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Royal Weddings #1
Secrets at Court
THE THRONE OF ENGLAND IS AT STAKE!
Anne of Stamford has long been the keeper of her mistress's secrets, but when Lady Joan marries the king's son, court life becomes ever more perilous. Sir Nicholas Lovayne has arrived to uncover the truth about Lady Joan's past, and Anne must do something—anything—to throw him off….
Longing to escape the intrigues at court, Nicholas hasn't counted on the way Anne distracts him—her refusal to accept pity for her clubfoot touches something deep inside him. Will he be able to follow his duty when every fiber of his being tells him to protect Anne?
Anne of Stamford has long been the keeper of her mistress's secrets, but when Lady Joan marries the king's son, court life becomes ever more perilous. Sir Nicholas Lovayne has arrived to uncover the truth about Lady Joan's past, and Anne must do something—anything—to throw him off….
Longing to escape the intrigues at court, Nicholas hasn't counted on the way Anne distracts him—her refusal to accept pity for her clubfoot touches something deep inside him. Will he be able to follow his duty when every fiber of his being tells him to protect Anne?
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Blythe Gifford
58 books64 followersAfter many years in public relations, advertising, and marketing, Blythe Gifford started writing seriously after a corporate layoff. Ten years and one layoff later, she became an overnight success when she sold her Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist manuscript to Harlequin.
She has since written medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a new series set on the turbulent Scottish Borders.
The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.”
Photo by Jennifer Girard.
She has since written medieval romances featuring characters born on the wrong side of the royal blanket. Now, she’s launching a new series set on the turbulent Scottish Borders.
The Chicago Tribune has called her work “the perfect balance between history and romance.”
Photo by Jennifer Girard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 18, 2019
3 Estrellas. Dado el recorrido que llevo últimamente por libros bastante maluchos, me he llevado una grata sorpresa leyendo este librito medieval. Es lo primero que leo de Blythe Gifford, y creo que no será lo último.
“Secretos en la corte” es el primer libro de la serie Bodas Reales, aunque ninguno de nuestros protagonistas son príncipes. En realidad los personajes de éste libro son Nicholas Lovayne y Anne de Stramford. La historia ocurre en 1361, a mitad de reinado de Eduardo III, en plena guerra de los cien años, y poco después de la temida oleada de peste negra que asoló Europa.
Nicholas Lovayne es un soldado inglés, que goza de la confianza del príncipe heredero, Eduardo, el Príncipe Negro, y acaba de volver de Avignon de una misión que le encomendó el príncipe. Anne de Stamford es la camarera personal de la condesa Joan de Kent, la futura esposa del Príncipe Negro. Anne es una dama con una grave tara física para la época, y si ha sobrevivido fue por los cuidados de su madre, por entonces dama personal de la reina Felipa, y por un terrible secreto que guarda sobre su ama, Joan de Kent.
Lo que más he disfrutado de ésta novela, es que la historia de trasfondo está basada en la historia real, como las crónicas cuentan que ocurrió, pero también con cosecha propia de la historia. Como fuere, parece ser que Joan o Juana de Kent debió ser un portento en su época: desposada en secreto a los doce años, su marido Thomas Holland desapareció cuando fue a la guerra, y su familia la casó con el conde de Salisbury. A los pocos años, Thomas Holland volvió vivo y reclamando a su esposa, por lo que su matrimonio con Salisbury fue invalidado y Juana y Thomas vivieron felices hasta la muerte de este. Eso no fue todo, si no que a los pocos meses de enviudar, Juana volvió a casarse en secreto también con el heredero del trono inglés, Eduardo, el Príncipe Negro.
Este libro empieza con ésta última boda clandestina, con Anne de Stamford como testigo de dicho matrimonio. Nicholas Lovayne acaba de volver de Avignon con la respuesta del papa para que ése matrimonio pueda ser válido, pues en el historial de Juana, o Joan no está del todo limpio, debido a sus matrimonios clandestinos y también por la consanguinidad, Joan y Eduardo tuvieron el mismo abuelo. La respuesta del papa, es que sólo el arzobispo de Canterbury tendrá la última opinión sobre el asunto, si entre sus documentos se encuentra el acta de matrimonio de la primera boda de Joan y la disolución de su matrimonio con Salisbury.
Anne, como amiga y confidente de lady Joan, deberá vigilar a Nicholas, el mensajero de Eduardo, para que no averigüe la verdad sobre los secretos de lady Joan, y que procure que todo sea como debe ser. De modo que en esta historia, el papel de Anne será el de entretener, a la vez que desvirtuar las preguntas de Nicholas para que los secretos no salgan a la luz.
El romance entre los protagonistas tarda en aparecer debido a las circunstancias de ambos. Nicholas es un hombre solitario, hecho por y para la guerra, y sólo desea librarse de sus deberes para con el príncipe y poder volver a las campañas de Francia. Nunca tuvo problemas para encontrar mujeres, pero sí supo desde el principio que no podía fiarse de ellas, tras el destrozado segundo matrimonio de su padre, Nicholas no quiere ni desea caer en brazos de una mujer traidora y manipuladora.
Por el contrario, Anne anhela conocer el amor, pero debido a su tara sabe que es difícil que eso pueda aplicarse a ella, Anne ha sobrevivido gracias a su madre, y a los secretos que sabe referentes a su señora, pero a parte de ello, es un ser invisible en la corte. Por eso, cuando hay alguna oportunidad entre ella y Nicholas, Anne la aprovecha, atesorándola, y sabiendo que no tendrá mucho más de él en el futuro. Y el problema no es ese, si no que sabe que está mintiendo y traicionando a Nicholas, por guardar el secreto de lady Joan.
No puedo contar mucho más, porque sería desvelar la trama del libro, pero sí diré que para ser un harlequin me ha gustado mucho. Me han gustado los personajes, la trama, y sí, al final el romance. No es una historia para tirar cohetes, pero sí ha sido muy entretenida, y si algo negativo puedo ponerle ha sido el personaje de Lady Joan, porque más que un personaje es una personaja y una tiparraca, mala malísima y una vívora. No sé si en la vida real Juana de Kent fue así, pero con tal de ser princesa, reina y también madre de un futuro rey, estoy segura de que algo debió haber.
