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Laurence Beaumont #2
The Licence of War
This second thrilling novel featuring Laurence Beaumont, the seductive, sardonic protagonist introduced in The Best of Men, blends history and fiction in a seventeenth century alive with intrigue, passion, violence and wit, from the embattled court of King Charles I at Oxford where poisonous rivalries fester, to stately country estates and the colourful underworld of thieves and whores.
1643: England is descending into a bloodier Civil War, and Beaumont, born a nobleman's heir but with a shadowy past as a mercenary turncoat and spy, has been hired against his will as agent to the King's new Secretary of State, the manipulative Lord Digby.
Still in love with the bewitching Isabella Savage, Beaumont is sent by Digby into enemy-held London to track down his counterpart, Parliament's twisted spymaster, who nourishes his own, very personal desire for revenge. Already Beaumont suspects he can trust no one, not even Isabella, who has deep ties to Digby. As power struggles seethe within the Royalist camp and Beaumont's tenuous faith in the King's cause is further eroded, he becomes haunted by nightmares portending two deaths: of the King, and of the Prince of Wales, for whom Beaumont cherishes a strong, protective bond.
At home, as his father's health weakens, Beaumont's duty is to choose a respectable wife and carry on the ancient line, though to give up Isabella will devastate him. Worse yet, a visitor from his mother's Spanish past appears with a long-buried secret that could ultimately destroy the Beaumont family.
1643: England is descending into a bloodier Civil War, and Beaumont, born a nobleman's heir but with a shadowy past as a mercenary turncoat and spy, has been hired against his will as agent to the King's new Secretary of State, the manipulative Lord Digby.
Still in love with the bewitching Isabella Savage, Beaumont is sent by Digby into enemy-held London to track down his counterpart, Parliament's twisted spymaster, who nourishes his own, very personal desire for revenge. Already Beaumont suspects he can trust no one, not even Isabella, who has deep ties to Digby. As power struggles seethe within the Royalist camp and Beaumont's tenuous faith in the King's cause is further eroded, he becomes haunted by nightmares portending two deaths: of the King, and of the Prince of Wales, for whom Beaumont cherishes a strong, protective bond.
At home, as his father's health weakens, Beaumont's duty is to choose a respectable wife and carry on the ancient line, though to give up Isabella will devastate him. Worse yet, a visitor from his mother's Spanish past appears with a long-buried secret that could ultimately destroy the Beaumont family.
608 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2014
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138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 14, 2015
As the English Civil War intensifies, Laurence Beaumont finds himself the unwilling agent of the king's new secretary of state, Lord Digby. Beaumont is still in love with Isabella, but with his father's health declining, he must choose between her and his familial duty to choose a suitable wife and produce heirs. Meanwhile, his mother's Spanish cousin shows up with an explosive secret that threatens to ruin his entire English family.
The action is intense and fast-paced, and once again the author handles multiple plot lines and points of view with supreme skill. Now that I have the understanding of the historical context, I didn't have the difficulty keeping track of who was doing what why that I had with the first novel in the series (The Best of Men).
A lovely book for historical fiction aficionados.
The action is intense and fast-paced, and once again the author handles multiple plot lines and points of view with supreme skill. Now that I have the understanding of the historical context, I didn't have the difficulty keeping track of who was doing what why that I had with the first novel in the series (The Best of Men).
A lovely book for historical fiction aficionados.
March 13, 2014
I found the book enjoyable, full of interesting history and situations. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves to read fiction/historical fiction. I do have one drawback, I found it too long, almost 600 pages. If I even read 50 pages at a sitting I felt like I would never finish the book.
July 22, 2016
Wow, what a ride. This book is a roller coaster of intrigue and passion. The historical aspect is very interesting, I love reading about the 17th century in England. Beaumont is such a rascal, but strong and clever. I haven't read the first book in this series, but might just have to look for it after reading this.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaway contest.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaway contest.
September 2, 2016
it is a great book. i could not put it down. It has open and upfront dialogue, not censored. The historical detail made me feel as though i was there. It offers all the intrigue, politics, friendship, violence and passion within the constrains of the world of 1643.
November 17, 2014
I read "The Licence of War" straight after the first in the series, "The Best of Men". Now, totally enamoured of the fascinating characters Dr. Letemendia has conjured up, I am utterly bereft. Please, dear author, write faster!
May 24, 2014
Loved it. Hoping for a third book in the series.
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January 27, 2014Just won this book....Looking forward to begin reading it!
May 5, 2014
Excellent follow-up to "The Best of Men". It will be interesting to see if she writes a third volume.
January 25, 2017
New author. Worth reading more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews