Libertine in the Tudor Court

by Juliet Landon

ONE NIGHT IN PARADISE - Though Queen Elizabeth I's court at Richmond was a hotbed of illicit liaisons, beautiful Adorna Pickering remained unscathed. Yet the one man she couldn't resist had a reputation blacker than sin. And, though Adorna didn't want to be just another easy conquest, she'd willingly forsake everything she held dear for one night in Sir Nicholas Rayne's arms...

A MOST UNSEEMLY SUMMER - Capable and determined Lady Felice has had to learn how to take care of herself. So she is shocked when Sir Leon Gascelin forces her to accept him as her temporary guardian. Is it to stop tongues wagging because they reside under the same roof? Or has she deliberately been sent to this dangerously attractive gentleman to be well and truly tamed?

Genres: Historical Fiction

576 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

As the author of books on embroidery design, the progression in 1994 from fact to fiction was perhaps less daunting for Juliet than it might have been for a complete beginner. But in many ways, the requirements are similar: a strong imagination and sense of design; an eye for detail; a love of color, scenery, and research; and a willingness to share inner thoughts and feelings with readers. Dedication is also useful to Juliet, living in the country, as the temptation to spend time picnicking and sightseeing instead of writing is sometimes very strong.

Reviews

[Tetyana Adamenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think, this is honest work with some historical research 3,5 from 5

[Carla Acheson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any fans of the Tudor period would be attracted to the cover of this book, which is actually two books in one volume. Unfortunately the first story fell short in many ways for my reading tastes, therefore I could not digest the second. Written fairly well however, it reminded me why I generally avoid the mass-market produced romance novels, mainly because they often convey less plot and originality in favour of bodice-ripping tat and endless tacky scenes of unbridled passion. (A cliche much?)
I was disappointed in the storyline which began with - girl wants dashing man,- (who is typically a disreputable womaniser,) and spends several chapters telling herself how she absolutely must abstain from the rogue,and refuse his advances whilst concurrently being cornered by him at every opportunity, in the castle, in the stable, in the pretty gardens etc (yawn)... and hence, indulging in steamy embraces upon every other page. So, we have one page where Miss Pickering shouts, 'No!' and in the next she squeaks... 'Oh. Do me now!'
Rinse and Repeat.
Rinse and Repeat.
This, dear reader, is all there is, with the inclusion of a few scanty limp threads of a 'barely fleshed out' side plot containing undeveloped and mostly uninteresting characters. Additionally, the entire story could have been written within any time period or setting, just swap the heroine's soft plaited waist-length hair for a shoulder-length bob, and she could be a Parisian damsel instead, simultaneously, avoiding, then jumping into the muscular arms of 'Jacques' from the Gelateria down the road!
I would apologise for my review, but why? Why be dishonest with my own thoughts? Ultimately my reading time investment did not pay off, though I am sure this type of story has a great appeal to a certain readership. But unfortunately 'love, hate, love, happy ending' stories do not entertain me without much more originality and plot than this book contained. For me it was a book without any substance I am afraid, simply packaged with a cleverly marketed cover to appeal to the growing Tudor history readership.