“Secretos en la corte” es el primer libro de la serie Bodas Reales, aunque ninguno de nuestros protagonistas son príncipes. En realidad los personajes de éste libro son Nicholas Lovayne y Anne de Stramford. La historia ocurre en 1361, a mitad de reinado de Eduardo III, en plena guerra de los cien años, y poco después de la temida oleada de peste negra que asoló Europa.
Nicholas Lovayne es un soldado inglés, que goza de la confianza del príncipe heredero, Eduardo, el Príncipe Negro, y acaba de volver de Avignon de una misión que le encomendó el príncipe. Anne de Stamford es la camarera personal de la condesa Joan de Kent, la futura esposa del Príncipe Negro. Anne es una dama con una grave tara física para la época, y si ha sobrevivido fue por los cuidados de su madre, por entonces dama personal de la reina Felipa, y por un terrible secreto que guarda sobre su ama, Joan de Kent.
Lo que más he disfrutado de ésta novela, es que la historia de trasfondo está basada en la historia real, como las crónicas cuentan que ocurrió, pero también con cosecha propia de la historia. Como fuere, parece ser que Joan o Juana de Kent debió ser un portento en su época: desposada en secreto a los doce años, su marido Thomas Holland desapareció cuando fue a la guerra, y su familia la casó con el conde de Salisbury. A los pocos años, Thomas Holland volvió vivo y reclamando a su esposa, por lo que su matrimonio con Salisbury fue invalidado y Juana y Thomas vivieron felices hasta la muerte de este. Eso no fue todo, si no que a los pocos meses de enviudar, Juana volvió a casarse en secreto también con el heredero del trono inglés, Eduardo, el Príncipe Negro.
Este libro empieza con ésta última boda clandestina, con Anne de Stamford como testigo de dicho matrimonio. Nicholas Lovayne acaba de volver de Avignon con la respuesta del papa para que ése matrimonio pueda ser válido, pues en el historial de Juana, o Joan no está del todo limpio, debido a sus matrimonios clandestinos y también por la consanguinidad, Joan y Eduardo tuvieron el mismo abuelo. La respuesta del papa, es que sólo el arzobispo de Canterbury tendrá la última opinión sobre el asunto, si entre sus documentos se encuentra el acta de matrimonio de la primera boda de Joan y la disolución de su matrimonio con Salisbury.
Anne, como amiga y confidente de lady Joan, deberá vigilar a Nicholas, el mensajero de Eduardo, para que no averigüe la verdad sobre los secretos de lady Joan, y que procure que todo sea como debe ser. De modo que en esta historia, el papel de Anne será el de entretener, a la vez que desvirtuar las preguntas de Nicholas para que los secretos no salgan a la luz.
El romance entre los protagonistas tarda en aparecer debido a las circunstancias de ambos. Nicholas es un hombre solitario, hecho por y para la guerra, y sólo desea librarse de sus deberes para con el príncipe y poder volver a las campañas de Francia. Nunca tuvo problemas para encontrar mujeres, pero sí supo desde el principio que no podía fiarse de ellas, tras el destrozado segundo matrimonio de su padre, Nicholas no quiere ni desea caer en brazos de una mujer traidora y manipuladora.
Por el contrario, Anne anhela conocer el amor, pero debido a su tara sabe que es difícil que eso pueda aplicarse a ella, Anne ha sobrevivido gracias a su madre, y a los secretos que sabe referentes a su señora, pero a parte de ello, es un ser invisible en la corte. Por eso, cuando hay alguna oportunidad entre ella y Nicholas, Anne la aprovecha, atesorándola, y sabiendo que no tendrá mucho más de él en el futuro. Y el problema no es ese, si no que sabe que está mintiendo y traicionando a Nicholas, por guardar el secreto de lady Joan.
No puedo contar mucho más, porque sería desvelar la trama del libro, pero sí diré que para ser un harlequin me ha gustado mucho. Me han gustado los personajes, la trama, y sí, al final el romance. No es una historia para tirar cohetes, pero sí ha sido muy entretenida, y si algo negativo puedo ponerle ha sido el personaje de Lady Joan, porque más que un personaje es una personaja y una tiparraca, mala malísima y una vívora. No sé si en la vida real Juana de Kent fue así, pero con tal de ser princesa, reina y también madre de un futuro rey, estoy segura de que algo debió haber.
November 29, 2020
The final miles of this journey stretched before him, as difficult as all the rest had been. But the Edwards, both King and Prince, would have no patience for excuses. Princes and popes need only speak a thing for it to happen, expecting mere mortals such as Nicholas Lovayne to create the needed miracles. And time after time, he did. He made certain there was always an alternate route, always another choice, always one more way the goal might be reached, never exhausting the possibilities until the deed was done. There was pride in that.
I’ve had bad luck with HQN Historicals lately, but this was a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting much after my previous disappointment from Gifford (THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER), but this feels more natural in its characterization, & the historical background, while important to the plot, doesn’t overwhelm the MCs own story. The Black Prince period is my least-favorite medieval era to read, so the fact that I still enjoyed it speaks highly of the way it’s crafted.
At heart, the plot is simple: Anne, Joan’s lady-in-waiting, knows a secret about Joan; Nicholas, trusted fixer-and-soldier in service to the Prince, needs to unravel Joan’s history to get papal permission for the Prince’s marriage to Joan; Anne & Nicholas are forced to approach the same goal from different angles, thus falling in love.
I really liked the MCs. Anne is a keen observer of ‘behind the scenes,’ whether politically or emotionally, but also a very proud woman who struggles with physical disability defining her gilded cage. Nicholas, a career soldier, is also a keen observer, but only of surface values—the best use of an object or building, the fastest way to get what the Prince wants from whoever must give it. They’ve both built their lives around what they believe to be contented servitude, but slowly realize that the other person completes their worldview—Nicholas sees the big picture, while Anne looks at details; Nicholas, strong as a bear, literally helps her move beyond her service, while Anne becomes the warmth Nicholas has never found while soldiering. They are neither uber-gorgeous in their looks, but both find the other’s small beauties to be arousing—the color of her hair, his strong hands, her laugh, his glower.
Another thing I liked was how the author doesn’t seem to think much of Joan on a personal level. Too many distant-historical authors tend to romanticize their subjects, particularly the Black Prince & his retinue (though not quite as much as R3 fangirls :P), so Gifford’s grain-of-salt approach to Joan & her variable background was refreshing.
Anyway. This was enjoyable & sweet (no sex until the last quarter) with good emotional development & a healthy dose of tension to compensate for a lack of action. Nicholas was a good hero—taciturn & not overly emo—while Anne had enough grumpitude to balance her innate calmness.
Strong 4 stars, & I’ll continue with this trilogy. :)
I’ve had bad luck with HQN Historicals lately, but this was a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting much after my previous disappointment from Gifford (THE HARLOT’S DAUGHTER), but this feels more natural in its characterization, & the historical background, while important to the plot, doesn’t overwhelm the MCs own story. The Black Prince period is my least-favorite medieval era to read, so the fact that I still enjoyed it speaks highly of the way it’s crafted.
At heart, the plot is simple: Anne, Joan’s lady-in-waiting, knows a secret about Joan; Nicholas, trusted fixer-and-soldier in service to the Prince, needs to unravel Joan’s history to get papal permission for the Prince’s marriage to Joan; Anne & Nicholas are forced to approach the same goal from different angles, thus falling in love.
I really liked the MCs. Anne is a keen observer of ‘behind the scenes,’ whether politically or emotionally, but also a very proud woman who struggles with physical disability defining her gilded cage. Nicholas, a career soldier, is also a keen observer, but only of surface values—the best use of an object or building, the fastest way to get what the Prince wants from whoever must give it. They’ve both built their lives around what they believe to be contented servitude, but slowly realize that the other person completes their worldview—Nicholas sees the big picture, while Anne looks at details; Nicholas, strong as a bear, literally helps her move beyond her service, while Anne becomes the warmth Nicholas has never found while soldiering. They are neither uber-gorgeous in their looks, but both find the other’s small beauties to be arousing—the color of her hair, his strong hands, her laugh, his glower.
Another thing I liked was how the author doesn’t seem to think much of Joan on a personal level. Too many distant-historical authors tend to romanticize their subjects, particularly the Black Prince & his retinue (though not quite as much as R3 fangirls :P), so Gifford’s grain-of-salt approach to Joan & her variable background was refreshing.
Anyway. This was enjoyable & sweet (no sex until the last quarter) with good emotional development & a healthy dose of tension to compensate for a lack of action. Nicholas was a good hero—taciturn & not overly emo—while Anne had enough grumpitude to balance her innate calmness.
Strong 4 stars, & I’ll continue with this trilogy. :)
January 16, 2016
A new-to-me author I'd originally DNF-ed and recently decided to give another chance. So very glad I did. A novel of considered, thorough historical research yet nothing ponderous about it. The history comes alive; our hero and heroine, poignantly held back from expressing love, find solace in each other. At the whim of their royal masters, their proximity leads to understanding and care; physical attraction drives them into each others' arms. The whispered confidences after love-making see the reawakening of two souls who'd compromised their life away into mere survival and fulfilling of duties. If you'd like to read a more extensive review, please follow the link:
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2016...
Please note I received an e-ARC from Harlequin, via Netgalley.
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2016...
Please note I received an e-ARC from Harlequin, via Netgalley.
February 22, 2026
Soy consciente de que Hipobella va a dejar de ser mi amiga por esta reseña pero aquí va.
El libro es objetivamente malo, no puedo decir nada menos cuando el protagonista se pone a hacer malabares por la cara, no en una, sino en VARIAS ocasiones. Pero, también es cierto que ha sido tan malo que me he reído mucho. Lo siento pero lo del pie y los comentarios al respecto me tenían dando volteretas, o sea no podían ser más salvajes.
Reconozco que parte de la puntuación la tiene porque el libro tenía bastante de derecho matrimonial canónico que me encanta, pero estaba muy confuso explicado todo lo de los 3 matrimonio de la puta Joan. También es verdad que las bolas de malabares y Nicholas tenían más química que él y Anne, porque él es un inmaduro infantil, pero al final me gustó que se casaran no voy a mentir.
Solo por los comentarios ableists salvajes le pongo un 2,75
El libro es objetivamente malo, no puedo decir nada menos cuando el protagonista se pone a hacer malabares por la cara, no en una, sino en VARIAS ocasiones. Pero, también es cierto que ha sido tan malo que me he reído mucho. Lo siento pero lo del pie y los comentarios al respecto me tenían dando volteretas, o sea no podían ser más salvajes.
Reconozco que parte de la puntuación la tiene porque el libro tenía bastante de derecho matrimonial canónico que me encanta, pero estaba muy confuso explicado todo lo de los 3 matrimonio de la puta Joan. También es verdad que las bolas de malabares y Nicholas tenían más química que él y Anne, porque él es un inmaduro infantil, pero al final me gustó que se casaran no voy a mentir.
Solo por los comentarios ableists salvajes le pongo un 2,75
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2026
DIOS MIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, de lo peor q he leído jamás tío. como se puedo ser TAN MALO fuera bromas. lo peor es q es muy poco probable q odie un libro q tenga romance , por muy malo q sea , si el romance me gusta LO COMPRO. pero es q esto ha sido totalmente infumable bro , he sufrido mucho y he perdido AÑOS DE VIDA.
me lo acabé hace dos días y no te sabría decir nada del libro , total borrada de mente. menos mal q ya no lo tengo q leer más. HORRIBLE.
me lo acabé hace dos días y no te sabría decir nada del libro , total borrada de mente. menos mal q ya no lo tengo q leer más. HORRIBLE.
October 5, 2018
Medieval romance! Surprisingly (or not-so-surprisingly?), Secrets at Court is my first foray into this sub-genre. And my thoughts at this point are: I want more...but not necessarily by this author.
This book focuses on a romance between a knight fighting in the infamous Hundred Years’ War and a maidservant of Lady Joan of Kent, the eventual wife of the Black Prince, Edward. I think what’s really interesting to me is that most of the characters in this book are actual historical figures—i.e. Joan and Prince Edward. Contrast this to Regency and Victorian romances, where the only real person who appears on the page is a vague reference to which monarch is sitting on the throne at Windsor. As someone who slid into reading romance after tearing through hundreds of straight-up historical fiction novels, this aspect of Secrets at Court was really cool! I have very little knowledge about the earlier Plantagenets, but I liked that Blythe Gifford was writing about real people here—it helped the story feel that much more grounded in a lesser-explored time period.
Yet, of course, the difference between a work of historical fiction and a historical romance is the intense focus on characterization. And while I was deeply impressed by the author’s historical world-building, I was less impressed by her portrayal of the protagonists—at least the male protagonist. Sir Nicholas is one of those unfortunate romance heroes who hates women (due to Mommy Issues, as always), but then finds himself attracted to the heroine “in spite of himself.” Outraged at his own traitorous feelings, Nicholas then proceeds to stomp around and treat Anne (the female protagonist) like absolute shit. When she finally gets over her bewilderment and asks him why he’s so angry all the time, he finally pauses to self-reflect and realizes he loves her.
Cue extensive “Do Not Want” faces from my end.
I’m really tired of the “boys are mean to you because they like you” cultural myth that seems to persist regardless of the fact that it makes no sense. And I’m also tired of female authors, writing for a majority female audience, perpetuating that terrible idea. Love is love; bullying is bullying. Stop conflating the two. I have no patience for emotionally constipated men with no self-awareness. Neither do I have patience for “love” disguised as cruelty. Those kinds of relationship dynamics are toxic and outdated.
Yet on the other hand, I did really like the female main character, Anne, and how Gifford portrayed her. It’s nice to see a disabled protagonist who isn’t a puddle of self-hate. Anne has a lame foot, but she proves to herself and to Nicholas that she’s strong and self-sufficient, and she doesn’t expect to live her life as an object of pity or scorn. This is especially remarkable considering the 14th century context, when disabled people—especially women—were viewed as a) a punishment from god, and b) entirely useless. But Secrets at Courtworks hard to show a different possibility, even as it acknowledges that most were not so lucky.
Really, my evaluation of this book is a balancing test. On one hand, I liked the author’s attention to historical accuracy and the positive portrayal of disability. On the other hand, I didn’t love the hero’s outlook on life, and also the book is a bit too short to fully develop a relationship between the protagonists (the downside of category romance). Overall, I enjoyed Secrets at Court. I would definitely like to read more medieval romance, and potentially more books by this author as well.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
This book focuses on a romance between a knight fighting in the infamous Hundred Years’ War and a maidservant of Lady Joan of Kent, the eventual wife of the Black Prince, Edward. I think what’s really interesting to me is that most of the characters in this book are actual historical figures—i.e. Joan and Prince Edward. Contrast this to Regency and Victorian romances, where the only real person who appears on the page is a vague reference to which monarch is sitting on the throne at Windsor. As someone who slid into reading romance after tearing through hundreds of straight-up historical fiction novels, this aspect of Secrets at Court was really cool! I have very little knowledge about the earlier Plantagenets, but I liked that Blythe Gifford was writing about real people here—it helped the story feel that much more grounded in a lesser-explored time period.
Yet, of course, the difference between a work of historical fiction and a historical romance is the intense focus on characterization. And while I was deeply impressed by the author’s historical world-building, I was less impressed by her portrayal of the protagonists—at least the male protagonist. Sir Nicholas is one of those unfortunate romance heroes who hates women (due to Mommy Issues, as always), but then finds himself attracted to the heroine “in spite of himself.” Outraged at his own traitorous feelings, Nicholas then proceeds to stomp around and treat Anne (the female protagonist) like absolute shit. When she finally gets over her bewilderment and asks him why he’s so angry all the time, he finally pauses to self-reflect and realizes he loves her.
Cue extensive “Do Not Want” faces from my end.
I’m really tired of the “boys are mean to you because they like you” cultural myth that seems to persist regardless of the fact that it makes no sense. And I’m also tired of female authors, writing for a majority female audience, perpetuating that terrible idea. Love is love; bullying is bullying. Stop conflating the two. I have no patience for emotionally constipated men with no self-awareness. Neither do I have patience for “love” disguised as cruelty. Those kinds of relationship dynamics are toxic and outdated.
Yet on the other hand, I did really like the female main character, Anne, and how Gifford portrayed her. It’s nice to see a disabled protagonist who isn’t a puddle of self-hate. Anne has a lame foot, but she proves to herself and to Nicholas that she’s strong and self-sufficient, and she doesn’t expect to live her life as an object of pity or scorn. This is especially remarkable considering the 14th century context, when disabled people—especially women—were viewed as a) a punishment from god, and b) entirely useless. But Secrets at Courtworks hard to show a different possibility, even as it acknowledges that most were not so lucky.
Really, my evaluation of this book is a balancing test. On one hand, I liked the author’s attention to historical accuracy and the positive portrayal of disability. On the other hand, I didn’t love the hero’s outlook on life, and also the book is a bit too short to fully develop a relationship between the protagonists (the downside of category romance). Overall, I enjoyed Secrets at Court. I would definitely like to read more medieval romance, and potentially more books by this author as well.
📌 . Blog | Review Database | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
May 4, 2014
Is it possible for a prince to marry for love rather than political or financial gain?
