness worsened once more. The doctor could do no more for me. My spirits were never so low. I knew these were the final days of my life. One evening, my son, Devdas, took his father and the doctors aside, pleading fiercely that I be given penicillin to save my life. But the doctors told him my condition was fatal. When Ghandi learned that the penicillin had to be administered by injection every four to six hours, he tried to dissuade my son. He argued not to prolong my agony because I could not be cured, but said that he would not stand in the way if that was what my son wanted. In the end, it was decided to abandon the treatment.

My greatest joy during my illness was to see my son Harilal again. When he came to my bedside, I wept tears of joy. And then the end came. Embraced in the arms of my husband, my breathing stopped and forever left this world.

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The House of Women by Anne Whitfield

The House of Women is a poignant portrayal of Victorian life as it was for women in 1870 Leeds, England. Trapped by the social restrictions and norms of the time, Grace Woodruff is forced to assume responsibility for her five sisters and a vast estate because of the failings of both her parents. With a harsh, tyrannical father who is on the verge of impoverishment because of risky investments, and a mother who is depressed by her husband’s infidelities and coldness, Grace must assume duties far beyond what is expected of most women in the Victorian era.

The story enthrals the reader from its inception, keeping the pages turning as one seemingly insurmountable problem after another is forced upon Grace to resolve - each dilemma worse than the one previous. The members of Grace’s family are colourfully depicted with both credible faults and good qualities. Their various troubles force Grace into taking actions that are not only morally upright, but that are difficult and challenge societal expectations of the time.

Beautifully written, the prose is fluid and invisible, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the story’s beauty. I rejoiced and sorrowed at the never-ending troubles plaguing the Woodruff’s. More importantly, however, is the underlying theme that runs throughout the tale – to stand firm in the face of adversity and to conduct oneself with honour and integrity at all times. It is an accurate depiction of women’s plights in an era not so long ago.

This family saga is a superb tale of an intensely strong heroine who stops at nothing to resolve issues that threaten the livelihood of her family within England’s stringent class system. This is women’s fiction at its most finest and a must read!

An interview with historical fiction author, Anne Whitfield

Anne Whitfield

1. Welcome Anne.  I'm so thrilled to have you visit us today.  I'm very excited about your newest book. Can you tell us a little about your novel?

I loved the idea of a large family all pulling different ways. With a selfish mother, a tyrannical father and seven daughters, the family was complex, but add to that a lost love, a heroic butler and a handsome stranger, well, the real fun began then! The House of Women was a great book to write.

2. What inspired you to write a novel about a woman in this period of history?

I love the Victorian era. It was a time for immense change. Populations were growing rapidly and people were no longer content to stay in their own village. Of course, there were circumstances which forced many people to leave their homes and search for new lives, and this only highlights the way people adapted to new changes. The Victoria era gave women freedom to travel and explore and in many ways educated them beyond their role as mere mothers and wives. A fascinating time.

3. What hardships did women face in this particular century and what lessons can today's woman learn from it?

Well, the poor women were faced with many hardships from keeping their babies alive and healthy, while living in the slums of over-crowded cities. Struggling to keep a roof over their heads on low wages, etc. The wealthy women had it easier, of course, but they still faced the social boundaries of their class and sex. A lot married for the sake of family and wealth, and not for love.

I think modern women can be very grateful for the Victorian and Edwardian women who started calling for Women’s Rights, which eventually gave us the freedom we have today. There was that, and then also the world wars, which again showed that women were capable of doing any job the men did.

4. What inspired you about your heroine? Why did you choose her?

She chose me really, like all my heroines do. I found Grace to such a complex person. She lives this half-existence, looking after her sisters and the family home, all jobs her mother and father should be doing and they don’t. So she doesn’t do much to make herself happy. Thenn suddenly her whole world is turned upside down and she struggles to make sense of it. She gets a little lost along the way, but such is her strength and courage that she soon see what she needs to be happy and fulfilled.

5. Can you describe a typical writing day?

I try to write between 9am and 3pm. After that it’s dinner and family time. I work weekends, which leaves me free to write during the week. I prefer writing in the morning, and can count on one hand how many times I’ve written at night. But I do need coffee to keep me going and if possible chocolate!

6. Can you tell us briefly about your other novels and any new novels in the works?

Yes, I’ve just started writing my next historical. As yet it doesn’t have a title, but the main characters, Charlotte and Harry, are there, demanding to be heard. It’s set in Yorkshire England again, about 1874.

Aside from June release of The House of Women, I have an Australian historical, A Noble Place, being re-released next year. I also have plenty of finished books waiting to be published. Stay tuned!

For information about my published novels, readers can visit my website http://www.annewhitfield.com

Thank you.

The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift

Back Cover Synopsis:

"1660. King Charles II has returned from exile, but memories of the English Civil War still rankle. There are old scores to settle, and religious differences threaten to overturn a fragile peace. When Alice Ibbetson discovers a rare orchid, the Lady’s Slipper, growing in a wood belonging to Richard Wheeler, she is captivated by its beauty— though Wheeler, a Quaker, is determined to keep the flower where God intended it to grow. Knowing that the orchid is the last of its kind, she steals the flower, little dreaming that her seemingly simple act will set off a chain of events that will lead to murder and exile, and change her life forever…"

Tragedy follows Alice Ibbetson. She grieves the death of her parents, but also the death of her beloved sister Flora. Add to that an unhappy marriage, and Alice seeks to escape her sadness by immersing herself in her art and her passion for nature.

On the property of Richard Wheeler, a Quaker, she discovers a rare Lady’s Slipper orchid. She yearns to preserve and harvest its seeks in addition to painting it. One night, under the cloak of darkness, she steals the plant and hides it in the summerhouse of her home.

Her act brings a rash of misfortunes upon her – not only Wheeler’s anger, but the desire of George Fisk, local overlord, who is desperate to use it to make a healing tincture for his skin ailment. Soon, all are put at risk.

The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift is Women's Fiction at its best. In this debut novel, the author has written an enchanting tale of historical fiction. The prose was lovely to read and the author’s attention to detail made every page vivid. Plenty of introspection by the heroine endeared her to me. I was struck by this novel’s creativity. To write an entire story around a simple, but rare, flower, and fill the tale with treacherous characters, impossible situations, and plenty of conflict, is quite a feat, and Deborah Swift pulls it off seamlessly.

Although the love relationship between Wheeler and Alice was slow to start, it did work very well at the end to provide a satisfying conclusion. What I enjoyed most about this novel was the clarity of the story and its vibrant descriptions that pulled me into the story and made me feel as if I were witnessing the scenery first hand. This is definitely a new author to watch and already, I’m awaiting her next novel, The Gilded Lilly.

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Trencarrow Secret by Anita Davison

Trencarrow, the Hart family's country estate near Penzance in Cornwall contains two nemesis for twenty-year-old Isabel Hart. The lake where she nearly drowned four years before, and The Maze in the gardens of the elegant Queen Anne manor house.

It’s the summer of 1882, and with her forthcoming engagement to her childhood sweetheart imminent, Isabel attempts to put at least one of her fears behind her. However, when she summons the courage to venture inside the maze, she sees something she didn’t anticipate.

As other family secrets are revealed, Isabel is faced with the fact her vibrant, beautiful mother is desperately ill and her cousin, Laura, has developed a clandestine attraction to an enigmatic young man.

Isabel's growing doubts about her fiancé are exacerbated as she finds herself attracted to one of the houseguests, Viscount Strachan. Isabel discovers the lives around her are anything but ordinary and that her destiny lies in her own hands. Will she see her way through the maze her life has become, or will she be driven further into her own world?

Anita Davison has written a compelling Victorian Gothic Romance about dark family secrets and the true meaning of love and marriage. Our heroine is Isabel who bravely enters the maze on her family’s summer manor house, where she was once lost as a child, and discovers her father locked in an embrace with her dying mother’s companion. She is caught between two men, one whom she loves and the other whom she is expected to marry. And this sets Isabel off on a voyage of discovery about herself and her family.

Trencarrow Secret is a romantic family saga with complex characters whose motivations are revealed slowly, as are secret liaisons and love ties. What I enjoyed most was Anita Davison’s descriptive prose and charming storytelling style as she slowly reveals long buried secrets, dark ambitions, and the love that exists between family members.

Isabel is a charismatic character with whom readers cannot help but like. She is a woman restricted by the strict Victorian values of the time. It pleased me to see that the author did not make her heroine feisty as is demanded by the romance genre, but rather, she made her authentic to the times, her behaviour keeping with the strict society she was subjected to. And that’s what I look for most in any historical novel is the accuracy and authenticity rather than following the current trends for the publishing industry. I very much commend and respect the author for that.

With rich prose and compelling characters, Anita Davison weaves a magnificent Victorian era love story filled with intrigues. Each chapter is more tempting than the one before it. Fans of eloquent and meaningful romantic historical fiction will want to savour every word. Not only are the historical details well presented, but the love story that unfolds is exhilarating and stunning. A deep, enriching lesson on the nature of life and love.

For those of us who love a touch of mystery, an elegant setting in an old English manor house, and stories with satisfying endings that leave you surprised – this one has all that and more. Be prepared to be completely enthralled with his novel!
 
Want to learn more about this fascinating heroine?  Here is an interview with Isabel Hart herself! What fun!
 

Isabel Hart

Heroine

Trencarrow Secret

This is a beautiful estate, Isabel. How long have your family owned it?

Since my great grandfather’s time, I believe. We live in London, but I love it here and look forward to coming down every summer, even with its bad memories.

What are those?

Well, for one, The Maze at the back of the house is somewhere I avoid. I don’t like it much.

What is it about The Maze that frightens you, Isabel?

It isn't that bad, I don't have nightmares about it or anything. There's only one thing I have bad dreams about, and that's the awful night four years ago when I almost drowned in the lake. [Looks off and bites her lip] Anyway, we were talking about the Maze. My brother David told me there was a fairy house in the middle. So, on my sixth birthday I crept out of the house before everyone got up and went to find it.

I got lost, it's as simple as that. The hedges were a lot taller then of course, and I was only small. Then a cloud passed over the sun and what with the darkness and not finding my way back. . . [Shrugs] Everyone teases me about it. 'Silly Izzy' they call me, as if I was still six, but, yes, well, I admit I've not been there since - not until the other day when... [Bites her lip again frowning]

The other day when what?

When I saw Papa and Amelia well - you know. . .kissing. [Blushes] I couldn't believe it, but when I told David, he made me feel I was being childish and that I was old enough to know Papa and Mama weren't in love when they married. They married for convenience, he said.

That came as a shock to you?

Well, of course! I always believed we were a perfect family, Mama, Papa, my sister Melody, David and me. It never occurred to me Papa didn't love Mama. They were always, so - considerate, and kind to each other. [Sniffs and fumbles with a handkerchief] And now Mama is desperately ill and brought Amelia into the house because she needs constant nursing and Papa. . .

Has your father fallen in love with her?

Oh, no, I don't think it's a serious as that! [Frowns] Or perhaps it is, and Amelia is trying to tear Papa away from Mama when she is at her weakest. Because if Mama wasn't ill, she would send that trollop packing in a heartbeat and throw her boxes into the street after her. I could imagine her doing that as Mama is so strong and was once the most glamorous hostess in London. If she hadn't fallen so ill, then Amelia wouldn't even be here and Papa. . .

What about Melody and David, are they as upset as you are?

David isn't. [Rolls eyes] As I just said, he laughed and said I was being naive. I haven't told Melody, not yet anyway, and I wonder if I should. She adores Papa and it would upset her dreadfully. She has children to care for too, George is only five and William is still a baby. No, I mustn't spoil her summer. She comes down to Cornwall for a rest.

Rest? Doesn't she have a houseful of servants, a nursery maid and a lady's maid. Why does Melody need a rest?

[Cocks her head] I don't know what you mean. She has fewer servants than we do, so has more to do than Mama ever did. Walter, my brother-in-law is a dear and quite successful in business, but he isn't rich - at least Papa said his people weren't. He's quite a bit older than my sister, [stares off again thoughtfully] I always wondered why Melody married him. She's so beautiful - tiny, dark and dainty, and he's well, older, and clumsier and rather fond of his food - I...

Not a handsome prince then?

[Giggles] No, not at all. I was only thirteen when they married, and Melody was eighteen, so no one was going to discuss such an intimate subject with me. I wouldn't know how to approach it now, so I will probably never really understand. She doesn't seem unhappy though.

You have a cousin you are quite close to I believe?

[Face lights up] Laura, Yes, we were brought up together. She's a year older than I am and lives with her mother, my Aunt Margot, or rather Lady Radley. Laura's father died when she was two, so she's indulged in every way, but I adore her. We tell each other everything. [Fumbles with handkerchief again] At Least, we used to.

What do you mean?

Well, this summer, Laura told me she was in love with someone called Nicholas Tarrant. But it's all very mysterious. Although she insists Lady Radley knows all about him, Laura meets him in secret. She's very vague too about his family and what his prospects are. The strangest thing is, without any warning, this Nicholas turned up at Trencarrow and Laura didn't seem at all surprised to see him. Well, she tried to, throwing her hands in the air and saying, 'Well I never', and all that. But she forgets I know her very well.

So what is wrong with Nicholas Tarrant?

I'm not really sure. [Worries thumbnail with her teeth] And I don't mean to be unkind to Laura, because I love her dearly, but, well she isn't the prettiest of girls and tends to be a little plump with all the chocolates she eats. And Nicholas is extremely handsome and, well flashy and sly at the same time. Why would he be interested in a girl like Laura if she wasn't an heiress?

What about you? Do you have a young man?

[Flushes prettily] Well, I suppose I do really. I've known Jared Winters since we were children and everyone expects us to announce our engagement at my birthday ball. Jared is tall, has dark curly hair and is very handsome. All the girls I know admire him. I'm very lucky really.

Everyone? What about you? Are you happy to go along with your family's plans?

[Blinks] Me? I cannot say I've thought about it too much. Our families have always assumed we would marry one day and, well, I'll be twenty-one soon and that's late enough to be engaged, don't you think?

Tell me about yours latest house guest, Viscount Strachan?

Henry? [Flushes deeply] he asked me to call him that. He's very different from Jared, who calls me 'Old girl' all the time and pats me like a dog. Henry, I mean, Lord Strachan, talks to me about art and his two sisters who sound lovely. He understands that I don't like the water and doesn't make fun of me about it at all. He never says I ought to have got over such a silly fear by now either like Jared does.

He sounds more your kind of man than Jared.

Oh, I don't think so. [Twists handkerchief in her fingers] Henry is always squiring Evaline around. She's Jared's sister. She's tall with those pale, delicate looks everyone seems to think means she needs special care, though Evaline's never been ill a day in her life. [Lowers voice] She used to bully me at school, but I never mentioned it as no one would have believed such a thing of the perfect Evaline Winters. [Isabel rises] That's enough about her, shall I show you the gardens now?

Yes, that would be lovely. And thank you for talking to me, Isabel. Enjoy the rest of your summer in this beautiful estate.

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Hannah More Quote

There are but two bad things in this world--sin and bile."