Anne of Stamford, crippled since birth, is fortunate to be a lady-in-waiting to Lady Joan. For fifteen years she has lived with the court and held a secret capable of destroying the approaching royal marriage.
Nicholas Lovayne is valued for his skills in both war and peace. Now he has returned from presenting a petition to the Pope. Diplomats, clergy, and coin will enable the Prince to marry Lady Joan, regardless of her previous marriage – or marriages.
Manipulated by Lady Joan, Anne travels with Nicholas to Canterbury claiming to be on a pilgrimage. But he’s a dangerous man – he sees her as a woman, not a cripple to be either ignored or pitied. Word by hesitant word the facts of her life begin to slip out in his presence. Can she stop before the secret spills? Does she want to?
I enjoyed this tale set in 1361 against the backdrop of constant war, intrigue, and plague. By little kindnesses to each other, Anne and Nicholas win the heart of the reader and make the implausible appear true.
Anne of Stamford, crippled since birth, is fortunate to be a lady-in-waiting to Lady Joan. For fifteen years she has lived with the court and held a secret capable of destroying the approaching royal marriage.
Nicholas Lovayne is valued for his skills in both war and peace. Now he has returned from presenting a petition to the Pope. Diplomats, clergy, and coin will enable the Prince to marry Lady Joan, regardless of her previous marriage – or marriages.
Manipulated by Lady Joan, Anne travels with Nicholas to Canterbury claiming to be on a pilgrimage. But he’s a dangerous man – he sees her as a woman, not a cripple to be either ignored or pitied. Word by hesitant word the facts of her life begin to slip out in his presence. Can she stop before the secret spills? Does she want to?
I enjoyed this tale set in 1361 against the backdrop of constant war, intrigue, and plague. By little kindnesses to each other, Anne and Nicholas win the heart of the reader and make the implausible appear true.
March 14, 2014
This was such a wonderful story that I didn't want it to end, and when it did, I was left with that horrible what-on-earth-can-I-read-now? feeling you get when you read a book which completely absorbs you. I had to set aside all the books I'd had lined up to read next, and choose something else, because nothing I'd selected was going to come anywhere near close to being a satisfying read after this one, which was provided by the publisher through netgalley.
This is a story set in the court of Edward III, during a time of war and Black Death, when marriages were considered sacred if vows spoken aloud were consummated. But this description doesn't do it justice.
The story challenges conventional historical thinking, with a setting which allows us to peek into conventions of the time, and yet, still satisfies the need for a really great romance.
The hero and heroine are wonderfully written. We get to see the world through their cynical eyes, and then the development of unexpected, unwanted love. The intrigues of the Court are woven deeply into the story and the ending is as convincing as it is simple. The setting is wonderfully described and the writing is simply excellent.
And here I run out of words..
5 stars. I absolutely frikkin' loved this book. Straight to my all-time-favorites list and I'm never getting rid of it.
This is a story set in the court of Edward III, during a time of war and Black Death, when marriages were considered sacred if vows spoken aloud were consummated. But this description doesn't do it justice.
The story challenges conventional historical thinking, with a setting which allows us to peek into conventions of the time, and yet, still satisfies the need for a really great romance.
The hero and heroine are wonderfully written. We get to see the world through their cynical eyes, and then the development of unexpected, unwanted love. The intrigues of the Court are woven deeply into the story and the ending is as convincing as it is simple. The setting is wonderfully described and the writing is simply excellent.
And here I run out of words..
5 stars. I absolutely frikkin' loved this book. Straight to my all-time-favorites list and I'm never getting rid of it.
Read
March 1, 2014"Gifford peeks behind the scenes of royal weddings in the first of a duet and creates a solid, worthy read. Royals plus secrets plus impending exposure always equals drama of the highest order, and Gifford delivers with quiet flair when she pairs the countess' closet companion with the prince's enigmatic warrior. Gifford also succeeds in addressing the many challenges Anne faces with realism and respect." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
Miniseries: Royal Weddings
Miniseries: Royal Weddings
October 25, 2022
The Chicago Tribune has called Blythe Gifford's work "the perfect balance between history and romance," and I couldn't agree more!
"Anne of Stamford has long been the keeper of her mistress's secrets, but when Lady Joan marries the king's son, court life becomes ever more perilous. Sir Nicholas Lovayne has arrived to uncover the truth about Lady Joan's past, and Anne must do something—anything—to throw him off…."
The back and forth between Anne and Nicholas kept this book exciting. They were definitely attracted to each other, but Anne was keeping a huge secret for Lady Joan and couldn't risk Nicholas finding out, and Nicholas had a very big problem when it came to trusting women given his father's marriage when he was a child to a woman Nicholas felt was manipulative and a liar.
"But who knew why women did anything except for their own gain. In his experience, women's interest in him had been directly proportional to what he could offer them."
But Anne isn't your average flighty woman. She has been dealing with a physical disability all of her life, and in that day and age, you were more likely to be turned out to beg on the street than live a normal life, so she considers herself very lucky indeed to be taken care of by Lady Joan. But what happens when she finds herself attracted to a man who makes her think and feel things that will get her nowhere in the long run? Or so she tells herself.
This was a very quick read because the characters were interesting and the historical backdrop was fascinating to read about.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to continuing with the Royal Weddings series.
Highly recommend - 5/5 stars.
"Anne of Stamford has long been the keeper of her mistress's secrets, but when Lady Joan marries the king's son, court life becomes ever more perilous. Sir Nicholas Lovayne has arrived to uncover the truth about Lady Joan's past, and Anne must do something—anything—to throw him off…."
The back and forth between Anne and Nicholas kept this book exciting. They were definitely attracted to each other, but Anne was keeping a huge secret for Lady Joan and couldn't risk Nicholas finding out, and Nicholas had a very big problem when it came to trusting women given his father's marriage when he was a child to a woman Nicholas felt was manipulative and a liar.
"But who knew why women did anything except for their own gain. In his experience, women's interest in him had been directly proportional to what he could offer them."
But Anne isn't your average flighty woman. She has been dealing with a physical disability all of her life, and in that day and age, you were more likely to be turned out to beg on the street than live a normal life, so she considers herself very lucky indeed to be taken care of by Lady Joan. But what happens when she finds herself attracted to a man who makes her think and feel things that will get her nowhere in the long run? Or so she tells herself.
This was a very quick read because the characters were interesting and the historical backdrop was fascinating to read about.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to continuing with the Royal Weddings series.
Highly recommend - 5/5 stars.
September 2, 2026
Eu queria muito encontrar qualidades para esse livro, mas não tem.
Nós sabemos que a protagonista desse livro tem uma deficiência no pé, o que fez com que, durante toda a sua vida, ela fosse estigmatizada e impedida de viver uma vida plena (ela usa bengala e possui dificuldades mesmo com ela). Então o mocinho aparece, e ele é o primeiro homem que ela sente que olha para ela como uma mulher desejável, tudo bem até então, só que... O livro é simplesmente muito ruim e desenvolve isso muito mal.
Nós sabemos que a vida dos deficientes é bastante difícil, mas a todo o momento a autora precisa ficar lembrando disso, como se nós já não soubessemos.
Junto a isso, a personagem ainda faz questão de mencionar o tempo todo o quanto é feia e sem graça, destacando que nem mesmo o lixeiro do castelo olha para ela! Isso quando o assunto não gira em torno de sua deficiência ou do que ela poderia ter sido se fosse uma pessoa normal. Eu acho importante destacar esses aspectos no livro, pois faz parte da vida do pcd, mas a autora pesa a mão e a cada página isso é mencionado. Quando não é mencionado, a autora faz Anne cair incontáveis vezes na frente do mocinho.
Quando o romance finalmente aconteceu, não fui capaz de ver sinceridade, pois a Anne falava tanto o quanto era feia, sem graça, pcd, cabelo horroroso e indigna de amor, que não consegui, de fato, ver o amor de Nicholas como outra coisa a não ser piedade, pena, dó da donzela, e por isso a necessidade de cuidar dela.
Talvez se o mocinho tivesse uma outra personalidade e fosse alguém mais caseiro, romântico, leal, carismático e paciente (Nicholas definitivamente não é paciente), se encaixaria perfeitamente com a personalidade melancólica de Anne e convenceria muito mais, pois seria tudo o que a Anne precisava.
Nós sabemos que a protagonista desse livro tem uma deficiência no pé, o que fez com que, durante toda a sua vida, ela fosse estigmatizada e impedida de viver uma vida plena (ela usa bengala e possui dificuldades mesmo com ela). Então o mocinho aparece, e ele é o primeiro homem que ela sente que olha para ela como uma mulher desejável, tudo bem até então, só que... O livro é simplesmente muito ruim e desenvolve isso muito mal.
Nós sabemos que a vida dos deficientes é bastante difícil, mas a todo o momento a autora precisa ficar lembrando disso, como se nós já não soubessemos.
Junto a isso, a personagem ainda faz questão de mencionar o tempo todo o quanto é feia e sem graça, destacando que nem mesmo o lixeiro do castelo olha para ela! Isso quando o assunto não gira em torno de sua deficiência ou do que ela poderia ter sido se fosse uma pessoa normal. Eu acho importante destacar esses aspectos no livro, pois faz parte da vida do pcd, mas a autora pesa a mão e a cada página isso é mencionado. Quando não é mencionado, a autora faz Anne cair incontáveis vezes na frente do mocinho.
Quando o romance finalmente aconteceu, não fui capaz de ver sinceridade, pois a Anne falava tanto o quanto era feia, sem graça, pcd, cabelo horroroso e indigna de amor, que não consegui, de fato, ver o amor de Nicholas como outra coisa a não ser piedade, pena, dó da donzela, e por isso a necessidade de cuidar dela.
Talvez se o mocinho tivesse uma outra personalidade e fosse alguém mais caseiro, romântico, leal, carismático e paciente (Nicholas definitivamente não é paciente), se encaixaria perfeitamente com a personalidade melancólica de Anne e convenceria muito mais, pois seria tudo o que a Anne precisava.
August 22, 2019
This was an incredibly depressing book. I'm giving it three stars because it was well written, showed how horrible life was back then and how different people can see experiences in a totally different way.
November 1, 2018
I loved this book, I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I need to read more books by this author.
June 21, 2019
I find the story rather drawn out, the main characters a bit too bland, one dimensional, the story repetitive. The last 20% felt more heartfelt and meaningful.
February 14, 2014
Explosive secrets and hesitant love!
1361. A tale of princes, love and discarded husbands. Secrets skulk in high places, surrounding annulled marriages and ecclesiastical decisions. The story of Joan of Kent, and her irregular marriages is witnessed through the eyes of her constant companion Anne, the lame daughter of Joan's former lady-in-waiting.
Anne of Stamford is the focus through which the fascinating woman who would become Prince Edward's wife is revealed. There is a deep mystery surrounding Joan of Kent, all tied up with ecclesiastical courts and this wilful woman intent on shaping her own destiny. Anne comes to know the force of that intent. Gifford's Afterward is interesting in locating the historical questions that surround Joan, The Fair Maid of Kent and Edward, The Black Prince.
In reality, Joan and Edward's marriage is the larger than life background, the raison d'être for the interaction between Anne and Sir Nicholas Lovayne
Anne holds the secrets of Joan's former marriages, their disturbing timelines. For that knowledge alone Anne will eventually be a source of danger to the legitimacy of any children Joan and Edward might have. Fortunately Anne is not only intensely loyal, she's grateful to have a place where she is protected from the life that others with her affliction experience.
(The observations about the crippled and afflicted, their fate in these times, the attention to the difficulties of riding for Anne, even her experiences amongst the pilgrims, focus our attention on Anne's struggles and fears and the import of the secrets she holds for her very survival. When Anne contemplates the lame begging in the streets and compares her lot to theirs, the realization that the veneer of protection between them and what her life could hold is frighteningly thin.)
The tension between Anne and Nicholas is palpable. Anne of course is continually having to hide her mistresses secrets from the discerning eye of Nicholas.
Who is Nicholas? He's the Prince's man, a mercenary who's fought his way to this position. A man who wants no ties but cannot help but sense the strength of this lame maid. He sees her, who she is, when no-one else does. He is attracted to her. He is also the man charged with seeking the annulment of Joan's former marriage from the Pope and the approval of her marriage to Prince Edward from the English ecclesiastical court, the Curia. A man charged with uncovering secrets.
A dangerous dance ensues between these two. A dance of secrets withheld and secrets sought, of painful revelations and ultimately of love.
A NetGalley ARC
1361. A tale of princes, love and discarded husbands. Secrets skulk in high places, surrounding annulled marriages and ecclesiastical decisions. The story of Joan of Kent, and her irregular marriages is witnessed through the eyes of her constant companion Anne, the lame daughter of Joan's former lady-in-waiting.
Anne of Stamford is the focus through which the fascinating woman who would become Prince Edward's wife is revealed. There is a deep mystery surrounding Joan of Kent, all tied up with ecclesiastical courts and this wilful woman intent on shaping her own destiny. Anne comes to know the force of that intent. Gifford's Afterward is interesting in locating the historical questions that surround Joan, The Fair Maid of Kent and Edward, The Black Prince.
In reality, Joan and Edward's marriage is the larger than life background, the raison d'être for the interaction between Anne and Sir Nicholas Lovayne
Anne holds the secrets of Joan's former marriages, their disturbing timelines. For that knowledge alone Anne will eventually be a source of danger to the legitimacy of any children Joan and Edward might have. Fortunately Anne is not only intensely loyal, she's grateful to have a place where she is protected from the life that others with her affliction experience.
(The observations about the crippled and afflicted, their fate in these times, the attention to the difficulties of riding for Anne, even her experiences amongst the pilgrims, focus our attention on Anne's struggles and fears and the import of the secrets she holds for her very survival. When Anne contemplates the lame begging in the streets and compares her lot to theirs, the realization that the veneer of protection between them and what her life could hold is frighteningly thin.)
The tension between Anne and Nicholas is palpable. Anne of course is continually having to hide her mistresses secrets from the discerning eye of Nicholas.
Who is Nicholas? He's the Prince's man, a mercenary who's fought his way to this position. A man who wants no ties but cannot help but sense the strength of this lame maid. He sees her, who she is, when no-one else does. He is attracted to her. He is also the man charged with seeking the annulment of Joan's former marriage from the Pope and the approval of her marriage to Prince Edward from the English ecclesiastical court, the Curia. A man charged with uncovering secrets.
A dangerous dance ensues between these two. A dance of secrets withheld and secrets sought, of painful revelations and ultimately of love.
A NetGalley ARC
January 1, 2014
3 1/2 Stars
Through a series of unfortunate incidents, the imperfect Anne of Stamford comes into the service of the ambitious and deceptive, Lady Joan, who is determined to wed Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son of the King of England. Anne knows she must do all Lady Joan bids for her well-being and for those around her even if she doesn't agree with what is going on around her. Loyalty always comes with a price.
Sir Nicholas Lovayne has spent most of his life in service with his sword and now he is ready to retire and be free to live out the rest of his days in peace, but it isn't quite to be, just yet. Sir Nicholas is given the unsavory task of finding out if Lady Joan, who was previously married, is legally and morally able to be wed to Edward.
Anne and Nicholas set out on a mission of fact finding that takes them many miles away from home. Due her Anne's disability, she has never been far from Lady Joan and this torturous journey on horseback will either break her or make her stronger. Nicholas never wanted any involvements with women, other than the casual meeting, but during the journey he comes to respect Anne for her determination and soon he comes to have deeper feelings for the woman who thought she would be alone and at the mercy of others forever
SECRETS AT COURT by Blythe Gifford is a wonderful historical romance. I am a complete history geek, so I enjoyed the subject matter. Anne is a strong character who doubts her own ability to survive, but strives to have what she has been told all her life she can't have. Her attraction to the knight is is shroud in disbelief at first, but when the pair begin their love affair, she wonders if more is possible. Nicholas is prejudiced by his past and allowing Anne access to his true self is a journey in itself. I enjoyed this book and I hope that others will as well.
Through a series of unfortunate incidents, the imperfect Anne of Stamford comes into the service of the ambitious and deceptive, Lady Joan, who is determined to wed Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son of the King of England. Anne knows she must do all Lady Joan bids for her well-being and for those around her even if she doesn't agree with what is going on around her. Loyalty always comes with a price.
Sir Nicholas Lovayne has spent most of his life in service with his sword and now he is ready to retire and be free to live out the rest of his days in peace, but it isn't quite to be, just yet. Sir Nicholas is given the unsavory task of finding out if Lady Joan, who was previously married, is legally and morally able to be wed to Edward.
Anne and Nicholas set out on a mission of fact finding that takes them many miles away from home. Due her Anne's disability, she has never been far from Lady Joan and this torturous journey on horseback will either break her or make her stronger. Nicholas never wanted any involvements with women, other than the casual meeting, but during the journey he comes to respect Anne for her determination and soon he comes to have deeper feelings for the woman who thought she would be alone and at the mercy of others forever
SECRETS AT COURT by Blythe Gifford is a wonderful historical romance. I am a complete history geek, so I enjoyed the subject matter. Anne is a strong character who doubts her own ability to survive, but strives to have what she has been told all her life she can't have. Her attraction to the knight is is shroud in disbelief at first, but when the pair begin their love affair, she wonders if more is possible. Nicholas is prejudiced by his past and allowing Anne access to his true self is a journey in itself. I enjoyed this book and I hope that others will as well.
December 11, 2013
A sweet romance filled with court drama, Secrets at Court was a lovely historical romance read. I really liked this book, from the romance, to the intrigue. It was a wonderful read.
I really liked Anne. She was very strong, in her own quiet way. I mean, she manages to live at court as a future queen's handmaiden, and she does it all with a crippled foot. She was very loyal and determined to be happy despite her disability. I thought she was great.
Nicholas was sweet. He was clever and determined and a true gentleman. A few times, though, I wanted to whack him upside the head for being so blind. Particularly when he projected his anger about his deceitful stepmother onto Anne, just because she was a woman with a secret (though it was a big, country-changing secret). But, overall, he was wonderful.
The romance was sweet. I really liked how these two fell slowly in love, going from wariness, to trust, to infatuation, and, finally, to love. There was a bit of spice, but that wasn't the focus of their relationship. I thought they were sweet together.
The plot was good. I was kept interested the entire way through, but I can't say that I was totally hooked. There were secrets in store that took me by surprise. I really enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was lovely.
Secrets at Court was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet, enjoyable, and filled with court drama. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to check out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I really liked Anne. She was very strong, in her own quiet way. I mean, she manages to live at court as a future queen's handmaiden, and she does it all with a crippled foot. She was very loyal and determined to be happy despite her disability. I thought she was great.
Nicholas was sweet. He was clever and determined and a true gentleman. A few times, though, I wanted to whack him upside the head for being so blind. Particularly when he projected his anger about his deceitful stepmother onto Anne, just because she was a woman with a secret (though it was a big, country-changing secret). But, overall, he was wonderful.
The romance was sweet. I really liked how these two fell slowly in love, going from wariness, to trust, to infatuation, and, finally, to love. There was a bit of spice, but that wasn't the focus of their relationship. I thought they were sweet together.
The plot was good. I was kept interested the entire way through, but I can't say that I was totally hooked. There were secrets in store that took me by surprise. I really enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was lovely.
Secrets at Court was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet, enjoyable, and filled with court drama. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to check out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
April 9, 2014
I happen to also be reading Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror, which is in part told about the marriage of Isabella, sister of the king's son whose marriage to Lady Joan is a subplot in this book. Blythe's story helped the period come much more alive for me as a result. Heroines always have a flaw of some sort; they have to, because if they were perfect, they'd be boring. I liked what Blythe did with giving Anne a physical disability, an outer flaw, and having her be less than conventionally beautiful. She did a great job of getting us inside this woman's head and struggle with honesty and loyalty and where they should be placed. Lady Joan also I thought was extremely complex and intriguing. I won't say more than that so as not to give away anything, but she'd be worth a read of this book just for her story! Well done!
February 19, 2014
Good read. The hero is a knight in the service of the Black Prince in the late 1300s. He's a quartermaster and "fixer" of sorts. The heroine is a lady for the woman the prince wants to marry, a woman with a complicated marital past. And the heroine suffers with a club foot, back when no one had any ideas for treatment. She's resigned to a life of invisibility. Until the prince's gofer --the hero-- stumbles across her. The story grows slowly and sweetly, with hints and suspicions about the lady's past causing trouble for both hero and heroine. I'm a sucker for stories where the hero or heroine has a flaw that no one but the other can see past to the beauty beneath. This was a nice one.
March 26, 2014
It was ok, I have read better historical romances. But it was refreshing to read about a heroine with a disability. If you want to read more about Joan and the Black prince Edward I recommend
. It is a bigger book but portrays Joan in a far more negative light. But it is a detailed interesting concept of Edward 3rd and Phillipa on Hainault
. It is a bigger book but portrays Joan in a far more negative light. But it is a detailed interesting concept of Edward 3rd and Phillipa on Hainault 
September 19, 2014
I didn't have high hopes for this one. I mean, I found it on the clearance shelf, it's apart of a harlequin series and it's not particularly long. So I grabbed it as one of my generic romance novels I keep around for in between really long series, or when I'm needing something a little simpler to enjoy. And really, it was the pretty cover that drew me in.
I was pleasantly surprised. I actually, genuinely, liked both of the main characters. At no point did I want to slap them.
I'm definitely keeping this book on my shelves.
I was pleasantly surprised. I actually, genuinely, liked both of the main characters. At no point did I want to slap them.
I'm definitely keeping this book on my shelves.
March 25, 2014
Loved this medieval romance and enjoyed every moment of it. Really, really lovely.
Exciting with twists and turns right up until the very end. Leaves you wondering what really happened with Lady Joan and whether the marriage with Thomas was legit or not. And Nicholas Lovayne was a wonderful hero. Beautiful descriptions of the cathedral too and really brought to life the era of the Middle Ages.
Exciting with twists and turns right up until the very end. Leaves you wondering what really happened with Lady Joan and whether the marriage with Thomas was legit or not. And Nicholas Lovayne was a wonderful hero. Beautiful descriptions of the cathedral too and really brought to life the era of the Middle Ages.
November 19, 2014
I appreciate the use of actual history with modern interpretation. The romance, with the exception of an abrupt about face, was realistic and did not feel forced. I wish the red hair bias was better explained though. as a historical fan I understand where it comes from, but it was completely lacking why the character felt she was unfashionable at best. I may look for other historically based novels from this author as I appreciated the research that went into the writing.
February 27, 2014
I don't read a lot of medievals, but when I do I WANT a medieval. I felt the author did a nice job with her world-building and there was no mistaking this story as anything other than a medieval. Nice to see the importance of the Vatican addressed in this story, and I loved that the author gave us a disabled heroine without pitying her.
Read
February 2, 2014Miniseries: Royal Weddings
April 23, 2014
Intrigue and romance are afoot in this excellent story!
May 26, 2014
Quick read. Good story line. Ah the romance….swoon. ;)
March 12, 2015
A Blythe Gifford first for me!!! I'm glad I did!!! Meet Ann of Stamford and Sir Nicholas Lovayne. A wonderful change of pace!!
April 27, 2016
3,5 Stars. More detailed review to follow.
August 11, 2024
3.5 ⭐
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